(I just got this note from Kristen this morning (Monday 10/21). It made me tear up just a tad because I know how hard it is for her to leave "her people." But she will bloom where she's planted" and love Copiapo too. AND...I just found out via a mom on Facebook I'm 'friends' with and her son is Chris James who has been in Arica with Kristen, and he is going to Copiapo today too. I'm sooo happy she won't be traveling alone!!!!) Phew!
MOMMMM!!!! I'm leaving Arica today. :( It's been a sad but very wonderful couple days. I'm headed to a city 20 hours away named Copiapó. I'm excited, but really sad too. So I'll write a little bit later, and I think tomorrow a little bit too. Sorry! This week's letter will be choppy I'm thinking... I love you so so very much. :D Talk to you in a couple hours if all works out as planned... :D LOVE YOU!!!
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Hello All! (10/22)
I've been transferred! It's been quite a weekend, but I'm really excited to finally be here and get to work. :) We left yesterday at about 4:30 pm from Arica, and traveled through the night to get here in Copiapó this morning at 11am -ish. There were 4 of us that came together, so that was good. :) My new companion is Hermana Severtson and she is so great! (HOW did you know she was my new comp, Mom? A little bit creepy! :D MM's?) We've only known each other for a few hours, but I feel very good about this transfer and for the work that we will get to do together. I know there's lots to do and we're going to work our very hardest and rely on the Spirit to help us do the things the Lord needs. So it should be another great adventure! :)
Leaving Zapahuira was definitely a little struggle, but it's for the best and I felt very calm about it all. Usually change is really hard for me, but I felt super tranquilo. :) I loved the time that I had to work there. It was hard to leave our investigators, less actives, the members, los Papitos, and of course Hermana Matias. We shed a few tears, but así es la misión. :) There were so many special experiences that we had this week, but they're hard to explain because they're just personal happy moments. Let's just say that I feel like I left Arica with no regrets. I feel like we found, taught, and did all the things that we were meant to do together, and that I did the best that I could to help the work progress in Zapahuira. Hermana Matias will stay in Zapahuira training a new sister this transfer, so that should be a lot of fun and she will do so good! She is such a wonderful missionary and I have no worries for her. She was a little nervous, but all will be well. :)
I know this week is super short, there are just so many things swimming in my head that I can't seem to put them into words! :) I am so excited for this change and for the new opportunities that will come. I know this church is so very true. I know that Joseph Smith restored this gospel to the earth, and that it is led by our Savior, Jesus Christ. He loves us, and I know that He lives. I feel so much love and comfort as I rely on Him in my life and the many blessings that I receive as I follow Him.
I am sure there will be a LOAD of stuff to tell you all next week, but for this week this will just have to do! :) I love you all and thank you for your love, support, and constant prayers.
With all my love from Copiapó,
Hermana Tuft
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Hello Mom & Dad!
I just have to say, both of your letters made me cry, because I had that feeling that I was leaving too, I just didn't want it to happen, so I was in denial the whole week, until Saturday night when leaving was a reality... I truly am excited to be here, but Zapahuira will always hold a special place in my heart. I was in the taxi going back to the house as I was reading your letters and I got to the part Dad, where you sent your "letter". Thank you, both of you, for your loving and comforting words. They truly did help me, and I am excited to learn and grow from this new experience. :) Thank you Mom for the pictures! That's CRAZY that Alex Knowlton is home, and Spencer looked so handsome for Homecoming. :) Thank you also for telling me about Kenna.... I will keep her in my prayers. That's really a scary thing!! How did she catch TB, and what exactly does it do?? I was thinking if that happened to me...how awful it would be to sit in the appartment for a month straight doing nothing.... I hope they can bring in laptops or something and do the mormon.org skype thing that they do at the MTC with people that can't go out tracting on a mission. That would be a great experience! And for all the news and stories. :)
I really enjoyed the thought about the letters. I loved the thought that the scriptures are our letters from our Heavenly Father, because it is so very true. I honestly can say that there has not been a day that goes by that I haven't not found something that has helped me personally throught the day, or in one of our lessons. I know that Heavenly Father speaks to us through His holy words. And the dream that Brother Wilcox shared was very special. I have found that the most powerful tool of conversion is through the Book of Mormon. There are so many experiences of less actives, and investigators, that I have experienced already, that when they start reading the Book of Mormon, and truly reading it's teachings, is when they truly change. It's the proof of the gospel, and it does change lives. It has definitely changed mine.
These past days have been really reflective and peaceful for me. Like I mentioned in the other letter, I feel like I finished all that Heavenly Father needed me to do in Zapahuira. I love that feeling. Every time I think about how far I've come from starting my mission 4 1/2 months ago to now, I am so humbled and the growth that He has aided me in and given me the opportunities to learn and grow. I wish I could just bring you both with me inside my head so you could see the things I am seeing and experiencing. One person at a time, we truly can change the world. Thank you Mom and Dad, for raising me in this gospel. Thank you for your love and support, and for helping me gain a testimony of my own. I love this gospel and I love my Savior. Every day I am so grateful that I can be His special witness to bring this happiness to the people here in Chile. I love you both so very much. I hope you have a wonderful week and I promise to send more details next week. :) Be safe as you head up to Brigham, and give the family a big hug from me! :)
All my love,
Kristen
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P.S. Mom, I honestly think that if you can send my package directly here today it would get here faster than if you sent it with Paulina and then she sent it to the mission offices. We only get packages once a month when the zone leaders go to their training meeting, so if it got here by the first of December I could get it... :) With the Virgin Mary stickers on it, I really think it'll get here faster, and less hectic for Paulina, and I think faster... Just my thoughts. :) THANK YOU! Lots of love. :D
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