This Plan of Happiness :)

Kristen Tuft in the middle, Hna Zollinger on right in red, Hna Smith in red on left next to Hna Albornoz next to Kristen in mint colored sweater.

Hnas Tuft, Zollinger, Smith, Albornoz in Andes of Calama 2014

Hna Albornoz and Kristen Tuft, Calama 2014

Hello!!

This week has been absolutely the craziest of my mission. Yep. We have learned and grown so very much, I can't even describe it. My testimony of the Plan of Salvation has grown more than I ever thought possible, and the Lord's timing is incredible. His ways are not our ways, but I have learned to trust and come to know that His ways are much better than mine. I know that this is His work and that He is hastening His own work. We are instruments in His hands.

Okay. So to start off. On Monday and Tuesday we were in a trio with Hermana Smith, because on Wednesday she had to go pick up her hijita (she's training a new hermana named Hermana Wisrock from Huntington Beach...?) On Monday, Hermana Albornoz BEGGED me to make soup, so we went to Lider and bought stuff to make leek soup. I was in heaven. :D So anywho, we worked Monday and Tuesday, and my poor little companion has been hurting in her tooth a LOT lately, and yes, being the dentist's daughter that I am, kept insisting on seeing her tooth, but she was embarrassed and wouldn't let me. Until Monday morning she was brushing her teeth and showed me her mouth and it was BLEEDING like crazy!!! So I maddeeee her show me and claro. Her back molar was split in half. So we called the mission doctor, Elder Garrison, and got her an appointment with the dentist muy rapidito. So we ended up traveling with Hermana Smith to Antofa on Wednesday, instead of Thursday for our meeting. And as we got off the bus, I left my bible. And it is good and gone. I checked with every person possible to be able to find it and nope. Someone has my little bible in their hands.... I hope that they will read it at least. :)

So we headed to the dentist's. :) Then, we worked with Hermana Howell and her hijita for the day and had our consejo on Thursday. It was a fantastic meeting and can I just say, I love President and Hermana Dalton! They always know just what to say and just how to say it. They truly are incredible examples to me of how to speak with the Spirit. I also love the Book of Mormon and we have not been using it as well and effectively as we should have been, but that is changing. :) I love the Book of Mormon!

Friday brought some not so good news... We were planning for the week, and we called our investigator, Jazmin, because when we stopped by her house on Tuesday, her kids told us she had just left with her husband to go to the hospital. Jasmin has been our investigator the whole time I've been here in Calama, and had a baptismal date for July 5th. We were really worried about her, because she's been really sick for about 2 months with realllyyy bad migraine/headaches, and the doctors kept telling her it was nothing, so she stopped going. She also hadn't been to church in a month, so we had to push her date back a couple weeks, but she kept saying, "I want to be baptized. My goal is the Celestial Kingdom with my family." Well, we called her cellphone on Friday to see if she would answer, and her husband answered and told me that she had passed away that morning. I cannot describe the pain that I felt hearing that news. A million thoughts rushed through my mind and through the sobs I explained to Hermana Albornoz what her husband, Antonio, had just told me. We had a good cry, and then talked about it.

Truly, I just kept thinking, "She was almost baptized; how could the Lord take her now?" The reassurance and comfort came, that she would be baptized. That through the work of the temples, that are such a marvelous blessing in our days, she can, and will accept baptism. She already did. The Lord's timing is perfect. Who knows what miracles we will see at the passing of Jazmin, but the Lord does. He knows her family, her 5 kids, her alcoholic husband, her sister that lives around the corner, and He knows their needs and the blessings that are awaiting them. I am an instrument in His hands, and only an instrument. He is working along side us, but I have learned that I need to let him work through me. This is a wonderful, beautiful great plan of happiness, of salvation.

Through this experience, I have learned so much. The past 2 days I have felt such a huge urgency of this work. The Lord is hastening His work. I told Hermana Albornoz yesterday, as Alma said, "Oh, that I were an angel!" There are so many people out there waiting, and with the sound of a trump, the gospel is being spread across the whole world. I know that this is the work of the Lord. I know that this is His church. We see and are part of miracles every single day.

It also made me very grateful for the freedom in which we live, and for that reason alone, Joseph Smith had the freedom to pray to our Father in Heaven, and could restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ again here on the earth. I'm proud to be an American. :) Happy late 4th of July to you all!

I hope you all have a fantastic week and smile lots and pray for the opportunity to share your testimony with at least one person this week. :)

Lotsss of love,
Hermana Tuft
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P.S. Happy 61st Anniversary to my wonderful Grandma and Grandpa Tuft on Sunday!! :D I love you both loads. :)
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Hey Mom and Dad!

I'm glad to hear that the earthquake didn't do any major damage! Hermana Morales emailed me and didn't mention anything about it, so at least I don't think it didn't even reach Mexico City... I hope that everyone's alright. :) (There was a 6.9 earthquake this morning in southern Mexico/Mazatlan area, and Guatemala. The missionaries/Spencer felt it but are all just fine. Kristen knew that when she wrote.)

I'm glad to hear that it's been a great week for everyone. A little hot, yes. But a good week overall! As I was reading Spencer's letter....wow did that take me back to last year. I know exactly how that feels. He'll make a wonderful missionary, and I'm so excited to see him grow so much. I feel like I've grown loads, and there's still so much more to learn every day. I loveee it. Hermana Wisrock is a new mission that just got here to Calama last week, and we spent the day with her and Hermana Smith. Poor girl. I know how it feels to listen to so many people talk around me and not knowing what is going on. But it is short lived! It comesss. :) I told Hermana Albornoz today that I honestly feel more comfortable speaking in Spanish..... English gets a little shaky sometimes. Ohhh wellll. :)

It has been a very difficult past couple days, but I have felt such peace and comfort. It made me so happy to hear that Grandpa Tuft is not in any pain hardly, and that is a miracle. I know that if he goes before I get home, it is all in the Lord's timing and that he received the answer that he would complete all that he needed to do here on the earth before he was to go. I know that promise is still true. Send them my love, and I hope to be able to write them either a handwritten letter, or an email por lo menos by next week.

As far as my goals go, I have set quite a few. :) I talked to President about it, and he suggested that I set goals that have to do with our purpose as missionaries, and I remember a goal that I had set at the beginning of my mission. I set the goal for a baptism a month, or in other words, 18 baptisms. I haven't had anywhere close to that, but I had the feeling come to my mind that we really need to focus on families and that number of 18 doesn't seem so far away when I think of it like that. So my goal is yes, 18. But more than that, 2 families at least in the next 4 months. I have prayed about it and I feel like it is a good, reasonable goal. I'm clay in His hands, but I have to do my part, that is for sure.

Of course I have other goals as well, for example working with the ward leaders better, and we have been working on that the past couple weeks. As well as finishing the Book of Mormon twice. I'd love to challenge the two of you as well, and maybe with Lindsay....that would be a good family challenge. :) To read it again before I get home... :) That's about 4 pages-

I also have been reading my patriarchal blessing, setting apart blessing, and father's blessing a lot. I also asked Elders Funaro and Garcia to give me a blessing on Friday, that said similar things en cuanto a my companions being lifelong friends, and that I would be a great support to them throughout the rest of my mission. I have felt moments of knowing people before we came here, and yes there have been moments where I have thought that were fulfillments of premortal callings, especially with Isabel. It will be interesting to see the fulfillment of those blessings and callings in the next few months. I was interested, Dad to know what your thoughts were as you said that I would have the opportunity to work with native languages as well as Spanish. That intrigued me...

One last thing and I've got to run, but we are planning an activity for July 19th with Pioneer Day, and we're going to watch 17 Miracles, and I didn't know if there was a family story that I could translate and share in Spanish of my ancestors... Just a thought and question that you could both help me with. :) I remember going to Martin's Cove, but I don't remember any specific stories.....

I love you both so much and I am SOOO grateful for your long letters each week. I love them. So please don't condense them for me.... :P Send my love that way, and to the little bunnies. Hahaha poor little Spencer and I being replaced with Bella and Floppy. :P

Les quiero MUCHO!!! :)
Hermana Tuft


ish every day.... :) I don't know if that would be possible, but that might be something to talk about tonight at family night. :)

An Attitude of Gratitude and a touch of "frio".

Kristen's pretty happy about those Dunkin' Donuts. She's never had them at home!

Kristen with other Hermanas after Chile had a World Cup win. They got permission to watch.

la Laguna Zegers (similar to Great Salt Lake but not so great - salt water and desert.)

Hellloooo!

It's been a pretty fantastic week here in Calama. When I say a touch of frio, I mean a BLAST of freezing cold wind every night that makes us both scream pretty much until we reach the pension. Hope we're not waking too many people up... :P Haha but yes. It's a little bit freezing. Calama's rivaling Logan in coldness these days. :)

This week I have learned so very much. I say that every week. But every week I learn so very much MORE. I love it. The Lord has taught me a lot of things here in Calama, and he truly has taught me to be so very grateful in everything. I read the talk by President Uchtdorf this past week "Grateful in Any Circumstance," and it truly reminded me again that it doesn't matter what is going on in our lives, we must be grateful. There are a couple of paragraphs that I wanted to share:

We can choose to be like the Prophet Joseph Smith, who, while a prisoner in miserable conditions in Liberty Jail, penned these inspired words:

“Dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.”

"We can choose to be grateful, no matter what."

This type of gratitude transcends whatever is happening around us. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair. It blooms just as beautifully in the icy landscape of winter as it does in the pleasant warmth of summer.

When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation. In grief, we can still lift up our hearts in praise. In pain, we can glory in Christ’s Atonement. In the cold of bitter sorrow, we can experience the closeness and warmth of heaven’s embrace.

We sometimes think that being grateful is what we do after our problems are solved, but how terribly shortsighted that is. How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?"

I loved that thought, that many times we just look forward to the rainbow, but we forget the blessing that it was to have the rain. :) I have made a new goal to write in my journal the blessings that I am grateful for throughout the day, and in doing that this week I have learned so much about the mercy and goodness of our loving Heavenly Father. How He longs for us to notice the blessings and miracles that surround us every day. :)

A couple of those miracles have been finding new families and talking to many people in the street this week. We met the 15 year old daughter of Alicia and Sebastian on Tuesday and had a great family night with them. Sebastian took the Book of Mormon in his hands while we were talking about it, and we asked if they had any questions or thoughts. He told us that he believes the Book of Mormon is true, now to just help him to know how to act. :) But little by little! They are doing great.

We also have been working with Denice, a new family named the Carvajals, Luz and Esteban, Jazmin, Yalile, and de a poquitiiittttooo. They're coming along. :) I don't know if you all remember Camila? She's the daughter of a convert from last year, that moved into our ward and we started working with her, she was supposed to get baptized last weekend, and they ended up having to go to Peru super quickly, and they moved so they were in a different ward.... So we were SUPER confused about them, but they got back last Monday, and on Thursday we got permission to go visit them in the other sector. Camila's getting baptized on July 12th! :D So the other elders are working with them and we're very excited to see that little miracle. :) (Camila, Linda and her little boy are the ones in the picture with the 5 of us. :))

Last little thing. :) Members trulyyy make the difference and on Saturday we had the chance to see that in action. The Valencia Family are converts from Peru that moved here a couple months ago, and were baptized recently in December. Hermana Giovanna has been quite the little missionary around her neighborhood, and we went to a little almacen on Saturday with her and her daughter, Alejandra (the one in the pictures with the Barbie's). We were going to contact a reference of hers, named Maria. Maria wasn't working there, but her granddaughter Lis told us that we could try back another day. Us missionaries, not thinking too well, decided, "Ya okay, we'll come back another day." So we walked out, and started walking. Hermana Valencia asked us, "Well, what if we share something quickly with Lis. She looks like she needs this message." That was a "Duh!" moment for Hermana Albornoz and I. Why didn't we think of that...? But the Lord is merciful and sends us those little reminders sometimes when they're most needed. :) So we headed back and had a FANTASTIC lesson with Lis, in and out of customers. We taught about the Plan of Salvation and gave her a Book of Mormon, and she said she would love to come to church with us. So YAY! I truly was grateful for Hermana Giovanna reminding us about our purpose, and that is to invite EVERYONE to come unto Christ. :)

Okie dokie. I had better get going. But I know that this church is true and it is perfect. Christ is at the head of this church, and is leading us in the way that HE knows is best. We must trust Him and continually pray that we won't fall into Satan's traps. We are the Saints of the Latter-Days. What a blessing that is. We will help the world prepare for the day when He comes again. I love Him and I know He lives. Soy un discípulo de Jesucristo.

Con mucho amor, frio, y FELICIDAD,
Hermana Tuft
P.S. We had transfers on Saturday and Hermana Albornoz and I are stayyinnnggg. :D Chaoito. :D
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Hey Mom and Dad!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! :) I just want to tell you both how much I love and admire you both and thank you again for everything. A BIG HUG FROM ME TO BOTH OF YOU. :D I pulled up the picture you sent, Mom, of you and Dad on your wedding day and Hermana Albornoz said, " SON IGUALES!!!" She says we are exactly the same. :) Made me smilleeee. :P

I am very glad that the little Spencer boy got off well. I just realized that I'm sending this to him too....so if you don't want to read this Spencer, you don't have to. :) BTW I was going to tell you, if it's possible, I would print off your letters in the morning of P day (in the field at least) and respond in the afternoon, if at all possible. Because it's a lot to read, and then respond to in such a short time. :) Just a pointer. :) I hope that his first week has gone very well and can't wait to hear about it next week. :) What's the time difference in Honduras/Guatemala?

Thank you for the thoughts and news. It's always great to hear about what's going on. I was sooo saddened to hear about that lady that's leading the hearts of many away (Katie Kelly). I've been reading about Zeezrom lately, and that reminded me a lot of him... :(

I have been thinking a LOT this week about goals, and praying even more. I want to finalize them a little bit this week, write them down, and I'll share my thoughts next week. :) Thank you for your thoughts and encouragement. Gratitude truly has been a LOT on my mind, so that was interesting that you mentioned that Dad. Thank you. :)

That's fun that you're going to lunch tomorrow. :) I'll FINALLY GET TO MEET HNA RINDLISBACHER ON THURSDAY. :D That's awesome. :) After a year of writing her pouch about our old sectors (she was in Zapahuira and I was in her sector, Chañarcillo :)). Thank you for the dumpling recipe, and for the notes Lindsay. :) Please take care of my clothes.... And my bunny. :) But I hope that Floppy can become part of the "family". :P He/she truly is adorable. :)

Sending ALLL MY LOVEEEE and smiles,
Kristen :D

"The Spirit of God..."

Kristen "at la Laguna Zegers, it's kinda like the Great Salt Lake, but not gonna lie...the Great SL is a LOTTTT bigger and kinda a lot cooler."

 

Calama, Chile

Hnas Tuft and Albornoz on the bus heading to Tocapilla

Hnas Albornoz and Tuft watching World Cup Soccer - Chile vs The Netherlands

 Hna Kristen with her "love" of hot chocolate!

Heeellllloooo!!

It's been a great and busy week here in Calama!! We ended the week just thinking....where did all the time fly!! What's even crazier is that it's been a whole transfer here with Hna Albornoz... Crazy. Stuff. But I love the mission so very much. I love the people and the ward and my companion and studying the scriptures every day and sharing about my Savior 24/7. What a wonderful blessing it is. It doesn't matter the cold or the wind or the people that don't receive us very well, we always seem to be smiling and laughing and loving life, and that truly comes from living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and sharing what we have with others. LOVE IT. :D

This week we headed to Tocopilla on Monday night and were there until Wednesday morning. It was great to be there, have a tiny break from the coldness, and get back to working in our sector that I missed lots. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. :) I love working with the hermanas there. :) They are all so happy and love life and love the work. That always makes it easier. They're in a trio there, so we split up into 3 companionships (one of the hermanas, Hermana Cluff, heads home in a week, so she went on splits with an hermana from the branch there). We had a great little trip.

As we got back, we headed over to Denice's house and she was there to receive us for a couple minutes! :) She is working like crazy.... She is continually in our prayers, and this week we should be having another family night with the Arce's. We are praying hard for that girl. This weekend we also had the oportunity to meet a few new people, so that was great and they seem very promising. One of them is a lady named Agueda, who stopped in the street to help us cause we looked pretty lost with the little map we had trying to find a direction. :) So she helped us find where we needed to go and invited us to come back. She lives alone, but has lots of older kids that live close. She doesn't believe in one religion, because she says they all "engaña a las personas". So we shared the Restoration with her, and she seemed very interested in learning more, so we are working hard with her. Unfortunately, everyone's been getting sick here because of the cold and such, so she was unable to join us for church yesterday... Next week. :) We also contacted Alicia's husband, Sebastian, and have a family night set up for tomorrow and they are great also. We found them in the Area Book, and Alicia told us straight up that she didn't want to get baptized because her church has less commitment....hmmmmm..... So we're gonna work with that little testimony of hers. :) We also got to meet again with Jaqueline (AFTER A MONTH OF NOT BEING ABLE TO. Dah.) and had a GREAT lesson with D&C 138. She is getting sooooooo close to accepting the baptismal challenge. Love and patience and a little helping hand. :)

This week has truly been incredible. I cannot describe in words the feelings of the Spirit I have had while being a missionary. This week was no exception. I have come to realize the importance of the Atonement in my life and in finding freedom of our sins, we can be blessed with a greater portion of the Spirit. I know that my Savior, Jesus Christ lives, and that God is our loving Heavenly Father. There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus is the Christ and that by and through Him we all will be saved by our faithful obedience to His gospel. In reading the Book of Mormon, I have come to have a deeper realization of the power that lies within us through Christ. "The Spirit of God like a fire is burning! The latter-day glory begins to come forth; The visions and blessings of old are returning, And angels are coming to visit the earth." We are living the Restoration, like President Uchtdorf taught during the last conference. Don't sleep through the Restoration. :) We all are called to the work, and how beautiful it is. I know the chruch is true and I know that Christ is at the head, leading and guiding his work into the day of His coming.

With LOTS of love from Calama,
Hermana Tuft

Hey Mom and Dad!

I'm glad that you all figured out the translation fiasco from last week. Phew. :) It truly has been a fantastic week. I have been praying with all my heart that my Heavenly Father can give me the love I need for this ward and for these people. I have never had a hard time in the mission loving the people, but it has been a struggle here in Calama, but I have learned sooo much and de a poco, we truly are seeing miracles and blessings. WE HAD OUR FIRST WARD COUNCIL YESTERDAYYYYYY. And Bishop said that he was working on our ward mission leader. So truly the work is going forth here in Central Norte. It's not been easy, but it's been worth it.

I've been thinking a lot about the temple lately, and how yes, baptism is the goal for us as missionaries, but actually it's not. It is the goal for us to help them gain a testimony and be baptized, but it's the ward's responsibility to get them to the temple, and that has been beautiful seeing the ward's excitement in helping the new converts get ready to go to the temple next June. We have been sharing the Parable of the Keys a LOT lately with members and less actives, and they have been getting a lot more excited for temple work, sharing with their friends the gospel, and we have a family night with the bishop tonight to share it with them and their family. So things are mas o menos great. :D I also was reading about Aunt Betsy and thinking a lot about our angels that watch out and protect us, and want and need our help. I know that Spencer will be able to feel of that love and support from the other side as well. There is also opposition in all things, but with our eyes single to the glory of God, we can do all things. :)

I also have been meditating lots about goals, like you said Dad. I don't know what goals to set, but it will be in my prayers. I have learned a lot about setting goals here in the mission, but I don't know what goals I would want to set for the next few months. Although, yes, I know that I do need them. :) I would love to hear thoughts and comments about what you both would think in that aspect...

I also wanted to just share that for some strange reason, we were in our weekly planning and I had the strongest feeling that I need to change my major....and do music.... It was one of the strongest promptings of the Spirit that I have ever felt... And it came so randomly! But I think that's what I need to do... So anywho. That will change a couple things and it will be something to chew on and pray lots about, but I think I'll just finish up with generals winter semester and work with tryouts for the music program....again.... Thought I would share... :)

I hope all goes FANTASTICLY tonight and tomorrow with last minute preparations. It's super emotional that my little bud's leaving. I'm so darn excited for him. ¡Qué EXTRAÑO! And a very happy birthday to my lovely sisters!!! So old, the both of them. :) I love you both lots and thank you for all your help and support and animo and everything. HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEK THE BOTH OF YOU. :D

Lovessss,
Kristen

P.S. Tell Lindsay to never stop singing and to not let those people keep her from sharing her talent. Not showing off, but not neglecting it either. :) AND yes, they do celebrate Father's day down here! :) And ps....we got permission from President to watch the Chile soccer game today that was at noon (and we lost :() but that's why in the picture's we're watching it....anywhooo. :D ALSO thanks for all the fun notes from the family. It was great to hear a little jot from them. :) Send my love to Grandma and Grandpa!! :D And be sure to send lots of pictures of this week (and also of my newly painted room! That'll be a good change. :)) LOVE YOU! Bye bye for reals this time. :P

The 2 Sickies, and Father's Day!

16 June 2014

Hellooo!

What a week. :) It's been crazy, but great. One thing that has not been so great for us missionaries here in South America ..... is the World Cup. Psh. Can I say that on Friday, when Chile played .... Calama errupted in applause and we heard shouting "GOOOOAAALLL!" of the 3 goals we did. Wahoo for Chile! : D Needless to say .... we were on the street walking down the empty streets and knocking on doors .... where no one answered ....: P Bahaha. Two more weeks is all. : P But it has really been a great week. :)

I have a lot of news regarding our investigators....:. (They've gone a bit underground and became ill and this and that, but we will not surrender and we are finding continuously, so that is the important thing. :) We have three new families this week, so we're very pleased to start working with them. Ana Maria is one of them, and she's been here in Calama from Bolivia for about three years. This past month, she lost her baby, and has been very upset and sad about it. Luckily, one of her co-workers from another neighborhood gave us her contact and we got right on it. We talked a little about the Plan of Salvation, and she seems genuinely interested and excited to learn.

The other family that we are teaching is a Colombian family that has been here for 8 years. The story about obedience is good. :) So we were doing a lot of walking, as mentioned above ... :), and we were crossing a busy street when I saw Mum (Luz) turning her head to look at us and smiled once hugeee smile. I smiled back, and started to walk away, but the Spirit said otherwise and we ended up almost running in the other direction to catch up with her and talk to her. Not many people smile at us, let alone cross a busy street. So she gave us her address and we stopped by this weekend. We arrived at her house and her husband opened the door and I'm not going to lie, I was preeetty intimidated. I mumbled something in Spanish, and her daughter (whose name is also Luz) went to go see if she was available. And she was not, but we happened to explain why we were there, and the father (Stephen) left. I thought he just left us there to talk to her daughter, but when he returned, he had a smile on his face and said: "Come in." WOOHOO! :) I was so glad that day. So we are excited to start working with them. They are Baptists, and I've never taught a Baptist, nor do I know what they believe... but I'm sure Hna. Albornoz and I will be learning a lot. :)

This weekend Hna Albornoz and I have also been pretty sick. The members are so loving and feed us a lot and then we ate while our small stomachs could not handle it. Sister Albornoz was vomiting all night last night, poor thing... So we're taking it easy and have to get back on track. Thus, "The 2 sickies." :)

This week I was studying in Mosiah 18. It was so interesting, because I’ve read that chapter a million times in my life, but it's really amazing how much more we can learn every time we read the scriptures and understand different things. :) I was very touched by the love that Alma had for the people he was teaching, and also by his drastic change of heart after hearing from Abinadi. Just as he is teaching things he heard Abinadi taught many people, and secretly, he heard the covenants we make when we are baptized by someone with the authority of God, and it says in the scripture that they "clapped their hands for joy and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts!" I loved it.. They were sooo excited to be baptized they began rejoicing saying. "Yes, this is what my heart truly desires." I thought a lot about that as I took the Sacrament yesterday. How many times in my life have I gotten so excited to take the sacrament and renew my baptismal covenants and have rejoiced when Sunday comes? It made me think about the importance of the Sacrament and the true desires of my heart. How important it is for us to have the opportunity each week to renew these covenants we have made with our Heavenly Father, that He may have his Spirit more abundantly upon us!

And with that ... I just wanted to thank my parents, since it was Father's Day yesterday. I have been very blessed to have such a wonderful and loving earthly father who teaches, loves and shows me such a wonderful example. I am also very grateful to the Father of us all, our Heavenly Father. What a blessing to know that He hears and answers all our prayers. What a blessing to know that we are his children, and through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, we are saved and brought back into His presence, and hopefully, we can continue our eternal life with Him and our earthly families. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I know it's true!

With lots of love from Calama,
Hermana Tuft
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Hi Mom and Dad!

I loved reading your emails and watching all the adventures that you have had the last week! : D I was thinking of you all on Tuesday as I was falling asleep, going through the temple, step by step next to you all. :) I really am very blessed to have had the opportunity to go to the temple many times before leaving. I never regret it. Spencer will be able to go once a transfer it looks like, so he still have that opportunity to go and remember the blessings and covenants there. I am very glad that you had a great week! :)

As things go with Denice and Andrew, we are still working on them .... We will call the Maples family this week to see if the sister can help us a little along those lines ... Our Sacrament meeting was FANTASTIC yesterday and the members were excited and loving, etc is really difficult here in Calama to work with members, since most of them have a rather complicated work schedule or are studying, so it's complicated things a lot, but we're working on it. A sister told us last week: "All we need as a ward in North Central, is a shot of love." :) So we're working on a "shot of love." :) Keep us in your prayers. :)

I was excited to hear about the missionary sister invited everyone to think of a friend, etc. who needs this message. That's what this life is about. It's all in who you know. :D I would love to hear your comments, and which you have been thinking. :) There is always someone. :)

I don't know why, but it's translating EVERYTHING into Spanish....so if you get this in Spanish, soooo sorry..... That's so fun that Spencer went through the temple with someone who's coming to my mission.  If I train again....I might get to meet him.... Bakan. :D  Are there many things that you'll both be doing as far as last minute preparations, or is he pretty set??  I am SHOCKED that he's already leavingggg.  Freaks me out how fast time is fllyyyyinggg. I wish you all calm nerves and happiness as you get everything ready this week. :)  

I had better get running.  We're headed to Tocopilla tonight with the zone leaders (hahahaaa Mom I don't think I mentioned this, but Elder Funaro is our zone leader here in Calama and he says HI to the best mom in the world for sending so many goodies to the poor MTC missionaries. :P)  And we'll get back on Wednesday afternoon.  Oh!  The pictures of all of us leaders in Antofa is just a meeting we have the first Thursday of each month and we talk about how we can improve as missionaries and new rules for the mission...  And then with what President and Sister Dalton teach us, and the Assistants, we go and teach/talk about that in a zone meeting and because Tocopilla is so far away, we go to see them while we are down here too. Yep.  That's it. :D   

I love you both LOADS and pray for you lots.  I hope that Grandpa continues to do great and improve lots and that they all keep their spirits up there. :)  How blessed we are to have this Gospel in our lives.  AND HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DADDY, AND TO GRANDPA!!! I love you lots and thank you for being the example of a good dad in my life.  There are so many people down here that don't even know their dads, so to know mine and know that you are a worthy Priesthood holder and that together, you and Mom help lead and guide our family is such a blessing and a miracle in my life.  :)  

Sending lots of smiles, abrazitos, and a little shell from Ariel with my voice cantando MUCHO para uds, (The family went to Tuacahn to see Little Mermaid while in St. George last week, so that is Kristen's reference to her VOICE and Ariel.)

Hermanita Kristen

El Monte del Señor

Hnas Cassi Smith, Kristen Tuft, Albornoz and Zollinger

Hnas Zollinger, Tuft and Albornoz

Hna Kristen Tuft doing 'I don't know what.' :)

Hna Kristen Tuft at the end of the Andes dusted with snow.

Kristen at the flag/shirt store trying to decide which one to buy???

Hello again!

Truly....the week fleeeewww by. We've been keeping pretty busy, and I loveee it. :D It's incredible how we ask the Lord to bless us with strength to help us get through the day, and He truly does! When we get home, we plan and just about crash into bed. It's been a great week. :)

This week has truly been a learning and growing week. Hermana Albornoz is fantastic and we have been learning so much here in Calama. I think what we have learned most is the importance of prayer and diligence. Truly with hard work, the Lord sees our efforts and can and will work many mighty miracles. :) My testimony has grown incredibly this week, and truly we have been blessed with many miracles. I wish I could share them all with you....

Monday and Tuesday were a little bit rough, but it truly helped us learn and be so very grateful for the rest of the week. And when I say rough, it's just that we did lots of walking and contacting and such. BUT Wednesday, when we were at our most humble point, the Lord gave us 2 beautiful miracles. We found a family of 6 from a reference from the stake president's family and they let us in and said we could come back, and we were super happy and feeling greatly loved by the Lord. Then, (okay quick little story, in all my 2 months here in Calama, we have stopped by she has alwaysss told us through the door that she's sick and can't open....) we stopped by her house and she let us in and let us do a quick little service. Do you realize the miracle that that is??? :D So we were feeling pretty happy. :)

And then Thursday we headed to Antofa for our leadership meeting and received a lot of answers and consuelo. It wasn't anything new but it was what I needed and the whole time I just felt an overwhelming feeling of love. Truly it was incredible. Y así fue el resto de la semana. :D To top it all off, the ward got back from the temple and we had an incredible sacrament meeting. The youth and a couple of the adults that went shared their testimonies and it was beautiful. I truly am soo grateful for the temple. Although we don't have the chance to go during the mission, I feel like the Lord has blessed me to be in the ward when they do get to go. In every ward I've been in, they have gone to the temple and we have had the chance to be strengthened by their testimonies and feel of the Spirit that they bring back. We truly are so very blessed to have temples of the Lord here on the earth today. As Isaiah prophesied,

2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains,and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.

3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

I feel very extraordinarily blessed to be a daughter of God here on the earth today, to be a representative of Him, to bring His word and His gospel to the people of Chile. I know that this church is absolutely true. There is zero doubt in my mind, and I promise that if we put Him first in our lives, it all falls into place. The trials don't go away, but we become strengthened through them because we know that He is our Captain. I know the Book of Mormon is true and that it testifies of Christ. I know that He lives and I know that our Heavenly Father loves us, because He sent His Son.

Wishing you all a fantastic week. :D
Con amor,
Hermanita Tuft
======================
Hello Mom and Dad!

It sounds like it has been quite a week for you all! Firstly, I just want to thank you for your prayers; I don't know if you've been praying harder for me this past week or not, but I felt your prayers and I felt your love in a way I never thought possible... I wish I could explain it well enough, but truly I felt of your love and prayers and support.

With that being said, :) can I just say I am so happy for the things you are doing! The garden, getting ready for the family trip, Home Teaching, SPLITS :D, mission prep, going to the temple, yep. Everything. :) Please tell Shanny hello for me and give her a big hug before she heads back! They are in my prayers. :) Also, I was very glad to hear that despite all that has happened, Grandpa and Grandma are staying positive and that they are keeping it in the Lord's hands. I cannot imagine all the hardship that they have been through the past 7 months, but it is in the Lord's hands and that is the most important. Please send my love and support and let them know that they are constantly in my prayers.

I just wanted to let you know I'm on board to go help out in Honduras if everything works out okay. :D I would looove that. Speaking of that, it also made me think of the importance that these last 5 months will be for me to focus and do all that I can to help in this work....so if we could keep the "trunky" thoughts to a minimum I would love that.... :) AND with that being said, Hna Severtson ends next transfer, o sea, the middle of August. Hna Matias and Hna Albornoz end in September. :)

Things with Denice have been a little rough this week.... Her husband forbade her and her kids to go to church, and that has been a little bit of a big road bump for what she is willing to do to progress and learn.... DAH. Husbands of investigators have been the hardest to work with. And we do try working with them, but they truly want nothing to do with us.... So please keep them in your prayers, and if you could put their names (Denice and Andres Gonzalez) in the temple, I would be very appreciative. :) BUT WE WILL NOT GIVE UP. :D They're too special to just "let go"... The apple pie was as American as it could get in Chile. :P It turned out great though! The thing is though, is that the Chileans have lots of "Gringo" traditions, including apple pie... But it was really good! :) I had to laugh, Dad, because we can buy root beer in a couple places, but it's VERY rare, because the Latinos also think it tastes like cough medicine.... Not sure what their cough medicine tastes like, but if it's root beer flavored I might like to try it some day... :P Jajaja :) I have been feeling great, and we've been keeping pretty warm. We have discovered what you said about stomping your feet to keep the blood circulating incredibly helpful, however. :) Hermana Albornoz is also doing great. :D We are seeing so many miracles and learning so much together. :) I love being a missionary. :D

Okie dokie. I'd better head out, but I love you both LOADS. I thank you for the time and love you put into your letters. I think Tuesdays you both must walk around like zombies for staying up so late writing me, but thank you. :) (How are you going to do it with two of us....?! :)) I put more pictures on skydrive and I will try my card again. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Just depends on where I'm at I guess... Thank you!

All my love and felicidad por lo que vendrá esta semana!! I'll be thinking of you all tomorrow night in the temple. :D

Loves,
Kristen

Apple Pie...and a bit of FRIO. :D

Kristen Tuft doing what she loves! Baking! She's making an apple pie to take to an investigator to use as an object lesson.

​

Kristen bowling - what a goon child! ;)   (I miss her MADLY!)

Kristen with the final product! (It's beautiful!)

Hnas Zollinger (from AZ) and Albornoz (from Argentina)

Hna Smith (from Idaho) bowling on p-day.

2 June 2014
Hello from Calama!

It's been quite the week. :) It's been great seeing miracles and growing and learning LOTS and loving the cold weather. :) Calama's so strange... It's FREEZING cold at night, and from about 11 to 5 it's burning hot and you need sunscreen.... Very strange. But this girl's used to strange Utah weather....but still. Strange. :)

We've had a lot of great experiences this week, but most of all I wanted to share about our Paraguayan family. :) So on Wednesday, we had the family night planned and we both felt so great about it all day. When we got there, the house was FULL of people. There was the family that gave us the reference (of 4) and then Denise (the mom) and her 5 kids. And then us two. So there was a full house. :) Denise's husband was working, so he couldn't join us, but we had a great lesson in the which we shared our testimonies and explained our purpose as missionaries. The family that gave us the reference (the Arce's) are from a different ward, but they are fantastic. They are both returned missionaries, and as they were bearing their testimonies the Spirit was so strong. It was a short little visit, but we went back on Thursday and had a good first lesson.

On Friday, it was her son, Alejandro's birthday. So we decided we would use all our apples that were in our fridge and made an apple pie for him, and for the lesson. :) With 5 kids from ages 3 to 13, we're getting a little bit creative. :) And the pie turned out GREAT! Por fin we made an apple pie. :) As we taught the lesson, we talked a lot about all the necessary "ingredients" that the Church of Jesus Christ requires. Those ingredients being prophets, apostles, the priesthood, and revelation. We compared that to the apple pie, and how if you don't have the crust, or the sugar, or the apples, etc, you can't make a good pie. And so it is (a little bit... :)) with the Church of Jesus Christ! :) It turned out to be a great object lesson, and the kids enjoyed eating the pie afterwards. Bueno, nosotras igual... :D

Denise and her family have been here in Chile for about 8 years. They moved here for her husband's work, and they've had quite a rough story. But the good thing is, they are married :) and they are a happy, humble little family. Denise has been very prepared to hear and accept the gospel in her life, but please keep her husband in your prayers. He's more duro en ese sentido... They will need all the prayers they can get. BUT they are a fantastic family and we're so blessed and grateful to get to work with them. :)​

I also was studying this morning in 2 Nefi 28, and verse 30 really caught my attention. It says:

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

I have read that scripture a million times, but this morning it had a lot more meaning. As we lend an ear to the counsel of the Lord, He will give us wisdom. But as we say, "Naw, I know enough. I don't need to read my scriptures, or go to church, or be obedient, etc." He will take away that wisdom and knowledge that he has already given us.

And then, as I was studying some of the footnotes, I found in Alma 12:10 this scripture:

And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.

As we hearden our hearts, he will stop giving us wisdom, but as we are humble to receive his word, he will give unto us the ability to know His mysteries. I found that so interesting. And as Hna Albornoz and I were sharing, she said that it was interesting that in Preach My Gospel, we can read the same thing over and over about the lessons, and learn something new every time, as well as in the scriptures. :) We can only learn wisdom from God through the Holy Ghost, and in order to receive those promptings we must have a heart that is open and ready to hear.

Anywho, just a couple thoughts to think on. :) It is so sad to see that truly those that we have talked to that are inactive in the church always seem to think they know more than what God does, and put their faith in their own strength and wisdom, rather in the strength of God. Because truly, in the strength of the Lord, we can do all things. :)

I know this church is true and I am so grateful to be here in Calama to share it with everyone. :) MEMBERS TRULY MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. This week our members (bueno, la estaca completo...) is in the temple in Santiago. :) I always seem to be in the ward when they go to the temple... :) LOVE IT. I love the temple and I love that they love the temple and I love the energy they bring back from the temple. I love the temple. :)

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

I loved reading your letters. :D Busy, busy bodies, but I'm glad you all survived this week and that there are lots of plans in the next three weeks.... Crazzzyyyy. Spencer wrote me and said, "It's true that life after high school is a lot busier." Bahahahaha. After 2 days he's saying that. Bahaha. :D Loved it. :) I bet the two of you can agree. :) This week has been a great one full of miracles and pruebas as well. :) We've done lots of walking and it's been hard to keep the animo up, BUT things are well and we are learning lots. Calama is a stubborn little town, and it's been a struggle to work in, but I am grateful for the times of trial as well as the times of happiness. :) Dad asked about the members, and truly I wish I could explain to you bien ellos. But they have good hearts and say they will help and whatnot, but it's just the following through and commitment they struggle with. Oh Calama. :)

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers and things you shared! I loved the thoughts on Personal Revelation, and also what you both shared about the Restoration. It's interesting, because truly everything is weighing on that one moment, that still hasn't even ended... Every prophet saw our day, and we have quite the responsibility to bring this happiness to the lives of the families the Lord is preparing. I am so grateful for my family that has helped me stay on this path and that has taught me the right. I hope and pray that we can continue to find those families that are waiting for us... :)

I am glad to hear that Grandma and Grandpa are taking it one day at a time... They are in my prayers and hope they can keep their heads up and remember that we are all on the Lord's perfect timetable. That truly gives me such great relief to know that He is in charge. I was also sad to hear about the Braegger's grandpa... :( I'm going to write Britney a quick little note...

I hope that you both have a fantastic week and that you keep a smile on your face and a prayer in your heart. :D I love you both so very much and thank you again for being my parents. Thank you thank you thank you. :) Truly, ¡Hurrah por Israel!

XOXO
Kristen

P.S. I put pictures on and we went bowling with Hna Smith (blonde from Idaho) and Hna Zollinger (brunette from AZ).

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Kristen with her new favorite candy - MILO!

It snowed this weekend after heavy rains, and 50-80 kph winds. She LOVES inclement weather!!

Hnas Albornoz & Tuft in snow in Calama!

Hellooo!

It has been quite the week weather-wise.... Bahahaha. Pobrecita la Hna Albornoz.... Her welcome to Calama was winds of 50 to 80 kilometros per hour. And snow. :D I was just beamingly happy this weekend! Although it has caused a few problems for some houses, it was a fun thing to see. There were lots of people that had water leaking through the roof when it started melting on Sunday... But I'm getting ahead of myself! :)

Okay. So Hna Albornoz is fantastic!! I have been blessed with such wonderful companions. I love them all loads. The funny thing about Hna Albornoz is that I knew her in Copiapó, de hecho, she went with me when we went to Antofa for a training meeting. So we had been companions for a day. :) When I left Copiapó, I wrote in her book of recuerdos, "I'll wait for you in Calama!" So truly, we knew this would happen. :P No, but it was funny to read again and have her saying it was my fault that she was suffering in this frío.... :P We've had a good week. :) On Tuesday and Wednesday, we had a little bit of a struggle of a time because nobody was home. We did lotsss of walking, but we were happy and just kept walking as door after door didn't open. :) With sacrifice, truly comes the blessings. And with lots of faith and prayer brings miracles. We got to see those miracles this weekend.

Thursday was the day that I had my cold that I've had accumulated, and I was absolutely exhausted. So after our study, my companion sent me to bed for an hour, and that ended up being what I needed, just a quick recoup because I've been great since then. Snow and all. :) Friday was when the winds started. And they weren't just a little bit of a bluster, it was knocking-stuff-over power-outage wind blowing... But that helped us out a little bit to have people let us into their homes... :) Blessings come in all different forms. :D

Saturday, we continued with wind and big stormy clouds, but nothing started to fall until 4ish when we were getting ready to leave. And then the rains came pouringgg in. Luckily, I have been carrying my handy dandy little umbrella around. For a whole year....without hope to ever use it. But we definitely had a need for it. :) We headed out and over to the chapel for a baptism of the elders, and it was fantastic. There were only a few people there for culpa of the weather.... But it was very nice. :) As we walked out, we were greeted by snooowwww. Something I thought was impossible in the Misión Chile Antofagasta. :)

Apart from the snow, we truly have been very blessed this week. Yesterday was a very exceptional day as far as finding investigators goes. I have been praying for quite some time that we could be led to the families that are ready to hear this message. Darling and William were one of those blessings, as well as Jazmin and family, and yesterday we were very blessed to find two new families of 4. Also, as we were sitting in Sacrament Meeting, a sister from another ward arrived during the meeting just to pass a reference off to us. She was whispering it all to us, where they lived, about their family, etc. It's a family of 7 from Paraguay that just recently moved here and the family of the hermana had given them a Book of Mormon with assignments and everything. And wanted to arrange a family night for this week. So we got all that set up and are VERY excited and feel very, very blessed. Heavenly Father truly does answer our prayers and deepest desires.

With that thought, I truly have felt so very blessed this past week in reading the Book of Mormon. I have always read the Book of Mormon, knowing that it is true. But this time I have a deeper purpose in reading, as I mark and study all the references of Christ, His Atonement, and His Doctrine. It has strengthened my testimony greatly in how truly it is another testament of Him. It also has been incredible to learn so much about His life from the prophesies of Lehi & Nephi, and from the teaching of the prophets that were written on the brass plates. One of my favorite findings from this week is the following in 1 Nephi 21:

14 But, behold, Zion hath said: The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me—but he will show that he hath not.

15 For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget,yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.

16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands;

I loved that part!! Truly, we will never be forgotten, nor forsaken. We are written in the palms of His hands. I know that my Savior, Jesus Christ lives. He loves us and he suffered for my sins. I am so very, very blessed to be a special representative of Him, that I can learn more of His life and bear witness of what I know. This church is true.

Lots of love,
Hermana Tuft
==================
Hello Mom and Dad!

I loved seeing all those pictures from the week. :) They always bring a smile to my face. :) I had to laugh that Megan and Mom had their title as "Happy Memorial Day!" and they came in right next to each other. Like mother like daughter. :)

I enjoyed reading your letters, thank you, as always, for the time you both spend to write me what's been going on there at home and how the family has been. It's crazy that Spencer and Lindsay are finishing up school for the year. That Lindsay's going to HIGH SCHOOL and that Spencer's ending it.... How strange. And the fact that he leaves in a month. What? Please put a little plug in for me so that he'll write....preferably this week, because if not it won't happen before he heads out... If he gets his passport. :P Naw, bromita. :)

Before I forget!! I have been meaning to ask about the little bunny creature and how she's doing. No one's mentioned her lately and I would greatly hope she hasn't left the fam. That would not be very happy.... ALSO I was reading about how you're all heading down to St. George in a couple weeks and will spend time with the family/cousins... Did Katherine get married....? Didn't know if she and Cody were still together and what was up there. If she did get married....someone forgot to tell me.... :)

To answer about Hna Albornoz! Whoops, forgot that above... But she's from Santa Fe, Argentina and has been a member her whole life. Her parents are both converts, and her mom served a mission about 25ish years ago. She's the oldest of 3 and she's 22, turning 23 here in August which we could still be together for.... :) We shall see. She has 15 months almost in the mission, and no we don't have senior/junior companion distinguished as sister training leaders, just like it would be for zone leaders type thing. :) Our sector is HUGE, but I have felt very blessed, Dad, that I learned the sector really quickly. We still might have to do a little bit of exploring, but nothing too crazy. :) And it would've been even crazier just being two gringos there in France wandering the cobblestone streets... I'm just imagining Spencer in big ol' Tegucigalpa and imagining what it might have been like for the 2 of you Elders in France. :)

I'm glad to hear that for the most part, every one is doing better health-wise! I always have grandma and grandpa in my prayers, so I hope they will continue to do better. And I hope you all survive the hot temperatures!! Hahaha - please remember us huddled up next to our heater when you're sweating like crazy outside. :) Crazy how that works! :P

I also started to read Elder Bednar's comments, but the other 3 hnas were chatting lots and I couldn't focus like I would have liked, so I would like to get back to you with that next week. Thank you for the thoughts that he shares though. I am excited to read them... :) I also would like to hear both of your thoughts and insights on what you read and studied in PMG last week with the Restoration! I loved hearing about Sharing Time and that the primary kids were writing new verses about the prophets to Follow The Prophet

I had better get going, but send my love and saludos to everyone that way. :) Have an extraordinarily fantastic week. :D

XOXOXO,
Kristen
. :) We are SO very blessed to know there are living prophets that guide us today! What a miracle we have, the knowledge of the Restoration.