Many have been called to build this temple, but we as
missionaries and members have been called to fill this temple.
What a week. Truly the highlight of my mission without
a doubt.
This week I started out well by going to a conference in
Cordoba and listening to our dear President and his wife. He gave us
about an hour for questions and answers and let me tell you. That man is
inspired of God. As missionaries raised their hands and asked teh
questions that they had, I realized that they were the same things that I was
pondering. President helped us understand and led us with love so that we
will be able to jump the barriers of missionary work and have the success the
Lord wants us to have.
My favortie question of all was "President, can we go
to the cultural event?" haha he said no, only those in Cordoba
capital. However, at the end of the meeting, about an hour later, he
stood up and said "Ive changed my mind... lets all go to the
event!!!" We were all soooo excited. The entire mission was
able to go. We had to pay our own travel, so I used my birthday money to
have my dreams come true :) Happy birthday to me. Thanks fam!
At the cultural event, we were in the same room with
President Uctchorf and Elder Christofferson. What a neat
experience. I recorded a lot of the event, but wish I would have recorded
more. I was worried of running out of memory. also, I think my
camera is broken, it was dropped, and now my pictures have lines through the
middle and I cant hear sound out of the camera... I will look better into
that...
Pres U. urged us to write everything down in our journals
after the eventful and unforgettable weekend. So today for pday, I was
writing down a novel. I was really touched to be in such a sacred place
with the Lords servants. We were super tired from travelling so much in
one week, but it was worth it. I loved being able to see so many that I
knew from my old areas, missionaries, and even some that I did not know! haha
When I arrived, so many missionaries told me that about 5 people were
looking for me and that they were gringos. I was so confused. I
later ran into The Hill family, and Kelli. It was funny because each
said, "You dont know me, but I know you and your family loves you so
much!" It was fun talking with them. What a small world.
It was nice to feel so loved and popular... with snickers :) Pres U
talked about the Argentina flag and how it has the Sol de Mayo (sun of May) in
the center. He said that this temple with now be our new "sol de
mayo". Let it shine bright forever and to all people. There
could not have been a better day to choose such a significant event.
In the event, they told the story of how the immigrants came
to argentina from europe, and a little abit about the Book of Mormon indians,
and then proceeded to the current time of now with workers and families and
temples. It was very well done and I shed a lot of tears. My
favorite was when the little boys danced like gauchos (argentine cowboys)
stomping their feet and avoiding a bottle. Im not sure what it is called,
but you will have to look it up. A ton of youth participated, and each
stake had a different cultural dance assigned. So we watched them enjoy
themselves while dancing Argentina culture.
At the end, a family sang the primary song "la familia
es de dios" (the family is of god). Then, the youth pulled out white
sheets of cloth and they projected the cordoba temple picture on the ground of
the arena. The lights were out and the youth shined their
flashlights. It was like Hope of Argentina (Hope of America) all over
again, but better.
At the dedication, we just watched it from here in Rio
III. Luckily we went to 2 of the 3 sessions, and I was so spiritually
filled. For the hosana Shout, Hna alliaud gave us white cloths with the
temple and dedication date embroidred on it. It is a super speacial
recuerdo (memory/keepsake) that I hold dear to my heart.
Elder Christofferson gave a great talk and was emotional to
see this become reality after serving here. He said that Cordoba was a
common topic between the quorum of the 12 and 1st presidency since so many have
close ties to the mission.
Pres. Utchdorf also gave great messages. He wants us
to follow the Lord with all of your hearts, and by going to the temple, we are
following him. Also, he told us that whereever he goes, he has his
current temple recommend and For the strength of youth in his coat
pocket. This is the best way to prepare ourselves, by following the
standards and interview questions.
I was especially touched to hear a prophet of God address
our Heavenly Father. The dedicatory prayer was beautiful. He spoke
so respectfully, and lovingly, and the vocabulary he used was perfect. He
Thanked God for every Book in the Book of Mormon, and specifically named each
one. It caught my attention. Are we truly grateful for such a gift
in our lives today? Do we make it known each day? Also, He prayed for the
walls to stay strong from any natural disaster or weather, and the flowers and
vegetation to be healthy warm and inviting at the Lords house. Also he blessed
the Argentine nation.
At the end, we sang Hosanas Song mixed with The spirit of
God, combining the traditions of the dedications of SLC and Kirtland and
Cordoba. What a blessing it was. I have pages of notes to paste in
my journal. I can´t believe the time has come and the work with go forth
boldly and nobly, and nothing can stop us now.
At the closing of the dedication sessions, Pres U tried to
speak spanish and he said "Dios les ama, y les expreso mi amor" (God
loves you and I express my love to you) He choked up and began to cry,
closing in the Lord´s sacred name. It was super touching and it brought
tears to my eyes. A prophet of the Lord promised so many blessings to
this people here, and he did it with so much love care, concern and sincerity.
Hurrah for Isreal, and Argentina as well :)
LOTS OF LOVE,
Hermana Woolley
Im on cloud nine.
Our ward has a viaje ya (already has a trip) planned for
this saturday to go and work in the temple. Full speed ahead!
Beloved President,
I believe that this week all of us have changed with the
dedication of the temple. Thank you for allowing us to travel to the
cultural event. I was so happy, and obviously the spirit touched many
hearts. No one wanted to leave when the event ended. It was the
best The Temple is in reality the sun of May and will always shine for
everyone.
I loved the dedication too. We went to the 3rd
session and learned a lot. I loved it when they spoke to us about
repentence. We are all stroing and worthy, and we need to repent
every day. What a priviledge. Today I wrote in my
journal the experiences and I was in awe of the love of God. We can show
our love for Him in our actions and worthiness. If we focus on the temple
– members and non members- we can show our love for God and for our
neighbor. Everything points to the temple and the temple points to the
Lord.
We are very good her and we have plans to set many
baptisimal dates this week. Sister Solar is teaching me a lot and we are
now tryin got have more faith in finding our true desires and make them
reality.
Thanks for everything. I hope all is well for you.
Hermana Woolley
Amado Presidente,
Creo que en esta semana, todos de nosotros han cambiado con
la dedicación del templo. Gracias por dejarnos viajar por el evento
cultural. Estaba tan feliz, y obviamente el espíritu tocó a muchos
corazones. Nadie quería salir cuando terminó el evento. Fue lo
más. Realmente el templo es el sol de Mayo y siempre brillará a todos.
Me encantó la dedicación también. Fuimos a la tercera
sesión, y aprendí mucho. Me gusto cuando nos habló del
arrepentimiento. Somos los fieles y dignos, y nosotros necesitamos
arrepentirnos cada día. Que privilegio. Hoy me puse escribir de mi
experiencia en mi diario, y me asombra del amor de Dios. Nosotros podemos
manifestar nuestro amor por el en nuestras acciones y dignidad. Si nos
enfocamos en el templo-miembros y non miembros- manifestaremos nuestro amor por
Dios y por nuestro prójimo. Todo conduce al templo, y el templo conduce
al Señor.
Estamos muy bien acá y tenemos planes para poner muchas
fechas bautismales esta semana que viene. Hna Solar está enseñándome
mucho y ahora estamos tratando tener más fe en encontrar nuestros deseos y
hacerlos realidades.
Gracias por todo. Que esté bien!
Hermana Woolley
