Christmas Week & A Baptism

This week was a week of miracles. A mom and daughter got baptized, and they couldn´t be happier. 

The baptism went really well, they looked beautiful. Not a lot of members came because of Christmal weekend, but I know there were concourses of angels that supported her. We went early in the morning to clean the font and clean the whole church (it was a little messy) and we bought tarteletas from a member and brought that and 2 big containers of pop to the baptism, it was a party. What could have gone wrong did go wrong. We started late because we were waiting for her slip (we used a member´s temple dress and they are really see through), we couldn´t get the hot water to work at first (the elders had to come and help us, yes the damsels is distress...ha), and little things like that. But it turned out great!! Her mom at the baptism thanked us, and said her life has completely changed. Well, it wasn´t us who did it, and you can be baptized too!!:) 

We had a ward christmas activity the next day, and she came to that and everyone made her feel very special. She will have a FHE with a ward family tonight, and the Bishop is taking them gifts for Christmas today because she is going to be alone for Christmas. We will definately pass by for her and Cristina and Maria Luisa and other recent converts, less actives and other people who are in their homes alone this time of year.

Another family is so so so incredible!!! We gave them chapters in the Book of Mormon and the Plan of Salvation pamphlet to read before and....they read everything, and honestely we just sat there and listened as they taught us the lesson. All we did was clarify some points and answer the questions they had. We talked about temples and they want to get sealed in the temple and be an eternal family. Everytime we leave, my comp and I are so happy. They were prepared by angles before we even knocked on their door. Alma 13. It is incredible to be a part of their lives as they are investigating the church. They came late to the activity, but it went went because they got to know other members and the bishop. They already have a lot of friends in the church, and a member friend has already given them Liahonas to read, and two church movies to watch. Best friends literally FOR EVER!!:)   

We found a new investigator, she is 83 years old. She is alone in her house. Both of her husbands have died, and she was only able to have one child and he lives in Switzerland. We try to visit her a lot. We have to teach the lessons slowly and simply, but she is smart and understands everything. She is so cute, in  the first visit, she cut off roses for us, which we put on our table:) And then the second time, we told her we don´t drink tea, so we went out to her garden and plucked off a few mint leaves to put in our herbal tea. she then gave us a lot of mint plants to take home. She also offered us two beds to sleep in whenever we want. One day she´ll be baptized too:) She wants to live with her first husband 

forever. She told us that there is always something special about the first. 

Awsome Week and Christmas Package

I received your packages!!!!! I found the granola and have already begun eating it (I just finished with the old, so it came just in time) it is so so so fresh:) I hope Josh´s aunt comes to Chile every month and delivers a package! haha.
But thank you so very very very much!! You are the best!!!!!! I got josh´s package as well with delicious no bake cookies and other chocolates, it was very nice of him. 

This week was awesome! 

One of our investigator families passed their baptismal interviews, so they will be baptized next Saturday, they are very excited. The found that in the church the world is her friend. The church is incredible that way, one big happy family. It was her birthday yesterday and she didn´t tell us...So we quickly organized with a family a big huge lunch in the church with her, it worked out well cause she had her baptismal interview right before. And then we ran home and made brownie batter and brought some birthday things that my parents sent me:) and we ran to her house, cooked the brownies and cleaned her whole house and decorated it. A member family came over and we had a little celebration, she was happy. 

Another family are the perfect investigators. They read, all of them, they all came to church. They accepted baptismal dates for January 25 as a family. That would be amazing. When we are with them they look up words, they ask awesome questions, they are genuinely interested. They loved church and want to keep coming. When we teach them they always make something for us. Yesterday was pizza and cake with ecco cacao. We should be back in the apt at 9:30, but we really have until 10, which is the max time we have to be back in the apt. They know the 10 rule. So it was 9:15 when we finished the lesson, and they looked at the time and said. O good we still have 45 minutes with the missionaries. Hna Stewart and I just looked at each other and laughed a hearty laugh. They are really good friends with a lot of members, so we already got an in, and a member comes with us to every lesson. God has really done everything and we are just there as instruments, its pretty sweet. 

Another investigator came to church and loved it again!! She has a baptismal date on January 5. She decided to leave us and so stopped reading the Book of Mormon for a few days, and then she got curious and felt like she should start reading it again. She began to read again and felt so peaceful and happy she hasn't stopped reading since and is even more receptive. She (completely on her own) has tried to not drink coffee and tea. atta girl!! People have to ACT if they want to receive an answer.  

Instruction time at a leadership conference.

Mission conference.

Maggie's district.

Christmas present from the Steeles.

Cleaning the baptismal font.

Investigator's birthday!

Thanksgiving & Many Baby Hills

"Thanksgiving was great. We asked the lady with whom we had lunch if she could, bake some sweet potatoes. And bless her  heart, we ate sweet potatoes for lunch!! It was very delicious. Like Edward, we have the planning session during the morning on Thursdays, so we were able to cook rice, potatoes, beans, and the dough for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for preparation for the night. After we got back to the apartment we cooked (listen to this) honey roasted mango salmon. Mom, you got to try it it is amazing!!!! and we ate all of the above mentioned food including a salad to go with it all. But...the next day we felt incredibly sick...haha. But hey we had our thanksgiving meal!! :) haha."

"After we went to take the other amazing family we have who have baptismal dates for December 14. She has two little girls and a baby. We have a lot of baby hills where we live, and so its always a fun hassel to take them to church. But we succeeded! We go up hills, across bridges (where the kids pretend the crocadiles are going to eat us) and to the bus to go to church. The members are kicking in, and they are really welcoming her to the ward. She came to the Relief Society Activity which helped her get to know the members more. She is a testament that when an investigator ACTS they RECEIVE. Because she is coming to church, activities, and a lot of family home evenings with members, she is receiving the blessings for her actions. Ruth is poor, and so a member is going to help her do little things like make jam, to help her receive some salary. Her children are angels and LOVE church. The church system is incredible. She said that her life began to change for the better the moment she began listening to us. She and her kids are a lot happier. We are here to be happy:):) The gospel of Jesus Christ is was brings us true happiness."

Lunch in downtown Viña del Mar.

Celebrating companion's half-way point.

Thanksgiving 2013