February 24, 2014

Dear family,

howdy yall!!! Haha, no one says that here in Chile, but sometimes i like to say it to my companion, Hermana Escobar. Sounds like things are good there, a little cold. Things are fantastic here in Chile. Autumn is starting to creep in, but right now it is perfect, not too hot nor too cold. Ben, good luck with Alterra! Great preparation for the mission!

This week was fantastic! Tuesday, we had district class and we talked about emergency preparedness (we have two weeks to get a serious 72 hour kit together with sleeping bag and everything) and also about helping people. We talked about how the Savior never turned someone away when they needed help even if he was kind of in a hurry to get to another place to help someone else. Then we applied to our lives as missionaries, that many times we are running a little late to an appointment and we need to get there, and someone stops us and asks for help (or the spirit tells us that they need help), and we get a little annoyed to stop and help them because we are late to an appointment. In D&C 61 verse 3 it says that it is not necessary to go with hurry withthe people around you suffering in unbelief or something like that. Most of the time the appointment falls through or they get there late just like we do, so we should always help. We committed to apply this, but we did not think that it would need to be applied so soon. Tuesday, we ran into person after person that needed help. We passed by a member´s house to see if they could visit someone with us really fast, and they asked us to help them. Members never ask for our help, or almost never haha. So we did, and we were late to the next appointment but it was fine. We went to another appointment and on the way, we found someone sad sitting in the park. We talked with her, prayed with her, and were late. BUT the family was had a visitor and even though we were almost 30 minutes late, they were just ending with this visitor and it worked out great. To be honest, I do not remember what else happened, just that we got home that night so tired and also astonished at how the district class applied exactly for the entire day!!!

Wednesday, my companion forgot her inhaler so we came back to the apartment, and in the three minutes we were there, someone else knocked on our door asking for help. A girl had moved here to find work, but since she is only 17 no one can hire her, so she wants to go home with her family but has no money. We are trying to help her in her efforts to move back home and teaching her a little bit too. Wednesday we also had two new people come to english class and it was a great class! We are seeing little miracles everyday.

This week, we were not meeting our goals. We were working really really hard, but we could not do it. Saturday, miraculously, we had a fantastic day withlots of lessons, and we actually exceded a couple of our goals for the week. I am learning that the lord is in charge, and that after we do all we can, HE makes up the difference. Really, we do not do much, just work with our heart and He gives us success.

This Sunday Marcelo (last week who knocked on our door) came to church. We had prepared the members so that they friendshipped him and it was great!!! It will not be easy for him to be baptized, but he can do it.

Saturday we had interviews with President Wright and he committed us to obey with exactness. So, we are trying to obey in all aspects which means repenting. We were glad for the sacrament the next day haha. Sunday night, we got home and planned and got into our pajamas when a part member family called us. Their auto had caught on fire while they were driving (they all could have been blown up if the spirit had not told the Grandpa to stop). When they stopped they saw their engine in back on fire and they all jumped out of the car. They asked us to come say a prayer at 11 or 11 15 at night. They live in our building, so we went ahead, talked with them a little and we said a prayer together. They are great and need prayers. We do not know what else to do, but we trust that the Lord is protecting them and helping them.

I know that the Lord will send people in our path that we can help if we but ask Him for it. We also have to act. I know that the Lord loves all of His children, and He wants ALL of them to have the gospel, we just have to open our mouths. I know that He lives and loves each one of us. Thanks for all your prayers!!!

love

hermana taylor