Date: January 03, 2011
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Caleb’s Coquimbo #8
January 3, 2011
¡Feliz Año Nuevo Todos!
I´m in the second year of my mission now! Haha. I´ll start off with what we did for New Years. At about 8:00 at night, we went to the church and help set up some more for a dinner that they were having. So Elder Haney and I, with Elders Stephen and Hughes (from Llano, in our branch) got permission to join in the dinner. it started at 10:00 and had a good amount of people. The salad was lettuce with artichoke and tuna with shrimp on top, then the main course was chicken with chop suey and rice and potatoes, then good ol´fruit cocktail and cream to finish it off. Then we all cleared the cultural hall of the tables and chairs and watched the fireworks in Valparaiso on a projector at midnight. Then the district had a dance afterwards and us elders left. We stayed at the zone leaders pension again. Chileans are crazy on New Years! There were random fires on the streets and fires on the hill under the cross and loud music playing out of every other house. We fell asleep at about 1:00, then when we woke up in the morning at 7:00, the music was still going! Crazy! Then we walked to the church to do weekly planning and the streets were basically empty and there were still a few house with music going and only a couple drunk guys passed out in the sidewalks. Then for lunch on the 1st, we had it at Alexis´ house (1st counselor who speaks English because he served in the Philippines) and I had an assortment of tacos; I made fish with palta (basically guacamole), fish with beef, beef, and chicken with beef. It was a delicious lunch!
Alright, now for some spiritual experiences that I had. This week taught Hugo and Patricia, a family we found last week and the husband (Hugo) isn´t a member. After talking with him, we found out that he goes with her to church when they go, and he even went to church when he was out of town because he knew that she would go! So we taught them and set a baptismal date for the 29th, which happened to be his birthday! Then the next lesson, she came out with a picture of them two in front of the Santiago temple. I got hit with an impression "The next time they go there, they will be in white and going through", and I set it as a goal for me, to get him baptized then through the temple so the family can be sealed. He read the assignment we gave him and some questions which we were able to answer, and then after watching "Together Forever" he was basically begging for scriptures about the Plan of Salvation. We are teaching them tonight, so we´ll see how his reading went!
Ignacio, the young man we´ve been teaching read and like what he read! Then when we watched The Restoration, his eyes teared up a little bit and he said that he believes that it truly happened. And we set a baptismal date for the 22nd! His only doubt is the church that he goes to now and what the pastor says about us. But, when he truly prays about what we are teaching him, he will receive an answer of his own and not need to got to anyone for an answer, but have his own knowledge.
On another note, we taught Tomas and Nevenka this week and tried to set a Baptismal date with her. She said she has a desire to. But they need to get married first! So when we tried to set a date for baptism and for them to take out a date to get married, Tomas said "There´s another way you can get baptized, move out!" trying to joke, but she didn´t take it that way and started to cry! So, we weren’t able to set a date. But we know that when we are finally able to bring a young member couple with us to teach, they will be able to testify about how living the gospel has helped their relationship and Tomas will finally want to get married (she already has the desire to).
Well, that was the highlight of my week. I hope everyone enjoyed New Years, sounds like in Colorado it was a white one! Here, it was a hot one! Love and miss you all! Make this New Year better than the last!
Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Whittle
Monday, January 17, 2011
Coquimbo Letter #7
Date: December 27, 2010
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Caleb’s Coquimbo #7
December 27, 2010
¡Hola!
First off, I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas! I spent Chirstmas Eve at Alexis´ house, and had dinner and we watched Mr. Kruger´s Christmas then were able to stay later because they open presents at midnight. Alexis (the first counselor who speaks English) got the elders towels with Chile stuff on it. Then we spent the night at the Zone Leader´s sleeping on the floor, I didn´t sleep very well ha! Then we went over to the branch president´s house at helped him set up a pool, then watched the kids play their xbox with Kinect (awesome!) and then had grilled meat and chicken for lunch with delicious ice cream. Then played LDS Monopoly and talked with the family! It was a nice Christmas!
On Wednesday, we had the Christmas conference of the Northern zones. It went from 8:30 to 6:00, but was really fun! We had a lesson on Joseph Smith, practices, a Christmas musical program, then watched the movie The Nativity, which was really cool and really spiritual, especially for a non-lds made movie.
Yesterday we had two really great lessons. One was with a man, about 18 years old, named Ignacio. We knocked his door about a week ago and he accepted a Book of Mormon. Then when we came back a few days later, we seemed really distraught about not reading, so we read with him. The next lesson he read and liked what he read! Then yesterday we watched the Restoration, and he had tears in his eyes afterwards. He believes that what he saw is true and will continue to read and pray. Afterwards, Elder Haney and I were talking about it and decided the next lesson, based on if he reads and prays, we´re going to set a baptismal date. I could still feel the Spirit strongly even after the lesson
Then the other lesson was to a member´s husband. We were talking with her about her husband and what impedes him from joining the church, then we were like, hey is he here? Go get him! Then she came back with a picture of them in front of the temple, and I got hit with an impression of "Next time they go there, they will be in white and going inside". Then as we were talking to him, we found out that he even went to church when he was away for work! His doubts were on Joseph Smith. So we were able to comfort his doubts more and committed him to read and to really sincerely pray about it and to know if he was a true prophet of God. Then we set a date for him to get baptized! And I believe that if he does what we ask him to do and we do all that we can, he will get baptized and they will go to the temple. The Spirit was extremely strongly felt by everyone in the lesson, which made it a great lesson.
Our next lesson with the great couple Tomas and Nevenka will be about the need for them to get married so that she can get baptized and they can got through the temple. They came to church yesterday and still have a strong desire to participate in the church, they just need to take out a date to get married! Their only doubt is last time they were going to, they got in a lot of arguments, but when we bring a younger member family, that doubt will go away and their faith will increase!
I love this work and I have truly begun to see miracles everyday in the lives of those who we teach. This gospel is a gospel of happiness and living it to the fullest, I am able to testify of that happiness and share it with the people of Chile. This transfer will be different than the last, of that I know, because we saw what we could have done better, and now we have begun to see the miracles of the work.
I hope all is well in the US and each one of you is able to find an opportunity to serve someone in need!
Con Mucho Amor
-Elder Whittle
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Caleb’s Coquimbo #7
December 27, 2010
¡Hola!
First off, I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas! I spent Chirstmas Eve at Alexis´ house, and had dinner and we watched Mr. Kruger´s Christmas then were able to stay later because they open presents at midnight. Alexis (the first counselor who speaks English) got the elders towels with Chile stuff on it. Then we spent the night at the Zone Leader´s sleeping on the floor, I didn´t sleep very well ha! Then we went over to the branch president´s house at helped him set up a pool, then watched the kids play their xbox with Kinect (awesome!) and then had grilled meat and chicken for lunch with delicious ice cream. Then played LDS Monopoly and talked with the family! It was a nice Christmas!
On Wednesday, we had the Christmas conference of the Northern zones. It went from 8:30 to 6:00, but was really fun! We had a lesson on Joseph Smith, practices, a Christmas musical program, then watched the movie The Nativity, which was really cool and really spiritual, especially for a non-lds made movie.
Yesterday we had two really great lessons. One was with a man, about 18 years old, named Ignacio. We knocked his door about a week ago and he accepted a Book of Mormon. Then when we came back a few days later, we seemed really distraught about not reading, so we read with him. The next lesson he read and liked what he read! Then yesterday we watched the Restoration, and he had tears in his eyes afterwards. He believes that what he saw is true and will continue to read and pray. Afterwards, Elder Haney and I were talking about it and decided the next lesson, based on if he reads and prays, we´re going to set a baptismal date. I could still feel the Spirit strongly even after the lesson
Then the other lesson was to a member´s husband. We were talking with her about her husband and what impedes him from joining the church, then we were like, hey is he here? Go get him! Then she came back with a picture of them in front of the temple, and I got hit with an impression of "Next time they go there, they will be in white and going inside". Then as we were talking to him, we found out that he even went to church when he was away for work! His doubts were on Joseph Smith. So we were able to comfort his doubts more and committed him to read and to really sincerely pray about it and to know if he was a true prophet of God. Then we set a date for him to get baptized! And I believe that if he does what we ask him to do and we do all that we can, he will get baptized and they will go to the temple. The Spirit was extremely strongly felt by everyone in the lesson, which made it a great lesson.
Our next lesson with the great couple Tomas and Nevenka will be about the need for them to get married so that she can get baptized and they can got through the temple. They came to church yesterday and still have a strong desire to participate in the church, they just need to take out a date to get married! Their only doubt is last time they were going to, they got in a lot of arguments, but when we bring a younger member family, that doubt will go away and their faith will increase!
I love this work and I have truly begun to see miracles everyday in the lives of those who we teach. This gospel is a gospel of happiness and living it to the fullest, I am able to testify of that happiness and share it with the people of Chile. This transfer will be different than the last, of that I know, because we saw what we could have done better, and now we have begun to see the miracles of the work.
I hope all is well in the US and each one of you is able to find an opportunity to serve someone in need!
Con Mucho Amor
-Elder Whittle
Coquimbo Letter #6
Date: December 20, 2010
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Caleb’s Coquimbo #6
December 20, 2010
Hola!
It seems like a lot of great things are happening in the emails I get! That´s awesome to hear that Ryan is back out!
Well, we found out on Saturday if we´re transferring or not, and I´m stay in La Cantera with my trainer Elder Haney for another change! I was okay with it as we still have a lot of work to do in our area. I just hope we´re able to find a pension so that there´s not 6 of us in one apartment.
This week we have had to drop a lot of investigators because they weren´t progressing and didn´t have a desire to learn more. This was a little hard, but alright because now we can dedicate more time back to finding. Here´s how my week went..
On Monday of last week I forgot to mention that in the morning I ate a red chili pepper. Get it? I ate a Chili in Chile! Ha! Then that night we had a Family Home Evening with Jasmina at a member´s house. She sure does like to talk a lot, but loves the activities we do in the church! (She was the one with attended last week).
Then on Tuesday, we figured out that it would take an hour and 15 minutes to walk from our area to our pension! But we did a lot of tracting on that day because all of our lessons fell through.
On Wednesday, we were told by an investigator with a baptismal date that she doesn´t really have a desire to change because of how others would view her. It was a sad lesson, but we know that in a time down the road, she´ll be ready. Then we taught Jim and Lorena. Jim is the retired Marine from New York who has lived here for about a year because he retired with his Chilean wife and they decided to move down here. He doesn´t speak any Spanish, so we taught again in English. It´s so weird teaching in English, but it´s also a nice break from the Spanish 24/7. They are really nice and she reads a lot and always has questions about what she reads, like we answered why Nephi was commanded to kill Laban for here. He doesn´t like reading, but promised that he will with his wife now and try to work on his Spanish. We talked about Baptism and he said "I guess I never really thought about baptism before". I think they´ll have a date next lesson, after the holiday season!
On Thursday we ate lunch at Jasmina and Ricardo´s house. It was a fun lunch and nice to eat with investigators and afterwards we were able to teach a lesson. They accepted to be baptized, but then said I don´t know how long it´ll be till I’m ready, so we didn´t set a date. Then we were told by a potential investigator that her husband didn´t want her sharing with us. The men are always the hard ones to get! That night, Elder Petersen found another Rincon, or Brown Recluse. That makes two so far!
Friday was a day of service. We moved dirt from a field to a backyard in a wheelbarrow with a flat tire up a hill in the morning, which was quite the workout! Then help a less-active pour rocks around his backyard. Tomas works at the jail and his wife, Nevenka, at the daycare and are really nice and have the desire to attend church, get married, and she has a desire to be baptized! Tomas said that working at the jail, he goes to work then doesn´t know when he´ll get off. Could be a day, could be a month. It´s interesting to see the difference.
Then Saturday was a day of finding new investigators. We have lessons set up with the ones we found this whole week, so we shall see how they go!
Yesterday, we went to Tomas and Nevenka´s house to pick them up, but they weren´t there! So we went to church and then they came in after the Sacrament. It was a total surprise as we thought they weren´t coming. But they did and loved it. It was a nice surprise! Jasmina wasn´t able to attend though because she was in Santiago.
Well, that was my week! This change will be different than the last because we don´t have to start from scratch and we have realized what we need to change to make these next 6 weeks successful. I hope all is going well and you all are enjoy the Christmas time. It´s completely different here because they´re on their summer break and its sunny and hot! But it helps me focus on the Spiritual side of Christmas. On that note, Merry Christmas from Chile!
Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Whittle
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Caleb’s Coquimbo #6
December 20, 2010
Hola!
It seems like a lot of great things are happening in the emails I get! That´s awesome to hear that Ryan is back out!
Well, we found out on Saturday if we´re transferring or not, and I´m stay in La Cantera with my trainer Elder Haney for another change! I was okay with it as we still have a lot of work to do in our area. I just hope we´re able to find a pension so that there´s not 6 of us in one apartment.
This week we have had to drop a lot of investigators because they weren´t progressing and didn´t have a desire to learn more. This was a little hard, but alright because now we can dedicate more time back to finding. Here´s how my week went..
On Monday of last week I forgot to mention that in the morning I ate a red chili pepper. Get it? I ate a Chili in Chile! Ha! Then that night we had a Family Home Evening with Jasmina at a member´s house. She sure does like to talk a lot, but loves the activities we do in the church! (She was the one with attended last week).
Then on Tuesday, we figured out that it would take an hour and 15 minutes to walk from our area to our pension! But we did a lot of tracting on that day because all of our lessons fell through.
On Wednesday, we were told by an investigator with a baptismal date that she doesn´t really have a desire to change because of how others would view her. It was a sad lesson, but we know that in a time down the road, she´ll be ready. Then we taught Jim and Lorena. Jim is the retired Marine from New York who has lived here for about a year because he retired with his Chilean wife and they decided to move down here. He doesn´t speak any Spanish, so we taught again in English. It´s so weird teaching in English, but it´s also a nice break from the Spanish 24/7. They are really nice and she reads a lot and always has questions about what she reads, like we answered why Nephi was commanded to kill Laban for here. He doesn´t like reading, but promised that he will with his wife now and try to work on his Spanish. We talked about Baptism and he said "I guess I never really thought about baptism before". I think they´ll have a date next lesson, after the holiday season!
On Thursday we ate lunch at Jasmina and Ricardo´s house. It was a fun lunch and nice to eat with investigators and afterwards we were able to teach a lesson. They accepted to be baptized, but then said I don´t know how long it´ll be till I’m ready, so we didn´t set a date. Then we were told by a potential investigator that her husband didn´t want her sharing with us. The men are always the hard ones to get! That night, Elder Petersen found another Rincon, or Brown Recluse. That makes two so far!
Friday was a day of service. We moved dirt from a field to a backyard in a wheelbarrow with a flat tire up a hill in the morning, which was quite the workout! Then help a less-active pour rocks around his backyard. Tomas works at the jail and his wife, Nevenka, at the daycare and are really nice and have the desire to attend church, get married, and she has a desire to be baptized! Tomas said that working at the jail, he goes to work then doesn´t know when he´ll get off. Could be a day, could be a month. It´s interesting to see the difference.
Then Saturday was a day of finding new investigators. We have lessons set up with the ones we found this whole week, so we shall see how they go!
Yesterday, we went to Tomas and Nevenka´s house to pick them up, but they weren´t there! So we went to church and then they came in after the Sacrament. It was a total surprise as we thought they weren´t coming. But they did and loved it. It was a nice surprise! Jasmina wasn´t able to attend though because she was in Santiago.
Well, that was my week! This change will be different than the last because we don´t have to start from scratch and we have realized what we need to change to make these next 6 weeks successful. I hope all is going well and you all are enjoy the Christmas time. It´s completely different here because they´re on their summer break and its sunny and hot! But it helps me focus on the Spiritual side of Christmas. On that note, Merry Christmas from Chile!
Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Whittle
Coquimbo Letter #5
Date: December 13, 2010
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Coquimbo #5
December 13, 2010
¡Hola!
We had a good week this week!
On Tuesday morning we went to a Daycare to finish painting the fences for the service that we had done for the past two weeks. But when we got there, it was locked and no one was there! Turns out that the workers there went on strike because they were getting paid enough. False hope!
We are still searching for a new pension, but its super hard to find one to rent yearly because its the beginning of summer here, so all the apartments are doing by day so they can get more money. Looks like I’ll finish out the change in the same pension with 6 Elders total. It is fun at times!
On Wednesday, at lunch, the kids were playing Wii Resort. Friends and Family, you remember playing that all the time? It reminded me of that and made me Trunkie! We also met a less-active, who was in the Chilean Air Force! So we talked about planes and the Air force, it was nice to find someone with the same interests. He also made us Completos, hot dogs with avocado, mayo, tomato, mustard. Yum!
On Thursday, I went on interchanges with on of the Zone leaders, Elder Sebreros, who is in his last change. It was an awesome experience, in which I learned a lot. I learned that you have to listen with real intent to both your companion and to the investigator in order to be able to listen to the Spirit and follow it´s guidance in what to say. We taught Jasmina and Ricardo. Jasmina talks a lot and reminds me of like a nana figure in movies or something. We taught a great lesson about Keeping the Sabbath day holy and she promised that she would go to church! Teaching them is always enjoyable.
On Friday, we taught a really nice lady and her two daughters about the Sabbath Day. We cleared up some doubts and went over what they read. Carola (the mom) doesn’t see the need to change, but has a want to. But it was a very spiritual lesson and we set a baptismal date for January. If I stay in the area for next change, it´ll be great for bringing them closer to the Gospel and making their first covenant with the Lord!
Saturday was a great day. We gave a tour of the Church to Jasmina and Ricardo, and they loved it. Jasmina expressed how she felt more at peace there than she had ever really felt. The genealogy person was there and taught them about it, in which they are very interested. Jasmina said "I want to baptize my dad!". She was really happy with the doctrine of doing ordinances for the dead. Then we had a talent show, in which they came. The missionaries act was horrible! We can´t sing! We all sung parts of songs, then were like, oh wait, you don´t all speak English! Then sung the mission song. They laughed, so I guess it was all good.
Sunday was great! Jasmina came to church, and stayed for the whole three hours. She said she loved every bit of it! Even though the kids next to her were loud the whole sacrament meeting, she said that she could feel the Spirit super strong, and even started to tear up a little! It was an awesome experience.
Well, that was my week! Oh, I ate a whole plain avocado at lunch yesterday. Still don´t like them plain and by themselves, but I am starting to get used to them. The things you have to get used to on the mission!
I hope everyone’s week went well and that you all were able to enjoy the moments. Make every week better than the one before!
¡Con Mucho, Mucho Amor!
-Elder Whittle
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Coquimbo #5
December 13, 2010
¡Hola!
We had a good week this week!
On Tuesday morning we went to a Daycare to finish painting the fences for the service that we had done for the past two weeks. But when we got there, it was locked and no one was there! Turns out that the workers there went on strike because they were getting paid enough. False hope!
We are still searching for a new pension, but its super hard to find one to rent yearly because its the beginning of summer here, so all the apartments are doing by day so they can get more money. Looks like I’ll finish out the change in the same pension with 6 Elders total. It is fun at times!
On Wednesday, at lunch, the kids were playing Wii Resort. Friends and Family, you remember playing that all the time? It reminded me of that and made me Trunkie! We also met a less-active, who was in the Chilean Air Force! So we talked about planes and the Air force, it was nice to find someone with the same interests. He also made us Completos, hot dogs with avocado, mayo, tomato, mustard. Yum!
On Thursday, I went on interchanges with on of the Zone leaders, Elder Sebreros, who is in his last change. It was an awesome experience, in which I learned a lot. I learned that you have to listen with real intent to both your companion and to the investigator in order to be able to listen to the Spirit and follow it´s guidance in what to say. We taught Jasmina and Ricardo. Jasmina talks a lot and reminds me of like a nana figure in movies or something. We taught a great lesson about Keeping the Sabbath day holy and she promised that she would go to church! Teaching them is always enjoyable.
On Friday, we taught a really nice lady and her two daughters about the Sabbath Day. We cleared up some doubts and went over what they read. Carola (the mom) doesn’t see the need to change, but has a want to. But it was a very spiritual lesson and we set a baptismal date for January. If I stay in the area for next change, it´ll be great for bringing them closer to the Gospel and making their first covenant with the Lord!
Saturday was a great day. We gave a tour of the Church to Jasmina and Ricardo, and they loved it. Jasmina expressed how she felt more at peace there than she had ever really felt. The genealogy person was there and taught them about it, in which they are very interested. Jasmina said "I want to baptize my dad!". She was really happy with the doctrine of doing ordinances for the dead. Then we had a talent show, in which they came. The missionaries act was horrible! We can´t sing! We all sung parts of songs, then were like, oh wait, you don´t all speak English! Then sung the mission song. They laughed, so I guess it was all good.
Sunday was great! Jasmina came to church, and stayed for the whole three hours. She said she loved every bit of it! Even though the kids next to her were loud the whole sacrament meeting, she said that she could feel the Spirit super strong, and even started to tear up a little! It was an awesome experience.
Well, that was my week! Oh, I ate a whole plain avocado at lunch yesterday. Still don´t like them plain and by themselves, but I am starting to get used to them. The things you have to get used to on the mission!
I hope everyone’s week went well and that you all were able to enjoy the moments. Make every week better than the one before!
¡Con Mucho, Mucho Amor!
-Elder Whittle
Coquimbo Letter #4
Date: December 06, 2010
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Caleb’s Coquimbo #4
Dec 6, 2010
Hola Todos!
This week has been a difficult one. None of our investigators attended church yesterday, and we didn’t find as many news as we have been. I hurt my knee for a good 3 days, but it healed itself. I slipped on a pile of rocks and my leg slipped out from under me and into the pile of rocks. Its better now! But, some of the people that we did find have expressed a true desire to hear the Gospel. I always say to myself, "You won’t receive a witness until after the trial of your faith". That scripture has kept me going this week. Tomorrow is always a new day!
A couple days ago I did interchanges, and stayed in my area. It was quite the experience not following Elder Hanye around because he knows exactly where we´re going and speaks a lot of Spanish. Elder Buffum, who is only one change older than me, joined me in La Cantera. I pushed my Spanish, as well as him, all day because we did not know very much Spanish. But I improved a lot from that experience! Elder Buffum is hilarious, he always jokes with everyone, but they’re like kinda serious jokes, but leave us laughing.
Because of Fast Sunday, we did the fast from lunch to lunch (because lunches are the big meals of the day). We started it with another awesome meal. A BBQ with delicious steak, and corn and potatoes. I ate so much! But, we forgot to drink a lot of water before, so the whole rest of the day we were dying of thirst. Then yesterday, we ended the fast with another huge a delicious meal, meat, fried rice, french fries, and ice cream to finish it off. We had the last one with Hno. Mosso and his family. He his an awesome counselor, who is so animated about the work and when we teach with him, the lesson always goes super well because of his strong testimony that supports it.
Also this week, we found a couple from the U.S. The husband is a retired marine and his wife is Chilean, so they decided to move back here to retire. We taught a lesson in Spanglish because he didn´t know Spanish, but she knew English pretty well. I couldn´t say the first vision in English! It was a nice break to the day however because that day was a rough one.
Another thing that I have noticed about Chile is that everyone uses gas, so gas trucks drive through the streets ringing a bell and people come out and exchange the gas. It pretty different! As is seeing the coast everyday!
I keep all of you in my prayers, as I miss all of you a lot! But this work is the work of God, and I know that it is what I should be doing. I hope all is well in every aspect of life! Thanks for your advice. Mom, I´m pretty sure I use all of all of your guys´ prayers. I hope that you´re able to use mine, because I pray a lot for the family!!!
Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Whittle
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Caleb’s Coquimbo #4
Dec 6, 2010
Hola Todos!
This week has been a difficult one. None of our investigators attended church yesterday, and we didn’t find as many news as we have been. I hurt my knee for a good 3 days, but it healed itself. I slipped on a pile of rocks and my leg slipped out from under me and into the pile of rocks. Its better now! But, some of the people that we did find have expressed a true desire to hear the Gospel. I always say to myself, "You won’t receive a witness until after the trial of your faith". That scripture has kept me going this week. Tomorrow is always a new day!
A couple days ago I did interchanges, and stayed in my area. It was quite the experience not following Elder Hanye around because he knows exactly where we´re going and speaks a lot of Spanish. Elder Buffum, who is only one change older than me, joined me in La Cantera. I pushed my Spanish, as well as him, all day because we did not know very much Spanish. But I improved a lot from that experience! Elder Buffum is hilarious, he always jokes with everyone, but they’re like kinda serious jokes, but leave us laughing.
Because of Fast Sunday, we did the fast from lunch to lunch (because lunches are the big meals of the day). We started it with another awesome meal. A BBQ with delicious steak, and corn and potatoes. I ate so much! But, we forgot to drink a lot of water before, so the whole rest of the day we were dying of thirst. Then yesterday, we ended the fast with another huge a delicious meal, meat, fried rice, french fries, and ice cream to finish it off. We had the last one with Hno. Mosso and his family. He his an awesome counselor, who is so animated about the work and when we teach with him, the lesson always goes super well because of his strong testimony that supports it.
Also this week, we found a couple from the U.S. The husband is a retired marine and his wife is Chilean, so they decided to move back here to retire. We taught a lesson in Spanglish because he didn´t know Spanish, but she knew English pretty well. I couldn´t say the first vision in English! It was a nice break to the day however because that day was a rough one.
Another thing that I have noticed about Chile is that everyone uses gas, so gas trucks drive through the streets ringing a bell and people come out and exchange the gas. It pretty different! As is seeing the coast everyday!
I keep all of you in my prayers, as I miss all of you a lot! But this work is the work of God, and I know that it is what I should be doing. I hope all is well in every aspect of life! Thanks for your advice. Mom, I´m pretty sure I use all of all of your guys´ prayers. I hope that you´re able to use mine, because I pray a lot for the family!!!
Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Whittle
Coquimbo Letter #3
Date: November 29, 2010
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Hola!
This week has definitely had its ups and downs. Sounds like the missionaries of the family all got sick! After Monday, I was able to work, but there were days that I would have a sharp pain throughout the day and not be able to concentrate fully. Also, my companion had stomach pains off and on throughout the week. I think I´m just getting used to the missionary life in Chile.
This week I went on interchanges with the Zone Leader, Elder Heap, in his area. We didn´t knock one door because he had appointments for the whole day, because they had a good ¨pool¨ of progressing investigators. We also brought a member to every lesson. I learned the importance of bringing members to lessons. I think some investigators think that the missionaries are the only members of the church, but bringing them to lessons breaks the ice for them when they come to church and they are able to realize that the members are normal people. The members are also able to give a strong testimony and help the investigator understand it from a non-missionary point of view. So those of you who are members, help out with the missionary work in your ward
We are still building the ¨pool¨ of progressing investigators. It´s hard with opening up a new area, we spend a lot of time finding, then teaching, then trying to figure out how to get them to progress. We didn´t have any attend church this week, but we found 11 new investigators. Opening up a new area as my first area is tough! We found a family while knocking the house next door. A 19 year old, gangster looking guy was walking over and Elder Haney says Do you live here? He replied that he does, so my companion asks Want to hear a message about Jesus Christ?, not really expecting that he did. But he said Yeah, come on in! So we taught him the first lesson, and about halfway through, his mom and brother walk in a join in. The mom said at the end that she wanted her family to be able to be together and have more unity here on earth. I know that through this Gospel it is possible to have an eternal and unified family. It´s awesome sharing that with others!
Not too many awesome stories this week, but I have a feeling that next week there will be! Thank you all for the support that I feel every day. I push through the hard and rough days because I know that the next day will be a new day. The mission is the hardest thing I have ever done, but I´m slowly and at the same time quickly learning that it is also the best thing I have ever done.
I miss every single one of you and love you too! I hope all is well and life is good!
Con Amor!
-Elder Whittle
P.S. Don´t foget to email!
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Hola!
This week has definitely had its ups and downs. Sounds like the missionaries of the family all got sick! After Monday, I was able to work, but there were days that I would have a sharp pain throughout the day and not be able to concentrate fully. Also, my companion had stomach pains off and on throughout the week. I think I´m just getting used to the missionary life in Chile.
This week I went on interchanges with the Zone Leader, Elder Heap, in his area. We didn´t knock one door because he had appointments for the whole day, because they had a good ¨pool¨ of progressing investigators. We also brought a member to every lesson. I learned the importance of bringing members to lessons. I think some investigators think that the missionaries are the only members of the church, but bringing them to lessons breaks the ice for them when they come to church and they are able to realize that the members are normal people. The members are also able to give a strong testimony and help the investigator understand it from a non-missionary point of view. So those of you who are members, help out with the missionary work in your ward
We are still building the ¨pool¨ of progressing investigators. It´s hard with opening up a new area, we spend a lot of time finding, then teaching, then trying to figure out how to get them to progress. We didn´t have any attend church this week, but we found 11 new investigators. Opening up a new area as my first area is tough! We found a family while knocking the house next door. A 19 year old, gangster looking guy was walking over and Elder Haney says Do you live here? He replied that he does, so my companion asks Want to hear a message about Jesus Christ?, not really expecting that he did. But he said Yeah, come on in! So we taught him the first lesson, and about halfway through, his mom and brother walk in a join in. The mom said at the end that she wanted her family to be able to be together and have more unity here on earth. I know that through this Gospel it is possible to have an eternal and unified family. It´s awesome sharing that with others!
Not too many awesome stories this week, but I have a feeling that next week there will be! Thank you all for the support that I feel every day. I push through the hard and rough days because I know that the next day will be a new day. The mission is the hardest thing I have ever done, but I´m slowly and at the same time quickly learning that it is also the best thing I have ever done.
I miss every single one of you and love you too! I hope all is well and life is good!
Con Amor!
-Elder Whittle
P.S. Don´t foget to email!
Coquimbo Letter #2
Date: November 22, 2010
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Caleb’s Coquimbo #2
November 22, 2010
Hola Todos!
This week has been quite the week. To start off, I´m sick right now! I’ts really annoying being sick as a missionary, but I haven’t thrown up today! Alright, now on to the less gross stuff. For lunch the other day, I ate fish, and it wasn’t too bad! And I´ve had a lot of Palta, or avocado, which I’m starting to get used to. I guess they grow some good stuff here!
On Tuesday, the 2nd counselor took us around a we taught his less active sister an awesome lesson and met another less active family, who is awesome. Teaching with Hno. Mosso is really fun because he’s super helpful and super animated. As are the rest of the members! They have a family home evening with us on every Wednesday and they bring the investigator. Always makes for a fun night!
Yesterday we taught a lady and a family who are really awesome and set baptismal dates with both! The lessons were awesome, and say the first vision brings in the Spirit so much. The people are really receptive here when we teach, which makes the teaching so much easier. One lady who we taught after she saw us next door when she was stepping out for a smoke, said at the end of the lesson that even though I can´t speak very well, the message that I bring across is touching and is what matters. That gave me a lot of confidence in the Lord helping me out in the moments where I need Him.
The Spanish is coming slowly, but is coming. Having a "gringo" companion is helpful because I can ask him what word mean that I write down. We live with an Elder Salerno from Argentina, who is crazy, and is really funny when he speaks English, but he´s patient with me when i try to talk to him which really helps!
I went on my first interchange this week, which was interesting switching companions and being in a different area and pension. But it was fun! I was companions with Elder Buffum, a convert from Rhode Island who is hilarious with his sense of humor. We found two great people and taught them wonderful lessons, as well as read the Book of Mormon with a less active 12 year old.
Oh, on Friday, the other elders in our ward had a baptism and I got to be a witness and sing while they were getting ready after. I realized how long its been since I’ve been at one and they´re so spiritual! I can´t wait to go to another one.
One thing that I´ve realized that really helps the people feel the spirit in they´re homes is singing. We sing all the time and when tracting, we ask if we can just sing a hymn, which works really well because its short and it leaves the option open to set up an appointment. I´ll have a beautiful voice when I get back from all the singing! Haha.
****Send me emails while I’m up here in Coquimbo because they take forever to get to Chile then we only get the mail brought up once every few weeks when the Assistants come up. Although I think that I can really only email family, so friends, email my mom and she´ll forward. Mom, Email Me :) ************
I hope that everyone´s week went well! Here´s a scripture for you. "Pourque ninguna cosa es imposible para Dios."
Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Whittle
Dad- I sent you one too, just to remind mom ;)
Nicole- I just got your DearElder! Thanks for that awesome spiritual boost that I needed!
Area: Coquimbo, Chile
Companion: Elder Haney
Caleb’s Coquimbo #2
November 22, 2010
Hola Todos!
This week has been quite the week. To start off, I´m sick right now! I’ts really annoying being sick as a missionary, but I haven’t thrown up today! Alright, now on to the less gross stuff. For lunch the other day, I ate fish, and it wasn’t too bad! And I´ve had a lot of Palta, or avocado, which I’m starting to get used to. I guess they grow some good stuff here!
On Tuesday, the 2nd counselor took us around a we taught his less active sister an awesome lesson and met another less active family, who is awesome. Teaching with Hno. Mosso is really fun because he’s super helpful and super animated. As are the rest of the members! They have a family home evening with us on every Wednesday and they bring the investigator. Always makes for a fun night!
Yesterday we taught a lady and a family who are really awesome and set baptismal dates with both! The lessons were awesome, and say the first vision brings in the Spirit so much. The people are really receptive here when we teach, which makes the teaching so much easier. One lady who we taught after she saw us next door when she was stepping out for a smoke, said at the end of the lesson that even though I can´t speak very well, the message that I bring across is touching and is what matters. That gave me a lot of confidence in the Lord helping me out in the moments where I need Him.
The Spanish is coming slowly, but is coming. Having a "gringo" companion is helpful because I can ask him what word mean that I write down. We live with an Elder Salerno from Argentina, who is crazy, and is really funny when he speaks English, but he´s patient with me when i try to talk to him which really helps!
I went on my first interchange this week, which was interesting switching companions and being in a different area and pension. But it was fun! I was companions with Elder Buffum, a convert from Rhode Island who is hilarious with his sense of humor. We found two great people and taught them wonderful lessons, as well as read the Book of Mormon with a less active 12 year old.
Oh, on Friday, the other elders in our ward had a baptism and I got to be a witness and sing while they were getting ready after. I realized how long its been since I’ve been at one and they´re so spiritual! I can´t wait to go to another one.
One thing that I´ve realized that really helps the people feel the spirit in they´re homes is singing. We sing all the time and when tracting, we ask if we can just sing a hymn, which works really well because its short and it leaves the option open to set up an appointment. I´ll have a beautiful voice when I get back from all the singing! Haha.
****Send me emails while I’m up here in Coquimbo because they take forever to get to Chile then we only get the mail brought up once every few weeks when the Assistants come up. Although I think that I can really only email family, so friends, email my mom and she´ll forward. Mom, Email Me :) ************
I hope that everyone´s week went well! Here´s a scripture for you. "Pourque ninguna cosa es imposible para Dios."
Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Whittle
Dad- I sent you one too, just to remind mom ;)
Nicole- I just got your DearElder! Thanks for that awesome spiritual boost that I needed!
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