¿Hola?

Note from HerMama Thomas: We are still waiting for test results for McKenna. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy her letters as much as we do. I am thankful for her positive, can-do attitude!

¡NachOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Anyways.

I'm slowly running out of creative ways to begin my emails. So let's just jump right in, shall we?

First thing's first: Dad. No, I haven't had a concert for all of Chile yet. Hahaha yes, some people know that I sing, but I don't want to run around with a big sign saying "PICK ME PICK ME I'M SUPER GOOD" because...because no. :) But President Warne knows that I sing, and so do his Assistants, so if they want me to sing at a conference, I'll gladly do it. I do sing in lessons, though! Sometimes. Every once in a while Hermana Pineda surprises me by telling the person we're teaching that I've prepared a hymn to sing to them. That's when I smile like we planned this, and frantically thumb through the pages until I find a song I know that I know...but the spirit is always there! 

I don't remember if I've already shared this, so here goes: during one of our first lessons with our family of investigators, the mother said that one thing she likes more in her church than ours is the hymns. She said that she doesn't feel anything during our songs. Then her husband told me to sing a hymn in English...I don't know why, because they had no idea that I sing! I was pretty nervous, but I made it through "Savoir, Redeemer of my Soul" with only two voice cracks. (Ugh.) But that didn't matter, because in the end, the mother was crying. Not because I can sing, and not because she could understand the words (because she couldn't,) but because the spirit was there. It was really awesome. She hasn't said much more about our hymns since... :)

So...spanish. I only have two things to say about Spanish this week. One, it's a suuuuper beautiful language...BUT. There is one word that is so ugly to me. I hate this one word. It's the word "nosotros." For those of you who don't speak spanish, let me tell you, it's unfortunate that I really don't like this word, because it's used in every other sentence. It's translation is "we" or "us." I really don't know why I don't like this word. Maybe it's because half the people say "nos-oh-ch-ros." No sè.

Second...I've learned that it's easier to just speak spanish and not try to translate what you want to say into english first...also, I was not surprised to find that it is not offensive to talk about how fat someone is getting/already is in this culture. (Don't worry, these two points relate.) Sometimes I don't remember someone by their name, and I ask Hermana Pineda, "wait, who is that again?" Almost every time, she responds with "el gordito." (or "la gordita" if it's a woman.) (Also, I might not have spelled that right.) Well, "el/la" translates to "the," and "gordo/gorda" translates to "fat," and "-ito/-ita" signifies that something/someone is little. So..."Who is this person, Hermana Pineda?" "el gordito"...the little fat?!?! Great. So...everyone in Chile? Bueno. Vamos.

This week, I met someone who believes full-heartedly in Thor. Yep, Thor. Like the guy who runs around with a hammer in a cape and tights (and works it.) (Am I allowed to say that on my mission.) She's a less-active, and when we asked her if she still had a testimony of the gospel, she said, "yeah, but my husband and I just made a small change of religion. It's pretty much the same thing." 

Also, we had a taxi driver trying to convince us that legal use of marijuanna is a gift from the heavens for people in the world today, and we need to take advantage of it, because it's part of righteous living.

In an attempt to strengthen the unity of our ward, my companion and I worked with the ward mission leader to plan a Noche De Hogar (Family Home Evening) for the ward on Friday! We had about 30 people show up, which isn't too shabby, considering the fact that we have an average asistencia of 60 people at church every Sunday...we had a spiritual lesson, and I introduced all of them to the game "20 Seconds..." They all called it a "juego-gringo." But they liked it! Our family of investigators were there, too! Hopefully we can have more people attend next time! 

Another thing: everyone here is totally into music in english. (Not a surprise.) But honestly, I never listened to music in Spanish before my mission. I can't lie and say that I did. But I like to know what I'm listening to, and to sing along...so why would I have listened to music in Spanish? Anyway, it gets a little awkward when people realize that I never listened to music in Spanish before...they're like..."why not. We listen to music in English. Why don't you like our music." So...I guess I'm in for that awkwardness for the rest of my mission. (Chloe Davis, if you're reading this right now...I already know. I already. Know.)

Also, I love when Hermana Pineda sings a song that's in English. The other day, she was singing under her breath "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars...and let me tell you...I'm pretty sure none of the words she said were in English...she just sings the sounds she hears! Maybe one day I'll correct her. Or pretend she said a really bad word in English or something. (Just kidding.) (Seriously I'm just kidding.)

You guys! I love you all. This mission is definitely the hardest thing I've ever done. But I think about all the people supporting me, and all the people who are such huge examples to me, and I find the strength to keep going! 

I've been reading "Jesus the Christ" these past few weeks...it's kind of a huge book, but I'm about half-way through, and the spirit is really strong when I read. My love for the Savior has grown even more...and I didn't think it was possible! I know, without a doubt, that he is the Son of God, my older brother, and that through Him, I can return to live with my Father in Heaven, with my family forever. I am so grateful. 

Sorry for the lack of information about my investigators, but this week was kind of...I don't know! We had a lot of lessons with a lot of new people, but nothing spectacular. It was a little difficult to contact our progressing investigators, but it was a good week!

Thanks for you love and prayers. KEEP PRAYING AND READING THE BOOK OF MORMON. I'M SERIOUS.

I love you guys!!!

Love, Hermana Thomas

Lovin the TB...wish you were here!

HerMama Thomas' note: Thanks for your prayers for McKenna and the other sisters who've tested positive for TB. It is humbling to sense that her faith is undeterred. It's amazing--the strength of her generation. The MOST disturbing part of this email is that Kenna is ASKING for recipes????? This makes me wonder if she is really very ill--I don't know anyone who hates cooking more than she does.

¡Hola mi familia!

I looooove you! LOOOOVE YOU. Thanks for your letters...I flipping love to read your emails. I think about you guys every other thought! ¡Enserio!

Everything is great here! This week was a little rough...we had a lot of moving around, doctor's appointments and whatnot, and I'm a little tired! But that's what P-day is for, right? Wrong. Missionaries don't sleep. Ever. 

Just kidding. We do.

By the way, it's getting difficult to write in English...I keep accidentally switching to Spanish subconsciously...#mishlyfe2013

SO. This week. Story time.

On Tuesday, we had a lesson with a woman named "MaQuena." Yep! Ma-Kena. ¡Que extraño! I didn't think it would be possible to find someone with my name...but there you have it. Anyway, she invited us into her casa, and we just talked about what she believed and our purpose, and the usual first-lesson stuff. Near the end, Hermana Pineda asked if she would like to say the closing prayer. To our surprise, she said yes! (We had explained how to pray just before...but people usually don't want to pray with us...and definitely not with this much enthusiasm.) Anyway, we all bowed our heads, and we waited for her to begin praying. After about ten seconds of silence, we looked up...to find that she was praying to herself, her lips moving super rapidly and making weird whispering noises. We looked at each other, and tried not to laugh...we watched her, watched her, watched her...waiting for her to finish...well, three minutes of this passed (three minutes. I looked at my watch,) and finally Hermana Pineda said really loudly, "...AAAY-men." MaQuena jumped, probably a little startled, and mumbled an amen, too. No sè...fue chistoso. 

(By the way, you Spanish-speakers...if I make a mistake in these emails...just try to remember your first three months in the field. Ha.)

Here's a classic: so, I'm a gringo, right? Surprise. Anyway, I'm used to people staring. I honestly don't remember what it feels like to walk down a street without making awkward eye contact with literally every single person you see. Well, the other day we were contacting, and we came across a fourteen year old girl who is Adventista. She let us into her house, and we talked with her mom for a bit. They were both...a little different...but anyway, we were talking, and the daughter was sitting at the table with her camera phone...trying to discreetly take a picture of me. Unbeknownst to her, however, was that her phone had the flash feature turned on. You wanna know how many pictures she took of me? Sixteen. Sixteen pictures of me. It was hilarious how careful she was trying to be, not wanting me to notice. I was fine with it until I saw on our way out that her instagram account was open as well. So hollaback, I'm an instagram celebrity on some random girl's account. (Dad, I can't remember if you said this to me or if it was my own brain, but I've been trying to come up with a title for myself here in Talca, and the best I have right now is "The Grin-kshow." Ideas?)

Also, yesterday I found a slumbering bee on my shirt. I think it was there for at least five minutes of tracting. It was curled up, sleeping. Taking a little bee-nap. 

Hey, if anyone of you want to send me really simple recipes, I'm down for it. I'm getting a little tired of the food I've been preparing for two months! 

Probably the crowning moment of the week was a lesson we had with a new investigator. This investigator has had contact with missionaries before--in fact, seven lessons of contact--but when it came to baptism, he didn't want anything to do with it. We found him tracting one night, and he said we could teach him, but that it would be impossible for him to change. From our two lessons with him, I believe that he received his answer way back with those missionaries before...and now, he's doing everything he can to justify himself. He's full of contradictions. This lesson, we taught him the story of Joseph Smith. When we asked him how he felt about it, he said that he couldn't believe it because he didn't believe in God...we talked about this for a little while longer, and at one point he said "if all the world lived the word of God, the world would be a better place." ¿What? The whole lesson was full of these contradictions. It started becoming frustrating...but one Christ-like attribute I've been studying this week is "patience," and so I just kept breathing and listening. At one point, I was trying to explain the Book of Mormon. He asked why it was important to read it, and I said that it was the evidence that there is a God, and this is his church. I then proceeded to begin to promise that if he read this book, pondered and prayed about it, that he could recieve and answer. But as soon as I said, "Yo prometo," he started saying "no, no, no, usted no puede prometer..." I tried a little more firmly, but he replied a little stronger, "¡No prometa! ¡No puede prometer!" ("Don't promise! You can't promise!") Suddenly, I felt confidence fill me up, and I cut him off, and said, "NOPE. Yo. Puedo. Porque soy un representante de Jesucristo, y cuando yo digo que este libro puede ayudarle saber que Dios existe, es un promesa." Then I bore my testimony of the truthfulness and blessings that will come from reading the Book of Mormon, and he didn't even try to argue. We left him a copy, and while I'm not entirely sure that he's going to take me up on this promise, I felt really awesome afterwards. Sometimes you just have to be super duper direct! 

I know that this is the church of Jesus Christ on the earth, and I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, Redeemer, Older Brother, Defender and Friend. I wouldn't want to do anything else than help other people come to this knowledge, too. Guys...share the gospel! I'm serious! Be grateful that you have the ability to do so in your own language, because that means that nothing can possibly hold you back but yourself! Have confidence in Christ, if you don't have confidence in yourself, and I promise you can do it.

Read the Book of Mormon. Again and again and again. And keep praying. I promise that someone is listening!

I LOVE YOU GUYS. TO DEATH ENSERIO.

Looooooove, Hermana TBhomas

Hola...from SANTIAGO??!?!?!

NOTE from HERmama Thomas: We are, of course, worried about the health of McKenna and the other missionaries who've been exposed to tuberculosis! Your prayers are appreciated. We have faith that she is being watched carefully---oh, and I have a call into the Mission President:-).

Yep! I'm in Santiago right now. ¿Por què? Porque.

Let me tell you about my week.

Monday night, we had to make a super unexpected move from La Florida to Jardìn de Valle (the sector next to us.) It was only Hermana Pineda and I, and it's because Presidente Warne doesn't want us to be exposed to the sickness in our casa during the period of time that it's considered to be contagious...so, this week, and I believe the next, we are living in a different casa. We had to pack up all of our things and move out. We're still working in La Florida, but we just have a little longer walk!

On Saturday, I got a phone call from Hermana Jett (the couple misionera in charge of the health of the missionaries) in which she said that we (Hermana Pineda and I...along with seven other missionaries from all over the mission) needed to travel to Rancagua on Sunday night, because we had an appointment at the hospital in Santiago on Monday morning. All 9 of us had been around Hermana Rodriguez (who is very sick) in the last few months, and so we needed to go get some tests done.

Needless to say, I literally saw my life flash before my eyes at this news. (For those of you who do not know, I actually have a severe allergic reaction to pain, needles, blood, etc.) (That was a lie.) (But I might as well have this problem.) (Back-track. When confronted with a needle...or a doctor's office in general...I might as well mentally and emotionally regress to the maturity of a fetus.) (I have a problem.)

Anyway, I almost started crying right there on the phone. But, somehow, I got through it. 

Sunday night came, and we had to pack our things for the night in one of my big suitcases (because I left my little suitcase in the old casa...and we didn't have any other options for an over-night pack!) So we've got this giant, bulky suitcase with both our things in it, along with our backpacks, and off we go to find a bus to Rancagua. We were with Hermana Berbert, who works in Jardìn de Valle. (She's awesome.) 

Anyway, there was a lot of moving around...and a little chaos for the three of us. First, we traveled all the way to the bus station, then we found out that there were absolutely no buses leaving for Rancagua that night. Then we ran to the train station, and we received the same news. Then we almost got back to the bus station when Hermana Berbert realized that she left her bag in the train station, so we went back and forth, and then in the bus station we found out that no one was going straight to Santiago, either. So then we called the Assistants to the President, and they told us to buy tickets to Rancagua for tomorrow morning...so we did. Then we were walking back to the casa when they called again and told us to try to get refunds, because they were actually sending someone to pick us up NOW. So we had to walk back to the terminal, get refunds, and walk all the way to the McDonald's that they told us to meet them at. 

NEEDLESS TO SAY I'm a little bit EXHAUSTED. BUT THAT'S OKAY BECAUSE guess what? It's the life of a missionary! And that's how I got to Santiago.

I was praying so hard in the doctor's office that I wouldn't bawl my eyes out when they needed to give me a shot. I came so close to loosing it a couple times, but I kept praying, praying, praying...and then a miracle happened.

Mom. I didn't cry.

I DIDN'T. CRY.

THEY STUCK A NEEDLE INTO MY ARM AND INJECTED FOREIGN FLUIDS INTO MY CUERPO AND I DIDN'T NEED TO BE HELD DOWN OR ANYTHING. (The fact that I'm sharing this proves that I have no shame. Yep...I've had to be held down before.)

Anyway, if anyone needed to know that there's a God, there's your proof.

ALSO. An important life lesson: thinking about super-gluing your fingers together? Not as fun as it sounds. 

Yeah, that happened this week. I was trying to help Hermana Pineda mend her suitcase, and before I knew it, my entire right hand was burning...for a few seconds, I didn't understand why, but then I saw the clear liquid hardening on my fingers, and I screamed...mostly because my first thought was that my hand was melting...anyway, I had the good sense to keep my fingers separated, so can I get some points for that?

This week, I have understood a ton more that people have said to me! It was kind of a dramatic increase. So I'm super pumped about that! Honestly, I think it's because I've been living with so many different countries. (In Jardìn de Valle, I've got two Hermanas from Mexico, too!) This is really awesome, because I've felt more confident in contributing in the lessons. 

Our investigators this week...hmm. This week was rough. I'm not sure why. I could blame it on the craziness of having to move and having different conferences, etc...but really, we just needed to do something different. It was really hard to find people to teach this week. Our investigators weren't answering their phones, and if we had an appointment, they usually called and asked if we could do a different day...for the most part, I think they sincerely want to keep learning and are just busy...but then that begs the question, how serious are they about learning more?

BUT my faith is still solid. I have faith that we can find a family to teach this week, who has been searching for something that we have to offer! 

All of your letters are a strength to me every week! I dang love you guys. Enserio. I know that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored upon the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith, with all the keys and authority of the priesthood. Every day, my testimony deepens a little more, and so does my enthusiasm to help those I serve to grow in the gospel!

I LOVE YOU GUYS. A TON. I TALK ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME TO EVERYONE. SERIOUSLY. 

ALSO I'M SUPER PROUD of mah fam for the Book of Mormon read-a-thon! I wish I could do that right now!! Seriously. We never have the amount of time I want to study. It's because we're so busy! I love it!

CAN'T SAY THIS ENOUGH--I LOVE YOU GUYS. 

You should purchase a copy of Preach My Gospel and study it together as a family. This isn't just me saying it. I've read a lot of talks about people's lives changing by studying PMG as a family, personally, before the mission, as well as after...DO IT!

LoooooooOOOOOOooove,

Hermana Thomas

ooxxOXx

Happy Birthday Hermana Pineda!!!!

My family, mi familia, my friends, mis amigos, y everyone else...I LOVE YOU.

This week, I practically ate a butterfly. It flew in my face, but luckily, my mouth was closed.  #blessings2013

Things are super darn good here! I love Chile! A lot! And I guess being a missionary is alright...or SUPER AWESOME. But I miss you all every single day! I can't wait to see you all again!

Today is Hermana Pineda's birthday, so we are going to have a ¡fiesta!...missionary style. That means that we get to clean our casa and eat cake!...and write cutesy notes to each other. Oh, Hermana Pineda...I love her.

I think I've said this before, but the more I learn Spanish, the more I realize that English is super hard to learn! I know I've already talked about the phrases Hermana Pineda knows in English (and they are hilarious,) but here are a few more: whenever she needs something, she says "I need you, ____." Por ejemplo, when she needs to use the bathroom, she says, "I need you, bathroom!" Or "I need you, food!" Or "I need you, my companion!" (This is another phrase: "my companion." Like..."I love you, my companion." Or "Come on, my companion." I love her english.) 

The other day, I was using my hair drier...after I was done, Hermana Pineda walked in and asked if she could use it, too. Sarcastically, I said "no." (Don't worry, she understands sarcasm. She's pretty much the only person here.) Anyway, she squinted her eyes disapprovingly at me, and said very boldly, "ay hay-ch j-yew." And then she stormed out of the room. I promise, I have never said the words "I hate you" here in Chile, so I didn't teach her that. But she said it with such conviction and with such careful and purposeful pronunciation...I about died, I was laughing so hard. 

La idioma is so much better! Well...my comprehension, at least. This week, I could understand almost everything that was said to me! I realized that last night, after a moment when I felt super discouraged with Spanish...I know that the Lord is helping me, still! I'm so grateful for this opportunity I have to learn this language. I always wanted to be bilingual! And I know that it will help me so much in the future.

This weekend was jam-packed with awesomeness...General Conference! (For those reading this letter who are not Mormon, General Conference is a conference of the church held twice a year, in which our prophet, his apostles, and other authorities and leaders of the church gather together and speak to us. They recieve revelation from God for things we need to do now, in our day, to protect our families and ourselves spiritually. This is not just for members of our church! The prophet of God is the prophet for THE WHOLE WORLD, and has recieved revelation for YOU. If you want to watch the sessions, it's on www.lds.org.)

That kind of felt like a commercial while I was writing it, but I seriously want the world to experience conference! Here, the people who want to hear the voice of the prophet have to gather in one of our stake centers, where it's projected live. 

A lot of people attended, but only five of them were from our ward. This made me really sad. I was reminded of the story as follows: A man in our church was discussing his beliefs with a friend of another faith. When the man began to discuss the prophet, his friend became excited by the idea. His friend asked what the prophet of God had said last to the people of the world--what counsel had he given? Taken off-guard by the show of interest, the man tried to recall the last talk he'd really listened to by the prophet, but struggled to remember his words. Disappointed, his friend said, "you mean that you claim to have a prophet of God speaking to you today, and you don't even know what he's saying?"

We know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, and that the Lord speaks through him to convey what we need to know for our day. If you didn't have the opportunity to view conference this week...DO IT! :) If you did, go back to previous conferences and hear the counsel of the prophet before, because it's still relevant! Because the prophet and his apostles speak the words of God, we consider their past words as modern-day scripture. Go read them!!

This conference had definite themes: women taking advantage of priesthood blessings, parents assisting and learning to continue to love wayward children, and emphasis on "every member a missionary" were only a few! Here are some quotes I really loved:

"It's not where we've been, or what we've done, bu where we're willing to go." 

"If a hypocrite is a person who does not perfectly live up to what he or she believes, then we are all hypocrites."

"Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith in Christ."

"If the bitter cup does not pass...drink it."

About a child who has strayed: "I gave him to you because I knew you could and would love him, no matter what he did."

"Don't forget to look up."

"Exclamation point!!!!" (This guy was animated. Anyone else think of a pixar character during his whole talk? I loved it...)

"Never too young to learn, never too old to change."

"Shall I falter, or shall I finish?"

So many other things during conference inspired me...UGH I LOVED CONFERENCE. (Yes, I got to watch it in English...there was a room upstairs for "those missionaries"...of which I'm proud to say that I am one...) Did anyone else get chills when Elder Bednar called the world to repentance?? Did you notice that three different apostles said that soon, we will not be so kindly accepted in the world? Now is the time, more than ever, that we need the strength that comes from hearing the voices of the men here on the earth called of God...without it, we don't have a chance.

WOW THAT WAS A LOT OF SPIRITUAL STUFF THERE. But, hey, I'm a missionary. What of it.

If anyone is interested, the running score for times that Hermana Pineda and I have tripped is--Me: 20, Her: 29. Take that, every person who has called me a klutz. There's someone in this world who falls more than I do.

This week, we had a conference with Presidente Warne for all the people endinging their first transfer in the mission, and it was SO AWESOME to see my old friends from the CCM! They are like my family here. I hope some of them get transferred to Talca!

I love you all. Keep praying and reading. 

OH ONE MORE THING: Parents with missionaries in the field: I have two scriptures for you. The first is Mosiah 28:7, and the other is Alma 19:23, both from the Book of Mormon. Read these, and rest assured that the Lord is aware of your sacrifice by letting your children serve the Lord for a time away from home, and that he will BLESS you and PROTECT them! 

I LOVE YOU GUYS so much! Thank you for your support and love always. KEEP READING AND PRAYING AND WRITING ME ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I LOVE LETTERS.

Love, Hermana Thomas