Wishing I had packed my kayak....

“It takes courage to live, courage and strength and hope and humor.”

However, I think this perfectly explains the mission. How it takes courage to serve a mission, courage and strength and hope and humor. And if you’re missing one of these it just doesn’t quite work out. 

I've found so much courage in the plan of salvation.

 This is one of my all time very favorite and most spiritual lessons to share, cry with and testify of. To be able to explain to people how the end of this life is not the end. How God loves their family and has a plan specifically for them- gold. One of these golden lessons was with an inactive. She recently lost her husband and son and explained the pain, but the faith she has felt in this experience. I was again, because of my experience with Gordon, able to explain feelings I'd had, and how this gospel helped me in this time of darkness. How it takes courage to face death, courage to: hope for a better world: and courage to continue on. And not only continue, but continue in faith. 

I was strengthened in prayer. 

Last week I explained how I lost all my photos.  Well, I prayed and prayed and had the computer people try to help, but nothing. And honestly I was so frustrated and knew they were only photos, but how I probably wouldn’t ever see these people again- and how I knew they were only pictures- for this Heavenly Father could help. So I went to my room alone and just prayed that he would help me recover these memories and when I went back to check I had a couple of my most dear families. For me- this was more than just a miracle but I was strengthened in my knowledge that Heavenly Father truly loves me and is ready to help if I just ask. 

I am so filled with hope. 

This week we have dedicated our time to finding new investigators. The work here is hard- people are content with the lives and faith they have. But this week we had one investigator in church, a different investigator in an activity and we have two new that are gold. A daughter and mother and I loooove the daughter. She is 18 years old, a gem and is so receptivo (receptive)- I’m going to go ahead and say it- "this girl is going to be such a happy Mormon!" I have so much hope for this sector! 

 

Hna L's Birthday

Humor. 

My days are truly filled with joy. Spiritually and just laughably (ha-ha you may not think that’s a word but really its true.) It was Hna L's birthday this week and we had a rocking birthday party. When we were walking back and its dark and we are just chatting and all when all of a sudden Hna L is screaming, which means I am just screaming my head off.  And I look and she’s on the ground. It turns out a drunk on a bicycle hit her a little bit. (Hahahah- no not funny this is my dear companion.... :) ) But really. 

Hna L's birthday party

But this is the best part she stands up grunting a little and brushing off the dirt and starts to contact the crazy man! I loooved it. If this had been me I would have been cursing him out (not). But she just explains, "hi we are missionaries of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints and we have a message about jesucristo." and I am seriously loosing it- I have my face hidden behind my planner because I am crying and I am laughing so hard. Seriously, I think this was one of the funniest experience of my mission- and the guy is so confused and we are so confused and the first thing he says- "it was your fault." Which just makes me lose it even more. Luckily, all is well and Hna L isn’t hurt, but even just thinking about it I’m cracking up. 

So yes, it takes courage to serve a mission. 

 

Hna's at the bus station for transfers

This week was crazy. First we were up in Wednesday at 5am to run 40 minutes- literally run- with my entire luggage to the bus station. Where I got a different Hna for the day. It was crazy. But my favorite part of the morning was, I was in the bus station for hours and I was studying my scriptures to the side while my new Hna talked with the elders when a man came and sat by me.  He is an atheist scientist and had such great questions focusing on how I can believe in something I cant see. It was one of those "missionary" experiences where I had my scriptures and read with him in Alma.  At first I was so nervous “because he was a very educated man."  But then I remembered truth, is truth. He explained how liberated he is because he is not constricted by a religion. But I was able to just bare testimony and share from the scriptures the truth of liberation.

Afterword’s I was in another bus station in Osorno where I ran in to Cris! She somehow heard I was going to be passing through and had been waiting for a couple hours! So great to see a cute little Osorno face. 

Afterwards, I meet up with Hna L and we bused off to Rio Bueno. Can I just say that I looooove Hna L and I looooove Rio Bueno. 

Little facts about Rio Bueno:

The name Good River is for the river here- but I personally think it is for the streets- literally every street is a little raging river because we have rain like none other! And not just rain but that crazy Highland type wind. Its so fun- ha-ha. 

We just tromp around in rivers all day in full on rain gear- with rain boots; rain skirts (yeah real pretty) rain coats, under rain jackets, hats, scarfs, gloves and umbrellas. It’s seriously so fun. (This sounds sarcastic but I am dead seriously.) The not fun part, I found mold in my rain boots- but bought a real nice new pair (number 3 in 7 months) 

Also can we just talk about 7 months in my mission? What?! 

Also, I love Rio Bueno because it is beautiful, 100 little rivers, lots of land and green and mud and open space. It’s a little pueblocito (small village) and darling. 

My sector is huge because the houses are a bit spread out.  Sometimes we have to take a little bus from one part to the other.  And we have “el campo” (farming village) in our sector, which is just like Peterson Utah! Houses really spread out with a lot of land. I haven’t got to visit this part much but am so excited. Just chilling with the sheep and cows and happy, happy tranquilo (quiet) Chileans. 

I don’t have a ward, but the best branch in all of Chile. They are geeeems. I am also the first new sister missionary here in 6 months. It's a small place so I am famous. :) But the elders explained how I would probably be stationed here for about 4-6 months. So to get to work because I will have the time for all the follow up! woohhoooo! 

RANDOM:

Also, so funny, we are planning for a ward talent show.  They want me to sing with Hermana L and one of the recent members (who both have the voices of angels...) hah they call us Mariah Cary, Christina Aguilera (Hna L is really blonde) and I am Celine Dion! Wooohoo!  

Also, it's me, Hna L and 2 elders from the states. (All 4 of us are from byu-, which is funny. And when we tell people this they are always like "oh so you knew each other before".  To which we try to explain how big byu is...)

Also, I live in the "Barbie" house: which is a darling little cabin thing- with slotted ceiling and its really tiny and two stories and cold and I feel like I am camping everyday- I love it. 

I love it here. The other day in my study I happened across this gem. Mormon 9:21 (Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.) This promise- believe in Christo and doubt nothing and pray and ask for help- then receive! is for all- Even me here at the very end of the world! :)

And how true it is! We have such a loving Heavenly Father!

Sending good vibes your way. 

xoxo please send my kayak haha xoxo 

Hna Ball

Octopus for dinner? Just living the dream...

“It is one thing to know that Jesucristo came to earth to die for us. But we also need to appreciate that the Lord desires, through His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, to ENLIVEN us- not only to guide but also to strengthen and heal us. ¨-Elder Bednar. 

This month was a month of miracles. With only the street and a lot of prayer I went from knocking doors and trying to talk to anyone with out a single lesson in days to now having 4 people we are helping to prepare towards the goal of baptism, 4-5 lessons a day and so many investigators! I have loved the true challenge of opening this sector because I have learned the power of His Atonement- To enliven my life, to guide, to strengthen and to heal. To guide me where to go, to strengthen my testimony and to heal the hearts of those I have met. 

However, last night I received the call and I am needed in a new sector! Rio Bueno in La Union! This was recently opened this last cambio! (Transfers) I am so excited to help get this sector going. I am so sad to leave Valdivia- we are finally seeing the miracles of the hard work- but I am so satisfied with my work here and am excited to jump into Rio Bueno and see what it has in store for these next weeks. 

Ok, last week the computer shut down, and today I was trying o upload the photos and I believe they downloaded a virus- I lost everything!  I only have one and photos from today- right now they are trying to fix it... however it is so frustrating because it is all the photos of all my investigators and members. So frustrating. 

Especially because this ward is very dear- all were so excited to have sister missionaries and so open and loving and welcoming. They want to have a ward prayer that I will not have to leave. :) And when I gave my final testimony I started then looked back and saw one of the less actives I have been working with so much, sitting there crying and I just felt so much love. The love Heavenly Father has from these people. Right now people are looking at my like I´m crazy as I’m sitting here crying into the keyboard. But its true- it is so wonderful to be a missionary because Heavenly Father truly gives me a little taste of the dear, pure love he has. But with this blessing it is hard, because saying goodbye to these people who I share everything with, my deepest dearest feelings about life, about death, about families and our Brother. About how God speaks. Then to just leave. It’s an actual pain. But the best.

A couple stories about the people I love so dear. 

First, we happened upon a less active that works all day in a little store alone, and lives alone. The other night it was just about time for curfew but I felt we needed to stop just for a minute. We came to the door and it was closed with a metal gate- she unlocked it and let us in explaining how she has to get this locked at night at open it up for every customer because it's unsafe to be here alone. How sometimes she gets scared. We shared Isaiah 41:10 (Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea I will help thee; I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.) 

Then I went over to the gate to explain the scripture. How outside is dark, obscure and dangerous, but how the gate is the protection. How the gate is always there but in order for it to function we need the lock- How in our lives the world is dark and the gate is His strength and His love- because in our lives His love is always there but in order for it to ¨function¨ in our lives we need the ¨lock¨ and the lock for us are all the little things, scripture study, prayer, assist church, etc. How every time she is scared at night she just needs to look at the gate and remember she isn’t alone, how she’s need not fear because His spirit is always with her. How He will strengthen her. 

This week we also found a new family who is gold. We first found our main investigator, then we found his mom in their store, then another day we happened upon his brother and the next day we were knocking doors and met his sister. We have now taught the whole family individually and part collectively. In our first lesson with "A" we taught the plan of salvation and the spirit was so strong and he felt it. We questioned him for baptism and he has a date for this coming month! (I wont be here :( however that’s not important.) 

Then this week we were in a lesson with a less active that has just recently left the church and she was asking such hard, but such good questions. And both me and Hermana R kind of froze for a minute and just looked at each other with that "ok, your turn¨ look.  Then I remember a quote grandma ball sent me. It was about a man who didn't know the answer so he just bore testimony of what he knew. So that’s what I did. I simply explained how I don’t know, But what I do know is... just explaining the undeniable truths of this gospel. The whole time I was testifying her eyes where locked on mine and when I finished she looked down and after a minute looked back up with tears and just explained ok, I understand. 

I am so grateful for this experience because she knows the truth; she is just a little lost right now and searching for the exact correct answer to everything. But the truth is we don’t have the answer to everything- sometimes we just have faith. 

This week was so spiritual. But also so, so fun. 

Last p-day we had a p.j. party and brought all the mattresses into the main room with all the Hna in our zone. We ordered pizza, made brownies and ate ice cream while looking at everyone pictures from home and watching "the other side of heaven" (in English!) It was like college but so much more fun. We all just sat and giggled (and yes mom from last week you are right. It is my kind of thing.)

Or, this week the amount of times we heard the phrase ¨So I was watching History channel and its says you (or in the members case, we) believe...." and oh my, it was outright hilarious. No- the History Channel is not a reliable source. Literally, one of our new converts saw that Heavenly Father appearing to Jose Smith were not people, but aliens. And she was worried it was true. Hah poor thing.

Or, the man in the street experience this week was an 88-year-old man who came charging over to us and explained how there are bad men in these parts. And how we truly just need to kill them. To which we replied "noooo!" ... then as he was walking away muttering ¨I love Mormons¨

Also, I found out this week I am allergic to pulgas.(Fleas) ha-ha!  I think Chile is trying to kill me! But we got some good medicine and my whole body is only covered in fingernail sized itchy bites. Living the dream.

I am worried for this next cambio (transfers) with the food situation because me and Hna R have a deal. She helps me eat the pasta, potatoes and all the bread (ha-ha its so funny when the members don’t look we do the switch) and I eat all the gross boiled meat. I really am not sure if my side of the deal is the best, but its helps with the allergies. However, this week was rough- a mountain of rice and full on octopuses just sitting there. Not quite cooked and the whole body and all this, oh so bad. I ate mine and hers- the taste was bad! But luckily I don’t get stomachaches! Again, living the dream. 

Oh, I had Hna R go and distract one member yesterday and I ran to the bathroom to flush this drink that was terrible- hah it was so close! They returned and I am standing there with our mugs (emptied). We sat for the next 5 minutes trying not to laugh as we pretend to sip and enjoy this delicacy of a drink. 

Lastly and the coolest! I have started dreaming on and off in Spanish the last 3 weeks. It's the best feeling and so cool. It’s still a little frustrating even in my dreams, but sooo cool. 

Well family I love you! Can´t wait for all the crazy new experiences this week! I bus off Wednesday morning! (So send lots of good vibes!)

xoxo enliven, guide, strengthen and heal xoxo

Hna Ball 

Power outages, Rock Stars, and peanut butter

So, I wrote the whole letter and the computer crashed and I lost it all. I don´t have much time to write more and I am so frustrated!  But the ironic thing was my letter started with this quote, ¨Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who seem to have a way of learning from difficult times become stronger, wiser, and happier as a result.¨

 

Ha-ha, so right now I am really going to try and not curse this computer and laugh it off and try to learn from it. :) 

However here is a real quick rundown off the week. 

Lots of difficulties and discouragements this week. But three specific discouragements where I became stronger, wiser and happier. 

Stronger- this week we lost all the light in our house- we live in a little cabana behind an inactive member and when we entered she was so scared because it was dark, it was just her and the kids and it was late at night. We sang a hymn, and explained how in our life we have times of obscurity and darkness. But how He is our light. 

The rest of the night, the morning and on and off this week we didnt have light (because the wires were so cold) but as we studied, read our scriptures, cooked and showered in darkness it was a constant reminder of this lesson, that He is our light. 

Wiser- the last month we have done a million street contacts and this week I took to the streets with a new thought. I acted and treated every contact like we have been dear and best of friends for years. I laughed and smiled and testified as I would with you. And when I contact with a purpose and with a love, all are happier, and more receptive. I´m a little wiser than last week as I´ve looked at every person, as a person, a friend, a brother and a son or daughter of God. 

Happier- One day of rain, no houses and no people. Rain and rain and lots of wet dogs. We were searching for one apartment for 45 minutes and I was wet, cold, it was dark and I was done. So we went to give up when my darling companion explained the ever common and dear words ¨just one more time.¨ So we offered a little prayer to be led to the person He had prepared for- right there under our umbrellas in the street with the dogs and headed off. And no... We didn't find the apartment. But we did find another man who had the perfect questions about life, eternal families and baptism. Needless to say we were more than a little happy to find one person who would not only listen to us, but also listen to questions. This was joy. But the golden part was this man is the Chilean Will Smith. Yes. He has the same swagger as Will and is hilarious. What a joy. What a gem.

I love the quote from Elder Worthlin- if I remember correctly he explains, "In spite of the rough, in spite of the discouragement, in spite of (the rain, crashed computers, not having people interested, slammed doors, fleas and dogs and broken Spanish.) In spite of this- those who are happy are those who learn.” 

In this month’s and this week’s adventures, I´m stronger, a little wiser and so so happy. 

The church is true. God lives. And he speaks. 

I love you. 

xoxo Hermana Ball

P.S.

We made some peanut butter cookies from Gma Simpkins and they were golden. These crazy Chileans are crazy for peanut butter. And my companion really didnt know the joys of pb before living with me. I’m proud to explain she’s a pb-oholic and were living the ‘Mercian dream. 

Hna P- the rock star. This week we found out she has cancer and she is facing it with style, with faith and with a lot of laughs and strength. She is a new convert to the church and I am so grateful to be here with her during this crazy time. What a gem. 

We had a ward activity ¨Fiesta de los gringos¨ where, we 3 gringos in the ward, taught all the finer points of the game “signs” and pancakes with peanut butter (again, they go crazy for this gem), nutella, fruit, whip cream and syrup. So fun! (And we had 2 of our investigators assist the activity! wooohoo.)

Also, I taught everyone the whip cream game where it’s in our hand and you smack your arm and it goes flying and you got to catch it in your mouth. Oh, these grown men. The joy. The joy. 

We left yesterday with one of the girls from the ward- such a gem, with such a strong testimony. Also strong feet- hah! First time leaving with the missionaries and she left in high heels, in the rain and mud for miles and miles and miiiiles. Ha-ha. Love.

Also this week I got a package from mom, love the scarf and pin from Ireland. And 2 letters from grandma ball. And the beeeest surprise package from Evelyn with gems from Peru! Defiantly felt the love!

So much love. xoxoxo