Week 51

Hellooooo!

It was a really great week.  We had intercambios, we had lots of meetings, andddddddd I got the flu.  Hahah it was really bad.  But first for the good stuff...

1- In our intercambior ( I went to the Hermana´s sector with Hermana Galeano from Paraguay) we were walking at night and saw some guys trying to push a semi that was stuck in the road.  It was going nowhere and there were only 2 of them so we offered to help.  They told us no at first and as we started walking away they said "bueno, si quieren".  We started to push and it was so funny because the semi immediately started moving and we got it out of the intersection in like 20 seconds.  They were staring at us so confused and laughing.  We were also sooo confused and laughing.  Hahah God helps his missionaries hahah.

2-One of our investigators told us that after our lesson with him about the law of chastity he decided never to come back to church.  BUTTT then the branch president ran into him and they had an interview.  After that he told us that he actually really does want to be baptized next week and he will do it out of his love for God.  That was a miracle.

Ok now for the sad part.  Hahah on Wednesday for our intercambio we all went to eat lunch at an Hermanas house and her family had all just had the flu. The next day I felt super weird but we kept working.  That night we got to the house and had to make cinnamon rolls for something and I kept wanting to pass out.  I felt awful.  But in never crossed my mind that it could be the flu.  Anyway, the next thing I knew I was throwing up all night.  I thought maybe I had just eaten something bad, but then we called the Hermanas and one of them was also super sick.  The next day we did divisions and the sick hermana came to stay with me.  We had a lot of fun but we diedddd.  Our bodies hurt so bad and we just slept all day.  That continued until yesterday but now we are all good.  Buttt we learned a lesson about obedience. 

On Saturday we were so hungry but Hermana Isom told us we could only eat burned toast and bananas.  Anyway our companions went to lunch with some members and they were eating completos.  We asked them to bring some back and they told us no, but we begged them.  We decided we would save them and eat them when we got better.  They ended up bringing us completos later hahah.  While we were laying in bed hungry and bored we were just staring at the completos.  We decided that because they are mostly bread and because we mostly felt better that we could at least eat like 2 bites.  One thing lead to another and the next thing we knew each of us had just eaten a whole completo.  It was sooo good but then we started feeling soooo sick again hahahah.  Our fever came back and we wanted to throw up again for the next 2 hours.  Anyway it was a good reminder of the commandments.  Heavenly Father wants us to be happy and for that he gives us commandments.  Even though it may look like its a restriction, its because it will help you have LASTING happiness.  Hermana Sobotka and I enjoyed those completos in the moment, but then after we felt so crappy.  Keep the commandments with exactness and be happy!!  I love you all!!  Have a great week!

--Hermana West

Week 50

Wow.  This week was nuts.  Hahah but first....HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATELYN THIS WEEK!!  I love you lots!! 

So, last Monday we took a plane to Puerto Montt and we stayed the night there with the Hermanas.  Then on Tuesday morning we woke up early and traveled to Osorno to go to the leadership conference.  That was fun!!  We learned a lot and we are starting to implement a plan in the mission called the "nido unido"  haha it means the united nest. Long story short, you ask members to do specific things for your investigators all day everyday.  Like sending them a message, saying a prayer for them, sharing their testimony about a certain thing, etc.  But the idea is the they will feel like the ward is their family and it will help them in their conversion. We are excited.  Then we basically spent the rest of the day talking with missionaries and traveling back to Puerto Montt.  The next day, we woke up and took a bus to the airport and then flew back to Coyhaique.  That took the whole day as well.  So basically, I feel like I still just got here even though it’s been 2 weeks haha.  But its ok. 

As an Hermana Líder it has been nothing but busy.  There are a lot of things you have to do that you wouldn't think of, and for some reason things just happen every day that you aren't expecting.  I have felt like I haven't even been in my sector at all, but it’s all the same work(:  Its really fun, tiring, and time is flying by!!

This week lots of things happened.  After traveling I'm not sure what happened but I got pretty sick.  I couldn't concentrate and my mind was all over the place.  I felt like fainting every moment. Honestly, I don't remember the past week super well hahah.  But I got a blessing from the Elders and things started getting better.  I'm still not 100% back to normal, but I'm a lot better.

We have an investigator who is going to get baptized in June.  He is awesome.  But we realized he doesn't really have an understanding of the things he’s been taught so we are really pushing to have a lesson with him every day so that he will be ready and converted before his baptism.  He’s going to Concepcion this week so please pray for him!!!  

We also had a district talent show this week (a district is like a stake).  We had no idea what we were going to do as missionaries because they asked us to perform something last minute.  Right before the talent show, we brainstormed and did an improve skit.  Welcome to the mission where you just wing everything.  The elders literally made up a song and sang it and we listened to the words and acted out what was happening.  It actually ended up going really well hahahah.  Miracle. But it was so fun.  One of the highlights of my mission.

This week with everything being super crazy and busy, I've realized that even as missionaries you need to take time to be still and take time for Christ.  It doesn't matter who you are or what you do, we have to consciously make time for Christ. I know you guys are all super busy with school, sports, and work.  So if you want to be successful in those things, take time to put God first and everything will work out(:  I love you all!!!  Despite it being crazy and stressful, we find time to enjoy and laugh.  I'm praying for you all!!  Have a great week!!

--Hermana West

Week 49

Hey hey family!!

I LOVE it here in Coyhaique.  It feels and looks like Utah.  So weird.  But I love it.  I’m also super sorry I don’t have a ton of time to write, we have to fly to Puerto Montt to go to a leadership conference in Osorno and then we will fly back on Wednesday.  

Anyway, I love it here it has been really fun!!  We have been super busy ever since I stepped off the plane haha.  The time is flyiiingggg by.

It’s pretty cold here, but it’s not super humid so if you wear a coat you are good.  Such a blessing.  We are in the Patagonia mountains so it feels a lot like Punta Arenas which I also love.  There are 1 million dogs here hahaha. I’ve never had so many in my sector before.

Anyway, I love you all a lot and I’m doing well.  My companion is Hermana Query from Alpine.  We actually knew each other in high school and had some classes so it has been really fun.  We get along really well.  Our zone is just a district.  There are ten of us, so our zone conference will basically be District meeting with President and Hermana Isom.

Basically, I’m just really happy.  I feel like I’m at Sundance with all the leaves (it’s fall here). I love you all and hope everything is still going well with the stress of school and stuff.  You are in my prayers!!  I’ll talk to you more next week!

--Hermana West

Week 48

Hey Family!!!

It was so fun getting to talk to you all yesterday!!!  Like I told you, we were going to get transfer calls last night.  And...... (oh before that there was another tremor last night.  It was super fun and I was actually awake for it this time)....

I'M GOING TO COYHAIQUE!!!!  WOOOHOOO!!  I'm so excited.  I have actually felt like I was going there for the past transfer so that was fun.  I have also been called to be an Hermana Lìder.  Basically, it’s like a zone leader but for hermanas.  I’ll be in charge of travel, I'll go to leadership meetings in Osorno (lots more flying for me woohoo), and I’ll do exchanges with the Hermanas in our zone.  It’s going to be fun!  I’m grateful for another opportunity to serve.  Hermana Hyland is getting her first Latina companion and she is really excited about that.  Soooo there are the cambios.

Its super cold there and snows just like Punta Arenas.  I had to go buy warm boots and leggings today because unlike Punta Arenas, there aren't gas stoves to heat you.  It’s basically just another version of Punta Arenas so I'm excited(:  MÂS FRÎOOOOO.  (More cold!) Woohoo!!!!

This week was great.  We worked a lot with members and less actives and we found some potential investigators.  We also got to watch COCO like I told you as part of a ward activity.  I loved it.  It made me want to go do all my family history and go teach everyone about families. 

It was a super crazy and emotional week with waiting for cambios, Hermana Hyland finishing her training, mother’s day, skype, etc.  But it was super fun.  I've been really happy.

The thing that I've really learned a lot this week is that we need to be humble.  Heavenly Father loves us so much and wants us to be happy.  Everything he does is for our happiness.  We can show our love to Him by loving others (charity) and being submissive to His will and trusting that everything will work out (humble).

For my cute little siblings that have to do a lot to finish this school year and have a lot of stress, or if you guys are stressed with work or just family life in general, I just want to remind you how you are in good hands.  Heavenly Father loves you.  He is 100% aware of you.  He wants you to be happy.  Put Him first by reading the scriptures and praying and serving, and He will take care of you.  Think of the eternal perspective.  This will just be a really short moment and it doesn't effect eternity.  Put your trust in God and watch Him pull together a miracle.  I know it’s just school, but you are really important to Him.  He wants you to succeed.  Pray.  Ask Him what you need to do and listen to how he feels about you and what He says.  Then just act.  Trust that it will work out.  Just start slowly.  Here is a quote from President Hinckley that I love...

“In my ninety-plus years, I have learned a secret. I have learned that when good men and good women face challenges with optimism, things will always work out! Truly, things always work out! Despite how difficult circumstances may look at the moment, those who have faith and move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out.”

I know that's true!!  I have seen it in my life time and time again especially in high school with the stress of grades.  Put more trust in God, work and tell him you are relying on Him, and then watch Him pull it all together if you are willing to be an instrument in His hands.  I love you and I'm praying for each one of you and the stresses you might have!!  Have a great week!!

Week 47

Hello fam,

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there hahah(:  I love you all.  Especially you mom.  I love you so so so much and I'm so grateful for all that you do for me and for the family.  Honestly there is not a better mom anywhere.  I love you.

This week was great. A lot happened.  Some super quick things...

-We had super intercambios (all the Hermanas in the zone switched companions for a day) and I got to be with my old companion, Hermana Campos.  That was so much fun.

-We found STARBURSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We stopped on the way to the campo at a random gas station to use the bathroom and they had starbursts!!!  We hit the jackpot man.

-I heard that some of my investigators from Punta Arenas want to get baptized!!! AHHH  so excited!!!

-For lunch a family took us to their cabin and we ate asado.  So good. And its fall here so all the trees had changed colors and it was beautiful.  But I'm getting so fat here hahahahah.  Its really not funny.

Its been a great week.  We passed by a family from the area book that had shared with missionaries about 2 years ago.  They were so happy to see us and let us in!!  We talked for awhile and discovered that the daughter still reads in her Book of Mormon when she feels sad.  They are so incredible.  The Mom is 50 and has a husband and 2 daughters who are both our age.  They are already committed to come to church next week and they are super excited.  We love them so much already.

We had 6 people with a baptismal date but they all have been slowly dying off.  One of them is still really progressing though.  H'es a blind old man.  He comes to church every week and loves the gospel.  He is really becoming converted.  

I've been studying a lot about humility lately.  That is the Christ-like attribute that I'm working on.  Some things that I keep learning are that God really just wants us to be happy.  Everything He does is so that we can be happy.  He gives us commandments, families, everything so we can be happy.  Even if it sometimes doesn't seem like it, we can always trust that whatever He is doing with our lives is for our happiness if we are being obedient and living righteously.  I know that's true!

Anyway, since it's mothers day just wanted to share a quick lil´ quote with you guys.

"Perhaps the reason we respond so universally to our mother's love is because it typifies the love of our Savior.  As President Joseph F. Smith said, " The love of a true mother comes nearer to being like the love of God than any other kind of love."

I love you Mom!!  Happy mother´s day and give your mothers a big hug!!

--Hermana West

Dog encounters from last week.

1--It was 9:50 at night and we have to be in the house sì o sì by 10, so we were running really fast and a pack of dogs started chasing us but I had my umbrella so I just walked really fast and tried to hit them when they got close.

2-Same night we were rounding the corner to get to our house and there is always a German Shepard there but he doesn't do anything.  But tonight he was the devil seriously.  He charged at us barking and trying to attack us.  I opened my umbrella to defend us (thank goodness for my umbrella right?).  Usually they go away after a minute but he didn't!!  We fought him off for so long and he kept following us!!!  He tried to bite us from all sides and that was the closest I've been to getting bit.  Luckily the umbrella blocked us most of the time and then he finally got distracted by someone else at the top of the hill and ran off.

3  We were going to lunch at a members house. It's on a hill and in a culdesac. There is a horrible German Shepard there that bites everyone.  We always have to call when we get there so they can come get us and walk us to their house.  Lately the dog hasn't been there so we started up the hill really slowly to see if it was there and we picked up rocks before hand.  we see it.  Usually it barks and you just walk away and call.  This time it starts barking and sprints at us full speed and keeps coming.  I thought it would stop but it didn't.  So luckily I had the rock and chucked it at him and he got stunned for a second and then we ran down the hill full of adrenaline.  AHHHH  estoy chata de eses perrosssss!!! (

Week 46

Hey fam!!

Sorry, I don't have too much time to write this week!!!  We are going on a paseo to this really cool rock formation thing on the beach.  Anyway, this week was good.  We had Zone conference, almost got attacked by German shepherds twice (the closest calls I've ever had on my mission), we were able to put 4 more people with a baptismal date (now we just have to help them come to church hahah), and we laughed a lot.  It has been soooo cold and humid, but we still enjoy every day.

Because I don't have too much time to write I just wanted to share a spiritual thought...Something I learned this week and personal study that I loved was this...

"Holiness is a gift of the Spirit. We accept this gift when we choose to do those things that will increase the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost in our lives.  When Martha received Jesus Christ into her home, she felt a tremendous desire to serve the Lord to the best of her ability. Her sister, Mary, chose to sit “at Jesus’ feet” and to hear His word. When Martha felt burdened about serving without any help, she complained, “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?

I love the words of the most gentle rebuke that I can imagine. With perfect love and infinite compassion, the Savior admonished: ‘Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’ Sisters, if we would be holy, we must learn to sit at the feet of the Holy One of Israel   and give time to holiness. Do we set aside the phone, the never-ending to-do list, and the cares of worldliness? Prayer, study, and heeding the word of God invite His cleansing and healing love into our souls.   Let us take time to be holy, that we may be filled with His sacred and sanctifying Spirit. With the Holy Ghost as our guide, we will be prepared to   receive the Savior in the beauty of holiness."

--Carol F. McConkie, April 2017 General Conference--

I know the savior lives and that He loves us.  He wants to spend time with us!  Are we taking time to spend time with Him and let Him change us?  I love you all!!!  Have a great week and take time to be Holy!!

---Hermana West

Week 45

This week was great!!

It has been starting to rain again.  This is the Chile I know and love hahaha.  It includes walking with your boots full of water, streets made into waterfalls (because Chiloè is pure hills.  Whenever it rains the streets become waterfalls and turn into massive rivers as well), and clothes never being dry.  Literally.  BUT I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!  There is nothing greater than being a missionary!!!!

Some random things from the week...

1-We have a little gas heater that only heats up the space of one room.  We put it in our bedroom and we close the door while we are getting ready in the morning to create a Sauna.  Its so cold so we do planning and studies on our beds (don't worry we do actually do them) in our Sauna.  Hahah it's one of the only ways to stay warm(:

2-Like I mentioned we are teaching lots of Haitians.  We don't speak their language super well so we try to bring one that already speaks Spanish to our lessons so that they can translate when we can't speak.  This week we brought a Haitian with us named Waldo.  He was supposed to meet us at 4 but was running late.  Anyway, while we were waiting we played a real life game of "Where´s Waldo?". (The book where you have to look for the guy with the red and white stripes).  Anyway, how many times in your life will you get to actually say "Where´s waldo?" hahaha

3-One of the nights here we got lucky and the sky was really clear.  Because it's getting darker here earlier we were able to see the stars.  They are so clear and beautiful out here because there isn't a ton of light pollution.  I LOVE it!!! (but you guys already know I'm obsessed with the starts).

This week was great and full of lots of miracles!!  We were able to start re-teaching some investigators that we had to drop a while back.  They are pretty prepared now.  I love them.

The highlight of my week though was going to a baptism of the Elders.  I have been feeling kind of down lately because none of my investigators have been baptized yet.  This week in particular it hit me.  But the Elders in another sector have been teaching a little girl named Monzarat.  She has come to activities before and I've gotten to know her.  I feel like shes one of my little sisters.  But she got baptized on Saturday and it was SO BEAUTIFUL.  It was so tender to see her all dressed in white and beaming from ear to ear.  I got to lead the hymns and while I was up there we just kept looking at each other smiling.  She was so excited.  The baptism was beautiful and the spirit was so strong.  Afterward we were all crying.  It was such a powerful moment.  I realized again in that moment that I never want to leave the mission!!  It's so special.  Working all day and dedicating everything you are for the purpose of helping people come closer to the Savior is the happiest thing I have ever done.  Even though she wasn't one of my investigators that I had taught and come to love as much as the Elders had, I still felt immense joy in seeing her be baptized.  That was a sweet reminder that we are all brothers and sisters.  Whether someone is baptized in Russia, Chile, or the U.S, our joy should be the same because one of our brothers or sisters is on the path back to our home.  It's all the same work.  I love being a missionary.  

Study the Savior.  Get to know Him.  Learn to trust Him more.  I love you all!!  Have a great week!!

--Hermana West