I am rather sick of bus rides.....I miss my car! (week 40)

Dear Family,

Well I am sure missing you all! Summer is starting, and well I am sad about missing bbq´s at Jill's....... Can't believe Alyssa is now eight and getting baptized on Saturday, and that Madilyn is graduating.....now that is just really weird. Welcome to the real world Maddie!

So today we went to Rancagua again.....so that was fun. I am really sick of going on buses. We went so I could visit the ¨back specialist¨. So something different here from the states is that they just ask you to take off your clothes while they are still in the room. I was wearing lots of layers, which was a handy thing today. They there was this man in the street today who was a lot drunk and tried to touch my heart after I gave him a proselyting card (we were waiting for transportation). That was a bit awkward. He also tried to kiss me, but he couldn't reach lol. I actually feel bad for him. He needs some help. He told us he is an alcoholic. 

So Joaquin didn't go to church again.....this kid kills me. He is doing a bit better this week. I think it is just a hard transition, and even harder to be the only member in the family. We go over every Wednesday to teach him and help him with his school stuff when we can find a member to accompany us. (Side note his grades have jumped up since we have been doing this.) So we went over and his Mom wanted us to help him with his math (are you laughing yet?) and it was actually something I remembered. So I told him that if he scored 100% on his test I would buy him Nutella. So then he called me a few days letter and he totally did it. I have to buy him Nutella now......which is kind of expensive, but that's okay. We ended up having a bomb.com lesson that night too. We talked about how the gospel blesses families. We compared Jesus Christ and his teachings to Joaquins favorite soccer coach. I asked him if I were to do exactly what the coach asked me to if I could be a good soccer player and he of course said yes. Then we asked if I just sat there and didn't do anything....obviously no. So then we talked about different gospel topics that he has been able to apply and the blessings. So that was awesome. Then we told him he is on Jesus´s team and no one is going to be able to beat him as long as he applies what he knows. His Moms eyes were just burning with the spirit which was awesome. She has had some really challenging moments lately with Ivan and his illness and then her other son Samuel has been really really sick lately. Apparently he doesn't believe in God now......so that's interesting. Anyway it was just awesome. I felt so blessed leaving that lesson. I am praying so hard to receive the revelation necessary to help him feel the spirit and that we would actually be able to visit. Keep praying for this kid please! I just love him to pieces!

We ended up dropping Patricia this week. She doesn't really follow through, and we know there are other people God has ready for us. Someday she will join the church, but just not right now. Also Francisca dropped us.....that was an interesting experience. She still is going to go to mutual and stuff, but doesn't want the lessons......everyone gets to pick as Grandma says. 

So a funny thing happened this week. My companion got marked by a dog. I about died. It was so funny.....in a disgusting way.

Also a man informed me in the street (he is an old investigator from the hermanas before us) that he is going to come and visit me when I get done with the mission and then he is going to marry me and take me back to Chile......I about died. I was like.....um no sorry I am not going to give my family up for that long. I just hope I don't get a call from the airport one day.......I just don't know what I would do about that.

So this week at consejo President and Hna Warne bought Papa Johns.....that was the best thing ever! Then to top it off we ate great value ice cream. It was delightful! It is kind of ridiculous how I get so excited about food.

As a parting note, I want to share something that I read this week. I was reading something in the Liahona and it said that President Heber J. Grant prayed that he wouldn't loose his testimony and he asked for help to endure to the end. If a prophet of God prays for that.....none of us should ever take for granted the testimonies that we have. Anyone can fall away. If you are not anxiously engaged in your conversion, you will fall away. Don't ever take anything for granted. 

Read and Pray Every day!

Hermana Makin

 

Flat Sadie

Contemplating gaining weight to be warmer this winter....that is how cold it is.... (week 39)

So guess where I am right now? RANCAGUA!!!!! My heart is so happy! I was thinking the other night about how after this cambio I will only have 5 cambios left, and that I still don't know very many areas of the mission, and you know how I love to travel and such, but then today coming back here it is like coming home.....I may just want to spend the rest of my days in this beautiful spot. There are 3 other sectors in Rancagua I haven't served in yet....BUT I am just going to trust that God will send me where the people need me.

We actually came to Rancagua because my companion had a dentist appointment. We actually have to come back on Friday again because it turned out to be more extensive than originally thought. Oh, and I have to come back AGAIN on Thursday for our meeting.....so I will be doing lots of traveling this week. On the bright side, I will get to check the mail! Woot woot!

So it has been really cold this week! I am going to look for new gloves, because the ones I use leave my hands cold, and they were supossed to be good ones! That is my only complaint so far. The boots and wool socks make my toes nice and toasty (thanks pops) and the coat.....well good job Jason, you are a good picker-outer. I may invest in some ear-muffs. They have some rather fun looking ones in San Fernando. 

I have also decided that this winter as part of my survival plan I am going to live off of Ramen Noodles, Hot Chocolate, and peanut butter toast. Sounds tasty right? I might eat some fruits and vegetables too, but no promises.

How was Ruby's birthday? I was thinking about her on that day and annoyed with myself for forgetting to say something on Monday. I feel like she can't be 3......is she 3? She's just so little! May 21st is actually a holiday here....something to do with a war or something. I want to study Chilean history when I get home. We had a mateado at the church. It is where everyone brings mate and drinks and chats and what not. Members also brought treats and they made SOPAIPILLAS!!!! So that was awesome. Speaking of sopaipillas, I forgot to tell you that right after I got done with the skype call Hermana Fuentes had hot sopaipillas for us....well sprobably mostly for her family, but they were delicious!

This week my Alyssa turns 8! I can't even believe it :( Where does time go. I am so sad to be missing her baptism! I am going to try not to think about it......it just makes me too sad. Also, Madilyns graduation.......I mean if someone doesn't over document these occasions.....I might just really lose my mind.

I was sorry to hear about Shirley. I can't even remember the last time I saw her. So sad! What happened exactly? Does anyone know? How was the funeral? She had the most fun house! 

Big shout out to Mom and Dad for their anniversary tomorrow!

So lots of people have asked about Joaquin......well he didn't come to church yesterday......it is crazy the change that has come over him recently. Its just so different from a few weeks ago. Conversion is really hard....well the change is anyway. Please keep praying for him....specifically that he can have spiritual experiences or opportunities. 

We are now teaching a 14 year old girl named Fransica. She is going to get baptised this next month in June. She wakes up early every morning and goes to seminary, so that is kind of cool. She has friends that are members. There is still a lot to do to help her prepare for this big step.

So I found out that Javier stopped going to church......that just about killed me soul. The Hermanas never found him again after I left.....he was so strong when I left, so I don't know what happened. It just kind of breaks my heart. He was so prepared too when he got baptised. Not much I can do unfortunately. Please pray for him. I told Hermana Stirngham about that this week, she was not happy either. We just love that kid so much!

We found Paticia by the way! It was an awesome lesson! She told us she knows it is what she needs to do, but that she is scarred, because she knows she is going ot have to leave a lot behind. Please pray for her to have opportunities to strengthen her faith, and that we can keep finding her when we pass by.

Did I tell you all abut Monica and Karen? Well.....sadly we haven't been able to find them. SO SAD!

Did you see the house I helped build? I feel pretty legit to be able to say I helped build a house. 

Today is the 3 year anniversary of my companions baptism! Isn't that awesome! We want to do something to celebrate, but we are broke haha because it is the end of the month. Which means.....we get to get creative, which is always so much more fun.

The other night the other Hermanas cooked oatmeal and put it on their faces.....apparently its a thing? Haha idk they are crazy and I love them. We definitely do things we never would have in normal life as missionaries,

Oh and by the way, my companion hates when I talk like a Gringa....it is really funny, totally going to bug her about that ALL CAMBIO LONG!!!

So remember when I had that weird rash on my arm at the beginning of the mission....well its ba-ack. I don't really know what to do about it, but I called the nurse, so she is aware......it just never gets old haha

Well I know that I am forgetting stuff, but that is all I can think of at the moment.

Read and Pray Everyday

Hermana Makin

Pics, Pictures, and Pix

Flat Sadie in Chile (week 38)

Hola!

 

Flat Stanley made it to Chile! I am so so so so happy. I get to be the cool Aunt from 6,000 miles away. So the new married missionary couple came to inspect the house and they brought the mail. God knows the desires of our hearts. I was just so so so so excited and happy. One of the biggest tender mercies this week haha.

 

Also another thing happened this week that made me scream and shout and let it all out. HERMANA STRINGHAM IS COMING TO SAN FERNANADO!!!!!!! She isn't going to be my companion, but she is going to be in the same zone, so basically I get to see her often. I am truly so excited! I might have freaked out just a little bit when I heard the news. We might have been in the church.......are we sure I am really 24? Good thing there wasn't anyone there haha

 

So Joaquin is doing better. I am still really concerned about him because of some stuff he was telling us and the Elders this week, so please keep praying for him.

 

So you remember the story I told you about Patricia the one we invited to be baptized a couple of weeks ago. (It was when I did divisions with Hermana Bishop.) Well, we haven't been able to find her again. :( We might have to end up dropping her.......we are going to work really hard on finding her this week, and if we cant, then we are going to have to stop passing by. It makes me sad, because she knows God sent us.......which means she has a level of understanding.......

 

Oh also I should mention that we cambios are tomorrow. My companion Hermana Smith is going to Curico and I am going to get a new companion. Her name is Hermana Aizama. I actually did divisions with her one day when I was in Graneros. She is crazy haha, but like in a fun way. She is a really good missionary. I am excited to work with her. I am SOOOOO happy that I am going to have a companion who works hard, loves the people, and is obedient. (I know this because I already worked with her.) She is from Argentina by the way. Her story is pretty incredible. I will have to tell it to you some day. She is a recent convert. 

 

Anyway I am boring again.....I need to start writing in my journal so that I have more to share with you all....or rather remember what to share.

 

I miss you all very much, and I pray that you are doing well. 

Read and Pray Everyday!!!

 

 

Hermana Makin

P.S. For my lack of words I will send pictures. Am I forgiven? THANKS!

Post Phone Call (week 37)

Hey Everyone,

 

It was so fun to see everyone yesterday! The hour went by so fast! I especially loved all of the photos from yesterday. That was awesome. I miss you guys! I appreciate so much all of the prayers you are saying for me. I feel them, and they raise me up to stand on mountains (yep, I just went there). I especially loved how everyone sang to me. That was one of my favorite parts.

 

We had a pretty.....interesting week this week. It was a rather challenging one, but I am always up for a challenge! 

 

Joaquin is....not doing so great. He said he doesn't want to do the church thing anymore. Please pray for him. Pray that he can feel the spirit. His family is passing through a really challenging time and they need some prayers.

 

What else....um....oh yeah I turned 24....so I am old now. We didn't do anything for my birthday, but the Elders brought cake to mission coordination so that was really thoughtful. One of the members sang at me from his car when he saw us in the street, so that was awesome. Nothing quite like being serenaded haha Oh and a drunk man told me to go die....that was really funny.

 

We are working really hard on finding new people to teach. 

Everything here seems so routine and normal because it is what I do everyday, but I know there is more I just can't think of anything.

 

Sorry.....worst email ever, I just cant think of anything to say. You did get to see me yesterday though, so I hope you got a good enough fix to last you till next Monday. I promise to be more exciting, and have some good stories to tell. I am also really short on time.......

 

I LOVE YOU ALL THE WAY TO THE US AND BACK A BAZILLION TIMES!

Read and Pray Everyday!

Hermana Makin

Its a little more than chilly in Chile (week 36)

Another week has flown by....literally. Now when I forget to say things on Monday, or tell you about stuff I don't get mad. I just think, well tomorrow will be Monday again. It literally feels like that. I am kind of in denial because I am really close to my halfway point......WEIRD! I don't want to talk about it.

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes, and songs. That was really special. Definitely cried...I am hoping it is a really good day.....though I am so not okay with being 24.....that sounds so OLD!!!

So this week I had divisions in my sector with Hermana Bishop who is just amazing! Love her! We had like this rock solid day. It was back to back lessons and the spirit was SOOOOO strong in all of them. One of my favorite days in the mission. So we had just had two awesome lessons with awesome people and we were on our way to another appointment when I felt the need to go visit someone named Patricia. She is an investigator who we can never find. Anyway we go there and she is there and she invites us in and we start teaching here and I get this really strong impression that I have to invite this woman to be baptized. So I was praying in my head to God and saying okay I am going to do it, but how am I going to do that? How am I going to work this one in, in the middle of a lesson. So as I was praying and talking, Hermana Bishop started talking and I was like OHHHHH that is how and then we challenged her to baptism and she accepted and is going to get baptized the end of June. I guess you had to be there, but it was just so awesome. Hermana Bishop after told me she had the same feeling, that she had to invite her to be baptized which she felt really uncomfortable about because she was working in my sector haha She has 3 months in the mission, so it made her a little nervous.

 

Anyway I can't think of anything interesting that has been happening....and I have to go, but come up with a list of questions to ask me on Sunday. You will get a really quick response. I am hoping to call between 4 and 5 your time. I have to find someone with internet first though.

 

Please read your scriptures. They are SO IMPORTANT! 

 

I miss you more than......anything else, and love you more that that.

 

Read and Pray Everyday

 

Hermana Makin

 

PS Sorry the email was so short. Out of time......