November 24, 2015

"A single tiny light creates a space where darkness cannot exist. The light vanquishes the darkness. Try as it might, the darkness cannot conquer the light."

- Donald L. Hicks

This week was different to say the least. We had a blackout in my part of the sector, and it happened twice!! The power just went out. It was fun to do planning by the moonlight. It actually happened just as we were entering our apartment building, and it cut. It was amazing.

This week, we had a cool fireside devotional with our mission president, and he talked a lot about how we can better our personal ministries to help those around us come unto Christ. He focused a lot on 1 Nephi 8 and made a lot of emphasis on how Lehi beckoned others to come and partake of the fruit. He talked to everyone he saw, trying to beckon them to partake. We must all do the same, trying to help EVERYONE come to know of the great gift from God that we have. Share the goodness!!

The mission is amazing, and I hope that one day many of you will be able to experience the same joy that I have. Some of you will have to wait for a long time before you go on a mission, but you can stat now by sharing the knowledge that you have with those around you. Share your testimonies at all times and in any circumstances.

Elder Gale

November 17, 2015

"Life is beautiful, but people are crazy."

- Charles Osgood

Well, starting with the craziness;

1. Today we went to a zoo.

2. We had "Tokyo Drift" going on in the sector.

3. A crazy man with an axe story.

We went to a zoo today as an apartment of elders and some members. It was pretty dang awesome to see some unique animals and get out and do something different. It was awesome to see how the animals are all different and to watch them up close! I saw penguins today which were pretty cool. It was fun to go with those members and build some memories with them.

"Tokyo Drift" happened on Saturday. We were walking through the sector, and we suddenly heard in the distance crazy shouting and hollering. Then we see a car coming super fast towards us, and they start to fishtail as they brake. They go around a corner drifting. It was pretty cool to watch as a second car did it too, and then came the cops... and a lot of them: motorcycle cops, normal police cruisers, bigger cop cars, and finally the REALLY big cop cars. It was fun to watch as they went after them in pursuit.

So on Friday, we were looking for a person that had gone to church before, but this person had stopped coming and seemed to have disappeared. We went to the address, and here in Chile, instead of knocking the door, we shout, "ALOOOOOOH!!!" The person came around the corner from the house to speak to us. He tells us politely that the person we were looking for wasn’t there, and that they, in fact, didn’t live there. So we left and went to ask one of the neighbors. Next thing we know, this guy is leaving his house with an axe going to talk to some guy by the beer shop. He's telling him that he is ready to fight if the guy doesn’t leave. That was interesting to watch and hear, and so we left to our appointment, walking really fast. You know the superhero "the Flash"? It was something like that. 

The work here is going well. We are working so hard out here. The blessings are literally flowing here, just not in the way that many people think that they normally do. One thing is for sure though: I am definitely the happiest missionary that the Lord has in the mission field! The miracles never cease here! Sometimes one may fail to see them, but they always happen.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! 

Elder Gale

November 3, 2015

"To succeed in your mission, you must have a single-minded devotion to your goal."

- A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Halloween came and went. We had an amazing activity where we used to trunks of the cars for the children to do their trick or treating. It was awesome to have seen something so American happen here in Chile! We had a really great week where we had a few lessons that will be unforgettable! We have found a person who was willing to hear us teach about how families can be eternal. We got there to teach, and we just had what seemed like a normal conversation! It was amazing! We talked about how this is the Church of Jesus Christ, how we have been given priesthood authority by Christ, and how His teachings which have been restored are what we need to have a true peace in this life. It was amazing how this man was so humble. As we asked if that peace was something he would like, he said, "Yes, in fact, it is what I need." 

We also were contacting in the farthest part of our sector where we don't normally go. We were really thirsty while doing this, so we knocked on a door and asked for water. As we drank, we talked with the person, and they started to be really receptive to what we said. We started to talk about the church. She also became very excited, and it was really amazing to see how she could recognize the need that she had for the "living water"of Christ 

This week was full of many other miracles, all of which were amazing and unique in their own way. I just want you all to know that our Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. It may not always come when we want it (and frankly, it almost never does), but those answers do come when the Lord knows we need it at the opportune moment. I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Gale