Week 71: I slept through an Earthquake...

Hey all!!

Holy crap, so yeah, sorry about last weeks email... We were out all day getting prepared with our Christmas presents to send to you guys this week!! So we got our packages sent off today as well! Boy am I glad that I don't have to send anything else, because I feel like you just put money into my account... So yeah... All that money is in a package coming back to Utah and will be there in a couple weeks!! :)

Wow, so I don't even know where to start!! 

How about with the conference of Elder Nelson a week and a half ago?? Wow was it Amazing!! I Loved it!! We had so much Spirit there!! He told us everything that we needed to hear!!! For Example,

"Just Smile, if you Missionaries will Smile More, you will get more people to talk to." **One of my Favorites**

"To Follow with exact Obedience to Presidente Obeso and his Wife, and we will be bless HERE and HEREAFTER."

Him and his wife Both talked about Marriage, his wife had a whole story on it that was just super cool, that I wll have to tell you all when I get home, and have longer than an hour to talk. But the one point that Elder Nelson said I really liked!! "When you try and find your future spouse, look to the example of your Mission President here. Look for someone that Loves God first." That's kinda a new requirement for my Future Wife! 

What else... There was lots!! Ummmmmm My companion had some sick experiences you will have to go check out his blog. But really, the biggest thing that hit me was the whole marriage thing. And it was funny because he said "I know you aren't suppose to think about this right now, but think about it" and so we were all laughing!! It really just hit me super hard!! 

But yeah, that was last week in a really short couple of paragraphs... Can I just have you guys start writing down questions of what you want to know about and when I get home in 7 months we can just write a book together about my Mission? (Oh wait, Mom is already doing that...) But I mean I dunno it is just so hard to answer everything in just such a short amount of time... 

Anyways this past week here was super sweet!! Lets start with the Earthquake!! Yeah, so I woke up in the morning, and Anita (the hermana we live with) came and asked me if I woke up around 330 in the morning to the Earthquake, she said it was around a 4 or a 5! And I said.... mmmm Nope!! Then I went and asked Elder Rich if he had felt it, and played right along and fooled me! Then agreed with me, and said nope, I slept through it too, but the Mom of Anita (Gladdis) also told us there was an Earthquake, but Javier (The dad of Anita) said he slept through it too hahahaha so its just lots of fun stuff! I dunno if it really happened or not, or if the family just felt the earth shake from the cries of the baby Iñaky!

We had an Intercambio with the Elders in our District this past Wednesday as well which was super awesome!! I went with Elder Hettinger who has the same time as Elder Rich here in the Mission!! Elder Rich went with Elder Warren, who was one of my Zone leaders in Coyhaique!! It was super cool!! I got the chance to give a baptism interview to a little girl named Catalina who passed and was Baptized on Saturday night!! Ill talk about that later!! 

But with Elder Hettinger in Ovejeria it was kinda trunky because I was just across the river from Camino Real, oh man it was crazy!!! But It was super awesome and the kid is a stud!! 

So on Saturday we went back to Osorno for the Baptism!! It was super sweet because our District did a Musical Number, we sang the EFY Medley "Army of Helaman/Daughters of Zion" and it was English so that was super fun!! I am gonna try and send a video we took practicing over Dropbox we'll see if it works or not!! Anyways it was super spiritual, and at the end, the hermana who played the piano had to go back to Entre Lagos and so they had me play the last hymn. #71 in Spanish, it was super awesome!! 

The coolest thing that I heard this week?? After the Ïntercambio we had, Elder Warren told something to my companion that meant  a lot to him, AND me!! He told my companion "If I didn't know you, and know that you were in your training, I never would have known" I have just worried so much for the past 3 months training my companion that he wasn't going to be a good elder, because I have never felt like I was the best elder, but that was such a huge relief to hear, and now I know if I happen to have cambios next week, that my "Son" will be okay out here in the Big world of Chile, without his "Dad"! Man I am gonna be super sad if we have cambios I will know exactly how you guys felt when I left for the Mission!! Crazy!! 

That was about it this week!! I am super excited for you guys to get your package we sent today!! Sorry Mom, when we went past to buy the Nativity Set, it was closed... so looks like I will have to buy it tomorrow and send another package! ;)

I Love you all so much, thank you so much for all you guys do for me, the prayers, notes, emails, letters, everything!! It means so much, I Love you all, and you are all in my prayers as well!! Can't wait to see you in a couple weeks!! 

Trying to make you Proud,

Elder Connor Holt

Ps. Tell me how Yorkie does at his Home Coming!! :)

 Cool Bumpersticker in a bus I am gonna get one!

Yeah, I am in Paradise everyday at Lunch!

He is my Father! 

 I know, Chip is jealous of our Cocker here in Entre Lagos, since I have to give him Bum Rubs now and not Chip... ;)

Week freakin 70... Where is the Time Flying?!

Hello everyone!! I have so much to say in such little time!!! I have about 10 minutes, because we just came back from Osorno, usually we would write there!! But today we don't have much time, because I want to give my companion time to write as well!! So I am sending pictures by Dropbox!! Elder Russell M. Nelson was freaking Amazing!! The Spirit was so Strong and I received so much inspiration, for not only my Mission, but for my Life!! 

I am sorry this email is even shorter than last week, but just know that I am doing GREAT we are seeing so many miracles here in this "White Washed" area (When we both go into a new area and know NOTHING about it!! Mom, also look up Entre Lagos on the internet! Maybe you will be able to find it and see how BEAUTIFUL it is!!! I Love you all so much! Thank you for everything!! 

I will have to tell you guys all about Elder Nelson next week!! Remind me!! There is just SO Much that happens during the week... I Love you all!! 

Trying to Make you Proud,

Elder Connor G. Holt

See ya in a couple weeks!! :)

Family Generation Pic

The three of us elders were all in Camino Real and we ran into Papito Delgado after the conference!! :D I was soooo happy!!!

 Christmas is starting here.... 

I ate a WHOLE plate of peas mom, and it wasn't that bad!! 

This is where we did service to cut wood, and now we are teaching the family of a Mother and Daughter! Super awesome!!

Semana 69: Another Sweet Week of Service!

Hey everyone!! 

I haven't had much chance to read emails still since we were at the Volcano and Saltos de Petroway today!! Oh my gosh the Saltos were so Beautiful!! Some waterfalls in a BLUE river!! It was so Beautiful!! The Volcano was eh... We saw it a couple weeks ago, and it was in clouds and fog when we got up there so we didn't see much, and Elder Rich was feeling sick, so we went back over to the van and just waited till the other elders got back! But we got some SWEET pictures!! :)

So I have realized that Service is just so dang awesome!! We have had a great week serving the people of Entre Lagos (No Mom, you need to put the sticker in Entre Lagos, its close to the border of Argentina) It is super awesome!! :) I have to start with the experience of Helping Carlos! 

Last Monday when we started our Proselyting hours, we were kinda mad, I don't remember why... Not important. Anyways it was like 8:30ish and we were walking past this house where a guy was cutting his wood, and it was a Mountain of wood! Like really though, it was HUGE!! So after walking past him, I got an impression, to go turn around and ask him if we could help! At first he said no, but we started to change the situation on him, like by saying "We are just a little cold tonight, and by chopping wood we can get warm!" Which wasn't a lie, it had rained last week, and was "Chile" outside!! So finally he agreed, and he said, "Just watch out for the dogs" and we got back behind his fence and we started a picando!! It was super awesome! He ended up going inside the store and then came out right when Elder Rich and I were in a routine!! He cut and I threw a new log on/organized, and we were just cutting so fast!! He was impressed, and ran inside and told others to come watch and see what we were doing!!! So in the end there were like 10 people watching us cut wood hahahah and then before we finished, this woman came out and was like "come with me" so we followed her to another house, and she insisted that we entered with her, but there wasn't a man there, so she ended up calling her brother who was the first guy we talked to, to come over, and we had Once with them!! Oh it was super awesome!! We ate food and they just asked questions about the church, and then told us a story of their mom who is super sick right now! So hopefully a chance we can help and go give a blessing!! But after we went home, we told them we would be back the next day to finish!! So we went back the next day, and finished chopping, then we stacked it all, and they gave us free food from the tienda, like sodas, meat, and a guacamole!! Also Cookies!! :) Then we ended up passing by on Saturday as well! At this point, we now have a buen amistad with them! It was so cool!! They had only known us for a couple of days, but they trusted us with everything in the store, as we helped them organize the store, talk with them, and in the end they tried to give us some stuff for free, but we ended up paying for it, because I asked them to change a bill for some smaller bills and as we left, we left 2 mil on the counter!! It was awesome!! We now have a cita set up with them for tomorrow!! Super stoked we are to go and teach them!! Their names are Veronica, Carlos, and Marisol!! So we'll see how that goes!!! 

Now remember that "Big and Scary" guy I talked about last week?? Gustavo is SOO Cool!! His wife's last name is crazy as well!! Huetrutripai (Way-Tru-Tree-Pie) But they are soo cool!! Last night we had a cita with them and we just went over the articles of Faith with them, because he showed us some of his beliefs in his church that he has been a member of for 4 months. And then we taught the Restoration which was super awesome!! Then, here is the part that was super cool!! Before we left we got to cook meat with them and eat it! Yeah we BBQed! it was super sweet!! The food was so good!! Like I almost died it was so good! They asked us to bring Soda, so we did! Then we ate, and oh my Goodness Gracious! It was AMAZING!! I am gonna have more BBQs when I get home!! But the part that is so cool, is the fact that we have known them for what.. A couple of days, and they invite us to come back for lessons and a BBQ. How awesome is that?!?!

So really the theme of my email this week, is we ALL need to be a little more open with our neighbors and friends, and even random people if that! It could be people of our Religion, or people of other religions, because by being friends we can help everyone come to know of the truthfulness of this gospel!! :)

So Mom I got an idea today!!! I was reading "Our Search for Happiness" today on our bus ride! And then I dunno it is just so awesome this book! It explains our Religion so well!! Better than I could since I mean, an Apostle of the Lord did write it and all... But what I was thinking, is it would be SUCH a good idea to give a copy to the Clecklers!! That could help them to know why us Mormons are so persistent to let everyone know about our beliefs!! 

I know this is a short email, but I really don't have that much more time, I still need to write President!! I am throwing my other pictures on Dropbox this week, because it is super slow to download here on the computer in this ciber for some dumb reason... But I Love you all so much, and thank you so much for all the Loving you do for me by your prayers, letters, emails, thoughts, just everything!! It means so much to me!! 

I Love you all!! 

Trying to make you proud,

Elder Connor Holt

 I am a soldier of the Lord out here in Chile

The family of Gustavo last night! (He isn't so Big and Scary without his beard that he shaved this week) but he is just a giant TEDDY BEAR!!! :)

Elder Rich y Yo hoy día at the Saltos!

Saltos

On top of the Volcan hoy!

Week 68: Los Misioneros cantan cuando se caminen... y caminen...

Wow... This past week has been super crazy!! And this is gonna be the longest time its ever been trying to write a letter.... I have got to pee.... Super bad, so I am definitely dancing in my seat right now.... Yeah, anyway.,..

How are all of you?! Definitely had you guys on my mind a lot this week!! I mean I can't tell you how many trunky dreams this week that I have had, puttin up christmas lights with dad, some crazy stuff with Brandon, and last nights was super bad with Mom, that I definitely can't reveal, or you'll take the idea and use it against me!! hahaha But its been a crazy LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG Week!! 

Why you ask?? Well because we have been like them Pioneer children!!! Here... I will sing you the song here real fast! It goes a little like this... (I changed a few words) Los Misioneros sang as they walked, and walked, and walked, and walked even farther, and kept walking... yeah. Get the point?? Hahaha our sector is like 15 minutes walking from our house, but its been awesome!! We have talked with so many people and definitely seen some great MILAGROS this past week!! :)

One of our Miracles??? Well here if you can read Spanish you can have it now! IF not you will have to wait a little and read it in English a little more below! 

Tuvimos un compromiso en nuestro distrito este semana pasada para hacer las cosas que Pdte. Hinckley nos dijo para hacer en PME p. 97 para orar como así y ver los Milagros que siguen. Yo y mi compañero hicimos eso cada día y veamos un buen milagro a noche!! En Sábado estuvimos en el cemetario contactando personas allá por que fue el día de los muertos! Y yo tenia un impresione para hablar con este hombre quien fue "Big and Scary" pero yo no hice por que el fue "Big and Scary" pero cuando estuvimos saliendo el impresione fue mas grande para hablar con el, por que todo vía el estuvo allá!! Entonces yo hice y hablamos con el! Y el ya conoció que nosotros somos elderes! En el fin el nos dejo con su dirección y tuvimos un cita por hoy día pero a noche pasamos en frente de su casa y el salio para invitarnos adentro por que no va estar hoy. Entonces fuimos y el estaba con su familia y hablamos con el y el conoció otro personas que nosotros queremos pasar!! Entonces es super genial!! Vamos a ayudar el para conocer el Evengelio de Jesucristo!! 

Okay and so now for the fun stuff! 

So to start out we had a district meeting and we had a challenge as a district to follow what Pres. Hinckley told us to do on Preach my Gospel on p. 104 I think in English!! There is a quote by him in PMG that is super cool!! So we did it every single morning! Elder Rich and I and we prayed to be miracles for other people!! So here we are just talking with everyone!! Saturday was "The day of the Dead" here in Chile the day after Halloween where everyone goes like on Memorial day in the states!! Except here outside of the cemetery there are lots of people selling things, so its a party here as well!! So we went to the cemetery here in Entre Lagos and it was packed full of people!! So as we went in I saw this "Big and Scary" looking guy and felt an impression to go talk to him! But since he was "Big and Scary" I kinda wiped it off my shoulder! We went and taught the plan of salvation to some guy, and talked to a few others, but in the end as we were walking out, the guy was still there! So because the impression was more strong I went and over to him and just started talking to him!! Then he was like "Elders!! I was wondering when you would come talk to me!" And so he gave us his address and we set up a cita with him!! Then last night we were walking, going to a house that we saw in our area book, and we ended up passing his house, and so he came out and wanted us to come over! So we went over and entered his house and got to know him and his family a little more!! His name is Gustavo!! Whats even cooler?? His wife grew up in Rio Negro and is really good friends with Jose Luis and Eugenia!!! Even cooler?? Is he knows a bunch of the people we were looking for this past week and so we are going to get to know them all now!! Sick!!!! IT was super sweet!!! 

Then we also taught a guy named Jose Luis! His parents are recent converts, but our branch presidente told us that other missionaries haven't had lots of success with him, because of his girlfriend who lives in Concepcion, but we have had feelings to keep going back and help him!! So last night as I was taking numbers from the hermanas here in Entre Lagos they told me that they talked to his girlfriend, and she said that she wants to get baptized too and that she will get baptized when he gets baptized!! So that is going to help us so much with him!!! 

Like really we are having so much success here already!! We are just going to have so much more this next week!! 

The house where we live in is so much different than any other house I have lived in!! We live with a family!! I will send you a picture next week!! But the family is super cool!! Although they like to talk a lot!! Then also they kinda try to get us to break rules a little bit..., But they are super cool!!! We had lunch with them today and so I will send you a picture of that!! 

But that is really all that has happened this past week!! Now we are gonna go start a new week and have lots of success!! I love you all so much!! Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers!! 

Trying to make you proud,

Elder Connor Holt

Ps. Mom if you could send me a new journal or two for Christmas?? I started my last one a couple weeks ago!! }

pps next week we are going to volcan osorno again with our new zone

ppps Elder Nelson is coming to our mission a week from Wednesday as well!! :D

 

            our view everyday at lunch!! 

Only 5 cambios left... 

Lunch with the fam today!!