Week 80

Hey fam!

Wow... I'm so sorry for that news... Dan Monette was one of my favorite teachers! I'm sorry to hear he passed on in such a way. I pray for his family and his kids. That's a tough situation. But, as for you and Barbara, it makes me grateful for the gospel, and how it helps us keep away from those situations. The Word of Wisdom is not only for physical health, it is also for emotional and spiritual health. I'm grateful I've been taught this, and I'm able to teach it to the people here in Chile. Everyone freaks out over not drinking tea and coffee, but it only has a small part to do with our physical health, and a huge part of having the spirit with us, which is well worth it. Despite that news, I'm glad you guys had such an awesome week! I'm bummed I can't see the dance recital Alex has arranged, or wasn't able to go to the temple with you guys. But oh well... ''Pa' la próxima!'' 

My week was very good. I enjoyed it thouroughly (don't know how to spell that anymore). We had a few more things happen than usual. The zone leaders had the leadership conference in Antofagasta this week, and the Thursday after we had our Zone Training. It was basically just a bunch of new announcements from President, and that's it. He's putting on a lot more rules lately... it's interesting to see how President has changed in his mission, too, no? Haha but oh well. They also made the announcement that I am not supposed to be doing a musical number, but the zone is, and I need to be organizing it. Which is completely different, and I was mad that they failed to tell me that a week ago and made me freak out about practicing a piano number. But now I'm lost in what I can do for this musical number... oh well, pray for me haha!

So there is a little town a few minutes outside Copiapò called Tierra Amarilla. It's small and very green, though not as small as Pozo Almonte. There are four missionaries there. Usually, I would have nothing to do with that place, because there's another district leader there, but out of the blue on Friday, that missionary, Elder Dial, calls us up, and asks us where we want to meet for our intercambio (transfer, or something, I don't know what it's called in English, where two companionships have a little trade off for a day). Anyways, we had absolutely no idea what he was talking about, and we told him that, and he said, ''Oh, the zone leaders didn't tell you? We planned an intercambio for us 4 days ago...'' Haha what?!?! We live with the zone leaders, and they forgot to tell us! But it was a fun little intercambio. I went to Tierra Amarilla to do an interview for a kid who had a baptism planned for the very next day... -_- I was actually mad abnout that, because I feel like somebody should have their interview a few days before, not just a day before their baptism, but it was a fun day. Tierra Amarilla has a ton of converts, and baptisms there are more than any sector in the rest of the zone, however, their assistance to church is the lowest, and it is still a branch. I asked the Elder I went with, Elder Jensen, where all the converts are, and he said he doesn't know, they don't come to church.... but he is a cool Elder, he only has one cambio in the field (haha remember when that was me????) and he is slaying it with the spanish! But we had an activity there, too, with football and basketball and everything, and afterwards Jensen bought me a completo, so I was happy! :)

Sunday came, and we had so many people commited to coming to church, and we were so excited to finally have someone come!!! ....... Nobody came. Well, at least, nobody that we invited. However, a man from El Salvador (the town, not the country) came with his member wife, and we learned he is moving to El Palomar to live there. Will this be another miracle that God is sending us? Who knows? Vamos a ver! I was pretty bummed, though, that nobody came that we invited. There were several that told us they were coming definitely, but we called and knocked, and nobody came. This is basically the fifth week in a row... I'm scared to tell president. The zone leaders were mad. 

But yeah! That's pretty much it. I'm glad you got my letters alright! I sent one to Caelan too, but I think I might have just sent an empty envelope, because... I found the letter a few days ago buried under some books! Oops! I look forward for your guys' letters, but remember, that it might arrive here quickly, but I can only check at the beginning of every month. If it's not here within in a month, I will receive it in two months. But I look forward to them! :) Today I bought the ingredients to make your chocolate chip cookies! (chocolate chips are so expensive!!!) I'll tell you how it goes! I hope you all have a fantastic week!

Les amo a todos!

Elder Schmid

P.S. Despite the lack of investigators, I am going strong and happy. I am grateful for the prayers and fasting! My mission has changed me and for the better! I'm loving working here in El Palomar, and I'm loving serving the Lord! Like you said mom, these are my most important two years. It's true, perhaps they haven't been the best, or most happy, but they are without a doubt the most important! I would not give them up for anything! I have seen a progress in myself, and I love the direction I have taken in my thoughts, testimony, and actions. I owe it all to the mission! Keep praying for me!