Letter 20: First "Fight", Exchanges, and Progress

Hello mom and fam!!

Well this week has been a good one! I will start by answering your questions though.

My companion and I will be staying together for this change (which will last till about March 12th)

and we are both staying in the same area. So nothing too new on that front. My companion and I got

in our first fight...so that was interesting. He was mad at me because I was walking too slow or something, which made me mad because i'm always walking at what I like to call "brisk pace", honestly I never have just like sat there a lazily strolled along. But anyway, he said some pretty offensive things and I was getting mad so I just ended the conversation and stopped talking for a while. Then everything was fine again. And that's that. (: haha. I think that sometimes when you're with someone 24/7 little things just begin to bother you and you have to push them out of your mind or it gets to you. 

We have about 124 active members in out branch, but within our boundaries we have about 600 members...so we have a ton of work to do! The thing is that where Elder Holmes and I work is one part of the branch and then there is another sector called San Juan, that is huge, and also has 2 missionaries working there. But we all are the same branch, just in different areas. We have a lot of good members as well. We strive to have members with us in the lessons that we teach and that is REALLY hard because the members always have stuff going on or just don't want to. So we've been working to get them to come out with us and get excited about the work. It's interesting to see the really faithful and converted members verses those who are so below their potential. 

I still have not been asked to speak in sacrament meeting, the missionaries here almost never do. But we take turns teaching the second hour class of Principles of The Gospel if we have investigators or Recent converts at the church that day.

This week has been a good one. We were walking the other day in the street and we hear "Elders!!" Haha we turned around and down the street a random guy was yelling our name, so we went back and talked to him and turns out he is a mission leader up a little more north. He is here working for his friend to do some construction. He introduced us to the family and said "he guess what? Missionaries do service, did you know that? They can help us build this wall".  It was awesome, it was like hey, here's an opportunity to teach a family and do service for them. So we have helped them twice and been able to teach them one time. Also, a friend of this family who is about 15 was there helping us and turns out that he has had lessons with the missionaries before and wants to be taught more. He said his mom would not let him get baptized. Anyway, we invited them all to church and only Jose came (the 15 year old friend) but that was great. He said he wants to get baptized and all, AND that his mom is fine with it now. We're going to go teach him and his family tonight. Hopefully if all goes well, we will have some baptisms soon! They're awesome families and we're excited to teach them.

On a bit more of the funnier side, we were walking around just knocking doors and we came across a group of about 6 kids from the ages 8-13 and we talked to them for a while. They asked a bunch of stuff about our country and how to say certain words in English. And we explained a little bit about why we are here and what we're doing and all and when we went to leave one of the littler kids bows his head and tells me "give me your power" hahah. Oh man. The things that happen sometimes. We told him that he has to wait 2 years until he is twelve. But we got their info and we're going to pass by later on.

I went on interchanges with Elder Bessey the zone leader here and after our first lesson he says "wow, you have improved SOO much! Seriously that was so good!.." I was honestly surprised, and taken aback, but I just felt happy too. It's good to have that feeling of improvement, because sometimes we don't see it in ourselves as we live day to day, its harder to catch. But him, who went on interchanges with me about a month or two ago and then now, can see. So even if you guys feel like you're not improving or anything like that, know that from some one elses view, you definitely are! We had taught the a less active family and it was a really good lesson. We just kept it really simple. We talked about the sacrament and what it really means, and about the love of Christ. You could feel the spirit. Those are always the best lessons. It's surprisingly hard sometimes to get the spirit in the lessons, just because there are so many distractions and things going on at times. But those lessons where it's there really are special and make it worth it. But at this time we have a few investigators and a lot of less actives we are working with. But i have big hopes for those to families I told you about and have been praying for them. (: 

Ohhhhh a small package, YES! Hahah hmmm...Homemade treats? I don't know, something good! If you can you should send it soon so it gets here  by march. (: But the dentist...ugh. I went in this morning and got my temporary crown and still have like 2 or 3 more appointments. This will be about a 2 month treatment altogether. Unreal!! But for now I have a crown. And then next Monday I go in for an impression, then next time I get the final permanent one. The only worry I have is about my retainer..and what will happen there. Maybe you could ask our ortho? I'm not sure what to do. Ill put on my retainer all the same, I just don't know if it will fit the same.

Anyway, I love you so much! Don't forget that! I'm so grateful for your support and love for me and for whats going on here. You guys have been such a help to me, not only through the mission, but throughout my life. I hope that you have an amazing week!

Love you!

Letter 19: Letters from the Ward

Hey mom!

Well first of all, I'm glad to hear that you're all doing well, (minus the Superbowl, sounds like the team you all wanted lost pretty badly haha). But seriously, everything just seems to be good for the most part! That's awesome. I'm also doing super well! Well..this week has actually been kind of just a boring week. Mostly because we have been walking a ton, and during this time of year everyone is at the beach or on vacations, so it makes it hard to find people in their houses sometimes. But all the same we have been teaching and what not. I feel a lot better from my sickness! So that's been a blessing. Its amazing how hard missionary work it when you're sick. 

Whoa, those drawings that Bridger does are wayyy better than my drawings now! Hahah seriously! Hmmm, I don't know what I would like him to draw me, surprise me! That would be awesome though. Have you sent of those other letters by chance?

I received a letter from the Vanderhorsts and from the Ballards this past week which was awesome. They sent me some chocolate coal, and a grab bag from Reams haha. It was great to get some stuff from the ward. The letter from the Vanderhorsts was really nice, and gave me more excitement for the work. I didn't know they were converts?

But we are just out here working, I hope that it will pay off soon. We have some baptisms in different areas of our zone but right now, we don't have anything lined up. Hopefully soon!

I just want to really thank you for all of your prayers and words of encouragement. I can feel your love and I hop love you all know that I pray for you all everyday and love you so much. Thank you for being an example to me. I Love you.

Interesting facts

1. Chile doesn't have a noise ordinance, therefore, you can play your music in your house super super loud. And a lot of people here like American Music.

2.The smell of the air is either baking bread, or poop (from all the dogs)

3.It is very common here to not be on time. It drives me nuts.

Haha love you guys!

have a great week!

Letter 18: Oh, Patrico!

Hola mi madre!

This week sure was interesting, yes it went by fast but I got soo sick! Turns out that I got the flu, and had 3 days of non stop cramps in my stomach and trips to the bathroom. And we had interviews with our mission president! Over all it was a really interesting week haha. But i feel a ton better now! Just getting over the fatigue. I'm really good. How are you all doing? I miss you guys too! 

Hahaha Bridger! That kid makes me laugh. Looks like he is now old enough that he cant get out of these things (which he should want to get out of anyway haha). Stake conference is always good. It seems like a theme church wide is hastening the work. Not only on the Presidency level but on the level of wards and stakes as well. The work really is going throughout this world. I'm glad that you're feeling better though, being sick LITERALLY (parks and rec) is the worst thing. Well...close. Haha. 

To answer some of your questions. I don't think we will be able to go to the temple at least till the end of this year if we reach our goal. Every missionary goes at the end of his mission though. We have changes this Wednesday, but I think we both will stay, who knows though!

Its very true though about the mission President. He just has something about him. During interviews this week I just told him the things I was struggling with and my worries, things like this and he just said the things I needed to hear. I can feel the love that he has. Its interesting because he and his assistants are in a rush always to keep on schedule, but regardless I can feel his love. Hahah yes mom, Skype is soon! ish.

Hmm, I think the thing I enjoy most is really getting know people and their stories. And when I make a connection with someone and they become more than a member, or investigator, but a friend, a brother, a sister, and I really feel like they're my family from before this life. I had this experience this week.

right now we have this family of investigators that we found in a contact one day. THere names are the mom Teresa, the daughter Coni, and the son Patricio. We contacted Patricio and he wasn't interested in our religion but he did want us to come back and talk about our lives with him. We went and found that one day and met the family. We ate some food and were just talking, he showed me he added me on FB and wrote on my wall haha. But after a while we began to talk about why we are here, and what our purpose is. Patricio was saying that is was just because we were born in our church, like he was born in the catholic one, and that's why we believed the way we do. We talked with them about how we aren't here to tell them how to believe, but to provide an opportunity for them to take this chance, put there faith in God and find out for themselves through God if this is His church. The spirit was there and it was really quiet for a while, then the mom *(who we found out was baptized a long time ago) said she would do it. Read the BoM and pray to know. We ended because Patricio had to leave with his girlfriend. But as we were walking with him to the bus stop he gave us a letter. It talked about how when we contacted him he was interested and how he wanted to know more about us and our lives because he has seen a lot of bad things in his life, a lot of realities, how people who have so much don't know how to thank, and how people who have had so little are willing to give everything for the people they love. He talked a lot about how he wants to hear about our lives and why we are the way that we are. I don't think we are going to be teaching him the normal way of lessons. But perhaps through hearing some of our life stories he can see how God has always been present. This is an amazing family. They have a lot of potential. 

And I don't know, Its so interesting how you can SEE the potential these people have. And I just want to help them realize it. 

But that's definite a good part. I love you Mom! You're the best mom ever. Obviously... (:

Have a great week!

Letter 17: Power of Prayer

Dear Mom and family,

Glad to hear that the New York trip went well! I can imagine you and Trevor just had  blast. The weather here is fine! Its humid though so it always feels a lot hotter. It's perfect for beach days! Walking around in a tie and pants all day...not so much ;) hahah but after about 6 o clock is hits a good temperature. Could be worse im sure. We don't have any problem setting commitments for baptism, that's really the easy part, the hard part is that the people never want to keep their commitments to  attend church, read, and pray. The three simple things that they NEED to do in order to gain a testimony and be baptized. They are always "too busy" with work or the beach, things like that, or they just prefer to sleep in on Sundays. So at times, its a little frustrating, but all the same, we are teaching people and we're having success. We've been reactivating a lot of less active and inactive families which I love. The area is pretty great, although we have changes not this week but next! So who knows what will happen then. Yes I did get the ring! although..I have to buy glue because the black band was half way off when I opened it. But once its fixed ill be wearing it. I haven't every really had a CTR ring but I'm excited to wear it. Little reminders like that make all the difference. Oh and yes I like my zone leaders, one of them is still Elder Faught, and the other Elder Bessey.

I go in on Thursday to complete my tooth, or at least the root canal. And then I might have one more visit after that for the crown. Who knows, dentists here are weird. But hopefully all goes well and it will be taken care of soon!

I feel like I've been able to feel the spirit more in my day to day life. Actually I had a few little, but interesting experiences this past week. We were down at our church after our coordination meeting and had about 20 minutes to make it home as we were waiting for a taxi. Time kept passing and we were getting closer to 10 o clock. I said I pray and about 10 seconds later a guy pulls up who is a member and offers us a ride. He drove us all the way to our house and we made it. And then yesterday we were yet again waiting the taxi with 2 other members to go to church. Again we were getting pretty behind and so I said a prayer again so that all four of us could get there in time and as I looked up there came pulling in a taxi with all 4 seats open. The driver asked where we were going, gave us a discount, AND drove us all the way to the church (we usually have to walk up this giant hill). Small things like this are testimonies that God really is looking after us as his children, and that when we pray with faith, even for the small and simple things, we will be answered. Something that I have learned with prayer, is that in reality we are praying in the name of Jesus Christ. A lot of times our prayers go unanswered because we are praying for things that aren't entirely righteous. But we have sincere desires for good and are willing to act on the answer we get, then He will answer us. I always thought that having the spirit would just automatically come as a missionary. Its doesn't work like that, we have to build and strengthen our relationship daily with the spirit. Its hard sometimes, but it will be worth it. That's a really neat experience about the church you two visited. Its crazy how sometimes you can just feel the spirit so strong. You should watch on Youtube, there is a segment Modelos de luz, by David a Bednar, you will have to translate that. it means patterns of light, i think. Haha. But it talks about how and when we receive revelation.

Alright well, this week was really good. Here are your funny stories for this one.

There were a few cars that slowed way down just so they could stare...I now truly know how it feels to be a foreigner haha. There was a car that kept driving by yesterday yelling "que rico". As we were walking I got told "super lindo" haha and then got Justin Beiber a few more times. We taught this family for the first time and their daughter who is like 11 or so asked for a picture because I looked like someone from big time rush. And stuff like this is starting to become normal. My comp just laughs haha. Its pretty funny, I'm getting a haircut today though.

Also we were eating at an investigators house and they came out with salad and a whole pile of tomatoes for us to eat...I was about to die, so I said that I couldn't eat tomatoes because they make me sick (which is true!) and they piled them all onto my companions plate hahahah, I about died laughing at the table but I barely held it in. Oh geez..his face was just like (...what....) haha. We are getting along a lot better now, so that's good!

Anyway I love you guys and hope you have a great week!!

Letter 16: Hopeful investigators

Dearest mother and family,

My tooth feels much better! However..the dentists work a little differently here, originally I was supposed to go in for 3 visits with JUST the root canal, and then later the crown. But the dentist was awesome and spoke some English. He got most of it done and my next visit will finish the root canal. I don't go in until the 23rd because he went on vacation (of course) but there is a temporary filling on it right now and it doesn't hurt. So all is well. I paid the first like 300 dollars or so, the rest will be next time. But yeah, all is well on the dental front! We have to travel to La Serena Integra Medica each time. Its about a 30 minute drive. 

Yes I finally got the package! And let me just say thank you so much! Those sweaters will be great for when it starts to cool down and the shirts/sweats are awesome! I think what I liked the best though was the letters from everyone. It was so good to read them all and just feel so loved. Oh and side note, what the heck?? When did Brock get such good handwriting?? haha. Also the treats were delicious, and yes...they're already gone. I couldn't help it. 

This year our mission reached 931 baptisms! A little short of our goal, so no, I don't think we will be going to the temple. Our new goal this year is 1200 baptisms as a mission. That's a lot, but I'm sure its reachable as well. Things are going well with my companion as well. Just have to adapt some and learn to deal with some things. But overall he's good and we get along. I now just wear my earplugs in the morning while I study too. Not only because of that but we live right by a construction zone and its really loud. So I just put them in and study. 

Yes we actually found 10 new investigators this week! The statistic is for about every 18 investigators we get a baptism. But we found 2 families and we're excited to be working with them. Last night we had once (mini dinner) with our investigator Ernesto and his girlfriend Victoria and their son Benjamin. Benjamin in 3 years old and Ernesto is 32, not sure about her. But they're so great! Ernesto makes me laugh, hes just a funny guy. They're both really interested and Ernesto said he wants to be baptized. The obstacle will be to get him to stop smoking and to come to church..haha. It was funny because a week ago we taught him for the first time and he leans back in his chair, thinks, and then says yeah...I think Ill be ready to be baptized next week. Hahaha it was great but there are some things he needs to stop doing first and again, he needs to attend church at least 3 times. So our goal is for the 2nd of February and we are hoping his girlfriend will as well! The area we are in is a good one, the people are friendly and we find new people without too much difficulty! 

Juan is good! He didn't come to church though and he hasn't been reading, so we are working with him to get him excited and animated. No he hasn't rapped for us yet, but soon! He has a great heart, its just hard for him to read and hes a little lazy haha. Nothing he cant overcome!

Hahah no worries mom, ill be sure to tell him. Yeah we go a buy little things for home, but we are hardly ever home so we don't buy a ton. I usually buy cereal and stuff for quesadillas..stuff like that (: We live right by a store called Santa Isabel, and its like a Walmart more or less. Or sometimes if im hungry at night ill buy an empanada or something like that. So all is well in the food area. That pasta you made sounds HEAVENLY, I cant wait to have your cooking again! Seriously, we ate subway today because we had to go to La Serana so Elder Holmes could change his address in his passport/carnet and we ate their. Oh my gosh, I got the meatball marinara and it just tasted like America. It was such a blissful experience, you don't even know! Haha every day we eat pasta, or chicken. The majority of the time its food like that. And so simple things like Subway are just fantastic. 

Yeah send them as soon as possible! If you want to send treats go for it! (I'm never opposed to that) haha, but if its too expensive the letters are just fine!

Well I'm super glad to hear you're all doing well and happy! That's exciting about your trip this week! Take lots of pictures! Ill send some right now as well. I love you so much!! Thank you for your prayers and thoughts, I feel the strength from them. I have the best family in the world!

Have a great week! Be safe!

Letter 15: Missing Crown

Dear Mom and Family,

It is finally the New Year! We spent it with a dinner with some members and then back to the pension. Really calm, it was good! But I agree with you completely, I'm hoping for no accidents as well and that every stays healthy!

Well as for accidents that one already kinda failed..with my tooth and all. But from here on out! 

No my companion does not really laugh and my jokes, but hey, not much I can do. Actually, when I found out my tooth was going to cost so much he literally laughed. Ahhh, sometimes I just cant help but shake my head at him. I feel like this anger build up inside towards him sometimes, and I really have to put it away or think about something else. Well anger is a strong word...but annoyance. He got mad at me because I rolled up my sleeves on my shirt because it was really hot (which isn't against the rules) and told me I should call the zone leaders and ask. I told him yeah, I will tonight then. He then handed me the phone and I just looked at him..then called to save us an argument. No one answered. Its just little things like that that bug me. But hey, he's a really good guy and is out here doing what the Lord wants.

Wait..you ate my treats?!?! hahah No just kidding, that's okay! I'm excited to read the letters from Daniel, and the YW. That's super thoughtful of them to do that. Probably it will get here at the beginning of February. And I think I will be getting my package from you this Wednesday, here's to hoping!

This week has been good! We have been meeting all the members, teaching inactives and less actives and finding new people to teach! There is a ton of dust in this area too, our pants always are dirty at the end of the day. But we were teaching this less active member names Rosa (who is super awesome!) and her non member dad the other day. The lesson went really well and she is going to attend church again. The dad and I talked a ton about Columbia and mexico and the drug trade between them and the states...not sure how we got on that topic. But we tied it in with the lesson!

Then Rosa told me I looked like James Dean...haha, oh and that rapper Juan, said Justin Beiber again..ridiculous. 

Its crazy how much American music they play here! We always here it in the collectivos (taxis) and in every store. Its pretty funny. For example the other day we heard Beat it, and jitterbug, both from Zoolander. It made me laugh. 

Well I'm out of time guys! Ill write more next week I promise. I love you all so stinkin much! I'm glad to hear you're doing so well and I pray for you all every single day. Enjoy your week!

Letter 14: First Baptism!

Hello! How are things??

Yes talking with you guys was probably the best thing ever! It makes me want to be able to talk with you even more is the only bad thing haha. Seeing all of your faces and hearing your voices was just amazing. Geez, I should have recorded it on my camera or something. Geez I miss you guys like crazy! We are going to be moving to our new are today at around 3 o clock more or less, the address is (3500 Zions #95, San Juan, Coquimbo) And if that doesn't work, replace San Juan with La Cantera. But you'll be able to see our apt. and all. Yes transfers for me are a mixed emotion thing. First of all yes, I hate change, just hate it, at least till its over and I realize wow, this isn't so bad. But at the start I just always dread it. Elder Holmes is good though, he doesn't really laugh at my jokes though, for example the other day a care drove by that had wax all over it and I said "Haha, looks like someone didn't learn to wax off" obviously referencing Karate Kid and he didn't even laugh? Whatever, I thought it was funny. But overall he's a good guy. I will send a picture. No I haven't gotten my package yet and wont until the zone leaders bring it up from Vina Del Mar, so another week or two. Hahah that was so funny that they wouldn't let you tell! How lame..but I'm excited to see! I know ill like it, I had the best people picking stuff out, especially Trevor, he knows how to get the good stuff haha. Hopefully it all arrives in one piece!. I cried a little a bit, especially after that prayer, geez, but everything just felt really good after that. 

New York sounds so exiting! I've thought about mine and Trevor's trip to there several times as I've been out here, that was an amazing time. I'm sure you two will have a blast! Hopefully dad has fun in his conferences as well...haha. And yes be sure to take photos!~I like your goals, I definitely miss the temple. If we reached our baptism goal of 1000 for the year we will go to the temple as a mission...so...we find out pretty soon. I hope so!.  I haven't set any goals on paper for this year. I need to do that, i have ideas in my head but nothing really set in stone. Ill do it though! Hey if one of your goals is to read and study that what ill be doing too. We as a mission are going to read it 4 times this year and mark different key topics. Should be good!  Let me know how it goes. 

But yesterday we had the baptism of Mattias Narveaz! And it was sooo good! He asked me to baptize him and i was a little nervous doing it in Spanish. Also, something really funny. Please imagine this in your heads right now...so we go into the water and I say the prayer (keep in mind i explained the process before hand, the whole bending the knees and plugging nose things) and I go and put him in the water and then all of a sudden he is almost jumping out of the water! and then makes this like "ahhh" sound. And me being completely surprised stood there thinking "what the..???" Haha. But the baptism worked we didn't have to do it again. And after he just said he was surprised or something? I have no idea but every time I think about it I laugh. We went and visited him afterwords and watched a video about John Tanner. It was a good lesson in how our sacrifices can help others. And how really, our worldly things shouldn't be our main priority.

Also during lunch we watched this church video I think called Lighthouse. But it was really good as well, it teaches about how the littlest of actions can make such big differences. Its about this guy who dies and writes in his will to about 6 people in different ways they unknowingly have changed his life.

Anyway this week has been a good one. And hopefully another will follow

I love you all so much! Have an great week! (ps. i also cant wait for May!) Haha. I miss you all tons. I Hope that you're all doing well and that you're happy.