tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22727256360997918462024-03-12T17:13:35.803-07:00Elder MacGregor - Called to ServeTeam #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-91425818030604174192020-04-02T08:30:00.001-07:002020-04-02T08:30:26.288-07:00Well, it seems that my mission has come to an end a little earlier than I expected. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the church has sent all missionaries home. If they don't have a ton of time left, they are released, and I was put into that category. Oh well. At the least, I was able to enjoy my time serving the Lord and doing his will; I am eternally grateful for what I have experienced in that part of the world. I know that he lives and that he has guided my personal growth as a missionary and servant of the Lord. This has been an experience that I will never forget.Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-38918753145017544182020-03-07T18:56:00.000-08:002020-03-07T18:56:08.640-08:00<br />
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The Uchtdorf's visit was amazing, man. HE gave a seminar
about how to teach from the heart but in a very consecrated way. I am 100% sure
that that is what the mission needed at the moment. He mentioned his April 2016
talk "Fourth floor, last door." I read it again and it just screams
the dude's personality. So, overall it was all worth it.</div>
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Sounds good that you are finally heading into spring. March
is right around the corner, after all. Enjoy it while I go through my last
chilean winter. :)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Elder MacGregor</div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-82327328665629552172020-01-31T20:10:00.002-08:002020-01-31T20:10:44.728-08:00<br />
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I really don't have a lot to say this week either, mainly
focusing on getting out fo the office when I can, and we found a couple of
Bolivians and a Colombian to teach. It'll be a little difficult this week
though since I have to deal with a lot of paperwork this week. Turns out that
our visa tracking system has been acting up lately, and I was the poor soul who
had to fix it all by myself without any real coaching from my predecessors.
But, I got it done. At the very least President was proud of me, so that makes
it all worth it. I think that maybe because I will need experiences like this
to teach my successor as well as I can.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I'm
expecting around 9 weeks to teach her and to guide her through a change and
whatnot, and then I'm outta here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had completely forgotten about MLK day until I couldn't do
some of my duties because the church offices were closed. But, I guess it was
nice. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyway, it's been a while since I really wrote about me, so
I'm gonna do that now.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I never fully explained what I do here in the mission
office, and that is to help in all of the legal paperwork in immigration for
the missionaries. You need to be legal to leave the country, so I allow people
to get home. Also, I do the flights and all the periphery things needing to be
done with the start and end of a mission. So, the majority of Secretary stress
comes from that, more than anything else I do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This last week though, we received a pair of elder
missionaries, the Vests, who will eventually replace me in the work, and I will
go somewhere else to finish the mission. So, that'll be a lot of fun, I think.
They are great people from Payson Utah, and they are pretty funny people. A
little nervous with the start of their new callings, but I'm sure it will all
work itself out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-68965724098026507912019-12-19T15:54:00.004-08:002019-12-19T15:54:47.386-08:00<br />
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Here in the mission, it's supposed to super go time right now, with a lot of
baptisms happening in the time of the year. But, that's not to bad for me, I
think. So it's all alright, I hope. The good thing is that you are kind of following
the prophet's idea for this holiday season, that being that we shouldn't
overstress ourselves with the holiday season and instead just try to enjoy what
we can while we can in a family. So, simpler gifts, simpler activities, is
an actual goal you should have for this season.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think that this time of my mission I won't be
too active in the mornings, being in charge of the office and all. But, that's
ok I think. I am having some fun with it all, and while my comps are struggling
a little bit with the idea of being "stuck in the office and not
working," I am ok for now. I went to the temple this last week, so I think
I've done more sitting now than in any part of the mission. And hey, I'm
working on some office skills in time management, typing (I now mainly do it
while looking at the screen and not at the keyboard, so I feel more
professional now, and spellchecking is quicker), and some other things to help
my future career.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think though, that my position in the office may do
something crazy with me. Since I am in charge of sending missionaries home,
supposedly this position I will hold will make it where I end up super
distracted with home instead of the mission. I have no personal idea, but I
hope that doesn't happen to me. I just have to prepare for the situation if it
comes up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That's the hidden blessing of being here, is that you see
all of the mission, and in some ways in the eyes of the president. I've gotten
to know my mission pres more in this last week than in the full first year of the
mission. And while I have fewer chances to invite people, the few times
we've gotten out it's turned out to be a really good experience, so that's
pretty dope I think. Lots of people here and the majority are just as receptive
as those up in Catemu.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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On that note, in Catemu my previous comp is training someone
there. That basically means that someone else's first experience of the mission
is going to be Catemu. I wish him all the luck in the world. It should harden
him up a little bit more, I hope.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This time I'm close to the middle of the New Testament and
in the Book of Mormon, so I hope to finish one or the other before the end of
the year. It shouldn't take to long, I think I will have some time at the very
least.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If I understand correctly, at the end of April, the ward
should have 3 active missionaries in the field. The 3 being Me, Megan, and
Thomas. That's kind of crazy considering that when I left I was the 10th in the
field. </div>
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By the way, I finally succumbed to the inner man and now on
the candy calendar, I am on the 23rd. 3 days ago I was on the same day and not
eating ahead. I think it just kind of came in out of stress in the office (I
don't usually realize it, but there are many times where I am quite literally
stressed and my comps need to tell me about how I am stressed so I can calm
down). So, that's fun. I can't really explain what exactly are the causes of
the stress (church privacy policy), but the good news is that the majority of
it is slowly, slowly, going away. I should be fine soon enough since I have
fewer stresses and I am adding some techniques to deal with the stress as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Also, a neat thing that went on this last week was how I
have been in a 4 person companionship for the last week or so. There is a
missionary who injured his knee this last week and has had to stay in the
office, helping in the paperwork while he recuperates. Since the president
didn't want to split our trio into 2 companionships, we instead just made it
where we are a companionship of 4 that splits when it needs to. It's been a
little crazy at times, but it's fun too.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
Love oyu XOXOXOXOX<br /><br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-81554219152486372952019-11-16T13:42:00.001-08:002019-11-16T13:42:22.932-08:00<br />
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Yeah, this week we didn't really have much to do. Protests
are still a thing going on and we couldn't leave the city because the only
bridge is currently with a burning barricade... I'm safe though so don't worry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Here in Chile people sometimes get upset with me because I
insist on eating meat with a fork and knife. They always want you to eat meat
with the hands, and not with a fork. Definitely allowed here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have fun trying to survive the rain, and see you next week<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love you<o:p></o:p></div>
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XOXOXXOXOXXOX<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-41886943185425111712019-11-06T07:22:00.002-08:002019-11-06T07:22:22.481-08:00<br />
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For me, here in Catemu things have been calm. We are
teaching a family in the Southern tiny town called Chagres- it is made up quite
literally of just 1 street and a mining plant. It was fun because we helped
them plant their backyard for a garden and a lawn that horses can eat. Because
the horse is still used on occasion here. THe wife literally could name all 54 inhabitants of Chagres, one by one, so that is a
feat I found kind of amazing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are also finding a lot of good people and people willing
to receive baptismal dates and be baptized, but the repeating obstacle here has
been going to church. With the time requirement of being AT church at 10, we
have to leave at 9:15, with waking up even before that. For people who are very
occupied during the week and Sunday is their only rest day, waking up early is
not something they want to deal with at the moment. We've had mild success so
far, but I have a lot of faith that the people we've met can be baptized soon.
We are working 100% at full thrust for a baptism right now, because the last
thing we want after 3 months of work is no baptism. I know we can do it, but it
is a huge mountain to climb in 4 weeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The best prospect is C-----. She is a 70 year old woman
with diabetes, which keeps her from walking sometimes, but is really friendly
and her son's girlfriend are very friendly.
So, we'll be able to see their growth hopefully.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-20383973003729638612019-10-23T15:32:00.000-07:002019-10-23T15:32:04.299-07:00<br />
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Thanks for the update! Things are pretty normal over
here, even though the city of Santiago is in chaos. We were
going to have an activity this week, but it was canceled with all the stuff
that is happening here in Chile. One of the quorum of the
12 (Rasband) called the mission president not to long ago. If the riots
keep up for a good long while, we may switch missions to finish the 2 years.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I don't think there will be a primary program here in
Catemu, but in my 1st sector there was a program, so I guess only som do it,
others no.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers- Elder MacGregor </div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-51512330128413410962019-09-24T15:37:00.001-07:002019-09-24T15:37:26.517-07:00<br />
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Hey everyone!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week was a fun week for us all in the mission, since
the 18th of September is the independence day here in Chile. Actually, the
president asked us that we stay with members and investigators to party on the
18th, because he knew that not a lot of work would be done. So, we got together
as a wawrd and had some fun getting to know each other. I ate way too many
empanadas (it's like a calzone but different) and lots of steak and meat. It
was all delicious, and at the end of the day I ended up with this huge sack
full to the brim with bread. I still have some bread to eat from that sack,
actually.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also learned a bit of the national dance here too, called
Cueca. Notable things about it is the use of a hankerchief and that most of the
dance is in the legs. There is a really good dancer in the branch here, he
taught me a little, but I am still very lost on how to dance it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Aside from all of the parties and whatnot, I still managed
to work this week, and found a couple of miracles along the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The first would be Juanito. He is the town friend- a dude
who loves to socialize and knows just about everyone in Catemu on some level.
We found him last week, and taught the restoration. It was a real powerful
lesson, and he accepted to listen to us again after the 18th (everyone was busy
until after the 18th). The 2nd lesson we invited him to church, and he actually
came! It was kind of suprising, expecially condsidering that he usually goes off
to play soccer with his friends sunday, but he decided to go to church instead!
I saw that he was really interested in everything that was going on, and he is
reading the Book of Mormon a lot. He truly has a desire to learn and progress,
it makes me happy to see.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That's important to me because Catemu is a difficult area-
it actually doesn't have it's own church building, and there aren't too many
active members. The main member here is named Leonor. The next story will be
about her, but the point I want to make is that to go to church is a real
sacrifice here. It's a poor working town that doesn't have the time or money to
go to church in another city too often, so if anyone comes at all it's a real
blessing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now on to Leonor. She is this caretaker maid that is very
loving, and has been a member for around 5 years. So far, I think she is the
only member I have seen at church. Yet, she is very strong in the faith,
and cares for the missionaries here. She gives us lunch for like half of the
week. The first week we arrived here in Catemu, she decided to invite a
neighbor of hers to church- without our help. The neighbor came too! So far, I
have yet to have a week without a person in church. I can see the lord working
with each one of these people to guide them to us or to guide us to them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last miracle I want to mention for the week. We were working
yesterday, when my companion says "hey, I want to go up the
hill."There's a hill right next to the center of town here, and there are
some houses there, but we hadn't gone up yet. We climb the hill, talk to a
couple people, and head back down. We get down and literally the first person
we shake hands with within 30 seconds mentions how he wants to change his life
and to feel happy. His name is Elias, and he just wants to come closer to god
and to stop drinking. If we hadn't changed plans in the middle of the day, we
most likely would not have found this man, who had moved to Catemu literally 2
days earlier. I know the lord inspired my companion and me to climb the hill-
not to meet people up there, but to put us in the path to find this other lost
sheep.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, that's all I got for the week, see you next time!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder MacGregor<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-14808184830066595352019-09-17T15:34:00.000-07:002019-09-24T15:36:47.234-07:00<br />
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Hello from Chile!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week is a special week for the country here. The 18th
is their version of the 4th of July- the independence day of Chile. So, our
mission president (the man in charge of the Chile Santiago North Mission)
actually asked us to stay with members or in the house that day, because of the
large amounts of rioting and drunks. Most of the people here are normal with
their partying, having BBQs and whatnot, but a few bad apples in the bunch kind
of ruin the experience for the rest. I plan on spending the day eating a lot
and getting to know the new ward I have.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Speaking of that, this last week I got changed to my third
area. It's in this tiny town in the middle of the montains called Catemu, the
nearest town of bigger size being LLay-LLay (pronounced yai-yai) and San
Felipe. It's a cute, picturesque group of homes that is now my favorite place
in the world. It reminds me of rural Oregon and Idaho a lot, actually. The
people here are nicer than in Santiago, there isn't a lot to do here, so people
have the chance to listen to us a little bit more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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More than that, we are the first missionaries to be in the
area in around 2 months. The mission president took them out for a time, and we
have been put in to replace them. It's been a fun adventure, getting to know
the whole area by ourselves, withoutt a comp who already knows the area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But trust me, if there was a guide it would come in handy,
at least to find out where people live here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not joke, one of the references in the area we had to find
was the following "Lives in the Heroes neighborhood, on the only dirt
street, in the house with the little birds and black puppy out front. Don't
worry, they are always out front so you'll be able to find the house."<o:p></o:p></div>
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Half of the houses don't have numbers, half of the streets
don't either. I think it's the closest I'll get to living in a medieval
village. To be 100% honest, it's a lot of fun, and when you find the houses it
feels like a bigger acomplishment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The dopest thing is that the cities here have city shields,
just like European cities. It's just cool to have a city coat of arms like
that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Also, eveen in this rural corner of Chile, there are still
lots of haitians. I'm happy to report that things never change here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This first week I also got to meet my first Chilean
equivalent of a cowboy/farmer, called a Huaso (pronounced wasso). He has a
horse and some cows, and the coolest hat ever. I have a photo of him and his
cows if you want. He is a very happy man, who would love to have a haitian
girlfriend (he told me that 3-4 times). I hope he gets one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh! I also have a new companion. Welcome to Elder Rodriguez,
from Nicaragua. He's a baseball fanatic, and is learning English to work in the
tourism industry when he finishes the mission. He has around 5 months, so I am
the older missionary of the 2, but he is also 22 years old. He was going to
play baseball professionally in his home country, but chose to serve a mission
instead. He likes to eat a lot, and is and overall dope dude.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We've been working really hard in this new area, and we've
already found quie a few people to teach, but most of them will have to wait
until after the week of the 18th, because lots are traveling out of town for
the weekend. This week is basically a relaxation week (but not because I want
it to, everyone is just making it a break week).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do love my new area a lot. We also have the chance of
basically starting from the ground up here, because there are only 3-5 active
members in this town of about 5000. The church building is in Llay-llay, a 20
minute bus drive away. So my goal has been that in the next 4 and 1/2 months,
there are enough active members here that we don't need to go to Llay-llay for
church meetings, since the travel does limit the number of members here. It's
basically because Catemu is a very poor town, and paying bus fares every Sunday
(amounting to about 2 dollars every week) is an actual difficulty to the people
here. It's kind of sad, because people here just have enough to live and work,
and not much else. They just kind of make do with what they have. It's
respectable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm disappointed in myself this week. It has nothing to do
with missionary work, but with a shirt I have. I bought a cheap ripoff Chile
Soccer Team shirt for around 15-20 bucks, so not the cheapest thing in the world,
but then again a real shirt runs you around 60-70. But anyways, I brought it
home, happy with it all for about 3 to 4 weeks, then one of the patches fell
off. My comp told me to put it back on with superglue. When I did, there was a
drop of the glue that landed in a central part of the shirt and caused a stain,
that I don't think will be able to be removed. I've washed it like twice since
then. I'm just mad with myself to ruin te 20 shirt. But whatever. Knowing me,
I'll buy a ton of shirts to take home and whatnot, so I don't worry too much.
And it's not like the shirt is unusable, it's just a PJ shirt now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aside from that, I can't think of anything else to write for
right now, but I plan on sending a couple of photos as well. Be safe everyone!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder MacGregor<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-6369171693797163402019-09-10T15:10:00.000-07:002019-09-10T15:10:08.500-07:00Elder MacGregor has moved to a new area. He is in a small town of <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Catemu</span> (5000 people) north of Santiago. It's just over the mountain range into the next valley. He had to travel 2 hours or so on 2 different busses to get there.<br />
<br />
His new companion is from Nicaragua. They are opening this area together. I'm sure they will have some great experiences. Elder MacGregor didn't have video link this week, so he will have to be on the lookout for that.<br />
<br />
He is excited to learn this new area and get to work. I hope we'll have photos to share next time.Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-15158088325937138542019-07-30T11:24:00.000-07:002019-08-06T11:27:10.166-07:00<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We currently have 2 dates for a baptism, and both are kind
of shakey. I haven't had a baptism since May, so I'm kind of down for that. I
have nearly a year and there are only 3 baptisms on my register, and 1 other
where I taught someone who later got baptized. I feel upset about that at
times, but I know it's what the Lord wanted from me, so I'll learn to just work
more without the success. It has been a little frustrationg this last week.
Literally someone canceled on us the week of the baptism, and that just put me
in a tailspin for day.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I already wrote about the lack of baptisms I'm having, but I
do write down everything that goes on. I'm early done with the first journal,
now moving on to the 2nd. I'll probably buy it soon. I've started writing in
cursive, so it's pretty dope.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm not sure if you noticed, but I do some Family History on
P days. I go through like 1 or 2 records while my comps talk with their
families. It's not to hard. A simple thing to do every day that is hard is to
shave- I cut is really close, and it stays that short for 2 days, then it
grows. So, sometimes I end up cutting it every 2 days instead of every day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder MacGregor<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-64309677964493352142019-07-16T11:27:00.000-07:002019-08-06T11:32:46.362-07:00<br />
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Hey everyone!<o:p></o:p></div>
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My zone leader who is "dying"(AKA going home next
change) has this computer retyper, so I bought it from him and these long
emails can be a consistent thing from now on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week was very interesting. Now that we finally have a
baptismal date or 2, we can focus on the other things of missionary work, or
more than just finding people to teach. Both of the people are also showing
lots of promise, and I truly believe that 1 or both will actually get baptized.
Plus, there are a lot of people that are ready to receive a baptismal date as
well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of these prospective dates, one is a mother of like 2 little
kids. She almost got lost on the way to church this last week, and Olaiz and I
had to run around trying to find her! It was fun, and it helped our recent
count of 5 people in the church.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I've gotten pretty behind on my diary writing, like a full 2
months back, but I have a plan that will make it so I'm back up to the present
in less than a month. I think it will work out, and the being backed up has
helped a little too. It keeps my negative feelings from being to much in the
foreground, and instead allows me to focus on the growth and what I actually
learned each day. I just finished writing about the roughest time I've had on
the mission so far, and so the process should speed up soon. I'm happy with it,
and it should all be perfect soon enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, with all said and done, this week was very special.
Last Wednesday we had this amazing lesson with this really catholic dude from
Bolivia. We got to the point of the need of a restoration, and how the idea of
the apostolic succession, while there may have been the ordinances, with the
sins of the first bishop of Rome, Linus, the line broke. There was a need of a
restoration, and any student of history can easily find MANY proofs of it. Then
we testified of the truth of the restoration of the gospel and the church of
Jesus Christ, and in that moment we pointed out how the Holy Ghost is
testifying to him the truth of it. It was evident he was feeling something in
that moment. Afterward, we had him pray to know the truth, and it was the first
time in a prayer where I asked with all of my heart that they hear the truth
and receive their answer. I'm sure he felt the truth, but I'm not sure if he
let himself recognize it. I'll find out later this week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A zone souvenir we are making this change is something so
Chilean- a memory of my graduation photo. At all the schools here in Chile,
when a class graduates from an elementary or high school, they get a group
photo of the class, with individual members, and put it into this frankenstein
creation of the individual with their class photo, and the names of the fellow
graduates. Think of the class list you get in elementary school when it's
school picture time. So, in commemoration of the 4 so-to-be
"deaths"of missionaries, and 2 more leaving the area, and 2 others
finishing their training, either in the CCM or in the field, we made a "Memory
of my Zone Graduation"from the school San Tiago Norte (because all the
elementary schools here are a "San ___"). I hope it turns out nice.
It'll be pretty funny to only me after the mission, but it'll be a hilarious
personal joke. I'm serious though, EVERY house here in Chile has this thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week I've focused a lot on the letters of Paul, and I
can't believe how good his rhetoric is. He took such complex concepts of the
gospel and makes them seem so simple, even a baby could understand it.
Definitely the Elder Holland of his day. Also, it's odd on occasion to find
parts of the bible that so easily contradict basic
"Christian"beliefs. How people support dealing with it, I don't know.
I mean, there has to be a doctor of theology who explained away how Paul railed
against forced celibacy in a clergy (AKA the priests and bishops can't marry)
in 1 Timothy 4:3. But I digress. What I like most in his letters is his ability
to use allegories and examples so cleanly. I've tried it on occasion, and it's
hard, man.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, this week has been special with the ward too. The
Elders quorum finally got a 2nd counselor, so we have someone specifically
involved with us finally. It'll be nice to have a person who can coordinate
with us and the ward while we go out and work. The asking of just like 6 people
to do work can be worrying, because I have no idea if we are pushing on that
part of the ward a little too much, y'know?<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are prepping for this amazing baptism that should come
right at the end of this change. She has an active brother who is sealed and
everything, but is the only member in the family. I know that he has prayed and
fasted for his family a lot, so that they can know the truth of the gospel, and
I have the luck of carrying out those wishes from god. It is amazing to spend
each lesson with her and to help her, since she understands quickly and reads a
lot of the book of Mormon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week has also seen quite a bit of progress with our
other investigators. There are 2 couples that individually have said that they
want to get married! I probably won't see the marriages, but I helped 4 people
find their eternal companions over the course of 3 days, so I'm happy with my
work. I believe (nothing's confirmed, but the writing's on the wall) that I
leave this next change. I do think that I'm leaving the ward in a good shape
missionary-wise. We've had more than 4 people in church for 2 weeks in a row
now, and quite a few people are getting ready to get married or to receive a
date. Once people get a marriage date, they can receive a baptism date as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The marriage process here is different than how it runs in
the US though, I think. You have to go to the town hall, say you want to get
married, and then they give you a day 3 months down the line to come back so
they can marry you. Why there is that wait period I have no idea. Maybe it's
the same in the states, but I don't think so. I'll have to go to the town hall
this week to get the dates (you can have a friend do it in your name, so Olaiz
and I will just take the 2 dates our for our investigators), so I'll have more
info on that next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have spent the last week studying more from Preach My
Gospel, specifically with extending the commitments during a lesson. A common
mistake I made for a while was to teach all of the restoration and afterwards
stick 4 or 5 commitments at the end, being a "will you do this, this, and
this?"So, I've tried spreading out the commitments, like in the first
lesson saying "the prophets wrote the scriptures, and part of our visits
will require learning from these writings. Are you willing to read from the
scriptures in between our visits?"Or something like that. That way, there
is only 1 or 2 commitments at the end of the lesson, and it makes things
smoother and seem less like an inquisition.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Also, this letter is covering like the last 3 weeks or so of
work, but this latest Sunday over 9 investigators attended church! I was really
worried about 2 weeks ago that I would leave the sector in a really bad shape,
but there is a good number of progressing investigators, and 1 baptism that
should happen either the last week of my time here or the first week of the
time after I leave. So, I'm just a happy person for right now. I do think a
good number of them are progressing well, to the point where they bring the
reest of their family to church.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, I love all you guys, I hope you all have an amazing
week as well with me. I spend time thinking about yáll and the experiences we
could have together!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Chao chao!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-56691359043319141172019-07-03T14:13:00.000-07:002019-07-03T14:13:08.987-07:00<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
There are a couple people ready for baptism that will be
accepting their fechas this week, but nothing more. We have been focusing on
working with teh members in the ward.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We talked a little about the american cup that is going on
right now. Ian said that he only focused on the mission, but we do need to know
because when Chile is playing, there is literally NO ONE in the streets. As
such, we take our studies at that point so we don't lose precious time in the
other productive parts of the day. So, keeping up with the tournament actually
helps us a LOT. The lastest matches are the semis- Argentina and Brasil today,
Peru and Chile tomorrow. I bought a Chile shirt, but I still have the cheap
Peru shirt Ian bought me after his mission.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have helped my comp a lot in being 100% obedient to the
rules. He wasn't SUPER lazy, but there has been a few times where I have to say
"alright, time to get out and to work," or "hey, we have to do
more contacts." It's helped me learn how to get people to change without
offending them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy birthday to Keegan! They have the sweetart straws you
bought a lot at Plaid, so I'll buy one and eat it in memory of you. </div>
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Elder MacGregor was able to google chat with us and told us they were having a solar eclipse. It was only 90% in his city, but he got to use special glasses and take a peek. He has seen 2 solar eclipses in his life now. (2017 and now). LM</div>
Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-51560677121771885062019-06-21T04:21:00.000-07:002019-06-21T04:21:05.020-07:00<br />
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I wasn't able to write much this week, but here is a nice
experience. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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We found a family of 5 this last week, who all live
together. They are really religious, but you could tell that a chord struck
with them concerning the restored gospel. They understood everything right at
the start, and we were able to help them understand things like the Book of
Mormon in a flash. They did have some nice questions as well, including about
the nature of the Trinity vs. the godhead. The best part is how the lesson started
with a son, then the mom joined in, then the other sister and brother, and
finally the dad. So, it was nice to eventually have everyone in on the
conversation. They were also watching the American Cup for football, but they
were even willing to turn that off to listen to us. The spirit was strong, and
it was a moment of rejoicing. It was a nice simple moment that helped my
struggling comp. He's had issues with working the whole day, and the constant
rejection can get to him at times, so having just a nice simple 1st lesson
really helped him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-19093164540676813052019-06-13T14:25:00.000-07:002019-06-13T14:25:37.774-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tdf3UwsoED0/XQK9XJl24dI/AAAAAAAABqI/pYcDpgnB1GQ2zh72AGhN_ng00C2c39ZQQCLcBGAs/s1600/ElderAndersen%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1600" height="197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tdf3UwsoED0/XQK9XJl24dI/AAAAAAAABqI/pYcDpgnB1GQ2zh72AGhN_ng00C2c39ZQQCLcBGAs/s320/ElderAndersen%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Picture with Elder Andersen<br />
<br />
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This week has been pretty neat. Last pday my comp had to go
to the mission office because he left his debit card in an ATM, and had to get
a replacement. He coordinated with one of his old mission friends to send him a
violin he had in his last area, because the friend had to go to the office as
well that day. So, now my comp has a violin and he lets me try it out. So, now
I'm learnig a little of violin. Mind you, I sounds absolutely horrible, but
it's fun to play and actually simpler than what I thought it was. I only play
it on the p-days, which means I'll probably have 6 more times to try it out
before one of us leaves, but it'll be fun while it lasts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week we found our one person with a date again, she is
sometimes a little hard to get into contact with. She was REALLY sick last
sunday, all of her family, so it makes sense why they didn't come. She has plenty of support from the
ward, so that's good at the very least. Her brother wants to reactivate himself
to be able to baptize her when she gets ready for baptism, so it oculd turn
into a convert-reactivate double deal. Or a triple deal, since the mom wants to
come back as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We had interviews this week, and I think I'm staying for one
more change (so at least until the end of July) before I change sectors. After
that, I have no idea. He said some faint hints of "filling in the next
generations of leaders,"but I don't think it really has any significance.
I'll just keep working and see if something comes out of it this next change or
not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I've been reading in the book of Acts a lot this week. I
think my 2 favortie chapters are 6 & 7, being the martyrdom of Stephen. I
still kind of don't understnad why they got angry with him (they being the
Scribes and Pharisees) before he saw Jesus on the right hand of God, since
beforehand he was literally just retelling Jewish history, then how all the prophets
were killed, and how Jesus fufilled this prophecy. I don't know. Maybe the fact
he was condemming their unrighteous actions and they didn't like that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In ful truth, I think I like the Bible more as the
Reina-Valera (the spanish approved bible) than the KJV. I don't know why, since
they bascially say the same thing, but something about it I like more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I got to have an interchange this week with another Elder,
this one from Brasil, in the south. It was fun finding out how exactly
Portuguese and Spanish differ, because they are real similar languages (like
German and Dutch). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Also got a nice life story out of the day, and I found an
old missionary who served in the Chile Santiago North Mission in 1983-1985. So
close to dad's 1986-1988. But, he did have similar souvenirs to what dad had.
He showed us the small face shots in black and white that dad told us about
this last video chat. It's like a school ID photo (you know the style, with the
head tilt and the facing to the right but looking at the camera). He had a good
30 of them, if I remember correctly. He said he was an active member of the
church after his mission, for a good 20 years, getting married and sealed,
working with missionaries, being a friend to converts, the whole 9 yards. Then,
after some marital problems, they got divorced. Then he lost his job. then he
left his house. In all of that, not 1 member came to him to give him support,
to help him, to give a friendly word, nothing. Now, he's inactive. He told us
that the church is true and he knows it, reads the Book of Mormon, everything,
but "[He] will never cast a shadow through the Branch's meetinghouse for
the rest of his life."That bit's not so neat of a life story. Hopefully he
eventually decides to return. I think not a single person he knows still lives
int he branch. It constantly cycles members because no one has permanent
housing in the boundaries of the branch, so no one can fill a gap of Bishop or
Counselor for more than 3-4 years.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It's funny though, because I mentioned that dad served near
the same time in the same mission and <o:p></o:p></div>
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One to happier stuff. We found a lot of good people this
week as well. Some of them near golden, some of them not as much. We are trying
now to get to the point where they actually come to church. Even the family
with a date of reactivation and baptism is having difficulty going, and they
live 5 minutes walking from the church!<o:p></o:p></div>
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To invite some people to the church, this week we held an
pen house at the church. We all invited at least 3 people, and 1 inactive
member. Some came, most didn't. But, we got a few good commitments to come the
Sunday afterwords, there were free sopaipillas, and 2 other companionships were
there to help Olaiz and I in the work, so in the end it all kind of worked out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I do feel like I could get a 2nd baptism in this area, but
it's difficult getting peopleto progress. Just come to church, people!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This Sunday (the one after the 0 church arrivals, this blog
update covers 2), we had to do divisions with the ward. Why? Becuase between 3
o clock and 7:30 we had 14 appointments, close to 2 every half hour. 1
every half hour a companionship cna keep if they run and keep lessons short. 2
is just stright up impossible unless 3/4ths cancel or just aren't there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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ELder Olaiz has helped me get better at a
lot of things. He can go real effective contacts, he can give a lesson quick
and easy (something I sometimes struggle with is letting the lesson drag on and
on). There are other things he's helping me with too, I'll make a list next
update.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is the last email before changes. Considering what
president told me, I think we'll stay together for at least 1 more change.
Hopefully I get at least 1 more baptism before I leave. I do have time, I
believe<o:p></o:p></div>
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As for the 2nd sunday, 6 people came. So, things are looking
WAY up. Spirits are high, and the gruntwork we did this last week finally came
to fruition. Hopefully we keep the momentum. In fact, of the 6 who attended,
none were expected to come, and the 2 expected to come investigators didn't
show. How odd. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After the better sunday, we found an odd family. It{s a
mother and daughter, with teh roles switched. The mother wants to find truth
and light, but the younger daughter is the more reserved "well, I'm a
catholic"one. Usually the roles are reversed, so it makes teaching a
little differen't. That 1st lesson lasted over 70 minutes, becasue we were with
there witha member and the lesson kept getting off track with odd questions.
Like, "What is the church's view on Mary?"and "Have there been
any feamle prophets?"(The answers are she was special and chosen among
women, but we don't pray to here and she wasn't a virgen after Jesus'brothers
and sisters were born; the other is women can prophecy like Ana in the New
Testament, but don't get the priesthood and be a prophet in the calling sense).
A challenge for me, and I think for most missionaries is to keep a lesson in
line while using a member. Something I'm getting better at little by little.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Aside from that, there is just always more people to find
and teach, and I've seen miracles in the changes possible for peoples lives,
and cried when some have stopped progressing towards baptism. I have the luck
to be in this area for 6 more weeks, at the least.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That's about all for the week and a half, see you next time!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder MacGregor<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-90088751120084010692019-06-04T17:50:00.000-07:002019-06-04T17:50:19.672-07:00<br />
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Hey Everyone!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kind of a weird week this week. We had a lot of good lessons
with our investigators, being led by the spirit, with 1 accepting a baptismal date
and 1 or 2 others accepting the idea of baptism, but without a date for now
(those'll come next lesson). Not only that, we found a lot of people willing to
hear the gospel for at least a first time as well. So, how did it pan out at
sacrament meeting?<o:p></o:p></div>
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No one came.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kind of depressing, but we are working on it. The sad thing
is that all the interest in the world won't get you far if you aren't willing
to act on that interest. That is the one paradox of like half of my
investigators have. They say Ï'm not sure if I want to get baptized."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Well, why?"<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ï don't know, I just think I'm not prepared yet."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"We aren't asking you to get in the waters today, but
in about 3 weeks to a month. I know you can be prepped in that time because I
asked the Lord and he said you could."<o:p></o:p></div>
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But, I'm not sure if I'll be prepared by then."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"How are you going to get prepped, then? By going to
church."<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ï don't know everything yet."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"To be fair, I don't know everything about the church
either. But, how will you learn? Through reading the Book of Mormon and coming
to church."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just don't get it at times. They want to know more and to
prepare themselves, but they won't do the more important part of that
preparation. Going to church. The conversations don't always turn out that way,
but it does on occasion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, Aside from the sad result at church, this week was
actually pretty great. The people we found were from all types of backgrounds,
and I met my first Bolivian this week. I think I've now met someone from most
of the 10 big South American countries- Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia,
Bolivia, Brasil, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay. I'm still missing a dude from
Uruguay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I finally got to that point in the mission where I can
really teach to people's needs as opposed to just giving lesson 1 everytime.
For example, the Bolivian dude got taught the Law of Chastity in conjunction
with the post-mortal life, because he said he had issues with looking at women.
It actually went prety well considering what the lesson material was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also met a dude who painted the Concepción temple before
the dedication. He always had questions about Joseph Smith and if the Book of
Mormon replaced the Bible (hint, hint, it doesn't)..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ALSO, a random dude came up to us this last thursday and
said to us (in Spanish) "Do one of you guys know English?"I said I
did, and he gave me the weirdest book I've ever seen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a black book, that with gold lettering on the front
said "BOOK OF MORMON"on the side it said the same, with a ZB below. I
open ot the first page and it has the title page of the book of mormon with it
being published by Zion Bound Inc.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a copy of the Book of Mormon from the Community of
Christ, known earlier as the Reformed Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints. I got an apostate book of mormon in english here in Chile. Why? Because
the 2nd temple (now sold to an evangelist church) of the RLDS is right across
the street from my apartments. It was sold because of mismanagement, but they
still have the occasional supply of RLDS things in the area. By the way, that
2nd temple was the only 2nd temple of that church. They're back to the only one
in Missouri.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, back to the book. It doesn't have footnotes, and
instead of shorter chapters of 30 verses each, it has longer chapters of around
100 verses that are usually the size of 2 or 3 of our chapters. Did you know
that 1 Nephi 3 has 256 verses? I didn't. It also doesn't have overviews.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, mot much else for this week. Didn-t have a lot of
time to write, I-ll do more next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-52037199368835145472019-05-22T18:35:00.002-07:002019-05-22T18:35:51.349-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was a very good week. We had spent the last 2
doing a lot of contacts, but without a lot of success, and not a lot of people
were listening to us. But, this week was way better because not only did we
beat the goal of the mission of new investigators for the week, we did it in
the best way possible, being that EVERY SINGLE ONE of the news were very
interested in us, and a couple are ready to even receive some baptismal dates,
going from not know what the church was to near-baptism-goal ready in 1 week.
It might have been more common in Ian's mission, but here in Chile it is a
little rare. When Elder Anderson of the 12 came here about a month ago now, he
mentioned how the Chile Area, and the country, is starting to fall behind other
Latin American countries, especially Argentina. When Dad served here, Chile was
the promised land of Latin America, and now it's changed over to Peru and
Argentina instead. So, that's why they sent me here. To return the title of
Promised Land to it's proper owner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, I don't think I've ever mentioned to you guys the
most amazing video that exists here in Chile. The first missionaries to the
country of Chile were 2 young men in 1956. So, in 2012, in honor of the coming
of the 50 years of la Misión Chilena, the Santiago to Concepción area made a
video called "Creemos"or "We Believe."There is a copy of it
in ever missionary house, and it is the best thing ever. It goes through the
Church History in Chile, from the times of the Book of Mormon, to Christopher
Columbus, to the Wars for Independence, to Elder Parley P. Pratt's visit in the
1800s, to the opening of Chile as a mission in 1956, to the modern day. Imagine
a Nauvoo pageant, but Chilean, and it is sooo amazing. Lots of jokes for the
missionaries to talk about.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for P___, it looks like he won't be able to get baptized
on the week that we are planning, but he is making progress. We are finally
able to focus on the rest of his family as well, which is nice. Supposedly they
will be all going on a hiking trip to a nearby hill with the rest of the Young
Men here. The YM president reminds me of Brother Holwege. I don't know why, but
he just does. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of which, the bishop here is amazing. He is a
5'5"short man, but with a huge heart and a disposition to work and be a friend
to the missionaries. His name is Bishop Tasso. He also likes basketball, so
he's told me how Portland has gotten pretty far this season. How cool is that?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I finally got through the 4 gospels in spanish. I'd been
focusing more on the book of Mormon, of course, but learning about the
pre-resurrection teachings of Christ are great as well. Though, I do fully
understand the need of a restoration the more I read it in Spanish. My favortie
bit is when Peter says "Lord, these things surely shouldn't pass"(talking
of the future crucifixion and death of Christ) and as a response, the God of
Love decides to say "Get behind me, Satan."The JST then mentions
(along with Jesus the Christ) that this is more attacking the idea of not
having to be the savior than Christ attacking Peter for being sympathetic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another thing I've learned here in the mission- that just
like me pre-mission, literally no one here reads the epistles regularly. They
have the first 4 gospels and Revelation down pat, and maybe the Acts if they are
well versed, but to most, the Epistles of Paul are a dark hole where only
Pastors and Clergy read. Yet, they are actually pretty good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, the books of Isaiah, 1 and 2 Kings, and Jeremiah are
actually SO nice to read. I know why the Isaiah Chapters are a hump for
members, and why not even a speeding bullet can't go through Isaish, but if you
take the time to think about his words, they are pretty dope. Sometimes a good
guide is required, but is can make the chaptetrs a lot more interesting,
instead of the 2 where Isaiah sends a angel to kill 185,000 Assyrians, and the
other 1 chapter where he moves the sun 10 degrees back, to show that a king has
15 more years to live before he dies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look, what I'm here to say is JUST READ THE BIBLE WITH THE
BOOK OF MORMON. THEY'RE BOTH AMAZING.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, back to the mission. The mission as a whole has been
trying harder to get members to do their own missionary work, where each week
they pray, read a couple verses, invite a couple people, and get at least 1 to
come to the church and start receiving the missionaries in their houses. I do
think it will work out, seeing as the mission president promised us that at
least 1 baptism will happen a month if we put out full efforts into the new
idea. Me and my comp are working with it hard, so hopefully in June we can see
the fruits of our labor, all the way to the end of my time in this sector.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, it does look like a lot of people are willing to start
progressing. We found an old inactive member who wants to return, with his newborn
baby and his nonmember wife, and there is another who feels the presence of his
ancestors in his house, and I told him that it was his ancesotrs waiting to
receive their ordinances in the temple after he has been baptized himself. He
is willing to prepare himself, but thinks that a date is a little to early to
set. But, I do think he can turn into a sure baptism. He works a weird
schedule, though, so..... it will be a hurdle to cross.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A snack that I like here is one that dad mentioned to me in
the Christmas call, that I'll send home in the package htat I promise I'll
send. They are called Alfajores, or an Alfajor. Since poptarts don't exist
here, except for 1 candy store in a mall close by, this is the closest
replacement, but they are a little richer. Take the cookie covering of a
poptart, but make it SUPER soft and crumbly, so much so that if you aren't
careful it'll get crushed by gentle hand holding pressure, and in the middle
put conensed milk, the super swwet caramel like kind. Then, make it a circle,
cover it in chocolate, stick it in the fridge so it's cold, and viola. A
simple, Chilean (and Argentinian, according to my comp) way to get obese in the
matter of days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, sadly, I have actually NOT gainged weight on my
mission, as far as I can tell. At the very least, my belt at the start of the
mission was on the 2nd smallest belt hole before I left, and now I'm on the
smallet. So, I may need to but a new belt if I get any skinnier. To all who
knew me before the mission, I'm confused too. I thought I couldn't get any
skinnier either. Maybe I should eat even worsse than I am or I should work
less, and yet I don't think I'll be doing either of the 2.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week has just been really spiritual as we are finally
seeing the work of the past 2 weeks, and it literally feels like I've been lead
to people who WANT to recieve the gospel. PMG tlaks about having faith that the
Lord will put people prepared to receive the gospel in the way for you. With
the last 2 comps, I don't think I fully understood it fully, but know I do. The
Lord really does direct his work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, here is a bunch of photos from the last few entries.
Sorry for not uploading them earlier. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another thing I realized out here, but I don't think I've
told you guys, is that I knew that some my friends had never read the Book of
Mormon, but I don't think I ever fully realized it. I think it's because as a
kid I knew more about the BoM than the Bible, especially the Old Testament.
But, if I went up to my friends now and asked them about Alma, or Nephi and
Laman and Lemuel, I'd just get a buch of blank stares. One of my old comps had
an 80s church video called "How Rare a Posession,"talking about how
the Book of Mormon realy is still an unknown book to many people, though it can
be such a blessing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than that, I can't really think of anything else to
tell you all for this week, see you next with more stories!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-71581391271481959182019-05-15T07:37:00.000-07:002019-05-15T07:37:20.485-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, this week been very great! I finally got the
packages you guys sent me for Easter, right in time for my birthday. Since we
get the packages from home in the same system that they deliver all the things
to the missionaries, PBM (para bautizar más or to baptize more in english), I
didn't just get my package that day. My companion took one look at our home and
basically said älright, we got to change everything here."He asked for a
ton of things this PBM round, so it almost felt like christmas. The older
couple that drives the van saw my comp and I, and said ÿeah, half of this car is
for you guys."I didn't even care about half the things in the house that
he ordered. Like a toilet seat. We had one for the 2nd bathroom (for this house
we have 2, it's nice) but it was broken and stuck under the sink. I guess it's
just a testament to my willingness to live in filth. I don't make new filth, I
have made myself be organized with my clothes, desk, and food and whatnot, but
I came to the house and the toilet seat was already ripped off. I just didn't
care enough to fix it on my own. My new comp is better than me in that regard.
He also asked for a vacuum (I just used a broom), blankets (I don't know why,
we have like 5, but they are too dirty apparently), and lots of pass out
cards. That one we actually did need.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But anyway, that wasn't the favorite bit of PBM I had today.
Instead, it was the packages from the family. I'm grateful for the family chart
of Nana and Val. I finally have them all organized and straight in my mind. I
don't know where I got the 9 kids of Nana number, but that is soo off. Whoops.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The candy is amazing. There is a candy shop in the nearest
mall that sells some imported candy, but it is super expensive and out of my
budget range. Plus, they only have Mike and Ikes, and not my favortie Hi-chews.
I made sure this time around to make it last for a while instead of eating it
all at once. The peeps though, I am sorry to say, have already gone to the
endless pit of my stomach, though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The flag, photos, stickers, and calendar of Oregon were
great to have. I finally have something to show the latinos that come by and
ask from which part of California where I'm from. My current comp, elder Olaiz,
was pretty surprised about how Oregon has a 2 sided flag. I now have it hanging
above my bed, but you can bet that I am not letting anyone write on it like
other missionaries do. It's too precious to me to let that happen to it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
but, the best thing that I got that way was the ties from
the family, and the notes you guys sent me. I did read them all in the right
order, being Mom, Keegan, Aiden, and Dad. Why? because mom's is the most
spiritually related, then Keegan talking about how great he is, then Aiden
mentioning how he is better and that Keegan isn't the favorite son, and ending
with dad mentioning the other parts of life going down back home. Also Aiden,
the talk mentioning the Cheerios and Diapers, and later telling Dad to get
there on time was none other than Elder Holland himself. I liked that talk too.
I am super happy to have you guys as my family, there really could be none
better than you all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, on with the week. This week we have had quite a few
appointments with P__, and he is progressing really nicely. He esaily could be
in the waters of baptism in 3 weeks. I would say 2 but there is a conference
that get in the way of it all. Sadly, though, he is willing to stop drinking
beer and wine, but he doesn't want to stop drinking his morning tea and coffee.
We're still working on that, but he doesn't really have a reason aside from
that to not be baptized, and has real intention to read the book (being already
in 1 Nephi 14, the chapter that talks about how there are only 2 churches in
the world- the church of the Lamb of God and the church of the devil. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other baptism, B_____, will have to wait nearly 3 weeks
to be confirmed because this week is conference, then his dad has custody for a
week. That's kind of bad, but I'm sure he'll do alright. He is an amazing kid,
just like Keegan in some ways.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, Dad asked for a list for the report- here it is<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 9 to Nov 19, CCM with Elder McDaniel from American
Fork, Utah, in Mexico<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
November 20 to February 10, with Elder Lewis from Mapleton,
Utah, my trainer, in Barrio Carrión<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Febraury 11 to March 24, with Elder Cuenca form Ecuador, in
Barrio Carrión<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
March 25 to May 5, with Elder Untch from Kansas City,
Missouri, in Barrio Conchalí 10<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
May 6 to June 16 or more, with Elder Olaiz from Argentina,
in Barrio Conchalí 10.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hopefully that's what you wanted. As for a list of facts, I
guess here come some:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have learned enough basic creole to teach the lessons, and
to contact. My favorite words and phrases are (and google translate may help
with pronounciation here)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nou se misyonè legliz Jezikri pou sen dènye jou yo, ak nou
genyen mensaj konsèynan levanjil la. Ekse ou gen anpil lafwa? Anfom, zanmi'm.
máp anprann kreyòl pou liv yo. liv la ki m prefere se liv mòmon an, yon lòt
temwayaj konsènan jezikri. Liv mòmon an te ekriti pou anpil pwofet yo, ak m
konnen ki liv mòmon an se verite. Eske nou kapab vini lakay'w pou ensenye'w?
Náp we, zanmi.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints, and we have a message about the gospel. Do you have a lot of
faith? Awesome, my friend. I'm learning Creole by books. My favorite is the
Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon was
written by a lot of prophets, and I know the Book of Mormon is true. Can we
come to your house and teach you? See you later, friend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I like creole, not because it's a complex language (to be
honest, it's the complete opposite), but because it is just a lot of fun to
speak. It's a mix of French, Spanish, and English, with some words from Africa
thrown in as well. Plus, it's a real easy language to learn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, the call on Sunday was great. I loved how Keegan
just kept on making faces the whole time at the camara, hoping that I'd make
one back. I did like 3 times. If you guys want to call me, just call when I'm
online. It'll change from time to time, but I think Olaiz and I are planning on
doing it at around 1:30 our time, so he can call his family in Argentina, while
I call yáll. If the computer I'm using has skype, I'll try to use it if that's
what you want, otherwise I would prefer to use Google Hangouts, it sets up just
as easy and is intergrated into the church email service.Additionally, it can
work with multiple computers in a multicall, so when Ian's in Utah all 3 of us
can be in the same video chat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, Ian, the reason the call was a little early is because
Chile implemented daylight savings this year, and if I had called at 6 or 6:30
your time, it would have been 10:30 my time, which is after curfew. Speaking of
Daylight Savings in this country, the cell phones here are having issues with
it, and they change back and forth between 2 hour times every 3 days or so. It
also doesn't help that the chilean peoplee are kind of late to everything, so
it gets to the point where people arrive to things one and a half hours late
and they act like it's normal. We go knocking on doors at 1pm and people say
Ï'm just getting up, why are you out so early?"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So dad served in the branch El Roble, so I'll guess I'll
have to start looking into the books to see where it's limits were and who were
the leaders at that time. I'm sure there's a record of it SOMEWHERE, but I
don't know perfectly where it might be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Actually, speaking of American Brands here in Chile, there
are quite a few. You have the standard McDonald's, but also Wendy's, Burger
King, Pizza Hut, Papa John's, Domino's Pizza, KFC, Subway,you name it. BUT,
there is one difference. Only 1 of the restaurants have the US standard free
refill. That is, the Carl's Jr, in 2 of the 5 malls I know of in the mission,
though maybe a 3rd will come soon. So, of course, the gringos sometimes go to
Plaza de Armas or my old sector just to get that free refill. Also, the idea of
a public, free bathroom really doesn't exist here. Instead, you either have to
pay 500 pesos (or like a dollar) or hold it to the house. Only 2 of the malls
have free public bathrooms, and they are like hidden WAY in the back so no one
finds them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A recent law chile passed is that supermarkets can no longer
giv e you bags for free anymore. If you want a bag, you have to pay for each
one. So, as money-savvy missionaries, we bring reusable bags, and if we need
plastic bags for the trash, we go to the feria (like a farmer's market but
bigger and it sells all kinds of stuff. Think of the street market in Indiana
Jones mixed with a garage sale). There, the good sellers usually still give you
a bag, so we buy fruits and what not, for the bag just as much as for the fruit
itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, because the Chilean peso is so poor, they no longer accept
the 1 peso and 5 peso coins as legal tender. the 10 peso coin is the smallest
unit from now on. So, everyone just kind of threw their 1 and 5 coins into the
street, and I collect them if I find them. The change is pretty recent,
so there's still plenty to find. The coins themselves are smaller than my
finger nail, and the 10 is about the size of a nickel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had a fun adventure with cooking with spaghetti. as I was
putting in the salt into the broth (and looking back I'm not sure if I'm
supposed to do that), the bag ripped and a LOT of salt came in. But, the
spaghetti turned out alright, it wasn't to bad, so that was great. I have
learned a couple of receipes here in the mission, but I still need to learn how
to make sopaipillas, a native dish here. Well, it's techncally a native dish,
but in reality it's just fried dough made of a pumpkin-like fruit? here and
flour. It's actually really good with mayonaise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This last week elder Olaiz and I did a lot of contacting.
We've found quite a few people that seem interested in the gospel, so now we
just need to get those first few appointments where we get through the door and
actually teach them. At the very least, I can see that my contacting abilities
have gotten better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, that's all that I can really think of at the current
time, I'll see if there is more I can share next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you! XOXOXOX<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for the birthday wishes! I'll be in zone conference,
but I'l make sure to treat myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-89822220286533394282019-05-08T18:18:00.003-07:002019-05-08T18:18:54.668-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My new comp, (yes, yet another, 3 in 3 changes) has this
neat device that is a keyboard that records what you type. Then, you plug it in
to the computer later and it writes it all really fast. So, basically, I can
write a little more for the next 6 weeks at the least. So, I'll share a little
bit more of what's been popping down here, especially I had a baptism this last
week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
B__ is a 10 year old litle kid, and he's
amazing. He has some real desire to do the best he can in the church. He's even
preparing himself as hard as possible to receive the priesthood. It's good,
because his parents are having a hard time. One is a less active member who
doesn't want to go back to church until he is 100% worthy. The mother of B__ wants to get
baptized and join the church, but can't while she's not married, and they can't
get married because he can't get divorced. At the least we hope that the
baptism will get them into the habit of attending church and being as faithful
as they can in the current situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This last change that just finished was a change full of
learning about how different even other members of the church can be between
each other. Elder Untch was amazing, a great teacher and user of his divine
calling in regards to showing the power of god. for example, there was a lady
he contacted that he promised that if she went to church that week, she would
find a job the day after that would allow her to attend every week. She went,
and that happened. Then, when she stopped coming and said to us Ï don't need
god anymore, I have the work I need"he promised her that if she wouldn't
attend that week, she would lose her job. It happened as well. He's also amazing
at seeing the small miracles in things, like how when we plan for someone and
they are there right as we arrive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My new comp is Elder Olaiz, from Argentina. He comes from
the South, near the border of Chile. He lives about as far away from the
mission field as Elder Nissinan does from his home. He's a suprise because it
feels like as if my friend E___ was an Argentinian and was currently serving a
mission. I still don't know everything about him,
since I've literally spent maybe 1 day with him, but he seems like a dope dude.
At the very least, it seems like he is a good worker and he does bomb at street
contacting. We'll be doubling the number of contacts Untch and I did together,
and I know because we hit a 50% growth on day 1 together. His type of humor is
a very punny type of humor too, so I feel like this change is going to be
great.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I've been reading in the beginning of the book of
mormon again, and I spent the last personaly study reading a little in 1 Nephi
11 to 14. Reading over it, I have to wonder how long that vision must have
taken, considering he seems basically all of Nephite history between Chirst and
the end (though to be fair, it only is 4 Nephi to Moroni), but afterwords sees
Columbus, the Revolutionary War, the Restoration, and the revealing of new
scriptures via the Book of Mormon. God probably uses dreams because if he took
them physically away they'd probably be gone for hours if not days. Not only
that, but think about how a dude who lived 600 years before Christ saw guns.
How weird would that be to him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A neat spiritual experience this week was seeing how the
gospel can literally change lives. We have an investigator named P__, who is addicted
to alcohol, and has told us that he has tried very hard to get off it for many
years, but he just hasn't been able to do it. So, we taught him how to pray,
and told him that every time he feels he wants to drink, he will pray, and he
will gain the strength to not drink and put it down or dump it out. He managed
to keep himself sober for a week at this point, and he also went to church on
his own, without too much of our help. If anything has truly been powerful, it
must be the gospel, where it can sometimes make even that strong addiction
disappear just like that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now, for a funny story for the week. We passed by the
area we have in the sector called Dr. Yazigi (that's the name of the street),
which is completely filled to the brim with Haitians. The thing is, sometimes
I don't think some forms of logic exist in that place. Like how the last time
we went, there was a group of around 6 Haitians working together to throw a
washer machine out of the window. The thing is, they were doing this on the 3rd
floor, and all of the doors in the place are wide enough to fit this washing
machine they have. Why they didn't carry it down the stairs, I have no idea.
But, they managed to get it out and pushed it away. But, since they had it tied
up to help them lower it, it came swinging right back at the wall below
them, then into the window of the floor below, knocking everything everywhere.
It was a pretty funny sight. It's difficult to get a baptism there, since there
is a lot of chastity issues and even the faithful ones aren't legally married.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Looking at my diary, it's hard to realize that I've filled
it halfway up. The diary is only meant to last a year, but still. I've hit and
passed the 1/4 mark already. I did burn a tie at Elder Untch's request, but I'm
not sure if I'll ever burn a whole shirt. As for which tie I burned, I found
one in the back of the closet that another missionary left at the end of his
mission.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm sure the Returned Missionaries from South America know
this, but I've gotten hooked on the agenda-making here. As missionaries, the
church provides us with an agenda per change, so 1 every 6 weeks. The thing is,
the covers are kind of flimsy, so people take the pass along card or whatnot to
stiffen them, and then put a picture on top to make it look nice. I have gotten
hooked on it, and I feel like mom in her card-making room, doing crafts for
other missionaries when I have that little bit of free time at the start or end
of a day. I'll usually get a funny caption, add a scripture that relates, and tape it all
over to make it look nice. I can definitely see my creativity getting better as
I now find random images and think "how can I make this a good agenda
cover."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing I've learned here in the field is how to
incentivize myself. there is a sushi place that does delivery nearby our house.
So, when I and my comp make 30 contacts together for a whole week, we get sushi
on Friday, because that's when they have a deal of 60 pieces for 11,000 pesos,
or about 16 dollars. I don't know if that's expensive for the states or not,
but it's the cheapest here for over 50 pieces.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, for the last few pdays, I've been reading Saints- a
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since my comps talk
a lot with there families and call every week, I sometimes have extra time
after I've written all of my letters. So, I browse the Church websites,
downloading videos of the church, reading the Joseph Smith Papers (of which I
understand 0%), or whatnot. But recently, I've been hooked on Saints. I'm
currently on Chapter 22 or so, when the Saints first get thrown out of
Missouri. It's a pretty good book, and I learned a lot of things I didn't know
beforehand. For example, how during a special meeting in the Kirkland Temple,
the Acts 2 decending of the Spirit like a fire and the speaking of tongues
happened again, giving them the power from on high mentioned in the D&C
sections preceeding the dedication.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alright, I have alittle bit more time, so I'll talk about
chilean things that were weird to me when I started but now I don't really
notice. They still use horses here on occasion, like in the central plaza areas
the police have a calvary group of like 2 or 3 officers on horseback.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A lot of people want to know english, so they occasionally
yell "Hello! How are you?"to me, to which I always reply Ï am fine,
and you?"They always say "very good, very good."It's kind of funny
to me, because that was about my ability with spanish when I left the CCM, os
Ican't really fault them for literally not knowing anything else in English.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When people finally realized that it isn't pronounced
"Helders"and instead is Ëlders,"and that it's a title and not
our first names, they always ask for what my first name is. I usually go with
Malcolm, but to the occasional drunk who won't even remember the conversation,
I sometimes say that my named is Aetheldred or some other weird Anglo-Saxon name.
They can't even pronounce Malcolm right, so seeing them try to say Aetheldred
in a drunken slur is kind of funny. I don't think I've met a single missionary
here that likes giving out their first name. I barely knew my comp's first
name, and he's already left for home in Ecuador (that's my 2nd comp, Elder
Cuenca).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No one here get up until after 12 oçlock, and the grandmas
not until 2 or so. So, here is me, a gringo, walking about at 11ish and
wondering where all the people are. We usually have to take all of our studies
in the morning because no one is out that early except for us and the
occasional Jehovah's Witness group.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Actually, speaking of the Jehovah's Witnesses, I had no idea
how popular they were here in Chile. They might have more Salones del Reino de
los Testigos de Jehová (that's the spanish name, I don't know what it is in
English because I've never seen one) than Chapels for the true church. So, on
occasion, we'll run into their proselyting groups. It's interesting what they
believe, but I think it's more because of the fact that I hear more about their
doctrine through the missionary grapevine than from themselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A native dish here is called Casuela. Imagine a half of a
chicken in a broth with undercooked vegetables, including either a whole potato
or a corncob. Then, to eat it, they just give you a spoon. A spoon to eat a
half of a chicken, bones and all. Then, for dessert, they give you half of a
watermelon to eat with another spoon. I absolutely love both of them, though.
On the occasional cold day, the broth can really warm you up, and the lots of
food and fruit keeps me going, usually to the next lunch the day after. I don't
need to spend a lot of money on food because the members are so genereous. They
are willing to do whatever we need to. I'm 100% sure they are better member
missionaries than I was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, Olaiz is asking for this back, so here is where I'll
end it for now. Hopefully I'll write more next week if I have more time!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder MacGregor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
XOXOXOXOXOXOX<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-13703558806625132242019-04-30T14:59:00.000-07:002019-04-30T14:59:27.101-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn't get sacrament this week because....<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Saturday we had Elder Anderson come to the mission,
along with José Teixeira, from the presidency of the 70. They both talked to us
on the Saturday in a special mission conference. During Anderson's talk, he got
on to the topic of who wrote where in the Book of Mormon. Like how it's Lehi in
2 Nefi 2, or How it's Jacob in 2 Nefi 9. He asked who wrote Ether 12 and I got
to impress him by being the one to say Moroni. So, I have that off the bucket
list. Impress an Apostle of the Lord. On sunday my stake (Conchalí) had
conference with just Teixeira, and that was amazing too. We got a photo with
him, and just the 10 missionaries in our stake. I got to shake hands with
multiple of the higher-serving servants of the Lord. I'm so happy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than that, I got the highest number of news in the
mission this week with 17, so they put my face in the weekly email they send
out. I'm sure it's usually higher in Perú, but it's pretty good here
considering.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That's all, Love you! XOXOXXOX<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'll send the photo of Teixeira in a bit. The mission took
photos of Anderson, I'll see if I can forward that too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-22851592998512437392019-04-23T13:15:00.004-07:002019-04-23T13:15:50.535-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
For Easter, I had chicken and rice, which is the 2nd most
common meal here after rice and beans. Did dad tell you that? Or did I mention
it at some point?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sounds your easter was great. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The new YM YW program may at the very least, the
program may work better here in Chile. Everyone works so much it's hard to have
weekly mutual. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are sometimes things a little difficult? Sure. But focusing
on them isn't going to change anything. Keep working and everything will work
out. And, if I remember correctly, Pres. Fotheringham mentioned that I should focus
on positive things as opposed to negative things. so, I'm just following
counsel from my old stake president.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also I met with a lady who served in the Chile Santiago North Mission in 1984-1985. She mentioned a president Glaiser. Was that dad's mission president?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you, XOXOXXOOXXO </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-65030145435902483062019-04-16T13:02:00.000-07:002019-04-16T13:02:08.780-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
When it comes to easter I prefer to think of the 2nd cleansing of the temple (I didn't even know there was a second until I read Jesus the Christ) and then on the important stuff the day after. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don't think that kids can really understand things like the transfiguration at that age. but, we have to try, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My comp got sick this last week with a nasty latin american virus, so I reorganized our papers and read and studied. We have an area filled to the brim with haitians and they're always receptive so we don't have to do a lot of contacting. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder MacGregor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-32183979621091000262019-04-09T15:44:00.003-07:002019-04-09T15:44:47.656-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
THEY RELEASED MY BOY TAD!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tad R Callister is my favorite, and they released him and had him speak afterword. They didn't even put "former sunday school president," they didn't put anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That's great that Ian was able to go live. I hear that when the speakers end talking all you can hear is coughing and whatnot. I'll have to see if that's right.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I liked priesthood session too. My comp, not so much. He likes the stick-beating, make-you-feel-bad-so-you-change kind of priesthood session and has been complaining about the throwaway line that a speaker said, who mentioned how women and 11 year olds are watching. He's says that it's no longer the same. All I say is that if the Lord wanted to make us feel bad, he would have done it. It's not like the speakers just choose a topic and what to say at random.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Favorite moment is when Nelson told everyone to shut up while they announced the new temples, and one with be in Antofagasta! The fact that rumors were abounding was funny. I think people kind of just expected a big change since Nelson did ministering for his first and 2 hours the 2nd, this being his 3rd and 1st without a big change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Little did they know releasing Tad is the biggest change they've done yet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That would be fun! I do really want to go to the rededications of the the old temples when they're renovated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>Elder MacGregor</o:p></div>
Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-31411196836649819132019-04-03T13:06:00.003-07:002019-04-03T13:06:40.574-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don't take too many photos, mainly because I'm working, and that in a sector a little poorer now. I will have to send a photo of all the haitians I teach. Mainly because they are all in this one apartment complex, so you go in and it literally feels more like haiti than chile, I bet. everyone speaks Creole there and only some english. So, I get my creole practice with them every so often.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GBS_V5xIZtI/XKURlKNNSkI/AAAAAAAAAow/pl6-Y-njhgUGUXpDc0Qe6SgCpZ1OY7tewCLcBGAs/s1600/P1050068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GBS_V5xIZtI/XKURlKNNSkI/AAAAAAAAAow/pl6-Y-njhgUGUXpDc0Qe6SgCpZ1OY7tewCLcBGAs/s320/P1050068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This star wars ship was actually from my old sector, where a recent convert showed us his 1 year work. It's crazy big and crazy detailed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My new comp is great, and he definitely shows me how much of a democrat I really am. We sometimes talk about politics (or he lectures me and if I have a difference of opinion and explain why he says 'whoa don't get uspet') but we try to keep that on the downlow. He worked since 14, lived on his own, read the Quran and also went to every church in the area before settling on the church of Christ, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'll just have to follow the sustained prophets we get to hear at General Conference.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, Elder MacGregor<o:p></o:p></div>
Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272725636099791846.post-17345862971683636472019-03-30T08:21:00.002-07:002019-03-30T08:21:41.026-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jKv2h_pN78E/XJ-IOa1GiCI/AAAAAAAAAoI/ua1c3AM0rl0YrRCpVkQbNdUwEY4MaXeDgCLcBGAs/s1600/P1050115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jKv2h_pN78E/XJ-IOa1GiCI/AAAAAAAAAoI/ua1c3AM0rl0YrRCpVkQbNdUwEY4MaXeDgCLcBGAs/s320/P1050115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zivZTRGaHOs/XJ-IQUoo0EI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/3hyjVhz3PlM7erFtauB03pyIPnfdfED5wCLcBGAs/s1600/P1050138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zivZTRGaHOs/XJ-IQUoo0EI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/3hyjVhz3PlM7erFtauB03pyIPnfdfED5wCLcBGAs/s320/P1050138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, thanks for the update. I usually jsut forget to send photos, that's all. I've sent the photo from my 2nd baptism of an lady named Isabel, and my second companion, Elder Cuenca. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm now on my third, Elder Untch, who I took a quick photo with too. I'm in my second sector, called Conchalí 10. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, There are so many haitians here and they just let us in to talk. We get a lot of new investigators, but also they seldom progress here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Much Love,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder MacGregor<o:p></o:p></div>
Team #6http://www.blogger.com/profile/03816318297308910195noreply@blogger.com0