Today is Bryce's 20th birthday!!

Holi holi holi!

What a week, I cannot believe how much has passed this week! On sunday we had a fun day of cantacting and boy it was AWESOME!!!! The day was just going great and I think everyone we talked with was friendly! Talk about blessings! haha Then we saw a young couple with a little girl, and we approached them and the guy recognized us. Then he told us his name was Brigham and we did not believe it! Oh my! haha So we got to talking with him and he is menos activo and now he wants to come back to church, and I realized that they were in the same place as mike and bryton with a little girl and one of them was a member! So we talked with them and invited them to church this next sunday and they said that was just what they were thinking about. It was SO AWESOME! and they just got me all kinds of excited! It was awesome!

Then the rest of the week has been great too! We have been helping Pia to prepare for her baptism which is TODAY!!!!!!!! WOOOOOO!!!!!! And we are just so excited! She had her interview on wednesday and she feels great about it and is just excited for it as well! I just want to point out one thing. Basically ALL of the Young single adults have been a friend to her. They have said hello and greeted her with open arms and that has been the secret to why she progressed so fast! She feels comfortable in the environment and then she has gone and done her part so that she can feel the spirit when she reads and when she prays! Its SO AWESOME!!!!!

We also had a lesson with a mom who is reactivating and her daughters are not members (11 years old and 6 years old) and we talked about baptism with her and she said she wanted her daughters to be older and then we had a member with us who also waited and now she says she regrets it and it was SO POWERFUL!!! I loved it! haha And so now we are going to try and help her daughter preprare for baptism! wooo hoo!!!

We are working relly hard and we are also having lots to do in the office! Especially with President Kähnlein coming TODAY and so yesterday we were doing lots of cleaning and preparing and everything is looking great! We are only down to hours now and the day is just starting! Also, I woke up this morning with a sticky note on my clock. Good ole´elder Alarcón sent me on a scavenger hunt for my "present" it is was fun! he even used the scriptures! haha and he gave me some socks and candy! What a great Elder! He is king of making sure everyone is happy! He is going to be a FANTASTIC dad! wow! haha Well Crazy day, and crazy week!" Love you all! Happy birthday to my momma and Bryton! woo hooo! The best trio birthday in the world! haha Loves!

Elder Marvin

Change 7 week 1

Oh my my, what a first week of the change! You would expect the week of changes to be fun and just plenty to do, but I don´t think we were ready for what came! haha
First off all Sunday was a great day because I had an investigator in church for the first time in 4 1/2 months!!!! I was very excited for that! He is the husband of a member, and she is the only member in the family. So it was great t see him there and he even stayed for the first two hours! I guess way back when he had a lot of contact with the church, and so we are hoping that we can help him to come right on back!
Monday was a day loaded with running and buying everything we needed for changes, and it was a full day in the office. But all went well and I felt ready for the changes; I at least had everything that I needed! haha Although we were in the office a little bit later than usual, and so I didnt get into bed until about 11:30pm, and then tuesday morning I was up at 4 am (yup, 4 1/2 hours of sleep) getting ready and leaving so that we could bring all the dying elderes y hermanas and pick up the newbies! We left at 4:45am and oh ya. Monday night I was doing all the online check ins and paying for all the luggage, but I maxed out my daily transactions, and so tuesday right when we got there I had to finish signing in everyone, but I got it all done. Then we gave everyone their boarding passes and all was well. We loaded up and then when we climbed in the van, the two hermanas that are going home were in there. Guess they are going with us! haha But it was good because I knew both of them from two different zones, and they are great hermanas! They always worked really hard and had a lot of success! Then we got to the temple/MTC in Santiago, unloaded bags and we went to greet the new missionaries first (Elder Young and I, oh yeah, Elder Young is my new companion. He is from Utah/Conneticut, and is the new secretary.) and I got so excited! It was awesome to be with them on their first day and just to be excited with them! I loved it! haha So we got them all loaded, and headed over to the airport to get the gringos! (I was driving now, and it was kinda crazy following president through all the traffic, but we got there! haha) =D We had to wait at the airport for an hour for them to get through customs and all that fun stuff, but they finally got here! They couldnt believe that I understand everything only after 10 months and it was just fun to be there with them because it helps me remember how we really dont know the language when we get here! haha Its great! So then I drove the van back to Viña and we stopped at the flower clock to help them there, adn then to the office to get everything ready as they try and fin their way! Then they all showed up and we went through the devotional and all the orientation and everything. It went really well, and it is always fun! Then for a change (oh yeah, this change the mission home is under construction, so we did this all in the institute building!) we had lunch WITH the trainers, but no one knew who was going to be their companion. And Elder Stringham, one of my companions from the MTC is training and the other cool part, IN PEÑA BLANCA!!!!!! I was very excited for him! and then we had our empanadas as usual and then the trainers got told who was their kid and they had their "talk with everyone to find your companion" game, and Elder Stringham has the only Hawaiian in the mission, and he is like 2 times the size of Elder Stringham! haha But I was way excited for them!
Then the fun was only starting! We got all the change stuff taken care of and all was calm, until we got a call "Hey, they said you didnt pay for the bags" WHAT!?!? So I call up delta and I ask them what is the deal and they say that they are sure that we didnt pay because they didnt have anything on record for them, So I sent one confirmation number and the lady that was so sure she was right hung up on me... and all was well! haha Then we had more fun adventures to through out the day just kinda like that, but it was all great! haha
Then we had some emergency changes that I had to buy bus tickets for on thursday. and we were in the office all day. (actually I think we taught, but we taught here in the office! haha) Then we are doing lots to prepare for President Kahnlein, and we are trying to just have a smooth transition, but all is well! We had our breakfast with President and Hermana Gillespie on monday morning too, and that was great as usual! haha
Oh, and last of all I got to teach one of my new investigators that is GOLDEN!!!! Elder Young was off on medical stuff, but she showed up to the office with her friend and said she couldnt come tomorrow for a cita, and wanted to know if we had time today. So I said "YA! Im actually one of your new missionaries!" haha so I stole Elder Dipaz (oh yeah, he is also in the office now. The same Elder Dipaz from Peña Blanca! Its pretty great! Elder Alarcón is training him.) and we shared with her and she was just golden on everything so I asked if she was preparing for a baptism and she said ya, I think it will be this weekend or next weekend! So I said well lets go over the interview questions so that all is good! and we shared that and all is just perfect and so I put the date for next weekend so she can feel all ready and everything. The cool part is THATS My birthDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOO!!!!! So we are going to help her prepare for that, and we also have to plan very well cause thats the same day we get a new president, and send President Gillespie home. So it will have to be organized and just ready to roll!
So as you can see I am VERY excited for that! A birthday baptism would be THE BEST!!!!!! and everything else is crazy as always, I am also in the process of renting two new pensions... I actually have to go visit one in a little bit. And preparing for the end of this month.... crap I got a ton to do still! haha! Loves to everyone! Its great here!
Elder Marvin

Hola hola hola a todos! This has been another big aand fun week with some great memories! The assistents went to the north and I had to give them soem cash, but my cash flow was on the low side. Luckily I had enough that I could give them and then I started to do a reimbursement! I also went through and did a bunch of reimbursements so that I could get it down lower so that I could pull out more. I knew that I would have some future payments to make as well, but I knew that I could do it all! But it was the lowest that I think maybe the cash flow has gotten! haha It was kinda fun! I also went through and this special paper that was so hard to find last week, well turns out I got the wrong stuff last week and I had to go get it changed again! haha but now we are all well and we are ready to give all the necessary stuff to the misionaries who are going home. We also had to get ready for President Gillespies last conferences this week. They all went so well! I heard in the North they presented the plack that we all put in to buy for him and it turned out great! Hermana Gillespie was still teary eyed about it in the last conference. Wednesday Elder Young and I got to go shopping with Hermana Gillespie so that we can know what to do for the conference food once the Kahnlein family gets here. That actually was kinda fun! Its crazy to have to buy 2 carts worth of food, but it was fun, and in the end Hermana Gillespie said that we could both pick out a treat! haha Made me think of shopping with grandma marvin as a kid! We always got treats then too! haha Then friday we had our last conference with president and it all went well! It was a pretty short conference, but in the end he went through personally said goodbye with his wife to every single one of the missionaries. That was really cool! And when they were giving their talks and everything it was really carzy! He gave a small bio on the new president and they showed us a picture of their family. Their two oldest boys are the age of Brody and Briggs and then they have 2 more little ones that are younger. And as hard as it is to think that they will have to replace the gillespies, I couldn´t help but think "Man, they are a happy family." It was a really cool moment and to think that I will be losing one of the best mission presidents and receiving another one all on my birthday! Happy birthday to me! haha It was awesome! Then this morning we took a hand saw and we went and did service for one of our investigators. It was a long job because we had to cut aoubt 10 ft with a hand saw and its hard to stay straight with that, but it all went well! haha Oh, and yesterday I got my birthday package and also 3 letters all at the same time! haha It was an awesome early birthday for me! haha ya, I didnt wait... but igual! haha I was too excited after reading the letters and my box was wet too, so I had to make sure that all would be well with what was inside! and I must admit, I was confused seeing a camoflage hat on top. I dont wear hats that often... then I realized it says "Redhead" on the front and it all clicked into place! ;P hehe What a great hat! haha Thanks to everyone, and remember to send some love to all your dads! I LOVE YOU DAD!!! Loves to all, Elder Marvin

Semana 5 Cambio 6‏

Wowzerz, what a week! I feel like so much has happened and it has only been a few days! SO CRAZY! Last Monday I was trying to get a hold of some ink for the secretaries and also some special papers, and they needed to get them by wednesday this week, but NO ONE HAD OPALINA PAPER!!!! It was not the greatest thing, but I jsut kept searching. On the plus side, on monday we ate at the chinese place for lunch and it had pretty good food! I had "chap sui de carne" and it was cheap and good! I was pleased! haha Tuesday was a very funny day, starting with our morning devotional. It was english day (as Hermana Francis chooses one day a week to do in English since she doesnt speak spanish) and I got asked to say the prayer. I don´t know how, but I have somehow avoided prayers and devotionals in english this whole time I have been in the office and I can´t pray very well in english. It felt a little weird, and I think I said things a little funny; it has been 10 months since I prayed in English the last time. Maybe I should practice... nah! haha It was funny though, I think Elder Alarcón prays better in English! Then later in the day, we got a secret mission to go somewhere where missionaries should never go... FACEBOOK!!!! haha Hermana Gillespie wanted us to look for a mission group that they had created because they made it but weren´t sure what they called it. And Elder Young nor Elder Greer could remember their passwords, so I got to sign onto my facebook! haha Although it was weird seeing DeRiahs engagement pictures and how much facebook has changed, I also realized my profile picture is still from Prom Senior Year.... a year ago! haha But you all already know that, huh? All we did was search for the group, and we kinda failed.. we couldn´t find the mission group, but we found President Gillespies page (and that turned out to be what they were talking about afterall), and I sent a friend request because he had high security on his page, and we thought maybe the group was hidden on his page, but then they said "ohh yeah, that is all it is!" So not to brag or anything, but my mission president is already my friend on facebook! OH YEAH!!! haha Oh, and my mom got online while we were there, that was kinda funny to see! And then we got back to work. Wednesday we had a really good training in the morning (except I only could go to one part and afterwards I had to go to the bank, and missed my interview with president.... luckily we can do it another day.) Then after lunch Elder Richards from the Area Seventy of Chile came and gave the coast and interior areas a special conference and WOW!!!! He is "puro poder!" He told us how we need to talk less and let the spirit teach more! It was purely awesome and the spirit was so strong the whole time!!! I LOVED IT!!!!!!! And we all got to shake hands with him and his wife too! They also said how lucky we are to have President Gillespie and his wife and that we will love the next president and his wife just as much! It was just a super great conference and now I want to go teach that much more and BETTER! It was awesome! Thursday was regular and then at night we had a really good Noche de Hogar (FHE) with Hermano Zaneta, a really great member here in Viña Centro and he was telling us that we need to just follow the spirit more. He also gave me probably the best compliment that I have heard here in Chile. He said "I can tell you are from a farm. You are humble, yet strong. Your family live on a farm, right?" and it kinda blew my mind that he could tell all that. I am glad that I haven´t changed where I came from. I love Vale and all it has done for me! Then Friday was a pretty regular day with a surprise shopping trip with the Francis couple. I learned Elder Francis is so much like Grandpa Hiatt. We go to buy things, and everything has to be his way, cause he knows best. And when we needed to buy a drill bit, he wanted to buy a wet stone to sharpen it. ugh... but at least it keeps him busy! haha We were out and about for probably 2-3 hours, but at least it all went well, and I found the printer inks and paper that we needed! Hurray! It was just a full week and I loved it all! I cannot believe either that we are going into the last week of the change, and then we are going to be down to DAYS with President Gillespie! AHH! and changes are going to be here before I know it, and there is still lots that I need to do! haha But all is well, I love the work! It has started getting cold down here, but all is well! Hows everyone back home? Have you all made a "I´m a Mormon" profile yet? haha well I love you all! CUIDENSE! Elder Marvin

Why hello again, all I have to say is, this was a full week in the office. Chao. hahaha Just kidding, but really it was everyday, all day in the office getting ready for the zone counsel that we had yesterday. We had to get tickets bought, had to make sure all the papers were printed, all the graphs ready, all the everything coordinated, I had to take Presidents car to the mechanics, and I also worked on graphs for the new president some more. My favorite part was taking presidents car to the mechanics because he just has a nice 4-runner and it is just awesome to be able to say that I have driven presidents car, because not even the assistents can say they have done that! Oh yeah! haha I also went through and cleaned out my computer, reorganized my desk, and gave things a new fun look! It was great! I can not believe how dirty it can get here though, so it was nice to get everything cleaned again! I don´t know if I said anything last week, but I got my haircut and as the chileans say I changed my "luk". haha Just a random thought. I also went through and got all the rent paid for the month and now everyone should be happy. Also, I made posters for some pensions so that they remember to ask to the utilities in the pensions that they need to. Hopefully now I wont get any last minute phone calls on forclosing houses or people who want to drill holes in the streets. I really dont have much more than that. We are going to a baptism in Quilpue today; one of my companions old investigators, so we willl be leaving in a little for that. Crazy how fast flies the time! Well everyone have a fantastic week! Love you all, stay true and dont forget to pray! Elder Marvin