BAILE INoLVIDABLE

The month of February flew by, and it was unforgettable. Now we're back with a little update. The month was full of ups, downs, heat, partido (soccer), sleepovers, listening to Bad Bunny in the street, councils, conferences, a little bit of sickness, birthdays, the temple, and, above all, helping bring people unto Christ. Sounds fun, huh? Let's get it.

20 IN PY

A couple of weeks ago, I had my birthday down here in Encarnación. The Gianchandani family from CDE, who are like my second family, drove five hours here to Encarnación to have dinner with us just for my birthday. So the birthday dinner truly just felt like a family dinner. Insane. It's been a long time since I've had one of those, hahah. Feeling so blessed to have had such a great 20th down here in PY.

ZONA 1

Our zone has been so great this transfer. This past month, because everyone in the zone lives so far, whenever we all come together, we have these giant sleepovers with all the elders. We play soccer in the mornings and card games at night. Good times down here in Encarnayork. On the more important side, we had a killer month as a zone when it comes to work. Last month, they were only able to help nine people be baptized, and this month we had the lofty goal of 19. With some change and some hard work done with the missionaries, we turned it around and were able to help 24 people be baptized. So we're all pumped over here. There was also a sudden change of companion, so now I am here with Elder Woodbury. He's a stud, and we are fired up for the rest of March, baby.

AREA UPDATE

In the area as well, we were able to see miracles. Since the last time we talked, Cesar, Martin, Paola, Camila, Derlys, Graciela, Gabriel, Oscar, Richar, Denis, Cesar, and Ramon were all able to be baptized. We were also able to help two couples get married a couple of weeks ago, all in the same morning. This past week, we were able to bring the Martinez Caceres family to the temple just two weeks after their baptisms. What a humbling experience that was. The Lord is hastening His work. The heavens are open, and I am fired up about it.

SPIRITUAL GOODNESS

I've been reading in Alma, in the war chapters, and it talks a lot about readiness and being prepared. This has had me thinking a lot about what it means to be ready/prepared. I have learned that:

If we do not prepare,
We will not be ready.

This applies to all aspects of life. Prepare to make effort, prepare to have change, prepare to have success.

Just think about that.

I love you all. Thank you again for your patience with the infrequency of my emails. I will be better now.

Hop on the Google Photos—best way to stay dialed in on the updates: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6pnXadUF4PCYgUtV7

Hasta la próxima,

Elder Pickett

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