La Ligua semana 24‏

And so it comes, the oh so sad day when they tell me that my time has come. Thats right, you guessed it. "Se va de La Ligua". Or so they say. Its actually quite interesting the whole situation and I am still rather confused. But lets start with the week.

 This week we did everything that we could so that Tommy could have his baptism. We taught him everything he needed to know, and it as tons of fun! We had to teach him in a very special way. When they say "teach people not lessons, its true! For tommy, we have to be crazy and funny and then test him on everything! He likes to pull the shy guy "i dont know" but he does. jaja It was fun! And so wednesday we had his interview and he passed! WOO HOO!!! and we had him planned for a sunday baptism so that more members could be there. 

Saturday we got it all ready and we cleaned the pila and we even made sure he had clothes that would work! and then on Sunday by miracle, they got there early and there was just no problems with the whole baptism! Not a single one! Can you believe that? What a blessing!!! jaja And the spirit was way strong and his mom shared her testimony and it was just absolutely perfect!!! I loved it!! So it was a good way to have my last sunday there in La Ligua. 

So as you can say, we got called on saturday and our zone leaders said that I am going and Elder Rhoton is staying. As for some miracles that we were able to see, saturday we shared with Brian, the young man who got baptized almost a year ago and helps us out A TON!!! and his dad come in. His dad is going through a lot of trials, but he says he wants the peace. SO we had to leave, but we felt very strongly to invite him to church. He said he didnt have the energy to do that ,but if he felt different in the morning he would come. Then Brian got to church early the next day, but he was alone. So he sat with us after he blessed the sacrament and all of a sudden, I look at the door, and Jorge, his dad came in! He made it all the way to the church alone!!! We were so excited! When Elder Rhoton told Brian that his dad was there, Brian said "Elder, I dont believe you." Elder Rhoton insisted that he looked and then was just very very happy. It was an awesome moment and Jorge later said he felt very good in there for his first time. WAY AWESOME!!! 

So last night we also got a phone call about 3 minutes before "bed time" and it was the assistents to the president. They asked to speak with Elder Rhoton and he went to another room, but he had it in speakerphone. so I listened from my bed as Elder Ascanio said that Presidente Kähnlein wanted him to be a trainer this next change. and excited he accepted and then was somewhat calm. Then as we walked over to the bedroom I gave him a good congrats "WOOO HOOO!!!!!!!"""" jaja it was awesome! I was so excited for Elder Rhoton. 

Then we said a prayer to go to bed, and I was saying my personal prayer, when the phone rang again. and again, the assistents. This time they wanted to talk to me, so Elder Rhoton passed me the phone and Elder Ascanio gave me the "you know why I am calling, right?" jaja I didnt know! So I said "surprise me!" jaja and he said Presidente also would like you to train this change that comes, do you accept?" and I asked "can I pray about it?" In response he said "YOU ACCEPT!!!!!" jajaja So it looks like my time has come to do a little new missionary training. Its about time! ;) jk I am WAY excited though! and I cant wait to help whoever it may be! Althouh, it made me wonder, because they want to put 2 more missionaries in La Ligua, so by saying that I was "leaving" la ligua, did they mean leaving that pension and going to the other one? Or am I going to open a new area with a new missionary? That I do not know, and sadly you will all have to wait until next time to read about that one! 

So thats my exciting-ness for the week! I am loving the mission! I love this area so I REALLY hope I am just going to the other house!!! jaja But we will see! I am so grateful for the spirit that truly does help us to know when and where and what to say to our bretheren who are looking for the truth! I hope that everyone can take the time to try and receive some guidance from the spirit, and if you havent received it yet, I invite you to ask the missionaries about it. "Ask the missionaries, they can help you!" -Elder Nelson

Les quiero MUCHÍSIMO!! Chao

Elder Marvin

La Ligua semana 23‏

Hello again a todos!!! Its been a great week here in La Ligua. Yesterday while I was sitting in church, I just sat back and reflected on all my time and all the great battles and things I have learned here in La Ligua and i just LOVE this place! Now when I hear "theres no place like home" home falls right here. This branch is just the best branch in the entire world! Love my ligua!!! 

First of all I want to give a BIG BRITHDAY SHOUTOUT to the best father in the ENTIRE WORLLLLLDDDD!!!!! Love ya dad, just dont get too old now, alright? ;) 

So this week I got a couple different boxes and letters!!! I got a sweet valentires box, and also a box with the triple combinations I bought for converts! The ones I ordered the day of general conference... and they JUST NOW got here. jaja oh well. I was in Quillota for the inerchange with Elder Cabrera. We had a great day and at the end, well, it was his birthday and the last home we went to they had a cake. and well, it was a fun little way to end his birthday!! 

Miercoles we had a zone meeting and it actually went really well as well!! We were happy with the outcome! Although, we got out of there late, our bus took extra long in the Calera terminal, and then the whole day we were running behind! jaja Thats life though! You know, before the mission I was really good about being on time, but now, here in Chile, no one takes time very seriously and we just fight to try and stay on schedule so we can make our many visits! jaja 

Last fun thought, we had lunch with the new familia in our branch and we got there when they were cooking, and well, the little girl, Anita, was preparing dessert, so I asked if I could help. She accepted and after a few minutes we became the best of friends! and then her brother too! OH I love those little kids! They were shy last time, but now they love us! I just love that familia because they live, and understand the gospel and are just way awesome!!! I love it!!! 

Also, this week in my studies, I did an activity from "Predicar mi evangelio" and as I looked at the options of scriptures I could read I thought " well I know what these all talk about, so we will go with the one in Moroni." So I read what it said to read, but it was NOT what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be about charity and loving one another but it went into faith and miracles. And as I read it, it was a humbling experience, but not in a bad way. I really liked it and the spirit was very strong. I know that my faith could be A LOT stronger, and the answer was right there. Clear as day. I invite you all to read it.  Moroni 7:32-43. Read it and think how you can apply it to your own life and your own families. 

I know that this gospel is true. I know tht Jesus guides us even to this day through a living prophet who loves every single one of us. I know that this life isnt easy, but its worth it. and I know the key to happiness is found through obedience to our Heavenly father. Mosiah 2: 22-24, 41.

I love you all and I hope that everyone is just loving life! Keep on serving others and all your cares and worries will blow away!!! Cuidense!! 

Elder Marvin =D

La Ligua semana 21‏ sorry I forgot to post this last week

¡¡¡Hola mis amados!!!

 

Just another week come and gone. This week was a little more trying. We tried to get some good progress rolling, and well we were not able to see many of the investigators very much this week. Then when sunday rolled around, obviously it was a little drier.But thats alright, we just gotta pick up the shovel and get to work!!

 

We started with the NDH last monday that we had quite a few people show up to! It was fun and we just watched "the testaments" and had some muddy buddies! jaja Everyone loves those!!! jaja We also were able to get some of our visiting teaching done before the month ended. We had been trying to get it done and finally right at the end of the month got it organized with our companions. We will definitely get it done sooner this next month!!

 

I also got to know a new family that just moved here from Agua Santa, right outside Viña, and they are SO GREAT!!! I have come to love them a ton already! Its awesome!! I was talking with the hermano about his work and life and he was just full of advice and I just sucked it all in!!! jaja It was awesome!!!

 

Sabado we got to go to Papudo for lunch and we ate with their visiting familia from Santiago. The hermano was a returned missionary so we had a great talk there and we even got us a reference before we left! Thats what missionaries really love!!! When the members are excited and help with this work!!! I love it!! jaja

 

Lastly, Viernes was a fun day as well because we got to eat delicious pastel de choclo (corn casserole) and huma (tamales)!!! and then in the night we had a ward mission activity: noche de talentos (talent night!!) And it was a little slow to get started, but then we started getting everyone into it! We also asked the branch Presidente Gallardo to bring his laptop so we could have some karaoke for just in case! It turned out really well with probably 20-30 people there! Annais did a cool arabic dance! Elder Rhoton and I did a marshmellow catching (throwing them long distances and catching them in your mouth!) and then later we danced! jaja I think they enjoyed it! It was a lot of fun!! It was the biggest highlight of the week! jaja 

 

 So just another week in the mission, right? jaja I had a great time! although we do need to see our investigators a little more. There are LOTS that want and can be baptized shortly, we just need to be there to help them progress!! Just like all of us. This week, I want to ask everyone to think of someone, member or not, to give a little visit. Tell them that you love them and try and look for a way to serve them. I am sure we all know of someone, as strong as they may be, who would love a visit from one of their brothers or sisters.

 

I love you all and I just want to say happy febrero!!! Cuidense!!!

 

Elder Marvin =D

La Ligua semana 22‏

Here we go again. We had another week of funness and we were able to go and visit a lot of our investigators, but they dont come to church!!! BLEGH!!! The ones that dont really want to progress much (or we dont have time) come and the others are not coming.... well I guess we just gotta pray a little harder. Its interesting how that works sometimes right? jaja

Our district meeting was a little rough as well. The other elderes are a little disanimated (unexcited) and so we are trying to help them while at the same time get everything together for us here in La Ligua. but like a wise man once said "whether you think you can, or you think you can´t, you are absolutely right." -Henry Ford. SO it really does all come down to faith!! and more than just believing but doing what is necessary to accomplish that which you believe!!! 

Sabado (saturday) we had a service for a couple that are in the branch here. We spent 4 hours scraping paint off their fence. It was great... the first hour.... ;) jeje No it wasnt that bad, but I dont think it was necessary to scrape every sing bit of paint off. Some was still connected really well, but what do I know. Oh well, good learning experience, right? 

We also found a less active familia that we havent visited since the beginning of diciembre. It was WAY cool! They remembered me and said " I thought you were long gone!" and we sang them a song and tried to get them excited about church again! It was great to see that they werent doing too bad, just a little lazy about waking up for church in the morning. *quack*

Domingo I also heard a saying that I really liked. "in a conversation of differences (or an arguement), no one must speak louder than the spirit." I really liked how true that is. No one wins if things get out of hand. However, it is important that there is communication. In all relationships we must all be happy what we are doing and not only do it because our partner thinks its good. I KNOW that without good communication things will not work out, so that is my only thing that I ask of you all. Be in control, but express yourselves!! Also, I had the gospel principles class this week. I got called saturday night, and Elder Rhoton had the Elderes Quorum class. So we just taught all day long!!! 

Well thats all that I got for this week! I love you all and I hope that in this time of Valentines day we can express our love for those we care about, and then go and give some to someone in need! I love you all!! 

Elder Marvin =D