Double the Thanksgiving, double the fun!

What a crazy week! I love being a missionary for weeks like this one.

First of all C is a rock star- I sent a photo of us and her (in pink dress) right before her baptismal interview! All is well and she is going to be baptized this Thursday! I love her so much- especially her love and understanding of the Restoration. We asked her what the significance of José Smith being a prophet was for her and she just testified that because of him we truly have the truth- that we can receive revelation and that we know that Jesucristo (Jesus Christ) has His church on the earth today- sooo good.

I love helping people prepare to be baptized because I can see how their lives change through living the gospel. How much happier they are and how they find a purpose to their lives through their knowledge that they are children of a loving heavenly father.

Last week I mentioned R and A. This week we went back and asked if they had prayed and what they felt- they said they understood it and felt good. But they wanted to know about the Book of Mormon (which was our lesson plan!) so we went through it and they have such great questions. We again invited them to keep praying to know and they really have started understanding the restoration. We have another lesson with them in a couple hours and I am pretty stinking excited.

However, he works every Sunday morning so we have to see what we can do about helping them come to church... prayers please! :)

So a crazy thing happened, I made a contact and it was awesome- so we invited her to the ward activity in 2 days and went from their hoping to see her again. Then the crazy thing- she actually came to the activity (its hard enough to get the members!) then that Sunday she came again with her 3 kids. She is awesome! The only thing is she also has a problem- that is that right now we can’t visit her in her house because it’s her aunt’s house. But we have plans to visit her in a member’s house this week. Honestly she is so cool.

Ok, lets see here- also we have been teaching J and his sister P. P came to church! Then we had a lesson with them, and their mom and brother (23 yrs.). They are an awesome family- but like I said they live way out in El Campo. So it’s hard. Hah, the other day we had a lesson and we couldn’t find a bus so we were late and then we had the lesson but it's late at night and have no way to get home. 

So we called a member to come find us. So they live about 15 mins walking from the main road through cow pastures and dirt roads to their house. So we called the member and then just take off hauling through the dark to get to the road. Ha-ha we got to the road and just start walking down and its dark and pretty late. So the member finds us by this sketchy little light- hauls it back into Rio Bueno and drops us off 2 minutes before 10 o’clock curfew. Soo crazy. But the lesson was sweet.

Then the coolest thing- we had that activity on Friday night and P and J ended up walking to the church to come, which was about an hour walk. Then on Sunday they and their brother D came to church.  They are soo good. J has the baptismal date for the 20th of December and we are way excited.

I feel like I have 10 more cool little lesson stories from this week- we had close to 30 lessons! But I have no time! The last is A. So she was a contact from a couple weeks ago. We talked to her and I felt really strongly we should give her a Book of Mormon even though honestly she didn't see that interested. So we did and let it go there. Then we tried to visit her at her house a couple times and nothing. They yesterday we were in the rain and thought we should stop by- we had such a sweet lesson. We asked her if she read the Book of Mormon, if she prayed and knew it was true and knew this is what God wanted her to do- if she would be baptized- all that jazz. And she explains she had been baptized before (like everyone else in Chile.) but that she was a baby. 

We explained how that must be a big blessing in her life that her parents chose to have her baptized her to grow in faith. We talked about Jesus baptism and the difference of hers and His. Then invited her to make the decision for herself and be baptized as He was. She accepted to have the 27th of December as a goal to work towards! I am so excited because I know if she does the work- then she can know. Hopefully si!

We had so many crazy good lessons this week. Seriously so good. I love teaching! This week we also had two activities. The first was Friday night where we had a little lesson about how the sacerdocio (Priesthood) is like a cupcake shop- then ate yummy cupcakes. And played a game- "do you love your neighbor"- sooo fun. It was crazy because we had a ton of investigators come- 7! Which was so fun!

Then we had another activity with the youth where we made "soy Mormon" video. (I'm a Mormon) We had them come with a talent and we recorded them and interviewed them- then we asked them and did a little interview about a spiritual question. It was a crazy success! The videos turned out so good. The elders are edited them right now then we are going to have an activity to watch them with their nonmember friends and their families. But a couple of the talents were siiick. Like crazy skateboarding and parkcour, beat boxing, typical Chilean cloth painting and one girl does crazy finger nail painting (definitely thought of megs) but like the cool pinterest ones. Such a fun activity.

Also every Monday night we have a noche de hogar (Family Home Evening) with president Matus and his family and investigators. I loooved it. Its one of my very favorite traditions of the mission here in Rio Bueno. (Mom just for you to know they are the family I am in with H. love. photo attached)

Also (ha-ha) this week we thought it was Thanksgiving. So we had a huge noche de hogar (Family Home Evening) with one of our favorite inactive families (pictures included). Whatever ha-ha, looks like we will just celebrate it again this week. But we planned with a lesson about being grateful with the Mormon message "gracias a el" and all this sweet stuff. 

But the sweetest part was them literally pulling out all of the food they had- emptying the fridge and drawers with all the little packets of stuff or cans so we could have a feast. It was so humbling. I love these people so much. It is such a truly good culture.

This 2-week thanksgiving (ha-ha) I just have double the opportunity to think about all the things I am so grateful for. And it all comes down to knowing I am a daughter of God. I love, love, love this knowledge because of I have the happiest family, an eternal family, I have the book of Mormon and I know who I am- which is why I am a missionary.

I love you muchly. Xoxxo Hna Ball

Missionary, volcano explorer, and Book of Mormon lover

 ¨And what makes you different? I know that the Book of Mormon is true.¨ Elder Nelson

Elder Nelson related a story when asked, as a surgeon, what made him different from all the rest. And I looove his answer! How true it is- WE KNOW THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE!

This week was amazing. One for the books! Because I know the Book of Mormon is true, my whole life is so much happier, fun and amazing. We had the conference with Elder Nelson- where I got to shake his hand! (haven´t washed it yet. ha-ha) and it was amazing. He is such a loving man. And his wife- when I grow up I want to be Hermana Wendy Nelson. 

Then get this, not only 1 conference with him, but 2! One live and one by satellite. He and Elder Christofferson had a special conference about strengthening marriages and we took A and L (the evangelicals) with us. Yes, oh yes, you can put your money on 2 apóstoles. (apostles)  After the conference we asked them what they thought and both were completely touched by the focus our church has on the family. (And it's because really, we know the Book of Mormon is true so we know what we have to do. You know? oh, Elder Nelson. love)

Also we have 2 new investigators we are excited about.

One is P (an inactive 22 who is a gem we are helping come back to church) and her brother is 11- we taught him and it was so good- we are hoping to teach the whole family. But J- the brother, is really mature for 11 years and is excited to be baptized and get the priesthood. 

We have a lot of work with this family before we can get the mom, sister and brother reactivated and the brother (and hopefully) dad members. But I have a loooot of hope. The only thing is that they live out in the countryside pretty far, so we have to take a bus, find a car (they are scares) or walk an hour to teach them. But it is worth it!

The other family is R and A- I am so, so completely in love with this family. We knocked their door 2 weeks ago and have tried again and again, to no luck. But he seemed nice and we had an appointment- so we show up and he wasn’t there, so we think he must not be interested but we talk to his wife a little bit and she asks us to come back in 30 minutes. So we go do a little work and come back- there they are sitting with their 2 kids, (5 an 7) and we sit and just have a straight up lesson. We teach the whole restoration, and it was so powerful. The kids were involved and so cute and the family is amazing- at the end of the lesson we ended with a kneeling prayer that was so dear and have an appointment this week. 

We really have been having a hard time finding new people, and I know they are an answer to literally prayer and obediencia. (obedience). They are soooo dear. Hopefully many stories to come- they have promised to read the pamphlet and pray to know if it’s true! ojala si! (hopefully yes)

Ok then this week, we had a couple cool things happen. We are helping everyone- but especially the youth get names for the temple trip the 28th. We had a really cool family history lesson with the kids and they are getting pumped. But one of the coolest things was H explaining he has already found and submitted 15 names on his own! Rock star. 

Also mom, this week my comps got their packages from you and LOVE them. You are the coolest mom ever. And I got your letter with the thing from Hna J's homecoming. So cool- crazy 33 missionaries. But it was definitely the best to get your little love note. Please let gma simpkins know I am still waiting on her package- but mail is a bit slow these days. 

Now let me explain the pictures! Crazy week. 

So first, I have a couple photos from our sector. I love this part so green and loving.  I love El Campo muchísimo. (beautiful El Campo)

Funny story about the one with us walking on the road- the bus system is sketchy and we had a couple problems so had to walk quite a few miles on the ¨highway¨ to try to get back to our part of the world. But it was pretty and a fun adventure. Ha-ha. Longer story to come in mail. 

This week we also gutted our mamitas backyard- then as a thank you (because she doesn’t already do enough- por favor) she taught us how to make sopapillas (mom don’t know how to spell it- but google it.so good) I am sooo excited to make these for you all. Mmmmmm. 

We had intercambios- and one of the craziest things of my mission happened. 

So, I am with Hna Nielsen and we are knocking a fence- and the lady is there, like 40 yrs. old and has big bushy hair. So as we knock two dogs come barking and she grabs one of them- who is big and barking a lot. She takes a metal chain and starts wrapping it around his neck- us thinking for her to tie it up for us to enter. This whole time she hasn´t said anything- and is still just wrapping this chain around his neck. Well, we are just chatting it up waiting for her to come and then we look and the dog has stopped making noises- he is still barking but it was weird. 

And he is wrapping its chain tight. Then it got crazier- she pulls out a huge saw like a big knife starts sawing his ear off. So obviously we just take off hauling out of there.We run about a block and a half and turn down another block and just stop, staring at each other in shock. It was sooooo crazy. So, so, so, crazy and so confusing. But we are most definitely keeping clean of that witches street. 

Oh also, you see the slug?  Todos los días. (daily) So gross. 

Theeeeen oh my gosh, hoy (today) was the best. We went to Volcano Osorno with the zone! So good. We are waaay up, above the clouds. On one side we have the volcano which we hike up and much was allowed and then on the other side of the clouds was a second volcano- honestly one of the most breathtaking things of my life.  Mom and dad when we come back you will love it. 

Well family. I love you so much. 

Here is another little elder nelson quote from our conference ta keep you happy. 

¨Keep going, because you don´t know whom you can touch and how they can change the world. ¨

xoxox Hna ball

Missionary, volcano explorer, and book of Mormon lover

Miracle of the flea bites

 Looks like Ali was rushing today and many of her words are in Spanish.  I did my best to try and translate them (thank you google)

Hola Familia! 

 What a week! Time is flying by- way, way tooo fast. Someone just asked me today how much time in the mission and I realized I have about 10.5 months! Whaaaaat?

Well family, it’s sure been a crazy week.   First of all, Elder Nelson comes this week! I am sooo stinking excited. 

Also, I love the members of Rio Bueno. Tan buenos.(So good) We have a couple members we are working a lot with to go to lessons with us and to help friendship. It's a bit hard here because most of the women work and do all the house work. But we´re slowly getting it. 

For example, one of my favorite lessons was with Hna M. She is a gem. (I have sent pictures home with her when we went to the snow) but we have being helping a menos activo (less active) family return and we taught about el evangelio de jesucristo. (The gospel of Jesus Christ.)  Fue muy bueno porque ella is a convert. (It is because she is a great convert)  She was able to really testify and she was able to make them realize how the life is dificil (difficult) but how the gospel truly can help. It's crazy what a member's testimony can do- the family really opened up with us about how the wife doesn’t feel digno (worthy) to go to church and we are able to help them with their real need! Best! 

While there, we gave the husband an assignment in church. To give a spiritual thought in the class de gospel principles. (Gospel Principles class in Sunday school)  We explained what a spiritual thought is and then we gave an example. We had another lesson with them Friday night and he had been studying all week- turns out he got way into it and had been up till midnight the night before reading. We had a little practice with him and he rocked it. 

Then is Sunday they all came to church, all 3 hours, and he was a stinking rock star. He ended up talking about 15 minutes for the thought but taught it so good, included the whole class, was giving personal examples and leading discussions. It was swweeeeeet. Woohoo for members who are rock stars. 

Then, my other favorite lesson we had with a member was with Hna C. I don’t have a picture with her yet. But we have been doing a ton and she is awesome. 26-28 yrs. old and sooo solid. We have been preparing C for baptism with her and it's so good. We taught the plan of salvation this week and C really got in to it- especially the atonement. Love. And get this- Carolina is going to be baptized the 27th! Woohooo. 

Also, the start trek tee shirt. Is that not just so mom? Ha-ha tie-dye and start trek. We were walking last p-day on the way to an activity with the Elders and A and H and we saw it in the store window. For sooo cheap. So now I am happily sleeping in my "happy little´mom shirt." Ha-ha Chile. So random. 

Lets see here, oh my gosh. Guess who found out where I was? Then found at I was at a lesson with A and H? And showed up to their house?

Only J, G, and B. I wanted to die. They are so bad with the rules! Oh my gosh! It was so bad (but soo good to see them.)  Then we went out and R and C were in the car.  I was so mad at them but I think I was smiling to big. They´ve promised not to ever do it again and like a good missionary I reported it to the Elders. But oh boy those kids! Hahaha they look so good! 

But it also was crazy to have literally my favorite people all in one room- A, H, their mom who we are working with.  Then J, G, R, B and C.  We ended up singing "I am a child of God" and it was so powerful to see them all there and think about all the crazy experiences.

Also, I think Heavenly Father loves me because seriously! No, let me take that back. I know Heavenly Father loves me so much because right now I have literally 100 pulga (flea) bites and we found out at the beginning of the mission I am allergic to them- so they get really big and itchy. But get this- they only itch in the street and in our house (and all night, ha-ha) but in our lessons I am itch free and can teach. Seriously. It’s like a bible story or something. Parting the red sea, the lion’s den, me and not itching. (Is this sacrilegious)?

But also I know that Heavenly Father loves me because I have Hna P as my companion- I love training. There is so much excitement and everything is new. Also, it’s cool trying to be exactly and completely obedient- and it’s cool (going to get real selfish for as minute) because obviously I am learning and benefiting more than she is (but really, having to try to figure it out and what to do and all) and I love it. I hope I train forever more. And she is the best, so it’s cool. 

Also, my companion says that when I get a little stressed out in the street because our plans fell through I start humming the Darth Vader theme song as I'm thinking of new plans.  Ha-ha I blame mom. "dum, dum, dum-dum"

Also this week we had multi zone conference. I sent a picture of just my zone, la union with president. But it rocked; shoot president just threw it down. But that’s what I love. And it was cool for me because they asked me to speak about retention. I chatted a bit and it was good I think. But it was cool for me to think about the different experiences with J, G, R, A and H. 

Let me just tell you how much I love those kids. 

Well family, I got to wrap up- sorry its scattered today, this cyber has like 20 preteen boys playing video and computer games on full blast and I can´t focus. 

But here´s a little food for thought. "I have observed 3 common characteristics of the Priesthood holders who are my hero’s. One is a pattern of prayer, the second is a habit of service, and the third is a rock hard decision to be honest. ¨ -Elder Eyring. 

How true it is! I have seen it first with dad, then different holders here, mission pres., certain elders or men in the ward. But it was amazing to hear J pray yesterday- so deep and so real. Then to see H turning into this type priesthood holder. 

I can´t even tell you how much he is progressing. He has the assignment to pass the Santa cena (the Sacrament) (which he loves) and this week he’s going to start blessing it. Then he has a solid calling-, which was chosen specifically by president to help him and for H talents. Where he is surrounded by exemplary priesthood examples- who truly love and respect him. 

He is a missionary in his house and at work. Then he is leaving with the elders and they say he is making a huge difference in their lessons because he can testify so purely. He is preparing to go to the temple in 3 weeks for baptisms- and has done family history to take names with him. And he is coming to all the activities the ward has to offer and is in institute, our mission training class, and everything. He is studying the scriptures every day and truly becoming one of my priesthood holder heros. 

I love this work, because it is the work of God- with his power and authority, help, guidance and love! 

I love being a missionary. 

xoxo. Hna Ball

P.s. its dog season. Which means only one good thing- baby puppies all through the streets!