Happy Easter

Dear family and friends,

We are here in the office a little early today as we have General Conference. It starts at 1:00 p.m. here so we must write home and then get going. After the first session the zone is going to end a fast we’ve been holding at Subway restaurant. It’s the only one in the mission so we have got to take advantage of the fact we live so close! 

My Neuquén District - April 2015

I always forget about holidays, but this week with Easter its been a little different. Over the past few weeks I've thought a lot more about my testimony of Jesus Christ, about how strong it was when I left for the mission. The night I wrote my farewell talk I prayed for a stronger witness of the Lord, and I felt it really came to me. I realized stronger than ever that God had given His Son because he loves me, and Christ did what he did because he loves me. 

In Bariloche for a conference with President Lovell we were asked to all prepare a talk that centered on one given in conference from this past October (the reason for our hope, I think that’s what it was called). The night before the conference I stayed up with Elder Supelano and we realized together that because of Christ we have hope for a better world. That was a very spiritual night as well and it really strengthened our relationship. The next day I was asked to give the talk and that only gave me a stronger testimony. 

My 20th Birthday!

In this area and with this position I feel like I am doing a little bit of everything. Teaching when I can, serving others from the office, helping President and Sister Lovell and president, the Arnaundin’s, the new people, the people who are leaving, whatever it is. This is where the Lord wants me to be. I could be out in the field, but for now, I’m doing more good here than I could anywhere else. Serving a mission has been a very fulfilling experience so far. When I’m not eating or sleeping I am always on the Lord´s errand. This is an experience I will never have again. 

This week was the busiest week of the transfer. On Monday we had our meeting where all the changes are presented, and after that it was game time for me, buying all of the tickets and preparing spreadsheets for the Zone Leaders so they know who is coming and who is leaving from their areas. 

I thought I might be training a new secretary this transfer and then be heading out to the field, but it looks like I am staying in the office. President Lovell said it might be three to four more transfers. That’s four or six more months in the office. I’m willing to do it, and I think that I finally have an attitude that says I WANT to do it. I am ready for the challenge. I feel like after 4 months Heavenly Father has finally told me that the mission needs me here. I am serving the mission in the best way I can for now as the secretary. 

This coming week a lady from Buenos Aires who works for the church is coming to teach me more about the legalization process and that should be interesting. I email her about four times a week regarding different questions I have so it will be fun to meet her. 

On the teaching front we do have one investigator and his name is Lucas. According to his teaching record missionaries have been visiting with him for almost four years. We are hoping we can be the missionaries that help him set a goal for baptism and then do it! 

Happy Easter! I love everyone!

Elder Kauffman aka Jack