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Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes! Or, Baptisms! Dec. 16, 2013

On Monday, December 16, 2013 8:42 AM, Jared Richardson <richardson.jared@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Dear Family, Loved ones, friends, and the many great and marvelous people that this letter goes out to,

Greetings from Chiguayante! Changes have come to us this day. Elder Montaña, after a grueling six months here in this sector, has received the news that he is heading out to his final area. It is only forty minutes away by bus, but change is good for my companion today. My new companion, to arrive tomorrow, is another Latino named Elder Flores, who only has a month more than me in the mission. Things are very exciting right now!

I have great news to share with you all today. This week, two of Heavenly Father's chosen children made the commitment of baptism, and both meetings were very very good!

Juvelino, our resident cowboy with a heart of gold, has made the decision to join the church after more than four years of investigating. In a very interesting interview with him, he repeatedly told us that our invitation for baptism, made several times during several visits, had bothered him immensely. He had discovered with a surety, very early on that this church was true, and he knew it was only a matter of time until he joined the church. But it was only under his timing, only under his agreement would he be baptized. Our uninspired demands had produced nothing but annoyance, but in the end, he knew what was correct and what he needed to do. When one of our leaders interviewed him, he said that Juvelino was super prepared, and when the time came, Juvelino was absolutely ready for the baptism. It was a strong lesson in trying to follow the Lord's timing and the Lord's inspiration, rather then just trying to force our will and schedule on him. His baptismal service was excellent, and the Spirit was very strong.

Soledad was also baptized, a golden example of what happens when the members reach out of their comfort zones and bring in people for the missionaries to teach. She accepted the gospel so readily that we didn't quite believe it at times. As we were looking over everything we needed to do for her to prepare the baptism, we realized that one of the smaller lessons hadn't been taught. Before the interview she had scheduled that day, we talked with her about it, and she declared that she knew it was true as the leader walked in the door. It was a beautiful baptism, and almost everything went off perfectly. The spirit was so strong that several other people have committed to baptismal dates or to come to church consistently now. All of these incredible blessings started with one member reaching out to a coworker and inviting her to hear an inspired message. This member, less active at the time but now completely reactivated, bore a beautiful testimony at the baptism, and her entire personality has become brighter and more Christlike. This Gospel changes lives, and not just the people we share it with.

This has been a whirlwind of activity the last few days, and a new energy has filled the air as we get closer and closer to Christmas. Everyone is very very excited, and with my new companion, I plan on doing incredible things here in Chiguayante! Miracles really do happen, every day and in every way, and I feel so blessed to be a part of this grand work of salvation!

I love you all so much and hope and pray that this time is a grand and special season for you all in sharing the Gospel and feeling the incredible spirit of Christmas. Keep being so awesome!

Sincerely with love,

Elder Richardson

P.S. I'm going to try sending my personal responses directly to the people now. We'll see what happens.

The Work, The Work, The Work is On Fire! Dec. 9, 2013

¡Querido familia, amigos, y otras personas importantes que yo quiero tener una conversacìon con en mi vida por que ustedes son los misioneros mas bacànes en el mundo!

Today marks another great week in the Mission Chile Concepcion. Every day brings new adventures, new challenges, and a new spirit. As we get closer and closer to the 25th, a joyous feeling has filled the air, and the people are happier and friendlier wherever we go. Everyone is inspired by this special season to be better, do better, and follow the example of the Savior, and it is a glorious thing to behold. It makes me wonder why we don't earnestly strive to keep this vibrant energy around us through out the year, since life is so much more enjoyable with it than without.

This week was, in addition, very strange to be a part of. The amount of lessons that varied from their original plans, dropped in favor of other lessons, or were completely and utterly changed was incredibly high this last seven days. Not to say that this was a bad thing! It has been a blessing to see Heavenly Father's hands in this grand work, and many of the changed plans directly brought about lessons that we would not have been able to plan for or have. These lessons blessed lives, and I have seen miracles in the last little while. Oh, how great is my thanks to be part of the work in this part of the Lord's Vineyard!

The sector of Chiguayante continues to grow, and we're seeing great things happening here now and things that will be soon come to pass. Our wonderful investigators are still progressing, and our large pool of menos activos that we can visit is warming up to us more and more. Some little backstory on some of the brightest of these stars:

Soledad was a reference from a less active sister that worked with her. She has met with some missionaries before, but the impression from them was that she only wanted to use the church to get employment and living status in the United States. Initially, we weren't overly thrilled to see her. That all changed when we actually met her. She is a teacher who part time works as a nanny, and was incredibly receptive to the message of the Restoration. She accepted a baptismal date the very first lesson and has actively committed to every single thing that we have asked her. Nothing seems to get in her way, it seems, and she is on fire. Her baptism should be either this week or next.

Juvelino is an example of an eternagator (Eternal investigator) that has finally committed to baptism. He has gone through enough sets of missionaries that my companion, who has been here for almost seven months, doesn't even know when he started taking lessons. Some papers say its been almost four years. Regardless of time, Juvelino is solid. He accepts every message that we have to give him with little objection and a commitment to pray about every single point. He is a hard working cowboy that lives in the city, and the power of his cheery personality is addictive. You can't leave a lesson with him and his family without a smile on your face, and I know that he'll be a strong member of the church.

Miguel is one of our menos activos, but his childhood baptism and subsequent thirty years of no activity in the church means that we essentially treat him like on of our investigators. He too is a bright and incredibly positive man, and we love every chance we get to visit with him. His family is vibrant and enjoys our visits as well, and we expect that as soon as he becomes active again, his whole family will follow. He loves everything that we talk about in the Gospel, and we have very high hopes for him and his family.

These are just a few examples of the incredible area that we have been blessed to serve. In the light of the Christmas season, as we walk by the gigantic Christmas tree that has been set up in a central plaza, we see the bright hope that only the Gospel can bring. Peace and joy are rampant, and it is a beautiful thing to behold.

Some more fun things to share: I have recently been able to count the number of Flea and Spider bites that I have on my body, and I came to the number of 136, a new record! I hope this information doesn't cause any undue alarm, as this large number only serves to occasionally annoy, and has no other adverse side effects. So far, as a blessing, these are the only bites I have received. Though several dogs have been very close, one even with its jaw around my ankle, none have even given me a small nip.

There's so many stories I could share about this wonderful time of my life, but I'm not that good at organizing my letters as I write them. If you have any direct questions, I would love to answer them in my emails!

Brother Shill: Thank you so much for the letter! Wow, it was a doozy! That much news and change is really hard to take in all at once, and I am still reeling just a bit. Aside from that, I am very very happy for you! Please give my love and congratulations to everyone, and wish them the best of luck as they continue their own grand adventures in life. Do people do Home teacher-Home Teachee reunions? Because I would love to reaquaint myself with everyone in two years time. By the way, tell Jordan that one of my good friends among the Elders here is a Nicholas Rodriguez from Milan, Italy. Does he know him, or have any tips on Italian living or speech that I can use to help out the Elder?  As for McKayla, tell her that Antofagasta is a grand place, and that I have many many friends here from there. If she likes desert and campo with a few nice cities mixed in, she'll have a great treat waiting for here. She is going to love being a Misionera! Thanks again, Brother Shill! It was great hearing from you!

Kyla: Hey Sis! Congratulations on the new addition to the family! I can't wait to meet little Blake one day. I'm happy to hear that the family is loving the little early Christmas gift, or at least is indifferent, in Alexa's case. I'm really, really excited to see you all when Christmas comes around. Our Skype calls last about an hour and a half, so I'm very enthusiastic about being able to talk to every single one of you. As for the future missionaries, It was only four or so years after David came home that I left. How crazy is that? Time flies! I just hope to continue to be a good example for your awesome children. I am so pleased to be the uncle to such great kids, and the brother to such a great sister. I love you all so much. ¡Nos Vemos en Navidad!

Elder Layton: Hey buddy. Have I mentioned in the past how much I love your letters? They are perfect examples of being short, sweet, and to the point. This Christmas season is my favorite part of the year, for the incredible spirit that accompanies it. It makes me appreciate just how much He did for us, and just how much He is willing to do for us if we will just reach out and open the door for He who knocks. That last little paragraph on some of the small things that we can do to improve the powerful feeling of this time of the year was especially appreciated. There is so much that we can do, in the little things mainly, that make such a gigantic difference in our lives. Oh, how I love this work and this beautiful opportunity that we have here to participate with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength. This is such a short, short time, and we need to use it to the best of our ability. In this, with your incredible work ethic and ability, you are one of my biggest inspirations. By the way, thanks for singing with us today. It brought back lots of great memories. Love you, bro! Keep doing the best you can and being so amazing!

Elder Enright: Thanks for your letters buddy! Its great to hear about your quality experiences in Chile. Your powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon was also greatly appreciated and I hope to have a witness as strong as your's of this sacred record in the future. God truly does guide us, and He will give us the exact same aid that Nephi and Helaman and Ammon received, and more, according to what we need. Best of luck with Hilda, and know that I had my fair share of pains with the silent H as well, jaja. Keep up the good work, buddy.

That about does it, everyone! Thank you for your letters and your constant love and support. Your prayers are invaluable, and I thank you all for them and for the inspirations you continue to be to me. I hope that the Christmas season continues to touch your hearts and that you have the best that life can offer in this bright time of peace on Earth. I love you all so much!

With love,

Elder Richardson

P.S. Hey Mom, I got the package! Its gigantic! I'm so excited to get home and open it. I also sent off your package, and it said from two weeks to 22 days, so it should be there before Christmas. There's not too much stuff, so next time I'll have to plan things out better. I hope you enjoy it a little!

Lo and Behold! Dec. 2, 2013

''1. Lo and behold, from the very depths of Chiguayante I saw there arise a person, and his figure was great to look upon.

2. And in his hand there was clutched a letter, of the highest quality, and with his might and his mind he heaved it across the oceans to where those in his heart awaited.

3. But lo! While the letter was received with glad tidings, other letters were not sent in reply, and the great figure sunk back into the depths for yet a week more.''

--Excerpt from the 3rd Chapter of the Book of Jared--

Hello family, friends, and the great and elect in all corners of the globe! I come to you with glad tidings and and happy letter in this time of celebration. As you might be able to tell, I am exceedingly glad for this time of year. I simply love it so much, and the wonderful spirit that accompanies it, that I feel like singing and dancing. Unfortunately, one of those is expressely forbidden, so you all had better get used to Christmas Carols for the next 23 days!

As we went through this wonderful week, we had many great experiences and many wonderful stories.

On Monday, as we were tracting a small area farther up in the hills, we ran into a house with visitors arriving. We were ready to excuse ourselves when an hombre decided to talk to us from among the visitors. As it happens, he is the Chileno equivalent of a televangelist, and was well prepared to tell us how we're completely wrong in every way. The conversation quickly turned sour and for several minutes my companion and he went at it and a scriptue and name calling filled bash fest, and by the time I forcibly ended the contact, the Spirit had been completely gone for quite a while. Elder Montaña immediately began talking about how prideful the man was, and when I expressed some doubts in our moral high ground during the conversation, he rounded on me. I had had enough, and I asked him if he could guarantee that the Spirit was there. He went quiet for a minute, and we went up a little ways into the mountain to pray. It was a powerful experience, and as we prayed and asked for the Lord's help in our lives and with our challenges, the Spirit testified to us of our purpose here and the promise of guidance. We were humbled and enriched by its testimony, and we felt renewed in our labors. We were taught of the continual importance of having the Spirit with us, and how we need to seek to be humble and prayerful representatives at all times, not just when it is conveinent. That televangelist was a greater blessing in helping us as an antagonist then as a friend, as it turns out. 

In a similar vein, another powerful blessing and mind changing experience came from a strange place a few days later. In the bus on the way to a meeting, I was nodding my head to a song that I later found out had lyrics that were less than desirable. Another elder, a little jokingly, a little because he knew the contents of the song, and a little to be a good example for his new companion, reminded me that dancing is forbidden in the rules of the mission. Knowing his knack for dancing whenever music comes on (Usually quite inappropriately), especially when there are other people of a like mindset or when he can get a reaction out of others, his comment really stung me. But combined with a powerful lesson on consegration from the Zone Leaders, this moment got me thinking. How dedicated am I to this work if I can expect to have powerful spiritual experiences one moment and relaxing and being the person I was before my mission in the next? That's not how this works. That's not how we keep the Spirit stays with us, and that's not how we can improve.

The Lord has a plan for us, and we can only follow this plan when we consecrate ourselves fully to the cause. Halfway measures and only having one foot in the water just don't cut it. That's my thoughts for this week.

Elder Elggren: Hey, sounds like you had a pretty great week! Congratulations on the baptism, mas o menos, and believe me when I say I understand the plumbing adventures. We had our own fun times in filling the font with ice cold water (The pilot light for the califont isn't working) for the baptism of one of the other compañerismo's investigators. Finally, we were able to get the font filling with water after some issues, when we realized that there wasn't a plug in the drain. So we climbed by the window, and held an Elder by his legs as he carefully dropped the plug close enough to use a broom handle to shove it in. What great fun!

One of the friends of ours in the ward recently told us of another great baptism experience. He had a family ready for baptism when the makeshift pool they were using sprung a leak. He rapidly baptized the people as fast as he could while his companion held a hose in the pool. Even so, he got lower and lower (Standing, crouching, kneeling) until he baptized the final person laying down. How great is that? 

Best of luck with the other investigators, especially Adolfo. He sounds great, and in need of some miracles right about now. Also, I hope you get a hold of some nice winter gear. Sounds cold! Keep hanging on to the fire and doing the best you can, buddy!

Elder Layton: Yet another fantastic letter, my friend! Your emails always inspire me to reach a higher level in my own missionary service, and for that, I would like to liken you to Pablo. His letters and epistles are powerful messages of doctrine and encouragement, and I thank you for your Pauline level of writing. I hope you enjoy the Christmas heat, jaja!

The Spirit makes an incredible, tangible difference in the life and work of a missionary. I've seen powerful and personable missionaries and well prepared lessons not make a difference for the investigator because it lacked the fire that the Spirit brings. I've also seen little street contacts and unplanned visits having incredible results because the Spirit was present and powerful. There truly is no missionary work without the Spirit, and we can not expect to do our part if we're not striving to have the Spirit with us. But when we have the Holy Ghost to accompany us, oh how the miracles will come in ways we can't even imagine. Thanks for another great letter. Keep the Spirit going strong in your life and in your labors!

Zach Kircher: I forgot to mention a little bit in my previous letter that while good change is neccessary and desirable, we shouldn't forget that the Lord wants us, for all of our little quirks and traits of personality. You're a great person, so only change the things that need changing, jaja!

The Lord's protection is really an incredible thing. Almost every Elder I have had the pleasure of meeting can name one or two stories of divine shielding and guidance in moments of need or emergency right of the top. If we but will listen and live our lives worthy for the Spirit, there are countless blessings awaiting for us. He loves us so much, in ways that we can't even begin to understand. When we start opening our spiritual 'eyes' and seeing the blessings, we see such wonderful miracles every day of our lives. 

Thank you again for your emails. They are constantly a wonderful source of support and help me to remember my great purpose here. You are going to be such a powerful missionary! You already are, in a sense, and will only continue to grow in spiritual strength and testimony. Our reunion in two years time is going to one of the greatest events in human history. Keep going strong and building up for your departure date in a few weeks time!

Mom: I can't wait for that package. Elder Hancock in our house got his Thanksgiving packages and Christmas packages last week, so we are all very excited for the next few weeks. We even snipped a branch off a tree nearby and are making a little 'tree' for the season. I apologize if the jersey was a little expensive. Its the real deal, and I figured that the quality and uniqueness of the product really made up for it. I'll send a picture when I'm not having problems with my camera (It got back to me totally fixed, and I had several opportunities to take some more pictures this week. Unfortunately, about fifteen seconds after plugging it into the computer, the same error message appeared and all my pictures were lost yet again. I'm going to buy a different card here and hope for the best.)

I'm glad everyone is still doing well and enjoying the season. Zach also told me about that movie, so I assume that its pretty good. Send Kyla my well wishings! That is a big baby! Happy Birthday to Blake Kennedy Beecroft! Everyone in the family is constantly in my thoughts and prayers, and I continue to hope the best for you all!

I'm glad that when you and Dad hear lessons of the Gospel, you find out things that you can change and improve on. That has always been an inspiration for me, especially now when new things are constantly coming up and getting fixed. I think to an extent, everyone prefers the safety of routine, but a little bit of change now and then for the better makes life a much more enjoyable experience, I've found. Dad really should try and wear a different tie every now and then. Its an enlightening experience! 

I'm going to try and buy the things and send off the package today. We just got our money so I'm feeling pretty confident in my spending skills. I love you so much Mom! You're the best Mamacita a guy could ask for. Be sure to tell Ben hi for me (Now that he's home he can find time to send me all kinds of letters, right? Right?). And what, you're switching away from Cox? That's a little like blasphemy!

Thank you all for everything you've done! I'm going to try and follow your examples in my life and be the kind of person you all deserve! You're the inspiration!

With love,

Elder Richardson

Winds of Change Nov. 25, 2013

Dearly beloved family, friends, and the wonderful people I have been blessed to associate with in my life, we are gathered here today to witness one of the greatest events that any person can partake of: The reading of a Missionary letter.

This week certainly had its ups and downs, the latter being, unfortunately, a bit more common, but we were not about to let that get to us. As we have labored to build the Kingdom of God here in Chiguayante, we have seen incredible miracles, and we know that this work is the Lord's. Every day, it seems I am reminded of that more and more, that while we may provide the effort, it is Him that really makes the difference.

The title of today's email reflects the theme of much of what I learned and experienced this week in Chiguayante. Much of the events, personal studies, and revelations I received surrounded this grand subject of change, and how much we need it in our lives. Change. Just the word itself is packed with all kinds of connotations. We love it and we hate it. We welcome it and we stay as far away from it as physically possible. We wish for it in other people, and tell ourselves that we will have it one day in the future. But a mission really brings it into perspective, at least it did and does for me.

I can tell you, the thing I least wanted to do was that emergency cambio almost nine weeks ago. Elder Grammer and I were on the way to setting records and changing the world, having a fantastic time the whole way. But for whatever reason, the Lord saw fit for me to be sent off to far away Chiguayante, and I am just now beginning to see why. The challenges of this place in this time have wrought great changes in who I was just two and a half months ago. While I was (I hope) a good person before now, this grand change that started with a short phone call Tuesday morning in Chillan has led to me discovering parts of myself that needed to go and parts that I needed to build up.

I have had to step up in ways that I hadn't imagined before. The slow crawl of careful and casual progression has ramped up out of necessity where the language is concerned. I have conversations, tell stories, teach lessons, and understand what the people are saying in ways that I couldn't imagine in my first sector, and while I am far from perfect, I am certainly greatly improved. I have a deeper appreciation of the example that we can set, by watching how inspirations good and bad have changed lives for generations here. I've seen that the person that I was simply wouldn't cut it here, for as good as he was, Heavenly Father needs a powerful missionary here now.

To be of any use as good, quality metal, iron ore must first be cut out of the mountain where it had relaxed for so much time. This process is a quick, painful form where the ore is separated from the home, and its value is beginning to be realized. Then, with continued fire and the pressure of hammer blows, the iron is cleansed of impurities and forged into a tool that can benefit the lives of others. What started as some dirty iron, comfortable in the lack of pressure in the mountain, has become pure and powerful, something desirable.

I don't really think I am the same person I was when I started my mission almost five months ago. Conversations with other Elders, especially Elder Hancock, have really opened up my eyes to how we can change. He has almost twice the time in the mission that I do, and he tells me that he is completely different then who he was before. His priorities have changed, and he feels like it is a major step up. He tells me that he simply can't imagine coming home from his mission and listening to the same music, or doing all the same things. He knows that there is a higher purpose, higher goals he can aspire to.

I think that that is one of the central purposes of missions, and of life in general. We should always be striving to become better, and we will see so much more of ourselves than we had thought possible before. There is so much more that we can always be doing. That's not to say that we should get down on ourselves because we aren't perfect, far from it! No missionary is perfect, least of all me. But I am seeing guys as young as 18 becoming manly men with a little spit shine, elbow grease, and spiritual fire. It all starts with their commitment to make little changes every day. By small and simple things do great things come to pass, right?

The Savior set the perfect example for all of us in how He lived. His timeless efforts to help others, bless their lives, and ease the situations of others can become a clarion call for all of us to follow. There is true and incredible happiness to be found in a lfie of service to others. His way and His life and His example set the bar that we can strive for, and with His help, can bless countless lives along the way.

The Book of Mormon has a particularly lengthy story of change embedded in its very core. The pampered young priest named Alma in the court of the wicked King Noah had a pretty wonderful life. He had all the things he wanted, or thought were best for him. One day, a prophet bore powerful testimony of a more excellent way, and Alma made the decision to change and follow the higher path. He would eventually become prophet of the church himself, blessing countless lives on the way. His own son, a wicked, horrible youth also named Alma, received a visit from an Angel that shook him out of his path to self destruction. He too committed to change, abandoning the false principles that he thought were making him happy, and he too would eventually become a prophet as well. His son and grandson and great grandson would also be prophets, and his great great grandson an apostle of Jesus Christ. How many millions of people were changed in that time (And now, as people read of their stories?) because of the decision to change one wicked priest made? Our decisions now have eternal consequences. Let us change to make them the best, and change our lives to bless others. We will be so much happier in the end if we do so now.

Elder Layton: I loved your letter so much. We too went to the Zoo last week, and had a great time as well. Was the Jesus Christ Pass A Long still in the Shrine of San Francis? I didn't really touch any of the animals, but I still had a pretty great time watching them do animal things. And American Eagles are so much cooler than Aguilas Chilenas. 

I enjoyed your thoughts on having that fire of inspiration burning every day. That is something that I have really been missing lately, and it is such a blessing to have when you've got it. That is one of the great challenges of mission life, but once we catch that everlasting flame, than our lives truly become something to write home about. I love it. Keep going and being as awesome as you are! As Henry Ford said, ''If you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.''

Steven: Hey buddy! Congratulations on how awesome your life is right now! I'm happy that you made BYU and that you're still enjoying singing and the unmarried scene. I have heard about Thor 2 in three different emails. I wonder how the mission president feels about superhero movies? What does hornitorrinco mean? I have never heard it before, but it sounds great when I say it. My favorite is Sacapfet. Keep doing great and not being a hypocrite in Choir, okay? Little hug, little kiss, big hug, little kiss.

Zach: Hey man, I am not in the least disappointed. For missionaries, even the smallest letter is something to be treasured. Someday I'll share with you the First Epistle of The Elders To The Dead Letter Writers. It is super bakan. I'm glad that you enjoy the little thoughts I put into these letters. They're not a lot, and they're not very organized, but I enjoy writing them out. It is a lot of fun for me to send off these letters. I can't wait to read the powerful letters you start sending out once your own mission starts. And thanks buddy, I'll add it to the movie list jaja. Keep rocking it out there!

Elder Enright: Congratulations buddy! Baptisms are always good news, and you already have a second well on the way. I can't wait to hear more stories of success from you. I didn't know you could cook! After the missions, I fully expect a plate full of brownies! Thanks for the letter!

Mom: Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I bought a new flash drive, and I recently found out that all my pictures got saved. Happy day! Keep sending my love to everyone and I really appreciate all that you do for me. I love you too.

That about wraps it up! I am happy to say that life continues and that change is a welcome part of it. Thank you all for everything that you do for me, and know that you are all in my prayers. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful start to the Christmas season!

With Love,

Elder Richardson

P.S. Hey everybody, I'm in a video on Youtube! Its called ''El Llamamiento Misional Mas Cerca'' and features an awesome guy in the Chiguayante Ward. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY-EIppU0rE

P.P.S. We have two people almost ready to get baptized! Woohoo Soledad and Juvelino!

Love and Animo! Nov. 18, 2013

Hello hello, my dear family, friends, and loved ones in the grand work of the Gospel. I hope and pray that you are all quite well today, and that the blessings of Heaven are upon you. Wherever you may be in the world, whether in Arizona with the sun all year 'round, or in places as far from the heat and warmth of summer as can be, I hope that the Light of the Gospel is shining on you today and all days!

This week was certainly a very interesting one. I am quickly realizing that the phrase is certainly overused, but it appears that it wouldn't be a real mission without it being the truth. Two different mini-cambios were during the center of our week, and several other days had events and happenstance that made them quite abnormal from the standard proselyting day. Monday and Sunday, usually quite devoid of the floods of lessons that fill other days due to limited schedules of labor, were powerhouses this week, with seven lessons to investigators with members present between the two of them, and several of lessons as well.

I am eternally grateful to declare that the Lord is in charge of this work. He has prepared people for us to find, and this week was no exception. Through references that we weren't quite too sure of, we were able to find a woman and a family, both very prepared to receive the Gospel in their lives. Through a series of incredible lessons with them, we have found individuals longing for the truth and the blessings that come with it, and the Spirit is in regular attendance with these occasions.

Soledad, the woman, has accepted a baptismal date and we expect her to be baptized in the next few weeks. It truly is incredible how the eagerness to share the Gospel one less-active Hermaña had, because of her love for a friend, has led to this incredible experience for everyone involved. Every lesson goes very well, and she eagerly reads and prepares questions for us to answer the next time we visit. She accepts the challenges we make, and meets them with vigor. After Sacrament Meeting, we were able to show her the baptismal font and other parts of the chapel, but best of all, she felt the Spirit. She commented on how one of the speakers had mentioned substances that are prohibited, and we had an impromptu lesson about the Word of Wisdom, which she immediately accepted to live. Soledad is ready to join the church, because she has been prepared by friends with love in their hearts.

Love really is an interesting concept. We can do so many good things in our lives, but not have love in our hearts, not have this golden attribute of Charity. It is sometimes one of the hardest things to have for people, and yet we are supposed to have it for all, especially those who lack it for us. Several times in the scriptures it is mentioned as one of the most valuable aspects that we can have in our lives. Paul goes into an incredible and profound discourse of how Charity is crucial for it all. The 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians reads:

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not ^acharity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

 2 And though I have the gift of ^aprophecy, and understand all^bmysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the ^apoor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

 4 ^aCharity ^bsuffereth long, and is ^ckind; charity ^denvieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

 5 Doth not behave itself ^aunseemly, ^bseeketh not her own, is not easily ^cprovoked, thinketh no evil;

 6 Rejoiceth not in ^ainiquity, but rejoiceth in the ^btruth;

 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 8 Charity never ^afaileth

13 And now abideth ^afaith, ^bhope, ^ccharity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

How necessary it is for us to have this! As a missionary, four brands of Charity are regularly asked of us as I have found in my brief experience here. 1st is love of the Lord. 2nd is love for the people. 3rd is love for our fellow workers. 4th is our love for ourselves. We must be able to open our hearts and have the humility necessary to be charitable to all, or else we lack one of the crucial fundamentals of this Gospel.

Finally, a quote from Sister Barbara Thompson: ''If you don't love someone very much, you probably haven't served that person enough. If you serve a person, you will love them. Jesus wanted the Twelve-- and He wants each of us-- to learn that humility and service are characteristics we should seek to obtain... No one is too great to serve others. In fact, one of the things that makes us great is our willingness to serve and give of ourselves.'' -Barbara Thompson ''As I Have Loved You'' July 2011 Liahona

Zach Kircher: Hey man, I loved to get your email. Youa re spot on with the belief and service for the Lord running hand in hand. Faith without works is dead, right? He truly does love us, and wants nothing more than to help us acquire our goals and our desires, provided that they are righteous. There is a golden path with an iron rod ahead of us, and though it has mountains high and valleys low in the road, it never ends, it never falters, and we are able to make it. 

I certainly hope the best for them as well. They are a wonderful family, and it has been a joy and a blessing for me to work with them. 

I'm glad that you're rising up to the challenges of the next few months instead of worrying too much about your departure time. The Lord knows when He wants you to head on out. There are some people that are praying for you at this moment and at this time, and only by heading out when you do will you be able to find them. 

Keep enjoying these experiences before your mission as you build up to the time to head out. Por favor, send me a copy of your farewell talk when you're finished writing it. And as for the picture, I am only partly disappointed by the lack of duck face. Looking dapper.

Elder Layton: I love the power of your testimony of the Savior and His ability to make out of us far greater things than we can. It is a stirring thing to read, and I loved your analogy. If I will, I would like to share one I heard recently as well:

Pretend you are a house. You're not perfect, and there are in fact quite a few things wrong with you. The best you can do never seems to be enough, and you never quite fit into your vision of a perfect little house. But then you invite the Savior in to fix things up. At first, He does things that you appreciate and that you expect, such as cleaning the gutters and fixing the holes here and there. But then He starts to knock you around in ways you did not expect, and sometimes hurt quite a bit. New walls get raised over here, and a new tower is build over there. Gradually, you realize that the changes have created something entirely new, and entirely better. You had in mind a little house, but He has in mind a Palace.

Enjoy your week, Elder Layton. Love you, bro!

Mom: I am so glad that you're enjoying life up there in the States. It sounds like everything is calm and tranquil and enjoyable right now. I am happy to hear that the family continues to do well, and that everyone is glad at this special time of the year. I hope McKayla enjoys the desert, because Antofagasta is home to one of the driest in the world. Chile truly is an incredible country, and one of the few in the world with every type of climate. She will love it! It is crazy to think that Ben is arriving home so soon. He has been such an inspiration to me with his great service in Mexico City. I am so excited to hear from him again soon. 

That story of the missionaries is absolutely crazy. I had the opportunity to watch some video logs from a missionary that was in Chile not to far from me now during the big earthquake in Concepcion. It was a stirring reminder of what can happen to change our lives. It was also really interesting, and I was reminded that the Lord protects His anointed. As for the last days, I love the scriptural predictions about these times, especially in 2nd Nephi. In Chapter 28 he talks about this stuff, but finished with a loving declaration:

30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, ^aprecept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn^bwisdom; for unto him that ^creceiveth I will give ^dmore; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

 31 Cursed is he that putteth his ^atrust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the ^bprecepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 32 ^aWo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and ^bcome unto me; for mine ^carm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.

Super interesting!

As for temple news, there really isn't much. The lot right now is still a lot of dirt and weeds, but we received word that the Ground Breaking will be happening in the next few months. We have been advised to do a lot more to prepare the people for the incredible blessings they will be able to receive in the Temple. Your message was spot on, and I really appreciate it.

As for Christmas, music de Navidad can be heard on regular stations ever since before Halloween. It is a huge holiday, and we have seen one or two Christmas trees up. I am really excited, as Chilenos love fiestas and are always ready to welcome strangers or cough cough Missionaries into their homes during this time. As for the first aid, I don't really need anything right now. Some of those zinc tablets would be great for the future if necessary. I have access to Nutella and Peanut Butter down here, even if they are a bit more expensive. Don't worry about those.

I took the liberty of making two small Christmas lists. The first has 1 Soccer Jersey and matching shorts (For Chile, Germany, USA, Manchester United, Borrusia Dortmund, or Galatasaray) 2 Candy (The more the merrier) 3 Cinnamon rolls or cookies (I really don't care if they are old. They are delicious) 4 Larger and better music player (Doesn't have to be the best in the world, but I would like a little bit more than what I have currently. Not neccessary though) 5 Socks (I could always use more of these. Whites aren't neccessary) 6 Ties (Of both the plain or ugly varieties. Like candy, the more the merrier) 7 A Calender (With nerdy things or family pictures, or possible a combination of both?) 8 More family and friend pictures (I like these people. I would also like pictures of them as well) 9 A List of Birthdays and special events for family and friends (Can be in Calender or not. Can be sent later after I obtain a calender and I can put them in manually) 10 Email addresses of family and friends (I know you share this letter with everyone you can, and I appreciate it greatly. I do feel bad however that many of my friends have gone without contact from me in... years. I need to repent in that area).

The second Christmas list is: Nothing. Just throw some money on the card and give me an idea of how much is on there so I can go into Concepcion and purchase any of these things in the stores there.

A third, and I believe the best option is: A combination of the two. I also wanted to know what I can do to send the family a Christmas from Chile. I would really appreciate some suggestions in next week's letter, since I am terrible with gift ideas.

Thank you for everything, Mom. I really do appreciate these letters more than you can imagine! They are the best in the world. I love you so so much. Thank you again for everything.

Thank you everyone for another stellar week, and for the daily outpourings of love and joy I get from you all. I look forward to the many letters and emails you will all send me in the up and coming days and weeks (Hint, hint). You're all the very best!

With love,
Elder Richardson

Time to update the blog! Sorry I'm so behind.  --Jared's mom