This was a unique week; we had transfers early because our President is in another part of Argentina in preparation for the temple cornerstone laying at the end of the week. Him being away complicates transfers, so we had transfers a few days early. My new companion is Hermana Alvez from Uruguay and she is wonderful! She is very sweet and anxious to help me with my Castellano and practice her English more with me every once in a while. The beginning of the week was filled with sick companions, suitcases, an early morning walking to the bus terminal (two different times), cleaning, and working. Wednesday we didn't have a lunch appointment, so, at the request of Hermana Alvez, we tried to recreate an American chicken pot pie. Considering we didn't have a recipe and we were using all Argentine ingredients, it turned out pretty darn well if I do say so myself. Complete with chicken gravy!!!!! It was fun to have a little taste of home....even if it were a long shot. Thursday I passed my six-month mark in the mission. It's weird to think that 1/3 of my mission is passed. It's been a long journey, but at the same time, I can hardly believe how the time has flown. What adventures I've had in these 6 months...I wonder what more is in store (better Spanish, more deliciously fattening food, and dirty dogs is my prediction). Thursday afternoon, Hermana Garcia and I had appointments that all fell through, so we had planned to visit some people we'd talked to on the street. Unfortunately no one was home or they weren't able to talk, including all our back up plans. So, we turned to Plan C and visited some people a bit more out of the way. As we were walking to a specific address, I thought of this one woman we tried to visit two times previously, but she was never available to talk. Her house was near where we were walking, so I suggested that we pass by and give it one more shot. Three is the charm I guess because she let us in! Her name is Graciela and is 29 years old. She has a cute 4 year old son and a "marido" (a live in boyfriend that she calls her husband....it's really deceiving...everyone says that are married--"marido"--but in reality, they aren't legally married). She told us that she has recently started going to church and investigating different religions. She told us about how she never graduated from High School and just recently signed up to finish her classes and get her high school degree. She said that she's really nervous and has many similar fears in her life. We taught her about the Restoration and gave her the Book of Mormon. It was amazing to see the spirit literally touching her as we taught as tears filled in her eyes. She expressed at the end how she had feels to cry as we were teaching her. I tried to explain to her that those feelings were from the spirit as he was testifying to her that our message was true. She anxiously accepted a follow up appointment for the next day and accepted the invitation to be baptized. When Hermana Alvez and I went back to her house the next day, we cleared up some of her questions about Priesthood authority and Joseph Smith and set a baptismal date in December (gotta get her married!). She is very sweet and reminds me of my sisters. She is just a young mom trying to make life happy for her and her family. She is really genuine and kind. Unfortunately she didn't come to church Sunday, but I'm hopeful that she will progress and get baptized by the end of the year. Saturday, Hermana Alvez and I taught three new people! SebastÃan (19 years old): A reference from a wonderful family who is friends with their son. He has heard the lessons many times, but came to us and said that he is ready to get baptized and wants to surprise his friend. We taught him and set a baptismal date in November. We are anxious to work with him and help him solidify his testimony and be baptized this transfer. We also taught a woman who other elders in the zone met on the street one day. She has 4 grown children who are members, but she never got baptized. She has great desires to start over, to start fresh in her life. She says that she lacks faith, so we taught her about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, how through obedience to God's commandments we can develop more faith as we see God's pattern of blessings unfold in our lives accordingly. We also taught her about repentance, baptism, and the reception of the Spirit and how we can start new in this way, we can leave our lives in the waters of baptism and start fresh with a new life dedicated to following Jesus Christ. She too accepted a baptismal date in December. (she smokes and will obviously need to stop....) She came to church on Sunday (late because she had to work), but regardless, at the end of Relief Society, she went around to all the women and said goodbye and everything! She loved church and we are thrilled! We are anxious for this transfer as we have lots of great people to work with and are working well together as companions. I'm anxious to learn more spanish and my companion is happy to practice her english. Greater things are in store this transfer. Our mission goal is to reach 1,000 baptisms for this year and as of right now, we are about 175 baptisms shy of that goal. Hopefully Hermana Alvez and I can add to that pool! Thanks for all the love and support! Enjoy the random pictures! Love, Hermana Pelton 1. the zone 2. mission feet (love the tan lines) 3. san rafael relief society on mother's day (in argentina) 4. hermana alvez and me 5.yay! 6. take 2 7. train museum 8. train museum
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