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

Training a Greene - Hermana Daglio from Argentina...

Well here's your weekly update from the SOUTH! Coming from your very own Hermana Kelli Child...WOOT WOOT!

First things first, the hermana that is now continually at my side, who watches my every move and who has become my best friend already (go ahead, call me a sister missionary haha) is....Hermana Daglio from Argentina, Buenos Aires! A picture is coming your way, but it doesn't quite do her justice. She's got a great accent (sometimes she doesn't understand the Chileans when they speak, so I translate for her (?a little loopy)), she's got an amazing testimony (she served a mini-mission in Argentina for about 6 months, I'm convinced she's already been out on the mission for more than a year), she's really great at relating to everyone (how I've been blessed with socially ept companions my whole mission, I don't know), and she's from down. town. (I have been fully introduced to which grafiti is admirable art, and which is to be laughed at..and why)

We've had a busy, crazy, but as always, an interesting and fun week...learning and meeting new people and working! I think my companion has never been so tired in her life (nor I), nor has she had bigger blisters on her feet, the poor thing. But she's learned the pace of a missionary and she's great at keeping up!

We helped the stake relief society organize their party for the RS Anniversary this week. They had a special devotional where I sang in the choir and then they had some munchies and fun trivia...and then it evolved into kareoke. VERY fun.

I'm really learning what it means to give it your all in the work. I'm really learning that you will always be able to give it more...because everytime you sacrifice, everytime you give of yourself, everytime you say, "here you go Heavenly Father, take it," ... He takes your weak little offering and He replaces it with an ability or a miracle or a strength even greater than what you had in the first place. So, you literally have more than what you started with. You literally have more to give. It is required to give more, to find every part of you that you haven't surrendered, and then find a way offer it to Him. It's like that favorite saying of Mom's ...where much is given much is required...where forever "more" is required. That is true progression, and true happiness.

I look forward to hearing about your lives every week. I'm very impressed by everything that you all are doing. I love the papaya, I love the MTC experience, I love the AP's schedule, the thesis, the bike rides, the summer break, the end of tax season, RS and all else you're involved in.

Keep up the good work. "every member (of the family) a missionary" like Curt said, no empty chairs.

love you all more than words,

Hermana Chai-ots

1. hna. Daglio and me with Pres. and Hna. Humphrey

2. Hna. Daglio said that she was studying Lehi's dream...and Jacob's dream...and Alma's dream....

3. Karaoke

4. Look who I ran into....

Incredible Experiences and Once-In-A-Lifetime Moments!!

WHAT TO SAY!!?? Seems to be the question for the week...so much to say, but no way to really express everything that has happened, all of the incredible and wild emotions (leave that to the sisters) and incredible experiences and once-in-a-lifetime moments! I love everything that I am learning and all that God is allowing me to experience here!

This morning even has been full of a lot of excitement! Hermana Sieverts ended her mission. Dead. Gone on a bus to the mission office. Went to meet her parents and show them the best parts of Chile for a couple of weeks. (Just a few) Tears. (Quite a bit of) excitement. (Try my best to be cool on the surface and paddle my feet as fast as a) Duck. (As mom would say) It's every emotion. . . .since . . . .

Hna. Bowns and I (who've only been together for one cambio) felt pretty sure we'd be together until the end (of time), but, once again God's got a (much, much, much) bigger plan than we do for ourselves.

I'm going to go sprinting out of this incredible life with an (extremely) new (very green)companion (straight from South America)!!!! WoooOOoo(OOOooOOoOOooOOOOOO). Let's just say the "to-do" list got 5 pages longer, and the stress level went up a few notches...but It's going to be great. (Every single) cambio and companion is inspired!

That's basically the news of the week...a few other notable things:

-Hna. Rojas from Peru cooked up for the Relief Society a typical dish from her country, Aji de Gaillina

-Hna. Sieverts had a farewell/Family night with the wards. People danced the Cueca, a typical dance in Chile, and took time to express their love for her. It helped me see even more into the culture and amazing warmth that Chilean people have. Even though it comes along with being offended easily, the people here treasure the relationships they develop, and deeply love.

Couldn't be more proud of the Family C...producing Baby C's, and Mature C's, Papa C's, Mama C's, Smart/skinny C's, loving C's and (perhaps a little) exhausted C's. I am SO very grateful for the (abundant) blessings that I have inherited because of the faithfulness of you all. There are so many things that I understand, and do, and believe, because of the generations before me. I don't have to contemplate taking away my own life, because I understand that there is ALWAYS light, that there is always a purpose, and that there is much more to come after death. And to a large extent, I don't have to fear being taken over by an evil spirit, having my children raised on the street, losing control of my own decisions, or even losing the joy and happiness and peace that comes by living righteously, according to how God wants us to. I have a great inheritance. I love helping people start that for their own families that are to come. Thanks for the cheer and love and excitement!

I Love you ALL!!! So (completely, very, incredibly) MUCH!

Hermana Chancho - thank you. I think that's the worst one yet.

fotos:

-Hna. Bowns and I with two elders from our zone...not quite sure what happened to the one...I think the story was that he broke through a window (?) Elders...Just count your lucky stars everyone of you, that you don't have to go walking around introducing yourselves to strangers in the street with a patch like that today.

-cueca hat with pj's. What the "huasos" wear.

-making aji de gaillina plates beautiful

-cueca!

-Elder Balkman (zone leader) with the hermanas..Sieverts, Bowns and Rojas (he's going to be the roommate of Kenneth Daines in the Fall at BYU)

Had Mini-Mission with the YM/YW this week...

Hermana Child here, sending saludos to all those who she loves!---

This week we had a pretty neat experience as a mission...they organized what was called a mini-mission, for all of the Young Men and Young Women (16-18 for the girls, 16-17 for the boys) that wanted to participate..in stakes close to Concepcion, our stake and the neighboring stake. All the YM/YW from our stake that wanted to were sent to stay with members near Concepcion, and those that were from the Concepcion area were sent to our stakes. Almost all the missionaries in our two stakes (around 35-40) received a "mini"-companion for 4 days. They were given name tags and were expected to hold the same standards and do the same work that we do. They slept with members, but did everything else with us. My companion for the past few days has been Hermana Morales...a cute thing, 18 yrs. old, who has a very sincere desire to serve a mission. What a great experience we had together...we were able to find new people and invite them to baptism, help other people see the importance of keeping the commandments, and even have crazy, "unique" experiences that you only get to have if you're a missionary...haha...someday there will be time to tell them all.

You'd think that after months of sharing my feelings and testimony with other people, that I just might be able to do it more eloquently, or a little more clearly and precisely. But, I still can't put words to some of the things that I have felt this week. I still can't explain what I really feel when I see someone come to church for the first time, or explain why I have been so blessed with an incredible family, or express with words what I have learned from each and every companion that I've had. I still can't find a way to get across the depth and sincerity of my testimony of the Savior and the love of my Heavenly Father that I have felt and experienced because of His Holy Spirit...words just can't do it sufficiently. But, words, actions and genuinity are necessary in order to invite the Spirit, so that people can feel the things that I will never be able to put into their heart alone.

Conversion, that is personal or the conversion of others, can and will only be done through the Lord's way, through feeling and obeying the promptings of the Spirit. What an incredible gift it is to have the Holy Ghost guiding and directing the hearts of men, purifying their desires, and putting in their hearts the necessary love to obey Christ.

I love this work, with all my heart. It's not easy. I'm exhausted. But, the true and full gospel is this gospel that we preach, and that's why it works so well in the life of every person, forever.

I love you all so so very much! keep up the goodness!!

Love,

Hermana Chil-D

fotos:

la mini-mision with our little cute companions

Hna. Rojas made aji de gaillina for us all for lunch!

a street (the llama is really great, right?) in the centro of Chillan- 15 min walk from our sector.

a little easter surprise from hna. Rojas when we woke up. So sweet.

How Great is this little life that we've been given!!

¡what beautiful letters from all of you! AH! How great is this little life that we've been given! How incredible it is to have this gospel, missionary work, eternal families, prophets, and a Savior!! It's still a wonderful mystery to me of why we have been so blessed.

Curt- I was looking for you in the MTC choir and told all of the other English missionaries that were watching it in the same room as me to look for you (they have a hookup in a classroom of the chapel for the gringos, where the Elders unashamedly break out a full-on 3 course snack attack). Then I remembered that not every single Elder was going to be up there- and that you'd probably have to have the desire to sing in Conference...stopped searching after that. :) BUT we did spot David Archeleta. Rumor is he's going to the neighboring mission, Rancagua. Only a few jokes were cracked about special musical numbers.

Mitch- I'm in so much awe of everything that you've got to do. Don't let it go to your head man! Keep workin like there was no tomorrow! There's a young man from my ward here in Chillan, Chile that is going to be serving in your mission on the 10th of April I think. His name is Fernando (apellido?, about 26 years old) Look out for him and take special care of him. :) He's gonna add a little tasty Chilean flavor to the mission! wahooooo

Jed, Amanda- like Mitch says, it takes a letter to get a letter. What are you up to besides soccer and work and spending time at mom and dad's? haha j-k. How was it to catch up with Amburn? You gettin in the rhythm of married life? Did any of those conference talks just make you terrified to be parents? Or are we gonna hear about a few sprouting radishes soon???

Clint, Rach- YOU'RE SHOWING!!! gah! How adorable! (more adorable for Rach, than if you, Clint, were showing a little pooch way to go on all of the bike rides! :) You're gonna be a cute little Mommy and Dad! I hope you took good notes during conference- there was a TON of great advice. Oh, and love the new shirt. Not that I'm too worried about it, but Hna. Sieverts looked at me and smiled this morning and said, "You look cute. You look like a sister missionary." No use trying to avoid the inevitable. Sorry. You're going to have to help me.

Mom, Dad- I love you more than words can say. Dad, you just keep working!...You might not be able to go out on the streets and preach repentance, but you're sure doing excellent behind-the-stage work by providing the means so that the three of us can do it! Thank you! Mom, I heard from a little bird that you're just going above and beyond the calling of Relief Society President again. You're amazing. Thanks for your prayers in my behalf! Oh, and the laundry room? looks fabulous.

This weeeek's highlights:

-conference.

-I figured out that my companion reminds me of Breanna Allred (cheered with her, long blonde hair, a super big beautiful smile and a contagious laugh) We get along really great, and she's really inspiring me to push myself to a higher level of teaching with the Spirit and leading people to repentance.

-English class. This week we had a great turn out of about 15 people on our third week! We help the youngsters with their homework, and then for the people that don't have work, we teach a general class. It's really fun! There's quite a mix that comes...a woman who just barely learned how to read, to an 8-yr-old who pronounces everything really well.

-We had a young woman come to the conference who is 15, very smart and interested, and who loved the conference! They don't have the option of viewing the conference through satelite in their homes...the whole stake goes to the stake center. Side note: I think almost everyone, even the leaders, have a little bit of Curtis-itis, it's pretty optional to view all of the sessions of the conference. oops. Curt, you're going to be very best own convert.

-fall is starting to come on! It's dark in the mornings, chilly in the evenings, hot in the afternoons, and all of the leaves are changing color and falling! It's so beautiful!

-We had a barbeque of Choripanes inbetween the conference sessions Saturday with all of the Elders and a few members and investigators. Super hilarious when the Elders charcoled/burnt the longaniza - (that sausage stuff that hangs up in meat houses in the movies). Once in a lifetime experiences here. ahha

Well, I love you all so much! I hope you're all doing super-dee-dupper. Thought about telling you all that I had a change of coming-home date to next week, then telling you APRIL FOOLS but, then I didn't.

Love you SO much.

Hermana Cheel

Earthquake hits Chile - and Sergio is baptized!

I think I could begin and end my weekly letter to you all by just saying. Hey, thanks, love you, miracles happened like always, and they'll just continue to happen.

Once again, it seems like God just carried me through this week and let me see His hand working in the lives of His children here. Like Mitch said, He really loves all of His children. Trials and problems don't discount His love, neither does the fact that sometimes people suffer. There is purpose in everything. His expansive and grand plan is set for each and every person individually. For example, let me break it down for you. Sergio, the man I told you about last week, had a beautiful baptism! I love baptisms! He offered the sweetest testimony (sharing some of his favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon even) and talked about how he had to hit rock bottom to be lifted up, and that even though he was just barely starting in this path, he was throwing away what is the "first harvest" of his life up until now, and was going to start a new harvest with the seed that God had given him. He bought himself a second white shirt, saying that he's going to need a lot more of them now. So tender.

Another little blurp of interest...maybe some of you heard about the earthquake that happened yesterday. It was definitely the strongest one I've been awake for here. We were in a lesson, just about to quote the "first vision" and it starts to shake. In Agronomia (the ward that I'm in that's just outside the center of Chillan) it was like a 5.3 or something on the Rictor scale. (The epicenter was in the ocean outside of Constitucion - where I started, and registered like a 7.4---you've probably got more deets with your access to the news :) Everything starts to shake, the grandma starts to recite her prayers, and you just become a little dizzy. It lasted for a little while. Most of the earthquakes are just little tremors..where it shakes for a little bit and it's over. Kind of exciting!! something that is not normal where I come frommmm.

As much as Mitch would like to think it, this Hermana Child is NOT trunky. Thanks for asking. If anything she's in denial and tells everyone that asks that she's either going home in December or just ignores the question and says, boy there's a lot to do. I still have a long way to go...still a lot I want to learn and do and contribute to the work. Just like Mitch, I remember the MTC very vividly...and the feelings and experiences of both my time there and the first moments when you get out into the field. Curt, hang on tight. Jed & Amanda, your house looks adorable. Rach & Clint, congrats on your bell pepper. Dad, thanks for your letter, can't tell you how inspired your counsel was for the new converts here. Mom, as for the package, Baptismal clothes would be great (they've got a lot of plain tunics for the women - that are more like sheets - the one that Evelyn wore a few weeks ago was a borrowed temple dress. So maybe an elastic waist one that's a little more elegant would be nice...and then a few pairs of men's pants would be nice.), and I'll be thinking about some other things this week.

muchísimas gracias por todo a todos! les amo mucho! cuídense esta semana...oraré mucho por ustedes!

abrazos y besos,

hna. child

photos:

Sergio with our very incredible ward mission leader! Two of my best amigos...you can't get much better than them. And my incredible capable fun companion, Hna. Diane Bowns. Graduated from BYU Marriage, Family, Human Development degree. down to earth. easy going and good listener. very talented, driven missionary.

Bishop frying up sopaipillas - the best you'll ever have. Chilean scones basically

Learning how to make empenadas (we went over there this morning and the Bishop showed us how.) It is quite the art...I'm so gonna use our deep fryer.

Caratillas - filled with Manjar (cooked condensed milk) and topped with jelly. believe it or not they're delicious.

Mission Conference This Week!

Can I just say how wonderfully proud I am of my little family!? First of all, we're all just going to be so cultured! haha (i'm still rootin for it!), second of all, and the most beautiful part of it, I think we'll be able to be closer than we ever have been, even though we'll be millions of miles apart. So completely tender to imagine that all of us kids have passed through the orange dot and the "learning experience" of teaching a first lesson - in a completely foreign language. Hats off to you all. I love you SO much. Hope everyone can feel that.

Pretty normal week this week ... continual ups and downs, miracles and more miracles, lovely little moments where you just don't think life can get any better, and you realize that the "typical testimony" - where you say prayers are answered, God is our loving Heavenly Father, Christ lives and that there are living Prophets to lead and guide us today - are some of THE most important and sincere things that a person could know to find peace and happiness!

We're preparing a man for baptism. If I were to explain what has happened to him in this past month, I think you would say that I have imagined up his story, just so it would seem like he was the perfect candidate to receive the gospel in his life at this time. I have had the opportunity to witness the incredible, magical, or better said miraculous, changes that have occurred as he has really immersed himself in God's will, in applying Christ's Atonement and in being born again through this gospel. Profile of the man before: middle-aged man living with a life-long member, father of her children. Had much more interest in a soccer game or sharing crude jokes with buddies than with fixing the roof or even thinking about a trip to the temple, a place he regularly heard about, but blocked his ears to the meaning or significance of it. Told the missionaries that he was extremely fearful of God, and that he hoped that when it was his turn to be corrected by God that He "wouldn't squeeze him too tight" - but that now was just not his time.

Profile of man now: Deserted by his family, left to consider priorities and choked and extremely anguished by his past decisions. Very decided in the fact that he knows he has to depend in and accept completely his Savior. Showed up to church on his own and invited the missionaries over. Humbly, tearfully and literally slapped with grief, he says that with or without his family, changes are necessary, and that the changes he wants are only in and through the gospel of Christ. Pouring his soul to God, understanding what sacrifice and obedience are and carrying his Book of Mormon where ever he goes, has helped him leave behind his prior existence. Has helped him completely change his heart. Has helped him become a new person.

Christ lives. People can be born again. There is definitely hope for everyone of us.

That's what I learned this week.

I love you all with all of my heart. I'm so excited for all of you! Hope everyone has an excellent week and continues to pray for your own miracles and amazing missionary experiences- they'll make you the happiest you've ever been!

xoxoxo: Hermanite Chai-ot (the Monkey off of The Testaments)

fotos:

We had a mission conference this week. And we're not going to talk about how every conference the brand new missionaries give a testimony, and all of the missionaries that will be leaving before we have another similar conference also give their testimonies. . . I may or may not have had to give my "farewell testimony".

- me and some of the missionaries I came with from the MTC. Curt, the friends you're makin there will stick with you. They're so great...definitely matured a lot throughout these past few months. ahaha

- "Las Hermanas"

- Me and Hna. Bustinza reunited!! AH! it was SO good to see my little hija!

- Me and my companions that I've had throughout the mission (that are still here - all of them except Hna. Hardy and Hna. Cortez) Hna. Sieverts, Hna. Kemp, Hna. Bowns and Hna. Bustinza

Lot's Happening Down Here in the Ward of Miracles!

HOLA FAMILIA y AMIGOS! Es muy bueno escucharles y verles y saber que todos estan bien! Les felicito mucho por todo lo que estan haciendo y logrando! Estoy muy feliz tambien!

Although I don't see my cardboard cutout in the farewell pics, I hope Curt, you especially, know that I was there in spirit rootin' for you from the second row and counting how many times you said "um"--and crying because my little bro is going to be such an amazing missionary. I know you've got it in you to be the best! Keep the Spirit with you and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! And be patient. :) It'll all come with time. I'm SO excited for you!

As far as the rest of the family goes...sounds like you'll all have to support mom...make sure that she's eating and sleeping and that she doesn't start talking more to the pets (more than usual that is:) Dad, don't cry too much, it's gonna be okay. You both are and have been amazing parents, you've done the best with us 5 kids. I truly don't know everything you did to help us get to the point that we're at right now. But, you must have done something right. We're not turning out to be complete failures. hehe I think we're all super grateful for everything that you have taught us - through words and examples - and couldn't be happier for the things that you have given us, that surely you can't put a price on. Thank you.

Mitch, I KNEW IT! I totally called it in my new year's predictions (please refer back to previous emails). FELICITACIONES! Estoy muy orgullosa de ud. Yo sabía que ud. iba a poder tener una influencia muy grande sobre los misioneros. No hay duda en mi mente que su diligencia, obediencia y amor que tiene por otras personas le han guiado a este punto en su mision. El Señor le va a seguir bendiciéndole con much éxito, fuerza y conocimiento. YAY for ELDER CHILD! I look up to you and love you SO much.

Sorry to cut the rest of you short, but I love you all too! haha

To let you in on a little bit that happened this week down here in the ward of miracles, Evelyn Alejandra got baptized and confirmed! She is the cutest, most charming little mom, and I'm so excited for her to start out in this pathway that leads to having an eternal family. Turns out that one of her sons is baptized and her husband, who works up North is also baptized. She's been going to church with her mom in another ward, and loves going and learning. HELLO?! Can you say a woman that is prepared to receive missionaries and our message?

In her confirmation blessing it was assured that they would be able to seal themselves as a family. How beautiful is that!?

Another miracle? She wanted Marcelo, the man that got baptized 2 weeks ago, to baptize her! SO TENDER! Needless to say he was a little in SHOCK when we asked him about it. But, after a lot of practice, a blessing, a few messups and a big long dunk, there couldn't have been a happier man alive.

There were a lot of things that I was able to realize this week; mainly just the beauty of being a missionary. The beautiful opportunities that I have now of interacting, teaching, and, most underlined, the beautiful, deep, loving that God has given me as His servant to help His kids here. Not that I wouldn't have ever been able to, or never again will be able to, have such deep, significant relationships with other people. But it means so much to me right now to be able to help people in this way. I spoke in Church yesterday and I translated part of the letter that Dad gave me the day I entered into the MTC, which says "your growth will be equal to your service." Never in my life have I felt my heart grow in its capacity to love others like now. I'm trying really hard to give it all of my heart, might, mind and strength...all of it. And it makes all of the difference. Dad also said (if you don't remember your wise words, here's a recap), that as I give all of myself - even my will - to the altar of sacrifice, God will be able to make more of the small sacrifice than I ever would have thought of in my wildest dreams. That Christ performed miracles with bread, with oil and meal, with fishes, and he has and will forever magnify and transform my small efforts into miracles. My experiences these last few weeks are more than convincing proof that this principle is true.

Everyone after sacrament meeting commented on how wise my dad was. I said I couldn't agree more.

I love you all more than words can say! You are all so great! Thanks for your support and prayers and love! Wish you all the best this week!

Love,

Hermana Child

fotos:

1. After the baptism of Evelyn, Hna. Bowns is on the far left. From California, speaks amazing Spanish, has a way of listening and gaining confidence with you right away and is super kind and friendly. It's going to be great to learn and grow with her.

2. The fam with the missionaries.

3. The nervous couple...Marcelo for the first time baptizing, and Evelyn for the first time being baptized.

4. Pancho- the most adorable little kid ever!

5. winning lunch for the week. longaniza and beans and noodles and tomato salad of course. it tasted pretty good, even though you may not believe me.

A Week Jam-Packed With Goodness...

well there troops! So good to hear about all of you! Full of wonderful things! I'm excited for Curt, I bet talking to the missionaries got ya pumped. I just have to point out, that I'm pretty sure our family has come a long way since our first dinner appointments with the missionaries (mom gone+mitch+asking reference+spilled dessert+bathtub+disaster) haha please tell me someone remembers that one. Anyway, congrats on the patriarchal blessing. I'm sure the pork salads will turn out great. And no one will see the laundry cabinets if you just close the door :)

As far as this week, it was JAM PACKED with goodness. SO MANY MIRACLES HAPPEN EVERY DAY! Can't tell you everything but, I will have to try and explain a few things.

First off, Leonel, this young man, got baptized!!!!! wa-hooooo!! It was probably one of the most spiritual baptismal services that I have been apart of. And he gave such a sincere, heartfelt testimony! He truly knows that the Church is the Church of Christ, and he is committed to enduring to the end. Two beautiful phrases to the ears of a missionary. A very rewarding experience happened yesterday evening, when he accompanied us to a few appointments that we had. (to be told in a second).

Second off, we were able to help a lot of people come to church this week. Relatively speaking "a lot" of course, in a ward that saw 4 baptisms total last year, we were really excited to see the excitement for missionary work and the testimonies of the ward be really strengthened by seeing the new people in church. Now, it's just a question of getting them to continue developing their testimonies and progressing towards knowing and living the gospel of Christ.

Third, now the story with Leonel as our accompanying member. One person that came to church appeared out of the blue. A middle-aged man who had been living with a lifelong member. She had finally gotten fed up of having to lead the family, their two kids, in everything that was worthwhile or of good report or praiseworthy, and left, about two weeks ago. He was left with all of his sports games, buddies, and beers. In reality he was left with nothing. And he realized he needed to change.

The last time we shared with him, back in December or so, he'd said that he didn't really feel that the need to change his lifestyle had come, and that he hoped that when it did come it wouldn't destroy him completely. Well, with the things that he shared with us that he'd been through had really almost done it. NOT coincidentally, and NOT ironically, Leonel had had to pass through some of the same sufferings and heartache that this man is having to go through. And I don't think I can tell you how beautiful it was to see Leonel being able to share his experience and bear his testimony of repentance and Christ and the true Church. He even shared a scripture he remembered us sharing with him. AH! I felt like a proud little mother hen.

Other news: CAMBIOS! (aka TRANSFERS). I stay here (not a surprise) and Hna. Kemp is leaving (also not a surprise). And tomorrow I get to meet my new companion, Hna. Bounds! She was MTC companions with Hna. Kemp, she's from Cali and I think it'll be really great!

Anyway, I love you all! I feel very blessed to be where I am at, doing what I am doing, and I know that God is in charge of it all.

Mitch, I am so not trunky. thank you.

love you all!

Hna. Charlie, Hummer, Indian, Lion, Delta.(thank you military investigator, didn't know quite how to translate it into English)

fotos:

-the FHE after Marcelo's baptism. It was a big joke all of the time that Marcelo and Hna. Kemp were going to eat a whole chicken together. They also traded a dollar bill with a 500 peso. My face looks like I didn't really want to be apart of it.

-saying our goodbyes to the old zone...cambios always bring new things! If you can't tell, we're all just looking for our beach ball....it's about this big.

-look at how cute our little investigator is...he borrowed a suit for his baptism. He kept saying in English that he wanted it to be "eh-special"

-A rockin companionship! Boom! I've learned so much from being with Hna. Kemp these past 3 months. I will be forever grateful of my "Barbie" companion, who knows how to be bold because she understands the Atonement. She's also really good at being responsible and disciplined. I will miss her SO MUCH! Jerseys are compliments of the Chillan Ñuble zone.

A Wedding!

HELLO!

This week has been so packed full of things, I don't know if I'll ever be able to explain everything that has gone on, everything that I've learned, and the changes that I've seen inside of me and my testimony and perspective of this work. BUT, it sounds like things back home are as well very busy and crazy and lovely, and I hope things continue that way! Mainly I'm really excited for Dad and tax season, mom and RS (and the good news about Kim!), The big poppa & momma with the peach, the beautiful piano, and Curt's winding down time before the mish!!! Keep me posted on everything. At least starting in a couple of weeks I'll get a weekly update from Curt. :)

So starting with a few things that happened this week:
Marcelo. He's the miracle man I told you about probably about a month ago, that had been waiting for divorce papers so he could get married legally to the woman he was living with. Well, we've been fighting all this time to get them to the registro civil so that they can sign a paper, call it good, and receive the blessings of keeping the commandments.
Could not have been happier when our lesson of the Atonement pushed them to action! They got married on Tuesday, and on Saturday his family couldn't have had bigger smiles on their faces when he got baptized! He had waited for so long to be able to do it, and with their goal pointed towards the temple and towards an eternal family, it is a beautiful beginning towards an even more beautiful end! It doesn't even matter that the font started to overflow, that we threw a musical number together...when we were walking up to the pulpit...or that we used a lot of our cellphone minutes throughout the month to figure out what errands needed to be ran, or how they could get married before the end of June. None of that matters, because all of that gets left at the gate when they enter through it.

As for the other young man. no water for him this week. Due to a lot of "unexpected" circumstances, that Satan usually likes to throw our way, he was very close to just being pushed in the water by God himself, but, nevertheless, has a goal for this next week to receive a remission of his sins. Keep praying. Some day when I feel very long-winded I'll be up for telling the whole story, it's a good, long, complicated one ;)
Even though I didn't feel like I needed a big humble pill this week, I think that's exactly what the doctor ordered. Interesting right? That the people who think they're humble don't feel like they need to be humbled. There are always things that we need to accept that God wants for us and of us. There are always chambers of our heart that just are packed with pride, and there are always things that a little experience and a little bit of hurt will bring us to a greater understanding of the Atonement and closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. I learned this week, that even though I am trying my very very hardest to bring people the road to their salvation and eternal happiness, I, with my selfishness, imperfections, and many weaknesses, am not able to do it. Only Christ, with His perfectness, could have provided an infinite and eternal sacrifice that could truly lead us to happiness in this life and pure eternal joy in the life to come.

photos:
-the happy married couple.
-a congratulations from the missionaries...yay for the 7th commandment!
-on the big night
-I love CHILE! This little lady was walking around the street, with her legs almost giving out underneath her. We asked if we could help her walk home. She said she was close, but that she didn't remember where she lived. Another little neighbor girl said that she knew where she lived (that this little grandma had gotten lost before, but that the last time the cops had had to come and take her home, poor thing). So we take her home...which was a good 4 blocks away. I started to make conversation with her. Turns out she's 21 years old and she loves her pink crocs (which are sadly not included in the picture). We almost got run over by a bus. But, you could tell when we were getting close to her house because all of her neighbors started to recognize her and to smile at us. Chileans rock.

A Cup of Tea delays a Baptism :(

This misionera en CHILE is doing just great...thanks for asking! I feel all the love from the other side of the world, and I hope that all of you can feel the love coming from this computer over here! Thanks for all of the letters and support! You'll never know how much it helps a little missionary.

This week FLEW by (sorry if you get sick of me saying that). It was mainly filled with a lot of stress and work for the salvation of some souls, aka, investigators decided to make some decisions that just put a little more weight on us as the guides toward heaven. Hermana Sieverts said it well when she said she feels like a duck swimming- on top everything seems totally calm and cool, easy and breezy; however, below the feet are swimmin like crazy to get where you want to go.

Por ejemplo, this young man (that I think I told you about last week), had "errands to run" 32 hours away in the north of Chile for his work. 4 days before he was supposed to be baptized. He asked us if we trusted in him, we said yes, only if you take your Book of Mormon. He didn't know if he'd be back by Sunday. Saturday we get a call- he RETURNED! We run over to his house. Ask him a few questions about how he's doing with keeping the commandments - totally normal to see if he's keeping the law of chastity, not smoking, praying everyday...etc. Turns out, HE DRANK A CUP OF TEA. For those of you who are not completely immersed in the life of a missionary, you might not realize what that fact actually means. An innocent cup of tea because the family he was staying with offered him one, and he didn't want to offend them. Clarification: it was NOT herbal tea. This means that, because it was within the week before his baptism....he wouldn't be able to get baptized the next day. Heart drop, stomach sick, thumbs down, long face, and if he wasn't a military dude it probably would've meant tears.

And now, because of work up north, he doesn't know if he'll be around by the end of the week to be cleansed of his sins. But, yesterday he went out with us the whole afternoon. Haha he really liked it, even though he couldn't believe how some people thought that we were deamons that they had to run away from. It made him even more excited to be apart of the true gospel. Pray a lot for him. Please.

Other things that happened this week: The other sisters had a baptism of an 87 year old, the cutest man alive. I spoke in Sacrament about Charity. Told a grown man to move into his mothers until he could get married to his pareja. Had one rainy day. Gave out valentines to the investigators and decorated sugar cookies at a Family Night.

I hope everyone is doing great! I love hearing that in 2020 the pops and mops are goin to be serving a mission, that Curt has gone through the temple, and that jed and Amanda are so CUTE, that Clint is a proud papa and that Rach is using pregnancy as an excuse to eat every 2 hours and go to bed at 8:00 (HA! j-k j-k!)

I love you all so much, hope you have a good week!

Love, Hermana CHILD

fotos:

-the young man. with his favorite pamphlet. He's read it a few times, at least. Still need to review the short shorts part.

-FHE, decorating sugar cookies. SO cute family.

-during studies, it just started to come down. THis is out our study window. We definitely had to gear up to go out :)

-Juanito who got baptized. 87. walker. Life completely clean. Another investigator that's preparing for baptism said he's got it easy, his enduring to the end is going to be nothing. We ignored the comment. haha

-Me and CURT are so not going to be far away!! COME ON OVER BABY!

Hermana Preciosa...News of Extension~~~

Sendin' a lotta love from the Chilean side of town! ¿How's everyone doin'? Great to hear from you and all of the "wonderful things you're doing" as mom would say :) Sounds like a few big milestones were taken this week! woot woot! Give it up for the Child family! I would've loved to be there altogether this past Saturday, but let me just tell you I'm pretty darn excited for the real thing when we all get to be together forever in heaven...even better. Also, it needs to be said that the right decisions you are making and all of the prayers and thoughts that have been made in the temple, have been heard with both ears of God. This week was FULL of miracles! (so, thank you!)

Despite the fact that I still feel like a very inadequate teacher (thanks pops for the amazing advice), the Lord is still working away in the hearts of the people to get them to turn toward Him. AND BOY IS HE A HARD WORKER! I haven't taught so many lessons, nor had so many people progressing toward baptism in quite sometime. I have no doubt that this is His work.

I can't remember if I've told you about a young man (25 years old) we're teaching that, through a series of non-coincidental events and very strategic moves by the Master, we came in contact with. After only a few weeks he's made the change. He's realized where real happiness lies. He's discovered part of the power of the Atonement. And he understands what it truly means to have the only true and living church on the earth. He's definitely the most intelligent, diligent investigator that I've had. And, because of that, his light and testimony have grown immensly. "No FOME" Hna. Kemp tells him (which actually means don't be lame) ... what she means to say is "No FUME" (Don't smoke) a friendly reminder she tells him OFTEN. Haha. That and "Castidad" (chastity) She's an excellent verifier to see if he's keeping the commandments. He's learned the word "nothing" in English to reply.

Things are happening here in Chile! I'm so happy to hear that you're all doing well. I hope you all feel my love for you and for the Lord through this letter. It's an incredible feeling!

So, here's the news about extensions if you'd like to know:

President Humphreys said that normally sisters have had the option to choose whether they have a 17 or 19-month mission, but recently that option has been taken away, and they just assign you now. However, he is able to extend for 30 days past what they assign you.

Since 30 days isn't a full cambio, he doesn't want to put me in a sector with a companion for that short amount of time. SO. It turns out that Hna. Young also is in the same situation. SO. What he's thinkin about is after I "finish" on May 29. Hna. Young and I would pack up a 30 day suitcase and be able to travel around to all of the different sectors where there are hermanas and do a lot of splits and be able to do trainings and what not with all of them. Which would be a blast. That's what he's thinking.

We will see. But, that's the update.

Love you with all my HEART! Have a great! Valentine's day!

xoxo,

Hermana Preciosa (thank you man on the street for calling me precious)

A Week full of Miracles and Opportunities and a P-Day Trip to Santa de Itata...

hola hola hola! How's the whole kit'n'ka'boodle over in the little world of Middlefork and parts around there? Loved all of the updates and concern and love and prayers and strength and support that you give to me! Thank you so much for everything that you all do for me. I have been so blessed for all the family and friends that nourished my testimony and continually do all they can to ask Heavenly Father to help me. I KNOW HE'S DOING IT! I feel everyday, truly amazed, how I was able to do what I did throughout the day...and that I'm still alive when I wake up...and that I get to do it all over again! I know it's because all of your fasts and prayers and thoughts and encouragement...Heavenly Father really does hear and answer them. Even in the simplest, smallest ways; whether it's through one more person that let's us in their doors, or whether someone comes to church, or someone accepts to be baptized, or the opportunity to find someone prepared to hear the message of the restored gospel. All of these MIRACLES! help me realize that I am NOT alone in this. This is not my work, or the work of some human being here on this earth. It is definitely the work of God. It's not going to ever end.

This week, once again, was full of miracles and opportunities to work hard and feel like I'm being an instrument in the Lord's hands. We're still working on the wedding of Marcelo (the man that needs to get married then baptized) and we've found a lot of other people that are keeping their commitments, that desire a change in their lives and that are repenting...through thoughts, words, and actions.

Today for P-day we went to a waterfall with our zone and the neighboring zone...Santa de Itata...south of our sectors. It was so beautiful! We got to walk along the top of it as well as have lunch down below by it; Hna. Kemp and I bought a large watermelon (not knowing that we'd have to hike it in to where we were having lunch) that weighed a good hefty 38 pounds by the scale we've got in our house. Our investigator Juan Carlos (who keeps saying in English "my name is John Charlie") drove us in his vans.

Let's let the pics speak more about the week than I can.

I love you all with all of my heart, more than you'll ever know! I know that this gospel is true. I know that families can be together forever and that the Book of Mormon is true. It's truly interesting to see that when your testimony is challenged against the basic things that I've believed all of my life, how much it helps you realize what you really believe. Let's just say I had more than a few tender moments when I realized how precious and valuable my beliefs and testimony are.

xoxo

Hermana Child

1. the new house, with Hna. Rojas & Hna. Sieverts

2. Salta de Itata

Learning Humility...

hay-low Honies! HOW are choo? It's been a great week here in Agronomia, where are we are just workin away. Hna. Kemp and I have been just going going going. It's been a little cooler this week, and we've been able to walk without sweating as much at least :) I think it might be a little more appealing to let us into their homes without a red blotchy face and big sweat marks...however, there isn't so much of the sympathy approach, where they'll let us in to escape the sun and have a glass of juice or soda...of course they don't know that they are going to listen the most important message of their lives :)

I wish I could say that we had a bangin´ activity this past saturday night with the 2 wards that attend our chapel. Well, maybe I could say it, and just be exaggerating a little bit, since we DID have a good 20 people there about an hour after it all started, and we DID have an abundance of sugary popcorn and juice to serve everyone that came while they watched the movie, 17 miracles, which DID have a really good message. As the saying goes when things are don't turn out quite as you planned them, "I'm learning a lot" haha.

I know that the Lord was trying to teach me a lot about Humility this week. Not, necessarily (only) because I had a lot of "humbling experiences" which always come in just the exact moment that you need them, but also because I was given the chance to share with a lot of people that also lacked humility to accept the will of their Heavenly Father. It was interesting to meet some people that are willing to accept "truth" that they have come to by their own conclusions, and not accept that there exists universal, eternal truths. I met a man that believed Christ was just a man that set a good example and offered up His life to pay the price of the wickedness of the people that lived in that time. He didn't believe it would change his life that much to follow Him. I shared with a woman who smoked one cigarette a day just to show that she was in charge of her own life, even though she knew God didn't want her to.

Then I realized that sometimes I do the exact same thing. I've had experiences where the Lord has helped me so many times do what He wants me to do, but when the time comes to obey or disobey, to apply the atonement or not, I fight against it. I become all prideful. So I'm working on humility. I'm working on accepting Heavenly Father's will in everything. Giving it my all.

I feel really grateful everyday that God has given me such as amazing opportunity to be here, to be doing the things that I get to do, to be teaching and testifying and inviting and growing like I am. I am so grateful to each of you and your incredible examples of love and faith and consecration. I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Gracias por todo, Les amo mucho! ciao!

Hermana Childdd

I Feel as Small as I've ever felt, and as Strong as I've ever been

Happy b-day to the young and even younger. I have a whole bunch of heroes just turning older left and right. I wish Curt and Gramps the best years of their whole lives! It's gonna be a good one!

As for the news around this place, cambios were today, and.....duh-du-du-DUH me and Hna. Kemp QUEDAMOS-we STAY together for another 6 weeks at least in Agronomía. I'm super excited to be with her still, we're working with a lot of really good people right now, who both of us feel like we were sent here for. We've got a lot of plans to keep working, forever improve and learn, and become even better missionaries. I've learned a lot by being with her, and I know that the Lord just doesn't make mistakes putting people together. His plan is perfect.

Since it's been awhile since I've spent time at home, let me introduce myself to you all again:

My name of the week is Hermana Cherry. The only reason they know that English word around here is because it's a flavor of liquor. I have a hard time accepting it as a compliment. I now find it completely normal to talk to strangers about their deepest beliefs, tell people how they can improve their messed up lives, get cat-called by any type of man you could think of (whether I comb my hair that day or not), eat fruit for dessert, save cereal boxes for any type of project, think in two languages, have swollen feet, not worry about a bank account. My favorite thing to happen in lunch is when you can serve yourself the amount of food you want and put water in the glass before they fill it with coke. I really like it when people are sincere in their desire to know if the restoration really did happen, and if they need to be baptized in Christ's church, and they act on that desire. I love showing pictures of my family to people to show them that not all Americans are fat and blonde. And I know now more than any other time in my life that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father, who knows my name, my goals, my weaknesses, my heart and who knows very well what has happened and what is going to happen to me in my life. I know that He sent to earth for me a Savior, to understand and comfort me as well as give me strength to improve, scriptures to apply, and an example to follow. I feel as small as I've ever felt, and as strong as I've ever been.

I send with this email all of my love and wishes and heart that you'll never be able to feel to the max. You're all incredible!

Love you lots!

su hermanita cherrrry

xo

Workin, Workin, Workin!

¡BUENOS DÍAS a todos!

It definitely seems the world has got a different rotational system or something so time is so warped. I can't believe that it's time to write you all again.

As for this past week I don't even know where to begin or what to tell you. We're just workin workin workin away. Hna. Kemp and I have found a good rhythm, have gotten to "feel each other's vibe" and we get along really well. 1,008 hours in a cambio...I have yet to get sick of her :) we'll see if we're staying together to double that next week.

There are so many people in my sector that I don't feel like I'll ever have the ability to reach all the people that are ready to receive our message. We're able to get into a lot of houses every week and teach them, and the Lord has even blessed us with people who want us to come back and who really desire to know if this message is of God. Teaching, testifying and inviting is the lifeblood of missionary work. It helps you really feel like you are an instrument in bringing people towards Christ. On the days when you don't get into houses and you're walking around in the blistering sun, you realize how truly dependent you are on the Lord to fulfill His work. No doubt in my mind that as we purify ourselves as instruments, God can and will use us in whatever way He sees fit.
We're still working with Marcelo and Juan Carlos (who need a lot of prayers!) so that they can enter into the waters of baptism this next week.

As for the major lesson I learned this week, that I shared in my talk at church yesterday as well, is about the power of covenants. Honestly, when you feel like you're going to break, when you feel like your responsibilities are way bigger than you're capable of fulfilling, when you feel like just collapsing on your bed and waking up when all the hard stuff has passed, when you feel like just selfishly having a bad day spent crying and eating grilled cheese and soup...and realizing that you CAN'T...is when you also feel like there's gotta be a reason why you feel like you CAN'T. The thought then comes to your mind...why in the world am I doing this? Is there someone else that has ever felt this way? Immediately, as a missionary who preaches of Jesus Christ, the suffering and sacrifices and pains the Christ expierenced flood your mind. You realize that He didn't have His dad or His mom with Him; He didn't have a cool breeze at four in the afternoon either. He didn't even have good walking shoes, tons of food to eat, or even the comforts of everyone offering you a nice tall glass of pop everytime you enter the door. It's then that you realize that with the pure love that He has for you, you can do these small little things. You realize that it doesn't really matter if you're not comfortable or even if you "feel like doing it." You realize that what really matters is the promise that you made with Him, and WHY. Then, an unseen strength and support that you hadn't felt before comes in. There is a love in your heart toward Him and toward the things that He has asked you to do. And you just pick yourself up, or more like He lifts you up, and you just do it. You do it. And then, at the end of the day, you recognize that there was no way in the world that you could have done it without Him. The future becomes brighter, your confidence and humility are deeper, your love for Him expands, and your determination to keep your promise with Him no longer is even an option. Covenants are really powerful.

I know that this work is the Savior's. He is at the head of it. This is His true church.

I love you all so much! Thank you for all of the support and love you give to me. You're amazing!

Hermana Chai-yot
pics:
1. Hna. Kemp and I - caught in a sudden rainstorm. woops. Good thing all of our appointments fell through, and our backup plans didn't even have the pity on us to let us in. It was a really fun day.
2 & 3 Our Bishop owns a bakery, so we offered to help him one morning this week to gain more trust with him and offer a little service in exchange for everything he's done for us. Thought my expertise in Great Harvest would help me out. Turns out they do things a little bit differently here. Mix the dough, then run it through a "flattening machine" which is trickier than it looks, then lay it out, poke it like mad (with a rolling pin with nails) then you cut it into disks...let it raise a bit and put it into bake. In the end, I don't know if we helped too much. But it tasted really good!

Haven't touched Huntsville soil for all of 2011...

Hey fam!

wooooo! 2012!! Hard to believe that I haven't touched a piece of Huntsville soil for all of 2011. I definitely looked over the 2011 predictions that you sent me last year...and it turns out that a lot of them were right on. Others, I have no idea. But here are a few of my predictions for 2012 to add to the list:
-Mitch will be assistant to the president before he finishes his mission.
-Clint will find a job outside of UT
-Amanda will put her foot down when Jed asks to buy an RV (please). Actually her prediction would definitely have to be that she's gonna be prego.
-Curtis will baptize a complete family, while still not able to speak fluent "Spanish"
-Dad will find a hobby that will surprise us all.
-Rachel will start her own etsy shop
-Mom will NOT take a mac, camera or iphone class.
-Jed will help Kelli through her awkward stage of post-mission transition, by continually reminding her how awkward she is.

Send me the rest that you come up with.

For New Year's it was a normal work day, but we went to our ward mission leader's home instead of hanging out trying to contact all of the drunks. They usually have a big barbeque and bring in the new year spending time with the family. Some say that if you eat lentils at midnight it will bring you good luck all year. Also, some say that if you pack up a suitcase and you walk with it around the block that you'll travel sometime throughout the year. Then, there's this other tradition that you put 3 potatoes underneath the bed - one completely peeled, one half peeled and one not peeled at all - depending on which one you pick out will tell you how successful economically you're going to be in the upcoming year.
Most Chileans are pretty superstitious.

Hna. Kemp and I are just sprinting and working and SWEATING and drinking lots of water. We are trying really hard to pump up the ward, trying to find people who really want to progress, trying to get the good news out to everyone. I set the New Year's Resolution to learn how to lead a consecrated life inside and outside the mission. You really do feel so much more free when you just surrender to the Lord. When you just accept everything He wants, instead of what you want. It feels so GOOD to know that you can be an instrument -with all of your weaknesses and problems and human-ness- to bring people to the knowledge of their Savior.

This week a very Catholic grandma named Luz ("light") offered the prayer and asked for forgiveness from the Lord if she had been following Him in the wrong way all of her life, and asked for an answer to know if this was the true church. She then accepted the invitation to be baptized if she received an answer, and told her husbad next to her that she would take him along too. He just nodded his head. You can see why they've been married for 30+ years :)

Well, I love you all so much! I hope that all is going well at home! Bring in the new year with goals that you can reach! You're all the best!

love love love, Hermana Child

photos:
1. Our Bishop and his wife. Super amazing. He owns a panaderia---bakery! They got baptized when they were first married.
2. They had a banquet for the ward for the end of the year! Catered and everything. We were really happy with the turn-out!
3. Our incredible ward mission leader, Rudy and his son, Rudy (called "tutti"). He's got a lot of energy and excitement and great advice. He's been in the stake presidency. SUCH a blessing for this ward.
4. the Hermanas! and the 2012 microwave brownie.

¡¡Feliz Navidad!!

Hey there to you all! So good to chat with you all yesterday! It was good for the spirits...and a perfect little ending to a great Christmas!
Loved the pictures that you sent....wanted to show you a little bit of how my Christmas went for me....

1. hauling our Christmas tree from the church to have it at least for Christmas eve. Good thing we only live a few blocks from the church. haha

2. Hna. Kemp's mom sent her a gingerbread house kit. Not quite up to my usual standard, but fun nevertheless :) Hna. Risco got a little crazy with the snow...

3. Here in Chile their big celebration is on Christmas Eve. They have a huge dinner late at night. This is a family of members from the neighboring ward. Rice, Chicken Cordon Bleau, green salad, potato salad, fruit....son served in California....pretty Americanized. They've been feeding gringos for awhile..But they are a really fun, energetic fam.

4. Christmas morning...."viejo pascuero" came

5. Needless to say we were quite surprised when we found out the host family for Christmas Day dinner had killed one of their huge dogs to eat. Hna. Kemp was freaking out for quite awhile until she found out everyone was playing a joke on her....That's not a dog hanging in front of your eyes. That'd be a goat. But it wasn't a joke that we were going to eat the goat for dinner. Turns out it's completely normal to cook things like that...especially in the south of Chile...and in Argentina. hm. Turned out like a smoked jerky type flavor. Pretty good.

6. family photo. aw. menos uno.

Weelllllll......love you all so much! Hope you make some good predictions for me.. xoxox
su hermanita, kiki