Training (round 2)!!!

Hello to all!

What a great week. Where to start! I think I will just start from the beginning. We got the phone call last Monday with the long-awaited "changes"...My local companion was to be going home, and I was called to be a Trainer again.

 I am also the District Leader here. It was exciting news. We went around on Tuesday, working hard and letting my companion say goodbye to many close friends we had made here, before getting on the Tuesday night 11PM bus towards Asunción. 8 hours later, we got into Asuncion to the mission office, where I was greeted by many familiar faces...Old companions, such as Elder Kendell and Elder Harris, also Christian, who received his Patriarchal Blessing this last Sunday, and is almost done with his mission papers, should be leaving in July. He is incredible. I waited there in the office, until the trainer meeting started.  President Madariaga talked about how the Trainer is the biggest position in the mission, "the mission is only as good as its trainers" which was a little intimidating, but a great opportunity for me to grow. He said that the trainer must be obedient with exactness, hard working, and teach with the Spirit. I have been striving to live within those standards, and have seen myself grow daily.   We waited there for a while, until we separated and they did the projector thing where they put my name, picture, and area on the screen, then they announce who my "hijo" will be.  My time came, and my new companion is Elder  Wheatley. We had another meeting, barely made it to the big terminal to get on our bus on time (that was a miracle, that comes with a great story that I would love to share if I had more time), and headed out. We got to work, and had a great week.

The 25th was great. We had church, there was a small turnout, but we had a miracle turn out. Carlos, who is investigating the church, showed up, and loved it. He is planning on getting married and baptized in about 2 weeks. I gave a talk on "Signs", specifically on the signs of the birth of Christ here in the Americas. It turned out well, I challenge you all to read there in Helaman 14 and then in 3 Nephi 1 to see the predictions fulfilled and the powerful testimony of Jesus Christ.

In this time of year, its easy to get lost from the real reason why we celebrate Christmas. I know that Jesus is the Christ, that He was born of Mary in Bethlehem, that He lived a perfect life, and that He died for me. I challenge all of you to read the Book of Mormon, for it is the strongest testament of our Lord and Savior, even Jesus Christ.

Thanks for all the support, love you all! Keep us in your prayers, and have a Merry Christmas!

Until next week,

Elder Babcock