5 ELDERS

Date: November 05, 2012

Area: Santiago, Chile

Hey Family,

This week was good but it was really slow. It wasn`t that we didn`t work hard or anything like that because we were working hard but it was just that NOBODY was home!! It was a bit frustrating at times but I feel good knowing that we did our part so if we weren`t supposed to have success this last week then that is what the Lord wanted.

But it is fun here in the trio and living 5 in the house. The days are flying by and I can`t believe that we are already in November. Thats nuts! Pretty soon its going to be Christmas and then Spencer is going to know where he will be serving... its all too fast! haha. But I guess thats life, right?

So as for the MTC, my information was wrong. I have heard like 3 different versions of what is going to happen so I`m not exactly sure what is going on but I do know that the Mission Home is going to be turned into an MTC basically so all the gringos are going to come straight here to Chile and live in the mission home (or something like that) we shall see. But there are going to be some crazy changes here pretty soon in the mission. Right now in the mission there are 200 missionaries and they are expecting to get as many as 280 missionaries here pretty soon. It will be crazy!

But I really enjoyed Spencer`s talk. I haven`t heard him speak like that and it is crazy the changes he has made. I liked all the experiences that he shared and have no doubt that he is going to have a wonderful mission. He has a wonderful testimony.

Lindy, it sounds like you are WAY busy! I can`t believe that you are only sleeping 3 to 5 hours a day! I need my 8 or i`m toast! But as for your program and everything, obviously you should pray to make the decision. Make it carefully but don`t take for granted all the answers that you have already received to testify to you that that is where you should be. And don`t make your decision simply because you are scared of the Thesis and how hard it is going to be. I have no doubt that it will be really hard, one of the hardest things that you have ever done but I also know with certainty that you wil lbe able to do it. You can make it, I know you can.

Mom, thanks for sharing your experiences with the letter and with the blessing. It is so true, the power of the priesthood is true and powerful. I don`t remember if I told you or not but my socks came. Thank you!! I threw out all the old ones and now I am doing better =) haha. but i`m going to get a pedicure when I get home =)=)

But here they celebrate Halloween but not really that much. Muy poco. There are just lots of drunks in the street haha.

That is so exciting about Zack, Jake and Hayley! They are going to have great missions. I am especially excited for Hayley, she will be a FANTASTIC missionary! I can`t wait to hear about all her success. It makes me happy to know that they are going to go out.

Cutler, are you planning on serving a mission? You should seriously start considering it and praying about it. It takes preparation. I wish that I had come more prepared.

But the mission is really great. I remember Brother Bott in my mission prep class talking about the mission and how it is like 50 years of experience in 2 years worth of time. What better investment could you ask for? Especially because he is right. The mission is great. There are the highest of highs and the lowest of lows (those aren`t too fun ususlly) but these experiences you just couldn`t have if you weren`t on a mission and it is these experiences that make one progress so far and so quickly. I am so greatful that the Lord has blessed me and prepared me to be able to be here serving in Chile.

I know that I am where I am supposed to be and am doing what the Lord wants me to be doing. And I can testify to you that the Lord watches over and protects his servants. I know that. I know that the Holy Ghost is real and that it is a `still small voice` that can influence us and what we do to protect us. He will always guide us away from harm as long as we are worthy of the guidance. I know that our Heavenly Father loves and knows each one of his children and has each one of us in mind, always.

I love you all and thank you for your love and support!

Hasta la proxima,

Elder Jaromy Holland