Hello, my beloved family, friends, and fellow workers in the Vineyard!
Today was the day for transfers, and the results were quite shocking for many people. My dear companion, who has been in Chiguayante for over four and a half months, was very surprised to find that he and I would in fact be staying here together for at least another cambio. He had already been saying his goodbyes to his favorite people in the area, and the news of no transfer hit him a little hard.
My whole zone is actually recieving very little change as it is. A few Elders and Sisters, with only one person training, are really the only changes for the entire zone of Chiguayante. Other zones, as I'm hearing, are being rocked around, but we're sticking together for the time being.
These last few days, as cambios neared and we began contemplating the future, I was thinking about the past, especially the things that I am grateful for. In this seemingly short time, but a month and a half, I have seen miracles in my life that I certainly did not expect, and challenges that I certainly didn't ask for. But each, in their own unique ways, has helped me to grow and be closer to the Savior, and for each I am grateful.
As I look back over the last few days and the time a bit farther from that, I express tremendous thanks to my Father in Heaven to the many people in my life that are miracles for me. Thank you all so, so much.
Some experiences from this past week:
We had finally managed to bring a certain family to church. After much time and prayers and fasting, the entire family was committed happily and we were in a celebratory mood. But when the day arrived and church was about to start, they did not show up. Thinking that possibly they had tried the back door (Which was closer to their house, but unfortunately quite locked permanently for reasons unbeknownst to us), we made a very quick walk over to their home as the Bishop began opening announcements. We arrived at the house to find Esteffy, the daughter, quite ready to go. The wife and her two children would be able to attend, but the father unfortunately was quite ill. We managed to get to the church just in time for sacrament, but had to wait in the halls outside, where we quietly had a mini lesson about the ordinance.
Finally, we entered the Chapel proper, but noticed to our dismay that nearly every bench was full. Like a bright ray of sunlight piercing through the rain clouds, several people parted and we were able to sit the family with several strong members, and we sat at different locations in the chapel. During the powerful testimony meeting, these wonderful members, with a small family of their own, introduced our investigators to the basics of what was going on. Completely without us, they informed the family of the joys of Primary and the other meetings after Sacrament, helping them to be enthusiastic about attending for more that what they had originally been able to. Not content with information only, they took the mother and her children by the hands, introduced them to the teachers and other members around them afterwards, and were genuinely interested in their well being.
By the end of the day, this small family of investigators had many many new and supportive friends, enjoyed good classes, felt the spirit strongly during testimony meeting, and even been invited to two different family home evenings. They were convinced of the joy that comes with Sunday attendance, and are very excited to come (And bring the father!) next week. Oh, how grateful I am for members who acted with Christlike compassion and welcoming to this little band. Their love and charitable actions are what will make the difference for this wonderful family of investigators.
One of our most solid investigators, him having a baptismal date and the loving support of his son's family (All recently baptized), without warning told us that he would no longer want lessons from us. Though we were disappointed, we tried visiting the family to try and see what was going on. The son and his family were incredibly disheartened, and they just didn't know how to react. My companion looked a little silent as well, and the right words that would fix everything seemed just out of reach. All of the sudden, ideas just started coming to me, things to say and scriptures to share. Most of all, after a question of self doubt from the sweet Hermana, a long forgotten story came to my mind. The beautiful tale of ''The Master's Hands'', the story about the old violin that no one thinks is worth buying. Suddenly, a man comes out of the audience, and with his skilled hands and that old violin, he makes beautiful music. As he quietly leaves, the audience eagerly shouts bids for the instrument.
So we are with the Savior. We, of ourselves with all of our mistakes and all to human imperfections, are really not all that attractive of a purchase. But through His experienced hands, through the sacrifice that He has already made, we can be instruments in creating the most beautiful of songs. The Spirit burned in that little house as I finished telling the story, and there was more than one pair of misty eyes. Though the circumstances weren't overly desirable, and we still have not been able to have another lesson with our former investigator, the strength we all received that afternoon makes me incredibly grateful. Especially in adversity, we can partake of the blessings of heaven.
Gratitude is a very underappreciated thing in the world today. It certainly feels incredibly difficult to be grateful during our many times of challenges and trials, but even those can be incredible experiences of education and growth. I can grudgingly say that I have learned at least as much, if not much more, from my difficulties than my times of prosperity. A new spirit can enter our lives, an enthusiasm for all things as we work to be grateful for all the things that we have. It is my challenge to all of you this week as we go about our daily lives, to find a little bit more to be grateful for. It will change your life, just as it has changed mine.
Sam: It is very good to hear from you again! I too miss our once daily correspondance, but I am quite glad to take whatever I can get in this time haha. Don't you worry if your busy life doesn't allow for long and flowery letters every single day of the week. Your support in the past has been quite helpful in the present. Thank you so much! I certainly hope that all of your plans and goals are going succesfully. College can be so much fun! I hope you're having the time of your life. I'm sorry to hear about any trouble on the romantic front, but I know the best things are yet to come. Keep being awesome!
Elder Layton: Your letters are a weekly source of inspiration. Truly, time in a mission doesn't quite follow the laws of physics. It feels quite impossible for me to have the time in the mission that I do, and the amount of experiences that I have been a part of. You are exactly correct on the way that attitude can effect everything. Our perspective changes reality in all honesty. I can't think of any other way to improve our lives then simply surrendering ourselves to the Lord's will. When we make that final change, a whole new purpose can fill our souls with enlightenment. Thanks for your excellent comments!
Elder Elggren: The similarity of experiences is a bit shocking, considering the many many miles between us. The drunkards, the strange books that are quickly thrown away when there contents are considered, and the continous faith and hope in the work are all bringing smiles of remembrance to my face. I look forward to hearing many great stories about your taking charge in your area. There is a special joy in our work that just can't be found outside of it. Keep working hard and receiving the incredible blessings of the Gospel!
Zach Kircher: Another excellent letter and group of great pictures, mi amigo. It was great to hear about your teaching a lesson in church. You'll find that that will be a regular occurance during your mission, haha. I've helped to teach two already, and that was only in Gospel Principles! If you have the chance to read the Liahona/Ensigns/New Eras, I recently read an article about the small things having great results in our life if we choose to neglect them. It was very powerful, and I'll have the name for you next week. Additionally, Dieter F Uchtdorf's talk on Just a Few Degrees is super vacan tambien. Just so you know, I always laugh to read the mini movie reviews in your letters. And of course I recognize the Scout! I myself always preferred Spy, but you rock that look, my friend. Keep doing great things out there!
Mom: Hey, we spent a lot of time trying to fix my electronic stuff because the computer place gave all the missionaries' flash drives and cameras viruses. I might have lost all my pictures and music on everything, but we'll only know next week. Wish me luck! I apologize that all of that took of email time. I'll make up for it next week.
I love you all so much. Keep being amazing and doing such amazing things in the world.
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