Feliz Navidad!

Hola!!

We had an awesome week!  We had two huge mission conferences this week.  We got together as a mission and we all went Christmas caroling!  Several people cried as we sang to them.  Can you feel the spirit of Christmas?!!  It has been so awesome.  During the Christmas devotionals we had, I felt the spirit so strong.  I always get chills that are sent down my spine.  Our mission president, Pres. Pèrez, testified of the Atonement of Christ and I could feel and know that it is the truth without a doubt in my mind.  I know that God lives and that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the World. 
Luke 2: 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Christ gives us hope and peace.  He gives us light and life.  He takes away our fear and He gives us joy.  I hope that you all find joy this week through our Saviour Jesus Christ.  I know that He lives.  Many times on my mission I have felt His guidance and comfort.   Feliz Navidad!

This week we have had a huge miracle.  Our dear friend Liliana has not smoked for 3 days now.  Also this week her work schedule has changed and she will now be able to come to church on a weekly basis.  Just an absolute miracle.  She has changed her baptism date for the 21st of January and without a doubt she will make it.  She has had a rough life.  I always share with her Matthew 11: 28 ``Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.``  I have seen the Gospel of Jesus Christ change the lives of people and it is marvelous.  The greatest miracle that we see now a days is a change of heart.  A change that comes from Christ.  A change that gives us peace and rest.

We are working a ton, and we should be having lots of success in January.  I am doing great.  I am super happy to be where I am.  I am too excited for Christmas.  I am grateful to be a missionary in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  The only true kingdom of God over the face of the Earth.  VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!  Don`t Forget to light the world.

Mele Kalikimaka,

Elder Maynard

 Santa Fe view during Service

Manos Mormonas que ayudan 

 4th day of Christmas

 ARROZ CHAUFA

 5th day of christmas

More party time  

Party time. 

 Nice view over Santa Fe

Bruno mars too much facha 

Divisions with LZ 

Do you reconginze these guys?

 We caroled to an awesome kid who is in the hospital

Party time Round two: Santa Fe

Party 

 Feliz Navidad

 Elder Maynard after a long day

Christmas Day 2 

Weekly planning with Elder Llanos 

 Cake Break

Christmas day 3 

 Service Project

 We cleaned a bunch of garbage on the Santa Fe High Way

 Our christmas tree!

Actividad for Christmas, trip on the bus 

 Singing a christmas song to a guy smoking weed

 Singing to little sweet girls

 Caroling in a meat shop that had a huge santa :D

PARTY TIME. Merry Christmas 

Son màs los que estàn con nosotros

Còmo andamos?

This week we have started seeing Christmas trees set up in people`s houses.  It is just the best sight in the entire world.  Christmas decorations aren`t too popular here in Argentina so it is just an extra super feeling when they are seen.  I am trying to learn a few Spanish Christmas songs and it has been super fun.  But maybe my family in future Christmases will be really annoyed when I start singing them.  I will sing them as much as I can while I am here.

Our dear friend Liliana didn`t make it to church this week :(  She slept in.  A common Argentine occurrence.  But she did something super cool that surprised me.  (I just realized that I say ``super`` a lot, my English vocabulary has been diminished. Sorry.)  We have been giving her lots of ideas to stop smoking and one of them was to do a fast.  Without even telling us, she fasted.  She said that it helped her feel a lot less stressed out and a lot less nervous.  When she fasted, she made it a whole day without smoking.  The church is so cool, miracles happen when we obey the commandments and we make an extra effort.  I was super proud of her for that.  She is trying super hard and she really wants to be baptized.  She didn`t come to church so she will not make her baptism date in December, but we will work with her for January :)

I had an awesome experience this week.  We were on our way to meet up with some other missionaries, and we passed by a bakery.  I had a thought to buy some facturas in the bakery for them.  I let the thought go and I kept walking, but then I thought the same thing again, so I went back and I bought some facturas.  (I also bought one for me :) haha)  I gave the other missionaries the facturas and they showed extra gratitude for them.  Then I realized that the day was ``Feed the Hungry`` for the Light the World project.  That made me feel even more awesome.  Super cool experience.  I hope that you all are having a fun time LIGHTING THE WORLD too.

In my mission I have had the big blessing of meeting lots of awesome missionaries.  I have also had huge support and love from all of my friends and family.  I am just surrounded by great people.  A scripture has really hit me hard this week.  2 Kings 6: 16  ``And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.`` These words come from the prophet Elisha.  He told these words to his servant when his servant was scared in a sticky situation.  Many times in life we have some hard moments, but we shouldn`t feel alone.  There are always more people on our side that love us and help us out.  But most importantly, our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ are always on our side, they always have our back.  I love you all, and I send you all my thanks for having my back :)  Keep enjoying the Christmas season and LIGHT THE WORLD!!!

Love,

Elder Maynard

Me and Mom on her Birthday :) 

 Divisions with some elders.

 MY CHRISTMAS PACKAGE WHOOOOO :O

 My 19 month mark

Feliz Cumpleaños Mama

HOLA!!

First and foremost, everyone give a huge hug to my sweet mother!!  Happy Birthday Mom!!  If someone wants to buy her Peanut Butter M&M´s and say that they are from me that would be really awesome haha My mom is the best.  I really like a quote that I have heard a few times in the mission,  ´´Be the missionary that your mother thinks you are.´´  My mom has always been super supportive of me and she has always pushed me to be a good person.  I am so grateful for her!  One of the huge motivators for me in the mission is to make my mom and my whole family proud.  I love you so much mom!  Happy Birthday!

We had a really crazy week.  Really really busy.  We have traveled all over the mission.  Amongst all of the craziness, I always find a good break though my personal study.  The mission has taught me a lot about the worth of scripture study.  I just want to say that I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and the special spirit that it brings into my life.  The mission has also helped me to recognize that life is made of special moments.  I had lots of small special moments this week while reading the Book of Mormon.  

December has been a special month so far.  I have been really excited.  Excitement is the best thing that you can have in the mission.  If you have excitement, then you can tackle on anything.  We have been working hard and sharing the Church´s Christmas Campaign with everyone.  Everyone softens their heart a little bit to hear about Christmas.  Yesterday while working, I felt really good.  I felt the help of God and the Spirit as we went about talking to literally everyone in our path.  We just testified of Christ all afternoon.  The Christmas Spirit has been strong and it is only going to get stronger. 

Lots of our investigators are having problems with smoking.  We have been doing lots of things to help them out.  We have made plans and goals to stop smoking and we have been having lots of contact with them.  President Pérez said that December is the month of Miracles.  I really believe that we can have a miracle and that one of our investigators can overcome their addiction and be baptized this month.  I really do believe it.  We need a miracle.  We just have to do all that we can possibly do, and God will do the rest.  

Happy Birthday Mom!!  Til next week everyone! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Maynard

 Selfies From hernandarias yesterday

 Divisiones with Rafaela

Divisiones Rafaela 

Divisiones La Paz 

 Ilumina el Mundo

 Dinner With President

 Road Trip

New Church building in Hernandarias, yeah we slept the night there