An exciting week!

So yeah, this week was actually a good week with a few exciting things that happened.

  So, beginning of the week. We had the conference of the southern zones of the mission and that was really good. I had a good opportunity to learn from President about some cool things about the Spirit and the necessity of it in the work. Also got to catch up with some good friends here in the mission so that was really cool.
  Friday we had a ward activity that we (the missionaries) were in charge of. It was a capacitation (is that a word?) for the members about how they can better help us in the missionary work. So we talked about like what they can do to help, how they can share the gospel, and things they can do to help us such as having family home evenings and saying hi to the investigators that come into church with us. And the best part was after we ate tons of soapaipillas! Just kidding, the spiritual part was the best obviously, but who doesn't like tasty food?? So that was a success, there was like 40 or 50 people there and they had a good time and learned (hopefully).
  Had some interesting things happen this week though. Saw various uses of various illegal drugs haha. And here it's not a big deal at all, people just do it right out in the open like its nothing. Also we were in a lesson when a big verbal argument broke out between our investigator, her "boyfriend", and her father in law, who had had a little too much to drink. That was pretty interesting. There was like a bajillion bad words said, with a majority of them basing off the same stem word. It's pretty interesting here, there's like the main bad word people use and you can alternate it in an infinite amount of ways to make a new bad word, and I'm pretty sure they were all said. The funniest thing is that the bad word literally means, "big egg"...... But that was an interesting lesson.. Gave me a little self-esteem boost of my spanish skills cuz I understood it all haha.
   And now about the investigators. We have seem some AMAZING progress by some. Some others are slowing down and we have struggled to find some more but have had a little success and a couple miracles. So, I'll start with those that aren't doing anything. Paulina, who we thought was gonna be an easy baptism this change, turns out to be not so easy. She hasn't been to church in a long time and we're gonna have a serious talk with her to see what she wants. Nataly can't progress in the situation she's living in, but went to church again. She says she wants to change though so that's good, but we'll see what she actually does (it was in her house where the argument broke out). But now the good investigators. So a girl named Nicole, who was investigating a while ago came to mutual this week and told us to come by. She said she was gonna talk to her dad to see if he had changed his mind about her investigating the church (he is extremely against it). So that's good news. We also found a really good family who is progressing well. The wife is understanding perfectly and she believes everything we say, the husband is the less spiritual one. But they're doing good and they said they'd pray to know. And they also promised they'd come to church next Sunday. And the best lesson of the week happened last night with Abraham and Susanna. Susanna finally realized that she wants to change! We walked into the house and the first thing she said was that they were gonna go to church next Sunday, and that she wanted to change, and then she said she'd say the first prayer, something she has never done. So it has really been amazing to see the change in them. The good news is that the other Elders are having baptisms next week and they said that they'd stay and watch, which is always an amazing experience for investigators. And on Saturday we're gonna do a Temple grounds tour with them! Since they aren't married we've been focussing on eternal families and they're really excited to go, so this weekened should be a phenomenal one. We're really looking forward to it. But yeah, those are the investigators.
  So this next week should be a really good one. We should be seeing some good progress with our investigators. And, even better, we're going to the temple on Thursday!! What a blessing to be in a mission with a temple. So that should be an amazing experience.

Well, I love you all, and I'm doing great here in Chile. I love it here doing the Lords work. Hope you all have a great week and I'll talk to you next monday!

Elder Aaron Mayberry

P.S. Heres a cool drawing a member did on the whiteboard after the activity. Can you guess which ones me?

El Valle gang

Well, it was another so-so week for us here in Turquesa. So this email once again might be a little lacking, I'm sorry.

   A lot of this week was dedicated to knocking doors. We knocked quite a bit though, like one of the biggest streets in the sector and a bunch of smaller ones. Needless to say, we had no success. We got some contacts and appointments to come back other days but no one was home or they were busy. So in terms of that this week was kinda rough for us. And that's kinda bad news that we haven't been finding any new investigators, because ours are kinda slowing down. Kinda meaning a lot haha. Next week we're gonna try a new strategy for finding news though, we're gonna start looking for inactive families and teaching them. The other 2 elders in the sector have been doing that and they said it's been working for them so we're gonna do the same.
  In terms of investigators, like I said, they're slowing down. No one went to church again, which is extremely disappointing. We really have only like one or two investigators that are actually progressing at the moment, which is pretty low. One is Abraham, who is progressing a lot actually. He said the last time we taught him that we had answered his prayer which was asking God if what he was doing in his life at the moment was right and he said what we taught him that day was an answer meaning yes. So it's been really cool to see the changes he's been making in his life. The only obstacles left for him are to go to church and get married to his girlfriend. But other than him there hasn't been any notable progress in anyone. We have a lesson tonight with a new person we found who seemed pretty interested though, so that's good. We'll see how it goes.
   The rest of the week was pretty normal in terms of the stuff happening though. Today we went to a buffet so that was pretty fun and delicious. I can't believe we're almost in June though already. Its crazy. But that's all I have for this week though, I'm sorry. I hope this coming week we can have a lot more success. You are always in my prayers and I hope that everything is going really well for you over there. Love you all! Til next week!
Here's some pictures too :)
Love,
Elder Aaron Mayberry
1. Our house

2. The sector

3. The metro

4. Me and Elder Laney

It was a pretty decent week this week!

Hello everyone!
  It was a pretty decent week this week. Nothing terribly exciting to report though.

  I'll start off with the beginnging of the week. On Tuesday we had interviews with President and those are always really good. He always gives really good advice for us and how to improve as missionaries.
  The weather has been changing a bit, we’ve been going out in suits practically everyday. And on Friday it basically rained all day. That was ok, didn't get too wet, just a little bit.
  On Tuesday we did divisions with some other elders and I went with elder Johnston from Florida. He got here with me on the mission so that was pretty cool. It's always interesting going to a new sector and seeing other peoples investigators and how they're doing and stuff.
  Speaking of investigators, I'll talk about ours now. To say it simply, we have a few investigators that aren't really progressing that much. So that is basically a problem. One is named Nataly, I think I've talked about her before. She's the one who lives with the guy but wants to move out but can't cuz she has no money/house. She is progressing at an extremely slow rate if I were to say at all. So we dunno what to do with her. She is good and all and wants to get baptized but isn't going anywhere at the moment. So its hard. We also havent been able to find a lot of the investigators we have. We've maybe taught them once a week. So it's hard to see lots of progress when you can't teach people a lot. But our best investigators at the moment are Paulina and the couple Abraham and Susanna. Paulina is the 18 year old girl that wants to get baptized. She has the desires and has already been taught and knows everything in order to get baptized. Her only problem is that she needs to come to church. She didn't go again on Sunday but she had a reason not to this time. So we're gonna be having some important lessons with her this week to talk more about going to church and stuff. She's also kinda hard to teach cuz she is super super busy with school work and pre-university school. Abraham and Susanna are doing really good. We had a really spiritual lesson with them last night. Abraham is progressing a lot faster than Susanna is though but that's ok. They're big problem is that they aren't married. And they don't have much plans of doing so at the moment. But last night we talked all about getting their testimonies about the gospel. The spirit was really strong and they said that they really felt what we said. But the whole marriage thing is still a gigantic obstacle. We'll see what happens.
  Sunday was interesting because 5 minutes before sacrament meeting started guess who was asked to give a talk? Uh-huh, me. So that went ok I guess. I just talked about something I had studied earlier in the week and it was good.
And today was a fun p-day because as a zone we played soccer and basketball. I'm pretty tired though.
  But things are going really good here in my sector. I'm liking it a lot and the ward is cool. I apologize because I forgot my camera today so no pictures, but next week I promise. Love you all and this is the true church! If it wasn't I wouldn't be here. You're always in my prayers, hope youre all doing good!

Elder Aaron Mayberry

Mothers Day phone call !

  Well, there's not too much to put here since I just talked to you all, haha. But that was a wonderful experience like always. I figured today I could just talk a little about the investigators we have and the sector a bit.

  So investigators. No one has a baptuismal date at the moment. We are teaching a couple people that are close at the moment. We are teaching a girl named Paulina, who has told us she wants to get baptized. She had a date for the 16th but she didn't go to church so that won't be happening. But its good. Her only problem is that she doesn't fully understand the importance of going to church every Sunday. So she needs to understand that and then she'll get baptized. We're also teaching a woman named Nataly who is progressing. She has been to church like 4 times so far, but what's holding her back is that she is living with a guy and they have 3 kids but she wants to leave him but can't find a house or something along those lines haha. It's a little complicated with her. And we are also teaching a couple of Abraham and Susanna, who really like the gospel, but yet again, they aren't married. It makes things very hard because they can progress and progress and progress but not go any farther cuz they are not married. So we'll see what happens with them. And those are the main investigators we have at the moment.
  Sunday was pretty cool. Church was good. It'll take a bit to get used to a new ward but it's all good. It should be fun and it seems like a good ward.
  We saw some really cool fruits on Sunday though. On saturday night we went and talked to an inactive bishop that lives on the same street as us. Sadly, this is a big problem in Chile, when bishops go inactive and stuff. But we went and taught him and told him he needed to go back to church. Twas kinda weird, two young 20 year olds who basically don't know too much, telling the aged bishop with many many years of experience in the church to return, haha. An interesting conversation. But on Sunday morning, to our surprise, he was there! So that was a really cool sight.
  Today was a good day too. Went shopping and Elder Deviagge, the Argentine, made us a tasty lunch of an Agrentinian meatdish. And then we just relaxed in the house and had a nice chat.
  But yeah. The letter is kinda inadequate but that's just cuz I talked to you all yesterday. Thanks for being there to talk to me and for all the support you give me. Love you all! Til next week! (I promise there'll be pictures next week :) )

Love,
Elder Aaron Mayberry

Unexpected Cambio!

  Well, an unexpected cambio that I was kinda expecting. I'm gone! Haha, after one change in Vicente Valdes I'm already in a new sector with a new comp. I kinda felt that I was gonna leave though, dunno why but I did. It's pretty fome (bad) I wanted to stay in that sector. I liked it a lot. But oh well. The Lord needs me in this new sector which should be interesting. It's in a stake called Vicuña McKenna, in the ward Turquesa. I've heard that it's a pretty flaite sector so it should be fun : )

  So yeah. Here I am in another new sector. My new comp is Elder Laney from Arizona and I've heard good things about him. It should be a good change. He's got about a year and a half on the mish and has been in this sector for 4 and a half months. We're living with Elder Mooney, who came with me but I don't really know him, and Elder Deviagge, an Elder from Argentina who speaks good english haha. They're cool and I think we'll have fun working together in this sector.
  So yeah. Interesting halt to the progress we were seeing in my last sector. But here was some good news that we were having progress with some investigators. Ricardo was doing good. He went to mutual the other day and there were tons of youth there so he made friends and got to know them. Marcela told us that she is just lacking a spiritual answer and that when she gets it she will be baptised. I think she'll get baptised this change. And we had a good family home evening with Sandra with another family and that was really good and she told us that now she had really prayed and was looking to see if she should follow our religion. So that's some good news for my old comp and his new comp, haha. They'll have a good change. But my comp now says we should be having a good one with some baptisms.
  Sunday was really good. We had a super spiritual testimony meeting and Sandra and Marcela were there listening and it was just what they needed. So hopefully they keep on progressing towards baptism here soon.
  But as for me, I can't really worry about that now, nor do anything. Of course my prayers will be with them so that they keep progressing. But now I'm in this new sector with new people to find and teach and bring the restored gospel to. It should be a good one!
  I love you all a lot and am sorry for the tiny letter, not much to write about if I don't know anything or anyone in this new sector haha. Oh well. Next week should be a good one telling you all about this new sector. You're all always in my prayers and thoughts and I hope you're all doing well! This is the true church, the only one on the face of the earth and I'm so glad I have that knowledge and can help people come to know it here in Chile. Chao!

Elder Aaron Mayberry

Things have been going good here in Vicente Valdes!

Hello all!

  Things have been going good here in Vicente Valdes. Nothing terribly exciting, but going nonetheless.
  Lets see, where to start. I'll start with the investigators I suppose. Marcela is doing good. She is getting baptised sí o sí. The question is when though. We are hoping for this coming sunday, the 2nd of may, and she is praying to know if she should that day too, but if it isn't this Sunday it'll probably be the next, the 9th. So that's good. Sandra is also doing good, and we've started using members with her. We brought this one hermana to a lesson and it was really good and we should be having a noche de hogar with them tomorrow if everything goes according to plan. oh, noche de hogar is a family home evening. that just kinda happens now, when some things gospel related just come out in spanish. We are also seeing Ricardo progress slowly so that's good. Other than that we haven't had like anything super amazing happen with progress, everyone is going at their own slow and steady pace.
  We have been teaching a recently inactive recent convert named Juan, who basically went inactive for no reason at all and we've been trying to get him to come back to church and por fin he came back on Sunday. Hallelujah. So that was a relief to see him there finally after weeks of teaching him.
  Nothing too exciting happened in terms of events this week though. Just getting colder, especially at nights. There was a huge soccer game last night though, versus Colo Colo and La Universidad de Chile(La U). I dunno if I ever mentioned this but this is the biggest rivalry in Chile between soccer teams and its crazy huge. Like insane. People die when they play each other haha. But nothing too exciting happened this time. Just knew it was going on. This sector is super tranquil. Some sectors get crazy when this game happens and people have to go inside early, but here nothing happened. Just got bugged by a coulple drunk guys but that's kinda normal here in the mission. Colo colo ended up wining 1-0. Everything stops in the coutry though haha. streets were empty and we attempted knocking doors but it was a huge failure.
  Sunday was pretty good. We only had one investigator in the chapel, Marcela. But like I said, Juan went so that was good.
  Hmm, don't know much more to say, nothing really happened haha. Oh, something cool is that it's almost mothers day haha and I'm already gonna be able to call home again. Crazy! And we already have changes next week, which is also super crazy. This change has flown by. Haha we've been teasing an Elder we live with a little bit cuz he goes home next change, in only 7 weeks. Then my comp is right after him the change after. So they tease each other a lot.
  But I'm doing super good here in Santiago. I love it here. It's where I'm supposed to be and I'm supposed to be doing this week. I love you all and you're always in my prayers and thoughts! Lots of love from here in Chile.
Elder Aaron Mayberry

Chilly in Chile!

Yes, that was a pun in the subject and yes it was bad. And I cant believe Ryan robbed it from me. I was thinking of using that a long time ago when the weather finally changed and it did this week.

  So the weather has finally gotten a little colder. We usually go out in long sleeves, and one day we had to go out in jackets. It was pretty cool, we were studying and we heard rain so we went outside and it was actually hailing! And then it turned to rain a bit and there was thunder. And I hear the loudest thunder of my life. It scared us all so bad cuz it was soooo loud. But finally, it isn’t summer anymore here in chile.
  This week was a pretty good one. It flew by. We had our interviews with our mission president on Thursday and they were amazing. That man is really called by God to be our mission president. He tells us the coolest things in interviews to help us out or to get the morale up or basically just get inspiration for us. You can easily feel the spirit when President talks. He told me a funny story from his mission in argentina. First he asked what I thought I was struggling on, and I said getting out of bed right when the alarm goes off (I bet you couldn’t have guessed…..im still the same person haha). But he told me the funny story of how on his mission him and one of his comps decided to put a glass of water in between their beds and whoever got up out of bed the fastest got to throw it on the other guy haha. I don't think I wanna try it cuz I don’t wanna get wet in the morning, but it was still a funny story. I love President and all his cool stories and advice he gives us.
  In terms of investigators and their progress its going well. Marcela accepted a baptismal date for the 2nd of May! So that’s exciting. Ricardo is doing good too. He couldn’t come to church because he went out of town, but our last lesson with him was really good. He said “im gonna pray fr sure to know if this is true” so that was a really cool experience. Sandra also came to church again and we had a good lesson with her the other day. So our investigators are doing good and are progressing.
  Today was a really fun p-day. We all went as a zone to an hermanos house from another ward, and he lives in the mountains and has a bunch of land. First we went and essentially made blow darts using metal tubes and magazine pages and we shot those at balloons and that was a ton of fun. And then in his yard this guy has two zip-lines that we got to go down which was also a lot of fun. And we finished it off with a huge barbeque Chilean style. So all in all a good pday. I'm a little sore from hiking though but that’s ok.
Haha I got a super cool gift from my last Bishop, Bishop Gonzalez. He gave me a present to a guy he works with who's dating a member of the ward so I got it in church on Sunday and it’s a super cool pen with a laser, flashlight and a extending pointer thing to point at whiteboards. And of course it functions as your average pen. But it's pretty cool. I love that ward and the people there.

  Well, that’s about all I got for now. Hopefully everyone is doing well in this time of year. I know the church is true and that this is the lords work and that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be in my life. Love you all and you're always in my prayers.

Love,
Elder Aaron Mayberry