Sunday Evening Miracles With My New "Daughter"

Queridos! (Dear Ones!)

Guess what!  I´m training again!!!  I´m so happy that I get to train on my last transfer!  I secretly wanted to train and end with a Latin companion and Heavenly Father cumplió mis deseos! (fulfilled my desires - gave me my wish)  Hermana Peña is from Santiago.  She´s about 5 feet tall, hahah and is the sweetest girl I know! She comes from a large family of seven (lucky number!) Hermana Peña is the best friend of Hermana Fres (we lived together in the house) and Hermana Fres showed me a photo of her the week before.  Can you imagine my surprise when I was assigned to be her trainer?! xD! She is a professional cueca dancer.  If you´re not sure what the cueca is, look it up of Youtube.

 

There´s a Hermana in the ward that makes vestido de Huasa (Huasa dress) for the sister missionaries.  She´s going to sew one for me! Yay!  

I loved General Conference!  Why didn´t I pay more attention to conference before my mission?  It really is a time to spiritually recharge.  I love so many of the talks given but I like Elder Holland´s talk at the end.  To remember that we won´t always be able to maintain a spiritual high but we can try our best, and Heavenly Father blesses those who try with all their might to improve.  

The church building.

We had an after-conference miracle.  We met a gentleman, Mario, on the street and scheduled an appointment to visit him Sunday evening.  We passed by his house and there weren´t any lights on so we assumed that he was sleeping.  Right when we were ready to leave, he opened the door and invited us to sit on his front porch.  We learned that he took care of his sick mom for the most part of his life and that she had died about 4 years ago. This caused him mucho tristeza (sadness).  We shared a bit of the Plan of Salvation and extended the invitation to be baptized.  He accepted right away!... And invited himself to church! Heavenly Father really has prepared Mario.  The sad thing is, we realized that his house se queda (stays - is situated) in the Elder´s sector :(  

Bueno, hay sembradores y hay cosechadores. (There are sower and there are reapers - referring to harvesting and the parable of the sowers)

Love you all lots!  

Hermana Jakob

Burros in the street.

An upper view in Angol

My Last Transfer and "Heightened" Contemplation!

Hola mis queridos!  (Hello my dear ones!)

Sorry for not writing last week.  We took a trip to a national park and we didn´t have time to write afterwards.  It was really cool!  The national park is called ¨Nahuelbuta.¨ There´s is a breath taking look out called ¨The Eagle´s Rock. The day was so clear that we could see a panoramic view from la Cordillera (the mountains) to the sea!  It was so silent and tranquillo (still) that we just sat on the rock for about an hour meditating and taking in the view.

In the park there are araucaria trees that are over 1000 years old! 

The weird thing about the park is that it was deadly silent.  There aren´t a lot of animals or birds and most of the animals that do live there hide when humans pass by.  All the trees there are covered in hanging moss, like in the southern states.  It was kind of cool to walk through the park and think of all the Lamanites and Nephites that could have walked through these parts of the world!

We also had an amazing conference for the mission.  Un setenta (a member of the Seventy) spoke about the importance of being a PMG (Preach My Gospel - the manual missionaries use to help them teach and serve people) missionary and the role of the Holy Ghost when we are sharing the message of the gospel.  I invite you all to read the talk by Elder Bednar ¨Becoming a Preach My Gospel Missionary,¨ because it not only applies to missionaries but to whoever has a calling as a teacher, (mother, father, seminary teacher, primary teacher, etc...)

https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/becoming-a-preach-my-gospel-missionary?lang=eng

Today we have transfers! Hermana Stone is leaving El Mirador to finish the training of a sister in Lebu.  Hermana Stone is a machine!  She feels a little overwhelmed but I know she´ll do a great job!  I´ll be training again!  YAYAY!   I am SO happy!  I secretly wanted to train again because it is such a beautiful experience to receive a new missionary full of light and hope and help them begin the missionary experience.  

The sign reads "Welcome Dear Sisters"

One of my best friends in the mission, Hermana Gallegos, finished her mission this week too.  It´s hard to say goodbye.  We´ve passed through so much together and she taught me how to love unconditionally, without judging.  I hope we can see each other again. 

That´s all the news for this week!  I´ll keep you posted and send you pics of my new hija! (daughter - what they called a newbie straight out on the mission)

Love you all!  

Hermana Jakob

Sorry... No Letter Home this Week

Mom's Note:


We didn't hear from Hermana Jakob on Monday.  As a mom it was a little unnerving but we assumed that no news is good news.  However, she did contact us with a one line email the next day telling us that all is well and that she and her companion had to travel for a zone conference and did not have any time to email home.  She said she will catch us up to speed next Monday..... I'm holding her to it!  It is now a sprint to the finish! 

Eating' and Singin' It Up!

Hola Queridos!

This week was a whirlwind of events but it feels like all the work we are doing is starting to fall into place.  

This week we were asked to sing at a funeral.  A sister in the ward works for a cemetery selling plots and hosting burial ceremonies. Nacy is really cool.  Every day she has to opportunity to share the gospel because of the nature of her work.  Anyway, the funeral was for the previous bishop of El Mirador.  His baby died about 5 months ago in Concé and they were moving the casket closer to home. He and his wife are angry with God right now and don´t want anything to do with religion but Hermana Nacy was very bold in inviting us. We sang "Where Can I Turn For Peace" and it felt like the whole park was filled with a tranquilidad (tranquility). The mom gave us a big hug after and thanked us.  It was terribly sad but I´m so happy that we have a knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and that families can perpetuate beyond the grave and know that their baby is in peace. How wonderful it is, that the Atonement of Jesus makes this possible. 

This week, a family in the ward invited us to a festival of the culinary arts - Chileno style.  It was DELICIOUS!!!  We ate empanadas, anticucho (shish-kabobs), and Mote con huesillo (?). We got a chance to get to know some of the workers there and the bomberos (firemen).  

On Saturday the other companionship here had a baptism. We sang ¨Joseph Smith´s First Prayer.¨ and Elder Walker accompanied us.  We sing a lot in the ward, Hermana Stone and I, but it´s interesting to see that it changes the setting and creates an atmosphere where the Holy Ghost can dwell.  Bishop was very wise when he gave us the suggestion to use our talents as much as we can.  

We had a conference for all of Chile this Sunday and they talked a lot about keeping the commandments and finding joy in the journey of life even when things get tough.  It reminded me a lot of the Book of Mormon and the experiences of the Nephites and Lamanites.  We really aren´t all that different from them.  They had  problems in their families too.  They had wars, they had corrupt governments, they had fears and hopes and dreams.  One promise rings trues for us as it did for them.  If you keep the commandments of God, you will prosper in the land.  

Love you lots!

Hermana Jakob

Singing Like Phantom of the Opera!

Buenas tardes!  (Good afternoon!)

I am so happy for all the creations that Heavenly Father has made for us!  Chile right now is FULL of fresh fruit trees. When we´re walking in the street and feel a little hungry, all we have to do is pull a fresh peach or fig from a nearby tree.  It´s the best!  I think I´m addicted figs!

My companion this week contacted a man on the street.  She asked where he lived and he said that lived in the prison.  Hermana Stone didn´t understand so she responded, ¨Oh perfect! Can we visit you and your family?¨ LOL!... the look on the guys face was priceless and he began to laugh! 

A night view from the top of a street in town... beautiful with the lights!

Brother Salvador came to church!  He´s from Panama and has been living here in Chile for 12 years. He´s a bit of an eternal investigator and we were trying to think of a way that would help him have a spiritual experience.  Hermana Stone felt inspired to sing a hymn for him (just so you know she´s trained classically and sings like the lead star of Phantom of the Opera!). We sang ¨Where Can I Turn For Peace" and after the second word, he started to cry and the room was filled with the Spirit.  Then we read 3 Nephi, chapter 11 when Jesus visits the Americas and again his eyes began to get all teary and he said that he knew that the Book of Mormon was true. He recognized the whisperings of the Holy Ghost and we´ve seen a change in him!  I know there is a converting power that comes from reading the Book of Mormon.  It helps us come to know Jesus Christ and understand the Atonement. I also know that God has given us talents and we should use them in sharing the gospel.

This week, I have been focusing on being more grateful. Sometimes, when things don´t go as we planned we get upset and start questioning ¿Why?  Sometimes we feel that we don´t have any success with our plans and goals.

  

A greater faith in Jesus Christ and more gratitude for the things that we have will help us see how we are already beginning to have success. The world will seem brighter and we will be more aware of the little daily miracles in our path.  I challenge you all to give a prayer of gratitude at the end of each day.

Love you all lots!

Hermana Jakob

Doesn't this Twinkie look a lot like this Elder?  ...LOL!

Seriously... Soda Pop Will Rot Your Teeth!

Familia y amigos!  (Family and friends!)

Today we travelled to Los Angeles.  I had some cavities that I needed to have filled and all the other Hermanas from our house had doctors appointments.  Los Angeles is really cool.  I kind of miss living in a big city. Angol is really pretty but it´s a little more tranquillo (quiet). I´m currently writing as I drool (from the freezing)... LOL!  

We walked up the mountain to look for some less active members and part member families.  We found a family and they have a HUGE garden full of fruit trees. One of the daughters ran into the house and came back with plastic bags and told us to take all the fruit that we wanted!  We brought back fresh peaches, plums, tomatoes, chile peppers, and cabbage.  We'll be eating well this week!  We took a picture with their Grandpa (he´s the pioneer of his family) He´ll be turning 99 years old!  

Incredible!

We had an amazing conference with Elder Bednar this week.  WOW!  He talked about how we need to learn with faith and teach with the Spirit.  Our job is to create an atmosphere where we can invite the Spirit.  We are not the real teachers.  What we say cannot get inside of a person and inspire them to change.  Only the Holy Ghost can bring the message to their hearts.  Elder Bednar has a way to teach that helps open up the hearts of people and get them involved.  He always asks questions that give people the oportunidad de compartir (opportunity to share) their testimonies and listen to the Holy Ghost.  Hermana Stone and I have made it our goal to develop this way of teaching.  It´s the way Jesus taught! :) 

A little wispy on the hair... LOL!

The Bishopric is so cool here!  They got together and made all the missionary lunch for after la obra misional (missionary work) meeting.  They´re always supporting us and giving us suggestions on how we can help our investigators.  There is a lot of unity between the members and the missionaries here that I have never seen before.  I wish that all the wards could work in the same way!  We would see a great increase in success .

We are currently teaching a girl named Christina.  She is very smart and asks deep and profound questions.  She also reminds me a lot of Grace because she loves watching anime and listening to K-Pop.  I guess all the K-pop stuff that Grace introduced to the family to served me for good!  I have something to relate to Christina and her sister! 

Take care this week,

Hermana Jakob <3

I really want to drive it off road!!!

May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favour!

This week was a bit of a whirlwind!

We changed our house to an apartment in the same block as the bishop's. The problem with old house is that everyone knew where we lived and some tried to enter the house at night. Do not worry! I never felt like we were in any danger, nor Hermana Stone, but at least we are safe and sound in an apartment now. The bishopric of El Mirador and Germany (outlying areas), the leaders of the area and a group of members came to help us move. We had everything in the other house in about an hour and a half. Our neighbors in the apartment next door helped us put together the bunkbeds and carry stuff up the stairs. I would say everyone had a good workout because our apartment is on the fourth floor!  LOL!


The view from our window...

We did a lot of searching for new people to teach this week. It's interesting to look back and see how things have changed. I used to hate to contact people and knocking on doors. Now I love it! It is the only way we can find people who are hoping and praying to find the Gospel and people that Heavenly Father has prepared!


The bishop asked me to give a talk on Sunday. I based it on 2 amazing General Conference talks,"Is It Still Wonderful To You?" and "Are You Sleeping Through the Restoration?"

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/is-it-still-wonderful-to-you?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/are-you-sleeping-through-the-restoration?lang=eng

Sometimes we can fall into a routine and lose the wonder that the Gospel brings us. We become indifferent to the blessings and happiness in living the principles that Jesus taught. Do you feel there is something missing is your life?  Do you feel that maybe church is not working for you?  I invite you to read or watch one of these talk and to think about what you can do to improve your life and fill the empty spaces that you may currently have within your heart.

Love you all lots! <3


Hermana Jakob


Look! It's the Hunger Games! LOL! We found this statue during a service project.

Trying to figure out what this is...

The Santander family came from La Marina for a visit!  <3