 | ||||
Hope things are great there at home! Sounds like its way hot and that everyone is having a great summer! :)
I have a few thoughts/things to share this week, but not too much, and I WILL send pictures....I don't know why that's been such a struggle for me.... This week for sure. :)
I wanted to share a Pioneer Day related experience with you all first. :) Some background things are also experiences I want to share, so bear with me. :) We had a baptism in our ward! It was for the Elders, but exciting nonetheless. :) I played the piano, which was not good by all means, but it felt good to help out at least a little bit. We also sang A Child's Prayer for the special number (the four of us missionaries in Zapahuira), and that was a very special experience, as two of us were singing in English, and two in Spanish. So after the baptism, Byron's (who is 11 and got baptized) mom invited all of us over for a family home evening. Their family is members, but all of their extended family isn't and they were all there to support their nephew/grandson. So we went over, enjoyed some wonderful Chilean food, and watched a video about John Tanner. I vaguely recall watching that once before, but it had a much stronger impact this time for some reason.... I felt so blessed and in such great awe at the faith and perseverance of the Pioneers. They also mentioned the name Parley P. Pratt, and that hit me just right. I realized that not only my family on the earth right now is making such great sacrifices for me to be here, but my WHOLE family. All my pioneer ancestors worked so hard, just so that I could be here in Chile today. That gave me a different perspective, and it was very humbling. It makes me want to try THAT much harder to be a little bit better. :) (Parley P. Pratt is a 5th great uncle to Kristen.)
We are working with four very great investigators right now! They are all girls, and all under 13. Two of them are sisters, and they are so enthusiastic about the gospel, and they LOVE reading the Book of Mormon. They have to go to church three times before they get baptized though, so stay tuned for later in August. :)
Speaking of which!! Next week is transfers. I don't quite know where the time has gone, but we are really hoping that neither of us has to leave Zapahuira at this time.... If we need to, of course we will... :) But I sure hope that we get to stay for a little while longer. Also, along those lines if one of us is transferred you won't hear from me until Tuesday or Wednesday because of packing and traveling to a new area takes the whole P Day. So no worries if that is the case! :)
Yesterday we got the opportunity to go to a town in our ward named Yuta. Yep. Pronouced the same way as my Utah. :) It was a great experience! It's only about 20 minutes away, and we never go out there to tract or anything, but there are a couple families in the ward that live there and we ate lunch with them. Yuta is a little farming town, and it's great cause there's actually GREEN stuff... ;) It's a nice little change.... :)
Time to go for now, but I love you all so much. It's great to hear about the adventures happening in the OTHER Utah. :) The Lord's work is hastening! Don't be afraid to open your mouth. :) All my love,
Hermana Tuft
=================
Hermana Tuft
=================
Dear Family!!!
I loved hearing about all your experiences you had in Heber! I was dying laughing about your charades game, and it sounded like you kept pretty busy. I feel so special to have been included in the CUPS. :P That definitely made my day. :) I was there in spirit.... :) I have an envelope addressed and ready to SEND home, but I don't know when I'll get to go to Centro to send it, so I'll let you know... They might be a little out of date when you get them....so sorry.... :P I'm going to send pictures, so I have to run, but I love you all!! Kyle & Jess I'd love to hear about how Washington is when you get back! And Spencer and Lindsay PLEASE tell me all about EFY and Timberline, and spending time up in Smithfield... :P
LOVESSSSS from Chile,
Kristen =================
Hello Mommy and Daddy!!
I have lots of notes (yes I wrote notes to your letters, so I wouldn't leave anything out... :) But I'm just going to type them as I wrote them down to save time, if that's okay! :) I really hate this whole time limit thing... I'd be much better if the church could change it to 2 hours, or even an hour and a half... Anywho here goes!! :)
Yeah for Marley and her call!! That's so exciting! Everyone is going to speak Spanish come two years from now... :) That's also great that Malachi Hopoate gets to go down to Mexico City! I had a teacher in the MTC go there a week before we left, so I told her to look for Hermana Thomas :). Do you, by chance, have her email? I'm assuming it's normal, but who knows. :) Also, it sounds like Britney had a great time in Africa!! I hope to hear from her about it soon. :) I also loved hearing about the temple experiences from Brother Rios. I got MAJOR chills when you said that about the 400 sisters going through in 1 hour!! The work is hastening on BOTH sides of the veil... I LOVE IT!!! :D I wish I could have been there to help with organizing those family pictures, but it sounds like things are going well and I can't wait to see how it turns out. :) Could you maybe send a picture of Kim's baby?? I'd love to see him. :) AND MOM YOUR FOOOOOTTTT!!! What's up with that?!?! Please keep me posted and let me know how your appointments go.... I've been having shin splint problems and been pulling a YOU and wearing tennis shoes around the house....I hate wearing shoes....did ya know that? ;) And I hope you have a great time with Jennie this week! Tell me all about it. :) Did Jennie get my letter?? I sure hope so, I sent it while I was in the MTC.... I'm happy to hear that Uncle Glenn is feeling a little better, but I hope he gets the help he needs and isn't stubborn about it... Sounds too much like Grandpa.... I pray for him every day, and also those of the family that aren't active especially... I hope they can realize the importance of this gospel. That's the whole reason I'm here!! I also was CRACKING up about "Sister Kessa Dwiggins." :P Too funny. And no Megan Walker didn't tell me about my blog! Please clue me in.... :) TONS of news, but I love it! It makes it seem like you all aren't that far away. :D
Dad, I haven't had the chance to make pancakes yet, because we haven't made it to Chile's Walmart for a couple weeks to get stuff to make them, but I will tell you how they turn out when I do make them! :) And along those lines, same with making a dessert for my Empanada lady. :) We're going to stop by and see if we can actually VISIT with her this week though. :) The language journal is helping me SO much. I kinda disregarded it for a little while when I first got here, but you reminding me made me pull it back out again and now I write down all the words I don't know during the day, and look them up when I get home. :) I wish I could say the lists are getting shorter, but they aren't... SO much to learn, but I DO understand TONSSSS better these days. I also can talk to someone and have a short conversation, so it's coming. Not without TONS of help from fervent prayer however. :) We work with our Ward Mission Leader, Hermano Delgado, and we're actually going over there for an FHE tonight. :) He is such a great help, and we couldn't do this without him. He said he's working with the Bishop to get ward mission leaders called this month, so I hope I'll be here to see what that brings! :) Also, LOTS of people have been to the Bolivia, Cuchabumba temple, because the whole ward goes twice a year. You can feel a difference in the homes of members that have and haven't been. It's a huge testimony builder to me of the sacredness of the temple and the covenants we make there. I didn't get a chance to do a sealing while at the MTC, so that is on my list of things to do when I get home. Going to the temple in general will be such a wonderful experience. I really am missing my weekly temple trips... I hope you and Mom can go this week or next for me! :) I also vaguely remember that talk we had while on the way to Brigham a couple years ago... I remember I wrote it in my journal though! :) That's what journals are for... :) I loved reading through Alma 32 though. Thank you for that. It's interesting how Alma says by faith and diligence it will take root in you. We first have to ALLOW it. The seed needs the water from our own desire to know the truth before it can take root. I love that promise that when we endure to the end, we are promised eternal life. The temple is a TINY glimpse of the Glory and Love of God. We are SO blessed to have so many temples in the world today.
I am so so soooo sorry once again about my camera... I don't know if you really want me to send it home though! One of the Elders I was talking to about it said not to have you send one, because his mom did that and it got stolen in the mail.... And he said not to have you tell anyone of MM because he didn't tell his mom.... I promise I will tell you those things... :D Also, tell Grandma and Grandpa hello and give them a HUGE squeeze for me. I'm wearing Grandma's scarf she made for me today, and I've been thinking of her. ALSO please tell her I use my prayer rug SOOO many times every day because the floor is tile, and it is so wonderful. So please thank her again for me. :) Kay, I've got to run so I can send PICTURES!! Allllll my LOVE!!
Your daughter,
Kristen, the Stinkerpants. :)
Kristen =================
Hello Mommy and Daddy!!
I have lots of notes (yes I wrote notes to your letters, so I wouldn't leave anything out... :) But I'm just going to type them as I wrote them down to save time, if that's okay! :) I really hate this whole time limit thing... I'd be much better if the church could change it to 2 hours, or even an hour and a half... Anywho here goes!! :)
Yeah for Marley and her call!! That's so exciting! Everyone is going to speak Spanish come two years from now... :) That's also great that Malachi Hopoate gets to go down to Mexico City! I had a teacher in the MTC go there a week before we left, so I told her to look for Hermana Thomas :). Do you, by chance, have her email? I'm assuming it's normal, but who knows. :) Also, it sounds like Britney had a great time in Africa!! I hope to hear from her about it soon. :) I also loved hearing about the temple experiences from Brother Rios. I got MAJOR chills when you said that about the 400 sisters going through in 1 hour!! The work is hastening on BOTH sides of the veil... I LOVE IT!!! :D I wish I could have been there to help with organizing those family pictures, but it sounds like things are going well and I can't wait to see how it turns out. :) Could you maybe send a picture of Kim's baby?? I'd love to see him. :) AND MOM YOUR FOOOOOTTTT!!! What's up with that?!?! Please keep me posted and let me know how your appointments go.... I've been having shin splint problems and been pulling a YOU and wearing tennis shoes around the house....I hate wearing shoes....did ya know that? ;) And I hope you have a great time with Jennie this week! Tell me all about it. :) Did Jennie get my letter?? I sure hope so, I sent it while I was in the MTC.... I'm happy to hear that Uncle Glenn is feeling a little better, but I hope he gets the help he needs and isn't stubborn about it... Sounds too much like Grandpa.... I pray for him every day, and also those of the family that aren't active especially... I hope they can realize the importance of this gospel. That's the whole reason I'm here!! I also was CRACKING up about "Sister Kessa Dwiggins." :P Too funny. And no Megan Walker didn't tell me about my blog! Please clue me in.... :) TONS of news, but I love it! It makes it seem like you all aren't that far away. :D
Dad, I haven't had the chance to make pancakes yet, because we haven't made it to Chile's Walmart for a couple weeks to get stuff to make them, but I will tell you how they turn out when I do make them! :) And along those lines, same with making a dessert for my Empanada lady. :) We're going to stop by and see if we can actually VISIT with her this week though. :) The language journal is helping me SO much. I kinda disregarded it for a little while when I first got here, but you reminding me made me pull it back out again and now I write down all the words I don't know during the day, and look them up when I get home. :) I wish I could say the lists are getting shorter, but they aren't... SO much to learn, but I DO understand TONSSSS better these days. I also can talk to someone and have a short conversation, so it's coming. Not without TONS of help from fervent prayer however. :) We work with our Ward Mission Leader, Hermano Delgado, and we're actually going over there for an FHE tonight. :) He is such a great help, and we couldn't do this without him. He said he's working with the Bishop to get ward mission leaders called this month, so I hope I'll be here to see what that brings! :) Also, LOTS of people have been to the Bolivia, Cuchabumba temple, because the whole ward goes twice a year. You can feel a difference in the homes of members that have and haven't been. It's a huge testimony builder to me of the sacredness of the temple and the covenants we make there. I didn't get a chance to do a sealing while at the MTC, so that is on my list of things to do when I get home. Going to the temple in general will be such a wonderful experience. I really am missing my weekly temple trips... I hope you and Mom can go this week or next for me! :) I also vaguely remember that talk we had while on the way to Brigham a couple years ago... I remember I wrote it in my journal though! :) That's what journals are for... :) I loved reading through Alma 32 though. Thank you for that. It's interesting how Alma says by faith and diligence it will take root in you. We first have to ALLOW it. The seed needs the water from our own desire to know the truth before it can take root. I love that promise that when we endure to the end, we are promised eternal life. The temple is a TINY glimpse of the Glory and Love of God. We are SO blessed to have so many temples in the world today.
I am so so soooo sorry once again about my camera... I don't know if you really want me to send it home though! One of the Elders I was talking to about it said not to have you send one, because his mom did that and it got stolen in the mail.... And he said not to have you tell anyone of MM because he didn't tell his mom.... I promise I will tell you those things... :D Also, tell Grandma and Grandpa hello and give them a HUGE squeeze for me. I'm wearing Grandma's scarf she made for me today, and I've been thinking of her. ALSO please tell her I use my prayer rug SOOO many times every day because the floor is tile, and it is so wonderful. So please thank her again for me. :) Kay, I've got to run so I can send PICTURES!! Allllll my LOVE!!
Your daughter,
Kristen, the Stinkerpants. :)
(She had an Elder there drop her camera last week at the lake and break it and wrote a private email to us and referred to herself as the Stinkerpants. We're thinking it's going to STICK - it's her fourth broken camera in about 5 years, THREE of them broken by others!!! Being a photography major, she said she's thinking about changing majors. :) )
No comments:
Post a Comment