La Serena 13

Well... Ive ran out of ways to start these letters....

jaja

So we had changes this week and well...I guess thats not completely correct. We called tuesday morning to ask about the changes because we needed to let the zone know if they were going south or not, and well at first we werent going to be told, but then later in the day the assistants called and let us know, and as I listened to the phone call, I realized that that hadnt said that Elder Holmes nor I was leaving. We completed another 6 weeks, however I did not Leave La Serena, nor did I change companion!!! jaja Elder Holmes and I stayed together again!!! jaja So for the first time in my mission I am going to have four and a half months with one elder! Woo hoo! What father could be more happy to stay with his hijito! ;) 

So we werent able to get too many lessons in this week because the first 3 days we were working in our trio on the other side of our ward! But we were able to teach some. Sadly, sunday didnt turn out as we would hope either, we didnt have any investigators in church. Turns out Ricardo hurt his knee and couldnt make it either. darn.

So also, turns out I am staying as district leader and more than half my district is new! So our first meeting we did a little "getting to know you" and a few cool facts: Elder Wilson (my MTC comp) is now with Elder Lopez in Vicuña, and we got two more elderes in our zone, elder Stacey and Elder Mickelson. Elder Stacey also came with me. For our Hermanas, Hermana Smith is still in our district, training a 3rd time! and her new companion is from Washington! I later was informed however that Vicuña was not going to be in our district! NOOO!!! Kinda sad, I was STOKED for the interchanges I would have with Elder Wilson! but I will see him in the Zone meeting at least. jaja 

We also have found some REALLY good future investigators! We hope that they will progress right along! And we have also found some new less active people, and we are hoping to help all of them to keep progressing. 

Thats pretty much how the week went with us... oh but one quick spiritual experience. So we shared with this young less active girl. She said as a kid she always felt close to God, and now she doesnt. She really wants to feel that way again and so she started to read and pray her book of mormon and JUSTO, we arrived when she said she needed us most. It was a very spiritual moment. She said she knows what she has to do and just really wants more than anything to have the guidance again in her life. It was awesome!!! Then we went to a cita with a less active lady who told us the SAME thing. She said "I knew that you were going to come. I felt like it was going to happen. So that was pretty cool! I love feeling like we are really doing what we are suppossed to and when others testify to it, it really helps me to feel that I am doing what I am suppossed to. 

I know that God leads us and impresses us to do His will, and I know that without it we could not complete with His grand plan. I hope that everyone can feel this week that they are really doing what God expects of them. I love you all!! 

Elder Marvin

La Serena semana 12‏

Can you believe that Elder Holmes training ended...just like that! Thats 3 months since he got here, and I feel like he just got here! Mi hijito es grande ya! *llorando lágrimas de felicidad*. jajaja Seriously though, I cant believe how time flies, nor how many blessings we have received! I remember about 6 weeks ago we were saying that we needed to pray for miracles and in these 6 weeks together, we have seen MANY miracles!!! 

First of, we were able to have the baptism of Tsuyoshi, and it was awesome! Also, Felipe from the other two elderes was baptized as well! So there was quite a few people there and it was all just awesome!!! We had all the clothes and they got there on time and it wasnt too stressful! jaja Thats a miracle in itself! jaja 

Also, sharing with Ricardo, he is SO AWESOME!!! He has told us his testimony, and he feels that everything is true! He has some small fears, but he knows that he needs to be baptized and he wants to do it. Now we just have to help him so that he doesnt feel scared to folllow through with his part! We are very excited for him .

      the funny side of things, Jueves we were walking over to lunch and we passed an englishman and he said " Los mormones, what can I do for ya sir?" in his thick accent, and Elder Holmes, with out missing a beat he replied "Get BAPTIZED, sir!" jaja It was quite hilarious!!! 

We also had a GREAT ward activity on friday, noche de postres (dessert night) and I made some 7 layer bars (oh were they GREAT!!!! jaja) and they actually were a pretty big hit! I had several different hermanas ask me how I made it because they didnt believe me that I had made it! jaja Thanks mom, I pass all the glory to you! ;) jeje 

Then Sabado we spent the day getting everything ready for the baptism and it all went well! We had all the white clothes and everyone got there on time. Tsuyoshi was happy and it was just awesome! I love when the familias can al be happy and excited for baptisms like that! And His older Brother was able to baptize him and I think I liked that most of all. To see two brothers in the baptismal waters together and that they can be sharing that spiritual moment together! jaja 

Then Sunday Elder Hancock had finished up his last day, and he left. Leaving elder Hales with Elder Holmes and I together! jaja So we are going to be in a trio until we have changes! It will most likely be like this until thursday morning! jaja But we are going to have a ball! Great Elderes, and the best mission, I love this life! jaja 

I hope that everyone is just loving this time! Felicitaciones to everyone who just graduated and I hope that the future brings you many great things! Always remember your prayers, and to read the book of mormon. I promise that it will be your anchor for when times get rough! I love you all!!! 

Elder Marvin

La Serena semana 11‏

So, who likes surprises? I love surprises... but the good ones. jaja And well this week had a good surprise.

So martes, we had a lesson with la familia Carrasco y el hermano told us that he could be leaving any day for his work. He is currently looking and he said that they can call him up to a mine any day and he would have to go. So I thought "NO!!!" So we explained our concerns with the zone leaders because they had only attended church twice and they have to attend at least 3 times to get baptized, but they talked with Presidente Kähnlein and he gave us the "ok". I was surprised! I have never gotten that permission before! jaja So We talked with the familia and told them that we wanted to help them be ready, and they said they wanted to do it! So we prepared them and on jueves they had their interviews. And everything went well!! They all passed! WOO!!!!! 

So Elder Hales told us before the interview "if they arent going to be ready, we dont want to baptize them, but if they are ready then lets do this." So I thought about it a lot! We studied lots for them this week and when we went over the baptismal questions, they had no problems. zilch. nada. and the spirit was so strong. The next morning I was thinking about them a lot, and I read Alma 32:15-16. And I realized THAT EXPLAINS THEM!!! They have truly felt their faith be tried, and they have chosen this path because they want thier family to have this happiness. 

Then Sabado they got to the baptism and Nicolas (13 year old son) wasnt there... So I asked and they said " We cant find him. He went to the park to play and disappeared." So in a nervous laugh, I say "Well, Hma Natalia can get ready and Carlos, just go and look for him." So we all got ready, a little behind on time, but not too bad. About 20 minutes later, they showed up and everyone got dressed. We took our pictures with everyone in white and it was SO COOL!!!! 9 people in White! Two families got baptized that night. and the spirit was just radiant. It was awesome! And I remember this very calming feeling come over me as I looked at both families that were baptized, and I just felt that they were all going to stay active! It was amazing! I truly do feel like they will become a great part of this ward!!! 

So we were blessed with those three baptisms this week. It was truly a miracle! I loved it!!! And on sunday I was able to sykpe the fam. All is well there, they were awesome!! I love my familia, I dont know what I did right in the pre-existence to get blessed so well! ;) 

 Happy mothers day to all those great moms out there!!! And for everyone else finishing up their classes around this time, finish strong. 

"Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 

until the good is better, and the better is best."

Les quiero!! 

Elder Marvin =D

La Serena semana 10‏

Well we had another wonderful week here in La Serena! I thought we were going to start getting cold, but this week it was HOT!! Yuck, I want my winter... jaja Oh well, thats life! jaja

This week there wasnt anything too crazy! We had interchanges on wednesday and I was with a Chilean Elder, Elder Araya. We had a good time and I think we both learned lots! jaja He has been in the mission a change longer than me, but I learned he has lots of hidden secrets. For example:He playes guitar WELL! While with a familia, he picked it up and played a hymn and lest just say I really wish I knew how to play! He made it look so easy! jaja Oh well. It was a really good way to bring the spirit there with an hermana who is pretty sick. She was very pleased with our visit and I felt good about the spirit we felt there. I love the power of music! jaja 

We also ate in the restaurant of a member this week! He is in the other ward that meets in our building, but when members want to help but they cant be home to cook, they send us there! My first time there, but it was good! Meat and potatoes! jaja 

Also, with Natalia, Carlos and Nicolas, we have been sharing lots with them and they are excited for their baptism! They came to church for their second time and they really like it! I love to see them and their excitement! And Nicolas even shared his testimony in the meeting! Awesome! 

We also went to a baptism saturday morning and it was VERY spiritual. The other two elderes had it planned and the guy that was baptized has really been trying to change his life. And right after he was baptized, he shared his conversion story and it was POWERFUL!!! I cried. Also, Hma Smith, she had taught him when she was in her other area, and she was able to come to the baptism as well, and it was just, wow. I LOVE how this gospel can help people SO MUCH!!! 

Lastly, sunday we were able to have lunch with the same hma we ate with last sunday! Although, her son is less active and her granddaughter isnt a member. So we shared with them again, but instead of getting overly excited, we just helped him to remember his old memories of the church and he loved it! and his daughter WANTS to come to church! So we invited them and they said they would come next week! YES!!! 

We also talked with an hermana who needs to get her boy baptized and she knows it, but she said its been hard. So we are going to help, so that his older brother can also start preparing for the mission and he can baptize him. Thats the plan! 

And from my studies this week, I was reading alma 32-33 this morning and it was GREAT!! You just gotta read it! For all of you who are saying "I have read Alma 32 before, talks about fe, I know..." read it together with 33. Then you will know. jaja 

Well I love you all!! Nos vemos!!! 

Elder Marvin =D

La Serena semana 9‏

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Yes, it was quite possibly one of the greatest weeks we had here in La Serena!!!! We have been praying hard and putting out all that we can and making sure that we are obedienteand God has blessed us! I am SO GRATEFUL!!!! 

On Martes (tuesday) we had a fun day of almost no lessons, that turned into 4 lessons that were great! We went and found Natalia in her house and we just talked with her for a minute and taught her a little about church. She said she would really try these last weeks, and this time she said "ok, I know that I need to go." and we invited her to be baptized and she accepted!!! She also was a little nervous, but her son was also excited to go. We invited him to go to mutual and he was excited for that! 

Then, wednesday, I had an interchange with Elder Lino out in VIcuña. We had a great day and taught a few different people! Although, it has been a little cold in La Serena and Vicuña was HOT! jaja Thats alright! We, back in La Serena, had a bautismal interview planned with Ricardo. Oh, tuesday night we had a NDH with him and an AWESOME familia that are basically his neighbors! He had a great time, and accepted to have his interview wednesday! WOO! So Elder Holmes told me that he passed! And he believes that everything is true, but he just wants to know a little more about the book of mormon before he is baptized. So i believe in a few weeks we will have his baptism! Thats the plan! jaja 

Thursday we also had a NDH with Natalia, and all her familia and we watched the restoration with them another great familia that lives near them! They felt the sincerity of the video and said that they really felt it was true. And then Carlos, the husband, was excited to go to Church because the hmo did and AWESOME job inviting them!!! And their kids became best friends and it was AWESOME!!!!! 

ALso, I had an interview with Presidente Kähnlein thursday and it went really well! He is so awesome and loving! Its awesome to work with him in this work of the Lord! I know that he is inspired to lead us and help us to become better everyday!!! 

saturday we shared with a less active familia whose daughter of 26 years told us how she really felt like she lacked the spirit in her life. We invited them to follow the commandments and to come to church. They are really good and her youngest son isnt baptized, so we hope to help them as well! great familia and spiritual lesson!!! 

Then, the test:sunday. We called to remind Natalia, and they were awake. There was also the hour change ("fall" back) but that should have helped. WE stood out in front waiting until the meeting started. and they didnt make it....NO!!!!!!!!! ..... that is until after the meeting started! THEY MADE IT!!! And they were prepared to stay all 3 hours and Nicolas had a ball at mutual, so he ran off with his friends to his class, and the little girl of the member familia took little martina, and we went with Natalia and Carlos to our class. They not only liked it, they participated! OH YES!!! and even for the 3rd hour, the members helped Natalia in the relief society. Sadly we had to run at the end with an hma for lunch, but we planned a lesson with them for that night. 

When we went by we asked what they thought, and they loved it! They said "I have never felt so welcomed and loved in any other place, nor church" They also said " they teach you in this church, not just talk and bore you to sleep" I was so impressed! Even the kids had a great time!!!! And just to make it all perfect, Natalia asked "The hermanas asked me when I was getting baptized,  when did you say we are planning on?" and I reminded her of the day and her husband said "and we can be baptized the same day right? Cause in the church they said its best to follow the church as a family" Oh.my.goodness. 

I know that this is the true church because I see how it changes the lives of so many! I know that God really does prepare some people to receive the gospel at any given moment. I know that sometimes we have to be like Ammon and the sons of mosiah and suffer through our afflictions patiently and God will bless us if we do. I love this gospel, I know this is the true church.

Lastly, I want EVERYONE to read Alma 26, and think how you can help this missionary wave. "catch the wave" 

I love you all! I love this awesome mission and I love this gospel!! 

Elder Marvin =D