Its weird to hear that Jacob is seeing snow. Im dying from heat down here in the south end of the world. It really makes it hard sometimes as for me the heat makes me sleepy. I have to fight myself to stay awake to work. It should just be another month and things should start to cool down.

53 hours of work is too much. I recently read a scripture in the book of mormon that says basically dont gather treasures in the earth but gather treasures in heaven. You got to slow down and enjoy the world. Im really one to talk Im basically supposed to be working 57 hours more or less every week. I guess its good to be grateful for the work.

Well this week was something unespected. We were a trio for a while. Elder Jenson was with us for a whole week and a half. President Essig called us on thursday to tell us that hes being changed to another sector. I guess something happened and there was a missionary left without a companion and so he had to send someone there. That trio didnt last very long. Ill miss elder Jenson, he is a great missionary and he had cool music.

Elder Lizama it turns out will be sticking around until the end of the change. The bad news is that he will have to return to Mexico for his surgery (although from the sound of his familys voice when he called to tell them its probably not really that bad of news for them). He will fly back home at the end of the change which is in about a month and he will be in recuperation for about a month and then he will return to finish his mission. President Essig gave him the option to be released from his calling as a missionary during his recuperation so that he doesnt have to live under the missionary norms while he is at home. He turned down the offer, he says he doesnt want to lose his focus, but from the way he talks about swimming pools and the girl he left, I can tell hes very tempted.
This change is looking like its going to be an awesome change. Four people are preparing to be baptized in February. These are people that are making their own efforts to prepare as well, Its awesome to be a part of this step in their lives. I will be writing some details about these people in the coming weeks.

I love you all very much and I hope yall have a great week.

Jeremy

This week was a good week. We have been taking advantage of being in a trio to go on splits a lot. Its a different experience being with a member without your companion, I was scared at first but everything went well. After seeing things go well, it kind of built my confidence up a little.

Elder Jenson is a great missionary, he really knows how to work and hes a great contribution to the companionship. He has spent a lot of time with some the leaders in the mission and is well experienced. Theres a missionary in the mission who is baptizing several people every week, while most missionaries ussualy have a baptism about once a month. He works in a different way and has caught the attention of the area seventy. The area president has asked that as many new missionaries as possible be paired with him after their first twelve weeks of training for an additional three week trainging with him to learn the way this missionary works. Elder Jenson was with him for three weeks and is sharing with us some of those ideas.

I tend to feel that he has a personality to similar to mine. He a great guy. Hes a little quiet, like me, but when he opens up you can feel that he has is kind and humble. I feel that were going to have a great change together.

I feel that the highlight of my week has been my studies. My studies of christlike attributes have always be rich and inspiring and I can feel that the lord is guiding me in my development of these attributes. This week I have been studying charity and humility. I feel that my relationships with investigators and members of the church are deeper and richer as I can feel the love the love that the lord has for these people. My prayers have also been enriched. As I fall on my knees after a lond day of work, I have found that my prayers are more conversations with the lord when before it was more robotic. They are truly spiritual experiences now than ever before.

Well thats all for now, I hope everyone is doing very well.

I love you all very much.

Jeremy.

Its good to hear about the things that are happening, Even if it was a quiet week. Thats the thing I miss is having a quiet week, spending it without having too many cares. Things are always marching in Gods army, but thats the way it should be, His children need us working for them now in these times more than ever.

It was awesome to see the pictures jacob sent. It seems like he has developed a good relationship with some of the investigators. I have found that this is what takes away the fear of talking to people, the homesickness and all the other things missionaries face: the relationships we make. I am grateful for the people here in chile that have helped me feel at home.

I have been put to think a lot recently about how to talk with people about the many different churches. Many of the people here in chile tell us that all the churches have different ways of teaching but all follow the same god so all are ok. They dont believe that there would only be one true church, even though the different churches teach different things about saving principles and ordinances. Others recognize that the churches clash and feel that it is impossiple to come to a true conclusion and opt to follow god in their own way. In my experience using direct and possibly harsh words to explain the restoration has only damaged their progress and possbly left them more disillusioned than ever. I have come to understand that when sharing with people with these ways of thinking it is best to focus on the holy spirit. It is the only teacher, we can only invite it and allow it to bring light and understanding to their hearts and minds. The only thing we can do is help them understand that this spirit leads us to truth. Just like what dad said its true.
But I digress,

This week has been marching but uneventful, many of our investigators have been away on vacation. We were excited to meet a guy a couple weeks ago who was excited about meeting with us. It was a little dissapointing when he didnt wake up to go to church on Sunday but it is a minor setback. We have also been blessed to see several investigators who have stopped investigating for various reasons renew their interest in church and in the lessons. Im sure we will see progress with them soon.

We had changes. Im in a trio again. Elder Lizama and I are staying in Lo Camino and Elder Jenson is joining us. Hes from Colorado. I met him no more than two hours ago. He seems nice, lol I havent been with him long enough to know.

Elder Lizama has some problems with his back. He has to go through an operation. The doctor said it is just a small operation. We feel that that is why were in a trio. It is likely that he will operate in the middle of this transfer and will be in rest for awhile after. It is likely that it will be me and Elder Jenson left to work in this sector.

I hope everyone is doing well and happy. I love you all very much and pray for yall often.

Love, Jeremy

Hello family!!

This was the first week of 2013, wierd. Everything goes back to normal now. Sam goes back to school... work goes back to normal... The decorations come down... No more drunk people frantic about the end of the world for the missionaries to talk to in the street... kind of sad but thats the way it is.

It sounds like everyone spent the new years well. Theres nothing wrong with spending it quiet, I think thats the one thing I miss most is just spending a quiet night a home with movies or games. Im glad Josh and everyone found 2012 to be easy, I dont think I could say the same thing. I think 2012 was one of the harder years for me. Im excited to see what 2013 has in store. Im sure it will bring a lot of successes as well as failures. A lot of happy moments and several discouraging moments. All I know is that it will bring progress. Whatver happens this year it is for the better.

I recieved the package from christmas, and it was really well recieved. I finally have a hackeysack again, which is good because it will allow me to practice my footwork for when the other elders want to play soccer:) I was also very happy to see the music. My life has been a little dull without music, so this will help me feel more alive. I was expecially exited to see the soundtrack to Anastasia. It was weird to see because I have been humming the songs from this CD for the last couple weeks. I dont know how you guys knew. This music has something special to it and I dont really know how to describe it. Thank you. The truth is that there is a chance that I dont have permission to listen to it. Im not sure why I wouldnt but I have to ask president Essig. Either way im happy I have it. It is always awesome to recieve gifts from home. I hear theres more coming?! cant wait :)

This week was a good week for us. The Santibanez family got confirmed on Sunday. Theyre members of the church now. :) It was neat to see their smiles between the ordinances. Theyre really excited I can tell. Theyre going to go far.

We are working with several very good investigators. Nobody came to church but they are progressing in my book. Im excited to see what will come this week. I have come to recognize th experience of sitting with investigators that are progressing to be very rewarding. simply sitting with these friends and with the spirit in the room, there is a feeling of peace and joy. I coming to really enjoy being a missionary. There are times when we dont have lessons like this and we are simply working but all the same, the lord works with us.

I hope everyone is having a good week.

I love you all very much

Jeremy