Wow. I am just
sitting here so amazed looking back on this week and looking back at how
DIFFERENT my life is from a year ago. Like its just insane. I have done nothing
to deserve this type of life and this type of blessings, i don't get it. I
haven't read a single one of your emails yet because i want to send a longer
email and pictures too, so ill print them all off and figure it out later. but
thank you for sending them all!
So, first off
happy birthday to me haha. I got your packages! Well everyone but Mary. Sorry
mary....or maybe you just hate me and didn't send it? Nah just kidding the
chileans are probably just taking all those knock off rolex watches you sent
me...wishful thinking? haha it'll come soon. We had an emergency conference
with the zone leaders on thursday and president basically said "Why aren't
you doing milagros?" Go get them. So....we did! Haha maria Castillo got
baptized this weekend! There had been a couple complications but she quit
smoking almost on the dot and thats a huge miracle that i had kind of been
overlooking. Also the best birthday present ever. but the point is that i got
the packages on that conference and that was the 2 from you mom (but not the
manilla envelope) and also i got the one from you sister moody! You all are so
nice and i loved the cards. I think my favorite quote was from President
moody...something along the lines of "The stars and odd colors on this
card reminded me of you." Well talk about making a man blush! But in all
seriousness, it was so thoughtful of you. it had peanut butter (I've already
eaten 16 of the 32 reeses cups that i got...is that bad?), nutella, little
missionary action figures, you all are the best. Everything a missionary could
want! And mom, i LOVED your package. Superhero theme was golden. Those pajamas
are crazy comfy and i am just loving having them all. Really great. The peanut
butter, reeses, pillowcase, pajama pants, socks with capes (story coming, so amazing),
it was all PERFECT.i was one happy camper on june 14th (what are you all going
to do, it was birthday eve and i declared in china it was already the 15th so i
opened em anyway). But seriously, thank you SO much. Its rare to feel so loved
and taken care of so far away. It was nice because i didn't tell anyone here
about my birthday minus my companions because i just wanted a tranquilo day and
to work normally, because we had a ton to do and baptisms and stuff. So it was
nice having that little reminder from home and it made me feel awesome. So
great works and thanks SO much! I love you all!
But one funny
story from my birthday...i was actually with elder miyasaki on my birthday
because my comp and elder girsberger were both sick in the house. that morning
it was raining a ton but we had a game scheduled with some investigators at the
cancha at the church, so we went there anyway. Anyway...since we had to
"wait for the investigators" who were "likely to come any
minute", we took advantage and played futbol for about 30 minuets in
the pouring rain. so fun. Except for these are super slick courts because
you're meant to slide on them and be able to slide tackle, so in the rain it
was a disaster. i fell SO hard, straight onto my back. like you know when cartoons
fall on banana peels? like that...but worse. haha it was miserable, and then
elder miyasaki won too. But it was just hilarious because we were both wearing
our cape socks (i was batman) we looked RIDICULOUS. like imagine walking around
chile and seeing two large white kids playing int he rain with CAPES like
superheros but on their socks. so funny. Anyway that was probably a favorite
mission memory so it made the birthday awesome. And the fact that i got brand
new Zebra F301 pens....made the birthday end up great too. Haha i was probably
most excited about that #missionlife
The baptism
was awesome. We had to do the baptism and confirmation both on sunday because
her husband was going to be there, so thats how it worked out. oh MAN it was
awesome. she was just so happy, and so was her husband. He came to church
obviously and good thing i brought my gospel principles book, because he
literally asked a MILLIon questions. He is super inquisitive and very
intelligent, so it made it a fun church day. Like asked all about the
sacrament, priesthood, sustaining callings in church, why people sit on the
stand. haha it was like playing "but " with little kids. never ended.
but he is amazing and will probably follow her next month. He travels north
every 9 days and is only home for 3 so its rare that we get to teach and bring
him to church. Anyway, we had a member do it (the mission goal now is for the
elders not to baptize, but to let the members do it) and i totally saw the
reason why. This 21 year old member who is recently activating again did it,
and he was bEAMING todo el dia. Seriously, he was so excited and on sunday
practiced her name like a hundred times. i just loved it.
LAstly,
miracle with operacion alma. So this week we had the impression to go visit this
member who everyone had told us to avoid because he doesn't want anything
anymore. kind of dumb that we want but ended up being pure inspiration. We
knocked on the door and he said, with tears in his eyes, "I knew you would
come." Like....uhh....is this bad or good?? haha but it was amazing. he
told us of all the things that have happened recently, everything. After his
baptism 5 years ago he was 2nd counselor in the branch, progressed super fast,
and that caused his wife to divorce him because she was mad about stuff. i
didn't really get that part, but he went more active and more dedicated, got
remarried and everything, and then for some reason a few years back fell away.
is drinking now, his two daughters of 15 and 16 are both pregnant, just super sad.
he told us with tears in his eyes,"i just want to come back and be the man
that i know i can be". like it was so touching. then he had us sing his
favorite hymn. "put your shoulder to the wheel" which he sang along
and knew every word still. really awesome. two other families too who are
reactivating and have baptismal dates for either spouses or kids too for
beginning of july...crazy stuff. like the lord knows what he is doing and it
takes some humility to accept it sometimes, but this is what he needs.
Also, best
part of the week was watching latinos eat peanut butter. they don't get it. at
all. hahaha its so hilarious. My favorite one was having to tell my companion
to spit the reeses out because he ate it with the paper. hahaha i just having
been laughing so hard having them try it all and stuff. birthday benefits :)
The photos!
Girsberger
and i at our last zone meeting this zone. Cambios are tomorrow, ill actually be
with girsberger now working in the baptizing sector, and the other two will be
together here n mine with reactivating.
Superman pjs
are legit.
Thanking
heavenly father for peanut butter.
SOCKS FOR
BIRTHDAYS WOOOO
"traitoria"
my district this cambio, DL elder escalante and other shortie midget is elder
escobar. we call him marshmallow.
Baptisms!
little kid is diego, husband is pedro, baptizer is juanito
Gringo Oreos
vs chilean "toddy" the lamest replica. why gringos are fat i
think....
Best shoes and
socks ever after a disastrous day of rainy football. SO FUN. haha these are the
shoes i bought myself for my birthday...oops
love you
all!
Elder Tengberg
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