Oh Está Todo Bien. :)

Just a random cool thing we found this week.... Cactus flowers truly exist my friends. :)

Hello All!!

It's honestly been such a fantastic week. :) We have had some incredible experiences and I am just super happy. :) We've done lots of working with members, we had an activity on Friday as la obra misional, a fantastic Sunday, and to put it all into just a couple words, it was fantastic. :) So yep! :)

We truly have seen lots of miracles this week. I have loved seeing everyone come back from vacation, the college students started school today, and that has a big impact on the ward too, seeing as the university is really close. I just realized that I'm pretty sure the campus is part of our sector and we should probably look into that to seeing if we could do contacting there..... Anywho! :) That means that Tamara and Jorge are back! We should be getting in contact with them this week.

It has been a week of realizing that truly the Lord does put those in our path who have been prepared, those who we have been praying for. For example, we have been talking a lot about how our daily goals are acts of faith. We prayerfully set goals every night, and the next day we work and show our faith to complete the goals the Lord helped us make. Yesterday, we had a goal to contact two of the references we received a little while back, and they haven't been home, etc, and we prayed that we would have those two put in our path and we did, in fact, get in contact with them and have an appointment set up. I wish that I could explain all these experiences how we lived them.... You might just have to trust that they truly are miracles. :)

On Thursdays, we generally do splits with two sisters named Maria Lidia and Tiare. This past week when we did them was incredible. Maria Lidia has absolutely no shame in talking to the whole world, which I greatly admire! Which means that she also knows the whole neighborhood. :) She and her husband served a mission a couple years back and are preparing to go again, and going on splits with her is such a special experience. We met four new investigators this week, three of which are close friends of her's and have lived pretty rough lives. That was another miracle we saw this week, and are excited to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ make big changes for the better in their lives. That is the miracle of this Gospel, truly! The change that it can make in our lives, if we allow it. :)

On Friday we had an activity that we planned called the Churipanada. (Churipan is kinda like a sausage/hot dog type thing put in a piece of french bread type bread with mayo.) We did a little fireside where we spoke about basics. We taught new members mostly how we do prayers, spiritual thoughts, talks, etc in front of groups. It turned out great! We have really been trying to do activities every Friday just about, and that truly has started to make a difference in the excitement of the ward. Which leads to Sunday!

It was the Sunday that the obra misional was in charge. Elder Cable and Hna Millaquipai spoke, and we had planned to have the ward mission leader speak, too. We asked the YSA to do a musical number, and things were set. So we got to church to run through the song, and no one was there. (It was 9:30 and church starts at 10.) So no one was there to practice, so I was just thinking that it would be Sunday with low attendance... 10 minutes into the meeting it was FULL and we had to bring in more chairs and I was just beaming because I was so happy. The two talks went well, as well as the musical number. I was super confused because during Hna Millaquipai's talk, the bishop called me up and I was scared to death that he was going to ask me to do an improvised talk.... He said that the ward mission leader, Hno Ubilla, wasn't feeling well and asked that I sing Come, Come Ye Saints (Oh Está Todo Bien) and I happily agreed. :) Singing I can do, speaking...naw. :)

As I stood up there singing Come, Come Ye Saints to my little ward Chañarcillo, I got super teary eyed. I looked out in the full chapel and thought of all of those people sitting there, those who had sacrificed so much in their lives to follow Christ. And in the end, that's what we all are asked to do, to take up our cross and follow Him. They are such a beautiful example to me of modern day pioneers. Lots of people ask me if I have pioneer ancestors, to which I happily reply, "Yes!" But as I say that and as I watched them, they are our modern day pioneers. It was an incredible realization for me. :)

Hermana Millaquipai is great. She has taught me so much, and I think most of all she's just taught me to love life as it comes, not to worry about the little things. :) Just like the thought that my parents shared with me (Mom, you did share it with me a couple weeks back, but Dad I did love reading it again and refreshing my memory, thank you! :)) I wanted to share that really quick and then head out! :)

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?” Answers called out ranged from 8 oz to 20 oz. She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. if I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.” She concludes with the thought – Remember to put the glass down :).

So, the moral of this weeks story is to put the glass down, rely on the Savior, and remember that truly todo está super bien. :) I know that this church is true!! I love this gospel; it is perfect. We are not, but it is. And that is because it is Christ's, our perfect example! I love you all so very much! Thank you for your prayers. Know that you are constantly in mine!

All my love from Copiapó,
Hermana Tuft
====================
Hey Mom and Dad!

Thank you for the birthday wishes!! :) It should be a great week. Different than most birthdays, but I think it'll be better. :) I'm excited. :D Haha I was actually thinking last night that last year yesterday was the day we headed out for New Mexico. :) Those were some great memories as well. :D Thank you for always making them great and exciting birthdays. :)

It sounds like things went great for the trip down to Arizona! I met a new sister from Chandler that's here in Copiapó for her first transfer named Hermana Platt? Creo... :) Sounds like it was a great quick trip! Is that how Lindsay and Kaelynn are going down this summer? And also that you had the darling little munchin with you all week! I'm excited to hear from Megan and Tom about how things went, and to see a couple pictures! Also speaking of excitement, I am quite excited to hear from Kyle and Jess about the little one as well. :) Hna Millaquipai just found out last week too that her sister and brother in law have one on the way as well. :) Fun stuff. :D

We got instructions last week Dad to stop using the list for the time being because of misuse or something, so tomorrow in our zone conference President is clearing a few things up and we should get started on that again. I have loved it! It's not only helped us find the less actives, but to do contacts as well. :) Even if the number of the house is right behind us, it's fun to knock on a door and ask if so and so knows so and so, and then we get to share a quick message or come back a different day. I'm enjoying it. :) We have met a few angry dogs as well, so that's not the funnest, but we work through it. :P The articles of faith are coming as well. Slowly but surely.... :) If I put my mind to it, they could all be memorized very quickly, but my mind has not been put to it completely these past couple weeks. This week for sure will be better. My mind is put to it. :P Thank you for helping and reminding me! Father's Interviews through emails and just a few miles distance... :)

Speaking of Father's Interviews, it made me think of your comment Mom about my patriarchal blessing. I try to read it every Sunday, but sometimes I don't get to it. Tonight I'll read it again though. :) I do remember as I got my blessing I was thinking about a mission the whole time. I didn't know how or when it would happen, but it happened and it happened earlier than I thought, and now I am seeing the blessings and fruits of the mission that will help lead and guide me throughout my life. Fisical, tanto como espiritual. :) For example, I just told Hna Millaquipai this morning I don't know if I'll ever be able to sleep through an alarm again because the whole time I'll just be thinking, "Obedience. Obedience. Obedience." :P But the spiritual things I have learned can never be taken away. Hay que nutrir, pero nunca me quitaré estas experiencias.

I will try to somehow unawkwardly hint to Elder DeGraw to write his mom longer letters.... Haha relationships out here are different, because they're not really friend relationships, so those things aren't really things you just go around saying.... But I will seeing in an unawkward way what I can do....

I had better get going, but thank you for the birthday wishes, for being my parents, for keeping up with me for 20 years and many more to come, and for always loving me and being my examples and best friends. :) I love you lots!!! Talk to you next week. :)

XOXOXOXO
Kristen

P.S. I will ask Isabel to check tomorrow night her Facebook to tell me the gender if possible.... :) LOVES!! :) Also....what is the time difference now? 3 hrs? We don't change until the end of April...

Fishing

3 March 2014
Hola a todos!

Haha I'm not sure that sounds completely grammatically correct, but ya know...the Spanish nor the English sound grammatically correct to me anymore.... I'm not quite sure which is which these days. Which could be a blessing I guess. :P The point of this rant is that my Spanish speaking skills definitely are improving with Hna Millaquipai. Along with learning all my Chilean "dichos". :) I have loved having these past 7 weeks with her, and look forward to the next little bit as well. :D

This week we had a couple of very important experiences and moments to learn and grow. One has to do with Peter becoming a fisher of men, and the other has to do with the Book of Mormon. Both of which I value very highly and meant a lot to me this past week. :)

To be open and honest, the past couple weeks have been rough when it comes to finding people to teach. We were searching and searching and searching (it's an ongoing process throughout the whole mission, of course) but this week I learned a very important lesson. We were sharing what we had learned last Tuesday in our personal studies, and I had been reading in Luke 5. I have always loved the story of Peter being called by Christ to be a fisher of men, so as I was reading, I kinda just skimmed through because I thought, "Well, I've read this story a million times." But that is something that we shouldn't do. That is why Heavenly Father gave me a second chance to learn the lesson I needed to from that story. I skimmed over it in my personal study, but I had a strong impression to read a part of it to my companion in companionship study. I'm going to include the scriptures for you to read, too. :)

1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying,Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not;from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

I was reading that to Hna Millaquipai and started to cry as I was reading the part where Simon Peter is talking to Christ. He was probably tired and exhausted from working all night and not having anything to show for it. He probably wanted to go home, to forget the night that had just passed, but the Lord asked him to toil a little longer, and to thrust in their nets one more time. As Peter showed his faith and said, "Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net," the Lord blessed him and their nets were so filled that they did brake! Here he was, after 12ish hours of working and trying everything he could think of to earn his living, that when the Lord walked along in the morning he said, "Just one more time, cast in your nets." When Peter handed it all over to the Lord, he was blessed. Why was he blessed? Because he showed his faith. I felt so humbled as I read that out loud to Hna Millaquipai. I felt a little like Peter, tired of casting in the net and not getting anything, but when I read that, I remembered that it is His work. He has asked us to trust in our nets, to show our faith, and hand it all over to Him. As Peter realized that it was all in the Lord's hands, he repented, left all of his workings behind, and followed the Lord. It doesn't even mention that they did something with all that fish! They forsook it all and followed the Master. That was my own personal lesson this past week, and it has made quite an impact on me. I have tried so hard to remember that my hands are working for the Master; they must do what He needs them to do. So with that in mind, we found 3 families/different houses this week that we have started to work with. I am very excited to see what the Lord has in store for them and their families. I will keep you updated... :) But for now we are continually fishing. :)

The second big lesson that I learned, is once again, the power of the Book of Mormon in our lives. There is a training handbook that we follow to train new missionaries, which is an incredible book, and this week the focus was on the Book of Mormon. As we focused on the Book of Mormon this week, I have been continually amazed at the power that it brings. We had quite a few incredible lessons in which we talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon. One that was especially impactful was from last night. We have been working with a lady named Evelyn, who has been inactive, and her daughter named Lucia. Lucia is 22 and isn't a member, nor the rest of her family, but they are the 2 that have stuck with us and continually wanted to learn. They were talking to us last night about a show they watched earlier that day on the TV that talked about the evolution of religion, and really how religion is just a thing we've invented, according to the "experts". They were saying that they talked about the Book of Mormon in the documentary and that there is absolutely no way it could be true, because it has no "proof". And that was about that. They just left it at that, without much explanation. It made me think of a talk by Elder Holland a few years back entitled, "Safety for the Soul". He said,

“For 179 years this book has been examined and attacked, denied and deconstructed, targeted and torn apart like perhaps no other book in modern religious history, perhaps like no other book in any religious history. And still it stands. Failed theories about its origins have been born and parroted and have died - - - from Ethan Smith to Solomon Spaulding to deranged paranoid to cunning genius. None of these frankly pathetic answers for this book has ever withstood examination because there is no other answer than the one Joseph gave as its young unlearned translator. In this I stand with my own great-grandfather, who said simply enough, “No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so.” I testify that one cannot come to full faith in this latter-day work – and thereby find the fullest measure of peace and comfort in these, our times – until he or she embraces the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies.

I add my testimony to his, that I know that the Book of Mormon is true. As we shared that thought with Evelyn and Lucia, they got tears in their eyes. Here they had been looking at the world's standpoint of the Book of Mormon, but they hadn't read it themselves to find out for themselves. If we haven't read it, if we haven't asked with real intent, we can't say it's not true. I have read it, and I have asked, and I know that it is true. We have seen many miracles this past week, many similar experiences, and I know it is the hand of the Lord guiding His children back to His presence.

I love you all so very much! I wish you all a wonderful week! You are all in my prayers. :)

All my love,

Hermana Tuft
=============
Hello Mom and Dad!

I'm not sure what's happening to the computer but the letters got really small.... Not sure if it's the same for you, but I can't fix it, so I hope it's fixable on that end... :P To answer a couple questions before I go... :) Yes Dad, the weather has been changing here in Copiapó! I LOVE it!! At night it does get cold enough for a jacket, but the daytime is still just as hot.... But we're getting there, little by little. I think in a couple months I might be complaining about the cold... :P Naw. I love the colder weather. :D But from what it sounds like, we don't change time until the end of April...? From what we've heard. So we'll be 3 hours different again?? We haven't heard from Tamara yet, but her pololo says that she gets back on the 17th, so I'll keep you updated! :) Isabel is doing great, she's just starting up work at the school again, so she's been busy with back to school stuff lately. We actually sang as a missionary choir at a Primary activity again this past weekend, and I directed again, and it was pretty good. I thought it went well at least. :) We've been making an effort to sing in every lesson lately, and that has made a difference in the lessons, I do have to say. :) And I continue to play in Sacrament for the time being... :) Aaand we've been slow in learning the Articles of Faith, but we've set the goal this week to review 1-6. :) I am still puzzled that you couldn't find the Spanish lines, but I'll go back and check again on that....because I KNOW it's there.... Stay tuned... :) I am also SO glad that Grandpa's up with his Spanish lessons again. I'll have to write them a little note. :) And with the food, we do eat more rice, not too many beans, but we do also eat a good bit of mashed potatoes. Hna Millaquipai says they eat them a lot more in the south. I'm a little sick of the rice... :P But eat it I do! :)

CONGRATS on making Varsity to Spencer!! Good job Bud!! Hope that goes well. :) Mom just sent me a voice video of Lindsay, so I'll be sure to watch that before I sign off. :) I bet it will be FANTASTIC!! :) I'd love to hear from the 2 little stinkers. :) I have lots of thoughts on the question you asked last week about Christ coming to our houses, and what we would ask, but I think I would stick to what I said last week. We talked about it as a companionship, but I think it got lost in translation a little bit, because Hna Milla was a little confused... :) I will look up "I Stand All Amazed" though and we'll sing it. :) Thank you also for sharing that story and the progress of the mission prep class. I love that there are lots involved in the stake, it sounds like. I pray for them. We just got a little 18 yr old here in our ward that E James is training, and he reminds me soooo much of Spencer. It'll be fun to work with them here. He doesn't speak any Spanish, but he's learning quickly. :)

I was sad to hear about Sister Oldroyd.... I will keep her in my prayers, thank you for letting me know. The Lord has a plan for her and for her family, but I know that it must be hard. I hope Nate will stay strong out there and remember that it will all work out. I'm sure he will! I hope also, Mom, that you two really will serve a mission some day!! That little comment wasn't just a joke...I will hold you to it.... :P You both have always been such a wonderful example to me of service and charity. Always thinking about those in the ward and those around you, so thank you for that example you have always been and continue to be. :) I had better run!! Tell the family hello and that I love them and I apologize if I'm forgetting something!! Put it in bold if it's super duper duper important. :) I love you both LOTS!! Be safe this weekend in Arizona and send my love to the Bradfield's (hey a Sister Platt just got here from Chandler...) and enjoy the week with little Audrey Lou and be sure to KEEP ME POSTED about little Baby Tuft. :) I'll be on my toesies. :)

LOVE YOU!!
Kristen

Cambios pasaron....Y NOS QUEDAMOS. :D (Changes passed...and we remain.)

Hey All!

It's been a great week. We've done lots of walking and contacting and we're really excited because....we get another transfer together!! :) We were very excited Saturday afternoon when we found out that we were staying. :) From our district, we have 2 that left, but other than that we're all staying here in good ol´ Copiapó. :) It should be a great transfer.

Other than that it has been quite a calm week. Not too much different happened than normal... We have been working a LOT with less actives and their families, so that has been great. Most of their families aren't members, so as we work with them we can help them get back to church and bring their families with. I truly do have such a strong testimony about temples and forever families. I know that families are forever. The thing that most people remember, if they have been inactive, etc, is their baptism and that families can be forever. I love that! The door for us to enter is baptism, in order to make our families eternal through the temple. Those two things to remember for these people is vital; now the job is for us to help them remember why they took the step to be baptized in the first place. :)

With that thought, yesterday in Sacrament meeting, we had a high councilman speak that talked about agency. I loved a little sentence that he said. He said, "Las pequeñas decisiones toman parte, un parte vital, en nuestras vidas; nos guían al reino celestial, o hacia camino del mundo. Es su decisión." It truly is incredible the difference those little decisions make. We can choose to be happy, or sad. Helpful, or grumpy. Choose to become more like the Savior, or turn away from Him and head the other way. It's a daily, vital decision. Es su decisión. Ojala que escogeremos el Señor cada día. :)

And it was fantastic at church yesterday! Everyone's been heading back from vacations so that has been great! :) We had just about a full house yesterday at church, so that was a happy thing. :) Dah...I really wish there was a fun story or something to share from this week, but it truly has been super tranquilo here in Chañarcillo. :) Isabel's headed back this week and we have lots of follow up appointments to work with this week from contacts, so next week for sure there will be more to share. :)

I apologize for being brief! I do know that this church is true. I do without a shadow of a doubt that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that he restored the church of Jesus Christ in these latter-days. It is our job to ask our Heavenly Father, with real intent, if these things are true. I know they are true! I know that families are forever. I love my family so much and I want to be with them forever. :) Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can be. What hope and joy that gives me! I love you all so very much. I hope that you all have a wonderful week and that you get sprinkled with a little bit of snow... :)

All my love,
Hermana Tuft
===============
Hello Mom and Dad!

Okay. I don't know exactly which line it's in, but I was on my own family history tree, on the new family search website, looking at OUR tree and I found people from Spain. So there you go. :) It wasn't the colonies from Mexico, it was definitely Spain and I was SO excited. :D That is my tarea. :D Or Kyle's or Spencer's, etc, but I will take it on if they don't... :) I'm pretty sure it was part of Dad's lines still though....not 100% sure. But it was there.... :) It was kinda fun too, because Elder James was showing us his family tree and he is related to Shakespeare and it was traced back to 200 BC more or less. That was cool to see. :) Family history is SOOO important. :) Thank you for your examples in that aspect as well. :) I also haven't mentioned Mom, but I am SO happy you're working on making your journal writing habitual. Please please please keep doing it. :) I just finished my journal last night! When I was in Arica I had a member bring me one back from the temple though, so I have another one for the other half of the mish. :) Dad, you do keep one as well, don't you?? I have seen you writing in it before, so that might be a silly question. :)

And please keep me posted about the poor Ukrainian missionaries.... That's scary.... And strange that they're still sending them there.... But the Lord is in control. :)

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to hear where Spencer's going. Chile Antofagasta Mission. Haha I would die. :D Please film it. And send it. In a month from now... :)

And thank you for the comments about the fireside! I do need to go back and read them more carefully later today, but I loved what I did get to concentrate on. :) The question you asked to end though, Dad, has got me thinking..... "If Christ visited your home, what question would you ask Him?" I would love to hear what the both of you would ask as well. :) Hna Millaquipai and I will have to talk about that one... Thank you for the food for thought! :) I would be so amazed and in awe that I don't know what I would ask... I know it would have to do with the Atonement, but I'm not sure exactly what. Or what He taught the Nephites that says that those things could not be written... Obviously they weren't written for a reason, but that always makes me wonder what else He taught them while He was here. It's also incredible along those lines to hear stories from Hna Millaquipai that are common "tales" for the Mapuche Indians in the south. They have a lot to do with stories from the Book of Mormon... It's interesting to hear. :)

I love you both lots, Mom and Dad. I was thinking this week how much I truly needed to thank you both for raising me the way you did and for giving me the chance to learn and grow, especially in the sense of being able to leave for the mission. Thank you for helping me prepare and be ready when the call came. I love you both so much!!

All my love,
Kristen

P.S. Homework for the week: Go on the new family search and find the Spanish line.... :) It shouldn't take up too much time honestly... :)

A New House, Antofa, a little "Snowstorm" and Stake Conference

Kristen Tuft with her BLIZZARD from all the Tuft family, done back in October but she just received!

Hermanas Kristen Tuft and Millaquipai in their new apartment Feb 2014 at Isabel's place.

Hermanas who went to Antofagasta for training this week. Feb 2014

Hello All!!

It seriously feels like 5 minutes ago that I was writing last Monday... This week's been a quicky. There's been tons of stuff crammed into 7 days. :)

To start things off, we were headed out of the ciber last Monday, and we got a call from one of the assistants. He said that on Wednesday I was going to go with one of the other hermanas from the other zone to Antofa for a capacitación and that Hna Millaquipai and the companion of Hna Albornoz would be staying together for the day. I was super confused, we had no idea what the capacitación was for really, but that was the plan. So after that, we had a great noche de hogar (FHE) with Isabel and the Ubilla's (the ward mission leader and his family). It was fantastic. Isabel's doing absolutely great. :)

Tuesday we spent the day scrubbing and cleaning up the house after the remodling projects, etc, and started to move stuff in. Our bus left at 4 AM, so we worked things out for Hna Albornoz to sleep with us, and one of our sister training leaders, Hna Rodriguez went with us too. So we slept until 3ish, got ready, and headed out to Antofa. Let's just make it known that buses are not a wonderful way of transportation. I complained on choir tour if we had to go long distances in our choir dresses...but 8 hours trying to sleep on a bus in a skirt.... Naw. :) But I did enjoy driving in to Antofa on the coast again watching the lovely sea. :)

We headed over to the mission office where we learned about working with records from Chile and finding less actives from our cimi lists, etc. It was a great meeting and we learned a lot! We're going to start implementing into our proselyting over the next little while. So the meeting was just about how to use the google doc, find the exact addresses of the members (because lots of the time the addresses don't exist anymore, or the house changed spots, etc) so this program makes it lots easier and I'm really excited!! :) And it was fun because the missionary couple that taught us (Elder and Hna Pulsifer from Cordelaine, ID) are serving in Concepción and live down the street from Hna Heslop!! (MTC Companion :D) So that was fun to hear about her. :)

Hna Albornoz and I headed back at about 9 on Wednesday night (Hna Rodriguez stayed for a leadership meeting on Thursday) and I got caught up reading all the letters from my missionary friends!! I had no idea that that was coming, so that was a great suprise. I read for a couple hours and finished all of them, and it was so incredible to me to hear all their stories and how much we've all changed. :) And there's more that have since left! It's so exciting how fast the work is hastening and how many people that are preparing for missions. I promise that whoever is even thinking about it, if you do decide to go, it will change your life, and the lives of those who you will teach. If I could go again, I would go in a heartbeat. And I haven't even finished the first one yet.... :P It truly is a miracle.

We got back good and safe and Thursday we worked with Hna Brewster (our other sister training leader) because she was infermita and couldn't go with Hna Rodriguez. So we had a great day, went out with the members and Thursday night Hna Millaquipai and I were SO happy to go back and live in our little cabañita and be together and start livin' normal again. :) I am SO grateful for the past couple weeks; I have learned LOADS, but we are both happy for a little bit of normalcy. :)

Friday and Saturday were great! We found a couple new great investigators, so we'll start working more with them this week. Saturday night we had a session of Stake Conference, and it was fantastic. We had our missionary choir, which turned out fantastic and I was definitely crying in Llamados a Servir (Called to Serve), and the congregation joined us in the last verse (there's 4 verses in Spanish). It was very powerful, after great talks from the Stake Presidency and conversion stories from members. We watched a video about the camping trip the youth did a couple weeks ago (it's like EFY, but called CEM) and they were all excited about missions and getting prepared, and then we watched a Mormon Message about Tyler Haws (BYU Basketball) and leaving for his mission. Needless to say it was a great meeting. We were all in tears; the Spirit was really strong.

Sunday we had a broadcast of Stake Conference, it was the Area Conference thing. The Spirit definitely carried over from Saturday night as we got to hear from Elder Cook, Elder Coorbridge, and Elder Arnold. They were actually broadcast from Salt Lake, so that was different, but it turned out great I thought. A question that Elder Cook asked was, "Si Cristo viniera este noche, ¿quien visitaría?" (If Christ came tonight, who would He visit?) He talked about how we need to ask ourselves that question with our friends and family who aren't members in mind. Who would Christ visit that doesn't have this Gospel in their lives? I loved that thought, and how truly this work is for the members, just as much as the missionaries.

I wanted to end today with my testimony of the Plan of Salvation. I know that God has a plan for each one of us. He knows. We need to put our trust in Him above all else. He will make our burdens light, lift up the heavy laden, but also it is our responsibility to be His hands. It makes me think of one of my 2nd moms, Mamita Patti Quezada, and her talk when I left. His hands went through it all. He suffered for our sins, died for every one of us, but He also conquered death, and through that miracle, we all will live again. I know that this is true. There are so many that are suffering so much because they don't have this knowledge in their lives. We are witnesses of Him in cada momento, y cada lugar. We are headed to a funeral tonight of a girl in the ward who passed away last night. Her boyfriend isn't a member, but the elders have been teaching him, and I know that because of this experience, no matter how hard it will be, he will see miracles in his life, because of Him who is Mighty to save. I love you all with all my heart. Know that I truly am praying for you all. This church is true!

Love,
Hermana Tuft
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Hey Mom and Dad!

Mom, you can add Natalie and Jenny, and Isabel too cause I think she should be on there...? We helped her add us... :P Thank you for keeping up on that! Yes, Jenny is the convert hace una semana. :)

It sounds like Valentine's day went great!! It is celebrated down here, but not as much I think....not quite sure because everyone's been on vacation anyway so... :P But we had a very peaceful, definitely boyfriend/finance/spouse-free day. :D I could almost smell the roses. :) BUT they do have roses here in Copiapó. :P I can't think of anything else that I need for the time being, unless you could maybeee get an Ivory 204 cream foundation from Karin Patrick and squish it in there... Just for the future. I'm on my last one, but I've only used one anyway, so I think if I had one more it would last. :) Thannkkksss. :)

I also loved hearing about Steven!! I am so happy to hear that he did great on his mission and he is back and well. :) I was wondering why you went down to St George.... :P AND I ALMOST JUMPED FOR JOY HEARING ABOUT DARREN AND JAMIE, and kids!!!

(I'm just scanning through your letters to be sure to respond to everything..... :)) I hope that they get things figured out about your knee, Dad!! I don't know if I'd ever go back to that doctor.....kinda sketchy sounding.... :) If I could play the organ, I would never be able to use that talent because they don't really exist here. :) But I do play our piano in Sacrament as the organ setting. :)

Isabel has been great!! We were so sad because she couldn't make it to Stake Conference. She's been planning on this vacation por el sur since the beginning of the summer, so she's actually gone for the week. She left on Saturday and will get back this coming Sunday or Monday. So I am hopinggg I won't get transfered because if so I might not get to see her, aaand I love my little Chañarcillo.... But I will go where the Lord needs me to go if that is the case....with a smile on my face. :)

We did have our district meeting with the family history specialists and it was great!! We're planning an activity for the ward in March to work on their family trees. Did you know we have Spanish roots?! I was super happy to find that line aaand I can work on that line with those records in Spanish when I get home. YAY!!! :D The new family search is incredible. :) Keep me posted please on what happens with Elder Shurts. :) I hope it all works out!

Thank you as well, for the thoughts on "work". It's been quite the week, but at the end of the day, all we can do is pick ourselves back up, go to bed, and wake up when that alarm goes off with smile on our face and ready to find new people in a new day. :) Mom, we don't have too many bad experiences with contacting, but lots of people shyly close the door saying, "Oh no, gracias, soy Catolica, gracias, gracias." Haha so at least they're mostly pleasant. :)

I love you both so very much!! Give everyone hugs, share your testimony with someone this week, give the missionaries a hug if you see them, and tell everyone in the fam THANK YOU FOR MY BEAUTIFUL BLIZZARD. :D I loved it. :D Thank you thank you thank you.

ALL my love,
Kristen

Hurrah for Israel!!

Kristen with a plate of  "Once."

Hna Tuft and Millaquipai on Caldera Beach 10 Feb 2014

Hna Tuft and Millaquipai

Ward dance Jan 2014 with Kristen and Hna Millaquipai.

Kristen writing in her journal.

Hnas Tuft and Millaquipai out working. 

Hna Tuft & Millaquipai's beds in Isabel's living room temporarily until their place is finished.

Workers working on Kristen's new place they are renting from Isabel.

Hna Tuft, Millaquipai, Isabel, Jenny, Elder James, Elder Oribe; 8 Feb 2014

Eating dinner with Isabel, February 2014

Hna Millaquipai, Isabel, Kristen Tuft

Kristen on Caldera Beach today with other Hermanas and Isabel, who was recently baptized.

Hey there!!

It's been a fantastic week here in Copiapó. Absolutely crazy insane, but we got through happily and are looking forward to this next week. :D Time has FLOWN by here. We're in week 5 of the transfer and Hna Millaquipai are here looking at each other scratching our heads and wondering where the time has gone! But in a great way. We've had a great transfer together so far. Can't wait for the next little while. :D

Speaking of Hna Millaquipai, we had a funny this week. :) We were looking through the primary song book (because we wanted to sing "Cuando me bautice," Dad, for the baptism! Thank you for reminding us of that song. :)) and we ran across "Oh what do you do in the summertime?" Hahaha so Hna Millaquipai starts singing it and gets to "¿Qué hacemos en verano?," started laughing, and said, "Well, as missionaries in the MCA, we knock on doors while everyone heads to the beach!" Which is so very, very, very true. :) I bet the summer in lots of missions have similar situations... But we've changed tactics accordingly, so no, we don't literally knock on doors, but we do lots and lots of contacting. Which is great! :) Sembramos semillitas. :)

Also a little bit of fun news! We were in the house of a less-active member named Carmen. She is fantastic, and we just barely met her, but Heavenly Father sure does have a way of preparing people, even when they've been baptized and have fallen away. He always gives us second chances. Anywho! We were talking to Carmen and she was telling us about her son that lives in West Valley, when the phone rang. And it just happened to be her son in West Valley! She told me to talk to him for a couple minutes, so that was super cool and weird and fun. So I got to talk to her son in West Valley this week. :) Small world. :)

And for the best news of all. :D We had 2 baptisms this weekend. Isabel's and the Elder's convert named Jenny. AND remember Benjamin that lived in our sector and then moved and Hna Severtson and I were super sad? Well he got baptized 2 weeks ago!!! I heard that news from our ward mission leader, and I just about jumped out of my seat from excitement!! :D So this next week we'll have Stake Conference and I'm excited to see him there.

The baptisms went great. Isabel was so so so excited all week long, counting down the days. She is learning so much, and we're working on getting her own family history account started, so we'll get that up and running for her, but we showed her ours and she started telling us about all her family and her grandparents, etc. The Spirit of Elijah really is a powerful tool. Tomorrow we are having a distict meeting where the stake specialists are coming to teach us, so we're super excited about that. When I saw Isabel in the baptismal font, that was one of those moments where I just thought truly, "Hurrah for Israel!" She was radiating. After the baptism, Isabel got up and bore her testimony. She was so happy and just radiating. She has had a really hard past ten years, and I know that we were led to her house because our Heavenly Father had prepared her to receive His Son. There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus Christ lives, and that He loves each and every one of us. He not only suffered for our sins, but He knows our joys and moments of happiness. He is always there to lighten our burdens and carry us in moments of need. I am always reminded of the poem of Footprints in the Sand; truly we are blessed to have a Savior who loves us infinitely.

Yesterday we spoke in church about putting our trust in Christ. (Confiar en Cristo, I think that's how it's translated....) I was reminded about the talk President Uchtdorf gave in October's General Conference. He shared a story about how he was skiing with his grandson and fell. He shared that he had no idea how he was supposed to get back up. It seemed absolutely impossible. His grandson came by, and he tried explaining it, but his grandson wasn't interested in hearing his excuses. All he said was, "Opa, you can do it now!" He put out his hand, and President Uchtdorf says he instantly stood. Christ always has His hand outstretched to pick us up. We have the responsibility to grab His hand as tight as possible, stand up, and allow His Atonement to help clean us off and keep walking forward. If you get the chance this week, I urge you all to go read that talk! I'll even put the link... :) http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/you-can-do-it-now?lang=eng

I know this church is true! I have seen it change Isabel's life, and many others. I love you all so very much. Have a fantastic week, enjoy the snow and rain, and love every minute of every day. :)

Con cariño,
Hermana Tuft

P.S. Mom, you can print pictures from the baptism on from Skydrive if possible! And the whole family can look at all of them with my mission email and password. :) XOXOXO :)
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Excepts from emailing back and forth before Kristen sent her main letter:
Hey Mom! We're just getting on for today! :P I printed off earlier, but we went to Caldera with Isabel and just got back. It was a fun day, but it's been an insane week and we're moving into our house on Wednesday. I couldn't be happier. :) It's great living with Isabel, but I HATE living out of my suitcase. Anywho. We're doing great though! Off to write and send pictures of the baptism!! I think I'll just send them through skydrive... :) LOVES!! :D

Regarding where I should send her bday package: 

Transfers are in two weeks, so yes they'll be before my birthday. The only thing I would say I would want is a bunch of those fun little pictures of paintings from Deseret Book. They're the little tiny ones, about 2x3 inches... Just a bunch of pretty ones of Christ. :) Lots of love!! I don't have time to write you and Dad separately today.... I am so sorry! Nor to respond to Megan!! Sending all my love, thanks, and lots of hugs and kisses. :) I love you all lots!!! Give Dad a big hug for me and tell him thank you for the story and sharing his experience again about my patriarchal blessing experience. :) I love you Mom! Happy Valentine's Day!! :)