Elder Cook

Date: November 09, 2011 Area: Santiago, Chile Companion: Elder Metcalf

Hey family!

This week was pretty cool! it was full so first I'm going to get off the list that i made and answer your emails and get off some pictures.

first for the pictures of the things mom sent. The COOKIES!!! CRUEL!!!! hahah I haven't had a good cookie like that since i got here!!! and the same with the truffles.. CUTLER!! My favorite!! But don't send those cause they'll melt and get everywhere in a package. Spencers eyes!! those are crazy!! so cool! I wonder if they'd be OK in the mission... no. But when i get back, yes! The construction looks soooooo good! I was so excited, it looks awesome! The house is going to be so great when its all finished!!

Last week you asked about Halloween, they do celebrate it here but not that big, nowhere near like they do in the states. But the block party sounded great, that is such a fun tradition. It was great to hear from the neighbors, I laughed through the whole thing! EGGROLLS!!! aaahhhh! in LESS than 2 years.

I got a letter from Grandpa and Grandma Anderson. Thanks for the advice grandpa. I think I'm going to take you up on that one, I'll start by memorizing only a few scriptures a week and slowly work my way up to more. It is so true that you need to know the stuff down pat to be able to use it in any moment.

I did get a letter from sister Lew! Thank you! I'm doing great and I hope you are too!!

But as for the week I spent the beginning in Curacavi, the most campo part of the mission (or one of the most anyway) and that was super fun and cool! We had bikes and the air was clean and unpolluted. I felt FREE!!! haha. Pictures to come.

Wednesday, the day I got back I got sick. I had a 24 hour flu thing. It wasn't that fun, the flu never is. So we went in early that day and I slept for almost 20 hours straight, I only woke up to throw up:) But it didnt last too long and don't worry, I'm fine now.

And Saturday we had a conference with the east mission and Elder COOK! It was awesome! And he let everybody go up and shake his hand. He was there and President Corbridge was there of the area presidency. So Elder cook talked to us and Elder Corbridge too. Elder Corbridges message was about the atonement. That it is the most important thing for us. That without it nothing matters and that true understanding of the atonement brings obedience to the commandments and true happiness in this life. Elder Cook talked about alot of different things and did a question and answer session which was really great. What really stuck out to me that I loved was that he talked about the role of a missionary and that it isn't just to baptize. But he read a scripture from D&C that talked about the role of a missionary being that of ESTABLISHING the kingdom or church here on earth. And that establishing includes bringing in new people into the gospel but also that reactivating is just as important as baptizing. Strengthening the members. It made me think of what President Northcutt always said about reactivating people and how it is just as important as bringing in new people.

But Elder Cook came to our stake conference yesterday as well and it was PACKED! It was great to see so many people there and there were tons from my ward which was exciting! We had Jose there which was wonderful for him because he told us that he really felt the spirit there, that he almost started crying! He is getting baptized this coming Sunday and is completely ready!

Today we cooked with the mother in law of Christopher (the ward mission leader) and she taught us how to do the BEST empanadas that I've had here and this INCREDIBLE chicken stuffed with cheese and ham and spinach. and this rice that is to die for! It was so good! But i'll make it for you when I get back. For sure. But sorry, I dont have more time but i have to go so I can send the pictures.

I love you!!!

Con Amor

Elder Holland