Week 46 - Walking, teaching, and learning.

This week we walked quite a bit.  I've never felt so tired.  Everyone we have been teaching just seemed to disappear so we spent the week looking for new people to teach.  My contacting skills have definitely increased!  Thankfully, there is only one large hill in our sector.

Elder Palilla has bad teeth.  He has had several cavities while on his mission. We went to the dentist on Thursday and again on Saturday, but he was in pain for much of the time. We ran around getting pain medications and things to ease his discomfort.

Spring in Chile

Thanksgiving day I made a turkey sandwich!

We met a man named "F".  He's a good investigator and is asking all the right questions.  He wants to learn and said he'll read and pray.

"E" was baptized this week.

I am studying Spanish each night for thirty minutes.  Elder Palilla is really helping me.  We work well together.  I know a lot of random words and understand spoken Spanish well.  He is able to speak better.  We both have things to teach and learn from the each other.

Week 45 - My new companion.

This week was pretty interesting.   We had transfers and Elder Furlanich was sent to a new area.  I was hoping we would have some more time together but he was transferred to Forrestal in Viña.   We went together to Viña where I met my new companion, Elder Palilla. Elder Palilla is from California and is a district leader.  He hasn't been in the mission field as long but speaks better Spanish.

Elder Furlanich and Elder Hammond

I also heard that my former companion, Elder Eyre, was made a district leader in Salamanca.  That makes me really happy!

We haven't really taught anybody new this week and I don't have much to report on.  I received updates on a few of my former investigators and new members.  I am really happy to hear "O" is doing excellent!!!  "R" is doing well too. 

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

Week 44 - Weakness and frustration

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.   Ether 12:27

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Many I interact with don't like talking to me because they are impatient with my Spanish.

I was pretty frustrated yesterday.  I played the piano in church.  I was asked to play a hymn I'd never heard or played before.  It was super hard when I got into it.  In the middle, they stopped everything, changed the hymn, and updated the hymn number on the wall.  The new hymn wasn't a problem.  The piano has a broken c note on the left hand.  It plays super loud when you barely touch it but I try not to let it bother me.

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 We don't have many we are teaching.

We did find a new person named "C".  We contacted her son in the street one day and when we came back, met her.  She looked super skeptical when she opened the door but soon changed as we talked to her about her son.  She has been studying with the Jehovah Witnesses but listened to us.   She said she would read the Book of Mormon and pray for understanding.

It is Spring in our area and there's a lot of things blooming.   My allergies are coming back.   Ugh!

Transfers are coming this week.  I'm pretty nervous about them.  I could easily receive a new companion.  

Week 43 - A good week!

This week was pretty good.  There were definitely quite a few miracles.

Saturday "C" was baptized.  The entire zone came to support her since not to many people from our ward came.  It was scheduled at 3:00 which isn't the best time.  The people here have their largest meal just before and usually rest between 1:00 and 3:00.

She was baptized twice because the first time the baptizer didn't do it correctly.  They and the people watching thought all went well and started to leave.  Elder Furlanich and I had to drag everyone back in.  But, it was okay.  She is baptized and I'm so happy for her!!!

She's a great convert.  She's brought her little sister to church three times.   Her aunt is the Primary President and lives on the same plot of land so she'll always have help getting to church if needed.

My zone completed our goal for ten baptisms so we get to watch a Disney movie, Finding Dory.  I hope we'll also have pizza for breakfast.

Also, I'm personally going to be so grateful when the election in the US is over because everybody tells me their opinion.  My companion seems to enjoy it.  He is one of the people that can say the sky is yellow and after verbally sparing with him you'll be convinced it is yellow too.  It's pretty fun to see him talk with others about it.  I'm just tired and get impatient now.

Monday was so fun.  We played soccer on a synthetic turf.   The field was bare and this time played with many good players.  Normally we play with all the kids in the area.  But, Monday we played real soccer.  The players were all grown ups and young men.  I loved it.  There were good passes and I was able to score a few times.  They say I'm good for a gringo.  That made me feel good.

Tuesday I was on exchanges.  I went with Elder Olivera.  He is the missionary that has permission to have a guitar.  He speaks English which helps me.  We get along great.

Sunday, I played the piano and the bishop asked me to teach some members to play for the ward.  I also taught Gospel Principals.  One of the Sisters in the ward has a son that was with me in the MTC. She, the ward mission leader, and a recent convert all attended.  I thought it went well.

I found a new pastry shop to spend what little money I have.  They have a Berliner which is a cream filled doughnut that is huge.  It is heavenly!