P-Day is now Saturday because I am the district leader for the Mission Office

Hey, so, I didn´t know that there was a change in P-Day in the new sector. The reason is that I am the district leader for the Mission Office, and the APs. So, they have their's on Saturday and so mine has to be, too. It's really a bit weird, but hey it's not too bad. It's been really kind of different living in a giant city. I am in a new sector called Ecuador. It's a ward, but it's really small...it's about 50 active people. I have gone to visit all the members in my part of sector and it's really quite cool. They are all really nice, and have accepted us quite quickly. Where we work is the rich, new part of town...and everyone has a nanny and works all day long. It's kinda like being back at home. The cool part is that there aren´t a ton of dogs or anything like that in the streets.

My new companion Elder Vasquez is from Honduras. He's a bit strange...his mannerisms are very different. Haha, it's not easy to explain. But it's cool to be here with him and opening a sector. It was hard the first 2 days, because we didn´t know anyone really that well...and it's a bit small where we are at. But there is a Lider close to our house. Makes me feel like I am back at home shopping at Walmart.

As for me, nothing has really changed a whole lot. I feel pretty normal here. I am a bit nervous for district classes because it's with the office and the APs to the President. But, the Lord will strengthen me if I do my part and study hard. Who knows, it might be a bit hard to get used to, but maybe there is a bigger and better reason to be here.

I am sending some pictures of the food we ate from the Mamita. She lives right in front of our house. It's cool, because she is the wife of the Bishop. And, the Stake President lives in our sector. And...guess what....HE IS THE SON IN LAW OF THE MAMITA FROM PUERTO NATALES. He is the guy who helped me with my visa stuff. And, now I finally get to thank him in person. He has a great family and it makes me happy to see such a good family.

Well...that's about it...for now. It should be cool to be here.

All is well with me, and until we talk again, take care and keep praying and reading the scriptures. And, if you have anything you want to ask...let me know.

Love,

Ben

My new companion and our apartment

Eat your lunch Elder Vasquez

Someone likes the Logan Temple

I'm going to the Ecuador...the ward...in Osorno...

FAMILY!

DON´T PANIC I AM OK! I GOT LOST ON A MOUNTAINSIDE WITH A MEMBER AND MY COMPANION! Haha, it was really fun...but we didn´t get back in time to write...sorry.

Getting ready for our P-day hike

Lost on the mountainside with our guide

A NEW BIRD!!!! WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! I CAN´T BELIVE IT! Haha, because I have seen these birds all around!

Wild conure in Chile

Haha....He looks so cool....Things change so much...when time flies and you're lost on a mountainside. He is the weirdest bird ever...and he doesn´t bite? I want to see more pictures of him...and Fezz (more of Fezz because he is my best friend)! Haha, I miss them so much...

So cambio time....AND....I AM GOING TO GO TO THE ECUADOR!!! Haha, the ward...and it's found in Osorno...I will be OPENING A SECTOR...and I WILL BE DISTRICT LEADER AGAIN! My life...is tough...haha but it's going to be so cool. It's a huge ward...and President told me my companion was a bit disobedient...oops. Haha, but it's all good!

Osorno stamp

I love it so much, and no one wants me to go...I cried my eyes out in front of all the branch in my last talk...they said the spirit was so strong that everyone else started to cry. Haha...and it was amazing. Now, as you guys hoped...I am going to a much bigger city this time...and oh how great will be the time there. I love it.

A Pepsi in Pucon

Nice joke...haha MUY clever....haha. That's my father... :D

I miss you all a lot...it's been good. We have strengthened the Priesthood here...we got an Elders Quorum President, 2 counselors for him, and more men than women at the church! HAHA, we do the good things.

I know the lord will bless us all here, and there. I know the birds will be ok with Mango...Good name by the way. Time will always go on, but for me...I will always be a servant of the Lord. I hope he will have me...

I got to baptize a little girl the other day! She isn´t from Pucon, but she wanted me to perform it for her. I gave her a CTR ring, and we had the funnest baptism ever! Her parents were really grateful for it. I was too...it's amazing.

Getting ready to baptize with the elders

The little girl the sisters were working with

Baptismal harvest

The little girl with her family & the sisters

Hey Elder are you making do or making doo?

I am excited to talk to you all in May...I will be in Osorno at that time. From what I heard I will be in the same neighborhood as the President of the Mission. Oh no....

The joys of being an Elder.

I know that this is a good work, and it's the best thing someone can do. This is His church, I know that to be true. He is with us, on the left and on the right. He will never abandon us...never! I love my Godly Parents, and I am thankful they gave me my earthly parents. You, Mom and Dad, are the best. I am thankful for your help in guiding me to be the man I am today. It's your fault I am a good person...Haha.

I love you all.

And until we meet again...Peace be unto you (I AM SUCH A COPY CAT FROM THOSE APOSTLE GUYS).

Os Amo,

Ben

This week was a "Refining Fire" for me

Hey Family!

It's been the craziest week ever...so many things have happened. At times, I feel that the only thing that can keep me going is praying and looking for hope in the scriptures. The which, always works. Conference was the coolest one I have ever seen and I loved it!! As well, thank you for the package...I shared it with the others and I still feel a bit sick. I had to buy 3 liters of milk to get it all down. I am working on my teaching power...it's getting there you know. Haha. I have had many problems to deal with here in the mission. Many within the district. I try so hard to do the right thing, but I slip and fall a lot. This week was a "Refining Fire" for me, and still continues to burn brighter and hotter every day. I can only pray and wait for deliverence. I love it...even when it hurts. Haha, I love the gospel. I have been reading the Book of Mormon. I have finished the New Testament, the Doctrine and Covenants, Book of Mormon (2 times in the mission), and the Pearl of Great Price. I will be heading to the dreaded Old Testament.

Conference was really cool, I learned so much! I loved the fact that I actually have favorite speakers now. I love hearing Elder Anderson, and Christofferson, but my favorite is Elder Richard G. Scott. He makes me so happy, and I love the way he talks. I hope to be like him, with all of the love he pours out. Haha, I feel like a gospel nerd at times...but maybe it's not a bad thing after all. I can still be me, and be of God. How did it go for you? Did you like the talks? Was it just me or does the prophet seem to have his spirit weighed down with sorrow and sadness? I think we might be losing someone...maybe it's just a thought. Either way, it's ok because it's not that bad to end the test of life.

So, here is what's going down with my life as a marked sick person. I have lost weight, while I am still healthy, but it's a lot of weight really fast...like 4 pounds every month for the past 3 months. I had a lot of headaches and weird sharp body pains going on. I have basically no appetite nor hunger except for in the beginning of the day. And, well...the doc of the mission said for me to take more Vitamin B(not the Beso kind of vitamin) to create more hunger. I have been taking it...but it hasn´t made me more hungry...haha. I have a ton of thirst though. It's the strangest thing ever. But I have to weigh myself Saturday to see if I am gaining or losing weight.

Wow, a call center, land of the nerds...home of the crazy email letters...and inside office jokes. Home to some of the meanest toughest mamas boys there are...it's perfect for Sam....JUST JOKING...no crying or anything. That's the hard part, the jobs are always far away and really don´t do too much on the crazy adventure side of working. Plus, with the girlfriend and all...it's kind of hard to balance to two out.

Haha, the jokes of the Grimshaw family! Gotta love them...and they are very well made I might add. The best part is that...when his real mission call really does come he won´t know what to think. Haha....that's really cool that they pulled such a good prank.

Oh yes, David...it is said that he will be here in Osorno...but I don´t know if that's the crazy dream of some of the sisters in the mission or an actual good source of information. If he comes...that would be weird....but hey that's cool. I am all good for a good P-Day of listening to music. I just hope that he speaks really well...because I sometimes don´t. Haha I saw him in the choir of the missionaries from the MTC at conference. Everyone made comments.

The Elder in the picture is from Argentina. His name is, Elder Amato. He came to the mission with me...I don´t know if they sent you a picture of my group when I got here...but he is there. The sister is Hermana Chacón, she is from Honduras. But in 2 weeks time, I will be leaving! Haha, what will the Lord do next...where will I go, do, and be? No one knows...well actually the President and the APs know. I have had a few hints from the APs...of the fact that I am leaving...but to where I do not know. I know the Lord has prepared the best cambio there because...this is the worst cambio of my life.

As for Silas, and the laziness to go to church. It's normal...I know it's hard at times and can be boring. But look, I know very well that the Lord will help him go if he prays for a desire to go. He will find some type of love for the church...Is he reading the scriptures every night? Is he praying? If not, I want to let him know to do it. Because, it's the way we feel good inside and it's the best way to find a like for the church.

The family McGuire...I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! I remember the fun time we had in scouts with GPS teasure hunting, and the cool valleys he took us to.

I am glad to hear the Chuck and Collete are doing well! Haha, I miss visiting them...my first taste of the mission work. It was amazing, and they always taught me good things. I got to see how people really do change. They will always be special to me...take good care of them till I get back.

Tell all our family in our ward Hi for me. I love them all.

I very much love you...for all that you have done. You, my parents, have helped me more than I can ever express. I honestly am grateful and honored to be called your son. I know God will help you through the trials that come, and hold you up strongly.

Stay strong, keep progressing, and be happy!

I love you all

Ben

Elder Guerra has found a new way to tract

Watch out Elder, that's how earthquakes get started!!!

My Easter Treats!!!

Goal setting

Yesterday we had a little earthquake...

Hey family!

This has been a crazy week, and it includes earthquakes...HAHA!

Fall in Pucon

It's finally gotten cold here, and the rain hasn´t hit just yet...we will see what happens. It's really cool to be here to start my last winter here. I will miss the crazy weather here...oh wait...no I won´t because it's just like Utah... As for me, there have been lots of crazy things going down here. Yes, I am learning to play himnos and I know I will be tranfered. The other day the AP called me to check on how I am...and told me that he would be seeing me soon...and said that combios would be cool and I need to prepare myself. We´ll find out why in 3 weeks...Things with Elder Guerra are like a rollercoaster...one day is good the other not...and he is all over the place. Haha, it's so weird. But hey, I get to learn a lot about that kind of stuff. It's a good thing.

Elder Guerra getting his foot looked at

P-day

Chilean Santa Pose

Beach Dog

I AM SO HAPPY to hear the Chuck blessed the sacrament! GO CHUCK WOOT WOOT! It's really cool to hear that they are all going to church. I know it's the best thing for them. How are they holding up?

Wow, Rebecca with a Chilean...that's pretty sweet. I know a few Chileans...haha and they are really really good people. They are hard workers, if they don´t pick up drinking. And they can be very strong in the church. Thats so crazy that a sister missionary from Honduras is there, because I have an Elder and a Sister in my district who are from there.
I sent you the picture of the Sister. They can be very fun to talk with.

Hermana Chacon from Honduras

Elder Amato from Argentina

I remember the good o´l days when I was ready to get done with school. I hated the wait. Haha, the good old I dont think about things much farther away than getting done with high school trick...a good trick...but I know it's not true! He should do his paper work for the mission now. It's a lot better to just do it, than to wait. As for him wanting to see how I am...tell him all he has to do is wait till May for the Skype call and he can ask me all he wants to. That way he doesn´t have to wait till next March when I get back.

As for the the package I will be going to Villarica today to get it...it should be really cool to see whats inside!

As for me, I have been sick for the past 3 months with weird sharp pains, losing lots of weight, and headaches that make me want to die! Haha, but now I am taking Meds to help me eat more...and we will see if it helps me. I lose exactly, 4 pounds every month. It's hard on the body at times, but good for the soul. Haha I had to buy some meds from the store to take...and I will have to take out more money (I hate it so bad) because I need to buy other stuff and we don´t have money. Sorry... The momita is taking really good care of me, and is giving a lot of help and stuff when I feel really really bad.

Yesterday we had a little earthquake...it was so weird to feel the earth moving and the house too...I felt a weird feeling in my gut when it happened and I laughed my head off - it was so fun! Haha, I loved it to death! The people we were teaching were laughing at us, laughing! I loved it...I can't explain the way it feels...it's weird.

I love you all and stay safe...

Ben

I am old in the mission!

Hey Family,

Crap, Sam...well time to pull out the good bag of tricks for him. Put a GPS chip in his neck to keep track of him. Then put a camera in the car to know who he is hanging out with...that´ll stop him in his tracks! Haha. It's funny to hear that Sam has actually got a girlfriend. Weird stuff man...weird stuff.

I can´t believe that school is about to end. It's going to be a bit weird...Sam and Brock will be done with school...and well they have lots of stuff to choose. Silas gets to be the big brother still in school and Mom finally gets a break for a bit. The thing is, I will be leaving Pucon in about 3 more weeks. Everyone is getting a change! Haha, it's so weird. I hope that I hear we´ll be having more misioneros in the house.

I can´t believe you actually went to see a movie in Spanish. Haha, that makes me laugh so hard! I am so happy to hear someone celebrated my one year mark. I still can´t believe I made it over the mark. It will be really cool to see how the end goes for me... I will be ending one cambio after a Hermana in my District who started 6 months ago! It's weird, because now...I am old in the mission!

I am glad to hear that the Trek is here again! I would go if I were Silas...it's really fun! I liked doing it, but wow, 6 years ago is a long time ago. I can´t believe that we are all growing up so much!

Chuck! Oh, wow that's got to be really, really hard. I know that the times of trials come and come hard. For me, my trials are here, too. Not nearly as bad, but hey, I promise if he prays and reads the scriptures everything will work out. God will lift him up and make him much stronger. I know that's true. This is a perfect time to help his son come to the truth of things and I promise that he can do. I love Chuck and Colette so much, and thanks to them I gained courage to do speak up and do the right thing. And for that I am grateful! Tell him to remember to go to church...and everything will be ok! The lord loves him.

As for the birds, I love them too. And in one year, I will get to see my best friends again! Haha, keep them happy and healthy for me for the time being.

The lord will strengthen us if we do what is right...and if we keep doing what he wants even when it's hard...

One year down, and one to go

Hey Family!

I am glad to hear that all is well (I almost wrote that in spanish). As for me, I feel really good and everything. It's going well for me, finally I feel better. Haha, I guess I have changed. That's weird. I love getting cheered up by all of you. I know that you all love me, and I love you all very much; more than I ever have in my entire life. I am grateful for the counsel that you give me and the support that you give to me as well. I know that, we have a relationship as a family that a lot of kids don´t. And for that I am grateful. Its wonderful to be part of this family!

I can´t wait to see where Josh goes! I have a feeling that he will keep up the old family tradition and go to England. I wish that he could come here to this mission, but I don´t know if they will do that. I think it would be so sick to see him in the mission. I wonder if my ideas will come true. I know Josh will be a very good missionary. It's hard work, and you change a ton on the mission; in the end it's all worth it. I know that 2 years really isn´t a lot of time. He broke the transmission in his car? That sucks! Haha, mine is still living I hope. Leaving on the mission is hard for everyone, the brothers and sisters, the dad, and the most difficult for the mom. I can´t imagine how our heavenly parents felt when we left for earth. The knew the outcome, and we don´t. It's got to be much worse. As for me, I am feeling grateful for being able to leave on the mission. I know Cody will do really well, and honestly he will pick up the language faster than I. He is very smart. Daniel will do amazing! He will get out there and share this gospel up! I know that he will be really good missionary. He is really funny, and will use that to his advantage. Josh, is very experienced in things. He knows how it is and that will give him the ablitity to help others understand the gospel and how it works for people.

One year down, and one to go. When I get back, be ready.....MUAHAHA! You have one year to prepare. I love Chile, and I WILL visit it again. I can´t believe all the friends that I have here with me! I honestly, can´t wait to see how the rest of my time goes here. I am so happy.

Wow, a blizzard in Utah. I remember those...I really do like them. I miss driving my car around. She does so well in the bad weather. I am glad to see Sam is a good driver in the snow. And he is smart. I love Utah, I remember how I wanted to leave...but now I would like to stay there for some time. It's a good place to live and grow. I have seen how the world can be and I really don´t like it.

As for the whole Fezz bird thing...Papito is loving that stuff up. I am serious, he always telling me the stuff he says and laughing it up. I say, you guys are just crazy and he says that's how good parents should be. Haha, the remind me of you guys. They are a really good family!

The other day, I had a bone problem where my bone slid a little out of place, and one of my nerves moved out of place. Haha, it hurt so bad! But, lucky for me I know some people here in Pucon, and Marta fixed me up. She grabbed my arm and slid the bone out a bit, and moved the nerve back into place...then took my bone and put in in place. It was a small bone, and only hurt a bit. I couldn´t tell it was out of place unto she started to move it back into place. I heard it snap, and felt it line back up. After she did that...the pain went away instantly. Haha, the face of Elder Guerra was priceless when he heard it snap. Didn´t hurt one bit. I got messed up, from using a lot of force. She told me, that at times it happens...it's not really bad but it hurts she says and with time is goes back into place by itself...but she's a bone doctor so she fixed me up. And in return she wanted a blessing of comfort...which I offered freely!

As for me, I know the sun will always come again another day. Like Sister...whatsherface...said in her talk Sunday. Not all days are good days, but just as well not all days are bad days. Haha, it made me feel really good.

Sorry I don´t have a lot of pictures to be sending to you all. I haven´t had time to take pictures...it's been raining for days. The cool part is now I have a friend who's a horse and he tried to put me on his back! Haha, but we can´t ride horses so...that sucks a bit.

I will be taking out 30,000 pesos or 60 dollar from my account for some food. I am running low on money because he had to go to Osorno for my companion 2 weeks ago.

I love you all very much,

God Speed (that just sounds cool)

This week has killed me...Nothing has gone right

This week has killed me... I can't begin to explain to you what happened this week. Nothing has gone right...and I hope and pray that this week will get better. But let me start off by answering your questions.

I have lost of lot a weight and boy is it hard to keep my pants up. The truth is to do it, I had to add two more holes to my belt. The secret is the walking and constant level of stress that I have. Haha, and with those two, and only eating a little food here and there (except for lunch) the weight just falls off. The fact that I was a little sick didn´t help all too much. But, I was ok...I felt really, really sick and aching more than anything and never did puke.

I am glad to see that Kayleigh remembers my talk from a year ago. Haha, I still love cheese.

Papito told me that Fezz started talking to him. Haha, he was laughing so hard. And I found out that the girl talking to Sam is Jessica. She's a really good person, and she gave the best testimony this last Sunday. Makes me feel happy to see her active again in the church. When I got here, Jessica, Jasna, and Johana were all inactive. And now, all of them come to church! Haha, and as well we have activated 2 other families here, too! Haha, I love it so much...I almost cried when a family who said they probabaly wouldn´t come back to church came! I told the dad of the family that this Sunday is the Sunday when you come back to church. He did.

I'm glad to hear Sam and Brock have gotten on the dating scene! I haven´t haha... but I'm good with that. Haha, and already Mom is trying to hook me up. Haha, that makes me laugh so much! Maybe I´ll take the offer up when I get back.

As for the sector, it's pretty dead. We have had problems between us and other issues. We had to go see the President. We still don't know what will happen. It's been hard for the two of us. We will know this week what will happen. I know he feels bad...and I wish I could help, but now it's up to him.

As for combios, it's today! Hah, I am staying here in Pucon as the District leader. Surprising enough, God still wants me to be a District Leader. I didn´t think that would happen here. In 6 weeks more I should be getting transfered from Pucon to another place. I don´t know where, but I know that it will be weird. As for other cool stuff the Seventy Elder Corbridge is coming here on the 15th. That will be really cool.

As for Elder Lund, I feel for him. Things just seem to go badly. During this week, we have fought, the cell phone got stolen, the kid of the momita and papito got sent to the hospital, and the rain hasn´t let up. We had to go to the President, and oh ya...I have been sick again. This week has sucked so bad for us. We have only taught 3 lessons. It kills me, the sector is dying, my companion isn´t doing so well, and wow...I feel stressed.

Thanks for taking care of Fezz for me. I love him so much, and finally I saw a bird just like him, only that Fezz is much better looking!

I love you all very much!

Ben