Baptisms, rain and fleas

Hey we are not going to use all our time up right now- then in a couple of hours we are going to come back and read and print off letters. So write me! alison.ball (at) myldsmail.net. Let me know what’s up- all the funnies of the week or what ever. (Especially have the kids write me- man I miss them)

Ok first off, I got mail this week! Best! A letter from Gma Ball, your package momma and a package from Gma Simpkins! The best- seriously! It is gold to just hold something, even something little from home. So thank you soooo much. And the candies are lifesavers. Seriously. 

Ok let’s get right into it. 

SPIRITUAL. 

What a week. First, Jose was baptized. The best thing ever. It was so beautiful and the best. We had a huge turnout from the ward- everyone loves José and Guissa, so that was so good. Then it was darling to see them so nervous. The service was beautiful- seriously it was perfect. I said a prayer! Which was so scary- I don’t even know why because I say 10910982437897312 prayers a day- almost entirely all out loud.  But I was so nervous for this and I just said a little prayer in my heart before I said the prayer and I spoke Spanish and actually got to explain my true feelings and expressions and it was the best. But overall my all time very favorite part was when José was in the font and when he comes up out of the water and he just stood there for a couple solid seconds with his eyes closed just taking it in, breathing. Then he opens his eyes smiles the BIGGEST smile ever and hugs the bishop and oh my heart. It was sooo good. 

Then after that we went back to the chapel and we had planned a musical number- and it was the family singing "I am a child of God"- but they asked me to sing with them because its family singing- so yet again oh my heart and oh the little baby tears. Best. 

Then on Sunday he got the Holy Ghost. Best. Seriously this week. So I didn’t understand most of the words in the blessing- but I sure did understand the spirit. Holy cow. Then that night we went to their house and you could just see the difference- I don’t know how to explain it- and it sounds super cliché and stuff but really his eyes and his smile and everything just he was completely lit up. It was seriously like magic. The best it was just how he was playing with his little girls and everything. Best.

Oh man I love it. You know what else I love- wearing my missionary badge. I love it. Everyday putting it on and then seeing it all throughout the day. I know we wear it so others know who we are- but I love it and I love the reminder that I truly and a daughter of God and that I truly am a representative of Him. Best. 

Oh man this week- so I taught seriously a million lessons on the plan of salvation. But one of them was powerful- I just got real and was able to explain Gordon’s death and how hard it is, but how he is living. I was able to simply explain and testify it is true and I love the spirit and the gift of tongues because I was speaking. And I know I was speaking Spanish and it was real but the spirit man- it was crazy. It was powerful I love it. 

One more was with a young couple who is pregnant and I explained pre earth life and that their daughter is with God and they knew her before this life and knew each other and all the cool stuff- then asked them to pray about it- the next night we went back over and they had prayed and she said she knows it is true and that she received an answer and it was crazy- seriously so good.

This week has been focused a lot on the plan of salvation- with our lessons, with my personal study and with this week being the 2 year mark of Gordon’s death it has been hard but so full of joy as I have taught theses people they truly have a purpose in their life now and that they will continue to have that purpose after death. I love it. And I know its true- and oh man do I miss and love you guys- but I’ve gotcha forever so it’s all good. :)

I had a couple more power things that I will write you about later. Xoxo

RANDOM. 

Ok. So here’s the deal. This week was so spiritual but also so funny. 

So I guess I was praying with Diego and Pamela and kept praying for "pomela" and all this stuff about "pomela"- which means grapefruit in Spanish. So that was a good laugh. 

Then this is not good- I have been having some crazy allergic reactions because of the 1000 million dogs everywhere in the houses and couches and just everywhere. So lets maybe pray together that I’ll be safe and able to breath and such. You know? Now pops, don’t fret it really isn't that big of a deal -just some minor coughs and sore throats and itching and nose problems. 

Ok, lets see here- oh yeah I risked my life this week. Seriously almost hit by a taxi. So there is this old man we are just chatting with and this taxi is a coming quick so we get out of the way, but this old man is not moving because he has this wheelbarrow full of stuff and just isn’t getting out of the street.  So I go and get him. Then I go to grab the wheel barrow but the car is a coming and I just get out of the way with the barrow, then I realized it was just chalk full of beer- so yeah that was a worthy cause to almost get smashed for. haha. 

Lets see, I was also almost mauled by a dog. It was the devil- I am sure of it.  So we are just going and one thing turns to another and all of a sudden this dog is full on barking and trying to bite my leg off. So I am screaming and swing my laundry bag at it- smashing it out of the way and it comes back, so I just take off running and it’s like biting and it was so scary.  We don’t walk on that street anymore. But the best part was the group of men just watching and laughing at the crazy gringas. 

Oh, and this was scary. So we were walking to church and these policemen stopped us and I was so nervous because I don’t have my visa so I am not actually legal because it is being processed right now. So they start asking questions but then it turns out they just want to know if we are giving English classes, because as policemen they get a higher pay for knowing English. So we explained yes and maybe the whole police force will come-. Which is super sweet and they were way cool. And as I learned from daddy, its good to have friends on the force. So that’s cool.

Oh man, the ward activity. So funny. So we having a stake activity where we are all reading the Book of Mormon in 4 months.  So this was the kick off activity. And we did this thing where we and the Young Women and Young Men dressed as characters from the Book of Mormon. So funny. Pictures to come (worst the computer wont process pictures right now so I will work on that.) but there are not many women in the Book of Mormon so I was simply representing the Lamanites as a whole. But it was so cute to see every one dressed up. Then we had a fashion show activity thing. So funny. Also in the pics me and Hma Johnson made the background. Pretty impressive eh mama? You’d be proud of my creativity :) 

Ok so flea update- I probably have 15-20 new bites, but it's ok because I’m not counting anymore.  It’s to crazy- but really it’s not bad, it’s just annoying- but I love it. I love the wacky stuff here. And it's weird because it is just becoming normal life- then I will be walking and be like "oh yeah, its not actually normal to have pigs just chilling on the street or cows just grazing in a play ground or 3 legged dogs everywhere."

Also, it’s starting to get cold.  And I love it. We get to make fires in our house and wear cool rain boots.  Well, the rain and cold part actually isn’t the best and I don’t actually love it. But I’m a here for 16 more months so, I love it. Ha-ha. 

Oh and your question momma- I will find out transfers next Saturday- crazy. But if I follow the pattern of the mission- and I mostly likely will- I will probably be here until mid July. Which is good because I love my area. 

Oh this week I got lost for about .2 seconds. So we were waiting for a taxi like we always do and I see one right as Hma Johnson says "there."  So I go to get in it. But she went to get on a bus- so then I have that little freak out of where am I and where am I suppose to be. So then I run and literally jump onto the bus and then it’s a gone and I made it.  But we both just look at each other and do that nervous laugh like "oh man that just happened." 

Ok I'm going try to figure out this camera thing. 

I love you. Sooooo much. xoxoox. 

Hma ball. 

P.s. momma, put my address right here

Hermana Ali Ball   

Chile Osorno Mision     

Casilla 7-0    

Osorno, X Region  

Chile

so then people will write me letters. Because seriously it is gold to hold a little piece of home. I love it. Ha-ha xoxo ok bye. 

Cow intestine spaghetti. Oooooh baby

Hola familia.

Wow. It sure was a crazy week. 

We don’t have much time today- crazy amount of work to be done for Jose baptism today!!! 

BEST. Seriously I have been giddy all day. 

But I'll jump right in-

SPIRITUAL. 

Jose and Guissa and girls.

Ok, so I was thinking and each week I never really write the spiritual experiences because I am so bad at explaining them- don’t worry momma I’ve been writing them in my journal like a good missionary- but I was thinking I’m having these crazy experiences- seriously so beautiful and full on crazy and I want to tell you about them but we only have about 40 minutes to email and I don’t feel like I can explain them- so I think what I will do is write them on paper and send them home- you know. Then I can actually sit and explain it because it is way stressful writing home. I love it but the little Internet places in the capitol are really hot and loud and there is crazy music and buses honking. So I'm going try this out. 

But don’t worry I'll tell you some of the little spiritual things to get you through the weeks until the letters get to you. 

Ok, this week has been so good getting José ready for today! Best there has just been a crazy spirit with us and with him every single time we are together. He is so ready. 

 

Wedding Party

Then José and Guissa got married this week! Beeeeeest. Oh my, seriously. So the ceremony itself wasn’t spiritual- it’s interesting and oh my, I love the temple. But afterwards when their little girls ran over and gave them and us hugs and kisses- that’s when the spirit set in and just testified to me that families truly are forever. It’s so crazy and beautiful- and that’s what keeps me going when it gets hard here. I miss you kids like crazy- but to see people like José and Guissa completely change their family’s lives and get on track for the happiest life- I LOVE IT. 

This week we also had my first zone conference- I loved what I understood of it- ha-ha. But part of it was in English with a translator and again it was just a little tender mercy from Heavenly Father to get instruction and inspiration- that I could actually understand- gold.

 

My Zone

Then last night we had an YW activity with 2 wards- it was such a good turn out- we had 5 YW and 2 investigators!!! Best. Seriously it was so cool to see that many YW together. We watched Mormon messages. Killer. I could understand the first part because it was in English with a voice over- then the 2nd I couldn’t understand at all- but holy cow the spirit was crazy. Seriously, I didn’t need to understand the language to understand the beauty of the message. Then the 3rd there weren’t any words at all and again- strait up killer. Then I just bore testimony that even though I don’t understand the language I understood what was going on through the spirit and the investigators were able to connect with that because they don’t understand the doctrine and such but they understand the feelings they got. It was so cool.

 

Some of the YW.  

Ok, FUNNY. 

So in the middle of relief society- we are just chilling listening to the lesson and one of the ladies is like "pss- Hma ball." Then she pulls out this thing of sunscreen and has it passed across the row to me, then points to my face then to hers and pretends to put sunscreen on. But the funny this is she was dead serious. Ha-ha I died. Seriously, I had to bow my head and look down because I was giggling so hard. 

Then when we were doing the stuff for the wedding the day before the wedding- they asked hma Johnson and I to be the witnesses- but I couldn’t do it because I am not actually legal- my visa is still being processed. So we were all a bit sad. So I made the joke that I am the witness in spirit. So when they had to sign 76 papers and hand over their visas I signed a sticky note and gave them my UT driver’s license. - So were like cracking up laughing- José crying he’s laughing so hard and the grumpy legal lady is not impressed and is just full judging us-which just makes the whole thing funnier. 

Ok, then another time, I said this very beautiful prayer about the ward and the people in the ward and how much I love the ward. Ha-ha, but there is a little difference- two words barrio and barro. barrio is ward. barro is mud. So I was praying about the mud and the people in the mud. Ha-ha 

One guy asked if we wanted to live with him- he would pay for everything. So we told him that’s not allowed or good. Then he was like "I'll get baptized! I'll do anything. I'll be a Mormon." Nope. Got to love the little drunks. But really- they keep it interesting and funny. 

RANDOM

Ok we have been chopping wood like mad women. I love it. Seriously- everyone here heats their houses for winter- and winter is long and cold so we need a lot of wood. So we have been chopping our own wood then chopping wood for service. But my body is wrecked. I love it and I love the hard work. -It’s a good change up. But my shoulders and back feel it. And I messed my hand up something nasty- all bruised and a little bloody and stuff. But it’s the best. 

Also, mom did I get my tetanus shot. Just wondering, ha-ha

Chilean BBQ

Ok next, so Carolina is my best friend here. Seriously- she is 20 and the best. She is inactive and she is helping me with my Spanish and I get to practice the lessons on her and its so good. We are also giving her piano lessons. Best. Seriously, and on p-days we go out to eat and she shows us the happening places. And she is the best. It's the best because she is a real friend- some one I can just talk to about how it is and I love her. 

Oh so the other day we were at her house and when we walked in they had been watching harry potter in Spanish. So I got to see and hear about 30 sec. of it while they found the remote. So funny. But the best. Loved it- and loved my little nerdy love for it. 

Ok food of the week- cow intestine spaghetti.  Oh baby. What a treat. 

 

flea protection

Then fleas. Oh man this week I literally got eaten alive. I have so many. I counted- 38 just on my stomach. Then with the rest of my body I have over 50 bites. But don’t worry mama, I bought spray and hma Johnson mom sent flea collars so we put them in our beds. 

Ok got to run. There’s work to be done! Can't wait to tell you all about the baptism. 

Xoxo. So much love. 

As cheesy as it is Meg, Jer and Nate- just think what would Jesus do with every though, action and word. Its what I’ve been doing and I love it. I’m so happy here. 

Love you muches.

Xoxoxoxo wwjd xoxox 

Hma ball 

Pig's Head Stew

Hola familia. 

Ok let’s get to it-

SPIRITUAL.

Ok where to begin. Seriously this part is the hardest to write because there have been sooo many just strait up crazy experiences this week. 

Ok so I had ¨that night¨ that everyone says come. The hard one that is the worst and where the whole day you just understand nothing, and get so many doors slammed in your face and it seems like you did no good- you know the one. Well that was terrible and I had a little pity party and ate some ice-cream and cried it out- then just prayed my little heart out- had true conversation with Heavenly Father and now I’m good. Its still hard- holy cow, a mission is hard. But I love it. I’m working hard and there is so much good everyday I can't even remember what life was like before just giving it all to the lord and service. I love it.

That day had been the worst then we went to our appoint with José and Guissa and that was what had put it over the edge- man I love them- but sometimes its hard to be with them because they truly are becoming like my family. We just have connected so deep it just reminds me of you guys. But again- in the very best of ways. 

Then we had intercambios- I cant remember what this is called in English, but where you switch companions. You know. Well it was so good- it was awesome to get to go to a different sector and to see a little bit more of Chile. Also the Hma I was with is awesome.  She is just about done with her mission and had a bunch of really good advice and help. It was a very successful day. We taught so many good lessons- like lesson after lesson. 

Then cool thing happened with her. So, early in the afternoon we had a cita fall through so we were like "ok what’s the plan?"- so I said a prayer right there in the street and in it was interesting because I said something I didn’t know how to say in Spanish- and it was about finding a specifica person who was prepared just for us and this stuff.  So that was cool.  Then I was like- ok lets go find him. 

So we went to work and didn't have any super crazy experiences and we kind of just forgot about the prayer as we went to work. You know. But we were just finishing up and had about an hour until curfew so we were just going with it. When we saw 2 ladies chatting together so we stopped to talk and they were not that interested at all so I was wanting to get going but the Hma just kept talking to them about random stuff and what not. But then one of the ladies brothers came out- this was him! The guy I had prayed for! We didn’t know it until we finished chatting with him but he was completely prepared for the missionaries- it was so cool. We ended up chatting with him for 45 minutes then ran home to be able to make it for curfew. But he was sooo good. He just had really deep and real questions about God, then we taught him about prayer and right there in the street he prayed- then we committed him to baptism and everything it was crazy and so powerful- the only bummer is I wont be able to continue to teach him because its a different sector! But that's not what matters- I’m just so excited for him. 

Then Hma Johnson and I had a perfect picture lesson.  Seriously.   I can’t even explain it. So it’s an inactive family and they have a daughter who is 14 and really mature. Way solid.  We were teaching them- with a member present, Jasmine- who is a laurel so they are friends. And they were interacting and committed to everything we asked. Then we had an assignment from the bishop for the mom to help on Sunday and everything was sooo perfect with the whole family.  We were teaching on family prayer. Loved it. Like if someone had been recording it they wouldn’t believe it was real. 

Then this was actually kind of funny- so we had a Family Home Evening with this solid family, and a 19 yr. old kid and his nonmember girlfriend who was interested and stuff. But this is when it helps to be a new missionary who doesn’t know the language- because I guess I follow the spirit not the conversation! Ha-ha, so they are just giving the lesson and it was the end and I just really feel like we need to ask her to be baptized so I ask and it went over really well and she is interested-  but, I guess it was totally out of the blue- had nothing at all to do with what they were talking about and it took everyone back but it was awesome and so spiritual and just kind of hilarious. 

Ok, like 1008209438293 other things happened but man is it hot in this little Internet cafe and I can’t think of any of them. More next week. - I promise. 

FUNNY-RANDOM. 

Ok so this week we had a bit of the typical doors slamming in the face stuff but one of them was so funny- this lady just goes off about how I worship Joseph Smith- not that we do- but that I do. So I try to explain and she is just yelling and crazy but in a really funny way. I am trying not to laugh. Then she just slams the door. And now I am writing this it doesn’t actually sound that funny, but it was. And now I feel like a missionary.

Ok then, oh no. Fleas. Yup I got em. siiick. But it isn’t anything. 

Oh so I sent pictures- we are teaching this cutest couple EVER. ALEJANDRO Y ELLIANA. Best. Lets just talk about them for a minute. So he is exactly like the turtle from Kung Fu Panda and the praying mantise from Bug’s Life- just the cutest little thing. But he was showing us his metal from who knows what and he gave us them to wear so obviously we had to take pictures- and they were sooo excited to take pictures- she actually jumped up and down. Soo cute. I love them so much. He was the little old man from a bit ago whom we taught to pray and then we all had to go around praying because it was so cool and so fun. Love.

Oh, but while he was showing us his metal I wanted to ask "which is your favorite?"- so I ask Hma Johnson the word for "which"- which she she says- "brujha." Except that means WITCH. Hahah, so I am asking all these questions about the witch- they are all confused and Hma Johnson looses it- she is laughing so hard she cant even help correct. They had no idea what the heck I was talking about then we explained it and they DIED LAUGHING. So funny. 

People still cant get over how tan I am. It’s hilarious. One grandma in a lesson just kept staring at me. Then she would say stuff like "your eyes are so pretty. Your eyelashes are so big they touch your dark eyebrows¨ or "you’re so dark- but it’s actually pretty." Ha-ha or this was my favorite- ¨your forehead is so dark, buts its so pretty¨ What does that even mean? 

Then some members- oh you know her, the cute grandma I sent a pic of last week- hma cerson- made us ¨Thai food.¨ So we were pumped to have Thai food because everything here is so bland. Then when we got there we realized their idea of Thai food is like mom’s breakfast- left over stir-fry. Ha-ha it was funny- but still really really yummy- just not Thai food. But what were we gringas expecting from the Chileans making Thai food.

Ok so I had my first week in church because of the special conferences and stuff- so I introduce myself at the pulpit and I thought I was doing a good job with my Spanish until they laughed at something I was saying that was not suppose to be funny- so I’m not really sure what I said. Hahaha 

Then it is so chill here I love it. Like on Sunday we had dinner at the bishop’s house and they just ordered pizza for us because we are gringas- and they know we like it. Ha-ha. Love.

Oh so their is a big bull in the city center and it is like a really big deal-  the thing to see, the tourist spot and everyone always takes pictures with it- its so funny-. We had extra time waiting this morning waiting for one of our friends we were going to meet for lunch. So we were sitting there people watching with little honey roasted nuts- it was dreamy and hilarious. But this bull is here because Osorno is the city of beef- except it's funny because the only beef I have had is a couple hotdogs. Ha-ha

Ok speaking of food- the food adventure of the week was the pig head. Eww. So I have had a couple of gross things here but I’ve been able to swallow them all. But this- nope. - So its literally the nastiest thing of meat and its so gross and still had the pig hair on it and I took a bite and when no one was looking,  I full on had to spit it out and hide all of our meat in my bag. So then we get out of the house and I was like dry heaving. I cant even explain how rancid and rotten and just terrible the meat was. So I pull it out and try to feed it to "baca", the stray dog that lives outside of our house. And he eats the piece, spits it out- then chews it and spits it out again. It was so funny. The meat is so gross even a starving dog wont eat it. Ha-ha

Also best! I got 3 letters this week and 2 packages- all from grandma ball. It was the BEST surprise ever. Seriously. So good. Please keep sending letter- because they seriously are heaven. 

Well I got to run- we´ve got work to do! I love this gospel, I love my companion, I love my area, and I love all the adventures. Pig head and all. 

So much love. xoxoxo 

Hma. Ball.