Sending my first and last emails from the exact same cyber in Consti!

What a beautiful family I have! You all look/sound/seem very content. That makes me happy. I considered not writing you all today, but I feel like there are a lot of tender mercies and lovely things that happened this week that I would like to be written down for all the posterity.

Hermana Young and I have now passed through Lirquen, Hualqui, Libertador, Agronomía, Cordillera, and we are currently at the cyber in Constitución!! (pretty appropriate that I send my first and my last email of my mission from the exact same cyber.) It's raining buckets and I've acquired the nice pastey look of winter, but feeling really great! It has been the biggest mixture of feelings and memories as I return to where I was a year ago.... I got to run to the ocean again, got to smell the wierd-off smell of the paper factory, got to tell people that the church is located on the street O'Higgins between Montt and Portales, got to play the piano during sacrament meeting again, and I was able to see the drastic and incredible and almost unbelievable changes that have occured in myself since the last time that I was a missionary here. Wow. I see people, streets, houses, members, leaders, EVERYTHING in such a different light. Maybe the biggest difference between now and then is that now I actually see it. You could call it "lost" and maybe you could call it "blind". I think that's the best way to describe it. But after quite a few weeks and quite a few experiences that helped me open my eyes to the importance of this work, and the love that my Savior and Heavenly Father have for me and for every other person, I feel like I understand my purpose here. I feel like I understand who I am more. I feel so incredibly blessed. I feel like I've been changed. Permanently. 

I know that changes come through the Atonement, and it's up to us to make them lasting. 

Plus, I was able to work with my beloved Hna. Bustinza. The darling. I love her so much.

Despite what you all might think, I'm working and trying to give it all I've got. I love this work SO much. I'm asking for patience as I recuperate my heart...that has been divided and parted and put into several different corners of Chile. It's not impossible to heal a heart that's in pieces..it just takes time. I love you all so much, and I hope you all live up this next week! I know I am going to!!!

All my love,

Hermana Child!

p.s. mom, please a dentist apt. asap.

Grateful to Know that I am a Daughter of my Heavenly Father!

HI! ! Everyone! Email days are so great...the worldwide Child Clan gets clumped together in 4 or so letters. Can't believe it sometimes! I'm so excited for everyone! I hope SJ is just a beeming fiancee! SO EXCITED! YA-HOOOOOOO! 

5 stars go to:

Clint attending birthing classes! (I think that might even be a better accomplishment than the thesis or fitting the trampoline into the hole...although all of them very impressive!!!) Congrats!

Jed buying his moto (takes a lot of guts to take a risk like that...big guy huh? haha j-k. Like Amanda, I hope it can get to a Mickey-Ds quickly)

Mitchelllllllll becoming AP Number 1. I have no clue how many AP's there are in your mission, or for that matter all of the numuerology and work that the APs do in any mission. But I am very proud of you. I prayed that you would be able to have the fuerza and animo and paciencia that you would need for the week. I hope you felt a difference.

Curtis learning humility! I love little Elders. You just hold on to that good sense of humor that you have. It's gonna save you from millions of headaches and bad words.

Amanda for bringing all the girls out to the activity!!! hooray! I'm sure you've got everything under control, but I've got a few ideas for ya! We'll talk business soon. :)

Rachel keeping fit and incubating a future little missionary...all of the kicking is building up stamina for the walking :)

Dad using his math/number skills/ ingenuity to burry that tramp. Excellent work pops.

Mom for protecting those tomaters and loving me more than anyone else on this earth.

It's been a good week. Felt more than once the immense love that my Heavenly Father has for me. I asked for a blessing from some Elders this week because (mom, close your eyes and plug your ears) I've been pretty darn sick with a cough and congestion. But the words in the blessing were super special. My Heavenly Father promised me that I would have angels accompanying me to strengthen me and give me the strength to finish my mission like I've always wanted to. I know it's true. It was really similar to the words that were pronounced in my setting apart blessing. I've felt them very near. There's no way that I could be doing this without their help and without the help of your prayers and faith. There's a lot of times where God just wants to help us, and He just wants us to help others. It's really simple, this true and living gospel. And I am very grateful to, now more than ever, realize what it means to be a daughter of my Heavenly Father.

Hope everyone has a more than fabulous week! I love you all so much!

God Calls Everyone to work. We just have to Accept the Call!!

I don't know how I could have forgotten to wish you all a happy Memorial Day last week. Please forgive me, I hope everyone was able to have a great big plate of eggs and hot chocolate and enjoy learning about the genealogy tree:)!

This past week I spent in Lirquen, a sector I had never worked in before, but reminded me a lot about Consti- my first sector. Right by the beach, with a lot of hills, colorful houses, and a good homey feel about the people. I spent a few days working with Hna. Bowns and a few with Hna. Kemp...both of which had been my companions in the past. It was really fun to see how much as missionaries they have grown, how much they are capable of and how much good they are able to do in the lives of others as they have developed their skills. However, I felt like I learned a lot more from them, than they learned from me.

On Saturday I sped off to Hualqui, to be with Hna. Keil. We've spent the last two days working in an area that brings back so many incredible memories of blood, sweat and tears. So many houses and people and streets and lessons that have formed me and molded me and made me realize that there is never ever going to be a time in my life where I will not need the help and saving grace of my Savior, Jesus Christ. There are people that have gotten stronger and there are people that haven't. There are people that have chosen to see the light and love of their Heavenly Father, and have understood what it means to be obedient. There are people who make me want to scream with excitement and joy because of the righteous decisions they have made. And there are people that make me want to cry myself to sleep simply because they say it's too hard, because they only see the commandments as roadblocks, and because they lose the hope that their Savior really can wipe away whatever hurt or problem they might have. And I think one really incredible part and one really ripping-apart part of the whole experience is that i see myself in both types of these people. And I see the influence that I have had and am having on both of these types of people. And I am so grateful that Christ doesn't ask for perfection. He doesn't even send us on a mission, or send us to fulfill a command. He calls us. And in order to call or invite, one has to already be there. He wants us to follow him step by step. He calls us longingly and lovingly and mercifully to accept His hugs and mercy, support and strength, so when we see nothing but our imperfections in front of our face or in our future for a really long time, and when we can't think of anything else but to collapse, he's there to prop us up and see things in a different light.

At different times in my mission I've had to apply the Atonement in very different ways. Not having a specific sector, with specific investigators (lately I've been treating the missionaries as my "investigators") has made it interesting. I love being able to see the strengths of each Hermana and learn from their own experiences and way to work. "HAY DE TODO" - there's a little bit of everything! I've met one that came on a mission to push her boyfriend on a mission, she currently hates eating beans and is learning that she doesn't necessarily have to change everything about her OR go home. One that is patient and cheerful with all of the changes that she's had on her mission, and has the faith that all of her inactive siblings will once again return to living the gospel. One that hit rock bottom and felt really rejected when she had a companion that called her leader saying that she couldn't stand another minute of being with her. One that just said goodbye to her trainer who as a VERY hardworker, that maybe pushed too hard, but left her inspired to pray and develop a relationship with her Heavenly Father like he trainer did.

God calls everyone to the work. He uses all of our talents. He uses all of our experiences. We just have to accept the call.

So, even the cucumber and the biking craziests, er..i mean. cyclists. And the incredible RS presidenta, and the basement repairer/moto gooroo, and the party thrower and the AP and the GreeNIE, and the superhero who puts it all together...God wants you to take a few more steps toward Him. So do it. Do it. and then tell me how you were able to do it. Because then you'll be able to do it again and again.

Thank you SO MUCH for your support, I really pray for you all, and I hope you're all developing attributes of patience and love, because when i touch American soil, you might just have to apply them. :) you're all incredible.

I love you!

Hermanita Child

p.s. My vote for jed and moto? you're gonna need the money for 1. a new crib (just to please everyone that keeps crackin those "are you guys pregnant yet?" jokes 2. a psychologist for your sister for her RM status, not to mention a dating coach (jed so cannot cut it). 

An Ending - Yet a Beginning to my last month as an Hermana!

Hey family and amigos! 

So, I'm currently sitting in the President's house, after my end-of-mission interview (which is basically like, well you're ending, but you're not), and I have to say that this "limbo" stage kind of freezes all feelings, and makes you realize the spectrum of emotions that one can feel all at the same time...and makes you answer the question of "How are you?" to "I don't know." Horribly sad to say goodbye to a ward, sector, companion and other exceptional people, wonderfully excited to begin a new adventure, incredibly humbled by my new assignment, and tired enough to fall asleep while eating.

Update:"la despedida" shows how good a companion can be at lying to keep things a secret, how good a ward is at throwing a VERY good surprise party, and how great Chileans are at expressing their sincere love. Bishop danced the Cueca with his wife, Pancha put together a photo video of my mission, and pure Chilean food was served.

"la tormenta" - and the rains came a'tumblin' down. We had an excellent stake talent show planned for Saturday where each ward had assigned 2-3 acts and then we were to have a tour of the chapel (where each organization was to be represented in a different room). All Saturday morning we spent setting up for it...but by lunch time we had all sorts of members calling us to tell us that on the news they had announced that no one should leave from their houses because of the severity of the storm outside. After a glance out the window it was pretty clear that any one sane of mind would NOT be coming to the activity. Roofs were being torn up, a lot of trees were being tossed about, broken and obstructing the road, and many in our sector had their electricity be cut. (see the photo for why). Sadly it was postponed. God really is in charge.

"el bautismo de la maravilla, Coni" - On Mother's day I talked to you a little bit about this miracle. A 17 yr. old girl who heard about the church from one of her friends in school. He started to invite her to mutual in his ward in feb. or so. A little over a month ago he brought her to the mutual of our ward - the ward that she corresponds to. There, we were introduced to her. Because her parents had heard "things" about the church, they were not about to let their daughter go to the church, let alone have missionaries come to their house. She kept coming to mutual. She started to pray and read the Book of Mormon. She got permission to come to a family home evening in another house. One Saturday night we promised her that a miracle would happen and that we would see her in church the next day. She came! Her parents gave her permission! God works in the hearts of the people. She recieved a confirmation of the truthfulness of the gospel of Christ and experienced a change within herself. A little nervous of what her parents might say if she asked them if she could become a member of the "mormon church" she decided to fast, write a letter, and present the reasons why she would like to be baptized. (her backup plan, if she was turned down, to fast again the following day and ask again). She did it! Her parents gave her permission! God works in the hearts of the people, according to our righteous desires and actions of faith that we perform! AND ... her dad surprised her (and the rest of us) and came to the service!

As for my schedule for the next month, Hna. Young and I will be traveling to almost every sector where there are Hermanas Misioneras, spending 2-5 days there, going out with the Sr. Companions and Jr. Companions, helping them learn how to teach, do missionary work, and embrace it all with happiness! (Mom, I got your package, and it will be PERFECT!) As we sat down with the assistants today (one, I thought a lot about you, Mitch) I got the impression that sister missionaries are kind of a mystery to the Elder leaders, and they would like us to help them "figure out how to help them" -  us being girls ourselves and all :) We're pretty pumped.

Well, I hope all is well! Keep on keepin on! I love you all SO VERY MUCH!

xoxo, Hermana Child

Recapping My Missionary Journey

What a fun update from the home front! wahooooo!! Hats off and a golden egg to Amanda! Congrats! That's amazing! And Clinter-beeee! You deserve a "i'm the best dad in the world tee" with a lovely cucumber salad! I'm so excited for Rach, who couldn't be a more adorable prego. As for Dad and Mom, what boring lives you would live if you couldn't help anybody! Amazingly, it seems like all you do these days. Mitch, have you received my little package that i sent by mail a couple of weeks ago? Curt, O SEA, Elder CHILD- you just remember there are a lot of people who love you, and that humility is the best remedy.

Remember that one time, about two years ago, when I realized that God needed me to serve a mission? Remember how I debated for a long time, talked with a lot of people and (sorry for the personal details, boys) prayed and cried a lot to figure out what I was supposed to do to be able to reach my eternal potential and promises? I couldn't have described all of the things that I felt, or the things that impressed my mind, because I myself didn't understand completely what the masterpiece was that God had originally planned out for me. God didn't intend for the decision to be made easily. I had my own personal reasons for wanting to stay and wanting to go, some of them worthy, others selfish and way off the mark. However, despite it all, even the hardy sister missionary jokes, I made the decision. And I stuck with it. If you asked me, I was out to help people using something that had helped me the most.

On December 15, 2010 I went into the MTC, where an older lady asked me my name, "Kelli," I responded, like I had millions of times in my life. She raised her eyebrows and smiled--I quickly corrected myself "Sister Child"--GAH! Daily I was reminded that I was not meant to be taught by apostles of God, study the scriptures deeply and invite others to come unto Christ, being the same person that I had always been.

Chile was greeted on February 22, 2011. Hermana Hardy was greeted by an Hermana Child. And Hermana Child was greeted by an incredible trainer, who taught her her purpose, work, to expect miracles and how to enjoy every minute of her mission, because it goes by too fast! What a whirlwind!

March, April, May, June...I worked in a trio, I worked with Hna. Sieverts, I worked like a chicken with it's head cut off. God blessed us with SO MANY MIRACLES. I had so much fun.

Rain, Rain, Rain. July, August. Was greeted in Hualqui by Hna. Cortez, a big sector, lots of Spanish and lots of responsibility. Worked by God's grace and held my breath for what God had waiting for me next.

August, September, October, November, December, welcomed a lovely flower that was love personified into the mission, Hermana Bustinza. Learned by personal experience A LOT of repentance and humility, found the power of the Atonement, forgot myself and fell in love with missionary work.

December, January, February, Hna. Kemp and I were thrown into the summer heat of Agronomia, Chillan. We worked and laughed and improved. Let the sprint begin! Found true joy in inviting others to come to Christ. Became extremely important to me my own baptismal covenants.

Hna. Bowns came to Agronomia for March and April, we mastered microwave brownies, strove to find the Spirit and teach to others' needs. It was a complete surprise when we found out she would be going and I would be welcoming an Argentine straight from the MTC.

April and May have been a blur of goodness, learning and continual growth with Hna. Daglio. I have learned how to learn, how to apply and how to testify with the Spirit. I have learned that I will never ever stop being a missionary.

Not that anyone actually wants to read this, but there are times I think when each one of us needs to process exactly what we've done and what we are doing and where we are going from where we are at. There is one phrase that has continually returned to me throughout these months, it is "You get to live the gospel that you preach" (thanks Hermano Jed). What an incredible gospel that we have right at our finger tips, and buried deep in our hearts and around each member of our family pulling us in tight. What a peaceful, joyous and comforting feeling comes when we actually choose to follow the incredibly loving and all-so powerful counsel of our Father in Heaven: faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. What a strong buffet is created against temptation and sin and fear and sadness. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is His church. It was restored by Joseph Smith, and by the holy calling he received from God was able to translate the Book of Mormon.

When making the decision to go on a mission, I may not have known these things with the surety that I know now. I may not have understood my purpose as a missionary like I do now. And I may not have loved, breathed, and hoped for the things before, that I do now. But, I hope that in six months, ten years and in fifty, I will be able to examine my testimony and my goals and my past and be able to say the exact same. And that it will mean even more to me.

With all the love I can muster, and all the faith that I can plant like a seed, here's to all of you,

your Hermana Child

Kicked into Gear - by Elder Duncan a member of the Quorum of the Seventy!

Marrieds and Missionaries and 'Migos por allí...

This week was really great! We had a conference with Elder Duncan (from the 70)...The word's out about Uncle Marlin, everyone knows he's out of there in a little while. But, boy did he kick us into gear! His manner of speaking was very practical and very inspired. At least for me and my companion, we took home several things that we've applied and want to apply in our sector. 

He said, when Elder Bruce R. McConkie came in 1976 to dedicate Chile's 7th stake, he prophesied that there would one day be 500 stakes here. Not impossible, right? Well, right now there are about 75 stakes, and let's say with about 6 wards in every stake. If you do the math, it roughly turns out that, currently, for the prophesy to be fulfilled, every ward needs to grow into a stake. Not impossible, right? 

(I wrote a little bit about our vision that we took home, to President, here's a clip) Maybe Curt and Mitch can find it useful.

This week, following the guidance we recieved from Elder Duncan, we really tried to work through a vision for the Agronomía ward, as well as define plans and tasks to realize the vision. Vision, "Conquistar al Mundo," has the goal of making this ward into a stake, by strengthening the members, putting them incharge of finding investigators, and helping our whole area be familiar with the missionaries, the church, and its members.

The plan consists of choosing select members, inspiring them to be missionaries with their neighbors and friends,  and praying with them in a lesson to see who the Lord wants them to share the gospel with. Then, holding a Family Night with them, and subsequently two visits every week, in such a way that the member develops a friendship, sets the appointments, and testifies and invites them to enjoy the same blessings that they have.

We also have planned several different types of activities so that other people will get to know the church, learn what we believe, and feel the Spirit and have the desire to return.

This week we have already seen many fruits of this plan, and we are ever more excited to continue to implement some things to bolster and fortify it. Two of our investigators that came to church, and are progressing, were found in an activity that we held. Six of the references we received were from two different families (one of them a new convert) that we felt inspired to "pilot" the vision. It was really neat to see after explaining the plan we had to the active member families, and kneeling down in prayer to ask God who they needed to share the gospel with, how many more names came to their minds, and the excitement they felt as they set up the appointments!

There are miracles happening everyday. My faith is being tried and tested, and more than ever I am finding that true progression, brings true happiness. Something that Hna. Daglio taught me this week: How can we know if we are on the path that Jesus Christ set? By being challenged. If we are on His path, things are NOT going to be easy. This brought comfort to me; if there are lessons and investigators and situations that are still challenging to me, it's not because I haven't learned a lot throughout the course of my mission, it's because the Lord still wants me to to progress and learn and grow. This, often times, comes from being challenged, and having to depend even more on HIM.

Well, I love you all so very much! I hope that you can all feel it!!

xoxoxoxoox

Hermana Cheeeeld

God is Preparing His People & People Are Accepting His Preparation!

Hey there fama-leee!!

Hooray for a happy, healthy family that knows what's important, that has the gospel interlaced with every other facet of their lives, and has shown me what real love is. Thank you thank you thank you. Can't tell you enough!

If there's one thing I feel like I need to tell you it's that God is preparing people, and people are accepting His preparation! This is His work, and He will put in a large part so that people will accept this message of His Son Jesus Christ as we as missionaries/members become instruments. 

Example:

"Alo" yelled from the gate (rarely do we knock doors). wait. ALOOOO yelled from the gate. few neighbors stare. tiny, middle-aged woman comes out. small talk to help her see we sincerely care about her. Her name's Pati. great name. She's talked with missionaries before. Daughter's life was saved by priesthood blessing. We practically run inside her house. she opens up- sick mother and father passed away. a lot of sadness. her mother visits her in visions and dreams, healed from her crippled body, tells her that she needed to die because of the 5 men dressed in white holding a long hose. testimony of the plan God has for her and the goodness that she can offer to her whole family. Other dreams talk about a pear tree, but she just can't quite get to the part of the tree where the fruit is the most delicious. She can only eat the fruit that's a little bit bruised and not as flawless. She says there was a river close by, her mother was insistant that she not touch the water. Accepts to receive the gospel that will lead her to the most delicious, rich, pure fruit. to be a forever family. we go back. she hugs the book of mormon. we go back. she understands planting a seed and never leaving it. I can't just read the book or listen to you for right now. Because even when you leave I want to have a beautiful tree.

They're experiences that leave one never being able to look at the gospel again the same. It's impossible to see the faith and incredible Spirit that people attain as they accept the truths that have been restored in these Latter-days. This is Christ's GOSPEL. This is His work. And what a thrill it is to be apart of it. Find a part of the gospel this week that gives you the chills and then see if you are really striving to live it. SHARE THE FRUIT! It's so sacred and so precious.

I love you all so much! a shout out for each one of you!

tu Hermana

photos aren't working this week...sorry