Matt's email 12/31/2011

Well the holidays just keep on going here in mendoza. This week we had two mission parties and tonight President and Hermana Avila have invited all the office elders up to their house to have yet another party with them. The new year´s festivities here in mendoza are super sketchy and people start drinking at like 6 so President doesn´t want us out in the streets at night. I really is so sad so see so many people breaking God´s commandments without even thinking twice about it. They think life really is just go out and have fun and wait until the day you die cause nobody know what happens afterwards. I am so grateful for the knowledge and the testimony that I have come to have about the Plan of Salvation. It really does bring so much happiness into my life knowing that it all doesn´t end at death and that if we do all things right, we will be able to live in the presence of God. We will be able to see, one day, the face of the most powerful man in the history of the eternities... How amazing is that going to be?!
I was so happy after I got done talking to you all on Sunday. I felt just a glimpse of eternal happiness. It was amazing being able to see all of you and talk to you and just be there for the moment.
It is crazy that you were able to go to Kyle and Rachel´s reception... to be honest, I am kinda glad I missed it! I am so happy being here on the mission that not even things like that really call my attention. I know that might sound a little bad, but I just feel like I am at home out here in the sticks. Not even Disneyland can compare to the happiness that is felt out here on the mission.

Things on the mission front are going super well. I was able to go out yesterday and work the whole day and we saw many miracles. We received a reference from Neoquen, which never ever ever happens, but the lady is a champ. She was just waiting for us to show up and was so glad when we shared with her the miracle of the Restoration. She loved the message and committed to pray and ask God if it is true. She is an amazing person. We were also able to find another family who just barely had a daughter that died and the other daughter was super depressed. It was a depression that I have never seen before and this poor woman didn´t see a way out, until she heard about the Plan of Salvation. It was amazing to see the light that slowly came into her eyes as she learned that she would one day be with her sister again and that they would both be happy together if she obeys the commandments of God. Moments like these just make me love the mission even more. Just being able to help someone have a little better day and knowing that they will be eternally blessed if they can just pray and ask God if these things are true. I am often times surprised at how little I am to the world, but how much I am to God. I know that He loves me and I am so blessed to be able to be a tool in His hands here in Mendoza. I absolutely love it.

I have attached a picture of before the run we did this morning. It was a LONG run, but it was a good way to say good bye to 2011 and to say what´s up to 2012. I also attached a picture of me with Elder Christensen at the Christmas Party. This elder is great. He has inspired me in more ways than one!

I love you all and hope you have a happy new year!
Elder Burr