The Object and Design

Hello all!

What a week it's been! Cambios, Thanksgiving, and lots, lots more. :) It's been a great week though. :) Cambios were crazy, but Hermana Severtson and I are staying here in Chañarcillo together! Wahoo! :) They were crazy because just about all of Copiapó changed, just sectors. The wards that had just hermanas are all split up so we have wards with a companionship of hermanas and one of elders. Elder James is coming to our ward with his new companion, Elder Oribe and the other hermanas are headed to their old ward. So a little swap. :) And that's about how it was for all of Copiapó! We still haven't found a new pension, but we're on the lookout. :) For now, we'll just stay how we are and slowly but surely find pensions in our own sectors I think. That's how it's looking for now. :) Oh the pensions. :)

A couple quick weird week moments! This morning we were walking through the plaza and a guy heard us speaking in English, and stopped us. Yep. We did our first contact in English today. It was the weirdest thing! I couldn't think of the words, and poor Hermana Severtson was so shocked and couldn't think at all in English, so she just stood there shocked. :P He was from Canada, so that was a fun little weird moment! Aaand we had a conversation in the middle of the night in Spanish... That was weird, especially cause it's harder normally to speak when I'm tired, but nope. We just had a conversation in Spanish at 3 in the morning... No biggy. :P I love that it's just coming SO much easier these days. :)

This week we went back to have another lesson with the member references we received last week. Her name is Andrea, and she and her husband have 2 kids. They are the cutest little kids, and we're really excited to work with them! It is so incredible how much people are prepared. I loved how one of our members (the member that we got the reference from for Andrea and Angelo) told us that when we have friends and family that we would like to share the gospel with, but we tell ourselves they're not ready or not going to accept the gospel, that maybe it's actually us that aren't ready to accept them. I loved that thought! We have to prepare ourselves to help them and to be there for them. Anyway, we are really excited to work with Andrea and Angelo. :)

This past week has been a very reflective week as well. Hermana Severtson and I have been studying the Plan of Salvation and it seems like we've been teaching it a lot more this past week or so, and I feel so blessed. We have the knowledge that the plan that our Father in Heaven has for us is a plan of happiness and joy. Hermana Brewster shared this quote from Joseph Smith with us this past week: "Happiness is the object and design of our existence, and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all of the commandments of God." I loved that thought! The object and design of our existence is happiness. And how beautiful to think that we are only truly happy as we follow our Savior and use the beautiful gift of the Atonement in our lives. It is personal to everyone of us. It is love freely given.

I know this gospel is true. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His church restored once again upon the earth. How blessed we are! I love you all so very much. I hope all is well and that you all have a wonderful first week of December! Don't forget Elder Ballard's challenge to share the gospel with at least one person before Christmas.... :D

Con todo cariño,
Hermana Tuft
=================
Hello Mom and Dad!

Just a little quicky to say how much I love you and how great it was to hear from you this past week. It's been a great couple days, and a few tears here and there, but in the end I know everything will work out for the best. I know I'm here right now for a reason. :)

I am glad to hear that things went well at home this past week. Also to hear that Grandpa is recuperating and hopefully headed home in the next couple days. Please just keep me posted with everything you find out in his regard. If he gets worse in the next little while I would like to call sooner than Christmas, but I think he will be fine and feeling a little better by then so we'll just plan to talk on the 26th. :) Please just keep me posted.

I love you both. Things will work out. That's why I'm here, to share this gospel and message of happiness so that others can be with their loved ones again forever.

ALL my love from your little missionary,

Kristen :)