I was just thinking about where I was a year ago: helping with setting up the pumpkin, watching old timey halloween movies that grammie sent us, helping the family pass out candy in the front yard. Ahh good times lol. It seems as if nobody is that festive here I havent seen any decorations or anything except in the grocery stores and I saw one kid walking around with a hat that looks like a knife through his head. Other than that its like any other time of the year. I found out recently that chile just recently adopted the northamerican tradition of passing out candy within the past five years. Another effect of globalization. I asked people what they did before this tradition was adopted and they said nothing, it was just another day.

I figured I would ask dad how it was when he was serving in Vina del Mar. What did they do for halloween? Did they celebrate it? I have another question: whats a filmina? Ive been meeting with several members who served around here in south america during the late seventies and early eighties. Most of the people here in chile served in other parts of chile and I got to talk to an Hermano Araya who also served in Vina del Mar I forgot what year he said, I think 80 and 82 or something. It was pretty cool I showed him the token of the vina del mar mission that dad gave me. He was like oh yea I remember this and he started reminescing. He said that they had to memorize the charlas and they had a flipchart with pictures for each principle. He said they used something called a filmina which beeped every two minutes or something which meant they had to move on to the next principle. Is that true? hahaha. that must have sucked.

Needless to say the mission is a lot different now. There are principles that we have to teach but we can do it whatever order and spend as much time as we want on it. Sometimes we teach just one principle at a time each lesson. It all depends on the spirit and the trust of the investigator. At the same time it leaves a lot on us to be able to teach clearly simply and powerfully. Ive spent some tears as well thinking I was completely inadequate at it.. Ive come to the conclusion that its part of the missionary experience. It comes with practice and time.

This week was pretty interesting. We were blessed to come back into contact with Alexander who we had to stop teaching because he was working to much. He told us that he has more time now, he also told us that he is basically ready to be baptized. Its strange with him. He overanalyzes his doubts. Hes like, knowledge wise Im ready, Im also there spiritually, emotionally Im almost there and I still need to progress in my comitment. It didnt get it. Than my companion was like so will you be baptized and he said yea of course, but I want to do it on a wednesday. The bishop is against doing it on a wednesday. Were going to have to see what happens.

Were also teachng a guy named Javier. We talked to him in the street hand he said yea come over. Hes really interested. He recognizes that he needs to make changes in his life and he accepted the baptismal invitation in the second lesson. He needs to get married first though:/

This sector is progressing a lot. Its really a blessing to see the people here progress. This week will be filled with baptismal invitations. Im excited.

Have a great week.

Jeremy