Hello!
I have arrived here safely in Ciudad del Este! I went from being able to look across a river and see Argentina, to being able to look across a river and see Brazil. I have gotten some really pretty pictures of the river this week. Ciudad del Este is a lot different from Encarnacion. There is a lot less Guarani here, but a lot of Portuguese. A lot of the time when people are talking very quickly they throw in a ton of different languages and I just have no idea what they are saying. It’s weird because beforehand when I didn’t understand anyone, I just looked to my companion who had more time than me, and he would usually have understood them. But now I’m the person getting looked at to understand what someone said. Every time it happens I just chuckle to myself and try my best to understand and explain.
I am finishing the training of Elder Reynolds Myers, from Oklahoma. It’s actually really fun to train, I get to see someone experiencing little bits and pieces of Paraguay for the first time and it’s just really cool to see. It’s also forcing me to improve my Spanish, since I’m doing a lot more talking now than before. I like training, it’s lots of fun, and Elder Reynolds Myers and I really like this branch. Right now we have a girl named Laura on date for baptism for the 12th of June, so make sure you guys keep her in your prayers! She is progressing swimmingly and she absolutely loves the lessons, she always takes notes. It’s also great for Elder Reynolds Myers to practice his teaching skills and Spanish. Our mission has a big emphasis on member visits, and I’m glad we do. I didn’t realize it, but my first few transfers of lots of member visits really makes your teaching improve, and I’m glad I can help another missionary find ways to improve their teaching as well!
For all of my studies this week I read a lot about principles. Joseph Smith, in regards to the governance of Nauvoo, said, “I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves…” Missionary work is often quite difficult, and I always wondered to myself, “What is the best way to do this?” I realized that there is no one way to do missionary work, and that the best way to do it is to follow the principles that are outlined in the gospel and apply it to the work. Just how there is no, “One best way to do something” in missionary work, there is no “one best way to do something” in our lives. We will find that when we live by the principles that are set out in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that is when we will see ourselves progress, and improve, and live after the manner of happiness. We will realize that we are governing ourselves.
I hope you all have a very good week!
Elder Watson
