Hooray for the news of Middlefork!! Everyone sounds so good! Hopefully
I can get some pictures to work, since I was not able to get Mitchs
opened :( ... But congrats on the baptism!! YAY!! That is sooo
exciting! And as for the marriage and finding stages, Elder Child, I
have to wish you the best of luck.
...Because.... This week we had some really amazing experiences and
some really heart breaking experiences as well. Seems like a common
thread (not that I was not warned that this would happen before the
mission anyway) that you will have the highest of highs and lowest of
lows on your mission. The battle between good and evil has never been
more real. The fact that you are bringing something into their lives
that will make them more happy than they have ever been, plus, eternal
lives where they are completely and blissfully able to enjoy the
things of heaven, makes Satan work that much harder against these
people. But oh, how you cannot force anything on them. You cannot turn
their heads for them and make them see how important praying and
reading the Book of Mormon and going to church is. With these three
simple things they are able to call upon the strength of our Heavenly
Father which is able to give them the will power and the motivation to
fight any temptation and turn away from any mistakes they might be
making.
Guillermo fell this week. Hard. His addictions are still really real
for him. He told us last night that he is not strong enough to
continue in the gospel, and that instead of continuing living a lie he
would rather spend a time "distanced" from the church, until he is
strong enough to come back. Talk about break your heart. We are not
giving up on him though---no way jose. But please please pray for him.
Times like this make me realize how far reaching and real the
Atonement is, and how much faith it takes sometimes to keep on trying,
and keep on believing in Him. He is the Master of Masters, and only He
can truly SAVE US.
On the note of saving, Janett got baptized this week!!!! How
incredible it has been to be able to witness the changes that she has
made in her life. Even though shes got a little sass in her, I love
her to death. We spent all day in the campo with her and the mother of
Sebastian (an unlikely pair, but they got along just great with Hno.
Marcelo...who is a hoot!). This was to make sure she did not pull a
fast one on us. But we did not have to worry, she was glowing and
smiley and even earlier for her baptism on Saturday night. She had the
Bishop perform the baptism, and for the service her daughter Nicole
and Hna. Sieverts sang, Hna Hardy played the flute, and I at the
piano. Then, her husband gave a sweet testimony of how they are going
to press forward as a family and continue to make changes in their
lives, and how proud he was of her. She was very emotional, and you
could tell she felt the spirit so strong. God works miracles. He works
miracles.
As for other miracles:
Guillermos cousin, a brother of Caroline, is studying in Talca, 2
hours away, but finally came home for a weekend, and told us he wants
to get baptized. Yup, just like that. Oh, and he wants to be a
missionary, but is kind of bummed he has to wait two years until he is
19. AH! People like that make me gape at the work. It is INCREDIBLE.
GRACIAS for the beautiful, perfect package. Mom, you know me too well.
OH! It is so fun! We had a mission training conference this week, so
the president and his assistants brought all of the mail from the
office. Tell London thank you! I love the cereal - Im trying to make
it last :) and muffin mixes were perfect, and Im really excited to try
some of the recipes.
As for package stuff: coveted items are chocolate chips and brown
sugar. I think I already told you white cami and temple pics. A
sweatshirt/hoodie would be nice. Ive got a hand-me-down from someone -
probably a good 4 years old. And any little american chocolates or
gifty items would be perfect...we are constantly trying to thank the
members of this amazing ward. And the new skirts would be really
really welcomed.
The weather is still typical fall weather. I havent broken out the
large black trench yet. But, its pretty comfortable with a scarf and
jacket. We do a lot of walking, but our sector is pretty big - like an
hour walking across it...so we take a bus or colectiveo/taxi for those
trips.
I am out of time, but it was so fun to read the news from my bro-has
and I am so proud to have you as my familia. I love bragging about you
to anyone that will listen. Have fun after tax season and with spring
cleaning and painting and studying and healing thumbs and morping and
dating and playing hard. I cant thank you enough for your support and
love and encouragment. It helps a lot to have had brothers and a dad
that have been through some of these same experiences. I love you very
very much!! oxxoxo
Hermana Child
p.s. SARAH JANE!!!!!!! oh my word, I love you and I want all the
details on wedding prep. I am so excited for you. Hows the showers and
dresses and cakes and JACOB!!! gah!! tell me all, and Ill write you a
good letter next week (plus, Ive thought about wishing you a happy
birthday every week since it came and went.) please forgive me. besos!
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