Week 15 Hey Everyone!

Sorry that I wasnt able to write yesterday, but we had a Zone Conference and our P-Day was switched to today.

This week we have been working a lot with the Members and the Less Actives in our ward, and through our efforts we have also been blessed to find a lot of people who are interested in hearing more about the church. It really has been a great week! I love this work and I love this gospel. I don´t have a lot of time today, because one of the members is making us lunch today and we have to get going, but I do want to share my testimony of the gospel and of the work that I am doing. 

I know, I dont just believe. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ, came to this Earth and he lived and died for our sins, and everything else that we suffer in this life. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that he wants us to experience every happiness, and the reason that life is so hard, is because the reward after this life is so wonderful. I know that because our Heavenly Father loves us he gave us a prophet today. He called Joseph Smith in the year 1820 and restored the fullness of his gospel on the earth. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. And I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet today. I know that through the Priesthood, through this gospel, we can live with our families after this life is over. I know that death is not an end. Merely another door we all need to pass through. I know these things are true. And that is why I am here in Chile today. Why in my very broken Spanish, I testify of these things everyday. Because I know these things are true. I´ve read the Book of Mormon, and I´ve thought and prayed about the words in the Book. And through the Holy Ghost, I have recieved my own answer to these things. I know that Jesus lives, and that he loves all of us. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that we are all part of the Eternal family of our Heavenly Parents, and I know  that we can all return to live with them again someday. 

I love you all. And if you have any questions about where you came from, why you are here at this time and experiencing what you are experiancing right now, and where you are going to go after this time here on the world has ended, I invite you to ask the nearest missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And if that missionary is me. Ask away. Because although I may not have all the answers, I know that I have the way to help you find those answers for yourself. 

I love you. You are always loved. Stay strong and be of a good courage, because The Lord thy God, is with thee. 

Hermana Randall

Week 14 ¡3 Months!

Hello Everyone!

So I´ve officially been a missionary here in Chile for 3 months. And wow. That both took forever, and not hardly long at all! Now that Im getting the hang of things, the days are passing a lot quicker. And the nights too. I never sleep enough, just the right amount. (But I want more ·Sad face·) Nah, just kidding, but things here are pretty great!

This week we had to do an unplanned companion exchange because the Sister Training Leader that is in our District needed to travel to Antofagasta for the Mission Conference (12 hours on a bus), and the President wanted Hermana Scalise (my companion) to go with her. Which meant that I was on splits with Hermana Freedman. She has the exact amount of time in the mission as I do, and we were in my Sector teaching. So I was basically the Senior companion for 2 days. Planning, teaching an all that jazz. It was stressful at points, but we also found some really great future investegators and taught 7 lessons. we got a lot of stuff done and I´m really happy with how far that my Spanish has progressed. (Although I was kissed by a drunk man. That was an experience for the memory books. Just on the cheek and we got away after that. But still..... Ugh....) 

Everything here is slowly preparing for the 18th of September which is the Independence Day of Chile. Everything is turning red, white, and blue, and flags are going up everywhere. The mission president told all the missionaries that is isn´t worth our time to proselyte on the 18th or the 19th because its a little unsafe, and no one will listen. So instead we have been told to party with members and investigators. And the ward has planned a huge 2 day party with dancing, music, empanadas, the whole deal. I´ll make sure to take a lot of photos. 

Our investigators are progressing pretty well, we had some disappointments this week because some people with baptismal dates didnt come to church this week so we have to reschedule everything and find out what happened. Part of it really is a cultural thing I think. The culture here (at least in my sector) is very similar to ¨what ever happens, happens¨. Even with the members. If they feel like doing something they will do it. A lot of the time we´ll even get a promise or an appointment with a member and they just wont show up or follow through. Not everyone and not all the time. But the mentality is definetly, ¨Whoops. Sorry about that. Next time...¨ It´s just a little frustrating from the standpoint of a missionary who has a set schedule.

But the ward here really is great and we are able to get a lot of work done with the members, they really are just so happy about missionary work right now. Do the missionaries in your area a favor where ever you live, offer to go with them to a lesson, or give an investigator a ride to church or something like that. They will be forever grateful. 

Thank you all for the prayers and the words of encouragement. I really appriciate all that you do for me and my family. Take care, and if you have a question about anything, ¨Ask the missionaries. They can help you.¨

Love,

Hermana Randall

Week 13 ¡Hola de Chile!

Hey everyone!

I dont have a super ton of things to write about this week. But we have been doing a lot with the Less Actives and such in the ward, and we have found a lot of new investigators. Talking to everyone and smiling really is the key to sharing the gospel. 

WE also have been doing a lot of teaching about the Bible. Its important for people to know that the Book of Mormon is not something that replaces the Bible. It mearly compliments and adds to our knowledge. 

And we taught a lesson completly by the Spirit this week. We had planned a completly different lesson, but instead we taught about the story of Joseph Smith and the potential that this girl has in her life. She is so cute, and so lost. And always very reserved in her emotions. But we were able to have such a strong feeling in the room, that all four of us were in tears for a long time and couldnt speak. 

The gospel is true everyone. And through the Atonement and the Charity of Christ we can all return to live with out Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and our families for Eternity. Now go read Moroni 7:45-48 and think about all the love and blessings that you have in your life. And what you can do to help others. It is a rewarding thing to study.

Love you all!

Hermana Randall

Week 12 Baptisms!!!!

Hello There Everyone!

Hope you are all doing well wherever you are reading this!

Things are really progressing here, we have been blessed to find some really great new investigators, and have the baptisms of two more people! On a sadder note, Hermana Scalise got a call from President this week and was informed of the death of her Grandfather. We have really been studying the Plan of Salvación this week, and we really have greater testimonies of this plan. 

Remember the stories of María, Joselin, and Raúl? Well María and Joselin were baptized and confirmed this week! That was so special. Raúl has a long ways to go, but we have a lot of hope for him. 

When María and Joselin had their baptism interviews María passed without a problem. But Joselin has some mental retardation due to an accident that she had when she was 4 and some other stuff Im about to explain. So she completely shut down in the interview and forgot everything. So Elder Duke, our District Leader, decided that she really was innocent and didnt need baptism. We thought that it was probably the case, so we werent too suprised. But when we explained that Joselin was perfect and didnt need it, Joselin started to cry. Because she wanted to be baptized. And why is heartbreaking, its hard not to be blunt about this, but when she was 16 there was an incident against her will, and she became pregnant. Now remember she doesnt have the mental capacity to process this. She had a little girl, and then the government took her because of her mental state. Joselin has lived for years not understanding what happened to her. Not understanding that it isn´t her fault. And just feeling dirty.  But she did understand that through baptism she could be clean and not have those feelings anymore. So we talked to our mission president and explained and he agreed that baptism was the best course in this situation. When we explained that she could be baptized she changed so fast. She needs help praying, but she prays all the time now. And she cant read, but she opens the Book of Mormon and tried to follow us. And then when she had the second interview, more for formality than anything else, she mangaged to answer all of the questions, even if they were really simple answers. It really was a miracle. 

The baptizm was really beautiful, and when we visited after the confirmation yesterday, it was amazing. María looks 10 years younger, and Joselin never stopped smiling. And apperantly, the two sons in the family asked why they were so happy, and Marís told them it was because she was baptized. And now the two sons want to listen and be baptized so that they can be happy too. it really is a miracle. :) I love this family. 

That really is all the time that I have for right now. But I want to share my testimony that throught the gospel of Jesus Christ we can all find peace and happiness in our lives. Even when we have nothing, we can have everything through our Savior. If you have a Book of Mormon, and even if you dont its online, read Alma chapter 7, especially verses 11-14. It is a beautiful sacrifice that Our Savior, your Savior. Made for us. And through it we can find so much peace. I know that because Ive seen and felt it in my own life, and I watch and see it happen here every single day. I love you all. Thank you for letting me share my mission with you. 

Con Amor,

Hermana Randall

Week 11

Hey guys!

Sorry I dont have a ton of time to write this week. But the week was pretty good. Ups and downs though. We found 9 new investigators this week, and 4 of them are a family that is really great and super receptive to the message. We havent even taught them a lesson yet, but they came to church! 

But on the other hand our investigator who is supposed to be getting baptized this week (María) hasnt had her interview yet! We havent been able to get a hold of her because she doesnt have a phone and her family stinks about giving messages. 

And then we had a ward baptism this week that techniqually was the wards but we taught the little boy all the lessons (his name is Kevin), but the whole thing fell apart because his uncle and aunt, the uncle is the second counselor in the bishopric, called 30 minutes after the time the baptism was supposed to have started and said that they couldnt come because they had to work. Kevin was there and dressed and everything. But we couldnt have the baptism because no one was there..... It was really sad. kevin is 8 years old and was just crushed. And then we said we were going to have it the next day after church. But we couldnt do it the next day because his Dad was too drunk to come..... Kevin is having a harder week than we are. I just want to shake his family. How could they do that to a little boy? Ugh!!!!!!!!! But it should happen this week instead. So help me it will happen. 

Those are the really big things this week though! I have so much more to say, but we have to catch the bus to go get groceries... Love you all! have a great week, and remember that we are all here on earth for a purpose. That God loves all his children, and that we can always fix the mistakes that we make. 

I love you!!!

Hermana Randall

Week 10

Hey everyone!

This week we had a baptism! Katherine Ríos. She is 3 months pregnant and super cute. I dont know how much Ive explained about her before. But she is really great, and her testimony is off the charts. She is already in the lessons that she set up with the other missionaries and her sister. 

It was a beautiful service, and I am so grateful to have been a part of it. I dont have a tone of time right now, because we had to do some stuff for my companions visa this morning, but it was a great week. 

We visited El Morro and the city was gorgeous. Im really happy to be serving here in Chile. And Arica is just fabulous. 

The story that made me sad this week though, is about Pedro and his mother. Theyve been progressing really well. And Pedro even asked to talk to the bishop and confessed all his sins and says he wants to change! We havent gotten that for with Grey, his mother, yet, but we think its coming! The sad part is that his mother broke down and told us that she cant stop with the drugs and the smoking and all of that, and they cant even afford food right now. I mean, how would you feeel to have an addiction so bad that you in your addled state would rather buy drugs and cigarrets for yourself than food for you children? She feels so lost and alone. We got her in contact with the bishop and hes helping out with the situation. But it was really hard.

On the other hand we think that we might actully be making prgress with Raùl! remember him? Hes the one on drugs in his family? This week he was actually totally clean for the first time in a few months, and we taught the Wrod of Wisdom. And he was really into it. He even gave us his container of cofee for us to dispose of! Sadly, after two days of clean living he relapsed because the withdrwls were really bad. But now he knows that he can do at least a little bit. And thats the first step! 

This has been a great week, and just went by really quickly as well! This week if my anniversay of one month in the field! If the rest of the mission goes by this quickly, it will be the fastest 16 months of my life....

By the way, the lanugage is progressing really well. I have some issues with the grammar, but that is getting better every day as well! Praciting and hearing it every day is really the best way to learn a language. 

I love you all so much! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS! i PRAY FOR YOU ALL! I did not realize that the caps was on. Sorry about that, but I dont have time to retype! Love you!

Hermana Randall

Week 9 ¡Dos Meses!

Hola World!

    This week has been so long, and so short all at the same time. We haven't really been able to work with a couple of our investigators because they've been about o town and this week school started up again after the break, so things have changed a little in the dynamics. 

     But we have a baptism this Saturday! Her name is Kathy and she is wonderful. She wants to be baptized so badly. And for the longest time we thought that she couldn't because shes pregnant and was still dating the dad. It was really complicated. But we found out that they never lived together, so we were able to ask her to be baptized and she said yes right away! She`s so excited! And that day she actually broke up with the Dad. She says she wants someone she supports her in this decision. And he doesn't. Hes a Less active and doesn't want anything to do with the church. But shes getting baptized this Saturday! We are so excited for her!

     We worked a lot with the Less actives in the ward this week. Especially with the Familia Iriarte. The Father and the Son have been less active ever since the son, Yan, returned from his Mission after 6 months. No one really knows why he came home. But after he came back his Dad started drinking and smoking. So we thought the best way to work with the Dad was through the son. So we invited him to help us teach a lesson. And that went really well. Afterwards he kept asking, Where next? Its obvious hes a good missionary and has a testimony. But he really sad thing was as we were walking to the main road at night, we saw his father weaving down the street, drunk as a skunk and smoking. Yan started crying and he told us how hard things were at his home right now. I bore my testimony of the fact that sometimes children have to help their parents. They have to help them find their way back to the iron rod. And then we parted ways. Then on Saturday, the family signed up to feed us lunch. Yan wasn't there, but Victor, the father, was. And after we finished eating, he broke down and cried because he feels so lost in his life, and he doesn't know why his son came home. We talked to him for awhile, and I think that he`s finally reaching that point where he wants to change. And then yesterday, Yan came to church and bore his testimony of the truth of the church. It was really powerful. That family is improving in leaps and bounds.

        Those are the two biggest stories this week though! I'm heading to lunch after this, and then we are going to El Morro! Its Chile`s giant statue of Christ on  mountain! Pictures next week! Well actually, we are going to a different place next week, I may not be able to write, but pictures are to come!

            I love you all! Thank s for all your support! Talk to you later!

                             Hermana Randall

PS. Today marks two months for me in the mission! Time flies!