It's Almost HERE!

Nov 23, 2009

Cordillera, Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile

 

Gobble, gobble, gobble! (Just pretend you can hear me making that noise, because in all humility - it has gotten better over the years. Thank you nursery, primary, and nephews and nieces. ;) Or better said,

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

 

Oh how I love, that holiday!! It´s fantastic, food, gratitude, family, and the beginning of Christmas! Does it get any better? I submit that it does not. :) Well, this year you´ll have to enjoy the mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie (this is, of course, and exceptionally shortened list of the Thanksgiving feast) and family, but I´ll celebrate the gratitude - because that can never run out. Ooh! Not to mention Hna Edwards has a paper turkey that I named Harold which lives in our room. That too. Very important;)

 

Gratitude: (note- NOT in order of importance)

 

1. Christmas music! ahahaha! I LOVE IT!

2. Prayers - they´re amazing

3. To have the gospel of Jesus Christ always in my life

4. My fantabulous eternal family!

5. My wonderful friends!

6. Our investigators!

7. Dance! (I had a dancing dream last week. It was fantastic)

8. The expiacion of Jesus Christ

9. Letters! (You can´t imagine what a thrill it is)

10. To have temples!

11. The scriptures!

12. To live in the good óle USA ... you know what I mean ;)

13. To be an aunt!

14. To have a prophet!

15. Milk! That DOESN´T come in a box and a entirely different taste

16. glasses and contacts!

17. Fruit and vegetables!

18. Rain and sunshine!

19. Floss!

20. Email and internet

21. Books!

22. Laughs and giggles!

23. Phones

24. Pres. y Hna. Laycock  

25. Tostadas and all type of Mexican food!!

26. hot chocolate

27. To be w-Hna Talbot for Christmas

28. cough medicine

29. Crayons!

30. Time is short, lets cut to the chase - EVERYTHING!!!

 

Well, ya´ know it IS Thanksgiving week! ;)

 

The work in Cordillera is just about to explode, I can feel it what with all the help of the Lord we and they are getting. Please keep in your prayers Viviana-Carlos, Margarita-Mario-Michelle, Nacho-Patricia-Ignacio-Veronica, Carolina, Milciades, Grace, Marlen-Juaquin-Javier, and Janet-Sergio. Or just ¨our investigators¨ maybe, because that´s a long list to remember. That they can go to church, get baptized, and receive all the blessings that the Lord is waiting to give them! ;) Or perhaps put their names in the temple. They´re pretty much there, but something always happens on Sunday. SICKNESS, disappearing teenage daughter (she was at a friends house and just FAILED to tell her parents all weekend. They had to go searching all over for her.), etc! 

 

Well, the chest Xray´s clear, and I´m getting better little by little - thank you all for your prayers. The weather is HOT.COLD. HOT. COLD. here, and all the Chileans keep saying, ¨This is crazy! It´s never been this cold for this long! ´NEVER in November!¨ But I just laugh and tell them they´re going to have a gringo-cold Christmas. ;) I´m okay if it´s cold for Christmas, because it´s not bitter like before, and a little cold on Thanksgiving, is just normal, but it´s hot again, and I don´t anticipate it being cold again. Ya´ never know though.

 

Sorry for the Spanish, but we learn something new everyday, right? ;) JK. Sorry, it´s just easier to copy and paste. Faster too. 

     Esta semana tuvimos más ayuda de los miembros. A veces al último segundo el miembro no pudo o los investigadores no estaban, pero era mucho mejor todavía. Estamas enseñando buena gente que quieren progresar y cambiar, y iban a ir a la iglesia todos, pero solamente vino uno, después de la reunion sacramental. Encontramos despuès que todos los otros estaban enfermos y vomitando toda la mañana o buscando su hija que desapareció (le encontraron). Fue triste, pero por lo menos tuvieron razones, y no eran solamente flojos. Estamos animados para trabajar con ellos esta semana y que vengan todos este Domingo. Estoy mejorando poco a poco, y desarrollando más paciencia por eso. ;) No hay líder misional, ni cosejo del barrio, ni comité ejecutivo todavía, pero vamos a tener una noche de hogar con el obispo y familia, y Hno Escobar (lìder misional antes) nos ayuda cuando puede.
     Una experiencia muy especial que al visitar una investigadora Carolina. Con una hna que nos ha acompañada como 3 veces ya con ella, enseñamos L2, y el espíritu era tan fuerte. Ella estaba en una busqueda de la verdad, y ha sido animada, pero un poco dudosa desde el principio. Al final, al pedir que ella pida a Dios para saber, ella dijo que cree que ya sabía. Le invitamos a bautizarse este 6, y tenía que pensar y orar, pero quería. Fue de una cosecha, (which is when we pray about who on that street needs us, knock on their door, and ust say that the Lord sent us and we would like to leave a blessing on the house and family for one minute) y ella contó a la hna que venimos en un momento crucial, y que ella sabía que este era el camino que Dios puso adelante de ella. Justo se enfermó este fin de semana y no pudo venir a la iglesia, pero va a venir.

 

Love you all MUCHO!!!

 

Take care!

 

Love,

        HerManda

Okay Okay! Everyone don´t get your panties in a knot. As Tamara would so elegantly say. ;)‏

2 November 2009

Cordillera, Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile

First of all, happy November!! Oh how I love the beginning of November! It´s almost as good as the beginning of December! Which comes pronto. Hahahahaha! ;)

Okay fam!

Man! You certainly do ¨hav yur vays.¨ Before anyone freaks out, it just appears like I cracked a rib two Tuesdays back. We went to the doctor on Wednesday and he sent me to the house for the rest of that week AND the last week until Friday when we were due back at the Doctor again. I didn´t want to freak you out until it felt a little better, so as it´s feeling better today, I was going to tell you all anyways today. So if being stuck in the blessed pension (I just had to do it mom. :) hehehehe) for álmost 2 weeks isn´t taking care of myself I don´t know what is. That´s why I developed such a love for writing cards to people. The only way to keep bearing a constant testimony and looking up scriptures for their needs. A happy missionary is a missionary that bears their testimony. :) But I know there is a purpose in all this, de verdad. I truly feel like the Lord is with me, and during this time I feel like I was able to be an example of love for the work, the Lord, and happiness to the other sisters in the pension, 2 of which were thinking about going home. Happiness truly IS a choice that we make. And so I am happy. :) I got a priesthood blessing like 3 weeks ago from my district leader, which was short, but said that I could get better and do the things the Lord requires of me. Amen. :) Unfortunately it didn´t say any sort of timetable or, áccording to your faith¨ or anything like that. So there you go. I´ll get better, it just didn´t say when. I´ve spent a lot of time talking with the Lord, especially two tuesdays (hehehe) ago when I apparently cracked my rib. Instead of asking porque I asked para que and I just felt this peace that the Lord had a special little mission for me to do, that would bless not only me, but those around me. And that He was doing it because I was willing. So with that peace, I just told the Lord to do what He wants with me and that I would be a willing servant in His Hands. It was actually a pretty cool moment, and I realized afterwards that I was learning consecration. It was pretty cool, because it says in my patriarchal blessing that before I get married I will learn how do live that and other laws of the temple, and I had tried, but wondered how, and just figured that probably the prophet was going to install it otra vez before I get married. But now I´m thinking maybe not. And there was my first little step. Besides all the patience and other attributes I´m learning. I truly appreciate all the prayers and fasting, but don´t worry, the Lord knows.

I am getting better, and getting a bit more energy. I am taking: claritromicina (an antibiotic) 2xaday, SSKI some sort of crazy iodine or something drops that they brought from the states 10 drops 4xaday, ibuprofen, jarabe de toz, and this inhaler that is supposed to clear out in my lungs, lessen inflamation, etc, 4x aday but I just cough usually when I use it. (I don´t cough all the time, that is special) I haven´t got any x-rays or anything, and the Dr. said I didn´t have pneumonia because if I did I wouldn´t be able to breathe AT ALL, so there you go. So this is everything I´m taking. My lungs still hurt a bit, especially in the cold, so today I´m going to take a card out of mom´s book, boil a bunch of water and breathe it in under a towel. I remembered that yesterday. As I´m getting better, the Dr. gave me permission to do a few things, but we´re taking it really slow. We visit people really close for a little bit, go home and rest, and then if I feel good, we go out for just a bit. I have realized that health is important, so don´t worry, I´m taking better care of myself and not trying to push it. As Katrina told me so wisely, ¨If you haven´t got your health, you haven´t got anything.¨:)

I´m getting a little better, and if you want to talk to the Doctor, or you want him to call you, I´m going there on Thursday and I´ll tell him. Don´t call the mission president. That´d just be embarrasing. :)

Oh yes, and in answer to mom´s question, I would have been Penelope this halloween, because I have those fantastic blue shoes, and wonderful crazy polka dot tights like her. Not to mention the fair skin and longer dark hair. Í would have just had to work on the purple jacket with all the cute, crazy buttons and a pig nose. :) Hope your halloween was lovely, it surely is a blessed holiday. :) hehehe.

Gratefulness:

1. vegetables!!

2. vaseline. (It heals your lips, it takes off your eye makeup, etc!)

Love you!

HerManda :)

PS:

Jsut a quickie note. I don´t mean to sound ungrateful. I am grateful that you all love and care for me and are preoccupied. I just love you too and don´t want you to worry too much.  I love you all!!!!

 

THanks,

 

Love,

           HerManda

The best, dang Mexican fiesta south of the equator ;)‏

Cordillera, Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile

October 26, 2009

Ayyyyyyy!!!! Yayyy! YYayyy!Yayyy!Yayyy! So just insert the Mexican accent, because I´m a bit at a loss of how to write it correctly. But woohoo! So I got some Mexican ingredients a few weeks before and last Monday I took our Pension to Mexico! The South Americans now know that not everything from Mexico is called a taco, and if in some strange, rare moment in their lives they have eaten something called a taco, they have learned that it was in fact, a burrito. :) But what we had were TOSTADAS!!! And burritos too, but --- TOSTADAS!!!!!!!!! Yes, honest to goodness, TOSTADAS from CORN TORTILLAS. Ahh.... with beans! Refried beans! Oh the delight. With Mexican rice as well. Oh, it was so lovely. Ummm, can I just say it ONE more time...? TOSTADAS!!!! :) It was wonderful. Though picante for some, they still loved it, and are so much better educated in the wonderful world of Mexican food. I AM the Mexican hermana. hahahahaha. Anyhow, they loved it so much, that we decided to take a world tour on Preparation days, since we don´t eat with any members. Today Hermana Tabaco is going to take us to Peru! It should bwe good. There were a lot of Peruvians in L Dehesa, so I got to know their food pretty well.

     So, I´ve still got this cough, and my sidés been hurting this week, but I´m taking care of myself, and taking cualquier remedio, entonces. Don´t worry, I´m happy, it´s all good. The Lord didn´t forget about me. ;) hehehehe

     So! Amazing miracle. I mean, you just can´t work in the service of the Lord without seeing miracles all around you. Yesterday Vivana and Carlos came to church last week which was a HUGE step!! I don´t know if I´ve told you about them yet, but if UI haven´t, it´s okay, because they are just THAT amazing, that their story deserves repeating. (Although for the record I don´t think I have.) Oh my gosh, and after that great introduction, you will have rto wait till next week, because there just isn´t time enough to do it justice. But they are a wonderful family and we are all so excited! Oh yeah, she´s on 2nd Nephi as a tidbit.

Love you!!!!!

Gratitude:

 1. Corn Tortillas that turn into TOSTADAS (ha! I knew I´d get that in a letter one more time!) :)

2. Cards! I have found a new love in writing cards to people here. Ward members, invstigators, etc!

3. Prayer! It is our 24-7 unlimitless line to diety. Amazing, no?? :)

Love you and take care!

Love,

          HerManda

Charles Ingalls did not have Ibuprofin ;)

Cordillera, Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile

October 26, 2009

 

Yes, I don´t mean to be so worldly with these character references, but sometimes when you live in a situation that you´ve never lived in before (such as calla lillies --see week ago letter) your only frame of reference IS a movie! So why, do you ask, are we talking about Charles Ingalls? Well, I´ll tell you. He broke his rib!

Yes. And he did NOT have Ibuprofen. Can you imagine how painful that must have been? Oh. I can. I have gained a new appreciation for that man. (Okay, fine, he´s fictional - but he represents a whole lot of people from that age!) :)

:) hahahaha! Yep! You guessed it! I have now become a part of the broken rib club. ;) No, I didn´t fall out of a tree, nor did I save a baby from a runaway horse (sorry, I can´t help myself). Well, I was getting on the mend from my myriad of sicknesses and we were on our way to visit someone on Tuesday when I was coughing, like always, but I coughed an especially strong one and... POP!!! SNAP!!!! And OW! I tried to keep walking, like, oh wow, Hna that really hurt... Ouch. Woa...hm.... I feel like my ribs in the wrong spot.. (trouble breathing)...can´t really walk.... Hm.... Let´s call the hna de salud! O sea, the health sister. So we were close to Juana, whom we were going to visit, so we did a REALLY quick one, took a REALLY LONG hobble home, and then went to visit the Dr. the next day. (he was out of town). And yes. I did crack my rib. At least all that pain was justified, yeah?

     So we´ve been trapped inside the last little while, although we went for the first 2 hours of church yesterday. It´s awful, but I try to make things better by writing letters to all of our investigators. It´s nice because at least I get to bear my testimony and look up scriptures for their individual needs. :) I also write cards to all the people in the ward that have helped us, accompanied us, etc. So at least that´s something.

    It´s funny, having lung problems-coughing-and a broken rib. Ya´ know those cute little things like hiccups and giggles? They´re suddenly not so innocent anymore. :) hahahaha. I´ve recently discovered that I get animated at so many little things, laugh A LOT, and that all these things stem directly from my lungs! We´re working on trying to redirect my laugh into my throat these days. ;) Hehehehehe. Life is just FULL of unexpected twists and turns! Who knew you could break your rib that way???

Hahahaha! All you can do is laugh. Like Elder Wirthlin said, ¨Come what may and love it.¨

 

Well, hope you are all well and happy! Love you!

 

Love,

          HerManda :)

Catherine Hepburn lives! ¨In style, though dead!¨ (Return to Me)‏

Well, actually, now that I think about it, I´m not really sure if she ever died. Hm. Well, whatever the case - she´s in style! Yes, I hear her voice quite often saying,

 

   ¨The calla lillies are in bloom again.¨

 

:) hahaha! Yes! Did you ever know that Santiago in Spring is just CHOCK FULL of calla lillies?! EVERYONE has them! They grow, they thrive, they pop up everywhere! It´s crazy! And yes, very beautiful. Okay, enough of that. :)

 

October 19th, 2009

Cordillera, Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile

 

          So! Woa! I completed 11 months today! It´s crazy to believe. Things are starting to warm up around here, although the nights are BITTER and every few days the weather throws in a few I-hope-you-didn´t-pack-away-your-big jacket-scarf-gloves-and-umbrella-days just to shake things up. It´s quite divertido porque you never know how you´re going to dress. :) The weather game. Well, things are going well here, and starting to pick up again after all that blessed time in the house. Hahahaha - MOM. ;)

         The progress of the families we are teaching is lento, but we are making some progress with Margarita, Mario, Michelle, (and Maria Ignacia) - we call them the family M&M. :) We also found a 16 year old recently and had a YW in the ward accompany us, and it was so great! They´re both amazing! She understands so well, and has a friend, and wants to do everything. We met her a few weeks ago, but she has been out of town until just recently. A cool story there is that a few weeks ago she saw us talking to soe woman on the street and wanted to acercarse, because she knew we were talking about God, but didn´t for the same reason and didn´t want to distract us from the lady. We never saw her, but a few nights later we went to visit a woman on her street and felt to cosechar (which is where we pray to know which house to knock, and then pray with them, teach a small portion, and set up a return appt.) We did that there, and felt to knock a house - which turned out to be hers just a short time after seeing and wanting to talk with us. She just told us that, but I always thought it was incredible because she seemed so happy to see us and received us so well. :) The Lord TRULY is aware of ALL of us. Increíble, de verdad. :)

          Well, I am getting slowly, but surely better, although sometimes I still die at the end (or part day) and we have to go in for a little bit before going out again. But! Despite that, it has been a wonderfully productive semana, and I look forward to getting better this week as well. :) Sometimes things are tortouses, but it doesn´t matter as long as we finish, right? Right! And I am getting better, so don´t you worry! And I have to visit the Dr. this week again as ordered (by him last week) so everythings good.

          Well, fam and friends, when I said I lost ALL of your addresses, that was no joke, so if you could please send it over, I would GREATLY appreciate it. Some of you have letters all sealed up and just WAITING for your addresses.

 

Gratitude:

    1. The soft, happy blanket that I got from Aunt Relva, I just love it! Especially when you´re a little sick and just need a little      something warm.

    2. Craisins! Oh my goodness, how I love them!!!! Who knew they could be so delightsome? :) Ahhh....

  

Love you MUCHO!!!

 

HerManda :)

Weekly Peek: Oink, Oink!

12 Octubre de 2009

Cordillera, Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile

 

       So, are you all wondering what the oink oink is for? Maybe the huge lunches, maybe a run-in with a pig in a lesson, etc. Well the answer- 4 words: Swine Flu, Schmine Phoo.

Yep! Apparently that´s what I have had. On Monday I had to call the Doctor, and he told me to stay in during the night from Pday 7-10, because of the bronchitis, etc I had had,although he said that I could go out on Tuesday. So that was fun (haha), and on Tuesday we worked and taught a lot of people and it was great! Then Wed morning we have our zone-district meetings and I was dying. Non-stop hacking, lungs aching, etc. So! Anyways went to lunch, and then to study afterwards and then I found that I could not really breathe and couldn´t really get up to work. Ha! So yeah, we stayed in and then we went to the Dr. the next day, and they informed me that rather than bronchitis, I had actually had the swine flu and was happily on my way to pneumonia. Next stop: hospital. Woa! That sounds bad. Don´t worry, we didn´t go. That was hypothetical, as in the next stop WOULD be the hospital, with tubes, IV´s all that fun. So! Opting out of that option, they gave me this GIGANTIC shot in the... yep, you guessed it! and antibiotics, anti-inflamatory, these crazy drops called SSKI, jarabe de toz, and other such remedios. It was pretty amusing actually, because every time I would have a coughing attack or explain some symptom he would write down another drug. Let me just say, I am suddenly extremely impressed at the accuracy in which older people take their medicines. I mean, it´s crazy! 5 of these, 4 of these, 2 of these, 1 of these, woa! It really requires some thinking and planning. ;) De verdad. Anyhow! so I was commanded to the house until...today, although I did receive permission to go to church yesterday, thank you very much. So yeah! I can breathe much better now, my lungs don´t hurt as bad, and I´d say we`re out of the pneumonia path by now. hahahaha. Who knew that a little annoying cough from 4 weeks ago could produce so many problems? I certainly didn´t. Well, apparently it was just the swine flu in disguise! hahaha! I try to keep that little tidbit away from the people, not just so that they don´t freak out, but to keep their faith. A woman was telling us hm.... on Tuesday! about the swine flu and how she is thankful for the gospel and is just sure that no members have gotten it because the Lord is protecting them. Now, I know the Lord is still protecting us, and always with us, He just allowed me to get sick is all.

    So, yes, it was exceptionally hard to be in the house, especially when we have so many wonderful investigators, and can´t visit them, but the Lord did help me. I was laying in bed thinking of all the investigators, worrying about them, thinking of how they`re not getting visited, etc. I mean, obviously no one wants to get sick ever, but it was just worse because this isn´t MY time, but the Lord´s, and it was me getting in the way of His work. Then laying there I put the thoughts together. Yes, this is His work. And I KNOW that the Lord is always aware of ALL of His children, and there was no way that He was unaware that in Cordillera 2 missionaries couldn´t visit Margarita and Mario, Nacho and Patricia, Francisca and Juan Pablo, Marlen, etc. I mean, it is HIS work. So I took comfort knowing that they were going to be okay, because if they couldn´t take it, he wouldn´t have letten (wow, is that a word, and how is it spelled? ;) me get stuck in the house. And there is always a lesson in everything, for me, Hna Talbot, and the investigators. I´m just trying to learn it as fast as possible, and hope that if they need to learn a lesson that learn it quickly as well so we can get back to work. I have become a much more patient person in the mission. More patient with companions, the sicknesses of others, investigators, etc. But unbeknownst to me, I wasn´t quite to keen on it when it is me that inhibits the work. So I studied that this week quite a bit, in hopes to learn the lesson quick. :) But anyhow! After this thought struck me I was struck (sorry, it was striking. :) hehehe) with the clip from I Love Lucy, (I know, Babylon) when they`re talking to the man that runs the town with a hat for every job. So I realized I just had to take off my full-time-missionary-in-the-calle-all-day hat and put on my my-job-is-to-get-better hat. Funny enough, it made things so much easier. Okay, this is my job now, so let´s do it!! kind of thing. And then yesterday after church when I was studying I ran across a scripture in DyC 136:31 where it says that those in the Lords pueblo. Oh....aha! The Lord´s people must be tried in ALL things to prepare for the glory of Zion. So I looked over at Hna Talbot, and just told her, sorry I hadn´t gotten sick earlier in the mission, and it was just my time to be tried in that. But don´t worry! It´s all in prep for something better. :) So all, when things get us down, just keep plugging, put your trust in the Lord, and try to learn everything you can for it, because it is not a punishment, just another step to take on the way to exaltation. :) The Lord loves us, and He´s just trying to prepare us and make us into Queens and Kings. :) But yes, afterwards I can´t deny that there were still some moments of anxiety and frustration, but I decided as long as they were brief  it was okay, for like DyC 58, we can be anxious in a good cause, and what´s a better cause then sharing the restored gospel? :) But nobody worry. I´m good, taken care of, on the mend, and excited to be able to go out to work again this week. (Although I still haven´t received full release-reign yet).  

     Juana received the holy ghost yesterday and it was amazing! She is just such a joy, and so strong in the gospel and a real pillar for her family. Ha! A funny story, we had to call her on Friday to tell her we couldn´t go to visit her, and she totally said I told you so! :) It was so funny! I couldn´t believe it, and told her that I DID go to the Doctor, but she said not soon enough, or when she told me the first time, or something like that. ;) Then she called me on Saturday to see if I was still alive and then asked me if I was going to church, which of course I was, and she called me porfiada - or stubborn - to which I replied that I had gotten permission. :) hahaha. We get along great. :) And the ward received her so well yesterday! Well, the obispo is always M.I.A. for everything (including always waiting 20-30 for him for sacrament meeting), but the ward mission leader and RS were amazing. I just love the changes that come after baptism AND the Holy Ghost! Oh, what blessings we recieve!  

    Well, I love you all so much and hope that you are well, happy, and enjoying life!

 

Gratefulness:

   1. Breathing! hahaha! Such a lovely, little, wonderful thing!

   2. Scripture Marking Pencils! (Have I said that already? I don´t know, but either way, when you actually have a system - it´s incredible what you can learn using them. And of course a study journal as well)

   3. Sorry! Can´t forget the Joseph Nashville Tribute CD which Hna Edwards had which we listened to quite a lot. I love it! And it totally reminded me of getting ready Sunday mornings with you Elle. :) (Cinnamon Tree Apts)

   4. Packages! Oh my goodness family! Thank you SOOOO much! I got the package after the district mtg on Wednesday, and wow! I have announced to all in the house, when I feel better we are having a Mexican fiesta like South America has never known! Woohoo! (South America is like England in relation to Mexico and Mexican food) The corn tortillas are perfect and we are gonna` have TOSTADAS the Mexican way. Yes, I am la Mexicana. ;)

 

Love you all MUCHO!

 

Love,

         HerManda :)

Well, Hello! *(insert fun, accented voice of your choice. Just not East Coast. I can´t do that one. ;)‏

5 October, 2009

Cordillera B, Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile

Well, fancy that! Changes happened, and nothing did! I never knew it was possible. Yep! Hna Talbot y I are still together and still in Cordillera. But on the other end, there WERE changes. We were here in the sector with 2 other elders, one that had 3 changes ya here, and the other arrived nuevito con nosotras. But, they both got taken out, so we`ll be getting 2 new elders here. The house is still the same, shockingly, apart from the fact that Hna Hodgkin has to go home today. It´s crazy. I can´t believe that I´m already saying goodbye to her, when it feels like I JUST said goodbye to the last batch. Crazy. It was pretty sad last night and this morning saying goodbye, but it was a crazy reminder that yes, no matter what you want, the mission does end in 18 meses - ready or not. Trunky or not. But she was so focused the entire time and such a good example of ending the mission focused 100% in the work. :) Love her!

  So, let`s see! As I said last week, I had had a cough for a few weeks that was getting deeper, and as we live with Hna. Edwards, (the hermana de salud- everyone goes through her to get to the Dr) she cornered me on Tuesday and made me promise that I would go to the Dr. - and I reluctantly agreed that on the following Monday I would go. (Mondays are our Dr. days in Misiòn Este). Anyhow, as we were visiting Juana at the beginning of this week I had (like always) this HUGE coughing attack basically coughing my lungs out, and she scowlded me and asked me if I was going to the Dr. I said, yes I would go on Monday. And she said, ¨Monday! That`s too long. You need to go now......and tried to give me her inhaler that she had had for a bad cough. Obviously I did not take it. This was in the lesson of obedience, etc shortly after the palabra de sabidurìa and ya`might say she turned the tables on me. It was pretty funny. Just imagine. :) Yes, the investigator teaching the missionary. Which they of course always do by their examples, wisdom, comments, etc., just usually not so directly. Hahaha.  But then she told me that if I wasn´t there on Sunday because I was sick she wouldn´t get baptized, etc. Anyhow, again that night I agreed with Hna Edwards to go to the Dr. the next day. So! We went and said I had acute bronchitis, infections in my lungs, blah, blah, blah. ;) Then he said I had to take it easy and go in very early, etc. (the storie is below in spanish). Lungs still hurt, and my cough is anything other than lovely, but it´s getting better. I´m on 2 drugs whose names I can´t remember now, but it´s all good.

Well, I´m sorry, but the time has escaped me once again. In part because I was looking at adorable pics of the fam from conference. So cute! And oh my gosh, who is that GIGANTIC girl with the brown curls that looks something like Kayla and something like my old pictures? Woa. I guess time does pass after all. :) Not to mention all the new additions I keep getting. Yes, the word in Chile is out! I have a new nephew and another on the way. And yes, they are neck and neck equal these sisters. :) hahaha.

   Well, I love you all to bits!

Okay!

Pics: {not all of these pictures would fit in her email, so there are only a few}

1. Happy completing 18 months Hna Hodgkin and 10 months yo! (Sept 19th) from the girls in the house - they`re SO sweet!! One of them, Hna Bustamante de Chile can´t say my name AT ALL and so she just calls me Hna Bailarina - hence the dancing figures. ;)

2. la flia de Juana Parra

3.con nosotras

4. waiting (4 got baptized yesterday between conferences)

5. How lovely and clean!

6. So you really can´t get the grasp of HOW BIG this dog is! It`s just the biggest mop in the world. It was hard to find it`s ears!

7. I don´t know if you can see it properly, but there´s a big dog house behind him that says across. ¨Dinky¨. Yeah. He`s anything but, and I have no idea what it`s supposed to mean because the family doesn´t speak English. :)

Gratitude:

1. General Conference! Oh my goodness, I could go on forever about that! It flew, and oh what power, authority, and wisdom they have!!! Wow. Wow. We are surely blessed.

2. A transformer for the voltage sufficient to use my waver! Woot! Woot! :) hehe. Silly,I know.

   Bueno! Ayer tuvimos un bautismo muy especial de una mujer de 56 años llamada Juana Parra. Una mujer que estaba investigando la iglesia de vez en cuando para 34 años, y en los últimos años, los Testigos de Jehová también. Encontramos su nombre en la carpeta y cuando fuimos para visitarla ella fue muy dura, que no quería bautizarse, etc. Pero, sentimos a continuar a visitarla y que este tiempo, de verdad, era su tiempo. Mediante un proceso de mucha oración, y la constante guía del espíritu, ella podía sentir el espíritu muy fuerte y cambió por completo. TODO era la ayuda del espíritu, para decir las cosas que ella necesitaba y en una manera muy directa. De verdad podía sentir Su ayuda y el poder y la autoridad que tenemos como misioneros. Fue una experiencia increíble. Los miembros nos ayudó también con ella, que fue súper importante. Ella empezó de cambiar. De leer de verdad el Libro de Mormón, de orar con verdadera intención, despedir Los Testigos, Ir a la iglesia (gigante), obedecer los mandamientos, y últimamente, ser bautizada. También ella está reactivando su hija menos activa. Es muy especia, ella.

    Esta semana fue difícil para mí, y una batalle constante adentro de mí – especialmente en la noche. Yo estoy súper bien/feliz/contenta por todo, sin que Hna Edwards me mandó al Doctor y que el me dijo que tenía acute bronchitis, infecciónes en mis pulmones, etc. Me dio instrucciones que tenía que descansar, solamente pudiéremos ir a citas fijas, no tocar, y entrar a las 6:00 toda esta semana. Tengo que confesarle que no lo hice muy bien. Estaba obediente en no tocar y 3/4 días entramos temprano a las 8:00, pero de verdad, siento que si no estoy muriendo, debemos trabajar. Aparte de que tuvimos muchos investigadores que nos necesitaban, y todavía no pudimos visitar unos por eso. Bueno, sé que debemos ser obedientes en TODAS las cosas, entonces, discúlpeme. Voy a tratar de ser más obediente, pero cuando es algo así y tengo tantas ganas de trabajar... Bueno, no hay peros, ni excusas. Lo siento.

Hna Talbot está muy bien y ya es una misionera súper buena. Estoy agradecida para ella. Con ella es muy fácil de trabajar porque quiere ser obediente, seguir el espíritu, aprender, etc! Es maravillosa.

Love you all MUCHO!!!!!

Love,

         HerManda :)

Weekly Peek: Hello Spring! ... or not :) hahaha

September 28, 2009

Cordillera, Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile

¨Oh the weather outside is frightful...¨ So! Yes, it is still freezing. Global warming my foot. :) So, quite against my will last month or earlier this month thinking about the cold popped into my head that part from Narnia when Lucy says, ¨Winters not all bad there`s snowball fights...and Christmas!!¨ And  Mr. Tumnus, ¨Not here it`s not. Always winter - never Christmas.´¨ :) And it cracked me up. :) It just fit so very well, and so involuntary! Ahh.... yes. It was true. But yesterday tracting in the mostly-post-rain with the Andes-snowed wind (yeah, crazy, I actually say that sentence and see THE ANDES every day) blowing very heavily and singing the usual pick-me-up-from-the-cold-Christmas-hymn, I thought! hey! Now it`s cold, but Christmas IS coming now! Hahaha! And it was lovely, so I shared it with my companion. :) She didn´t have quite the same amount of joy as she hasn´t gone through the whole winter-summer feeling, but still got some. :)

    I`ve had this lovely-ever-deepening cough for 2 weeks or so and pop cough drops in all the lessons and church like nobodies business. Probably should let it come out more, but people just aren´t that keen on missionaries coming into their houses that are coughing all over the place. I have no idea WHY. ;) But, then again, the Chilean people are very in tune with the weather and when we knock their doors when it`s cold or raining, they are always very good about letting us in on the weather forecast, and how that is why they can`t let us in. It`s quite comical. At least the members came to church yesterday in the cold. When it rains NO ONE comes. They`re very rain-cold superstitious. There`s a very prominent myth here called boca chueca, or crooked mouth, that says that if you go out in the cold from a hot house or while drinking hot tea or mouth will stick in a crooked position forever. People often open the door or window a crack with their scarf, sweater, or hand, covering their mouths with an urgent, worried, and very muffled, Ï´m drinking tea! I can´t come out and I have to go back in NOW!¨ Ridiculous, but it happens, and it`s not just to get us to go away sometimes, because sometimes people run out to open the door, and let us in,  with their mouths covered the whole time, but that is much more rare. Usually it`s an excuse and definitely with the older generation. There are many that don`t put stock into ¨boca chueca.´Hehe.

   Now that you`ve got that little tidbit of Chile. Sorry, I have been slacking off, but I´m trying again to remember to insert something of the Chilean life down here. :) It`s wonderful. I just love being a missionary, and it is such a joy, miracle, and blessing to be a full time employee for the Lord down here on his little bit of vineyard here. Juana went to church yesterday with us and the ward received her SO well, and the sister we got to accompany us una vez saved her a seat in relief society, it was wonderful. The talks and classes were also wonderful answers to prayers, which was such a blessing because that is such a fear we missionaries have. ;) We are preparing for her baptism this Sunday in between conferences, so please put her in your prayers as she really struggles with commitment and is making huge steps which never in her 34 yrs of in and out investigating made. She is such an angel and special daughter of Heavenly Father and I am SO grateful to be with her and get to teach her. We have encountered and taught  a few families this week which is such a blessing. To teach a family is such a special, special thing. Time is running out, so sorry here is another story, but I already wrote it in Spanish. Sorry.

Estoy feliz, muy agradecida por mi compañera, el sector, todos los investigadores, y claro, TODAS las muchas bendiciones del Señor que recibimos cada día – especialmente el espíritu. Mi compañera es maravillosa, claro, y está aprendiendo harto cada día. Tiene un espíritu y un deseo fantástico para la obra y para hacer todas las cosas que necesitamos hacer.    Es tan dispuesta para aprender y ayudar a las personas. A veces es difícil y frustrante para ella, cuando no puede entender todo lo que quiere (¿los chilenos hablan súper rápido, no?), pero está aprendiendo y teniendo paciencia. De verdad, estoy muy agradecida por estar con ella y ésta oportunidad. 

    Anoche tuvimos una experiencia maravillosa. En martes, creo, caminamos hasta un semáforo y había una mujer esperando para cruzar también, y aunque no sabía el tiempo que íbamos a tener juntas, empecé a hablar y caminamos amablemente con ella y de repente ella tenía que doblar, pero le pregunté si vivía por allí y me dijo sí. Explicamos un poquito quienes somos, y si pudimos venir a su casa para cantarle y hacer una oración. Al principio no quería y negaba, pero en el fin el espíritu le convenció. Después de cantar y orar le preguntábamos cuando pudimos venir otra vez. Ella dijo no, que tenía otra religión, etc. pero otra vez el espíritu le convenció. Fuimos para la cita, y ella dijo que leyó el folleto y que no quería seguir más.  Pero en el fin, que igual, si queríamos, pudimos cantar y hacer una oración con ella para la última vez. Entramos, y orando con tanto necesidad, empecé de hablar con sus nietas un poquito porque estaban visitando, y ella después, como se bautizó en su iglesia recién y fue muy firme en su iglesia. Cantamos y sentí a decir algo acerca del pecado, como nos aleja de Dios y como a veces sentimos que no podemos hablar con el por eso. Pero que eso es un mentira de Satanás porque el siempre quiere alejarnos de Dios, pero que Dios SIEMPRE esta esperándonos con sus brazos abiertos. Por ESO envió Jesucristo. Para salvarnos de nuestros pecados y errores. En eso ella empezó a decir que esto es verdad y que en verdad pasa y dijo que este año ha hecho cosas y no se sintió digno para regresar a su iglesia, ni tampoco hablar con Dios. Empezamos de hablar del arrepentimiento, oración, y las bendiciones de ellos y ella empezó de sentirse más cómoda y de confiar más en nosotras, aunque no le gustó para nada todo lo que representamos al principio. Hablamos del bautismo, el espíritu, y  la santa cena y testificamos con poder no de nosotras de que es la restauración que hace todo posible. Que es solamente adentro de la iglesia de Jesucristo donde podemos aceptar completamente Jesucristo y recibir el perdón que necesitamos. Enseñamos la restauración y ella estaba captada y estaba entendiendo bien el mensaje. El espíritu fue tan fuerte y sé que nada que hice o dije era yo. En el fin ella solamente tenía preguntas del libro de mormón y explicamos porque es importante, que es su función, y claro, testificamos. Podía ver su deseo para leerlo, pero como NUNCA ha pasado, ya hemos regalado todos. Pero sé que eso también era una bendición de Dios porque pudimos preguntarle cuando pudimos pasar para dejárselo, y en esa manera, un poco diferente la cita, ella podía aceptar sin negar sus palabras al principio. Va a orar acerca del mensaje, y pasamos luego para entregarse el libro de mormón. Fue una experiencia increíble, y sé que TODO fue el espíritu. Dios de verdad ama a sus hijos y quiere que regresen a el.

Well, hope that everyone is doing SPLENDIDLY! I love you all mucho and hope to hear from you soon!!

***TRANSLATION:

I am happy, very thankful for my companion, the area, all the investigators and of course ALL the many blessings from the Lord that we receive each day – especially the spirit.  My companion is marvelous, of course, and she is learning so much each day. She has the spirit and a fantastic desire for the work and to do everything that is necessary. She is so ready and willing to learn and to help everyone. At times it is difficult and frustrating for her especially when she can’t understand all that is said.  (the Chileans speak super fast).  But she is learning and has patience.  In truth, I am very thankful to be with her and to have this opportunity.

Last night we had a marvelous experience. Tuesday I believe, we were walking toward a streetlight. A woman was waiting to cross the street also and even though I didn’t know how much time we would have together I started talking with her.  We were having a pleasant conversation as we walked along when suddenly she needed to go back.  I asked her if she lived close by and she said she did. We briefly explained who we were and asked if we could come to her house and sing to her and have a prayer.  At first she didn’t want to and said no, but finally the spirit persuaded her.  After singing and praying we asked her when we might come again. She said no… she already belonged to another religion etc. but again the spirit persuaded her.  We visited her again and she told us that she had read the pamphlet but didn’t want to hear any more but if we wanted to we could sing and pray with her before we left. We entered her home and praying earnestly I began to speak a little with her granddaughters who were visiting. I then spoke with her and found out that she had recently been baptized and was very firm in her faith.  We sang and I felt I should talk to her about sin, how it distances us from God and how at times we feel that we can’t pray to him because of our sins. I explained to her that this was one of Satan’s lies because he wants to distance us from God, but that God is ALWAYS waiting with his arms open.  For this very reason He sent Jesus Christ to save us from our sins and errors. Upon hearing this she said that she believed it to be true and that it happens just that way.  She said that this year she had done some things and didn’t feel worthy to return to church nor to talk to God.  We began to talk about repentance and prayer and what a blessing they are. She began to feel better and to trust us even though she at first didn’t like at all what we represented. We taught her about baptism, the Holy Ghost, and the sacrament and we testified with the power of the Spirit, not of ourselves, that it is the restoration of the Gospel that makes it all possible. That it is only in the Church of Jesus Christ where we can completely accept Jesus Christ and receive the forgiveness that we need.  We taught about the restoration and she was captivated and really understood our message. The Spirit was so strong and I know that it wasn’t me but the spirit. In the end she only had questions about the Book of Mormon.  We explained to her why it is important, it’s purpose and of course bore testimony of the Book of Mormon. We could see her desire to read it, but, and this has NEVER happened, we had given all our Books of Mormon away. This I know was really a blessing from Heavenly Father because it allowed us to set up another visit without any objections from her  in order to drop one by.  She said that she would pray about our message and we will drop by later with the Book of Mormon. This was such an incredible experience and I know that it was because of the Spirit. Heavenly Father really loves his children and wants us to return to him***

Gratefulness:

1. Scarfs! Oh they are lovely things

2. Tape! Man, wouldn´t the world be a much more difficult place without it? Hehe! But true, no?

3. And of course, the spirit!!!

Love you!!

                         HerManda

Weekly Peek: The Red, White, & Blue Week

Cordillera, Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile

21-9-09

Why hello all!

hahaha! Spring is here! Or at least according to the calender. I`ve recieved the news that we just might get a cold Christmas after all. ;) Just kidding, they didn`t say that long, only that winter would go well into spring this year. Yes, it`s frigid. :) But now Christmas really is coming so all the Christmas carolling isn´t quite ridiculous. :) Luckily Hna Talbot is also a Christmas music fanatic so we listen to it every day while we do our exercises and plan in the night. :) So wonderful to find a kindred spirit in that manner. So anyhow!

   Oh yeah, before I forget, I had everyones addresses written down on a card, but somehow in one of the moves it escaped me, so I´m lacking. It would be EVER so appreciated if you all could send me your addresses, and mom also Carolyn Oaks and any others you think I should have. Please! And thank you!! :) Hey, and if you want to send it on the outside of an envelope, that is also welcome. ;) hahaha. JK.

   Yeah. So! This week was Chilean National Week! (Practically. It`s the 18th, but the celebration is REALLY long. Really puts a hamper there on the missionary work with NO ONE in their house. Or if by chance they are, they are usually drunk and-or with all their family and want to see you NEXT week. Yeah, we got asked a lot of times (by members including, and especially) why we were working on these days, because no ones home. Yes, it was exciting. :) Notwithstanding, it was a very good week. :) Juanna who I have told you a bit about is progressing so wonderfully! She is feeling the spirit so strong and knows, feels, and recognizes that it`s true. She`s amazing. We have started working with her husband too, but he`s seldom in the house. The family that went to church last week, Ortega Diaz are wonderful as well, and are such good examples. One of their daughters has I´m not sure, something like critical epilepsis, and they are so wonderful, loving, and patient. They just lack the gospel, and that`s coming, so please keep them in their prayers. The Lord is truly in this work and in the lives of His Children, demonstrating His arm of Love and Mercy. It doesn´t matter what has happened or what we have done. He is ALWAYS waiting to receive us once again. Repentance is so real, and I am so grateful for it in my life and in the lives of all those around me. It is such a wonderful gift!

    So, real fast, we had a ward lunch on the 18th and we had a pebre de ajì contest, which is like their version of hot mexican salsa. It was to judge which was the best, and with spice, so they were calling for 5 judges, and when no one was going, Hna Talbot (who knows of my Mexican ways) urged me to go up. So I did and everyone was like, ¨Hermana! It`s REALLY REALLY hot! Are you sure you want to do it¨:) hahaha. I reassured them that yes, I really liked hot stuff, so they doubtingly consented. Yeah, it was tasty for sure, but NOT very hot at all I mean, there was one that had some lovely flavor with a hint of hot, but you would not believe the uproar. They REALLY can not take the heat. :) Everyone was dying, and I just wanted to add some jalapeños and slather it all over all of my food. :) I didn´t let them know it wasn´t very hot, just said it was good, which it was, and chose my winner., :) Oh yeah! Everyone has flags up this month, and while it wasn´t MY red, white, and blue, I was so very charmed. I thought it was so wonderful. :) And then I learned that EVERY house and building has to have some sort of Chilean flag up this week or they get a GIGANTIC penalty fine. Yeah, that just ripped the charm right out there, sir. 

Gratefulness:

1. blankets! Yes, they are lovely things

2. shoe polish. I never understood the beauty of shoe polish before the mission. It`s miraculous. ;)

Love you all BUNCHES!!!!

Love,

          HerManda

and the traditional spanish part,

Tuvimos una experiencia muy buena esta semana con una familia. Nuestra primera noche acà encontramos e la calle con una pareja de como 50 algo años, y fue muy bueno, pero cuando pasamos no estaban. Siempre cuando nosotras tuvimos lecciones cerca fuimos para pasar por ellos. Muchas veces pasamos, pero no podìa dejarlos de mi mente aunque fue solamente un contacto y pasamos muchas veces y nunca nadie estaba. Pero, una noche pasamos, y el estaba a fuera, y despues de hablar y pedir unas minutos para compartir, nos recibieron ellos y sus dos hijos (24 y 18). Fue tan perfecta como una pelicula. Solamente cantamos, testificamos, y oramos, pero el espìritu fue fuerte. Y nos contò que la razòn que nunca estaban es porque bueno, son ocupados, pero màs que la mamà contractò càncer de mammo y tiene que para tratamiento todos los dìas. Ellos dijeron que fue loco que toda la familia estaba allì y que debe ser por algo. :) Si, testificamos que sì y porque. :) Tenemos cita este Mièrcoles. Estoy bien yo, y feliz y agradecida por estar aquì en Cordillera y con Hna Talbot. Ella està aprendiendo harto y de verdad es una ejemplo bueno para todas y para mi. ¡Le amo!

Love you all MUCHO!!!!!!!!

Weekly Peek: Subject lines: The peek in the window of what's to come.

September 14, 2009
Cordillera, Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile

So I was trying to think of a subject line after having written the email and trying to think of what would be good, or funny, when the whole objective of a subject line made me laugh So I thought I^d stand in front of the tv so to say. (or in my family, when that happened someone would say, ¨Hey, you make a better door than a window.¨ Although I guess you stil got a peek in to what I was going to say because now I´ve talked about it. Ha.

      ¡Hola mi seres queridos! Oh, oops. I´m sorry as of a couple of days ago I made the goal in letters and in my journal to write only in English for the benefit of my family and for my posterity. For one my kids-grandkids-greats not speak spanish, and even more sure, they probably won`t speak Chilean Spanish (believe me, it`s different) so I`m trying to restrain myself. Unless of course I`m out of time or already wrote it in Spanish. That`s a completely different circumstance. :) But it`s strange, I was thinking about it the other day (before that decision), that I have two languages floating around in my head. That`s weird! And just think of those that have 3,4, 5 and màs floating around in their heads. Crazy, huh? They have one idea in your head, and there are so many ways to express it! Ha! (thank you, tower of babel). Sorry, tangent. :) But you know me, and you all know more than well that in letters I leave myself perfectly open to tangentize. (up until we even make up our OWN words! :) ) It`s just so much more fun that way. (Yes, I almost said funner, but decided I wouldn´t start up THAT discussion). Just a happy, little train of thought.

   Alright! So, as always the hand of the Lord and the Love for His children is evident all around us. Truly, when we take the time to see and recognize the miracles, tender mercies, and happy little happenings around us, we see the love of the Lord for us. We pass through hard times, are tried, tested, and passed through the refiners fire, but in the midst of the fire there is the hand of the Lord all around us to remind us that He loves us, that He is aware of us, and that He will walk at our side to help us in all of our struggles. Because Jesus Christ suffered all, even alone, we don`t EVER have to be alone. This is true, and I am so grateful for this knowledge in my life personally, and to get to share it with others. (I love the talk from Elder Holland, last general conference.). Anyways - miracles.

   Life is going great, and 1 miracle! I`m getting to know the sector really well! Not only are we not getting lost, but I´m finding and figuring out shortcuts, etc. That is truly help from the Lord. I was not a good map-direction girl. Yes. Big Help. We and Hna Talbot carry well together, and it is wonderful to be her companion. It is a joy, and yes, tender mercy. :)

    Sorry: Spanish. But I already told the story, or part of it to President, so here goes:
Ayer una familia que estamos enseñando y una mujer que encontramos (una investigadora eternal de 34 años que nunca querìa ir a la iglesia) fueron a la conferencia y fue un milagro pequeño de Dios. Juana la mujer parecìa muy tensa durante la reunion pero estaba animado para nuestra visita hoy. Ella sabe que es verdad, aun lo dice, pero no querìa hacer el paso a aceptarlo. Tuvimos una cita muy directa en lo cùal leemos Mosìah 18 juntos y ella entendiò muy bien, y fue a la iglesia con nosotras. Un paso gigante. El espìritu siempre es muy fuerte en su casa y siento sùper claramente el poder y autoridad de nuestro llamamiento. La familia es muy, muy especial y tenemos una cita con ellas con un miembro hoy: Estamos recibiendo ayuda del barrio cuando pedimos, especialmente del lìder misional y estamos muy agradecida. Estamos continuando a ver MUCHOS milagros a nuestro alrededor. Siempre estoy asombrada a la mano del amor de Dios y todos los milagros y bendiciones que està obrando. Estamos entendiendo cùan importante es que las personas vienen a el y a las aguas del bautismo y estamos tratando a ayudarles. Hemos invitado a la familia y Juana a bautizarse pero no han aceptado hasta hoy. Tuvimos 2 fechas, pero uno no podìa venir ayer para su trabajo, y no sabemos que pasò con el otro. Tuvimos una cita con ella ayer per Hna Talbot era muy mal de su estomago y no pudimos salir. Le llamamos, pero no contestò. Vamos a pasar para ver como es. Hna Talbot està haciendo mejor hoy, pero no està perfecto. Parece que el cambio de la comida es difìcil en su estòmago.

   honestly, I didn´t make that exception to the English rule with the intention to break it in the same letter. :) Boy do I feel sheepish! :)    

     Well, that`s that! :) It´s been raining, and very cold, and then sometimes warm day splatters throughout the week, so it`s always exciting to get dressed. Oh yeah, and I think the whole world of Cordillera (member and nonmember alike) knows that i have a brand new nephew. Seriously, I think I tell everybody. :) But we always talk about families and then I just can`t help myself! :) hehehe. He is just a cute little, round ball of beautiful baby!

   I hope that you all are doing well. I love you so much and pray for you!

I´m grateful for:
1. flia escobar! (our missionary leader)They are so willing to help us. Accompany us sometimes, and even pass by investigators to take them to church!
2. Christmas music (we listen to it all the time. :) Basically ever since it started being so cold in... April. We have hopes that the cold will end the end of this month. :)

Love you!!!!!!!!

HerManda

Weekly Peek: 9 Months & a new Nephew!

cordillera b, puente alto, santiago, chile

September 7, 2009

hola loved ones!

by the way, my keyboard has a really hard time with the shift key again, so that`s why nothing is capitalized. :) just thought i`d get that out there first, for while my english is failing, my capitalization is not. probably because you have to capitalize in spanish too. hahaha! well first, congrats johnston family!!! Woohoo! i am the proud aunt (again) of a bouncing, baby boy! Jaxyn Leigh Johnston, a very cute, cuddly-cheeked boy, who was a gender surprise, although i have to say that my guess was right. :) So cute!!!!!!!

well, the time has run short somehow, besides the fact that i had to ooh and ahhh and smile at all the pictures of my new nephew, and other cute kids of mine, so sorry for that. but i hope that you were able to read the spanish letter from last week. sorry for those who don`t speak spanish, and for those that do as well, because i am sure that there are many errors. there`s just no winning. anyhow! the first picture is from one temple tour that we did when hna Medrano and her comp brought some converts preparing for the temple. then after that is the mandatory 9 months in the mission pictures that hna hodgkin made me take. although truth be told, i wanted to and it was fun to boot. well, you all know how i love dressing up. :) then after that is when i got my new companion hna talbot on her first day, and then one night at a hair cutting with the sisters in our pension. well i love you all so much. things are going great and the miracles are just pouring in around us. It was a difficult task to start because of the whitewashing, training, and we were also basically opening sector with nothing in our carpeta, but we have been so abundantly blessed by the lord. i love my companion and we work very well together. i love you all and hope that everything is wonderful as well. I´m sorry there`s no time, but i´ll tell you about all the amazing experiences next time. i love you tons!!!!!

love,

HerManda

I´m grateful for:

1. Rain boots, heavy coats, thermals, and a lot of layers!

2. kiwi! it is so delightful and cheap right now. Yummmm....

Weekly Peek: Translated

31 de agosto de 2009

cordillera b, puente alto, santiago, chile

hola!

well, i am first of all really sorry, because i am running out of time already because i had things to ask from the office, a lot of references to give, and i wrote a really long letter to president. i am doing well, and i am happy. the letter that follows is the one i wrote to president because i´m already out of time. it is unfortunately in spanish, but maybe dad can translate it and send it out?? please??? :) i love you mucho!!!!!!!!

grateful:

1. the spirit! oh my goodness have we been helped and directed this week!

2. to be over with my talk in sacrament metting! hahaha. yeah, i had to give a talk about this is your phone call from general conference my first week in the ward. but it went pretty well. anyways i love you mucho!!!!!

love,

Hermanda

First of all excuse the lack of capitalization that you see now and that you will continue to see in this letter. The shift key only works once in a while. However, first I would like to tell you that my testimony of the power of miracles has grown even more. In truth, there have been miracles before, always, but now we can hardly go anywhere without being aware of the great hand of the Lord. We have talked to and found many people who were really feeling sad, thinking of God, looking for direction and where to turn, asking if their baby needed to be baptized, or if they will be able to be with their family that has passed on, etc! We set a goal to talk with everyone..really.., and also to invite many people to be baptized. This decision has permitted the Lord to work many more miracles. It is very humbling being a part of this, knowing that no matter how insignificant I feel or we feel, the Lord accomplishes his great and marvelous works. I really can’t believe that as insignificant as I am, I actually have the opportunity to play such a large part in their lives by sharing with them this restored gospel. When talking with and testifying to people on the street they have allowed us and even invited us to walk with them to their homes where they have invited us in to share the gospel with them.

We have had many marvelous experiences. Let me share one or two. One night a little before 10:00 we were looking for a person we had found in the directory. We found the house and called out at the door. A grandmother answered and asked us what we wanted. We asked for the person we were looking for but she didn’t hear me. Instead of asking again for the person we had come to visit I felt impressed to simply say that we had come to share with her a message from Jesus Christ, to ask her if we could come in and if she would invite us in. She invited us in. We found out later that she wasn’t Hilda the person we were looking for but that they had the same address. She was feeling very sad about her granddaughter who had passed away and was crying to understand and know if God was aware and because of this God had sent us to her. We shared with her a brief message of the plan of salvation and how because of the gospel they can be together forever. The spirit was so strong and she desired to be baptized. She is to be operated on soon so the date will be determined on her to recuperation. This however is only one of the miracles that the Lord has worked in the lives of the people here in the Cordillera.

I also gained a greater testimony of the counsel to greet everyone. One night we were walking along greeting everyone like we do. We entered a home to teach Juana, an investigator. Immediately after her 17 year old grandson came in and we invited him to join us. At first he didn’t want to but then he looked at us and asked us if we had just walked down the street. We told him we had and he said, “Oh yes, you were the ones that talked to me when I was sitting down with my (polola).” Because of that he decided to listen to us. He now is reading and praying about the Book of Mormon with his grandma. We have an appointment with them tonight. This has not only helped him but his grandmother feels like she is not just doing this by herself. She is excited. All of this just because we said hi.

My companion is super good and I am so grateful. She has such a wonderful spirit and such a great desire to work. It is Marvelous. She practices, studies, and teaches the lessons with me. When we make a contact we take turns, but both of us bear our testimonies to the contacts, and she does it with such a powerful spirit. She really is an answer to my prayers. She is incredible. She is so willing to work and to learn.

I am also so grateful for Hna. Medrano. She helped me so much because she always included me in the planning, who we were going to teach and basically everything. I know that is how it is supposed to be because we area both set apart and entitled to receive revelation about the people in whatever area we might find ourselves. It doesn’t matter how well we speak Spanish or how long we have been out, we are doing everything together and that is very very good. I would like to say more but time prohibits.

Weekly Peek: Call me Tom Sawyer

Cordillera, Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile

24 de agosto de 2009

Well hello! Why, might you ask, should I be called Tom Sawyer. No I´m not telling any tall tales, and I don´t have a friend named Huckleberry, nor is my Southern accent that good. No my friends, I am whitewashing! Yes, I got transferred today to the south (okay, so that as well is in common) Puente Alto to whitewash that sector -- of which I no nothing (hahaha!) and I am training again. Wow. For those of you who may be unaware, they call it whitewashing when 2 new companions go into an area and neither one of them know anything about it. My new companion`s name is Hna Talbot and she will arrive tomorrow. So please everyone, throw in a little prayer for us (and me with directions - ha! but for those of you who know me, i have gotten a lot better at directions in the mission.) So that`s the big news. It`s a bit hard, but like always, we just have to put all of our trust in the Lord and have faith that with Him all is possible. And it is. :) Recuerden eso. bueno, hna Hodgkin (blonde) also got changed out, to the way South and will be living in the same pension (different stake) with us, so that is fun. Although yes, once again 6 mujeres are living together. hahahahaha. Well, actually all three of us left Apoquindo, although Hna Griffiths is still with the temple, just living in Pocuro (MUCH closer to the temple. Very good), but it will be hard on the ward. But they are bringing in 2 new elders, so that will be good. Because it was the Bishop that got the whole ward stuck on ¨las chicas super poderosas¨thing, we printed one out and made this awesome card for him, which we gave to him on Sunday, thinking that he would laugh so hard. He loved it, laughed, and was so grateful, but then he almost started crying, which we all thought was strange, but then we ound out that he had just found out the changes (we were in the dark) saying that they were pulling all three of us out. he is a really wonderful man, a little flaite, and before his conversion used to be in a gang, but he is so kind.

I really loved Apoquindo. Even though we were only there together for 4 weeks, I got to truly love the people there. there are some wonderful people there, and it has just been a beautiful experience, with so many wonderful people. It was hard to leave and pack last night. One of the amazing things about being a missionary is that you get to be on the ground floor when someone receives their answer about the church, sometimes there WHEN they recieve it. And every answer that we can get from God is truly a miracle and evidence of His love for His children. And that is what we get to be a part of. I am so grateful to be a missionary. Really. We had many temple tours this week, and they were so full of the spirit it was amazing to be a part of that. On Friday we did the tour with President and it went really well. They loved it, and are also very excited about all the new ideas we have. They`re all written and in the works now, and the ideas and plans and reports that we worked so hard on are being worked on and put into practice, so it`s very exciting. Unfortunately I won`t be there to see it`s fruition, but i feel like the Lord just called the 3 of us together so that we could see the vision, and with a lot of help from the lord, raise the temple recorridos higher. So although i would have liked to be there longer, I´m tranquil about it because i feel like what we were able to do was important, and for that reason he called us together. Not to mention that we are now life-long friends. i really do love them so.

So in concilio de cambios hoy it was really crazy. Proof that i´m getting mission-old, because for the first time i had really strong feelings for everyone that was leaving. before i hadn´t really cared all that much. But Hna Medrano left which was the most sad (my trainer and I love her SOOOOO much!!!!!!!!!) along with elder jennings, and quintana (my zone leaders for a long time), elder nelson (my first district leader), hna Barrera (my second companion), and also Hna Cedeño left. I am really going to miss them! Oh! Sidenote : the taxista totally scammed us on the way to the concilio! (we had to go in taxi what with us and all of our luggage) It was ridiculous! But ya`know, you can try, but in the end, ya`gotta`pay the fiddler man. :)

By the way, please excuse my bad punctuation, spelling, and lack of capitalization - this keyboard has some serious problems. Not to mention that my English does as well now - ha! :) Dad, can I just tell you that I completely understand why you put accents in weird places a veces! I seriously have to think now about how to say things, not to mention the false cognates. Hahahaha.

Well, I better skidaddle, but i just wanted to let you know that i love you all sooooo much! take care!

gratefulness:

1. Hehe! I´m grateful to get to wear my different clothes again! In tours we have to basically match (all collared shirts, and if one wears a sweater, we all wear a sweater. Being VERY professional. and what with 3 different wardrobes, to match we basically had to wear the same things all the time, and i usually borrowed something from Hna griffiths, because what I had, they didnt. you get the picture. viscious cycle. :):) But! Now i can wear DIFFERENT clothes!! :) Ta da!

2. to be living with hna hoidgkin todavìa! Woohoo! (by the way, she leaves this change! Yack!)

Les quiero MUCHO!!!!!!!!

love,

HerManda :)

Weekly Peek

Cordillera, Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile

24 de agosto de 2009

Well hello! Why, might you ask, should I be called Tom Sawyer. No I´m not telling any tall tales, and I don´t have a friend named Huckleberry, nor is my Southern accent that good. No my friends, I am whitewashing! Yes, I got transferred today to the south (okay, so that as well is in common) Puente Alto to whitewash that sector -- of which I no nothing (hahaha!) and I am training again. Wow. For those of you who may be unaware, they call it whitewashing when 2 new companions go into an area and neither one of them know anything about it. My new companion`s name is Hna Talbot and she will arrive tomorrow. So please everyone, throw in a little prayer for us (and me with directions - ha! but for those of you who know me, i have gotten a lot better at directions in the mission.) So that`s the big news. It`s a bit hard, but like always, we just have to put all of our trust in the Lord and have faith that with Him all is possible. And it is. :) Recuerden eso. bueno, hna Hodgkin (blonde) also got changed out, to the way South and will be living in the same pension (different stake) with us, so that is fun. Although yes, once again 6 mujeres are living together. hahahahaha. Well, actually all three of us left Apoquindo, although Hna Griffiths is still with the temple, just living in Pocuro (MUCH closer to the temple. Very good), but it will be hard on the ward. But they are bringing in 2 new elders, so that will be good. Because it was the Bishop that got the whole ward stuck on ¨las chicas super poderosas¨thing, we printed one out and made this awesome card for him, which we gave to him on Sunday, thinking that he would laugh so hard. He loved it, laughed, and was so grateful, but then he almost started crying, which we all thought was strange, but then we ound out that he had just found out the changes (we were in the dark) saying that they were pulling all three of us out. he is a really wonderful man, a little flaite, and before his conversion used to be in a gang, but he is so kind.

I really loved Apoquindo. Even though we were only there together for 4 weeks, I got to truly love the people there. there are some wonderful people there, and it has just been a beautiful experience, with so many wonderful people. It was hard to leave and pack last night. One of the amazing things about being a missionary is that you get to be on the ground floor when someone receives their answer about the church, sometimes there WHEN they recieve it. And every answer that we can get from God is truly a miracle and evidence of His love for His children. And that is what we get to be a part of. I am so grateful to be a missionary. Really. We had many temple tours this week, and they were so full of the spirit it was amazing to be a part of that. On Friday we did the tour with President and it went really well. They loved it, and are also very excited about all the new ideas we have. They`re all written and in the works now, and the ideas and plans and reports that we worked so hard on are being worked on and put into practice, so it`s very exciting. Unfortunately I won`t be there to see it`s fruition, but i feel like the Lord just called the 3 of us together so that we could see the vision, and with a lot of help from the lord, raise the temple recorridos higher. So although i would have liked to be there longer, I´m tranquil about it because i feel like what we were able to do was important, and for that reason he called us together. Not to mention that we are now life-long friends. i really do love them so.

So in concilio de cambios hoy it was really crazy. Proof that i´m getting mission-old, because for the first time i had really strong feelings for everyone that was leaving. before i hadn´t really cared all that much. But Hna Medrano left which was the most sad (my trainer and I love her SOOOOO much!!!!!!!!!) along with elder jennings, and quintana (my zone leaders for a long time), elder nelson (my first district leader), hna Barrera (my second companion), and also Hna Cedeño left. I am really going to miss them! Oh! Sidenote : the taxista totally scammed us on the way to the concilio! (we had to go in taxi what with us and all of our luggage) It was ridiculous! But ya`know, you can try, but in the end, ya`gotta`pay the fiddler man. :)

By the way, please excuse my bad punctuation, spelling, and lack of capitalization - this keyboard has some serious problems. Not to mention that my English does as well now - ha! :) Dad, can I just tell you that I completely understand why you put accents in weird places a veces! I seriously have to think now about how to say things, not to mention the false cognates. Hahahaha.

Well, I better skidaddle, but i just wanted to let you know that i love you all sooooo much! take care!

gratefulness:

1. Hehe! I´m grateful to get to wear my different clothes again! In tours we have to basically match (all collared shirts, and if one wears a sweater, we all wear a sweater. Being VERY professional. and what with 3 different wardrobes, to match we basically had to wear the same things all the time, and i usually borrowed something from Hna griffiths, because what I had, they didnt. you get the picture. viscious cycle. :):) But! Now i can wear DIFFERENT clothes!! :) Ta da!

2. to be living with hna hoidgkin todavìa! Woohoo! (by the way, she leaves this change! Yack!)

Les quiero MUCHO!!!!!!!!

love,

HerManda :)

Weekly Peek: Las Chicas Super Poderosas!

17 Agosto 2009

Apoquindo, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile

Hello all!! Well, I can not believe it at all, but my 9 month mark is just 2 days away! I´m pretty much in denial. So lets see! I never finished the list from last week (I told you to watch out for tangents. I´m a tangenter. hahaha). The list I made for last week is at home, but we´ll hit a few of the points from last week, and then wing it. ;) Okay! So one night we were working with temple tours, and then the one we made cancelled, but we ran into Ivan who was from my first ward, Las Viñas, and he was in charge of the institute radio. He asked us what we were doing, we explained, and he invited us to do a little spot on the institute radio. Since we`re really working on getting the word out on what we`re doing since they`re really new, we said yes, and so we sang together and talked about tours inviting them all. It was pretty exciting with stand-up mikes where no-one can see you and everything. It is so GREAT to sing together with them by the way. My companions have always been a little tone deaf, but it`s fun because we can do three parts if we want to, and we switch off the alto part almost every verse, so it is great, and it is something that we have really been able to use to bring the spirit. Some people who don´t really want to talk to us or let us in, but then we ask them if we can sing, and usually it softens their hearts and they let us in. I am really grateful for that and the power it has to bring the spirit so strong and touch them.

We have found some good investigators in the last 2 weeks, but yesterday was the best. We got to teach this amazing woman Angelica from Peru about the gospel restored and it was just such a powerful lesson, and she really liked church, and is looking for the truth, etc. She`s just a miracle.

This ward is great, and we`ve gotten to do divisions, so it is good for us, the ward, investigators, etc.

We are working like crazy women right now trying to get things set for the temple tours. WE have really prayed and fasted to know what we need to do with the temple. They`re really preliminary fo the grand hope of getting a visitors center, and we`ve been working with the head of public relations in the church office, and are waiting for the approval of the area presidency so that we can have a link on the church internet site for Chile. We are presenting everything to Pres Laycock and his wife on Friday as well as taking them on the new tour that we are making. They don´t really know anything about the temple, so we have to present everything, write the manual, purpose statement, figure how to make them better, let them public know about them, talk to the public officials so we can get them in on it, etc. It`s crazy. So we are literally split in half. We are temple tour sisters on the weekend (or if someone can only do a tour during the week) and Apoquindo sisters during the week. Although with everything we have to prepare for Friday we will unfortunately be spending more time in the church office to get it all set up and ready. Woo! It´s okay, we get a lot of help, and the things that are happening right now are so exciting, and what we felt needed to happen.

Okay for you picture-deprived family, I´m sending you a few of the latest. They´re pretty crazy, and they´re just new ones, because the ones from antes the card is all full, and I will be sending it to you (hopefully today) so you`ll have all those. This change has been fun, with a lot a lot of work like always, but Preparation days have been really fun. So just quickly, the ward knows us as ¨Las Chicas Super Poderosas¨ or for us gringas, the powerpuff girls, but I have to say I rather am more fond of it in Spanish. Different members of the ward have called us that, seperately, and then yesterday when the bishop was giving his talk and saying he was grateful to have las chicas super poderosas in the ward. It was so funny and crazy, I couldn´t believe it. But it was a really good talk actually. Then a happy 10 month birthday party for Hermana Griffiths that we put together. Love you!

Time is OUT, but I love you!!!!!

HerManda