Here in Chañarcillo. :)

Kristen on her Pday at the San Jose Mines in No. Chile where the miners were trapped in 2010. They were brought up in this capsule from deep in the earth.

Kristen with Hna Millaquipai next to the capsule the trapped miners were brought up to the surface in 2010.

Kristen next to a portrait of the trapped & rescued miners in 2010 in the San Jose Mines, Chile

Hello All!

It's been a busy but great week here in Chañarcillo. We're finishing up a transfer here this week, so we'll see if next Monday finds me here or not.... I've been here 6 months, and I would love to stay again, so we'll see what happens there.... It should be a fantastically crazy weekend with transfers and General Conference, but we're all excited around here. :) Antsy... :P

We've had a great week! We have done lots of teaching, contacting references, etc etc and life has been great. :) Isabel's doing good, Grace and Marcelo have been getting to know the ward a bit better, and Denis as well. I'm not sure if I shared much about Denis, but he is an investigator that just showed up at church one day.... Our ward mission leader noticed him and pulled us over to talk to him. So we chatted and got to know him a bit, and come to find out, he's from the south, and while he was home for the summer the missionaries contacted his sister's house and started teaching him! So when he got back, he noticed the church and decided to go!! We've been teaching him for the past couple weeks, and he is great. We're excited to keep working with him! We honestly were so shocked and amazed at his faith and testimony that he just decided to go solo to church. And he's been going ever since! Even without a wake up phone call on Sunday morning. Love it. :D

We also met a lady this week named Nelly. She was a reference we received from a convert in the other ward in our district (Copayapu). She went to her brother's baptism and the sisters there talked to her and wrote down her information for us to stop by. So we called her and set up an appointment! It ends up that she took the lessons when she was 17, and wanted to get baptized, but her mom didn't let her. She met with the missionaries without her mom knowing, and when they committed her to be baptized and she asked her very Catholic mom for permission, she said no... So the sisters contacted her brother, who was a drug addict, lived at home, stole from his parents, etc and he started reading the Book of Mormon (about 3 weeks or a month ago) and is already finishing Alma!! He is quite the example for all of us. He has jumped in with both feet and literally changed his life. His twin sister is Nelly, and when he told her that he was going to be baptized, she said, "Mom's not going to let you. You know what she told me..." But he said he was old enough to decide (he's 35) and got baptized! And now his sister and her family have been introduced to the gospel, once again. :) We're really excited to be working with her. :)

We also had English classes again, and we had a pretty good turn out! I honestly was so scared for the first class.... I'm not a get up in front of people and talk kind of person, let alone when it comes to teaching classes. Before the mission I could not do that... But now I honestly haven't been scared at all to do it! The elders and I have been teaching these classes and they have gone well. I cannot give myself the credit, I know that even in teaching English I have to teach by the Spirit, but that is the incredible thing, that the Spirit can guide and direct me in all things. That I can have confidence in the Lord to do all things.

And with that, yesterday in church, we were in Sacrament meeting and Hno Ubilla (the ward mission leader) got really sick. He and his wife (the teacher of Gospel Principles) left in a hurry and it was up to us to teach. :) And justo the elders had investigators that are young men age, so they went to a different class. So we taught the class... It was on the Atonement, and I when I first saw on what it was on, I thought, "Do I really know enough about the Atonement of Jesus Christ sufficient enough to teach investigators and recent converts about what it is?" Silly question. As soon as I thought it, another thought popped into my mind, "You have been raised in the Gospel your whole life. You have come to know your Savior here in the mission more than ever before. You are a special representative of Him. Invite the Spirit and things will be okay." So that thought gave me comfort and strength, and the lesson went very well.

I was amazed as we read and discussed the topic. Truly, this plan of our Heavenly Father is perfect. Without Jesus Christ, none of this would be possible. We are redeemed from the Fall spiritually and physically through Christ. Without Him, we could not return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. Without Him, we could not live in our perfected bodies with our families and loved ones forever. Without Him, we are imperfect and unable to accomplish what we were sent here to do. Truly, without Jesus Christ our lives have no meaning. I truly do testify that He lives and that He loves us. I can be perfected through my older Brother. He knows me perfectly. He knows those who we are teaching perfectly. As we rely on His love, we can conquer anything. I know that that is true! I love my Savior. I know that He lives.

I hope that this weekend you all get the chance (or make it possible) to watch or listen to General Conference!! We have the chance to hear living prophets of our day talk every six months. What a blessing that is!!! Do not let this one slip away. :) I know that President Monson guides the Church of Jesus Christ through revelation. I know that he, his counselors and the twelve apostles are prophets, seers and revelators. Take a question or a thought with you when you watch. Write it down. And then take notes and allow the Spirit to give you the answer. I know it will come. :)

All my love,
Hermana Tuft
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Hello Mom and Dad!!

I was so very happy to hear that the week went well and that they found solutions to Lindsay's weird illness... If I could give her some of my vitamin D from this Atacama sun I would. :) That's crazy that that could do so much! So simple... I also am very happy to hear that Youth Conference went very well and that all got back from Choir Tour with a good laugh or two. :) I meant to say something about Youth Conference last week when you mentioned that, Dad, but I totally forgot! I'm sorry, but I was thinking about that scripture from D&C you shared a while back in relation to the temple. I went and read that section in Spanish (last time I read it in English) and it's incredible the insights that come from reading in the two different languages.... Was there a pretty good turn out for Saturday?? I forgot to mention in the main letter that we had a great morning-side on Saturday for the ward! It was a testimony and breakfast put on by the Relief Society, and it really was a spiritual and uplifting meeting. We're still walking a little tired from that, but it went well and was worth the hour of sleep less sacrifice. :)

I also am so glad to hear that you both had the chance to go to the temple. :D I honestly tear up every time I see a picture of a temple or somebody mentions that they went. Not because I'm jealous, but because I get so happy that although I don't have the opportunity to go, I know that they will always be there and that I know I am worthy to enter. And to know that I get to help people prepare to enter by introducing them to the gospel and helping them remake the decision to follow Christ is a wonderful blessing for me as well. Thank you for going and sharing with me. :)

Speaking of helping people prepare, that reminded me of Dad's comment on if Isabel had been working on her family history, or other ward members, etc. Please keep Isabel in your prayers still... She's passing through some very difficult times and needs all the help and prayers possible. It's something that I feel like can better be explained in person, so when I get home I'll explain, but just know that she's struggling and needs your prayers... Thank you!!!

I don't know Elder Reynolds, Dad! Maybe someday I'll meet him. :) We did just find out though from President that this coming transfer we will have almost a third of the mission as hermanas, so that was crazy and exciting to hear! But still...there are a ton of elders that I do not know, and probably never will... :)

YEA for Shane getting baptized!!! :D That is great. :) And also that was very exciting to hear about Reid Dwiggins and Derek Hansen AND SPENCER AND MATT!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D I will be anxiously waiting to hear. :D Dah. He literally will leave just a few months before I get home... Or he'll come here and I could just go see him.... That would be another great option. :D

I love you both so very much. You are always in my prayers and I am so grateful for your love and support. I am doing great; physically, mentally, and most of all spiritually. Thank you for being my parents. :) I love you both so much!! :D

Love,
Kristen

Notes from Kristen to Mom (Pam) today before she wrote her main letter:  I was on FB and got some pictures of her from a lady in her ward, Hermana Bustamante, who posted pictures of their day at the San Jose mines on Facebook. I took a picture one of those pictures and SENT IT BACK to her, saying that "mama's always watching. And included something about how creeper-ish is that?" and then she wrote back:
"I love that you stalk me from thousands of miles away.... :P  Hahaha. :)  We've had a great but super busy p day. :D  It was fun! :D  I felt like I was almost there with you (because of the picture I sent back). :) Almost! :P  I truly hope that you get to meet these people some day, Mom.  They are amazing.  Chile is amazing.  The mission is amazing.  Thank you for loving me enough to allow me to come, and knowing that I would be okay, because I am!! :)  I am so happy Mom.  I love you so much.  Give Dad and Lindsay and Spencer a huge bear hug for me, and then they can give you one from me to you. :) Love you Mamita. :) And that is such a beautiful picture of Melanie!!! Give her my love! Love you Mom!! Chaoito"

Bienvenida Otono :D

Hello All!!

This week has been a fantastic week. I have had lots of eye opening moments. I cannot testify enough that this truly is the Lord's time table that we are on, and He is in control. He loves each and everyone of us with a perfect love. No matter who you are, where you're from, or what you do, He will love you.

With that being said, can I just please tell you how stinkin' happy we are that Fall started yeaaaa!!! :D It's still hot, but the temperature is going down and we are happier chippier missionaries. Por lo menos yo lo siento. :) As you all welcome Spring, we're looking forward to bundling up a little bit. :) And very much looking forward to General Conference in a couple weeks. Very much looking forward to that. :)

This week we started our English classes!! I honestly was terrified to do that.... We've talked about doing Englishes classes here in Chañarcillo from before I got here, and then with Hna Severtson we were going to do it, and then last transfer, but finally our putting it off came to an end. :) We had about 15 people in our first lesson, most of which were members but part of their homework was to bring a friend next week. :) So we'll see how that goes tomorrow! :)

We had a very funny experience that happened.... :P Ay ay ay. So there's a school right next to the church. And right now everyone's just getting back to school, so there's been a lot of parent meetings. With that being said, hahaha we got to the church to open things up, and there was a car parked in front of the driveway back to the parking lot of the church. There also is a huge sign that says something to the effect that if you violate the law and park in front of the driveway, that the cops will come and you'll have to pay a big fine. Yeah, so Hermana Millaquipai said, "Well let's just call the caribineros then!" And me, being me and not liking a big 'to do', thought....better not. So I suggested we go next door and they could announce the license plate over the speaker and the owner could just come move the car. But at this point we were supposed to start the classes in 10 minutes...

So we went to the school. They had to find the superintendent (however that's spelled) and he took forever in coming and then had to write what he was going to write, announced it 3 times, and we thanked him graciously and headed out super fast because I didn't want to be there when the owner came to move the car.... :) So we started walking down the street discretely.... :) (Oh yeah, and we didn't have the keys to open the church, so that's why we didn't go in.... :)) 2 minutes later, we turned around as the Stake President drove up....in the car that was parked in front of the driveway.... :) Good thing we didn't call the cops... :D Needless to say, we started the English classes, and the Stake President didn't have to pay a fine, and we were, however, a bit embarrassed.... :P

Grace and Marcelo are great!! They have baptismal dates for April 19th. :) Marcelo does have a lot of questions, but they are progressing well and we are excited to help them start on this path that they're on. (P.S. Dad, we shared the Restoration with Grace when we first met her on the street.) We also are teaching a man named Denis, and he is another Benjamin - Golden investigator. We have felt so very blessed to meet him and have the chance to start teaching him. He is getting baptized April 12th, if all goes well. Please keep the 3 of them in your prayers! :)

This week, Hermana Millaquipai shared with me Jacob 5, from her personal scripture study. That is the parable of the olive tree (is that what it's called....?) where the Master of the vineyard and his servant work endlessly to save the vineyard. I was thinking about that, also with how the faith is constantly compared to a seed, and with Fall/the harvest, etc. My thoughts have been in that this week. So where to go with all those thoughts. :)

I love verse 75:

And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants, and said unto them: Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; and I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard.

This verse has taken on different meaning as a missionary, although it is applicable to all members of the church that are working for His cause. He says we are blessed, when we are diligent and labor in the vineyard. When we keep his commandments, and when we bring back the good and natural fruit to Him. Our ward mission leader said something this week that I loved. He said that we are bringing people to repentance. There will be some that don't like that; we, as human beings, do not like being told what to do, and some people will not like the invitation to change who they are, in place of who God needs them to be. But that's when we're casting away "the bad fruit," and He still will give them another chance.

But that leads to how we need to first plant the seed of faith so we can see if it will grow to be good fruit. In Alma 32, Alma teaches about this fruit of faith.

26 Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.

27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than a desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a see may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

He teaches that even if we have a desire to believe, follow that desire, until it becomes a reality. Be diligent in the vineyard, and in your own vineyard with your own tree of faith, long enough to see the fruit that the tree will bring. Endure to the end. :)

"A la vista del Señor, no es tanto lo que hayamos hecho o dónde hemos estado, sino mucho más a dónde estamos dispuestos a ir." -Elder Dube "In the light of the Lord, it's not so much what we've done or where we've been, but how much we are willing to go."

I know that this church is true. We truly are seeing and have seen so many miracles here in Chañarcillo. I love being a missionary. I love being a special representative of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and I feel so very blessed that He has entrusted me with a few of His children here in Chile. I know that if we plant that seed of faith and work, and watch it grow, we will see miracles, not only in our own lives, but in those around us. I love you all! Thank you for all your support, love and prayers. I know I say that a lot, but I truly do mean it. :)

Con mucho cariño,
Hermana Tuft

P.S. Congrats to Jenn Fred and Collin Eaton on your calls!! :D You'll never regret this decision. :)
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Hello my Parents-dear! :)

I just have to say really quick before I forget, Mom I bought new shoes today, so that transaction for $40ish is valid. Just so you know. :) The shoes get a little bit worn out around here a little too fast for my liking. :) Also, thank you very much for sending Kenna and Marie's letters. I like hearing from my friends via their blogs every once and a while, and Marie's gave me so much energy, and Kenna's made me sad. But I know she is needed by the Lord in Arizona. So that makes me feel happier. :) I hope that her health stuff can be figured out a little better back there. Also Lindsay's....that poor girl....

And for your couple questions Dad, by the way, I like questions because then I know what to write.... :), The english classes are taught by the 3 gringos here in Chañarcillo. :) Hna Millaquipai is a student for the hour of class. :) Jarol didn't end up coming, and the elders haven't been too persistent in stopping by, but I hope they'll get on that more this week.... I don't want to pester, but a little friendly nudge might help. She does also live in a sketchy part of town, so when her husband is home at night is generally not when we should be prancing around there. :) So keep her in your prayers that we'll somehow get in contact with them this week!! Tamara continues coming to church, and her testimony is growing. We haven't been able to get ahold of her much this past week.... And we talked to Jorge, but....he said he would call us with his new direction....and hasn't and that's the 3rd time we've called....so we're not sure what's up.... Hna Millaquipai is fantastic. I love her lots. She is a tender spirit, but is learning very quickly and I, in return, have learned lots from her. We laugh lots. :) Also, thank you for the update on Grandpa. I would love to write them one of these coming days a good hand written letter.... 

And random last thing, caminar and andar are about the same, but andar is more of 'come with me/ride with me/accompany me', whereas caminar or "camina" 'is walk with me.'

Also Mom, yes we have a missionary from the ward in Venezuela and his mom has been worried sick because as of right now she knows that he has been transfered to Equador, but she doesn't know anything else.... Just a random along with those Ukraine missionaries, have they all been reassigned?? Strange stuff goin on...

And yes, I met Elder Hughes (unless there's more than one which is possible... we have an Elder Tufts here... :P), but I don't know him well. I can't believe he's headed home though!! Time flies.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for all your love. I get emotional at times reading your letters because I can truly feel of your love every day. I know that comes from prayers and thoughts, but also from those who have gone before us that are here protecting and guiding me as well. Angels walk with us, I truly feel justified in saying that. If you get the chance this week, make a quick trip to the temple for me. :)

All my love from the sun, the moon, the stars and back,

Kristen
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(Sister Dalton also just posted on FB [Tuesday 3/25, after I'd written the questions below] that we shouldn't ask our missionaries about the earthquakes and they will be in touch with us if anything were to happen but not to overly stress about it because they really are fine.)

From Pam to Kristen Monday:  There was another 6.1 earthquake Sister Dalton posted on FB Friday. Things are really moving in Irquequi. Don't worry, I'm not freaking out but wondered if you heard about those through the mission or not?

Kristen to Pam Monday:
Yeah we have, but we're all doing good. They say there should be a really big one in the next little while in the whole north (us included) BUT I will be fine Mom. If there is, I probably wouldn't have access to a computer to let you know, but know that until I do write, if it does come, I will be fine. :D We've felt a couple tiny ones down here, but no biggy. I love you!

Tell everyone HI there in Disneyland today for me! :) And give my big little brother a hug, cause I'm not there on choir tour to do it myself.... :) LOTS OF LOVE!! :D

ANDA CONMIGO

Hna Kristen Tuft with her birthday cake made by Elder Taylor DeGraw (with special request from her mom to his mom to him.)

For some reason this scene reminds me (Pam) of Letters to Juliet. :)

Hermanas at Zone Conference in Copiapo 3/11/14 - Hnas Carranza, Millaquipai, ?, Tuft and Howell

Hello All!

Okay I had better write fast... :) It has been a fantastic week!! :) We have been blessed to meet so many people, learn lots of new things, I had a fun birthday, and here I am today, forgetting that it's St. Patrick's Day, so no, I did not wear any green... I'll pinch myself from all of you. :) It has been a great week though, we really did have some wonderful things happen. :)

Last Monday night, we had company at our apartment! Haha that was a weird feeling... :P Hna Howell and Hna Carranza came to stay at our apartment because they were coming from 4 hours away for our conference with President Dalton. So that was fun for them to stay the night, and then on Wednesday we had our conference. It was so great! Elder Ballard was here a couple weeks back visiting Chile, so in Santiago, all the mission presidents and wives from the area had a conference with him. We got to hear a lot of great suggestions and requests that Elder Ballard made and talked about with the mission presidents. Something that he challenged us to do is to talk to 10 people in the street per missionary per day. We have been trying to work our way up there, because that's 20 street contacts per companionship per day which is a LOT! But I know we can do it, and what's more, an apostle of the Lord asked us to do it, so it's our job to show the faith to do it. :) We do try to talk to everyone we see, but with 20 people as a goal it has made it more of a reality... :) I know we will see many blessings from it though!!

Wednesday was a fun birthday. :) We got a few different calls throughout the day which included birthday songs sung in Spanish and English, so that was fun. :) It was a pretty normal day, but it was great! :) On Tuesday after the conference, my district surprised me with a birthday cake, so I did have a cake! :P Hahaha we were using the ward list to confirm addresses of members we have listed, and we found a less active's house in the which the dog bit me (he did not break the skin) and I have a fun bruise on my leg. :P That was a new experience for me, that I hope will not happen again!! :)

We were also headed to a member's house that night to help her with a service project, and a lady stopped us in the street and asked for a pamphlet. We of course gave it to her, and started to teach her, and she invited us into her house! :) Love it when that happens. :D Her name is Grace, and she is fantastic. She lives with her pareja, but he is interested too. We just met him yesterday, so we will start working with Marcelo and Grace. We're really excited to work with them! :)

On Thursday, we were walking super fast because we were late for an appointment, and we passed a mom and her 3 little kids walking on the other side of the street. As we said "Hola!" and kept walking, I heard the mom say, "She speaks English." to the which the little 5 year old girl yelled, "Hello!!" :) I turned around, waved, and yelled hello back. :) We kept walking, and we heard someone running up behind us. The little girl had run about a block and a half to catch up to us, and as she was panting she asked if we taught English classes. We stopped, walked back to talk to her mom, and as we were walking back I remembered that I had a bunch of CTR rings! (THANK YOU MOM!! :)) I pulled 2 out and gave them to the little kids, and we explained them. We walked with the mom (Jarol) and talked to her about what we do, our message, and learned more about her. Turns out that she and her pareja live in the Elder's sector, but the moral of the story is that miracles DO happen and that yes, tomorrow we are actually starting English classes, and we are PRAYING that Jarol will come. :)

Which leads me to a quick thought for this week! :) I was thinking about that experience from Jarol, and how we were walking so fast, that we didn't realize the experience to teach that we walked by. Luckily, Heavenly Father gives us second chances, and we did get to go back and talk to Jarol. Our mission phrase has been, "Camina Conmigo," (Walk with me) that comes from Moses 6:33-34. It says,

33 Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.
34 Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.

What a beautiful promise that is! As we choose to serve the Lord, His Spirit is promised to accompany us, our words will be His words, and "the mountains shall flee before [us]", and "rivers shall turn from their course." He literally walks with us. I know that that promise is true, and not only just to the missionaries. It is a promise to all. :) I know that my Savior, Jesus Christ, lives. I know He loves each one of us in a very personal way. I am so blessed and grateful to be His special witness. I know that this church is true!! I love you all lots. Thank you for your love and support! I hope you all have a fantastic week!!

Con mucho cariño,
Hermana Tuft
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Hello Mom and Dad!!

Okay.... I have been writing lots of people back today, so this will be a shorty.... :) BUT I LOVE YOU BOTH. Just so you know. :) Dad, we did get to talk and meet with Tamara this past week, and we hope to have a baptismal date with her this week. Pleaseee keep her in your prayers!! We also had a lesson with Roxana. She called us on Tuesday and asked us to not come back because she didn't want the lessons anymore, she said she had gotten her answer about if she should be baptized or not. We asked if we could come on Wednesday one last time, and she agreed. We went with a member, and had a great lesson, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that later on in life she will let the missionaries back and it will be her moment. She even said it herself.... :) I did want to thank you both though for keeping her in your prayers and thoughts. I know it wouldn't have gone as smoothly if not...

They do have institute classes here, yes! :) We have about 15 YSA kids in the ward right now! We are also loving our new apartment. It is fantastic. :D This past week or so, we have been studying the first lesson intensively, and still haven't finished. It has helped us a LOT!! I have done something similar with the second lesson in my personal study, and it has been great to learn so much. Something we do need to keep in mind though is that as we share our testimonies with others, we shouldn't share all we know. They should been shown the means to find out for themselves. :) That is something beautiful about Preach My Gospel and the scriptures, is that they allow that kind of teaching and learning, which of course comes from the Holy Ghost.

I am sorry I've got to run so quickly! I promise I did read everything and thank you both for always keeping me updated with everything! I love hearing it all, so please don't stop. :) Give my love to everyone back home! Congrats to Spencer with soccer and NATS (National Association for Teachers of Singers-Spencer went to semi-finals which put him in the top 4 finalists) and I hope Lindsay and Kyle will get feeling better this week...

All my love,
Kristen

Oh Está Todo Bien. :)

Just a random cool thing we found this week.... Cactus flowers truly exist my friends. :)

Hello All!!

It's honestly been such a fantastic week. :) We have had some incredible experiences and I am just super happy. :) We've done lots of working with members, we had an activity on Friday as la obra misional, a fantastic Sunday, and to put it all into just a couple words, it was fantastic. :) So yep! :)

We truly have seen lots of miracles this week. I have loved seeing everyone come back from vacation, the college students started school today, and that has a big impact on the ward too, seeing as the university is really close. I just realized that I'm pretty sure the campus is part of our sector and we should probably look into that to seeing if we could do contacting there..... Anywho! :) That means that Tamara and Jorge are back! We should be getting in contact with them this week.

It has been a week of realizing that truly the Lord does put those in our path who have been prepared, those who we have been praying for. For example, we have been talking a lot about how our daily goals are acts of faith. We prayerfully set goals every night, and the next day we work and show our faith to complete the goals the Lord helped us make. Yesterday, we had a goal to contact two of the references we received a little while back, and they haven't been home, etc, and we prayed that we would have those two put in our path and we did, in fact, get in contact with them and have an appointment set up. I wish that I could explain all these experiences how we lived them.... You might just have to trust that they truly are miracles. :)

On Thursdays, we generally do splits with two sisters named Maria Lidia and Tiare. This past week when we did them was incredible. Maria Lidia has absolutely no shame in talking to the whole world, which I greatly admire! Which means that she also knows the whole neighborhood. :) She and her husband served a mission a couple years back and are preparing to go again, and going on splits with her is such a special experience. We met four new investigators this week, three of which are close friends of her's and have lived pretty rough lives. That was another miracle we saw this week, and are excited to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ make big changes for the better in their lives. That is the miracle of this Gospel, truly! The change that it can make in our lives, if we allow it. :)

On Friday we had an activity that we planned called the Churipanada. (Churipan is kinda like a sausage/hot dog type thing put in a piece of french bread type bread with mayo.) We did a little fireside where we spoke about basics. We taught new members mostly how we do prayers, spiritual thoughts, talks, etc in front of groups. It turned out great! We have really been trying to do activities every Friday just about, and that truly has started to make a difference in the excitement of the ward. Which leads to Sunday!

It was the Sunday that the obra misional was in charge. Elder Cable and Hna Millaquipai spoke, and we had planned to have the ward mission leader speak, too. We asked the YSA to do a musical number, and things were set. So we got to church to run through the song, and no one was there. (It was 9:30 and church starts at 10.) So no one was there to practice, so I was just thinking that it would be Sunday with low attendance... 10 minutes into the meeting it was FULL and we had to bring in more chairs and I was just beaming because I was so happy. The two talks went well, as well as the musical number. I was super confused because during Hna Millaquipai's talk, the bishop called me up and I was scared to death that he was going to ask me to do an improvised talk.... He said that the ward mission leader, Hno Ubilla, wasn't feeling well and asked that I sing Come, Come Ye Saints (Oh Está Todo Bien) and I happily agreed. :) Singing I can do, speaking...naw. :)

As I stood up there singing Come, Come Ye Saints to my little ward Chañarcillo, I got super teary eyed. I looked out in the full chapel and thought of all of those people sitting there, those who had sacrificed so much in their lives to follow Christ. And in the end, that's what we all are asked to do, to take up our cross and follow Him. They are such a beautiful example to me of modern day pioneers. Lots of people ask me if I have pioneer ancestors, to which I happily reply, "Yes!" But as I say that and as I watched them, they are our modern day pioneers. It was an incredible realization for me. :)

Hermana Millaquipai is great. She has taught me so much, and I think most of all she's just taught me to love life as it comes, not to worry about the little things. :) Just like the thought that my parents shared with me (Mom, you did share it with me a couple weeks back, but Dad I did love reading it again and refreshing my memory, thank you! :)) I wanted to share that really quick and then head out! :)

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?” Answers called out ranged from 8 oz to 20 oz. She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. if I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.” She concludes with the thought – Remember to put the glass down :).

So, the moral of this weeks story is to put the glass down, rely on the Savior, and remember that truly todo está super bien. :) I know that this church is true!! I love this gospel; it is perfect. We are not, but it is. And that is because it is Christ's, our perfect example! I love you all so very much! Thank you for your prayers. Know that you are constantly in mine!

All my love from Copiapó,
Hermana Tuft
====================
Hey Mom and Dad!

Thank you for the birthday wishes!! :) It should be a great week. Different than most birthdays, but I think it'll be better. :) I'm excited. :D Haha I was actually thinking last night that last year yesterday was the day we headed out for New Mexico. :) Those were some great memories as well. :D Thank you for always making them great and exciting birthdays. :)

It sounds like things went great for the trip down to Arizona! I met a new sister from Chandler that's here in Copiapó for her first transfer named Hermana Platt? Creo... :) Sounds like it was a great quick trip! Is that how Lindsay and Kaelynn are going down this summer? And also that you had the darling little munchin with you all week! I'm excited to hear from Megan and Tom about how things went, and to see a couple pictures! Also speaking of excitement, I am quite excited to hear from Kyle and Jess about the little one as well. :) Hna Millaquipai just found out last week too that her sister and brother in law have one on the way as well. :) Fun stuff. :D

We got instructions last week Dad to stop using the list for the time being because of misuse or something, so tomorrow in our zone conference President is clearing a few things up and we should get started on that again. I have loved it! It's not only helped us find the less actives, but to do contacts as well. :) Even if the number of the house is right behind us, it's fun to knock on a door and ask if so and so knows so and so, and then we get to share a quick message or come back a different day. I'm enjoying it. :) We have met a few angry dogs as well, so that's not the funnest, but we work through it. :P The articles of faith are coming as well. Slowly but surely.... :) If I put my mind to it, they could all be memorized very quickly, but my mind has not been put to it completely these past couple weeks. This week for sure will be better. My mind is put to it. :P Thank you for helping and reminding me! Father's Interviews through emails and just a few miles distance... :)

Speaking of Father's Interviews, it made me think of your comment Mom about my patriarchal blessing. I try to read it every Sunday, but sometimes I don't get to it. Tonight I'll read it again though. :) I do remember as I got my blessing I was thinking about a mission the whole time. I didn't know how or when it would happen, but it happened and it happened earlier than I thought, and now I am seeing the blessings and fruits of the mission that will help lead and guide me throughout my life. Fisical, tanto como espiritual. :) For example, I just told Hna Millaquipai this morning I don't know if I'll ever be able to sleep through an alarm again because the whole time I'll just be thinking, "Obedience. Obedience. Obedience." :P But the spiritual things I have learned can never be taken away. Hay que nutrir, pero nunca me quitaré estas experiencias.

I will try to somehow unawkwardly hint to Elder DeGraw to write his mom longer letters.... Haha relationships out here are different, because they're not really friend relationships, so those things aren't really things you just go around saying.... But I will seeing in an unawkward way what I can do....

I had better get going, but thank you for the birthday wishes, for being my parents, for keeping up with me for 20 years and many more to come, and for always loving me and being my examples and best friends. :) I love you lots!!! Talk to you next week. :)

XOXOXOXO
Kristen

P.S. I will ask Isabel to check tomorrow night her Facebook to tell me the gender if possible.... :) LOVES!! :) Also....what is the time difference now? 3 hrs? We don't change until the end of April...

Fishing

3 March 2014
Hola a todos!

Haha I'm not sure that sounds completely grammatically correct, but ya know...the Spanish nor the English sound grammatically correct to me anymore.... I'm not quite sure which is which these days. Which could be a blessing I guess. :P The point of this rant is that my Spanish speaking skills definitely are improving with Hna Millaquipai. Along with learning all my Chilean "dichos". :) I have loved having these past 7 weeks with her, and look forward to the next little bit as well. :D

This week we had a couple of very important experiences and moments to learn and grow. One has to do with Peter becoming a fisher of men, and the other has to do with the Book of Mormon. Both of which I value very highly and meant a lot to me this past week. :)

To be open and honest, the past couple weeks have been rough when it comes to finding people to teach. We were searching and searching and searching (it's an ongoing process throughout the whole mission, of course) but this week I learned a very important lesson. We were sharing what we had learned last Tuesday in our personal studies, and I had been reading in Luke 5. I have always loved the story of Peter being called by Christ to be a fisher of men, so as I was reading, I kinda just skimmed through because I thought, "Well, I've read this story a million times." But that is something that we shouldn't do. That is why Heavenly Father gave me a second chance to learn the lesson I needed to from that story. I skimmed over it in my personal study, but I had a strong impression to read a part of it to my companion in companionship study. I'm going to include the scriptures for you to read, too. :)

1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying,Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not;from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

I was reading that to Hna Millaquipai and started to cry as I was reading the part where Simon Peter is talking to Christ. He was probably tired and exhausted from working all night and not having anything to show for it. He probably wanted to go home, to forget the night that had just passed, but the Lord asked him to toil a little longer, and to thrust in their nets one more time. As Peter showed his faith and said, "Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net," the Lord blessed him and their nets were so filled that they did brake! Here he was, after 12ish hours of working and trying everything he could think of to earn his living, that when the Lord walked along in the morning he said, "Just one more time, cast in your nets." When Peter handed it all over to the Lord, he was blessed. Why was he blessed? Because he showed his faith. I felt so humbled as I read that out loud to Hna Millaquipai. I felt a little like Peter, tired of casting in the net and not getting anything, but when I read that, I remembered that it is His work. He has asked us to trust in our nets, to show our faith, and hand it all over to Him. As Peter realized that it was all in the Lord's hands, he repented, left all of his workings behind, and followed the Lord. It doesn't even mention that they did something with all that fish! They forsook it all and followed the Master. That was my own personal lesson this past week, and it has made quite an impact on me. I have tried so hard to remember that my hands are working for the Master; they must do what He needs them to do. So with that in mind, we found 3 families/different houses this week that we have started to work with. I am very excited to see what the Lord has in store for them and their families. I will keep you updated... :) But for now we are continually fishing. :)

The second big lesson that I learned, is once again, the power of the Book of Mormon in our lives. There is a training handbook that we follow to train new missionaries, which is an incredible book, and this week the focus was on the Book of Mormon. As we focused on the Book of Mormon this week, I have been continually amazed at the power that it brings. We had quite a few incredible lessons in which we talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon. One that was especially impactful was from last night. We have been working with a lady named Evelyn, who has been inactive, and her daughter named Lucia. Lucia is 22 and isn't a member, nor the rest of her family, but they are the 2 that have stuck with us and continually wanted to learn. They were talking to us last night about a show they watched earlier that day on the TV that talked about the evolution of religion, and really how religion is just a thing we've invented, according to the "experts". They were saying that they talked about the Book of Mormon in the documentary and that there is absolutely no way it could be true, because it has no "proof". And that was about that. They just left it at that, without much explanation. It made me think of a talk by Elder Holland a few years back entitled, "Safety for the Soul". He said,

“For 179 years this book has been examined and attacked, denied and deconstructed, targeted and torn apart like perhaps no other book in modern religious history, perhaps like no other book in any religious history. And still it stands. Failed theories about its origins have been born and parroted and have died - - - from Ethan Smith to Solomon Spaulding to deranged paranoid to cunning genius. None of these frankly pathetic answers for this book has ever withstood examination because there is no other answer than the one Joseph gave as its young unlearned translator. In this I stand with my own great-grandfather, who said simply enough, “No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so.” I testify that one cannot come to full faith in this latter-day work – and thereby find the fullest measure of peace and comfort in these, our times – until he or she embraces the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies.

I add my testimony to his, that I know that the Book of Mormon is true. As we shared that thought with Evelyn and Lucia, they got tears in their eyes. Here they had been looking at the world's standpoint of the Book of Mormon, but they hadn't read it themselves to find out for themselves. If we haven't read it, if we haven't asked with real intent, we can't say it's not true. I have read it, and I have asked, and I know that it is true. We have seen many miracles this past week, many similar experiences, and I know it is the hand of the Lord guiding His children back to His presence.

I love you all so very much! I wish you all a wonderful week! You are all in my prayers. :)

All my love,

Hermana Tuft
=============
Hello Mom and Dad!

I'm not sure what's happening to the computer but the letters got really small.... Not sure if it's the same for you, but I can't fix it, so I hope it's fixable on that end... :P To answer a couple questions before I go... :) Yes Dad, the weather has been changing here in Copiapó! I LOVE it!! At night it does get cold enough for a jacket, but the daytime is still just as hot.... But we're getting there, little by little. I think in a couple months I might be complaining about the cold... :P Naw. I love the colder weather. :D But from what it sounds like, we don't change time until the end of April...? From what we've heard. So we'll be 3 hours different again?? We haven't heard from Tamara yet, but her pololo says that she gets back on the 17th, so I'll keep you updated! :) Isabel is doing great, she's just starting up work at the school again, so she's been busy with back to school stuff lately. We actually sang as a missionary choir at a Primary activity again this past weekend, and I directed again, and it was pretty good. I thought it went well at least. :) We've been making an effort to sing in every lesson lately, and that has made a difference in the lessons, I do have to say. :) And I continue to play in Sacrament for the time being... :) Aaand we've been slow in learning the Articles of Faith, but we've set the goal this week to review 1-6. :) I am still puzzled that you couldn't find the Spanish lines, but I'll go back and check again on that....because I KNOW it's there.... Stay tuned... :) I am also SO glad that Grandpa's up with his Spanish lessons again. I'll have to write them a little note. :) And with the food, we do eat more rice, not too many beans, but we do also eat a good bit of mashed potatoes. Hna Millaquipai says they eat them a lot more in the south. I'm a little sick of the rice... :P But eat it I do! :)

CONGRATS on making Varsity to Spencer!! Good job Bud!! Hope that goes well. :) Mom just sent me a voice video of Lindsay, so I'll be sure to watch that before I sign off. :) I bet it will be FANTASTIC!! :) I'd love to hear from the 2 little stinkers. :) I have lots of thoughts on the question you asked last week about Christ coming to our houses, and what we would ask, but I think I would stick to what I said last week. We talked about it as a companionship, but I think it got lost in translation a little bit, because Hna Milla was a little confused... :) I will look up "I Stand All Amazed" though and we'll sing it. :) Thank you also for sharing that story and the progress of the mission prep class. I love that there are lots involved in the stake, it sounds like. I pray for them. We just got a little 18 yr old here in our ward that E James is training, and he reminds me soooo much of Spencer. It'll be fun to work with them here. He doesn't speak any Spanish, but he's learning quickly. :)

I was sad to hear about Sister Oldroyd.... I will keep her in my prayers, thank you for letting me know. The Lord has a plan for her and for her family, but I know that it must be hard. I hope Nate will stay strong out there and remember that it will all work out. I'm sure he will! I hope also, Mom, that you two really will serve a mission some day!! That little comment wasn't just a joke...I will hold you to it.... :P You both have always been such a wonderful example to me of service and charity. Always thinking about those in the ward and those around you, so thank you for that example you have always been and continue to be. :) I had better run!! Tell the family hello and that I love them and I apologize if I'm forgetting something!! Put it in bold if it's super duper duper important. :) I love you both LOTS!! Be safe this weekend in Arizona and send my love to the Bradfield's (hey a Sister Platt just got here from Chandler...) and enjoy the week with little Audrey Lou and be sure to KEEP ME POSTED about little Baby Tuft. :) I'll be on my toesies. :)

LOVE YOU!!
Kristen