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.
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