Checking In From Chile: October 2014

Monday, October 27, 2014

This week has been interesting. Nicolas was baptized and confirmed this weekend. We were at the chapel from 8 30 to 11 getting ready. The service started around 11 15. We filled the font and had problems with the water, we printed programs but the printer was running out of ink, and we had to clean a ton because the chapel still had construction stuff everywhere. Oh yeah, we were back in our chapel this week. we got a surprise during sacrament when our Ward Mission Leader became the Elders Quorum President. The old Elders Quorum President is now second counselor in the Bishopric and the old counselor is in the Stake. We find out what exactly his calling is next Sunday.

The picture was DeLaMare and Pineda. One of the members here decided to look up all the missionaries they knew on Google and Elder Stratford had a few pics, Elder Pineda had none, Elder Delamare had a couple, and I am apparently famous. I will try to get the pics you wanted before Elder Stratford leaves next Monday.

Halloween is new here and not everyone likes it. Some people, members and nonmembers, feel it is a satanic holiday. Others see it as candy, costumes, and commercialism in general. The ward will not do anything to celebrate officially.

It is good to hear that Grandpa is recovering well. Tell Grandpa and Grandma Hunter to be healthier too. Their letter was all about Doctors Appointments. Also congrats on taking the young couple through the temple. Glad Jake won his last game. Glad you got some cleaning done (we had to stuff and fluff today when Elder Garrison came to inspect the apartment).

So last week the only thing I forgot to mention was the service we did. We helped an investigator with her roof. We cleaned and rearranged tiles (not tiles like we have in the states though. it was a bit different). There was so much dust and so many spiders. Plus I was the only one on the actual roof. Fun mission stories I guess.

I had an intercambio with the District Leader on Wednesday. His name is Elder Antonio and he is from Mexico. He is a member of 3 years. He is 27 years old. He is a bit odd but he has a strong testimony. On Friday we had a Noche de Hogar with the same investigator that we fixed the roof for. Her name is Maria Araya and she has had a rough life. Cant remember if I told you about her before or not. We had the Cisternas Family join us for this lesson and we watched Finding Faith In Christ. We used a computer screen, a keyboard for speakers, her blind son Francisco kept making comments the whole time and her mentally handicapped daughter kept bothering Elder Stratford. Plus it was spiritual and Maria now has friends in the ward. All in all a memorable evening.

Today the four of us climbed one of the mountains along with two members. I found out just how out of shape I am. I was dying the whole way (could not breathe and my legs hurt. literally shaking from exhaustion) I think I struggled a lot with all the sand too. It just saps your energy. Plus, I even puked once on the way up. I probably should have eaten a better breakfast and drank more water. (Elder Stratford has a video of me puking) The others were very patient and willing to help. I took pictures at the top and felt a lot better going down. After I puked I did not know if I could continue to the top or not. The others, especially Elder DeLaMare and Jonathan (one of the members) continued to encourage me and helped me finish the journey. I think Christ does that too. When we feel like we cant go any farther He is there to help and encourage us. (and yes. I just tried to make a story of me being out of shape and puking into a spiritual thought)

When we got back from the hike, Elder Garrison did a surprise inspection of the apartment. Elder Garrison and his wife are the only senior couple in the mission. We replaced Elder Stratford's bed but we still have to put the new one together. He might just stay on the floor tonight.

I think that is it for this week. We are in Centro right now because a store had a sale on suits. $60 USD for a suit, shoes, and tie. None of us bought anything but maybe on a different PDAY.

Love you all. Wish you all success in your endeavors. I am praying for you.

Elder Hunter

Dad, I read your talk. You have a few spelling and grammatical errors. Good thing you knew what you wanted to say.

Thanks. A talk about fulfilling a calling when you feel insufficient is just what I needed right now. Next week Elder Stratford leaves and I am in charge of the sector. I am sure I will still be Junior Companion but since I know the people and the area I will be in charge for at least 2 weeks. Thank you again for your counsel. I am sure it helped the people in Enoch 5th Ward too.

Monday, October 20, 2014

The picture with the door approach I might not be able to do... the other ones should be possible though. I will try.

The water is more forceful I guess. It shoots straight down not in a circle. So there's that.

Investigators are doing fine. Some are progressing, some had setbacks, and there are two investigators we are nearly positive will be baptized. Nicholas is the 7 year old nephew of the bishop, but technically not the nephew. They found out last year that the dad is not the Bishops brother. Nicholas is all set to get baptized on Saturday. He is a good kid and has a solid support system. The other one we are sure of is a new investigator named Mario Guerra (translated is Mario War. how cool is that name!?). He is 48 and he has a girlfriend who is a member of the church. The catch is that she lives in Peru. They met online and hit it off. They met for the first time in person a month ago. He works 10 days and then has 10 days off so on his days off he goes up to Peru. She is a strong member and has made sure the relationship sticks to her standards. He wants to learn about the church so he can understand his girlfriend better. He pays attention during the lessons and actually reads the Book of Mormon. He might get baptized in Peru but I am sure he will get baptized.

The family reunions sound fun. I am praying for Grandpa Mellor to recover quickly. Tell Jake I don't know what I want for Christmas... I will have to think about it.

We had to come in to Centro to do visa stuff for Elder Stratford again. Unfortunately I forgot my list of things to talk about so... yeah. Everyone makes a comparison between me and Elder DeLaMare. He really is tall. He is younger than I am too by 5 months. We should be back in our chapel this next Sunday. That will be a nice change because it was hard to get investigators (and even members) all the way to the stake center.

Pretty sure I will never tan. Ever. Just burn. And stay red. That is the way my skin is. For sacrament I do not know what they use. In Mexico they used bottle water. I only had to speak in sacrament the first day here but Elder Stratford spoke yesterday. He did a talk about charity and the work of salvation. I doubt you will get a pic of me playing soccer. The soccer field maybe. We will see.

4 Months have gone by already. Some days feel really long but the time has truly flown. Elder Stratford always says "You only have 2 years to serve." I know you have said that to me before too. I just did not realize what that really meant until I got out here.

Sounds like you had a busy day on Sunday. The afternoon schedule has thrown us off but we stay busy on Sunday too. Do you know the regular attendance for our ward? I never really realized how big our ward is. I know that callings are given by revelation from the Lord but sometimes that can be hard on families. The Elders Quorum President here is married to the Relief Society President, the Young Men's President moved here 6 months ago, the Bishop is married to the Primary President, etc The families here have to work hard to keep the ward alive though it has been growing in the last few months. Thanks to you and Mom for being good examples in fulfilling your callings.

I forgot to congratulate Charlie and Jess on the new baby Paityn. CONGRATULATIONS! It will be a little while before I can babysit her but I am sure Kaitlin has it covered.

The language is coming slowly. But it is coming so that is the good thing.

I do not know what else to write now so that will be it for this week. Love you all. I am praying for you. Keep working hard in school and remember to have fun too.

Gotta go. Stay safe. Be diligent. Follow Christ and all that good stuff. Love you guys. Elder Hunter

Elder Pineda and Elder DeLaMare

P,S. These elders are sharing a pension with Elder Hunter and Elder Stratford. It is Elder Pineda from Panama and Elder DeLaMare from West Valley, Utah. Mom stole this pic off of facebook on the Chile Missionary Mommas Page

Just wish Brock was in the pic too.

Monday, October 13, 2014

That is all the pics I want to send right now. I have a few videos but they are too large to send through email. You have to wait on those. Turns out I do have a video of me singing Rapa Nui Mi Amor but it is too big to send. And it cuts out before the end. But you get to see the part of the song I am now famous for so that is good. I gotta go but love you all. Stay well. Send requests for pictures. Apologize to Mimi for me because many of my photos don't have me in them.

I am glad Grandpa Mellor is doing well after the surgery. I am also glad Scarecrow Joe is alive and well. Mimi asked me about him last week actually. Also, tell Lindsey congrats. For the elk, not the broken nose.

I am writing in my journal. I have an entry for every day. Not always a good entry but I write something everyday. I feel like I have already forgotten to write a few things but what can you do?

The toilets here are better than the ones in the US I think. The overall plumbing system maybe not but the toilets yes. As for which way it flushes... I have not looked or noticed. Sorry.

I did know about the Candy Bomber. It is a great story. I will have to see the movie(Meet the Mormons) when I get home.

We have transfers every six weeks. That will happen again the first weekend of November. Our investigators are doing well for the most part. We had 7 new investigators this week so hopefully good things will happen with them.

Elder Malan was transferred on Tuesday. There were problems in Iquique and they needed to switch some people around. Elder Malan went there and a new Elder named Elder DeLaMare came here. Elder DeLaMare has 3 weeks in the field and he is 6 foot 7 inches. I look short next to him. He is from West Valley, Utah and his sport of choice? YOU GUESSED IT! Baseball. He was a pitcher on his team and has a sports scholarship at Salt Lake Community College.

We have one person we know for sure will be baptized. His name is Nicholas and he is the nephew of the Bishop. He may be the only one I baptize with Elder Stratford but baptisms are only part of the work

Jake .I don't get a workers holiday. I guess I should have done all my homework huh?

Keep up the hard work buddy. Love you,

Kate - yes he is on the floor and likely will be until he leaves. No idea what the next comp will do about it though...

Soccer is still going strong here even if it ended for you. Though Elder Stratford may have broken a toe the last time we played so I don't know if we will play again before he leaves.

It is warming up here. I have officially been sunburned. Time to break out the sunscreen and aloe vera. I walk a lot. A LOT. Depends on the day though. We try to plan so we don't walk as much.

Good luck with Ballet. Love ya.

Love you guys and I pray for you every day. Stay awesome. Elder Hunter