Last Letter!

Well, how´s it going?

We had another great week this week, full of exchanges, interviews, and we finished the week with a baptism and a confirmation. Our little buddy Josue got baptized and confirmed on Sunday, and is now a member of the Church! It was a good ceremony, and many members came. His Mom who is already a member was really excited, and happy to see the decision that he made. It was just a really good day.

It’s my last email as a missionary. I really don't know what to say. The past two years have changed my life, and I am so grateful that I could have served for this time. I guess one of the greatest lesson that I learned is that if we do what is right, and keep the commandments, we can be sure that the Lord will guide us and help us become the people he wants us to become. All we have to do is trust in him. Looking back on my mission, at the assignments I've been given, the companions that I've had, I can see the blessings and the changes that have come to my life for the better, even though at the time, I didn't understand why. As we put our trust in him, things won't always be easy, but we can know that there is a reason. We just need to be diligent in doing what is right in order to receive the promised blessings.

Thanks for all of the support, the letters, emails, and prayers. I appreciated them, and they have helped me throughout my time here in Argentina. I was blessed to have so many friends and family supporting me. So thanks for all that you´ve done.

I just want to share my testimony, That I know Christ lives. I know that his atonement is real because I have felt it in my life. I know that he loves us, more than we can imagine, that´s why he always calls for us to repent, be baptized, and change, so that we can be with him again someday. I know that Christ called Joseph Smith to be the first prophet of this modern time, and that the Priesthood or Authority of God was restored to him, in order for us to gain Salvation. I know that the Book of Mormon is a true testimony of Christ, because I have felt the spirit by reading its pages, and have been able to answer great questions that I have had by studying it. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true and living church on the earth today, and everyone is invited to partake of the blessings that come from baptism, and confirmation of the Holy Ghost. I have come to know these things for myself, and I have no doubt that they are true. I love being a missionary.

Have a great week, and see you all very soon.

Elder Chipman

Open House & Homecoming

I come home this week!  

You are also invited to come 

hear me speak & report in the Highlands Ranch Ward.

Date: Sunday, May 29, 2015
Time: 11:00 am

Location: Highlands Ranch Stake Center
9800 Foothills Canyon Blvd
Highlands Ranch, Co 80129
(The 2nd building to the back of the parking area and furthest away from the road)

It's strange to be ending my mission

Well how´s it going? 05/04/15

We had a pretty interesting week. It's been busy with lots of meetings and exchanges and honestly, not a whole lot of lessons. But miracles still happened. We are adding a soccer court to the church and because of it, the church hired a few security guards to watch the materials to make sure nobody tries to steal them. On Friday, at a ward lunch, the members invited the guard on duty to participate. Then on Sunday they invited him to participate in the meetings. It was good to see the members so excited to share the gospel, but it really hit me when this same security guard made a comment in Gospel Principles class. He said that he loved what he was learning, and he loved being around the members and he felt a really good spirit here. He is planning to keep on coming, even after the job is done. This just shows that there are a lot of people interested and all they need is an invitation.

With that, the cold is finally coming in. Yesterday night we had to make a nice soup and turn on the furnace full blast. It also has caused every missionary to get the sniffles, but I guess that´s just part of it.

I have some busy weeks ahead of me.  Every day we have a lot to do, with not so many visits and lessons, but lots of exchanges and meetings. On Sunday we have a baptism for a boy named Josué! Next Thursday we get a capital tour, next Friday we go to the Temple, and on Sunday the 17th, they are broadcasting the dedication of the Cordoba Temple to all stake centers. There is no sacrament meeting that day so everyone can enjoy it!

This past week I have been thinking a lot about my mission, because I know it's coming quickly to an end. I felt worried that I haven´t done enough, and so I decided to fast and ask the Lord about what he thinks of my service. Last night, my comp got sick so we finished a little early so he could sleep a bit more. As he slept,  I was able to read through my journals from my mission. During my first year I wrote every day, but during my second year not so much :) In spite of that I was able to read and remember how I felt and I could see how far I  have come, and more importantly, I could see the Lord's hand in everything that has happened in between. I look back at the beginning and I remember the hard times and how the Lord helped me in my first area. I could also see His hand in my first days in the offices.  He was there through all the changes and lessons that I've learned. Let’s just say that by the end of my hour of reading, I felt comfortable and happy.

It’s really a strange feeling to only have two weeks left, but a good feeling. I already see some blessings from my mission and what I have learned. What a blessing it is to be missionary, and a member of this church! It’s really hard to describe how I feel, because I am really excited, but then I feel really nostalgic and sad about leaving Argentina. I don't really know what to expect when I get home, and I don't know if I really understand what it means to go home. I do expect a lot of changes as well as a lot of blessings . I also expect a lot of disappointments and adjustments.  I’ll admit that I´m getting a little tired of all the anticipation with all the missionaries talking about the fact that I'm going home. I feel a lot of how I did before I left the mission. There was a lot of speculation and nothing was certain. Luckily, I know these last two weeks are going to be really quick because we have lots to do!

So yes, I am enjoying my service, I´m working hard, I get up on time, study, and work all day. I enjoy lessons and nothing beats the feeling when someone that we are teaching walks into the church on Sunday morning. But I'm also ready to be with you guys again. If that makes any sense.

I´m also looking forward to summer! It has actually gotten cold, and I'm ready to go back to the sun. I´ve always liked the heat more anyway :)

I love you all! I love the Lord! I love his Church!

Have a good week!

Elder Chipman