ohhhhhh boy, we're getting pretty close, aren't we?! Not too much time left for me out here. My last week was pretty normal, except for the weekend, which was awesome and filled with spiritual experiences. Sounded like yours too was pretty great! Nico got his eagle project done! Nice!! Why has Aiden not done it yet? And Darian had a solo?! And I missed it?! Gaaaahghghhaghahgh that's so cool! And lame... cause I missed it! But I'm proud of her, based on how good you tell me she did!
Anyways, this week was fun. Independence day came and went... it was pretty uneventful. We had a very good lunch with our mamÃta, she made us asado. It was pretty delicious, ribs steak and chicken! We had a ton of Mote con Huesillo as well, and I think I've kinda gotten used to it! It was pretty good. In the day and night, we had planned a little family home afternoon with La Familia Vilca, and that ended up going on the whole day... but we kinda let it go on the whole day, because nobody else would let us in their house. So it was a good day, we had some more Mote con Huesillo in their house, and it was delicious. In the family home evening, they invited friends and another family from the ward, and every singly one of them was peruvian! I was the only one their who wasn't peruvian! Out of 18 people... so it was fun, we didn't really celebrate the independence day too much because... none of us were Chilean. In Chile they don't celebrate it as much as we do back home. Or at least, not in Antofagasta. Just a ton of asados, family time. It's chill.
The next big thing to happen was Saturday. It was a big day of course because Elder D Todd Christofferson came to Antofagasta Chile and had a special conference with all the missionaries of the mission. For the first time since I've been here, the entire mission came together, all 200 missionaries and senior couples! It was so amazing! The rules were strict, and the office was super stressed out, but I enjoyed it a ton. We weren't allowed to take too much time to visit with all the missionaries, but.... I went an hour early and did that. It was so awesome to see everyone there! I had 7 companions there! Elder Blanco, Aparicio, Bravo, Carrasco, Flores, Vicente, and Gonzales! So I got a picture of me with all of them, of course.
The conference itself was absolutely amazing. We were all outside waiting in formation when Elder Christofferson showed up. He came with his wife, and with Elder Bragg and Sister Bragg. We took a picture with him as a mission, then we all shook his hand and the conference started. Everyone else had a short time to talk and give their testimony until we got to Elder Christofferson. All the testimonies were super great, and very powerful. The spirit was just thick in the room, everyone could feel it. Christofferson ended up speaking on several topics. (GAGAGHHGHAGGAHGAGHAGHGHAHGAG crap, my computer just erased everything I wrote after this point, and I have to redo it... freaking internet) Anyways, He spoke on the name of church, and pointed out the different parts of it and explained it. For example, he picked out ''Saints'' and shared many scriptures on what it means to be saints. It was very interesting. He also shared a lot on his calling and how it relates to our calling, and he talked about how we can do the work with the Book of Mormon. At the end, he opened it up to a big questions and answers session. It was at this point that I felt the spirit most, and gained my testimony of his apostleship. I realized, he's just a man! He's like any one of us! The only difference is, God speaks through him. There were some questions that were very difficult, that I was thinking to myself, dang I would have no idea how to asnwer that. Then I look at him, and realize he's thinking the same thing! Then, it was interesting to see, he put his trust in God. He paused for a few moments, and let the revelation come. I saw how God spoke through him. That's what makes his callimng so special. It's not that he himself has all the asnwers, but he's connected to the one who does, and has learned how to trust in that person. I have a testimony that God has called prophets today, and speaks through them. Elder Christofferson is one of them.
We've been moving forward with Luz and Danny, and I honestly feel like they are on the verge of being baptized. They are so close! I feel like one more little bit and they'll be in the water. They come to everything, including a fireside chat that Christofferson had with the jovenes adultos solteros on Saturday after the missionaries. They are already members, they just need baptism. Victor and Elsa and co. are kinda falling off, though they did come to the same fireside. They did not come to church, however, and work now is taking over their lives, and we aren't able to teach them.
All the questions that you asked feel more like a last email kind of topic, so I'll address them next week! ;) Until then
Les amo a todos!
Elder Schmid
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