August 25th

hola familia! 

My companions always ask me where my parents are this week. They jump from the question of "how is your family" to "where is your family" . Sounds like everyone had a good week despite the accident Elder B had. Good thing that neither of you were hurt. I find it funny that you were sleeping Elder. Is that a Berthelson move or what?.- haha but glad you found the good in it. If it makes any difference, I would love a bike! My calf muscles are huge because we walk everywhere. 

 

Glad that you were able to vaca, Dad!! FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS! I was wondering what you were going to do for your 45th. I did think of you on Saturday.. I hope you had a great day in the baseball weather. I also think of Journey and smile! 

 

Seriously? Sister Bale is going to Africa?? Whoah, is that is awesome or what?? I am super excited for her! I can`t even imagine... dont know where that part even exists on the map- I hope she is excited and prepared! She is going to do great :) I also got a package (apart from the jdrive) with a letter from Dad and a couple of missionary items! Awww I love getting these hand written letters. I loved the account that K also had in Independence, Missouri. Our Pioneer heritage is something that I really want to know more of, especially when I get back. I am trying to see about getting more of my family history work done here. There are some awesome resources that we have as missionaries in our Santiago mission, so I want to take advantage of it right now. 

 

I heard yesterday about the Earthquake in San Francisco. A lot of people have no idea where these places are in the States, so a few families were worried about you guys... I told them not to worry because we are no where near SF, but we did have a 6.4 earthquake here on Saturday (Dad´s Birthday). We were in the house of one of our converts M___ G____ from Colombia and with her three small kids. Right at the end of the lesson, my companion started to feel the floor shake.. We had to run for the door, and Hermana M___ G_____ was the first one to run outside forgetting about her baby sitting next to her.. Hahaha! It was crazy and all over the news. There wasn't much damage, but it was called an earthquake and one of the more noticable ones that I´ve seen in the mission thusfar. 

 

So yes, we did have transfers this week. My companiera left our sector and I will be training a new missionary from the CCM . I should be training her for the next 12 weeks, so it is unlikely that I will change sectors before I leave in December. I don´t know who she is yet, but I will meet her tomorrow in the morning. 

 

The week wasn't exactly what we expected, but we were able to put a date for our investigator, M_____ for the end of September! We are hoping that she will be prepare herself because it is a month away. Also, we were able to contact a lot of people including P___ S_____ who is a new investigator. It is wonderful to see people put their faith in the Lord and act out of knowing that it will help them in the end. 

I hope that yall have a great week- I love you so much!

August 18th

Hey Yall!! 

Elder B, congrats on the baptism you had with L____! You are right, keep teaching the family and give them hope. I am writing a short email this week. Overall, not a lot has happened this week. I included a few pictures from last week. We took M______, our investigator to the temple. It was quite the experience for her. We are hoping to put a date with her this week to be baptized in September. A crazy situation, but we have to talk with her husband. 

We had a ward activity this past Saturday. The youth in our stake put on a show of dances from Europe-. Our ward chosen for Russia. Super hillarious becuase we don't hve a ton of youth, so the leaders stepped in. In the end it turned out AWESOME and the members made small things to eat from the country they were given. 

I was also able to go to the temple again with Hermana Salazar. We are only given one temple enterence during one year of our mission, so we were able to go through the morning session on Thursday. I loved it... It was such a great experience and just what i needed. We are also planning to try and go this week with one of the converts from our ward- J___ Z_____. 

On top of that we have a few investigators who are progressing. I told you about A_____.. he is awesome! He came to church for the first time this past Sunday. He´s already made friends at church. Such a great guy. We hope he continues coming. 

 

The weeks are really flying by. It seems like yesterday that I sat down to write y'all. I ask myself where the time is going. We have changes next week, and it is most likely that I will have a change in Compañera. Well i will keep you all informed.. Love you and I am praying for a lot of our friends. Thanks for keeping me updated as well. :))