September 18th - Half Way Under My Belt and Celebrating Chili's Independence

well hello hello hello to the Middlefork world! Let's just say I'd kinda forgotten what I looked like when left on my mission (thanks for the healthy reminder mom with the pics) haha great update!! With halfway under my belt, it kinda freaks me out that I've only got until May to get done all I've wanted to get done on the mishhhh! But, here goes nothing! Let's just say I introduced the little red book of exercises that mitch made for me this week to the other hnas. We're re-committed. In a lot more ways than one.

I've heard about the 18th of september ever since I got here to Chile....and let's just say (and I think Mitch has had weeks like this one) where there's a whole lot of partying, a whole lot of eating, a whole lot of throwing away responsibility, and very little concerned about their salvation. And I just keep trying to tell them eat drink and be merry isn't the best way to live their lives. We'll see where our efforts got us this week.
A little background: the 18th is when they celebrate their independece (like the 4th of July) - Mom, remember when we went to the festival with Dewey's granddaughter and husband to the party in SLC, where everything was in spanish and we ate empenadas and those delicious cookies? that was the 18th. They basically celebrate it with dressing up in traditional clothes and dance their national dance (the cueca) and eat a lot of traditional food.
You could probably say that I'm pretty much Chilean now, because a) I had a sister in the ward sew me a traditional dress, and although she didn't finish it in time for the 18 party, I now have one. b) I have drunk mote con huesillo. It's a typical drink - with stripped wheat (soaked), a syrupy juice, and canned peaches. Don't ask me why I like it, I couldn't tell you. c) I think I have empenadas coming out my ears lot's this week...some for breakfast, and I hear that we're going to have more in our lunch today. e) It's completely normal to see a bowl of corn, mayo and salt as a salad, and completely normal to eat it.

Needless to say, I'm excited to have a new week, a new cambio and a new opportunity to be a better missionary. This week there was a conference held for our mission, with Elder Richards (counselor in the area presidency of Chile) who came and really pumped us up to keep working hard, but in a manner that is more efficient and with the Spirit. A few points really stood out to me, about obedience, about the spirit and about being happy as a missionary. The only way that I am to have the spirit -and EVERYTHING depends on having the Spirit - is by being obedient. All the happiness that we enjoy, all of the love that we feel, all the confidence we have in the Lord, all of the good things we are prompted to do, all of the lessons that I am to teach, the scriptures I am to use, the people I should see, the positive attitude that we have to have...all comes from the spirit. And we are only able to have the spirit by being obedient and by keeping our covenants. It was a really beautiful conference.

As for the fam---Curt how's the prep coming? and college? and girls? plus, please live with me after your mission. Jed and Amanda - please tell me about the ISLAND life! Rach - tell me all about the triathalon - you go GIRL! Clint - I love you. Mom and Dad- thanks for everything. Dad - way to keep going strong.

I love you all more than anything! xoxoxox Hermana Chile

All of the sisters on the "inside" - near Concepcion - at the conference!

This is Carrie Davis' grandson and I - Elder Tueller!

Oh the perks of Chile - drying rabbit above the stove - YUM!

The 18th of September - Chile's Independence Day. We ate a LARGE meal with this adorable, humble family. It was like Christmas dinner.

My traditional "Cueca" dress...that I haven't yet been able to wear. Just you wait!

This is Matias who was baptized just a little bit ago, in his adorable traditional clothes. YAY!