Missing the ocean

Feb. 22, 2010 (with Elder Christensen in Paipote)

Well, we're heading into the last week of this transfer! Can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday that I started training my new companion, Elder Christensen. It has been a great transfer here in the little town of Paipote. We have had a lot of success and we're starting to see a ton of miracles. Here in Paipote, there's a little more green than the other cities here in the north. There are a lot of grape vines and fresh fruit, so that's nice. But, the ocean is about 2 hours away, so we don't have any nice views of the water... But that's alright because the sunsets and sunrises are always spectacular -- when I get a good camera again, I'll send some sweet pictures!

We're going to be changing our house soon and moving in to live with a member family, only to make sure that no one will break in to steal our stuff again. We should be moving at the beginning of March, and it will be a really nice location. As for now, we eat with members every day of the week. We eat with the family of our branch mission leader during the week (Hermano Ronny Astorga) and then with other members on Saturday and Sunday. We don't really have too much time to cook for ourselves. In the afternoon for "dinner" (there really isn't dinner here in Chile), we sometimes eat sandwiches with some members or buy ourselves completos (loaded hot dogs) or churrascos (beef sandwiches). Sometimes we also buy empanadas, but there aren't many places that sell emapanadas here in Paipote, sadly.

This week, we've been finding tons of new people and teaching lots of lessons! There are also many people interested in learning English, so we'll be starting English classes on Wednesday this week. It should be fun. :) But, transfers are coming up way too fast, and I don't know what's going to happen! It makes it a lot more exciting than it was when I was working in the office and knew everything beforehand.

This week, we also had interviews with our mission president, President Urra. He is really awesome! We learned some really efficient ways to give away books of Mormon and to set up followup appointments. I've been thinking about everything I've learned here in the mission, and I'm sure that all of it will help me a ton when I come home and have to start working and studying again. The mission really is the greatest university for us missionaries, not only for our investigators whose lives are changed.

Well, I don't have any more time to write, but I just want to let you all know that I love you and am thinking about you! I love being here in the mission as well, serving my Heavenly Father, and I can feel His love in my life and in all of our family. We really have been greatly blessed -- I only wish that everyone could enjoy these same blessings!

Happy love day!

Feb. 15, 2010 (Suicide intervention)

How's everyone doing this lovely Monday? Here in Paipote, it's pretty hot and dry, like always, but it sure is beautiful! We had an amazing week filled with miracles and lots of blessings from a loving Heavenly Father. We have had our difficulties, almost all from being in the middle of the vacationing season, but I know that we are on the Lord's errand to help His children receive salvation. It is great work. :) I'll be sending some pictures in just a bit...

During this week, as we were walking towards an appointment we had made, a few young men stopped us and tried speaking to us in English. They told us that they were anxious to learn and were willing to pay for classes. So, we took advantage of the situation, saying that we didn't accept money but the only thing that we ask is that they listen to our message. We started having English classes with them, and as we teach, we use church pamphlets and the sciptures. It's really a fun way to share the gospel, and when we give them homework they are ready and willing to do it! I hope that these young people, Kallen and Hans, can feel the same thing that I do as I read in the scriptures, even if they're just doing it to practice their English!

We had a really neat experience the other day also as we were hurrying to an appointment we had. As we were walking, the spirit told us to turn back. I didn't really understand why, but the prompting was clear. We stopped, and we completely missed the appointment. Instead of going, we went back to where we were before and just started knocking on doors. As we approached one door, a lady answered who told us to come back the following day. As we did so, we entered the house and started teaching. We learned that this lady had had many problems and wanted to kill herself because of the trials in her family. We taught about the Plan of Salvation and shared about our purpose here on the earth. We taught many things, and this lady thanked us for our time. We are now sharing the message with her, and I sure do hope that she can accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that we were literally guided to her door to help in a time of crisis.

We have tons of amazing experiences here in the mission, and I am so grateful for the Gospel in my life! We've been working really hard, and though we still haven't had too many people come to church or want to be baptized, I know that we have been in the service of God and of our fellowman. I can see that we have helped many people in their lives and have done much good among the people here in Paipote. This is surely a marvelous work!

A Little Note from Paipote

Feb. 8, 2010 (Translated Zone conference to English for all the new missionaries)

id you know that the mission really does go a lot faster after the first year? I can’t believe how fast it’s all gone! We’ve been working hard here in Paipote, and though the work has gone a little bit slower than usual (everyone is leaving for vacation to finish off the summer), we’ve had a lot of success and have learned a lot together. Elder Christensen and I are making an awesome companionship!

Elder Christensen is working really hard to improve his Spanish, and he’s doing great. The other day I looked up a few of my old journal entries and really enjoyed seeing how much I really have progressed since I began the mission more than a year ago. My companion still can’t really understand anything, and though at times it is a temptation to take advantage of the situation and a play a few little jokes, I have to remember when I got to the mission and how hard it was. Wow, I can’t believe that I can actually speak chilean now! :)

The past week was our zone conference, and President Urra had me translate the entire conference to English for all the new missionaries. It was a lot of work, and at the end of the 6-hour conference my head was hurting a lot. But, I felt so exceedingly blessed with understanding and the ability to speak. But you’ve got to admit – it’s quite the miracle! And, though I didn’t have too much time to take notes and enjoy the sweet spirit that the conference brought, at the end I felt the warm comfort of the Holy Ghost, and I know that my Heavenly Father blessed me with the gift to speak and translate. I also know that it is His bountiful hand that leads us and teaches us in this miraculous work. I love being a missionary!

Thank you so much, mom, for sending a package and also for your beautiful email. I’m not sure when the box will arrive, but I’ll be anxiously awaiting its arrival! It will also be great to get a camera and some shoes that actually fit! :) Today, my companion and I went to the feria (it’s kind of like the flea market) and bought lots of little things. We also got a little camera for my companion to take some pictures of this transfer, but we still haven’t got it to link up with the computer, so we’ll have to wait to send pictures!

Wow, this week was pretty hard but also really fulfilling. I wish I could write more, but I really don’t have any time left to write. Please forgive me! I’ll try to send off a letter in the mail when I can.

Thank you all for your letters and your support. I always look forward to reading about what’s going on back at home – it’s the highlight of the week! I especially enjoyed Jessica’s story about Andrew – poor kid! Haha!

Size 11.5 is as big as they get here in Chile!

Feb. 1, 2010 (Working and studying hard)

Here in Paipote, we just finished an awesome week. We've been working hard and studying hard, and we've had a lot of success. I really love working with my new companion, Elder Christensen. He's struggling a bit with his Spanish, but I guess that's normal for being here in Chile for only 2 weeks! I recently recently read through my old journal entries, and it's amazing to see the many miracles that have taken place in my life. It's especially hard to believe that I can kind of speak Spanish -- who would of thought? I really do love my time here in the mission, and I know that I have been exceedingly blessed by my Heavenly Father.

Today, Elder Christensen and I went off to Copiapó to do some shopping for the things that were stolen. I found a nice suitcase (dufflebag style) for around $8000 CLP, or $16 USD. I went ahead and bought it, along with a pair of cheap tennis shoes for $15000 CLP, or $30 USD. It was pretty funny as we were looking for tennis shoes because there wasn't any place that had my size! I would say to the vendor, "Do you have any shoes size 46 (12 in the U.S.)?" And then they'd just start laughing, look down at my feet, and suggest another store to go check out. Finally, we found some shoes in Líder (Chile's Wal-Mart) that were size 45 (11.5), and though they're a little small, they're comfortable enough. Can you believe that they don't even sell my shoe size here? I didn't think I was that abnormally big... It must be from all the hormones in the food sold in the states. :)

So, after an exciting day of shopping and almost losing my jumpdrive with all my pictures, and then a miraculous save by Elder Kneisly, my zone leader, who found my jumpdrive, here I am with my companion writing this amazing email from the Internet café that our Mamita has in her house. (Excuse me, I mean our "Hermana del almuerzo." President doesn't want us to use terminology like "mamita" now, but it's alright). Here in Paipote, there is a lot of green. The only thing I kind of miss is the ocean -- I really love living by the beach! But, there are grapevines here, and it is all really beautiful. The people are wonderful. Sadly, everyone is leaving on vacation right now for the rest of the summer, and the work might slow down abit. But, it should pick up speed once school is in session, starting in March. I guess we'll see.


To answer some of the questions about the mission right now: I have had a mamita in every area. In every sector of our mission, members provide food and do our laundry (except for the assistents, who only have their laundry provided but have to cook for themselves). The members are always very loving and want to help and serve in any way possible. It makes the mission a lot more enjoyable, especially after a hard day of tracting and proselyting. The attendance in our little branch is steadily rising, and last week 36 people attended. Our goal is to make Paipote a ward instead of a branch before leaving! And don't worry -- we're going to make our goal a reality! ;)

Well, we're out of time again. I hope that all is well - you are all always in my prayers! Thank you for your emails today; they made me smile. I really enjoy reading and hearing about what's going on back at home. I still can't believe so much has changed in just 16 months... Is that crazy or what???

Robbed in Paipote!

Jan. 25, 2010 (Lost money, camera and shoes!)

Wow, can you believe I’ve been here in Chile for so long already? I know almost all the missionaries in the mission, and they all say that I’m about ready to go home! But it’s not true. I’ve still got a good 8 months left, which means that we’re going to get off to work like crazy!

I think I’ll start off with the sad part of the week, but it didn’t really get us down too much; it just means more work and that we’ll have to spend more money. :p The first week here in our new sector, our house was robbed! Here is what was taken: our cameras, 3 of my companion’s t-shirts, our tennis shoes, a little suitcase of mine (that I bought for real cheap in the airport in Provo), and about $50 USD from my wallet (my “Emergency Funds”). I think we were really blessed because they didn’t take anything that can’t be replaced, like our passports, photos (they are all on our jump drives), journals, or anything like that. But, it means that I won’t be sending any pictures for a while, at least until I buy myself a little cheap camera. I spoke with our mission president, and we’ll be changing our apartment shortly. We’re living in a little house right now, and I think we left the bathroom window open. The robber must have entered in by there after jumping our fence. But, it’s alright because we put protections on the windows, and we’ll be moving shortly. That was a bit of a bummer for my companion, who recently arrived from the United States! We’ll also be receiving an extra $40,000 CLP ($80 USD) to replace some of the things that were stolen, at least so that I can get a pair of tennis shoes and another suitcase. I think I’ll have to buy the camera with my own money, so could you let me know how much I have in my account? Thanks! :)

My new companion is Elder Benjamin Christensen, an awesome missionary from American Fork, Utah. We are working a lot to get the work going here in the little town of Paipote. Our goal is to have a ward here before one of us leaves! I know we can do it. The members here are few but are amazing. They are helping us a lot, especially in giving us referrals and showing us around the sector. It’s really green here, compared to the other cities where I’ve been. My companion is struggling a bit with the language; it reminds me of when I recently started my mission! The Chileans speak really fast, so it’s kind of fun to translate what they are saying for my companion. It's crazy how much I've learned in the past year and a half! I’m trying really hard not to speak any English with my new companion, but every now and then it becomes necessary. It is an amazing experience to train a new missionary! We had a lot of success this week, and I know we’ll be having a lot of amazing experiences here in Paipote.

I really do love this missionary experience. We have had some pretty crazy experiences, but the greatest part is becoming an instrument in the Lord’s hands to bring about His work here on Earth. I sure do love being here in Chile and working for my Heavenly Father! There are many wonderful people who are prepared and ready to hear the message of the Restored Gospel, and I sure do love sharing it with them! My companion is also working hard so that he can express himself, and I know that together, we’ll work miracle here in Paipote.

I love you all so much! Thank you for all that you do for me, your support and your love. I really do appreciate it all. If there is anything I can do for you, or something you’d like me to share in my next email, let me know!

Transfered and Training

Jan. 18, 2010 (Transferred and Training)

Wow, this has been an incredible week filled with changes and lots of new experiences. We were working like crazy in Antofagasta Centro at the beginning of the week. On Tuesday night, we received a call from the assistents telling us to go and buy a few bus passes, so that night we went to TurBus and bought the bus passes. We got back to the apartment, and handed the passes to the assistents. Elder Romero looked at the bus passes and told me to take one. He said: "Here's your next transfer!" I looked at the bus pass and didn't understand:

Antofagasta - Copiapó
Thursday, January 14th
9:30 am

I looked at the pass and said, "Thursday?" I was about to leave to Copiapó in one short day! I got all my things together quickly and got ready to get off. It turns out that I'll be opening a new area in the mission: la rama Paipote. So, on Thursday I was off!

I got to Paipote and started working a bit with Elder Bórquez, a missionary who's about to leave the mission this week but who's had a lot of experience working in Paipote. He tried to show me the house of all the members and investigators he new, but it was a lot of new information to take in!

This morning, monday, I got a call from the assistents -- I'll be returning to Antofagasta tonight to pick up my new companion. I'll be training a new missionary this transfer! So it should be really exciting. Last Sunday, only 16 members attended the branch, so that was really fun. I gave a talk, and I had the special musical number with the viola. It went really well, and I'm excited to work here in Paipote. When my son and I get through with this branch, it'll be a ward! That's my goal. ;)

Elder Eddenfield, my companion in the MTC, has been called as assistent to the president, along with Elder Cárdenas and Élder Lamprecht. It should be awesome. Both Elder Romero and Elder Galli, the past assistents, are leaving to work in the mission field. It'll be great. And, Elder Brandau will be working here in Copiapó with me! He's also training and opening up a brach.

The work is going really well. I'll have to get accustomed to not having a truck to drive and quick access to everything in downtown Antofagasta, but I'm really excited for the change. Thank you to everyone who wrote to me this past week, I really love reading everything! Hopefully on my bus ride back to Antofagasta I can write a few letters to send out. :) But, I should be really busy here in Paipote.

Just to let you know, you can continue writing and sending things to the mission office address, that's fine. If you want to know anything else, please let me know!

I love you all so much, but I already ran out of time on the internet! You all mean so much to me and are always in my prayers. Thank you for your thoughtful emails and notes of encouragement. I really enjoy staying in touch. Until next week!

Baptism of Lyha and Phya

Jan. 11, 2010 (Happy middle of January 2010!)

Wow, this year's already going way too fast. In just one week we'll have transfers in the mission. 18 new missionaries are arriving, and 12 are leaving the mission. Also, this past Saturday, the new missionary couple arrived here in the mission - Elder and Sister Richardson! It's been lot's of work getting their apartment ready and starting to train them in the office, but it's is a great blessing to have them here in the mission. We are really excited to start working with them and having them here with us. :)

So, how's everyone doing back at home? How's Jessica doing with a new little life in her? Is she still getting nauseous a lot? That is so exciting! And how's little Mario doing? Is he talking a lot now? Whenever there are little kids here in the mission, I love talking to them and thinking of my little nephew that was just a baby when I left -- he's going to be HUGE when I get back!

Here in the mission, I'm getting ready for my transfer next week. There's still a lot of work we have to do here in the office, and I only hope that everything goes well! I spoke with our mission president the other day, and he told me that the financial secretary is the most stressful assignment in the mission. He said that after next week I'll be sent somewhere where I can relax a little bit more and focus entirely on missionary work -- so I'm excited to see where I'll be sent! I'll let you know on Saturday (or Monday, depending on how much work we have in the office).

This past weekend, we had an awesome baptismal service for Lyha and Phya, two sisters who received strong testimonies of the restored gospel. They are the David Vasquez's sisters, a recent convert. And, the rest of the family is now coming to church! Almost all of the adults are members of the church, but they stopped coming for many years. It is amazing to see the progress in this beautiful family and feel the love of God working miracles in their lives. I was going to send a bunch of pictures today, but I forgot my camera in our apartment! So, I'll just have to send double the number of pictures next time. :)

Well, I want you all to know how much I love you and think about you. You have all made such a difference in my life, and I am who I am because of your examples. I hope we can all stay strong and firm in the gospel of Christ and firm to the faith of our fathers. It is a wonderful time to live, and I love every minute I have to learn and grow! Take care, and have a wonderful 2010!