P-DAY'S EVE...IT'S A THING HERE

August 23, 2017

Hey everyone! This week has been very new! As in, we've been getting to know a lot of the new missionaries in the Zone! Things have been rough in the whole mission! Everyone's a bit down and there's been various meetings that have revolved around this subject. We're trying to reverse this phenomena and it's kinda part on us because we're DLs, so we'll be trying to pump out some bomb lessons and good divisions. 

This week we got to teach Alex again and we were like, "Hey, we're here to help you progress, so let's do that" and he was like, "Yeah, I guess we'll do that" and then he set his own baptismal date for the 23rd of September. It was a very spiritual lesson (kinda a redundant comment, I know) but we still were not feeling so hot. We later got to do a follow up appointment and he did his reading! That was pretty cool! It was 3 Nephi 27 and we passed over it again together and there was a notable difference in him and it was really good! We encouraged him to keep reading so he could get a stronger spiritual confirmation about baptism and he was very willing. We were going to do an FHE (Family Home Evening) with him and his wife, but we got there a little late and they said it'd be better for another day... kinda wierd cause that's just not very common here in Chile. We hope we didn't offend them; we'll have to see.

Things got better with my companion and me but then worse again. I ended up calling the Zone Leaders and asking for special divisions and when they came they just did an inventory instead! I was just hoping to leave but it turned out that the inventory helped a lot and at the end we hugged. I really hope things can move forward because, otherwise, things are really gonna be lame. I think they will move forward, though. 

Last night, we did what's called a "P-Day's Eve". It's where missionaries go do a sleep-over at another missionaries' house! It probably sounds like one of the most disobedient things a missionary could do, right? I thought so, too! But in the leadership meeting, (which was a summary of another meeting that the ZLs had with President) we were encouraged to do them to help missionaries not be so lonely living alone in their house with their companion, especially those who have just arrived, hardly speak Spanish and have latino companions. So, as the obedient missionaries we are... we did one   It's really only possible in our mission and in our bike riding zone because most houses in our mission are only about 10-15 minutes away, giving us plenty of time to get to the other house before curfew. We bought Chilean sushi with Elders Torres and Boody (brand new), two awesome missionaries! It was a blast! 

Today we finally went to President's house for our year mark!!! (three weeks ago :P)

It's always fun to go over there because it's a VERY nice house for Chile, and I'd say easily nicer then most homes in the states. We had some sloppy joes and some peach cobbler which was to DIE for!!!! 

We played some volleyball and foosball as well! And... well now I'm here! writing...

That's kinda been my week! I hope you all have a good one!

Elder Sierra

P-Day Eve with Elders Torres and Boody

BAPTISM UPS AND DOWNS AND GIANT 'COMPLETOS'

August 16, 2017

This week was kinda tough. we had some baptismal dates but they've all fallen through and it's been hard to find new people to teach as of late. We'll try today to get one of the dates back. 

Today we're going to see Alexander, who just got married, and hopefully we can get things rolling with him. He got married so he could get baptized but it doesn't look like he 100% wants to. We're gonna have to work with him and see because for his wife, this is the second person she's married who wasn't at first a member of the Church and the last time it was tough on her. 

Transfers came and went and a lot of missionaries went home and a LOT arrived! Every single companionship in the Zone is training except the ZLs, Sister Training Leaders, and the DLs. So we'll be doing lots of divisions! 

We've been finding some more Haitians this week and kinda re-found a couple that used to go to church but were never taught. The owner of their rental house is an evangelical and doesn't want us teaching in there so we have to teach in the chapel. We're going to see if we can get a French-speaking missionary to help us out, but it might be hard because the one that helped us last is now an assistant so he's a bit busy. The others are hard to get a hold of. 

Today for P-day we played some soccer and watched part of Beauty and the Beast. The half I got to see was pretty great! Afterwards, we went to a food joint called "Corbatas" (ties) because their completos (hot dogs with lots of toppings) are as long as "Corbatas."

This week was a bit of a hard one in terms of the work, but I'm excited with all the Greenies! It's gonna be cool helping them grow and progress!

-Ok, Elder Sierra peace out!

EATING COMPLETOS AT  CORBATAS

ALEXANDER AND ANGELA GET MARRIED! AND...SOME WEEKS ARE TOUGHER THAN OTHERS

Aug. 9, 2017

Dear Family,

Welp, this week had some cool stuff, like, Alexander and Angela (a part-member couple) got married so now, Alexander can get baptized! However, he needs to step it up a bit. We were going to have his baptism this weekend but that's not very likely. He needs to do more to be ready and we need to make sure he's not just following his wife to please her. He's a really nice guy, but also a bit quiet and still has slight problems with coffee. He's been accepting the missionaries for a while now so if he doesn't start changing, we may have to drop him, which would be sad. 

At our zone conference on Tuesday I got to see Elder Leles again and we reminisced during lunch about our companionship and how awesome it was in Capitan Avalos. Sadly, though, not a lot of what we did there stuck and it was kinda sad. He got a package from Brazil, though. When he was on his Mother's Day call his parents asked if I wanted a Brazilian [soccer] jersey and I was like "uh.... Yeah :) ", and they actually sent me one! He's going to pass it to me this week! (I'm also going to send him a few GO stiks as a thank you 'cause he loves them.)

Other than that, not a ton has been happening... I wish I had just happy, sunshine and roses to send this week, but I really can't. This last transfer has been quite a bit of suffering. It's been really tough, especially this last week. 

Looking back, not a single person I have taught has been baptized. Many are very close. But a year has passed, I have 11 months left and I desperately don't want this pattern to continue and I eagerly want to work harder than I ever have before, but I just quite can't and it's frustrating because my mission is coming to a close and honestly, I would that it wouldn't so soon. I love it. So as I'm spending more time like this, it's more and more difficult... Sorry for the rant, but that is the state of things right now. I wouldn't mind some prayers of support concerning this because I'm at a bit of a loss. 

Take Care,

Elder Sierra

Alexander and Angela's Wedding!

TRAININGS AND A WEDDING

Aug. 2, 2017

Dear Family,

This sector's pretty cool. The ward is really big, which is nice because there's good support, but also a bit tough because they all want visits and we don't always have time. Being a district leader is pretty cool. We've been doing activities with the District like doing contacts together in one of the sectors and a district breakfast. We actually should be having a baptism next week. I think I had mentioned him last week; his name is Alexander. He's the soon-to-be husband of a member and has been receiving the missionaries for a little while but hasn't been able to get baptized yet since he's not married. This Saturday he's getting married so next week's he's getting baptized! 

Also, another cool story! In my first area, Las Americas, Elder Sims and I found this one girl who was a friend of a recent convert and she invited her (Judith) to some lessons. She ended up liking the Church and went a couple times, but we lost contact with her. However, out of the blue, I hear that she's getting baptized! I heard it was going to be this Saturday, but I also heard it wasn't so I gotta see. But that's pretty cool!

Little word on Nedine or the Haitians. I know the one that was getting baptized still has a date and it's for this month. 

Things have been really just a bit crazy as of recent. We've had a lot to do and very little time. My companion and I are doing better together, but it's just a bit tough because I feel a bit like I'm always walking around on egg shells.

I don't know what else to say. Being district leader is really a lot of the new stuff because we focus a lot on missionaries and how to help them adjust better to the mission and how to help the companionships work better.

This next week I'm going to try to have more things to write about! Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Sierra

SNOW IN SANTIAGO!!

July 19, 2017

Dear Family,

This week was pretty cool! It DID snow which wasn't THAT interesting, however, all of Santiago was going crazy. Even the trees were falling down because of the snow! We lost power for the day and they turned on the lights when we were doing to bed so that was cool. BUT THEN it turned off in the middle of the night! I would have been really warm but I didn't layer up cause I had my electric blanket! That was a jerk move from the power plant! 

Also, we have 3 people that might get baptized in early August! Two of them are the parents of a recent convert who's REALLY awesome! Her name's Quenne (pronounced Queeny) and she got baptized right before I arrived. She's also about to give birth to her second child in 4 weeks. Until then, she's the Gospel Principals Teacher! Her parents have a baptismal date for the 6th of August and are really cool! The mom's (Sol) kinda hippy and has that knitted dredd (like Kyle Beckerman) all the way down to her feet. The dad (Fernando) is also pretty cool and they both love the missionaries. We've only taught them a few times, but they're really receptive and want to get baptized, so things are good! Tonight we're going to do a FHE (Family Home Evening) in their house and they're making Sushi! 

Today for P-day, a bunch of Argentines decided to throw an "Argentine P-day" and since my companion's Argentine, we went. It was pretty cool. In case you haven't seen a bunch of Argentines get together just imagine a bunch of Italians all yelling at each other and occasionally laughing, but in Spanish. 

Imma cut it short and upload some photos, Have a great week!

-Elder Sierra

Pics of the snow as well as us with the ZLs. One of them is from Barcelona.

A DOG BIT ME >:(

July 12, 2017

Dear All,

I'm loving my new sector and my comp is a gem!

Monday we had divs (divisions) with the Assistants since we're DLs. It so happens that the most sketchy area in the mission (the sketchiest of Santiago) belongs to the Assistants. It's not absolutely insane but everyone there leaves with a story about hearing/seeing shootouts, seeing a bunch of people enter a house with bats and pipes, or maybe seeing people robbed at knife point. No one ever gets hurt though. So what happens to me? Some dog bites me in the leg! It didn't even hurt nor did I bleed, but it was just kinda dumb! 

Anyways, we're going over there and when we get to their house Elder Elmont (the assistant) says he's having a bad headache and needs a second. He lies down and we wait, like, 30 minutes. Then to make a long story short, we can't leave that day... so I was just studying for 5 hours! And then when he started feeling better (10:00pm) we go out for a quick bread run and some random dog sniffs my leg (normal) then bites it! (Friggin' messed up!)  It was actually pretty funny, but also kind of hurt. Anyway, that was my division with the assistants gone bad!

The area's doing really well! There's a recent convert in our ward who's super awesome! Her parents are super cool too and we just gave them baptismal dates. We're very excited about them and I'll leave more info on them next week!

I've been getting really good at riding bikes! And my butt no longer hurts!  I think in another week or so Imma be like that one guy from the movie, Premium Rush! 

The ward here is SO COMPETENT!!! They actually DO THINGS! 

Being District Leader is also pretty neat. We're gonna start doing divisions with the district next week and also are going to give the lesson in district meeting. 

I also got to do a baptisimal interview! It was a really neat experience. It was a Haitian and he was actually super prepared and very converted so it was all good in the hood! It nice to be able to have that opportunity!

Anyway, that's about it. I have some pics of my farewells from Capitán Ávalos and of today's P-day. We went to a river and then to Papa John's!!!!

Have a great week!

-Elder Sierra

DISTRICT LEADER AND A WHITEWASH! PLUS, MAH BUTT HURTS...

July 5, 2017

So this week I had transfers, which was expected, but what wasn't expected was that they CLOSED MY FRIGGIN' SECTOR!!!!!!! That means that my companion and I were both sent out and that another companionship is taking it in addition to their own. When the district leaders called to tells us about transfers we literally thought they we just joking (they joke sometimes). It got to the point where we told them, "When you want to tell us the real transfers call us!!!" and then we called the zone leaders to see if they were telling the truth and THEY WERE.

I was basically like that clichè guy in a movie that falls on their knees and yells, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO."

It's super sad because we had a LOT of people progressing that loved us both a lot and now a random pair of elders that don't know them are going in and are going to put less focus on them than we did because they have another sector to worry about. Literally EVERYBODY was surprised because our sector was doing, frankly, the best new elders' sector doesn't have much going on, so they're focusing mostly on our sector.

My new comp is Elder Bellido! He's an Argentine. He has been in the mission for roughly 4 more months than me and we actually lived together about 4 months ago. We're pretty excited. And, we're District Leaders, so that's neat. If someone were to ask me if I feel more 'leadery' I would have to say I don't really. 

So now I'm in Lo Blanco (The White) ward. In this ward we use bikes, which is the cat's meow! We have a really big sector but we get around SO fast!!! The bad thing is that mah butt hurts... a lot..... They say it goes away after a week or so. It's a functioning ward too, like an average of 80 every week! I met a bunch of people yesterday and they seemed to like me quite a bit, which is always awesome 'cause if they don't things are just more difficult. 

It's also a bit sketchier and a bit less sketchy here. We don't really chill in any spots because we always zip along on our bikes but it's a bit more ghetto here and everybody wants a bike! Also, biking in Chilean streets is scary!!!

I have no pictures but they'll come!

Have a great week, love you all!

-Elder Sierra