"So How Long Does It Take For Salmonella To Set In?"

¡Hola Amigos y Familia!

Earlier this week I was worried about getting Salmonella but now it sounds like I should be more concerned about COVID-19 or whatever the heck it's called. Things are getting pretty serious it sounds down here in Argentina but we have yet to be completely quarantined so I guess that's a blessing. I don't really know. To be totally honest, I don't really know what's happening.........ever.

So on that reassuring note.....I'M TRAINING! Officially went to the mission office to pick up my "hija" (daughter) as we say here in the mission. There were 6 new hermanas; 2 Latinas, 2 from Brazil, and 2 Gringas. I sort of figured, "Hey, Heavenly Father knows my Castellano stinks but He's asked me to train so I'll probably get a Latina." Hahahaha I was very very wrong. I guess I need to have a little more confidence in my Castellano because I got cute Hermana Parker from good ol' Highland, Utah! She's awesome and suppppper chill therefore awfully patient with her trainer. I was super shocked when President stood up and announced Hermana Parker would be assigned to Ciudad de Nieva with Hermana McKin but I have a very firm testimony that all of my companions need to be my companion so how cool is it that I'm just one more comp into this thing?!?!

Training is cool but it's also really hard. Hermana McKin is doing 95% of the talking which has been sort of rough because my voice decided to dip`out as soon as we arrived in Jujuy. So instead of sounding like a pure gringa, I sound like a frog speaking Spanish WITH a gringa accent. But, it's really cool seeing the miracles Heavenly Father blesses us with during training. Hermana Horton and I started teaching this guy named Ariel last transfer and he's been all over the place the past 7 weeks. One day he says he's ready to get baptized, the next day he's freaking out. He's been on an emotional rollercoaster for a longgg time and it's hard to watch as the missionary. Especially because in the end, after we (as missionaries) have done all that we can do, it comes down to the person's agency. I'm learning how awesome agency is here in the mission but also how much I hate it haha. Anyways, Friday we had an appointment with Ariel and I thought it would be cool to read 3 Nephi 11, when Jesus Christ comes to visit the Nephites and teaches them about baptism. It was really cool to read the exact words Christ said and the Spirit was insanely strong. At the end of the lesson, I basically told Ariel he had a choice to make. We have done everything we possibly can to help him gain his own personal testimony and right now, it's all him. My heart kind of broke in that second because it was looking like it was a no. But, I felt prompted to pull out a calendar and show Ariel all the possible Saturday's he could get baptized. I told him I wanted him offer a prayer about a specific baptismal date. Once we got into April, he looked at me and said, "April 11." I kinda laughed because WOW not expecting THAT, and said, "Ariel, you haven't prayed yet." It was so cool. He just looked at me and said, "I know. But it needs to be April 11. I don't know why but I just feel so strongly that that is my date." The Spirit was SO strong! Hermana Parker and I were freaking out all the way back to our apartment.

We're also teaching this little kid named Axel who's 10 years old. I've decided I want to name one of my future kids after him but I'm already naming one of my kids Bentley (shoutout to Bentley) so then I'd just have kids named after cars. But I have more time to think about that. Anywayyyysssss, we've been teaching him and he is the CUTEST! He always sees us walking down the street from his roof and runs down with his Book of Mormon and pamphlets. When I shared the First Vision with him, he smiled and said, "I saw a pillar of light too! During her prayer!" He pointed to Hermana Horton and I just about died. Why are kids the cutest things?! Especially all the little Argentine ones we're teaching. I love them.

Lots more rain here in Jujuy. Makes the motivation to work drop a little but the work is soooooo good. Even if there's a stupid virus going around that makes everyone scared of us. Been GRINDING on my Book of Mormon goal and I'm super close to finishing it for the second time in the mish! I just loveeeee 3 Nefi. Probably shouldn't rate the books in the Book of Mormon but if I did, 3 Nefi would definitely be up at the top. I just love reading about Christ visiting the people in the Americas. The Book of Mormon is so true. It's SO true!

As usual, mind running at 10000 mph right now. But what's new haha. Hermana Parker is doing great. She's learning a lot really fast and I'm doing my best not to overwhelm her. Missions can be kinda hard sometimes haha. The other day she bought a little slice of cake and the worker forgot to give her a spoon. She asked me how to say spoon and I was sort of distracted while responding so I accidentally told her how to say "knife." Good ol' Argentina haha. Poor thing went back to ask for a spoon and they handed her this pretty gnarly looking knife #ONLYINARGENTINA. Her face was soooooo funny and I was like ahahaha I'm so sorry that is not a spoon.

But ya! That's sort of life right now. Still just trying to learn Castellano and I guess train. Life is good though. Thanks for all the prayers and love and emails and letters. Also thanks for taking treats to your missionaries! That made me so happy! Keep saying your prayers and stay SAFE!

Love love loveeeee,

Hermana McKinlay