July 8, 2013

Hey Guys,

Things are going well here in Rosario.  We are excited for the baptism of Olga. She is the aunt of our new Branch President Danny Rodas.

 She has had a lot of trial up to this point, her husband died one month ago today and then someone stole all her money but she has always looked forward and is now get baptized. There is always trial when helping someone get baptized always. This week we saved again tithing and fast offering for last so we could teach it with Danny. She accepted tithing and then fast offering and I thought it was golden then when we told her about her baptismal day she got really nervous and said I'm not getting baptized. At first I thought it was a joke but then Danny got kind of upset/mad and they got into an argument. Apparently there was some misunderstanding and the reason she didn´t want to get baptized was because she thought there was going to be a party afterward. In reality the branch had planned a surprise party for after(First time in my mission) but not anymore. She is kind of timid but is turning out to be one of the stronger converts I have taught. We are all just excited! 

Yesterday for fast and testimony meeting we finished at 11:45 because everyone that wanted to give the testimony did. First time in my life. 

My district is kind of struggling this past week especially the Hermanas but hopefully I can motivate them this week in my District Meeting. But in my district there are 3 people getting baptized on Saturday so they are pretty excited.

So I imagine you want to know about the new Mission President. Well let me start out by telling you. He is so cool. On Tuesday I got the church early in Nueva Helvecia to set up everything while the ZLs went to get the mail and got stuck doing the dishes and helping the Hna Bingham a senior missionary cook lunch. When president showed up early. So I missed him walk in (I guess it was kind of weird). Anyway I ran to meet him. He gave me a hug and then his first words to me where, ¨Elder Wray so your the best looking Elder everyone has been telling me about, man look at your eyes they have an amazing light¨ I was a little freaked out to tell you the least. We were the first elders to meet him in the mission besides the APs and Office elders. Anyway he began introducing himself and family( he came with 2 kids a daughter(11) and son(16)). And the truth is I thought he was really weird. His wife blew us a kiss and he caught it and but it in his pocket. jaja Iguess he is weird. He is a convert, he was baptized when he was 19 and then left on his mission, to Uruguay! (he also served in Cerro but I guess it was really different then) He then started his own business from what I understood which teaches CEOs of the Fortune 1000 Companies how to reach there goals and how to change there company culture quickly and efficiently. He also has written quite a few books I guess. Really, pretty cool. I told him in my interview that dad was a cooperate pilot to which he said that's awesome I love traveling in private jets.

Anyway So I was thinking he was kind of weird and thinking of how grateful I was to have Pres. Heaton but then he started teaching. It was incredible. It started out as if he was trying to sell us something but then the spirit started to testify and it was crazy. By far one of the best trainings I have had. Then he interviewed us. It was one of the most motivating interviews I have ever had. He has this amazing talent to make someone happy and motivated. Almost everyone who had an interview left on the verge of tears and all the hna's left crying. He is going to change the mission. He said of the 147 new presidents (around there) 10 served in Uruguay that is crazy. 

Tell everyone The Work is Going Great - President Smith in my interview

I wish I could stay in the mission longer.

Anyway next week I will have a set date for when I come home sorry it has taken so long. But that is really about it. Love You!

Elder Wray

P.S. Elder Perry told President Smith, ¨The year 2013 will be referred back to like we refer back to the first vision or the Restoration of the priesthood¨ That is so cool! Love you