Week 2 in Chile

Hoooola!

Can´t believe its that time again to write! Lots of exciting things have happened since the last time I wrote. I Still LOVE Chile! I feel so blessed to be serving in this area. It is seriously BEAUTIFUL. It is also very European, which is cool. So this week I am feeling a lot more comfortable with the language. I think I am at a 75-80% comprehension level. I really have felt blessed with the Gift of tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues this week. Towards the beginning of the week, I was feeling a little discouraged because I felt like I wanted to speak more, but i would chicken out and the opportunity would pass. I was studying in my personal study and I came across a scripture in d&c 60 that basically says, don't fear men, use your talents, open your mouth and it will be filled. I realized what the Lord was trying to teach me, and I have been applying it and I feel like I am making SO much progress. Still have lots lots lots of progress to make int he language, but I am feeling better and I am at the point where I can communicate with people and I have more confidence in my abilities, knowing that the Lord will fill my mouth (Moses 6:31-34)

Ok some answers to your questions: No fleas yet! I am actually really lucky because our pension doesn't have carpet so we don't have fleas, but I have heard horrors stories about other missionary apartments. One sister had 260 bites in one week! Yikes. The only thing that keeps me from petting all the cats I encounter is my fear of fleas. haha

The food is great here! At first I was really nervous. Funny story, my first day in the mission, Hermana Jacobo told me we would be fasting the next day so we had to by me some food for the night. We went to the whole in the wall corner market and she told me to buy what I wanted. haha problem was, I didn't know what anything was nor could I remember the names of food in Spanish. I was so overwhelmed I ended up buying an avocado and bread haha. So that night i was pretty nervous, But since then, every meal I´ve eaten has been delicious. I am even coming accustomed to mayo. They Ice cream here is so delicious and the fruit is way better than in the states. They eat LOTS of bread, and every lunch has a salad, main course and dessert. The salads are so good (usually avocado, corn, tomatoes and lettuce and lemon juice and mayo) As missionaries, everyone feeds us chicken with rice which is really expensive. They want to give us the best they have. They also eat lots of mashed potatoes and JUICE so much Juice. haha They also drink something called ecco, which is essentially non-caffeinated coffee. it is SO SO good. I am always grateful to drink it.

Here in Vina they have a store called Lider, which is owned by Walmart so I can find the essentials that I need. Oh the simple joys of life. Also, their money is in pesos, 1 mil, 2 mil, 5 mil and 10 mil. and everything is significantly more expensive here. The food is so expensive compared to in the states.

So, also, my first week here, like my first 2 days here, there were 4 "temblos" which are essentially small earth quakes. They were really small so I didn't think they were a big deal, but everyone was like "did you feel the temblos!!!????" People are pretty scared of earthquakes and tsunamis and 2012 as the end of the world down here. The other night, both me and another sister in my pension had a dream about a tsunami haha. but I'm not worried. I know we are protected as missionaries. Speaking of natural disasters, how is Japan. I have literally no connection to the news or outside world. I heard rumors that the US is a war, is this true?

So, the work is so good hear in our area. Ronald and his two children are making AWESOME progress for their baptism. The date is scheduled for the 16 of April and I am so excited. I have never prayed so much for other people before. We are also teaching a lot of other really great people. I have love them all so much. We spend the majority of our time hiking up and down mountains to our appointments, but it is so worth it because i love these people so much. I have really fallen in love with the Chileans.

I love you all so much. I hope all is well and grand in the States. Again, I am trying to upload pictures and its not working, but I am determined to find a way so how. Know that I love you all and am so grateful for your prays and love and emails. I feel so lucky to be a missionary.

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Royal