March 23, 2015

Familia:

Hey sorry that I haven’t written this past week on the days I should have. I have been on the road all week and this week we will be as well. I am traveling with Pte Smith doing a tour of the entire mission for stake conference and interview with the missionaries. It kind of came as a surprise because he had told us before that we weren’t going to travel with him, and the day before he called me and asked if I would mind finishing my mission traveling with him. Ha-ha. So Elder Trucolo is back in Cerro with his new companion and I am out on the road with Pte Smith. So I guess I can say that I am finishing my mission as a junior companion, ha-ha!. But it has been such an experience traveling with Pte Smith. I don’t think I have ever learned so much in my entire mission! I just with I could drive and write at the same time haha. But even better, after every day of interviews, I have been able to go out and do splits with the missionaries. It has been such a blessing to get to work with all of them. In Colonia, I got to go work with the zone leaders, Elder Gomez and Elder Devashrayee. In Mercedes, I had the chance to work with Elder Thacker and Elder Vera and the past two days in Paysandú, I worked with Elder Woodcock and Elder Neilson. With every companionship, we have had experiences that I will never forget! We seriously have the best missionaries here in la Mision Uruguay Montevideo Oeste! Every single missionary that I have had the privilege to work with has been such a stud! Ah! It’s been so awesome! 

Right now I am in Argentina!! It’s so great to be back (even though i was back here a week ago)! haha. This is the first conference that we have held in Argentina so it’s a special one. And I am sooo excited to go out and work this afternoon and night with the elders here. I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning!!! Hopefully before we leave tonight, we can visit some of the people that I had the blessing to know. It’s really true that not a day goes by that a missionary doesn’t think about the people he has served with. I have been thinking soo much about all the people and am so excited to be able to see them again! Well hopefully hahaha. Idk what their plans are.....

This past week, well few months actually, we have been studying the House of Israel, the covenant God made with Abraham, why it was dispersed, why and how it is gathered, what does it mean, what is our part, etc. And in every conference, we are learning more and more from every missionary. I think the doctrine of the Scattering and Gathering of Israel, well just of the House of Israel, has been something that I have never understood all my life. It never really called my attention. I never really understood it and honestly didn’t really care too. But man how I repent now! Now studying about the House of Israel, the Book of Mormon has opened up to me in a completely different way! Its soo awesome! Everything makes so much more sense! ITs everywhere in the Book of Mormon. I didn’t know how much I was missing out on by not taking the time to study and understand the House of Israel. Ever since the area presidency has asked us to start helping the "members to think in the gathering of Israel all the time," 

And thank you to all those who have been sending me the exact count down until the mission ends hahaha. Every week when I sign in it seems to be more and more obvious that its coming to the end. But the good thing is, it doesn’t feel like it at all! I feel like I have had more energy and enthusiasm that ever! I don’t think I have ever enjoyed my mission or worked so hard than right now! I love it out here! IT doesn’t get any better than this. 

Anyways, I have got to run! I love you all soo much! Thanks for all you do to support me serving here in Uruguay. I have never been so happy! I am so grateful for the chance I have to serve every day and to take this message to as many as will receive it!

Lets all try a little bit harder to be a little bit better!

Un abrazo fuerte, 

Elder Staffieri