A way where there is none

Hola Family!  I had a really fun Pday today.  Life in Chile is calm and good.  I really feel protected and watched over.  It has taken me some time to really adjust and feel like home,  but I feel really comfortable in my role as a missionary.  

On Wednesday we had a really cool experience. All of our plans fell through and we weren't really sure what to do. As we were walking a family came into both our minds and so we began to walk to their house and then  changed our directions and started walking to a different house. Again, we felt like we should change our direction to another investigator. As we got to their house they were all at this one house (both families we were thinking of). We went in and they were super warm to us. They started asking questions which lead smoothly  into a lesson. They were really receptive. But it was a neat experience to see how subtle we were being directed, and that we ended up exactly where we needed to be.

On Friday we passed by one of our investigators from Colombia. I like Santiago because we meet people from all over South America. I like to see how cultures are different from each other. Anyways, we show up to their neighborhood because a lot of them live together. And most of them were drinking and gambling so we didn't plan on staying too long haha. But we started talking to one of the men and we asked if there was somewhere else more quiet we could talk. He said he lived close so we followed him to his house to his family. As we got closer to his house, this sense of quiet and peace started to get stronger and stronger.  Once again it was really cool to see how much we were guided and ended up somewhere where we didn't expect, but it was where we needed to be. The visit we had with the entire family was one of the most powerful Ive had yet.  Sometimes its like the next step you have to take is in the dark, but if you take it, it lights up and you see your footstep landed in the perfect place.

I guess that might be a theme I've had this week. I've loved my mission, but there has been a few hard parts about it. But when I think back, I don't remember the hard moments, instead I remember these beautiful memories where God led me exactly where I needed to be with the people he needed us with, that I'll cherish forever. I really like this scripture in Isiah that explains how I feel. Isiah 61:3. 

 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

  I just need to remember that there is no pain or heaviness or sad time that Jesus Christ did not and will not take from us, and return it to us with something much better. Sometimes I think there is no way God could help or fix certain situations that I see here. I think to myself its too far gone, nothing can be done to redeem this person or situation.   But the mind blowing thing for me, is that God does just that.  He is changing peoples hearts and circumstances where it really appeared to me that there was no way.  I hope I never forget this amazing truth.  God will provide a way where there is no way.  I feel so honored to represent the Savior on this mission because he is my ultimate hero.  Love you guys, Have a great week and stay positive!

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None will be lost

What's up everybody? I hope everyone had an awesome valentine's day! Valentine's day here was really special. haha not :) Chileans are not big Valentine celebraters!
I read Paul's talk and it sounded like it was amazing! Paul you have the right name man, because you are going to be an amazing missionary.

I want to start off by talking about Pedro our recent convert. He's such a stud. He has such a strong testimony and is so excited to share it with everyone. He is always calling us asking when he can come with us on visits because he loves sharing his testimony. One of our investigators told us that she feels a lot more comfortable when he's there, because she feels like he actually can relate to how she feels and what she is going through. It's incredible to see how much he has changed in these past couple of months that we've known him. It is so rewarding.

On Sunday one of the sisters in the ward asked me and Elder Jimènez if we could help out with the Primary. The idea was that we were going to knock on their door and go in and teach about Jesus like they were investigators. The only problem is that the primary is only little girls age 6 and under. So when we got in they were going crazy running around and screaming. So we grabbed the picture book and asked questions about every picture with Jesus in it. Their answers were hilarious. Afterwards, we asked who wanted to serve a mission and they were all jumping off their chairs screaming that they wanted to serve missions. It was so funny!

We have an investigator named Luisa. She is honestly amazing. She has had cancer for quite some time now but she has the best attitude I have ever seen. I've been trying to have a positive attitude lately and she has inspired a lot of it. But when we went to go talk to her yesterday she was really sad. She started crying. She said that the only thing she can look forward to is traveling and she get's one chance a year to do it. But she has an appointment she can't miss the day that she was supposed to go. She was telling us it doesn't sound like a big deal but it was something so devastating for her. She didn't understand why she had to go through this. I was thinking of a scripture that would give her comfort and I remembered one of my favorites in Doctorine and Covenants. 

D&C 50 40-42

40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.

 41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;

 42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost. 

I think if I can live remembering I will not be lost, and keep this positive thought in my mind always, I will almost naturally live this way.

I hope everybody has a wonderful week, I'll try to enjoy this hot weather for all of you! STAY POSITIVE!
Elder Terry

Small perfect moments

What's up everybody? I'm glad everything is still good in the ville (spring that is). I didn't even know about the Super Bowl until yesterday. Weird. Seems strange not to know those things.

 We had a really good week this week, especially the baptism!

On Friday we went on interchanges just for a little bit, because Pedro needed to be interviewed by one of the zone leaders and Elder Pence had to go to a doctor appointment. Pence broke his arm in October, but not a normal break. He broke it really bad and it wascomplicated to heal. In his appointment, the doctor's didn't understand how it healed so perfectly. The doctor literally said it was a miracle. It was a really cool experience and I felt lucky to witness it. Pence is such a such a good missionary and such a good friend to me.

Sunday was Pedro's baptism! It was so amazing. The baptism was right after church so a lot of people stuck around after church to watch his baptism. He kept saying that he felt strange, but really good. After the baptism Pedro told me and Jimènez that he loved us and that words were inadequate in describing how grateful he was for us. I personally can't describe how grateful I was for him and for so many other wonderful people here in Santiago. Missionary work honestly is really hard sometimes. But small moments like that make up for months of hard times. You close your eyes for a second and say, yeah its all worth it just for this one small moment. 

Afterwards we went to his house. At his house his dad kept calling him a Mormon. Pedro said he doesn't consider himself different from everybody else by classifying himself as Mormon. He prayed and received an answer that he needed to be baptized in our church and so he followed through with it. He didn't get baptized to be categorized a Mormon, or because he was good friends with the missionaries, but because he was following the path that he believed he was supposed to follow and that God asked him to follow through with.  The spirit was burning in ever persons heart when he was saying that. It hard to explain a sacred moment and have it come off with the same power but it was such a great experience.

Robert D. Hales: I testify that when we do what is necessary to know Them (Heavenly Father and his son Jesus) and know Their love for one another, we will obtain “the greatest of all the gifts of God”

 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

I hope everybody has another wonderful week!

Elder Terry

Encircled in safety

 I love reading your emails and seeing your pictures. Happy anniversary to the best parents I have ever had! I'm glad that you had a good time even without your favorite kid!

 

We have changes today. I'm going to stay in Dorsal again with Elder Jimenez. We have good plans and good goals for this change so I'm really happy about it.

This week was a little bit slower of a week. Everybody in Chile leaves for vacations in the summer. So a lot of investigators and members left for vacations. It's alright. Our classes of English and classes of Piano are going awesome. Its funny but I think the combination of the English and Piano classes are really turning out to be a significant contribution to this area.  I think its why Jimenez and I are still sticking together.  A lot more people are showing up now. It's cool because everybody wants to learn both piano and English. So we start off forty-five minutes of English. There is a few people who have been to a lot of classes and they know how to conjugate some verbs in the present and put together sentences. It's actually cool to see some of them take it so seriously. But they do have a really good teacher so it makes sense :) after we switch and the next forty-five minutes are for piano. 

This week we met with a really cool person. We were talking about the atonement with her. I love teaching about the atonement because the spirit is always so strong. She had a lot of good questions. In Alma it says 34 16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety

I like how this scripture says encircles them in the arms of safety. What amazing news it is to know that the atonement has already been performed, and we are already encircled in arms of safety.

 

 With my new positive attitude ;) I have been saying this quote alot to myself.  I just wanted to share it.

“It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future.

-Gordon B. Hinckley

 This week will be great. I love you guys and hope you have an amazing week!

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