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!