Sept 27th 2010....moving to the Mission Office

I've gained a true testimony of revelation and a greater knowledge of how our heavenly father communicates with us this past week. I woke up in the middle of the night on Sunday in San Juan with a small voice that quietly told me that I would be leaving San Juan very soon, and even more specifically that I was going to go to the offices of the mission. I can honestly say that it was one of the weirdest things that had ever happened to me. I remember thinking.... ok your retarded Carson go back to sleep, you just got here, your not going anywhere. We went to play soccer on Monday and I told my ex co-zone leader Frischknecht about it and how odd i thought it was. Even told my companion. The next few days progressed, and i helped my companion and two other elders finalize a contract on a new pench in San Juan where they are now living. Then Wednesday night late as we were moving everything I got a call from President Lindahl. I saw his number and knew exactly what he was going to say, and then he did just that. " Elder Campbell how's your business skills! '' After telling him i was pretty confident in my abilities (haha) he told me he wanted me on a bus Friday morning to be the new housing manager for the mission. So as of this exact moment.... I'm not in San Juan haha, actually in the offices of the mission writing you right now. The first few days have been good, just trying to learn everything that i need to know. There is ALOT. But I've dove right in and actually today pulled a few good strings and got a few Elders here in Mendoza into a new pench a month sooner than planned for 2,000 pesos less :)


The news was kind of bitter sweet to be coming here. I loved the week in San Juan, love that city and the area I had looked really promising. At the same time i can now truthfully say that this is exactly what the Lord needs me for in this time. I know that not only for the manifestation that came before i recieved that call but also for all the experience I've gained throughout my mission dealing with pench changes. I'm pretty sure I told you last week that every area I've seemingly been in we've had to change where we lived. And now I can see exactly why! The Lord works in mysterious ways. Selling cars before the mission, and working at Bonneville Collections has really prepared me for what I'm doing. A lot of negociating with real estate agencys, as well as land lords, and everything that has to do with the legalities of everything. The laws here in Argentina are a lot different than back home but I'm starting to figure it all out. A huge blessing i've already seen is how much this is helping me magnify my spanish on the business level. I've already learned a lot about forming sentances like a seller, and being able to use my personality through spanish (which is sometimes a challenge early in the mission). I feel like I'm going to see a lot of long term blessings for the experience I'm gaining. And it's only been a week. It's just amazing though how much selling a car relates to all of this. Almost too coincidental how perfectly it worked out. I'm sad to not be in the field full time working with people like a normal missionary, but the truth is we don't loose too much time. We work here in Godoy Cruz Centro every after noon so we'll be able to work as missionaries do, just the exception of part time. I'm also helping our two new couples (senor missionarys) learn spanish and i'm their translator whenever they need to get other work done. I've also been officially dubbed the 'driver' of the car, because of my car experience haha. They're working on getting me legal to drive here, and now that I'm thinking about it.... HOLY COW, you have to go to the DMV this week and ask them how i can renew my licence. You'll have to do it for me, but i dunno if they'll let me being here. My licence expires the end of next month. It doesn't matter for driving here, i'll have my own little argentine licence but for when i get home i totally want to be legal and dont want to have to take driver tests again! Thanks for doing that for me :)

Being close to President has always been something I've wanted. Being one of his assistents was something I always desired, just to be able to learn so much from a man like him. But here I am finding myself right under his wing, it'll be great. I'm really bummed Ogden is so terrible this year in football. Where did Eric Eyre end up going? Good to hear Paul is punchin people still, sounds like a Rodreguez :) Kyler said he saw Keenan Graham playing for UCLA the other day on national tv. So amazing!!! I love that kid, wish he would have played at UTAH.  I'd love a birthday package, send what you'd like! Sweedish fish, sour patch kids, beef jerky, ties, socks, insoles. I'll send you more ideas as i think of them. I remember sending you a while ago the things i wanted but times flies and i forget about the states more and more as time goes on. But time is definately flying. I love you all so much, and am praying for each of you individually every night. I love the mission, i honestly do. I can't think of anything else i'd be doing at this moment. I'd say I've lost myself here, which is great for me. Im just going to love it while i can and while it lasts. Keep praying for the work, and for the missionarys.  Love you!

These pictures are of a service activity we did saturday for a local orphanage that is run down. The pictures are all the sisters with the kids (one sister for every orphan) never have i seen these cute kids happier. We repaired their broken fence so the kids can't get stolen or wander out into the street.