Mr. Positive is out and about

I love reading your guys' emails every week. It's good to hear that everything is going good over there.

On Tuesday we had interchanges. I love going on interchanges because you learn so much going with another missionary. Everybody has their own style and it's awesome to pick up on new stuff that works good for other missionaries. During interchanges we talked with this lady named Genesis. She told us she doesn't understand why she can't quit smoking. She's tried so many times but she just can't do it. We asked her if she believed in God and she said yes. We asked her if she believed God loved her perfectly and she said yes, again, really robotically. We asked her if she could love herself like God loves her. And she said no I can't because I can't quit smoking. After that we had a really good conversation. We talked about self love reflecting Gods love and we honor him when we feel the way he feels about us.  I truly do think if people understood how much God loved them, and they are patient with themselves and love themselves, they can overcome anything in their life. I can overcome all things.....through Christ.....who strengthens me.

We went to the temple this week with Pedro. It was a really good experience. The missionaries in that mission offer tours for investigators that explains why we have temples. The tour starts in a chapel and after we go through the gardens of the temple and after end with a video. The craziest thing, when we were walking by the temple I saw a soccer team from Utah. So I went over and talked to them and they were super cool. I guess their coach served in Santiago and they were here for a tournament. But anyways, the best part about the tour, is the video that they have at the end. They show this video of Jesus in the Americas. No words just music. It's a short clip, but shows him blessing and healing the people and hugging the children. I've seen the video a few times, and every time the spirit is so strong! The Santiago temple is small and simple but so dear to my heart.

On Sunday the teacher for gospel principles class was gone. As soon as I walked into the class they asked me if I could teach. That is such a typical story for missionaries getting thrown into situations like that. But of course I said yes, and the class went really well. The best part was Julio and his wife came. My heart almost exploded with joy.  Julio is the most amazing man I have ever met. We talked about the atonement and he said something that I really liked. He said we didn't come to earth to live a perfect life. But to get up each time that we fell. He said God does not judge us harshly on when we fall, but more on how we get up. I had tears in my eyes the whole time. And it's only possible through the atonement. He said I'm not perfect but I trust in my Savior and in his atonement.

I've thought a lot about the phrase ´´trust in God.´´ It's a phrase we say all of the time, but what does it really mean? In the bible topical guide it gives five other words similiar to trust. Assurance, believe, confidence, faith, and hope. I absolutely love the way that Nephi describes trust, in 2 Nephi chapter 4:

 18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

 19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.  

Even though we aren't perfect we can still feel the same as Nephi does.

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

Filled me with love to the consuming of my flesh......those words are deeper and more powerful than we realize.  I hope this is the marker of my life.  Being consumed head to toe by his love for me and for my friends.

It's a nice cloudy day in Santiago today. It's nice to have a break from the heat. Were going to go play basketball in a little bit with other missionaries and some investigators. Today will be a good day. This week will be a good week. I'm trying to live a more positive life haha it's hard but it's so much better. Just start calling me MR. POSITIVE.  Have a wonderful week!

Saving Chilean kids lives

 Im telling you guys, the sky here is different, its the most amazing thing youve ever seen.

                                          my mission buds. My comp loves his byu Christmas shirt ;)

I love hearing about Paul and Luke's basketball. That's awesome that they're doing so good! And I liked emma's photo as a zombie, and especially how sneaky mom was about the photobomb. :)

We had a really good week this week. In two more weeks I'll officially have six months in my sector. I love my sector!

On monday we passed by one of our investigators. His name is Alberto and he lives with his sister and his dad. When we first got into the house it was such a bad situation. Alberto and his sister were fighting and trying to get us to get involved and choose a side. We just listened to them fight for a little bit and after awhile we were like can we read a scripture together? So we read a little bit in the book of mormon. After they were still talking about what they were fighting about but after reading the book of mormon the environment was a lot different. There was such a sweet spirit in the house. It ended by them telling each other sorry and how much they loved each other. A little bit cheesy, but it was really cool. Jeff Franklin would've loved it (director of Full House.  Paul and Luke will love this reference.  Trust me).

I love all my investigators, but my favorite is Pedro. He is 21 years old. He honestly has such a good heart. Me and Elder Jimenez have gotten so close to him these last couple of months. This week after reading the Book of Mormon with him he told us that he knows the book of Mormon is true. I wish you guys could see the reaction of missionaries when people say things like that. It makes me so happy! I know the book of mormon is true and I know that this gospel provides a way to have a very deep and real relationship with the savior. Espero que el estè leyendo esto, porque soy famoso con mi blog y ahora el lo es tambièn jaja.

Friday night we had finished planning and were about ready to go to bed when we got a call from a member that said a bunch of kids were locked in the church-because the church has a gate around the outside of it and somebody let them in but left and locked the gate-and needed our help because we had keys. We had keys because the next day we were going to have piano and english class. So we ran over to the church. There was like 10 kids that all started cheering for us and yelling our names when we arrived.  Ive never felt so much like a rock star in my life. When we unlocked the gate all of them came running out hugging us telling us we saved their lives haha. I honestly love the people here but especially the kids so much. 

So yeah we had a good week this week. Oh yeah they banned coke in our mission. Everyone was so mad about it ha. Chileans drink coke with everything so we're all addicted and than they banned it. oh well. 

 

This scripture is the best knowledge I brought with me to Chile from our house. I find myself saying these words to investigators who dont feel alot of hope for their life over and over.  Thanks for making sure I always knew this.  Have a great week family.

Romans 8: 35, 37-39 

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able toseparate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

New Year

Happy new year! Glad to hear everyone is doing good! Too bad vacations are over and you have to go back to normal life!

So something we've done these past couple of weeks for Christmas and the new year is we bought wrapping paper and wrapped up Book of Mormons as presents. It was actually really funny. People were so bummed out when they found out the present was a book of Mormon. One example was with a family. The mom was anxiously waiting to open up the present while her two daughters were wrapping their arms around her neck. When she opened it up her only response was ´´oh, another bible´´ I almost felt bad haha. But not so bad I couldnt hold back the giggles.

We had interviews with the President on Wednesday. I was a little bit nervous because my first interview with him went really bad because I could not speak the language yet, and he speaks no English. When I got into the room where the interview was He shook my hand, hugged me, and kicked back in his chair. I love the president Videla, he's so chill. The interview went really good. He told me a few things that I really liked. He said it's important for missionaries here to be balanced with finding new people and also visiting less active families. The fruit of our labor is to see less active and new investigators in the church taking the sacrament remembering our Lord. He also told me it's necessary that I always share my testimony in my email to the family. I really liked that. Basically, I was a little nervous for the interview but it went really good.

We spent the new year with a family from Peru. I don't know why, but everything I have ate that was a Peruvian dish, has been so good! And new years night was no different, the food was awesome. The Hermana set up the table all fancy for us (see mom I did notice those things) and really tried to make it a good night for us, bless her heart. There were fireworks all night long. Something they do here in chile is at 12:00 everybody gives each other hugs. Like everyone hugs their family and their friends. 

The next day we went on interchanges. It was seriously maybe the best day of my mission. I went with Elder Rice in my sector. We get a long perfect. We had so much success that day. I really felt like we were being guided by the spirit that day. We found a lot of new people and also met with old investigators that were interested to talk to us. I love interchanges because you learn so much from how different missionaries work. Everybody has their own style of how they do stuff and it's nice to pick up on new stuff that works good.

I want to tell you guys about the most heart tugging moment Ive had yet. I'm pretty sure I've talked about this family before. Julio and Karen and their adorable little daughters. They really are my favorite family here and closest to my heart. I especially love Julio. We got a phone call that said Julio had been drinking and we should pass by their house. I didn't even know that he had a problem with that. When we got to their house we saw Julio outside sitting in the dirt. When he saw us he got up and starting acting all strange. I asked him how we was doing and he immediately responded, ´´bad.´´ We just stared at each other and my heart was breaking for him. I know this sounds dumb but the pain he was carrying actually felt like my own for a second.  He hugged me and started saying ´´I'm sorry, I'm a bad person, I'm poor, I have nothing´´ I really did try my best, but I started bawling into his shoulder also. It hurt me so bad to see somebody I loved so much in so much pain. We went in the house and gave--not his wife but basically--Karen, a blessing. I guess he hadn't drank in two years. So when he drank this time, he didn't just drink a little, he drank a lot. The next day when we passed by his house he was still drunk. It's totally his life and his decision, but I know that's not what he wants, and I know that's not what his family wants for him either. Please pray for Julio family.  Anyone reading this, please please say a prayer for my friend Julio.  I dont understand addiction but a ward member told me there arent really any options for someone in Chile who is addicted to alcohol.  I think I would like to return to Chile someday and fix that problem if I can.

I really like these verses in Mosiah 28: 23, and 30. I am really beginning to see how wonderfully loving and merciful god is to us. He doesn't want us to live with guilt and shame in our lives. He will take that away from us and we can truly feel forgiven. When he says he will forgive us, he means it. He cannot lie.

 23 For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand.

30 Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week, I need to learn how to close my emails without saying the same thing everytime ha. chauuu. I absolutely refuse to say carry on.  ;)

 Elder Terry

Grateful for everything

t was so good to talk with the family this last week! I'm so happy everyone is doing good and is happy. 

On tuesday we had a conference with the whole mission. We watched the christmas devotional and president Videla talked to us. I love the missionaries here. There is always a little lunch after conferences and that's the best time. Eating and chilling with everybody. Oh yeah and that is when I got the package, Thanks so much for that!

We spent Christmas eve mostly with members. I know I've said this before but I seriously love the members here. I've been here about five months but it feels longer. It's almost strange how much this ward feels like home. We spent the night with the Vicharra family. They're super nice to us. We ate peruvian food that night that was way good. I'm not sure about the rest of south america, but at 12:00 is when all the little kids opened there presents. I wish we could've stayed until than because I wanted to see their adorable little girl open her presents but our curfew was at 11:00 :( I think I'll always remember walking home in the hot, summer, chilean, christmas eve night. My first christmas away from home. But feeling such comfort and peace. 

For Christmas we got to sleep in! first time in forever! until 8:00! ha :) The Vicharra family invited us back over to their house to eat breakfast with them. They had a little piano and Jimènez was playing hymns and we were singing. I don't think I've mentioned how good my comp is at playing the piano, like seriously he's amazing. After that we went over to another family to skype.  I was really excited to talk with the fam and as soon as I saw everyone it was like I had never even left. I wish I could've talked all day! oh well. After that It was pretty much just a normal day of work.

We received a reference from somebody on the street to visit a man name hector. They told us that he used to talk to the missionaries all of the time. When we met him he was laying in a bed. Half of his body is paralyzed. After talking to him for awhile we found out that he was baptized in the church awhile back. He was such a nice older man. Jimènez asked if we could sing a song for him. He always asks that, not that I'm really complaining. It's only that I have a terrible singing voice and his isn't a lot better :) anyways he suggests that we sing count your many blessings. While we were singing he started crying. Afterwards he told us he was so grateful how much the lord has blessed him in his life. Someone who has not been able to leave his bed was crying because he was so grateful for what he had. 

I read this talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf this week. I really liked this one part: Part of our challenge is, I think, that we imagine that God has all of His blessings locked in a huge cloud up in heaven, refusing to give them to us unless we comply with some strict, paternalistic requirements He has set up. But the commandments aren’t like that at all. In reality, Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us.

I hope everybody has a wonderful week this week! Party hard for new years eve! 

Elder Terry

Christmas week

I can't believe that it's already christmas week! I'm so excited to see and talk with everybody again!

We had a good week this week. On Tuesday one of the kids in our ward had his birthday. His name is howie, I don't know how he spells it though. He lives with his grandma and his grandma told us that he hasn't had a birthday party in a couple of years and if we could help her out with that. So we invited all of the kids his age to his house, and bought a cake and some chips for a surprise birthday party. Howie was so stoked when we showed up to his house with all of his friends and cake. His grandma was so thankful, she told us that they weren't planning on eating cake with him for his birthday because they couldnt afford that. 

Yesterday, we had a really cool experience. One of our investigators has a girlfriend who is a member of the church. They want to get married but the girlfriend said that he has to get baptized before they get married. He feels stressed out about all of that. He told us that he doesn't want to get baptized for the wrong reasons. He likes what we teach and likes the Book of Mormon and wants it to all be true, but he just hasn't gotten an answer that he is looking for. He told us that he reads his Book of Mormon every night and brings it with him to work because he just wants to know if it is true or not. And he's not lying, he has his Book of Mormon all marked up with notes and highlights. Elder Jimènez shared his experience with praying and receiving an answer that the book of mormon is true. Than he asked me what my experience with getting my prayer answered was like. I told him the truth, that I don't have a definite one time miraculous experience where everything came together and I knew everything was true. My experience is that I have read diligently the scriptures and have had many small experiences of feeling the spirit. And they build on each other, until now I can say that I truly do know that God exists and this is his church. Line upon line. 

Kind of in relation to this I have been thinking a lot about a couple of scriptures that I would like to share. The first is in D&C 58:6. 

6 Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you—that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come;

The first part of this scripture makes sense, that we were sent here to be obedient. But I didn't understand the second part, What does it mean that ´´that our hearts might be prepared to bear testimony.´´ There is a cross reference to Isaiah 43:12. I really like this scripture. I think that we come to earth to realize that Jesus is our savior, and is our redeemer. His grace and his mercy are real, and he does exist. It's not easy to come to this knowledge because it requires patience and diligence. But he wins our hearts and he gains our trust through big and small things over time. He is always with us always his hands extended for us to come to him, love him, and trust him.  

 12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, whenthere was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.

 Please tell Paul and Luke their big brother knows they are never alone and the Savior is their best friend.  That would be an amazing Christmas delivery from me.  

Like I said in the beginning I'm so excited to talk to you guys this week and see your faces. Have a wonderful christmas!

Elder Terry

My first baptism

Ha the picture with Emma and her date is so awesome! Why are Paul and Luke so messed up?

So I'm finally official in Chile! I finished up all of the visa stuff this week. The whole process was so fun. All the missionaries that I came with went together and we went to a few different buildings and had to be there on time, kind of adventure status. I love the missionaries that I came with, but it was super awesome just to chill with Clarine again for a day. Oh yeah they took my picture for the card and it turned out terrible, I was so mad. I looked so goofy haha. Actually I looked LIKE goofy. 

We had our first baptism! It was amazing. Marisol, all of her family are members except for her. She has a phobia of water but she was so brave she did everything no problem! The best part of the whole ordeal was that her son got to baptize her. Her son is 19 and wants to go on a mission and he was the main reason that she got baptized. The spirit was so strong, everybody was feeling it. Even our bishop, I love him, but he is like one of the coldest dudes in the whole world ha. In his testimony he started crying talking about their family. Me and Jimènez had smiles cheek to cheek that whole day. That night there family went to this concert at the temple together. I know it sounds cheesy, but they walked in all of them holding hands. You could just see how close they felt and how much love they had for each other. Dont get any bright ideas family, we are not holding hands when I get home.  Im just saying, it was really perfect for them.

So this concert was at the temple. It featured Marvin Goldstein and Vanessa Joy. I don't know if they're famous or not but everybody here was really excited that they were coming haha. All of the Santiago missions went. I got to see some more of my friends from the south mission that came together with me. The music was amazing. It was all in English, which I thought was lame since Im now such a master of Spanish ;)

So this week I met up with a lot of people that I came together with to the ccm. It's weird that we were only together for six weeks, but when we see each other it's like seeing your long lost friend. I hug Elder Clarine like hes my brother when I see him.  I'm so grateful that I got to go to the Chile ccm with so many amazing missionaries that are such good examples to me. 

Honestly this week was just so much fun. Weeks like this don't happen much on the mission so I definitely lived it up :) I hope everybody has a wonderful week and enjoys the Christmas season! Ten more days till we can skype.  Merry Christmas everyone!

If you're small, you might be Great!

I'm glad you guys had an awesome Thanksgiving! I had an awesome turkey dinner also.. NOT :) I forgot it was Thanksgiving until late at night on Thursday. We had a baptism set up for last Sunday but things didn't work out so we changed the date to later in December. But we had a good week this week.

On Wednesday we had a conference with a few other zones. The church made a video for Christmas titled, ´´he is the gift,´´ it's not very long only a little over two minutes but it is really good. You might've heard about it already but the church is going to market it really heavy. They bought advertisement in time square, have a youtube take over day where they are the only advertiser, and missionaries in my mission are testing the effectiveness of it and are supposed to talk about this video with everyone and record how successful it was for finding people. Watch it! it's good.

Thursday we had a family night at the church with members and our investigators. It was way fun. We got a good turnout, a lot of people showed up. We had food, played games, and watched a Mormon Message. I know a little crazy right?  It was a fun night with super good feelings.( unlike many of the Terry family home evenings where I timed your long lessons with a stopwatch and Paul literally bawled from how bored he was ;)

So in our ward there are two pairs of missionaries, our sectors are split down the middle. In the other sector there is a kid named Jose. Jose is seriously everyone's friend just because he is so sincere and nice. We had lunch with him and his family on Sunday and it was a blast. His favorite missionary was a missionary that was in that sector for 8 months. I know this missionary, he's a good missionary, but during his time in Dorsal he didn't have the success that he deserved. I could imagine him feeling discouraged about not having any baptisms in his time there. But seriously, this family talked about him the whole time. They love him. Because the missionary was so good to that family, Jose, wants to learn English and live in the United States. Realistically, I don't know if that will actually happen haha but you can see how much this missionary meant to that family. Often times we don't realize all the good we are doing until after. I hope I am planting seed here like that.  I hope I see this missionary again so I can tell him how he really impacted that family. I really like this scripture. D&C 64:33. Have a wonderful week everybody! Can you believe it is already December? crazy.

33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

We all think we are small but guess what?  If you do, then get ready for some GREAT to proceed out of you.  Love you guys.  Dont waste time doing anything but having fun and serving others.  Max said so!