Moving to Palmyra, New York and Palmyra, San Martin.Labron possibly playing for BYU?

Mercedez's Baptism
April 24, 2010






Ariel's Baptism
May 1, 2010




Hi family and friends!

Wow, I can`t believe that it`s already the 10th of May. Time flies by so fast and in 10 days I will have a year on the mission and be halfway done. That is absolutely incredible to think about. It seems like only yesterday that we were saying goodbye at the MTC. This next year will fly by even faster I am sure and I`l be home to play games wih you again and everything. I love playing the dice game and that will be one of the first things we play I`m sure. It was SO good to talk to all of you yesterday. It`s so much easier to express who I am and everything that`s hapening over phone rather than through e-mail. I`m sure it will be even easier in person, then I can throw in hand actions and everything. People are very animated when they talk here in Argentina. There`s been a few times where Antonio has gotten off his seat to start dancing around and acting something out that he is saying. It`s always very entertaining when he does that and I hope to imitate that when I come home from my mission.

Anyway, as for what happened this week, let`s get down to business.
Monday was way fun! We got a lot of things done that we needed to get done and played soccer with the missionaries on the cement soccer court behind the church. They call them canchas de 5 (5 courts, so there can be 5 players at a time on each team). That was pretty fun! I`m getting better at soccer and will probably play for Real Salt Lake when I get home (maybe we`ll make a rec league team called Real Salt Lake or something). Anyway that`s besides the point.

Tuesday we ran into a new kid late at night that we invited to come play soccer with the other youth in the church. We were trying to get a hold of his dad, but they said he always leaves and walks around at night and is never home. I don`t think he goes out and drinks or anything, I just think he enjoys walking around at night and winding down. The dad is an incredible guy and I hope to get to say bye.

Oh yeah, this is just a side note, but just so everyone knows I am finally leaving Alvear this Wednesday. I`ve been here roughly 6 months and absolutely love it here. The members are incredible and the area is beautiful. Lot`s of farms and a small city...kind of like Lindon, but less urbanized (hey that was a good word). Anyway I am moving to an area called San Martin in a city called Palmyra. I know, I love it! Palmyra, New York. Palmyra, San Martin. What`s the difference. I`ll have to tell people that Joseph Smith lived in Palmyra for a time. They might think I`m talking about Palmyra, San Martin. That would be funny; it would definitely grab their attention. I guess afterwards I could tell them was Palmyra, New York.

Anyway this youth`s name is Brian and I hope he comes around, he in an incredible guy! We walked with him to the chapel and talked to him a lot. He is 13 years old and has a pretty sharp mind. His family is naturally intelligent I think.

Wednesday my companion got sick and we stayed in the Pench most the day. But we got a lot of cleaning done and got ready for the big move...stay tuned.
Thursday we went and visited Mercedez for the first time after her baptism. She is just glowing and I know she has the Spirit with her. She feels so calm and confident about life and I see big changes happening in Diego and Mercedez`s life in the future.

Friday we went and visited another 13 year old named Ariel. His mom is an active member now and his sister just got baptized last Saturday (photo inculded as well as the photo of Mercedez`s baptism from last week). He is a stud and will come along. It`s hard for him to listen to us but he has a cousin that is a member of the church that I think will make it more comfortable for him. I hope the new Elders that come (one of which is named Elder Lebron...pretty cool huh? Lebron James did not convert to the church, but this Elder Lebron is from Clevland, OH and does play basketball really well. He wants to walk onto BYU`s basketball team when he gets back from the mission; he`s awesome!) do a good job with him.

Saturday the Hermana`s had a baptism and we got to participate and help out a lot. I got to sing a song during the interlude time when the person who baptized and the baptizee are changing; I had a good time! We also moved Saturday!!! How fun is that! We have a new pench now, and now I am leaving. It will be fun to enjoy the new pench for three days before we leave.

I love you all, I know the church is true. The gospel will bless your life if you let it. The Book of Mormon is true. Joseph Smith told the truth. Love you all! Bye!

Love,
Elder Hoglund