Things are changing and staying the same...

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.

Hitting the Stride

Hello everyone! It is certainly my pleasure to once again send you a letter from the beautiful city of Chiguayante! Life continues to improve, and the spiritual and temporal blessings of a mission are in full force. It is truly an incredible, life changing experience to be serving here in Chile, and I can't imagine any other place on the face of the Earth that I would rather be, and certainly can't imagine any other activity I would rather do.

The week had many, many great Spiritual experiences. Elder Montaña and I worked very hard amongst a veritable drought of lessons, and were able to find people to teach and had many great opportunities with the people we already know. We had many, many lessons with less active members and new converts this week, and to our great enjoyment many of them would show up to church this Sunday. The Lord's plan is one of happiness for eternity, but to truly take advantage of this glorious way, we must continue to carry on for the short time we have. We found much to be happy about as we bore our testimonies of this simple idea to many, many people during the week.

Though with the temporary drop in lessons, I don't have as many incredible experiences, but that certainly didn't stop us from having an incredible time. Two of our investigators are inches away from baptism, with dates and positive attitudes awaiting them. I was also super excited to find out that one of the Hermanas I was working with in Chillan was baptized. Woohoo Lorena! Here in Chiguayante, we have several other rising stars that are excited about the Gospel, and we are incredibly enthusiastic about them all.

A subject that has really been on our minds this last week was the idea of a positive attitude. The difference our attitude can make is absolutely astounding. Our reaction to the world around us has greater power than we can possibly realize. This is especially true during challenges, but is no less applicable during good times as well. The mindset we take with us when we're out in the world is more important than all the good fortune we could ever have. 

Our District Leader came over solely for the purpose of having a little combined study with us about this subject. It was a powerful time, and I felt inspired to take the Gospel to all the world. Something that I have grown to realize is that much of the time, when we realize that we need to change something about ourselves, we subconciously make the slightest excuses, declaring that things will be different when something else changes. When I get transferred, when my companion has more energy, when the investigators want to actually keep commitments... Many, many times in our lives, we repeat to ourselves these excuses like mantras, imagining a little about the incredible things we will be able to do when an influence outside changes.

But it doesn't really work that way, does it? Excuses are almost like McDonald's Fries: There are billions more out there. Should we have success in some areas, we will still be able to find things that could hold us back. Life never becomes the easy street we initially desire (And after seeing the incredible change that comes through overcoming challenges, I'm not sure I even want easy street anymore). The only thing that will make a real difference is our mindset. When we decide that now, not later, we will make change, and actually do it, that is when the miracle happens. That is when life takes on a different hue, and every minute is treasured, not counted down until the next good thing happens.

We are the only change that matters. Every outside influence in the world can not force you into a certain attitude, for good or for bad. The divinely inspired ability belongs to us, and us alone. Time to use it for the greatest of purposes! It is time to make a difference!

Elder Grammer: You're such a stud. We just don't know what we have until it is gone, and I certainly hope and pray we get the chance to have the cambio we were going to have in the future. When we're both assistants in the near future, right haha? I am also super psyched to find out that Lorena was baptized. That makes me so ridiculously happy that she made that huge change in her life. Did she get rid of her gambling machines yet, haha? By the way, what is her full name for my journal? Congratulations on the two baptisms, bro. Your hard work has brought and will continue to bring miracle after miracle. Sorry to hear about Carolina. I hope she gets the peace she wants soon. Keep putting your shoulder to the wheel and fortifying that tree keep. I can't wait to see the finished product. How do you feel about flying lightning cannons? P.S. I really would like my umbrella and green micro fiber towel back. My normal towel is starting to smell like a Navy locker room.

Hermana Clanton: Your letter was fantastic! It was a thrill to read and learn about your adventures in the Lord's vineyard. The great work that you are doing in your mission has eternal significance, and I know that you're changing lives. You're completely right, missions are very, very different from everything else that we have done in our lives, and I love it! The ups and the downs and everything in between are all a joy to experience, and I know that these two years or eighteen months are going to change you and I for ever! This is the best! Keep that positive spirit and keep working hard. You're the best!

Elder Layton: Your letter was absolutely inspiring, and completely true. All of the incredible things to learn and do in this world have very little significance when compared to the Gospel. We can't let our priorities become clouded haha. Your letter reminded me specifically of the many things I have learned and seen in my short four months on a mission, and for the I am grateful to you. Thank you so much for your example and the inspiring service that you give. I might just print your letter as a point of inspiration for me. Way to go on going strong for a year. I can only hope I have as strong as a testimony as you when I get that much time in. I know that you will continue being the best you can be. Thanks for all you do!

Zachary Layton: Once again, thank you for your excellent letter, my friend. I never feel that my tiny responses are at the same level, and for that I apologize. I hope you enjoy them regardless haha. I hope you're so excited for your mission. Never in your life will you have worked as hard and had such vibrant spiritual experiences. These two years, seemingly long before but flying by during will change your life forever. I am so excited for you! Never ever give in to the temptations of the adversary. He will always try and get you to doubt yourself and to doubt the convictions of your faith. Those were the two primary temptations he constantly threw in the way of the Savior, and he knows that if he can get us to falter, we're in for a world of hurt. When all is said and done, we will have an eternal reward waiting for us. Keep fortifying and edifying your spiritual side, and you will see blessings beyond count. I really enjoyed reading your experiences this week, especially the Butterfly place. Having a quiet peaceful time to ponder in nature has made a difference many times in my life and the lives of others. Just look at Joseph Smith and the Sacred Grove, or the Savior with many different places in the New Testament. Keep going at it and being so amazing. Have an amazing week!

Elder Elggren: I want you to know that I love your letters. Each and every single one is an example of your faith and your dedication to the Lord. Challenges are the huge part of our lives, but we can overcome them through the power of the Gospel message that we share. I know that you're been having many, many things that can just bring you down, but I also know that you're quite capable of handling them. You have been chosen for this time and this place, and Heavenly Father will consecrate your service. Thanks for all that you do! You're in my prayers!

Mom: Thank you again for the letter! It always warms my heart to think of home and hear these little stories and experiences.

To answer your questions: During a run to one of our lessons on the other side of Chiguayante, the outer part of the coat that Steven gave me had not been properly secured to my backpack, and it quietly fell out during the run. Despite prayers and hopes, it has not resurfaced. I still have the inner part, but it is mainly for warmth and not rain proof. My umbrella is currently in Chillan, after another Elder borrowed it and couldn't find it in time for my transfer. My shoes have held up magnificently. They started to smell pretty similarly to a garbage dump, but some handy powder from my companion fixed that problem. We don't usually use the smaller stores, since all they have is a little bit of food and knick knack sort of things. There are larger Walmart like stores, and even one (Lider) that is owned by Walmart and has Great Value products. There are pretty large European mall structures in the city, but those are off limits to us missionaries. Since money is usually pretty tight, around two hundred dollars for the month, we try not to buy anything but the necessities. I have gotten very good at making extravagent meals out of the strangest food combinations. Large packages of hot dogs, cheese, milk, apple flavored water, frosted flakes (Zucaritas down here), and Argentinian cookies called Toddy's are my normal weekly purchases. At times I'll stretch and but some German candy, bread, and peanut butter with Nutella. Other things will be bought of necessity, but those comprise most of my purchases.

It is super exciting that the members back home are getting excited about Missionary work. The members are everything to us, and the key to successful work. Without them, it is a whole lot harder to have a whole lot less success! And you're right, training is happening a lot quicker then normal. Several missionaries start training immediately after their own training sessions. The work is incredible, and it is certainly hastening.

It is great to hear about the family. Keep up the stories and pictures! They make my week every time haha. I am looking forward to the Halloween card!

I love you all so much, and keep you all in my prayers and thoughts. Thank you so much for the many great things that you do for me and others in this grand work of the Lord. You are all the best of the best!

With much love,

Elder Richardson

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Super Jared!

Boundless Enthusiasm

Dear Family, Friends, Loved Ones, Fellow Missionaries, and Various Other Individuals!

I would like to start this letter off with how much I love you all! You are all the greatest individuals I could have the pleasure of knowing. The experiences I have shared with all of you have prepared me fully for this time in my life, and have been the greatest blessings. I take so much strength from you all and from your prayers and love. You are all wonderful inspirations to me, and I count myself lucky to have had the time I have had with each of you. I look forward to many bright experiences with you all in the future.

This week was certainly a very interesting one! With consistent work and a driven determination to succeed, we were able have much more success this week generally than in the past. The Lord blessed us to find enough new investigators that we found it necessary to find a new place to write down the names on the board. We had several quality lessons with several individuals. One of our investigators had his interview (Successfully, thank goodness!) and enough has a baptismal date and came to church with his family. The work is growing here in leaps and bounds, and I am incredibly excited about what the future holds for us. The downsides seemed far less noticeable when we put our shoulders to the wheel and pushed. Even the day and a half of heavy rain (Which was hilariously made more stereotypically miserable by the hard wind and my lacking of a rainproof coat and an umbrella, both of which aren't in my possession any more) didn't seem to water down the burning desire we had to do this work.

I've noticed how essential it is to fully commit yourself to any action you want done correctly. The application of heart, might, mind, and strength makes incredible difference in all aspects of your life. Though certainly applicable to those not serving full time missionaries (And I challenge to you to do so. For some item that needs doing in this next week, give it 100% literally, and watch miraculous things happen), it has a special significance for those currently in the 24/7 work of the Lord. A missionary can work, even work hard for the full and allotted time, but it will be of no benefit for him or her. They can have incredible works, and change innumerable lives with their efforts, but it will certainly lack emphasis and lasting effect without the heart and mind being totally devoted. I have seen missionaries who work hard all day, do amazing things, and come back to their apartments tired, depressed, and even a bit resentful. So much more for the benefit of so many can be done if we but only take the further step of working with our hearts and minds in addition to our might and strength.

Shauntel: Over the course of the week, during conversation with my companion, your name came up. I described you, and he instantly declared that I must marry you immediately after my mission. Some time later, I showed him photos of my family from around the time of my farewell and he saw the picture that had you in it. He reversed his prior statement, and said that it would be him marrying you after mission time is over. If you have a small Latino man showing up in your life in around six, seven months, know that Elder Rodrigo Montaña is on the trail. I apologize sincerely. I hope you're still doing well, and that you're loving life!

Elder Layton: I am right there with you, buddy. The Mission is absolutely the biggest and one of the best experiences of my life so far, and I am quite a bit behind you in time. I just can't get enough of it. The example that the Savior set with His own life is something that we all certainly aspire to, and I too share Alma's wonderful desire. Oh, how great is our calling and our opportunity to serve! By the way, we tried picking up Libros de Mormon today, and you weren't there to get them for us. I hope you enjoyed your baptism!

That is a crazy experience. The Lord certainly works in mysterious and grand ways, be it angels, other people, or rats in the ovens. I wish you the best in the work, brother!

Zach: Wow, those photos are great! I certainly can remember all of the fun experiences with my family right before my mission. You'll be able to hold on to those great memories forever! I can't wait to read your letters and hear your experiences from your own mission. Those should certainly be very exciting. And don't worry, there are a whole lot of talents and skills you'll develop in the MTC and in the field. Sink or swim is a incredibly effective style of learning, haha! The study skills I've learned here are going to benefit me for life, and I know they'll do the same for you. Thanks for your thoughts, buddy! We all need a good mountain to climb every once in a while, even if we're not looking forward to it. Another benefit of mountains is the good physical exercise. My legs have never looked better in my life! Holy cow, Dorene got married? That is incredible news for her. It is also weird news for us. I need to start keeping a tally of high school friends married! Take care, buddy. Keep working hard!

Steven: Hey, chueco, its about time you sent me another letter! I have to find out from my mother that you have a girlfriend (From California, no less. Good job!). That is not bacan. Feel free to share your mother's email with mine, the more the merrier! There are certainly a ton of great phrases specific to Chile. I love the Spanish language that way! I did not get your package, but I'll certainly ask about it next time I'm in the office. I always try to remember all the great things you taught me before I came here. Thank you so much for your great influence and example. You're the best, brother! ¡Le amo, mi mejor amigo!

Mom: Hey Mother! I am so glad everything is still going on super great up there in Arizona! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you writing about the family and the many great people that live up there in the States. As I approach the four month mark, I am realize just how much I love you all and how grateful I am to have you all in my life. You, Dad (I'm glad he had a good and safe trip. My Chilean companion told me to tell Dad that he needs to visit better countries in the future. Keyboards are strange down here, but when they're all you have, you get used to them really fast!), Grandma and Grandpa, my wonderful siblings and their familys, everyone, all are inspirations for me and keep me focussed on how important my work here is.

Chiguayante is a wonderful place. The work is progressing, and we're working hard. I am trying to stay as positive as I can during the trials of the work, and it is surprisingly easy to do so when we're working hard. The Lord blesses His servants, truly. It takes a few weeks to get letters from Dad. The latest I have is September 20 something. Its usually pretty consistent, though I didn't get one this week. I hope we don't have another strike going on, since they're very common in Chile. I haven't been able to attend Stake Conference yet, though there is a special conference in November, and a visit from Jeffrey R Holland shortly after. I am super excited for both!

The weather report of the states is making me jealous, haha. It is definitely warming up here in Chiguayante. We now regularly wear short sleeve shirts, with maybe a sweater or jacket in the evening. Thank you again for everything in the package. I love it all so much! Included is a picture of the pajama pants!

I love you all so so so much. Your prayers, letters, and thoughts keep me going strong. I am incredibly thankful for you all and for this glorious opportunity I have to work hard here in Chile. The work is ever hastening, and I am so glad to be a part of it! The Gospel has blessed my life more then I could ever describe with words, and this is a beautiful time in my life trying to share those blessings with people prepared by the Lord. Keep going strong, and keep pushing on! You're the best!

With love,

Elder Richardson

Jared w Elder Stewart

Jared loves plants:-)

Elder Richardson