Another great week in Chile!

Tuesday was my first time visiting Mariana, an investigator that my companion taught with her previous companion. She was so happy to see us and tell us her baptism story, but the sad thing is that it was a baptism into the Evangelical church. I guess they were really good at teaching the need for baptism, but I guess that Mariana did not understand the importance of the priesthood authority from God and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church that holds this power. We bore testimony and asked her to pray and to read about baptism authority for her to ask God if her baptism is correct in the eyes of the Lord. It is sad because she was telling us how good she felt because it was a spur of the moment decision baptism with a family member and she liked how it was in a river. She is reading and praying a lot and we'll see how it goes but at least her heart is open from what I can see because she had no problem coming to sacrament with us.

We also did service for the Espinoza family. It was really fun because I love cleaning out garages and houses. We cleaned it out for their daughter to live in with her daughter. The transformation of the cleanliness was night and day. The mother was so surprised at my strength in carrying the heavy objects. They couldn't stop laughing because I could lift the fireplace/stove with ease and her husband was out of breath. I told them that I couldn't move it with out him and that I had a lot of practice in my family because I didn't have any older brothers to do the hard stuff around the house. I'm so thankful for my strength and health! It's not common for women.

Wednesday we had 3 new investigators; Sebastian 13, his sister Bania 14, and their cousin Kristina 15. Sebastian was very funny but asked a lot of great questions that I think will help him convert. Bania was receptive and open and will be baptized when she prays and feels that the things we share are true. Kristina is less interested but I know that it will change with the example of her cousins.

The members are great and they all make me feel very welcome on a personal level. I don't know if it is just because I'm a gringo or what, but I enjoy it. They invite us to eat with them and so my companion and I have been taking advantage of this time to train every member to share their testimony of the gospel to everyone they meet. This is good because the members don't share their beliefs. The practice is giving them the confidence and shows them how easy it can be when it is natural and form the heart.

Feliz Dia de los Enamorados! Feliz Dia del Amistad! Happy Valentines Day! I wouldn’t have remembered this holiday if it wasn't for a member. In the mission it is just another day because we always share our love through our Christ-like charity and service and word. I was feeling down this day because I was tired of hearing lame excuses from people everyday saying how they worked and didn't have time for our message or to read or to attend the church with us. It was a blessing to see my District leader call my companion and I for a special practice. I noticed that it was more of a problem here but I didn't voice this frustration so I know that he has following the spirit even though both of us didn't know that I needed this at that moment. Now I'm going to share scriptures of blessings and testify to the convincing of men with the power of God that I hold as a missionary.

This Sunday was very special I felt the spirit so strong. I think it is because I wrote down my spiritual promptings. If I felt this good writing the spiritual promptings that I received at church, I wonder how great the prophets felt writing in the scriptures.

GUESS WHAT my Zone did today for Preparation Day?! We Saw PENGUINS!!!!! AAaa! It was sooo cool! It was a fun trip and we took a lot of pictures! Ha when you see the pictures you will notice that I'm not wearing a coat, this is because I was sitting on the heater all the way there and it wasn't that cold. But I have experienced the rain in Punta Arenas and the wind. I love the rain still; it is the Wind that is crazy!!! I could jump and it would move me. It pushes me along as I walk. The wind is so strong, but it doesn't stop the work!! I just laugh as I walk because it isn't like Arizona and its all part of the mission experience. I use the weather to the advantage of the work and I find ways to serve and help people carry things into their house and others invite us in because it's cold and windy. Hermana Espinoza even gave me mitts for my cold hands and she said that she had never given any gift to a missionary before so I should feel privileged. I did.

With a lot of love,
Hermana Wade


Sorry you won't get personal letters as much as I'd like because I don't have much time. I'll reply, it will just take some time. I love hearing updates and I try to write as much detail as I can in the emails. I don’t like that it takes so long, but that is how it is so I'll write little notes and bigger personal notes latter.

Everybody-- Please set a goal to go on splits with the missionaries in your stake. And report your experience with me. This is something that I ask all the members to do, and now I'm asking my family: D

this is all for now that I can remember! CHOW!!