June 18, 2013

querido familia,

Hola!!! ¿Cómo estan? 

Things are going FANTASTICO aquí in Chile!!! We dont have any baptisms coming up (Carlos decided he didnt want to get baptized but still wants to go to Church. We will wait and see what happens with him), but one of our investigators, Belén, we tried to visit all week and just yesterday we finally saw her. We taught her the first two lessons and asked her to be baptized but she didnt give us a real answer. She has one son and has been looking for work. She is evangelical, but is open to listening. We actually contacted her in the street because she was out with her son and we asked her about the house next to her that said it was selling honey. We asked her how much, introduced ourselves and came back the next week for our first visit (we also went next door and bought the honey. It was delicious!!). She told us yesterday that she has been reading El Libro de Mormón, found work (not on SUndays yay!!!), and praying and that she has noticed a difference in her life. We have an appointment at the end of this week with her and are super excited to talk more!!!! We also taught a kid named mitchell that has been searching for more. He is 18 or 19 and received the first lesson (the Restoration) really well. We teach him again tomorrow so hopefully he has been reading and praying. 

Friday we spent almost all day in downtown Santiago because I had to do things for my cedula (something for my visa) and that was kind of exhausting, but I almost have my visa!!! In the next month they will call me to pick up my carnet and then I will be legally living in Chile for the next year!!! (my temporary visa is technically only good for 90 days). Downtown Santiago is really pretty because it is full of old buildings along with brand new skyscrapers. It really is a unique city! My camera was dead so I couldnt take pictures, but when we go for Hermana Phelps in 6 weeks or so I will!!! Today we cooked noodles and sauce, and I was so happy!!! It is the first time I have had full out spaghetti on my mission so far!!! I did not know how much I missed it!! They actually eat a lot of noodles here (with or without sauce) but I cant eat them so it is always arroz. We also have eaten twice in the past week a soup called casuela which is SUPER DELICIOUS!!! They just stick veggies in there and meat in water and cook it basically. And when I say they just put in the veggies, I mean no cutting. They put the whole corn on the cob, but cut it in three pieces, whole or half potatoes, big chunks of squash, and big pieces of meat. So you need a bowl and a plate to eat it. I had to take the big chunks out of the soup to eat them. IT WAS GREAT!!! We also discovered how cheap the food in the little stores here are (or at least the produce). We also bought French fries from some of our investigators that sell in the street for SUPER cheap!!! We got five portions for one mil (or about two bucks) and they literally build a fire in the street, have a big pan of oil and cook them over the fire in front of our eyes!!! 

Things really are great here, and I am staying warm. It actually was kind of warm for a week or two, but now is getting cold again. My jacket is great, and gloves are great too!!! I dont think the winter will be too bad here. The pictures are of me and Hermana Adams (companion from MTC) and me and Hermana Godfrey who I went on exchanges with last week! One of the coolest experiences was this Tuesday in district class. I felt like I had learned a lot, and at the end it was opened up for people to say whatever they want. I dont normally talk too much in class, but that day I was able to say what I had to say, and say it normal speed. I am learning how faith truly is the foundation of everything. Without faith, nothing else will happen and people will not really change. There is a reason faith is the first principle and ordinance of the gospel. Everything else we do (extend committments, read the scriptures with them, pray) is to strengthen their faith. When a person has faith and are invited to repent, it is a natural thing to do. I was able to share my thoughts in Spanish and felt the Lord´s help as I spoke. It was pretty cool. 

I hope things are all good!!! I love yáll mucho!!!

Hermana Taylor

P.S. Thanks for all you do!!