July 29, 2013

querido familia,

Hola!!! First off, before anything else

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EZRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS!!!!!!!!

I am super excited for Ezra´s baptism even if I cannot be there!!! Yáll have to send me pictures of it!!! Tell Ez that I am super proud of him!!!

Ok, después esto. It is really weird to hear about how hot it is there in the states. We are in the dead of winter here, but it is kind of similar to Texas. Some days are actually kind of hot and other days are super cold. Dad, I am glad to hear that you have a set time to go out with the missionaries. Hopefully once they get to know the area, they will utilize the members more. It truly is a great blessing to have members in the lesson. What about the rest of the family? Are all of you going out with the missionaries or offering your services, or providing referrals, or spreading the Gospel in some way??? At least, make sure that when missionaries bring people to church, or anytime someone is new that they are befriended. Hermanamiento (I do not know the word in English) is super importante!!! This work is super important!!!!

We had some miracles this last week that were pretty cool. Some of our investigators that we taught, but were not super sure about us, we finally were able to teach them again. One couple, Juan and Yolanda, starting crying. We did not have much time, but we had a member with us and it was powerful. Another family, the familia Gamboa Caro, work A LOT and we havent been able to meet with them in a while. They have had some serious trials lately in their family and we were able to meet with the mom. The Spirit was so strong  in this lesson, and It was probably the most powerful lesson I have been in.

Sunday came and we had big hopes of all these people coming to church, and only one investigator, Ercelia (a cute old lady) came. We were thankful to have one at least. Basically all our plans fell through, but we prayed for miracles and faithfully went out and worked. The very last person we were going to try and visit, Gigliola, is inactive. We have talked with her a few times outside her house and she doesnt want anything to do with the church, but we keep passing by and checking up. This last time she opened up about why she doesnt like the church and why she left. Also, about how she still is searching. She told us that she hasnt actually ever read the book of mormon and amazingly, SHE COMMITTED TO READ IT AND PRAY ABOUT IT!!!! This truly is a miracle and the Lord answered our prayers.

I am learning how powerful prayer is. The Lord truly answers our prayers, but in HIS time and in HIS way (which is great because He is way smarter than us and knows what is best for us). Also, how important the people are around you. Little acts of service for my companion (and in your cases family) are essential and necessary. It is true that you love the people you serve. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Con amor,

Hermana Taylor

July 22, 2013

Hola Familia!!!

How is everybody??? How hot is it in Texas?  I hear it is super hot in Utah right now. How is Danielle doing? How big are Ezra and Silas now? Is Ezra super excited to get baptized? What are Lindsey and Rob up to these days? Does Penny  like her braces? Got any pictures of the familia? What is everyone up to? How are the grandparents and cousins?

Things in Chile are pretty Chilly. I really think it is similar to Texas because this past week we had 3 or 4 days where it was almost hot, and it one day WHOOSH it was really cold again. We appreciated the warmth while it lasted haha. This past week was Hermana Phelp´s birthday. We made her a sign thing, and card, and in the night we made Cake In a Cup. (This is one of our favorites because it is fast and we never have much time to cook things). Her birthday was really fun! Also, we had intercambios two times this week, back to back. We did not see Hermana cisneros basically for 48 hours and it was strange. It is great to learn from other hermanas, and also really fun too! 

This week I am learning or getting a slight taste of how frustrating agency can be. We can´t force our investigators to read, or to go to church. Also we can´t force the ward to work with us. Heavenly Father is super patient with us!!! I am also learning how INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THE MEMBERS ARE IN THIS WORK!!! Without members, our time and efforts are so inefficient. It is really intimidating to go to church for the first time when you dont know anyone, dont have clothes like everyone else. It is so much better when the members come and pick up an investigator (actually better when they invite them in the first place because they were there for the lesson) and are there for the whole process. I hope all of you are freely offering your help to the missionaries and are actively involved in this work. It is SO IMPORTANT!!! 

Today we went to San Cristobal which was SOOO cool. It is like going on a hike with trees and dirt and everything, but when you look into the distance you can see ALL of Santiago!!! IT WAS SO FUN!!! I love that Santiago has these big hills with trees (this one even had a zoo too) smack dab in the middle of downtown. For some reason, it wont let me send pics lately, so sorry about that. Thanks for writing, remember to give references to the missionaries, and also remember to read, pray, and attend the temple. 

Here are some pics!

The first picture is of the snail i found in my shoe. Hermana Alvarez put it on her hand YUCK

The things we did for Hermana Phelps birthday

Birthday cake in a cup

Intercambios con la Hermana Valeriano

San Cristobal

I LOVE Y´ALL MUCHO!!! 

Hermana Taylor

July 15, 2013

Hola familia!!!

This week was a week of faith. For some reason, I am always learning about the faith. Last Monday we had a family home evening planned with our Ward misión leader and we were going to bring two investigators. We went to the first investigators house, and no one was home and he wouldnt answer his phone . the next investigators was supposed to meet us on the same Street but he wasnt there either. We went to his house even, and no one was there. We just did not know what to do, so we stopped and prayed. We prayed that we could find someone to bring to the FHE activity because it would be pointless for us to show up without anyone. We had tried all we knew to do and the Lord knew that. After praying, we just knew that we would find someone to bring, we just KNEW it! We went to a couple of house of less actives, but did not find anyone. We were really late as it was, so we decided that the next house was the last one. Sure enough, Fernanda who hardly ever is home was there. We said, " Nos gustaría invitarla a una noche de hogar con la familia Bernal (we would like to invite you to a FHE with the Bernal family)" She asked us when and we said, Right now! Amazingly enough she said OK and we left!!! It was a testimony builder for me and I know it was because our faith, and that we did everything we could that we found her.

I was sick for the first time in Chile this week and Wednesday I stayed in the apartment and slept for almost the whole day. Hermana Achucarro stayed with me and made me rice. After sleeping for a whole day (and yes I used oils mom) I was a lot better and now I am good. Being sick as a missionary is the worst because there is so much to do, and preach, and people to help. I am grateful that in our Ward we have two trios so that the other 4 could go and work this day.

This week, almost every appointment we set fell through. It is hard when this happens because we want to help our investigators repent and truly change, but when we cant find them it does not happen. Also, we did all we could yet again and we had no investigators come to church (well one that does not want to talk to us so...). It is so frustrating, but at the same time we know that we will have miracles! We do not know how, or when, or what kind but this truly is the Lord's work and He is in charge. Also, agency is a necessary thing and all our the people we teach have it.

A great momento we had this week was with Patricia that Works in a produce stand. We had taught her a couple of times before, but she had told us she just wanted to read the Book of Mormon and not change her religión.  This time we taught her or retaught her the Restoración and at the end we asked her if she would be baptized if she received an answer that the book of mormon was true. She said yes, but of course she would need to read more. We were super excited, but we didnt put a date because we did not actually know where she lived (she just kept saying far away). We finally got her full address and it is in our sector!!! We were so happy when we found her Street we were jumping up and down!!! She is really great!

I realized today how much I really have grown to love the people that we are teaching. I truly was heart broken when they did not come to church. The ability to love is essential in this work and we cant teach without it. I LOVE THE PEOPLE HERE AND I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!! It is true that there is no greater work.  You all can be missionaries too, and actually it is a comandment. In Preach my Gospel, chapter one, the very end of the chapter are a bunch of quotes from past presidents of the Church. Read them and it will make you think, and motivate you!!!

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Taylor

July 8, 2013

Hola familia!!!

This week I learned a lot. Basically, I am learning that before there are miracles, there are trials. This week we did all we could to get investigators, new converts, and inactives to the church, but no one came. Normally we have at least one investigator, but this week we had none. I feel strongly that miracles are coming our way though. We have two main investigators that we are preparing for baptism at the end of this month, BelE9n and Luis. Luis is 13, but truly has a desire to change. He loves everything, but has trouble getting up in the morning for church. This next week he will though!!! BelE9n is going to school, working, and has a little boy. She is super great and believes what we have taught!! We just have to get her to church too!!! Teaching lessons is seriously one of the best parts of the mission. I love to see the people progress and change. Sometimes there are heartbreaking things too, but the good makes up for ALL the bad things!!! Spanish is coming along. Still not fluent, but I can understand just about everything and get my point across even if it takes a few tries.

  

Tuesday, Hna DeYoung spent the night with us because Hna Cisneros and she had a meeting early in the morning. She was Hna Cisneros B4 second companion (in the mission you call your second companion your papa). So we had a four generation picture. Hna DeYoung, Hna Cisneros then Hna Phelps and Me (it is a little bit of a confusing relationship, but since Hna Cisneros trained my first companion she is my grandma making Hna Phelps my aunt and Hna DeYoung my bis abuela). It is a little confusing but also super fun!!! Also, the other hermanas are training a new missionary named Hna Martinez!!! She is with us in the Ciber right now, and this is the picture of her. We also celebrated July 4th in the pension with hot dogs, and spaghetti!!! We also sang patriotic songs all day haha.

How is the missionary work coming along? Have yall given away a Book of Mormon lately? You can do it!!!! Especially for prep for the mission it is good to learn that we shouldnt have fear to talk about the gospel.

Keep me updated!!! Keep having FHE, reading scriptures together, and praying!!! The fundamentals is what keeps our testimonies growing!!

Love,

Hermana Taylor

July 1, 2013

Dear familia [and friends],

Thanks for your emails!!! I love reading them!!! This past week was kind of crazy. We do intercambios (splits or something like that in English) a lot, but this week we had to do it twice. The first time was with another trio, so the two greenies came with us. I ended up sleeping on the floor with my sleeping bag because we were short one bed. Since we had four people, we split into two companionships and worked. It was SUPER great and we only double booked two or three citas for this next week haha. Also, we had rain this past week. I used the raincoat Mom, and it was really useful. I was dry the whole time! Yesterday for Church, we arranged for a member to drive Luis (13 years old) and his older sister with her baby to church. We got there, went back into their house (they have chickens and ducks in front and dogs, and mud) and went inside with permission from his mom. We tried calling him but there was no answer. The door to his room was open so we yelled, LUIS and woke him up. He just brushed his teeth and went straight to church haha. We did everything we could to get him to church haha. Yesterday was voting day, so we only had one hour of church which was different. Next week our schedule changes to 9 am which is even harder for people to wake up for, but WITH FAITH we will have investigators at church!

I only have a few more minutes so I cant write much more. I want to encourage you to help the missionaries. Volunteer your service when they want someone to accompany them. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel and have CONFIDENCE when sharing!!! Love yall lots!!

Hermana Taylor

Here are some pictures. Our apartment building, the view we have of the mountains, us waiting for the bus (takes forever sometimes)! Our group that worked the CVC last week, our sleepover we had one night haha

Here's some more: the view of the mountains after rain is AMAZING!!!, a typical calle, our trip to Santa Lucia last p day, (ya we are going to convert everyone, even the statues). and more of the mountains after rain