Crazy Spiritual Week....

Well first off HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST MOMMA EN EL MUNDO!!!!! Well yes just as you assumed there was a holiday yesterday but we found a cyber (internet cafe) that would open up for us for a little while. But as you know, I had a few problems in trying to write yesterday so I didn’t get to write anyone. Also please tell everyone that I’m sorry I couldn’t respond. I’m only responding to you today because we don’t have a ton of time!:) Oh and on the activity we did as a ward a few weeks ago, it was because like a ton of the members traveled for the holiday so there would be like no one here so they did it early.:) but yeah it was really cool!!:)

Things here in Osorno are really good!!:) Hermana María Treviño is getting better so we are gonna see how she feels this week to set a baptism date that’s more concrete!:) Also this last week we finally found a new member that moved here from San Pablo (little town close to Osorno). His name is Max and he is 8. He lives with his older sister here!:) so we are gonna start visiting with him as well!:) Then also we had leaders conference on Tuesday and it was really cool. We talked about the "standards" of our mission and the numbers that we wanted to put for "key indicators" (investigators with fecha, investigators in the church, lesson w/member, contacts) so it was really good. President put a big emphasis that these standards are not our goals. We as missionaries should look and meditate on our areas and see if realistically we can get more than the standard or maybe if a small town, smaller numbers. Because in reality the numbers are for our investigators, not for us. Behind every number is a name and a soul that we are trying to save!!:)

Then on Thursday we had zone conference and Elder Arizmendi and I talked about obedience and how to better our teaching:) --Also a cool story that happened as well after this zone conference. Before for exercises in the morning, Pres. said that we could listen to more upbeat music on p-days and for exercises; but recently he changed his mind and decided that we should only listen to music that brings the spirit (hymns, church songs, etc.) So I decided right after the conference to go to the cyber and take of all the music off my card. When we were there this man comes up to me and says (in Spanish) "excuse me, are you missionaries?" then told us he lived in Chiloé and listened to the missionaries there. A year ago he moved to Osorno and he would like to continue learning!! So it was super cool, and I don’t know if it’s a blessing from trying to be obedient and edit the music on my card or if it was right place, right time. But it is true, when we are obedient to God and his servants here on the earth, we will receive blessings and help others in the process!!:)-- Then later that night we made a lemon pie to take to a less active family that is reactivating!:) We took it to them on Friday night!!:) Then on Saturday the Elders of Antillanca had a baptism, and it was a man I taught on an intercambio one time!!:) It was so cool to see him be baptized. He has changed so much!!:) Then on Monday we had the Independence Day of Chile and we made cinnamon rolls and watched fireworks and went to a park during the day. It was so fun!!:) Oh and we saw a BEAUTIFUL old ford (pic included below).

Woah that sounds like a fun week for you as well!!:) Wow you are staying so busy that is so great and man you are getting work done. That is so cool that you got to clean the temple!!:) I was just thinking I think I realized why you haven’t been able to start working yet. I think this is the Lord giving you time to be with Chad and the fam before he leaves, because as soon as he is gone I feel that you will find a job that God will provide to distract from two sons on missions!!;) haha

That is a really good thought momma thank you for that!!:) (Regarding prayer: pay attention to what you say, be willing to sacrifice time/our will, pray with faith). It is so true sometimes especially as a missionary we say a ton of prayers so we need to always remember those steps so that we are saying sincere prayers so that God can and will feel our love and also so we can feel his love in that conversation that we have so often with him!!:) Thank you for that momma!!:)

Love you so much momma and that is so crazy that Chad leaves next week!!! but no worries momma it’s all gonna be fine! Have a great week and love you to eternity and beyond!!:)

Elder Shawners