January is Gone and Here Comes February

January was full of travel. We slept at home for only 8 days in the entire month. But we got to spend time with all of our missionaries and even become reacquainted with our Mission President friends in Santiago for a few days. I didn´t take too many pictures and for this I need to repent.

During our interviews with the La Portada Zone I noticed a beautiful trend: many of the Elders were wearing purple ties and matched my purple top. So at the end of investigator fireside we had to capture the day. Pictured are Elder King, Elder Sorensen, Elder Acevedo, Elder Ricks, Elder Valverde and Elder Garrido. I learned a new word that day: purple = morado in Spanish.

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Leland and I spent 9 hours at various standing in lines and waiting in various government buildings to get our resident cards. The process started at 6:45 am and ended at 3:00. One problem we´ve had is the Jr. after Leland´s name. Junior do not exist in Latin America and so identification cards can be issued to anyone having a title in their name. It was a logistical nightmare getting the Jr. removed from his visa documents. But finally someone worked it out for us and Leland received his card on February 8th. Pictured is Leland standing in line at our first stop, the Police Department.

We held Investigator Firesides at each zone we visited. This sweet mommy and her son attended our fireside in Copiapo. I was entertained the entire evening by this sweet boy. He wanted everything in my purse. But when it came time for a picture he wanted nothing to do with me.

While in Santiago we found the MacOnline store, which is the Apple affiliate here in Chile. Leland´s Mac Book needed a new hard drive and they were able to replace under warranty. We are waiting for it to be delivered back to us. Cross your fingers that Correo Chile is capable and efficient at delivery.

Elder Sorsensen who has been in Chile for 12 weeks and has worn out two pairs of shoes. I took this picture to send to his mother and gave him instructions to get new shoes immediately. I saw him again last week and he had new shoes. I think Elder Sorensen, like all of our missionaries, walks many, many miles each day.

We have been watching this blood red being built since our arrival in Chile. The owners moved into their new house in January and a few days later their car was vandalized. We saw this huge boulder smashed through their window on our way to church one Sunday. Don´t worry though, it really is safe here.

Cambios began on January 31. The missionaries going home arrived in Antofagasta with all of their luggage packed and weighed and then spent the day being interviews by the President. Then they all headed over to the mission home for dinner and a testimony meeting. Afterwards we all posed for pictures.

We sent 13 missionaries home on Tuesday morning and received 10 missionaries later that day. It is an emotional rollar coaster with these cambios. I feel so sad hugging the viejos goodbye and then I am so happy when we receive our nuevitos.

The viejos wanted one last photo before boarding their planes. Unfortunately Presidente Bruce was busy at the counter paying for some overweight baggage and missed the photo op.

Elder Arranguiz

Elder Rodriguez

Elder Hormazabel

Elder Aguilar

Elder Gonzalez

Elder Nielsen

Elder Jara

Elder Brian

Elder Thomas

I cried when they left but fortunately had my makeup bag in the car so I could reapply the face before our new missionaries arrived.

We took lots of pictures with our nuevitos and their trainers. Elder Skene, former Assistant, has been assigned as a trainer for his last transfer. We had to take the opportunity to take a picture with our trainer.

Elder Skene with his nuevito Elder Cardozo.

Elder Candia with his nuevito Elder Kennedy.

Elder Leon with his nuevito Elder Suazo.

Elder Deck with his nuevito Elder Reviriego.

Elder Zufelt with his trainer Elder Montes.

Elder Harding with his trainer Elder De La Vega.

Elder Aguilar with his trainer Elder Fuentes.


Elder Clark with his trainer Elder Madariaga.


Elder Aguilera with his trainer Elder Smith.



Elder Arnold, our historian and Elder Jensen, our finanacer, helped transport missionaries all day and were our photographers. They are awesome missionaries and we love them.