Bautismo in Quimey, Rosa and Cesar. Rosa is an elderly woman that I contacted with Elder Esteves in Quimey, About two transfers ago. She is a nice person, maybe she first started listening to us because she didn`t want to turn us down, but she was sure to tell us that she was Catholic. About the second visit she was a little unsure, saying she loves our visits because we remind her what she needs to be doing in her church but isn`t. She is one of those Catholics that never go to church. She was unsure about the restoration, but we invited her to church, and organized someone to drive her there, because she lives a little far from the chappel. She had a strong spiritual experience the first time at church, even crying durring the sacrament, and the members helped to fellowship her and make her feel comfortable. She was super excited to go back the next sunday. After recieving the lessons for about 2 months she was baptized Saturday, I recieved special permision to go and it was a wonderful experience. Her daughter and grandson are preparing for baptism now. Cesar is the cousin of Joice, one of my baptisms in Quimey. He struggled to keep commitments, go to church and read the book of mormon, the assignments that we left him to read. He only in 14 years old, and was recieving very little support from his mom, which makes it difficult. Without the support of the parents, in this mission people under 18 have to attend church for 4 months before they can be baptized. It was great to see him get baptized saturday with Sister Rosa, two people that I found. Two recent converts shared their testimonies, both of them baptized while I was in Quimey. Their conversion stories are amazing, and now are super dedicated members. That was definately the highlight of the week. The low of the week was Elder lopez getting sick. The three other elders in the apartment have been sick since arriving the ward, and they don`t know exactly why. My comp is the sickest, and I am a little tired and bored of it. Yesterday we couldn`t leave at all, he was sleeping and going to the bathroom all day. We had to cancel the appointment that we had. It sucked. When I arrived in the sector, he went to the hospital to pick up some test results that he had done, but they turned up with nothing, no parasite or common sickness. Then they figured it was an ulcer, and have been taking Aniprazol, but it hasn`t shown any results. Elder Harrison called the mission nurse, and they sent him to a hospital to do a few tests, and he should be going back in a few days. I don`t enjoy bieng sick, and feel bad for them, but it isn`t too fun bieng the comp of a sick missionary, I hope they can find the problem. We have been trying to leave when we can and work hard. I am trying to stay positive, and do what I can. He feels good now, we played basketball, soccer, and volleyball for p-day, then a peruvian elder cooked us some peruvian food, MmmmMmmmMmmm. Thanks for the updates everyweek, to all that write me. It is getting colder outside, this week I started leaving with my coat. The rain hasn`t started yet, which is a little wierd, it seems that we are in a droubt. That is a positive for me though, with rain comes more cold. School is ending, how cool, what are your plans to escape the heat? I love you all, Take care, Elder Chandler.
Once upon a time there were three stone masons building a brick wall. A curious young fellow walked up to the first one, who was mixing a batch to concrete, and asked, what are you doing? He replied, I am mixing concrete. He walked up to the next man, who was starting to lay the first row of bricks, and asked, What are you doing? I am building building a wall, he replied. Then he walked up to the third man, diligently working to complete his portion of the wall. He asked, What are you doing? I am building a beautiful cathedral, a safe place for children, youth, and adults of all ages to worship our Lord, learn his gospel, and strive to apply his teachings to become like him. As they do so, they will live longer, happier lives, thanks to this beautiful sanctuary that I am building. What was the difference between the three men, each doing the same job. The vision that they had, The third man understood what he was doing, what it would be in the end. What would happen if you asked three missionaries what in the world they were doing. Maybe the first would say, I am talking to people here in the park about the gospel of Jesus Christ, trying to get someone to listen to me. Maybe the second would say a little more. I am inviting all people to come to Christ, to recieve the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and to be baptized. And the third, I am a servant of the lord, and we have the same purpose here. I a working to bring to pass the Immortality and Eternal Life of man, to follow the path of Jesus Christ to make it back to His presense, with their families. What are we doing here? It is no small, not important, task. We are preaching the gospel of salvation, saving souls, people that are lost. They are hungry, and helpless, and cold, and need the gospel in their lives. If we can save just one soul, how great will be our joy in the kingdom of our father. It can be hard, but it will be worth it. We must do everything we can, now, to accomplish this great work on our shoulders. Members and Missionaries alike. I was a little sick a couple days this week, but now I am feeling better. We had interviews with the president this week. We had an activity saturday, a ward talent show. A lot of investigators went for their first time in the church. A few members were able to reach out and get to know them a little more, to fellowship them in the church. The only bad part was the lack of acts, we sang a funny song about what a mother does for her son. But the elders followed through, and the people we brought enjoyed it. And brother reyes tres leche cake was soooo good. Today we played soccer outside the chappel, which is always fun. Thanks for the update on life in town, I love you all, Elder Chandler.
It was great to see you for mothers day, and a little crazy to think it was my last skype. It was good to talk with Josh too, from texas. A lot has changed scince I left on the mission, but I am happy that you all are doing so well. I will be able to get to know the oakleys a little more, now that they live so close. That will be good because I havn`t seen them in forever, I dont even remember the last time. I have had a good week, last thursday we had our first lesson with a golden investigator named Daniela, and her husband Brigham, who in inactive but wants to return to the church. They have a lot of mormon friends, and Daniela had listened to the missionaries before in their old house. They are a cool family, and tomorrow we are going back for lesson two with a recent convert. I have high hopes. We have been contacting a lot, and found more future investigators that look very hopefull as well. Monday we went on splits with the district leader, and had a really good starter lesson in the park, talking with him for a good hour, and we got his address to go back. Saturday we have a talent show for mothers day, and the missionaries have an act, we will see what we can pull off, I am excited for this ward activity. Thats about it for the week, but I wanted to leave you with a short spiritual thought. In James 1:2-4 it talkes about trials, and how we should react when it gets hard. Have Joy in diverse trials, because the trial of your faith brings patience. We need to be patient and keep moving forward because it will get better. Sometimes we could think, why is this happening to me, I am a good person, I don`t deserve this. Why do bad things happen to good people? Maybe God knows we can handle it, that we are strong. We just need the faith to see the light at the end of the tunnel, the blessings that are delayed to truly test our faith, but that will come. Maybe not in weeks, months, or even a few years, but on the lords time. Don`t give up, don`t become weaker, pick yourself up and show the world what your made of. No trial is to big, when we put our trust in the lord. I love you all, Josh, Jeremy, Amy, Kate, Dad, Mom. I love you all my family and friends. Make this week a good one, Elder Chandler.
This is going to be a little short, but we will have one hour more sunday. It has been a challenging week, I have put more confidence in the Lord. We have been contacting a lot, searching for people to teach. We have been talking with people in the parks, streets, and been going door to door. I have found some encouraging words in my daily reading of the new testamant. In 2 timothy 4 7 it says, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. I hope by the end of my mission I can say that I took advantage of every minute of everyday, that I had been a truly consecrated elder. I trust in him to guide us in this work, as I have already seen and know we are only going to see miracles if we show our faith by works, and strive to be a worthy servant. It is the same in your lives, keep fighting, keep trusting in the Lord, give every talent and ability to this work, to your conversion and faith, every minute, every day. My study of the book of mormon has a lot in common with Pauls words. In 2 ne, 4: 16-35 nephi gives thanks to the lord for the strength that he gives him. Nephi talks of his own unworthiness, realizing his nothingness compared to god, the weaknesses he has, the sin that so easily besets him. Then he teaches us what it means to rely on the lord, trust in his infinate mercy. He says he will rejoice and praise his name forever, the rock of salvation. He asks for strength to flee from sin, even the appearance of sin. He says he will trust in God, and not in the arm of flesh, the weaknesses of the natural man and the constant tempation. We need this Nephi Level of humility, trust, and greatfulness. We need to abandon everything that can hurt us spiritually, and make the changes that we need to make in our lives. We need to have self evaluate ourselves, and repent everyday, every week. The closer we become to Christ, the happier we will be. Without God we our nothing, even though we might think we are a ``hot shot``. With God, we can do anything. I love you all, that write me and give me the strenght I need to be strong everyday. I cannot thank you enough. Mom, you are amazing, you have always been there for me, I know you are praying for me. I love you so much, and can`t wait for my LAST SKYPE SUNDAY. College starts in January right, Should I extend? How was your cinco de mayo, we had tacos . Today we played soccer, and volleyball. I love the Parque Subercaseaux ward, there is a lot of work to do here. Tell everyone I said hi. nos vemos, elder chandler
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