Amo mi Calama :)

Heellllooooo!

This week has been absolutellyyyy fantastic. I seriously can't explain my happiness. :) This week has been super great. And something that made it even BETTER is knowing that little baby Milo was born!! :D He's going to be a pretty tall dude. :)

Where to start. :) There are two experiences específicamente that I want to share. :) First of all, we did change chapels and they officially started the remodeling today. They've been unloading stuff at the church allll day long. I think it'll be more like 8 months of remodeling.... They said 3 to 8 months. But there's loottts of stuff. :) The other chapel is pretty far away, but we got there well yesterday, and didn't have AS many people as normal at church, but this chapel is a little bit smaller, and the sacrament room was full. So that's a good sign at least. :) Now just for the 30 members that didn't come....we'll be a pretty full house. :) Love it. :) We had LOTS of investigators that were going to go to church yesterday, but JUSTO we ran out of minutes on our cellphone on Saturday night.....so we couldn't call or pick all of them up.... But the miracle is that 2 people still went so we were pretty happy. Yesterday was a pretty stressful day, but we made it through alright and saw lots of miracles. :)

One of our new investigators from this week's name is Katty. She's from Ecuador and has been living here for a couple years. She works here and sends money home to her son, and wants to go back as soon as possible. Her son is 5 years old, so naturally she wants to be with him.... But the Lord knows our circumstances, and Katty has felt pretty lonely here in Chile. She doesn't have any family, etc, so when we stopped by looking for a less active member, she opened right up with a bunch of questions and we set things up to come back the next day and teach her the first lesson. When we got there, she had read the first pamphlet ENTERO and told us exactly what had happened, almost as if she was the missionary....it amazed us. We brought her a Book of Mormon, and invited her to church. She was pretty hesitant about accepting the Book of Mormon, but took it and said that she would read it and that she would go to church with us for all 3 hours. :) And she did. She left as soon as sacrament was over (we're finishing with Sacrament meeting now), but she gave us a hug as she left and started crying. We are very excited for Katty. :)

We also had an amazing experience with another family that we've been working with. I don't know if you remember me talking about Claudia, Pablo, and Claudio.....? I honestly can't remember if I've talked about them.... But! We had a great experience with them this week. They have been reading the Book of Mormon for this past month that we've been stopping by, and they love it. We found them in our Area Book from a couple elders that were here last year that got transfered and then no one ever stopped by again.... So we called them up, set up an appointment and have been stopping by ever since. We read with them this week 3 Nephi 11, when Christ comes and teaches the people about His doctrine. We invited them to be baptized, and lo and behold.... Pablo was baptized when he was 14!!! Missionaries have been stopping by for monttthsss. And he hasn't ever told anyone until this past week. Even Claudia was shocked. Anddd he recieved the Priesthood before he became inactive.... So we were pretty blown away with that lesson, but he shared his experience with us and said he knew that this church truly has the truth. He kinda had a Joseph Smith experience as a young boy, and went to lots of different churches and learned about all of them, but this church called his attention the most. SO. We are going to put a bit more focus in them so that Pablo can become active again, and possibly baptize his family..... :D Claudia said she still wasn't sure, but this week will be going with us to CAMILA'S BAPTISM (pleaseeeee keep that in your prayers, that all will go well for Camila's baptism this weekend....) and Pablo said yes. Sooo. We're pretty excited for their family. :D The Lord truly works in mysterious ways. AND what's more is that Claudio last night asked us about the picture at the beginning of the Book of Mormon with Nephi and his family in the boat, and so we explained it, and then Pablo chimed in and started explaining the Liahona and that it worked according to their faith and obedience, etc. DAH. Qué felicciddaaaaddddd. :D

So if I could sum up the week in one word it would be GENIAL. I love being a missionary and I love this work. I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ, and that it was restored by the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I love my Savior and His great sacrifice for me. I know that through Him, one day I will return with my family to live in the presence of my Heavenly Father.

I hope you all have a FANTASTIC week. :D

Con muchísmo amor,
Hermana Tuft
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Hello mis padres queridos! :)

I was SOOO happy to find out about little Milito. He's adorable. :D I can't wait to meet the little guy. :) I'm just looking through your emails as I go so I can answer and respond to everything, so here goes! :) Hna Albornoz's tooth is doing well. :) She hasn't said anything about it, and everytime I ask, she says it's good. :) She's had lots of health problems in the mission, so most of the time her stomach is bothering her, and she has been forbidden to eat with mamitas cause they give us lots of food. Luckily, our mamita Ely right now is SUPER great and doesn't get offended if we can't finish and cooks pretty healthily. Pero a pesar de eso....I've still gained lots of weight here in Calama. No. Importa. :P Things are going well with our ward council. We've become a lot more united and work a loooottt more together. We just changed relief society presidencies a couple weeks ago, and I couldn't be happier with the new president. :) So things are going well. :) Aaand I can honestly say that my health has been super good. Everrryoonnnee is sick right now with pretty bad colds, so we've been eating our fruits and veggies, saying our prayers, and keeping really bundled up so we don't get sick. A sore throat here and there, but overall great. :)

I loved hearing about Jenn's experience last year! I would love to write her, if it would be possible to get her email..... It's interesting because I feel like now at the endish I have so much time to write everyone.....so I don't know if that means my letters home are shorter or what....whoops. :) I hope Lindsay has a great time there in Arizona and doesn't get toooo burned. :) She went with Kaelyn Staheli right?? I'm also super glad that the fire there didn't get too bad.... That's a scary moment.... And Mom, I don't have sound on this computer, so hopefully I can change computers right before I get off and watch that video. I'm excited to see it. :) (I will post it for anyone else interested.)  http://history.lds.org/article/sister-missionaries-video?lang=eng

I'm really glad that you guys got to go up to Brigham City for Pioneer Day. I bet Grandma and Grandpa really enjoyed that. :) I thought that Grandpa wouldn't be able to be here before Spencer left, so to know that he is doing relatively well is fantastic. They are always in my prayers. If he's still with us in November....the first thing I want to do is go up to see him. :) I know that this is the Lord's timetable though, so I put all my trust in His hands.

Yep, to answer your question about loosing hair. We all lose hair here in the northern part of Chile. It's normal with the terrible water here, cause there's so many minerals and crappy stuff from the mines... Hna F. talked to me about it, and knows that it happens to everyone... :) It also gets super fried from the sun and the water, hence my hair has changed colors..... But we use lots of moisturizers for hair and I wash my face with the little towelettes that you sent me. :)

Thanks for all your support. I love learning from all your weekly experiences and thoughts that you share. :) Always gives me a great big smile. :D Also, thank you so very much for keeping our investigators in your prayers always. We can't pray enough for them. :)

Until next week! :D

Loveee,
Kristen

Sacrifice Brings Forth the Blessings of Heaven.

Hello Family and Friends! :)

It's been a great week. :)  I seriously love life and I love the mission. :)  I wish I could share everything that we have learned and experienced this week, but it's just not possibleee.  But here goes. :)

We got back from Tocopilla on Monday night and had intercambios on Tuesday with Hermana Smith and Hermana Wisrock.  We had a great time in intercambios and I learned a lot.  Hermana Smith and I made pumpkin cookies (unfortunately without the chocolate chips....) and shared them with our companions.  Hopefully next time they'll work out a little bit better to share with others... :P  On Wednesday, we had a great lesson with Amalia from 2 Nephi 31 about baptism and the Holy Ghost.  She is progressing great!  She has had a fear about going to church... She says that she'll go, up until Sunday morning when we call, and then she ends up not coming with the Valencia's for reasons fomes.... But keep her in your prayers and she'll get there next week. :)  We also had a great family night with the Valencia's about eternal families and talked about "The Family - A Proclamation to the World."  Thursday was great and not so great, but it turned out well and we learned loads.  It truly is incredible the power of a simple testimony. 

On Friday, we had interviews with President and got ready for the activity that evening. Everything was ready to go at about 5:30, and the members started to show up at about 6:15 (it was supposed to start at 6... :P) and a few things changed and we ended up starting at almost 7, BUT it was fantastic and we saw lots of miracles along the way. :)  The biggest miracle that we saw was with Denice and her family.  We called them to make sure they were coming, and she said a friend had just had a son pass away, so they were headed to his viewing to help and support.  But she said that she and her husband, Andres, would be able to drop the kids off and pick them up afterwards.  So they dropped them off, and ANDRES GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO SHAKE OUR HANDS AND THANK US.  He hardly ever talks to us.... So that kinda took us aback, and then as we were ending, he came to pick up the kids, and ASKED US to come over any night this week after nine at night when they were all home so we could visit them.  WAHHOOOOOO!!!! :D  So we will definitely stop by this week, hopefully tomorrow, and visit their whoollleee family.  Together.  Truly, we were so grateful and amazed. :)

Saturday was also great.  Things worked out in a way that Camila is not getting baptized at least for a couple more weeks.  :(  The elder's are working with them, but it's hard because they can't visit them unless it's with another member... So it's been a struggle, but she is still just as excited and we are praying that everything will work out alright... Yobannely's been sick this week, so we haven't been able to visit her, but we did see her in the street and she said that after we left, she and her dad, Ivan, kept talking about what we had said, and she said he wants to apologize for being so "pesado".  So hopefully that goes well, and that as you said, Dad, that he will have the desires to read the Book of Mormon and know more.... :) She said her pareja, Carlos also was interested.  So good things to come. :)

Yesterday was our last week in our chapel.  I don't know if I mentioned this, but we won't be in Central Norte for about 8 months because they're going to do some serious remodeling... So we're headed to a chapel that's in the centro casi, and it's a couple miles away... So yesterday Obispo Aguilar talked about sacrifice, and mentioned the movie we watched on Friday, 17 Miracles, about the sacrifice of the pioneers.  We don't really celebrate Pioneer Day down here, but we sure have been remembering a lot about the pioneers and the sacrifices that they did so that we could be here today, and for the sacrifices that they made for the cause of Christ.  They knew it was true, and knew that sacrifices truly would bring forth the blessings of Heaven, and that is still true today.  According to our faith, we will and do see miracles every day, in different ways that the pioneers saw them perhaps, but they are there. So we are excited to see the sacrifices of our little Central Norte and the blessings and miracles that we will see.  I love Calama. :)

I know this church is true and that Jesus Christ lives!  Wishing everyone a fantastic week. :)

Love,

Hermana Tuft

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Hey Mom and Dad!

I hope that I answered everything almost... :)  We were so sad about Camila.  All in the Lord's time.  :) Please keep her in your prayers.  Okay.  With Jaqueline... :P  She is not married, nor baptized, but when they lived in Santiago, she would go with her kids and with the ward and wait outside.  She wanted to go to the temple so that her kids could go in, and was saying that she finds such peace in just sitting outside waiting.  That's the story. :P  But yes, the plan was to be married at the end of the year.  She and her husband aren't doing so well..... I mean, I guess he's not even her husband, but they've lived together for 15 or more years.  Anywho. Keep her in your prayers too as well please.  :)

I loved hearing about the week and that all is well there. :)  Lindsay and Grandma and Grandpa are in my prayers.  I hope that all will work out well with Grandpa being in the care center... Things will always work out. :)  I need to write them a quick little note....

I also wanted to mention that YES I do get pictures and I love them. :)  I just don't always remember to respond... :)  Poor little Todd Staheli!! That picture made me hurt for the little guy.....  And the bathroom looks great, Floppy too, and little Audrey of course.  She's so bigggg.  And yes, I loved the picture of Ash!  She looks so different!!  Do I look lots different to you guys....?  Be honest por favor. :)

OH!  And Sharing Time went relatively well. :)  I was kinda crowd control while Hna Albornoz taught, and then we helped them sing, "Let the Holy Spirit Guide".  It turned out well. :)  I cannot image having 50 kids, Mom.  We had 10, and I was stressing out... :P  It turned out well. :)  

I loved the thoughts that you send, Dad.  I enjoyed the sunrise. :)  I also have been thinking a lot about the thought from Elder Scott, how as we make goals of things we have never done before, we must act accordingly and do things we have never done before.  We talked about that as a mission a couple months ago with Peter walking to Christ on water.  We talked about how most of the time we talk about Peter having such little faith, but at least he got out of the boat.  The other apostles just stayed there watching.  Not to undermine the other apostles, but we have talked a lot about Peter and how we must get out of the boat and let the power of the Atonement be the difference.  By staying inside, we don't give room for the Atonement to make miracles happen.  So we're working on jumping out of the boat. :)  An elder said something that I loved.  He said, "God wants us to live in the water."  Not falling in the water per sé, but rather if we get out and start to fall, that we can pick ourselves up again by grabbing the hand of the Lord that is always outstretched.  :)  

I love you lots.  I hope you are all doing so well and that you have a GREAT Pioneer Day this week.  Thanks for all the stories and the news and the pick-me-ups. :)  I love being a missionary. :D

Lots of love,

Kristen

Tan Bakan la Mision. (From Tocapilla)

I love that these three are together! Hnas Rindlisbacher, Severtson and Tuft.

Miss Domesticate!

Hermanas Tuft, Zollinger, and Albornoz 

Hna Kristen Tuft happy to be near the Tocopilla coast again.

Hello there from Tocopilla!

It has been a fantasticcc week. We're here in Tocopilla for the second time this week because Hermana Albornoz has to do some visa stuff, so here we are againnn. :) We came on Thursday night, we're here for Friday and Saturday until noon. Then we worked for the night and yesterday in Calama, and came back this morning at 7 am. So we're just little wandering missionary travelers here. :P

This week truly has been great. We've seen lots of miracles and I have felt so very loved by the Lord. It is incredible to be a missionary. I love it. :) We got to meet Jazmin's two sisters this week and her niece! They are on vacation this week, so in 2 weeks they will have to go back. We still haven't been able to find Antonio, or the kids, so please keep them in your prayers, and we'll keep working on them. :) Camila is getting baptized THIS Saturday and we are STOKED. So exciting. :D We also have two baptismal dates for August with an investigator named Amalia and the other Yalile. Amalia is the friend of a convert and she is so great. She and her husband have to get married (so I guess that wouldn't make him her husband quite yet.... :P) but we're trying to work with him and she truly has desires to get baptized. And Yalile is the grandma of a little girl that a ward family brings to church almost every week named Joan. She is working on quitting smoking, so we're working lots with them these days. :)

Yesterday we did our visits with Bishop's wife, Hermana Carolina. We stopped by to visit Jaqueline and family, and they still are on board for the end of the year with getting married and baptized, AND Jaqueline has to go to Santiago soon, and she told us, "The first thing I'm doing as I get off the plane is taking a taxi to the temple. I haven't been in two years! I feel like a little bee of the Lord, because I sit and take care of His gardens and think, while my kids go and work in His house. One day I'll be in there helping Him, too! But at least for now I get to be a bee." :) We were laughing and love that she has that goal already. :)

We also had a moment this week with an inactive lady named Yobannely. She lives with her pareja, her daughter, Paz, and and her parents. She, her mom, and sister were baptized when she was 11, and now is 24 and doesn't remember ANYTHING, except the day of her baptism. :) Her mom and sister don't want ANYTHING to do with the church, but Yobannely does. She wants to know why it was so important for her mom that she almost forced she and her sister to be baptized as well. When we have gone in the past, her family walks in and out while we're teaching, but never really stop... Her pareja this week, walked outside, was out there for a couple minutes, and we were talking about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, and he hurriedly walked back in, sat on the couch next to Yobannely, took the bible that Yobannely had in her hands, and then looked at us... I thought he was going to start yelling or something crazy, but he just sat there like, "Okay, teach me." It really suprised me. He started asking questions, and wouldn't commit to anything, but it did spark his interest. Her dad then walked in the room, and yes, I did think for sure he would start gritando cosas feas, but he didn't. He did ask a MILLION questions, and they all were things that were meant to make us mad and confuse us, but we kept the Spirit in the meeting, and I finally just took the Book of Mormon in my hand, held it out, and said, "Ivan, if you want to know all the answers to all your questions, will you read this book, and then we can talk again?" He said no, but then after that....he didn't ask anymore questions... :)

I know that this church is true. I am so incredibly grateful to be a missionary. Tan bakan es la misión. :D

Lots of love,
Hermana Tuft
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Hey Madre y Padre!

I love you both lots. :) Thank you for sending those stories! I loved reading them. Keep them coming as much as you both feel, because I feel like learning about my ancestors truly helps strengthen me, and it helps as we share and talk about it as a companionship. I love it. We are really excited for this weekend! We're starting it out with our ward mission activity on Friday, a big youth mutual thing on Saturday, Camila's baptism, and a Relief Society activity that night, and thennn (this part makes me super nervous, but it will be fun, and I wish I could just transport you here super fast Mom because...) on Sunday, the Primary President asked Hna Albornoz and I to do sharing time. AHHHH! I'm only 20. But things will work out. :) We truly have seen so many miracles as we have started to work even more closely with the ward council and the members. It has changed the whole ambiente of the ward. Love. It. :D Thanks for the help and encouragement and all the ideas. :)

Okay, questions and answers. :) I did write down the full name and dates of Jazmin already. That's what President suggested that we do and in a year we can split up the temple work. So. Next year on the 4th (or 5th) of July, I will be in the temple. :) We will still talk with Antonio about it, but it isn't necessary to have their permission. It is great, but not necessary. But who knows. That might be what makes him really think and accept the gospel. :)

As for the pictures, that rock was a copper rock before they take the copper out, and that was from Hna Albornoz's pictures. :P So it was on a dead cactus and then I guess on the ground...? Not 100% sure. :P The other people are Hna Bethany Cluff (that just got back from her mission, from Arizona), Hna Taylor Fontenot, and Hna Johanna Castillo. The Hnas here in Tocopilla. :) We were in a Bishop's house, from the other hnas in Calama's  for the Chile world cup game. :? I have been blessed with greeeaaatt companions. Hna Rindlisbacher and I laughed and said, "Well, I guess we already have a lunch date set up for when we get home!" :P Hna Howell goes home this transfer with Hna Severtson. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT CHRIS IS GETTING MARRIED. AND...I am SOOO glad you shared that on Facebook about the temples. That's awesome and makes me super happy. :? I don't know Cristina Bugueño, but I'll keep my eyes open...  Also, I had a straanngee dream on Friday waking up that the little Tuft baby was born, so I was super excited today to open my email to see a cute little picture of the little baby, but it wasn't there. I will just wait patiently then. :?

Dad, hahaha I told Hna Albornoz it would've just been easier for you to come here and do it really fast, but that one didn't work out... :P It was a native doctor that did it, and can I just say that I am SOOO glad that he wasn't working in my mouth. Cause he didn't even have an assistant. Nor lots of the things that I was used to working with or seeing... :P But he is the mission doctor, so that was good at least. :? I had to laugh at the "grown up Lindsay going to girl's camp comment" :P Seems that I was just about the same nervous wise every year and was packed a week in advance. And that yes, everyone came to me when they needed something. In fact....it seems just about the same here on the mission. :P I found lots of comfort in the story you shared about President Harker. I do recall hearing that. Antonio is in our prayers. I have been working on my goals, and thinking even more about them. Satan really tries to get me down sometimes with thinking that they're not possible, but this is the Lord's work, not his, so there's that. :? I know who's side I'm on. :? I haven't thought too much about your comment about the native languages, to be honest, this past week, but it will be interesting to see where my last two transfers take me. There are LOTS of little pueblitos al interior more towards the Andes, so that would be interesting if we opened up the work out there. I would be SHOCKKEEEDD. But who knows? :P And in those little towns there are lots of Native Americans and such. Hermana Millaquipai, de hecho, is from one of those tribes. Although she never lived there. Her dad left the tribe when he was 19. Kinda interesting.

I love you both lots! I had better get running. :? We are headed to the beach with the hermanas to drink mate before we head back to Calama. :? ¿P.S. Thanks for sending a little bit of that warm weather our way. Last night, I got HOT while we were sleeping. That was strange. It's been pretty warm this week. :P?

I hope you both have FANTASTIC weeeks!!! :D Lotsss and lots of love,
Kristen

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
=====================
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
===========================
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