Hi everyone,
Wow.... we have been so busy the past several weeks, that I don't remember when I wrote you last. It has been nice to visit with most of you on Instant Messenger.
Congratulations Nicole, on your mission call to San Bernadino, Calif. We think that will be a perfect mission for you. Maybe you will be in the Area that Lucy lives in so you can teach her the gospel.
Wouldn't that be neat!
How beautiful little Sadie looked in her beautiful white blessing
dress! Everyone looked so happy, and we were sorry we couldn't be
there in person. But certainly we were in our thoughts. Thanks so much for the pictures.
Zach we are enjoying your letters and it is fun to read them. We are
so proud of you. We want you to know that you are in all our prayers.
We know it is hard to write us separately, and the letters you send your
mom and dad are great for us too. We do enjoy the personal ones, but
don't worry, if you don't have time. We know our missionaries only have about 1/2 on the internet... So we do understand.
We have had what is called special changes here in the mission. On
Tuesday, we received 4 more temporary missionaries that are waiting for their Visas to come through so they can go to the country that they have
been called to. The United States and Venezuela are not accepting new
visas right now from Chile. So it is making it hard to get these missionaries out to their assignments. We are loving them, so we don't care if they leave or not. I know they are anxious to go, we are loving
having them in our mission for now. We are up to 164 missionaries in
our mission now. That is a large number for a mission. The average is
130 +.
About a week ago, we were able to go to the city of Valparaiso for a day and look around. It is a city built on a hillside along the
coast. It reminded me of San Francisco in the old parts. Windy
roads. And of course being built on a hill, the streets were steep for
walking. We did a lot of walking!!! It was interesting. They also
have these little "funicular cars" that take people up and down the hillside. We road one up and down at one point. It was kind of interesting how they work. They are little enclosed cable cars. We
found a cute place to eat with a great view. I tell you, some of
these restaurants have some pretty fantastic food presentation. We
need to find time to send some pictures. It takes so long on our computer, and at the office, I have a hard time finding the time.
Sorry... about that. We went with the Davis, Boydens and the Dixons.
Elder Boyden is a lawyer, so now we tease that we have a lawyer to keep
us out of Jail. We sure have a good time together.
Tonight we are going to Talagante to a Fireside being put on by the Riggs. Elder and Sister Riggs will be going home in two weeks. They have served a 2 year mission. The people of Talagante will miss them, that is for sure. They have done so much for them. Sister Riggs was in the last issue of the Ensign. Showing her teaching music. She has taught many young people to lead music and to play the piano. That will
be such a great benefit to the wards in the Talagante area. They
were really good to us also.
Last night we went for a walk to town and went out to dinner with the Boyden's. The Dixon's and the Davis' are down south with the
penquins! They have 5 zone conferences to teach at. They are lucky
to see so much of Chile while serving a mission.
Lynn it was good to get your letter. And know you are doing
good. I will get a letter off to you soon.
Gary, I understand you haven't been doing well. We are a little
worried about you. Hope you are feeling better now. I hope you are
remembering to take your medicines. Keep us posted on how you are
doing okay, please.
For those of you that don't know, Gary could use your prayers. He has been having a lot of heart problems.
Well, I need to run, we have to leave in a minute.
Love ya all,
mom and dad... (grandma and grandpa.... Ron and Eileen..... Elder and Sister Gonzales.. :)
P.S. I forgot to tell you, that we have been having little
earthquakes! It is funny, dad is like a dog... he senses them long
before I even know we are having one. He keeps saying... do you feel
that, and I say no! But Saturday early morning -4 am... that one woke
me up. Our bed was just a rollin.. (4.2) We have had 4 this past two
weeks. I don't like being on the 6th floor! They haven't had a bad
one since 1960's and I hope it stays that way. Anyways... don't
worry, just think it is funny, how dad knows about them before anyone else can feel them.
Have a great day... love ya all
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
January 2009
Well, family, I haven't written in weeks... so if you don't get too bored here is 3 weeks worth... We think of you all often...
Love, Ron and Eileen
Sunday, Jan 18, 2009
I woke up this morning thinking about myself and thinking of the changes that have taken place over my life time that especially pertain to me.
Yesterday’s zone conference must have triggered my thoughts. We were instructed by President and Sister Jones, Elder (President) Zaballos and is wife, and Elder Rubio from the quorum of seventies. Amazing men. The conference was focused on being the best we can and stretching beyond our normal and trying to be who the Lord wants us to be and not comparing ourselves to others and being someone we are not. The zone conference was marvelous and it was fun to be with the missionaries and learn with them and be taught wonderful life skills and great lessons for us all to learn and grow by. Elder Zaballos when he got up to speak, asked the Elders if they were very warm and would like to take off their jackets, they all nodded yes. It was strange... All these young men sitting in front of us with dark jackets on, stood up and took them off... then all of a sudden rows of white shirts! There for an instant it was like being in the temple.. It hit me funny.. He was funny, after about an hour of him speaking, he said, well you think I am about done, right, well I am not and he went on to teach another hour The Area presidency here in Chile is made of 3 Seventies. President Armado, President Zaballos and President Corbridge. Their offices are located on the 3rd floor of the office building. It has been great opportunities here to hear them speak and be in their presence at meetings and the Thanksgiving dinner.
Our grandson Spencer was baptized today and we thought of him all day.
We stayed up last night hoping Keri would come on line, but they had stake conference meeting and wasn’t able to. But Denise was on line so she was able to tell us a little about the baptism. Hopefully today sometime we will visit with Spencer on line.
Thursday was exciting for us, we got word that Rachel was in the hospital to deliver the baby. I was so excited and wanted to be there so bad. I asked Sister Davis if we could use her phone and call our kids.
It was good to talk to Michael and know what was going on. In the meantime, while waiting for the time to pass and the baby to arrive, Ron and I spent time on the computer chatting with Tina and Bryan waiting for more news. Then Bryan got word and we called Michael and then Michael was able to bring us up on Skype and we could see Rachel and the Baby. Isn’t computers and technology absolutely great these days. What a cutie. Little Sadie Ann was born. 6 lbs, 4 ozs and 19 ½ inches. It was about 7:30 pm their time and 11:30 pm our time when we got to see her.
We are proud grandparents again. Number 21.
Ron and I spent very little time in the office Thursday and Friday, trying to get away from people. We attended the temple Friday, and found much peace there and helped us both to refocus ourselves. Friday night we went over to the Dixon’s for his 80th birthday celebration and to get to know the new couple that just arrived on Monday, the Boyden’s (Steve & Pat). Good people...3rd mission. About our age I think.. He has been a mission president, MTC president, and now here. Elder Boyden and his wife will be the area presidency secretaries replacing Elder and Sister Larsen who when home Wednesday night. The funniest thing happened.... we walked over with the Davis’s and then the Boyden’s arrived at the same time, so we were all there at the same time and they all decided to try and fit in the Elevator, I said, that is not a good idea. Two should wait. But NO, they all got in and the elevator got stuck between floors!
It took 10 minutes or so to get us out. I must say that I didn’t do so well. Everyone was trying to stay happy and laugh and keep the situation light for me and Sister Davis’ benefit. We both don’t like tight places.
She did better than me. I just stood there head down trying hard to focus and breath well, as not to faint or cry or something and keep myself from reacting to the situation. Ron and Elder Boyden finally were able to force the door open and we were able to crawl out. I walked into the apt. and straight to the balcony for fresh air. It took me a good hour before my skin tone and breathing came all the way back to normal, even though I was visiting and trying to unwind. I can’t say I enjoyed that experience at all, but it gave us all something to talk and laugh about. We had a good dinner, visit, laughed a lot and learned about the experiences of the Boyden’s on their other missions. I would say Dr.
Dixon had a good birthday party.
Saturday Jan 24th.
We had a good week. Nothing too exciting to report on. Monday night was family home evening. Brother and Sister Walton showed slides of their mission in Uraquay. Most of us went away feeling very grateful for being in Santiago. They had pretty tough living conditions there. Let’s see...
Tuesday was our greenie meeting. It went really well. We went out to eat Tuesday night with the Dixon’s and found a wonderful Mexican restaurant with real Mexican Tortillas. We were excited about that. Wed. Dad went with Bro. Diez, our maintenance man and another fellow from finance, out to close down a pension in Melipilla area. He was gone most of the day.
I was about the only one in the office. Thursday, I was up at 6 and in the office for visa run, and other than that it was a usual day in the office. That evening we went grocery shopping with the Dixon’s. They bought a car so we took their car. Before we came home we caught a bit to eat at this little place we get good fried chicken and fries at. By the time we got home we were way tired. I didn’t sleep much that night either with sore legs and back. Friday in the office, I was there most of the time again by myself and Ron was out paying bills. When I am in the office by myself, it is hard, because of my lack of Spanish. I am always praying some Elder will just happen to pop in, or I am out in the hall trying to find one that is in to see the doctor or is in the East mission office, when I get phone calls that I can not understand. It is crazy some days for me that way. I am beginning to be able to say a few more things and understand some calls, but not many. My last name gets me in trouble! People assume I speak Spanish.... Friday night we went for Chinese food with the Seniors. Food wasn’t as good as we have had in the past at this restaurant, but the company was good and fun. We hadn’t been home long and Ron was off to the bathroom.... and spent several visits there that night. Then in the morning I woke up not feeling well, and spent several trips also to the bathroom. We decided we don’t want to eat there any more. This morning we were supposed to go with a group on a little adventure, but Ron was up early and went to get his Chilean drivers license and I spent most of the morning trying to get enough energy to get the house cleaned and so laundry. I would get up for a half hour or so and get some laundry done, then back to the couch and slept, then up do some more and back to the couch. I ended up not going either with the group. I kept trying to find the energy to go with them, but just couldn’t. Ron came home about noon, fixed him lunch and then I fell asleep again until 2pm. I guess I was just worn out again. We didn’t go anywhere today, just stayed in the apartment. We worked on the computer in Photo Shop today, trying to get zone conference pictures and our mission picture ready for print. Thank goodness Ron has those skills. I did some ironing and then we were able to visit some with the family on the internet, either by Instant Messenger, or Skype. We finally got to visit with Zach and Keri on Skype. Tomorrow is Zach’s farewell and birthday. I think Ron was quit bored today, but I truly enjoyed being just home all day. But I slept too much and now it is midnight and I can’t sleep. I just can’t win when it comes to sleeping.
I received a phone call tonight asking me to play the piano for Primary tomorrow.... oh I tried to get out of it, but didn’t win... so I guess another adventure in my life...
Sunday was quite, only a few senior couples at the Pocuro ward today.
Most of the temple couples are off on a two week trip somewhere. The temple is closed for cleaning. I went to the Primary, told them that I only played a little. It was kind of funny... I would be trying to play an introduction to the song.... and the gal would start singing during the middle of it... I tried... but can’t say it went well. I was surprised it didn’t bother me. I just laughed.. We had the Davis’ over for dinner. Anna Marie has been sick all week. She has asthma really bad and the air here really is hard on her. She said, she was glad to get out of her apartment room and have company. We had a nice visit. After they left, we rested and then went over to the office for a little while. Much cooler in the office.
Sunday morning early, Feb 1, 2009
Every week brings new adventures in the mission field. This week for the first week since we have been here, the week was slow. Not much to do in the office. I kept feeling like I have missed something that I am supposed to do. It was kind of nice, not to feel overly busy. I really don’t remember much of what we did this week. My mind was mostly on Zach going into the MTC and beginning his missionary experience and thinking of little Sadie Ann. Let’s see... I think it was Tuesday or Wednesday night, the van was available, so we went over to the EASY store and looked to see if we could find a wheel to fix our handcart. We finally bought a new one. It was funny though... because the next morning the McCowns came in and said, look what we found, and they had boughten a hand cart also, it turned out to be the same one we got, and we figured we were in the stores on opposite sides of town at the same time. We sure laughed over that one. Now we have two really sturdy handcarts. We felt like we went out to eat a lot this week. Thursday night we went to a restaurant that Ron spotted on one of our adventures that served steaks with the Dixon’s. It was kind of decorated up like we were in Italia. It was a nice place. Afterwards we went for a walk, looking at the different stores on the street and stopped and had an ice cream cone. Their favorite thing to do. Then caught the bus for the last half of the trip home. Friday night we went with the McCowns, Riggs, and Andlin’s to get Mexican food. We took them to that Mexican Restaurant that we went to a week or so ago. We had a good time. Ron and Elder Andlin were not up to walking so the three of us took the bus, and the other’s walked. I walked back. It is always an adventure in itself on our walks. I often wonder how far we actually walk. One, two, three miles??? A good ½ hour I would say anyhow and they don’t stroll! There has been a lot of bronchitis going around. Four couples have been down with it. The Dr. came down with it Friday morning. We are trying to stay away from those that have it and not get it ourselves.
Yesterday, Saturday, we got up cleaned house and did some wash and then went with Elder and Sister Snow to a place called Los Dominicos. Tons of little artesian shops inside what was once a monastery. Unfortunately, I guess I got too much sun and by the time we came home I was in bed and down the rest of the night. I was surprised, because it was mostly shade, plus I had a hat and sun glasses on. The sun is just so intense here. It is unbelievable. The temperature is not that high.
I have been trying to read scriptures in Spanish every night and work on my pronunciation. I think it is beginning to help.
Love, Ron and Eileen
Sunday, Jan 18, 2009
I woke up this morning thinking about myself and thinking of the changes that have taken place over my life time that especially pertain to me.
Yesterday’s zone conference must have triggered my thoughts. We were instructed by President and Sister Jones, Elder (President) Zaballos and is wife, and Elder Rubio from the quorum of seventies. Amazing men. The conference was focused on being the best we can and stretching beyond our normal and trying to be who the Lord wants us to be and not comparing ourselves to others and being someone we are not. The zone conference was marvelous and it was fun to be with the missionaries and learn with them and be taught wonderful life skills and great lessons for us all to learn and grow by. Elder Zaballos when he got up to speak, asked the Elders if they were very warm and would like to take off their jackets, they all nodded yes. It was strange... All these young men sitting in front of us with dark jackets on, stood up and took them off... then all of a sudden rows of white shirts! There for an instant it was like being in the temple.. It hit me funny.. He was funny, after about an hour of him speaking, he said, well you think I am about done, right, well I am not and he went on to teach another hour The Area presidency here in Chile is made of 3 Seventies. President Armado, President Zaballos and President Corbridge. Their offices are located on the 3rd floor of the office building. It has been great opportunities here to hear them speak and be in their presence at meetings and the Thanksgiving dinner.
Our grandson Spencer was baptized today and we thought of him all day.
We stayed up last night hoping Keri would come on line, but they had stake conference meeting and wasn’t able to. But Denise was on line so she was able to tell us a little about the baptism. Hopefully today sometime we will visit with Spencer on line.
Thursday was exciting for us, we got word that Rachel was in the hospital to deliver the baby. I was so excited and wanted to be there so bad. I asked Sister Davis if we could use her phone and call our kids.
It was good to talk to Michael and know what was going on. In the meantime, while waiting for the time to pass and the baby to arrive, Ron and I spent time on the computer chatting with Tina and Bryan waiting for more news. Then Bryan got word and we called Michael and then Michael was able to bring us up on Skype and we could see Rachel and the Baby. Isn’t computers and technology absolutely great these days. What a cutie. Little Sadie Ann was born. 6 lbs, 4 ozs and 19 ½ inches. It was about 7:30 pm their time and 11:30 pm our time when we got to see her.
We are proud grandparents again. Number 21.
Ron and I spent very little time in the office Thursday and Friday, trying to get away from people. We attended the temple Friday, and found much peace there and helped us both to refocus ourselves. Friday night we went over to the Dixon’s for his 80th birthday celebration and to get to know the new couple that just arrived on Monday, the Boyden’s (Steve & Pat). Good people...3rd mission. About our age I think.. He has been a mission president, MTC president, and now here. Elder Boyden and his wife will be the area presidency secretaries replacing Elder and Sister Larsen who when home Wednesday night. The funniest thing happened.... we walked over with the Davis’s and then the Boyden’s arrived at the same time, so we were all there at the same time and they all decided to try and fit in the Elevator, I said, that is not a good idea. Two should wait. But NO, they all got in and the elevator got stuck between floors!
It took 10 minutes or so to get us out. I must say that I didn’t do so well. Everyone was trying to stay happy and laugh and keep the situation light for me and Sister Davis’ benefit. We both don’t like tight places.
She did better than me. I just stood there head down trying hard to focus and breath well, as not to faint or cry or something and keep myself from reacting to the situation. Ron and Elder Boyden finally were able to force the door open and we were able to crawl out. I walked into the apt. and straight to the balcony for fresh air. It took me a good hour before my skin tone and breathing came all the way back to normal, even though I was visiting and trying to unwind. I can’t say I enjoyed that experience at all, but it gave us all something to talk and laugh about. We had a good dinner, visit, laughed a lot and learned about the experiences of the Boyden’s on their other missions. I would say Dr.
Dixon had a good birthday party.
Saturday Jan 24th.
We had a good week. Nothing too exciting to report on. Monday night was family home evening. Brother and Sister Walton showed slides of their mission in Uraquay. Most of us went away feeling very grateful for being in Santiago. They had pretty tough living conditions there. Let’s see...
Tuesday was our greenie meeting. It went really well. We went out to eat Tuesday night with the Dixon’s and found a wonderful Mexican restaurant with real Mexican Tortillas. We were excited about that. Wed. Dad went with Bro. Diez, our maintenance man and another fellow from finance, out to close down a pension in Melipilla area. He was gone most of the day.
I was about the only one in the office. Thursday, I was up at 6 and in the office for visa run, and other than that it was a usual day in the office. That evening we went grocery shopping with the Dixon’s. They bought a car so we took their car. Before we came home we caught a bit to eat at this little place we get good fried chicken and fries at. By the time we got home we were way tired. I didn’t sleep much that night either with sore legs and back. Friday in the office, I was there most of the time again by myself and Ron was out paying bills. When I am in the office by myself, it is hard, because of my lack of Spanish. I am always praying some Elder will just happen to pop in, or I am out in the hall trying to find one that is in to see the doctor or is in the East mission office, when I get phone calls that I can not understand. It is crazy some days for me that way. I am beginning to be able to say a few more things and understand some calls, but not many. My last name gets me in trouble! People assume I speak Spanish.... Friday night we went for Chinese food with the Seniors. Food wasn’t as good as we have had in the past at this restaurant, but the company was good and fun. We hadn’t been home long and Ron was off to the bathroom.... and spent several visits there that night. Then in the morning I woke up not feeling well, and spent several trips also to the bathroom. We decided we don’t want to eat there any more. This morning we were supposed to go with a group on a little adventure, but Ron was up early and went to get his Chilean drivers license and I spent most of the morning trying to get enough energy to get the house cleaned and so laundry. I would get up for a half hour or so and get some laundry done, then back to the couch and slept, then up do some more and back to the couch. I ended up not going either with the group. I kept trying to find the energy to go with them, but just couldn’t. Ron came home about noon, fixed him lunch and then I fell asleep again until 2pm. I guess I was just worn out again. We didn’t go anywhere today, just stayed in the apartment. We worked on the computer in Photo Shop today, trying to get zone conference pictures and our mission picture ready for print. Thank goodness Ron has those skills. I did some ironing and then we were able to visit some with the family on the internet, either by Instant Messenger, or Skype. We finally got to visit with Zach and Keri on Skype. Tomorrow is Zach’s farewell and birthday. I think Ron was quit bored today, but I truly enjoyed being just home all day. But I slept too much and now it is midnight and I can’t sleep. I just can’t win when it comes to sleeping.
I received a phone call tonight asking me to play the piano for Primary tomorrow.... oh I tried to get out of it, but didn’t win... so I guess another adventure in my life...
Sunday was quite, only a few senior couples at the Pocuro ward today.
Most of the temple couples are off on a two week trip somewhere. The temple is closed for cleaning. I went to the Primary, told them that I only played a little. It was kind of funny... I would be trying to play an introduction to the song.... and the gal would start singing during the middle of it... I tried... but can’t say it went well. I was surprised it didn’t bother me. I just laughed.. We had the Davis’ over for dinner. Anna Marie has been sick all week. She has asthma really bad and the air here really is hard on her. She said, she was glad to get out of her apartment room and have company. We had a nice visit. After they left, we rested and then went over to the office for a little while. Much cooler in the office.
Sunday morning early, Feb 1, 2009
Every week brings new adventures in the mission field. This week for the first week since we have been here, the week was slow. Not much to do in the office. I kept feeling like I have missed something that I am supposed to do. It was kind of nice, not to feel overly busy. I really don’t remember much of what we did this week. My mind was mostly on Zach going into the MTC and beginning his missionary experience and thinking of little Sadie Ann. Let’s see... I think it was Tuesday or Wednesday night, the van was available, so we went over to the EASY store and looked to see if we could find a wheel to fix our handcart. We finally bought a new one. It was funny though... because the next morning the McCowns came in and said, look what we found, and they had boughten a hand cart also, it turned out to be the same one we got, and we figured we were in the stores on opposite sides of town at the same time. We sure laughed over that one. Now we have two really sturdy handcarts. We felt like we went out to eat a lot this week. Thursday night we went to a restaurant that Ron spotted on one of our adventures that served steaks with the Dixon’s. It was kind of decorated up like we were in Italia. It was a nice place. Afterwards we went for a walk, looking at the different stores on the street and stopped and had an ice cream cone. Their favorite thing to do. Then caught the bus for the last half of the trip home. Friday night we went with the McCowns, Riggs, and Andlin’s to get Mexican food. We took them to that Mexican Restaurant that we went to a week or so ago. We had a good time. Ron and Elder Andlin were not up to walking so the three of us took the bus, and the other’s walked. I walked back. It is always an adventure in itself on our walks. I often wonder how far we actually walk. One, two, three miles??? A good ½ hour I would say anyhow and they don’t stroll! There has been a lot of bronchitis going around. Four couples have been down with it. The Dr. came down with it Friday morning. We are trying to stay away from those that have it and not get it ourselves.
Yesterday, Saturday, we got up cleaned house and did some wash and then went with Elder and Sister Snow to a place called Los Dominicos. Tons of little artesian shops inside what was once a monastery. Unfortunately, I guess I got too much sun and by the time we came home I was in bed and down the rest of the night. I was surprised, because it was mostly shade, plus I had a hat and sun glasses on. The sun is just so intense here. It is unbelievable. The temperature is not that high.
I have been trying to read scriptures in Spanish every night and work on my pronunciation. I think it is beginning to help.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
January 9, 2009
Hi family,
It has been a few weeks since I have written anything. Here is part of my journal. Hope you enjoy. Sorry we don't send pictures. Our internet at home is too slow, and don't seem to find time at work to do it. We will keep trying..
Wow does time go by... We had been so busy the past couple of weeks, Sorry I haven't written to you. Thanks goodness for Instant Messenger, we have loved visiting with the everyone over the holidays.
Saturday, Jan 10, 2009
Let see, it was on Saturday after Christmas dad, (Ron) and I used the mission van and took two other couples, the Westovers, McCowns, and Sister Graham and Sister Mehew out to the coast for the day. We had such a great time. We took them down and showed them the beach house, and walked on the shores. We rest awhile and then drove down to San Antonio and went to some shops on the harbor front. There everyone decided to take a harbor boat ride. After we got in, I had a funny feeling come over me and I told everyone, that as Missionaries, we were not to be on this boat and we needed to turn around and go back. I can’t explain the feeling, but everyone knew I was serious about it and felt also that we needed to go back and so we did. We shopped, and found a fun place to eat lunch. Then we headed up the coast to Cartagena and walked around and then back to Santiago. On the way back, everyone wanted to stop at a town called Pomaire. And we shopped until our feet dropped. It was a street with tons of little shops with all kinds of little artesian things. I bought a blouse and some hair things for the little granddaughters. I am always shopping for the grandkids, but can’t buy all I want. It is hard to find things for the boys, but we keep looking.. Then we drove over to a neighboring town called Melipilla and had dinner. That was a nice place and fairly good food, for Chile. We were had a great day.
New Years was fun. We met as a group and played some fun games, visited, eat and just enjoyed everyone’s couple. Then the next week hit and we had go homers, new missionaries come in and the work load piled up with all the things we both have to do when missionaries come in and leave.
The day the missionaries arrived we went out to the president’s house where they all were, and picked up their passports, and their important papers, gave them their credit cards, and visited with them for a few minutes, and oh and took their pictures, then headed back to the office to start the paper work to obtain their visa’s. I had to be to the office early two days at 7am for visa runs and we put in 10-12 hours days. Last night, Friday, we went out to dinner with some of the seniors. I was really too tired to enjoy it much. Even though we were tired we stayed out late and glad we did because we were able to catch a couple of kids on line. It was great to visit with them. Today being Saturday, we are really tired. Especially me. I haven’t done much today, except sleep, and do laundry. Now at 4 pm, I am writing this. We did a little reading while I ironed and watched a movie. This has been a rough week for me. For the first time since being here, I have been a little Trunky. Realizing I am missing important events at home. Rachel and Mike’s new baby being born, Spencer’s baptism, and Zach going to the temple and leaving for his mission.. My trunkiness probably adds to my being so tired. But all in all we are good, happy, loving our mission, except for having to see one of our young missionaries go home because he just couldn’t handle being here. We worked so hard to try and boast his spirits and keep him here. But it didn’t work, and he went home on Tues. We got really close to him with him being in the office for 2 or 3 changes (each change 6 weeks). He eat lunch with us a lot and went with Ron a lot to pay bills. He enjoyed being with us. Anyways, that has been hard also.
This up coming week will be zone conferences and we will have an Area Authority and general authority from Salt Lake here to speak. That will be a wonderful experience. But all is Spanish, so it will be difficult to understand it all. I only get words here and there. But the spirit is always good. Dad is doing really well with the language. I listen to him and he doing great. Learning more and more all the time. The missionaries keep saying that I have improved tons. So that helps to boast me up. I feel like I am learning more words all the time. I have to do so much in Spanish, that I need to learn it faster than I am, but it will come. Just keep praying family for us. We feel your prayers, and right now, we can use a lot.
Know that we love ya all and miss ya tons. The gospel is true and I testify of this to you all. The Lord does bless his people. Not always in our time line, but he does bless us. He knows his children and their needs...
Love,
Mom and dad
It has been a few weeks since I have written anything. Here is part of my journal. Hope you enjoy. Sorry we don't send pictures. Our internet at home is too slow, and don't seem to find time at work to do it. We will keep trying..
Wow does time go by... We had been so busy the past couple of weeks, Sorry I haven't written to you. Thanks goodness for Instant Messenger, we have loved visiting with the everyone over the holidays.
Saturday, Jan 10, 2009
Let see, it was on Saturday after Christmas dad, (Ron) and I used the mission van and took two other couples, the Westovers, McCowns, and Sister Graham and Sister Mehew out to the coast for the day. We had such a great time. We took them down and showed them the beach house, and walked on the shores. We rest awhile and then drove down to San Antonio and went to some shops on the harbor front. There everyone decided to take a harbor boat ride. After we got in, I had a funny feeling come over me and I told everyone, that as Missionaries, we were not to be on this boat and we needed to turn around and go back. I can’t explain the feeling, but everyone knew I was serious about it and felt also that we needed to go back and so we did. We shopped, and found a fun place to eat lunch. Then we headed up the coast to Cartagena and walked around and then back to Santiago. On the way back, everyone wanted to stop at a town called Pomaire. And we shopped until our feet dropped. It was a street with tons of little shops with all kinds of little artesian things. I bought a blouse and some hair things for the little granddaughters. I am always shopping for the grandkids, but can’t buy all I want. It is hard to find things for the boys, but we keep looking.. Then we drove over to a neighboring town called Melipilla and had dinner. That was a nice place and fairly good food, for Chile. We were had a great day.
New Years was fun. We met as a group and played some fun games, visited, eat and just enjoyed everyone’s couple. Then the next week hit and we had go homers, new missionaries come in and the work load piled up with all the things we both have to do when missionaries come in and leave.
The day the missionaries arrived we went out to the president’s house where they all were, and picked up their passports, and their important papers, gave them their credit cards, and visited with them for a few minutes, and oh and took their pictures, then headed back to the office to start the paper work to obtain their visa’s. I had to be to the office early two days at 7am for visa runs and we put in 10-12 hours days. Last night, Friday, we went out to dinner with some of the seniors. I was really too tired to enjoy it much. Even though we were tired we stayed out late and glad we did because we were able to catch a couple of kids on line. It was great to visit with them. Today being Saturday, we are really tired. Especially me. I haven’t done much today, except sleep, and do laundry. Now at 4 pm, I am writing this. We did a little reading while I ironed and watched a movie. This has been a rough week for me. For the first time since being here, I have been a little Trunky. Realizing I am missing important events at home. Rachel and Mike’s new baby being born, Spencer’s baptism, and Zach going to the temple and leaving for his mission.. My trunkiness probably adds to my being so tired. But all in all we are good, happy, loving our mission, except for having to see one of our young missionaries go home because he just couldn’t handle being here. We worked so hard to try and boast his spirits and keep him here. But it didn’t work, and he went home on Tues. We got really close to him with him being in the office for 2 or 3 changes (each change 6 weeks). He eat lunch with us a lot and went with Ron a lot to pay bills. He enjoyed being with us. Anyways, that has been hard also.
This up coming week will be zone conferences and we will have an Area Authority and general authority from Salt Lake here to speak. That will be a wonderful experience. But all is Spanish, so it will be difficult to understand it all. I only get words here and there. But the spirit is always good. Dad is doing really well with the language. I listen to him and he doing great. Learning more and more all the time. The missionaries keep saying that I have improved tons. So that helps to boast me up. I feel like I am learning more words all the time. I have to do so much in Spanish, that I need to learn it faster than I am, but it will come. Just keep praying family for us. We feel your prayers, and right now, we can use a lot.
Know that we love ya all and miss ya tons. The gospel is true and I testify of this to you all. The Lord does bless his people. Not always in our time line, but he does bless us. He knows his children and their needs...
Love,
Mom and dad
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