01-25-10

My companion´s name is Elder Freddy Munoz from Santiago, Chile. He has been on his mission for ten months. He was originally called to go to Venezuela, but he had to serve in the Santiago West Mission for seven months because there were problems with his visa and paperwork. And finally the country wouldn´t let him in and so the church sent him here to the Osorno Chile Mission permanently. We get along really well, and we sure work hard. On Sunday nights we are exhausted and all we ever want to do on preparation day is sleep. He is the district leader here and he does a great job. I like speaking Spanish all the time, it sure helps to have a native companion.

I am getting plenty to eat here, actually this week I completed trying pretty much one of each of the candies here that look good to me. I wanted to do that, and now I am eating healthier. But my momita makes the most amazing soup and homemade bread. We have great lunches here!

I am living in one of the prettiest places on Earth. You would not believe how many rivers with blue water there are. It is just so green and amazing here. San Pablo is a small town. Probably 4,000 people. But the craziest thing is that they have the hugest plaza in the center of town. With a fountain, tons of trees, a place to have shows, and to top it off they are building a building bigger than most buildings in Missoula for the government of this little town. The people of Chile sure use their taxes for building things. In our branch, there are about 30 people that come regularly.

Elder Munoz and I are teaching two people that are interested. A man that we are helping overcome his addiction to alcohol, and a single mom and her son. They are progressing, but Julio, the drunk, is still working on getting over alcohol. He is going to get professional help. The other day he said the prayer in our lesson, and he asked so sincerely for help with overcoming his addiction to alcohol. He said, ¨Heavenly Father, please help me, I am trying to be Mormon, and trying to give up alcohol. He hadn´t drunk for a while, but then a week ago he fell into it again. But now this week he is going to start working with a professional. He can´t remember too much because he has drunk his whole life, it has ruined him, but he really wants to change. It was so sad to see him the day that he started drinking again. But now he is doing better. The mom and her son are still working on their testimonies. She just needs to read and pray more.

Nicole, to answer your question about how my faith has grown in the past five months, I think that it has grown the most from being obedient. You should read a talk called “But If Not.” It is great. I am just being 100% obedient, so that I am ensured to have the blessings that Heavenly Father wants to give me. That is how I have learned to speak Spanish as quickly as I have. He wants to bless us, and if we are obedient He will bless us. In 3 Nephi chapter 27, it says that everything we ask for will be answered. I know that is true, we just have to be patient and obedient. Patience is the key. I really feel that Heavenly Father wants to give us so much, and will if we believe that He will and are obedient to His commandments.