So, first off, yeah... I definitely did have a crazy busy week. But that is a blessing here on the mish, because if you're not busy, then you're straight contacting, which is super boring jaja! The noche de hogar went very well! There were several families there from the branch, and we brought 3 of our investigators, Carlos Javier, Jeremi, and Merysol. The lesson was on family, which I suppose we were supposed to prepare, but I had no idea. We just shared the family proclamation to the world. It's so much easier to teach now, especially when we have nothing prepared. We ended up talking for an hour or so! And then, of course, there was food afterwards. We are Mormon, after all! So that book that he has, you say I was supposed to have it? (I found out, from my son who served in the Congo, that the book referred to in the last letter was "True to the Faith") I was never 'handed a book when I turned 12', and so no, it doesn't ring any bells! But oh well. And the pictures... you added a ton, so I'm gonna give a tiny description for each. Starting from the bottom up: 1) Me and Julietta, la reina del Alto Hospicio 2) Two peruvians who made Elder Crabtree and I some of the best food ever. Not in our branch (shhh) 3) Some sort of tower in the middle of Iquique. Looked cool, so I took a pic 4) Elder Reveco y Yo, estudiando 5) Elder Reveco and I, looking awesome 6) Some guy who got baptized in another branch. I was supposed to send them that picture... oops 7) Mi bautismo!!! Valentina y su madre 8) Sushi night WUT WUT 9) I climbed some apartment buildings to the roof. Super dope jaja! 10) Elder Reveco and I with Jersies (I have 7 new jersies) 11) La familia Bonofacio in Pozo. They're cool 12) Oro. This drink is super good, but it looks like battery acid. 13) There's this giant statue of a lizard in Pozo. That's it.
Sounds like your week was great! Was it weird with the missionaries, thinking 'This is what my boy's doing over in Chile right now!'? But two hours, how chueco (crooked)! ;) Jaja just kidding, I am guilty of doing that. You should feel good! If they stay that long, it means they really love you guys! You just gotta be careful now, because they're gonna want to return again and again! But that's ok. One thing that I've been taught here, is one of the great joys of your mission is the relationships you gain with the member families here! They are the best part of the mission, most of the time. That's awesome for Darian on Junior Staff! I'm excited to hear what she plans and does with it! She's super creative with this stuff, so I hope the other junior staff is listening to her! I did get the sound clip from grandma, but I don't have headphones! I can't listen to it! :( But I'll try to find out a way.
This week was pretty busy, like I said. We had so many citas, although a lot of them fell through. Our investigators are progressing rapidly. Carlos Javier and Jeremi are reading the Book of Mormon, almost an hour each night!! That was so awesome to hear! And they continue to pray and do stuff with us. We had a youth activity for la rama (the branch), and we invited them and another investigator, Felipe, who I've never met. But it was super fun, and we played volleyball. Elder McKinlay and I were captains, and basically the whole game was us taunting each other and doing stupid victory dances! But it was so fun! The kids think we're crazy, but hey, vale la pena (it's worth it)!
Merysol is progressing, as well. She's been taught everything, but I was a little frustrated. This week, the entire week, we were emphasizing church. She told us she was definitely going to assist the church this Sunday, but when the time came, we called and she had just woken up, and was sick. She ended up not coming. Which is a shame because it was one of the best services of my mission. It was fast and testimony meeting, of course, but the thing is, everyone drove down from Pica to assist with us! So we had a lot more people there than usual, and also 6 investigators! Lily, her daughter, Carlos Javier, Jeremi, Felipe, and Jayson. Jayson... that kid is so awesome! He actually bore his testimony!!! An investigator! Isn't that awesome? And not only that, but it was crazy good! He told of his experience of being at first embarrassed to go to church, but then realizing that there was nothing to be embarrassed about because you were going to learn about God and Jesus and increase your faith in them! Oh man, I almost cried jaja, I felt like a proud parent! Unfortunately, our strongest investigator right now besides Merysol, Erica de Pica, couldn't make it. We had two lessons with Erica this week. One on Wednesday, and one on Friday. The first lesson was definitely the most spiritual experience of my mission. We were talking about the great Apostosy, and how lots of churches have a bit of truth, of which the Spirit will testify, but our Iglesia es la única (church is the only) that has all of it, and also the authority to gain more. We emphasized baptism again, but this time, I felt like we needed to ask her to pray. So we did, and she said a prayer right there. We also told her that, afterward, to just wait quietly, faithfully, and let the spirit work with her. And work it did!! After a while, I was wondering what was going on, but then, just a big wave hit me, the spirt, that started from the top of my head and just worked downward, until it filled me. I can't really explain exactly what it felt like, but it was certainly powerful, and I couldn't help but cry. I looked over, and Erica was crying too, and I knew I wasn't the only one feeling it. She looks up, and tells us that she was praying personally for forgiveness, and for recognition. Then she told us that she knows, without a doubt, that she is a daughter of God, and that this is his church, and the path for her. It was so amazing! Then she says that she wanted to go to her Pastor, to her other church, to sever all of her connections and commitments there. Which was super great to hear, because that was her biggest setback. She believed our church was true, but hers as well. So no, she has a solid testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ, and is putting all her heart with it. Friday was another great lesson, in which we just confirmed everything, and gave her strength and help to do what she needs to do.
Merysol is progressing, as well. She's been taught everything, but I was a little frustrated. This week, the entire week, we were emphasizing church. She told us she was definitely going to assist the church this Sunday, but when the time came, we called and she had just woken up, and was sick. She ended up not coming. Which is a shame because it was one of the best services of my mission. It was fast and testimony meeting, of course, but the thing is, everyone drove down from Pica to assist with us! So we had a lot more people there than usual, and also 6 investigators! Lily, her daughter, Carlos Javier, Jeremi, Felipe, and Jayson. Jayson... that kid is so awesome! He actually bore his testimony!!! An investigator! Isn't that awesome? And not only that, but it was crazy good! He told of his experience of being at first embarrassed to go to church, but then realizing that there was nothing to be embarrassed about because you were going to learn about God and Jesus and increase your faith in them! Oh man, I almost cried jaja, I felt like a proud parent! Unfortunately, our strongest investigator right now besides Merysol, Erica de Pica, couldn't make it. We had two lessons with Erica this week. One on Wednesday, and one on Friday. The first lesson was definitely the most spiritual experience of my mission. We were talking about the great Apostosy, and how lots of churches have a bit of truth, of which the Spirit will testify, but our Iglesia es la única (church is the only) that has all of it, and also the authority to gain more. We emphasized baptism again, but this time, I felt like we needed to ask her to pray. So we did, and she said a prayer right there. We also told her that, afterward, to just wait quietly, faithfully, and let the spirit work with her. And work it did!! After a while, I was wondering what was going on, but then, just a big wave hit me, the spirt, that started from the top of my head and just worked downward, until it filled me. I can't really explain exactly what it felt like, but it was certainly powerful, and I couldn't help but cry. I looked over, and Erica was crying too, and I knew I wasn't the only one feeling it. She looks up, and tells us that she was praying personally for forgiveness, and for recognition. Then she told us that she knows, without a doubt, that she is a daughter of God, and that this is his church, and the path for her. It was so amazing! Then she says that she wanted to go to her Pastor, to her other church, to sever all of her connections and commitments there. Which was super great to hear, because that was her biggest setback. She believed our church was true, but hers as well. So no, she has a solid testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ, and is putting all her heart with it. Friday was another great lesson, in which we just confirmed everything, and gave her strength and help to do what she needs to do.
But yeah, this week was great and busy! Excpet for yesterday, which was super laid back. Elder McKinlay was feeling a little sick, so we had lunch at a members house, and ended up staying a lot longer than usual. Time enough for Elder McKinlay to use their bathroom 5 times. Yes... five times... and it wasn't just using... it was destroying. But they were a super great family! La familia Castillo. They have four kids, girls, and all are moved out. One came to eat with us, and my first thought was 'Wow she's cute!' I thought she was maybe 22 or something, not much older than I am. But then when we were all talking, I find out she's in her thirties and has a kid and everything and I was like whoa you don't look your age! But they were all super fun to talk to, and they taught me a lot of bad words and phrases to say in spanish so it was an awesome visit ;)!
But anyways, yeah, I got a new camera, that's the money you saw leave. I do like it, and we shopped around a bunch and found the best deal. It was a better camera, 21 megapixels, but for cheaper than other cameras of 16 megapixels in other stores. Which is good. But Hey, love you all! And miss you all tons! I'm trying to get pictures out, but it's a very slow process... but have a good week!
Les amo a todos,
Elder Schmid
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