Christmas, Calling Home, Getting Transferred, etc.

Well I thought I would just write really quickly and just say hi—we just talked like two days ago so I don’t have much to share. That’s it so hey, bye!

Joke! Haha! No I have lots to talk about.

#1 I am being transferred to Chillan , Chillan Nuble zone. It is 2 hours south from Cauquenes but I will still be in the upper half of the mission. I am so happy! I will miss the members and my converts but I am happy to be able to see a different part of Chile.

It was so great to be able to talk to you all on Christmas. I had so much to say and forgot it all in the moment we got on the phone—I was just too excited! The time seemed to fly by so fast. I am sorry for my broken English. Believe it or not I did get all A´s in English in high school. It was so great to talking to you. I wish we had had more time but even so, it was just good to hear all of you.

During my companions’ call home I went and played the piano in the chapel. I need practice but I can at least play the right hand. After we had finished our calls the elders from Estacion came and we watched a church movie! We played ping pong and I shared those awesome Oreos you sent with my Christmas gifts—they were amazing! It was a good day. The day after Christmas, the 26th, was a tough day because of all the resting we did so I was super out of it but I fought through it and had a good day and finished the week strong.

Today will be a busy day of packing for me and such. I have to find out how to put all my stuff and food in my bags—yeah right! But oh well no biggie! I have decided that I need to go shopping and get some stuff that reminds me of this place and just spend money on random stuff. It is my fun day. Tonight we will visit members and my converts to say goodbye and then in the morning then go to Parral and from there I will go to Chillan. Busy days, I am happy though. I have a 50/50 chance to have a Latin companion again. I heard that the house has four elders living in it so that will be interesting.

I am glad to hear Wicked was fun and that you had a great time with out me… L but its is all good. I don’t like that dirty city anyway.... I hope y’all grill clay really well for me—please he needs it. (That’s a joke Em.) Tell Clay there is a $9000 buy in to the family and that I only take cash non refundable haha jk, no really, haha jk.

I wish I had cool stuff to say but my mind is focused on packing right now and stuff, sorry. I hope tou all enjoyed my stories about Chile and cazuela...I will be sure to make some for y’all when I get home. They don’t put hair in it but all the old ladies that make it just happen to loose their hair while making it…mmm…I love you all so much hope you have a good day and a great New Year. Give hugs and kisses all around love you all!

I know the gospel and these things are true—I wouldn’t be here if they weren’t. I loved the photos of Christmas and the new gnome in the family. I need to fix Castidad again he broke again so I will do it when i get to my new sector. Our gnomes are twins mom!

I love you all so much! Cuidense e amo mucho!

Love,
Eric

PS: I uploaded some new pics including some of Christmas morning and me opening my Awesome gifts!!!

Me Voy!!!

Hola! Hola!!!

Well the big news is......I am being transferred to....CHILLAN. I will be in the Chillan Nuble zone which takes up the upper part of the city of Chillan. I will still be in the northern half of the mission. I am so happy!

I won’t find out who my new companion will be until I get there tomorrow but I am stoked. Chillan is close to the mountains east of Concé. If I am there during winter (5 mos or so) I will see snow for sure—that makes me super happy. Just wanted to write quick and give you all the update.Love, Eric

Christmas phone call instructions

Hey everyone how are we all doing today? I hope good and feeling better from the sicknesses and illnesses.
I will start this email with the important info first about the call on Christmas
I have planned with my companion and I have a 2 hour window to do the call. I will be waiting between 2pm and 4pm Chile time which I believe is 10am and 12 noon your time in CA, but please check the time difference.2:30pm Chile time here in Cauquenes(Santiago time) +++++++10:30am CA time+++++++ I think but check and make sure please!
That is the important stuff for this week I hope to fill you in on stuff when we talk.
This week was super hot and then all the sudden on Friday it was super cold for one day but it is back to hot again. My companion is trying my patience. I try my best to help him but whatever, I lost my patience with him the other day and blew up a little. Believe it or not I am more patient....a little at least. I think the weight loss has helped, and yes day I have a very tough AB routine in the morning with push ups too. I have 2 yrs to get the beach body I have always wanted, I doubt I will get it but I am trying.
I am so focused on what I want to say on Christmas that I can’t think of stuff to write right now. I am not trunky or homesick this week I am still focused on the work I have to do. I am still trying to get some people ready for baptisms on the 27th but it doesn’t look possible they have too many doubts and it has been hard to find times to teach them. This is the last week on the transfer and it needs to be good because this whole cambios has been up and down and I don’t want President Chavez thinking I am not working because I am trying my hardest. There is only so much I can do because my Spanish isn’t perfect. I am praying to be transferred but I don’t know if it will be answered. One more cambio with Elder Palacio might kill me or send me into the crazy house.
This past Tuesday I had a mini cambio with my district leader and it was such a good day. My companion kept calling and checking up and the 3rd time he called I didn’t pick it up, I just turned the phone off. The elderes in Estaciion had a mini cambio too so that night we went to their house and had a sleepover and stuff. It was super fun. I will tell you the good details on the 25th. I have some great stories.
I did get Heidi’s letter. I sent Isaacsons, Donny and Nick letter last week. I haven’t heard from Donny, I miss the guy.
That is about it for the week I always think of stuff right after I get off the computer. I love you all so much. Have a great heart attack Christmas Eve. I will miss that the most for sure, best part of Christmas. I will wrap this up for now cause it is time to get off email. Sorry it was so short but we have an hour to talk on Christmas.I love you all so much and have a great Christmas I will make sure to take lots of photos. I love you all and I have a testimony of all the things I testify of. L
Love you all. Love, Eric

Hey Everyone!

Hola familia mia,How is everyone doing this fine day? Well, just so you all know the heat is killing me here!!! This week it has been in the 80´s and 90´s and it is bound to get hotter. The worst thing is my apartment is on the third floor and we have no fan! So, it is not only hot but stuff, but that’s okay. What would be a summer in the mission without suffering in the heat? (haha) This week was a regular week—no más—nothing special besides yesterday. Yesterday were the elections for president, etc. We only had sacrament meeting because everyone had to go and vote. Attendance was horrible, it was kind of depressing but I guess people have to so and do their civic duty.

The work this week was super slow and the lessons were way down from last week. I went on a mini cambio with the zone leaders on Tuesday. Troubles with my companion persist; I am working on my patience and praying for an increased amount of love and understanding—I guess that’s all I can do. I have committed to following the mission rules and I will continue to do what I know if be right despite what those around choose to do.

I am hoping to have a baptism on the 20th if the young lady passes her interview. I still have high hopes to hit our goal of two this month but we need to work hard and help prepare both of our investigators for baptism. This week wasn’t very exciting and I don’t have many cool things to share. I am trying to save my good stories for Christmas day. I am trying to stay focused on the work but that is hard during free time. I often find myself thinking about home and all the goodies, food and lights and all that good stuff but when it is time to work I am all business.

This has been a week of working on patience and love for others. Some days it is easy and others very hard But I find the more I submerge myself in the work—thoughts and deeds—it becomes easier to forget about of the hard stuff.

Thanks for all the emails this week I really enjoyed hearing about your lives and what’s going on with all of you. Just keep plugging away. There is an end to everything, and when you look back you will be amazed to see how much you have grown and accomplished. God doesn’t give us struggles to hurt us or punish us, it is to help us grow and learn. If it doesn’t kill us it helps us. It is a simple concept but hard to grasp in the moment of struggle. If we hold strong to our faith and keep pushing forward we will see the blessing and the Lord’s hand in our lives. We must act first then receive. So keep moving forward y’all, you can do it. Sí se Puede.

I keep loosing weight and with this heat it seems to be even easier. I drink 2 or 3 liters of water a day to try and stay hydrated, the worst is when we go to lunch and we eat soup, ugh, that is the worst, to be eating hot soup when it is 90 degrees plus outside and with all the walking missionaries do it is even worst. It is hard but you’ve got to eat. I am down to 85 kilos (aprox 187 lbs), yes, I know am skinny! When I wear my suit it is like in that one Primary program when I wore Dad’s coat and sang I hope they call me on a mission, not that extreme but it is really noticeable. I feel great though. I have so much more energy and spunk and having the missionary work spirit adds to that too. I hope you all enjoy the Christmas goodies.

Ally, Em, and Tyler, work hard on your finals and study and ask the Lord for help to remember those things you have studied. Lisa, Mom and Dad keep plugging along at work, vacation time is close and then you can relax. I love you all so much and thanks for all the emails and prayers. I know you are all busy and I understand when you don’t have time to write, but I know I am in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you all.

I know the church is true and the best way to get through tough times is to hold even stronger, be a rock and when the winds and waters of the world beat upon you stay strong, stay true and faithful. If we exercise faith and hold on to Cristo he will be there with us every step of the way, and when we can’t walk he will carry us. Feast upon his word and spirit. I testify these things are true I know the gospel is a guide, we have a prophet and apostles and leaders to help guide us and best of all we have a 24/7 everyday free hot line to our heavenly father, prayer seek his guidance and help. i love you all have a great week

Love Eric

Eric's Challenge. . . What will be your gift to Jesus Christ this Christmas season?

hola ¿cómo estamos todos? ¿cómo les fueron en la semana? haha my horrible spanish haha
Warning this letter is all over the place because I have lots to do today and stuff so I am sorry if you have questions about stuff put it in an email and I will clarify next week
Anyway, how is everyone doing this fine Monday when the sun is out and it is hot, the birds are out singing horribly and as usual the streets are filled of dogs with every type of disease and bug and there are signs for elections all around? Well just thought I would describe how Cauquenes looks today. Summer is coming the heat is off and on but of course when it is work time it is on. I am doing well and everyday just plugging along trying to love my companion.
Christmas here is coming slow but that is missionary work. Chileans don’t like to decorate much. I enjoy my Christmas music and stocking, just looking at it, brings back the good memories of fires and the house with the smell of sweets and cookies, the dog eating the Christmas tree and ornaments, and of course the street lit up from end to end with lights and holiday cheer.
I got the package and card from the Spencers. I had thought it was from them. I uploaded a lot of photos today just random stuff from the past little bit of time. I have lots to send still but this will get it started. It is in the folder "7 Dec upload" enjoy.
Well about the music I have I have been having problems with some of the cds, It looks to me either it burned bad or the cds have scratches. Because when I play some of them it works good till the last 5 tracks or so and them it is all jacked up. I will check it out and figure out the problem and them tell you next week but the Christmas music is fine.
Don’t send anything I can wait if they need to be replaced till my birthday and next package no big deal. I am loving the food and I am making sure I do my exercise in the morning so I don’t get fat.
My suit is really big on me I might take the pants to a member and get them taken in a little bit I also need to find a places to get it cleaned.
Sorry I am all over the place I just have a lot to do this week and not a lot of time today. This week was a busy one. I had interviews with President Chavez, district meeting and a zone activity, last monday. Lots of work and bad numbers this week but I can only point at myself. Interviews were great.
Hermana Chavez did a class and she loves to talk. She is a PE teacher for elementary children so she sometimes treats us like we are between the ages 4-10. My interviews with President Chavez are always short this time my prayer was longer than the interview. I knew that is good but it is nice to just get to talk to him. He just has such an awesome spirit about him. He is a great man. Hermana Chavez´s class ended with treats and goodies, but not as good as mom’s. She had us take a piece of paper, on one side we wrote what we wanted to give to others this holiday, on the other side we wrote what we were going to give Jesus Christ for Christmas.
It got me thinking, we get so caught up at this time of year with gifts and goodies and tangible things for people, but when have we stop and think about what we were going to give our Lord and Savior for Christmas......I thought back my 19 yrs and not once did I ever do that. On that piece of paper I wrote "Traeré 4 almas perdidas a Cristo" I will bring 4 lost souls to Christ. Right now I have 2 baptism set for this month.....I am missing 2.....I have to work as hard as I can this week and the rest of the month to complete what I promised. Because if people miss church this Sunday I have failed, I cannot complete my gift for JesuCristo.
I want to invite you all to do the same this Christmas, on a note card write what you will give JesuCristo for Christmas, put it somewhere where everyday you can see it. it doesn’t have to be a baptism or save some ones life but maybe following a commandment better or being more charitable, looking for a certain number of service activities, something that on Christmas day in you personal pray in the morning you can give to our Lord and Savior. I just wanted to invite you all to join my in giving a gift to Jesus. This is the best time of year to give and not expect anything. I know when we serve others we serve God and Jesus. I guess this is my invitation this week seems like every week I ask something new, but this week this something isn’t for me it is for the person who gave his life for us all.I love you all so much.
This week was up and down with my companion and some of the new converts in my branch. I can see Satan working on them. It is hard to see strong members starting to fall because of worldly things and to see the effect on their families.
This fast Sunday the whole mission was fasting for the work in the mission to grow. I thought all week of how I can better myself to help people and help the work. I am trying to be as obedient as possible to every rule and try to work as hard as possible. I can up with a long list anyway. It just opened my eyes to everything that makes a good missionary a great one. I am not perfect and never will be but I can sure have that goal and work towards it.
President Chavez has been teaching us that when we teach people we should not focus on the baptism, we need to focus on THREE TIMES IN WHITE..... now what does that mean? It means this, 1st baptism in white, 2nd Temple in white, 3rd the celestial kingdom. That is my goal for all those who I help to accept the gospel. 3 times in white, and how do I do that by having the same goal for myself.
I want you to know I know this is the Lords work, this is his glory. I know JesuCristo is our Savior, He died for us. I know the church was restored through Joseph Smith. I know with all my heart that when we follow the commandments God will bless us, we still have trials when we are obedient, yes, but it is a test of faith, as it says in Ether 12 we gain a testimony after a test of our faith. Be obedient, be bold, be witnesses of Christ at all times. I know this is His church and we can live with Him again and wrap our arms around Him one day and say thank you. But until that day we can say thanks through our actions, don’t just believe, live the gospel, try to be like Christ. We will all fall, we do everyday. Pick your self up repent and start walking again. I love you all so much. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Read the scriptures, pray, and serve others. It is the little things that make the difference.
I love you all. One last reminder, What will you give Christ our Savior this Christmas?
I love you, cuidense
Love Eric