Week 34

Querido familia!

Well, this week was pretty same old, if I do say so myself haha! But, of course, to get it said first and foremost, Dad, Happy Father's day!!! And Christiaan, Happy Birthday!!! A quarter of a century, ya old fart! Hehehe but hey, guess what, there's a missionary here in Antofagasta that is older than you! Can you imagine that?! He came out when he was 26 or something, or he's that age now. But can you imagine being on your mission at that age? crazy... but ok, here goes the Daddy's day quiz. Time to put my siblings to shame.

1. He is sitting in front of the TV, what is he watching? You kidding? If he's in front of a tv, he isn't watching. He's clocked out and dead to the world. But if he were awake, it'd be walking dead.
2. Usually, what dressing does he eat on his salad? Salt (The chilean way wut wut)
3. Name something he hates. Ruffles or the desert
4. You go out to eat, what does he order to drink? Diet coke
5. Favorite music to listen to?  Weird 70's or 80's stuff that nobody knows but him
6. What is his nickname for you?  'Dallin Man!' (I never got that one)
7. When he’s being sentimental it’s about?  Mom or family or really awesome sons leaving on missions
8. What is something he likes to collect? dreams of a better life  of not living in a desert
9. What is his favorite color?  The gray of a porsche 911 carrera GT
10. What would he NEVER wear? Something stylish (jejeje jk, dad's pretty stylin sometimes.)
11. What are his favorite sports teams? Something European
12. You bake him a cake for his birthday, what flavor is it?  Keelime pie? (How do you spell keelime?)
13. What is his favorite animal?  Ruffles
14. What could he spend all day doing?  Working
15. What city was he born in?  Canberra Australia
16. What was the name of his mission?  Kentucky Lousville
17. What temple was he endowed in? The temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días) Located in... Provo? I don't know. But he was sealed to his parents in the Cardston temple.

Tell me how I did! ;)

That's scary what happened to Kiwi, but I'm glad it was nothing too serious. And I'm sure she got a lot of attention in camp! But that sucks. Qué chanta! And you mentioned Havasupai? You guys are NOT allowed to go until I come back. That is still my favorite campout or superactivity that I've ever done. Or, if you do go, we just have to go soon after I get back. But in the summer... but yeah, I want to do hikes like that as a family. 

This week was pretty stressful. Especially the last bit. The first few days was just work as usual. We went and visited and everything and preached and found new people and what not. I had an intercambio with Elder Lozano, my Peruvian zone leader.  Some of my favorite Elders are Peruvian.  I personally love them, but everyone bags on them here in Chile for some reason.  But it was a good intercambio, and we tried to interview Evelyn and her family, but it didn't work out. Then the rest of the week was alright until Saturday hit.

Our hopes were super high for Saturday because we had the baptism of Claudia. I don't know if I've talked about her before, but she's super awesome! She's the other kid of Tania in our ward. I baptized Tania's other kid Carlos a couple months back. But she is seventeen years old, and just moved here from Bolivia. She was super receptive, and accepted everything. But we planned her baptism better than any other before, and it was all perfect, and we even planned it super in advance. There were some other activities going on in the chapel, but they all told us they'd be finished by 7:30 and would come watch the baptism. Some of them even had assignments. So the time came Saturday, and everything was ready in the room for everyone to come, and... nobody showed up. Well, technically, everyone was there, but all in some actividad por Sociedad de Socorro (Relief Society activity). We waited until Claudia came with her family, because she has two kids she needed help with, so that was ok. But then everything was ready and we went to go tell everyone, and they all told us no. They weren't finished with their activity. We were like... what? are you kidding. They refused to come to the baptism because they wanted to finish making and eating their fry bread and jam! We were frustrated to say the least. The people who had assignments did come, though, which is good. But a lot of the people we invited didn't come because they just forgot. But, Claudia got baptized, which is super super awesome, and of course I am super happy for her. I am just frustrated a little. A lot. 

Then Sunday came and the we had people lined up and ready to come to church, and we had a member who told us he'd help us go pick them up. Well, Sunday morning, we are at the church building, and the time came when we were supposed to meet the member, and he isn't there. So we call him, and call, and call, and he doesn't pick up. We had to quickly look for another member who left with us super late and was mad at us because he thought we should've planned better. So I got mad, but I didn't say anything, because 3 Nephi 11:29 (For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of ^acontention is not of me, but is of the ^bdevil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.), but I was getting frustrated. Then Claudia almost didn't show up to church, but it wasn't too much her fault because her kids are crazy, but still, I was worried. But she came and was confirmed. Elder Barney gave the blessing. He is very good at them, and speaks and blesses with the spirit. It is always super special. 

So, now the lesson I've learned from all this. I actually only learned it a few hours ago while thinking on the bus. I have been complaining in my mind a lot about the people here, and how I am super frustrated with them not doing what they say they will, and I decided to relate it to myself. It says in the scriptures to judge righteously, because as you judge others, that's how God will judge us. So, I related it to myself and my repentence. How many times have I pleaded with God for forgiveness, promised him great changes, and then do the very opposite? How many times have I told God that I've repented, and then proven to him that I'm not? How can I judge these  people, get mad at them for not following through, when I can almost never do the same? We cannot get mad at people. Something Christiaan told me while on his mission that I've never forgotten. 3 Nephi 11:29, contention is not of God, it is of the devil. Any time we argue, it is of pride, and is not of God, but of the Devil, who is the father of contention. We cannot succumb and let ourselves fall into arguing. I can't get mad at these people, or argue with the members, because it is not of god. I cannot be  so prideful as to judge them. 

But that's my week. Not too much stuff, but a lot of learning! Hope everyone loves this week!

Les amo a todos!

Elder Schmid