March 17, 2014

Mom,

I have been a little sick, had a cold, still have a little one, but don’t worry about me, I’ll be good! As far as your missionary work goes, I think a lot of people ask the question why 18, 19 young men and women would want to leave their friends family and everything to go somewhere they have never been and walk around talking about the Savior and the Book of Mormon. I think that there are many answers to that question. Maybe someone feels forced to go. Peer pressure. My friends are going so maybe I should. But I think why most missionaries go is because they have a desire to serve. Then you learn in the MTC that what the Lord and God have given us is everything. The least we can do is give 2 years of ourselves to the Lord. Helping others. Sharing. That’s my 2 sense anyway. I saw how happy the gospel made our family and other families.  If the same happiness could be felt by others, then I or others would want to show them the way. 

One of the elders here gave a talk and asked a question. Are we living to work? or working to live? Made me kinda take a step back and realize what really is important in life, if we cant be happy without our phones, tv, cool clothes and toys etc, we need to do adjusting I think haha. None of that stuff is bad, at all. But sometimes like you have said many times before, it consumes. Controls us. I have learned by watching other people just here in the mission, that by obeying rules, we become free. By having no rules or commandments, we become constricted, captive.

Sometimes I think we need to look at the definition of happiness. What is happiness? We need to answer that question for ourselves I think. Have a good week mom! I love you so much! 

Chau! 

Elder Noel

Lots of Pictures!

Hey Dad, March 10,2014

How are things going? I hope well. My companion’s name is Elder Precourt. He is from Virgina but went to BYU Hawaii before the mission. He finishes in June and is a pretty cool guy!  We have to walk everywhere.  Our apartment is alright, its not like we are there all the time so it’s not that big of a deal! It gets cold at night and in the morning, its been harder to work out because of it. 

We had a baptism! He is a very nice man about 50 years old. He was in a bike accident 4 years ago and had some brain damage to his head. He kinda forgets things here and there but is a loving man and lives by himself. 

We had a conference this week in Las Angeles and that was cool. The missionaries who baptized my mission president were there, they spoke to us and it was really cool to see that.  Also, me and my comp both got colds this week but we worked anyways.  

I find strength in the scriptures alot! I know that Heavenly Father is watching out for me but tries us so we become stronger, better people. Today for pday we went to Lebu, and then we hiked this trail and found a beach, it was really cool to see and it was insane how many things there are that God has created for us to enjoy.   Love you!

Elder Noel 

My companion from the CCM in Mexico City

Our baptisms, great guy!

We live with the District Leaders

Our beds, my ties

our kitchen and stove

my area

Me and Elder Precourt on a hike

having fun at the beach

I love this!

This was a great day!

"I'm doing what?" March 3, 2014

Hey Mom!                                                                                         March 3, 2014

How are ya!? First few days in my sector were a little rough but I like my new sector, it’s a lot smaller than my old one.  It is like a smaller town, kind of like a condensed Eden. We are in sector, Cañete 2  near the city of Lebu. I'll send you the address of our house next week so you can see it from Google Earth. We have taught a lot more lessons than my old sector. I think we have been blessed. My comp is really cool, he is funny and a good worker. Can't see the ocean from where we are, we are about an hour away from it. But I like it here. 

The youth here are amazing. Most are recent converts of about a year or two. They leave with us on visits all the time. We have a baptism for saturday with a guy. He has a hard time remembering things but he is good. When they announced his baptism in elders quorum he looked at me and said, "what am I going to do"? It was funny, but after he remembered.  I appreciate your uplifting words and I know I can do this thanks to the Lord and prayers back home. Anyways, I hope you have a great week! I love you alot!

Chau!

Elder Noel!

My new companion-  funny guy  (he forgot to tell us his name)

1st Transfer

Hey Mom,                                                                               Feb 24, 2014

How are you! I am fine.  I’m glad Abby is playing soccer. My soccer skills have improved since I have been down here. The ward plays every Wednesday and Friday. It’s fun.

 We found out cambios today and I am transferred to the city of Lebu.  It’s on the coast and my sector is called Cañete. My comp is apparently really funny so I’m excited for that. The mission president came down to our zone this week because our zone has accomplished our goal for baptisms for 2 months in a row. Apparently its really rare when a zone accomplishes the goal. The president bought us all lunch and after gave us some advice and then went on his way.  

Tomorrow I head to my new sector. Apparently you can’t go straight to my sector, you have to go to Conce (Concepcion), a 5 hour bus ride, then down to Lebu, a 3 hour ride so that should be fun.  Its going to be cold I hear so if you could send me some thermals that would be great. How is everyone? Please tell them to write.  Remember scripture study is awesome, it will help you guys in everything you do! Anyways that’s it for this week, I love you mom thanks for everything! 

Chau! Elder Noel

Things in Temuco

Thumb's up everyone

Me in front of a wall in Temuco

Hey Mom,

How’s is it going?  Lately we have been teaching this couple. The wife is a member but the husband is not. He says he will get baptized but wants to do it on his own time. Its too bad to cause they could be a strong family. I think he will make it though!

 P days we just basically have time to write and maybe watch a Disney movie. We were actually able to watch Frozen so you can tell Abby that.  When we get back we can sing a duet together.  haha

By the way we had a miracle this week. We were tracting and this guy came up to me and this elder I was with.  He asked about us and said he wants to know more. Well, 1 week later he has a baptismal date for the 1st of March.  He is reading the Book of Mormon and came to church this week. So that’s good! 

We went to his house for dinner the other night.  Most of the houses here are pretty small and not very decorated. They are also very close together.  Well,  we went to the address of this guy’s house and it was in the middle of this field.  It was big and very nicely decorated.  He makes a lot of money in the cattle business I guess.  He fed us meat and it was the best meat I have ever tasted.  It would have cost about $30 for a meal like this in the U.S.  It was awesome.  He is golden.  Such a great guy but we found out that his address is in a different area then me and my comps so we have to let the other missionaries handle him which is a bummer.

Wish Cole a happy birthday! I love you so much! Thanks for all your prayers and insights!   Please keep the letters coming!  I love you and happy Valentines day!

 Elder Noel.

Monday December 30, 2013

A spanish Book of Mormon
Hey Mom!

 It was really nice to talk on Christmas! I’m so glad we had that chance! Christmas was good. We basically spent it with Ivan and his family, then we went home and went to bed! For New Years down here I think its pretty much the same as in the US. I hope you guys have a lot of fun for New Years! I will just be sleeping haha! That’s awesome about the aggies! I’m glad to hear they won! That’s always a good thing! Anyways I love you guys alot! You’re the best family I could ever ask for!

We are working with this lady who really wants to know that the church is true. She is separated from her husband and lives with her two daughters, one about my age and one about 8 yrs old. She reads and prays but something always comes up and she can’t go to church. She has a baptismal date but here you have to come to church three times before you can get baptized, I’m not sure if that is the same with other missions or not. We are trying hard to get her to come to church. I think she will get baptized either this month or next!  I miss you guys.  Keep praying for me!

I love you!   Elder Noel

1st Christmas in Chile

Christmas Eve dinner with the Gonzalez family

Ivan and his daughter Milita, and me and my companion Elder Voyles

Me and the Gonzalez family on Christmas Eve

Hi Everybody!

Hayden did not email the week of the 21st so that he could Skype on Christmas Day.  It was so great to see his face and hear his voice as we were able to chat for some time  on Christmas afternoon.  These are some of the things he told us about his mission so far.

1. He lives with his companion and the district leaders in a 2 story apt on the outskirts of the city of Temuco.  His ward is the Catrihuala ward in the Nielol Stake .  He lives in a ward with 1600 members of record, but only 100 or so are active in the Ward.  Because of this the missionaries have what is called "Project Alma."  Half of the missionaries work on baptisms and the other half work on reactivation.  He and Elder Voyles are on the reactivation side right now.
2.  He sends his laundry out because the missionaries have no where to do it.  It costs $12 a month.
3.  They drink a lot of fruit juice in Chile. There is a juice for about every fruit. He drinks a lot of mango juice.  Also, the food is good but it is bland.  They don't use spices when they cook.  Steve is jealous. 
4.  Lunch is the big meal of the day.  He usually has a breakfast burrito in the morning and then they have a huge lunch, usually at a member's house.  He said the first day they brought out a bowl of chicken soup and some bread.  He ate it and was full, then they brought out the next course which was pasta.  He said there was so much food he couldn't eat it all.  It is like that everyday.  They don't really eat a dinner, just maybe a snack.
5.The breads there are delicious.  In Chile everything is cooked with lard, including the bread.  He said there are little markets on every corner that sell fresh made breads.  He is worried he is going to get fat on the bread because it is so good.
6.  There are open markets to buy fruits and veggies and other things on just about every corner.  They do have a store like Walmart called "Lyders" but it is in the city and he hasn't been yet.
7.  Chile does have a McDonalds but he hasn't been yet.  He says that it is expensive. Also, his favorite foods, Top Raman and mac and cheese are expensive, too.
8.  The missionaries walk or ride the microbus everywhere.  The weather is anywhere between 60 and 80 degrees.  It is summertime down there now. They will be heading into fall around Feb.
9.  Keep writing.  The mail goes to the mission home and he only gets it when he goes there. He hasn't been to the mission home since he arrived at the beginning of Dec, so if you have written him and he hasn't written back, don't fret.  He may not have your letter yet, but keep writing.