January 19, 2015

"God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him." 

- Hudson Taylor

The day passes by like dreams… I am not even trying to be funny. It is so true. I have been out here for a good amount of time, and I can honestly say that I am starting to feel like I’m dreaming. This week went by so fast! It can’t be real!! I have had such a blast this week, but I can’t even think about where to begin.

So, I have finally been able to locate a good store here in Chile that sells something that I have been looking for: honey. I found honey here in Chile. I now have a small storage of peanut butter, honey, and bread. The bread isn’t hard to come by, but the peanut butter and honey is difficult to find. I am starting to go on a diet so I can lean out even more, and I’m starting to eat more healthy with a broader range of foods. My comp and I started a rigorous workout program this week, and we decided to do a leg work out that left us almost unable to walk for a day and a half. It hurt a lot, but it was so worth it! Yeah, that’s the boring stuff, but for me, it is so amazing!!

So, we have been trying super hard to prepare ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually through our crazy schedule of waking up and working out, reading the scriptures. When we come home at the end of the day, we are out cold. I love working so hard that I can hardly stay awake while walking home for about 30 minutes. I love being here. I really do. I will admit that I miss my family, but, I know that they will be there when I get home. I miss my friends, but they will be there too. I miss being in the states and speaking in English because I realize that my grammar is really bad when I talk with my companion, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. The sun here is so strong, I put on 50 SPF sunscreen every day multiple times, and I still get burnt. But I love it! I’ll come back a mixture of red and tan. Like I said, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have realized that I am growing more into the person I need to be in life. I love it here. There are just so many things that happen that I don’t even know where to begin.

I just want to say for like the millionth time that I love it here. What we do is like a drop in the ocean, but if we didn’t do it, the ocean would be one drop less. I just want to extend a small challenge to all of you. Strengthen your relationship with God. Pray like it all depends on Him, work like it all depends on you. I love you all.

Elder Gale