Hasta Luego NMAM

December 6, 2021

Hola a todos!! 

Wow, this is my last letter from the New Mexico Albuquerque Mission as I'll be flying out to Córdoba this Thursday!! It still doesn't  feel real, a mix of emotions for sure! Excitement to be going to serve in what has been my dream mission, sadness to leave so many friends, and more gratitude than I can ever express for every experience, lesson, and especially kind act of those here throughout my 15 months here. 

A quick recap from this last week though! It sure was a great one to go out on!! 

Amigos 

-Familia Saucedo. They are the most solid people ever and are anxiously waiting for the 18th of December!! So excited for them. 

-Familia Medrano. Had a great lesson with them last Monday but then they were out of town for a little at the end of the week. I'm super sad to leave them but know they'll be in good hands!! 

-Marciano y Fam. We have been teaching this husband and wife for a couple weeks and they are really cool! The coolest part about the dad though is his name is Marciano, which means Martian, and so has an Alien themed taco truck.  So of course we had to go and they were honestly the best tacos I've had on the mission. And we went back to his house that night and had a great lesson with some awesome fellowship as well! Praying he and his wife will continue to progress. 

-Alondra. She is another lady we started teaching last week, I again can't remember if I mentioned her though. She is working some crazy hours the month of December but is super interested and seems elect!! 

-Adela. We've been working with her for several months now and she's got to be one of the most solid people I've ever taught in the way she keeps every single reading assignment we ever give her and she will meet at a moments notice as long as she's not at work. She is so awesome but for some reason just doesn't feel ready to be baptized. It is a little frustrating because she really is so ready and we want her to have the blessings that come from baptism but everyone has their own agency and timetable! I'll be praying for her continued progress as well. 

Soccer night 

For the first time on my mission we had a soccer night and it was a huge success!! There is a 20 year old recent convert in our ward who we met not too long ago and his is such a cool guy. And he's got 5 brothers who all aren't members and they all love soccer so this week we were able to get them and a couple of their buddies to come to the church and play! It was a blast and so fun just to see them having a good time and they loved the message we shared at the end. It was especially neat to see Joaquin bear his testimony at the end. Definitely a night I'll remember! 

Otras Cosas

In some other things we had Zone Conference this week! It was sure enough another spiritual feast that threw some more fuel on the fire of the drive work! We also had some recent changes mid transfer in the zone and I can honestly say they've helped a ton. I'm sad to be leaving such a united zone. As well Saturday, thanks to our trio power, we were able to do exchanges with two companionships at the same time and we had some really cool miracles to hit our goals. I know there are going to some big things happening in this part of the Lord's vineyard as I leave to go labor in another. 

Goodbyes 

I was able to go and have some last meals with some of my favorite members and friends here this last week as well as say goodbye to a lot of people at church yesterday. It has left me so humbled and grateful to be able to have served here in the area for the last 6 months. I feel the hardest part is I can't adequately express my gratitude for them. But I am thankful that Albuquerque (and El Paso) are a lottttt closer than Argentina so you know I'll be back to visit! These people really have changed me and I feel so much love for them. 

Pensamiento Espiritual 

I'll wrap this letter up with a spiritual thought and then be off to do some packing but I wanted to share my testimony of the Sacrament!! There was an emphasis on the Sacrament in Zone Conference this last week and I feel my love for this sacred ordinance has deepened profoundly as a result. I have been able to study the Santa Cena specifically a couple days this week and, per invite from President, memorized some key verses. I especially love how the memorizing helped me keep these covenants on my mind more frequently throughout the week and made those sacred, personal minutes on Sunday even more special. It truly is the most important time on the most important day of the week where we can repent, reflect, ponder, and internalize the intimate Atonement sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ. I want to invite you all to do something to specifically study the Sacrament this week!! It will change you!! 

I hope you all have a great week!! Que les vaya bien!! Hasta luego, cuando escriba desde Argentina!! 

Todo el amor,

Elder Jackson 

1-2 Fam Santa, my favorite Puerto Ricans 

3-4 Marciano's Tacos

5-6 The one and only Hno Ibarra 

7 Obispo López 

8 Best of Best Fam Gonzalez 

9 My man Hno Rodriguez 

10 Gingerbread temple for our last zone pday today. Going to miss Elder Woodhouse muchísimo