Where Have These Past Six Weeks Gone???

     New Year's Eve-DAY was a normal day at the office, where-in I prepared 3 books for Elders who would be going-home in a few days and Elder B. helped assemble emergency backpacks for new missionaries who would be arriving...besides the normal processing of registros (baptismal records) and handling of financial matters that come-up each day.  That evening all the missionaries were required to be off the streets by 6 p.m., so those who live in our apt. bldg. joined us for a pot-luck dinner and a movie =) "The Work and the Glory"-part 1.  Fireworks began going-off in the city just as we headed to bed.  It was fun to see some of them from our apartment.  We were also at the office New Year's Day...and SO ENJOYED connecting with Kam's fam and Becca's fam that afternoon!

We had the privilege of attending a despedida (farewell) for Elder Cevering, an AP who has been a terrific help to us in the office.  He left Jan. 3; so on the 2nd we were invited to the back yard of the home of Cecilia, a member whom he helped reactiviate...along with other members from our ward and Cecilia's family.  While there, we got to help make humitas (something like tamales made with ground corn, tomatoes and garlic--wrapped in corn husks and then boiled...and served with fresh tomatoes and or a bit of sugar)  With sugar, they reminded me of my mother's recipe for baked corn...and were DELICIOUS! 

The next day brought some unexpected Special Changes which always create logistic challenges for the office elders.  Elder B. was recruited to help transport elders to the southern part of the mission: two to Rengo and two to Chimbarongo...so others could take departing missionaries to the airport.

There was a zone leaders council that Friday; so I prepared 55 new convert letters so the ZLs could take them to missionaries assigned to specific sectors where they could be delivered.

Thanks to the use of a sewing machine borrowed from the mission home, I did a bit of mending and/or altering on six pair of trousers that week (for an elder heading home, for Elder B. and 3 other elders in the office =)

We took down Christmas decorations and did as much as we could to help prepare for the office move---which at that time was still very much up-in-the-air because of the need to coordinate efforts with folks in Santiago.

Saturday, Jan 5th, we joined some senior missionaries and other tourists on a bus-tour of "El Teniente" the largest underground copper mine in the world--located in the Andes east of Rancagua. We had our first experience catching a "collectivo"...which is like a taxi, except that it only costs $2 to go anywhere along a pre-dertermined route...as opposed to going door-to-door. You just kind of have to know which direction you're headed and then you need to ask one of the dozens of drivers along that route if he's going your way at that moment.  We weren't sure Elder B. would fit in the backseat of one of the collectivos (little black cars--all the same size and make)--but he did!  So we made it to a large shopping center along the Via de Cobre (Copper Way) where the tour-bus picked-up all its passengers from Rancagua. 

We'd been on the road leading east of Rancagua before--with the office elders--when we went to Coya and to the national park, Los Cipresas.  This time, however, before getting to Coya we passed through a gate operated by the mine that allowed us to take a different route back into the mountains.  From the bus we could see a couple different mines that have subsequently been developed.  A city called Sewell was built on the side of a steep mountain where the original "El Teniente" was founded.  Sewell became known as the City of Stairs.  Most of the buildings are 4-5 stories high and are connected by stairways instead of streets in order to make the best use possible of existing space.  For many years, the mine owners (gringos) and workers (latino farmers, originally) lived right there in Sewell.  Ox carts hauled equipment, machinery, building supplies, food and EVERYTHING...until train tracks were laid.  Eventually roads were built...and after many years, people began living in Rancagua and Machali (a littla town at the foot of the mtns.).  Sewell has since been designated as a national landmark and plans are underway to restore many of its historic sites ie. Chilie's first public swimming pool and bowling alley, which the owners provided for diversion.  There is a hospital currently under renovation so we were not allowed into that building...or into any of them for that matter...EXCEPT an historic reception center, the bowling alley, an old church and a very nice museum housed in the Sewell City School building which preserves the history of copper excavation, refinement and all its current and historic uses.  Our guide was born and raised in Sewell.  He was very friendly...and talked 90 miles a minute...so we didn't catch everything he said; but we purchased a book at the museum giftstore that explains the history of Sewell/El Teniente in English as well as Spanish. =) We could not enter the actual mine itself because it still operates 24/7!

Upon leaving Sewell, we retraced our journey back to Via de Cobre and had lunch at the Coya Country Club situated on a beautiful golf-course previously used by Americans who helped build the mine as well as the power plant in Coya that facilitates the operation of El Teniente.  We were able to walk through an historic part of Coya where the American workers had lived..and where there is still a very nice full-size soccer field.  It was very nice to spend this  change-of-pace-day with the MacArthurs, los Sanchez, los McKinley, Elder Finlayson y Hna. Crews. ( I took so many pictures, I wore out two sets of batteries.  =)

The following week, we went to Santiago with Elders Stapely (secretary) and Botero (commisario) to accomplish the leg-work and paperwork for our carnets (Chilean ID cards).  It took most of a day...and we were extremely grateful for the help of these young men who know the ropes so well. Between standing in-line at several government buildings, it was fun to see some of downtown-Santiago.  We even had our picture taken with two mounted carbineros (Chilean Canadian Mounties =). We had lunch together at a Subway shop in Santiago before heading home. 

We learned that folks from Santiago would move our mission office to its new location Monday, Jan. 14th.  That meant we would lose internet capability Sat. a.m., Jan. 12th. ...We boxed-up EVERYTHING. ...Workers came to remove all the internet-related wiring. ...Elder Leighton joined the office staff as a new comissario-in-training Sunday, Jan.13th. ...And at o'dark-thirty (just after midnight on Sunday) the movers came and disassembled the office furniture...moved it...and reassembled it at the new location.  The office elders took turns sleeping earlier in the day so a pair would always be available to assist the folks from Santiago. It took several days, instead of the projected two, to get everything back on-line with computers functioning properly and talking to the printer.  My computer still had issues until last week when the folks from SLC finally got the CDE (Convert Data Entry) program functioning as it had been before.

We LIKE the new office in that it is part of a newly renovated chapel, is cleaner, is in a much quieter part of town ~ and the AC works (thankfully!); but it's been a challenge getting settled...because it is configured differently.  Shelves had to be added to the storage room to accomodate all the ecclesiastical materials that come and go on a regular basis...as well as sundry other items that are needed only occasionally.  The bodega (storage area) is in a continual state of flux.  There have been issues with the new alarm system...and we are awaiting custom-made large-enough-to-accomodate-the-ever-increasing-number-of-missionaries cabinets with glass doors where pictures of all missionaries in the mission are displayed.  And the pictures we do have, haven't yet been hung (low on the picture-hanger's list of priorities, I guess) so we still aren't quite as settled as we'd like to be.  BUT we are functioning. . . THANKFULLY!!!

The three weeks of earnestly-preparing-for, actually-getting-moved-and-reconnected-electronically, and then getting resettled were followed by the largest week of CAMBIOS/CHANGES we have yet seen.  15 missionaries and a senior couple left Feb. 3rd and 22 new missionaries arrived on Feb. 4th.   Each departing missionary needs a "Go-Homer" =) book.  Each new missionary needs an Orientation book...and each new trainer assigned to a new missionary needs a Trainer book.  Previously, it was a rather simple process of printing a handful of books, punching holes so they can be bound with spirals, and putting missionaries' names on them.  This time, however, besides the increased number needed...some changes and updates were made in the Orientation and Trainer books (ie new address for the mission office, changes in proceedures for weekly letters sent to Pres. MacArthur, and the addition of an EXCELLENT but lengthy talk called "The Fourth Missionary" by Lawrence Corbridge which needed to be reformatted in both English and Spanish) ...all of which complicated the process of book-making for me this time.  The Commisary arranges housing, telephones, personal study journals, etc. and delivers the books I produce.  Elder B. trains new missionaries on financial issues and gives them their cards ~and money for a new blanket and pillow.  The Secretary arranges all the transportation from the airport and/or the MTC in Santiago (for latin missionaries) to the mission home and from there to their various sectors after INTERVIEWS with Pres. MacArthur, TRAINING from the assistants, Sister MacArthur and the financiero, MEETING THEIR NEW COMPANIONS, and having LUNCH at the mission home.  So, when the NEWS and their TRAINERS depart, Elder B. makes sure each taxi-driver is paid and sends them on their way.

We were asked to go to the airport to get a new senior couple who arrived Feb 2nd (..so they could overlap with the senior couple who had been in charge of creating the first single-adult-center in South America here in Rancagua due to the urging of Pres. Mac Arthur).   It was our first time driving into the BIG CITY.  We made it in plenty of time after missing the initial airport exit...but we had an excellent adventure coming home when we somehow found ourselves in downtown Santiago.  We were able to show the Battraw's part of the city they (and we) might otherwise not ever see. =)  But just as we were calling the office elders to ask for help, Elder B. realized we were near the temple (where we had been previously as passengers) and found a sign that helped us get back on the right track.  We made it back in time for their luncheon engagement with Pres. and Sister MacArthur, however, so all was well! 

That was last Saturday.  Sunday we hosted a hail-and-farewell-luncheon for the Battraw's and the McKinleys with the other senior missionaries here in Rancagua.  I made two 9x13" pans of chicken enchiladas thanks to the generosity of Elder Archuleta who shared some corn tortillas he received in a Christmas package.  Flour tortillas are plentiful here; but corn tortillas can't be found.  Someone sent him LOTS; so he offered some to those of us in the office.  We told him they would keep well in the freezer; but he insisted...so we promised to share with others, too. =)

Mon and Tue were CRAZY with CAMBIOS as mentioned, the taking and making copies of pictures of departing and new missionaries and then the departure of another AP who was here when we first arrived.  Elder Traverso and Elder Cevering (previously mentioned) were our papas (in mission lingo =) so it was hard to see them go.  They were both EXTREMELY CAPABLE + F-A-S-T at working with computers and printers. They were not only patient with our pleas for assistance, but were genuinely kind about helping us.  They were a dynamic-duo who will be greatly missed.  One day, shortly after we arrived, we were all working late.  I had asked E. Cevering for help once already, so was hesitant to do so again but E. Traverso was busy on another computer, so I walked into Pres.'s office (adjacent to ours, previously) where he was preparing for a zone leader's training ~ and found him kneeling in prayer.  It was a tender moment I will never forget.  A reminder of the true source of all our help.

Elder Traverso is from Santiago; so his parents and three sisters came to get him. It was very nice to meet them.  Elder Belmar also left this week.  He was the commissario when we first arrived.  He is from SOUTHERN Chile so faced a three hour flight; but his brother, sister-in-law and adorable 2-yr-old niece from Santiago came to see him before he went home.  E. Traverso and E. Belmar were kind enough to walk me home late Monday evening (after 11 p.m.) when Elder B. was in Santiago trying to help the APs with a vehicle that had broken down. Others we've come to know and love ~who left this week~ are Elder Aylworth (assigned to our ward), Sister Hansen (lived in our bldg.) and Elder Jara.  Elder Jara's family also came to get him and brought the office staff delicious Alfajores--a thick layer of soft caramel between thin wafers (the diameter of a baseball) covered with white or dark chocolate-- for which his hometown, Vina del Mar, is famous.  Elder Jara served in the office just before we arrived.  We first met him at the Christmas Devotional in San Fernando where he directed the missionary choir and accompanied Elder Archuleta on "O Holy Night".

We were happy to be able to attend a baptism in our ward two weeks ago.  Cecilia's grandchildren, Connie (16) and her 8-yr.old cousin, were baptized by Elder Traverso.  It was a very sweet moment for office elders who don't often get to baptize while serving in that capacity.

The home closer to the new office that we were hoping to be able to move into is no longer a possibility; as the landlady raised the rent way beyond what is reasonable in that neighborhood. . . so we'll keep looking and hoping.  Meanwhile, the 30-min walk between our apt. and the new office is great exercise ~and even enjoyable in the cool of the morning or evening when we may not have access to a mission vehicle. 

With the internet being down for awhile and so much else going-on, I'm afraid I haven't yet turned-over that new leaf about writing more frequently.  That is still a goal, however...and the moment this post is published I will do my best to post pictures.  It seems my little brain can handle only a limited amount of new-to-me technical info. at one time; but since I seem to be growing more accustomed to daily duties, maybe I'm ready to tackle one more new trick. . .

WE LOVE YOU with all our hearts and are extremely grateful to know that our Father in Heaven is watching over you!  We know this is His work.  We are grateful for whatever assistance we can give the missionaries and the good people here in Chile.

The past 15 days of Christmas-time ;-) have just flown.  We hope you and your loved-ones have rejoiced-in and savored this celebration of our Savior's birth ~ as have we.  

On the morning of the day of our last Mission Christmas Devotional (Dec. 15th), we had the opportunity to visit a national park in Chile, Los Cipresas (which means: Cypress Trees...tho' there were also palms, evergreens+diciduous trees, because this is an area where biomes overlap).  We (and the office elders :-) were able to walk along the foothills of the Andes amongst wildflowers and small waterfalls at the edge of a gorgeous, peaceful valley...and to see and HEAR hundreds of loros/parrots!!! (as well as a few geckos, goats, cows + horses)  

It was SO GOOD to get out of the office and be reminded of the beauties of the earth and of the care and detail our Heavenly Father puts into ALL of His creations...even those that may go largely unnoticed.  I was reminded of a song Sam's sister Shirley taught me while I was traveling with thier family to Utah to see Sam off at the MTC and visit my family (who had moved to Orem, allowing me to finish my senior yr. living w/the Kofoed's) Christmastime1967, called "Suddenly There's A Valley".

When you've climbed the highest mountain
When a cloud holds the sunshine in
Suddenly there's a valley
Where the earth knows peace with man

When a storm hides the distant rainbow
And you think you can't find a friend
Suddenly there's a valley
Where friendships never end

Touched only by the seasons
Swept clean by the waving grain
Surveyed by a happy bluebird
And kissed by the falling rain

When you think there's no bright tomorrow
And you feel you can't try again
Suddenly there's a valley
Where hope and love begin

Suddenly there's a valley
Where hope and love begin!

Since HOPE and LOVE are what Christmas is all about, it was sweet to be reminded of these lovely lyrics again.  ~And because our Elder Brother chose to facilitate Our Heavenly Father's plan to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, hope truly does spring eternal!

Elders Jara and Martinez from the southernmost part of the mission stayed overnight w/us after the final Christmas Devotional held north of us, near Santiago.  We got to know them at the first devotional in San Fernando, when Elder Martinez helped Sam bring a keyboard to the chapel, so it was nice to see them again.  Elder Jara directed the missionary choir there and accompanied Elder Archuleta on "O, Holy Night" w/strains of "Come, Follow Me" at the end~which was extremely touching and beautiful.

Sunday, Dec 16th, we spoke at a fireside for young adults... reminding them that as member-missionaries there are MANY different ways we can serve one another and help facilitate the Savior's second-coming.  In halting Spanish, I touched on the importance of being united ("if ye are not one" in-purpose "ye are not mine") and obedient (D+C 130:20-21)...and testified that whenever we give the best we can (ie. the boy w/loaves+fishes at the Sermon on the Mount...ie. our best efforts w/limited Spanish+physical strength in the Panama City Temple...), the Lord will make-up the difference.

In his charming, affable way Elder B. taught five steps that will help us be better member missionaries: ...1. Be WORTHY to receive the promptings of the Holy Spirit. (this is the Lord's work~He wants to help us w/it!)  ...2. PRAY with real intent. (a sincere desire to ACT upon promptings received!) ...3. BE A true FRIEND. (people don't care how much you know...until they know how much you care!) ...4. SERVE others. (Matt. 25:31-40) ...5. Invite. (full-time missionaries are available to teach ~it's up to us to keep them busy!)

As Pres. Benson said: "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest...in that moment, God will endow us with power." 

Choosing to give priority to God's will...rather than our own...is a humbling process, indeed.  The refiner's fire is inevitably an uncomfortable process...by design, right?...so we can be motivated to make changes for the better.  What precious gifts we have been given!!! Our turn on earth and the Atoning Sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, enable each of us...who so chooses...to find our way back to our  Heavenly Parents~and be reunited-forever with those who are dear to us here.  How thankful we are for His life's teachings, examples and Holy Spirit . . . to guide, sustain, and comfort us along the way!

The week before Christmas we welcomed five new missionaries and sent one home; and a new AP joined the office staff training to carry-on when Elder Cevering heads home Jan. 3.  We were all very busy preparing for a Mission Christmas Activity held Friday, Dec. 21st.  We met at 8 a.m. for a photo with ALL 205 missionaries.  Everyone then changed for field games held at a nearby soccer stadium, grabbed a breakfast-to-go (muffin, fruit, choc.milk) and spent the next several hrs. reveling in each other's company.  Some of us stayed at the chapel to help prepare lunch; after which we enjoyed a 30-min. mission video, then changed back to missionary attire for a devotional in the chapel.  Several departing missionaries shared testimonies while others shared musical numbers celebrating the Birth and Life of Christ. Missionaries picked-up precious "mail" and each was given mission-photo-Christmas-leaflets and copper-bookmarks from the MacArthurs w/cards from the First Pres'y.  It took several days to clean and fold all the tablecloths we used (because our small machine can handle only one at a time ;-) but well worth the effort.

Senior missionaries in Rancagua gathered for a luncheon at a Chinese Restaurant on Christmas Eve to celebrate two birthdays among that group.  Christmas morning, we hosted a brunch for the 5 office elders, 2 previous office elders and the 2 sisters living in our apt. bldg.  After enjoying oven omelet, baked hasbrowns, apple-spice-muffins, punky and zucchini bread, orange and banana slices and ribbon jello =), we watched "It's A Wonderful Life"! (w/Pres.'s permission, of course ;-)  

Having these young people in our home was a tender mercy that helped ward off loneliness; but we are MOST GRATEFUL to have been able to facetime with each of our children and grandchildren these past few days...except Daniel, who is half way around the world. But we WERE able to have a lengthy  'real-time' fb visit w/him, too, about a week ago...which was WONDERFUL!!!  "Spending time with family" was the ONLY wish on our Christmas list; so we feel greatly blessed!  ...Kim walked his computer around our home to let us see the Christmas decorations ~ and the blizzard going-on outside.  I couldn't have imagined how therapeutic it would be for me to be "Home for Christmas"! (if only via facetime :-)  

Dec.26th we entered the information for 8 new converts into the Church Data Entry system ~ with 3 more the next day ~ which helped us celebrate and appreciate anew the reason for the season. 

Yesterday, our P-day, we had the privilege of attending a session at the Santiago Temple.  It's been a few months since we've been to the temple and it was very nice to be there with the office elders (one of whom will be heading home this Thurs. in time to start a new semester at Utah State University)  It's ALWAYS a joy to be in the temple.  It was even sweeter this time, however, because ...it was our first time to visit this temple ...and people we know and love have walked its halls before ie. my sister, Darla + Darrell Bushman (who served in the Santiago East Mission 2 yr. ago), the Jamison's and the Black's (who served w/us in Panama) ...and I was able to understand more of the ordinance in Spanish than I ever had before.  How grateful we are for temple covenants and promises!!! 

Please know that we love you with all our hearts ~ and are sending . . . BEST WISHES for a JOYOUS NEW YEAR!!!!!!!  

Oh, in reference to my p.s. ~ I think the missing white memo was an effort to explain that I had just added messages in two different colors (NOV: orange and OCT: teal) because I couldn't figure-out how to add previous email messages chronologically.  Now that I'm becoming more familiar with blogging, I hope not to have to do that again :-)  meanwhile, please pardon my disorganization-dust!  xoxoxo

Wow ~ is December flying as quickly for you as it is for us?  Dec. 1, 7, 9 and 15th our mission hosted Family Christmas Devotionals in four different chapels: San Fernando (% southern branches) Buin (a branch 35 mi. no. of us) Rancagua (where the mission home is located) and El Bosque (a ward 50 mi. no.--a southern suburb of Santiago).  Elder B. was assigned to drive a half-dozen missionaries who were key participants in the concerts from the mission office south to San Fernando and north to Buin, so it was our privilege to attend those two concerts.  Elder B. was pressed into service by the ZL's as soon as we arrived in San Fernando--to help one of them travel to Chimbarango (another 35 min. south) to pick-up a keyboard that would be needed for the performance (in addition to the piano already at the chapel).  The other, Elder Jara, needed to spend a few minutes rehearsing with key performers as an accompanist.  He also did an EXCELLENT job directing a missionary choir later that night!

We got to tag-along w/Pres. and Sis. MacArthur to a devotional at the temple grounds in Santiago Dec. 8th at which two of our missionaries were participating.  One, Elder Coello--from Chile, is an excellent classical pianist.  And you may have heard of the other, Elder Archuleta--from Utah. ;-) Because Elder A. is so well-known by many, Elder B. also served by helping him leave each venue after just a few minutes of socializing ~ before the crowd could hem him in.  When Elder A. followed Elder B. closely from each hall, people saw only a tall, handsome, polite gingo making his way through the crowd. ;-)  ...It was WONDERFUL to be on the temple block...because we know Darla and Darrell were there not long ago!

We really didn't know what to expect when we learned we'd be serving in the same mission as Elder A; but have come to have a great respect for this young man.  He is very humble and unassuming... totally focused on missionary work...and was reticent to do anything that would put the spotlight on him rather than on his message.  He agreed to participate in these concerts at the request of presiding authorities.  They, in turn, took many precautions to help ensure the message took center stage. =)

We didn't attend the concert last Sunday because transportation wasn't needed and we were somewhat exhausted from the previous week...so Elder A. followed closely on the heels of Sis. MacArthur that night and people graciously gave-way to a lovely gringo lady (who speaks fluent Spanish btw having served a mission here as a YW ;-) making her way through over 800 people in the Rancagua Stake Center (at least half of which were non or less-active members =).  This was indeed a tender mercy--because when Elders Archuleta, Coello and Jara (another of Elder A's very talented accompanists) presented a fireside for young adults with a YSA choir in Rancagua just before we came, Elder A. was swarmed by guests wanting autographs and taking pix...while the other performers were basically ignored.  This, no doubt, is what precipitated careful planning and advance free-internet-ticket requirements for the Christmas Devotionals. 

There was no clapping by the audience at the first concert due to the sacred nature of the program.  In Buin, some applause began--but was quieted by a nod and a smile when Elder A. made a "sh" sign by putting a finger to his lips. :-)  In Santiago, where the concert was outdoors between the temple and the MTC, there were many more performers...and guests!!!...and people were allowed to express their appreciation by applauding.  They had to open the chapel and an adjacent building for folks to view the program via video transmission because there was insufficient seating outside.  There was a lovely, larger display of nativity scenes there, too, at the chapel adjacent to the temple.  The folks in Santiago invited Elder A. to participate in each of several Christmas programs presented there; but  Pres. MacArthur allowed them to pick one day...so Elder A. could focus on missionary work. 

As it was, he and his companion had investigators come to the program in Santiago...and while Elder A. was warming-up w/accompanists, his companion and one of our AP's taught them the discussion about tithing while seated on the beautiful grounds at the temple.  These folks already had a baptism date set for a few weeks from now...but after their discussion that evening, they moved the date up to Dec. 22...which was the highlight of Elders Archuleta's and Pena's evening!  They're all looking forward to being INSIDE the temple together next year at Christmastime.  Can you imagine ANYTHING more joyous???

It's been humbling...and amazing, really...to see such a lovely program come together with so few rehearsals as Pres. M. was adamant about missionaries spending very little time away from their sectors.  The senior missionary couple that works with the YSA here, the McKinleys, were instrumental in organizing everything, getting copies of music and getting them translated into Spanish, and arranging for EVERYTHING from transportation to red+green corsages for the sister missionaries and YSA's singing in the choirs.  Another senior couple serving in Buin, the Grant's, arranged a lovely creche-display for people to view before the concert there...and decorated the chapel beautifully!  In Rancagua, many Books of Mormon at a display table found new homes. :-)  It was a joy to get to know better the Elders and Sisters who traveled with us to San Fernando and Buin and Santiago.  We are grateful to be able to associate with such valiant souls day-in and day-out. 

All the music and narration was in Spanish, of course (except "The Prayer" which was sung in Italian and English =)...so I found myself concentrating especially hard to understand the words and follow the message.  Even tho' I was familiar with most of the music...and even the scriptures...it was like dew from heaven when "ah-ha!" moments would help me understand which verse was being sung and/or which scripture was being referenced.  I know that is a tender mercy too...a gift of the Spirit... and am deeply grateful for each opportunity to recognize sweet affirmations of testimony and truth!

We had the opportunity to join our bishop and his wife and 17 yr.old son (who has just submitted his mission paperwork =) at a FHE with a less-active member, Malvina, on Dec. 3rd.  She's a lovely lady who has authored a small book of poetry and is working on her first novel.  When I admired her poetry (about music and nature and building relationships...what's not to love? =) she presented me with a copy as a gift!

Dad presented a ward family history fireside on Dec. 6th.  Elder Belmar who has been working w/us here in the office contributed by sharing a slide presentation about helps available on-line for researching names, dates and places in Chile.

This Sunday, Dad (mostly ;-) and I will be speaking at a fireside for the YSA's in Rancagua about our experiences serving missions and how these young people can help the work progress.

We love and miss you all a great deal...and are extremely grateful for every means we have of staying in-touch. Our fervent prayer is that the Spirit of Christ may fill our hearts and homes ~ and that our love for the Lord...and for our fellowmen...may grow ~ as each of us in his/her own way strives to be more like Him each day!!!

p.s. somehow while I was posting today, I lost the small message in "white" posted just before this one...if anyone can remind me what it is about, I'll try to re-create it...otherwise, SORRY!  I'm hoping to figure-out how to post pictures soon...;-)  XOXOXO