Weekly Letter

HEy EVeryBody!! :-D HOwzit going!?!?
HEy Guys how`re things? California looked like a lot of fun :-D Sophie seems ro be getting bigger every time I see her :-D Grace seems to be always getting taller :-D
Something cool, so we`re doing contacts the other day you know, declaring the gospel, and we get a call from the asistants. Nobody likes calls from the asistants :-D So Elder Lundgren takes the phone, talks for a sec says they want to talk ro me, Im like great, take the phone and Elder Rubilar says ``Hey Elder McConnell, you`ve been chosen as one of the new trainers, congratulations``. I`m like `` . . .Are you serious?``. My new comp flies in tomorrow and Im going to be a father in the mission :-D I`m freaking out :-P :-D Dad, Mom I can`t remember asking but did you guys train? I`m worried because any flaw that I have this kid is going to be like `` So that`s how its done`` and he might go on for his entire mission like that :-P I`m not that worried actually :-D We are going to work really hard :-D I was reading my journal today when I got into CHile and its so funny to think that this Elder is going to be the same story :-D Crazy stuff :-D Thanks for your prayers, We`ll be needed them :-D
Elder Lundgren is doing good, sorry for not saying anything earlier DAd, we were looking at our numbers for the entire cambio and we were off by 6 lessons to have completed with the goal :-D This cambio has to be the hardest(in terms of work) cambio that I have ever worked :-D Elder Lundgren and I never fought or anything, we just had different ideas how to do stuff. But honestly he has to be one of my favorite comps so far :-) It`s been really fun.
Things here in Cañet are going good :-) We had 5 at church yesterday AND it was raining :-D Members don`t go to church when it rains :-D ME and Lundgren are the coolest :-D It was a good week :-) Carla and Claudio didn`t go to church yesterday so we have to move their date a little but they are doing fine. In fact Graciela the mother has been reading and shes soaking up everything :-D She explained to US Lehi`s dream the other day :-D Thats a golden investgator :-D the only problem she has is that she can`t go to church for work. If you guys couald pray for a job that gives Graciela a more flexible schedule that`d be awesome.
We also put a baptismal date for Laura diego and jenny for the 30th. We just have to go over the baptismal questions and they`ll be fine. The missionaies have been passing by their house since last september. The only big problem is that Laura has a little bit of a drinking problem :-P Nothing serious, she doesn`t do anything bad when she drinks, but she does have a little bit of an addiction. She knows she needs to quit and she knows that we want to help( the other day we bought Coca Cola so that she wouldn`t drink watching a major futbol game :-D) She just needs a little help. If you could pray for them so that they can be ready for the 30th, that`d be great :-) Especially for Laura.
Thats it for me :-) Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace Sophie, thanks for being my family and NOT crazy. There are so many people here who are so unhappy because of famiily members and its kind of depressing to see all that. Thanks. I love you all and Be HAppY !! :-D
SIncerely
ELder Jamie McConnell

HEYO :-D Howzit going?! :-D
Hey Everybody, how`re things? I`m kind of confused, where is Sam and what is his job? I know he`s somewhere but where and doing what, I`m not entirely sure As well it`s cool to know that the adoption is moving along quickly
Things are going good here in Cañete :-) By the way Carla and Claudio were able to go to church yesterday so everything is going great for their baptismal date :-D Graciela wasn`t able to go for work but she`s the one who`s most excited about getting baptized :-D Honestly Carla`s just a present :-) She basically knows everything that she needs to know now and already wants to get baptized :-D It`s crazy what happens in the mission, the people you meet, the things they are willing to do :-D Hopefully we won`t have any complications
I am doing good Things are going good ) Things are going wonderful Things were hard this week but for some reason I feel great You guys remember that discovery channel comercial? ``The world is just awesome`` I think that`s how it went I can`t remember. :-D I don`t know anything about the life outside But I am Good Its awesome that Jami is heading out :-D That was fast. I`m going to have two new hermanos when I get home. I still have the four I had before I can speak Spanish. There are some people who are actually progressing in our investgator pool :-D I wrote letters today. Small things :-D
I forgot to mention our new Mission president I think :-P His name is Osvaldo Martinez and he`s a really cool guy :-D He`s 36 and he has 3 kids at home still :-D He said that he was really honored to be our mission president and that he can`t wait to get to work :-) Something cool he said. He was able to meet HIS mission president at the MTC while he was in Provo, Elder Ziwic of the Seventy and he was also able to meet the Mission president of HIS mission president, Elder Richard G Scott of the Quorum of the You already know. Pres Martinez said that he was talking with Elder Scott and Elder Scott said that him and Elder Ziwic were going to be stopping by our mission some time :-D I hope soon :-D
Something cool. I recently finished reading about Zeezrom in the Book of Mormon. I love how his story ends. Zeezrom thought he had sent Alma and Amulek to their deaths and because of his conscience got very ill. Then the very person who comes to see him at Zeezroms plea is Alma, son of Alma :-D The same person who had suffered the same thing that Zeezrom was suffering. I love how after everything that Alma had suffered becuase of Zeezrom, he still went and HEALED him. :-D How often do we do that? Wonderful story :-D
Thats it for me :-) I wrote letters today so those will be on their way :-D Until the next Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace and Sophie, I love you all and Be Happy!!
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell

HEY EveryBody!! :-D Howzit Going?!?!
Hey Guys :-) How`re things? :-) Hopefully the best :-D Those ``stencils`` are really cool Sam :-D I liked the picture of Sophie
So things here in Cañete are going good :-) We`re working hard, being tired, its fun :-D We finding new people as well :-) its generally all good :-D We are having problems with people and their commitments but besides that there`s not a lot to complain about :-)
Cool story so me and another Elder, Elder Castillo, are on intercambios ``exchanges`` and we go and visit a lady who`ve we`ve taught before. She begins the conversation with ``I know that I need to get baptized but the big question is which church`` and we`re like `` . . . Um Teacher pick me I know the answer`` :-D So we go and teach the restoration to this little family and when we get to the first vision we had them close their eyes and think about how they felt when they listened to the first vision. When we finished it got very quiet and then we asked if Graciela, the lady, she believed that Joseph Smith had a vision. Through tears she said yes. :-) Very cool. Yesterday we met her daughter who has also been talking to missionaries for forever and she hadn`t wanted to be baptized because she didn`t want to be the only member in her family but now that her mom and nephew are with her too she took that as a sign that she should get baptized Very cool :-) We have baptismal dates for them the 30th and they need to go to church the next three weeks to reach that goal so PRAY FOR US THEM. Graciela needs to find a job to replace the one she has on sunday to be able to go to church so please pray for that. Their names are Graciela, Karla and Claudio Jara. :-D
Thats it for me :-P We got to get out of here :-P Until the next Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace and Sophie, I love you all and Be HAppY!!
SIncerely
Elder McConnell

Weekly Letter

HEY EVERYBODY!! :-D HOWZIT GOING?!?! :-D
So what happened was is that we had Pres Swenson`s farewell conference yesterday with the entire mission so pday was moved to today but next week pday will be monday again (and the Fourth of July GOD BLESS AMERICA!!). The pictures are cool Sam :-D I miss warm . . . My June and July are like your December and January. COLD. I`d be alright with the cold but its also WET. No one wins :-P :-D
The pictures of the Caldecott Awards were really cool :-D I`m surprised I even remembered what that meant :-D Hopefully you guys had a lot of fun :-)
So things here in Cañete ae going alright. I say that because we are working hard and being tired which is really fun at the end of the day but our investigators aer having problems with keeping commitments :-P As well a lot of our investigators need to get married (some need to get divorced and THEN married). Its complicated. The process of getting the papers together to get divorced and married is difficult and as well people don`t tend to make things easier . . . especially ex husbands and wives. That was my complaining for the week :-) the rest is good :-D
So Pres and Sis Swenson are heading off home either today or tomorrow :-P We were all able to say goodbye yesterday to our mission mom and dad. it was a really fun day :-) Sis Swenson talked to us about how we know that there is a plan of salvation but that there is also a personal plan of salvation for each and every one of us. She said that the patriarchal blessing is a glimpse of that plan as well as blessings we receive in life and whether or not we follow their counsels. Crazy stuff. :-) It was really cool to think about.
Something really really cool that I didn`t realize the repercussions until yesterday. Elder Valdivia introduced me to a little 14 maybe 15 year old girl and asked if I remembered her. I said no. Her name was Ingrid and Elder Valdivia explained to me who she was. Months ago it would have had to have been in October, Me and Elder Valdivia were ``attacked by a group of kids yelling at us stuff in english ``I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU`` the cellphone of that sector Camilo still has that video of them swarming me. anyways, days later a girl, Nicole, and her friend, Igrid who we hadn`t met before, came strolling up to us and we started chatting. We got to talking and I though it`d be cool to give them a book of mormon and Elder Valdivia was like yeah :-D Its funny because at the time Ingrid was hiding from her parents who exactly then as well passed by in their car. After that we never saw them again and me and Elder valdivia were transfered. About two months ago Ingrid, her mom Ingrid, sister Rossio, brother Branco and one other Family member who I didn`t meet yesterday were baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. Ingrids friend Nicole wasn`t really interested in the Book of mormon so she gave it to Ingrid who read it. Eventually Nicole told the missionaries there that Ingrid wanted them to come over and the rest is history. Until yesterday I hadn`t given it a second thought but then I suddenly remembered vividly two girls and giving them the Book of Mormon. She still remembered me even after all this time. It was really really cool. Its been more than 8 months since Camilo. Elder Bednar gave a talk once on Tender Mercies of the Lord and that my wonderful friends is one of them. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass and by small and simple things does god bring about the salvation of many souls. True as it can be.
Thats it for me. Dad I forgot to take the foto but I`ll see if I can send it off today. Until the next guys, Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace and Sophie, I love you all and Be HaPpy! :-D
SIncerely
Elder McConnell

Hey Everybpdy!! :-D HowZit GOING?!?! :-D
Hey Guys, how`re things?. hopefully the best :-D So like, When I get back I`m going to have two new siblings then? Or is it going to take more time than May? Regardless, I think that that is really cool :-D I`m worried that they may have some problems with the language but besides that, nope :-) Have you guys decided names yet? :-D
Things are going good here in Cañete :-) WE ARE WORKING A TON!! :-D Its fun :-) And wet :-P Darn winter :-P I guess you guys are having a wet summer up there. We`re all getting wet :-D By the way Dad, I don`t know my width size :-P I assume like your tennis shoes size but thats just guessing :-P AS well Mom, I ran out of the Wellness tablets today :-D I think that they help me stay pretty active so if you could send more.
Right up to Saturday, this week was really not fun :-P We were trying to get people to church, to read, TO LISTEN, and as well our lessons weren`t going very well :-P I just didn`t feel like I was reaching the people and helping THEM with what we were teaching. As well, I just didn`t feel as concerned for other people`s problems as much as I thought I should. It was really weird :-P It was just hard. So Friday night I got down and prayed, I`ve learned that you cannot just ask for things to be fixed, you need to be willing to put in your part, so I prayed for something that I could do to fix things. Then bed. I don`t know, the next day, I felt more sympathetic to people, I was able to teach to needs and not for numbers. It changed all of the lessons that day :-D As well we had 5 investigators at church yesterday which was really cool and we were able to challenge a lot of people to get baptized. This next week is going to be great :-D
Elder Holland gave a talk in the MTC January and somebody was able to bring it into the mission and it is really cool. I hope Sam that when you`re in the MTC that Elder Holland comes because he`s just a different person in the MTC and has even more of an impact with his words :-D anyways theres a part where he talks about Jesus talking to Peter after the resurrection, and Jesus is asking Peter if he REALLY loves him. Peter answers yes and Jesus asks again two more times and Peter answers uncomfortably two more times ``Lord thou knowest that I love thee`` to which Jesus responds ``Then FEED MY SHEEP.`` Elder Holland talking ``Leave your nets, leave your fish, gettison your boats and FEED MY SHEEP. I`ve asked you before to come follow me and I won`t ask again. When I said come follow me, IT WAS FOREVER.`` and then Elder Holland says ``And THERE was when Peter strove into eternity. Within days the power and authority of this man were so known throughout the land that the people brought their sick into the streets just so the SHADOW of Peter might pass by and heal them, so great was the faith of this man``. To be anything great in this life we need to REALLY love Jesus Christ. That is the great motivator of all things. My branch president in the MTC said `` so love is the great law of everything``, and he was right :-) Sing ho for Christlike love.
Thats it for me Guys :-) If there`s a counsel for names let me know. Until the next Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace and Sophie, I love you all and Be HappY!!
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell

Weekly Letter

HEY EVERYBODDY. . . the keyboard doesnt let me put exclamation marks :-P, or parenthesis. . . HOWZIT GOING.?.?
Hey guys, how`re things? I hope for the best IT was cool to see that picture of the girls at Salt Lake :-D I feel bad that I didn`t go to the temple more before the mission When you can GO. It was cool to see Grace with her ballet outfit :-D You looked very pretty Pookie :-D Thanks for Tyler`s Email too :-D It`s good to know that he`s doing alright :-D
So things here in Cañete are going good WE WORKED A TON : : : exclamation marks. For the first week of transfers there is usually a goal of 200 contacts instead of 140 but this week it the goal was getting into 25 houses :-D ITS HARD¡¡¡¡ we got into 19 only¡¡¡ :-D I felt like I was trying to invade¡ :-D It was a lot of fun :-D It was kind of sad yesterday because we had no investigators at the the chapel, which is a house because the actual chapel is under construction. So that was a bummer, but the only reason that we don`t have investigators is cuz before I arrived they were all baptized So everything is good :-D
Elder Dallin Lundgren is from Washington, state, and he`s been out since last october. He likes to work hard and he`s a cool dude. He kind of likes to blast people if they want to get baptized which is great but we do need to get to know the people a little better than hello how`re you? Will you get baptized? We talked about it, and We`re going to both try to get to know the people better :-D
Good news¡¡¡ William MAria Jose and Isis got batptized and confirmed saturday and sunday :-D HOW cool is THat??¡¡ :-D They put all the pictures on my facebook page so if you guys want to look at those, go for it :-D Next sunday William is going to get the Priesthood :-D So so cool Its amazing to see how people decide to change their lives and for the better :-D It`s also cool to help them out a little bit :-D
A little thought, the mission`s hard :-P :-D It is, you have to do a ton of work, you have to convince people to listen to you and then you need to somehow get them to understand the gospel, and sometimes in another language :-P IT IS COMPLICATED :-P BUT I suppose thats when faith comes in, and a desire to learn and study to make your message more applicable to people and as well the sympathy that helps people to trust you enough to let friendship grow. It`s hard, but worth it
Another thought, I was bombarded with Crazy Doctrine these last couple of days, things that may be true and are probably true but aren`t necessary for salvation to know. I found comfort in knowing that even though I couldn`t understand everything that the gospel implies, I know enough and with that I can grow. As well, everyone has the ability to take questions up to the man upstairs if they really need the answers
Some things. I need new boots :-P The ones I have don`t keep out water anymore :-P As well, socks :-D Socks rule :-D By the way I`m in a house with 4 Me Elder Lundgren and two other Elders, Elders Brandt from California and Elder WIlde who was with me when I started the mission way back in September :-D So if you send snacks, send to share :-D As well DAd, I don`t have a line of Authority and it`d be good to have one. Thats it for begging :-D
Well guys thats it for me. Oh Sam, its good you got home safe :-D and its cool you had fun. Maybe you`ll head off to hawaii for the mish :-D Until the next, Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace and Sophie, I love you all and BE HappY¡¡¡
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell

Weekly Letter and Pictures

HEY EVERYBODY!! :-D HOWZIT GOING?!?!?

Hey guys how`re things? :-D Sounds like everything is going good :-D Nobody told me Sam went to Hawaii I wanted to go Something funny, people here think that everything is all close by or something because whenever they ask about the hawaii photos they`re like ``Oh of course because everybody lives close to Hawaii`` . . . Nope :-) I`m glad that the temple arrived. I was kind of worried that it wasn`t going to make it Happy Day :-D
Things are going good here in Gorbea Which is sad cuz I`m leaving!! I`m going to Cañete (The weird n sounds like nyah, Mom can explain it better I`m FINALLY getting a gringo comp :-D His name is Elder Lundgren I know nothing about him I`m sure that he`s going to be a cool guy He got into Chile in January so he`s got about 7 months more or less I think Hopefully I`ll be ok, this is my first comp who has less time than me and may not know spanish Ah well Adventure and courage and whatever :-D Honestly, I`m really glad to get this chance to lead. I hate it when my comps just like to hang out in the houses of people and just watch TV :-P I also hate the ``Iknowbetterthanyou`` attitude that comes from people with ``experiance``. :-P This is going to be something really good I think A challenge for sure but at the same time a blessing PRAY FOR ME :-D I`ll be fine for sure HAppy News :-D William and Maria got HITCHED today :-D Count it!! I got to do it and everything :-D . . . well maybe I didn`t DO it, but I was there :-) It was really cool In my next pack of letters to you guys I`ll send the pictures Saturday they get baptized William, Maria, and Isis Its so crazy how time flies I wish you guys could have seen how they`ve changed over just 10 weeks. Thats something that helps you know that someone is really taking and putting the gospel of Jesus Christ in their life. They slowly begin to change in character, appearance, even in presence. Theres a quote by Joseph Smith, somebody asked him how the mormon population behaved and acted so well and he replied ``I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves``. You cannot make someone do something that he or she doesn`t want to do but you can yet that person know what he or she should do and then hope for the best :-D William Maria and Isis have grown so much :-) It really is a blessing to see someone`s life be changed :-)
Thats it for me this week :-P Sorry for the length :-P I had someother things to do with the computer as well today :-P Next time will be better
Until the next, Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace and Sophie, I love you all a ton and Be HappY !!!
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell

Weekly Letter

Everyone:

Many of you might get confused about Danie and what Jamie is talking about. We had Danie live with us since the first of the year as a nanny to help with the younger girls. Anyway, she became interested in learning about the church. Through her reading scriptures with us as a family and the love of the missionaries at Temple Square, she made the decision to be baptized. She was leaving on Sunday morning for new new assignment in New Jersey and decided to be baptized Thursday night! So, the elders interviewed her and we got it done Saturday night. We are sad to see her go as a family as she has become close as a daughter to Barb and me but excited for her new adventure back east. To give you an example of how the Spirit works, her new bishop in the area she moved to speaks Mandarin! So we are comfoted with that. Anyway here's Jamies Letter:



HEY EVERYBODY!!! :-D HOWZIT GOING?!?! :-D
That is AWESOME that Danie got baptized!! :-D I apologize for the lack of faith, but I didn`t know if Danie was going to come through because one I still have yet to meet her and two I`m surrounded by people everyday that say ``Yeah come over later`` or ``yeah I`ll read tonight`` or ``yeah sure maybe i`ll get baptized on saturday`` :-P Thats wonderful that Danie wanted to do that. It`s like you said Dad, ``When she got here, she didn`t know who Moses was`` :-D I remember something Mom told me way back when, apparently when Danie read the story she said ``You guys really believe all that?`` ``. . . Yes`` :-D I suppose when you think about everything the Bible and Book of Mormon have, there are a couple incredible stories :-D I am really happy that Danie feels that this is all true :-) THAT is something that is really amazing, a testimony. I feel bad that I haven`t been able to meet her :-P but I`m eternally grateful that she passed through Utah and through the house of the McConnell family :-) You guys rule. (Bytheway Dad, Your hair is really white now . . . Love you :-D)
Sam that is really cool that you graduated. I apologize if that sounds sarcastic :-P :-D But seriously it was cool to see you in that weird dress thingy (I think its called a robe right? :-D Spanish is killing my english :-D) You`re all grown up now :-) Make sure to try and enjoy this last summer vacation :-D
Enough about you guys :-D Things here are going good :-D The scriptures and sweets arrived on tuesday and William, Maria, and Isis loved the scriptures :-D They are so happy to be able to read ALL of the scripture references :-D They are so wonderful. They kind of had a hard week :-P They tried selling some things in the week (which bytheway is how food comes into their house) and it didn`t go very well :-P We stopped by on Saturday to have a lesson and we tried to lift their spirits a bit. We sang hymn 228 (well in spanish) and Mathew 6 24-27 and Ether 12 4. I explained how rain falls on everyone but the righteous are secured :-) If you are doing the best you can to keep the commandments YOU WILL BE BLESSED. YOU WILL HAVE HELP. Exactly when, I have no idea, but it will happen :-) They seemed a little better after :-)
Something cool :-) Our District President, Pres Ulbrich, announced in church yesterday that we are going to throw a party next tuesday in the church (as far as one can throw a party in the church of course) to celebrate William`s and Maria`s marriage :-D Everyone got all excited and wanted to pitch in. It got pretty crazy. :-D Its awesome when the ward`s got your back :-D
Transfers are next week so we`ll see if i`m even here for the baptism but if not, i`ll know that they`ll be fine :-) And if i stay, more food for me :-D
Hopefully that package arrives safely :-P i`m kind of worried about that :-P let me know when it gets there :-D
Thats basically it for me :-) Until the next Mom, Dad, Sam, Meri, Grace, and Sophie, I love you all and Be HappY!
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell

Weekly Letter

HEY EveryBodY!! :-D HOWZIT GOING?!?!?
I have to do this short cuz we are late today but to let you all know we are aight :-D The work is going and going good. Awesome note, You know how William and Maria Jose were going to get married on July 15th? For some reason they changed it to the 6th of June :-D No reason, Maria just wanted to do it sooner :-D I almost asked why but then I didn`t care :-D They are awesome. Out of the 8 weeks that they have know the church they have gone 7 times to the church. Consecutively. MEMBERS DON^T DO THAT. They are a wonderful family :-D They study, they pray, they ask us everytime we come what we brought to share with them :-) Very cool :-)
The rest of the week was good :-) But enough about me :-D Sam, You Graduated! :-D (seminary). Thats awesome :-D And you`re about to graduate high school man. Thats crazy too. Its kind of weird when you go to school for twelve years and then not everything after is all cut out and clear :-P But I suppose thats where the adventure is in life :-D Good job man.
I miss Rugby.
I sent a letter to Jon in the package if you guys could get it over to him.
Church is true.
Little thing before I go :-) If a person really WANTS to be happy in this life, that person will do his or her best to follow the teachings of Christ. That is the best way to have a happy life. To achieve that even more, we gotta create and help a testimony grow. There was something that Elder Scott said in the november conference about faith and character. He said (paraphrasing) Satan cannot take away faith, a testimony, or character from anyone. He does not and never will have the power to do so. The only ways we can lose those things are through doubt, laziness and rebelliousness. So if we`re being good, we won`t have problems :-D God promise :-D
Thats it for me :-) Until the next Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace and Sophie (and Dani if she`s home), I love you all and Be HappY!!
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell

HEY EVERYBODY!!! HOWZIT GOING?!?! :-D
Hey guys. how`re things? I hoping good. It was cool to hear you guys yesterday. In Paraguay they celebrate mother`s day the 15th of may so yesterday it was Elder Gomez`s turn :-) Just letting you know.
Things this week were kind of glum :-P We did very poorly with the numbers this week which was a combination of people not being home and poor planning on our part :-P We did however have 6 people in church yesterday which was great :-D We had a really cool lesson with William Maria Jose and Isis (well William and Maria Jose) about the law of chastity. I know that that is something kind of awkward to talk about BUT it can be a really cool lesson when the spirit is involved as it was :-D I used a scripture at the end of Jacob 2 which is awesome and it was just a great lesson. By the way (forgot) William and Maria Jose are getting married the 15th of July! :-D They`ve called their parents and they are setting up plans to come down south to see them. As well they`re going to be baptized the 16th of July, even better :-D I think I said this in another email but I`ll say it again, they bore their testimonies some weeks ago and it was so cool to feel how strongly they believe in everything. Thats not something you get to feel with every investigator. Yesterday, William and Maria brought in their Tithing :-D Very very cool.
Today we have interviews with Pres Swenson instead of P-day so that should be fun :-) You always feel you`re in a hurry though because of all the missionaries waiting so hopefully it`ll be better today :-)
Short spiritual thought. When we make correct choices everyday even in the small things (especially in the small things) at first it will be hard because people won`t understand but after people will come to you looking for help because they know that you know what is right and what should be done. Building this habit at first will be dificult but later it will be something so fortified that you will never not know what to do and you will always have the strength of character to pull it off :-D Amen! :-D
. . . THats basically it :-P I have not had the time to send or write anything but i will! :-) :-D Just you wait :-D
I`m sorry for the shortness of the email this week :-P Nothing really happened :-P Next week will be better :-D Until the next, Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace and Sophie, I love you all and Be HappY! :-D
As always
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell
p.s. Tell Jon things will work out and that he WILL be alright :-)

HEY EVERYBODY!! :-D REPORTING LIVE FROM SOMEWHERE ASKING HOWZIT GOING?!?! :-D
Hey guys, How`re things? :-D I hope the best :-) Mom I think for the call I forgot to say Happy Mother`s Day so here goes, Happy Mother`s Day :-D That card was actually for your birthday but since you were thinking that it was for yesterday I was going to not say anything but my conscience got the better of me :-D
So hopefully things on the other side of the world are going good. The pictures are hilarious by the way dad and that looks like a super fun tea party but is Sophie the only one thats dressing up? :-D As for me, things here in Gorbea are going good. Our family (William, Maria Jose, and Isis) continue to go to church except that yesterday Maria had to leave after the sacrament to go and sell some things. She and William had made some wooden plaques (English?) for mother`s day on Saturday but they used some varnish that needed all of Saturday to dry and so they couldn`t sell them :-P So Maria had to go out and try to a couple of them yesterday and fortunately she was able to sell a few :-D William hinted that he and Maria had argued a little in the morning and its possible that he told her not to go out to sell the thingys on sunday. That topic never came up and I`m not going to ask :-D We went over yesterday to explain tithing because they had been asking questions about it and as well fasting. They want to do everything before we teach it :-D You will find people on your mission (Sam) like this family, and they really are a blessing. The rest will be an interesting combination of people who wish you were dead, have a desire to know about the church but perhaps not to the point to commit to anything, have family in the church, or simply like to have your company and no words :-D These are the people that we need to WORK with. We need to always remember that God loves them as much as everyone else even if they are honestly awful people :-D All of these people just need to know some thing that will turn them golden because if you really UNDERSTOOD that you gotta get baptized with proper authority to get to heaven, you`d do it in a second. Thats where we come in to explain :-D Its fun too if you got a sense of humor (sometimes a twisted sense of humor but regardless the ability to laugh in a difficult situation). Its hard somedays but they really are the best two years :-D
Thats it for me for the week. I wanted to share something that Pres Swenson shared the other day and its really cool. He got up in front of everybody and wrote two words down, Route and Destination. He then asked what is destination of our investigators. We were like ``BAPTISM, GOING TO CHURCH, MAKING COVENANTS WITH GOD`` and he was like and what happens after that and we were like `` There`s another lesson?``. Then he said that this is the destination of our investigators. ``The destination and greatest gift of God is eternal life and to get there we have the greatest gift in this world, the supreme gift of the Holy Ghost``. We were like `` MY EYES!!! HE`S TOO AWESOME!!!`` but seriously I at least was very surprised and very impressed. As well I was disappointed that I hadn`t had that in mind in my lessons. Every lesson is just the route, especially baptism. I laughed when I thought of this but baptism is really the beginning of the straight and narrow path not the the end not even close, so heads up, there`s more on the way :-D As well when your goal for your investigators is ETERNAL LIFE you`re going to have a little more focus and a heck of a lot more power and authority in your speech and in your lessons. The lessons aren`t for baptism, they`re for the second part, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and we have THAT gift so that we will eventually make it to the Celestial Kingdom. Gospel bomb. So that was what I learned this week :-D I wish everyone could go on missions and get this kind of information :-D
Thats it for me :-) For rills Sam, Read PMG and the Book of Mormon a lot before you go. I wish I did more. It will give you so much power when you ask people to read the Book of mormon because you`re doing it too :-) and knowing the lessons will help the spirit remind you of what you already know. For everyone one else . . .keep doing what you`re doing :-D So until the next, Mom Dad Sam, Meri Grace and Sophie I love you all and Be HaPPY
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell
p.s. I wanted to know if you guys could send me a good pair of spanish scriptures for this family to me. They don`t have a bible and they want to read everything. If you could, that`d be great :-D PEace

Letter and Pictures

HEY EVERYBODY! :-D HOWZIT GOING?! :-D
It was really cool to see the Cooks all together at last :-D Tommy was on my prayer list for the missionaries I know so let him know that if he feels like he`s not getting the same amount of blessings its cuz I`m not praying for him anymore :-D Just kidding :-D Sophie`s pictures were hilarious as well :-D
Things here in Gorbea are going good :-) We were able to bring 4 to church yesterday :-D The week was kind of a slow one for the fact that we needed to spend a lot of time in Temuco monday, tuesday and wednesday because Elder Gonzalez needed to get some xrays for his legs. Turns out that there`s nothing really wrong with his knees at least, except for a little inflammation which only a little rest from walking and playing soccer will help :-) He kind of got mad when they told him that :-P Besides that it went pretty well :-) We went to William, Maria, and Isis`s house several times during the week to put a date for their marriage and they finally did yesterday :-D but its for October 7th :-P We told them that we were very happy that they had a date set up BUT we encouraged them to continue praying about it to see if it`d be better to get married sooner. We explained how a blessing tomorrow or next week is still the same blessing at the end of the day except for when we receive it, and if the reason that blessings don`t come to us is because we are just waiting, then its better to do it sooner. Of course in a very lovingly way :-D They told us that they still hadn`t prayed really for the date so we told them that it`d help them a lot to do so. They said they would :-) At least there`s a date. :-D
Cambios are tomorrow, and I`m staying here in gorbea and Elder gonzalez is heading out. And guess who`s coming to gorbea . . . Elder Gomez!! :-D But this one is from Paraguay so its not as exciting as you all thought :-D I`m quite a little prankster aren`t I? :-D I don`t know much about Elder Gomez, but I`ve heard that he`s a hard worker :-) hopefully we`ll get stuff done and have fun :-D
I was able to give a talk yesterday, and I thought that it went pretty well. Apparently it went so well that a Sister Gabi came up to me after and told me that I had the gift of tongues. I nodded in agreement. :-D She said that I was using words that had two or three meanings in spanish and that I was using them perfectly. I laughed on the inside and thanked her. I can speak spanish but i`m not that cool yet :-) Good to know that at least she understood me :-D
Nothing really happened this week :-P Sorry for being boring :-P Next week should be good :-D
Yesterday was Easter :-) My major holidays have been rather pathetic here in Chile :-P I didn`t really feel the Easter spirit yesterday, but that doesn`t change my testimony. Something that I love about the Atonement of Jesus Christ (well two actually), is a talk that Elder Wirthlin gave called Sunday will come, and the knowledge that everyone has the ability to change and be better. There`s a line in Elder Wirthlin`s talk that I love, ``No matter how black our fridays can be, Sunday will always come, just like it did on that first Easter Sunday for Jesus``. and the second thing is that no matter how much we`ve messed up our lives (or how ever little), WE CAN CHANGE. We will forever have the ability to choose to be better. We will always be able to say I will try again. Christ made that possible and shame on us if we forget his pain.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Pres Thomas S Monson is the Prophet on the earth today :-) and we will always be able to find comfort in that because Jesus suffered everything, we don`t need to suffer anything.
Thats it for me :-D until the next Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace Sophie, I love you all and Be Happy :-)
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell

Weekly Letter

HEY EVERYBODY!! REPORTING LIVE FROM SOMEWHERE :-D HOWZIT GOING?!!!
Hey guys, how`re things? :-) How is the life? How are things going in Good ol`California (my second favorite state) :-D You know, I always loved the oakland temple :-) I loved the pictures with Sophie and the flowers :-D
So things are going good in the Concepcion South mission, the only celestial mission on the planet (that`s what our logo says). Yesterday we were able to bring 6 people to church which apparently doesn`t happen much in Gorbea as told to me by my companion Elder Gonzalez :-) We brought the family of three again (Will Maria and Isis), two husbands of long time members (Nivaldo and Ruben), and a sister of a recent convert (Valeska). It was a very cool sunday :-) This week with the family we taught them the Restoration which went really well. The Spirit was very strong. I love the feeling when you know that EVERYONE is feeling the same as you :-) Good feeling. They still need to get married but I think that that will come very easily :-) Pray for spirit pushes in the right direction. As well the wife of Ruben (Marixa) was called as the Primary President yesterday. This is perfect for her because her insane little two year old keeps her from staying for more than the sacrament meeting with her husband and 15yr old. Now she can take care of him herself AND start to build her self confidence. More than that her husband can stick around and learn from the classes and eventually get baptized and her son can learn more to prepare for a mission :-) We`re hoping for teh best with them :-D
I apologize mom that there are so many people talking to you on facebook. Constanza Rivas and Makarena Fernandez are of my baptisms, the others are members or possibly investigators. I`m looking for the email of my third baptism Barbara San Martin.
I did get the package :-) The ugly doll makes a wonderfully soft pillow and I feel invincible to the elements with my gigantic umbrella :-D As well I almost cried when I opened the bag of Goldfish :-D Thank you everyone so much :-D the pictures were hilarious :-D
I need to go but short truth, When you are trying your best to do good and taking steps to help that goal, even if it doens`t look like anything is happening or that you dont feel guided by the spirit, Know that good is being done and that it will be all right in the end :-) I promise
Thats it for me :-) Until the next Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace Sophie and Dani, I love you all and Be HAppY!!
Sincerely
Elder McConnell

Hey EveryBody!!! :-D Howzit Going?!! :-D How are things in the United States of A? :-D
I hope that everything is going good :-) Later today I`m hoping to FINALLY send off some long expected letters for you guys :-D As well, I don`t know when but I`ll be sending a package soon with some cool thingys so wait up for that :-D
Now more about me :-D Things here in Gorbea are going good :-) The work is kind of slow but its visibly growing :-D Yesterday we were able to bring a family of three to church :-D It was really really cool to see them there :-D Their names are William, Marìa Josè and Isis :-) They are really really cool people and very humble. They don`t have many things in their house but you wouldn`t say that they were poor or in trouble because of how happy and cheerful they are :-D They recently moved into the sector so we`re hoping to get them together with the members that live close by so that they can make some friends and coughgetbaptizedcough. . . :-D They really like what we`ve told them about the Restoration and Marriage (not married). Elder Gonzalez is very very blunt, but thats fine when you have good intentions and the Spirit of God :-D I already knew that he was going to lay down the law so I figured that I`d join him, so we went and told Will and Maria how they really need to get married and Isis joined us as well. They told us that they were going to pray about what we`ve taught them so far and about marriage and then takes the steps necessary to get married. Pray for them please :-)
A Happy anouncement. Carmen Gloria and Pedro (The Parents of the family back in O`higgins) got baptized on Saturday :-D I get a call from Carmen in the morning and she says hey McConnell (they never called me elder :-D) I have an announcement. They usually say good announcement so I was expecting the worst when she tells me that she and her husband are getting married at 6 :-D I was very very happy :-D I had honestly not thought a lot of ohiggins since I left. A little of course, I called sometimes and got called but I had forgotten that even when I left the sector, the work continues on. it was a very appreciated rude awakening :-D The work will go on with or without you Elder and hopefully YOU decide to stay on the ride because the work isn`t gonna wait up. :-D EGO SMASH :-D There`s something to learn everyday :-) It was really cool to hear that Carmen and Pedro were getting baptized :-) Their children have yet to make that decision but now that their parents are their hometeachers, it`s only a matter of time :-D
As well, an Hermana Rosa was baptized as well. We were doing contacts one day, weeks ago, and we found her. She was a very quiet lady and she has a lot of problems with reading and its possible that she never read a page of the Book of mormon when I was there BUT . . . she told us that she felt that it was true, and that she wanted to know more. And now she`s baptized. She told me that she was sorry that I wasn`t going to be there for her baptism :-) Little blessings.
Well thats basically it for me today :-) I haven`t gotten the package yet but I might Friday :-) Until the next one then, Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace Sophie and Dani(if she`s home still) I love you all and BE HappY!! :-D
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell

HEy EVERYBODY :-D HOWZit GOinG!? :-D
Hey guys, how´re things? :-) How is life in utah or as the members here call it ´´The Missionary Factory´´. :-D I hope that all is going well :-)
How was conference? :-D I thought it was great :-D I loved Elder Scott´s talk :-D Elder Nelson´s talk was really cool too :-D I loved what Pres Eyring said, ´´There was jimmy, he went to prison, and there was petey across the street, he went to prison too. . . It was a tough neighborhood´´ :-D as well as Pres Monson ´´If you haven´t read the Book or Mormon, Read it. I´ll not have a show of hands´´ :-D It seemed that half the talks were about marriage. I´m glad that I´m a missionary cuz I don´t have to deal with prophetic pressure to get married :-D Missionary Safeguard :-D I thought that it was a really good conference. Bishop Burton´s talk was great as well. When you guys get the ensign, make sure to send me one :-D (HEY short note, Conference is already online, go check it out :-D )
So things are going good here in Gorbea. This last week we spent a lot of time looking and FINDING people to teach so that was good :-D This week we should have a lot of lessons. Missionary work is a lot more fun with people :-D Two people that we found had had a family member and a friend die. They were both very nice and polite with us and they both needed a little bit of comfort for their recent loss. We´re hoping to give them the answers that they need this upcoming week :-) A question for you Mom and Dad, what did you two liked to teach the people you found who had had friends or family die recently? The plan of salvation of course but scriptures you liked to use and things you liked to say is what I´m asking about. Whatever you´ve got will be very much appreciated. :-D
Something that I´ve learned on the mission, unfortunately I feel because of the circumstances that brought me to the realization, is a person is who he is and does what he really wants to do when nobody cares or nobody is watching. It is very easy to sleep in when your comp does. It is very easy to stay on the internet for too long when your comp does. It is very to go home early when your comp is ´´done´´ for the day. These are only examples, there are others, but they show who you really are and what you really want to do through your choices. Elder Gonzalez told me yesterday that he hadn´t felt the same as he had when he begun his mission and he didn´t like that. I was going to say ´´ . . .Maybe you should pray more or something´´ but he continued to say that maybe if he got up on time in the morning, did exercises and his studies as well, maybe he´d get back his ´´newbie spirit´´. I said that was an excellant idea (I had been hoping to bring this up somehow) BUT . . . then he said that he didn´t want to do any of that and that he doesn´t like to do things that he don´t pleasure him (along the lines anyway). I waited for a sec ad then said, rather straightforwardly I thought, that a person will do what is necessary to get what he wants and if he doesn´t do the things that are necessary to get what he wants then he didn´t really want it to begin with. I ´´wanted´´ to learn spanish before the mission and did little to nothing to achieve that goal. Only when I needed spanish to survive did I learn. So the question is(are) who are you when no one expects anything of you? What do you do when no one is watching? What do you really want? When you can answer these questions and be content(I would hope happy as well) then you´re doing fine. If not, get better :-D
Well thats it for me. Thanks for everything everyone (The package hasn´t come yet but I´ll let you know when it does). Until the next Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace Sophie and Dani, I love you all and Be HappY :-D
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell

Props to Elder Cook :-P I hope he finds comfort in knowing that he did what he felt in his heart to be right :-D

Weekly Letter

HEY EVERYBODY!!! :-D HOWZIT GOING!!! :-D
Hey, How`re things? :-D How is life on the other side of the world? Things are going alright here in Gorbea :-D Its weird to say something else than Ohiggins :-D This week we weren`t really able to go out and work for conferences, Elder Gonzalez being sick and activities, so there`s not much to say :-P Some surprise blessings at the end though :-D Yesterday the husbands of two member mothers both came to church which apparently never happens :-D So that was cool. Ruben and Nivaldo :-) We were able to talk to them about the Sacrament meeting (because it`s the first meeting) and they both said that they really liked it :-) They`ve apparently gone to the church various times because their wives are long-time members, so they basically know everything. So later on in the day we went to have dinner with Nivaldo and his wife, Difrozina (Have fun with THAT) and their children. Elder Gonzalez told me that its really good to have people eating when you ask them to do things and he was perfectly right. Before the night was through, he set up a date for them to get themselves married, and for Nivaldo to get baptized :-D You can imagine that that is kind of a big deal. Let me explain the marriage thing. Chilaens ( and i assume the vast majority of south america) are completely fine with just pairing off with other people for the rest of their lives without even a word about marriage. Marriage for some people is like a shiny gift that would be nice to have but isn`t really necessary. That makes the Law of Chastity really fun :-P I remember one time, this lady, when we had asked why she wouldn`t get married with her ``husband``, told us that if she ever got mad or if he ever did something stupid, she could just go without any problems. She said that while holding her almost two year old daughter in her arms. That was awkward. So you can imagine that when Elder Gonzalez helped Nivaldo and Difrozina put a date to get married, that was kind of a big deal :-D A whole week of almost doing nothing and suddenly a baptism date :-) Something that Pres Swenson said in the conference friday made me think. He said that baptisms are GIVEN, not earned. I think that that is very true :-)
So thats basically it for the work this week :-P Bytheway things, I did get the package with the reeses and hymnbooks, and the one with socks and chapstick and letters from both Grandma and Grandpa Utley AND McConnell :-) I was able to write some letters today to some other people and I figure that I`m just going to send the birthday cards without a gift, cuz I`ve found nothing :-P :-) Something funny, Elder Gomez and my old comp Elder Merrill called me in the morning today to wish me a happy birthday :-D Its crazy to think that Elder Gomez is all the way out here in Chile :-D
Thanks for all the Happy Birthdays guys :-) Today I wrote some letters and then we went ``fishing`` for the rest of the day so that was a blast. Elder Gonzalez has a problem with accepting that he needs to practice with something because we didn`t catch ANYTHING ALL DAY LONG. He said that there was fish but they must have been really really tired all day long. All well :-) I still have candy at the house :-D
Something that Pres Swenson told me the other day was that when Nephi went to pray to the lord in order to make the ship, the lord AT TIMES answered his prayers. later while they were traveling on the boat the wind would push them along one direction and then at times stop, and then begin and push them in another direction. The lesson was that sometimes the Lord is gonna leave us on our own for awhile and we are going to sometimes feel abandoned when really we`re learning more about ourselves and developing a greater faith. The Spirit is always there when we are ready and worthy to have it. Thats a promise of God. Even if we don`t feel it, it doesn`t mean it isn`t there.
Well thats it for me :-) I`m twenty bytheway :-D Crazy stuff to think that a fifth of my life has just finished :-P :-D Until the next monday guys, Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace Sophie and Dani, i love you all and Be HAPPY! :-D
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell

Happy 20th Birthday Jamie

Weekly Letter

HEYYY EVERYBODY!!! :-D HOWZIT GOING?!!! :-D
Hey Guys, How`re things? :-) Hopefully things are going good :-) All the missionaries seem to be doing good :-D thats always good :-)
Things are going a lot differently here in Gorbea :-) Lots of rain, lots of green, very pretty. The mornings can be monsters of cold but thats what thermal garments are for :-D The people are a ton more . . . . nice :-D We`ve barely had any doors thrown yet :-D Thats so new for me :-D As well as lessons with some of them :-D I`m kind of out of practice :-D A guy the other day said that at the time he was kind of busy but told us he`d love to have us come by on Wednesday so Elder Gonzalez was like ``Yeah we`ll pass by`` and I was like ``DO YOU WANT TO GET BAPTIZED?!!?!? . . . I mean, yeah we`ll pass by``. My enthusiasm got the better of me :-D
Bytheway, My Companion is called Elder Harold Gonzalez from Colombia :-) He`s a pretty cool guy :-) He`s a really good teacher and really really fast. I don`t know if I`m going to be able to keep up with him :-P He has like 17 months I think and leaves in November. He`s kind of a clean freak so we have the house very very tidy :-) He`s kind of bipolar though, and not like he changes his mood quickly, he EXPLODES from doing one thing to the next. I have to mantain a good jog with his walk :-P I don`t know when to insert myself in the lessons cuz he moves so fast and he`s fantastic with the people. We completed with almost all of the weekly goals even with all the time in the house :-P He`s a freak .-D He`s a very hardworking freak :-D I`m doing absolutely fine but PRAY FOR ME.
Its weird to think that next week I`m going to be 20 and in another 2 weeks, I`ll have a year in the mission :-P :-) Crazy stuff. I almost have a fifth of my life done :-P Crazy stuff. It goes to show that the only things that we really have in this life that are completely ours is time (and not an unlimited supply of it) and choice. Sing HO for Albedrio (agency in spanish)(I speak spanish :-D). Elder Hales had a really cool talk on agency and I really like the verse he uses
Know this that every soul is free
To choose his life and what he`ll be
Know this that this eternal truth is giv`n
That God will force no man to heaven.
Crazy stuff. Something that has come to my mind and even more in the mission is the thought of ``Am I doing everything I can with what I have?``. Thats an awful question, I think that that question causes more stress to mankind than almost any other :-P We do have a guidebook though :-) The Apostles asked Jesus what kind of men should they be and he answered `` Even as I am``. Thats kind of a lofty goal, perfection, but its a goal worthy of us to try at least and like that saying says shoot for the moon because even if you miss, you`ll land among the stars. Perhaps a more mormon saying, shoot for the sun. We won`t make it all the way but God will bare us up after all that we could do, and he`ll take us the rest of the way to our heavenly home :-)
Thats it for me this week guys :-) Until the next Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace Sophie and Dani, I love you all and BE HappY!! :-D
Sincerely
The only Elder Jamie McConnell

HEY EVERYBODY!! HOWZIT GOING?! :-D
HEy, I`m leaving Villa O`higgins! It is kind of sad :-P I am glad that I`m leaving, to learn more about the mission and learn more about how to teach, but I will miss the O`hig. The ward is doing good, basically the same in attendance but they do seem happier now than when I arrived :-) Thats always good :-) I`m also leaving a baptism date for the 2nd of april so thats good as well :-) Crazy stuff.
So things went alright this week. We taught a lot of lessons which was good. We made it a point to share scriptures during lunches which was always good because they almost always have people over who aren`t members so that always a good opportunity to have a lesson with member :-D Something sad, the rains have started so everything is gray whereas everything before was burning red hot :-P By the way, the sector where I`m going is called Gorbea :-) which is one of the sectors most south of the mission, which is wonderful because winter is about to start . . . wait thats bad. Shoot. Thats one thing the missionaries here have made fun of me is that I had to spend a summer in Los Angeles and now a winter down south. Who loves irony?
Something different, the ward did a play on saturday and we were in it. Superman wanted to go on a mission so he called the Super Elders for advice :-) THe whole show was made up thirty minutes before so when I send it you guys you`ll understand why it was kind of . . . fome(spanish word), but our entries were cool :-D
Honestly . . . this week was very boring :-P Our investigators all said they were going to miss me and in fact we`re going over tonight for a family home evening to say goodbye to an investigating Family. :-) Its cool to see that you`ve made friends with people. But besides all that, there`s not much else :-P Disculpen.
Just a thought. Hope is an interesting word :-) In spanish its even more interesting. Esperanza means hope but it also means expectation. I feel that we use the word hope kind of like how we use the word maybe when in reality it is a much bigger thing than that. Two talks came to mind ``the infinite power of hope`` by Pres Uchtdorf and ``an high priest of good things to come`` by Elder Holland. You guys should read them :-) They`re very good :-) It just goes to show that hoping isn`t a weak thing that passively waits for the good to come, it goes and gets it, even if its hard, and even if it appears impossible. Cool stuff
Thats it for me this week :-) The next email will be from Gorbea so heads up :-D until the next, Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace Sophie and Dani, I love you all and Be Happy!
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell
p.s. Did somebody tell me that Sam got into the U or did I forget?

Weekly Letter and Pictures

HEY EVERYBODY!!! :-D HOWZIT GOING?!
Hey guys, how´re things? :-) Sounds like everything is going good with you guys :-D I just recently watched Grace´s video and Sams seminary video :-D Hilarious :-D I´m crying. English humor is so much BETTER!!! By the way, I didn´t know you guys went to San Fransisco :-D
So things are going alright here in Ohiggins. We have people, they´re nice :-) They´re having problems with coming to church but we´ll be fixing that soon. :-D The Family Contreras is doing good. We´ve hit some snags, Carmen needs to quit smoking, her husband Pedro likes the church but wants to really feel that its the true church, Magglor has yet to pray about the Book of Mormon but is reading it and likes everything that we´ve taught, Cristian doesn´t want to ´´switch´´ churches because all of his friends go to an adventist church, and Niko who needs to read and pray. Fun stuff. Actually, Something funny with Niko the other day. We were explaining Prophets and Apostols and how when Jesus made his church, it had prophets and apostols and so to be the church of Jesus today it needs to have those two things (and of course other things but we weren´t specifying everything) and Niko pipes up and asks ´´Wait a sec. You mean that your church has prophets and apostols here in the present?´´ and we say ´´. . .Yes´´ and he´s like ´´WHoa are you serious? Where do they live?´´ And I said ´´Um in Utah but they travel a lot, its kind of their job´´ and then Niko says ´´The church is true! It has everything!´´ And we´re like ´´Thats right class, you´ll need to know that for the test after´´ :-D Funny stuff :-D We´re going to see if we can help´them all out with reading and praying. I feel like thats really going to help them.
Elfrides is an older lady, she lives with her husband alone because their family are all grown. Her daughter in law is actually a member (inactive but a member nonetheless) and The daughter in law was going to bring her to church on sunday because she´s older and has trouble walking long distances but the lady never showed up!! This has happened twice now. We´ve decided to bring her ourselves :-) We have another abuelita, Rosa, as well who didn´t come either :-P She´s really nice, she´s kind of forgetful and We need to be very clear with the lessons but she´s doing good :-) thats about it for peoples.
Something interesting yesterday, We were contacting in a plaza thats right next to the church and we start talking to this guy Nelson and he´s nice, we´re talking, we start talking about how there´s one God how he wouldn´t have so many churches and he asks us ´´well which church is true´´ I waiting for a second before pointing across the plaza and said ´´Its that one´´. I think that if i had recently arrived in chile I would have said something like ´´Well you can pray to our Heavenly Father and he will tell you the answer´´ which is true, but I knew what the answer was, and I wasn´t going to wait ´to let him know. I feel that not saying the truth (not lying, just not talking), is almost another way of lying when the truth should be told. As well, when someone keeps their mouth shut when words should be spoken, trust is lost. If people can´t tell each other how they feel and what they think honestly, trust is silently lost. Something as missionaries members and really anyone that we should make sure to do when the truth is asked for is tell it, without fear. People don´t have the time to hear us almost tell he truth, especially family and friends and whoever else we care about.
Well I got to go :-) By the way Mom I haven´t had any health problems so no worries. I´m sending ONE letter for everyone so heads up for that. Until the next Mom Dad Sam Meri Grace Sophie and Dani, I love you all and BE HaPPy!!
Sincerely
Elder Jamie McConnell