A Good Week in Placilla

"Our bishop is incredible. He told Sister Stott and me that he doesn’t want us to leave Placilla. That was a nice compliment. He had us stand in front of the priesthood and relief society and we set dates for family home evenings and they will invite their friends and neighbors."

"Last week we found a Columbian couple (who conveniently live right next to us, the next door down, in our apartment complex) and we had a family home evening with some members and we watched a video how families are forever, and the husband began to cry. They are firm in their evangelical belief, but he feels something different with us. Ya we are going to work on that."

"This week we had splits. I stayed in Placilla and a sister from Columbia came and lived with me for 24 hours. It was so fun to get to know someone for a day. We had a full day and we found 4 new investigators. We do splits every week; tomorrow I am going to travel to a hill in Valparaiso and live in their apartment for a day. I am super excited about it."

"Last week we had a meeting with all of the Zone Leaders and Sister Training leaders and assistants and president in Viña. It was all day long and way intense. We looked at the baptism numbers and other things we need to work on. I love my president he is amazing. We have interviews with him this week." 

On a split in Placilla.

Same Place; New Assignment

July 8, 2013

"Yes, I am now a Sister Training Leader. My new comp, Ashley Stott, was actually in the same MTC room with me and we came here the same day. Apparently I didn´t know some small rules. (like we can´t have the califactor on all night.) I guess it wastes a ton of gas. So now I freeze a little bit at night. With five layers of clothing its not too bad. She is really an awesome missionary and teaches extremely well. I am excited to learn and to grow with this assignment. I was definately humbled. Again. I think God is trying to teach me something."

"With this new assignment, I go on splits with the sisters in my area. We are going to have at least one or two splits every week. I am excited to get to know more sisters in my area and just keep growing in the mission. I know I can trust in God and he will help me out. I am super excited." 

Streusel!

New companion, Sister Stott.

Driver of the bus that broke down on the way back to 
Placilla from Vina Del Mar.

 

Continuing in Placilla

July 1, 2013

"My bread miracle. Yesterday was awesome because a couple showed up to church, (they were late and so we were very worried). They plus another investigator came to the baptism. Then we found a less active family who has a child who wants to be baptized, and so we are going to start working with her. And on the way back we met a man selling bread on the street, he seemed so down and depressed, he told us he needed help. We shared the gospel with him and took his address for the other elders, and bought two pieces of bread because I felt it was important that we should do it. Then we felt strongly to visit a certain family without an appointment. At first the mom told us that she was getting ready for bed and didn't want to talk. We said we bought bread for her and gave it to her. It melted her heart and she let us in. We shared parts of the Plan of Salvation (the fall of Adam, random but worked out really well) and she will read and pray and all is well in Zion! God works in mysterious ways, and how I love those mysterious ways."

"Saturday, we had lunch with a member family whose father is less-active in the area of the elders We just asked him deep questions about why he served a mission, why he was baptized, and things like that. We then shared a message of the restoration of the first vision. We just listened to the spirit as always. And he came to church yesterday--first time in four years. We were very happy."

"And no we don´t have plans for the Fourth of July right now...but I will definitely buy something today to celebrate! Because America Rocks!!!!"

Hermana Plothow

Week 9 in Placilla

"Rocío Quiroz was baptized yesterday!!! Wahoo!!! It was so incredible amazing. The spirit was so so strong. Right after her baptism I was filled with the incredible love of God for her. It was truly powerful. She is an amazing example for her family.  She bore her testimony after the actual baptism, and she could not stop smiling, she could not explain how amazing she felt, and she was literally dancing off from the stage, it was adorable. She is amazing!! Lane Lawrence gave her his missionary scriptures, and she guards them with her life. Thanks, Lane.

For the service, we asked people to make some desserts, but we didn´t know if they were going to do it, and so we spent some time to cook some crazy things. (dad you would have been proud). I made an apple crumble thing. The Bishop looked at it and said, "What is this?" haha. and we made some brownies that were good, ( because it was from a box), and bread pieces with jam and manjar (caramel like substance) that people liked. My comp and I were laughing hysterically because we had to walk a long ways with plates of food to the baptism. But it was a success and people ate it all. And other people brought cupcakes and cookies and things. 

Quiroz family

Rocio Quiroz with Maggie and Sister Siler

Working hard in Placilla

Maggie and her companion, Sis. Siler, are busy in Placilla. Maggie is enjoying this area and has much to do. Below are pictures of people and places. I do not know much information about most of these pictures, but they seem to tell their own stories. Enjoy!

In from the rain.

Brand new, clean apartment!

New bed, no fleas. Whew.

Chilean bar-b-que

Ate it all gone.

Transfer Day. New companion. Still in Placilla.

With Maggie's new companion fresh from the MTC, Sister Amanda Siler from Logan, Utah.

Rainy, rainy in Valparaiso.

With a friend in Placilla.

Another friend in Placilla.

Is this anyway to treat three hard working sister missionaries? Hmmm?

Below are pictures of various people and activities...

Photos from Placilla

I don't know where this picture was taken, but my guess is that they are at the church.

A church member? An investigator?.

Sis. Amy Schrader (right) and their new companion (middle) fresh from the MTC.

Preparation day at the lake. Maggie says it smells just like the Uinta mountains!

Preparation day with the zone at the lake.

Young Women's activity?