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| Pia with her family on her baptism day 3 August 2013 |
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| Hermana Kristen eating her carrusco and coke! |
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Hermana Matias, Pia at her baptism 3 August 2013, and Hermana Tuft in Arica
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Monday, August 12, 2013
Photos!!!
I AM IN CHILE!!!
Hellooo all!!
I know it's a little crazy, but I have these moments of INSANE happiness, and right now is one of those moments. So bear with me. :) And I know I've been in Chile for a whileee now, but I just get so excited that I'm here and that life is so great and that the work is EXPLODING. More or less. :D It's just such an exciting time to be alive, and we all have SOOO much to be grateful for. Honestly, please take a moment to think about all that you have been blessed with. Because at the end of the day, we have two choices: We can be miserable and think of all the things that went wrong that day, or we can turn the table around, and look at all the GOOD! Because the good will always exceed the bad. ALWAYS. Just think of all the movies where it seems like the villian will win, but in the last 5ish minutes the tables turn and there's the hero on top. That is YOU. But you have to just keep pushing through and trying your hardest. :)
ANYWHO. So this week has been absolutely incredible. We have been so very blessed once again here in Zapahuira. I have a couple stories to share and questions to answer so I will get started!
We have been working a lot with the church records("Simil") to find all the inactive members. I think I mentioned that last week, but that's been filling our "spare time" :) this week. :) It's so great because most of the members have been inactive for years (that part isn't so great) BUT they now have families that we can share the gospel with and that means they can work towards the temple! That is the great part. :) So I will keep you posted with that. ALSO we have a new goal in our mission to find at least 1 person/family per day. The goal is to have an "investigator pool" of 10 or more progressing investigators constantly. That's a high goal to set, but it's possible. So that's what we've been working towards. :)
This week we found a new investigator named Carla. She's 16 and has a 2 month old baby, and lives at home with her mom and her sister. This story of finding her was a miracle in and of itself. We had just gotten out of a lesson before lunch, and because we split the sector it takes about 10 or 15 minutes to walk back to the house. It was 1:10 and lunch is at 1:30. So we were walking back and we turned onto a random little street (called pasaje's here) and let's get something straight: I hate knocking doors. I don't know a missionary that likes it, but I definitely hate it. I feel like it does little good most of the time, but for some reason I walked up to a door, knocked suddenly, turned to Hna Matias and said, "Vamos hacer contactos por 5 minutos." And right then Carla opened the door with a huge smile on her face! That for one caught me by surprise, so I was a little stunned and said hi we're missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and can we share a short message with you? She got excited and said of course, but to come back at 4. So we went back and shared the restoration with her, and asked her to offer the closing prayer and I kid you not she literally bore testimony of the restoration in her prayer. It was the most sincere, heart-felt prayer. So that was Saturday and she said she wanted to come to church with us so we went to pick her up on Sunday morning and....her mom came out and told us Carla couldn't go because they are all Catholic and don't want another religion in their lives, especially us.... So that was a bit of a shocker and a downer BUT we will keep praying for her and go back sometime this week hopefully. :) One thing I've learned is to NEVER give up on anyone. :)
And that leads to my other story! Remember Fabiola and Jorge? Fabiola and Julieta are sisters and we've been sharing with them for about a month or a little more. Jorge and Fabiola are living together, but have plans to get married next year.... They always say they will come to church, but never can when Sunday rolls around... So this week we invited them to be baptized on the 24th of August, and they said they want to be baptized, but they don't feel ready. They said they would pray about it and we could talk about it next time. So we went back and their dad was there and we shared with him too! He has a lottt of questions, but they are all questions that this gospel has answers to...another person that has been prepared... Anywho they said they would come to church with us on Sunday, and we called Julieta on Sunday morning and she said she couldn't go. But then we called Fabiola and she said she was ready! So that was great! She and Jorge came with us!! After Sunday School is of course Relief Society and Priesthood, and Jorge seemed a little leery to go without Fabiola, but he went with Elders Hotvedt and Pizzaro. We met up with them afterwards, and Jorge said to Hna Matias and I that he wanted to talk really quick with us. My heart sank cause I just thought, "Kay this is it, he's going to tell us that he doesn't want to meet with us anymore, etc, etc." He has been leery during this whole process of teaching them. But we went out of the church and he told us his thoughts. He said that before we come he thinks how much he doesn't want to listen, but when we're there he feels so peaceful and wants to learn so much more every time. He said he felt the same thing in the church today, and that he has never felt that before in other churches that he has been to. He said he wasn't sure if he was receiving his answer, or if we could help him know what was going on. I WAS SO HAPPY!!! He talked to us about all of this without any pauses for about 5 minutes, which is huge for him to talk that much anyway. It was such a miracle. We talked about opposition in all things and how he was feeling the spirit, and encouraged him to keep praying and reading, because yes he was receiving his answer.
That was a huge testimony builder for me about patience. Answers don't all come at once. We receive pieces of truth little by little, line upon line, precept upon precept. We have another lesson with them tomorrow, so I am very excited for that.
It was also great, because they were there for Pia's baptism, and also for her confirmation yesterday at church. It was so great because her mom and mom's boyfriend came with her! Her family is opening up more and is more receptive and welcoming when we come over, so YEA!! :)
This week has been so great, and I love it here more and more every day. :D And the great thing is that I'm learning exponentially it feels like....so that is great as well! :) (Spiritually learning, as well as language....) I can understand about 80 or 90% mas o menos and I can speak....less than that BUT I can get my point across for 90% of the time. It's a process, but I feel so blessed. :)
That's all for this week! SUPER long today with stories, but I really wanted to share. :) I love you all and I just want you all to know how much I know this church is true. I know we have living prophets today, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that the complete fullness of the gospel was restored through Joseph Smith, and it all started with an open, faith-filled heart and a prayer. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and I know that he loves us. I know we are children of our Heavenly Father and he is so very aware of our thoughts and desires, but we have to turn it all over to Him. He knows you better than you know yourself. :)
TONS of love from Chile,
Hermana Tuft
===============
Hello Family!!
Wow that was such a long letter! I loved hearing about your weeks and everything going on at home!! :) I'm also glad to hear that things are cooling down a littlleee bit. Meanwhile here in the desert it is definitely getting hotter. :) And that is a sarcastic happy smiley face, just for the record. :P **IlovethesunIlovethesunIlovethesun.** But in all reality **IhatethesunIhatethesunIhatethesun.** :P It's not super hot yet, but the temperatures seem to be rising. :) Winter here consisted of chilly nights, and hot days. :)
To answer a couple questions! In our church building we only have the one ward, but there is 1 chapel here in Arica that has 2. The mission has about 5 or 6 cities, with 3 or 4 zones each. There are a lot of different little towns in between, but there aren't regular missionaries there, nor chapels, nor branches for the most part that I'm aware of.... Yuta is one of those towns, but it's close enough that there are members that live there that come to our ward. Our ward is the most northern ward in Chile... About 10 or 15 minutes from the Peruvian border... :) We have 10 sisters here in Arica, and 6 in our district. For the most part, each ward in the mission has 4 missionaries, sometimes 6 or sometimes 2. We have Elders working with us in this ward, but for the most part in the mission it's either all sisters or all elders in a ward. We work with the ward mission leader every week, but we don't have ward missionaries yet. We go on splits sometimes with members, but just Sunday mornings to get investigators. And the youth LOVE coming with us to lessons, so that is so great! :)
As for the food, we eat TONS of rice and chicken. TONSSS. Tom told me the exact same thing before I left, but I never realized how much I would be eating it... :) It's all super delicious though! We have a salad every lunch, and breakfast is usually bread with a drink and I usually sneak in a fruit. Dinner is "Once" (pronounced 'own-say') and I love once. It's bread with herbal tea or something called ecco. I love once. :)
I'm so glad to hear that ward conference went well! I've got to go for this week, but I love you all so much and be safe this week and have fun and take lots of pictures!! :D
All my love,
Kristen
=============
Mom and Dad! I hope I answered all the questions! :) I loved hearing about the new temple video and can't wait to go when I get back! I am either going to the temple the day I get back, or the day after. I honestly miss it so much. And I would love for you both to come with me if it works out that way... :) Really quick! Dad! I think you should go to New Mexico once more. It is a lot of work to get it all put together, but I think you will regret it if you don't and I honestly think there is more to this story that you need... That's just me thinking out loud, but I think there is more, that one more visit could help uncover... Not that you want moreee uncovered, cause it seems like this Peter Shirts story will never end...but I think it will be good. :) Let me know what you work out and such. And I can't remember the story about the keys, so I would love a copy of that if you get a chance... Also! Glad to hear that the Sutterfield wedding went well. Happy for Nathan! Didn't know that Dixie was retiring! Mom! You're painting my room?! What color?? Pictures are always great so please send lots! :) And what are you doing in the bathroom?? Tell Mrs. Crockett hi for me, and have a great couple days with Singers! Also, Taylor Williamson wrote me a quick note, but thank you for keeping me posted on that! :) If you remember, she is going on a mission to Canada speaking Spanish. :) And Kenna did too so that was fun to hear from her! She sounds so great! How's Megan Walker feeling these days?? Getting ready these last couple weeks?! I'm so darn excited for her. :D I've got to run, but I love you both soooo very much and I think of you often, and I look at myself in the mirror for each of you every day, with a smile. :) I'm sending a HUGE hug in this email too, just so you know. :) Thank you for being my parents, and thank you for your emails and prayers and constant support. :D
All my love,
Kristen
I know it's a little crazy, but I have these moments of INSANE happiness, and right now is one of those moments. So bear with me. :) And I know I've been in Chile for a whileee now, but I just get so excited that I'm here and that life is so great and that the work is EXPLODING. More or less. :D It's just such an exciting time to be alive, and we all have SOOO much to be grateful for. Honestly, please take a moment to think about all that you have been blessed with. Because at the end of the day, we have two choices: We can be miserable and think of all the things that went wrong that day, or we can turn the table around, and look at all the GOOD! Because the good will always exceed the bad. ALWAYS. Just think of all the movies where it seems like the villian will win, but in the last 5ish minutes the tables turn and there's the hero on top. That is YOU. But you have to just keep pushing through and trying your hardest. :)
ANYWHO. So this week has been absolutely incredible. We have been so very blessed once again here in Zapahuira. I have a couple stories to share and questions to answer so I will get started!
We have been working a lot with the church records("Simil") to find all the inactive members. I think I mentioned that last week, but that's been filling our "spare time" :) this week. :) It's so great because most of the members have been inactive for years (that part isn't so great) BUT they now have families that we can share the gospel with and that means they can work towards the temple! That is the great part. :) So I will keep you posted with that. ALSO we have a new goal in our mission to find at least 1 person/family per day. The goal is to have an "investigator pool" of 10 or more progressing investigators constantly. That's a high goal to set, but it's possible. So that's what we've been working towards. :)
This week we found a new investigator named Carla. She's 16 and has a 2 month old baby, and lives at home with her mom and her sister. This story of finding her was a miracle in and of itself. We had just gotten out of a lesson before lunch, and because we split the sector it takes about 10 or 15 minutes to walk back to the house. It was 1:10 and lunch is at 1:30. So we were walking back and we turned onto a random little street (called pasaje's here) and let's get something straight: I hate knocking doors. I don't know a missionary that likes it, but I definitely hate it. I feel like it does little good most of the time, but for some reason I walked up to a door, knocked suddenly, turned to Hna Matias and said, "Vamos hacer contactos por 5 minutos." And right then Carla opened the door with a huge smile on her face! That for one caught me by surprise, so I was a little stunned and said hi we're missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and can we share a short message with you? She got excited and said of course, but to come back at 4. So we went back and shared the restoration with her, and asked her to offer the closing prayer and I kid you not she literally bore testimony of the restoration in her prayer. It was the most sincere, heart-felt prayer. So that was Saturday and she said she wanted to come to church with us so we went to pick her up on Sunday morning and....her mom came out and told us Carla couldn't go because they are all Catholic and don't want another religion in their lives, especially us.... So that was a bit of a shocker and a downer BUT we will keep praying for her and go back sometime this week hopefully. :) One thing I've learned is to NEVER give up on anyone. :)
And that leads to my other story! Remember Fabiola and Jorge? Fabiola and Julieta are sisters and we've been sharing with them for about a month or a little more. Jorge and Fabiola are living together, but have plans to get married next year.... They always say they will come to church, but never can when Sunday rolls around... So this week we invited them to be baptized on the 24th of August, and they said they want to be baptized, but they don't feel ready. They said they would pray about it and we could talk about it next time. So we went back and their dad was there and we shared with him too! He has a lottt of questions, but they are all questions that this gospel has answers to...another person that has been prepared... Anywho they said they would come to church with us on Sunday, and we called Julieta on Sunday morning and she said she couldn't go. But then we called Fabiola and she said she was ready! So that was great! She and Jorge came with us!! After Sunday School is of course Relief Society and Priesthood, and Jorge seemed a little leery to go without Fabiola, but he went with Elders Hotvedt and Pizzaro. We met up with them afterwards, and Jorge said to Hna Matias and I that he wanted to talk really quick with us. My heart sank cause I just thought, "Kay this is it, he's going to tell us that he doesn't want to meet with us anymore, etc, etc." He has been leery during this whole process of teaching them. But we went out of the church and he told us his thoughts. He said that before we come he thinks how much he doesn't want to listen, but when we're there he feels so peaceful and wants to learn so much more every time. He said he felt the same thing in the church today, and that he has never felt that before in other churches that he has been to. He said he wasn't sure if he was receiving his answer, or if we could help him know what was going on. I WAS SO HAPPY!!! He talked to us about all of this without any pauses for about 5 minutes, which is huge for him to talk that much anyway. It was such a miracle. We talked about opposition in all things and how he was feeling the spirit, and encouraged him to keep praying and reading, because yes he was receiving his answer.
That was a huge testimony builder for me about patience. Answers don't all come at once. We receive pieces of truth little by little, line upon line, precept upon precept. We have another lesson with them tomorrow, so I am very excited for that.
It was also great, because they were there for Pia's baptism, and also for her confirmation yesterday at church. It was so great because her mom and mom's boyfriend came with her! Her family is opening up more and is more receptive and welcoming when we come over, so YEA!! :)
This week has been so great, and I love it here more and more every day. :D And the great thing is that I'm learning exponentially it feels like....so that is great as well! :) (Spiritually learning, as well as language....) I can understand about 80 or 90% mas o menos and I can speak....less than that BUT I can get my point across for 90% of the time. It's a process, but I feel so blessed. :)
That's all for this week! SUPER long today with stories, but I really wanted to share. :) I love you all and I just want you all to know how much I know this church is true. I know we have living prophets today, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that the complete fullness of the gospel was restored through Joseph Smith, and it all started with an open, faith-filled heart and a prayer. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and I know that he loves us. I know we are children of our Heavenly Father and he is so very aware of our thoughts and desires, but we have to turn it all over to Him. He knows you better than you know yourself. :)
TONS of love from Chile,
Hermana Tuft
===============
Hello Family!!
Wow that was such a long letter! I loved hearing about your weeks and everything going on at home!! :) I'm also glad to hear that things are cooling down a littlleee bit. Meanwhile here in the desert it is definitely getting hotter. :) And that is a sarcastic happy smiley face, just for the record. :P **IlovethesunIlovethesunIlovethesun.** But in all reality **IhatethesunIhatethesunIhatethesun.** :P It's not super hot yet, but the temperatures seem to be rising. :) Winter here consisted of chilly nights, and hot days. :)
To answer a couple questions! In our church building we only have the one ward, but there is 1 chapel here in Arica that has 2. The mission has about 5 or 6 cities, with 3 or 4 zones each. There are a lot of different little towns in between, but there aren't regular missionaries there, nor chapels, nor branches for the most part that I'm aware of.... Yuta is one of those towns, but it's close enough that there are members that live there that come to our ward. Our ward is the most northern ward in Chile... About 10 or 15 minutes from the Peruvian border... :) We have 10 sisters here in Arica, and 6 in our district. For the most part, each ward in the mission has 4 missionaries, sometimes 6 or sometimes 2. We have Elders working with us in this ward, but for the most part in the mission it's either all sisters or all elders in a ward. We work with the ward mission leader every week, but we don't have ward missionaries yet. We go on splits sometimes with members, but just Sunday mornings to get investigators. And the youth LOVE coming with us to lessons, so that is so great! :)
As for the food, we eat TONS of rice and chicken. TONSSS. Tom told me the exact same thing before I left, but I never realized how much I would be eating it... :) It's all super delicious though! We have a salad every lunch, and breakfast is usually bread with a drink and I usually sneak in a fruit. Dinner is "Once" (pronounced 'own-say') and I love once. It's bread with herbal tea or something called ecco. I love once. :)
I'm so glad to hear that ward conference went well! I've got to go for this week, but I love you all so much and be safe this week and have fun and take lots of pictures!! :D
All my love,
Kristen
=============
Mom and Dad! I hope I answered all the questions! :) I loved hearing about the new temple video and can't wait to go when I get back! I am either going to the temple the day I get back, or the day after. I honestly miss it so much. And I would love for you both to come with me if it works out that way... :) Really quick! Dad! I think you should go to New Mexico once more. It is a lot of work to get it all put together, but I think you will regret it if you don't and I honestly think there is more to this story that you need... That's just me thinking out loud, but I think there is more, that one more visit could help uncover... Not that you want moreee uncovered, cause it seems like this Peter Shirts story will never end...but I think it will be good. :) Let me know what you work out and such. And I can't remember the story about the keys, so I would love a copy of that if you get a chance... Also! Glad to hear that the Sutterfield wedding went well. Happy for Nathan! Didn't know that Dixie was retiring! Mom! You're painting my room?! What color?? Pictures are always great so please send lots! :) And what are you doing in the bathroom?? Tell Mrs. Crockett hi for me, and have a great couple days with Singers! Also, Taylor Williamson wrote me a quick note, but thank you for keeping me posted on that! :) If you remember, she is going on a mission to Canada speaking Spanish. :) And Kenna did too so that was fun to hear from her! She sounds so great! How's Megan Walker feeling these days?? Getting ready these last couple weeks?! I'm so darn excited for her. :D I've got to run, but I love you both soooo very much and I think of you often, and I look at myself in the mirror for each of you every day, with a smile. :) I'm sending a HUGE hug in this email too, just so you know. :) Thank you for being my parents, and thank you for your emails and prayers and constant support. :D
All my love,
Kristen
Monday, August 5, 2013
The weeks literally FLY by!
Hello all!!
I honestly don't know how this happens, but every Sunday night I think to myself....WHERE HAS THIS WEEK GONE?! In such a wonderful way though! :) I love every minute and the language is coming and I feel so very blessed to have this opportunity!!
I have a confession to make..... So normally I write down things from the week in my planner that I want to share....but this week I didn't write a single one.... So we're goin' from memory here, and that's a little sketchy for those of you that know I have a horrible memory. :) Tehehe whoops. :P
SO this week was amazing. We have had great success, and I have learned SOOO much from Hna Matias. She is an angel. :) I love how Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need when we need it even if we don't know it ourselves... If that makes any sense. :) We're working a lot with the ward to get things in order a bit more. We finally split the sector (which apparently has been a rule since March, but no one split this ward so we've just been working in the whole thing...) It is a little hard cause we can't visit the members in the other half of the sector anymore...but it'll be good to get to know other people as well. :) When you split a sector, you split all the members, the converts, the places where you tract, etc. So hopefully that can maybe clear things up a little bit....?
Saturday was kinda a crazy day. It started out so peacefully, everything for the baptism was in order, etc, but then 4 o'clock rolled around and things went crazy... The Elders were supposed to meet Hno Delgado at the chapel, but he didn't show up so they started to fill up the font and then went for another appointment. So Hna Matias called them to see how things were and they said they were great and not to worry. So she asked where they were and they said in an appointment, but they were supposed to be at the chapel with the font filling up.... Anywho we all but ran to the chapel, and the font was about 6 inches full and it takes about 2 hours to fill and by now it was 5 and we had an hour before it started and it was super dirty and such. Anywho needless to say I panicked a little and started talking in English and Hna Matias just looked at me...and smiled. Poor girl. Sometimes I forget where I am and that she doesn't speak English. :P So we cleaned things up and got the font filled and things were great. :) It literally was a miracle though because the font started filling super fast, which has never happened. :) Miracles I tell you. Every single day.
Pia was so excited and we were so excited for her. She had a school thing on Sunday, so unfortunately she couldn't be confirmed this Sunday, but next Sunday she will be. And she literally is counting the days. :) She is so great. :) We also had 4 investigators that could attend the baptism, so that was wonderful! Fabiola, her pololo Jorge, Julieta, and her pololo Hernan came. We found out this week that Jorge lives with Fabiola. Which is a problemo that we'll have to resolve.... But Hna Matias overheard Fabiola tell Jorge after Pia got baptized that she felt so good and wanted to be baptized too!! SO that's this week's goal: get them married, baptized, and to the temple. :) Prayers on your behalf would be so greatly appreciated. :) Otherwise, we're still finding investigators, and I'll keep you updated with that next week! :)
Okay! More on Hna Matias! She is from Huanuco, Peru and has 2 younger siblings, and of course her parents. :) They are all members, and her grandparents as well. They were the first ones to join in their family, so yes I just realized I should ask her how they met the missionaries. :) More on that next week. :) (Huanuco is close to Lima for all you that had no idea, like me. :)) This is her first time being sr comp, but she's doing great with that and we have no problems and get along so great and laugh and talk lots, which is wonderful practice for me. :)
Dad!! GUESS WHAT WE FOUND OUT?! So with our empanada lady...she and her husband are members that were baptized 15ish years ago, but of course are not active because of work on Sundays, so we're going to visit them and see what we can do to get them to church again. :) That was very exciting. :) We asked for a list of all the members in our ward on Sunday, so we can start visiting all of them for references and reactivation and such...and 31 pages of people later.... :) We're going to be very busy. :) I'm guessing that about 20 or more of those pages are less active members... Referencias!!! :D It should be good. :)
I´d better be going for now, but I love you all TONS and thank you for your constant prayers and encouragement. I appreciate it all so much. :) I know this church is true and that we are so very blessed to be alive in these the Latter Days. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet. I have the wonderful opportunity to testify of that every single day. I know that President Monson is a prophet of God. I also know that Jesus Christ died for all of us, because He loves each one of us so very dearly. How very blessed we are to have this gospel in our lives.
Until next week!!!
Love,
Hermana Tuft
==============
Hello Fam Bam!
It sounds like you all are doing so great!! I loved hearing about the weekend up in Cache Valley, with the Family Reunion, and boating, and Juanito Bandito! I am so looking forward to seeing that when I get home. :D And the Mister Party Pooper Pants made me laugh so hard. :) He stole it from me, I'm telling you... :P AND SPENCER SINCE STINKIN' WHEN DID YOU GET YOUR BRACES OFF SPEAKING OF MISTER STINKER PANTS!!!!! I saw that picture and about freaked....CAUSE YOUR BRACES ARE GONE WHAT IN THE WORLD!!! So there you go my little freak out moment over email. :P I would love to hear about Timberline, and Lindsay about your escapades in Idaho & your whole nose ordeal (glad to hear it's healing well), and how was Washington, Kyle and Jess??? :) That's so exciting that graduation is coming up as well! :) Also Lindsay, do not worry. It took me forever to get up on the surfboard too, when I went last summer with the Schmidts, so it must run in the family. :) So fun though. :) (Although Spencer didn't get his braces off...)
I love you all so much and I honestly can't say that enough. I wish I could give you all a great big HUG every single day, but alas that will have to wait a few more months/yearish. :) I love it here. Every day has it's ups and downs, and the language is coming slowly but surely, but at the end of the day when you look back, there is no place I'd rather be and nothing I'd rather be doing. It was crazy to hear that Elder Coats stopped by the house, because it was honestly last week that I saw him... I'm glad he's doing well and adjusting to "life" okay. :) He was SO scared to go home after being here for so long... I hope I won't be "scared," but it will definitely be a little bit of an adjustment. Not much, but a little. :)
I love you!!! I hope all is well, and don't forget to keep laughing and loving life! :D All my love from Chile,
Kristen
==================
¡¡Hola Papito y Mamita!!
¿Como estaíspo? :) I love you both. Hope you know that. :D I was reading last night in my journal from 2 months ago, and 2 months ago today was when I saw Mom in the temple! :) How the time flies. :) I wish I could respond to all of the happenings there, but I have about no time left! Needless to say, I promise I read your letters and it's usually once more throughout the week. :) So please never write less, because I hate talking to missionaries here and them saying, "Oh the letters will get shorter. Just wait, in a few months it'll be a couple paragraphs." :( So I honestly want to thank you both so much for writing all that you do. I love that you both tell your sides of the stories too, so please continue like you are... :) I know it takes some time, but I appreciate all of it so much. Thank you. :D
So with the money situation! I have yet to use my personal card, because we have a mission one that we take our monthly money out of, but there are some momentos that I want to buy to bring home, so I'll use some of my personal money for that. Nothing too fancy, but everyone tells me that things here in Arica are SO much cheaper than everywhere else in the mission... The regulator pills were the bowel pills Mom sent. :) My health is great, but sometimes it's nice to have that as well. :) I hate this whole eating so much food stuff... That is my continued problem, but all is well and I'm exercising every morning, and with Hna Matias we started going running. :) So thank heavens for that. :)
I've got to run, but my thoughts this week with my studying the Atonement and Faith was this: In Alma 34: 8-10 and 15-18 explained things so well... The Zoramites didn't believe, so they had no access to the Atonement. (Interesting that your lesson was on exactly where I'm reading, Mom!) It says, "He that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice." We just have to exercise our faith to access the Atonement. I have more thoughts written down on that, but that's what I wanted to share! :)
Got to run!! Please tell Patti, Aunt Steph, and Megan thanks for their letters and I printed them off, but I don't have time this week to write them back!! :( Mainly just Megan I feel really bad about, because last week she wrote after I wrote home, and this week I didn't have time. :( Tell her how much I love and appreciate her letters every week though, and that Audrey is growing SOOO fast!!! She's the most adorable little girl ever. :)
I love you both so very very much. Thank you for your love, I don't think I could say that enough ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡LES AMO MUCHHHHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Love your little Chilena,
Kristen :)
I honestly don't know how this happens, but every Sunday night I think to myself....WHERE HAS THIS WEEK GONE?! In such a wonderful way though! :) I love every minute and the language is coming and I feel so very blessed to have this opportunity!!
I have a confession to make..... So normally I write down things from the week in my planner that I want to share....but this week I didn't write a single one.... So we're goin' from memory here, and that's a little sketchy for those of you that know I have a horrible memory. :) Tehehe whoops. :P
SO this week was amazing. We have had great success, and I have learned SOOO much from Hna Matias. She is an angel. :) I love how Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need when we need it even if we don't know it ourselves... If that makes any sense. :) We're working a lot with the ward to get things in order a bit more. We finally split the sector (which apparently has been a rule since March, but no one split this ward so we've just been working in the whole thing...) It is a little hard cause we can't visit the members in the other half of the sector anymore...but it'll be good to get to know other people as well. :) When you split a sector, you split all the members, the converts, the places where you tract, etc. So hopefully that can maybe clear things up a little bit....?
Saturday was kinda a crazy day. It started out so peacefully, everything for the baptism was in order, etc, but then 4 o'clock rolled around and things went crazy... The Elders were supposed to meet Hno Delgado at the chapel, but he didn't show up so they started to fill up the font and then went for another appointment. So Hna Matias called them to see how things were and they said they were great and not to worry. So she asked where they were and they said in an appointment, but they were supposed to be at the chapel with the font filling up.... Anywho we all but ran to the chapel, and the font was about 6 inches full and it takes about 2 hours to fill and by now it was 5 and we had an hour before it started and it was super dirty and such. Anywho needless to say I panicked a little and started talking in English and Hna Matias just looked at me...and smiled. Poor girl. Sometimes I forget where I am and that she doesn't speak English. :P So we cleaned things up and got the font filled and things were great. :) It literally was a miracle though because the font started filling super fast, which has never happened. :) Miracles I tell you. Every single day.
Pia was so excited and we were so excited for her. She had a school thing on Sunday, so unfortunately she couldn't be confirmed this Sunday, but next Sunday she will be. And she literally is counting the days. :) She is so great. :) We also had 4 investigators that could attend the baptism, so that was wonderful! Fabiola, her pololo Jorge, Julieta, and her pololo Hernan came. We found out this week that Jorge lives with Fabiola. Which is a problemo that we'll have to resolve.... But Hna Matias overheard Fabiola tell Jorge after Pia got baptized that she felt so good and wanted to be baptized too!! SO that's this week's goal: get them married, baptized, and to the temple. :) Prayers on your behalf would be so greatly appreciated. :) Otherwise, we're still finding investigators, and I'll keep you updated with that next week! :)
Okay! More on Hna Matias! She is from Huanuco, Peru and has 2 younger siblings, and of course her parents. :) They are all members, and her grandparents as well. They were the first ones to join in their family, so yes I just realized I should ask her how they met the missionaries. :) More on that next week. :) (Huanuco is close to Lima for all you that had no idea, like me. :)) This is her first time being sr comp, but she's doing great with that and we have no problems and get along so great and laugh and talk lots, which is wonderful practice for me. :)
Dad!! GUESS WHAT WE FOUND OUT?! So with our empanada lady...she and her husband are members that were baptized 15ish years ago, but of course are not active because of work on Sundays, so we're going to visit them and see what we can do to get them to church again. :) That was very exciting. :) We asked for a list of all the members in our ward on Sunday, so we can start visiting all of them for references and reactivation and such...and 31 pages of people later.... :) We're going to be very busy. :) I'm guessing that about 20 or more of those pages are less active members... Referencias!!! :D It should be good. :)
I´d better be going for now, but I love you all TONS and thank you for your constant prayers and encouragement. I appreciate it all so much. :) I know this church is true and that we are so very blessed to be alive in these the Latter Days. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet. I have the wonderful opportunity to testify of that every single day. I know that President Monson is a prophet of God. I also know that Jesus Christ died for all of us, because He loves each one of us so very dearly. How very blessed we are to have this gospel in our lives.
Until next week!!!
Love,
Hermana Tuft
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Hello Fam Bam!
It sounds like you all are doing so great!! I loved hearing about the weekend up in Cache Valley, with the Family Reunion, and boating, and Juanito Bandito! I am so looking forward to seeing that when I get home. :D And the Mister Party Pooper Pants made me laugh so hard. :) He stole it from me, I'm telling you... :P AND SPENCER SINCE STINKIN' WHEN DID YOU GET YOUR BRACES OFF SPEAKING OF MISTER STINKER PANTS!!!!! I saw that picture and about freaked....CAUSE YOUR BRACES ARE GONE WHAT IN THE WORLD!!! So there you go my little freak out moment over email. :P I would love to hear about Timberline, and Lindsay about your escapades in Idaho & your whole nose ordeal (glad to hear it's healing well), and how was Washington, Kyle and Jess??? :) That's so exciting that graduation is coming up as well! :) Also Lindsay, do not worry. It took me forever to get up on the surfboard too, when I went last summer with the Schmidts, so it must run in the family. :) So fun though. :) (Although Spencer didn't get his braces off...)
I love you all so much and I honestly can't say that enough. I wish I could give you all a great big HUG every single day, but alas that will have to wait a few more months/yearish. :) I love it here. Every day has it's ups and downs, and the language is coming slowly but surely, but at the end of the day when you look back, there is no place I'd rather be and nothing I'd rather be doing. It was crazy to hear that Elder Coats stopped by the house, because it was honestly last week that I saw him... I'm glad he's doing well and adjusting to "life" okay. :) He was SO scared to go home after being here for so long... I hope I won't be "scared," but it will definitely be a little bit of an adjustment. Not much, but a little. :)
I love you!!! I hope all is well, and don't forget to keep laughing and loving life! :D All my love from Chile,
Kristen
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¡¡Hola Papito y Mamita!!
¿Como estaíspo? :) I love you both. Hope you know that. :D I was reading last night in my journal from 2 months ago, and 2 months ago today was when I saw Mom in the temple! :) How the time flies. :) I wish I could respond to all of the happenings there, but I have about no time left! Needless to say, I promise I read your letters and it's usually once more throughout the week. :) So please never write less, because I hate talking to missionaries here and them saying, "Oh the letters will get shorter. Just wait, in a few months it'll be a couple paragraphs." :( So I honestly want to thank you both so much for writing all that you do. I love that you both tell your sides of the stories too, so please continue like you are... :) I know it takes some time, but I appreciate all of it so much. Thank you. :D
So with the money situation! I have yet to use my personal card, because we have a mission one that we take our monthly money out of, but there are some momentos that I want to buy to bring home, so I'll use some of my personal money for that. Nothing too fancy, but everyone tells me that things here in Arica are SO much cheaper than everywhere else in the mission... The regulator pills were the bowel pills Mom sent. :) My health is great, but sometimes it's nice to have that as well. :) I hate this whole eating so much food stuff... That is my continued problem, but all is well and I'm exercising every morning, and with Hna Matias we started going running. :) So thank heavens for that. :)
I've got to run, but my thoughts this week with my studying the Atonement and Faith was this: In Alma 34: 8-10 and 15-18 explained things so well... The Zoramites didn't believe, so they had no access to the Atonement. (Interesting that your lesson was on exactly where I'm reading, Mom!) It says, "He that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice." We just have to exercise our faith to access the Atonement. I have more thoughts written down on that, but that's what I wanted to share! :)
Got to run!! Please tell Patti, Aunt Steph, and Megan thanks for their letters and I printed them off, but I don't have time this week to write them back!! :( Mainly just Megan I feel really bad about, because last week she wrote after I wrote home, and this week I didn't have time. :( Tell her how much I love and appreciate her letters every week though, and that Audrey is growing SOOO fast!!! She's the most adorable little girl ever. :)
I love you both so very very much. Thank you for your love, I don't think I could say that enough ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡LES AMO MUCHHHHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Love your little Chilena,
Kristen :)
Monday, July 29, 2013
HAPPY HAPPY DAY!!!
HELLOOO!!!!
Oh my goodness I have been soooooo excited to write home this week!! I love my mission so much, and I love being able to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. His love for all of His children is so evident, and I get to see it up close and personal every single day. This is such an amazing and beautiful experience.
The reason why I'm so darn excited?! So..... PIA IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!!!! :D She's 13 years old, and we've been working with her for 3 weeks, and she's wanted to get baptized the whole time, but especially after she went to the baptism of Byron last week. She said the sooner the better, and we said GREAT!!!! :D It's kinda a crazy story. She lives with her grandma, because her mom had her when she was 13 and her mom travels to Santiago a lot for work. So her grandma told her she could get baptized, but when we were there last time, her grandma was in the other room and over heard us talking about baptism and told her that she couldn't be baptized yet because she didn't know enough... Which is valid, I mean we haven't met with her grandma and she's just trying to make sure she knows what she's doing... So that was Saturday night, and as we were leaving, she said she would talk to her tonight and let us know in the morning if the 3rd would work. So we got to church JUST as they finished the opening prayer (we had to pick up Lucia and Daniela, who live a long way from the chapel and we just ran out of time...anywho) Pia caught my attention and held up 3 fingers, had a HUGE smile, and mouthed "the 3rd!" DAH! I had the biggest chills ever and so we worked it out right there in sacrament and they announced it at the end. SO! This Saturday, August 3rd we have a baptism at 6 pm if anyone would like to come! :D It's been a great experience, and I honestly cannot describe my feelings. :) Pia hasn't had to make any major changes in her life, but she has so much more light now, from when I first met her. It's so incredible to see that inner change of heart.
So that is the HAPPY news, now for the sad.... Hermana Delgado is headed to Copiapo right now. :( We got transfer calls on Saturday night LATE, and we were sure we would all stay, because President Dalton (and I think this comes from the First Presidency...not 100% sure...) said that he would like us to stay 6ish months in one ward/sector. I'm really excited for that because I think we'll be able to work with the ward better this way, instead of new missionaries every 6 weeks... Anywho! We thought we would stay, but Hna Delgado has been called to Copiapo (20 HOURS FROM HERE HOLY COW) and she'll be a sister training leader there. She's super nervous, and the past couple days have been crazy cause she has so much energy and we were up really late last night while she was packing, and then she headed out at 8:30 am.
So right now I'm with Hnas LeFevre and Howell in Costanera, and we'll hang out for the day at El Morro and the mummy museum in Asapa. Tomorrow morning they'll go with me to the bus terminal to pick up Hna Matias! I'm SO excited to meet her!! She's in Copiapo right now! So they're switching places... :) I'm nervous though because I have to remember all the names of the members and where they live and our investigators and streets and EVERYTHING. Hna Delgado was here for a transfer before me. It'll be good though. :) And plan a baptism.... :P Good thing we have companions, cause this wouldn't work if I was solo... :P All I know about Hna Matias is that she is from Peru also, and that she doesn't speak English as well BUT I'm really excited for that because I feel like I've been learning so much faster with a Latin companion. And Peruvians are so amazing, so I'm really excited. :) I did talk to her for 2 seconds on the phone, but that's it. :) She has 2 more transfers than me, and she'll be finishing my training. It should be great! :)
Also, the story of Mamita joining the church! I keep forgetting to write that home... So sorry Dad!! Her mom was really sick, (this was 20 years ago in Santiago) and her sister was a member here in Arica. Her sister told her that she was going to contact the bishop there so they could give her mom a blessing, and Mamita said that after that blessing she knew this church was true. They moved up here to Arica, and she was baptized 2 months later. To this day, she and her 2 sisters are members, but she has 6 others that aren't members. Her son served in Buenos Aires and got back in January and now is married and living a few blocks away with his wife. Her other 2 daughters aren't members. It's an amazing story of the power of a Priesthood blessing, and such great faith.
I think that's about all for this week! We had a great week, but we're trying to find new investigators right now... I'll keep you posted about Maribel, Daniela, Lucia, Fabiola, and Julieta. :) I know this church is true. There is not a doubt in my mind, and I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father that knows our needs and gives answers to our prayers. What an amazing blessing it is to have this Gospel in our lives. We are so very blessed, and we need only open our mouths to share our testimonies for others to know of it as well. I hope all is well at home, and I love you all so much! Thank you for your prayers and support. The Lord's work is hastening, and we are a huge part of it. You are all in my prayers!!
All my love,
Hermana Tuft
Hello Family!!
It sounds like you all have kept busy this week! And LINDSAY YOUR NOSE!!! How are you doing?? I'm sorry...I did have a little chuckle when Mom and Dad said that you have two black eyes....so sorry (for laughing and for how painful that must be!!!) Send pictures por favor!! And of the family vacation last week too... :) How was camping with the Decker's Kyle and Jess?? And I hope Spencer has a great time at Timberline! That's so weird....I remember the first time Kyle went, and now this is the last time Spencer will go.... Crazy how time flies!! How are things up in Smithfield Megan & Tom?? Are you headed to Lake Powell in the next couple weeks? And is there a Tyler reunion this year... I haven't heard anything about that so I was just curious... I love you all SOOO much. I miss you like crazy, but there is no place I'd rather be right now. :D I hope all is well and know that I pray for you all every single day. Talk to you soon. :)
LOTS of love,
Kristen
P.S. I'm just curious....but how long are my letters printed....? Just curious... :P And my camera is on it's way home with Elder Coats who lives near Fillmore and leaves today! So keep your eye out for that! Lots of love!
Oh my goodness I have been soooooo excited to write home this week!! I love my mission so much, and I love being able to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. His love for all of His children is so evident, and I get to see it up close and personal every single day. This is such an amazing and beautiful experience.
The reason why I'm so darn excited?! So..... PIA IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!!!! :D She's 13 years old, and we've been working with her for 3 weeks, and she's wanted to get baptized the whole time, but especially after she went to the baptism of Byron last week. She said the sooner the better, and we said GREAT!!!! :D It's kinda a crazy story. She lives with her grandma, because her mom had her when she was 13 and her mom travels to Santiago a lot for work. So her grandma told her she could get baptized, but when we were there last time, her grandma was in the other room and over heard us talking about baptism and told her that she couldn't be baptized yet because she didn't know enough... Which is valid, I mean we haven't met with her grandma and she's just trying to make sure she knows what she's doing... So that was Saturday night, and as we were leaving, she said she would talk to her tonight and let us know in the morning if the 3rd would work. So we got to church JUST as they finished the opening prayer (we had to pick up Lucia and Daniela, who live a long way from the chapel and we just ran out of time...anywho) Pia caught my attention and held up 3 fingers, had a HUGE smile, and mouthed "the 3rd!" DAH! I had the biggest chills ever and so we worked it out right there in sacrament and they announced it at the end. SO! This Saturday, August 3rd we have a baptism at 6 pm if anyone would like to come! :D It's been a great experience, and I honestly cannot describe my feelings. :) Pia hasn't had to make any major changes in her life, but she has so much more light now, from when I first met her. It's so incredible to see that inner change of heart.
So that is the HAPPY news, now for the sad.... Hermana Delgado is headed to Copiapo right now. :( We got transfer calls on Saturday night LATE, and we were sure we would all stay, because President Dalton (and I think this comes from the First Presidency...not 100% sure...) said that he would like us to stay 6ish months in one ward/sector. I'm really excited for that because I think we'll be able to work with the ward better this way, instead of new missionaries every 6 weeks... Anywho! We thought we would stay, but Hna Delgado has been called to Copiapo (20 HOURS FROM HERE HOLY COW) and she'll be a sister training leader there. She's super nervous, and the past couple days have been crazy cause she has so much energy and we were up really late last night while she was packing, and then she headed out at 8:30 am.
So right now I'm with Hnas LeFevre and Howell in Costanera, and we'll hang out for the day at El Morro and the mummy museum in Asapa. Tomorrow morning they'll go with me to the bus terminal to pick up Hna Matias! I'm SO excited to meet her!! She's in Copiapo right now! So they're switching places... :) I'm nervous though because I have to remember all the names of the members and where they live and our investigators and streets and EVERYTHING. Hna Delgado was here for a transfer before me. It'll be good though. :) And plan a baptism.... :P Good thing we have companions, cause this wouldn't work if I was solo... :P All I know about Hna Matias is that she is from Peru also, and that she doesn't speak English as well BUT I'm really excited for that because I feel like I've been learning so much faster with a Latin companion. And Peruvians are so amazing, so I'm really excited. :) I did talk to her for 2 seconds on the phone, but that's it. :) She has 2 more transfers than me, and she'll be finishing my training. It should be great! :)
Also, the story of Mamita joining the church! I keep forgetting to write that home... So sorry Dad!! Her mom was really sick, (this was 20 years ago in Santiago) and her sister was a member here in Arica. Her sister told her that she was going to contact the bishop there so they could give her mom a blessing, and Mamita said that after that blessing she knew this church was true. They moved up here to Arica, and she was baptized 2 months later. To this day, she and her 2 sisters are members, but she has 6 others that aren't members. Her son served in Buenos Aires and got back in January and now is married and living a few blocks away with his wife. Her other 2 daughters aren't members. It's an amazing story of the power of a Priesthood blessing, and such great faith.
I think that's about all for this week! We had a great week, but we're trying to find new investigators right now... I'll keep you posted about Maribel, Daniela, Lucia, Fabiola, and Julieta. :) I know this church is true. There is not a doubt in my mind, and I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father that knows our needs and gives answers to our prayers. What an amazing blessing it is to have this Gospel in our lives. We are so very blessed, and we need only open our mouths to share our testimonies for others to know of it as well. I hope all is well at home, and I love you all so much! Thank you for your prayers and support. The Lord's work is hastening, and we are a huge part of it. You are all in my prayers!!
All my love,
Hermana Tuft
Hello Family!!
It sounds like you all have kept busy this week! And LINDSAY YOUR NOSE!!! How are you doing?? I'm sorry...I did have a little chuckle when Mom and Dad said that you have two black eyes....so sorry (for laughing and for how painful that must be!!!) Send pictures por favor!! And of the family vacation last week too... :) How was camping with the Decker's Kyle and Jess?? And I hope Spencer has a great time at Timberline! That's so weird....I remember the first time Kyle went, and now this is the last time Spencer will go.... Crazy how time flies!! How are things up in Smithfield Megan & Tom?? Are you headed to Lake Powell in the next couple weeks? And is there a Tyler reunion this year... I haven't heard anything about that so I was just curious... I love you all SOOO much. I miss you like crazy, but there is no place I'd rather be right now. :D I hope all is well and know that I pray for you all every single day. Talk to you soon. :)
LOTS of love,
Kristen
P.S. I'm just curious....but how long are my letters printed....? Just curious... :P And my camera is on it's way home with Elder Coats who lives near Fillmore and leaves today! So keep your eye out for that! Lots of love!
Monday, July 22, 2013
(Photos posted with permission of those involved to be on Facebook or Blog.)
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| Hermanas Tuft and Delgado at Lago Chungara 15 July 2013 |
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| Hermana Kristen Tuft, Isis, who drew those heart-warming pictures and Hermana Delgado. |
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| Hermanas Kristen Tuft and Ana Delgado and Hermana Jessica in her home in Yuta (prounounced like Utah). They are inside Hermana Jessica's home with no roof and canyon winds and it was FREEZING. |
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| Hermanas Tuft and Delgado being silly with two members. |
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| Tuft family Midway vacation - cups for all! We didn't leave Kristen out. She sings the song "Empty Chairs and Empty Tables" from Les Miserables' and we made it NO EMPTY CUPS, at least not forgotten. :) |
Hermanas Kristen Tuft and Ana Delgado leaving for Kristen's first area, Arica, Chile!
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| Hermanas Tracy Bruce, Kristen Tuft, Ana Delgado, and Presidente Leland Bruce. |
Last week of the Cambio...WHAT?
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Hope things are great there at home! Sounds like its way hot and that everyone is having a great summer! :)
I have a few thoughts/things to share this week, but not too much, and I WILL send pictures....I don't know why that's been such a struggle for me.... This week for sure. :)
I wanted to share a Pioneer Day related experience with you all first. :) Some background things are also experiences I want to share, so bear with me. :) We had a baptism in our ward! It was for the Elders, but exciting nonetheless. :) I played the piano, which was not good by all means, but it felt good to help out at least a little bit. We also sang A Child's Prayer for the special number (the four of us missionaries in Zapahuira), and that was a very special experience, as two of us were singing in English, and two in Spanish. So after the baptism, Byron's (who is 11 and got baptized) mom invited all of us over for a family home evening. Their family is members, but all of their extended family isn't and they were all there to support their nephew/grandson. So we went over, enjoyed some wonderful Chilean food, and watched a video about John Tanner. I vaguely recall watching that once before, but it had a much stronger impact this time for some reason.... I felt so blessed and in such great awe at the faith and perseverance of the Pioneers. They also mentioned the name Parley P. Pratt, and that hit me just right. I realized that not only my family on the earth right now is making such great sacrifices for me to be here, but my WHOLE family. All my pioneer ancestors worked so hard, just so that I could be here in Chile today. That gave me a different perspective, and it was very humbling. It makes me want to try THAT much harder to be a little bit better. :) (Parley P. Pratt is a 5th great uncle to Kristen.)
We are working with four very great investigators right now! They are all girls, and all under 13. Two of them are sisters, and they are so enthusiastic about the gospel, and they LOVE reading the Book of Mormon. They have to go to church three times before they get baptized though, so stay tuned for later in August. :)
Speaking of which!! Next week is transfers. I don't quite know where the time has gone, but we are really hoping that neither of us has to leave Zapahuira at this time.... If we need to, of course we will... :) But I sure hope that we get to stay for a little while longer. Also, along those lines if one of us is transferred you won't hear from me until Tuesday or Wednesday because of packing and traveling to a new area takes the whole P Day. So no worries if that is the case! :)
Yesterday we got the opportunity to go to a town in our ward named Yuta. Yep. Pronouced the same way as my Utah. :) It was a great experience! It's only about 20 minutes away, and we never go out there to tract or anything, but there are a couple families in the ward that live there and we ate lunch with them. Yuta is a little farming town, and it's great cause there's actually GREEN stuff... ;) It's a nice little change.... :)
Time to go for now, but I love you all so much. It's great to hear about the adventures happening in the OTHER Utah. :) The Lord's work is hastening! Don't be afraid to open your mouth. :) All my love,
Hermana Tuft
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Hermana Tuft
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Dear Family!!!
I loved hearing about all your experiences you had in Heber! I was dying laughing about your charades game, and it sounded like you kept pretty busy. I feel so special to have been included in the CUPS. :P That definitely made my day. :) I was there in spirit.... :) I have an envelope addressed and ready to SEND home, but I don't know when I'll get to go to Centro to send it, so I'll let you know... They might be a little out of date when you get them....so sorry.... :P I'm going to send pictures, so I have to run, but I love you all!! Kyle & Jess I'd love to hear about how Washington is when you get back! And Spencer and Lindsay PLEASE tell me all about EFY and Timberline, and spending time up in Smithfield... :P
LOVESSSSS from Chile,
Kristen =================
Hello Mommy and Daddy!!
I have lots of notes (yes I wrote notes to your letters, so I wouldn't leave anything out... :) But I'm just going to type them as I wrote them down to save time, if that's okay! :) I really hate this whole time limit thing... I'd be much better if the church could change it to 2 hours, or even an hour and a half... Anywho here goes!! :)
Yeah for Marley and her call!! That's so exciting! Everyone is going to speak Spanish come two years from now... :) That's also great that Malachi Hopoate gets to go down to Mexico City! I had a teacher in the MTC go there a week before we left, so I told her to look for Hermana Thomas :). Do you, by chance, have her email? I'm assuming it's normal, but who knows. :) Also, it sounds like Britney had a great time in Africa!! I hope to hear from her about it soon. :) I also loved hearing about the temple experiences from Brother Rios. I got MAJOR chills when you said that about the 400 sisters going through in 1 hour!! The work is hastening on BOTH sides of the veil... I LOVE IT!!! :D I wish I could have been there to help with organizing those family pictures, but it sounds like things are going well and I can't wait to see how it turns out. :) Could you maybe send a picture of Kim's baby?? I'd love to see him. :) AND MOM YOUR FOOOOOTTTT!!! What's up with that?!?! Please keep me posted and let me know how your appointments go.... I've been having shin splint problems and been pulling a YOU and wearing tennis shoes around the house....I hate wearing shoes....did ya know that? ;) And I hope you have a great time with Jennie this week! Tell me all about it. :) Did Jennie get my letter?? I sure hope so, I sent it while I was in the MTC.... I'm happy to hear that Uncle Glenn is feeling a little better, but I hope he gets the help he needs and isn't stubborn about it... Sounds too much like Grandpa.... I pray for him every day, and also those of the family that aren't active especially... I hope they can realize the importance of this gospel. That's the whole reason I'm here!! I also was CRACKING up about "Sister Kessa Dwiggins." :P Too funny. And no Megan Walker didn't tell me about my blog! Please clue me in.... :) TONS of news, but I love it! It makes it seem like you all aren't that far away. :D
Dad, I haven't had the chance to make pancakes yet, because we haven't made it to Chile's Walmart for a couple weeks to get stuff to make them, but I will tell you how they turn out when I do make them! :) And along those lines, same with making a dessert for my Empanada lady. :) We're going to stop by and see if we can actually VISIT with her this week though. :) The language journal is helping me SO much. I kinda disregarded it for a little while when I first got here, but you reminding me made me pull it back out again and now I write down all the words I don't know during the day, and look them up when I get home. :) I wish I could say the lists are getting shorter, but they aren't... SO much to learn, but I DO understand TONSSSS better these days. I also can talk to someone and have a short conversation, so it's coming. Not without TONS of help from fervent prayer however. :) We work with our Ward Mission Leader, Hermano Delgado, and we're actually going over there for an FHE tonight. :) He is such a great help, and we couldn't do this without him. He said he's working with the Bishop to get ward mission leaders called this month, so I hope I'll be here to see what that brings! :) Also, LOTS of people have been to the Bolivia, Cuchabumba temple, because the whole ward goes twice a year. You can feel a difference in the homes of members that have and haven't been. It's a huge testimony builder to me of the sacredness of the temple and the covenants we make there. I didn't get a chance to do a sealing while at the MTC, so that is on my list of things to do when I get home. Going to the temple in general will be such a wonderful experience. I really am missing my weekly temple trips... I hope you and Mom can go this week or next for me! :) I also vaguely remember that talk we had while on the way to Brigham a couple years ago... I remember I wrote it in my journal though! :) That's what journals are for... :) I loved reading through Alma 32 though. Thank you for that. It's interesting how Alma says by faith and diligence it will take root in you. We first have to ALLOW it. The seed needs the water from our own desire to know the truth before it can take root. I love that promise that when we endure to the end, we are promised eternal life. The temple is a TINY glimpse of the Glory and Love of God. We are SO blessed to have so many temples in the world today.
I am so so soooo sorry once again about my camera... I don't know if you really want me to send it home though! One of the Elders I was talking to about it said not to have you send one, because his mom did that and it got stolen in the mail.... And he said not to have you tell anyone of MM because he didn't tell his mom.... I promise I will tell you those things... :D Also, tell Grandma and Grandpa hello and give them a HUGE squeeze for me. I'm wearing Grandma's scarf she made for me today, and I've been thinking of her. ALSO please tell her I use my prayer rug SOOO many times every day because the floor is tile, and it is so wonderful. So please thank her again for me. :) Kay, I've got to run so I can send PICTURES!! Allllll my LOVE!!
Your daughter,
Kristen, the Stinkerpants. :)
Kristen =================
Hello Mommy and Daddy!!
I have lots of notes (yes I wrote notes to your letters, so I wouldn't leave anything out... :) But I'm just going to type them as I wrote them down to save time, if that's okay! :) I really hate this whole time limit thing... I'd be much better if the church could change it to 2 hours, or even an hour and a half... Anywho here goes!! :)
Yeah for Marley and her call!! That's so exciting! Everyone is going to speak Spanish come two years from now... :) That's also great that Malachi Hopoate gets to go down to Mexico City! I had a teacher in the MTC go there a week before we left, so I told her to look for Hermana Thomas :). Do you, by chance, have her email? I'm assuming it's normal, but who knows. :) Also, it sounds like Britney had a great time in Africa!! I hope to hear from her about it soon. :) I also loved hearing about the temple experiences from Brother Rios. I got MAJOR chills when you said that about the 400 sisters going through in 1 hour!! The work is hastening on BOTH sides of the veil... I LOVE IT!!! :D I wish I could have been there to help with organizing those family pictures, but it sounds like things are going well and I can't wait to see how it turns out. :) Could you maybe send a picture of Kim's baby?? I'd love to see him. :) AND MOM YOUR FOOOOOTTTT!!! What's up with that?!?! Please keep me posted and let me know how your appointments go.... I've been having shin splint problems and been pulling a YOU and wearing tennis shoes around the house....I hate wearing shoes....did ya know that? ;) And I hope you have a great time with Jennie this week! Tell me all about it. :) Did Jennie get my letter?? I sure hope so, I sent it while I was in the MTC.... I'm happy to hear that Uncle Glenn is feeling a little better, but I hope he gets the help he needs and isn't stubborn about it... Sounds too much like Grandpa.... I pray for him every day, and also those of the family that aren't active especially... I hope they can realize the importance of this gospel. That's the whole reason I'm here!! I also was CRACKING up about "Sister Kessa Dwiggins." :P Too funny. And no Megan Walker didn't tell me about my blog! Please clue me in.... :) TONS of news, but I love it! It makes it seem like you all aren't that far away. :D
Dad, I haven't had the chance to make pancakes yet, because we haven't made it to Chile's Walmart for a couple weeks to get stuff to make them, but I will tell you how they turn out when I do make them! :) And along those lines, same with making a dessert for my Empanada lady. :) We're going to stop by and see if we can actually VISIT with her this week though. :) The language journal is helping me SO much. I kinda disregarded it for a little while when I first got here, but you reminding me made me pull it back out again and now I write down all the words I don't know during the day, and look them up when I get home. :) I wish I could say the lists are getting shorter, but they aren't... SO much to learn, but I DO understand TONSSSS better these days. I also can talk to someone and have a short conversation, so it's coming. Not without TONS of help from fervent prayer however. :) We work with our Ward Mission Leader, Hermano Delgado, and we're actually going over there for an FHE tonight. :) He is such a great help, and we couldn't do this without him. He said he's working with the Bishop to get ward mission leaders called this month, so I hope I'll be here to see what that brings! :) Also, LOTS of people have been to the Bolivia, Cuchabumba temple, because the whole ward goes twice a year. You can feel a difference in the homes of members that have and haven't been. It's a huge testimony builder to me of the sacredness of the temple and the covenants we make there. I didn't get a chance to do a sealing while at the MTC, so that is on my list of things to do when I get home. Going to the temple in general will be such a wonderful experience. I really am missing my weekly temple trips... I hope you and Mom can go this week or next for me! :) I also vaguely remember that talk we had while on the way to Brigham a couple years ago... I remember I wrote it in my journal though! :) That's what journals are for... :) I loved reading through Alma 32 though. Thank you for that. It's interesting how Alma says by faith and diligence it will take root in you. We first have to ALLOW it. The seed needs the water from our own desire to know the truth before it can take root. I love that promise that when we endure to the end, we are promised eternal life. The temple is a TINY glimpse of the Glory and Love of God. We are SO blessed to have so many temples in the world today.
I am so so soooo sorry once again about my camera... I don't know if you really want me to send it home though! One of the Elders I was talking to about it said not to have you send one, because his mom did that and it got stolen in the mail.... And he said not to have you tell anyone of MM because he didn't tell his mom.... I promise I will tell you those things... :D Also, tell Grandma and Grandpa hello and give them a HUGE squeeze for me. I'm wearing Grandma's scarf she made for me today, and I've been thinking of her. ALSO please tell her I use my prayer rug SOOO many times every day because the floor is tile, and it is so wonderful. So please thank her again for me. :) Kay, I've got to run so I can send PICTURES!! Allllll my LOVE!!
Your daughter,
Kristen, the Stinkerpants. :)
(She had an Elder there drop her camera last week at the lake and break it and wrote a private email to us and referred to herself as the Stinkerpants. We're thinking it's going to STICK - it's her fourth broken camera in about 5 years, THREE of them broken by others!!! Being a photography major, she said she's thinking about changing majors. :) )
Monday, July 15, 2013
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