September 22, 2015

"We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord's service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up. And He always keeps His word."

- Henry B. Eyring

It has definitely been a crazy week! We spent a lot of time under the burning, radioactive sun here in Chile trying to find new people to teach. It’s been a little hard because we had the Chilean Independence Day the 18th this past week! It was pretty crazy!! We were walking a lot that day because everyone was either out of town, didn’t want to talk with us, or they were too drunk to comprehend us. But, it was interesting. We also started something new here in our area. We are offering English classes twice a week to help others to learn, and we are hoping to use this opportunity to try and find new investigators. Below is a picture of our first class. And some of the traditional apparel that the Chileans wear here on the 18th. 

This week, I have been able to see a lot of miracles happen! People have opened up to us that hadn’t before, and we saw a lot of people hate us even more. Just yesterday, I had a dog come running at me, ready to eat me, and it went to bite me, and... nothing. My comp freaked out a little actually. It was interesting. It just goes to show that our Heavenly Father won’t let any harm come upon his servants. And then, we entered an area to speak with a group of people, and they were surprised that the dogs weren’t eating us. It was funny to me. 

This week was a moment for me to really realize that I need to always see the blessings that come in my life. Sometimes, we don’t see what goes on in front of our own eyes. But, the hand of the Lord is everywhere. Miracles always are happening. We just need to recognize where they come from. That’s my invitation to you all this week: to remember what the Lord has done for you and to remember that there are many things that we can’t even see that happen. Be grateful for everything that happens.

Have a great week! 

Elder Gale

September 15, 2015

"If someone isn't what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but non about his or her own."

- Paulo Coelho

It has been a great week of working the sector this week! I actually had a crazy week because there is something that goes on here called "jovenes combatientes." Basically, the teenagers go crazy and destroy stuff for a day because of something that happened in history a LONG time ago. But, all is well. We just had to come home earlier. But, it was a great week to work and talk to people. The weather seems to be changing unfortunately which means that I will start to burn again in the sun. 

But, this week was awesome! I received exchanges and got a new companion named Elder Torrejón from Peru. He is a great guy! We are already amazing friends, and we are tearing it up in this sector. We have been able to find all kinds of new people to teach! 

We did something a little different this week. We set up a booth to talk with people. We were there for 2 hours in the morning, and I can't believe all the nasty things that people said to us. It hurt a lot. But, as I was lost the desire to continue talking, I felt a voice penetrate my soul that said, "They have not rejected you... they have rejected me." It was a moment for me to really feel how our Father in heaven must feel. It was sad, but I know that we were doing our job. For that, I am grateful to be here.

I love you all and hope that you all have a great week.

Elder Gale

September 8, 2015

"Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"

- Matthew 7:9-11

This week, we were able to see the fruits of our labor. We saw all the hard work that we have been doing here be rewarded with blessings. It appears as if my comp will be leaving me, and I will stay here in this sector to continue working. But, all is well; I will miss a great friend, and it will be great to be able to continue hearing from him in the future. 

We were able to find a bunch more investigators than we were finding before. We are still working hard as always, and we were blessed! It was a great week, teaching all kinds of people that have been yearning to hear from the missionaries and putting people at ease about the purpose of life and all that it holds for us. It was really great to see all the work that we were able to do together these 6 weeks. I was really glad to have been able to participate in this miracle. We have a strong ward now. People feel much closer to one another, and they socialize more. It has been a great change! 

Today, I'd like to share a short scripture that we shared this week that I really liked. It is in Matthew 7:9-11. It talks about how even parents know how to give good gifts; so it is the same with our Heavenly Father who is willing to give us all He has. I testify to you all that we truly have a loving Heavenly Father who watches over us and is always thinking about us. I invite you all to watch the link below because it really helps me to remember my relationship with the Father. 

https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/earthly-father-heavenly-father

Have a great week, and I love you all.

Elder Gale

September 1, 2015

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall sound forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

- Helaman 5:12

This week was really good. We were able to work hard. I love all the work that is to be found here. Walking a lot is really great, and the heat has started here in Chile! That means that we will be able to find more people! I love the time here.

This past week, we channeled our efforts into an activity that we have had planned for a long time. It was a giant get-together dessert night here in the chapel. We had that activity this past Friday, and we were able to have a good turnout. We had a great time together in this activity!

We started out the activity with a few games and got everyone to get to know one another a bit more; we joked together, played hard, and we all had a great time and grew closer together, every one of us. We then enjoyed a dessert that everyone made. Someone brought one dessert, someone brought another... and it was all amazing. We loved the amazing activity.

I hope that you all have a great week, and read Helaman 5:12.

Love you all!

Elder Gale