Elder David Maynard: April 2017

Monday, April 24, 2017

10... 9... 8...

Hey Everyone!!

Well... It has been a great adventure up until now. I am excited to see how these last 10 days play out. I have been trying to do my best every day. That is all that I can do this last week of my mission. If we do all that we can, then God will do the rest. We will never be able to do all things by ourselves, but that is why we have our Savior Jesus Christ. ``For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son. That whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.`` A great lesson that I have learned on my mission is that I am nothing. But God can make me something.

We had quite a few miracles this week. I think that the greatest miracle of all is that we had 6 investigators in church!!! All 6 of them are from the Familia Cortez. They are progressing!! They all tell us that they know that the restored gospel is true. They will be baptized someday, we just do not know when yet! There is no better feeling than having investigators in church and participating of the sacrament with them. It is one of the greatest joys as a missionary. It makes you feel like all of the hard work during the week paid off!

We are teaching quite a few people!! The Lord is blessing us with people who are ready to listen. I have been focusing a lot on having love for everyone. I have a goal to treat everyone as if they were Christ, as if I were serving the Master Himself. Matthew 25:40 ``Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.`` Sometimes I get frustrated with some investigators but the Lord has been blessing me with compassion and mercy. I can think of four occasions this week where I showed patience and then taught the people with love. I felt the spirit strongly every time. It was beautiful. Being a missionary is amazing. I am going to miss it. My goal this week is to be happy. I will let you all know how it goes!! :)

I share my testimony that I know that the Church is true. I know that Christ lives. I feel His comfort and love especially during this point of time in my life. I am so grateful for the mission. I am so grateful for the 10 days that I have left to serve. I am grateful for my family. Gratitud y gran loor, te rendimos oh Señor.

I love you all!!! See you soon.

Elder Maynard

Misiòn Argentina Santa Fe
DyC 128: 22 Hermanos, ¿no hemos de seguir adelante en una causa tan grande? Avanzad, en vez de retroceder. ¡Valor, hermanos; e id adelante, adelante a la victoria! ¡Regocíjense vuestros corazones y llenaos de alegría! ¡Prorrumpa la tierra en canto¡

SUNDAY

LUNCH

This is what I get for petting dogs

My Last PDAY!!!

I love Argentina clouds

I found this family at lunch! Flia Zanuttini de Costanera

Alfajor time

Divisiones with Elder DUval

Lets go H TOWN (Elder Duval went to herriman too.)

My last meeting to review transfers with President

Watermelon kool aid

Divisiones with Monte Vera

More divisions pics

2 of the kids from the Familia Cortez.

look where I had lunch!!!

Monday, April 17, 2017

Felices Pascuas

HOLA!!!

First and foremost, a big congratulations to my dear sister Brittney, and my future brother-in-law Keith. They got engaged this last week! It is one thing to learn and teach about the plan of salvation, and it is another thing to live it. I am happy for you guys! I have learned for myself here in the mission that the plan of salvation is real, that families truly can be together forever. I know that it is only possible through our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. He put down his life in rescue for many, so that we might live again. I am grateful for Him. Congratulations Brittney and Keith and Happy Easter everyone!!!

We had an awesome trip this week to Concordia, a city about 5 hours from Santa Fe. We visited many missionaries there and worked with them. President Pèrez has been focusing a lot on the consecration and moral purity. We need to be REAL missionaries and not just have the appearance of a missionary. We have been sharing with everyone Helaman 3: 35 ``Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.`` I can testify that true happiness and relief in life only comes by handing your heart over to God. That is when we can be comforted and we can become the people that Christ wants us to be. It was a great trip to Concordia, it was filled with the Spirit.

We have had a few great miracles this week. The Lord blessed us with a few new investigators and we will see how they progress this week. We have also been working with the Familia Cortez. One of the girls from the family made it to church this week!! It was awesome!! They are slowly reading and praying. I love seeing the changes in people. We cannot understand how God does it but He truly does change the hearts of men. We have been encouraging the Familia Cortez to be a bit more committed to follow the Savior. We shared Jacob 3: 2 with them. ``O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.`` We can participate freely of God`s love, but it is our own choice to do it or not. We have to make the choice and be committed to it. We have to be frim in Christ.

Well... Can I just say that I love the mission? I feel so blessed. I love my family, I love Argentina. I love the Gospel. I love the Savior. Life is good.

See you all soon!

Elder Maynard

Misiòn Argentina Santa Fe