I'm Back!

Hey Everyone!

I thought you should know that I'm back from my mission! I guess you could have guessed that, and I think I've seen pretty much everyone anyways. But, I forgot to keep my fantastic blog updated, so I must apologize! I want to thank my family for keeping my emails posted these last two years. I'll do my best to keep the blog running!

Well, lots has happened in the past few months since I've been home. Since I don't really feel like writing it all down, I'll post some pictures so you can see what I've been up to. Here are a few pictures from the last week I spent in Chile. The four studly missionaries that always seem to be together are the same that roomed together in the MTC! We are: Elder Hill, Elder Mortensen, Elder Eddenfield, and me. :)

My mission president and his wife, President and Sister Bruce:

At the Matamoro family's house, where we had a really nice get together with a few of our converts.

We had a really nice visit with the Fritis family as well:

Here we are at the airport! By the way, "disponible" in Spanish means "available." Haha!

We had a full day in Santiago waiting for the plane to the States, so we were able to go to a session in the temple. It was the greatest way to end our mission!

Now that I'm back in the States, I'm getting adjusted to the "normal" life. I think I'm pretty much de-missionized, although I will never forget the lessons I learned and the people I met. These were truly the best two years, as of yet... Though I have no doubt that the coming years will be even more fulfilling and joyous! Here are some photos of our first real family get together when we celebrated all the October birthdays in the family:

Family outings aren't the only thing occupying my time now. School has started up and I'm working for a company called Nursefinders were I do home healthcare. In addition to that, I am going out with a girl named Kiley Kartchner! Which, of course, is the best part about being home, along with the time that I can spend with my family. So, sorry all you ladies out there, but I am no longer "disponible." :) We have spent almost every day together, and Kiley has quickly become my very best friend. Since I can't possibly give you all the details of the dates and things, here are some pictures:

You'll notice that there are a lot of pictures of food. That's only because it's one of the most inexpensive and fun dates there is: cooking!

To sum everything up in a nutshell: I am loving life. I couldn't ask for anything more than what I already have. I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and all the blessings that come from our Savior, especially as we are true and faithful to the commandments we've been given. I am grateful to all of my family and friends that make this journey of life so much more exciting and fulfilling. I hope you are all doing well!

Last message from Chile!

September 28, 2010 (I'll be home on Friday!)

an you believe how fast these two years have gone? Looking back, it all seems to have gone so fast! But, it also feels like I've been here forever. Crazy how that works, huh?

It has been a really awesome week! I'm sending you some pictures of our Branch President's family and our zone that we recently took. We have been working our very best this week. It's been pretty tough for me. It has actually been kind of hard to sleep this past week, even when I'm not thinking about home. I guess it's just lurking there in the back of my mind. It's also been a little tough to get out of our apartment in the afternoon to work, but I can testify that as I prayed for strength to endure to the end, the Lord truly blessed us with a ton of success! We did a lot of companionship exchanges again this week, and we did our best to train and help our fellow servants in the Lord's vineyard. The time has just flown by, and I'm still loving every minute!

Sadly, none of our investigators went to church this week, even though we labored with all diligence to teach and bring others unto Christ. As we have taught, I felt the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and we did our best to focus on commitments and our investigators' progress. However, everyone has their own agency, and it's a little sad when people choose to not listen, but I cannot be disappointed in my own work. I know that we have been doing exactly what the Lord has commanded us, and that makes me happy! :)

I have grown so much in these past two years, I didn't even think it was possible. I feel such a great love for the people here in Chile. I am so excited to see all of you this coming Friday! But, it also feels like I'll be leaving a family when I leave here. I know that the Lord has heard and answered all of my prayers and has filled me with a great love for my fellow servants and my Chilean brothers and sisters.

Last message from Chile!

September 28, 2010 (I'll be home on Friday!)

an you believe how fast these two years have gone? Looking back, it all seems to have gone so fast! But, it also feels like I've been here forever. Crazy how that works, huh?

It has been a really awesome week! I'm sending you some pictures of our Branch President's family and our zone that we recently took. We have been working our very best this week. It's been pretty tough for me. It has actually been kind of hard to sleep this past week, even when I'm not thinking about home. I guess it's just lurking there in the back of my mind. It's also been a little tough to get out of our apartment in the afternoon to work, but I can testify that as I prayed for strength to endure to the end, the Lord truly blessed us with a ton of success! We did a lot of companionship exchanges again this week, and we did our best to train and help our fellow servants in the Lord's vineyard. The time has just flown by, and I'm still loving every minute!

Sadly, none of our investigators went to church this week, even though we labored with all diligence to teach and bring others unto Christ. As we have taught, I felt the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and we did our best to focus on commitments and our investigators' progress. However, everyone has their own agency, and it's a little sad when people choose to not listen, but I cannot be disappointed in my own work. I know that we have been doing exactly what the Lord has commanded us, and that makes me happy! :)

I have grown so much in these past two years, I didn't even think it was possible. I feel such a great love for the people here in Chile. I am so excited to see all of you this coming Friday! But, it also feels like I'll be leaving a family when I leave here. I know that the Lord has heard and answered all of my prayers and has filled me with a great love for my fellow servants and my Chilean brothers and sisters.

One more week!

20 September 2010 (Chile's Bicentennial!)

The miracles have continued as we have worked here in Vallenar. I am loving every minute here in the mission field! :)

This week, on the 18th of September, we celebrated Chile's bicentennial -- it's been 200 years since Chile became a free country! That also means that everyone took the week off... everyone except us missionaries, of course. We got to work and did our best to find families at home and teach! And it went really well! I'm sending a lot of pictures that we took this week. We went to a little activity we had as a branch where we ate a lot of meat and the kids danced the "Cueca", Chile's national dance. I learned how to throw a top, and we had lots of fun with that as a zone. :) We also took some pictures of the usual scenery here in Chile, which I will really miss when I come home: the dogs on top of walls and houses, the beautiful city view of Vallenar, the hundreds of Chilean flags, etc. I hope you enjoy the pictures I sent!

This week, we did our best to find and teach, but one bad thing is that both Elder Shim and I both got a little sick, which totally sapped all of our energy! But, we continued faithful until the end, and though we had to rest more than we would have liked, the Lord blessed us in every aspect of the work. I went to the little coastal city of Huasco to work again on Tuesday, and it went really well. We taught many investigators, and the Spirit was our powerful companion. I've come to really appreciate and search diligently for the companionship of the Holy Ghost in all teaching opportunities, for as it says in the scriptures, "if ye have not the Spirit, ye shall not teach." We can tell when the Spirit is with us because we always come out feeling energized, excited, uplifted and edified. When we have a lesson without the guidance of the Spirit, we know right away! There is no way to produce lasting conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ without the power and influence of the Spirit of God.

For my final week here in the mission, I am planning on doing my very best! I know that this is the Lord's work, and through every decision we make and every action we take, we are laying the foundation of a great work. I love you all and pray for you every day. Thank you for your letters of support and encouragement -- they really help me from week to week to put my shoulder to the wheel and push along!

I love you all, and I can't wait to see you again. Take care, and have a wonderful week!