Week 76 - Chile's Big Game.

This week has been okay.  I had an exchange with the former assistant and we found a family that was pretty cool. They didn't go to church so we will see this week if they're actually interested or not. But then again nobody went to church.  Chile's team was playing right during our sacrament meeting. It was sad seeing how many people didn't come or left after the sacrament just to watch the game.  It's ironic to me that members will take the sacrament and renew their covenants to keep all the commandments.  Then as I understand them, immediately break one.

We taught "L" this week too.  I really hope she chooses to be baptized this coming week.  She has a date for the eighth.   She is still searching for an answer to prayer.  I think she may have received one but doesn't realize it.  We hope to help, but it is hard.

Week 75 - Chilean Neighborhoods

Today for our p-day, I'm going to make tacos with Elder Palilla and play some basketball.  The zone didn't do anything special this morning.  The zone leaders are off buying a bed for a tall elder.  The beds here are really small.  This elder is 6 feet 4 inches tall.  I have to have my pillow right against the wall or my feet stick out.

This week we had some successes.

One of our investigators seems to be progressing pretty well.  She's very careful about things.  She didn't go to church this week, but she went to a baptism which was good.  I think it kind of scared her as Elder Palilla baptized someone.  She's read the Book of Mormon and understands a lot.  She asked a great question about what it means when it says they were baptized by fire.  She also started looking up things and asking questions.  On one visit, we had a recent convert with us. She said she knew a lot of what others said but didn't really care.  She knew the gospel was true.

We taught another lady.  She's older and studies with the Jehovah's Witnesses.  She wasn't feeling well.  We gave her a blessing and her health was restored.  She is really grateful and has become more receptive to our message.

Chile played yesterday at the perfect time.  It was during lunch.  We didn't contact during this time because the entire country was inside watching the game. I heard Chile won 2 to 0!

The man that is making me scripture covers has started!  I'm guessing he will be done in two or three weeks.

Houses are smaller here.  People live close together.  They don't need cars to get around.  Homes are built around businesses that are close by.

Week 74 - My Birthday

My birthday was pretty good.  I had an exchange with Elder Palilla in a different area.  We went around and ate food all day.  Elder Palilla bought everything.  He was super nice.  He probably spent 20 dollars by the end of day.  We ate around 20 slices of sushi and a bucket about the size of a KFC tub filled with fries, egg, onion, and meat.   An investigator chose to get baptized and set a date for the baptism.  We helped him realize he received an answer to his prayer.   It was a fulfilling day in every aspect.   Elder Cheney called me and the entire office sang happy birthday.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!  My father sent those posted on Facebook.

One of our investigators came to church for the second time.   She's set a baptismal date for this coming Sunday!  She also said that she might take a job in Antofogasta which would mean she would move out of our mission.

Elder Cerron did weekly planning and we went to a shanty home this week.  We found two people there!

Our zone is getting another former assistant as a zone leader and Elder Palilla, Braithwate, and Navarro are staying.  I'm pretty happy!

Oh, I like it a lot!!!  - Conner's birthday present.

I haven't gotten a package yet but this week or next people will be going up and down for meetings or exchanges so I should get one if it has arrived.

Week 73 - The Work Continues!

This week was pretty eventful.  We found six new people to teach!

At the end of last week, I had eight baptismal dates.  No one came to church yesterday and now I only have three on date, but we will see what happens...

We taught the investigator that came two Sundays ago -- the one that was figuratively feed "meat" by the speakers, not "milk".  She remembered teachings on family history which was so cool.  The mission wants us to talk more about family history.  Even though she didn't go to church yesterday she said that next week she would.

This week I'll probably have two exchanges.  I think I'm going to be with Elder Palilla on my birthday!  That will be fun.

Training is going well.  I feel really tired sometimes but Elder Cerron is progressing well.  He is quick to jump in.  When he first got here, I counseled him not to fear others and to invite them to be baptized.  He does it often and has this down.  He's a good missionary and we don't have problems.

This week I shot a pellet gun. A member who lives in the middle of nowhere invited us in.  He was pretty cool.  He was the best boxer in Chile for a while.  He must be good.  It was fun.  It reminded me of how much I like shooting guns.

I got to the soccer court today and everybody was expecting me to bring the football.  They must have enjoyed playing last week.

I called the mission president today.  I lost my name tag.  He must be sick and didn't sound anything like himself.

He asked me "Who was talking?"

I said "Elder Hammond" and I followed up with "Who am I talking to?" thinking it was an assistant.

He just said "President" and I felt so dumb.  Ha ha.

I heard that the rumor is Elder Holland is going to be the apostle that comes.  That would be wonderful if true!