Week 78

Hey mom!

So first off, I wanted to thank you, Natasha, Oma! You really saved me a bit there! Haha I was able to buy a sweater so now I won't be cold. And I'm talking to president to get permission to buy more meds. So thanks! I really do appreciate it! Love you guys! And dang, mom, busy week! That's awesome that you finished the Book of Mormon so quickly! It is true, when we try reading it different ways, we get different understandings out of it. I have found that, just like you, when I read it fast, I understand better who is related to who, and where exactly everything is going on. It's always fun to learn something different out of a book we've already read so many times! Not to mention it builds your testimony every time you read it! So let me ask, did you follow Moroni's 'exhortation' and promise? Did you pray to know if it's true? Something I've learned is we can never do that too many times. Nor can we do it enough! So many people here go inactive, and the first thing I ask them is if they've read or are reading the Book of Mormon, and if not, when was the last time they even picked it up. Without fail, they haven't read it since before they decided to go inactive. We can never have too big a testimony of the Book of Mormon. That's really interesting about the teacher strike in Arizona. But I like it! Power of the People! WOOT!

Anyways, things are going alright here in good ól El Palomar. We had cambios come in this last Friday, and I will be staying here another 6 weeks. I am still with Elder Carrasco. It will be an interesting cambio. The chilean zone leader left, and came another latino from Ecuador to live with us. It will be interesting to see how he does things. I am going to start charging, I told them, for every dish I have to wash of theirs. Every dish will be 500 pesos. That's around 80 cents. They laughed, but we'll see how this goes. Every dish they leave in the sink that I wash will be 500 pesos, and I'll take a foto and wash it. Haha the new Elder looked at me like I was crazy, probably thinking that I will be like that this whole cambio. And I will. 

This week was super tranquila. Once again, there were no investigators who came to church Sunday. I was a little upset. We tried real hard this week to get people there, and we had some good commitments, but they all fell. The two best were Yvania and German, those two I talked about last week. Yvania got a Sunday off finally to come to church. And instead of coming to church, she slept in. I... I actually didn't talk to her much because I was angry, and you know, better to just not talk if you're angry. So we called her, she said she slept in, I said we'll come by another day, and chao. German was a bit different. We went on Saturday to make sure he was coming and had an awesome little lesson right there in his doorway (gateway) about why he needs to come to church, and he told us that he was coming for sure. So we go there in the morning to pick him up, and his older cousin is outside having a little party with his friends. Usually when the 20 or 22 year olds here get high and drunk and all that, they love to talk with us in front of their friends to look brave, or I don't know, in front of their friends. And it ticks me off. A lot. I was already angry that morning for 3 investigators calling me saying they won't come to church, and this guy comes out and begins playing with us, trying to look...I don't even know what. I told him we were there to pick up German, but he said no he's sleeping. I tried to get him to go and get him, but he refused because ''The sabbath day is a day of rest, and there is no reason that he would need to be up so early (it was 10:00 am).'' I just laughed and walked away, not really saying goodbye, and he got mad and started following us. I told him ''Largate'' which kind of means get lost, and he sprayed me with a bit of his beer. I guess I kind of deserved it for losing my cool, but oh well. That was my Sunday.

Our investigators are all freezing up. The less actives are stopping from listening to us. We are losing the little we have, and we are not finding. But you know what? Oh well! It doesn't really matter too much. I'm working harder than I have in a while, and I love working, and I stopped looking for success in numbers! By the looks of it, the sisters in my district had a week very similar to mine, where everything just started slipping through their grasp, and their numbers were a little less than usual. They freaked out. Our phone call was a lot of me trying to convince them that they hadn't failed pres, or anyone! So I would say that I am loving the new way of working that I have applied, because I am not in a state of despair like my district for having bad numbers. I know they worked hard, and gave it their all, becasue they always do! They didn't fail! They had tons of success! But they don't know where to find that success. I will show them this cambio. 

Other than all that, not much is going on. Barbara and her daughter Michelle (the recent converts) went to Santiago this week to go to the temple!!! How awesome is that? She sent a member in our ward some pictures, and she told us she loved it! I am so happy she got to go and just feel the spirit there! And her daughter! She was able to enter and watch baptisms for the dead, though she couldn't participate. Even so, how amazing is that! I am happy for her. We had a little check in with the family of my other converts here to see how they were doing. They thought that I was leaving, and were all pretty upset... so I dragged it along haha pretending that I was going. Until last minute I had them, but then I told them I was staying, and they were all happy! And then they got upset because I tricked them. But they are progressing too very well! They are both in seminary, and are loving it! I love these people!

Just want you all to know how much I love you! Four cambios left! 6 months! I know that I am here to work, and that that work will bless not only the people here in Chile, but also me! I know this is God's work. I know this is His church! How can I deny it?! Every time I testify of the Book of Mormon, it's like I'm testifying to myself, and I receive an even bigger testimony. Every time I pray to know if what I am doing, if all of this, is God's work, He answers me! Every time I turn to Him, He turns to me, and I feel the blessings come! Like you said, Mom, just love, love, love, that is the greatest commandment! And with the greatest commandment, comes the greatest blessings!

Les amo a todos!

Elder Schmid

Week 77

Hola!

Oh man, I am so freaking happy for Charlie!!! He did it! We all did it! Our entire priest quorum/friend group has gone through the temple!!! A major factor in my coming to the mission was the support I got from those guys! It's interesting how my best friends, that I was always with, was also my priest quorum... I guess our young mens leaders knew what they were doing, no? And no, mom, I haven't made the cookies yet because I am too poor to buy the ingredients. Our beloved roomates have wasted ALL of their money. In fact, they did it all within two weeks of having it. And so my comp and I have paid for a ton of crap that we shouldn't have had to pay for. But... alas... así es la vida. Actually, I paid for a new thing of gas, and it cost me 18,000 pesos. Within a week, somebody came and stole it. Now to replace it, we must pay 30,000 pesos, which we don't have, because my comp and I have also had to pay all the other bills. So now we are showering in cold water. -_-

In happier news, We've been having a pretty good week. We are getting somewhere finally with some of our investigators! We are working now especially with two. One is called Yvania. She is a joven, 21 years old or something like that. We found her a while ago, but have recently begun making some headway. She loves everything we are teaching, and would already be baptized, but her work schedule is screwy. She only works Saturdays and Sundays, and she needs the job. We've talked about the sabbath day with her, but Chileans don't get that concept. Even the members work on Sunday. But she talked to her boss and fixed it to where she works less on Sunday, and now can come to church starting this week. So we are excited for her. We are also working with another joven called German (pronounced Herman for you gringos) who is progressing not as fast, but is progressing. He is the son of an inactive lady and lives next door to a very active member. He likes listening, but it's hard to find him in his house. He almost never is home, which is super frustrating, but oh well. We move forward. 

The weather here is getting pretty cold at nights. The wind here is constant. I never try to comb my hair really becauwe the wind never ceases. And around this time, that wind is freezing. It would feel so good outside if it weren't windy. But that's ok. I was looking for my sweater but it looks like I left it in Antofa or something. Either that or someone stole it. You would be surprised how many missionaries are thieves. I have lost (and found) many items of mine by their hands. But oh well! I try not to guess who exactly, because that leads to judgement and sin, but it's getting frustrating. I would buy a new one, but there's no money on my card. I would use the mission money... but you now know why I can't. So I just roll down my sleeves. But it's not bad, just uncomfortable. Maybe I'm still too used to the weather back home, no? You asked about my hand problem. It goes away when I use the stuff that the doctor prescribed to me but is very expensive for my budget. It works, and it goes away for a bit, but then pops back up. Right now there is a bit on a few of my fingers, but it hasn't gone back to how it was before. It was on half my hand before. Now not so much. And yes, mom, I know my shirts are yellow. Don't give me the whitening tips! I don't wash my clothes! We pay a sister to do it. I watched how she did it the other day... so we give her our clothes in our dirty clothes bags, which are made of cloth. She doesn't take the clothes out. She throws the whole bag in, with all the clothes still inside. Then after she takes the clothes out, folds the shirts, and throws the rest back in. So.... don't blame me for yellow shirts! Also, the dust here is very different from back there. You cannot avoid the dust here, it is constantly caking your clothes. Imagine being at mesquite wash and the quads come by. That's all day every day. 

We are happy here. This week was not fast, but not slow either. It was just really relaxed. I talked a lot with my converts here, and they are so strong! Millaray participated in New Beginnings yesterday. Camilo is passing the sacrament. Barbara is planning to go with Michelle and her family to the temple, and they leave this Thursday! I did not convert them, the spirit did. How they act now is evidence of that. I'm so happy that that's the way it is, and that they were baptized because of the testimony they recieved from God, and not from me! We are working hard here, Elder Carrasco and I. It's kinda tough here, but that's ok. The ward is amazing. This week we have transfers. I honestly don't know what's coming. It's very possible that I stay, yet very possible that I go. I would be ok with either option. But that's my life right now! Did I answer all of your questions? Have a good week!

Les amo a todos!

Elder Schmid

Week 76

Hey mom!

Well, this week was great! First things first, congratulations Anastacia! Edmonton Canada... isn't that where that massive mall is? That's awesome! Too bad you can't go to the waterpark! ;) But that is way awesome, and I'm happy for you! The mission will change your life! Congratulations to the Bradfords, too, for leaving! I don't know what you and dad will do without them, Mom! ;) 

Well anyways, as I said, this was a fantastic week! The greatest thing that happened was that Barbara and Michelle got baptized! WOOT WOOT! It was such a fantastic service! She was so excited, too! We had their interviews on Wednesday, and they were unsure at first. But the next day, they called us and told us that they felt they needed to be baptized, and wanted to do it that Saturday! So we planned everything out. The member who brought them originally was ecstatic. He planned everything basically for us! He also ended up being the one who baptized Michelle. The day before the service, we went over to verify that everything was ok, and she scared us, because she started talking about all these trials are coming in her way to keep her from being baptized, one after another, and she was freaking out! They made her doubt a lot about wanting to be baptized. However, at the end of it all, she told us, ''But I know I need to get baptized. In spite of all of this, I know it's what I need to do!'' It was so great! She already has a great testimony. She brought her whole family to the service, even her parents, who have never entered into a church before. The service was very spiritual, and everything just fell into place! There were no complications, no problems, no nothing! That never happens... even she was telling us that things that day just seemed to push her to be baptized! She was baptized by the bishop of her deceased uncle, and Michelle was baptized by Hno Escalona. They were confirmed the next day by us, the missionaries. I'm so happy for them! The ward is stepping in a lot too. A member made Barbara a tunic that fit her well, and they took over planning for us! And now they are all excited to have a family home evening with her, or anything! This is a great ward...

The rest of the week was just calm. We worked hard, and helped a lot of people in giving service and what not. We are still struggling to find new progressing investigators, but we keep working. Today Elder Carrasco had to go to the doctor because he had too much earwax and it was plugging his ear. We were there all day!! It was ridiculous. But... he can hear now. This month, President has issued the Olympiads... the zone who baptizes the most will be rewarded a day of olympic games with the president and his wife. They'll basically come and play some minute to win it games. Everyone's going crazy... the sisters in my district also baptized, which is awesome. They have fantastic investigators who turned into fantastic recent converts who want to share what they found with friends and family and everyone! The sisters are loving that. I'm happy for them! The changes I made in the way I work seem to be working very well for me. I feel like I hit home more with my investigators, and that they listen to me more. And I feel more connected with the members here, and they trust me more than they did before. That's excellent, because it's through them that this work will have the best progression! I am also a lot more happy working like this! It just brings greater peace doing the work for charity rather than for numbers.

Other than all that, it's been pretty tranquilo. Nothing too big has happened. The ward is going crazy over the new ministering system. They don't know what to do, everyone is confused... it will be interesting while they figure everything out. Things with Elder Carrasco are good! We are now in the fifth week of our cambio. How quick it's gone by! But hey, I hope you all have a fantastic week! 

Les amo a todos!

Elder Schmid

Week 75

Querida mamá!

What a historic weekend! What an amazing conference! What an amazing outpouring of God's Spirit to us! I am still feeling the lingering effects of it, which I hope stay with me for a long time! I loved this conference, and the Easter! It was all the missionaries could talk about for the last 3 days, the power of President Nelson, the changes in the church, the spirit we felt. It was really amazing!

This week, other than the conference weekend, was pretty alright. We are moving forward slowly with our investigators. I don't know why, but several are going out of town and we had to start looking for a lot of new ones again. Perhaps I am still a little used to the work in Alto Hospicio or Antofagasta, but here everything just feels slower, harder. But, I keep working. My comp is doing alright, just going along. He doesn't say much... or do much, unless I tell him to do it, or ask him something to start him up. Which is ok, I guess. But when days come where it's harder to get animated, that doesn't help. But oh well! He is still an awesome guy! And obedient. That's all I can ask for. 

Barbara and Michelle are progressing, and this week we will have their baptismal interview, and hopefully, their baptism! She came to conference yesterday and loved it. And all of the sudden, she was introducing me to a bunch of people there, saying, ''Hey look! This is my Aunt and Uncle, this is my cousin, this is my... etc.'' Apparently she has a ton of family members! What the deuce?! She needs to get baptized! Haha but she loved the conference, and was talking about how she understands now really what it means to have a prophet, which is amazing. It is hard to explain really the importance of having a modern prophet to someone who has never heard of him until they actually listen to them. And with the spirit of this conference.... well, it's impossible not to have a testimony of Nelson being a prophet! Nobody else is really progressing, honestly. Which is rough, because we've been in this dry spell here for far too long. But one can only keep moving forward with the knowledge that the hard work is never for nothing.

So conference... conference was absolutely amazing! I have never felt anything so special before! I honestly had forgotten what a solemn assembly was like, and so I was a little confused at first of why President Oaks was having people stand up like that. But as we were standing all together as a church with our arms held up sustaining our new prophet, testifying to God of our acceptance of him and willingness to follow him, I felt the biggest testimony of the spirit telling me that this man was called of God, that this man will lead me to Him, that this man is chosen. I have never felt anything so powerful! The unity I felt with my church as I did it was also amazing! All of us! At the same time, showing our God our willingness to obey and follow Him! How can we not feel the Spirit?! I testify wholeheartedly that President Russell M Nelson is a prophet of God, and it is through him that God will speak to the world while he lives still on Earth. I know it because God told me that it is so. I loved the solemn assembly, and will remember it forever. The rest of the conference was just as special. I heard that this was the first time topics were assigned to all the speakers (actually, I think you told me, or no? Mom?). It was very interesting to see several common themes throughout the speakers, including: Unity, purpose and blessing of having a prophet, and walking the covenant path. What do you all think of the significance of that, the covenant path? Why do you think that very specific phrase was repeated so much? Food for thought. But some talks that stuck out to me most were that by Lynn Robbins talking of failures, and Massimo de Feo's talk of Love. I liked Robbins explaining how success comes of not only moving between failures, not losing enthusiasm, but also growing in between failure and failure. And I liked de Feo's explanation of the different forms of love we can give and receive in this life, and the commandment of loving God and loving others. It was something that I had been thinking of a lot this week. Those, among many others, touched me this conference. But then there are the changes that Nelson made this conference! Wow! Ciao, visiting and home teachers! Can you believe it? But I love the replacement. Ministering. How interesting. I believe this new form of working in between members is going to work very well. I testify of that as well, that that is the most important thing we can do as a member of the church of Christ: helping and strengthening others. More important than any calling, or any blessing, is the chance to be a tool in God's hand for an individual person, and growing together with that person to come to Christ. I love this new idea of ministering, because it seems more personal! Before, I feel like a lot of people were just checking a task off a list by going and home teaching or visiting teaching. Now, it's something more real, more personal, with much more love. We will grow together so much as a ward with this new way of working! I am so excited! And yeah, ciao High Priest quorumn. I'll be meeting in the same room as Dad when I get back! ;)

The day before the conference, I was thinking a lot about my task as a missionary. I was thinking a lot, actually, of the movie ''The Other Side of Heaven''. I was actually confused... how could a Disney Movie capture what it means to be a successful missionary more than a lot of people I've met here. More than I have! I was thinking a lot of how I could change the way I interact with the people here to be a real missionary. Before, my only intention was talking in such a way and saying certain things so that this person with whom I was talking would get baptized. I change that now. I was thinking of how much greater my calling is! How much joy I'm missing out on, and how much joy and blessings I am keeping from the people here by preaching as I am! I need to change! And so I began to apply it, and there was a new fire in the way I was talking, and acting as a missionary with my investigators. My leaders will be a little upset now becasue I don't have as many baptismal dates, but I feel like now I am making a bigger difference in the way I teach. And that was after just a few days of teaching like this! The conference went hand in hand with how I was changing. Especially with the new Ministering. It is more personal, more out of love, than just completing with a standard. I love it! And I testify of this change, even though I can't really participate right now. I testify, because in my own way, I have felt it, the blessing of acting that way. I am so excited for this! And for this week, to see if my fire keeps going!

But anyways, that's my week. I have so much more I can write... but not enough time. It sufficeth me to say... that was a dope conference! Have a good week!

Les amo a todos!

Elder Schmid