Big Changes: Back to Olimpo!!

Well,

It's been a pretty exciting day. President decided to do a lot of changes in preparation for large group of missionaries leaving, himself included. Basically what happened is that he doesn't want the mission to have to change the whole leadership when he leaves because 15 other zone leaders go home with him, so he split up all the zone leader from my group and moved a bunch of them as assistants. (I guess there's a lot to do in the office for the next 4 weeks.) Probably doesn't sound too interesting for you guys, but for me and for all of us missionaries here, it's pretty crazy. 

Anyways I had changes. I totally didn't expect it because I only have 4 weeks left and for me it didn't make much sense to change sectors for only 4 weeks, but in the end President receives the revelation. The best part is that I got moved back to my old zone, Olimpo, back to where I was 5 months ago and by far my favorite zone! It was to great to go back. It's kind of a bummer at the same time because I left some seeds in Ochagavia, but I'm excited to be where I am. Elder Hunter, my old comp, was a good friend as well so it was rough to say goodbye to one of my best friends in the mission. We spent a whole 3 changes together, or almost 5 months, so he was my comp that I got to know best. He is my friend for life. He went to the office to be an assistant, which was great news as well! I kind of knew something was up with the mission when last week President randomly showed up to at our place to interview us. It was a little weird, but it makes sense now. However, it made me so nervous at the time. 

Bummer that Nick has to go home on his arranged day it would have been a dream come true to meet up in Atlanta, but in the end rules are rules and if there's one thing I've leaned in the mission its to just accept things like that and follow the rules. 

I've got a lot more to do though, and I can't wait to get back to work. This is one of my favorite places here in Maipu and it's so nice to be back. I feel like I came back home. haha. I've already seen some people that I know and its going to be great. It's going to be a great month in June, and I can't wait to see what miracles the Lord has for me here. I'm with Elder Westwood (from Utah) and Elder Olivera (from Brazil), and they're pretty exceptional missionaries. Thanks for everything. 

Love, 

Elder Walker

Capacitación

I’m now starting week 5 of this change and the weeks are going by faster than a tub of Ice cream in my freezer.  Sorry for the ice cream analogy, I just bought tub that I just dropped off at home, and I can’t stop thinking about it.  It’s been about 2 weeks (which feels like 2 months), I think, since the last time I had ice cream, an excruciating amount of time for an ice cream lover like me.

Anyways, last week was great, and we had zone meetings in Maipu, Stake conference and divisions. The zone meetings were particularly interesting this past week because they lasted a really long time. They were the longest I’ve ever had, from 8 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. We had lunch and received special capacitación from President, and it seems like he’s trying to get everyone ready for when he leaves. Actually that’s exactly what he’s doing, and he and his wife focused a lot on the Book of Mormon. It was a great capacitación and what most called my attention was what Hermana Barrerios said towards the end. She related that when Elder Bednar was here she asked him how she could better help her kids and missionaries understand the Atonement. Elder Bednar said that she needed to read the Book of Mormon again and look for the times when God gives strength.

That’s what I’m doing now, too.

Have a great week.

Elder Walker

Good Mother's Day Call

Well, that was a lot of fun yesterday talking to the whole family, like Dad said what blessing to be able to do google chat and talk from 4 different devices at the same time. I was doing fine until the end when Dad said his prayer, and I guess I got something in my eye. haha. It was fun and made me want to work even harder in this important time that I have left. At the same time however its funny that in a special meeting that we had the other day with Elder Allen (from the missionary department) when he asked us if we'd like to talk to our families more than twice a year and nobody put their hand up. Or in other words, it's hard for us as missionaries to do it because I don't want to talk to you guys I want be there. I'm doing great though and can't wait to get back in the groove of things. 

Today we played soccer in the zone and relaxed a little bit. It was perfect because we're all Elders and a lot of us love playing so we had a great time. I love screaming in Spanish while we play, it makes me feel like a real player. Other than that we ate and bought some things for the week. 

Hey but there was one thing that I forgot to say yesterday to the family and in specific to Clayton. In our zone we have a missionary whose name is Elder Southam, and he just got the to mission a few months ago. He's an amazing worker and really, really focused. Like for me, it was a super humbling experience learning Spanish and getting used to Chile, but he's a great guy and learning fast. Last week in divisions with him I was surprised to learn that he is the best Kicker in the Class of 2016 in all the nation and actually graduated a semester early to be able to start in 2018 for the BYU team. Pretty crazy, huh? I sent you guys the picture that I took with him. He told me a little bit of his experience going to some big schools getting recruited and playing in like the all star high school football game where all the best high school players get together and play a game on abc. I was impressed by his football abilities, but more impressed by how well he's doing in the mission. Great guy.

Anyways love you all so much and I'll talk to you next week.

Elder Walker

me, Elder Hansen, Elder Hunter

Beautiful Andes Mountains

Patience

Well,

It was a fun week full of divisions and hard work. In our mission here in Chile, we focus a lot on the divisions, and usually do two a week to help the missionaries and to set goals with them. It’s great because I’ve gotten to know a lot of missionaries here in Ochagavia from all over the world. From Argentina and Chile, to Paraguay, Brazil, Colombia, and of course the US. It’s amazing to see how the gospel pulls us together and makes us all Latter-day Saints. So to help you understand more about what I’m doing every week it’s important to know that a lot of times I’m with other missionaries. Even though it’s rough to sleep in another apartment and people end up eating all your food for breakfast back in your own apartment, divisions help advance the work. To give you an example, last week I was with Elder Montero from Costa Rica, and he's a convert of a about 4 years and a great missionary. I learned a little bit more about his family and how after he got baptized his mostly Catholic family supported him but didn't listen to the missionaries. After a few years his Mom decided to listen and ended up getting baptized. He then told me that when he completed 6 months or so on the mission his dad got baptized. Happy day for him! Hearing his strong testimony and teaching at his side strengthened my own testimony. 

Other than the divisions, the week was full of lessons and finding. My Sector, La Victoria, is so much fun. Let’s just say there’s never… and I mean never... a boring day here. It’s been hard these last couple of weeks to help the people progress. After a dismal, rainy Sunday, but mostly dismal in terms of Sacrament meeting attendance, I was a little discouraged. We had few people at church and though it’s happened before it’s still feels like a week’s worth of work was wasted. Anyways siting there and reflecting on the week and listening to the testimonies, I read a scripture that made me chuckle. It was comforting, while at the same time a little sad. In D&C 24:8 it says, "Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days."

Like I said I just smiled when I read it because it’s so true...I love the scriptures. I better try to learn to be patient now because at my old age of 20 the afflictions have only just begun. I love the Gospel.

Love you all so much and can’t wait to see you on Sunday at 7 my time.

Elder Walker