Hello All!!
It's been an absolutely fantastic week! We've been working like crazy and things have been going great! I picked up my little hijita on Wednesday and said goodbye to Hna Severtson, as she headed to Arica. It was sad, but happy at the same time. Change is happy! :)
So! We had until Tuesday night at midnight to work and do life as normal, Hermana Severtson and I. She and I then headed on a bus for 8 hours at about 12:30 on Tuesday night, and after a long night of sleeplessness and watching how BEAUTIFUL the full moon looked AND watching the sunrise, we arrived in Antofa. I have never been in Antofa during the day, so that was fun to see! It's a beautiful city, and we got to drive in along the coast, so I got to see my beautiful ocean for about 20 minutes. :) I know I was only in Arica for a short amount of time, but I sure got used to waking up and seeing the ocean every day from our house and feeling that breeze. So that was very refreshing. :)
We went to the Institute Building there in Antofa and we ate a quick breakfast and started our meetings. We had a training meeting with President Dalton about training our new missionaries. It was a wonderful meeting. Then we had lunch (PIZZA from Domino's in Antofa! Who'da thought I'd miss that stuff so much. :P) And then we had our "Opening the Sector" meeting where all the new missionaries opened their letters of their assigned sector and new companion.
My new companion is Hermana Millaquipai from Chile! She is from Punta Arenas, but has lived in Osorno for the past 3 years. From literally one end of Chile to the other, especially if she goes to Arica. :) She is wonderful! She's been a member her whole life, and her parents are converts from when they first got married. She's the youngest of 3 and is 22. It's been so much fun to get to know her and to see the energy of a new missionary again. :) She is teaching me so much and has so many great ideas in how to help our little Chañarcillo. I'm excited for the chance to work with her. We're going to have a great time together. :) (Plus I'm going to become more Chilean...bakan, ¿no? :D)
So I was there in Antofa for all of 10 hours. :) We headed back to Copiapó at about 6 and then got here at 2 in the morning and headed back to the apartment to sleep. :) The past few days have been great and we have found a good handful of new people to teach. We're planning a ward dance for this Friday, so we're pretty excited for that. It should be a great finding activity! So I'll let you know how that one goes next week. :)
In studying this week and seeing all the same MTC videos again, it's made me think about the excitement I had when I first started, and now how far I feel like I've come. There are always things to work on and improve. The scripture that keeps coming to my mind is in Alma 26:11-12;
"I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy and I will rejoice in my God.
"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things."
I know that life sometimes might send us a curve in the road, but as we turn the corner and face the unknown, God will bless us with a scenery that we could have never imagined and we will grow from those wonderful experiences. I know with all my heart that this church is true and that Christ stands at the head, leading us through President Thomas S. Monson. I love being a missionary. I love sharing this message of great joy with these people in Chile!
I love you all lots! Thank you for your love and continued support. You are in my prayers. :)
Con mucho cariño,
Hermana Tuft
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Hello Mom and Dad!
It's been a busy day so I don't have too long, but I did have to chuckle about your comment Mom about us gringas going to Antofa in the middle of the night and then relying on my "young gringo brains" to get us back! Hahaha we made it back alive, no worries. :D Thank you for all your thoughts and comments about the week, they are always greatly enjoyed on this end! :) Please tell my little Miranda how much I love her and I miss her lots. I would love to hear from her. :) My blizzard package did not come yet... :( Faith! It'll come. :D Also, thank you Dad for those thoughts you shared from your mission. Those circumstances are a lot like the ones that have happened this past week, actually. :) It truly has been a great few days though with my "verdecita". :P ALSO if there is room and you happen to be sending a package, I would LOVE 2 new pair of garments... I would have to get you the size next week if that's okay... And also a downeast white basic tee and the elbow length sleeve one too in white, if possible. If not, it'll be fine, I just have some pretty great sweat stains... :P I am sorry if I am forgetting anything! I've got to run but I will talk to you next week! I hope the FHE goes great tonight. I was thinking about that experience at the Sutt's just a few days ago actually. :) OKAY! LOVESSS!! :D
Tu hijita misionera,
Kristen
P.S. Dad, we're going to be getting in contact with the stake geneologist hopefully this week. Thank you for those thoughts! Perfect timing for me. :) XOXO
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