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| Kristen Tuft doing what she loves! Baking! She's making an apple pie to take to an investigator to use as an object lesson. |
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| Kristen bowling - what a goon child! ;) (I miss her MADLY!) |
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| Kristen with the final product! (It's beautiful!) |
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| Hnas Zollinger (from AZ) and Albornoz (from Argentina) |
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| Hna Smith (from Idaho) bowling on p-day. |
Hello from Calama!
It's been quite the week. :) It's been great seeing miracles and growing and learning LOTS and loving the cold weather. :) Calama's so strange... It's FREEZING cold at night, and from about 11 to 5 it's burning hot and you need sunscreen.... Very strange. But this girl's used to strange Utah weather....but still. Strange. :)
We've had a lot of great experiences this week, but most of all I wanted to share about our Paraguayan family. :) So on Wednesday, we had the family night planned and we both felt so great about it all day. When we got there, the house was FULL of people. There was the family that gave us the reference (of 4) and then Denise (the mom) and her 5 kids. And then us two. So there was a full house. :) Denise's husband was working, so he couldn't join us, but we had a great lesson in the which we shared our testimonies and explained our purpose as missionaries. The family that gave us the reference (the Arce's) are from a different ward, but they are fantastic. They are both returned missionaries, and as they were bearing their testimonies the Spirit was so strong. It was a short little visit, but we went back on Thursday and had a good first lesson.
On Friday, it was her son, Alejandro's birthday. So we decided we would use all our apples that were in our fridge and made an apple pie for him, and for the lesson. :) With 5 kids from ages 3 to 13, we're getting a little bit creative. :) And the pie turned out GREAT! Por fin we made an apple pie. :) As we taught the lesson, we talked a lot about all the necessary "ingredients" that the Church of Jesus Christ requires. Those ingredients being prophets, apostles, the priesthood, and revelation. We compared that to the apple pie, and how if you don't have the crust, or the sugar, or the apples, etc, you can't make a good pie. And so it is (a little bit... :)) with the Church of Jesus Christ! :) It turned out to be a great object lesson, and the kids enjoyed eating the pie afterwards. Bueno, nosotras igual... :D
Denise and her family have been here in Chile for about 8 years. They moved here for her husband's work, and they've had quite a rough story. But the good thing is, they are married :) and they are a happy, humble little family. Denise has been very prepared to hear and accept the gospel in her life, but please keep her husband in your prayers. He's more duro en ese sentido... They will need all the prayers they can get. BUT they are a fantastic family and we're so blessed and grateful to get to work with them. :)
I also was studying this morning in 2 Nefi 28, and verse 30 really caught my attention. It says:
For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
I have read that scripture a million times, but this morning it had a lot more meaning. As we lend an ear to the counsel of the Lord, He will give us wisdom. But as we say, "Naw, I know enough. I don't need to read my scriptures, or go to church, or be obedient, etc." He will take away that wisdom and knowledge that he has already given us.
And then, as I was studying some of the footnotes, I found in Alma 12:10 this scripture:
And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
As we hearden our hearts, he will stop giving us wisdom, but as we are humble to receive his word, he will give unto us the ability to know His mysteries. I found that so interesting. And as Hna Albornoz and I were sharing, she said that it was interesting that in Preach My Gospel, we can read the same thing over and over about the lessons, and learn something new every time, as well as in the scriptures. :) We can only learn wisdom from God through the Holy Ghost, and in order to receive those promptings we must have a heart that is open and ready to hear.
Anywho, just a couple thoughts to think on. :) It is so sad to see that truly those that we have talked to that are inactive in the church always seem to think they know more than what God does, and put their faith in their own strength and wisdom, rather in the strength of God. Because truly, in the strength of the Lord, we can do all things. :)
I know this church is true and I am so grateful to be here in Calama to share it with everyone. :) MEMBERS TRULY MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. This week our members (bueno, la estaca completo...) is in the temple in Santiago. :) I always seem to be in the ward when they go to the temple... :) LOVE IT. I love the temple and I love that they love the temple and I love the energy they bring back from the temple. I love the temple. :)
All my love,
Hermanita Tuft
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Hello Mom and Dad!
I loved reading your letters. :D Busy, busy bodies, but I'm glad you all survived this week and that there are lots of plans in the next three weeks.... Crazzzyyyy. Spencer wrote me and said, "It's true that life after high school is a lot busier." Bahahahaha. After 2 days he's saying that. Bahaha. :D Loved it. :) I bet the two of you can agree. :) This week has been a great one full of miracles and pruebas as well. :) We've done lots of walking and it's been hard to keep the animo up, BUT things are well and we are learning lots. Calama is a stubborn little town, and it's been a struggle to work in, but I am grateful for the times of trial as well as the times of happiness. :) Dad asked about the members, and truly I wish I could explain to you bien ellos. But they have good hearts and say they will help and whatnot, but it's just the following through and commitment they struggle with. Oh Calama. :)
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers and things you shared! I loved the thoughts on Personal Revelation, and also what you both shared about the Restoration. It's interesting, because truly everything is weighing on that one moment, that still hasn't even ended... Every prophet saw our day, and we have quite the responsibility to bring this happiness to the lives of the families the Lord is preparing. I am so grateful for my family that has helped me stay on this path and that has taught me the right. I hope and pray that we can continue to find those families that are waiting for us... :)
I am glad to hear that Grandma and Grandpa are taking it one day at a time... They are in my prayers and hope they can keep their heads up and remember that we are all on the Lord's perfect timetable. That truly gives me such great relief to know that He is in charge. I was also sad to hear about the Braegger's grandpa... :( I'm going to write Britney a quick little note...
I hope that you both have a fantastic week and that you keep a smile on your face and a prayer in your heart. :D I love you both so very much and thank you again for being my parents. Thank you thank you thank you. :) Truly, ¡Hurrah por Israel!
XOXO
Kristen
P.S. I put pictures on and we went bowling with Hna Smith (blonde from Idaho) and Hna Zollinger (brunette from AZ).
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