El 18 de Septiembre...Round 2. :)

Hello All!

Okay....it's been a fantastic weekkk - Chilean Independence Day is 18 September. :D BUT it has been soooo full of empanadas, completos, MUCHO carne, mote con huesillo, carne, empanadas, a little bit of salad, a little bit more carne, and MORE mote con huesillo. Oh and sopaipillas. Or let's just say, LOTS of food. Thanksgiving times a million, and that's what we've eaten this week. :) So here I am writing you all, with about 10 pounds more than what I was last Monday. :P But it was a great fiestas patrias, all in all. :)

This week we had zone conferences and that was great. We started out by singing "The Army of Helaman" and that just about killed me. There were probably 80 missionaries(ish) and all of us singing that... It was incredible. I love being a missionary. :) We also got to share our testimonies about our Savior, Jesus Christ, as we finished up reading the Book of Mormon as a mission in the past month or so from the invitation of Elder Spannaus. I know that my Savior lives and loves me, and we are on His errand, His time, and we are instruments in His wonderful and powerful hands.

We also talked a lot about helping the members know how to share the gospel with their friends. President said that every family in the church should have a family mission plan, and I loved that idea! I had never thought of that... So our job as missionaries is to help the families of the ward find their own plan, something that will work for them, and not something that we throw on their shoulders that never results. :) For example, all we want is that they can get their friends and us in the same place at the same time, and we can do the rest. :) We become their friends/acquaintances and with that, we can share our testimonies and they will know what we are saying is the truth. Unto every man is given the light of Christ, and they will know. Something SUPER awesome happened this morning. We went to send a couple letters, and as we were leaving, a member of the ward and her daughter walked out of one of the rooms, and they we were with a friend. So we went and said hi, started talking, and the hermana said, "I've been trying to get her to listen to the missionaries for yearsss and she never says yes!" Well...she said that in front of her face...whoops. But it worked out okay. :) We started talking about how the lady is always going to the mission office to drop off packages, and then she asked if we had the recipe to cookies that Sister Garrison (the Garrison's are the missionary couple in the mission, from Idaho) and we said that we did not but that we could get it and have a family night and share them with her. :D Bwahhahaha. :) So she said yes and we have a family night set up with her, and the member family for next week. :D It's just that easy. :)

Thursday was Chile's Independence Day, and it was pretty awesome. :) We had weekly planning in the morning and went to the stake center at 1 pm for the stake party. It was a huge barbeque (asado) and there was a great turn out. The rest of the afternoon we enjoyed watching all the dancing and fun games that were going on, and were very happy that a few of our investigators could attend. :D Ermelinda was going to go, and it turned out that her son ended up coming and she couldn't go... :( But needless to say, it was a great day.

This week we had something happen that has never happened in either one of our missions! We have been teaching Ermelinda all of the commandments (she's getting baptized on the 11 of October, by the way...) and we taught her the law of chastity on Tuesday. I don't know if this is a normal thing for all missionaries, but anyone who has seen the missionaries in The District teach it, it gets a little awkward sometimes. Not that awkward how they do it on The District, but something like that. :P So we went to teach the Law of Chastity, and it was one of the most spiritual lessons I have ever had in the mission... She fully understood that her temple is a temple of God, and that we need to respect and care for it, and we started talking about families and how the world has lost that respect and importance for marriage, etc. She expressed the desire that she has to share the Gospel with her kids, cause they're not doing the things that they should be, and she councils them, but they don't really listen much... It was an incredible lesson. The Lord truly prepares His children, and Ermelinda has been prepared her whole life to receive this Gospel, and she is doing great.

I know that the church is true! I know that Christ is at the head of this church and that he leads and guides us through His living prophets and apostles. I hope we can all be preparing for General Conference, so that we can listen to the prophet, President Monson, and learn what the Lord needs us to hear and apply in our lives!

With lots of love,
Hermana Tuft
====================
Hey Mom and Dad!

Thank you so much for all your spiritual thoughts that you both shared this week, they were just what I needed. :) I'm excited to be able to go back and study them a little bit more this week. It's incredible that the things I learn from what you both say always helps out throughout the week in what we are doing. :) So thank you! I love you both so much. :)

I'm glad to hear that the Ogden Temple Dedication went well yesterday. I love being part of those. I remember that my first one was the Nauvoo Temple, and that was also the first temple that I went to to do baptisms. I love the temple so very much. :) That's also fun that Kyle and fam and the Allison's were able to join you all. Do the Allison's these days include Miranda....? Or is she still struggling? Did she ever get my birthday note I sent her....? She never responded if she did. :( She's in my prayers.

As well as little Lindsay! Poor girl! If it's not one thing it has to be the other. :( I showed Hna Arenas that picture of her on the couch with the crutch straight up on her head, sleeping...and she died laughing. She too, Mom, wants to meet the family one day. She says we must be very funny people. :P Bahaha little does she know.... :P I think she must look at me sometimes and just think, "Where do you come from....?" :P Send Lindsay my best, and tell her I love her, and that I would LOVE to hear from her, ESPECIALLY right now with all the great things she's saying. :D Bahaha. I'm pretty sure that is not Dad's profession, and I don't know WHERE in the world she would get that one......... :P What does she think I'm doing....? :)

Also Dad, I thought that was interesting the comments from Elder Bednar. I was listening to a talk from him the other day, and he invited the congregation, I'm assuming, to read 1 Nephi 11 through 13 and to really focus on the invitations that the angel makes to him. He asks, "What desirest thou?" Knowing that he wanted to see what his father saw, but the angel gave him the chance to learn spiritually that way, and I thought of that when he talks of the first important steps in acting in faith. So I did that, and loved what I learned. I would love to know your thoughts! I will also tell Hno Thomas that the pictures will be coming next week if all goes well. :) He's been on vacation with his family and they get back on Wednesday, so I doubt he's thought much about it in the last couple weeks anyway. :) I'll also be sure to keep you both updated with Sol and Carolina, but they were out of town this past week with las fiestas... Keep them in your prayers. :)

I cannot believe that Kim Stratford and the Shaw boys are getting married!! I mean....I guess that's what happens when your friends get old and back from their missions and are at college, but I had no idea. :) Who's NOT going to be married by the time I get home? :P Just kidding (kinda). :P BUT please send Kim my best. I love that girl, and she has been such an example to me throughout my whole life. :)





And I had a small world moment last night with a returned missionary that got back from Puebla, Mexico. Ha Ha he knows Elder Alex Knowlton! I asked him if he knew him and he said yes, and pulled out pictures! That was strange. But tell him HEY from Elder Gerhardt Schmeltzer here in Chile. :P

Thank you for being my goodly parents. Part of the reason I cried so much during the Army of Helaman is because the first part says that we have been born of goodly parents, and I truly have, and I love you both so very much. THANK YOU. :D

Love,
Kristen
====================
Hey Spencer!!

I love you lots and I know that you are doing what the Lord needs you to be doing. :) And I know you know that. :) Hey, I wanted to ask you if you have the talk "The Fourth Missionary" by Elder Corbridge? If not I'm going to send it to you in the little package I'm putting together. :) Cause you need that one. :) It's helped me SOOO much throughout my mission. I can send it in Spanish and English if you'd like.... LOVES from your favoritest older sister in Chile,

Kristen :)

Rain down in Antofagasta...

Heeey there everybody!

It's been a fantastic week. It has flown by and here we are approaching the end of the cambio! Hermana Arenas is worried that she'll be transferred, but I don't think so. But we shall see where next Monday finds us! I hope we'll get to stay together; she is a great companion and we have had great times together. :)

Anywho! We've had good success with Ermelinda and Katiuska! They are doing very well. We also have been working with an hermano named Hector, that is here visiting family from the southern part of Chile. His wife is the mom of an hermana here in the ward, and so we are helping in reactivating Hna Maria Teresa and her son, Gabriel at the same time. But they are doing great, and went to church yesterday as a family!! Whoot whoot! :D Hna Maria Teresa went to the temple years ago and was sealed to her parents, so I hope we can help her remember some of those feelings, and forget about all the bad experiences that have happened that are impeding her. They're doing better though and it looks like they'll be staying with us for a while. :D

We had intercambios this week, so I haven't seen Ermelinda too much, but Hna Arenas said that the lesson went very well, and that she is excited to be baptized. She didn't make it to church yesterday, I don't know if they were excuses or real reasons, but we're thinking positive and we have faith that she'll make it next week. :) Katiuska as well, but she truly was sick and couldn't make it. Aaand she's headed to Peru this week for vacations, so we shall see when her baptism will be.... October a lo mejorrr. And Ermelinda should be getting baptized next weekend, the 27th, if all goes well. Keep them in your prayers please!

This week we met a lady named Carolina. She has been inactive for yearrsss and married and had 2 kids, none of which are members. She was telling us how she believes in a lot of stuff that isn't in line with the beliefs of the church, and that she also does not believe that this church is the only true one. Long story short, I was feeling kinda sad as I sat there listening to her....but then I looked down in my hands, and there was the Book of Mormon! And I got excited again, knowing that if she gains a testimony of that book, she will know it is all true, and that yes, this church contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So as we sat there, the Holy Ghost was whispering to Hermana Arenas and I to focus more on her 9-year-old daughter, Sol. We started talking to Sol and asking her questions about Christ and who God is and such. And Sol had no idea.... That kinda called her mom's attention. We sang, "I am a child of God," and asked Sol if she knew that she was a child of God, and she said, "No, I didn't know that!" and that Jesus is our brother and that he loves us, and she responded the same. Her mom got quite and just kinda looked a little lost, and we said a prayer, and started sharing our testimonies about the restored church of Jesus Christ, and that Sol could know by reading the Book of Mormon. She said that she loves to read, and she and her mom both promised to read it together. :D We're excited to go back this week to see how it went. :)

As we left their house, I was thinking about all that had happened, and President Uchtdorf's talk, "Come, Join with Us," came to my head. I want to share a couple bits of what he said:

"Some struggle with unanswered questions about things that have been done or said in the past. We openly acknowledge that in nearly 200 years of Church history—along with an uninterrupted line of inspired, honorable, and divine events—there have been some things said and done that could cause people to question.

"Sometimes questions arise because we simply don’t have all the information and we just need a bit more patience. When the entire truth is eventually known, things that didn’t make sense to us before will be resolved to our satisfaction.

"Sometimes there is a difference of opinion as to what the “facts” really mean. A question that creates doubt in some can, after careful investigation, build faith in others...

"Some might ask, “But what about my doubts?”

"It’s natural to have questions—the acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding. There are few members of the Church who, at one time or another, have not wrestled with serious or sensitive questions. One of the purposes of the Church is to nurture and cultivate the seed of faith—even in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty. Faith is to hope for things which are not seen but which are true.

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends—please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."

So as we talked to Carolina, that phrase came to my mind: "First doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." We must "nurture and cultivate the seed of faith-- even in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty." I know that this church is completely true. There is no doubt in my mind about that. Yes, sometimes I have "doubts" but I know they are temporary things that will make sense in some perfect, future day when we are with the Lord and will learn from Him face to face. What a miracle and a blessing that is!!

On Saturday, we had a great little surprise! We woke up and it was RAINING. I don't think you all understand to the full extent the miracle that that is. And the happiness that it gave us. There wasn't any sun, but that brightened up our day lots. :D We were headed to a multi-stake service project and so I was in my TOMS and jeans, and was pretty much skipping down the stairs when I totally biffed it and fell prettyyy hard headed down the stairs.... Whoops. :) Needless to say, there is a pretty great bruise on my backside. :) But yes, we were indeed very happy that there was moisture falling from the sky. :)

I would send pictures of that....but the computer's not working too great, so next week there will be pictures. :) It was a fun service project and it was great to have some time like that with the ward members. :) They said that it was a worldwide church service project day, so I don't know if they did that back there at home or what....? I know that Saturday was full of different things for the family, but did the wards do a service project thing?

Okie dokie. I had better get running, but I love you all lots and am glad to know that you are doing well. I know that this church is TRUE!

Love,
Hermana Tuft
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Hello Mom and Dad!

Can I first just say again, that I love you both so very much? And I thank you for thinking of Spencer and I and sending pictures and details of everything that goes on. :) I am so very glad to hear that things went well for the funeral. I have been super great this week. I had just a second on Saturday where I thought it was about the time of the funeral that was a little moment of silence, and said a little prayer, but other than that things have been great, and I'm glad to know that Grandpa has joined us in this great missionary cause on the other side of the veil. I got the chance to read better about the "fine old high priests," and that brought a smile to my face and a little tear to my eye. But Grandpa truly was a fine old high priest. I couldn't help but thinking that my dad also fits in that category (although he might alsooo cut out the "old" part. :P I know that birthday of yours is coming uppp. :P) JUSTO, I was reading the next morning in Alma 13, and verses 3 and 9 caught my attention in that regard:

3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.

9 Thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.

I thought that was very fitting. :) I'm going to have to read your talk, Dad, and Aunt Di's tonight cause I didn't get a good chance to sit down and read it all. But thank you for sending that, and also to Mom for the pictures. Brother and Sister Clement are so sweet; they wrote us both last week and also this week, saying that we are in their prayers, and Sister Clement included pictures of the program as well. That's so sweet of them to have gone. They are very neat people and I am so grateful that they are our home teachers. :)

As for things in the ward, they are going good! Our ward mission leader is the bomb, for lack of a better phrase. But truly he is amazing. He gave a talk yesterday that called the Spirit very strongly, and pretty much called the ward to repentance, and said that we all need to look and follow through with all the missionary experiences that we are loosing every single day. He is fantastic. :D They are calling ward mission leader assistants this week, so our ward mission program is coming along well. Now just to put in practice the ward mission plan. Wahhooo. :D

I will let Hno Thomas know about the office pictures for next week. :) Actually, they are out of town for Chile's Independence Day (WAHOO. :D) so they'll be getting back next week anyway. Would you both be able to share with me more thoughts from Stake Conference? I can't wait for General Conference sooo soooonnn. :D Thank you for sharing that thought about "angel children," Dad. I think there have to be many times where you both just roll your eyes and shake your head, with the word "angel" far from might at some of the things we do as kids, but I love being one of your children, and I love having my other four angel children siblings. And my angel parents of course. :)

And Mom, Hna Arenas gets letters every week from friends, and occasionally from her two brothers, but her parents "don't know how" to use the computer.....? I talked to President about that, and he's going to get on that with the bishop from her mom's ward in Iquique... Hopefully she can finish out the second half of her mission with a little bit more support. We have had some great talks this week, the two of us... She has been pretty well bullied all her life, from friends and even mission companions, so sometimes she gets into a little bit of a depression state and doesn't talk, but I think we have been making progress with that, and I hope she just feels of my love for her, and what's more of our Heavenly Father's love for her, never ever wanting her to be down on herself... It's been good. :)

Send pictures of your new "braceless face" Mom! :D That's fun. :) And make sure Lindsay sends pictures of the bridals. I was super happy to hear about Duke and family. I'm glad that he's doing so well. And WAHOOO about the three baptisms in the ward!! That is fantastic. :D I also had to laugh because you are one of three people that told me today about Hna Howell and Elder Hughes.....bahahahaha. :D So yep, it's going around the mission like wildfire.... Weirrrdddd. :)

Okie dokie I have got to run. I love you both so very much! Please send my very best to Grandma, and tell her that I love her so very much. I don't know if her eyes are bad so she can't write or read, but I haven't heard from her in a while, and don't know if they had gotten my last letter that I sent or what....? But I hope that she knows that I love her and that you are all in my prayers.

Con muchísmo amor y cariño,
Kristen

All is well.

Hello Family, Friends, Todos! :)

This week has been super busy and full of lots to do, but we have felt the strength of the Lord and the Spirit has been very strong and present in our lives. I love being Hna Arenas' companion. It's just like a happy little “marriage” with ups and downs and frustrating moments and others where we are laughing so dang hard that we're crying. :) And this week she has been such a huge support to me, in moments of sadness and happiness. :) This week with Grandpa passing away, I have felt a peace and support that I haven't felt before. I know where he is and what he is doing, and that is all thanks to this great Plan of Happiness that our Heavenly Father has given us through His prophets here on earth. What a great and beautiful plan that it is!

On Friday morning, I woke up a lot during the night... I couldn't sleep, and then when I finally got to sleep, I felt like I was waking up two seconds later. As I woke up, I just had a sadness hit me, and I felt like I couldn't get up... I started talking to Hna Arenas, and started crying. I never have cried so early in the morning.... I told her that I had had a dream and felt like my grandpa had passed away, and that I would just wait to see what happened during the day to see if President Dalton would call with any news. So I got up and got ready and didn't really dwell on the subject.

By Saturday I had forgotten all about waking up feeling so sad, and it was just a normal day. We had a great meeting with our new ward mission leader, Hno Becerra. HE IS FANTASTIC!!! He and his wife have been married for 3 years (I believe) and he served a mission in Santiago in 2007ish. He is so ready to work and help out, and yesterday at church he bore his testimony, asking the whole ward pretty much for help in the work and their cooperation (is that how you spell that....?). So we are super excited to work with him and have more contact with the ward members and more through him. It will be great. :)

Then, we headed to the chapel because the young men and women were doing a fundraising project to go to the temple in February and they made lunch. So we went and ate at the church, and we sat and talked with Bishop Gonzalez. He is a great guy, too. :) He was talking to us about how this is a gospel for families, and how we can receive SO many blessings by being able to be apart of this with our families, here on earth or not. So we talked for about an hour, and got up to clean and get back to our apartment for a few minutes. As we were cleaning up, Hna Arenas got a phone call from President, and as she looked and me and said who it was.  I already knew why he was calling... She handed me the phone and I headed outside and President and I were able to talk for a few minutes. I was sad, but I couldn't help but feel such a wonderful peace.

We headed back to the pension and I got home and got right on my knees to pray, and I haven't had a conversation like that with Heavenly Father before. Mom and Dad, I felt like I could almost see Grandpa with Christ. I feel like I might have gotten to see just a glimpse of that reunion, and that was the biggest testimony builder that I have had, knowing that someone I love so very much now knows our Savior. Knowing that Grandpa Tuft knows Jesus Christ, whose name Spencer and I carry and who we represent every single day, was a moment that I will never forget. I have felt closer to my Savior the past couple days than ever before. I know that this feeling with stay with me for a long time, but especially over the next couple months.

Yesterday at church, we had 2 investigators there!! :D Ermelinda went, and one of our new investigators name Hector. Ermelinda LOVED it and said that she has never been in a church before where she feels more at home. She loved it. :) I have been super composed and the only time that I had cried was Saturday in the apartment, and then Sunday I kinda started bawling during the closing song in Relief Society. We sang "Come, Come Ye Saints" and in Spanish the title would be "All is Well". Through all this, every time I heard from Grandpa, he would say, "It's all going to be all right. It will all work out. Keep smiling!" So as we sang that, it made me think of him, and all of our ancestors that have worked and lived and died for this cause, knowing that there is a place prepared for them on the other side. I thought of two scriptures through all of this: one is D&C 98:18 and the other is Enos 1:27.

“Let not your hearts be troubled; for in my Father’s house are many mansions, and I have prepared a place for you; and where my Father and I am, there ye shall be also.”

“And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions.”

I know that this is a great plan of happiness, and that we will be with our loved ones again, and we must not be troubled, knowing that our Father in Heaven has a place for us, where we may live forever with Him, and our Savior, and our families. I know that this Plan of Salvation is true, and that we can and will be with our families forever. I love this work, and I love being able to share these truths with the people here in Chile!

Con mucho amor,
Hermana Tuft

I couldn't print the emails off this morning, so I don't know if there are questions and such that I didn't answer....? I tried to read them all, but I may have missed something... (The bikes were borrowed, Mom. :D) Thank you for all your thoughts and experiences that you both shared, I will be able to read them more in detail a little bit later.... The dentist that helped Hna Albornoz out a couple months ago, Hno Thomas, is in our ward, Dad, and he was asking me a few weeks ago to ask you for pictures of the office so he can do his office here soon, and is wanting ideas of how he wants to do it. He asked me again, and I told him I would check with you to see if you could send some pictures.... :) I know that it might not be this week with all that's going on, but one of these days in the next little bit... :) THANKS!

Okay, so I wanted to share those thoughts with mainly just the family and Grandma... I don't know if I want it all going on the blog, maybe not this week....? Or not published on Facebook maybe... It has been a very special week, and I truly am doing great. I am so grateful for the time that I had with Grandpa, and for the memories. :) I love you both so much, and please let Grandma know of my love for her, as well as Aunt Jan, Aunt Di, and Aunt Karen. All is well. :) Hurrah por Israel! XOXOXOXO

P.S.....So I know that we aren't going to Honduras....but I don't know if it would be possible to make a little trip down here the 4 of us for Christmas or something....? I would LOVE to be able to introduce you all to these people that I love so much and spend a little bit of time here as a small little family..... I know that that is a LOOOT to ask, so if it is not possible that is definitely fine.....but I thought it might not hurt to ask.... Loves. :)

Come unto Christ...

Add caption

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

Helloooo!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

La Pequeña Locomotora que Pudo.

Kristen Tuft on her balcony overlooking the OCEAN she loves!

Kristen Tuft and Hna Arenas at a baptism in Antofagasta.

Kristen with Hna Arenas as they first met as companions. August 2014

Self-explanatory, eh? She is happy to eat at McDonald's. Only time. Ever.

Helllooo!

The week flew by, once again. :) It was full of so many wonderful things, that I feel like I will not be able to share them all, but here goes. :)

So we went to work on Tuesday morning, with very little success.... We stopped by so many houses, and nobody was home. Ya okay so we were thinking, "There has to be SOMETHING that we can do before we go to our district meeting." When we suddenly decided to turn down a little pasaje that we've never been down before, in a way to get to the chapel super extraña, but we went with it and there were lots of Testigos de Jehová doing some door knocking... I thought, "Well, qué fome that we walked down this street that these people have recently talked to and are probably not wanting anything more to do with religion right now...." When all of a sudden a lady that was walking out her front door started walking down the street with us. And started talking to us. :D So we talked back to her, (obvio... :)) and her name is Ermelinda. She said that she was going to el centro, but she would love for us to stop by in the afternoon. :D

We went to our district meeting walking on cloud nine and were super excited to go back that afternoon. It turns out that I ended up going out of our sector on an exchange and Hermana Arenas and Hermana Salinas went to visit Ermelinda and had a fantastic first lesson, where they were all crying by the end. So we have met, started teaching and gotten to know Ermelinda, who has a baptismal date for September 20th. WAHOO! :D She is fantastic. She has been having lots of problems with her grown kids, and doesn't know what to do, but in talking last night she said that she wants to show them by her example what they should do, so that they don't follow her bad example from past mistakes. She is a great lady.

We also got to meet with an old investigator again named Carlina. She had a baptismal date for August 9th, but she was never in her house... So we talked to her FINALLY last night and she was super excited, and also has a date for the 20th now. So September 20th is going to be a big day. Keep them in your prayers. :)

We see so many miracles every single day and I feel so blessed and grateful. Thursday afternoon, we were headed to yet another meeting (haha I just realized that all our super great moments this week happened while in camino to meetings.... :P) and we were running about an half hour late... The elders and counselor in the bishopbric were waiting for us, but as we were walking and talking and laughing, we passed by a little family with a dad and a mom and a little baby in a stroller. We were about a block away when I finally decided to stop fighting the prompting I was receiving to talk to them, and we went back. So awkward when we have to go back, but it is what it is. :) Anywho, we started talking to Joana and Manuel, who had just moved here from Santiago a week ago. We asked if we could stop by sometime, and Manuel said, "Sure, next week on Tuesday I start getting home from work at about 6:30, so you guys can stop by then. I think it'll be interesting!" So they both seemed pretty interested and we were SOOO excited because we are on the family search here. And they are a family. :D

Yesterday at church, the stake presidency secretary came to talk to our ward, and started out by talking about the story of the Little Engine that Could. :) I love that story, and had forgotten completely about it... :) There was a circus that needed to get to a little town, because the town was waiting for it. But there was no way for it to get there. One of the big trains said, "No, I've got bigger and better things to do." There was an old train that said, "I'm old and tired, and can't take it all." There was also a modern train that was fancy and new, and all up to date, but he said he couldn't take the circus either. There was just one little train left in the train yard, and it was a little train that didn't have a lot of experience, but said that he would try. There was a hill that one had to climb before reaching the little town, and the little engine was scared that he wouldn't make it. But as he started to climb the hill, one could hear him saying, "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can." As he reached the top of the hill, the town cheered as they saw him coming, and you could just hear him say, "I knew I could. I knew I could. I knew I could!"

I loved that he shared that little reminder story! Right before him, a recent convert named Marcos gave his first talk, and spoke about faith. He talked about the grain of mustard, and how if we have faith even that small, nothing is impossible. That was just a good little reminder for me. Believing that I can is knowing that it is possible. And as we put all our faith in our Savior, He can make those big hills that seem impossible, possible. I think it was an apostle that recently said, "Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible.'"

Entonces! Si la pequeña locomotora pudo hacerlo, aún más nosotros podemos hacer todas las cosas en Cristo. Sé que ésta es la obra del Señor. Soy un instrumento en Sus maravillosas manos, y estoy tan feliz a poder tener la oportunidad a estar aqui en Angamos. Amo a la misión y ser misionera. Sé que Cristo vive y que ésta es Su iglesia. Les quiero mucho y espero que tengan una semana maravillosa. Requérdate: Eres la pequeña locomotora que pudo. :)

Translation for the Espanol Impaired: (SO - If the little engine could do even more we can do all things in Christ. I know this is the Lord's work. I am an instrument in His wonderful hands, and I'm so happy to have the opportunity to be here in Angamos. I love the mission and being a missionary. I know that Christ lives and that this is His church. I love them and hope you have a wonderful week. Requérdate: You're the little engine that could. :) )

Con cariño,
Hermana Tuft
===========================
Hey Mom and Dad,

I put pictures on today! And I put lotsss on. I finished up the ones I had left from Calama, so there's a couple in there as well. Katty is the one that is in a plaid shirt in front of the church with us. She's got a little darker skin. I haven't heard anything from Hna Albornoz, so if I hear anything about her baptism I will let you know. :) It should be this weekend.... :)

I loved hearing about the week and that all started well with school and such. :) It's still so crazy to me that little Lindsay is in high school. Tell her I'd love to be scheduled in there somewhere to hear how all is going... :) I know that she's a busy woman, between dreaded chemistry (that actually was one of my favorite classes, but MOSTTT stressful, more than college I feel almost...) taking lots of pictures, and volleyball, I know she's a busy little girl. But tell her I love her and that I think about her lots. :)

I know that it's been such a long time, but just like you said Dad, you get excited to write me, I feel the same thing Monday mornings when I can print off your letters. Always brings a smile to my face and a spring to my little step. :) Hermana Arenas is from a split family. Her mom lives here in Iquique (I don't know how that one happened....) and her dad lives in Lima still. They both don't know how to use the computer very well, so they never write.... Her 2 brothers do every once and a while, but that would be very, very hard.

I love that song (He Sent His Son)! That is one of my favorite primary songs. :) Mom and Dad. I am stinkin scared, cause I seriously cannot speak English. I still write well (I think) cause I write in my journal in English, but when it comes to reading and speaking, we have problems. :) I have seen it in a couple things this week. One was when I read that primary song... I read it first in Spanish and then in English. The second was when I was reading my patriarchal blessing and I was translating it in my head. The third was when I was talking to an hermana that just got here with her husband from St. George. They're the Brunson's, and her husband is the boss of one of the mines here, so she just got back and I met her yesterday. I seriously couldn't hold a decent conversation.... Me está preoccupando. :) Nooo importa. :) Anyway, Hno Thomas asked us to see if there was a musical number that we could put together, so I might suggest that song... :) Thank you! :)

We were actually on exchanges for Hna Arenas' 9 month celebration, but I did a little card for her, but yes I believe we will have to have a pancake breakfast here soon.... :D Today, we borrowed a couple bikes and went on an oceanside bike ride, so that was fun. :) We are about 10 minutes walking distance from the ocean, and I love it lots. :) I do remember reading that book with you Dad. I would like to read it again, cause I don't remember it very well, but it's so true. I read a quote from President Benson today that said something like we will be surprised as to how much we know our Savior and Heavenly Father when we can return to see them again someday. The "Endure to the End" part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is sometimes the hardest part, but in the actual "end" it will be the most rewarding as well.

And I did some more studying of Alma 5 por fin. :D I wrote down all the questions that Alma asks in that chapter, and then went over and over them again and again... I decided to rewrite a few of them, that I would like to share:

Have I been born spiritually of God? Have I received His image in my countenance? Have I experienced a mighty change of heart? Do I exercise faith in the redemption of Christ? Do I look forward with an eye of faith to be judged according to my works? Can I imagine the voice of the Lord? Can I look at God in that great day with a pure heart and clean hands? Do I have God's image in my being? Do I have a place to sit with the holy prophets in the kingdom of God? Do I feel the desire to sing the song of redeeming love? Have I been sufficiently humble? Have my robes been washed and purified by the blood of Christ? Do I know that with a certainty? How?

As I reflected these questions in a more personal way, it made me think about the things I am doing well, and what I could do better... I can't wait to hear the voice of the Lord in the last day. I think that will be a wonderful and priceless moment. Meanwhile, I can try to do all that is possible to keep the promptings of the Holy Ghost close and follow in His footsteps. :)

And Mom, how has Jenn been doing?? I will have to write her here soon. :) Thanks for her email! Is she there at the MTC in Provo? Where is Matt Niu going again?? And I can't believe that Nate Oldroyd is HOME!! :) Justina was just saying that she started her last transfer last week and about gave me a little heart attack. Time. Flies. Hey, and if you see Ms. Meacham again PLEASE give her a big squeeze from me. :)

I tried my visa again today in a machine that said visa and it didn't work still.... I don't know what happened, but would it work to try my old card? I don't want to have to have a THIRD card in the mission. Fome. I'll mention something to President Dalton... I don't know Hna King, but I hear she's still in Arica...?

I loved your thoughts from education week! It is so true, because these people are so darn confused about what is the truth and what is not. If they understand the Bible, they would believe in the Book of Mormon, and if they believe that the Book of Mormon is true, as we know, there will be so many blessings unfolded to them. What an incredible blessing that is. I love bearing testimony of the Book of Mormon, and of my Savior, and of the living prophets, because it is something that people don't hear everyday, and I have the privelege of sharing it every single day. :D I know it is true. I can hardly write this without tearing up knowing all the blessings that have come understanding and knowing that it is all true.

I love you both so very much. :) Thank you for being my parents. :D Send everyone my love, and especially Grandma and Grandpa. I hope that they truly are doing alright and know that they are in every single prayer. :)

Love,
Kristen

A Week in Antofa.

Hello All! :D

It has been a GREAT week here in Angamos. I have loved literally every single second. :) I seriously am not used to living in a city, and Antofagasta is a CITY. It's huge and loud and noisy and fulllll of people and apartments and the OCEAN. But I love it. I love it lots. :) I have loved waking up each morning and looking out the window to watch the beautiful sea. :) Love it. :) We have climbed LOTS of stairs this past week, cause a huge part of our area is apartment buildings, and lots that don't have acensores, but it has been a great workout. :P

Something that made the week even BETTER is that we had a BAPTISM on Saturday!! :D Catalina is her name, and she met the missionaries a while ago. She lives with her aunt and family, and her cousin is on a mission in Argentina, but she was never baptized. She had told the missionaries for a LONG time that she wanted to go to church, but they never really paid much attention to her, cause she's 12 and didn't think she was too serious.... But she was. :) So three weeks ago in her interview, Hermana Arenas asked President about her situation and being 12, and living with her active aunt if she could be baptized, and he said yes, of COURSE, so she was baptized this past week, and I had the blessing of being here. :) The young women of the ward have been friendshipping her very, very well and she was so so SO excited to be baptized. (I'm going to try to upload pictures, but the computer's being strange.... Crossing the fingers!) ​

A little bit about Hermana Arenas! She is fantastic. :D I have loved being with her this past week, and truly look forward to our time together. She is from Lima, Peru (the East mission) and has lived there most of her life. The TRULY intriguing thing about Hna Arenas is that her mom actually lives in our mission... She put that on her mission papers and everything, and called President beforehand telling him that, but she came here anyway. :) Her mom lives in Iquique (near Arica) and her dad lives in Lima. She's the youngest of three and her family are converts. She was 8 when they all got baptized. :D She's 20 also, and she's coming up on nine months in the mission this week. :) We're going to celebrate. :)

Something truly interesting from the week, speaking about age, is that we were looking for old investigators from our area book, and came across an address that we wanted to check out. So we headed over there, and while we were waiting at the door, a cute little old man walked up the stairs. We started talking to him and he said, "What are two cute little girls like you doing here?" We started explaining, and he said, "You girls are young! How old are you? About 40?" Okay. I about died. He was a darling old man, but I am defffinnnniiitttttelllllllyyyyyy not 40 stinkin years old. We died laughing at that one, and are going to stop by again to see if we can meet his daughter that lives there with him. :) So, I hope that his vision is failing him, or else I am aging a looot faster than hoped. :P

I love the ward here! It's so great. It's HUGE, but great. :) The Bishop and his councilors are very supportive and we have been working lots with them. We also have been in touch with the Young Women's President and Relief Society too, so that has been great. Everrrryyoonne has references for us, so that has been a wonderful blessing! We're working on actually getting in contact with them... Most people here are working or studying (the university is in our area also) so their schedules are a little weird. But it's great to have so much support and help from the ward! Love it. :)

Yesterday in church, we were in Sunday School, and the teacher was talking about Proverbs and the subject of wisdom, and brotherly kindness. You all might have had the same (or will have) class....? I found in so interesting a comment made by the bishop. We were talking about gossip and how we can watch ourselves better to only speak good, and uplifting things. Bishop Gonzalez said, "Well, if no one wanted to buy bread, the bread stores would be closed. If nobody wants to listen to gossip, no one will speak it." That is so true, and I loved that comment. (I sure hope that my rough translation makes senseee.....) I realized that I do need to watch what comes out of my mouth more. And not just my mouth, but the negative thoughts that enter my head. If nobody wants to hear it, if we don't tolerate it, there will be nothing to be said. :)

I know that this church is true, and I love being a member of it. I love knowing that we can and will return to the presence of the Father, all we have to do is follow in the footsteps of his Son, Jesus Christ. :) I love my Savior and I love being His disciple.

Have a fantastic week!

Con mucho amor,
Hermana Tuft
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Hey Mom and Dad!

To answer/comment on your little bullet points Mom, my card works only when I can scan it in Lider or something... But it doesn't work to take money out in cash... So I don't know what to do when it comes to buying souvenirs, etc.... I still am trying to figure it all out.... :( It expires in the spring, so I don't know what's up, but I really do need to take cash out... :(  AND KATHERINE'S GETTING MARRIED!!! Send her my best. That is SO great. :D I'll bring some Milo back. It's good, but it's not that good. :) I heard from Hna Severtson and Hna Smith today, so that was fun. :) I told Hna Smith that you were looking for her, so she might just add me. Her name is Cassi Ann and she's from Rexburg. Love those 3, them and Hna Brewster. I can't believe they're actually GONE.

It truly was super duper hard to leave Calama. I felt like there was still so much to do, but the Lord has other things in store for me here, and the people that I love so much there. :) I think you're right, Dad. The harder it is, the more I feel like I worked and worried and prayed and tried to do what was right. It's when the people made the most difference on me. :) I'm not quite sure how many were elders and how many were hermanas, but there was only one latino, and the rest from "gringolandia" as they call the states. :P I also was surprised at what President said when he told me my transfer. He said that Hna Arenas, as a new sister training leader, needs a good example and someone to really show her what it means to be a sister training leader, so he gave me this assignment. I am sure that we will see lots of other reasons as to why the Lord sent me here as time goes on, but I was super duper worried to get here and find things in shambles.... But it's not. :) The old companion of Hna Arenas just wasn't the best example and kinda did things her own way, and it truly reminds me of the story that Grandma shared last week with us. She didn't really take into account what Hna Arenas had to say, so she just kinda followed.... But she has told me so many times this week that she feels so HAPPY and is grateful to be my companion. And I can say that I couldn't agree more. :)

We don't have Mamita of anything. :) So we're cooking and washing our clothes and we have a DRYING MACHINEEE! :D WAHOOOO!!!! It's about the third dryer I've seen here. From what it sounds like, Spencer will not be seeing one of those for a loooong time - poor kid. He will love every second though. :) I also just started my study of Alma 5 a couple days ago, so next week I'll share my thoughts and such. :) Also, Hermana Arenas laughed when I told her what you asked, Dad, about her musical talents. :) She said, "Tell you dad that I LOVE the piano and guitar, but I don't know how to play either one." :P I also loved the thoughts from President Fischer, and also Elders Bednar and Scott. We do try to do that while tracting, actually. :) We don't knock on doors very often, but when we do I think that would be great. We mostly just talk to people in the street, but I think it would be applicable in those types of situations as well. :) And we will ask the members and less actives this week about their conversions stories! Thank you for the ideas and thoughts. :) It is so true about it being a drip irrigation conversion. When it all comes on at once, and we learn learn learn, but don't internalize, that is when we aren't leaving room for wisdom to come in, which wisdom comes directly from God. Which also leads into Satan not being able to have ANY power over us. We have much more power over HIM. Which is an incredible thing. :)

I love you both so very much! I have to run, and didn't get the picture thing figured out. :( But I will send pictures of the baptism & Hna Arenas next week. :D I love you both so very much! Have a fantastic week! Send my love to Grandma and Grandpa!! Any luck with Aunt Karen's email, Dad?

All my love,
Hermana Tuft

Cambioooosssss.

Hello All!

Okay so let's just first say that I absolutely love the mission. And I love every single aspect of it. Some things a little bit more than others.... One of the things that I LOVE are transfers, but they always seem to come when least expected..... And cambios came!! So I'm here writing from Antofagasta, my new place of residence for the next few months. :) And I'm super excited! I am super duuuperrr sad to leave Calama, but I am excited to watch the miracles from afar...3 hours away to be exact. :)

It has been QUITE the adventurous week. We're actually just here in the bus terminal waiting for the bus of an hermana that's leaving, sooo things are a little bit shaken up in the boat but quickly to be back to normal again. :) I'm excited to get to know a new ward and a new sector with all the investigators and people that I will meet and help and in return learn from all of them. DID I SAY I JUST LOVE THE MISSION?! :D My new ward is called Angamos and it's the southern part of Antofa. My companion is Hna Arenas, and I just told her, "Well, I'm going to be writing my family about you and the only thing I know from the past 10 minutes is that you have 9 months in the mission and you're from Peru." So that's literally all I know. Details to comeee. :)

Okay starting from Monday. We spent the day with Hnas Smith and Wisrock for Hna Smith's last P Day! (We just dropped her off at the bus this morning in fact.) I'm sure going to miss that girl. And we got right to work. Tuesday we had our zone training and did intercambios/exchanges that afternoon. I loved Tuesday. It was a very spiritual filled day as we visited Yobannely, Jaqueline and family, and Yalile. Wednesday was similar, and I truly loved every second. One thing that we really have been focusing on as a companionship, and as a mission in general, is the Book of Mormon, and our investigators and less actives are really learning to love the Book of Mormon and are developing their own testimonies.

Tuesday evening, we got a call from Katty saying that she was headed out of Calama on Friday, cause she hadn't found work. And I just about died. We started praying like crazy. So we went on Thursday morning with the intention of saying goodbye (cause Thursday night we were headed to Tocopilla), and she said she wasn't sure if she was actually leaving.... So we did say our goodbyes JUST IN CASE, and headed out to a conference with President that evening. He was in town, and said he'd love to meet with us, so for the next couple hours we talked about gospel questions and it was such a neat experience!! I sure learned a lot, and it was great to be with him and Hermana Dalton for a bit.

We were all pretty anxious for transfers, and as we were getting ready to leave, President said, "Well, I do have a couple minutes before my meeting; would you like to know your transfers?" Ummm. YES PLEASE. So he had us come into a room as companionships and President himself gave us our transfers and explained a little bit as to why. So I'm pretty sure that doesn't happen very often and so that was cool. :)

And from there we were headed to Tocopilla, which was quite the visit. :) One thing super cool is that I met a returned missionary, Marcelo Zuñiga, that served with Tom in Concepción! So that was a verrrry small little world moment. (And from what Dad said he had sent the picture that we took... :P) I love Tocopilla, but seriously there are just some super funny things that happen every single time we're there. :) This time, Hna Fontenot and I were walking down the street, and a lady walked up behind us and was sniffling. Or we thought she was, and Hna Fontenot asked if she was alright. Well, we started talking to her, and her name was Gina, and she was a gypsy. And she was pretttty drunk. But she did talk to us for a bit, and we gave her an I'm a Mormon card, and she said she was going to go to church on Sunday. HOPEFULLY she did. :) Oh Gina. :)

The hermanas from Tocopilla ended up coming back to Calama with us and will be there for the week, but in the bus ride we had quite the "terror movie moment". But luckily in the end it wasn't anything. :) We were about an hour out of Calama and all of a sudden a BUNCH of people from the back of the bus started coming forward and a couple went downstairs, and two seconds later a Tur Bus guy came up, so Hna Albornoz and I turned around and sure enough. There was SMOKE coming out of the bathroom. And lots of it. So that was the first red flag. Then two seconds later the bus guy yelled, "CUIDADOOOO!" And superrr hot water flooded the bus, so we all scrambled down and there we were in the middle of the desert. :) Bueno, moral of the story is that Tur Bus is just fantastic and the bathroom pipes overheated and we had a good smelly ride back to Calama. :) Bahahaha oh la misión. :)

And then we got back to Calama and started working lots and it was a SUPER great Saturday, incluso. Katty accepted a baptismal date and is reading the Book of Mormon!!! :D She is getting baptized on August 29th. :D She was a super duper hard one to leave. We've known each other for just 3 weeks, but it has been a fantastic 3 weeks and I feel like I've known her my whole life.

So it has been such a crazy but awesome week. I am so excited for this next transfer. I know we will see so many miracles. I seriously cannot describe the joy I feel in knowing that I am a missionary and disciple of Jesus Christ. I know He lives and I am so very grateful to be His representative at this time in Chile. I'm not perfect, and I learn SOOO much every day. Something that I need to work on that I've noticed this week is listening and acting instantly on the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I do listen and act, but I'm sometimes a doubter and don't act in the exact moment of receiving the prompting. I read this quote from President Monson that I wanted to share. "The sweetest experience that I know in life is to feel a prompting and act upon it and later find out that it was the fulfillment of someone's prayer or need. And I always want the Lord to know that if He needs an errand run, Tom Monson will run that errand for Him."

It made me reflect a lot, and it was perfect with the story that Grandma shared (via Dad. THANK YOU GRANDMA!). We must always act according to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Of course we don't know better than He does, but lots of times we think we do, at least in the moment.

I love you all!! I hope you have a fantastic week! I hope Spencer's had a great first week in Honduras! Can't wait to hear all of your adventures, bud! I hope everything goes super great with Lindsay and that she's feeling better for her volleyball try-outs! I would love to see pictures from the baby blessing of little Milo yesterday. What a doll he is. :) Aaand I hope that Megan and Tom and little (bueno no tan chica ahora) Audrey are doing super great. I love you all lots. I hope you never ever forget that! :D

Love,
Hermana Tuft
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Hey Mom and Dad!

I love you both first off. Thank you for your love and support. :D As I was packing, I was looking at a few notes I have from you both from the MTC and I was reading through those thinking how much everything has changgeeedd. I don't feel like the scared little girl anymore from the MTC. And I like that feeling. I like feeling that the Lord has trusted me enough to help me grow, and you both are a little part of the help of that growth with all your love and support. :)

Okay so no, Hermana Albornoz goes home at the end of this transfer that's starting. :) She goes home with Hna Matias and Hna Rindlisbacher in September. :) There are 23 new missionaries that are arriving tomorrow, so we're seeing lotttsss of changes as we make room for the little army of missionaries to get here. :) One of the new hermanas will be here in Antofa, so we'll get to know her. :) Hermana Arenas and I are the sister training leaders here in Antofa and have a few more hermanas to look out for. But it should be great. :)

And also! Hahaha Mom, that bus accident wasn't the one where all those people died, etc. There were 2 that died, and I don't know about any injuries.... So anywho, just so that doesn't freak you out toooo much. :) And no, I haven't used the doggie stun gun.... There have been 2 times that I have wanted to, but the dogs freak out so fast that there isn't time anyway. But we're safe from harm and bite free. :P

Dad, I was also thinking about how AWESOME that would be to go back to Arica, in a different area, but to be able to see my first ward there in Zapahuira. :) The Lord needs me here in Antofa though, and I know we will see many miracles. It would have been AWESOME, but I guess Arica will just have to wait until I come back and visit....algun dia.... :)

We actually just barely received new instructions from the Twelve and the First Presidency that we will be teaching all 5 lessons before baptism, and then again after. And the missionaries will take the initiative with that, so that's an interesting but cool new change. :) Funny that you should ask JUSTO this week. :) I also was curious if you would be getting the chance to speak this coming Sunday... I'm glad that things went well, but it's a shame that you got things all ready and couldn't... For the next time.... :)

I loved your principle 6. I love rereading those, and applying them to the current circumstances. :) I think learning to accept God's will is one of the most important and powerful tools that we can develop in our lives. I also am going to study Alma 5 this week! I love that chapter, but I've never thought about writing down the questions... :) Thanks!

I'd better run! The bus will be here for the other hermana pretty soon. :) I love you so very much! Have a fantastic week and we shall we talking soon! :)

Love,
Kristen

P.S. Hey Mom, lots of people sent me requests on facebook this week....could you send me a list of who and I'll tell you who yes and who no for now....? THANKS!! :)