The last melon

Well, it's hard to believe that this day has already come, but this week is my last full week as a full-time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As I contemplate all of the things that have happened this week and in all of my mission, I have had so many wonderful and amazing experiences, and the truth is I can't believe that it's coming to an end. I have so mucho love for this people, this gospel, My Savior, and am extremely grateful for all of the experiences and knowledge I have gained through my mission. I love my mission. I didn't always have the success I had desired, nor could I be a perfect missionary, but I know that the Lord has been with me, that He is proud of my efforts, and have a better idea of what he wants me to be. I know that Jesus is the Christ, that His sacrifice has changed who I am, and the lives of so many people.

I love you all and am very grateful for your support throughout these two years. I would love to see you at my homecoming on June 18th at the church in Wigwam and Pebble Henderson, NV 89074 where I will try to explain a little better everything I've experienced.

Elder Grondel

1. Drawings from the primary of our ward

2-3 The asado we're currently making

Hello

Hi there family and friends, everything's great here in Trevelin. This week went by pretty quickly, but to be honest it was kind of hard. We had some trouble finding new people and finding the investigators that we are teaching, but I'm sure that this week will go well. We're trying to put in our best effort, and just trust in the Lord.

We saw Antonela this week, but for a very brief moment. She didn't come to church, and when we went by later, her brother told us she felt a little sick and couldn't talk to us. Then he usked that if someone wants to get baptized, do they have to go to church. We said of course, and he said, because my sister said that she didn't have to or something like that. Sooooooooooooooooo we're not quite sure what's going on there, but we're trying to figure it out.

My companion and I are doing well, we get along well and are working hard. This morning we went and bought some knives, that was really cool.

I love you all!!!

Elder Grondel

A picture of the district Trevelin

Museum in Trevelin

And a mountain

Baptizing in the snow

Hello family!!!

We had an amazing week, truly saw a lot of miracles and were greatly blessed. We were able to find a couple new people, which was good. We're working hard, and having a great time here with Elder Hardy. I'm still getting used to being in a branch, but the members that we do have are truly converted, and excited to work and help us.

The miracle of the week happened on Wednesday. The zone leaders came to our district meeting, and afterwards we did intercambios (exchanges) with them. The zone leaders used to be here in Trevelin about 3 transfers ago, so one of the zone leaders that came used to be here as well. He went with my companion, and I went with Elder Toledo from Uruguay. We had a good time and found a couple new people, but didn't have anything too exciting happen. When we got back to the pension, the other missionaries told us that they had stopped by a less-active home to ask to use the bathroom, and of the daughter who is not a member was there. She's heard the missionaries quite a few times before, and used to go to church before and knows a lot already. She told them that she had been thinking a lot and looking at the pictures of her mom's baptism, and said that she just felt like she wanted to be baptized! We went back the next day to talk a little more with her, and she confirmed those desires! Her name is Antonela, pray for her! We had put a date for this weekend, but she wasn't able to come to church this week, so we'll have to change that. But the amazing thing is that we found someone to be baptized this transfer! The truth is I had heard a lot of things about this area, that it was hard, that there are little members, that it hasn't progressed in years, but when I got here I talked with my companion when we got here, and committed ourselves to work and trust that the Lord would provide, and we already found someone! It's amazing to be a missionary and participate in this great work.

Also, yesterday it snowed. Yayyyyyyy

Other than that, the week passed by pretty quickly, I can't believe that it's going by so quickly! I'm just trying to enjoy every second. I love you all so much, this is the true church, share it with your friends!!

Elder Grondel
Pics

1 Every says Elder Hardy is a carrot, and Elder Johnson (my MTC comp that was a zone leader in Esquel last transfer) told him that I wasn't so much a carrot, but more of a tomato. So when we were cooking lunch this week....

2 Trevelin

3 Celebrating for Antonela

4 Snow

Hello again

Hello there!

Everything's going great here. Not much has happened, we're working hard and trying to find the people that are ready to be baptized in our area. My companion's great, and we get along well, trying to help him reach his potential everyday.

Yesterday we did a musical number in church, it was fun. My guitar doesn't have a strap, neither does it have a place to put one in, so my companion and I improvised with some paracord and tape. Haha I'll send some pictures. We practiced a lot and got the song sounding really good, but I'm not quite sure what happened at church when we performed...haha. To put in the words of the 11-year-old member we ate lunch with it was "humilliating." But it was a good experience.

I love you all so much, have a fantastic week!!!

Elder Grondel

Elder Hardy

Hey there family!!!

Everything is great here in Trevelin. This week we had a lot of stuff to do, but we had a good time.

Most of the week I was getting to know the area, meeting the few members that are here, and seeing what potential the investigators have. We talked to a lot of new people and are working with the members to find new people. There are quite a few people with potential that have already come to church, and few others that are there close. We're going to work as hard as we can this transfer to baptize someone. The branch has about 25 active members and needs a lot of help, but the leaders want to change, and are willing to put in the necessary effort, so we're hoping for the best.

My companion is great, he's got about 6 months, and he's excited for the work, so we should get along great. I'm trying to teach him everything I can so he can be a great missionary, I think that's a big part of the reason why I was sent here.

Yesterday we had zone conference with President, and it was prettty great. We talked about following the Spirit and getting better at following him. It was really good.

Other than that, not a lot happened, we are working hard, and excited to see what can happen this transfer. I love you all, have a great week!

Pics.

1 Elder Hardy

2 Esquel

3 4 Trevelin

5 The chapel (currently under construction for renovations, that's why it doesn't have the sign put up)

6 Writing in the church

Trevelin

Hi family!! I hope you all got the recording that my companion sent yesterday, and as I said there, I was transferred to a new area called Trevelin! It's thye farthest point in the entire mission, so yesterday I was in a bus for almost 12 hours- it was a great time.

Last night we stayed in the zone leaders' pension, and so I got here to Trevelin about 2 hours ago haha, it's a very small town, but a beautiful place, I'm excited to see what we can do this transfer.

My companion is Elder Hardy, he's from St. George, and he's a great guy, we're going to have a lot of fun this transfer.

Other than that, I don't have a whole lot to say! Have a great week!

Elder Grondel

Pics

District Cipolletti 1 Pioneer Style

Dia de Ñoquis

Élder Grondel

Hola, Élder Grondel me pidió que enviara esto a ustedes (soy Élder Medina su compañero). :)

Hi, Elder Grondel asked me to send this to you (I am his companion Elder Medina) :)​