''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
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