La Ligua semana 16

Well heres to another week!!! First of all I am sorry to everyone who wants a long letter, but we will see what comes of this. I am short on time and there was NOWHERE open today that had computers!!! jaja

So first of all, we had to run a couple baptisms back a little. We are still excited for them, just a few little things they wanted to be good and clear on before they got baptized. And we are still excited and they are as well! So no worries!!! 

One of the boys that will be baptized this next week, we talked with his mom this week to see if she had anyproblems and turns out she speaks better english than we do! She is a professional transaltor and she speaks great!! She has never left Chile, and surprisingly has learned it all here in the university!!! It was cool!!! We also talked with the father of Francho who I have been trying to convince for a LONG time now that his daughter is ready to be baptized! And so luckily we were blessed with a good lesson with him. Sadly he normally has a drinking problem, but this night he was sober. We talked about the gospel and how it has blessed him and how his beliefs in God have helped his Children! Then we showed how his son, Brian, has increased SO WELL in the gospel and we asked him if he would like that fort his daughter, and he said no.... again.... So we went back through it all and just said "look, she is ready! She will bring YOU blessings by living the gospel" and then he started thinking "maybe she is ready..." and in the end he said yes, it would be good for her!!! WOOO!!!!! So we are planning her baptism for 2 weeks from now!!! It was SO AWESOME!!!! 

Just a random side note, today we played some ping pong in the church (and we play fierce, fyi jeje ) and we SPLIT THE BALL!!! thats right, it first cracked and then we, by just hitting it, split the ball. I felt pretty cool! the first time I have done that! jaja 

Oh, and tuesday, Elder Rhoton was stinking nervous to call home and it was absolutely hilarious!!! It all went down well, it was just his first time and it was hilarious!!! 

One more funny thing, or two. First, I was teaching and accidently said "he´s like.." and just went on and no one noticed.... except Elder Rhoton, he burst into laughter because I didnt even realize it! jaja Also, I was asked in the beginning of Church right before we started to give a talk. and I felt to speak about the divine light of Christ and putting a goal for this next year to look for the light MORE in this next year. So I extend the invitation to ALL of you reading this: look for that special guidance that we can only receive from our heavenly father! As we look for it, God may give us more guidance!! So read your scriptures, pray OFTEN and dont forget about the church! 

Well, thats about all I got time for today!!! I love you all and I shall be the first to wish you all a "feliz año nuevo!!!" and just remember, I am going into the future, entering 2013 4 hours before you all! (most.. jaja ) Loves!!! 

Les quiero Mucho!!! 

Elder Marvin =D

La Ligua semana 15

Why hello to everyone in this wonderful Christmas Eve. I hope that all of you have just been fine and dandy in this lsat week! Things have been GREAT here! and we have even been surprised by a few gifts!!!

We also had a week of LOTS of traveling!!! On tuesday we went to quillota.... TWICE, once in the morning and once at night. jaja thats 3 hours of the day just traveling! haha but of course we couldnt just do it once... jaja o well!! 

Miercoles (wednesday) we had our Christmas conference (for more pictures visit http://misionvinadelmar.blogspot.com/) and it was SO AWESOME!!! All the practices and all the many activities that we did were awesome and we ate great! A couple of hermanas from Peña Blanca were helping, and so I went and said thanks and hello to one of them that remembered me! jaja YAY!!! and we got new mission journals that are totally sweet! and it was just awesome!!! So that made for a great day!!!! And we came back and visited a family that is TOTALLY awesome! I love them so much, but they havent come to church for a while and the mother (The rebel) finally said "maybe it is time that we go to church again." and two of their kids are not baptized, so hopefully we will be passing by there more!!! 

Also, the less active lady whos litle girls are just GORGEOUS and my best friends, just so you know, she came to church FINALLY and her husband (who is not a member) also came!!! I was so happy and the little fernanda (6) totally rembered me! YES!!! Also, Karen y Mauricio went to some of their wedding prep stuff on wednesday and they said that everything that could have gone wrong DID, but they still went through because they know it is the best they can do!!! and then on friday we got their invitations and they love them! So it made for a bunch of happy people!!! 

Then we also had interchanges with a the elderes in Cabildo. They are doing GREAT and I was really surprised because the Elder I was with is a jokester, but when we got to serious matters, all went well and he was really mature about how he treats the situations. I was VERY impressed!!! 

So it has been a great week! We just got done with a zone activity, we went and played football and ate shish-ka-bobs (sp?). It was pretty fun, just really unorganized, and so we lost a lot of time!! But no problems, all shall be well! and we had a good time together!!! 

Bueno, I hope that everyone has a WONDERFUL Christmas; one that will always be in your book of memories!!! I love you all and remember to share the love of Christ with those around you! Serve a little more than you are comfortable, I promise you will not regret it!!! Chao!!! 

Elder Marvin =D

La Ligua semana 14‏

Hola de La Ligua, ¿cómo están todos? ¿Algo nuevo este semana? Well we had quite a wonderful week! After goi9ng last monday and putting a marriage date, we have been working to get the invitations ready, and the get everything organized so that it will be a day that Karen y Mauricio will never forget!!! 

We also have been working hard to get anyone else prepared for baptism before the end of the year. We are trying to help the mission achieve our goal that we have for the year, and we wanna end this year great! And in the midst of that, we have about 7 people who are preparing for baptism at this time, and we hope that everyone one of them can get it! So we have been visiting them lots this week! 

 Also, we climbed to the top of the last hill here that I hadnt climbed yet! We were looking for a less active hermano who has a son who is still not a member, and in search we found another guy who is really great! The next time we go up there we will definitely go by him again. 

Something I have learned in this month is that many people do not understand how it is that we get the gift of the holy ghost. So We gladly help them to understand that it is necessary to receive it by the laying on of hands from someone who has received the authority or permission to act in Gods name (through the priesthood). However, Acts 8 very clearly shows us how it is that we receive the holy ghost, that not only because we are baptized means that we have received it. 

I am so grateful for the gospel that truly teaches me the simplicity of the teachings of Christ. I am so grateful for all that he has done for me, and made it possible that I can be guided by this Holy Ghost in all that I do! I know that it has helped me MANY times when life got hard, but I am so grateful for the blessing it is to me!!! And I hope that as Christmas gets closer that we may all think a little more in Christ and look for his influences in our lives! The spirit will testify to you, I know it will if you are looking for it!!!  Ilove you all, and I hope that you may find a way to share Christ love with someone nearby you!!! Try and be an extra special friend this year, and forget your own personal desires; I promise you will not regret it!!! 

Les Quiero Mucho!!! 

ps Also, funny thought. While eating an ice cream this week, a little girl was looking at me, and REALLY wanted an ice cream! and her mom said "Look, you gotta eat all your find if you wanna have big muscles like him." jajajaja woo hoo!! 

La Ligua semana 13‏

Well here we go again and let me just say GREAT WEEK!!! Why? Because my new companion is way awesome, we get along WAY good and well we are both just out to get the world and help them to be baptized!!!

So first of all we werent able to teach as much as we wanted this week because we had church activities 3 nights in a row, on the plus side, we invited SO MANY people to take church tours and it was SO GREAT to just be out and literally inviting everyone we saw to come into the church and see what it was like! It was way cool! I loved it! And we had tons of success with it as well! so that made it all the more fun!!!

Second of all BAPTISM!!!! Jonathan was baptized this last saturday and I was honored to be able to do the baptizing. He has been so much fun to work with and help him along the way and to think back in the end of october when His dad was telling me "its very possible that you will not be here when he is baptized.." I couldnt help but laugh! Although, that wasnt even the best part. The best part was when we were in the font, the spirit was literally so so so strong! His mom and dad were both crying, and she isnt a member and he isnt a crier! jaja So it was absolutely wonderful! We are way excited for their little family and for the positive directions they have gone!!!

We also shared with Brians cousin, Michel. She is one of those people who was chosen to accept the gospel in a split second and I have LOVED it!!! She was our miracle lesson last monday and we met with her again on sunday night and she explained how after we had left she went and called her boyfriend and explained that she wanted to get married and how she wanted to make SO MANY CHANGES and she knew that it all was true. She had felt it, and she could not deny it! and everytime she talked about it she got all teary-eyed and just said "I know that these things are true, and I know that I have felt the spirit. I have never felt this way in any other church before!" It litterally just blows my mind and I just hope that she keeps going strong like this. She says that when her boyfriend gets back from the mine that she wants him to meet with us and he has already said yes to that. She also fears a little, because she doesnt live in our area, and she doesnt think it will be the same because she trusts us so much, but we told her that the other elderes are also called of God and will be there to help her with every step! But it was SOSOSO OSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSO amazing how the spirit has touched her and she said she knows she will never go back to the miserable life she had before. And Brian stays at her side the whole time and his testimony gets stronger from her and hers from him. ITS HEAVENLY!!!!

THEN (I know, who could guess so much goodness could happen!?!? thats the mission for ya!) we were sharing with Karen and Mauricio and hermano Aurelio came with us. We started a little slow, but the hermano came in with some serious testimony that just set the spirit so perectly. and we had just finished a special fast with them and they made it the whole time, even though it was hard for them. So, with all this in the air, we brought up marriage and if they felt they could be married before the end of the year. They looked at each other, and they said yes, then Karen said "We will go down to the civil register (ok, idk what it is called in english...) TOMORROW." AAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!! I just wanted to scream with excitement! So we planned to meet with them and this morning we went down with them and got them a day picked out and everything ready and they will be getting married on the 4th of January 2013!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!! I am so excited for those two and to think I was there the first night when we found Karen! It is just all TOO great and I know that God has been there this whole time to bless them! I love it all!!!

I love the mission so much! I am seriously so stinking blessed everyday! Thanks for your prayers and for all that you are doing! Keep inviting your friends and family to listen to the missionaries, invite them to come to church activities and meetings and I promise you that you will see the fruits!!!! God is waiting for your faith, like I talked about on sunday (we both also had talks. haha) and I know that we need to trust in him MORE. So do your part, study your scriptures, and you will notice all the many miracles that God will put in your path!!! Les quiero mucho!!!

Elder Marvin =D

La Ligua semana 12‏

Bueno hay vino y se fue un otro cambio en la mision y parece que el señor me ama porque me quedé en La Ligua!!! WOOOOOOO!!!!!

I hope you all love transalting that! sorry, so far all my other emails this morning have been in spanish so I gotta think a little more english or this letter might become confusing!! jaja

So this week started off with some funness! we had a NDH with a familia and their neighbors (non members) and it went really well until I broke a glass! I was trying to help, but then I broke one... woop! Then about 3 minutes later, I went to open the pop bottle and the hermana told me "its going to explode" but I thought she was teasing me since I just broke a glass.... well lets just say the humbling continued! luckily they all thought it was just too funny! haha ok it was funny! jaja Then Elder Bowen called us to come and help him because he got the chilean flu as well. pucha.

Then as the week went on I started to feel like even though it was the last week, I felt like Elder Powner and I would both stay! So we just kept on working hard and having a great time! then saturday night came around and we got the phone calls "Elder Marvin, your going... to stay!" wooo!!! "Elder Powner, your going..." *click* (Elder Powner talking now) "wait, what!?!? They just hung up!>!" so that was a surprise! he just had a hot stop en La Ligua, but it was a great 6 weeks! i learned tons from him! A great elder, that one! haha Then Monday we had changes and so sunday night we had to get elder Powner all packed up and then we were up at 5:45 monday morning so that we could make it to viña on time! And it was SO GREAT!!! I absolutely love everytime that I get to go to viña!!! and I got to say hola to all my great friends! and it was awesome!!! The saddest was saying goodbye to Elder Arredondo and Elder Rivera, and Edler Diaz! i cannott believe that they are finishing up! I feel like we are all just so young, how can they take them away!!! Wow, the mission life goes WAY too fast!!! And then elder Valladares is training in the office as well so I have my first office grandson!!! and who could it be? none other than Elder Wardrop. and he came to Chile with me! haha It was kinda crazy, but awesome!!! Then I found out my new companion has just as much time here in Chile as Elder Powner and Elder cannell. my new companion is ANOTHER IDAHOAN!!! haha how crazy is that, and better yet, he is also one of 11 kids in his family (both my idahoan companions have had 11 kids in their families!! craziness!) and his name is Elder Rhoton. His dad teaches at BYU-I, just fyi. So we got the changes done and then we were off to the great branch of La Ligua!!!

Its been a fun change and Elder Rhoton actually just came from being with Elder Lucero, who also came to Chile with me! and he kinda does some things just like Elder Lucero did! haha its great! We are just going to get work done here and I am so excited! We exactually started our first day, and our first lesson together was SUPER spiritual! We were with la familia ramirez and their cousin, michel, was there. We shared with her once before but this time we verified how her reading went and she read, and Brian helped her to understand it all and we inviited her to be baptized and she accepted and we explained how baptism will wash her clean of all her sins and she started crying and the spirit just filled the room! it was so awesome! We hope to see lots of her and to see her progress! I love that familia SO MUCH!!!

So as you can see its been a great first week! I hope that everyone is loving life and finding Gods hand in all that he does during this great christmas season! tell someone new that you love them and try and serve them in whatever way needed! I love you all! I know this is the work of god and that we are helping His children to come unto Him!!! Loves!!! Chao!

Elder Marvin

La Ligua Semana 11‏

Well wouldnt you know it another week has come and gone. I really cant believe how fast the weeks have been going! The craziest of them all is that I have almost been here in La Ligua for 3 months now! haha and Thanksgiving has already come and gone! How can that even be? But thats alright! I am loving the life here!

Just s that everyone knows, as of this last sunday we have started singing Christmas songs in the sacrament meeting, so that means it is totally Christmas season! and with all the fun Christmas trees and lights, well lets just say that we even got our own little Christmas tree in our pension! Its awesome!

So the only down side of this week was when my companion was sick and well... lets just say Elder Powner was a little out with the flu. and Slept all day long on friday after a night of too many surprises. But it gave me time for extra studies! WOOO!!!! Its kinda funny how much we love our studies as missionaries! Its just awesome! the gospel is awesome and 100% true! so that helps a ton I would have to say!!!!

This week we FINALLY put a baptismal date with Jonathan! The son of the  reactivating hermano in our branch! We finally were able to sit down with the both of them and show his father that he is ready and he told all of us that and we said "So Would you rather have your baptism the 1st or the 8th?" and he chose the 8th! So we are excited for him! He is excited as well!!! He is just golden and loves the gospel and he wants to serve a mission so we will do all that we have to to help him lograr (achieve) that goal!!!

We also helped a less active lady in our ward move this week. She had some problems in her marriage and seperated and I dont know what happened with her husband, but I feel like she is literally one of my sisters, and it was really sad and hard to see her in so much pain. But we invited her to church on sunday and after YEARS of not coming, she came so that she could get some help and talk with her friends that she knew she could find there! So that made me very happy to see her there!

Well there was lots that happened, I just sadly dont remember a lot right now... haha lo siento. Oh, one last quick story. While we were in interchanges this week, I went over to CABILDO!!! woo!!! and well the branch over there is working to get bigger, its a little smaller than La Ligua, but there are lots of great people there!!! We stopped and shared with an investigator who is a peluquera (barber) and she is really interested in everything! She wants to do as jesus would and she explained to us how she had been baptized before and didnt feel the need. WE shared with her how in the bible Jesus taught that the baptism is incomplete if it wasnt done by someone who doesnt have the authority to do it, and she always be followed by the laying on of hands for the git of the Holy Ghost. We shared from the book of acts with her, and she quickly understood and said "I have never felt so strongly about all of this before!" and it was REALLY cool to be there when she said that and we explained how that was the holy ghost testifying to her of these things!!! I loved it!!!

So yes, another miraculous week here in Chile, but what else is new. With 7 investigators in church, and an EXCELENT gospel principles class, 2 of our investigators were clearly prompted by the spirit through the teacher that "I know that you two are going to be married and that your family with be eternally grateful for that decision!" IT WAS SO PERFECT!!!! So there is your example of how we can receive revelation for others without even knowing

So that has been my wonderful week! I hope that everyone had a very grateful turkey day and that we are all just excited and ready to have a serving Christmas; just as Christ would ask. I love you all! Dont forget to welcome Diciembre with a big ole smile!!! Loves!!!

Elder Marvin

La Lingua 10

....
Can it really be the 10th week that has gone by here in La Ligua. I feel really connected with this branch here, and I dont think I ever want to leave.... so sorry to all those who wanted me to come home, I think I shall stay here a while... Now I just have to explain that one to Presidente Kähnlein... haha

We had a good week, although with lots of different things going on, we didnt teach quite as many lessons. We also had a few different service acts, so that was good! I have done more service in this month than I have in almost all my mission! but I love it! haha I love to get out and show people what I learned best from my home, how to run a shovel! So it has been good! and no new sun burns... other than the one I hada few weeks ago. woops. haha

Then on friday we had special district leader counsel in Viña (did I mention how much I missed Viña?!?! Gosh I love that place!!!! I always feel SO excited!!!!). It was great! They basically did what they do for the zone leader counsels, but for all the district leaders! It was great to see all my MTC district again! Although we were missing a few, but it was still awesome!!!! In the meeting we talked a lot and it was awesome because we all are leaders and working hard to get the mission excited and exploding with success! And so we all have the same vision, or at least in the where abouts and so the spirit was so great there! I loved learning everything, and I love seeing all the great elderes that we have in this mission!!! We even did some practices that were just spiritually uplifting, because we all had good attitudes about it, and that changes everything!!!! Then it was just great in all!!! Then we had to hurry home and well lets just say the meeting was over at 330pm, so we got back... at about 8pm. Not really a ton of time, but enough to go and give a blessing on Karen y Mauricios new house!!! We are so excited for them because they just have so much desires to follow Jesus, but they are a little nervous about getting married. So we are just working with them.

Then on sunday we had a special conference and Presidente Kähnlein came with the stake leaders from Quillota and well *announcement* La Ligua and Cabildo are now going to be apart of the Quillota stake! So the members were all very excited and we are very excited! It was cool to be there on the historic day! and we got a picture with everyone and well we were all just so happy!!! So felicitaciones a La Ligua y cabildo!!! Woo hoo!!! There shall be many great things to come from this!!!

Its been a great week for the spirit! and I know that God as blessed us! We gotta keep working hard so that we can meet all our goals. Well I hope that everyone takes on the mission tradition I did with my trainer a year ago. *TURKEY TROT* gotta run it hard!!! Loves to everyone on your awesome turkey day!!! Chao!!!

Elder Marvin

la ligua semana 9‏

Ok, bueno este semana esuvo muy bien! Creo que estamos aprendiendo como hablar el mismo idioma...errr....

jaja ok, funny funny, as you can tell sometimes as missionaries you have to learn to laugh at everything, so I am just helping you all as well! haha

Somethings that happened this week were VERY GOOD!!! For example, we visited a less active lady whos husband never got baptized though he had been coming to church for a long time! and well we shared with them and I quickly learned he had a lot of the hymns memorized and he prays better than some members! haha and as we shared with them it was really nice to feel the spirit there! The sad part... I forgot my himnario there and well they live in papudo so lets see when I get that back! haha

We had a few different people tell us they were ready for baptism this week! and all of them just haveto talk with their families and coordinate the day! It shall be grand when they tell us when! haha But Jonathon, Manuel, Medelis, Karen, Mauricio, and their two little girls all told us that they feel ready for baptism!!!! So we should hopefully start planning some more baptisms here quickly. We have a goal as a mission to baptize 1100 this year and basically we just need to have 5 more baptisms before the end of the year and I think we should very easily do our part here in La Ligua so that we can get that one! We are working hard and trying to talk with more and more poeple everyday so that we can get it!

With Manuel we POR FIN talked with him after 2 weeks without seeing him and we were expecting the worst but all is well! I was so so so surprised! We knew we just had to stick to the faith with him ,but it was just a big relief when we asked him to say the frist prayer and he asked God for help so that we could get him a new goal set and running! He truly wants it and knows that it will bless his life soo much!!!! It made me quite excited! Then we also did some of our home teaching visits this week and I went with Brian (tan bueno Brian!!!) and we got to talking about how he said he doesnt feel obligated to go with the missionaries because he can feel the difference. SO that was good to see his burning desires to serve a mission and he is just so awesome!I hope to never lose contact with him adn I hope that he will write me through his whole mission! I am so stoked for him! haha

I also heard lots of "Ha ha, Obama won!" and well lets just say people really wanted to let us know! haha it was kinda funny! but oh well, thats life right? haha

One more spiritual thought before I run along, this week while in interchanges with Elder Lara from Mexico y we were out side the church when a mother and her son walked by. The son had DOWN syndrome and so I said "Hola Amigo!" and the boy (about 12-14 years old) came over to me, gave me a big ole hug and said "Mamá, look. Hes my new friend!" and gave me another hug before he left. It was really a very cool moment and Elder Lara said "Wow, I really felt the spirit right there." It was definitely something that I really liked. Sometimes we may not feel like we can do much, but never worry about what others may think, give your all and God will bless you. I love it and all the blessings this gospel brings!!! I hope you are all very well and happy! Loves to everyone!!!!!

Elder Marvin

La Ligua semana 8‏

Well another week and this one was a little more of a trial! haha ALthough, we did get three days in Papudo, so that was fun working in a new area!

Last Lunes (monday) we worked for all we had to have a NDH with some investigators and when some of them canceled on us, we ran over to the others ones house and asked "HEY! Wanna come watch a movie with us... right now?!?!" haha and they accepted and it was great and we watched the "how rare a posession" video with them! It was great and they were totally excited about seeing the whole thing because we only had time to watch a little bit of it! But it turned out VERY well!!! That was Karen y Mauricio who came, and they are just AWESOME!!! They really want to do what their heavenly father asks of them! The best part was we got to chare with them every day from domingo a miercoles!!!! So it was awesome!!!!

And well wednesday we werent planning on going to Papudo, but then we realized we had lunch out there and well we got the nexxt bus out there! haha So we decided to take advantage and get some citas set up for tomorrow when we were going to return and work the whole day! and we actually found some new investigators out there and it was just a great trip all the way around!!!! and we got 3 citas set up all at the same time!!! Then thursday when we returned it was a fun little day of citas when we got to know some of the less active members who really know they just need to get it together and come to church! And one of the families that we shared with was excited again and when we saw them in church on sunday OHHH!!! There was MANY happy members! and I am sure that they could feel the love from the branch!!!

Viernes we had an Elderes quorum activity and we went where? To papudo!!! haha So we went to visit even more members out there and we played a little fútbol and had some lunch with a good group of us! It was good fun! and best of all, when it came time to go home, and we said "next goal wins" we battled a few minutes and then an hermano gave me a perfect pass and I got the game winning goal. Oh yeah!!!! haha

So as you can see, it was a good fun week! On sunday we even got even more blessed as we ended the week really helping a few different people to feel the spiirit and have the desires to do what they need to to help their families progress in this gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for my calling and for the many blessings that we see through this work! I hope that everyone can really try and give a little time to listen to the spirit this week and see what our heavenly father needs from you at this point in your life!!! I love you all!!! Chao!!!

Elder Marvin =D

La Ligua Semana 7‏

This week was a little bit of a special one! Even though only one week went by I felt like a couple went by. haha and at the same time I feel like it went quickly! haha

However with all the funness, and the drama, we are preparing to have another baptism this saturday, and thats what keeps us trucking in there! Manuel called us this last tuesday and said " You know I was thinking about it, and I dont know if I can be ready by the 3rd of november..." and my heart just DROPPED. Then he continued " but I put this goal and I know that god will be there to help me, and i know that I can be ready for this day." WOOOOO!!!! So we were very happy for him! He hasnt bought another pack of cigarrettes and he really wants to accomplish one thing more than the rest. He showed us a sticker on the front of his book of mormon that says "Las families son eternas" (Families are eternal) and he said that is what he really wants, and he knows that he has to be baptized in order to obtain that! It was so great!

Then Also, this last saturday we did a service project of getting a bunch of weeds taken out at the Hma Ubilla's house. We spent a couple hours at it and then afterwards, she gave us lunch, and well... its gettting warm here and all, and I might have forgotten the sunscreen... so as my good friend Connie said "Su cuello está mas rojo de los tomates!" (your neck is redder than tomatoes!) haha luckily it didnt really hurt too much, but a little burden for a few days. and I am sure my mom is just laughing and shaking her head. haha Woops. haha

Then another cool thing from sunday, we got there and we were getting everything ready, playing a little prelude music and Jorge, Joselyn, Karen, Isidora, y Francisca all showed up! and shortly after a couple members, and Manuel. Then when we were starting the meeting, we had more investigators (6) there than there was members (5). It was kinda cool! haha and as we were waiting for more people to show up I was talking with Karen and she was telling me how even though it was her first time there, she loved how the people greeted her as if she was familia and how she knew that this was "her new church" haha It was the first time she had even come! I loved it! haha Then later that day we went by there house and we also shared with her husband! We had left them with a little bit to read and they told us that they had read the chapter not once, not twice, but 3 times! They really wanted to understand it! and then afterwards Mauricio, her boyfriend, said that he was really curious and went to the internet and he had found TONS of things against the church. So he had a lot of questions, but he wasnt looking for the bad things, just didnt know where to look to find the truth (sound familiar?) so we shared a little with them and mostly answered their questions but it was SO GREAT!!! The spirit was there and was so strong! and their little girls were even there and listening the whole time! This whole familia is just fantastic!!! And to have thought that Elder Reyes and I found her crying and confused a few weeks ago. They both said they knew that they felt the spirit when they prayed because they couldnt sleep after reading what we left them, but then they said a prayer and they felt a great peace! For those that are reading this, THE POWER OF PRAYER IS REAL! I know it is real, and I know that God wants to answer every single one of our prayers. I invite you all to pray once again to know if the book of mormon is true. Tell me how it went. I love this work, its great! Even when its hard, these moments is what helps us all to feel the love of our savior.

I love you all! Stay strong, stay true!

Elder Marvin

la ligua semana 6‏

Hola a todos!!! Fue una semana entera!!!

This last week was another one of those that SO much has happened and I dont even know where to start!!! We prepared the whole week for our baptism on satuday which was FANTASTIC!!!! Annais had 10 of her non member friends there and they all just liked the whole thing! I loved it so much!!!!

Also this week we were just going about and we found a few different new investigators who were literally looking for us! One of them, se llama Nilson, just said " who is jose smith?" and so we taught him the restauration and he accepted a book of mormon all kinds of happy!!! It was so cool! The other lady was just sitting in the park and we talked with her and she just started telling us how she had cancer and is recovering and that her father died a year ago and she really wants to know if she will see him again! Then she said " I dont even know why I am telling you all of this, but I just feel like I should." We testified to her that God had truly sent us to help her! It was so cool!!!!

Then we had a GREAT week teaching Manuel who fell again to the cigarrillos (cigarettes) and he said, "I put a new goal, I am going to be done smoking by then 25th, and I want to be baptized on the 3rd of november." IT WAS SO AWESOMEE!!!!!!! He is really trying to change his whole way and he just really wants to follow christ!!! Then we were sharing with Medelis and she shared with us that she felt the church was true and even though she had gone through some rough stuff she also wants to prepare for the 3rd of noveimbre!!!  I LOVE IT!!!!!

Then on saturday we woke up AFTER the alarm (4:50am) so that we could get ready to go to viña but we got ready at rapid fire speed and we got in the car with Los Bowen and we made it to Valpo in Time. For what you might say? Well for Elder Oaks!!!!! Woooo Thats right, spiritual feast in the morning and well by the way, we also had changes early for some odd reason and Elder Cannell left me! (tear!) but I got an Elder That also has only been in Chile for 3 months, his name is Elder Powner, and he is from Frederick, Colorado. We have been loving things together and he has a great attitude! And who can complain that the first thing you do in an area is go to a bpatism! Although annais was sad that Elder Cannell wasnt going to be there, we told them on Jueves about the changes and well thats just life inthe mission field.

So everything here is going great! I love the mission life!!!! I hope you are all doing great and look for a friend who needs the missionaries!!!!! You will love the experience!!! Chao!!!

Elder Marvin =D

La Ligua Semana 5‏

Well here we are again and I feel like this week was very similar to the last in the fact that WAY too much happened and I absolutley loved it all! The saddest part of the week was when 2 of our investigators had to move their baptismal dates, but we will work to get them baptized in Noviebre, and actually, we will be working with their families now that they are receiving us as well and we hope to have daddy daughter baptism!

This last week we also had a bunch of visits to less active families and it was just AMAZING!!! We saw many of them really wanting to come back to the church, but struggling with select few things. But after much persistence, we were able to see 4 of them in the church this last sunday! So we were ALL kinds of excited!

We also learned this last week that being a district leader is going to be a whole new game. Isntead of our usual zone meetings, we will be having district meetings every week. That means that I am now in charge of an hour to an hour and a half long meeting every week! Woo hoo! More responsibility! haha I didnt even know how to do it very well back when it was just for 20 minutes! haha But hey, its a learning experience right? I am excited though! Also this last week Presidente Kahnlein came to all the pensions and interviewed the missionaries in thier homes. We had a great interview and I love my relation that I have with my Mission President! He is truly an inspired servant of God! And the assistents also came with , which by the way Elder Young, my old companion and old secretary, he is now the Assistent! I was WAY excited to see him and Elder Arredondo when they came! It was like our old pension all over again! haha

On a closing thought, friday we had a little "book of mormon theatre" and there wasnt exactly the best turn out. Lets just say there was more people participating, than there was there to watch. but we did it anyways and the spirit was super strong there! We, (Elder Cannell and I) had our own parts and I was Alma, son of Alma, and Elder Cannell was Mormon. It turned out really well. Then on sunday we had a testimony meeting that was SO GREAT!!! The spirit was so strong and although a lot of people were really feeling the need to step up their efforts and help out more, it was great to see the many desires in the branch to do better! Then the rest of the day was just filled with lessons with the spirit just testifying everywhere! I LOVE THOSE DAYS!!!!! We visited a lady who was a reference and she just received us in and listened and had great questions and we will be hopefully preparing her to be baptized in the middle of november, (o por allí) But it was a day just SO AWESOME!!!

Now for the slightly more sad report. All of my beloved ones, if you desire to write me, please do so by hand. Unless you are LITERALLY family, then email is open to you. Thanks for your understanding, direct orders from the boss. =D

Les amo tanto!!!


Elder Marvin

La Ligua Semana 4‏

Hello hello, on two three, one two three.*

Well here we are again, huh? This week FLEW by, so fast I dont even know! And so much has happened but first of all LOVED conference? I did, if you wanted to know... just fyi... =D

This last miercoles (wednesday) I was in interchanges with Elder Moss, one of my zone leaders and so... err that was martes (tuesday). We had our zone meeting in the morning, and then all day long I worked there in Quillota!!! It was a good day and not too hot, although the night was a little chile (that ones for briggs... hehe ) We had a great companionship studies and it was just all around AWESOME!!! He helped me to understand all my duties as district leader and it was good! I found out I was suppossed learn a thing or two! haha but at least I know how to do everything now! He was also a little surprised when I told him they didnt teach me anything about training either... either the Lord really trusted me, or I ran away from his advice early! haha Although, I never even was offered too much help. I wasnt too worried.

Miercoles after our changes, we (Elder Cannell and I) went to work in the area of the hermanas in my district. We were going ot accompany them to a few lessons, and then go home. Thats how interchanges work for the sisters and me. So we worked before lunch, and had a nice humbling lunch. There was no place where we could have just grabbed food. So we bought bread, meat, and liquid cheese and ate in the front of the store. I am pretty sure the people working there thought that we were homeless! haha It was interesting! But we did find a great family of 5 in their area! Sadly, there was no lessons to do, but we found some news with them. It went well as well. Then we had to go home before we missed our our citas (appointments), and well we had a 2 hour bus ride to get home! haha

Then friday we had another interchange (third one) with Cabildo and Elder Reyes came with me here in La Ligua. It was a fun one as well! We had lunch in the jail.... with the branch Presidente! haha Then we were working. Did I mention one of the youth we are teaching had her baptismal interview on tuesday and she passed! So she will be baptized on the 20th ! YAY!!! and the other two we are helping to get baptized that same day!!!! WOO!!! We also found some great people in the interchange, like a 19 year old boy who said he didnt believe much, but he accepted a book of mormon and the spirit was just there when we were sharing with him! I loved it! Then about 30 seconds later a CRAZY DOG came flying out of a fench to a house and totally wanted to eat us!!! We both watched him to keep our space as we flew right past us, and then came back at us. Then the owner called him off and the whole family was there with a look of fear on their face. We couldnt help but laugh a little as we walked away! haha

Then conference was just the sugar on the cake right!?! I loved it so much! and I hope everyone was able to watch it, and for those that couldnt, watch it now! Remember as it says in D&C, whether by the voice of the prophet, or mine, it is the same." Loves to everyone!

Elder Marvin

La Ligua Semana 3‏

WOOOOOO!!!! Who all is excited for general conference!?!?!? I AM!!!! hahaha We are getting pretty excited down here for the chance to listen to the prophets and we are trying to get everyone excited about it! We also have a couple baptisms that we are preparing for the week after, so that makes us even more excited!

This last sunday we had 6 investigators attending church with us! I also had to try and learn a piano song in the moment we were singing it... you know what, it did NOT go as well as I would have hoped for! haha It just keeps me humble! haha

We also were visiting a lass active family this week who are SO GOOD! in fact, her husband used to be the branch president, but now they are going through some trials and have stopped going to the church after 30 years of being active! It was sad realyl because she said she feels like she really doesnt have any big sins that she needs to repent of, how humble... ugh. haha So we just shared with her how and why she needs to go to church and be renewing her baptismal covenants! On the plus side, we shared the plan de salvación with one investigator and her less active mother and it was SO GREAT!!! She is progressing like a star and when we were going through this lesson, her mom shared her testimony on how she was so glad that God had given her a second chance through her daughter, and she was saying how life was hard and then Anais, her daughter, was born, and now life was getting hard again, and Anais is accepting the gospel in her life! It really is a great blessing to see how this gospel helps families to be SO MUCH HAPPIER!!!

En Miercoles (wednesday) we were talking with some people and I got asked where I was from. They said I have the face of an american but I had an accent of a mexican!!! WOOOOOTTTT!!!! I was pretty pumped! Its probably my favorite part about chile when people guess that I am NOT from the states! haha Just means my latin is truly coming out! ;) hehe Also, Elder Bowen helped us by taking us out to a lesson a little ways out of town and as we were driving he said "Oh look at that sunset... Oh shoot, there goes corner!" hahahaha It was really funny because he was suppossed to be driving! haha Oh boy...

It was also really cool this week as we asked an hermana to go with us to a lesson and she told us how it didnt matter if the investigators lived close or far, she was willing to walk anywhere to help. It was impressive. I hope that everyone of us is willing to go to any end of town to help this work. If we work together, we will truly help so many of Gods Children, our brothers and sisters recognize this gospel that we have!!!

Then we had a good zone meeting with Presidente this week. I realized it was the first time that I had seen him in 3 weeks which was a change from the office and it was a nice little meeting we had. We talked about the importance of planning and taking advatage of every minute we have!!!

So how can YOU help the missionaries this week? Look for a friend that needs some help and give them a call! They will be SO EXCITED!!!! I am completely sure! well Thats all that Igot for this week! Hope all is well! Loves!!!

Elder Marvin =D

La Ligua semana 2‏

Well another weke here in La Ligua and everything is going great! Yesterday for Church I played the piano for sacrament meeting. It appears I may be practicing a little bit more! haha It went well, I played a lot better this time! but the hermana directing the music was fun to play with, I am pretty sure we changed time and speed in that song for every verse! haha It was great!

Then we hada fantastic lesson with a young girl, who is the daughter of a less active hermana. Her name is Anais. She is so great! and when we shared with her this last week she told us that she feels very good now about her baptism and so we are working so that she can be baptized in a couple weeekss!!!!!! WOOOOO!!!! We are also working with a few other people that have to stop smoking, but they are relly trying and seeing the improvement! I love it when they come to church and the branch member are all very friendly with them! Its awesome to see those new members making big decisions and helping those who are also new! Its so cool to see the gospel in action!!!

Oh yeah, this was the week of the 18! I feel like it was a long time ago! haha It went great! The branch activity was fun! They all did "La Cueca" and we played some games, ate lots of empanadas and meat! haha It was pretty average! haha Although it was hard to find people to share with! We did have lots of drunk people try and talk to us. We actually had one stalking us for a while, but I tihnk he forgot what he was doing. It really is sad to see how many people just drink so much and they get nothing out of it! and their families all hate it! ugh... We just pray for them!

I also did my first interchange in Cabildo this week! That was a blast! I was with Elder Reyes, and Elder from Mexico and we just went by a bunch of people and a lot of the members there are also great! The branch there is even smaller than here in la Ligua, but they are great! We have lots of work to help those who have made covenants with God but are not living them now. Its sad that people dont understand. But thats why we are helping them! =D

Last but not least. We had lunch with one family this week and after lunch we played a little jumprope with the little daughter and it was great fun! haha We shared with them the importance of helping their neighbors and just giving a good example ot everyone! How important is that? So thats what I would like to invite everyone to do this week. Look for ways to serve your neighbors and try and tell them you love them! And if that is hard, pray for the love for your neighbors, thats important as well!!!!

Well I am glad to hear that everyone loved the 18 de septiembre!!! Wear that Chilean pride!!! haha Cuidanse!!!

Elder Marvin =D

La Ligua: Semana 1‏

So I pretty much LOVE IT HERE!!!! You know how before the mission I was hoping to get out in a place where maybe by some chance someone might need help branding their cows? This would be the place! haha La Ligua is a little branch with, about 60-80 people that regularly attend, but it consists of the member from about 5 different "Pueblitos" or little towns. Its pretty much AWESOME!!!!

So enough of these paved Vina roads, I am down to walking accross fields, and taking the dirt road! haha Makes me feel right at home! haha This last sunday was a little rough, and I guess this whole week is going to be that way because of the "festivos" and well everyone and their dog will be a little affected from their parties if you know what I mean. haha its sad really. We went to visit an investigator yesterday and her husband was home. and I guess she told us that evertime he comes home all he does is drink, and she hates it. She hates everything about it. And with him not having work for the whole week, she has to deal with it for the whole week. Then the saddest part was when she said "This is the worst week of the whole year. I dread it, and I just cant do anything about it." She is doing really well to stop smoking and has gone for a few days now, maybe even a week! But she hates alcohol, and everything about it. We will be praying for her this week!

Then we visited some converts and less active families this week as well. They are all doing really well, just lack the urge to go to church. So we shared with them on how it will help them! They get to a point when they feel comfortable and then just stop, and now their lives are rough again, and they dont believe that church will help them, but they havent given it a try either! So we have been inviting lots to come to church this last week!

I also came to see how truly confused people really are! its kinda crazy! One guy we were teaching this week told us "Well the bible says that there cannot be anymore revelation." Heaven forbid... oh dear... haha So I quickly asked " What? Would you mind showing that to me?" There are so many people that have that bug in their head. Lets recap "God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever" but somehow he changes... uh... no. QUACK!!! haha So we shared scriptures from the bible showing him why and how there is still revelation, and actually a prophet that lives! It was cool, because the spirit was so strong and he was kinda not wanting to accept it, but we invited him to just pray about it. Dont listen to us crazy gringos, but listen to the spirit. He will testify of these things. I love that about the gospel. We can come and through love, show people what the truth is. Its hard to accept change, and we see it all the time! But when people pray, they cannot fight the feelings that they have! I love it!

The one fun fact for the week: Who would believe me if I told you I played the piano for a conference we had with a Seventy? Anyone? Bingo. haha Ya, the assistents knew that I can play the simplified songs, and well it wasnt anything magical, or spectacular. I made mistakes, but its kinda cool knowing I can now say I have played for a setenta! Oh, and then on sunday, my FIRST sunday, there was only 1 hour of church because there was a parade that started at 11 and then not many people showed up, and I was asked to give a talk! haha but there was a lot of noise, and so I didnt get a chance to do more than introduce myself. haha So it has been a good week! I am loving everything about La Ligua! Even down to the "Dulces" which are these manjar and bread or cookies or just the things that they make! haha I am loving it!

I hope that you are all doing very well! As for me, we are going to try and activate some kids and play some futbol, so take care! I love you all!

Elder Marvin

semana 1 cambio 9‏

Hola a todos... Yes, I know. A little early to be writing the blog. However, I am NO LONGER IN THE OFFICE!!!! Not that I didnt love it but I am TOTALLY STOKED TO BE BACK OUT!!! WOOOO!!!! haha and well now I have p-day on MONDAY!!! So to all of you that love me and would like to write, I will be replying on Monday's again, (and the occasional tuesday, like hoy), just so that you know mom, and Alena. (jeje)

So Sunday was my last time in the viña (shoot, english keyboard....im missing keys. curse copy and paste) and it was great. The bishop had us, Elder Dipaz and I (he was also leaving the office) give our last testimonies and it was great! I love the ward so dmuch and it was great to see so much gratitude from so many members! I realized how many of them that I love and after 6 months it was sad to say goodbye. I do love the ward SO MUCH!!!! But it was great to be working with all of them for this time that I was given! After church I went to lunch with the familia Unda. We had a good lunch, talked about the mission, and then, you know what? They said they used to live in rancagua. Hey Nate Tanner, they remember you, do you remember David Unda and the JAS from barrio Recreo? They said I had a good cousin. IT was sweet! So it looks like you did a good job! =D Then we said goodbye and went to visit some people. We even taught a less active girl, but I think that she will start getting more active now! She knows the chruch is true, and now she is going to help her parents accept it as well! Then I (by the way I was with Elder young and Elder Dipaz,) got back with Elder Valladares and Elder Farnsworth and we went and visited la familia Mancilla. they are so great! We helped them with the santa cena cause they were both sick today, and then just shared a quick thought. I love them SO MUCH!!! It was nice to say goodbye one last time though.

Then Monday, I had to get all my stuff packed, and I woke up bright and early to help the elderes coming from the north get in fine. and well it as a run run run kind of morning, but all went well! Then we had our reunion de los cambios and Presidente Kahnlein went through and I was ALMOST THE LAST ONE TO KNOW but it was what I thought it was, I was reassigned to be with Elder Cannell en La Ligua!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO!!!!! So we got everything together, made sure that i left Elder Valladares with everything that he needed and then we rolled off with my bumblebee bags! haha We got on a bus, not just a micro, but we still had to pay for our own, and its not the cheepest. And then it was 2 and 1/2 hours to the north and the interior. We got there, I didnt really want to unpack and so we got into studies. By the way, I have to finish training Elder Cannell, so he is now my step son!!! WOOO!!! He is a great kid and I am so excited to be working with him!!!! And he has a great attitude, that makes a HUGE difference! So we still have lots of studies to do, so we did that, went over the carpeta (area book) and then at night we went out! We went by the ward mission leader and his family and they are SO GOOD!!!! We will definitely be working with them a ton! and then we went by a couple investigators and let me just say the people are different here, but way more open and calm. Not so much of the running city life! I love it! haha so we had a great time and we contacted some great people as well! Elder Cannell speaks good spanish as well, so thats not even a worry for me. He is still learning, but is so good! Then we got back, did some planning, and then I got a phone call from my new zone leaders.

They asked me "Hey, so you are the new district leader, right?" Huh?!? I didnt remember hearing anything like that, they must be mistaken... then they said "uh.... ok we will see you later than.." hahaha But then this morning I got a phone call again from them and they said "The Lord has called and wants you to be a district leader! WOOOO!!!!" haha So now I am finishing up training and I am the district leader! WOOOOO!!!! So I gave a call to my district and we got some information. I am over us, 2 elderes, and 2 sisters. I am pretty excited, but I still have LOTS to learn. Then we did our studies and cleaned up some at the pension. I found a cool 2 year calendar in the process especially for missionaries. and I roasted my speakers. haha so I will be looking for some new ones!!! haha Other than that, oh, the reason I am using an english keyboard is because there is a couple serving here as missionaries especialized in the branch here (oh, btw, about 75 people come to church here.) and they let us use their computers I guess! So Thats sweet!!! Although, as financiero, I learned we also spend A LOT in travels here! haha thats alright! I am so excited for the work and the baptisms!

Another random thought, the bowens are friends with an elderly couple from Nyssa. The Mclaughlin's. haha they are from Vancouver washington, and well, small world! haha

Well thats about all the excitement from these last few days! I hope all is well at home! I  love you all!

Elder Marvin

Còmo estàn?

Well there she went, my last week in the office! WOOO!!! haha I have loved EVERY second of it, and i am excited to be 100% focused in helping my brothers and sisters come unto christ once again! YAY! This last week has been a great one as well! 

We got to know two new investigators and we have visited them every day this week!!! They are a niece and aunt who we got the reference from and they are fantastic. Eliana the older one was sharing with the missionaries in the states but then she came back to chile and she is ready to be baptized! Its so awesome! And now her niece is also excited about total and they are both working to be baptized in the next two weeks! Eliana, the aunt, was sharing for 8 months in the states and she knows everything! Its awesome! and Carmen, the niece, is learning everything so quickly! They are great! We also got ANOTHER reference from a girl who is here studying. She lives with some companions from the university, but she is the only member! its been great though because she is super strong and invites a ton of friends to listen! This is the second good reference from her. and so we went and shared with Pablo, and he had tons of questions and was super happy when we left him a book of mormon to be his! He told us that he would read it and we were stoked! He is also willing to go to church, and with Letisia, he will have the friend that he needs as well! Its great! Converts who already had friends in the church always stay SO much stronger! I love it! 

Then we had consejo friday and Presidente told me "I am sure that you already know that you are leaving the office, right?" and I said yes, and then he just asked if I would give my testimony in the beginning of consejo. It was nice to be there and listen for a little bit and be apart of it! Who knows where I will be off to next!? 

I am excited and anxious to know where I will be going, and with who I will be. Will I have another assignment or just be working hard? Presidente almost told me where I was going, but he decided not to. I really didnt think that he would start and then just leave me out in the dry! I guess I will find out with everyone else! But I should have p-day again on tuesday! haha WHOO!!! So I wil at least let everyone know how that went! haha 

Oh, and I found a little bit of heaven. You will have to see the fotos to understand that one! Loves to everyone! Chao Chao! 

Elder Marvin =D

semana 5 cambio 8‏

What a fantastic week! Wasn´t it, wasn´t!?!?

So this week was a week of AWESOMENESS!!!! We had tons to do in the office and with the new opened pension we had to get that all ready. And with it being the last week of Agosto, we had reports to get ready and we had to prepare for rent. The good part is I have had a lot of time to clean around the office and do other little projects for other people. For example, Hermana Hugie, the new nurse here in the mission, she has me go through and check her spanish on her papers and occasionally translate for phone calls. I like doing things like that, but i am getting excited to be back out and help tons of people come unto christ!

Last sunday we had a lesson with a couple new investigators, Sandra y Ester. They are a mother and daughter who are great! The mom says she has always felt like something was missing, and she wants to serve a mission. We talked with her for the first time at the noche de Talentos that we had a few weeks ago, and when we shared with her it went great! her daughter is in her last year of studying to become a lawyer and she is super smart! When we share with them they understand everything and just have the BEST questions. For example in our first lesson, they asked why God lets bad things happen and how he can let people do bad things. They just receive it all! And we came back on tuesday and shared again and they had read what we left them and understood EVERYTHING!!!! It was awesome! The spirit gets strong when we go there, and the member that has gone with us does a great job as well. He is a returned missionary and he was unable to serve his whole mission, but is very willing to help now! Its great!

We also have been working so that Elder Valladares knows what are the important things to finish in a day and the things that can wait for the next day. Presidente Kähnlein said that he wants us to really try to get out in the streets more, so we are trying to get it all working for that! It has been hard though, because there is lots to do, but we hope to be able to do better!

Then last night we also went and we have been visiting a little elderly lady who has been struggling because she lives alone, but we have done some service and its great to get some time with her! She is a blast and a good little lady! Then we decided to go after some members that are on the lists from the church that I have never met and the first house we went to was AWESOME!!!!! We were welcomed into the house and there was a mother and her 14 year old son. We just shared a minute because then they had to go to a meeting. But we asked to end with a prayer and we asked the son and he asked us how to do it. So we said, sorry, we thought you were a member, but HE IS NOT!!!! So we taught him how, and he prayed for us. Then we invited him to church with his mother that I have NEVER met! it was great! Then we set up to come and visit them on sunday as well! The son was SO GREAT!!!! I am way excited for them! It was a GREAT day!

Lastly we did another service of taking a table from the 2nd story of a house, over and off the roof, adn then put it in the downstair because the stairs were WAY too small to take it there! But it was fun and afterwards we talked with the hermana (she is so great!) and we talked about who in her neighborhood could use the gospel and it was great! So clearly it was a great semana and with a very fun letter from my mom and a whole lot of teasy from the gang here! ;) hehe Love it! haha

Well I love you all and I hope that everyone is looking and praying for missionary opportunities!!! Loves a todos!!!!


Elder Marvin =D

semana 4 cambio 8‏

So what a fun week! I feel like the battle is on, or at least trying to get a good day planned and for everything to go as planned would be my challenge at this point in time. I would like to help my companion so that he can feel comfortable to take the drivers wheel (literally and metaphorically: I gotta teach him how to drive stick shift in these next few weeks. The bad part is he has noo desire to drive, but his assignment says otherwise. haha). It was a good week though! 

On Sunday we talked with a jewish lady who was really nice! She had such a great look on life and wanted to really do what god expects of her. Although what was hard for me was the fact that she doesnt believe that Jesus is our savior. It caught me off guard and I knew it before hand, but the pass along card I gave her was of Jesus, and so she explained why she couldn´t accept the card, but was really nice about it. We bore testimony and she told us she was really busy, but maybe one day we could get together and share something with her. I couldnt help but think how much of her family is also jewish because she was saying how the church has always been apart of her family. It was a cool experience! Also, later that night we talked with a less active lady who even served a mission, but then came home on health problems and married a catholic boy and he doesnt want anything to do with God now, and as we were talking with her we could see her face light up remembering all the blessings that come from the gospel of Christ. She however did not think that we should come over just yet. She lives a couple towns away, but we could tell that she is scared of what her family will say. She said she was sure they would say no, but we said "We are used to that, and what is it going to hurt if we come by? Maybe he will be ready to listen to this gospel. She was convinced though. Where is the faith in this world?

Then later in the week we helped the hermanas move into their new pension and we got the contract signed and everything is nice and dandy for the missionaries there. However, closing the pension was a different story! haha We called the owner to tell them that we could give them the keys and we were expecting the "mes de garantia" or like idk what it is in english. Its like a payment to start a house, and at the end of renting it, you can get it back if the house is in good shape still. Well we told them we were expecting it back and suddenly, they needed to just change a billion things. So Elder Valladares gave me the phone (and this is my first time opening and closing a pension, but I have learned how it all works) and the man was saying how we had to pay another full months rent because they didnt know and the sisters just left a week ago, and that we would have to pay for this and that, and since they didnt have the keys that we would have to pay even more. Clearly we were working with people who had no idea what they were talking about! I simply asked "Have you even ever rented before?", a little bit strong worded, but I knew the answer, they had not. So We planned a time to get together and to bring the keys, that night. When we got there they tried to go at us again and get more money from us and we explained how they were wrong and I said "If the repairs are going to be expensive, we can leave the mes de garantia with you and we just want you to sign here saying "we are no longer liable" and they were happy with that. Man, I just could not believe someone would argue about something they didnt know a thing about! And he wasnt even the owner! Whatever, it was funny on the drive home to think about it! haha 

I also felt like I got to know President better this week. He had to come with us to sign the contract and and so we had some time to talk and I loved it! I can now say that I feel more respect for him and less fear. I know that he is guided by God, and he will bring great things for this mission! I am loving all that is happeneing and I cant believe that I am in my last 2 weeks of the office! Where has the time gone!?!? Well I hope that everyone is loving their time now that school has started back up again! I remind you all to pray for those in need, whether it be friends or family. I know that there is a pawer in prayer like none other. Practice your faith and you will see God´s hand working miracles! LOVES!!!! 

Elder Marvin

semana 3 cambio 8‏

Just another day in the office, errr week I guess. Except we had more elderes going home. We had one group that went home a few weeks early for their classes. The sad part was I know way too many of them and it was sad to see them go but good to see they served so well for these two years!

On tuesday Elder Viñas of the quorum of the Seventy was here and he met with all the zone leaders, and then we had lunch with him! haha It was pretty cool, and I heard lots of good things from the conference they had! We are definitely going to really crack down now. I think this year hasnt been going quite as planned, but it is time to get to work and just go get it done!

Wednesda, Elder Peteresen y Elder Castillo came down for their last few days in the mission. That was cool that I got to see them before they left to go home. The sad thing was the temple was closed, but on the plus side we got to say goodbye to everysingle one personally! I still feel so young in the mission, but every change more and more missionaries are going home that I know and it is just kinda crazy to see so many good Elderes go home!

Sadly this change has required a lot from us in the office, and so we have had near the same amount of time to be out in the streets and teaching. We have been working like crazy and its interesting because since I am training Elder Valladares to do everything, it goes a little bit slower, because he has to remember and learn how to do everything! We are still working hard! I cant believe we are already halfway through the change. Next thing I know I am going to be out and about and 100% focused on the work again! WOO HOO! LUNCH WITH THE MEMBERS!! WOO! haha In the meantime I will enjoy these last few weeks that I have here in the office! I love the mission! its so great!

One funny note, one elders parents came to get him and his dad actually served in the same mission (Viña) and his old mission companion came with them! And (dont get lost now) his dad´s old companions wife was talking with me and I asked about their family, and she told me their oldest child was a 19 year old girl. She then continued on and offered to introduce me to her daughter when I finish in a year!!! HAHA! It was kinda funny!

Well thats all the excitingness of this week. I love it, I love my family, I love my life! Cuidense todos!

Elder Marvin

semana 2 cambio 8‏

What a week, and thank goodness we were able to leave on SOME days! haha We had a very busy week with lots to do and not enough time to get it all done! I have learned that it takes a lot of time when teaching someone incomparison as to when I was just doing it myself!

Lucky for me, ELder Valladares is very smart and learns quickly. He says he is a little worried that he is doing the work, but nothing stays in his memory. I think he will be just fine, really he just has to learn how to follow the many binders that have the answers to everything. Once he learns how and where to find that information, it will be easy! and we are still in week 2 so all is well! So the big projects we had this week was all the reports that had to be finalized and sent to Santiago by the 10th, (credit card report, and auto report, and various reference number reports.) But we at least got everything done on time! haha Although it was calling it close on a few things!

Also on Monday we went through and threw out all the things we dont need in the office. It wasnt dirty, but President wants to start a deep clean every 6 months and so that it always looks good. And we changed the order of things! The mission nurse just got here this last tuesday as well, and she is very nice and a great person! She is still learning spanish, but all is well! In the meantime, I got to do some translating phone calls for her! haha it was fun!

Tuesday we were working on auto insurance paper from the police and right after that elder young needed me to help him on a medical run, because A-he doesnt know how to get to this pension, and B- He still hasnt learned to drive a stick shift. haha But it was fun, just a late night. We got home and in bed by abotu 12:30. At least we could make some good contacts with some students from New Jersey! haha

Wednesday we Helped an Elder get redy for his flight home and everything, and then thursday we had to make a run to Villa Alemana Oeste and then to Limache. We had to get President´s signature and send off a report by THAT NIGHT. The bad thing was one of the reports we needed all the receipts and we never got all of the receipts from President. When we had him sign a paper that says "all is well" and he told me he was SURE he gave us them, so I guess I lost them. No creo, pero bueno. It wasnt a big deal, so we got his signatures and then went to Limache. We had to leave some papers for the Hermanas there and they were very grateful! Then on the drive home we went by Peña Blanca and I loved it!

However we HAVE taught a few lessons this week. And we do our best to talk with everyone in the streets. It has been a long and hard week in the office! haha But its fun, and I love the work I have! We are also changing a pension for some missionaries and well we shall be learning together, but all should be well! Well I love you all and I hope that everything is going great back at home! Its weird to think that the school will be starting again soon! haha Oh yeah, by the way I hit my 1 YEAR IN THE MISSION!!!!! WOOOOO!!!!!! And I am still the youngest in the office. haha I love it here! Cuidanse!

Elder Marvin

semana 6 cambio 7‏

Hay estamos de nuevo, y ¡que bacan la semana!

Last sunday we ate with the stake presidente and his family and he is just great! He is new as the stake president, as of a month or two, and he is just greatly excited about the work! Then we left and I rode back from Reñaca on a bus right next to a member from Concon and we talked the whole way and it was great to here how everything is doing there! They now have a bishoprick (sp?) and things are progressing pretty good over there! That was great! Then we had to get some medical stuff taken care of and we went after a less active family. They werent home, but we talked with their neighbor and ended up sharing with them! They were really great! The father is a member but the only one in the family and he remembered all the great "noches de hogar" (Family home evenings) they had. So we planned one and they were excited and it was great! They are trying to move to the north for work, but in the meantime, we will try and help them! But they could be changing anyday now. It was great! 

So this week has definitely been a  crazy one with way too much to do and not enough time to do it all! On monday and tuesday we had a couple of citas (appointments) that we had planned and well, emergencies kinda destroyed those ideas! haha We were running around just trying to get everything done! Nothing too serious, but a lot that had to be done at that moment! Elder Young had to accompany some elderes, and the member that was suppossed to be my companion never came. So I went with Elder Alarcón to visit a lady we contacted, but she wasnt home, and then when we got back all the other elderes had to make another emergency run. So Elder Alarcón and I got the office locked up and went home because it was late. But it still went well.

Tuesday morning we also helped the Kähnlein family get legal here and that took ALL the morning! haha ALso yesterday we went with Hermana Kähnlein to get food for
all the changes and that took a little while too, but it was fun! She runs all around the supermarket and it was kinda funny but lots of fun!

Just a sports thought for all of you who like college football, the starting quarterback (at least I have been told) for Stanford, his name is Dallas LLoyd. He also served in my mission, in fact his last pday we went sand boarding together. Somebody has to tell me when you see his name on the ESPN screen! Send me a picture or something, cause thats cool! haha 

Then the COOLEST part of the week, we were going to visit some future investigators and I said " Why dont we change that and go by Alex y Silvia?" and so we did and they werent home. but their cousin who is staying with them is. And he was 19 with 3 piercings in each ear and hair that was of its own type. So we got to know him and then just explained the book of mormon a little, and asked him how he felt. He was studying when we got there and he told us " Well actually I have been a little stressed this week, I was fighting with my mom, and I have a test tomorrow and its just been wild. And usually I NEVER let people like you in, but I thought maybe this time. Its like you came right what I needed it most." IT WAS SO AWESOME!!!!!!! He is going on vacations today but we got his phone number and left him with a book and we will be contacting him once he gets back. He is so awesome and afterwards when we were leaving he said "I am going to have to tell my friends that this works!" Like listening to the word of God works. It was impresionante, errr impacting. I LOVE THIS WORK!!! We really DO NOT know who is ready to receive this gospel! So dont you dare think you can see if they will or wont!

I lied, there was one more SUPER awesome part! After sharing with a joven who is getting ready to leave on a mission, and we had a great lesson with him! He is awesome! We were walking out and we past a mom and her daughter, Elder Young Took off and he had a phone call, but as we passed the mom and daughter, I felt SO STRONGLY that we should talk with her. The strongest I have felt about talking with someone! It was so cool! and so I gave them a card and bore my testimony. It was cold outside, but they stopped and listened. We asked if we could come another day, and she said yes and it was great! I loved it so much!

Well thats all that I got for this week! The family that I was working with last change is getting baptized today as well as a little boy that we found this change, but the other elderes are going to baptize him! WOO!!!!

Well its going great here! I love you all! Ope, for this week a good challenge would be to talk with someone you never have before when you are waiting in a line. Just be friendly and talk with them with a lot of patience! Les Amo!

Elder Marvin 

He's a little under the weather , the winter cold season is on

*SNEEZE*

Sorry, Im a little under the weather today, but all is well! haha Hows the hot states? I think we might be warming up again! Haha winter never got here, but there she goes! ( i think) haha

This was a pretty good week with lots to do and not enough time in the world! Tuesday we went over to Presidents home to talk about some specifics and it was pretty fun! Our first little get together with Elder Young, Presidente and I! haha We got through there and immediately afterwards, we had to go back to the office and play lots of catch up and well it was a long night in the office! Then on other days we had fun emergencies that kept us in the office as well! I think we were able to leave half the time this week! haha Sadly most of our investigators have been out and about, in other places for winter vacations and we have had WAY too many people in Viña Lately, I dont know where they all came from but they are all here now! haha We have talked with tons of people from other towns now and we are doing a really good job with talking with everyone eventhough we are on office runs and doing things for the mission, we just go with a book of mormon in hand and try to share with a lot of people as we are out! and by doing this I would say that we have sent off at least 10 good references! A few different families and so that makes me happy! haha

We also went into the other side of Viña and found a REALLY good new investigator! I was really excited as we shared with her she started by saying that she is apart of another religion but as we started to explain things she was intrigued because she said "most religions cant explain Gods plan very clearly." We testified that God is a God if Order and he doesnt want us confused" and then we shared wwith her family and sang her a song and then prayed and rolled out. It was great though! It is crazy how the gospel can really help anyone even when they think that they are already happy! I am excited and she said that she would come to church this sunday! So we are going to call her later and remind her!

We have also started with preparing for changes, and when we had our get together with president the other night he made a comment about how I have now been in the office the longest and it would be getting close to time for me to train someone new to come in, so I might be training this next change! but who knows! haha But it is weird to think I am the youngest in the office and will have the most time here! haha Its crazy to think 4 1/2 months have passed since I got here! haha  But I love my work here, and I tihnk from what i have learned here will really help me with my work outside the office afterwards! haha

Well Thats pretty much all the excitement for this week that I can think of! I hope that everyone is doing well and loving life! A little challenge for the week, call your parents and siblings and tell them that you love them! May be easy, may be hard, but tell ém like you mean it! I love you all!

Elder Marvin

¡Holi!

 

How is everyone doing? Are we all loving how cold it is?... o wait... are we all burning up? haha It was another pretty average week this week, however on Monday we went to gobernaciones to do the visa stuff with Elder Young, because last thursday we got there 20 minutes early and it was already LOADED with people! I couldnt believe it! and so we came back monday instead and we were still there until 1 pm! and we got there are 30 minutes before it opened! its because everyone from the northern hemisphere are here on their summer vacation and MAN! There are a ton of people here! It is a little crazy to drive in the streets! A colectivo (cheaper but crazier taxi) almost crashed into us the other day because it just jumped out of no where and OBVIOUSLY wasnt paying any attention.... some people. haha

 

Then wednesday we have a lesson with Pia, and she invited one of her friends to come with, her name is Joiner. and we shared a little about the restoration with them and it went realyl well! Joiner accepted a book of mormon and said she would like to share more! It was a great lesson and then afterwards she asked me "Are you from Brazil?" HAHA I got a good laugh and said "yeah, how did you know!?" She knew I was joking by then. It was pretty funny she said it just sounded like I have a brazillian accent! It was pretty cool! Now I can say some people think I am either from Brazil or Bolivia. 

 

I also got sent on a pesion hunt. I had to go through our records from 2010 to see if we were still in some of the same pensions as Salt lake has record of. That was fun, a good little game of hide and see! Good thing we have been organized with all the papers! I also got to throw out some old papers we dont need anymore! 

 

Then yesterday I went on an inerchange with one of our two brazillian missionaries in Las Torres. Its just on the outskirt of Viña and it went well! We visited his convert and a couple that are going to be baptized. It went really well! and the brazillian Elder is SUPER tall, like hits his head on door frames! but he has only been out 3 changes now, and so we had tons of fun! I love to see and hear about the gospel in all parts of the world! Its so great! 

 

How did the challenge go? Did you do it? Did anyone see any miracles? I am sure someone did, so please email me and tell me about it! Now this week, if you have not done last weeks challenge, DO IT! As for this week, when you are out in the public, smile at EVERYONE you pass! They will wonder why you are so happy. And when the moment comes, tell them how the gospel of Jesus Christ blesses you, and for that reason you will wear your sincere smile! =D 

 

"Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not achieve." This is the work of God. I know it to be true. I love you all! 

 

Elder Marvin  

semana 3 cambio 7‏

Holi holi holi! I just want to start with saying I had THE GREATEST birthday baptism in the world! All went well last saturday, we got President Gillespie out and President Kähnlein in! It was a bitter sweet moment because they are both jut the bestest families in the whole world! I was holding strong until Hermana Gillespie said goodbye to me. Dang it. haha Then we got the baptism ready and well the star was running late, but then she got there and all went well! Afterwards we were cleaning up and about to leave when Pia, the girl who was baptized, and her friend came running over and Pia said "I almost forgot to tell you, Happy birthday!" It was the coolest thing ever! haha

Then Sunday I had the privledge to confirm the gift of the Holy Ghost to her and it was my first time! I wasnt too nervous, and it all went well. It was probably the quitest I have ever heard that chapel get, but I felt the spirit so strongly and Pia said she did too. It was awesome. 

Then Monday we got to know the President a little bit better, and we explained all of our many duties to him. It was fun to sit and talk with him, although it is crazy because he is truly just learning it all as we go! He is so humble and awesome and his wife is so professional and I just love them all! haha Then I had to finish paying all the rents and buying some bus tickets for the zone leader counsel.  

On 3 de Julio I was just doing my regular when we got home, and I went and prayed and when I got done, I was about to climb in bed when Elder Petersen called me into the living room. So I went and as I entered they were all there and dancing with a "feliz cumpleaños" banner and a cake with "20" candles. So they all sang and it was just a great little surprise! haha It was pretty awesome! Then they wanted me to bite the cake and I knew that they were going to shove it in my face, but I didnt care! So I decided what I usually do, "go big or go home" and well you could say I was definitely wearing it with a little help from Elder Petersen and Elder Arredondo! haha It was great! haha Then we ate chocolate cake and went off to bed. 

My 4th of July wasnt anything special, although I saved a bank telleres job when he made a $700 mistake and I totally saved him. It was really interesting how it all happened, he just thought he had received more money than I really gave him. I am sure he would have had to pay it if I hadnt gone back that same day, and its likely he could have lost his job, just like that. And I have worked with him quite a few times, and for the first time I saw him smile and the look of being truly sincere was SO DEEP when he said "gracias". It was powerful and left me speechless, definitely not something I will forget! 

 Thursday we were left preparing for consejo and that was ALL day long, and we even got back late. blegh. haha Then for consejo, we had a "asado" or bbq and it was a little crazy cause we had to go and buy all the food that morning as well as go and get one more bbq to cook on. But we got it all done and just in time and it just all turned out great! Then in the night with some of the hot coals that were still going, we roasted marsh mellows! haha Awesomeness! 

Then today for pday we played basketball and I loved it! I wish we could do that every morning for our exercise! I got a lot of good exercise in and it was great! Its also a lot of fun because Elder Young and Elder Petersen played before and so it is a battle and no one wins too easily! haha Then we went to an 8 year old baptism and we had some investigators there and it went great! It was a great baptism all together and then we had a great coordinacion misional and our ward mission leader is just AWESOME!!! I love how excited he is about the work! So tip to all members: BE EXCITED about this work! I know it is true, and I have seen and felt the difference that it makes in the lives of many!

Thats how my week went, how was yours? Was the rodeo good? I didnt even remember I was missing that until someone said they went.... haha Its a little "chile" here, but not too cold! ;) haha (Thats for you briggs!) Well I love you all! and well, lets throw a challenge in here for the week, it has been too long:

    

   -Who do you know that is going through some rough times right now? Take 60 seconds, think of them (whether it be 1 or 100), give them a call and tell them that you love them. Tell them how important they are, because I promise you they are waiting right now for your phone call. 

I know this is the true church, I feel it everyday. I know that Jesus Christ came and died for us, and that through his actions we can live as a family for time and all eternities. I love you all, now GO AND DO that which you should!

Les amo!

Elder Marvin 

His birthday cake

Dont know what this is but that's just Bryce

 Pia's baptisem

Pia's baptisem

President and SisterKauhlien their family and the office staff