1st baptism

This past week we had a baptism!  Her name is Ingrid.  Her baptism was delayed some but eventually did get baptized.  Hopefully her husband Oswaldo will be next.  The difference when someone is baptized is amazing; they look and act so much happier. That’s why I am here.  For my Spanish, I got to see the progress I have made.  I went to a meeting with all the new missionaries—those who came with me—and they kept saying my Spanish was really great.  They were just amazed at the difference.  I understood our Mission President when he spoke to us, so I know I have a grip on Spanish; next will be Chilean.  A funny experience was last night when a drunk man had us come to his house.  We got there and his lady explained that he wanted to stop drinking.  As Elder Metcalf and she talked, Sergio wanted to show me his pictures "mira mira!" (look, look) he would say and tell about the person in the picture, he was just super funny and friendly.  That’s what Chile is like.

Happy all the time

I am doing great; the joy I feel here is amazing.  I just feel happy all
the time.  We have a couple of families that are awesome, and I hope
they are baptized.  I have felt the spirit so strong; one time in the home of the Duran Guzman family, I just gave my testimony.  I felt so
warm and about cried and could tell they felt the spirit. And I did it
all in almost fluent Spanish; I didn’t think just spoke.  Everything is
great, we are at centro today for p-day and are going to get me some
ties and take a few pictures of the Andes.
 I had my first empanada and they are sooo good here, I love the food
they have here.  The people here are good at using very little; all
have the handyman do it yourself attitude that I really have come to
admire.  We meet a man who had a head, but he goes to work all the same.  At home all
he has is himself and a few tapes to listen to.  I actually gave him a
blessing, not of health, but just did my best to help his spirit.  We
stopped by again to just tell him he’s a great person and we care about
him.  People here are very strong in faith, but they don’t act on it
enough.  I just love the people all the same, but I really need to
work on showing it.  Lessons are going great, my Spanish improves little and I
am doing fine.

Keeper and Milagro

This week was very slow.  I moved into a new house that is very cold—always—but we have found a few ways to make it warmer by plugging holes with blankets and things.  I have found a little talent for fútbol in the field of a goalie.  Today we have a zone activity and the Latins said I did pretty good, and made some good saves.  Well my investigators took a dive these past couple weeks by not reading and the like, but we had a milagro (miracle) this Sunday. One is getting baptized next Saturday! and the only thing that was in her way was her husband.  He had threatened her if she kept doing the Mormon thing he would hurt their child, but now he will be taking the lessons!  This work is true and I see the Lord in it all because it is truly his work. I love Chile and love making mistakes in the language.