eMail of May 25, 2009

It is amazing that Carlene is getting married so soon. By the way you can send me pictures through internet. I just won't be printing them as it costs too much. I would love to be there to help you and see the yard happen, but here for now is just better.

I am happy to be here. Maritsa wasn´t baptised because of a little obstacle but she will be this coming week. Three other people could as well but we will see. It is amazing to see how much the ward here has progressed in such a short time. The Lord truly knows what he needs to do.

That is great that the Ozuks will be baptised this Saturday. I know how the missionaries must be feeling right now and you all are going to feel just amazing. It is truly the joy of the Saints to see others come into the fold of God. Like D&C 18:15-16 says it is an immense joy.

I have grown and progressed mountains here and am looking forward to the rest of the mission. I really have no idea what is going to happen and how much I will be able to do, but I know the Lord is pleased with how I am progressing now. So many experiences that I have had have helped me to realize and understand many truths, principles and gifts that were hidden before. But if I know anything, it is that I am truly nothing. It is the Lord that does everything. He knows how to best teach and help His children.

Well I love all of you and hope that you are enjoying your time. Keep on going even when things get rough, the Lord will bless you. I can promise you many things will happen to try and keep the Ozuks from being baptised, but just trust the Lord and He will get it done.

eMail of May 18, 2009

My week was another week in the mission. No, it went very well in the end. Luis Rojas was baptised yesterday. The photos are with the bishop of the ward who baptised him and his sister´s sister and her husband.

He is doing great. We are working with the husband of his sister-in-law as well. He should be baptised in the next few weeks. We also have a good baptism set up for next week and possibly another.

We are doing well. I am greatly enjoying everything and learning a ton. I am glad to hear as well that everything is going well and that you are having fun. It is amazing that Carlene is getting married in so little time.

As for Tom Davis, I don´t know if it would be okay or not to meet up with him, I don´t think so but I will ask. He can feel free to bring something to the mission office, that isn´t a problem. It´s right by the Temple in Pedro de Valdivia and Procuro. There are a lot of people there that speak English so that shouldn´t be a problem. Right now I´m on the other side of the mission from there so it depends on where he is going to be. I´m sure he won´t be anywhere near where I am right now but that could change.

We have another change in two weeks and anything could happen there. The new mission president comes this day as well. Well, I am enjoying my time and am grateful to be here. Thank you all for your prays and support. I forgot to read the letter today so I will see next week if there is anything more I need to say. I love you all and hope you are all happy.

eMail of May 12, 2009

I am happy and it was great to hear your voices as well. Just a quick update we had a mission activity yesterday where we all played soccer and afterward said goodbye to a senior missionary couple that worked miracles in the mission. The activity didn´t end till around 6:30 at night so we didn´t get the chance to go to email. The president told us to do it today. All of this really puts into perspective how fast time is moving. I feel like we have arived at this point in absolutely no time at all. Time just flies by. I am grateful for the chance I had to talk with everyone and hope they continue to go strong. Also that everyone can find ever more joy and peace. The gospel is here that we can have peace regardless of the circumstances in the world.

Be happy, be strong, be obedient, and be disciples of Christ. In this there there is safety and peace. I love you all and pray for your happiness.

eMail of May 4, 2009

The weather is changing here. In the span of a week it went from too hot to wear a suit coat at night to cold enough to wear a sweater under it during the day. It got cold fast. But I am enjoying it still.

Things are going well and we are making progress with the ward here. We are starting to build them up and strengthen them in the work. We have a few people to teach but we still need a little more. We are working on filling the teaching pool more completely. I have had many great learning experiences the past week. I have felt a little overwhelmed but its okay. I can feel the hand of the Lord in this work. I am very happy to hear that everything is going so well and that everyone is enjoying themselves.

As for this coming Sunday it is Mothers day. This means that we can talk on the phone for an hour again. The process will be the same as last time. I will be waiting at 7:00 pm our time, or 3:00 your time Sunday afternoon. I hope everyone can be there. I will be waiting in the house at that time. I am excited to get to talk to all of you.

Know that I pray for you and hope everything goes well. Did you recieve a notice from the First Presidency about the world-wide fast for the swine flu? We did but some wards didn´t and I´m not sure what the details are. Write me back about it. I have heard a lot about what has been happening but not everything. Well I´m sure everyone is doing well and that the flu shouldn´t be a problem with any of you. You are under the Lord´s protection. Have fun and enjoy life!

[to Dad]
Gracias por tu carta. Dije a el que yo estuve en divisiones el otro día y me di cuenta de que yo era lo mayor en el grupo. Mi compañero es mayor y mi distrito es con los líderes de zona entonces Elder Hovey y yo son los mas joven en el distrito. Pero nuestro distrito es lo mas viejo en la zona. Simplemente fue el día que estuvimos en divisiones. La mitad de la mision a lo menos tiene menos de un año.
Hay pocos que tienen mas tiempo ya que mi generación.
En cuanto a la comida, algunas comidas me hacen mal pero la mayoría no. Me gusta la comida de Chile. Por bautismos estamos enseñando algunos ahora que pueden y deben bautisarse, tenemos que cuidarlos por ahora y esperarles a tomar la desición. Pero estamos enseñando mucho y estamos feliz. Este sector es casi lo mismo que mi primero, espero que yo pueda ver este barrio crecer aun mas que el otro conmigo.
Tenemos que animar mucho los miembros aca. Agradezco mucho la oportunidad estar aquí en Chile. La cultura es un poquito diferente pero muy semejante a la de los estados. Sin embargo la amo y espero lo mejor. Te amo y agradezco mucho por todo lo que has hecho. Muchas gracias y que todo te vaya bien. Oro por ti tambien.