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
====================
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"