September 20

Dear Family,

This has been a good week, but it's had its ups and downs. I'll get the downs over with first. I got some kind of food poisoning so I spent the past couple days running to either the apartment or the chapel between appointments. Still don't feel too pretty, but, as they say down here "A la carga, dijo Varga" which means "[Go] to the task, said Varga" aka, the Nike slogan, "Just Do It".

This week we were also teaching Carlos´ mom and Grandma and had a really good lesson. The spirit was so strong in that room. We have been working with them for quite a while, but we can't get them to come to church. We promised so many blessings and helped them to realize how important it is to come to church, but they still didn't come this Sunday. That's one of the big disappointments of the Mission: You come to love the people and want the very best for them, and provide a way for them to be happier, but because of their agency, they don't choose those things that will truly make them happy. Other than that, the week went really well. Pretty much a normal week, not much out of the ordinary. We got to ordain Dante (Junior) this Sunday as a deacon and next Sunday he'll get to pass the Sacrament. We are working with his sister (Macarena) and her boyfriend Carlos to get baptized this Saturday. We have been teaching them for the last 2 months and it seems like they are really prepared. Yesterday, however, we talked about their baptismal date and they were pretty nervous about getting baptized this week. We're going to be visiting them almost every day this week, so hopefully we can conquer their fear and get them baptized. They already know everything, just a little nervous. Pray for them.

Anyway, short on time. The church is true and it's the only way to be completely happy! Love you all tons. I'm doing great, gettin' fat and happy. I´m totally loving it down here, but still miss you guys. Write me! (Promise, it's worth it.)

Love, Elder Spencer