Ya,
Well, I finally got changed!! After 6 months of riding bikes, learning Spanish, and 3 companions, I left La Islita, and now I'm in a zone called 5 de Abril--in the big city! La Islita will always be a special place for me. It’s where I learned a little bit about being a missionary. Saying bye to everyone was sad, but there is no greater joy than hearing the testimony of those that you could help.
I’m going to miss Elder Nash, he was always just so happy and feel free to look him up on youtube: James Nash Yugio. He told me that he has a ton of views on one of his Yugio videos. So now I’m with Elder Oliver—another Gingo!!! Haha. He's awesome. Elder Oliver is from Oregon, and I don’t know him to well, but I know he loves to dance. In fact, he is pretty much a professional ballroom dancer from what I've heard. He’s chill and I'm excited to get to work in this ward with him.
President today taught us something pretty cool. He talked to us about hope. He read to us Ether chapter 12 verse 4, I think, where it says that hope is more than just a wish that is the firm faith that something’s going to happen like eternal life. I think for a lot of my life I've thought of hope as being a dream or a wish when in reality, it’s so much more. It’s working towards a goal and expecting the best, expecting the desired result after you’ve done all that you've can. That’s actually pretty interesting because the word for to hope and to expect are the same in Spanish. I’m going to try to develop more hope this change.
Yes, mom, I got the packages. Thanks so much!!! I love you and I'm pretty nervous and excited to continue one this journey.
Love,
Elder Walker
Hi,
So, this last week was pretty groovy, as Cam would say. We’re working really hard, Elder Nash and I. We’ve found some families that are really awesome, but w’ed like it if more people went to church. But wouldn't we all? We found a family that’s super humble and they honestly seem mormon—just the way the mom treats her daughter and the way the dad works. Their names are Luz, José, and Francisca, wow are they amazing! I have so much hope for them. After the first lesson, Francisca already knew about Moroni, Mormon, José Smith they’re so great. I hope they get baptized.
We had a meeting with the mission and Elder Gonzales from the 70. He talked about the Book of Mormon and how to contact people. He emphasized that first we have to establish common ground, testify about the BoM, and commit them to read it. It was pretty cool because he could do that for literally any question. For example, if asked, "Do you believe in the Virgin?” He answered, ”We know that Maria was the mother of Christ, and WE TOO believe that she was a very important and chosen vessel of God. In fact I was reading a book this morning that talks a little bit about Maria and Christ..." Anyway, I loved this idea and am going to practice.
On a more random note we found an Australian man here in Chile living in la Islita, and he has 25 dogs. I have no idea what the heck he’s doing in Chile with so many dogs, but he’s cool.
Peace out! Probably going to be in a different area next week!!
Love,
Elder Walker
Here are a few of his 25 dogs.
Ohh yeah, and I bought some Mate!
Hi,
Hahahahah. Thanks Mom I am clutch in the fourth quarter, and I plan on working really hard my last two weeks in La Islita. I don’t have much time but lets just say that more rules changed this week. President talked to the zone leaders and changed more rules for the missionaries mainly having to do with bedtime, cleaning the pension, the way we update the area book and things like that. It’s going to be hard, but I'm ready. As for the realignment of the wards, it stinks, but you have to trust in God first and then in his priesthood leaders. Going to the right ward makes a lot of difference.
I got sick for the first time really bad. Well not really that bad compared to Nic, I just ate something bad and had the worst stomach pain of my life then threw up and was fine. Wow Anna thats crazy!! But homeschool’s awesome. Keep an eye on Deany boy for me. Things are good here and working hard with Elder Nash. We did some plumbing today and took out a whole bunch of hair out of the drain which made me think of Chloe’s shower. haha. I have no time sorry love you all!!
Elder Walker
PS Happy Birthday to my Grandma Sue! I love you more!
Hola!
Well, this last week was an adventure. Elder Nash and I are working hard. In fact I haven’t said much about my comp for New York yet. He's 19 and has about a year in the mission. He lives in a small city in New York next to Canada and to pay for his mission he actually worked in Canada. So thats cool. He also plays at as a professional Yugio player. Like in tournaments and stuff. He actually used that as a way to pay for his mission as well. He knows everything about Star Wars. He comes from from a family of 15 including all of his step brothers and sisters. But most importantly he works hard and tries to be obedient. And what I love is his attitude I'm trying to learn how to be happy like him. He reminds me of Sister Honey or something--super enthusiastic and happy.
The mission is changing a lot right now. It's already changed a ton since I arrived. The missionaries before in the words of Presidente, "Mis misioneros son puros, puros trechos," which means my missionaries are pure pure crooked—stretching the rules to the limit. So yeah, we had a meeting today as a mission and implemented some new rules. For example we can't chat anymore with anyone during internet (sorry Mom), we can’t communicate with anyone in the mission boundaries unless president himself reads the letter, and we can’t enter the gate of a house of a women when she’s alone. That and a lot more about the fruits of our labors. He said we haven't had very many baptisms, and it’s because we’ve been disobedient as a mission. I’m kind of glad for the clarification on the rules. You know me. haha.
Apart form that, everything’s chill. I’m happy working hard and love my leaders. Thanks for all the emails and support. Here’s some photos of my birthday for you, Mom. haha.
Love,
Elder Walker
