July 21, 2014

Hey now hey now
This is what dreams are made of!

aye. I keep spending like hours to try to figure out how to send pictures. Well this week... there was a wedding of the elders investigadores. That was fun. We all went to the little court house to get them married and they got baptized Saturday. Pretty cool.
 Hey I got the pics going so I’m just going to send a bunch now!

July 14, 2014

Tu me has dado muchas bendiciones Dios
Por eso quiero dar tambien segun tu voz

GREAT WEEK!!!
Okay well. The week was just like any other. Saturday was a bunch of walking to the point where I actually just got tired of knocking doors. I just wanted to talk to someone but no one would answer. Well we just kept knocking. Then Sunday I slipped my last $ into the fast offerings envelop even though we still have 3 more weeks to go this month. and then we walked to our sector to knock doors of those that said they'd come to church with us but just as every other Sunday we walked back empty handed just as they are about to sing the opening hymn. We got to the sacramental hymn and all of a sudden mi compañera said ¨look¨ I looked over to the shut door of the chapel and in the window I saw jaquelene y oscar fonseca! I was so thrilled! We have been working with them since I first got to Cañete and this was their first time to church. I felt like I tripped over my companion and fell to the door to welcome them inside. We sat down again and my eyes just filled with water (gracias to praying for the gift of tears .lol). Gosh you would think they already got baptized with how happy I was! But every next step is one step closer. I feel so so so thankful that our padre celestial can change hearts and that he can work miracles all in his time.

You want to know how we did it? Well they obviously already knew that we wanted them to come to church. So I tried to take it the way that Dad has taught me and sit back. We didn't really mention it for the last few visits and this week we just left an invitation to church on their door Saturday morning. God is incredible.

Our president of the branch was reading the churches statements about abortions and gay marriage. After saying that men and women should be legally married. Someone’s phone went off of the beginning of celebrate good times " do do do do do do do do WaHOO!!"

This week we were able to have another conference with our president. He is super great! And he is from Arizona. The best part is that suddenly we get American food at our conferences. Like alfredo and cinnamon rolls. I about just died.

We also had an intercambio with the sister capicitatores. She made a comment about my family and I realized how many comments I have received about my family since I’ve been here. Other then you all being tall blonde and beautiful... these are a few I remember.

"la familia de hermana van es loca" Hermana Moscoso after mother’s day 2013
"Have you always been so obedient? Your parents must have had a lot of trust in you... *confuzed* they must love you!" my personal favorite. january 2014
I can tell what your family must be like. Just like you... but a whole bunch of them". After looking at the calendar of my family! lol

I love you all and wish you the best week ever!

Hermana VandeMerwe

July 7, 2014

tengo gozo en mi alma ho
que brilla mucho mas...
We sang that song to a family and the little boy looked at us with such disgust and then started screaming. He hated it. ¨did you like the song?¨ ¨NO!¨
We found this amazing family. We were able to teach them all as a family all together which I feel like I haven't done for so long. We are teaching lots of families but they are always there at different times. This family all gathered around the table and listened and they are just so great. There is NOTHING BETTER than teaching the entire family.
We also had a fhe with a family ma that finally came to church so we made brownies with them.
And another miracle. We went to the church to teach a young woman English with her friend that isn't a member and so we go and while we are there some guy just walks into the church (our hands) and says he wants to learn more... well okay.
So we gave the nonmembers a tour of the church and then start teaching English. But he doesn't want to learn English, he wants to learn about the church. So we split and my comp starts teaching him while I teach English. And I’m just so proud of her. She taught the whole restoration while I was pretending to help with English but really listening to her inviting him to baptism and then putting a date.... God really does just work miracles.
So question if Tate and Brock get my emails? Wouldn’t that be sad if I came home and found out you hadn't received any of them. They’re just the only ones that don't answer... teenagers these days.
Also. I think the only thing I need is more Dramamine mom. I hope you haven't sent that envelope yet. But that is something that's very necessary. I might be giving you all hugs in clothes with throw up all over them.
Oh and our new presidente is GREAT! VERY GRINGO! But I like it. lol. I’m very excited to learn from him, I know I’ll grow a lot from his teachings!
Love you all! Sorry so short!
Hermana VandeMewe

June 30, 2014

Open thou my eyes...
And I shall see

Oh my. I have like no time because I accidently turned off my computer and then it took like my whole hour and it's almost 6 so we'll be heading out to work right after in like 10 min. but hey as long as I’m here...
We had a good week. Our new president came and we get to meet him tomorrow! Ah! So exciting. It’s going to be a little weird. Also we got permission from him to watch the game... sigh. I must admit it was a very good game.
Mormon 6:1.
We watched it at a members house over lunch.. And then went over to a baptism at the church. And then that night.... miracle!
A few weeks ago we found this inactive knocking doors and he said his family weren't members.. Bingo. so we went back and his wife said to come back Saturday so we come back Saturday and a girl answers and says her parents aren't there so I was like "okay, we'll pass by another time then" and she was like "but I’m here" all tentatively. Sweet! She is adorable. And her mom came back just a little bit after. We taught her all about the resercution and she was so excited to come to church the next day. And did she come. YES. You better believe it!

Tonight I’m going to finish my goal of reading the book of Mormon by the end of June so that I can read it one more time by the end of my mission. And I LOVE IT! So can I just recommend reading it out loud... wow? It’s like watching an action movie.
And I totally got your package and I love EVERYTHING IN IT! For real. Everything works and looks great! I took some pics but I can't send pictures from canñete. Hence why you haven't received any for a few months. Wow how the time flies.

I love you all!
Have a great great week!
Hermana VandeMerwe

June 23, 2014

And I could live like this forever. It's fine by me.
And my Dutch blood with conquer the Chileans. And so I was sent here. We got to watch the game today! wahoo! Honestly the people here don't really freak out that much about the games here. It’s kind of sad. but as I was watching the game I noticed that even those that had paid a thousand dollars to go to the game were just like, "clap.... clap." so I don't know what people want. That was a pretty important game though. Did you guys all see it!?
I finally realized why I can handle the rain... apparently it's what our family has been doing forever. As mom explained lagoon to me. I just thought of all the times we did the same thing in Disneyland. Pretty sure it rained in Holland... England... pretty much everywhere it goes it rains. I guess we go in the off seasons... haha. But who would have thought that all of that would be preparation for the mission? That's right. We don't let the rain get us down! Bring on the rain!
As far as the light goes... i don't really have any ideas.
When I think of light, I think of truth. When I think of truth I think of studying because well... we can't be saved in ignorance.
I also think of the hymn "la luz de la verdad" and how at the very beginning of my mission my trainer did some example of how with a little flashlight there's little light and therefore not that much truth, but with a big flashlight there is more truth. ... I didn't get it at all. And therefore I’ve hated the song ever since. I’m not sure if it's because I just didn't get it or if it's because it was in Spanish...
I also think about the stars which is dumb. I should thing about the sun. Guess I still have lots to learn....
This week we had no one at church.. Again. There was also "rain" (really just a light mist). I use that as an excuse because everyone else does. Usually on Saturday as we're outside fighting the billowing water tempest we say a prayer asking God to send it even harder enough for Sunday as well so that it doesn't have to rain the next day and then we promise that it won't slow us down and that we will work with all diligence just so that there is no rain on Sunday morning.
Brock and Tate and Richard.. and dad I guess to really just all of you but it reminds me of brocks story. ...
So this week. I’m just there cooking away... we like to eat eggs. They are fast and easy. Anyway. All of a sudden a fire erupts in our kitchen. And I start yelling "there's a fire. There’s a fire!" lol. It really wasn't big at all it was just kind of hilarious. There were like two nights before when we were cooking at our eyes kind of started to hurt.. but no big deal just quickly finish and turn off the gas. Well I guess this night the gas leak decided to erupt right on top of our pile of matches. Just a foot away from our tank of gas. Luckily we've got some pretty fast missionary ninja skills. We didn't even loose a match...
I love you all!
Vamos Chilenos!
Hermana VandeMewe

June 16, 2014

Anything you can do...
He can do better.

No wicked man could ever write such a book and not good man would ever write it unless it was true and inspired of god.
.. bisabuelo de Elder Holland.
This week we had our last conference with Presidente Martinez. And Cambios today! I’m staying here with hermana Davidson from Northern California. That means only two more cambios left/ one more change. I received my Trunky letter as well... I will be leaving the 23 de Septiembre.
I received the package. It’s right here by my side. But I haven't opened it yet. I'll have to go home and get a knife. Plus you know what happens when you open packages in front of everyone.. You have to share so, I’ll just wait a little bit. (You win more with patience).
Actually I’m really working on my patience. Well actually it's just the beginning of working on it... I just decided I need to be more patient because gosh Satan is bugging me SO BAD!!!! But. I’m calm. Everyone stay calm. God is stronger. We almost had Victor, the 17 year old in church again along with his whole family. the family concha who we've been working with and are SO COOL but we called to remind them about church in the morning and they said they didn't want us to pass by any more cause they had made their decision to go to the iglesia evangelica. Obviously we passed by anyway... they'll be coming to church on Sunday :)
We also found Cecilia who has all these crazy stories about this crazy world and at the beginning she was like I just don't feel anything... I just don't have the faith.. blah blah blah" I was a little concerned because we weren't really fulfilling our proposito but by the end of the lesson she said that she liked being with us and that she just felt really good and she didn't know why and that she wants to start a new life... hhmm,
also we found this one lady in the street like 2 weeks ago who lives far away but said she wants to come visit our chuch sometime so on Saturday afternoon we called her to remind her about church and she said if it wasn't raining she'd come (goodbye church attendance for the next 4 months) but anyways. So we called her and then a few knocks later we found her in the house of her daughter... crazy!
Also, there is this lady Carmen who came to church all by herself after an invitation from a member. RIGHT ON MEMBERS. She wants us to teach her now. :)
So everything is going pretty swell here.
saw a man taking a dump in the middle of the intersection, hosted a grand sleepover with all of the hermanas in our zone in our cozy abode, heard about some weird religion in brazil where they possess their brooms to do their cleaning, also that the catholic church and the evangelica churches are going to unite (HA! the last thing we need), I came to the conclusion that there are no nice men with mustaches and we also got a little wet. But you know what they say....
without water we can't fill the baptism fonts.
I love you all! Have a great week!
Hermana VandeMerwe

June 9, 2014

Happy Aniversary Haaaappy Aniversary
Way to go grandma. I am so proud of you walking around the temple. I miss those walks around the temple. It sure does make a difference when walking...
If you ever get tired just remember what the pioneers do. They walk and walk and walk and walk. However, don't ever worry about taking a break to pass out a few pass along cards or to share your testimony with your non lds neighbors, knock a few doors, sing a few hymns.. Making up a few of the words, laugh at the silliness of the world or simply smile to know you're not a part of it. With time, you'll get to your destination.
So last week I started explaining my day to day life to mom and so I’ll try to finish it up a little more today.. You’ll have to ask her for the beginning.
.....
So then I rise and break into some heavy heat p90x exercise. We try to do some sort of mixture that consists of some half jumping jacks (not because I’m lazy thank you. the ceiling just isn't tall enough) some lunges and sometimes some crunches on the bed. Sometimes I use that green string for my arms... I use to do like a hundred in all directions and I’m now at a good 10 lifts before dying. I’ve noticed that the majority of our ejercicio we can do in our slippers and yet it still wears me out so... we also do great zumba including hula dancing to give said the little stream. Sometimes we'll go for a nice run but by the time we get up and dressed it's more like a 5 min jog around the block... which tends to be sufficient.
That brings us to about 7:45 when one of us pops into the shower... oh sorry I forget to be descriptive. That's when I turn on the estufa (if it's not already on) with a few good banging clicks and a mouth full of gas we start heating up the room. (Sometimes I take this action right when I get up to wake up my companion as we first have companion prayer and then individual prayer).
...
Okay that is going to have to be continued. Because I have to tell you about the storm we had the other night. Saturday night. Oh my the entire house was shaking! I don't think I’ve ever been awoken because of a storm before! So therefore this was quite the storm. It was just pounding POUNDING. I wasn't sure if it was an earthquake or the wind but me and my companion just .. well I would say talked but it was more of a raised voice conversation as we tried to decide if we should call all of our investigadores right then instead of in the morning to remind them about church because they would already be awake and scared for their lives.
The people here get very scared in storms. Although I must admit I did have my plan of action in my head just in case the storm did get bigger and our roof flew off. It was quite a few steps I would have had to go through ... the last of which was grabbing my emergency backpack. lol. Really I was just thanking the lord that he sent the storm in the night and that we weren't outside trying to knock in it.
I LOVE YOU ALL! Have a FANTASTIC week!
Hey did you all watch that video? You can do it tonight for fhe...
Hermana VandeMerwe

June 2, 2014

All together now!
We are the kids
Hey there! This week was a little... eh. I mean it was fine but why pretend like it was just cupcakes.... in the words of all the people in the street "por que voy a mentir..."
apparently they're never in their houses. But we know of their lies!! Oh the rage of Moroni!
But I was very happy yesterday... okay so it still wasn't ideal BUT I found it a very good day compared to others because we were able to teach Consuelo... who didn't come to church but it was a tender mercy to find her, also we found a new family we are teaching who also didn't come to church and we weren't able to teach them but we were able to find out why they couldn't come so that was another tender mercy and then we one by one found all the kids in the family cuevas in the streets during the day who we can never find and who never answer their door but they are SO COOL so I was very thankful to find them still all future brothers in the lord. Another tender mercy.
I love you all!
Hermana VandeMerwe

May 28, 2014

fueron de chocolate...
Well this week was swell.  I think that means like good but with not good too. I mean obviously it was great. But we did have some good walking days and citas falling and all of that. That silly rain. It ruins everything. Actually I love the rain but here on the mission it sure makes teaching people difficult. I think I’ll save it for after.
This lady started calling behind us one day so we turned around to talk to her and she had nice warm pan in her hands for us. It was so kind. Come to find out she is a long lost member and we can go visit her but ¨she's not going to church¨. We’ll see..
We are doing really great with our investigators. The familia fonseca knows they have to be baptized they just have to decide to do it but they will. And Consuelo came to church on Sunday. So as her third assistance we are going to go drill out her doubts tonight and get her baptized already. And we also had a great family of menos activos come to church so that was great too. There are some people that just make you SO happy to see in the church if you know what I mean. I hope you do. If not, find that happiness. It’s for EVERYONE.
I know you've probably seen this video but you guys should all watch it because we're all in love with it over here as missionaries and I wish I could show it to everyone. Where is that iPad when you need it.
"gracias a el"... I hope it's in English
thanks to him? mormon message.
I love you all!
Hermana VandeMerwe

May 19, 2014

One Year Older...
And wiser too!

Well. I hope I’m wiser who really knows.
We had transfers today. Hermana Davidson is going to stay with me here in Cañete. So that is going to be great because we killed this week!!!!! Not to mention actually having 3 investigators in the church which for us is a raining miracle. Together with the other missionaries in our branch we had 21 investigators in sacrament meeting! Yay. Killer week.  Tiring but good. I’m super happy hermana Davidson is staying here!
Today we went to a waterfall with the zone which was fun and they all sang happy birthday to me. In English and in Spanish. I missed the Dutch though.
This week we found a bunch of new houses that I didn't know were part of our sector and I was just so thrilled! We prayed about where we should go and there we went and there we found a man who came to church and has a fecha to be baptised! We also had Lea in the church who is hard core Native Chilean Indian. But she lives in our sector and came to church! I hope we can help her out a little bit as her situation is absolutely crazy. I’ve never  seen someone in such anguish in all of my mission. But that will change.
We also contacted this lady who well. First we passed because she was like on the other side of this street thing but she was looking at us and we kept looking back at her and then we finally went to talk to her. She talked to us like we knew her or she had talked to missionaries before but when we asked her she said she had never seen missionaries before but she was just so thrilled to talk to us and gave us huge hugs goodbye and started crying. It was actually quite a spiritual moment as I have no other way to explain it because we didn't do much but be. We are going to try to go find her tonight.
I'm very thankful for all of the pictures. Really you guys all look just so the samely different. Mom well she looks great. And I like sav's long hair. And brock looks like he's 14 and Tate looks like he's like 17.
I love you all! I’m going to go read your letters now because I was so lucky to have one from ALL OF YOU!
Hermana VandeMerwe
Ps don't forget to pray as a family tonight and tomorrow. ;)

May 12, 2014

Pues pues pues. Here we are again. Well not much has happened in our short amount of time separated. We came home and talked about our talk with the family while I had some sausage and eggs in a tortilla. ... But remember now that I bought the tortilla. They don't really eat them. The food my companions and I have missed most and really the only thing they don't have here is Mexican as in a sweet pork burrito from costa vida. (Black beans medium sauce) still have it memorized. We mainly eat potatoes and noodles. Italian. Chicken and ... cow. I taught someone that had a Chinese restaurant once but I haven't eaten it. I have had some food from Peru... but I’ve never seen anything Mexican. But I still advise you to go and eat Mexican and think about me and how I would like to be eating it with you.
This morning we studied.... cleaned... and now I’m here so that's that.
More details...
I read about how people find joy in Christ in alma 28.... cleaned the toilet and vacuumed.... and I think now we're going to get some grocery shopping done look for some boots and tights and get some empanadas in the street.
Thanks for all talking to me yesterday. I felt bad I couldn't really see you but maybe that's for the better. You will just have to send pictures. ...
I love you all!
HEMANA VANDEMERWE

May 5, 2014

Quizas debo escribir me carta en español? No puedo esperar hablarles esta Domingo!
Well that's enough of that. We've had a tough week over here full of wet, rained, unsuccessful days but you know what always precedes a miracle so...
I hope your trip to Mexico was way fun! I can't wait to hear all about it and to hear your Spanish. Hopefully I'm better than Brockton is by now. Do you still get extra credit?
Also.so I guess you are 2 hours different right now? I hope so. So I plan on calling right after you have church. I'll be calling from here at 6:30/7:00 my time. Also I don't know if I'm going to have a ton of time so I was thinking everyone could maybe think of a question or two or a story or whatever so I can hear from everyone. That is if mom is willing to share her time because I'm really calling for her. I love you mom!
Nos Vemos,
Hermana VandeMerwe

April 28, 2014

There's a hole in my shoe dear Brockton a hole.
Another week here in the fields of Cañete has proven to be a very strange mixture of events. We almost got someone to come to church on Sunday. Getting people to church is harder than getting people baptized. The problem is they have to go to church to get baptized .We have been having really great lessons and lots of laughter. Yesterday we started laughing so hard at lunch with this Hermana and recently returned missionary son. Hermana Weigle was talking about Arizona and how there is a city called mesa. And suddenly stopped because she thought it was funny there was a city called Table. So I started laughing and then we were both just cracking up because it wasn’t that funny but we thought that it was and meanwhile our hosts are just looking at us like we are crazy so then we just laughed harder and we were just apologizing as they stared at us with straight faces like what are these disgraceful missionaries doing here. They didn't even break a smile. haha. It was pretty dang funny.
Mom I know I’ve thanked you many times for teaching me how to clean but I just wanted to thank you again. Thanks.
I was really cold the other night and I kind of was awake/ had a dream that Tate was there and I asked him to go into the other room and get me a blanket (cause there's more blankets in the other room just like at home ) and then he came back and put it over me and then I fell back to sleep cause I wasn't cold any more. Thanks Tate!
Brock how's seminary? I've never heard anything about that. Who is your teacher?
My companion is always telling me to wait when we are crossing the street. I guess maybe she thinks I’m going to cross without looking or something. It would probably be pretty annoying if it was anyone else but it makes me laugh every time because every time it sounds just like the "wait" from Abe right before he dies. Every time! It’s hilarious.
Also. You all look SO different! Like all of you! I’m a little bit worried I’m not going to know who you are when I get home so therefore I’m initiating something new today. Because I send you guys pictures way more often than I get pictures from you. So I think from now on you should send me pictures every week. And if not every week every other week. Okay? Okay. Good now that we are all agreed, I have one more invitation for all of you as a family.
This invitation comes as I've shared a certain commandment with many of the people I teach that I noticed we could do better living. In 3 Nephi 18:19-21 we learn directly from the Savior the importance of prayer and especially prayer as a family. I know that prayer is a medium for revelation and the way we can invite our Heavenly Father to really be a part of our lives and guide us in every moment. Prayer as a family invites the Savior and Heavenly Father to be a part of our family and not just a part of our personal lives. It opens our front door to allow them to be there alongside us in our home interacting with us and helping us choose the right. I invite you to start family prayer on a regular daily basis so that we as a family can see the blessings of a united prayer and a united family.
To mom and dad and Savannah and Richard I hope you are doing prayers as a couple as well. I have learned to love prayers as a companionship here on the mission. There is nothing better than visualizing the two of us with the same vision kneeling before the feet of the savior in gratitude and to ask him humbly for our "daily bread" and for direction so that we can work in better unity together to bring his children back to his presence.
I love you all and can't wait to talk to you soon where I will be able to make a better "Follow Up" with my invites. :)
To the best family ever,
Hermana VandeMerwe

April 21, 2014

Things my heart still needs to know
We've had a really good week! Well we've found a ton more people to teach and they're totally all going to get baptized! I can see it now.
So we didn’t do ANYTHING for Easter. It was so weird. Not in church or anything. The kids in primary did have something the day before where they colored eggs so they do that and the Easter bunny comes to leave eggs.  I'm very thankful for your Easter package that reminded me that that is a holiday. Paris sounds like so much fun! I'm sorry it was crowded. Please send some pictures!
Sorry I don't have much to tell you this week. I’m just living the good
 old missionary life and loving it. The church is true and we can change, ourselves and everyone else as we wake up to our duty to grow the kingdom of God. Wahoo! Have at it.
I love you!
Hermana VandeMerwe

April 15, 2014

Count your many blessings and then live in them.

CAÑETE! I love it! i love love love it! I'm really happy to be here. It is going to be a lot of work to make a place here as neither Hermana Wiegle or I have been in the sector before. White Wash! We do a lot of walking and talking to people in the street and as of today we have three investigators but none have said yes to baptism. We just have to get them working and coming to church and all that jazz. Consuelo is 18 and has already been to church 2 times but also recently went to the catholic church and felt good there....
Sandra is 19 and doesn't want to commit to something she knows she might not be able to fulfill but she's looking for the true church and understands the importance of God's will not her own.
And Victoria is 71 but she looks and acts likes she's in her 50s and is really receptive to everything we say.
Sunday was a good day getting to know some people. We had a reunion with the missionaries de la rama and they are all SO GREAT! And they all like do what they should and it's THE COOLEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN!!  We are in a rama  but it's really big and strong so with just a few more priesthood holders we'll be flying with the big guys.
AND! I got my package!! Thanks so much!! I love it all! And the cookies are just fantastic!! As good as from the oven!
I love you all!
Nos vemos!
Hermana VandeMerwe

April 7, 2014

Conference: Did you see that???? DID YOU SEE IT?
We are all going. To live. We are all going to live. !!!!!
What a great Conference weekend! I looked forward to it so much that I felt like Christmas ended when they closed the last session. Not to mention the same feeling that conference brings as when it’s Christmas time and everyone is filled with the spirit of Christ.
It's getting quite chilly over here so we finally started feeling like Christmas me and my comp. She didn't have the greatest Christmas here in Chile so I told her we were going to have another one to make up for it. Last Monday we went shopping to get some things. I bought some needed boots for winter and today we are celebrating Christmas! It didn't work out quite as well as we planned because we still have our normal list of things to do on Mondays and my boots were too small so I'm going to see if I can exchange them and also. I'm leaving. Yup. Transfer! It was a really short time I had here so it's kind of interesting. I'm going to Cañate to be with Herman Weigle. She is from Arizona, we lived together in Pitrufquen and we got here at the same time so I know her well already. It will be a lot of fun! Also I received news today from Pitrufquen that Byron got baptized!!!!! I could not be happier! He got baptized, completing my little fam :)! Wahoo!
I loved every bit of conference and went over my notes to tell you which one was my favorite but I just couldn't choose. I am most definitely going to work on loving more and defending my faith with compassion. Also seeing things from another's point of view as Elder Zwick talked. I would highly recommend going over Richard G Scotts talk again because I feel like it's the secret to every calling and responsibility in the church to help others receive the true gospel.
I am so excited to hear from all of you what you learn from Preach My Gospel.
I love you!
Hermana VandeMerwe

March 31, 2014

3/31
Well. I don't have time to write all of those things but I have definitely learned a ton in the last year. It definitely doesn't feel like it's been a year. I feel like this is just my life and it I can't remember much before and the only time I remember an end is when I feel the urgency to do as much as possible to invite every person to come unto Christ and to change who I am before my time runs out...
I have learned that we are all LITERALLY children of God and that he loves us. I know that Christ was the only one humble enough to be prepared to be our Savior. I know that he is my brother and I have learned that we were and are really great friends. I know that he loves individually and that he knows very individually. I know that our father in heaven knows us a lot more than we know ourselves. I've learned that He is devastated every time we do what's wrong but that He has the hope and faith that we will do what's right and He is always pulling on our arms to help us raise back up. I know that every single one of us are brothers and sisters, one giant family, that will one day be glorified. But really, glorified. With so much family love for one another that the spirit will shout from all sides. I have learned that there is no eternal life without one another and therefore there is no other important work than to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. If we want it, we have to help others achieve it. I've learned that repentance is hard and that we have to want to change with sincerity. I've learned that pride will kill us all. I have an unbreakable testimony of the word of wisdom and the law of chastity. I know that our spirits are stronger than the temptations of the world. I know we need to protect and guard our bodies so we can have families. I know that without our family we can't reach our full potential. I've learned that the Book of Mormon is so absolutely true. I’ve learned there is a power that comes from reading the word of God. I've learned the Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know that God has a LOT of faith in us to use his power with wisdom. I know that the power of the priesthood is the power of God. I know that this is the ONLY CHURCH with the FULL RESTORED TRUTH and POWER TO SAVE.
It might not be 365 but forgive my lack of time. I'm stoked for conference! And hey! a great activity to invite a nonmember to! Just an idea!
I LOVE YOU!
Hermana VandeMerwe

March 24, 2014

I said Love love love LOOOVEE
I just love you all so much! I had a great week just learning and teaching and teaching and learning.
There is so much power in knowing without a doubt that Jesus Christ, the son of God lives and that he rules his church on the earth. I am trying to grow my testimony stronger and stronger so that I can share it with more of this power. The great thing about the true gospel of Jesus Christ is that it gives us no reason to doubt. There is an answer for everything and it's not hard to find if you really really want it.
This week we started English classes here in the San Martin. .. I wouldn't say it went amazingly well. But lol. We’ll make it better for next week.
We taught the story of Abraham and Isaac to a recently baptized little boy and asked him what he should do at the end. He said "sacrifice"
"And what are you going to sacrifice?"
" a little bunny"
JAJA! I don't think he got it at all.
So news on the temple... i don't know. What I've heard is that Elder Holland came and said the ground would break in the summer (jan or feb) which didn't happen. And then I heard that he came again? And changed the site of the temple to a place where they already started building new apartments so now they have to pay all the people back their money that had said they wanted to live there and all that and then hopefully they'll start building.

i want it to be soon so so bad! And general conference is coming! I’M STOKED!! I am so excited! GET EXCITED! It's going to be good!
I love you!
Hermana VandeMerwe

March 17, 2014

I don't want to go home... but I miss You you know!
So I totally forgot that today was green day. I know. And I’m not wearing green right now but I will go change before we go out tonight just so that I know personally that I’m safe. We remembered with some of the other missionaries but no one pinched each other. I think because none of us had green so we had to just let it go.

This week was a busy one. We always seemed to be staying up late like every night and do this and that during the day. We've had to plan a lot for church like talks and lectures and also a discourse for a conference and then we sang at a baptism Saturday. Oh that's a funny story. I totally forgot the tune to the song something about the holy ghost from the child’s hymn book anyways.. I had to sing first so I just started singing making up my own tune until I remembered it... loll! I don't think anyone noticed because they don't know all of the songs that well... plus I’ve had lots of practice making up songs with Savannah so it worked out. But it was pretty funny in the moment to just start singing a random tune to some words in front of a bunch of people. Haha.
We are teaching a lot of really cool families right now and it's so much fun! One family is Adventist but very open to listening to us. It's a little funny cause they go to church and then come home and listen to us so we have to make sure we nicely help them understand that what they just heard isn't all the way true. But it makes a good challenge for us and it helps me learn a lot because what we know is just so so true!!! It just makes sense especially when you hear about another beliefs.
We also helped one of the yw leaders with an activity of fruit art competition. That was a fun service... just cutting up and dipping fruit.
So. i haven't heard anything about Easter. When is that? Oh i did look it up one day. Like the middle of April right? ya... we have a while yet before people start talking about that lol. They’re funny people here. Looks like you found my ward building. Our house is on padre hurtado 672. It should be on there! I feel like lots of the cities here are just cities tucked away in green. But Los Angeles is big compared to others.
It’s pretty much autumn here. We’ve got the cool breeze but warms up a little in the day. The trees are coloring and the leaves are falling. But it's just the begining stages.
We had the opportunity to teach about faith and miracles and how the miracles are the fruit of our faith that starts out as a small seed. But really "miracles are the natural result of the correct application of true principles." We need to grow our tree to get the fruit. Miracles don't come from seeds, they come from trees. So when you look in your heart i hope you can see a tree! A really really big tree!
I love you all so much! Hope your week is AMAZING!
Love
Hermana VandeMerwe

March 10, 2014

Yay! Monday! I love talking to you all!

Well this week was good. I'm getting to know the sector better and we are finding really great people to teach. Losing some others but praying for them as well. We are trying to work with the members more and really inspire them to this work. The work of the members is so dang important and really we are nothing without them so we've been focusing a lot on that this week.
So this week...
we had someone tell us we focus too much on Christ. HA! Never! Quite the opposite.

We happened to be at the church when another meeting was starting and the stake president asked us to come in. i sat down and for a second felt really funny because everyone was dressed up and i hadn't come prepared... then I realized that I’m always dressed up. lol.
We found a great family with 3 teenagers and they all just listened to us so intently and kept asking questions and it was just great. The people here in general are AMAZING because they get it and the gospel just makes sense. They work a lot more here in the city so we have short hours to teach everyone and the only thing that holds them back I would say is that they are scared or that it's just easier to keep to what they've been living their whole life. But they're cool. They’ve all had the same face lately of just "oh. That makes sense."  And it makes me smile every time! Because it does! It just makes sense. In your head and in your heart. The church is true!
I love you! Hope your week is great! Have you seen the missionaries lately? Oh my. The members are great to us here. We don't have to pay to clean our clothes and one of them just brought us jam just because and he just gave us more minutes for our cell phone which was like SO nice! And like SO needed! (He then asked me to talk on Sunday but that's beside the point)
Oh i don't remember our address. We live on the corner of padre hurtado y vicuna makenna en Los Angeles baby!
Also i love the cartoons from mom and Tate. They’re a little too true. The missionary ones anyways. If you want to know more about the mission just read the missionary cartoons.
Love you all and miss you!
Hermana VandeMerwe

March 3, 2014

les amo de verdad!

San Martin is full of families! I am so excited to teach them! I have had many opportunities this week to testify of the importance of families and how the gospel has blessed our family! I love it! I am so thankful that I have such great support and examples in my family and that every one of you have helped me become a better person.
The members are awesome! It’s crazy to be in an area with so many members! We're in a ward and the building has two wards so we start church at 9. It's going to be great. Welcome to LA!!
Let's see... everyone has cars, OH! Our house is amazing!!! It used to have 6 hermanas. And now it only has us two. So it's super big. We each have our own study table, our own fan... really our own everything. Our own bathroom... I have my own bedroom as my closet. We do share the ironing room tough... tough luck.
Tate. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES ALL THE TIME WHENEVER I ASKD! I always tell everyone how amazing and service giving is my little brother. All I would have to say is ¨I want cookies¨ and there it was complete with a cup of milk... okay sometimes there was the question "What kind?" but you know...
I really miss those chocolate chip cookies...
Brock. I played soccer last Monday. We went to the rio for a branch activity and we got them all playing a game of soccer. It was really fun and my team totally dominated and then I ran into hermana Weigel and hurt my leg. But it was okay so I kept playing. It was toward the end. So then I lifted up my pant leg and my leg had a HUGE bump the size of a baseball. Not even a joke. It was sick. And now I have a huge bruise so I wear longer skirts. lol. But it was the weirdest thing to see on my leg!!!
Mom! Thank you so much for always having chocolate! All I want is some chocolate but we don't have food storage like we do at home...
I love you al! Until next time,
I will think about you every day!
Hermana VandeMerwe

February 24, 2014

It’s time to say goodbye
 ... da da da da da da da daaaa.....

Let's ditch this Popsicle stand. I'm going to San Martin. I'm excited for a change. I feel like I know a lot here in Pitrufquen which is sometimes great but sometimes it's good to go somewhere else as well. There are some things I'm going to miss though like having the kids on the streets run up to get hand sanitizer and having the people working at the taxi know who we are and saying "Balmaceda 791 para las Hermanas" before even asking a name. Then there's the great Rama. The members that do so much, the activities and spirit of the work. Yesterday we sang as missionaries the musical number that is only in Spanish but it's my favorite (pg 88 sav y rich) and almost started crying when we sang oh hermanos adios pues adios. But I didn't. ha-ha. I'm happy for the change to be true. My new companion will be Hermana Anderson another native Utahan.

This week I learned a lot about how the Lord really puts us where he needs us and how he puts the people that need us in our path. I went to Gorbea for a day to do an intercambio. I absolutely loved it because well one it's absolutely beautiful, and two because it was something that at first was hard for me to do because I had contradicting feelings of two things that were good. But I know that the Lord provides a way for everything. God works in mysterious ways to bring about what he wants. I know that it's important to follow the council of our leaders. That they are there for a reason and that God gives them the revelation that we need. And even if not we will be blessed for putting our faith in them. So always listen to the council of your leaders and do what they say even if it doesn't seem logical.

In Gorbea we made prayer rocks with a joven menos activo and found a great newbie and I had a great time working with Hermana Peck.

This week we did a lot of work in Pitrufquen as well and found great new investigators. Sandra is awesome. I know the gospel is going to help her so much and was very receptive to the spirit. I love it when they can realize the felicidad that it brings them in the moment. We also found Nory yesterday who was a little sad because she was mourning the death of her son. We were able to talk to her and it was an instant change from tears of sorrow to a widened eye, edge of her seat smile as we told her that just as Jesus Christ was resurrected we too all will have the chance to be resurrected and live as a family again.

I love the miracles I see every day. I am so happy and know that Christ lives. That he died so that we can live. I know that everything happens for a reason. I know that if we are living righteously the spirit will guide us. Sometimes I'm amazed at how we as missionaries can know exactly the needs or the words we should say before the people tell us. Some would say "oh I’m really good at reading people" but I know that it has nothing to do with any of our own talent as all of our talents come from and are strengthened in the Lord.

Sav and Richard! I can't believe you're in Mexico! I'm so excited to read all about it! That is going to be a great experience! Try not to get a Mexican accent... lol. I'm just kidding. It's probably better than a Chilean accent. (Personally I like the Chilean mumbles but... you might beg to differ)

Tate! Thanks for your letter! I'm dying to read it! The other day there was a song and I can't remember what it was or if it was Spanish or English but it made me think of you because I know it's one of those songs that you would sing along to with me. And I missed you there for a sec.

Brock. You won't believe what we found in my house. .... A little trap door. (You’ll know where to find me) it's like a cellar in the olden days where you lift up the ground and go down a ladder. It will be good use for the prophesied earth quake that's coming soon.... oh the way God works, always preparing the way.

I love you!

Hermana VandeMerwe

February 17, 2014

Guess who moved this week?  It’s big and cute and we have all learned from our experience.
 So this week has been interesting. I haven't worked much in my own sector. On Tuesday we had an intercambio with the sisters in our own home so I was with Hermana Leon and we worked here but visiting their people and with her as my companion. And we had one of the Asistentes with us. There's always something you can learn from everyone! And I learned that day a lot about the missionary I want to be and how to really lose yourself in the work.
Wednesday we took a trip down to Loncoche to do an attack de distrito. Lonchoche is the furthest sector south of our mission and they only have Elders there. We had fun working there, it’s similar to Pitrufquen and hopefully we found some good new prospects for the Elders. We tried to take pictures of Volcan Villarika but it didn't really show up in the camera.
Thursday we had an intercambio with all the sisters in the south. I went to Maquehue again and had a good time there. I taught an English class the peanut butter and jelly song and gave them the homework to try making a sandwich. Because no one here likes peanut butter but I think they just don’t' eat it right.
Friday we finished off our intercambios with a reunion in the morning and breakfast (eggs) and then we decided that we needed to move that day because we told the other renter that we would be out of the house. So all of a sudden we were moving and packing up. It took all day long. The elders came and helped us so there were 6 of us and I have no idea what we have but wow. It took forever. Like the whole afternoon. The new renters helped us move with their truck and by the end we were all very smelly but it was the birthday of Berta ... the little girl and you all got to know on Christmas. And she invited us all individually to her party. So we all got there just a little few hours late and very gross. I gave her a HLJ ring and put it in that cupcake that you sent to me for Christmas! She loved it! It was just a short time but I loved the family atmosphere as all of the missionaries gave her a present and we ate cake and I realized how much I have come accustom to Pitrufquen. I love everyone here and have passed so many experiences starting with 18 de septiembre, Christmas, New Year’s, birthdays, and needless to say. I LOVE PITRUFQUEN! So that is my standing shoutout as next week we will most likely see changes.
That night we just pushed our mattresses together and had a slumber party. The morning Saturday we started moving everything around  putting things where they should go and set up the beds and tables. Then we left for the day and witnessed 2 baptisms in the afternoon. One from the sisters and one from the Elders. I love watching my brothers come up out of the water perfectly clean and converted to the Lord. That night we all entered the house. Happily talking about the baptism and sat down on our couches and chairs that the renters were so kind to give us (this house is so great. a living, 3 bedrooms and a large kitchen- well room where the sink and wood stove are) and then all of a sudden we realized that we were covered in pulgas (fleas!)... Ew. Our house is a plague of pulgas. And seeing as that it's older and made of wood, the cracks make a great place for bugs to love. And so. Our day today is devoted to cleaning like crazy and probably fulmegando the entire house.
Mom! Thanks for all you do for me even from so far away! I miss you and will think of all of those Saturdays cleaning in the house as I   kill pulga after pulga today. It was all just a preparation.... signs of a good mom. That's right Chile! I came here prepared! Watch out pulgas!
 Tell Haley and Sierra Hi and I love them and that the Lord loves them to!
 Hermana VandeMerwe

February 10, 2014

 I Like to Look for Rainbows Whenever There is Rain
 I had the privilege of being here for the baptism of Alexis! He really took a lot of steps full of faith to be baptized and I am so happy that the lord was able to use me as an instrument in his hands to say exactly what he needed to Alexis. I know that this baptism had absolutely nothing to do with me and I learned so much as I heard things coming out of my mouth that I didn't even know before to help him conquer the world. I think I learned more than he did and that's exactly how it's supposed to be. When we follow the spirit all of us can be edified.
 I absolutely love teaching him and his twin brother, Bydon, who we are working and praying for. I can feel the trust that my Heavenly Father has in me as we do our best to teach them what they need and when they don't fulfil, we teach them again, and if they still don’t' listen the Lord always finds another way to teach them the lesson. Usually by slapping them in the face. lol. But I know that the Lord provides a way and prepares the hearts and minds of the people.
 The baptism went by smoothly... well for everyone there... lol. I had a lot of fun swimming in the baptism font beforehand to clean it and getting in trouble because we're not supposed to swim.. I’m just kidding... kind of. We sang I like to look for Rainbows acapella with my companion and Hermana Horan who was able to come down for the baptism! Thank heavens for her voice. I don't know what I would have done without her!
 Oh and I got the package!!!! I LOVE IT! BEST PACKAGE EVER! Thanks! I laughed so hard at the calendar and my comp laughed even harder so we had a good time with that. Also I love the skirt and scarf. I felt like I just went shopping and was taking the things from the bags. I'm so happy to have another scarf! So cute! I'm excited to go shopping there! And of course thanks to the family entero for the letters of love.
 The temple passport thing is ADORABLE!
 I love you  all and wish you a great week full of love. But not this love of the world. The pure love of Christ! I'll have him sent it your way!


Feliz Dia de Carino!
Hermana VandeMerwe

February 3, 2014

Yay! A great week. I hope you had a great birthday DAD!
Well we are now definitely in .. I don't know what. It’s not summer so it must be fall. I'm hoping to have time to buy rain boots today (again) they like to break. Too bad mine from home weigh like 20 lbs and I couldn't bring them because I like those ones a lot! Keep them safe.
We had interviews with President this week which is always fun... lol. No but really he's awesome because even though you already know the answer to all of your problems, he helps you know how you can apply it better. Wouldn't that be nice if we had someone like that for our whole life? Yay mission. Life gone easy.
Alexis is progressing just great and we are planning the baptism. His favorite song is families can be together forever because that is the first hymn he  heard so we will play that somehow... and I think his aunt and another joven will talk. We are super excited!
Okay questions from last week.. Sorry I didn't have time to read before
Our Church starts at 10:00... LOL! There’s only one rama that meets in our building.
The elders go to Concepcion on Friday so we'll see if the package is there.
There are lots of new missionaries in our zone. It’s funny because when I came we were pretty much all gringos. So much that we pretty much did our meetings in English and then it changed to all latinos and  now it's back to all gringos... I don't know if president does that on purpose or not.
We don't have an oven. Nor have I ever heard of a missionary home with an oven. However we are moving for sure soon! Okay nothing is for sure until it happens but hopefully. And our new home has a nice wood burning stove. Sweet. We cook sometimes as a zone in the church. Like today we made... I’m not sure. An elder from Argentina made some type of meat... and sometimes on other pdays we go to members houses and learn how to make bread, calzonos rotos, and pi de limon.
I read Emily’s letters every now and then. Ya she has it rough and is really killing it over there! Baptizing queen! She's kind of my role model. However over here in Chile we've got it easy. Plenty of cats to get the mice if you get what I’m saying. haha. The only thing that has been an actual problem is the fleas. They are not fun.
Keep up the family home evenings every week! There is nothing I love more than to do family home evenings here with the people... some missionaries say it's cause of the food at the end but for me there is an amazing feeling that comes as a family sings together in their cozy home by the riverside.
How is Aunt Judi? And the rest of the fam, Sierra and Annie? Keep me updated!

I love you all. Have a great great week!

Hermana VandeMerwe

January 27, 2014

I believe in almost miracles.  And Miracles too but those take a lot more time. Miracles aren't just spur of the moment magic, they're been in the making since the beginning and are a result of a lot of work and a lot of faith. So really every step that leads to a miracle is a miracle in and of itself.
We are preparing for a baptism miracle for this 8 de Febrero. We have worked super hard with Alexis. He is the nephew of Carolina and Reinaldo who lives with them but couldn't be baptized before because he didn't have permission from his dad and after that we had to work with him with other temptations and really trust in the spirit in every lesson. I really have loved helping him because I have been able to feel the spirit saying things that I never thought I would tell an investigator. I could really feel myself learning as I said things that I didn't even know to teach about the importance of our families, our purpose here on the earth and our potential to become like God. I've seen the Lord really cut him down to heart ache and to something that many wouldn't be able to bare but Alexis is strong and has a faith unbreakable and knows he needs to be baptized. The Lord really knows the needs of his children, he knows what they can handle and what they need to hear. I know that each one of us has a purpose here, and a potential so much greater than we could ever understand. I know that we are strong. Our spirits are strong. Our spirits lived with God before we were born here and that we have the power and strength to overcome the trials and temptations of the world and our bodies. Our spirits know what is right and have the desire to do nothing but that.
I know that we have families here to help us, to help us feel love, to help us learn how to love. I know that the family is the most important social unit here in this earth and for eternity. The home is a place where we can learn together and as I study about the importance of a family and the importance of learning together I can't stop thinking about the significance of the revelation that "the home is the new MTC". I want to extend the invitation for all of you to start more than ever to make our home a place where we can learn of the prophets, apply the words of the prophets, teach it to one another and to the rest of the world. I hope you can all study together the roles that you have in the home to learn how to share the gospel and to put it into action. Mom and Dad I hope you can do everything to help the boys learn and apply the importance of the gospel and missionary work now so that they can be prepared and worthy young men that can serve that Lord with all their heart, might, mind and strength. Tate and Brockton I invite you to prepare in the same way that you will serve, prepare with all your heart, might, mind and strength. Understand your potential as sons of God and the power of the priesthood that you have. Understand why missionary work is the greatest and grandest work you could ever do. As a family I hope you can live with the spirit at all moments, that our home can forever be a place where the spirit can dwell and give revelation and guidance. I hope you can share your testimonies with actions and words with everyone. The only way this gospel can bring us true happiness is if we share it with others.

Hermana VandeMerwe

January 20, 2014

Well we just had a great week of walking around the Christmas tree. They still light it up :) but really we are looking for new people to teach.  We've found some great people. The hardest thing is always getting them to the church on Sunday.

This week we have really put a focus on Alexis, the nephew of Carolina and Reinaldo so that he can be baptized. His twin brother is living with them now as well and soon both will be in their custody so we are putting a big focus on them so they can be baptized. They are so awesome. Well Bydon, his brother just needs to learn more and admit that he wants to be baptized. Alexis has a few trials to overcome but he has a desire to be baptized and he does everything. Comes to church on Sunday, goes to seminary, comes with us to visit people, goes to Family Home evenings, reads his scriptures, they recently started doing family prayer. sigh... I love that family!! So we are going to make them complete!

I am still loving my area! Sometimes it's a little stressful because you see so many changes good and bad and also you feel like you know everyone and every place that there’s much more you can do but I’m trying to realize how much I do know so we can apply what works and get rid of what doesn't. I'm still with Hermana Godinez as well! :) This is my second transfer with her. There are still 4 of us in our apartment. They are both the same too. No one left for transfers except some of the elders in our zone. And we got 2 new sisters in our zone! This zone used to be so small but we already have 2 new companionships. Growing so fast!
I'm not sure if we're moving soon. I’ll let you know if we do.
Thanks for the valentines! I think they do celebrate that here!
I would be happy to bring Grandma something. I'm living off of bread right now but as soon as I have money again at the beginning of the month I’ll be sure to think of her. I'm just kidding mom. Don’t worry. I have Nutella as well. We played soccer co-ed but seeing as that we're missionaries there wasn't much contact so no need to worry Grandpa!
The temperature is just kind of crazy. Changing from hot to rain to hot to rain but hot is like 90s not like Emily or Eliza in Brazil! so I’m not complaining.
I haven’t received a package yet from Jan and Martha but I do receive that letters from Janie! She is amazing! Seriously every week! I am never without mail when the mailman comes. Thank you thank you thank you Janie! Oh and I wrote her a letter today. But I’m going to send it next week.. Oh the process.
I love you!!
Hermana VandeMerwe