Come unto Christ...

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Kristen with Hna Arenas doing a ward Family Home Evening in Angamos, Antofagasta.

Helloooo!

It's been another pretty great week here in Angamos. :) I truly am loving it here. I love my companion, the members, our investigators (even if they are a little bit stubborn... :)); it's just all in all a great area. :D

This past week we have experienced some pretty great things. I'm sad to report that we still haven't been able to contact Manuel and Joana yet, because they were traveling, but let's keep the fingers crossed for the next couple days. :) We got a reference yesterday from a ward member of a young couple, so we should be getting in contact with them in the next couple days. I love being a missionary. :D

This week we had our monthly leadership meeting with President, and it was very, very special meeting. We watched a talk that President Uchtdorf gave this June at the new mission president's meeting at the MTC, and that was an incredible growing experience. Basically I learned that we have the chance to share the gospel with everyone, or fear man and not share it. When we don't open our mouths we are basically denying God's power and ability to do this work, because it is His. I loved how he started it out; it was like an Easter talk, as he started talking about the last few days of Christ's life, but then changed his focus to the Sacrament and how it is our weekly opportunity to become closer to Christ. We should look forward to that opportunity, and our investigators should, as well. That is truly when we will know that they have had a "mighty change of heart". :) There were LOTS of other things that he talked about, but it was a very powerful moment/experience. And it just made Hna Arenas and I even that more excited for conference in a month... :) WOOT WOOT. :)

It has been interesting as we have been reflecting on the needs of our investigators, and the testimonies that they are lacking. Last night, we had a ward family night, where we organized it to be for the new converts, but everyone was invited. At the end, we were all in a circle and started sharing our testimonies of what we remembered of our baptisms or of the temple. It was a great meeting, and one of our investigators named Katiuska (I don't know if I've mentioned her....) came with her mom that got baptized a year ago. All the converts that have been great, strong members for years shared their testimony about the Atonement, and that when they finally understood the Atonement is when they decided to be baptized and when they got the answer about the truthfulness of the church.

*Quick little side note: Katiuska has been an investigator for about 4 years, or a little bit more.... She's 23, and just hasn't gotten baptized. She keeps listening to the missionaries, goes to church here and there, goes to the activities with her mom and the members that they rent from, but whenever we (as missionaries in general) have talked about baptism, she says, "Nooo." So we were on exchanges with Hnas Maldonado (Santiago) and Richardson (Orange County, CA) and before we got to her house, I didn't tell Hna Richardson anything about Katiuska, just to see kinda what would happen... And we were there with the Muñoz family (the members that they rent from/live with) and KATIUSKA DIDN'T REJECT THE BAPTISMAL INVITATION. :D She was smiling when we invited her, but wouldn't look at us... I asked her, "Katiuska, can we set a goal for the end of September for your baptism?" So we did, and so we're working towards the 27th of September. The great thing about her is, that if she doesn't want to do it/doesn't get her answer, she won't... Lots of people would for "peer pressure," but Katiuska is a special girl. :) Anywho. We were pretty ECSTATIC.*

So the fact that Katiuska could hear those testimonies last night was great. We need to work more on that with her, about gaining her own testimony, as well as with our other investigators, as well. Ermelinda and Carlina are doing well, also. Just the "mighty change of heart" thing again...

It made me think this morning as I was listening to the EFY theme song from this year... It's called "Come Unto Christ," and I just wanted to share what it says really quick:

Come unto Christ. Come unto Him,
and by His grace be made holy again.
He's calling your name. He's waiting
for you with arms open wide. Come
unto Christ.

Anywho, that's just been running through my head all day, and wanted to share that. He truly is waiting with His arms open wide, all the day long. And truly by and through Him, "we will find eternal life." I know He lives and He loves us. He calls each and every one of us, and hopes that we can hear that call and serve and love Him until the end. I love my Savior.

Con mucho amor y cariño,
Hermanita Tuft
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Hey Mom and Dad!

I saw Hna Albornoz this week at the leadership conference, and she said that Katty is having a little bit of a problem with living the word of wisdom, cause she still goes out for a little drink with her friends.... So they're going to push it back a week or two, but said that she'll keep me updated. I also talked to her companion, Hna Castro from Honduras. Hna Castro's from my group and we were talking about Spencer, so I'm going to send a couple things with her to send to Spencer when she gets back. She's headed to Utah in December, and I said we might be headed to Honduras at the end of November (Kristen doesn't realize it MIGHT be 2015 but was never going to be 2014. Nothing is solid with a trip there for humanitarian purposes yet.), and she said to let her know, because she always goes to help with translation with the dentists! So that was a cool little thing... She speaks English VERY well. Anywho, so she said to check to see what our plans were and let her know.... So I'm just wondering if there are any "set plans"....

Thank you both for your thoughts on Alma 5. I'll have to go back and read D&C 121, Dad. I loved both of your thoughts, and it's interesting, Mom, how your study had a lot to do with some of the thoughts that I have been having this past week. It's interesting how that happens, huh? :)

We haven't had too many cold temperatures here. It sometimes gets windy here in the mornings and at night, but for the most part it's been nice and sunny. When there are big and threatening clouds, Hna Arenas and I get excited that it will rain, cause clouds like that means rain in our houses....but not in Antofa.... :P So I'm glad that you guys have been enjoying a little bit of that moisture. :) We are noticing the leaves and flowers coming up on the few trees and plants here. But suprisingly, there is a lotttt more foliage here in Antofa. :P But nothing like you're probably thinking... :)

Grandma and Grandpa are in my prayers always... I cannot imagine how hard it must be for the both of them, and the whole family. I have had the thought cross my mind that maybe subconciously Grandpa has been holding on for so long to see me come home, but if he is doing so poorly I don't want him to.... I was talking to Sister Brunson (the hermana from St George) and her mom just recently passed away in July, and she shared a story of a kid from her parents' ward in Delta about a grandfather that had cancer and they gave him a few months to live, very similar to Grandpa's, and he said he just wanted to wait until his grandson got home, and he did get home just a couple weeks ago and could see his grandpa. I try not to get my hopes up that that might still be a possibility, but I know like, as you said, Dad, that there is "a time appointed for every man, according as his works shall be." Please let them both know that I am very happy, and doing well, and that if possible to let Grandpa know that I'll be okay if he's not there in a couple months. Let them know that I love them so very much, and I miss them, and I know that I'll see Grandpa again sometime soon... :) Please send my condolences to Grandma about Aunt Janie. Aunt Janie is younger than Grandma, right...?

I also asked President about my card, and he said to talk to the mission financer, so I will get in contact with him today about that to see if he has a solution, but if not, President said that he could take it out of his account, and you could write a check to send to his mom to deposit. I'll check more on that if Elder Adams doesn't have a quick solution... I'll let you know next week for sure! That's so fun that the DeGraw's and Rindlisbacher's will be down in October. :D I was so excited to see Hna Rindlisbacher on Thursday, not knowing that she wasn't a sister training leader for her last transfer! I'll just have to see her up at school. :) It's crazy how we've formed a friendship through you two being friends, and we hardly even know each other.... :P

I did also send Miranda an email last Monday, but don't know if she got it.... I'll send it to you to send it from Facebook then... I worry about that girl.... I want to see her again, or hear from her at least..... :( I did hear from little Britney though... :D)))

Poor little Audrey's eye!!! I hope she's doing better. I have to write Megan today.... I haven't heard from her in a while! Send my love. :) Bahaha and I laughed at that one.... Milo and Myla.... :P

I love you both so very much. I hope you know that and that I'm so grateful for all you do and the blessings that I feel daily by being part of an eternal family. :) KNOWING that we'll all be together for a looong time to come. :)

Until next weeeek (oh how the weeks are flying........),
Kristen
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Hey Spencer!!

I love you sooooo much Bud! Hang in there, and know that by keeping the rules you're doing the right. Your companion will see and follow your example. :) This is a great and marvelous work! Te quiero hermanito. Espero que tengas una semana geniallll! Jajajaja lo chistoso de escribir eso en español es que nuestros papas no tienen ni idea lo que estamos diciendo, a menos que hacen trampa y usen google...... :P Jajaja te quiero Elder Tuft. :)
I love you brother. Hope you have a greattt week! Hahaha What's funny to write that in Spanish is that our parents have no idea what we're saying, unless they cheat and use google ......: P Hahaha I love Elder Tuft. :)