The New Year

¡Feliz año nuevo!

It's been quite the week, so much happened! We experienced heart break, an Argentine wedding, the gift of tongues, fireworks, a baptism, and the challenge of trying to fall asleep when it's 85 degrees!

We had a hard start this week because V decided that she doesn't want to be baptized. :`(  ...which means her kids can't get baptized either because they have to be at least 12 years old, or have at least one parent that is a member.) The day before her baptism she said that she decided that the church is too demanding because she doesn't want to take out her earrings. We were heartbroken. A piece of metal! A piece of metal is holding her back from her Salvation and from more blessings than she can even imagine! It was so hard to see her throw it all away. I know one day she'll come around though. She'll remember what she's missing. We're going to go by sometime in the near future to see if we can "rescue" her again and help her re-kindle her faith. Don't worry Mom, I'm doing everything I can do be strong for her. Faith is the first ingredient for miracles.

J y P have been members for awhile, and this week they got married! We were thrilled for them. Now we are going to help prepare them to go to the temple so that they can be together for eternity!!

Las familias pueden ser eternas!

This week I had a constant prayer in my heart that I would have more opportunities to share my testimony with people. The other day we were teaching a woman and the coolest thing happened! I understood pretty much every word she said! (That doesn't happen very often. I normally only understand parts and have to piece everything together to try to figure out what was said.) But I understood everything! We were teaching her about the importance of the Book of Mormon. At one point I opened my mouth to bear my testimony and I just kept talking and teaching for quite awhile. It was so incredible because I realized that was the Gift of Tongues in that exact moment. I had all of these thoughts and things put into my mind that I should say. I said so many things that I didn't even know I knew how to say! She had lots of interest and said she will come to church. :)

We had a baptism here in Pigué yesterday! His name is Juan--he's an investigator of Hermana Chento and Hermana Arancibia. He's 58 and gave up drinking to join the church! He is the sweetest old man.

Felicidades, Juan!

New Year's Eve here is a bigger deal than Christmas! We spent part of the evening with B--a single woman in the branch. We celebrated by singing our favorite hymns and by drinking "wine" (grape jugo with soda water.) Later on we watched Pigué's firework show from on top of our roof!

I still can't believe it's already 2012. 2011 went by so fast! However, I'm excited for the new year. I've made lots of goals, and I am looking forward to being a full-time missionary for the Lord for an entire year straight! :)

For those of you that haven't made New Year's resolutions yet...be sure to do so! It's an opportunity to set goals and test your faith in the Lord! (Ether 12:27, Matthew 11: 28-30)

Mormon 9: 21:
"Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubthing NOTHING, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him, and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth."

That promise includes you!!

Love you all :)
-Hermana Vawdrey

Here are some pictures from Christmas 2011:

Hermanas Vawdrey y Freeman

Hermana Vawdrey with her MTC companions

The District

Singing carols at a senior citizen center

Brittni had to reject several "tips"

Brittni has a gift for anyone interested!

Mmm, "homemade" lasagna :)