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.

I love it out here.

Hola

This week has been crazy.  We have 14 investigators and we visit a lot of people as well.  There really is not a whole lot of walking.  I like teaching even though I hardly say anything; but I can talk to someone now and ask if we can share with them for 5 minutes. The other day we knocked on a house and the man came out looking really mad.  He said Elder meant teacher and that teachers are perfect.  I tried talking to him and I am pretty sure he wanted to hit me.  Its great when some people say, “Oh, we’re Christian or Catholic or something and then say we believe in Christ.  I say that’s awesome so do I.”  We have a baptism next Saturday and the woman is super excited.  She is just getting hit with every trial and even had a scary dream about a man in black chasing her.  I know that this is the real church and someone does not want her to be baptized.  I know that I am not perfect but was set apart to go and preach the gospel as a representative of JesuCristo. I love it out here—maybe not all the time—but it’s the best place to be.

Pictures

New friends, people and dogs

Well this week has been full, we teach a lot and visit lots of in-active members, so my feet are just fine.  I always meet new friends whether they are people or dogs—mostly dogs.  Today I helped members with a service project.  I dug holes for a fence and even got to weld.  It was out in the middle of nowhere.  The lunch was good with a lot of meat that was really good. I’ll wake up to a little frost on the window and will slide into my hoody and hat, that I have acquired from the feria.  I am adjusting alright but the stress is there, which leaves during the night, because apparently I talk in my sleep a lot.  I find an interesting spirit here, even though it’s the same probably just a different culture.  I have hard times and great times but always remember the great times, even if it’s just the feelings.  I love serving and working because it brings happiness. This is why I am here to share that with others.  Elder Shelley

I have arrived! Culture shock!

Well, my first week here and it’s been a culture shock.  I saw a man chase someone with a machete and there is a dog per person. I love it though.  It is the best thing I have done in my life; coming on a mission. I struggle with the language, but the people are super patient and friendly. We have a baptism date with an investigator and hope he keeps it. My companion is great at teaching and a great teacher for me.  He is already my friend and I learn a lot from him.  His name is Elder Metcalf and he is from Utah as well as me. I work all day and easily fall asleep at night, we teach a lot and my input grows little by little. I live in the slums—really; every house is little and has a high fence with spikes at the top, no lawns, no trees, just little plants maybe. It gets cold and foggy, but it is winter.  I will see what it’s like in the summer time. Basically I love being on a mission even though it is super hard and frustrating at times. A lot happens each day.  See you next week.
Elder Shelley