February 18, 2013

February 18, 2013

Hey everyone!

So I think any news I can possibly give for the week has been one upped. Dang it, Mags. It was a pretty

great week, too. Here goes.

On Monday, we made lemon cheesecake bars and ate American pizza. Too much deliciousness, even

though we didn’t really eat a lot. Good times.

Tuesday, we had district meeting and, after, I got to chill with Elder Landa and Elder Froerer, the

newbies from our zone, in our sector. It was really weird being in a triple with a new Mexican who is

really, really excited in all his contacts and a new gringo who speaks 0 Spanish but we found some

people that we might teach later on. Then we got in a bus and headed to Conce. The bus broke

halfway there and we changed buses. Got to Conce and went to stay with some missionaries in Collao.

It was fun and then we went to the capacitation in the morning. Elder Landa is super funny; he always

says "es en serio" and talks about how cold he is in Conce (kinda great weather there--I am feeling

jealous) and talks about Mexican food. Little round ball o’ fun. But then the next morning we had no

idea where we were going and when, and then the zone leaders called and told us we were late, and

we got thrown on a bus and told to get off at a statue of a priest with two kids and then find the Mormon

chapel.... It actually turned out okay. We got there a bit late, but, oh well. After the training that day we

went out to work in Collao, me with Elder Dasilva, and we got locked in a building-- we had to climb

over the balcony and around the gate on the stairwell back onto the stairs. Pretty adventurous.

Then on Thursday, we had some more training and then came back to Talca. Elder U had been chillin’

in other sectors so getting’ back to our sector meant there was tons to do, and we had no one for

church. Bummer. So we were fasting and really hoping to get something going here for Sunday; also,

the church got broke into on Friday and the computers stolen, and it rained really hard on Saturday

strangely and has been pretty great here weather-wise since.

But on that Saturday afternoon, we found Claudia. We knocked her door randomly and she opened

the window and told us she was atheist. We talked to her and, after a little persistence, she opened up

the door and we taught her about Jesus and stuff. We shared some inspired scriptures, asked some

inspired questions, and then invited her to baptism, and she totally wants to. She will have to make

some changes, but I think this is the first really good new I have found here since Sandra. She could go

far. She ended with the prayer, and it was very sincere. Very exciting.

Also that day, we ate breakfast with the Pulsiphers (senior missionary couple) to plan this activity they

were doing in our ward the next day. We ate French toast and potatoes and bacon in their super rich

American apartment and I thought I had died and went back to the United States slash heaven.

Then on Sunday, Fabiola came to church with Monce, but Rayen didn’t come. But I will take it! I love

that family; they are some of my favorites. Elder Pulsipher gave a great presentation to the whole ward

in the third hour to animate the members and get them more involved in finding us investigators--there

is a great clip from Elder Bednar about how we are the full-time teachers and members are the full-time

searchers. If it only worked like that....

We had a fun p-day today, too--went to Constitucion this morning, about an hour away--a beach big

city. Some cool rocks and stuff. Just ate some picnic with the other elders and took pics. Kinda cool.

Got a haircut. Good stuff. Good p-day stuff.

What mission is John Pearce going to in Peru? Does he know that all Peruanos are thieves and liars,

according to the Chileans?

Now, let’s get to the interesting news. I hear that my 21-year-old sister, who is just barely old enough

to even be serving a mission, has made the decision to wed herself with a certain Jeffrey Hubert

Humphrey Hammond. While this takes away all chances Elder Conti had with her, which is a great

thing, some serious questions must be brought into the picture. How good looking is this guy? Does

he make bank? Will his spawn be cool and worthy to be my nephews? Does mom realize she will be

a grandma soon? How does that make her feel? It should make her feel old. There it is. Just throwin’

that one out there. Are we going to have a wedding in our backyard and I’m not gonna be there? Are

they gonna drive away in a yellow Lamborghini that costs more than all of Talca? When will this said

wedding be taking place? Will Allie be representing me there or are you gonna wait ‘til she is outta the

picture, too? I need answers. I want the truth! And yes, I can handle it.

My sister is engaged. This is a big step in my life. Rachel is gonna be one of those weird kids that is an

aunt while she is in middle school. And I don’t want to hear anything about how there won’t be children

yet when I get home. Ask yourself what the prophets have counseled and what the purpose of marriage

is. Ask yourself how righteous you are. Then pray and multiply and replenish the earth.

Sounds like Duke is droppin’ the ball a bit, though I’ll take a UNC win. I hope Allie is doin’ well. Happy

Valentine’s day from me. I am working on my Portugese. Kinda. I am working on my Portugese accent,

at least. Just make weird throat sounds and keep your teeth together. Good stuff.

Congrats and go eat some delicious things for me to celebrate. Enjoy yaselves. And send me more

pictures, especially more like those ones of that one girl on Valentine’s Day that you sent me. That

would be cool.

Zach

P.S. Tell Allie hi for me. We are still the cuter couple, right? Right. Say hi to Tom and Cars, too! And the

Jacobs, of course. When is Sam gonna leave on the mission? Elder U says that if I don’t hurry, he is

gonna beat me with a stick, which is stupid because he doesn’t even have a stick. Unless it’s the stick

of Ephraim, which I think he has in his backpack.

Chao pescao congrats again cant wait for more details next week and maybe news about cambios!

P.P.S. We went to Independencia on Sunday and met this great family the zone leaders just baptized.

It’s hard not to be jealous of these golden people other missionaries find. Instead, we just have to be

more worthy to find those prepared people in our own sector. We are getting there. Poco por poco. We

are working hard though, and working smart.

P.P.S.S. Is Maggie just super excited? Is Jeff great? When is this probably going down? Which temple-

- they are getting married in the temple, right?