Life here in Argentina is fun, although a bit hectic. Sometimes I feel like we do more walking that anything else, but we're making progress.

I've also been learning about the importance of member missionary work. What I've learned is that no one will come to church or be reactivated or take any steps in the Gospel unless they are invited, and inviting is NOT "Well, maybe, if you wanted..." If you truly love someone you will do everything you can to persuade them to take steps towards their own salvation. In the scriptures, the greatest members of the church spread the gospel at every opportunity with all of the power they posses. We cannot expect to be called "blessed" by the Lord unless we are diligent. I've come to realize that all of the relationships in the world mean absolutely nothing unless they translate to friendship and fellowship in the world to come.

About half of the active members of the ward can say my name now, which is cool. Who knew that "Rasband" could be so difficult? Unfortunately, the other half of the ward has decided to call me Elder Batman. I guess that nickname is going to stick after all.

Love,

Elder Rasband

Paul is doing really well in Argentina. He is currently serving in a city called Posadas in Northern Argentina. Here are a few thoughts from his recent emails:

"Well, here I am in my second week. The work here in Posadas is going really well, and I'm excited to tell you all about it. There is one thing that I forgot to mention last time though: the name of this province of Argentina is Misiones, and therefore, an native of this area is...a misionero. What's even funnier is that there are buses everywhere that say 'Orgullo de ser Misionero,' which roughly translates to 'I want to be missionary,' or (very roughly) 'I hope they call me on a mission.' I took that as a sign that I was in the right place."

Remember him in your thoughts and prayers.

Arrival in Argentina

Elder Rasband has officially left the Missionary Training Center and arrived safely in Argentina. His address in Argentina is:

Elder Paul Rasband
Argentina Resistencia Mission
PO Box 30150
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150
USA

This address is for pouch mail only. The following are instructions for pouch mail as stated in the LDS Church News in December 2007:

"To avoid possible discontinuation of the pouch mail service, the Church has revised its policy on missionary correspondence.

Instructions issued in September call on families and friends of missionaries to simplify their correspondence by mailing a single 8 1/2-inch x 11-inch sheet of 20-pound paper, or equivalent to paper used in copiers. Envelopes may not be used.

The sheet is to be folded into three parts, as is commonly done to insert into a business envelope. The top edge of the sheet should be fastened with tape on the top edge only, no closer than one inch to either side.

The name of the missionary is addressed on the outside of the sheet, with the name of the mission and the pouch address of the Church: P.O. Box 30150, Salt Lake City, Ut., 84130-0150.

Apply a stamp to the sheet and mail to Church headquarters."

Paul would love to receive letters from anyone willing to take the time to write them.

Paul had a wonderful experience in the MTC. On May 14th Elder Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came to speak to the missionaries about the purpose of missionary work and the blessings they will receive for serving faithfully. In a recent letter he said, "I really love my mission. I haven't even had the chance to teach anyone for real yet, and I already love my mission...if I never learned another thing, or felt the Spirit again on my entire mission, the changes that I've gone through in the last month are worth two years of my life."

He is growing tremendously and working very hard. We are proud of him. Please remember him in your prayers.

A Few Excerpts...

Elder Rasband has been keeping busy. Here are a few random thoughts assembled from the emails that he's sent so far:

Thanks for your emails. It was good to hear from you. I hope you miss me tons! Anyway, I just got back from the temple. It was amazing even though I was really tired and had some trouble staying awake. I guess that's what my companion's elbows are for.

Things are good here. I've been working a lot. The food is not very good for me.

When you get the chance, could you please send me some healthy snacks? I've been working out a little, but I can't lose weight because we eat nothing but cookies. Oh, and every once in a while, I fireman's carry Elder Hogge and do a couple sets of squats. He's lighter than me, but the awkwardness inherent in the load makes it an okay workout!

I'm doing well in Spanish, and I'm starting to know the scriptures better and to have more material for the lessons.

My other skills are all way ahead of the district. Honestly, and don't put this on the internet. I'm one of the best firebenders in the MTC, and in gymn I almost always win the lightsaber duels. My teachers were so impressed that they took me aside separately to learn force lightning. We're not supposed to get sith powers 'till the last week!!

Mucho amor,

Elder Rasband

*disclaimer: one or more of these comments may or may not have been taken out of context...