It's been a crazy week, but great! We've had a great last week together as companions, Hermana Severtson and I. We had cambios on Saturday and she's headed to Arica and opening a sector AND training, and I will be training. So we're both headed up to Antofa together tomorrow at midnight, and then we'll be there for most of the day Wednesday and come back here to Copiapó and get here Thursday morning at about midnight. So it'll be quite the couple days! We're both nervous, but it will be a great experience. A whole bunch of different emotions are running through my head, so if this is a little scatter-brained....that would be why. :)
Okay. So Monday and Tuesday were pretty normal. Lots of walking, talking with people, alto calor, and a few great lessons. :) Wednesday was about the same as well. :) So, we get around to Thursday and we had a fantastic lesson with Roxana. Her "assignment" was to read the testimonies of the Book of Mormon witnesses, and the testimony of Joseph Smith. We got there, started talking about it, and she got shy and embarrassed. We asked her what was wrong, and she said that she had actually read it a couple times because she loved it so much. She then went through and told us exactly what had happened, and how she felt about it, everything. It was incredible. The spirit was so strong! We asked her if she herself had a testimony of the Book of Mormon. She said she thought she did, because it just made sense and she felt something every time she read it. She guards it away from her little daughter so no one will touch it, etc. It truly is amazing. We were so happy! And then, we were just talking and HER HUSBAND CAME HOME AND WE MET HIM!!! That is definitely a HUGE miracle, because we have never ever met him, and she always says that he doesn't want to meet us, but we just happened to be there... So we might just "happen to be there" a lot more often. :) So pretty much, Roxana has a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon, we met her husband, and all they need to do now is go to church. Thank you ALL for your prayers, because she needs them, and so do we so that we can help them accept this gospel. By small and simple means. :)
Then, we did our transferly cleaning on Friday morning. (We clean every week, just for the record, but just a deeper cleaning. :)) We cleaned our house super good, got rid of spiders (with a little bit of screaming and LOTS of bug spray) and then we went to shower and get ready to leave for the day. Background information also, we are changing houses and living with Isabel in 2 more weeks. That being said, we were showering in our 2 bathrooms (Hna Severtson upstairs and I was downstairs) and Hna Severtson knocked on the door and said, "Ummm, Hermana... I think that the upstairs bathroom is flooding..." My reaction: "WHAT?!?! And what do you mean you think it's flooding....?" "Well I don't have my contacts in so I can't see for sure!" Bahahaha. My reaction in my head: "Seriously this cannot be happening again. 2nd flood in the 2nd apartment in 2 years." Something must be wrong. Anywho. "Okay. Hurry and call Elder DeGraw (District Leader) and I'll be right out!" So I hurry and rinse off, and she comes back about 30 seconds later... "Ummm...I think it's dripping from the bathroom into the kitchen!" Threw my towel on and ran out and yes, it was indeed dripping through the ceiling. So I run upstairs and it's about 2 inches deep of water in the bathroom and it was all leaking through the floor downstairs.... :)
Needless to say, we called Elder DeGraw, we got things taken care of for now (the main drain is plugged and the water's been dripping for a while), we are not using the upstairs bathroom, and we are moving out in 2 weeks and I could not be more excited. :D Bahahaha but we definitely had a great laugh. :) Lesson I learned the 2nd time around: Just laugh and life will work out. Life's too short to not have fun. :)
Saturday we had a great lesson with Isabel and Obispo. We talked about the 13th Article of Faith :) and Isabel is literally amazing. She just couldn't stop saying how grateful she is that we were sent to her at this moment in her life. She needs the Gospel so badly, and we are so grateful for the miracle that it is to share it with her. She went again to church on Sunday, and we're headed back tonight. She loves reading the Book of Mormon, and is just an absolute golden investigator. I love her lots. :) We are all very excited for her baptism here in a couple weeks.
Right after we left Isabel's, we got our transfer calls and it's just been craziness getting everything ready after that. But life is great and we are super happy little missionaries. :D On Sunday we all 4 missionaries spoke on faith, hope, charity, and love. It was a great meeting! Hermana Severtson played a beautiful Joseph Smith Medley, and it was just great. Lots of people are out of town for summer vacation, so we've started going down in attendance, but bishop just says that's normal for summer, and things will be back to normal in March. We just keep working though and the work goes on!
Also last little thing!! (Sorry this has been so informationalish today!) We were talking about hope as we were walking to a lesson the other day, because that was Hna Severtson's topic to speak on, and she was saying how when she thought of hope she thought of the pioneers. She said how she wanted to share a story about her ancestors, but she couldn't think of one. I asked her who she could share something about and she said, "Well, I know lots of stories of my Webb line, and they came from Nauvoo, so maybe I'll do something with them." I have a Webb line from Nauvoo!! So I got really excited and asked if it was the blacksmith shop Webb and she said yes and long story short, we are cousins. :D No wonder why we get along so well. :) So that is fun! Can't you see the resemblance?? :P
Anywho, I'd better be off, but I love you all so very much. Thank you for your prayers, love and constant support! I know without a doubt that this church is true, that we are lead by a prophet of God, and that Christ lives. We are so blessed! How wonderful it is to live in such a marvelous time. :)
Con mucho cariño,
Hermana Tuft
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Hello Mom and Dad!
I have lots of thoughts on conference talks and the Articles of Faith that I am looking forward to sharing next week, but for this week I have got to run! I am so sorry! But I was so excited to hear that you are all starting to memorize and study the Articles of Faith again! I have memorized 1 through 4 in spanish this week...but need to keep reviewing them. I even used them in lessons, which was cool and definitely a testimony builder that as we study, the words will be given to us in the precise moment that we need them. :)
I am not sure the significance of Cerro la Cruz, but maybe I should ask... Most northern Chilean cities have them, but I think it's a protection/Catholic tradition.... That's my pure guess. :) It was just like climbing to the Y, but it was a fun, short little hike. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I miss hiking... :P It was fun! :) I would teleport to the top if it were possible too, Dad. :)
Working with less actives is going ok, and we seem to find many more every day. I think most of Chile is inactive. :) It seems like they are all pretty stubborn, and we have tried everything up our sleeves to get them back to church, but with little progress to show for it... If you have any suggestions they would be GREATLY appreciated. :) If you get a second too Dad, I would love it if you could share a couple mission stories. :) I just thought of that, and how I would love to hear. :) How are the ward missionaries doing? What are their names? And do you go out on visits with them ever? I know we LOVE that when members just go with us for a couple hours. :) Just a thought. :)
I loved the thought as well about the Provo Tabernacle/Temple. I cannot wait for that. I get chills every time I reread that story. It is a miracle, and shows us definitely that everything is on the Lord's time table and in His design. Thank you for sharing that thought!
I didn't know about Shannon falling, and WITH TWINS!! I loved that little song though. :) Tell her I'm thinking about her and praying for her. I love her lots. :) I sent a little note for her in the family letter I sent a couple weeks ago. :) Poor girl.... I am glad a little cute family moved in across the street!! How old are their kids?? Love it. :) And I am SO happy you all went to the temple this weekend!! I miss it so very very very much. Words cannot express. :) We are truly SO blessed to have SO many SO close. I am glad you all got to go together. :) Also, you mentioned the Shurtz names you did, and speaking of which, how is the Peter Shirts work going? Any new updates lately? I've been thinking about Elder Davies and wondering how he's been! Send my love!
Kay!! I've got to run!! Next week should be full of stories and pictures of the little hijita. :) I love you both so very much! I feel like I'm forgetting something, but I guess I can ask next week! :)
All my love,
Kristen
P.S. OH! Mom can you send the homemade oreo recipe (I found devil's food cake mix!!) :P
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