Finally a bit of Sunshine

Hola familia. 

What a week. We had a little sunshine, we had new investigators, we had transfers (no transfers for me and Hermana Rodriguez. woooohoooo) and we had a whole lot of the spirit. 

We are working a lot with the members and had some golden lessons this week. We also are working with a program called "el rescate" (the rescue) where it is completely focused on less actives. This mission has so many less actives’- just about everyone here is Mormon or has a brother or mom or sister in law or a dog who is Mormon- but isn’t active. It’s seriously crazy, and seriously sad. But we have seen some true miracles from these part active families. 

This week my two favorite random or other lessons were with first R, we had one over the phone that was so powerful- we were just in the street and she was in her house, but it was scriptures and prayers and so wonderful. I love serving with Hermana R because we really find new fun or new spiritual ways to serve- not just the same old same old knock doors or the simple lesson. And I love it.

One of these lessons was this week where we were with little chickas (young girls) and it was a ¨princess class¨ all about how these little gems are daughters of god and what that means and it was so cute. Oh I love the kids here- a lot of the times we will teach the lessons to the kids of our investigators- but with our investigators in mind (the parents) but when we teach it this way we are really able to keep it simple, keep it really easy to understand and keep it interesting. Then we will have the lesson with the parents more in-depth with the doctrine once they understand it.

This week was focused a lot on prayer. Lots and lots of prayers and lots and lots of answers. I'll get back to this in a minute. 

We had a little sunshine and were able to do some service (oh I looooove service.) We were able to get a little dirty in the mud and plant raspberry bushes, dad would be proud I pretty much re built the shovel with nails and a hammer and these big wooden things and it was sweet.

 Then the amount of times I find myself in a tree with a saw or axe- hacking away. I love it. Its sweet for us and missionaries because when there is sunshine there are people in the street and this week I was up in the tree and the little old lady is barking orders and I’m climbing higher and higher and all the people in the street are laughing or pointing at the gringa missionary in the tree with the axe. Ha-ha mom I can already hear you and the grandmas- no stress, it’s all good and safe. Ha-ha

But we were able to talk to a couple more people because they saw we were normal doing yard work and all- people have a lot of wrong ideas about us as missionaries and sometimes its real funny. 

Futbol- full swing and I love it. We were in the city after the game with Chile and Spain (crazy.) this is where the bars and the dance clubs and all and the city square are and it was craaaaaaaazy. We had an appointment and it was so fun- I loved walking through and seeing all these crazy Chileans. 

Oh dad, I love hearing about your calling as ward mission leader. So good. You’d be proud- I think all the party planning in high school was mission prep- we have some roooockin ward activities lined up. These kids aren’t going to know what hit them. 

Mail this week- a package from grandma ball. Woohoooo. yaya muffin mix and lots of little gems. For district meeting we switch off who cooks the treats and these are perfect. 

So I still have some little problems with my mouth- its a bit painful and all. I have an appointment this week with a throat specialist- really don’t stress- all is well and good we are just trying to figure out. I wouldn’t mention it at all but I could use a couple prayers this way so that we can figure it out. Xoxo

Also ha-ha the rain- my boots broke (I’ve only had them for 2.5 months but all day every day I think is a bit much.) they broke Sunday and we can only buy new ones on p day (today) but it was an interesting week with the transparent duct tape stuff and trash bags. 

Oh Spanish update: as of this week I am able to brush my teeth and chat with Hermana R and she can understand me. Wooohooooo. It’s a coming. Its hard and very simple but I am pretty much able to explain my thoughts or at least the idea of my thought and almost understand a good chunk maybe not the details but oh boy I love it- still the men with out teeth? Nope. 

Oh this weeks study. Gold. I don’t know I really kind of figured it out. Mom your quote book and scripture- love. One of the scriptures was John 21:15-17. 

The part where jesucristo asks ¨me amas? ¨ Then do you love me. Then again, me amas. Then the third time- me amas? Then feed my sheep and follow me.

I remembered a quote from elder Holland about this- its when elder Holland is paraphrasing jesucristo and explains something along the lines of ¨when I asked you to follow me it was forever. When I asked you to be a missionary- it was forever. ¨ He continues with how we can’t go back, how this right now, my life here is Chile, is real life. How if I go back to how it was I will literally break the heart of God himself.

Through these lessons I am learning, the person I am becoming here. The confidence I have, the amount of love I am learning to have for these beautiful people.

How all of this. How the days with the rain when it’s really hard and the days with the sun when it’s really joyful are real life. And I love it. I love being a missionary- I don’t know how I am so lucky to be so happy all the time. 

Elder Holland ends with ¨may God bless you on the greatest adventure of your life. ¨ and how true it is! 

I am on the greatest adventure- and I LOVE it. 

I love spending my days studying, testifying and living His way. I am so grateful for this gift, this gem of an adventure I am living. How talking to all types of people, old and young, very very poor and humbling poor or well off, evangelic, catholic, atheist or crazy Chileans, kind or crude, loving and door opening with hot tea when its raining, or crying with strangers in the street about the plan of salvation. - How this, this is real life. 

xoxo chi chi chi le le le Chile Chile xoxo

Hermana Ball

Hermana ball