Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
New companion 1/14/13
Hello hello hello!
Well today is quite a weird day! It磗 my last day as a teenager. How weird is it to think that I spent the last 6 months of my adolescense living in Chile? haha how many of my highschool friends can say something like that?? But looking back it磗 been a great 6 months--difficult, frustrating, trying, uncomfortable, wonderful, joyful, and worth it.
Sounds like everyone at home is doing well too despite being so cold and stressed! Trina, Grampsir and Gramzy, Papa and Lenna and Lorinda, thanks so much for writing me! Unfortunately I don磘 have time to respond back individually today, but your emails mean so much to me! Thanks a ton! Love you!
News update: After 4 1/2 months with one companion in one sector, my companion Elder Torres is being transfered to San Pedro. One of my roommates is getting transfered to Temuco, and Elder Willcocks and I are staying in Los 羘geles. Our new companions are two gringos too! Ha, it磗 going to be pretty crazy! Besides setting a mission record for the longest amount of time spent together with us four, we are now also breaking a mission norm of having four North Americans in one house. But I磎 super excited, because Elder Willcock磗 new companion Elder Townsend was with me in the MTC! whoo! And my companion Elder Pond is my great-grandfather (in other words, he trained my trainer磗 trainer haha). Elder Pond as 18 months in the mission, so he磗 very well experienced. They don磘 arrive unil Tuesday, so I磍l send pictures next Monday.
Rather often during district and zone meetings, I look around and think to myself, 创We磖e just a bunch of kids. Living in Chile. Trying to teach people about Jesus. What the heck am I doing here?创 It磗 so strange to look around and realized that there are no adults governing us or babysitting us during these meetings or really anything else. I often wonder about what it will be like to send my own children on missions and realize that they will be in a foreign country where I will have no control what they do or what happens to them. It磗 a daunting thought. But when I glance about the room, I notice something else; despite being a bunch of teenagers from North and South America, we are well behaved. We are responsible. We are determined. We are endowed with power and authority, promised protection and health, and immensely blessed by our Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ. It磗 a powerful feeling. I磛e had real conversations with my Heavenly Father through prayers--more than just a list of things to thank or ask Him for. He listens, and He responds. But we have to prepare ourselves to be able to have such blessings from Him. We need to live righteously, always obeying all of His commandments. We need to live worthy of His guidance that He so willingly wants to give us. It can be very difficult, but it磗 so worth it. I know He磗 there. I know He will answer you. Just trust in Him, and patiently, faithfully await His response. Follow the counsel found in James 1:5, and follow the example of a young 14 year old boy that asked with faith.
The Lord loves you. And He WILL bless you if you allow him. Mum and Dad, I磎 so glad that you have been keeping a list of the blessings you磛e been receiving. What a wonderful example for us to follow. 创Count your many blessings创 is more than just a catchy song, it磗 inspired wisdom. Have a wonderful week! Love you!
Elder Long
PS. Lacey, I came across a great scripture that you should read. Tyler should read it too now that he nears the dating age. It磗 in 1 John 3:18 (different from the Gospel According to St. John). It speaks great wisdom. Plus it made me laugh. Enjoy!
Well today is quite a weird day! It磗 my last day as a teenager. How weird is it to think that I spent the last 6 months of my adolescense living in Chile? haha how many of my highschool friends can say something like that?? But looking back it磗 been a great 6 months--difficult, frustrating, trying, uncomfortable, wonderful, joyful, and worth it.
Sounds like everyone at home is doing well too despite being so cold and stressed! Trina, Grampsir and Gramzy, Papa and Lenna and Lorinda, thanks so much for writing me! Unfortunately I don磘 have time to respond back individually today, but your emails mean so much to me! Thanks a ton! Love you!
News update: After 4 1/2 months with one companion in one sector, my companion Elder Torres is being transfered to San Pedro. One of my roommates is getting transfered to Temuco, and Elder Willcocks and I are staying in Los 羘geles. Our new companions are two gringos too! Ha, it磗 going to be pretty crazy! Besides setting a mission record for the longest amount of time spent together with us four, we are now also breaking a mission norm of having four North Americans in one house. But I磎 super excited, because Elder Willcock磗 new companion Elder Townsend was with me in the MTC! whoo! And my companion Elder Pond is my great-grandfather (in other words, he trained my trainer磗 trainer haha). Elder Pond as 18 months in the mission, so he磗 very well experienced. They don磘 arrive unil Tuesday, so I磍l send pictures next Monday.
Rather often during district and zone meetings, I look around and think to myself, 创We磖e just a bunch of kids. Living in Chile. Trying to teach people about Jesus. What the heck am I doing here?创 It磗 so strange to look around and realized that there are no adults governing us or babysitting us during these meetings or really anything else. I often wonder about what it will be like to send my own children on missions and realize that they will be in a foreign country where I will have no control what they do or what happens to them. It磗 a daunting thought. But when I glance about the room, I notice something else; despite being a bunch of teenagers from North and South America, we are well behaved. We are responsible. We are determined. We are endowed with power and authority, promised protection and health, and immensely blessed by our Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ. It磗 a powerful feeling. I磛e had real conversations with my Heavenly Father through prayers--more than just a list of things to thank or ask Him for. He listens, and He responds. But we have to prepare ourselves to be able to have such blessings from Him. We need to live righteously, always obeying all of His commandments. We need to live worthy of His guidance that He so willingly wants to give us. It can be very difficult, but it磗 so worth it. I know He磗 there. I know He will answer you. Just trust in Him, and patiently, faithfully await His response. Follow the counsel found in James 1:5, and follow the example of a young 14 year old boy that asked with faith.
The Lord loves you. And He WILL bless you if you allow him. Mum and Dad, I磎 so glad that you have been keeping a list of the blessings you磛e been receiving. What a wonderful example for us to follow. 创Count your many blessings创 is more than just a catchy song, it磗 inspired wisdom. Have a wonderful week! Love you!
Elder Long
PS. Lacey, I came across a great scripture that you should read. Tyler should read it too now that he nears the dating age. It磗 in 1 John 3:18 (different from the Gospel According to St. John). It speaks great wisdom. Plus it made me laugh. Enjoy!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Pictures from Chile
BBQ outside the missionary house
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| Elder Long saves the day with his emergency water supply |
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| Fixing the chapel ceiling after rains |
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| My son the Chilean |
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Talking to Tanner on Skype Christmas Day
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| Skyping with Tanner Christmas Day 2012 |
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| We're a captive audience talking with Tanner |
First Week of January 2013
Hola hola!
Sounds like you all had tons of fun at the cabin! I'm so glad you got to enjoy the new year with the extended family--and with some fun visitors. That's so cool about Steven's mission call to Russia! How exciting! When does he report to the MTC? I missed you all, but we had a great new years down here too!
Our mission president wanted us in our houses by 8:30pm (as opposed to the usual 10pm), so we took advantage of it and had our own little bbq! We found some cement pieces to create a bbq pit, and borrowed a slab of metal from a neighbor for our grill. Oh yeah! It was crazy ghetto, but so delicious! Churripan is my favorite. I don't know if it exists in the US or not. I doubt it... It was the four of us plus two other missionaries from Mulchen (a nearby town) that stayed the night with us. On Tuesday we spent the whole day in our chapel as a zone with the APs (as mandated by President Martinez). It was for a number of reasons that all missionaries stayed inside, but mostly because he knew no real missionary work would get done. So we took advantage of the day to do capacitation and practices and meetings and set goals for the new year. It was a long day, but a fun day. It was very similar to being locked in the MTC again...haha.
One night this week we came home and the water wasn't working in the whole city because there had been roadwork that day and the water had yet to come back on. It had been an extremely hot day and we were dehydrated and exhausted and needed water. Luckily, just a week earlier, I had received a prompting to take some of the used soda bottles we had and clean them and fill them with water. Many thanks to our Lord for the inspired preparation, we had several liters of water to get us through the night (and honestly we didn't know how long we'd be without water). Luckily the water eventually came back on, but it was a sweet tender mercy of the Lord. There's a simple, basic testimony of the importance of heeding the counsel of the prophet to keep a water and food supply to get you through emergencies. I don't care if you're a college student or on a mission or too poor to even pay attention--the prophet speaks for the Lord who has wisely commanded us to be prepared. If the least you can do is a liter of water and some granola bars, do it. You never know what could happen. Be obedient, and the Lord will watch over you. Special thanks to my wonderful parents for teaching me that principle by always having food storage and preparing ahead. Woo fantastic examples!
This Friday we had interviews with President Martinez. He's an incredible man. He asked me how I would prepare myself if I were sent to a sector that only has a tiny branch instead of a ''large'' ward like the one I'm in now. Ay ay ay haha. So us missionaries have had a really fun time guessing and gossipping about who will get transfered and to where! That's always the large talk of the mission...haha it's silly but entertaining.
Last night I dreamed that Mum was given special permission to be my companion for a day. We had fun talking in Spanish and teaching my current investigators! Love you, Mum. Thanks for the visit :) Random question, does the last name ''Camargo'' sound familiar to you? He's a missionary from Bogota and his parents got baptized about the same time you were on your mission. Just curious!
This Sunday was a marvelous Sunday. After a long week of tracting all day in extreme heat and intense sunshine with NO SUCCESS this week, we had our reward on Sunday. I've been working the past four months with my companion to get Ezequiel and his wife Lorena to come to church. They went inactive after they couldn't have children, then of course began struggling with a few other commandments. It's been an incredible struggle to get them to come. Therefore, I can't even describe the immense joy I felt when I saw them walk through the church doors this Sunday, hand in hand and nervous but happy smiles on their faces. Ah, such fulfilling joy and excitement! This gospel is true, and I hope each of you believe me when I say so. But more than just that, I want you to have your own testimony of it. God gives us a promise that if we have a question or doubt, we can ask Him directly and He will answer us as long as we ask in faith (James 1:5-6). We have that same promise in the Book of Mormon to help us feel four ourselves that the Book of Mormon truly is the word of God, and we can receive that testimony through the Holy Ghost, who testifies of truth and will teach us all things (Moroni 10:3-5). I invite you, and even exhort you, to find out for yourself. Read even just those three verses in the end of the Book of Mormon, and exercise your faith to ask God our Heavenly Father in a sincere, heartfelt prayer if the BoM is not true. Do it and expect an answer--meaning create the environment of quietness and peace to be able to receive an answer. And if you already have gained a testimony of the veracity of the Book of Mormon and this Restored Gospel, I invite you to do it again. The Lord counsels us to ''remember always.''
Family and friends, I love you. I miss you. And the Lord loves you ever so much more and misses you even more. He's anxiously awaiting your return to Him after this life, but we must live this life valiently and prepare ourselves for that rejoiceful day (Alma 34:32-34). Have a wonderful week, and may the Lord bless you in this new year. Make it the best one yet!
Much love,
Elder Long :)
Sounds like you all had tons of fun at the cabin! I'm so glad you got to enjoy the new year with the extended family--and with some fun visitors. That's so cool about Steven's mission call to Russia! How exciting! When does he report to the MTC? I missed you all, but we had a great new years down here too!
Our mission president wanted us in our houses by 8:30pm (as opposed to the usual 10pm), so we took advantage of it and had our own little bbq! We found some cement pieces to create a bbq pit, and borrowed a slab of metal from a neighbor for our grill. Oh yeah! It was crazy ghetto, but so delicious! Churripan is my favorite. I don't know if it exists in the US or not. I doubt it... It was the four of us plus two other missionaries from Mulchen (a nearby town) that stayed the night with us. On Tuesday we spent the whole day in our chapel as a zone with the APs (as mandated by President Martinez). It was for a number of reasons that all missionaries stayed inside, but mostly because he knew no real missionary work would get done. So we took advantage of the day to do capacitation and practices and meetings and set goals for the new year. It was a long day, but a fun day. It was very similar to being locked in the MTC again...haha.
One night this week we came home and the water wasn't working in the whole city because there had been roadwork that day and the water had yet to come back on. It had been an extremely hot day and we were dehydrated and exhausted and needed water. Luckily, just a week earlier, I had received a prompting to take some of the used soda bottles we had and clean them and fill them with water. Many thanks to our Lord for the inspired preparation, we had several liters of water to get us through the night (and honestly we didn't know how long we'd be without water). Luckily the water eventually came back on, but it was a sweet tender mercy of the Lord. There's a simple, basic testimony of the importance of heeding the counsel of the prophet to keep a water and food supply to get you through emergencies. I don't care if you're a college student or on a mission or too poor to even pay attention--the prophet speaks for the Lord who has wisely commanded us to be prepared. If the least you can do is a liter of water and some granola bars, do it. You never know what could happen. Be obedient, and the Lord will watch over you. Special thanks to my wonderful parents for teaching me that principle by always having food storage and preparing ahead. Woo fantastic examples!
This Friday we had interviews with President Martinez. He's an incredible man. He asked me how I would prepare myself if I were sent to a sector that only has a tiny branch instead of a ''large'' ward like the one I'm in now. Ay ay ay haha. So us missionaries have had a really fun time guessing and gossipping about who will get transfered and to where! That's always the large talk of the mission...haha it's silly but entertaining.
Last night I dreamed that Mum was given special permission to be my companion for a day. We had fun talking in Spanish and teaching my current investigators! Love you, Mum. Thanks for the visit :) Random question, does the last name ''Camargo'' sound familiar to you? He's a missionary from Bogota and his parents got baptized about the same time you were on your mission. Just curious!
This Sunday was a marvelous Sunday. After a long week of tracting all day in extreme heat and intense sunshine with NO SUCCESS this week, we had our reward on Sunday. I've been working the past four months with my companion to get Ezequiel and his wife Lorena to come to church. They went inactive after they couldn't have children, then of course began struggling with a few other commandments. It's been an incredible struggle to get them to come. Therefore, I can't even describe the immense joy I felt when I saw them walk through the church doors this Sunday, hand in hand and nervous but happy smiles on their faces. Ah, such fulfilling joy and excitement! This gospel is true, and I hope each of you believe me when I say so. But more than just that, I want you to have your own testimony of it. God gives us a promise that if we have a question or doubt, we can ask Him directly and He will answer us as long as we ask in faith (James 1:5-6). We have that same promise in the Book of Mormon to help us feel four ourselves that the Book of Mormon truly is the word of God, and we can receive that testimony through the Holy Ghost, who testifies of truth and will teach us all things (Moroni 10:3-5). I invite you, and even exhort you, to find out for yourself. Read even just those three verses in the end of the Book of Mormon, and exercise your faith to ask God our Heavenly Father in a sincere, heartfelt prayer if the BoM is not true. Do it and expect an answer--meaning create the environment of quietness and peace to be able to receive an answer. And if you already have gained a testimony of the veracity of the Book of Mormon and this Restored Gospel, I invite you to do it again. The Lord counsels us to ''remember always.''
Family and friends, I love you. I miss you. And the Lord loves you ever so much more and misses you even more. He's anxiously awaiting your return to Him after this life, but we must live this life valiently and prepare ourselves for that rejoiceful day (Alma 34:32-34). Have a wonderful week, and may the Lord bless you in this new year. Make it the best one yet!
Much love,
Elder Long :)
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Christmas in Chile
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| In El Campo Christmas Day |
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| Bipolar skies of Chile |
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| Christmas Dinner |
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| Onward Christian Soldiers |
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| Cheers to Tanner from the Longs |
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| Cheers to Tanner from Las Vegas |
New Years from Chile
Mis seres queridos!
Thank you so much for all the great emails! I also got hilarious pictures from Trina, Cooper, and the family. I loved hearing from so many relatives this Christmas! Mum, rest assured that I also got your package!!! It came only a few days after Christmas haha. But I sure love it! Vamos a engordarnos no más! I also got fun letters from Tynica, Grandma, my Aussie Twinner Alissa, Krysta, and several ward members. It has been great!
After skyping, I got to go out to the campo (woods) to spend the afternoon and evening with one of the member families in our ward. It was a blast! I took TONS of gorgeous pictures of all of their land out in the woods, and we feasted like never before. Whoo, it was delicious! It didn't feel like Christmas at all, ha, but we had fun :)
Quick requests: Dad, could you send me my line of authority please? I feel so bad that I don't have it! I could have sworn I put it in the envelope with my patriarchal blessing, but I can't find it :/ Thanks! Also, Mum, have you had time to work on getting that Schwann card? If not, how much is the fee to use the Visa I currently have? Because the raingear is much cheeper now that the rainy season is gone (despite the fact that it still rains 3 times a week...haha). Let me know please! Thanks!
Funny Spanish of the week: in the scriptures it talks about how when the Savior comes again, there will be "gnashing of teeth" among the wicked. In Spanish, the verb is "crujir" which also means to squeek. It just made me laugh reading about the "wailing and squeeking of teeth'' haha ;P
Ok, so this week was completely exhausting--not just for us, but for the entire zone. We worked like crazy to be able to get these last few people baptized before the end of the year. To give you a little taste of my missionary life, I'll explain my experiences with Alejandra. She's 33, 8 months pregnant, and we've been working with her ever since I arrived about 4 months ago. She hasn't been able to get baptized for reasons of not living the Law of Chastity, but finally everything got resolved and we had set a date for last Saturday--the same day Claudio Jr got baptized. When we passed by on Friday, she had decided not to do it. She came up with a number of excuses about physical pain from her pregnancy, etc. At long last (after a really cool personal experience of the Spirit speaking through me), we planned another baptismal service for her the following Saturday. It was her last chance before she has a C-section and won't be able to get baptized. Based on experience, we knew that if she didn't get baptized this Saturday, she would again lose the desire to take this important step in her life and she would never receive the forgiveness of her sins nor the blessings of having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We worked like mad all week to keep her actively reading, praying, and maintain the desire to be baptized. We even made trips to visit her when the Spirit prompted us too--which usually took about 2 hours because she lives in the campo. Finally the hour for the baptism had come, but she hadn't yet shown up. We divided amongst companionships to send out search parties for her. After another hour, someone spotted her getting on a bus headed the opposite direction. Meh.
After 4 months of hard work, fasting, praying, running across the city (often literally), and doing absolutely everything in our power to help her get baptized, she used her God given agency to choose not to follow through. We've done everything. Everything. It's been extremely disappointing, but the Lord has reassured me through the scriptures that I've done my part and I shouldn't be discouraged. So fear not, I'm doing well. Set back a bit, completely exhausted in every way, but cared for by the Lord. He loves us. He wants us to be happy. God has blessed each of us with our personal agency, and unfortunately at times it's a pain that we can't force people to accept the restored gospel haha. But all is well. The Lord knows best. I can testify that the true gospel of Jesus Christ really has been restored to the earth. Not just reformed, but restored. To restore means to bring back to its original state. We have a living prophet, we have apostles, we have the priesthood authority of God, and we have the opportunity to repent and be forgiven of our sins. May God bless you this next year as you do all of your part with the promise that God will do His.
Feliz Año Nuevo!
Much love,
Elder Long :)
Thank you so much for all the great emails! I also got hilarious pictures from Trina, Cooper, and the family. I loved hearing from so many relatives this Christmas! Mum, rest assured that I also got your package!!! It came only a few days after Christmas haha. But I sure love it! Vamos a engordarnos no más! I also got fun letters from Tynica, Grandma, my Aussie Twinner Alissa, Krysta, and several ward members. It has been great!
After skyping, I got to go out to the campo (woods) to spend the afternoon and evening with one of the member families in our ward. It was a blast! I took TONS of gorgeous pictures of all of their land out in the woods, and we feasted like never before. Whoo, it was delicious! It didn't feel like Christmas at all, ha, but we had fun :)
Quick requests: Dad, could you send me my line of authority please? I feel so bad that I don't have it! I could have sworn I put it in the envelope with my patriarchal blessing, but I can't find it :/ Thanks! Also, Mum, have you had time to work on getting that Schwann card? If not, how much is the fee to use the Visa I currently have? Because the raingear is much cheeper now that the rainy season is gone (despite the fact that it still rains 3 times a week...haha). Let me know please! Thanks!
Funny Spanish of the week: in the scriptures it talks about how when the Savior comes again, there will be "gnashing of teeth" among the wicked. In Spanish, the verb is "crujir" which also means to squeek. It just made me laugh reading about the "wailing and squeeking of teeth'' haha ;P
Ok, so this week was completely exhausting--not just for us, but for the entire zone. We worked like crazy to be able to get these last few people baptized before the end of the year. To give you a little taste of my missionary life, I'll explain my experiences with Alejandra. She's 33, 8 months pregnant, and we've been working with her ever since I arrived about 4 months ago. She hasn't been able to get baptized for reasons of not living the Law of Chastity, but finally everything got resolved and we had set a date for last Saturday--the same day Claudio Jr got baptized. When we passed by on Friday, she had decided not to do it. She came up with a number of excuses about physical pain from her pregnancy, etc. At long last (after a really cool personal experience of the Spirit speaking through me), we planned another baptismal service for her the following Saturday. It was her last chance before she has a C-section and won't be able to get baptized. Based on experience, we knew that if she didn't get baptized this Saturday, she would again lose the desire to take this important step in her life and she would never receive the forgiveness of her sins nor the blessings of having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We worked like mad all week to keep her actively reading, praying, and maintain the desire to be baptized. We even made trips to visit her when the Spirit prompted us too--which usually took about 2 hours because she lives in the campo. Finally the hour for the baptism had come, but she hadn't yet shown up. We divided amongst companionships to send out search parties for her. After another hour, someone spotted her getting on a bus headed the opposite direction. Meh.
After 4 months of hard work, fasting, praying, running across the city (often literally), and doing absolutely everything in our power to help her get baptized, she used her God given agency to choose not to follow through. We've done everything. Everything. It's been extremely disappointing, but the Lord has reassured me through the scriptures that I've done my part and I shouldn't be discouraged. So fear not, I'm doing well. Set back a bit, completely exhausted in every way, but cared for by the Lord. He loves us. He wants us to be happy. God has blessed each of us with our personal agency, and unfortunately at times it's a pain that we can't force people to accept the restored gospel haha. But all is well. The Lord knows best. I can testify that the true gospel of Jesus Christ really has been restored to the earth. Not just reformed, but restored. To restore means to bring back to its original state. We have a living prophet, we have apostles, we have the priesthood authority of God, and we have the opportunity to repent and be forgiven of our sins. May God bless you this next year as you do all of your part with the promise that God will do His.
Feliz Año Nuevo!
Much love,
Elder Long :)
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