Well, if I didn't say it enough yesterday, Happy Mothers Day, mom! I tried to emphasize that when talking to you, but yeah... it was a little hectic there yesterday, it seemed. I feel bad that the call didn't work on the tv, I feel like having it on the phone being passed around just made it even more hectic, but hey, whatcha gonna do? I did enjoy it though, and it wasn't as hard as the last one. Which was awesome. I think the last one was just at a bad time. It's right when I got out and was being slammed with everything missionary, and a call home to see everyone just made it worse. This time was better. I have settled in and am happy, and seeing you guys happy made it better and not worse. I hope you had a good mothers day. I challenge everyone then there to make it not just Mother's day, but rather, Mother's week. You really don't know what you have there for you, how much mom does for you, and how much you rely on her and don't thank her. I want you all to make her feel like a queen, like the most loved mother in the world this week. She deserves it, and you owe it to her. You all owe her that and so much more. A little card once a year, though it is thoughtful and everything, is not enough. I don't know, I was just thinking a lot about that the past few days. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I miss you all so much, and now realize how much mom meant to me, and how little I can do for her out here, so I want you all to do it for me. Please.
So this week was kind of loco, there were a few things that happened. We were on the bus everyday this week, either from Pozo to Alto Hospicio, or to Pica, or to Antofagasta. WE had inter-cambios on Tuesday and I went with my Zone Leader Elder Newkirk so that Elder Barney could do interviews for them and so that he could do some for us. He interviewed María, the old lady we baptized on Sunday.
She is super sweet. I really like talking to her. The thing is, she can talk a TON! She lives alone, so I think all she thinks about all day is what she can say to people if she had someone to say them to. So it was really hard to teach her everything, but we got it done, and she had her baptism! We sent out a group message (or had someone else send one out because we can't do that with our phone) inviting everyone to the baptism, saying where it was, who was being baptized, and everything. Then we called people to set up a really great program and everything for María a few days before. So we had everything prepared, and Saturday morning started to fill up the font, because it takes so long. Then we go out to work and everything, and when we come back to finish preparing the chapel, it's FLOODED! Ohhhhhhh I was so stressed! We were already running a little late, and we all of the sudden had to clean up the water! So we were cleaning and everything, and a brother from the branch shows up, and starts to help. We were greatful, but then he starts yelling at us. The bad thing was, he showed up right when it was supposed to start, and Elder Barney and I were still the only ones there. So he gets there, and nobody is there, and it's flooded, and nothing is ready, and it was supposed to start right then. So I go out and call the people who had talks, hoping they were on their way. But they answered and said, ''Shoot, Elder, I was just about to call you! It turns out I can't make it!'' One was in Iquique, the other just said she had problems. At this point, I was really stressed, and really upset. They forgot they had to talk, or at least, didn't care, and were doing other things, and didn't bother to call us! I was super frustrated. So then I called a few other ward members, and some ended up coming. In total, eight other ward members came, and María. We had to go pick her up. She was waiting on her porch for us for an hour. The service wasn't bad, and the thing is, María got baptized! I was really happy for her.
On Friday, we had a conference in Antofagasta. We had to leave at 1:30 am Friday morning to get there in time. I was so tired, and coud not sleep on the bus. The conference was with Elder Texeira, and area seventy, and part of the presidency I think of the mission area of SouthAmerica South. Which we're a part of. The conference was central in the Book of Mormon, and basically, how it seemed to me, how we as a mission were failing to use it. I was super confused. I will try what he says, and do what he told us to, of course, but it is not like the vision we had set here as a mission, and I'm not sure what will come of it.
So those are the more crazy parts of my week. It was kinda stressful, but I guess that's the mission. Así es la vida! I was really glad to talk to you all yesterday! Little baby Mae is just adorable! She is a little angel.
Everyone is looking good, and Aiden's voice scared me. It was awesome talking to Caelan for a minute, and Brad. Hey Brad. And Natascha too! It was cool to see you there in AZ with everyone! I hope you had a good day, mom, and I want you to know how much I love you! Everyday I think of my family, but especially you and how you shaped me and raised me and taught me! I am incredibly grateful for everything you've done for me, especially to prepare me for my mission! This mission, it's a life changer. I am learning everyday. It's super hard, and Caleb is right, not that fun at all! But you were straight on when you said that it's not enjoyable until you put your heart into it, until you work your butt off to find results. God doesn't bless us unless he sees that we are willing to work for it a little. A little, not too much. Remember, compared to other people, and especially compared to Christ, our part to play is next to nothing. But God blesses us. My mission is hard. It's tough in every way. But you prepared me for it mom, and now I am learning from it! Thank you! And I love you all!
Les amo a todos!
Elder Schmid
PS, we went to the beach today for our PDAY, which was super awesome! I absolutely loved it. We couldn't swim or anything, but we can go in the water up to our shins. I don't look for things to take me away from work, but I do let things happen if they happen, and I don't feel bad for that. Is that bad? But anyways, the beach was super awesome! I loved the water and everything. Pictures are coming on next pday, I just need to convince Elder Barney to go somewhere other than the church here in Hospicio, because the wifi here is bad.
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