June 11, 2012 Hey Family! So guess where I am? Cordón del Plata. Just kidding, but that would be crazy huh? I am actually in Rodeo del Medio, which is the former 25 de Mayo. It just became a ward two weeks ago. We meet in a house that just happens to have all the doorways at a height of 6´0, and unfortunately I am like 6´2 or 3... I have hit my head about six billion times already. My area is very much campo, which is country. It is almost completely Bolivian, and full of fields. I LOVE that. It is just like Cordón only maybe 10 times bigger. Bolivians talk a lot differently than Argentines, so I am still getting used to the soft-spoken, quiet Bolivian tone. My companion is Elder Steeves (Estives in Spanish) and he (like Elder Dowdle) is from Oregon. He is just a little shorter than me and we definitely stick out here. But I am pretty sure we won´t get robbed so thats good. Welll what more can I tell you about my new life... Our apartment is GINORMOUS. Literally a cave. Unfortunately it is winter time here and almost none of the outlets work, and the one gas heater doesn´t have long enough hose to really do a lot. President Rastelli, who lives in my last area and is counselor in the mission presidency told me my first priority here is to find a new apartment haha... We will see. We have a washing machine which is great. I have a lot of pictures to take. This area is super great though. Members all really love us and its been a while since this area has seen a lot of growth, but there are so many people here ready to come on into the fold. I am really excited to see what happens. Some news.... The people from my last area that were supposed to get baptized on my last Sunday there (but didn´t due to stake conference) got baptized yesterday and so that was really great. I am really happy for them, and for Elder Dowdle who had been working really great and hard. Its hard on new missionaries to not see the fruits of their efforts (but that being said, I think its harder for the trainers because they have to do all they can to keep the new missionaries excited about the work). I am just grateful that everything came out so wonderfully. So in this mission, we set a monthly goal of 100 baptisms for the month of June. I don´t really know how that compares to other missions, but I do know that it is pretty low compared to other latin american countries, and even other missions in Argentina. It really amazes me just how succesful we are as a mission. I am convinced that we are building a foundation to the work. I know we are doing things here and planting many seeds with people that will be eventually reaped by future missionaries, especially when the province of Mendoza is covered in the shadow of a temple from the gigantic Andes, the real "top of the mountains." "People shall flow unto it...and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob..." I am so excited for a temple to be announced here. It really is just what is missing here and I hope that we can reach the requirements and that I can see it at least announced while I am here. I will send some pics in a different email. Love you guys. Chaucito Elder Daybell