1. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
2. I changed my sheets and powdered them with special, bug-killing dust.
3. 11, 12, 13 . . . .
4. 23, 24, 25 . . .
5. Did you know that 100% deet eats through nylons?
6. AHHHH!!!
7. Cold showers make itching go away.
8. 30, 31, 32 . . .
9. We ran out of Raid and they don't sell it in Machali's little minimarket.
10. My companion and I have fleas.
Go ahead, go ahead and laugh. I'll have you all know that NEVER in my life have I showered every single day for 7 months. Anyone who read my Africa Blog knows that sometimes I only shower 7 times in one month. And NEVER in my life have I had fleas. What is the connection here? Cleanliness attracts filthy creepy, biting ickies. The line from Aladdin constantly plays in my mind ¨Where only the fleas will mourn you!¨ Oh, Jafar.
On the up side, I also got sunburned.
Christmas should never be in the summer, it goes against everything I've ever learned. It's weird to see people put up their lights and decorations in tanktops and flipflops. But, the ice cream makes it okay. It's like a little oasis of cold, delicious, Christmas spirit. Chileans have perfected ice cream. And they sell it on every corner, which makes it even better. AND it's only like 290 pesos (50 cents-ish) for a cone. It's almost as good as Arctic Circle.
We found a couple of great families this week, but we have only met with them once. We are hopeful. Also, one of the families we have been working with for a couple of months has made some great strides. The woman quit smoking, the man is talking marriage and they changed their tea! Unfortunately they didn't understand what we were talking about when we said herbal tea and so she bought a bag of pure tea in leaf form. Oops. More news to come on the family of Yazna and Marcelo.
We went to Santiago a couple more times this week. I love to travel. I love taking the train and the bus and the metro and the bus and colectivos. It's a good time. And since we are missionaries we have no shame of being lost and have no hesitation in asking anyone and everyone where the bus terminal is (even when it's right across the street). Hermana Bartholomew has not traveled much and it used to stress her out, but we're good together and we have Santiago figured out.
I hope you all are well and that the Christmas Spirit is thick in the air. Serve your neighbor and eat some fruit cake. (Pan de Pascua is actually a treat here, not so much of a door stop, haha)
Love you Mucho.
Matto, I love the things you are learning. Especially the crucible. I hope you are adjusting okay and that you are trimming your toenails. My nylons always get holes in them. Always. They usually last like 2 days, but because of my dry heal, not my long toenails. errr . . . Do something nice for your companions today! Love your guts.
Janny, Why do you always have extra kids to take care of? You have two and a dog, silly. That is admirable. Are you doing okay? Mom sent me a story about Joseph Smith giving his coat to John E. Page so he could go on a mission in Canada. I thought of you while I was reading it and teared up a little. You have done so much to help me be a missionary. Thank you for your example and your coat. Love you.
BenGaines, I will never be able to go to Pichilemu, even though I would LOVE to. Everyone says it's gorgeous. And also, one day, I would love to go to the South part of Chile. Also, everyone says it's amazing. And there are indians! I'm looking forward to the secret project haha. Thanks for thinking I'm fun to go shopping with, even though, I'm prolly the worst person to go shopping with . . . I'm bad at it. Thanks for figuring out the phone call. It's will be fantastic to hear you guys!
Camortlemort, I can't even tell you how much I love your letters. I love that your testimony is growing all the time and that you are sharing it with those around you. You are an instrument! And isn't it amazing to be able to turn to the priesthood when we need a little help? It truly is God's power on earth and is for the benefit of all those who have faith in Jesus Christ. I've finished the Living Christ and am starting the Family Proc today. I also want to make up for all the time I lost in seminary and re-memorize scripture mastery. I only did enough to say I memorized them and they didn't stick as strongly as I would have liked.
Katie Sullivan, oh dearest dear of all dears. Writing by DearElder is NOT a cop out. I still get the letters, you don't have to buy stamps, I call that win-win. Thank you for your thoughts, you are a thinker, and for your humor, which I miss deeply. Stange manager sounds professional! You are a grown up! Keep thinking mission . . . it's a good break from the anxiety that school sometimes causes. It's refreshing. It's a beautiful thing. I love you!
Lawrence, It's time you write me a letter.
Lessie, what is your new address? I have a letter but no where to send it . . . s power on earth and is for the benefit of all those who have faith in Jesus Christ. I've finished the Living Christ and am starting the Family Proc today. I also want to make up for all the time I lost in seminary and re-memorize scripture mastery. I only did enough to say I memorized them and they didn't stick as strongly as I would have liked.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Caca de Mono
Hey there Chilean Fans! Here's this week's top ten:
1. I bought Genie pants!!! They are black and torquiose. Totally awesome, but my legs are thicker than the average Chilean girl, so they look more like Clueless pants. A photo would be inappropriate. haha
2. This week, we heard a few funny old wives tales. Chileans blame any type of head cold on having the body change temperature too quickly. Including leaving the warm shower, getting dressed and then drinking a cold coke. Did you know that that causes colds? Consider yourself warned.
3. Also, if you leave a warm house and go outside with your mouth open it will make your mouth crooked.
4. Also, if you have a sore back it's because when your body changes temperature quickly air enters your muscles and makes them hurt.
5. To remedy this, you need to put a candle on a coin, light the candle and put the coin on your back and then put a glass over the candle. The flame will go out because it sucks out all the air and your skin will raise up inside the glass.
6. Then they say that you have to move the glass around on your back. That's just painful. I did it to Hermana Alvarenga once. It hurts a lot because you have skin up in the glass and you have to move it around to suck out the rest of the air in your back. It mostly just makes a back-hickie.
7. We talked with John Baptist this week. He knows the Bible back and forth, but he doesn't understand it. He told us that we don't need prophets in our day because Christ saved everyone who would come after Him.
8. He doesn't believe that the atonement is available for those who came before Christ. It made me angry and sad, but there are just some people who WANT to be confused and not listen to truth.
9. We went shopping for a minute today. It's super weird to listen to Christmas music and see swimming suits and flip-flops on sale. I don't like it. We do have a little tree in our house. We decorated it with one string of lights and 8 decoration balls. It's beautiful.
10. Isabel and Rodrigo got baptized! Probably the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. They are just so happy! I love to see how the gospel, when applied, changes people and makes us happy. They truly are happy. The ward is incredible. We almost didn't have to do anything for the service, the bishopric and our new mission leader are sharp, haha.
I've heard missionaries say that they never write home about the people they teach and who decide to get baptized. I don't know how that is possible. Honestly, I am so, so, so happy for them that I want to tell everyone about how great their progression is going! Even though Isabel and Rodrigo have basically. . . enough to survive, they are fully committed to living the law of tithing and are already receiving blessings. It's fun to hear them tell us about the good things that have come their way. Still, hard things are passing in their lives, but they are firm, abounding in good works.
So, Thanksgiving happened again this year. That's cool. We worked in the morning, had lunch with a sister and her inactive husband and made no-bake cookies (here they are called caca de Mono. . . yuck.) to celebrate Thanksgiving. I have a recipe for pumpkin pie, but we don't have time/energy to prepare a pie from scratch, so no bake cookies were sufficient. And then we worked in the afternoon and in the evening and at nighttime and then we went to bed. It was a good day.
Actually, because it is summer now and the sun is up until 9pm, President Resek changed the missionary schedule. We wake up at 730am, get ready, study, study and leave the house at 11am, lunch at 130-330 and then we work straight through until 10pm (1030 if we are in a good lesson) and sleep at 1130. It's sort of fun. I haven't stayed up till 1130 in some time. But we do our exercises at night now and I am teaching Hermana Bartholomew how to jumprope. It's awesome. I'm up to 2 minutes straight!
Usually the dog parade passes our house at about 7, so the extra half hour isn't really enjoyed.
I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the snowy weather and the end of the semester!
Until next week,
Hermanita
PS, Hermana Bartholomew does not have gallstones. She is doing better.
Thad, You are almost a MASTER! Jedi master of Science. You should celebrate with some good old fashion newton paste (the stuff with corn starch?) 'Member how we made a mow-hawk with that stuff? We are scientists. You can be the master, and I'll be padawon.
BenGaines and Toni, I hope you are feeling much better. Sorry to hear about that. Very excited to hear Anna say my name!!! I got chills when I read that. Haha, she looks like a little grown up now. How fun! What is she going to get for Christmas? Is this her second or third Christmas? Second, right? I'm not crazy. Time is passing quickly in my old age. Also, I want to see a picture of mowgli hair.
Camille, we do sweet stuff. Sometimes I forget. Did you play softball this fall with Sizzle? How are your classes ending up? When do you find out about your grad plans? Oh, hand buddy. I haven't thought that phrase in many moons. I'm glad that part of my life doesn't exist right now. sillyness. Thanks for still being my friend even after all the drama I caused. Love your guts. March 3 . . .
DIANA! Congrats to you two on the internship! That's awesome! A summer in Cali never hurt anybody. But, you'll be back in Provo when I come home in December, right? Good. Thank you so much for writing and keeping me up to date on the goings on in yourlife. I love you so much.
Robyn and Jethro, the house sounds great. I'm so excited for you four. Wow! Four! There is room for a squash garden, right? There has to be. I can help you fix up the basement! We can make it a Chilean theme! haha. That's cool that you went to Spring City. What a small little Utah we have. Give the kids a squeeze and a peck.
TORI!! The PHILIPPEANS?!?!?! That is nuts! You are exactly the sister to do the work there! I'm so happy for you. Just take the language thing one day at a time. You will get it, just pray and study. (this is a secret, but sometimes in the MTC I would bless the food to help me speak better. Maybe that can work for you too?) I love, love love your guts, girl. Wow. You were called before you were born. Send me your address of the mission when you know it. WOOOO!!!!
1. I bought Genie pants!!! They are black and torquiose. Totally awesome, but my legs are thicker than the average Chilean girl, so they look more like Clueless pants. A photo would be inappropriate. haha
2. This week, we heard a few funny old wives tales. Chileans blame any type of head cold on having the body change temperature too quickly. Including leaving the warm shower, getting dressed and then drinking a cold coke. Did you know that that causes colds? Consider yourself warned.
3. Also, if you leave a warm house and go outside with your mouth open it will make your mouth crooked.
4. Also, if you have a sore back it's because when your body changes temperature quickly air enters your muscles and makes them hurt.
5. To remedy this, you need to put a candle on a coin, light the candle and put the coin on your back and then put a glass over the candle. The flame will go out because it sucks out all the air and your skin will raise up inside the glass.
6. Then they say that you have to move the glass around on your back. That's just painful. I did it to Hermana Alvarenga once. It hurts a lot because you have skin up in the glass and you have to move it around to suck out the rest of the air in your back. It mostly just makes a back-hickie.
7. We talked with John Baptist this week. He knows the Bible back and forth, but he doesn't understand it. He told us that we don't need prophets in our day because Christ saved everyone who would come after Him.
8. He doesn't believe that the atonement is available for those who came before Christ. It made me angry and sad, but there are just some people who WANT to be confused and not listen to truth.
9. We went shopping for a minute today. It's super weird to listen to Christmas music and see swimming suits and flip-flops on sale. I don't like it. We do have a little tree in our house. We decorated it with one string of lights and 8 decoration balls. It's beautiful.
10. Isabel and Rodrigo got baptized! Probably the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. They are just so happy! I love to see how the gospel, when applied, changes people and makes us happy. They truly are happy. The ward is incredible. We almost didn't have to do anything for the service, the bishopric and our new mission leader are sharp, haha.
I've heard missionaries say that they never write home about the people they teach and who decide to get baptized. I don't know how that is possible. Honestly, I am so, so, so happy for them that I want to tell everyone about how great their progression is going! Even though Isabel and Rodrigo have basically. . . enough to survive, they are fully committed to living the law of tithing and are already receiving blessings. It's fun to hear them tell us about the good things that have come their way. Still, hard things are passing in their lives, but they are firm, abounding in good works.
So, Thanksgiving happened again this year. That's cool. We worked in the morning, had lunch with a sister and her inactive husband and made no-bake cookies (here they are called caca de Mono. . . yuck.) to celebrate Thanksgiving. I have a recipe for pumpkin pie, but we don't have time/energy to prepare a pie from scratch, so no bake cookies were sufficient. And then we worked in the afternoon and in the evening and at nighttime and then we went to bed. It was a good day.
Actually, because it is summer now and the sun is up until 9pm, President Resek changed the missionary schedule. We wake up at 730am, get ready, study, study and leave the house at 11am, lunch at 130-330 and then we work straight through until 10pm (1030 if we are in a good lesson) and sleep at 1130. It's sort of fun. I haven't stayed up till 1130 in some time. But we do our exercises at night now and I am teaching Hermana Bartholomew how to jumprope. It's awesome. I'm up to 2 minutes straight!
Usually the dog parade passes our house at about 7, so the extra half hour isn't really enjoyed.
I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the snowy weather and the end of the semester!
Until next week,
Hermanita
PS, Hermana Bartholomew does not have gallstones. She is doing better.
Thad, You are almost a MASTER! Jedi master of Science. You should celebrate with some good old fashion newton paste (the stuff with corn starch?) 'Member how we made a mow-hawk with that stuff? We are scientists. You can be the master, and I'll be padawon.
BenGaines and Toni, I hope you are feeling much better. Sorry to hear about that. Very excited to hear Anna say my name!!! I got chills when I read that. Haha, she looks like a little grown up now. How fun! What is she going to get for Christmas? Is this her second or third Christmas? Second, right? I'm not crazy. Time is passing quickly in my old age. Also, I want to see a picture of mowgli hair.
Camille, we do sweet stuff. Sometimes I forget. Did you play softball this fall with Sizzle? How are your classes ending up? When do you find out about your grad plans? Oh, hand buddy. I haven't thought that phrase in many moons. I'm glad that part of my life doesn't exist right now. sillyness. Thanks for still being my friend even after all the drama I caused. Love your guts. March 3 . . .
DIANA! Congrats to you two on the internship! That's awesome! A summer in Cali never hurt anybody. But, you'll be back in Provo when I come home in December, right? Good. Thank you so much for writing and keeping me up to date on the goings on in yourlife. I love you so much.
Robyn and Jethro, the house sounds great. I'm so excited for you four. Wow! Four! There is room for a squash garden, right? There has to be. I can help you fix up the basement! We can make it a Chilean theme! haha. That's cool that you went to Spring City. What a small little Utah we have. Give the kids a squeeze and a peck.
TORI!! The PHILIPPEANS?!?!?! That is nuts! You are exactly the sister to do the work there! I'm so happy for you. Just take the language thing one day at a time. You will get it, just pray and study. (this is a secret, but sometimes in the MTC I would bless the food to help me speak better. Maybe that can work for you too?) I love, love love your guts, girl. Wow. You were called before you were born. Send me your address of the mission when you know it. WOOOO!!!!
Monday, November 23, 2009
I seem to have that effect on people
Buenas Tardes Todos!
The weeks are going by a lot faster these days. It's really, really hard to believe that it's November, let alone the end(ish) of November. One of the Elders told me the other day that December is already over too, I told him not to be dramatic, but really, the weeks are really flying by.
That also gives me anxiety on Sunday nights when I don't know what to write home. Things seem so normal now that I don't know what is cool. Meh.
1. Hermana Zoila from Villa Teniente ran into us at the photo printing place today and invited us to have lunch with her. She's a sweetie.
2. The Elders in my zone also ran into us about the same time and told me the best news! Marisol and Alejandra are in their ward now!!! They aren't lost AND they're active! Oh, I could not be more content. I thought they were lost and I didn't have any way to communicate with anyone to find out where they are. But they have a family night scheduled with the elders tonight! ACTIVE!
3. This week was pretty slow as far as the work goes. We spent a lot of time every day looking for bathrooms for Hermana Bartholomew.
4. I thought to myself, "Wow, I would be a great husband." haha
5. Unfortunately, turns out that Hermana Bartholomew has some trouble with her gall bladder and we had to go to the emergency room yesterday. She got an IV and some good drugs, so today she feels much better.
6. We have to go get an ecotomographia (I don't know) on Wednesday to see if she needs to get surgery. I don't think she has told her parents, so keep all this on the down-low.
7. This just continues my trend of making my companions sick. First, all the problems Hermana Burgos had, then Alvarenga's voice and back problems, and now Hermana Bartholomew's gall bladder. I'm cursed. I seem to have that effect on people.
8. Also, we found out last night that Elder Robinson's (from Orem, he went to Ucass) dad passed away this week. Mom or Dad, maybe you can find out where they live and let them know that the whole mission is praying for them? He's in my zone.
9. Isabel and Rodrigo continue to be amazing. They showed up to church before we got there, but still don't stay for the last hour. They say they want to begin at the beginning of the new year with the last class.
10. I'm so excited for the last class next year because we will be studying the gospel principles manual! It will be much easier for investigators to understand and appreciate than the teachings of Joseph Smith. We've had a little bit of trouble with that.
Thanks to Permaneced we also found a youth, Gean Lucas, whose parents are members (inactive) who recently turned 10. They went to church on Sunday and had a great experience. Gean Lucas even brought his cousin Claudia and they sang in the primary program practice. I think they'll be in the program next week. I'm super happy about that. Hermana Bartholomew has to play the piano and I have to sing with the kids next week. So, being with Gean Lucas in the class was awesome. He got to know the primary leaders and the other kids etc. They have a firepit in the patio. This calls for s'mores.
In my studies this week I started memorizing the Living Christ (in English). I can definitely tell that there is a difference in my ability to remember things as a missionary. It must be a gift for this little time in my life and I plan on making the most of it. Having the spirit more strong in our lives helps us remember and learn new things. I imagine my brain before the mission like those Truth commercials (of peoples lungs with all the gunk inside when they do autopsies to get people to not smoke). My brain was all clogged with philosophy and Taylor Swift songs. Now I'm a little bit more calm and less gunky. (Not that there is anything wrong with Taylor Swift songs.) That's why it's important for us to take some time to study and learn about the gospel and invite the spirit to help us remember and apply what we are learning.
I love you all, thank you so much for all your support in letters and prayers this week. Please pray for my companion so she can be healthy.
Hermana Genie Pants.
Matto, I loved your letter. I'm so excited to get to talk to you on Christmas. It feels like I haven't talked to you in longer than everyone else . . but no, it's the same. What are your companionship studies like as a threesome? I feel like I would not use my time very wisely. Maybe that's just me.
Mille, I just cry. I haven't seen those pictures in such a long time. We have had some of the best adventures. Not everyone can be as cool as us. Haha. I was just thinking about the time we hitch-hiked in Hawaii with Duke and then I got stung by a blue bubble and hit my head on the bridge at the PCC. Durr. Thank you for the things you wrote about me. You are so sweet. And I look forward to MANY more adventures. I even told myself the other night that I would go mountain biking with you when I get home (even though I might die).
Scott E. Nelson the first. You are completely responsible for the confused looks and glares I got on the bus ride to Rancagua as I read and laughed and laughed at your letter. You are the weirdest human, we get along great! I have been thinking a lot about Fiji, but also about El Salvador (we could visit my companions in Honduras!). We'll have to see how it all pans out and if I have any money. ALSO, how did your midterms go? I'm so glad that you didn't die from Moroccan worms and that the raccoons are treating you well. I'll bring you some genie pants for Christmas next year.
Lessie! I didn't hear WHERE Tori is going. Just that she is waiting for her call. WHERE is TORI GOING?!!? I'll write you a real letter ASAP. Love you to pieces. Send my love to those Africans in Utah.
BenGaines and Toni. I'm SO sorry, but we have to go find a bathroom, so I'm going to have to send you something better next week.
LOVE YOU ALL!
The weeks are going by a lot faster these days. It's really, really hard to believe that it's November, let alone the end(ish) of November. One of the Elders told me the other day that December is already over too, I told him not to be dramatic, but really, the weeks are really flying by.
That also gives me anxiety on Sunday nights when I don't know what to write home. Things seem so normal now that I don't know what is cool. Meh.
1. Hermana Zoila from Villa Teniente ran into us at the photo printing place today and invited us to have lunch with her. She's a sweetie.
2. The Elders in my zone also ran into us about the same time and told me the best news! Marisol and Alejandra are in their ward now!!! They aren't lost AND they're active! Oh, I could not be more content. I thought they were lost and I didn't have any way to communicate with anyone to find out where they are. But they have a family night scheduled with the elders tonight! ACTIVE!
3. This week was pretty slow as far as the work goes. We spent a lot of time every day looking for bathrooms for Hermana Bartholomew.
4. I thought to myself, "Wow, I would be a great husband." haha
5. Unfortunately, turns out that Hermana Bartholomew has some trouble with her gall bladder and we had to go to the emergency room yesterday. She got an IV and some good drugs, so today she feels much better.
6. We have to go get an ecotomographia (I don't know) on Wednesday to see if she needs to get surgery. I don't think she has told her parents, so keep all this on the down-low.
7. This just continues my trend of making my companions sick. First, all the problems Hermana Burgos had, then Alvarenga's voice and back problems, and now Hermana Bartholomew's gall bladder. I'm cursed. I seem to have that effect on people.
8. Also, we found out last night that Elder Robinson's (from Orem, he went to Ucass) dad passed away this week. Mom or Dad, maybe you can find out where they live and let them know that the whole mission is praying for them? He's in my zone.
9. Isabel and Rodrigo continue to be amazing. They showed up to church before we got there, but still don't stay for the last hour. They say they want to begin at the beginning of the new year with the last class.
10. I'm so excited for the last class next year because we will be studying the gospel principles manual! It will be much easier for investigators to understand and appreciate than the teachings of Joseph Smith. We've had a little bit of trouble with that.
Thanks to Permaneced we also found a youth, Gean Lucas, whose parents are members (inactive) who recently turned 10. They went to church on Sunday and had a great experience. Gean Lucas even brought his cousin Claudia and they sang in the primary program practice. I think they'll be in the program next week. I'm super happy about that. Hermana Bartholomew has to play the piano and I have to sing with the kids next week. So, being with Gean Lucas in the class was awesome. He got to know the primary leaders and the other kids etc. They have a firepit in the patio. This calls for s'mores.
In my studies this week I started memorizing the Living Christ (in English). I can definitely tell that there is a difference in my ability to remember things as a missionary. It must be a gift for this little time in my life and I plan on making the most of it. Having the spirit more strong in our lives helps us remember and learn new things. I imagine my brain before the mission like those Truth commercials (of peoples lungs with all the gunk inside when they do autopsies to get people to not smoke). My brain was all clogged with philosophy and Taylor Swift songs. Now I'm a little bit more calm and less gunky. (Not that there is anything wrong with Taylor Swift songs.) That's why it's important for us to take some time to study and learn about the gospel and invite the spirit to help us remember and apply what we are learning.
I love you all, thank you so much for all your support in letters and prayers this week. Please pray for my companion so she can be healthy.
Hermana Genie Pants.
Matto, I loved your letter. I'm so excited to get to talk to you on Christmas. It feels like I haven't talked to you in longer than everyone else . . but no, it's the same. What are your companionship studies like as a threesome? I feel like I would not use my time very wisely. Maybe that's just me.
Mille, I just cry. I haven't seen those pictures in such a long time. We have had some of the best adventures. Not everyone can be as cool as us. Haha. I was just thinking about the time we hitch-hiked in Hawaii with Duke and then I got stung by a blue bubble and hit my head on the bridge at the PCC. Durr. Thank you for the things you wrote about me. You are so sweet. And I look forward to MANY more adventures. I even told myself the other night that I would go mountain biking with you when I get home (even though I might die).
Scott E. Nelson the first. You are completely responsible for the confused looks and glares I got on the bus ride to Rancagua as I read and laughed and laughed at your letter. You are the weirdest human, we get along great! I have been thinking a lot about Fiji, but also about El Salvador (we could visit my companions in Honduras!). We'll have to see how it all pans out and if I have any money. ALSO, how did your midterms go? I'm so glad that you didn't die from Moroccan worms and that the raccoons are treating you well. I'll bring you some genie pants for Christmas next year.
Lessie! I didn't hear WHERE Tori is going. Just that she is waiting for her call. WHERE is TORI GOING?!!? I'll write you a real letter ASAP. Love you to pieces. Send my love to those Africans in Utah.
BenGaines and Toni. I'm SO sorry, but we have to go find a bathroom, so I'm going to have to send you something better next week.
LOVE YOU ALL!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Genie Pants and smelly watch band
Genie Pants seem to be all the rage these days. I'm thinking of getting in on the trend. They're outrageous!
Here's a brief run-down:
1. My wrist sweat continues and my watch smells like dirty horse saddle.
2. On the up side, I have a great tan line from it.
3. One of the families that we have been teaching told us on Saturday that despite what they told us before, they are in fact, NOT married. That put a damper on our lesson plan.
4. But they came to church on Sunday and they liked it a lot!
5. There is a thing that happens sometimes in Chile called Paro. Basically a strike. But when one thing is on strike, like a high school, all of a sudden everything from kindergarten to the medical center goes on strike.
6. Isabel works in one of these kindergartens.
7. They started the strike exactly on the last day we had to teach them about tithing.
8. I know that there are blessings that come from keeping the law of the tithe, but that doesn't make it easy to explain to a single mom and son that live off her job.
9. They are incredible. They prayed and they conversed and they prayed and they committed to live this law, even though it appears to be impossible.
10. We will see miracles this transfer.
It is the end of another transfer here and Hermana Bartholomew and I will stay together for the holidays! We are happy. And often sweaty.
Can you believe that six months have passed us by? I have learned a lot and I know that I have a whole lot more waiting for me.
In yesterday's class on Exaltacion we learned that we will be like God, right? And that we will have spirit children, like He has. This caught my attention. We are here on earth to gain experience, temporal experience, so that when we progress and live in Heaven we will use it to help us with our spiritual experience. On earth we learn how to help physical children, but in Heaven we will have to apply what we learned to help spiritual children. I imagine it will be a lot harder to have spiritual children than physical, but I haven't ever had either, so what do I know. Just some thoughts.
Temporal and spiritual connections are all over in the Book of Mormon. I'm still intrigued by the distinction.
Remember to do your physical studying (read the scriptures) so that you can apply what you learn in your spiritual studying (10 minutes of receiving revelations).
Reread Elder Scott's talk from Conference.
Love Love
ViCKiTORIA! Oh my heavens. You can not believe how excited I was to get your email. Impossible for you to know how happy it made my heart to see your little subject line . . .Em Dogg. I can't wait for next week to know where you are going to serve! MISH! You are going to be incredible. I'm always happy to get an update on your life and the goings-on. You did, however, forget to mention anything about Fiji. . . :)
The mission heals, keep focusing on the gospel and all the other things fall behind. I love your green acid . . . .
Jethrobyn! So good to hear about the house that will soon be a home. And interesting to hear about the other couple that signed only a couple hours after you. Your house is good, though, right? No bad mojo? Linc is a little smarty-pants, sounds like. That's awesome. Is he also learning Greek, because that will come in handy when we read the Odyssey when I get back.
BenGainesAnToni, I might have loved this letter. Please make it a habit to write together. But, Ben, I definitely do not understand why it is Movember (unless it goes with Mammogram?) Because that's a little weird. But send pictures of your modest beard! I can open pictures on myldsmail, I'm not sure if I told you.
Toni, I need to do a biggest loser workout. I definitely have two chins all of a sudden. I have to be careful when we take pictures to not turn my head too much too, because of the necks I have gained. What exactly is Mogli hair? My hair goes in a ponytail recently as well!!! Hooray for us!
Ben, NO ONE likes people to eat loudly. Slurpping is the worst. Please be considerate or Toni will eat all of your foods and I will support her in her decision.
Camille,
You got a letter!!! Hahaha, I love this newly discovered side of you. When does he come home? Haha. And congrats on helping the missionaries eat. They need help because sometimes all they eat for breakfast is cheese and pineapple (that happened to me this morning) because they forget to buy things on Saturday night. And you are almost done with the semester! That's freaky. I've missed a whole semester for the first time in my entire life. Tell the folks back at home Merry Turkey Days and Feliz cumplenavidad. Especially the girls in the office and DF and Co. I'm waiting desperately for this letter of all letters to come to the office!!! What a good Christmas I will have when it comes into my hands. DRIVE CAREFULLY and do some good BIZZING when you get the chance.
Here's a brief run-down:
1. My wrist sweat continues and my watch smells like dirty horse saddle.
2. On the up side, I have a great tan line from it.
3. One of the families that we have been teaching told us on Saturday that despite what they told us before, they are in fact, NOT married. That put a damper on our lesson plan.
4. But they came to church on Sunday and they liked it a lot!
5. There is a thing that happens sometimes in Chile called Paro. Basically a strike. But when one thing is on strike, like a high school, all of a sudden everything from kindergarten to the medical center goes on strike.
6. Isabel works in one of these kindergartens.
7. They started the strike exactly on the last day we had to teach them about tithing.
8. I know that there are blessings that come from keeping the law of the tithe, but that doesn't make it easy to explain to a single mom and son that live off her job.
9. They are incredible. They prayed and they conversed and they prayed and they committed to live this law, even though it appears to be impossible.
10. We will see miracles this transfer.
It is the end of another transfer here and Hermana Bartholomew and I will stay together for the holidays! We are happy. And often sweaty.
Can you believe that six months have passed us by? I have learned a lot and I know that I have a whole lot more waiting for me.
In yesterday's class on Exaltacion we learned that we will be like God, right? And that we will have spirit children, like He has. This caught my attention. We are here on earth to gain experience, temporal experience, so that when we progress and live in Heaven we will use it to help us with our spiritual experience. On earth we learn how to help physical children, but in Heaven we will have to apply what we learned to help spiritual children. I imagine it will be a lot harder to have spiritual children than physical, but I haven't ever had either, so what do I know. Just some thoughts.
Temporal and spiritual connections are all over in the Book of Mormon. I'm still intrigued by the distinction.
Remember to do your physical studying (read the scriptures) so that you can apply what you learn in your spiritual studying (10 minutes of receiving revelations).
Reread Elder Scott's talk from Conference.
Love Love
ViCKiTORIA! Oh my heavens. You can not believe how excited I was to get your email. Impossible for you to know how happy it made my heart to see your little subject line . . .Em Dogg. I can't wait for next week to know where you are going to serve! MISH! You are going to be incredible. I'm always happy to get an update on your life and the goings-on. You did, however, forget to mention anything about Fiji. . . :)
The mission heals, keep focusing on the gospel and all the other things fall behind. I love your green acid . . . .
Jethrobyn! So good to hear about the house that will soon be a home. And interesting to hear about the other couple that signed only a couple hours after you. Your house is good, though, right? No bad mojo? Linc is a little smarty-pants, sounds like. That's awesome. Is he also learning Greek, because that will come in handy when we read the Odyssey when I get back.
BenGainesAnToni, I might have loved this letter. Please make it a habit to write together. But, Ben, I definitely do not understand why it is Movember (unless it goes with Mammogram?) Because that's a little weird. But send pictures of your modest beard! I can open pictures on myldsmail, I'm not sure if I told you.
Toni, I need to do a biggest loser workout. I definitely have two chins all of a sudden. I have to be careful when we take pictures to not turn my head too much too, because of the necks I have gained. What exactly is Mogli hair? My hair goes in a ponytail recently as well!!! Hooray for us!
Ben, NO ONE likes people to eat loudly. Slurpping is the worst. Please be considerate or Toni will eat all of your foods and I will support her in her decision.
Camille,
You got a letter!!! Hahaha, I love this newly discovered side of you. When does he come home? Haha. And congrats on helping the missionaries eat. They need help because sometimes all they eat for breakfast is cheese and pineapple (that happened to me this morning) because they forget to buy things on Saturday night. And you are almost done with the semester! That's freaky. I've missed a whole semester for the first time in my entire life. Tell the folks back at home Merry Turkey Days and Feliz cumplenavidad. Especially the girls in the office and DF and Co. I'm waiting desperately for this letter of all letters to come to the office!!! What a good Christmas I will have when it comes into my hands. DRIVE CAREFULLY and do some good BIZZING when you get the chance.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Barbershop Internet Cafe
Hey Mom and Dad,
Thanks for forwarding Matt's little message. He's an Elder! Boys write funny letters home. Maybe mine are too long? My health is great, even though Hermana Bartholomew has been battling a cold all weekend. I have been taking my vitamins, so I don't think I'll catch whatever she has. I went to the mission office just after doing internet last week and got the best surprise ever! Thank you for the cookie package. There have never been cookies that tasted so good. And thank you for your notes and the pumpkin pictures and the pictures of the goings-on.
I still haven't heard how we are supposed to do the phone call home for Christmas. I imagine it is just when we decide to call. I don't know if it is possible to talk with Matto at the same time, or if you want to do that, because of time constraints? Hermana Bartholomew said that last year they just bought phone cards and went to a members house. I don't really know anything, let's be honest.
But, we are doing good, just pulling for some baptisms and new people to teach.
This week flew by and I've been trying to think of something interesting to share, but it just blew past me and I don't know what's cool. Except for that I'm writing from an Internet cafe and peluqueria shop. That's cool. Here're some thoughts:
1. I get to have springtime and you have to have winter.
2. Transfers are next week, but Hermana Bartholomew and I are pretty positive we will stick together for the holidays. We even have a Christmas tree.
3. The room dedicated to the area book went through a dramatic cleansing as we put each teaching record in its color coordinated section of the binder. It's well organized AND we can see the floor of the room.
4. The floor of the room was covered in black hair. I vacuumed twice. Two times.
5. I finally talked Hermana Bartholomew into liking arroz con leche. Very important for Friday morning planning sessions.
6. After reactivating our ward leader mission leader, he asked to be released and we got a new one (an active one)! Hermano Muñoz. His son Alejandro just went to the MTC in Santiago, so he is full of the missionary spirit. We know that this is an answer to many prayers.
7. It is really great to be working with the inactive members, but sometimes, like this week, we spent a lot of time trying to find their addresses and not very much time teaching. Those we have been teaching continue to not show up for Sacrament Meeting.
8. Something cool about Machali is that the farmers have horses and carts that they drive around on the streets sometimes. But the carts are cool looking. They are all wood with HUGE rubber tires. I'll have to take a picture.
9. I have tried to attach photos every week for four weeks, but the computers are not as friendly as you might think and I can never do it. Maybe next week.
10. Things with Rodrigo and Isabel are incredible. They came to church again this week and Loved it (capital L for enthusiasm). They feel good about their baptism next week and know that it is a commitment for their lives. Really, golden.
After the gospel principles class yesterday Isabel started to cry a little bit because her back has been bugging her and the walk to the chapel didn't help too much (30 minutes). We talked about going to the medical center or taking some medicine, but because of their healthcare system it is impossible to get immediate, not really expensive, care. We explained the possibility of a priesthood blessing and she said she wanted one. Our mission leader stepped right up and helped us. It was a new experience and after a little rest and an after church visit she was feeling a little bit better.
The blessings of the gospel are incredible.
Also, she and Rodrigo are incredible. They really don't have very much- at all. But they gave us a little bag full of farm-fresh eggs from their chickens before we left. They are incredible. Rodrigo is by far the most responsible, mature 15 year old I have ever, ever met. It's just he and his mom and he just helps take care of the house and gets his homeworks done.
Thank you for your prayers and support and letters and love. Remember to study and take 10 minutes to listen to the promptings of the Spirit in your life. Every Good thing we do (capital G like the 13th article of Faith) (Thanks Emily Cutler) leads us closer to the Savior.
Emily Cutler, I loved your talk. I read it twice and a half. I like how you explained leaning on our own understanding versus asking help from someone who knows much better. And how even though we make mistakes we can learn from them, fix some of them, and avoid making the same mistakes again. As soon as you can, let me or my mom know your mission home address. Mine is
German Riesko 230 Ste 703
Classificador 2 C Rancagua
Chile
And, Pouch doesn't exist in my mission anymore. I don't know about the rest of the world, but we have to buy stamps. Love you Em, you'll do SO great. But, write me next week too, before you ship off.
Camille,
That is the mission office address for your use as well. I'm so glad to hear about your thoughts on Faith Hope and Charity. There are so many simple things that we should focus on like hope and faith that often, we set aside to look for deeper complexities, but in general, I don't think we understand the basics. Kierkegaard says that only Abraham had Faith, no one else in history has had Faith. I don't know if I'd go that extreme, but it's interesting. Plus, I know how you like philosophy . . . couldn't help it. The pictures are fantastic! haha. What are you going to do with all your free time now? Love you. For realsies.
BenGaines,
Something exciting and scary! That's awesome! And congrats on finishing your semester! Wow, that went by pretty fast, didn't it. Really fast. And now you have all the time you need to chill out with the family (and read PMG) I'm currently studying Chapter 5. I like the study boxes that say what does the Bible say about the Book of Mormon and viceversa.
I haven't heard too much about the Perpetual Education Fund. I know it exists here, but I haven't met anyone who has talked much about it. Just one member, but he didn't use it, he was talking about someone else. But I don't remember. I'll keep my ear open.
Toni,
I would like two blow up book shelves please. No, really, I don't need anything. I want to see video of the kids and maybe a new CD of churchy-type music or something. Bubble Spinner !>!> That's awesome. And also, I love your emails. Tell Lizzie to not break her knee. It's not going to help her in any manner. Did she have surgery? Ugh . . . it gives me the cold willy chills.
Jan,
HOORAY! I'm so happy for you. Not to make you feel bad or anything, but your email was the most interesting, scattered thing I have ever read. I could almost feel your stress, I think. Ben has to stay in Texas? Lame. I want Pumpkin creamy cake thing. . . and camping. It's good camping weather here. Come on down! Please take lots of pictures and video while you are all together. I love you, and good luck with the travels.
Jethro,
How are your classes and your life and your house and your wife? Good luck with the mudanza! Sorry I can't be there to help you.
Thanks for forwarding Matt's little message. He's an Elder! Boys write funny letters home. Maybe mine are too long? My health is great, even though Hermana Bartholomew has been battling a cold all weekend. I have been taking my vitamins, so I don't think I'll catch whatever she has. I went to the mission office just after doing internet last week and got the best surprise ever! Thank you for the cookie package. There have never been cookies that tasted so good. And thank you for your notes and the pumpkin pictures and the pictures of the goings-on.
I still haven't heard how we are supposed to do the phone call home for Christmas. I imagine it is just when we decide to call. I don't know if it is possible to talk with Matto at the same time, or if you want to do that, because of time constraints? Hermana Bartholomew said that last year they just bought phone cards and went to a members house. I don't really know anything, let's be honest.
But, we are doing good, just pulling for some baptisms and new people to teach.
This week flew by and I've been trying to think of something interesting to share, but it just blew past me and I don't know what's cool. Except for that I'm writing from an Internet cafe and peluqueria shop. That's cool. Here're some thoughts:
1. I get to have springtime and you have to have winter.
2. Transfers are next week, but Hermana Bartholomew and I are pretty positive we will stick together for the holidays. We even have a Christmas tree.
3. The room dedicated to the area book went through a dramatic cleansing as we put each teaching record in its color coordinated section of the binder. It's well organized AND we can see the floor of the room.
4. The floor of the room was covered in black hair. I vacuumed twice. Two times.
5. I finally talked Hermana Bartholomew into liking arroz con leche. Very important for Friday morning planning sessions.
6. After reactivating our ward leader mission leader, he asked to be released and we got a new one (an active one)! Hermano Muñoz. His son Alejandro just went to the MTC in Santiago, so he is full of the missionary spirit. We know that this is an answer to many prayers.
7. It is really great to be working with the inactive members, but sometimes, like this week, we spent a lot of time trying to find their addresses and not very much time teaching. Those we have been teaching continue to not show up for Sacrament Meeting.
8. Something cool about Machali is that the farmers have horses and carts that they drive around on the streets sometimes. But the carts are cool looking. They are all wood with HUGE rubber tires. I'll have to take a picture.
9. I have tried to attach photos every week for four weeks, but the computers are not as friendly as you might think and I can never do it. Maybe next week.
10. Things with Rodrigo and Isabel are incredible. They came to church again this week and Loved it (capital L for enthusiasm). They feel good about their baptism next week and know that it is a commitment for their lives. Really, golden.
After the gospel principles class yesterday Isabel started to cry a little bit because her back has been bugging her and the walk to the chapel didn't help too much (30 minutes). We talked about going to the medical center or taking some medicine, but because of their healthcare system it is impossible to get immediate, not really expensive, care. We explained the possibility of a priesthood blessing and she said she wanted one. Our mission leader stepped right up and helped us. It was a new experience and after a little rest and an after church visit she was feeling a little bit better.
The blessings of the gospel are incredible.
Also, she and Rodrigo are incredible. They really don't have very much- at all. But they gave us a little bag full of farm-fresh eggs from their chickens before we left. They are incredible. Rodrigo is by far the most responsible, mature 15 year old I have ever, ever met. It's just he and his mom and he just helps take care of the house and gets his homeworks done.
Thank you for your prayers and support and letters and love. Remember to study and take 10 minutes to listen to the promptings of the Spirit in your life. Every Good thing we do (capital G like the 13th article of Faith) (Thanks Emily Cutler) leads us closer to the Savior.
Emily Cutler, I loved your talk. I read it twice and a half. I like how you explained leaning on our own understanding versus asking help from someone who knows much better. And how even though we make mistakes we can learn from them, fix some of them, and avoid making the same mistakes again. As soon as you can, let me or my mom know your mission home address. Mine is
German Riesko 230 Ste 703
Classificador 2 C Rancagua
Chile
And, Pouch doesn't exist in my mission anymore. I don't know about the rest of the world, but we have to buy stamps. Love you Em, you'll do SO great. But, write me next week too, before you ship off.
Camille,
That is the mission office address for your use as well. I'm so glad to hear about your thoughts on Faith Hope and Charity. There are so many simple things that we should focus on like hope and faith that often, we set aside to look for deeper complexities, but in general, I don't think we understand the basics. Kierkegaard says that only Abraham had Faith, no one else in history has had Faith. I don't know if I'd go that extreme, but it's interesting. Plus, I know how you like philosophy . . . couldn't help it. The pictures are fantastic! haha. What are you going to do with all your free time now? Love you. For realsies.
BenGaines,
Something exciting and scary! That's awesome! And congrats on finishing your semester! Wow, that went by pretty fast, didn't it. Really fast. And now you have all the time you need to chill out with the family (and read PMG) I'm currently studying Chapter 5. I like the study boxes that say what does the Bible say about the Book of Mormon and viceversa.
I haven't heard too much about the Perpetual Education Fund. I know it exists here, but I haven't met anyone who has talked much about it. Just one member, but he didn't use it, he was talking about someone else. But I don't remember. I'll keep my ear open.
Toni,
I would like two blow up book shelves please. No, really, I don't need anything. I want to see video of the kids and maybe a new CD of churchy-type music or something. Bubble Spinner !>!> That's awesome. And also, I love your emails. Tell Lizzie to not break her knee. It's not going to help her in any manner. Did she have surgery? Ugh . . . it gives me the cold willy chills.
Jan,
HOORAY! I'm so happy for you. Not to make you feel bad or anything, but your email was the most interesting, scattered thing I have ever read. I could almost feel your stress, I think. Ben has to stay in Texas? Lame. I want Pumpkin creamy cake thing. . . and camping. It's good camping weather here. Come on down! Please take lots of pictures and video while you are all together. I love you, and good luck with the travels.
Jethro,
How are your classes and your life and your house and your wife? Good luck with the mudanza! Sorry I can't be there to help you.
Monday, November 2, 2009
'allo
Did you just say Hello?
No, I said 'allo, but that's close enough.
Greetings gouls and goblins! Man, is it weird to try and teach the gospel door to door on Halloween. Between us and the princesses, cavemen and Jehovah's Witnesses the neighborhood was chuck full of people Saturday. Here's the low-down:
1. We have come up with a system to register every house we knock so that we can, eventually, contact everyone in the neighborhoods close to the church where we are working.
2. This means that we often go back to the same dozen or so streets for return appointments and to re-knock the doors where no one answered.
3. This also means that a lot of people see us over and over again everyday.
4. Because of this, sometimes they stop us to talk to us about what we are doing, or why we are always around.
5. Two of these people, we met in different circumstances. The mom, Isabel, we met two or three times in the street and her son, Rodrigo, is friends with Leo, the son of Paolo y Evalyn and was in a lesson with us one time.
6. After an awkward encounter in the entrance to their street they invited us in (as Hermana Bartholomew and I racked our brains trying to remember who they are and why we recognized them)
7. They are INCREDIBLE. Absolutely incredible. in 2007 the husband ditched out and took EVERYTHING, leaving Isabel with the house (it is hers, she bought it) and the youngest child of three. Rodrigo is 15, but the youngest. She has been working like crazy to rebuild her home and provide for Rodrigo for the past 2.5ish years and is amazing. I just love her.
8. The thing that really makes me impressed about them is that the father still comes to visit once in a while, and she lets him come into the house and she serves him dinner/once as Rodrigo and he talk about soccer. She serves him once! She is a much better person than I.
9. They LOVE learning about the gospel and having us teach things. They went to church yesterday and LOVED it. They sat with Paolo, Leo, Evalyn and Ignacio, everyone in the ward greeted them very warmly and they felt so welcomed. Miracles. They are, as missionaries say, golden.
10. More to come about this family next week.
Sometimes, in Chile, children go trick or treating on Halloween, but instead of saying trick or treat they say candy or garbage. A lot of eggs were thrown Saturday night. All in good fun.
We had a great Halloween activity with the ward and a family of our investigators came (after we left for the house) and had a great ol'time with the members. (About 8 people in the ward dressed as cavemen.)
What else is cool? No more fleas! Also, I took Bret's advice and went on a spider killing safari in our house. We have so many spiders. Ugh. I almost throw up when I see them. So we bought some spider spray and tracked them down. Suckers.
Oh! We finished our project of putting all of the ward member list into sectors. When we gave it to the bishop he was really surprised and super happy that we put it together. He said he always wanted to do it, but never had the time. Hopefully he will be able to put families that live close together in teams or something so that they can have family home evenings etc together. And so they can take better care of all their inactive neighbors.
The work goes forth. Thank you for all of your prayers and support and for everything that you are doing that is good. Remember to not do bad things and that when you do, you can change.
Love love
Hermana Gillespie
Camille, sorry I didn't answer your question last week. Sundays are like this: Wake up, get ready, study, go look for the investigators who said they would come to church with you this week, show up to church just before the meetings begin empty-handed, enjoy sacrament meeting (if they don't make you play the piano), go to Principles of the Gospel with your investigators or recent converts and try to answer questions and help the teacher, go to relief society and relax a bit. Then, after church, there are so many people you need to talk to, but you can't ever talk to them all because you have to make sure you always say hello to everyone (because it's offensive if you don't) and try to have a meeting with the mission leader and the bishop and make sure we have lunch everyday and someone to wash our clothes. AND make it to lunch on time (because it's offensive if you don't). Then, at 3;30 maybe you have appointments, but maybe not, so you make contacts and tract and try to reach all of the people who didn't show up for church and all the less-active families that have goals to return to the church. Then, try to complete all the weekly goals at the last minute (mostly contacting new people) And then at 9:30 you go home and plan P-DAY! Sundays are long days. More stressful than normal life Sundays.
Congrats on the California shows and for turning in your application on time!!! When will you hear back from them? Keep me posted. Love you so much. And, I'm definitely in for Sunday's activity. Also, let me know when Sam gets his call!
Bengaines,
That's super exciting that you are done (basically) with classes and everything. The next time you write me you will have ZERO studying to do (except in Preach my Gospel). Hoorays!
And you basically have an office. You are shimmying right up that executive pole. Good work. Are you still working with some of your Omniture buddies, or is it really different now? Do you have to wear red ties? Bow ties?
As far as carepackage type things go . . . I really, honestly, don't need anything. I would LOVE to see pictures or videos of you guys and Anna's tricks. Can you send me a DVD of awesome footage? That's what I want for Christmas.
Jethro,
YOU ALMOST HAVE A HOUSE! That's super weird. I'm very happy for you and for the blessings you have been receiving. Very happy. Are you going to make the basement an art studio? With a potter's wheel and color wheel . . . Robyn says I can live with you. Hope that's okay.
Jan,
YOU HAVE A DOG?! That's so cool! Jessie is a good name. I'm glad you didn't dress her up for Halloween, dog clothes are awkward. Is she a puppy, then, if she is just as tall as Eva? Keep her away from fleas. That's the worst. Love you.
No, I said 'allo, but that's close enough.
Greetings gouls and goblins! Man, is it weird to try and teach the gospel door to door on Halloween. Between us and the princesses, cavemen and Jehovah's Witnesses the neighborhood was chuck full of people Saturday. Here's the low-down:
1. We have come up with a system to register every house we knock so that we can, eventually, contact everyone in the neighborhoods close to the church where we are working.
2. This means that we often go back to the same dozen or so streets for return appointments and to re-knock the doors where no one answered.
3. This also means that a lot of people see us over and over again everyday.
4. Because of this, sometimes they stop us to talk to us about what we are doing, or why we are always around.
5. Two of these people, we met in different circumstances. The mom, Isabel, we met two or three times in the street and her son, Rodrigo, is friends with Leo, the son of Paolo y Evalyn and was in a lesson with us one time.
6. After an awkward encounter in the entrance to their street they invited us in (as Hermana Bartholomew and I racked our brains trying to remember who they are and why we recognized them)
7. They are INCREDIBLE. Absolutely incredible. in 2007 the husband ditched out and took EVERYTHING, leaving Isabel with the house (it is hers, she bought it) and the youngest child of three. Rodrigo is 15, but the youngest. She has been working like crazy to rebuild her home and provide for Rodrigo for the past 2.5ish years and is amazing. I just love her.
8. The thing that really makes me impressed about them is that the father still comes to visit once in a while, and she lets him come into the house and she serves him dinner/once as Rodrigo and he talk about soccer. She serves him once! She is a much better person than I.
9. They LOVE learning about the gospel and having us teach things. They went to church yesterday and LOVED it. They sat with Paolo, Leo, Evalyn and Ignacio, everyone in the ward greeted them very warmly and they felt so welcomed. Miracles. They are, as missionaries say, golden.
10. More to come about this family next week.
Sometimes, in Chile, children go trick or treating on Halloween, but instead of saying trick or treat they say candy or garbage. A lot of eggs were thrown Saturday night. All in good fun.
We had a great Halloween activity with the ward and a family of our investigators came (after we left for the house) and had a great ol'time with the members. (About 8 people in the ward dressed as cavemen.)
What else is cool? No more fleas! Also, I took Bret's advice and went on a spider killing safari in our house. We have so many spiders. Ugh. I almost throw up when I see them. So we bought some spider spray and tracked them down. Suckers.
Oh! We finished our project of putting all of the ward member list into sectors. When we gave it to the bishop he was really surprised and super happy that we put it together. He said he always wanted to do it, but never had the time. Hopefully he will be able to put families that live close together in teams or something so that they can have family home evenings etc together. And so they can take better care of all their inactive neighbors.
The work goes forth. Thank you for all of your prayers and support and for everything that you are doing that is good. Remember to not do bad things and that when you do, you can change.
Love love
Hermana Gillespie
Camille, sorry I didn't answer your question last week. Sundays are like this: Wake up, get ready, study, go look for the investigators who said they would come to church with you this week, show up to church just before the meetings begin empty-handed, enjoy sacrament meeting (if they don't make you play the piano), go to Principles of the Gospel with your investigators or recent converts and try to answer questions and help the teacher, go to relief society and relax a bit. Then, after church, there are so many people you need to talk to, but you can't ever talk to them all because you have to make sure you always say hello to everyone (because it's offensive if you don't) and try to have a meeting with the mission leader and the bishop and make sure we have lunch everyday and someone to wash our clothes. AND make it to lunch on time (because it's offensive if you don't). Then, at 3;30 maybe you have appointments, but maybe not, so you make contacts and tract and try to reach all of the people who didn't show up for church and all the less-active families that have goals to return to the church. Then, try to complete all the weekly goals at the last minute (mostly contacting new people) And then at 9:30 you go home and plan P-DAY! Sundays are long days. More stressful than normal life Sundays.
Congrats on the California shows and for turning in your application on time!!! When will you hear back from them? Keep me posted. Love you so much. And, I'm definitely in for Sunday's activity. Also, let me know when Sam gets his call!
Bengaines,
That's super exciting that you are done (basically) with classes and everything. The next time you write me you will have ZERO studying to do (except in Preach my Gospel). Hoorays!
And you basically have an office. You are shimmying right up that executive pole. Good work. Are you still working with some of your Omniture buddies, or is it really different now? Do you have to wear red ties? Bow ties?
As far as carepackage type things go . . . I really, honestly, don't need anything. I would LOVE to see pictures or videos of you guys and Anna's tricks. Can you send me a DVD of awesome footage? That's what I want for Christmas.
Jethro,
YOU ALMOST HAVE A HOUSE! That's super weird. I'm very happy for you and for the blessings you have been receiving. Very happy. Are you going to make the basement an art studio? With a potter's wheel and color wheel . . . Robyn says I can live with you. Hope that's okay.
Jan,
YOU HAVE A DOG?! That's so cool! Jessie is a good name. I'm glad you didn't dress her up for Halloween, dog clothes are awkward. Is she a puppy, then, if she is just as tall as Eva? Keep her away from fleas. That's the worst. Love you.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Pulgas
A Dònde lo he visto po loco!?
Howdy there folks, I hope all is well on your side of the equator and that everyone is having a great time with mid-terms and finals. . . ha!
1. Villa Teniente was far more dangerous than Machali, but we have had many more experiences with drunkards here than in the city.
2. One guy passed us yesterday with a big bottle of beer in his hand and yelled "it's not a sin!" to us.
3. Drunk people breath is the worst. The. Worst.
4. We had an unusual lesson with a lady who told us that Christ couldn't have received an infant baptism because John the Baptist was his same age and he couldn't have performed the ordinance as an infant himself. Sad that people are so convinced of their confused doctrines.
5. Our work with the list of members is continuing on slowly. We are still finding new people, but no one knows a lot of the members we have recorded.
6. In talking with Hermana Miranda and Hermana Leon (long time members of Machali) we are learning about how the missionaries worked before. Their directions from the area presidency was to baptize anyone who wanted to be baptized.
7. This resulted in a lot of youth who were friends with the missionaries to get baptized without the support of their parents. Even thought the wards tried to fellowship them all, there are many, many, many who went to church a few times and then never went back.
8. I'm so grateful for all the standards we have as a mission. Each of the people we teach must understand the basics of the gospel, attend church meetings three weeks and live the word of wisdom and law of chastity for at least 2 weeks before their baptism. It makes for stronger, more faithful, better informed converts.
9. We had a sister's conference today. It is so fun to be around the other hermanas. We are 22 in total. I like that. Except more girls should serve missions so we can open more areas here.
10. Paolo and Ignacio got baptized yesterday!!!
It was the least I have had to do for a baptism service so far. The ward here is incredible and took care of everything, we just had to hand of the white clothes. AND something cool, a tender mercy of sorts, is that Paolo's wife is Marianela's (from Villa Teniente) sister! So Marianela and Coni and Catalina came for the service! Oh, it was SO GOOD to see them. And it sounds like they are doing really well in the branch and continue to be very active and amazing. I love that. And now they have more support with Evalyn and Paolo in the church too. Hooray!
The Hermana's conference was really great. We each had a "question of the soul" from Preach My Gospel and had to come up with a short lesson plan to answer the doubt. It was really interesting and we all gained a lot of ideas as we discussed. Preach My Gospel is really incredible. It should be used in FHE. Also, Hermana Resek (mission president's wife) gave a short lesson on the importance of women in the church with understanding and testimony of the gospel. That we need both and that we have both the capability and the capacity to become much stronger and much more prepared than we currently are.
On a slightly less awesome note, Hermana Bartholomew has pulgas (fleas?) so that's lame and hopefully they will stay away from me. I share my diotenacious earth, mom, don't worry. Thanks for helping me avoid icky bugs and for helping my companion be ¨flea-free 2009¨ (our current motto though it doesn't rhyme. I'm very proud of myself for knowing how to spell rhyme after all of this time not speaking English)
I love you all and hope you are keeping up with your home and visiting teaching and your 10 minutes of reflexioning time.
Thad, you should do what Jethro did and start working at the temple. It's not exactly the place to meet girls, but you might find some more inspiration there. After you graduate you should find an awesome job that pays you a lot of money until I get home and then we can go on a trip! I tried to attach a photo for your contest, but the computer doesn't recognize my camera and it makes me really frustrated. Because I took a doosey of an almond flower.
Robyn, I love the pictures and how you described Linc filling Soph in on his day. That's the sweetest. And rolling! We should all take a good roll every now and then. Maybe not down the stairs. . . but. . . whatever floats your boat. The house looks fantastic! I can't believe they did all of that in like 2 weeks! It's incredible. You will be house owners! I hope there is room for a garden :)
Jethro, there is a giant picture of my face in the house? That's awkward. Maybe you could buy some candles and incense and a little table to put in front of it? Grow your beard!!! How are your classes? Do you get to take philosophy classes too, or just teaching classes? I guess they're similar. Send me a good thought you are working on.
Mille, I'm so, so happy for you. Sounds like you are a real grown-up mediating and working and going to school and preparing for GRAD SCHOOL? Weird. Super, super weird. Does your mom have visiting teachers? They are the people who should do the work of the Lord in visiting and taking care of His children. Maybe you can keep in contact with them even if you can't always be running back and forth from the house. Really, the organization of the church is perfect. It's just up to our diligence to keep up with our responsibilities. Any news from Greg? . . . haha :)
BenGaines,
So many buttons!!! What are you going to do with them all? You could hook them to a pumpkin (painted red) and put it on your desk at work! Sort of a meshing of traditions. Please tell me you went to the Grand America in a green bathing suit and flip flops. Please.
Your story of the Area Book gave me the push I need to get on top of this project. We are just finishing the project of putting the members in order of sectors instead of alphabetical, so I can focus my (minimal) energy in that direction in case we get whitewashed or something. Feliz Fin de School!!! You are almost there!!! Tell me about this possible job promo? I'm very sorry about your gummy bears.
Toni,
Your letter is my favorite of the week (don't tell anyone) because of your references to gummy bears and shoes and Anna (the photo is fantastic). And I'm so happy to hear that you two can go on dates and be in the cool kids club at church. They need the young blood. Sewing projects? Softball games?
Aunt Dorothy and Uncle John,
Thank you so much for your letter! Sounds like the Gillespie's continue to be super busy. Crazy that you have kids all over the states now, but still one who is losing his baby teeth. How dynamic! How is your law-job and Uncle John's back? Congrats on another marathon. . . that means that I don't have to do one. haha.
Rylee Sue!
Thank you so much for your letter and the pictures! Oh man, I opened the envelope with all the hermanas there at the conference and we laughed and laughed at Blake with his leopard hat and unicorn necklace! And everyone was impressed at our bull riding abilities! Girl, I love you.
James Brown,
I hope you are feeling a lot better. I'm so sorry about your accident, but Ry says you have a great attitude and are taking every obstacle like a champ. Your in my prayers.
Howdy there folks, I hope all is well on your side of the equator and that everyone is having a great time with mid-terms and finals. . . ha!
1. Villa Teniente was far more dangerous than Machali, but we have had many more experiences with drunkards here than in the city.
2. One guy passed us yesterday with a big bottle of beer in his hand and yelled "it's not a sin!" to us.
3. Drunk people breath is the worst. The. Worst.
4. We had an unusual lesson with a lady who told us that Christ couldn't have received an infant baptism because John the Baptist was his same age and he couldn't have performed the ordinance as an infant himself. Sad that people are so convinced of their confused doctrines.
5. Our work with the list of members is continuing on slowly. We are still finding new people, but no one knows a lot of the members we have recorded.
6. In talking with Hermana Miranda and Hermana Leon (long time members of Machali) we are learning about how the missionaries worked before. Their directions from the area presidency was to baptize anyone who wanted to be baptized.
7. This resulted in a lot of youth who were friends with the missionaries to get baptized without the support of their parents. Even thought the wards tried to fellowship them all, there are many, many, many who went to church a few times and then never went back.
8. I'm so grateful for all the standards we have as a mission. Each of the people we teach must understand the basics of the gospel, attend church meetings three weeks and live the word of wisdom and law of chastity for at least 2 weeks before their baptism. It makes for stronger, more faithful, better informed converts.
9. We had a sister's conference today. It is so fun to be around the other hermanas. We are 22 in total. I like that. Except more girls should serve missions so we can open more areas here.
10. Paolo and Ignacio got baptized yesterday!!!
It was the least I have had to do for a baptism service so far. The ward here is incredible and took care of everything, we just had to hand of the white clothes. AND something cool, a tender mercy of sorts, is that Paolo's wife is Marianela's (from Villa Teniente) sister! So Marianela and Coni and Catalina came for the service! Oh, it was SO GOOD to see them. And it sounds like they are doing really well in the branch and continue to be very active and amazing. I love that. And now they have more support with Evalyn and Paolo in the church too. Hooray!
The Hermana's conference was really great. We each had a "question of the soul" from Preach My Gospel and had to come up with a short lesson plan to answer the doubt. It was really interesting and we all gained a lot of ideas as we discussed. Preach My Gospel is really incredible. It should be used in FHE. Also, Hermana Resek (mission president's wife) gave a short lesson on the importance of women in the church with understanding and testimony of the gospel. That we need both and that we have both the capability and the capacity to become much stronger and much more prepared than we currently are.
On a slightly less awesome note, Hermana Bartholomew has pulgas (fleas?) so that's lame and hopefully they will stay away from me. I share my diotenacious earth, mom, don't worry. Thanks for helping me avoid icky bugs and for helping my companion be ¨flea-free 2009¨ (our current motto though it doesn't rhyme. I'm very proud of myself for knowing how to spell rhyme after all of this time not speaking English)
I love you all and hope you are keeping up with your home and visiting teaching and your 10 minutes of reflexioning time.
Thad, you should do what Jethro did and start working at the temple. It's not exactly the place to meet girls, but you might find some more inspiration there. After you graduate you should find an awesome job that pays you a lot of money until I get home and then we can go on a trip! I tried to attach a photo for your contest, but the computer doesn't recognize my camera and it makes me really frustrated. Because I took a doosey of an almond flower.
Robyn, I love the pictures and how you described Linc filling Soph in on his day. That's the sweetest. And rolling! We should all take a good roll every now and then. Maybe not down the stairs. . . but. . . whatever floats your boat. The house looks fantastic! I can't believe they did all of that in like 2 weeks! It's incredible. You will be house owners! I hope there is room for a garden :)
Jethro, there is a giant picture of my face in the house? That's awkward. Maybe you could buy some candles and incense and a little table to put in front of it? Grow your beard!!! How are your classes? Do you get to take philosophy classes too, or just teaching classes? I guess they're similar. Send me a good thought you are working on.
Mille, I'm so, so happy for you. Sounds like you are a real grown-up mediating and working and going to school and preparing for GRAD SCHOOL? Weird. Super, super weird. Does your mom have visiting teachers? They are the people who should do the work of the Lord in visiting and taking care of His children. Maybe you can keep in contact with them even if you can't always be running back and forth from the house. Really, the organization of the church is perfect. It's just up to our diligence to keep up with our responsibilities. Any news from Greg? . . . haha :)
BenGaines,
So many buttons!!! What are you going to do with them all? You could hook them to a pumpkin (painted red) and put it on your desk at work! Sort of a meshing of traditions. Please tell me you went to the Grand America in a green bathing suit and flip flops. Please.
Your story of the Area Book gave me the push I need to get on top of this project. We are just finishing the project of putting the members in order of sectors instead of alphabetical, so I can focus my (minimal) energy in that direction in case we get whitewashed or something. Feliz Fin de School!!! You are almost there!!! Tell me about this possible job promo? I'm very sorry about your gummy bears.
Toni,
Your letter is my favorite of the week (don't tell anyone) because of your references to gummy bears and shoes and Anna (the photo is fantastic). And I'm so happy to hear that you two can go on dates and be in the cool kids club at church. They need the young blood. Sewing projects? Softball games?
Aunt Dorothy and Uncle John,
Thank you so much for your letter! Sounds like the Gillespie's continue to be super busy. Crazy that you have kids all over the states now, but still one who is losing his baby teeth. How dynamic! How is your law-job and Uncle John's back? Congrats on another marathon. . . that means that I don't have to do one. haha.
Rylee Sue!
Thank you so much for your letter and the pictures! Oh man, I opened the envelope with all the hermanas there at the conference and we laughed and laughed at Blake with his leopard hat and unicorn necklace! And everyone was impressed at our bull riding abilities! Girl, I love you.
James Brown,
I hope you are feeling a lot better. I'm so sorry about your accident, but Ry says you have a great attitude and are taking every obstacle like a champ. Your in my prayers.
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