This week has been an interesting week. We had a baptism on saturday yay Alexander Maita!!! I met Alexander during the first week when I transfered here. From what I understand he has been investigating the church since before I started the mission. When I got here he already had been to church ten times and was pretty active in the YSA program here.
Hes 23 years old, his family is from Peru. They moved here when he was a kid I think. It was kind of cool to be a part of teaching him, it was a little strange because hes so close in age and usually the young adults here arent really so receptive. He plays guitar and spends a lot of time skating. It reminded me a little bit of working in the YSA branch back home. Hes really a cool guy, hes really smart,  and knows a lot about the culture in many countries including the united states. Hes quick to correct my spanish, which Ill admit bugs me a little bit because he talks so fast that I cant understand him when he talks. Hes pretty laid back too and hell joke around when were teaching which helps releive the tension from some of the bigger commitments we extend and at the same time he talks openly so we were able to talk about the doubts he had, it was refreshing to be able to teach someone like him. That said he was really a roller coaster of an investigator. I remember when I got here we were only able to meet with him once a week because of work and his girlfriend. His girlfriend seemed to be against him meeting with missionaries. We didnt understand why. We did what we could with one visit a week but it wasnt much. We invited him to be baptized and he told us he didnt want to and he talked about his doubts but i didnt really understand them. His mother than got into the advanced stages of pregnancy and told him that she doesnt want other people in the house while she is there. We had to drop him because there was no time at all anymore to meet. Two weeks later he calls us and tells us that he has more time to meet because things have been changing at work and he can meet during the week. We went and visited him and he accepted the baptismal commitment right away. I dont really understand the full story of what he didnt tell us but I have my theories. During the two weeks when we werent meeting he broke up with his girlfriend. He also told one of the girls in the YSA program at church that he had a crush on her on facebook, she didnt respond. My theory is that he was afraid that he was interested in the church for her and when she didnt respond he found that he still wanted to be part of the church. It would explain why the ex girlfriend was so against it at the time. Anyway I dont know all the details of what happened with these girls but Im certainly glad that he has a spiritual testimony over all.
The baptism took place on a saturday because he wanted it to be small. He got his wish, we gathered with about eleven saints from the Lo Campino ward and held a small low profile service. The calefont was out which meant that the water was ice cold. On top of that my companion who was to baptize him forgot his baptismal clothes so they found a tunic in the baptismal closet for him to use. He looked like the angel Moroni. I have pictures but im still trying to figure out how the system works here, I dont have a cable of my own so I have to borrow my comps. Ill try and include them next week. Other than that it was a very spiritual meeting. After the meeting we went to a members house for a Noche de Hogar (Family Home Evening) to celebrate quietly. It was a nice night.
The next day was a stake sacrament meeting. They told us that he would be confirmed the next week because that was the policy, but the stake president has the power to change that. The representative from the stake asked us to come forward for the confirmation. We were completely surprised as we walked up with Alexander. When we got to the front, they asked me to do the confirmation O-o. So I gave my first baptism of fire in the spanish language on the spot in front of hundreds of chillean saints. Im sure they noticed Im a foreigner and Im sure I grew from this experience. More importantly, the spirit did direct me to bless Alexander to be a strong member and I know he will be.
In other news, we dropped about five other investigators and are brainstorming ways to find people more commited. Im trying to focus on the good news.
Anyways, I love you all very much. Until next week.
Jeremy

Here there were a good number of little kids dressed up to get candy in the rich part of town. It was neat to see the families together with their kids doing something. Most of the people we talk to dont really understand the tradition. One woman said she thought it had to do with devil worship. To me a day to honor the dead makes more sense but its still a lot of fun to get into the halloween spirit.

Here things are going well. We will be having a baptism this saturday. His name is alexander, hes the guy who wanted to be baptized on wedneday, we came to a compromise that makes it possible for people to come. Im really excited for this one because it will be the first time I assisted in baptizing an adult lol. The missionaries have been teaching him for a long time and so this is a fairly big event.

In other news we have been teaching several people that show a lot of interest. some came to church. others accepted a date to be baptized. We have had trouble however finding them. It seems that we can get one good lesson in with someone and then they disapear, theyre not there for their appointments, theyre not there whenever we come by they stop answering the phone. Theres not much we can do in situations like this, we will keep trying, coming by but other than that, we cant do anything. it seems like this is one of the biggest obstacles to the missionary work here. Its frustrating but we keep moving on giving thanks for the success that we do have.

Its obvious that the only way to see success is by working with the members. Ive never seen anyone baptized who didnt have a friend in the church. When missionaries share the gospel, it can be a wierd experience, but when members share the gospel, its not weird, its like sharing a neat experience with a friend. Its hard for me to understand what I can do to help members do missionary work but this is where my thoughts are.

Things are going well here, Ill talk about the details of the baptism when it happens.

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

Jeremy

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

Hello all,

Its great hearing about the preparations for halloween. Here in chile I dont know that it is such a big deal. at least here in quilicura. I here they have the same tradition here as in the united states. the kids dress up and knock doors and shout ¨¡dulce o travasura!¨ and the people give them candy. One family we visited was talking about it but not many people really seem to be preparing for it. Well see if our own knocking doors will be a different experience that day.

Its funny to hear about the football issue in alabama. Its true proselyting is harder when a game is going on. Here futbol is one of the main assets of the culture as well and im pretty sure they play all year long. lol yesterday was one of the big games for one of chiles main teams colo colo. We tried to visit someone and right when he opened the door he told us he was desperately busy and was pleading with us to let him get back to the game. the next visit we did was pretty much the same. The things of god and spirituality get pushed to the side when the U or colo colo are playing.

I also hear sam is praying and thinking more fervently about serving a mission. It would be a pivotal and lifechanging experience. I hope that from my letters it doesnt sound like everything always a fun and awesome experience. That was one of the false impressions I had as I was preparing. Ive never been more tried than here in chile. Its through these experiences that the lord changes us into the people he needs us to be. When we recognize that this is happening, that is when the joy and awesome experiences come. I hope you continue to consider it as part of something you want.

Anyway, this week was exciting. Elder Bednar came to our mission and talked with us. I imagine this was an experience that will be very rare in the coming years as the church continues to grow. He is an amazing person. Hes sixty years old but he acts like hes twenty. I imagine he prepared something and didnt give what he prepared. He asked us a series of open ended questions and we answered finding the message of his talk for ourselves. He than answered questions that we had for him. the message was that this is how we should teach our investigators, help them find the faith to act for themselves rather than teaching a lesson.

This week was also changes. For the first time in my mission, nothing changed for me during changes. Im still here in lo campino quilicura with my companion Elder Lizama. 

We had a good week this week, we started teaching the son of a less active member we found doing public contacts. Hes super smart. He shared with the missionaries before and we dont know what happened, were going to find out this week. He came to church with his dad and it sounds like he had a good experience. We have also been teaching a man named patricio for more than two months and for the first time he came to church. that was really cool. We were considering dropping him because its really hard to find him and teach him and he hasnt been following through with commitments but this was really big for him. I feel like he can really progress now. He said hes going to try to come more often. We also found a woman in the street who has several friends and family who are members but not here in lo campino. We taught her the restoration and she said at the end of the lesson she was sure joseph smith was a prophet. golden!! She also showed her faith by coming to church. We will be setting up a goal for baptism in the coming weeks.

Thats all the time for now. 

I love you all very much.

Jeremy

Hello Family,

Wow wow wow, what a week it has been for you all.

Thats so exciting to hear the news about Melissa. Shes engaged. Thats so exciting. My sister will be married the next time I see her. Thats so weird to think. I want to hear all about how the preparations go. 

Jacob is now in the mission field. I remember when I first got to the field I got pretty stressed out too. The MTC is very different from life and the field  very different from the MTC, it kinda feels like you are reborn and into a strange world. As time moves forward he will get used to being a missionary and he will love it. I look forward to exchanging stories with him. I saw the pictures of him with his group arriving at the mission home. He looks different... like a missionary... lol

It seems like I have to look forward to a completely new world when I come back home... but I am really excited for it. Everything is really moving forward in our lives and as a family.

Things here have taken an interesting turn. We were dissapointed last week to see a lot of investigators dropped so inevitably we have retuned our eyes to finding. We decided to try something we havent before, something our president reminded us that is in preach my gospel and promises will result in always having people to teach. Ask references from EVERYBODY. I used to think that we would only ask from members but I find that investigators are an even better source of references. We have even been asking for references from random people we talk to in the street... and it works. Theres something about the culture here, they care about their friends and family and neighbors and even if theyre not interested in what we have to say, they feel good referring us to their friends. Sometimes ill talk to someone who I dont think will be receptive just to ask for the names of their friends lol.

The fruits have been amazing. We once again have a handful of investigators. Two of them are golden. We taught the plan of salvation to Karen and she told us she really wants a path of hapiness for her family. She accepted a baptismal date in the first lesson and she took the initiative in asking where our church was. Another is Isabel, she has family members who are members of the church but she had doubts about a living prophet so we taught the restoration and by the end she said she was sure joseph smith was a prophet. Some of our old investigators are actually showing some progress as well. One person whose mother told him that we cant teach him in her house but he has been coming to church for more than two months has been telling his friends in the church that he is almost ready to be baptized. Were going to meet with him today in the house of one of his friends in the church to talk about baptism. Im really excited about the coming weeks, I really hope I dont get transfered out this week. Well see.

I have been coming to understand what people need to recieve that Sincere heart that the scriptures say is esential to recieve a testimony. So many of the people we teach simply dont care. They dont care if Christ established a church or if the heavens are open for us to recieve revelation. Its part of my job to help them understand why its important. I had the opportunity to talk to two women this week who had recently lost children. It was humbling to be in this situation, to be in their homes, to pray for them asking the lord to give them comfort, and then to offer them hope, bearing testimony that the family can be together forever, and bearing testimony that in this life that is full of afflictions, the heavens are open and there is a prophet who can give us guidance to tolerate the things of the world. I certainly feel that I am doing much more with my time than I was before the mission lol.

I hope everyone knows that I love you all very very much.
Until next week take care.

Jeremy

10/08/12

Its really good to hear from everyone and Im glad everyone is doing well.

Wasnt general conference amazing? I really enjoyed it, I thought it was awesome... even though I only understood about forty percent of it. I had to watch it in spanish and I couldnt keep up. Altough I could feel the spirit from the leaders of the church.
I enjoyed hearing about the bike ride you did. It sounds like being in a companionship doesnt become perfect even after several years, lol. My companion and I dissagree quite often we still have some rough arguments. Were really working to make sure it doesnt interfere with the spirit. I feel impressed that I need to talk it out more openly with him, I havent done that yet. Im glad you have been able to work out your differences.

This week has been a little rough for us, we had to drop several investigators that werent progressing and one, who we had a lot of hope for who told us he knew the book of mormon was true, even told us he didnt want us to come by anymore. Many of the people here simply tell us their busy when we come by for our appointment and after three times we realize they are wasting the lords time. We have decided to start focusing in a different part of town where a lot of members live and can support us and our investigators. It has been humbling to know that everything must be done in the lords time. We have a lot of hope for the next couple weeks.

I dont have a lot of time to write today but I hope everyone is well and I hope you have a great week.

Until next week. I love you all.

Jeremy

10/01/12

Hello all,

It sounds like things have made a major transition recently and I hope everyone is transitioning smoothly. Jacobs letter really reminded me of my experience in the MTC. It can be a crazy place, but it is also a great opportunity to feel the spirit. The stress reduces as you get adjusted. I dont know if my experience was different, it might be even crazier since everything is packed into three weeks, but Im sure hell get adjusted well. Thats awesome that he got called to be district leader, hell be great.

Im really excited for general conferance coming up. Its a little different as a missionary because you prepare for it thinking about the needs of your investigators rather than your own needs. Were going to do all that we can to get our investigators to come and have a great experience. Its also going to be different because I have to watch it in spanish. It would kind of be bad if I left investigators to watch it by themselves. Ill be able to read the talks in english in magazines a week later.

Things have changed a little bit here. Elder Glazner who was my companion got a call from the president last week to work in the office of the mission. It was a special change and it happened right away. So now i am here just with Elder Lizama who was called to be the district leader here. Its the first time I dont have an english speaking companion but I feel confident enough that we can communicate well enough even if all I want to do after planning every night is sleep because my brain is tired of constantly translating spanish. Hes a lot of fun, he reminds me a lot of friends that I had back home. 

We had a baptism yesterday. (YAYYY). Pedro was someone that Elder Glazner and Elder Lizama were teaching before I got here. He was basically golden from the beginning. A friend of his in school invited him to come to church and he loved it and when the missionaries found him he was almost begging to be baptized. I havent got the opportunity to really know him since hes been on vacation but hes a really great kid. He knows a lot about the gospel and has a lot of faith. We did the pre interview with him and he answered the baptismal interview questions better than most members could answer them. He is going to be a strong member of the church.

We were also faced with a bit of disappointment as we were not able to meet with alexander at all this week who is also praying about baptism. Im pretty certain that his doubts will be lightened at general conference. We were also faced with dissapointment when the father of christian who was going to be baptized told us that he believes christian is too young and he doesnt want him to be baptized. We were so sure nothing was going to impede him. It was a humbling experience that made me realize that with christian we were pushing for our own will for the family and not the lords. We need to focus on them as a family. Its complicated because the parents need to be baptized but I dont believe they will allow their son to be baptized until they have strong enough faith as well. We are inviting them to pray and read the scriptures as a family. We also started bringing a family from columbia with us and they get along great. The father came with us and he started testifying and I knew that this is what we should have done from the start. Now they have support that comes from people in the church that arent the missionaries.

Thats whats going on here in my life. The mission is a lot bigger than me and its really strange being here and thinking so much about others and also seeing the lord work around me.

I hope this letter finds everyone in good spirits and good health.

I love you all very much. I wish everyone a good week and an awesome general conference weekend. 

Love Jeremy.