A CHOSEN GENERATION

28 April 2014
Hello!!

It's been a fantastic week here in Calama. :) It has been quite an adjustment the past few weeks running frantically por todos lados, BUT it's been a fantastic 3 weeks and this week was great. :) We worked hard and found and taught lots of people. It truly is incredible how the Lord puts so many people in our path. I love when I know that for sure that people have been put in our path, because truly that shows us as a companionship that the Lord trusts us and confides in what we are doing. I love that feeling, that I know the Lord is pleased with our work. It doesn't mean that we should ever stop working, or stop trying to work harder, but truly it is incredible to feel that way. :)

This week, we have been planning our ward conference that will be this coming week, and we've been following up with lots of contacts. There was one in specific named Glenda that caught our attention. We started talking to her in the street and she told us to stop by the next day in the morning. So we headed by, and had an incredible lesson with her. She has been raised Christian her whole life and believes in the Bible and Christ, but wants to learn more. She was one of those that we got out of the lesson and thought, "Meesh!" Just one of the examples of miracles that we truly see every day. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. :)

We've also been working with a lady named Agustina. Her 3 sons were baptized last year, but she never really joined in on the lessons. Her husband is inactive and doesn't want anything really to do with the church, but has no problem if his family does... So we're working with them, and been focusing on teaching the lessons again to her kids, and teaching her at the same time. She has a few things to fix before she can be baptized, but she has a baptismal date for July 5th. It seems far out there, but it's better to have a goal than to not have anything at all... :D So we're working with Agustina and her family. :)

There was another lady that I met this week, that had been listening to Hna Morales and Hna Richins before I got here, but she's pregnant and has been having a few complications... So we stopped by this week to see if we could find her and she was home and invited us in! She has 2 little kids, one that's 11 and the other is 2. She and her son have been reading bits and pieces of the Book of Mormon, and we shared with them the importance of prayer. The Spirit was so strong in that lesson. There are many times still that my words get jumbled, but I know without a doubt that when I can speak perfectly is when I'm truly not speaking at all, and the Spirit completely takes over, and that was what happened with Kimena on Friday.

The last little experience that I wanted to share from this week is about a lady named Jaqueline. Jaqueline is a mom of 2 - her daughter is 22 and her son is 11. Her two kids, Florencia and Heribeto, got baptized in Santiago about a year and a half ago. When I first met Jaqueline, I thought she was a member. She knows everything there is to know about how the church is organized, the lessons, etc. But the incredible thing is that she is still humble enough to learn and be taught. She has a few things she needs to do before she can be baptized as well, along with her husband, but by the end of the year they have the goal to be married and baptized. :) Yesterday in church, the teacher in Relief Society said something to the effect of the people of our day have been held in reserve to come forth in the latter days. We stopped by in the afternoon to visit them and Jaqueline made the comment about that comment, and how she was truly impacted by that comment. She then shared with us a very special dream that she had had, that had a lot to do about being the last and chosen generation. We left her D&C 138 to read, and promised that we would talk more about it in the next visit.

It truly is incredible that even though Jaqueline isn't baptized, that she knows she has to prepare herself, and that the Lord truly has prepared her in her life.

In Doctrine and Covenants, here is what is says that we wanted Jaqueline to read.

53 The Prophet Joseph Smith, and my father, Hyrum Smith,Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and other choice spirits who were  reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great latter-day work,
54 Including the building of the temples and the performance of ordinances therein for the redemption of the dead, were also in the spirit world.
55 I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God.
56 Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.

Her daughter, Florencia, has been to the temple, and is getting ready to go again to do baptisms for her ancestors, and her mom is helping her get them ready. I don't know if we truly understand the complete and great importance of doing the work of our ancestors, and that truly they are waiting on us. Temple ordinances are something that has been held in reserve for our days, and look at all the help and technology that we have to make it possible! The new family search website is incredible with that.

I know that this church is true. I know that the work of temples is so vital and important for our days and I know that there are so many who are on the other side of the veil that need our help. This work is true. Christ is leading and guiding us through a living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I love this work. I love being a representative of Christ, and I love Him.

All my love,
Hermana Tuft
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Hello Mom and Dad!

I just remembered that I was supposed to write about Hna Morales a bit, but I forgot until now and I truly don't know what else to tell... :) She is fantastic!! :) If you ask questions, I will respond... :)

This week we have interviews with President and we have consejo in Antofa, so it will be another busy week. :) I'll be sure to keep him updated with Grandpa's condition. Thank you both for keeping me updated.

Mom, I don't know those 2 people you said... So please don't add them... :) And we can't see into Bolivia, unless we drive a couple more hours west... :P And Dad thank you for reminding me about the apple pie idea! We honestly have apples that we were thinking about making a pie out of this week, but didn't have a recipe, so I asked Mom for one. :) Thank you for the mission call news!! Crazy stuff. I'll wait until next week to hear about Spencer's... :P

I also loved reading Grandma's story! I had never heard that experience before, and it was very special for me to read. I love that you guys have been sharing those experiences with me, thank you. :) ALSO I'm very glad to hear that things have worked out with Elder Shirts. :) I will be anxiously awaiting the book, because truly he is an interesting man, that Peter. :)

I feel like you both asked more and commented on more that I would like to respond to, but time is short! I love you both and thank you for being my parents. :) I will check on skype stuff this coming week.... CRAZY it's already been 5 months.... What!

Lots of love!!
Kristen

Send my love to the little chiquillos there at home. :D