tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51139388224436944742024-03-05T05:34:59.276-08:00Buenos Times in Buenos AiresElder Stephen Chipman is currently serving in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-46225319936345140112015-05-18T07:31:00.000-07:002015-05-18T07:31:22.947-07:00Last Letter!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, how´s it going?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-16628068-6764-23a6-efd0-182d1af35092" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">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.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">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. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">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.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Have a great week, and see you all very soon.</span></span></div>
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Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-58334117545744089392015-05-16T21:20:00.000-07:002015-05-18T07:32:33.910-07:00Open House & Homecoming<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>I come home this week! </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Iyy0jyhKhWHiTjVsd4Dop-gyJjsSnU07tdkGlgFEX1x7fYralDVLObT4P-Iy03uVNhTcfZj7DbgXLnTKGNNZhgNbE6hpQy1ONFh-jGMRfYP6thWw-CaC-nxCDhDWOIIDYuA57JwXsTo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-16+at+10.12.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Iyy0jyhKhWHiTjVsd4Dop-gyJjsSnU07tdkGlgFEX1x7fYralDVLObT4P-Iy03uVNhTcfZj7DbgXLnTKGNNZhgNbE6hpQy1ONFh-jGMRfYP6thWw-CaC-nxCDhDWOIIDYuA57JwXsTo/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-05-16+at+10.12.47+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: black;">You are also invited to come </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: black;">hear me speak & report in the Highlands Ranch Ward.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: black;">Date: Sunday, May 29, 2015</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: black;">Time: 11:00 am</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: black;">Location: Highlands Ranch Stake Center</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: black;">9800 Foothills Canyon Blvd</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: black;">Highlands Ranch, Co 80129</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: black;">(The 2nd building to the back of the parking area and furthest away from the road)</i></span><br />
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<br />Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-49651670275529541352015-05-04T19:47:00.001-07:002015-05-04T19:47:29.903-07:00It's strange to be ending my mission<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well how´s it going? </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">05/04/15</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-ff5db71c-21eb-887d-80f3-1021f817a8e8" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">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.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">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.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">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!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">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.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">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!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">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 :)</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I love you all! I love the Lord! I love his Church!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Chipman</span></span>Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-34380325267954969022015-04-27T19:13:00.000-07:002015-04-27T19:13:15.745-07:00What do you do with 15 lbs of Play dough?<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well another week has flown by! </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-802eba73-fdc7-db2f-58ca-2f3d9c12a3d7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We had a bunch of exchanges, zone meetings, interviews, and just lots of stuff to do. The weirdest thing was for the zone meeting, we wanted to do a game with play dough, so we decided that we were going to make ourselves some playdough for the game. Last P-day we decided to get started and it wasn't too hard, and it didn't take too much time, but by the end, we had about 10-15 pounds of playdough. We ended up making a life sized toddler, just because we could. But we used the playdough to demonstrate an aspect of the atonement. In the end, the spirit was strong, and we were all uplifted, but man, it really was a lot of play dough.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We are doing well, but its hard to find people to teach right now. I don't even know why, but it’s just what we are going through. We have a few investigators, but not a lot are actually progressing, and so we are having difficulties filling up our days with things to do. Let’s just say, we've knocked on a lot of doors. Luckily we live in a great ward, and they are all praying and helping us with referrals. Honestly, Alejandro Korn has the best members in the world! Every week we have a Family Night in the Church for new converts, less actives, and investigators. A recent convert family always comes, and their 9 year old daughter invited her friend at school to come to the Family Night. They had a fun time, and we will pass by their home this week.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We have also been visiting an inactive this week. When I first came here, this member was super faithful and active. But through a course of events, he fell into inactivity. Last tuesday we visited and he said that he didn't want anything to do with the church, he was never coming back. We prayed hard, and not only asked for the spirit, but really looked for how to help this member. It was exhausting, but by the end, we were able to help him understand repentance and the atonement. At the end of the lesson he said he was coming back! But when we passed by yesterday, he was again saying that he doesn't want to come back, its too late, he just can´t believe in forgiveness. It made me think a little bit about the balance of light and darkness in our lives.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The obvious truth is that light and darkness cannot be in the same place in the same time. If we listen to the spirit, and invite the spirit into our lives, we are filled with light, when we listen to the adversary and not do what we are supposed to , we are filled with darkness. This hermano, after our lesson, felt the spirit and was filled with light. But as we left, he didn't do anything to keep this light in his life, he didn´t read the scriptures, or pray, or sing hymns, or serve others, or even have a good conversation with another person. His light, left. Now when we left yesterday, he again wanted to come back to church activity, but this time with a fervent commitment to read, and pray, and do what he was supposed to do to keep this light in his live.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So if we feel sad, or depressed, or if our light is filled with darkness, the best thing to do is bring light into our lives. Something so simple can make a big difference.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Lately, I find myself sitting back and just trying to soak in the Argentine scenes It’s weird that there is a chance that I will never be back, but it’s the reality of these things. I just hope I can remember what it’s like here.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">You only have to write me two more times, so that will be nice! I am still calling on Mother´s Day! They gave me four calls on my mission so I´m using every one of those calls! Haha!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Anyway, thanks for all your prayers and support, I love you guys and miss you all.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Have a good week!</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Elder Chipman</span></span></div>
Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-36722217957930305962015-04-20T17:11:00.000-07:002015-04-20T17:11:16.813-07:003 Hard and 3 Best Parts of Serving a Mission for Me<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How´s it going everybody!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6f63a450-d948-9a28-aa05-32776767e869" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It's been another good week in Alejandro Korn. Actually, honestly, the beginning of the week started off pretty slow. Last week we had to drop practically every single one of our investigators, so this week our teaching pool was very limited. We spent a lot of time knocking on doors and doing contacts in the streets. We found a little bit of success, but its difficult to find people to teach that way. All of that prepared us for a miracle that happened on Saturday. We went to contact one of the people we talked to in the street a few weeks ago. He was still friendly and so we set an appointment on Saturday. We dropped by for the appointment and he let us in. His name is Mariano and we talked about the apostasy and the restoration, and why it was important to him. It was a good lesson, and we invited him to be baptized the 24th of May. The next day, in church, I was getting ready to give a talk, when he walked in with his two daughters. They stayed the whole time, and at the end, his daughters came running up to him with the pictures they colored in Primary. They all loved church. It was a great day.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I´m grateful to be a missionary, it has been the best decision that I have made. I love being a member of this church, and I love sharing what I know to be true with others. Despite all the challenges I can't think of another place where I would rather be.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-right: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So this week I've had a little bit of time to think about what the hardest and best parts of the mission are for me. The main answer is that every missionary has his own challenges that are unique to him and his mission where he is serving. Everybody has a different mission, the Lord knows us personally, and so He gives us challenges and blessings that are very personal to our own lives. The following is some insight into my mission:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;">3 most difficult things about the mission:</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-right: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">1. It’s exhausting! You work 16 hours a day, and the 8 hours of sleep you do get doesn't seem to be quite be enough. You walk or bike all day, in the sun, heat, rain, snow, cold, and you have to keep doing something. So it’s very physically, mentally, spiritually exhausting.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-right: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">2. There are more disappointments in the mission than moments of joy. While the moments of joy make the disappointments worth it, they are separated by people not showing up to appointments, not completing commitments, not coming to church, not reading, or just deciding that they don't want to follow Christ. It makes you tired, and really sad at times.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-right: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">3. Just getting started. The start of the mission is hard. It’s a whole new life style, schedule, wardrobe, and way of life. You miss your family, friends, and if you are learning a language, you can't even communicate with the dogs. I look at the beginning as the hardest part, but that is where I learned the most.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;">3 Things that make the mission great!</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-right: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">1. You can actually see the gospel work. While there are many disappointments, when people do follow the gospel, you see them change. You can see the evidences of the gospel as they read, pray, and grow. You help them be happy and in turn, it makes you feel incredible. As their testimony grows, yours does too. It makes all the disappointments worth it.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-right: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">2. You learn so much. I have learned so much about our Father in Heaven, about Christ, about the Gospel. I have learned about the world, and why the commandments are important. I've learned about faith, virtue, hope, and numerous other things. You can learn things in the mission that are impossible to learn at home.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-right: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">3. It’s just a great experience. Now that I'm near the end, I can speak a new language, I know a new culture, I understand others better, I have friends from Spain, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, and other countries. Its just a great feeling to be a missionary.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-right: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I Hope this helps, it’s hard to explain why its so great and awesome to serve a mission, because It’s just a feeling that I have. Like I said, its really personal, but I know that every missionary is going to have hard things, and awesome things. It’s just part of the package!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thanks for everything, and for all of your support!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Love</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Chipman</span></span>Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-17658657835111672792015-04-13T16:03:00.002-07:002015-04-13T16:03:48.537-07:00Fall Colors!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hows it going everybody?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-18e556e4-b504-6160-99be-caea4d56d7d5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It’s getting a little colder, but still some days I sweat like a pig. I like it here because they still have seasons in Argentina. There is a park in the center of Alejandro Korn, and all the trees are that golden fall color which is really nice.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">My new companion is great. He likes to cook, which I like, and he works really hard, which I like as well. We will get a lot of work done this transfer. We run every morning. We don’t go very fast, but its something so I am happy and grateful.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We had a very successful week in Alejandro Korn! While we have been dropping a lot of investigators due to their lack of progression, we have also been able to find many new ones to teach. Including a big family that we were able to contact on Thursday. There is also a young couple, and a cousin of a member who was just passing by one day. We were also able to talk with Sebastian again and get him going. He needs just a push, and he will be a very good member. But its just that little push that he lacks right now.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I love teaching the first missionary lesson, and I think it’s my favorite one by far. It’s when we teach about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which includes Prophets, Christ´s Church, the Great Apostasy, and the First Vision. It’s really cool to be able to testify of the Book of Mormon everyday. It’s probably one of the best parts of my calling that I enjoy.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We taught the Restoration a lot this week, that´s why its been on my mind. We were also able to see Gabriel´s confirmation this week in church. After the meeting I asked him how he felt, and we was just smiling. He said that he felt like Superman. That made me laugh but it also helped me understand the role that the Holy Ghost plays in my life. While it doesn't exactly make me physically like Superman, it’s a quiet gift that has taught me, guided me, and blessed me many times since my conversion. I am grateful to have the gift of the Holy Ghost in my life, especially now more than ever.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I think that Allie is doing fantastic with her running for this early in the season. Honestly, she only has about 4 more meets before State, so she is exactly where she wants to be. I hope she does well at the KU relays this week.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Megan told me a bit about her job & it sounds pretty Epic! hehehehe (Megan got a job with Epic software in Madison, WI). I know nothing about Madison, but I bet it will be a fun adventure with lots of Cheese and stuff that Wisconsin has. That will be a lot of fun for her, and now she can see what her future has in store for her.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I´m doing really well. I'm getting excited to come home but it really doesn't seem like I am that close to finishing. I don't think I truly understand what's actually going to happen when I finish things up these next few weeks. Being a missionary is just part of my life right now. I am okay, and happy, and working hard.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thanks for all of the support and love, I love you guys and hope that you have a great week!</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Chipman</span></span>Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-22795004729704561582015-04-07T06:56:00.004-07:002015-04-07T06:56:50.778-07:00Starting my Last Transfer<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How´s it going?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-c317b923-9429-c95d-28f8-8dadf1399bc2" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, I'm starting the final transfer of my mission, and I can already tell its going to be a good one. My new companion is Elder Olsen from Utah. He was in my district in La Plata, and he is a work horse, so I know that we will be getting a lot done these next few weeks. I will still be here in Alejandro Korn.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Honestly, I have a lot of mixed emotions right now. I am really sad that Elder Flinders had to leave. He was a great companion, and I´ll miss him. But at least he´s going to BYU and we already have some basketball pick-up games planned. I´m also really excited for my new companion, Elder Olsen. I´m excited to see you guys again, but then today, I had to say goodbye to some friends in the mission that I will never see again. It’s just a field of mixed emotions, but It’s all good in the end.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">That being said, we enjoyed a great weekend of General Conference. We watch it in English because they have a room set up just for us. It’s nice. But when the speakers speak in Spanish, we would change the channel to Spanish so we could listen to their voices. I guess it’s the translators that drive us crazy. But I loved the conference. Every Talk seemed to teach me something that I needed to know, or answered questions that I have had. One of my greatest testimonies of conference comes from the fact that even though the talks are for the whole world, they touch and guide the individual soul. But in the end, if we do not apply what we have learned, repent and do better of the things that we have realized we need to do better on, we are not taking advantage of the Conference. When we don´t apply the teachings of the prophets, can we really sustain them in their callings? I know that the church of Jesus Christ has been restored, and that He is at the head of his church, but it is under the restored organization of a Prophet and Apostles can the Lord let us know as a whole what we need to do. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I love all you guys, thanks for your support and prayers. I hope that you're happy and healthy. Have a good week! </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Elder Chipman</span></span></div>
Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-1450504628192956782015-03-30T13:03:00.000-07:002015-03-30T13:03:48.717-07:00I've been thinking a lot about the word "Truth"<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hola Todos!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">March 30, 15</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-d8e33ac8-6c44-46b5-9153-e2f3011e643b" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It’s been another great week in Alejandro Korn.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well honestly, it hasn't been a very long time since the last time I´ve written, but a lot has happened. First off, Gabriel was baptized yesterday! It was a nice and peaceful ceremony, and while we were getting everything ready, two woman showed up just because they were passing by and wanted to know more about the church. The Relief Society president and members were quick to help them, show them around, and they were able to stay for the baptism! We've been working hard and have found a few more people to teach. We´ll see what comes from it, but I see some good things happening here in Alejandro Korn.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PeDLOd-QVCnEkUB5IsgOkqYCLb9UZqrVzw3NmxK6ry0l_9lTxrH2O4tTaWUobrABqECyaT2swrTllms-QwyaRElIwKsNRkSiwlqU2Ezbz3XFt7XUr6G4aov5Eczsh4M_7ZyMB0gCLNY/s1600/DSC00117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PeDLOd-QVCnEkUB5IsgOkqYCLb9UZqrVzw3NmxK6ry0l_9lTxrH2O4tTaWUobrABqECyaT2swrTllms-QwyaRElIwKsNRkSiwlqU2Ezbz3XFt7XUr6G4aov5Eczsh4M_7ZyMB0gCLNY/s1600/DSC00117.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We've also been working a lot with the "Because he lives" video produced by the church. </span><a href="http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_FR_3-27-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyL1-A_" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_FR_3-27-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyL1-A_</span></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We have pass-along cards specifically made for it, and we report how many people we have showed the video too, and how many cards we've passed out. So it’s a very organized system. The church is really focusing on it, and on Easter Sunday, they have a mini version of the video that they are going to use as the primary ad on Youtube (You know that 15 second video before every Youtube video?). So They are really trying to get it out there.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Other than that, I've been thinking a lot about the word "Truth". Its a word that as a missionary, I use a lot, but sometimes I don´t know if I really understand what it means. In Doctrine and Covenants 93, it explains truth as things as they really are, were and are yet to come. A good example of truth is the law of Gravity. On this earth we are held under the truth of Gravity, what goes up, must come down. It doesn't matter if I resent it, or don't believe in it, or try not to follow it, If I jump from an airplane, I will fall. This being the case, there is only one truth, and anything that is not part of this truth, is a lie. So if this really is the case, we best be sure that we know the truth, or learn it so that we do not stray from that which is right. Here are some things that I have learned that are true. I know that Christ lives, I know that he is the Son of God and the appointed Messiah. He lived a perfect life, and was a perfect example. He suffered for our sins, sicknesses, and imperfections. He died on the Cross by crucifixion. He rose the third day as a perfect, resurrected being. These things are true, it's what happened, and its just the way it is, nothing can change it. So it’s best that we learn more about it and how it applies to our lives, that we may more understand the truth about God, Jesus, and his church on the earth today. There are many truths that I do not know, but I know this much. I hope that we can all enjoy this Easter season, and remember and reflect why this time of year is so special, even 2000 years after His resurrection occurred.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, hope that all made sense...</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Other than that, there isn´t too much to report. It’s the last week for my companion before he goes home. He´s been working really hard despite being so close to the end of his mission, and he´s been a good example and a good companion. I'm bummed that he has to go, but there´s not much I can do about that.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It sounds like Allie is running as fast as ever and that´s a really good thing! She shouldn't be too disappointed that she didn't break the school record her first race in the season. A chill pill and a bit of perspective would do her well, but like I said last week, that attribute probably helps her run well.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I got my flight schedule today and it kinda surprised me because Elder Flinders got his on Wednesday and he leaves a week from today. We have a new senior couple in the offices and they are probably still trying to figure things out. But there you go, it’s official now. I'm honestly excited to come home, I love it here, but its been awhile since I've seen you guys! I find out who my next companion is on Friday, so we´ll see what happens. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Defluffification is going well. Many people have said that I look skinnier, so there you go. I am still about 195-200 but it’s a lot better than the 210-215 that I was about a year ago.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Overall, I´m doing great. I have lots of energy, I am happy, I get along with my companion, and there´s really nothing to complain about. I look forward to these next few weeks because they are going to be great!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I love you all, I love the Lord, I love his Church!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Have a great week, thanks for all the support, Happy Easter!</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Chipman</span></span>Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-87130878246766447022015-03-25T19:26:00.000-07:002015-03-25T19:26:11.074-07:00We have a baptism <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How´s it going?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-dec04fa0-53e3-dac1-6be3-aecb91bae872" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It’s been another great week in Alejandro Korn. Its started off as a warm week but then right as we hit the first day of Fall, the temperatures dropped about 10 degrees Celsius. I don´t know how much that is in Fahrenheit, but its a significant change. But I'm enjoying the cooler weather, it makes it easier to travel in.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It sounds like Allie had a rockin first high school race on Saturday. She was really flying if she already almost broke Karlee´s school record for the mile!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It’s been a good week but with lots of ups and downs. We had to drop a lot of investigators that just weren't progressing, which is not always fun. In fact, we dropped all but about 3. That being said, one of those three passed their baptismal interview and is going to be baptized this Sunday! His name is Gabriel and we've been teaching him for about 2 months now. He´s about 21 years old and is the Bishops son-in-law. He´s got a lot of support from the ward, and we are excited about his decision. We were also able to find a few other people who are willing to let us visit and teach them. Overall, things are moving forward, which is what matters.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We have a really busy week coming up because it’s my companion´s last week of the mission. I guess that time catches up to everyone.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I got a little sick on Saturday and Sunday. Just a headache, fever, and sore throat. My body was a little achy, but I took some ibuprofen a few times during the day and I was good. Now I feel just fine. Defluffication (weight loss) took a hit this week because of sickness, but I´m back at running again so it should be a better week.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This week I learned a lot about the Christ-like attribute "Hope". It’s more than just a desire or a wish, but as seen in the scriptures, it is something that carries a lot more power. In fact, faith itself is a hope for things not seen but that are true. In fact, Spanish has helped me learn a lot about this word hope. In Spanish, the word "esperar" has three meanings. It can mean "to wait", "to expect", and "to hope". I don´t think that these three verbs, wait, expect, and hope, would be combined into one word unless they had some sort of relation with one another. And they do. I like to think of it like this, that having hope = expecting it to happen= willing to wait for it. I am grateful for the gospel in my life, because it gives me the greatest hope of all. My source of hope, and honestly, everybody's source of hope is the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Because he overcame all things, I now have the hope for the Resurrection of all men, which means that I expect it to happen someday, and I'm willing to wait for it. Because of Him, it doesn't matter what happens, I can always have hope for that day, and I can always wait for his timing. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I guess thats what I´m trying to get at here. That especially during this time of year, when we remember His resurrection from the dead, and especially in a world that doesn't have much to hope for, I would like us to remember the source of all hope, and the power that comes when we are willing to trust him, expect his help, and be willing to wait for his timing.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I love you guys and hope you have a great week! Overall, I´m now healthy and happy. Thanks for all of your prayers and support.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Love,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Elder Chipman</span></span></div>
<br />Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-9640661834637206582015-03-16T15:10:00.001-07:002015-03-16T15:10:58.611-07:00Week full of bikes, sun, heat, painting, pizza, and some great lessons!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How´s it going everybody?!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-895f9775-249e-d457-478e-a31f35a5014a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 4pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It’s been another great week in Alejandro Korn. </span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; line-height: 33.1199989318848px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had a week full of bikes, sun, heat, painting houses, pizza, and some great lessons. </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Missionary work is still grinding out here in Korn. There are lots of disappointments and challenges, but we always have a few moments that keep us going and they make it all worth it. We are working with a few people right now, preparing for their baptism the 29th of March. The first is Gabriel, he is the son-in-law of the bishop, and we've been working with him for a few months. Honestly, he is a rockstar. We taught him the Word of Wisdom this week along with tithing, and fasting. He is only 20 years old, so topics like not eating for 24 hours could be challenging, but he accepted the commandments and is progressing well. Andres on the other hand had been doing well, but we got a phone call today saying that he wasn't so sure if he wanted to keep taking the lessons We’ll visit him this afternoon and see if we can help.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 4pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Lately, we've been struggling with not many people attending church. We hope that everybody is just still on summer vacation, but we're kind of at the end of that time of year. While the school year is ending over there, it’s just getting started here. That being said, we are finding more and more people to teach and we hope that next Monday and Tuesday we will be able to find lots of people to teach.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 4pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">In my studies this week, I was able to read about Christ´s visit to the Americas. I love this part of the Book of Mormon, because its an great way to understand the Character and Personality of Christ. While he is very stern when it comes to the commandments, his love is unavoidable as he healed their sick and blessed each one of their children one by one. I feel like I am much closer to my Savior as I read these passages, and it helps me look forward to the day when I can see him again. I know that Christ lives and loves us. If you at all doubt this fact, I invite you to read 3 Nephi 17 in the Book of Mormon. It will help you understand his love for you a little more.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I’m running out of things to write about so it must be getting pretty close to the end. I honestly don't feel like the end of the mission is really that close, because I feel like I will always just be doing what I´m doing. My companion always just says that it is the reality of it. Things are ending, and there´s no escaping it. He finishes in only 3 weeks, so we´re both wrapping things up. He´s probably one of my favorite comp of my mission, and we are working super hard. We both have the same worries about college & sports so it is a common conversation in the pension at night. He´s a good friend!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">As far as my defluffication process, I ran about 4 miles this morning and I've lost about 3 pounds. I'm still heavier than I want, but I´m at least going in the right direction. I just need to be diligent. I guess I'm vain, but I'm also still only 21 so it should be easier for me to drop the fluff--I hope :)</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thanks for all that you do, and for all of your support. I love you guys! Have a good week! I miss you like crazy, but I'm really happy where I am right now.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Oh, and by the way, there is going to be a holiday next Monday and Tuesday, so my next p-day will be next Wednesday. They have a holiday almost every other week here, so I don’t even know what holiday it is.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Love you guys!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Elder Chipman</span></span></div>
<br />Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-75434966549108835272015-03-09T20:08:00.000-07:002015-03-09T20:09:41.743-07:00Recipe for happiness<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, it’s been another great week in Alejandro Korn! What more is there to say? That and Peyton Manning is returning this next season to play for the Broncos. I'm ok with that! I would take an old Peyton Manning over Tim Tebow anyday. I had more stress during those games than I have felt during my whole mission!</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Our investigator Andres is doing very well! We were able to teach him about the word of wisdom, and he fully understood it and said that he was willing to live it. We passed by a few days later, and he hadn´t smoked or drank alcohol in that period of time. He´s making giant strides and is excited to be baptized in a few weeks. Our other investigators are doing well too. Sebastian is still working out some problems, but every time we visit, he is more and more animated to do what is right. Overall, things are going really well.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I was also able to go on an exchange with my mission friend, Elder Hansen, this week. We taught a less active member the Ten Commandments. The spirit that we felt in that simple lesson really surprised me. I expect to feel the spirit when we teach of the First Vision, the Book of Mormon, or the Plan of Salvation, but this simple lesson about the Ten Commandments helped me realize the importance of the small and simple things, and the importance of being obedient to all of the commandments that the Lord gives us. Sometimes we forget that it is by small and simple things that great things come to pass. Obedience includes not only the big commandments, like "Thou shalt not Kill" or "Thou shalt not Steal", but it also keeping the sabbath day holy, and honoring one's parents. I like to think what would happen if we all kept only just these 10 commandments. The world would change for the better! The commandments are the recipe of happiness, and they help protect us from the unwanted consequences that come from poor decisions. In the scriptures we are promised not only happiness in this life, but eternal life in the life to come. Sounds pretty good if you ask me!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Other than that, life is pretty good, we are working hard, and I´m able to run in the mornings, so I´m happy. I ran about 3 miles this morning, so there has been some improvement. I did the math the other day and I was going about 6:15-6:20 pace. Now granted I am still at about -50 feet below sea level and I was pretty gassed afterwards, but still, I'm happy that I don't have to start ALL over again. Besides that, everything seems to be working out well right now. There are always challenges, and sometimes I feel so tired that I can't even get out of my chair, but everytime I do, its always worth it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thanks for all of your support and prayers, I love you guys and hope you have a good week! </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Chipman</span></span>Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-64237003706845921012015-03-02T20:06:00.000-08:002015-03-02T20:06:37.144-08:00I have the best life ever!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hows it going?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-eeb01bf1-ddca-325c-ed39-5652b8c47f4a" style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Funny story, at lunch on Saturday, one of the kids went onto facebook and showed us that dress that you told me that is all over the internet. It’s black and blue to me, but yes the plague has already reached us down here too. It just shows that Allie and Dad are crazy because they think it is white and gold. hahaha! I do wish I could've seen the funny story about the runaway llamas in Phoenix!</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It’s been another great week in Alejandro Korn, Argentina. It was really successful! We found a lot of new people to teach and some of our other investigators are beginning to progress more toward baptism. Sebastian is fighting back and determined to keep trying until he gets it right, and we are determined to help him, so he´s doing well! We also found many others, all of them men, which is weird....usually only the woman are interested, but the ward needs more priesthood, so I’m not complaining. One investigator was referred to us from a Young Woman in the ward. Her neighbors´wife passed away a few months ago and he was having a hard time. We were able to visit with him and talk about the plan of Salvation. At the end, he told us about his desire to be with his wife again in the Celestial Kingdom. Its amazing the power that is in the gospel, and the happiness and hope it brings. We were also able to visit with another referral that we received from a member. His name is Martín and we were able to teach him the first lesson in the house of the member. We shared the restoration lesson, and he promised us to read the book of Mormon, and pray about it. I have lots of high hopes for the both of them. Let’s be honest, I have the best life ever!</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I also learned a lot about about prayer this week. Many times we ask God for things that we want to happen. This is not a bad thing, in fact he says that if we ask we shall receive. But we need to be ready to receive the answer. Sometimes we need to ask for the enabling power to help us accomplish what we desire. I love this part about prayer, because it allows us to grow and make decisions, but it will also enable us to do the right thing. We will have to do a lot of the work on our own, but just as the Lord blessed the people of Alma with their burdens that they were not able to feel them on our backs, our burdens will be lifted, and we will be able to accomplish a whole lot more than we could without divine help.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Just so you know, I left the Internet Café last Monday and slapped my forehead because I forgot to wish you two a happy birthday! So I prayed that you would have a very good day and have a miracle happen for your birthday. Just so you know, I didn’t forget, well, when I was writing I did, but I didn't forget for too long :) I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your birthdays. I can tell that I’ve been away from home a long time because I don’t even recognize the restaurant you went too or what a Bosu Ball is, but that´s ok.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hey Dad, here´s a picture of someone who also had a birthday on February 28th. Her name is Nona, and if you want to know how old she is, just look at the cake! Lets just say, you've still got plenty of time!</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img height="392px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/YxHJWxXQeQGFLp83_PajTJijB2Fu6H6S2GxVf5q3Hfa-uDx98-gsMKqiKH7mFTWP36GGARu7PRig0pJ2nVaIs8-25bfND7XY7OxpX3KRKYgpO8XeW83jkeJaSv46eyeqphZJJ6w" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="521px;" /></span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Speaking of old, I feel pretty old in the mission with all these 19-year-olds coming in. It is a whole lot more fun being old and used to everything, however. Then when you told me the kids who are going to BYU this fall, I now just feel old in general.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Mom, thanks for sending some of Dad´s mission pictures. I honestly got a little emotional, looking at them because he´s always been older to me, and seeing him doing what I´m doing right now makes me feel, happy. But I didn´t cry, don´t worry about that :) Bolivia looks like it is a really poor country. The houses that Dad was in are like some of the ones I've entered here, but here only the poor people live like that. It was fun seeing you do the same exact thing that I am doing!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="272" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/zn2KzYtGJy53Q5W1Ty0_wBZG5FvZaAzLSAP2oenJ41_L1M5XDN8E25V-rhrZcSitjPZYoAPyRb5wj_g4QfBcguHfc3xG2Lk00fzKnv6-XJcZhjcZbnwNpVBRCcyYvHyfJ3xynaI" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David as a missionary in Bolivia</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="271" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9CPTMBy9hd2c9UF2ryHdS1yyGkr7G5LKvw94CM5keNklvA3__II6F_t4KVbY7BHgQePngeIW_eLnMdiihPwAtjifTY2BR4HGLrj4-tF9I5m0iSeL1VB5NLWuSRA5r06KMI7JdqA" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I love Argentina, but I'm excited to see you all again. I will be home before we know it! Then I can tell you all of my stories :) Nothing dangerous has happened to me, but I just don't remember everything when I'm writing on Mondays.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thanks for all of your prayers and support. Being a missionary in Argentina is the greatest. There is no other place I would rather be!</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Love you all!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Elder Chipman</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-50594701600935865592015-02-23T10:31:00.000-08:002015-02-23T10:31:13.943-08:00One more transfer with Elder Flinders<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hola Todos!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-27d95d37-b7af-b4be-fbbe-f11ab8fa6de9" style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, its only been a few days since my last letter, so there isn't too much to report. It was a good week and we look forward to another one. This week we went on a bunch of exchanges to finish off the transfer. Elder Flinders and I are staying one more transfer together in Alejandro Korn! I´m happy with that, and we should have lots of success. It’s his last transfer and but I think he plans on working hard to the end. He is not one to quit. </span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We have a few investigators that are now progressing, and its been a good week overall. Sebastian made a comeback this week and even paid his tithing. We think that we will try to set a date for him in a month and see what happens!</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This week I did a lot of pondering about priorities. As missionaries, we have the blessing of visiting many people in their homes. We listen to their problems or questions, and try to help them and invite them to follow Christ. Many times we are confronted with reasons why they can't do all that their Savior has asked them to do. Some of them are weak, but others are real important questions. Now I realize, that I am in a position where I don't have to worry about other demands in life like work, job, callings, family. I am blessed with the allotment of time to think and work 100% for the Lord without many other distractions. But in the end, from this perspective, I am able to see the blessings the Lord has waiting for us if we are willing to do what we need to follow him. When we put the Lord first in our life, everything else will fall into place. My companion, Elder Flinders, puts it like this: If you want to be a doctor, who knows the more about the human body than its creator? If you want to be a basketball player, who knows how to play basketball better than our Father in Heaven? "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven". If we put the Lord first in our lives, everything else worthwhile will be influenced for the better.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Anyway, thanks again for all of your prayers and support. I love you guys!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Elder Chipman</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Picture: This is Hermana Nina. We live right behind her house and she´s the one that washes our clothes and gives us really good food like that pizza :)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2fd2QsTxoEAEiG8ZECB7cnDTm3riIJZAZykkleKWUthrBUsR4YLN-DeW32p8X44UP2lAU7XiB6KN-wvql8gW8wOvfzTqCoT8QQTxrm0DkioTGY1MUtxw97f7Nlu9lb6aklYW0Uk14Is/s1600/IMG_7705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2fd2QsTxoEAEiG8ZECB7cnDTm3riIJZAZykkleKWUthrBUsR4YLN-DeW32p8X44UP2lAU7XiB6KN-wvql8gW8wOvfzTqCoT8QQTxrm0DkioTGY1MUtxw97f7Nlu9lb6aklYW0Uk14Is/s1600/IMG_7705.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PS: your comment about Buenos Aires: There really isn't a place flatter than the Buenos Aires South Mission. I haven't seen a single hill since I got here. But it makes biking easier!</span></span></span>Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-8263699766275104172015-02-18T18:36:00.000-08:002015-02-18T18:36:03.613-08:00Argentina isn't the healthiest place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0djQf-maMmshnbcVEKBVZy74upr-b5TlGpDWy_M5cipjzvHnqB_ipAeB9BMqHYFO6PxVoaBwUxo5_Z3WeyXJ4bxPez0lDqRuW7kFmmnuJ1BnlVPjKQ1K_Qg0QYyn9Gyp-djmKOgvw-o/s1600/IMG_7703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0djQf-maMmshnbcVEKBVZy74upr-b5TlGpDWy_M5cipjzvHnqB_ipAeB9BMqHYFO6PxVoaBwUxo5_Z3WeyXJ4bxPez0lDqRuW7kFmmnuJ1BnlVPjKQ1K_Qg0QYyn9Gyp-djmKOgvw-o/s1600/IMG_7703.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alejandro Korn</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, its been another great week in Alejandro Korn!</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-dda45884-9fab-2d53-4ada-819ad6e0c3cc" style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Honesty, the news you sent about Qdoba having a smothered burrito with queso sauce is probably the greatest thing that I´ve heard for a while! I can´t wait to not pay extra for Guacamole too. Now there literally is nothing that the other restaurants have that Doba doesn´t. That´s why its the best :) So put that on the list of things to do when I get home.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">My companion plans on playing baseball when he gets back to BYU, and so every morning we do this jump workout that is supposed to help your vertical and quickness. I do it with him just for fun, and I think it will help strengthen my legs so that getting back into shape won't injure me the first week. II still want to be a part of athletics because I miss it a lot. I am pretty sure I will give running another chance, but I am even bigger than I used to be. I'm a little embarrassed, and hope to lose some weight before it’s all over, but we'll have to see. Argentina isn't the healthiest place.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This weekend was Carnival and consequently, our p-day was moved to Wednesday because Monday and Tuesday were national holidays. It’s the same holiday that is celebrated in Brazil, but this is only the second year they have participated in it. From what I´ve heard and seen, it’s the day where they say that God closes his eyes and won´t see any of the sins we do. Let’s just say, I'm not jealous that we don't celebrate it in the United States on such a big scale.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Other than that, we had a week of ups and downs. Good things are happening, and many people are starting to progress, whether they be investigators or less actives. It’s a great feeling when somebody walks into the church who hasn't done so in a long time. We also have seen others of whom we have been working with make some unfortunate decisions, which honestly makes us sad. One guy showed up to an interview really drunk, so we have to start again with him. He is already re-motivated and ready to try again. With that being said, we are able to keep moving forward, and overcome the adversities that we have to deal with.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I was able to study an account in the Book of Mormon that caught my attention. It’s the classic story of Ammon defending the flocks at the waters of Sebus. When the flocks were scattered the first time by a mob of robbers, Ammon´s co-servants began to weep and fear exceedingly. The King had killed the other servants who allowed his sheep to be scattered, and so they were expecting the same thing to happen to them. Ammon on the other hand, was filled with joy, because he knew that he could use this experience to show the Lord's power and help his fellow servants come to know the gospel. While the servants feared because of their own experience, Ammon trusted the Lord. </span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">There is only one person whom has never failed us and that is our Savior Jesus Christ. In that case, he is the only logical person whom we should trust with all of our hearts because he will always lead us to the path that brings happiness and peace. With that comes the responsibility to act. Ammon, after helping his fellow servants gain confidence, went and searched for the scattered flocks. He did not wait for the Lord to show his power, but acted in order to show the Lord's power. </span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So there you have it. Faith without works is dead but the foundation of all works is faith. The two are necessary and if we use them both we will see the hand of the Lord in our lives.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I love you guys, thanks for always supporting me and praying for me, your prayers are felt and seen everyday!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Love</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Elder Chipman</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0vcFmGFKZks8bCMU3GaIXWlidRmiXLaM2-oo9HFgcZzkCD76-YlU50yGhaFA3LrWdMigjHI-WukKK1-MWniuGHJxGLeOG1PP2Xn_sRbJfuFDPfJG15YR4e8CXyVmIM3r_EB4t_dm2Ns/s1600/DSCN7103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0vcFmGFKZks8bCMU3GaIXWlidRmiXLaM2-oo9HFgcZzkCD76-YlU50yGhaFA3LrWdMigjHI-WukKK1-MWniuGHJxGLeOG1PP2Xn_sRbJfuFDPfJG15YR4e8CXyVmIM3r_EB4t_dm2Ns/s1600/DSCN7103.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My district</td></tr>
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Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-41321701281888657822015-02-10T06:15:00.000-08:002015-02-10T06:17:04.091-08:00I wouldn't be in any other place right now!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That was a quick week!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-86505529-73d5-78a0-78a5-d93f25b4424c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well it sounds like the weather isn't too different there than it is here and we are in the middle of summer! Well, I mean that it’s sunny at least. It’s been a super hot, but we're enjoying it. Whenever I get tired of the heat, I just think of how I didn't want to go to Russia, so I brought this on myself.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Honestly, it’s been another great week in Alejandro Korn. We are working hard and doing what we can to teach the gospel here in Argentina. We had to drop a few investigators this week, which is always sad, but then there are always new options. We have been going through the old investigators in our area book, and have found a few gems. We hope to continue teaching them, and we have some follow up lessons with them tonight.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">On Sunday, our good friend Sebastian came in with a white shirt and tie! He´s been investigating for over a month now, but is really making progress. It’s great seeing him change and improve as he continues to learn more. We hope that he chooses to be baptized in a few weeks.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">In my studies this morning, I came across an interesting story that really helped me understand more about the sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ. I was reading in Mosiah in the Book of Mormon, about Alma the Younger. The chapter starts out by describing Alma. He wasn't just a rebellious teenager, but he was also described as the vilest of sinners, idolatrous, and really evil. He wasn't just against the church of God, but sought to destroy it. While in the process of seeking to destroy the church of God, Alma and his friends were confronted by an angel, whose voice shook the earth, and who called Alma to repentance. This event astonished Alma to the point that he collapsed as though he were dead. For three days, he lay in this state, and then on the third day he rose again. Alma was a new man, and he said that he had been born again. He then gives a powerful testimony of Christ, and then went about to undo the wrongs which he had done in the past. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This story is a very surprising and powerful witness of the change that can take place in a man´s heart, if willing to repent and use the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In my opinion, what is even more amazing is that this isn't the only example in the scriptures of a sinner becoming born again. In the Book of Mormon, we can also see Alma’s father named Alma, Zeezrom, and Enos. In the Bible we can see the life of Paul. All of which are very strong and real testimonies that there is no heart that cannot be healed, and there is no sin that cannot be erased by the powerful Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I know that Christ lives and I have felt his love and the cleansing atonement in my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to teach His gospel so that others may feel the same way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thanks for all the support, I love you All! Have a good week! I´m doing well and I’m super happy. I wouldn't be in any other place right now. Life is good!</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Chipman</span></span>Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-73160543078029119842015-02-02T15:54:00.000-08:002015-02-02T16:08:46.578-08:00Out of the loop in Argentina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWQFFF0AmkNTLWOq38YGJYTKgQc-EGF_TNdeGsSWdpxSkXGcMqFSIRkK11eyqPFxbeImabOdlpea-GsQXWKvewUucEJhf2gURB1AWtLWDU-UfzkKUGALecioBVm-Ra1ksKZ24IHoK6r8/s1600/IMG_7669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWQFFF0AmkNTLWOq38YGJYTKgQc-EGF_TNdeGsSWdpxSkXGcMqFSIRkK11eyqPFxbeImabOdlpea-GsQXWKvewUucEJhf2gURB1AWtLWDU-UfzkKUGALecioBVm-Ra1ksKZ24IHoK6r8/s1600/IMG_7669.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; line-height: 27.6000003814697px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hows Life?</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-56a0f081-4ca7-47ca-fccd-a84ddba4a2b6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, to let you know how far out of the loop we are here in Argentina, my comp and I were finishing our day yesterday right at sundown. We were unlocking the door, and putting the bikes inside the apartment, just chatting about the day. The conversation slowly drifted off to sports, and how we don't even know what is happening in the NFL. That is when I realized that it was Superbowl Sunday. Just kinda snuck up on us this year I guess.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Overall we had a great week in Alejandro Korn. The ward is starting to grow and do well due to the hard work of past missionaries and good leaders. Our investigator, Sebastian, is starting to progress and came to church on Sunday. He should be baptized by the 22nd of February. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We were also blessed to be able to attend the Buenos Aires Temple last Tuesday! What a beautiful building! We are only able to go once a year, and this year I was able to understand a whole lot more because I speak better Spanish. It’s amazing the things we learn when we enter the Lord´s house, humbly looking for answers.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69g6Ewfd4THPXdX0sQ0ykhIZ2mpeiH2vkTPyfD87VBucPMJKn15FK1_-QcngyANUjk1DzjCQ1qPDokpHa8HAjwqVqM3YG_OtwZG8Va313OzZ9hB8jUj9qcXF6u4KFJaWSadM6B3XbLSA/s1600/IMG_7667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69g6Ewfd4THPXdX0sQ0ykhIZ2mpeiH2vkTPyfD87VBucPMJKn15FK1_-QcngyANUjk1DzjCQ1qPDokpHa8HAjwqVqM3YG_OtwZG8Va313OzZ9hB8jUj9qcXF6u4KFJaWSadM6B3XbLSA/s1600/IMG_7667.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Me in front of the entrance of the temple</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53udNwfKspvhyphenhyphensJEVGkMJhPLO0iuRN7atPsYXGmKjcI4t8N8IZLhLRsBjclO5ykoWIgBoYvlJkVUY4JeUKCqGSywreR2Ihw7QsRIY-y4XXHGQLB_QSASwjuru7HNZ_gVBeapzuEbOBIM/s1600/DSCN6952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53udNwfKspvhyphenhyphensJEVGkMJhPLO0iuRN7atPsYXGmKjcI4t8N8IZLhLRsBjclO5ykoWIgBoYvlJkVUY4JeUKCqGSywreR2Ihw7QsRIY-y4XXHGQLB_QSASwjuru7HNZ_gVBeapzuEbOBIM/s1600/DSCN6952.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">My Zone in front of the temple</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Other than that, Life is good. Our days are filled with lots of lessons, laughs, and pancakes (because they are fast and delicious). In Fact, we are having a family night with a family tonight. They are giving the lesson, so we are bringing the food. Since we don´t know too much about cooking, we are planning on making about 35 pancakes tonight! Like I said, easy and delicious!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">That being said, I´m a happy, healthy missionary. I'm not going to lie that I'm excited to come home, but I'm living it up out here at the same time. I'm already starting to get sad about some of my favorite things here in Argentina, and realizing that the majority of my life right now won't be there at home. So I´m trying to work hard and enjoy it while I still can.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This week I learned the important lesson that a testimony has two parts, the spiritual and intellectual. First we receive the spiritual, and then the testimony can be continually strengthened by other spiritual experiences, but also by intellectual and logical realizations. My testimony is simple. I know that Christ lives, that Joseph Smith was called as his prophet to restore the Lord´s Church on the earth again, and that the Book of Mormon is sacred scripture like the Bible, to guide us in our lives. How do I know? Because I read the Book of Mormon and asked God. I received a chain of spiritual experiences that have eventually taught me the truth of these things. I also know that logically it all makes sense. I invite everyone to either find or strengthen their spiritual testimony by reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. I know that everyone who does will receive and answer, because I did.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thanks for all of your support and love. I love being a missionary, and I love it here in Argentina. ¡Nos Vemos!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Elder Chipman</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8byi4G0JbtvtoMg4-4Fc3LSPz3AUNF9TJc1saJ_ac6Zk0BOeS01zkwN3KOMnojQZlCgLqdMslCN3KHts0Ecf8QaQXaLGg289ZIweNwFNT92NAfHdsrzdly6Irn-F6Dicod_aUH6m1m8k/s1600/IMG_7679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8byi4G0JbtvtoMg4-4Fc3LSPz3AUNF9TJc1saJ_ac6Zk0BOeS01zkwN3KOMnojQZlCgLqdMslCN3KHts0Ecf8QaQXaLGg289ZIweNwFNT92NAfHdsrzdly6Irn-F6Dicod_aUH6m1m8k/s1600/IMG_7679.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I got to go on a split with Elder Cobb</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-21481004820734639802015-01-26T11:24:00.000-08:002015-01-26T11:24:18.088-08:00The garage was an Evangelical Chapel<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How’s it going?</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-aed5610c-27af-a4ca-ba1a-1d6fdd32e59f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It’s been a great week in Alejandro Korn. We are working very hard and getting very tan from the sun! Well, as tan as I can get with a white shirt and tie,that is! We've had some success and some disappointments, but overall, we are happy and moving along.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It’s different being a zone leader, and it’s been intimidating at times. I just remember what the prophets have said, “Whom the Lord calls, He qualifies,” even if its step-by-step. So…...I'm making lots of mistakes, but it will come, or at least I hope so :) </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Sarah´s (cousin) going to Tucson for her mission?! That´s going to be fun! It is great that she is still going to be home when I get there! Honestly, that sounds like a pretty fun and exciting mission. She´s going to love the Mexican Food!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few days ago, one man let us in his home by opening up his garage. Once we entered, I realized that we were not entering just a normal garage. The pulpit at the far end wall as well as the benches helped me realize that we were in an Evangelical Chapel. The man that we were about to talk to was its Pastor. We ended up having a good lesson with them. While they weren't too interested, they were willing to accept a Book of Mormon.</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We had many experiences like that this week, not necessarily in churches, but also with normal people who were strong in their faith. One thing that really stood out to me was their sincere desire for our salvation, as well as theirs. While they didn´t understand our doctrines, and at times, weren't too willing to listen to what they were, they were earnestly trying to help us grow closer to our Savior. I´m happy to know that there are many who are looking to care and help their fellow brother. The key to these great questions, "How do I find Salvation?" "Where can I find the truth?” and “How do I know?" is found in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">While there are many paths we can take, we can find the one that leads us to our Heavenly Father through the scriptures, including the Old and New Testaments. We must also consider the power and truth that comes from the Book of Mormon. Everyone who reads the Book of Mormon and ask our Heavenly Father if it is true, will know for themselves the divinity of its pages, and can know for themselves that Joseph Smith is a prophet, that Jesus is the Christ, and that we have a loving Heavenly Father. All we need to do is read, and ask of God (James 1:5).</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Anyway, I invite all of you do read the Book of Mormon. It’s really a good book.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I hope you all have a great week! I´m happy and healthy. In fact, the Lord has blessed me with a lot of strength and health during my mission, I haven't been sick in about a year. Not even the slightest sign of a cold. It is just one of the many blessings about being a missionary!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Love, Elder Chipman</span></span></div>
Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-68828118138803585842015-01-19T20:56:00.000-08:002015-01-19T20:56:21.281-08:00This area is great!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Hows it going?</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-720658a9-05ae-658b-bd89-ffd81c0db0bb" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">It’s been a great first week in Alejandro Korn. I'm still learning about the area and the people who live here, but I already know that I'm going to like it! We have bikes that have already broken down twice, but they help us get to where we want to go. We also live in an apartment behind a members house. It is a paradise! There is a nice garden filled with flowers and bushes. The member helps us with our clothes and feeds us once a week, then sometimes just brings us a bowl of fruit. She also cuts hair, but after I saw the haircut she gave my companion, I think I'm ok with the local barber.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">She also takes care of her mother, who is 103 years old! Every morning we help load her into her wheelchair, and in the afternoon, we help put her back in bed. She doesn't say much, or hear much, or see much, but she´s still alive! And she always has a smile on her face in the mornings!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">As far as the work goes, we have two investigators that are really progressing, their names are Orlando and Sebastian. Both are excited and happy about making the changes they need to in order to be baptized and follow Christ's example in their lives. We have found a family that is interested as well. They are very evangelical, but we hope that they are open for the message. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">This area is great! I think I'm going to like it here. My Companion is also great! He´s a BYU baseball player, works hard, teaches well, and I'm learning a lot from him! He goes home only 6 weeks before I do. In fact, within 4 months, more than half our zone will finish their missions. These next few months are going to be full of changes in the mission, and one of the reasons is because about a third of the mission goes home within 18 weeks. All of the missionaries that started during the big wave are finishing up. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I also noticed the missionaries who have already worked in Alejandro Korn, have left a good tradition. I like comparing it to two great American tales. One is Johnny Appleseed, who spent his days roaming the Eastern United States, planting apple seeds along his way. I don't know if he ever was able to eat the fruits of his labors, but because of what he did, the Eastern United States are filled with thousands and thousands of fruit bearing trees. usually when we serve the Lord, we don't see the good we do, but if we are diligent, we will do lots of good. The other story is of Paul Bunyan, the lumberjack that cut down a forest with a single swing of his ax. It is easier to destroy than to build. That´s why its important to always be diligent, and have a vision of future blessings, not just present pleasures. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Just the thought of the week.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">About the coming home stuff, I don't really know what to do about it all. Some people say I need to have a plan, others say that there is plenty of time to think about that stuff on the airplane home. Personally, I wouldn't mind guidance or a plan before hand. I don't focus on home when I'm not supposed too, but days like p-day, I have some time to think about what I want to do, and what I should do. The truth is, I have never been so focused on helping people come to Christ, because I know that my mission is almost over, and I want to get everything done that I need to here.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Thanks for all of your prayers and support. It would be impossible to do without you guys!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Have a good week!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Love</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Elder Chipman</span></span></div>
<br />Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-3410730276159992512015-01-12T13:49:00.001-08:002015-01-12T13:49:32.928-08:00I've been transferred to Alejandro Korn!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hola Todos! Como Estan?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-0e1ed44a-e01c-759d-0a02-812450ed6e01" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It’s been a crazy week with a lot of ups and downs. First off, I got transferred! After only 12 weeks in Tolosa, I was called to serve as a zone leader in Alejandro Korn area in the Longchamps Stake. I don't know a lot about it, but its out in the campo (farmland). We have bikes and it should be a really fun place to serve. My new companion is Elder Flinders from American Fork, Utah. He is one of those guys that nobody has anything bad to say about him. It’s going to be great! Plus, I'm in a Zone with a lot of my friends, like Elder Cobb! So I'm excited. Me and my companion are leaders for about 20 other missionaries. The funny thing is that there were more sisters in my last district of La Plata, than in my whole zone in Longchamps! It should be a lot different but fun. I don´t know what Zone Leaders do, but I'm going to find out I guess… I’m excited! Honestly, it will probably be the last area of my mission.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We ended the transfer with a bang though. Ignacio still isn't really progressing like he was before, but his sister is now super interested and promised to come to church on Sunday! That being said, I'm no longer there in Tolosa. I will miss Ignacio and his family. They said that if I come by to visit after my mission, they would make me an asado, and would enjoy talking to me wearing only my jeans and a t-shirt. They are a great family. I will miss Tolosa, it was a beautiful place and I hope to return someday to see the people who live there again. What a blessing it is to serve in such an amazing mission!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I feel very blessed. Earlier this week, I was doubting if I was really helping the Lord's Kingdom. But when my companion shared what he learned in studies, he read a part when Moroni was sad because he couldn't write like the Brother of Jared. Moroni was a powerful writer who wrote one of the most quoted scriptures in our religion (Moroni 10:3-5) but yet he still knew his weaknesses. I learned that it doesn't matter what we do in comparison to others. In the last day, it will be just between me and the Lord and so nothing else will matter.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">As missionaries in the area, we learned that the church is adding a new mission here in Buenos Aires come July. It will be called the Buenos Aires East mission and it will take from our mission all of the La Plata zones as well as the coast along with other zones from the other missions of the area. My mission (Buenos Aires South) will add 3 zones from the West Mission. I don´t know how it is there, but in our mission, every stake is a zone. I'll already be home when it happens, but it will be fun to see how it shakes out.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thanks for all of the love and support! And yes, I feel very old in the mission if Kinsey McNevin is leaving this week for her mission.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Have a great week!</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Elder Chipman</span></span></div>
Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-13557386738694862222015-01-08T15:44:00.000-08:002015-01-08T15:49:34.715-08:00Rather stressful week.....<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM98zfyD29JxGhxOXKTBSqQh8GjEbJsDLuEi-FT2_Hz-ElNVz4lzaGXnjD5urZ0qWsikLjPQgqHDUwdDhCx3wo2pIMidIGSzWumdlTU_GOuKDoaYfaW6GPfb-4LgEjXxpxx66hJW6VsME/s1600/10333507_10206013546126166_5535164900877580904_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM98zfyD29JxGhxOXKTBSqQh8GjEbJsDLuEi-FT2_Hz-ElNVz4lzaGXnjD5urZ0qWsikLjPQgqHDUwdDhCx3wo2pIMidIGSzWumdlTU_GOuKDoaYfaW6GPfb-4LgEjXxpxx66hJW6VsME/s1600/10333507_10206013546126166_5535164900877580904_o.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How's it going everybody?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-5eaf1aa2-cbe7-1734-8085-88b92040ee17" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We had a pretty eventful week, filled with its ups and its downs. New Years was fun because in La Plata, they build giant statues of paper mache, fill them with fireworks, and light them on fire. We weren't able to see any, but we definitely heard them! They also don´t sleep at all here, just a bunch of music and fireworks all night long. Let’s just say we didn't get a lot of sleep this week!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It sounds like you had a very fun week in Colorado, but Cold! It was actually a little colder here this week which I enjoyed, but the temperatures are rising once again. So it will be fun.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I had a pretty stressful week. Ignacio is passing through an interesting time and with a few more issues than we anticipated, so it might be a while before he gets baptized. We were able to teach him everyday, but despite our efforts, it’s still very hard for him to quit smoking. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">To add to my stressful week, it seems like all of the hermanas (sisters) in my district are having some sort of problem, and everyone is asking me to help them. I’m not supposed to talk to them, so helping them can be difficult. I guess I have to come up with a super good district meeting that helps the needs of each and every one of them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The Lord has helped me a lot recently. At the end of Saturday I just opened my scriptures to the Doctrine and Covenants to find help, and every page I flipped to had something to help me and motivate me. It was a tender mercy that also helped me understand that I can do it. The Lord assigned me as a District Leader here with Ignacio as an investigator because he knows it will cause me to stretch, but that I can do it.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW631k5z_diziTzo1sV0SD2Y-1bN2Bj_-wQIQzSNzOSStYTIiZVZ2FGH-Z0Ay9C2fmsmrrYBpo4bzcZSKj9oFkPwa0rOS2y0KuW-3Cro6LGyClMx2FIDoVXBRFZDRzKpeqmSzO5tmHNes/s1600/10887633_10206013525925661_3368182431375547695_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW631k5z_diziTzo1sV0SD2Y-1bN2Bj_-wQIQzSNzOSStYTIiZVZ2FGH-Z0Ay9C2fmsmrrYBpo4bzcZSKj9oFkPwa0rOS2y0KuW-3Cro6LGyClMx2FIDoVXBRFZDRzKpeqmSzO5tmHNes/s1600/10887633_10206013525925661_3368182431375547695_o.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVwZDA-nsfE8xU5RSJQc6shINpuEr-Qh5dPXZf7dFk26EIWWjze2orBAO2fe40k_Vp8vLV60kXMssu6CXd5pIeTiWzspOpA0HE11mDdmLD_w95OIq2oAnCssTXosZZ8KVbJxi2rYxm_8/s1600/10904567_10206013569846759_3109016706589434375_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVwZDA-nsfE8xU5RSJQc6shINpuEr-Qh5dPXZf7dFk26EIWWjze2orBAO2fe40k_Vp8vLV60kXMssu6CXd5pIeTiWzspOpA0HE11mDdmLD_w95OIq2oAnCssTXosZZ8KVbJxi2rYxm_8/s1600/10904567_10206013569846759_3109016706589434375_o.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The miracle of the week was when one of our plans fell, we went to visit a nearby less active family, who has been battling a lot of problems. They were home, and after a few minutes of talking, it was </span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">apparent that they were still trying to make the decision if they would go to church or not. We then had a very powerful lesson with them about trials, and how if we press forward, we will overcome all of the trials that we have. The best feeling was when we walked in the chapel on Sunday, and they were already there, seated, waiting for the meetings to start, and they stayed all three hours. Its amazing to see the power that the spirit has on people, and what a blessing it is to see it first hand.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We are working hard, and doing what we can to strengthen the kingdom in Tolosa. We're finishing up another transfer this week, so if I don't write next week, it’s for a reason! But I don´t know if I´m leaving or if I want to leave, but I don't really have much to say in the matter, so whatcha going to do?!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I love you guys, hope you had a great week, and a very happy new year!</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">See ya in a bit!</span></span>Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-64255158513100361182014-12-30T06:11:00.000-08:002014-12-30T06:11:26.256-08:00Happy New Year!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UhYB_-L_77gBRdyiUlB5bH5YMMJQ-vHe4BhBDbfnSIeLRItAha0V0iDAGeubVqj8jGqID6k-PpoAu2nuygwd4FKho_xu0YSFj_KFZ2YpX4KYlO19Ka1XCFmvjoWxiUcnemNK1eFjPUk/s1600/10869702_10205930970261821_5698625000893930537_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UhYB_-L_77gBRdyiUlB5bH5YMMJQ-vHe4BhBDbfnSIeLRItAha0V0iDAGeubVqj8jGqID6k-PpoAu2nuygwd4FKho_xu0YSFj_KFZ2YpX4KYlO19Ka1XCFmvjoWxiUcnemNK1eFjPUk/s1600/10869702_10205930970261821_5698625000893930537_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Celebration</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, How’s it going?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-17cc5c20-9b7e-f0bb-3311-1ca6c7f32303" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">We had a fantastic week this week! I mean, Christmas time is the greatest time of the year anyway, right?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">Its always fun to spend Christmas in a place different and see the differences in the way we celebrate, but we all celebrate the same thing. While we ate different foods, did different things, we were all centered in the same thing, which is the birth of our savior. Every country around the world reads the same story about shepherds caring for their sheep, when an angel appears, bringing joyous news, Wise Men from the east, bearing gifts for the Son of Man, and a baby, Savior of the World, born in the humble setting of a manger, because the world which he created, had no room for him. While we are in different pàrts, we sing the same hymns, tell the same stories, and in the end, share the same gift. What a unifying time of year.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">Now we are preparing for the new year. In La Plata, they have the tradition of making sculptures out of paper mache, and filling them with fireworks. At New Years, they burn them up and the fireworks go crazy. While it is fun, there are always a few injuries that occur every year. But we are walking in the streets seeing giant Mike Wazowski´s (from Monsters Inc) Minions from Despicable me, and Mario! It is fun to see, lets just say, we will take pictures!</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">Well, it’s definitely not cold here like it is in Colorado. It’s super hot, and we are sweating like pigs, but worse! The sun here is super strong, so while the temperature might not show it, it feels like I'm under a heat lamp all the time, but it’s the summer. Whatcha going to do?!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">Happy Anniversary mom & dad! I think you should celebrate by going to the Hickory House restaurant. If you go there, all of your problems will go away :) Haha, It always works for me!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">Lately, I’ve been reading the Old Testament. It is a lot harder than I thought, but I'm learning a lot. I read Genesis to Exodus in about a week and a half, but its taking me about 3 weeks to get through Leviticus. I find it slow with weird stuff, but it helps me understand that God is the same for ever, and He has always had ceremonies and symbols for his teachings.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">I grew a ton this week. I have been struggling the past few weeks with homesickness, fatigue, Christmas, and everything. Overall, I was just disanimated. I would work and do what I was supposed to, but not with a lot of feeling. But this week, I was able to put things into perspective. I realized that this is like I´m on the last lap of the mile race, with about 300m left. This is where every runner has the decision to either coast to the finish, or push and give it all you got. This perspective helped me understand that what I was feeling was normal, but I had to make a decision, and it’s a decision that every missionary has to make too. So, I decided I was going to kick it in, and give it all I have, and so that´s what I´m going to do! I feel better, and we had some great days this week, and we are animated and ready to go!</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">I hope we take the time to make goals, and see what we can do better in the upcoming year. It’s a great time to reflect what we've done, and how we can improve.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">For me, its been an amazing year. I've been able to dedicate all of my time to the Lord, and I feel blessed to be able to continue doing it for a while longer!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">Love you all, thanks for all you do! I’m sorry for the short letter, but I'm always short on time!</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Chipman</span></span>Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-47145154878914024202014-12-23T14:53:00.000-08:002014-12-23T14:53:33.332-08:00New Shoes for Christmas!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hola Todos!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-cf68a47c-7953-fb51-7e1b-3caab64593c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">First off, Merry Christmas! Its super hot right now, but there is still a lot of Christmas Spirit! It’s a little different down here, but its still fun and enjoyable. The biggest celebration is on Christmas Eve where they stay up and eat dinner at midnight, share a few gifts at midnight, then dance and party until who knows when. Then for Christmas day, they just sleep in until about 3 in the afternoon or more! It’s fun and it’s Christmas all the same.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So the whole world is gearing up for Christmas!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I'm super grateful for the shoes! I tried using the other two pairs to finish my mission, but it got to the point where I had to put cardboard in my shoe because the hole was so big that my foot was walking directly on the concrete and destroying my socks! So I'm glad I was able to buy some new ones! Thank you. I bought them for about $900 (Argentine Pesos) so that is about $90. The shoe store guy said they were as indestructible as Superman, so they are meant for walking.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Honestly, the shoes are the only thing that I really want for Christmas. It makes me a whole lot happier. But since I´m coming near the end of my mission, I might buy a few more souvenirs. And if there is something in specific that you want from Argentina, let me know, and I´ll get it for you. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">To answer your question about exercise dad, in the mornings we sometimes run. I at least do 40 push ups and 100 crunches daily. It’s not a ton, but it keeps the “fluffiness” at bay.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This week was full of walking, but we were able to see many miracles. Ignacio is getting closer to quitting cigarettes. He´s made a lot of improvement recently, and his baptism will be in just a few weeks! We were also able to find a new investigator named Elsa. She has a son who is a member in a nearby stake, and she is interested in what we have to say! All of this leads up to good things and miracles. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It’s a great time to be a missionary! I love you all and wish you a Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Love</span></span></div>
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Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-67923732655916266332014-12-15T16:51:00.000-08:002014-12-15T16:51:14.195-08:00Christmas lights around the windows and little trees<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How's it going?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dec. 15, 14</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6b22456b-508c-7b97-9789-507532199547" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Sounds like a fun exciting week at home!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Its been a beautiful week in Tolosa Argentina! Everybody is getting ready for the holidays, and we are enjoying all of the little trees and lights around the windows. They don´t deck out their houses like the do in the states, but they still show their Christmas spirit!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">With that, we had a great week with our investigators. Ignacio is only getting closer to quite smoking, our investigator Claudio couldn't come to church, but he is still moving forward, and a new investigator named Antonia accepted a baptismal date for the 3 of January. We are starting to see many fruits from our work, and I'm excited to see what will happen these next few weeks!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">On Thursday we had a giant 3 zone, zone conference about Christmas. We had a devotional, an asado lunch (Argentine Barbecue--really good!), and afterward each zone did a little skit about Christmas. Our zone made a Christmas Carol but missionary style. It was about two missionaries who didn't want to work so they had visits from three ghosts. They saw the past, present, and future. It was fun, I think we had the best one in my opinion. Me and my comp were the ghost of Christmas Present.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I learned a very valuable lesson this week about my thoughts and being too self-critical. While it is important to be humble and willing to make changes, it doesn't mean that we need to find every little things and beat ourselves up about it. I was just sitting in the bus thinking about all of these thoughts about how I'm failing. Then a thought came into my head that said," Do you really think that this is from God?" "Would God correct you like this?.” I then decided that it wasn't good for me to think like that, and so I started focusing on the good around me. I also realized, like you've been telling me all along mom, that I am doing a good job, that the Lord is happy with my work. I am not perfect, but at least I try to be the best that I can. After I was able to clear the dark clouds in my head, I was able to feel God´s love better. It is all because of how I think.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This city is beautiful though. La Plata is probably my favorite area thus far. It has big beautiful parks, stadiums, statues, and cathedrals. If we ever come back as a family, I'm taking you here. We went to the La Plata Museum the other week and it was really fun. It is not as good as the Denver Museum, but really fun! It is super old so there are a ton of old paintings and the architecture, but that makes it fun. Outside the entrance, there are two Saber tooth tigers by the stairs like they have lions outside of libraries. It was a lot of fun. It closed before we could see it all, but I enjoyed it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Just want to share a quick testimony about our Savior, that he really does love and care for each one of us. No care is too small, nor affliction too big for him. While we remember his birth, life, suffering and death, it would all be for not if he did not resurrect and live again. He lives, and each of us can grow closer to him as we search for him. I am learning more about my Savior every day, and I am so grateful for that.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Enjoy the holiday season, because that´s why we have it, to enjoy, and not to stress. Let me know what day and what time you want to skype and I'll be ready for you! We are going to a members house who majored in computation, so we should be ok!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I love you all, hope you are all happy and well!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Have a great week!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Elder Chipman</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-79469050961168472352014-12-08T14:23:00.001-08:002014-12-08T14:23:46.640-08:00Investigators pop up like whack-a-moles!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjticSXg97gJldKqvF_C-s1pZp-uCWGInmVgdry4Ew3XKJM9_5YkxPlUYTGRylNE1eyTNb6xeTY84DWAvCo7CO4x6pciJvOCmyvRHj5shdJBRCkBqARu-KpWMqyGS7Om5dLC_rhWbz81P4/s1600/IMG_7505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjticSXg97gJldKqvF_C-s1pZp-uCWGInmVgdry4Ew3XKJM9_5YkxPlUYTGRylNE1eyTNb6xeTY84DWAvCo7CO4x6pciJvOCmyvRHj5shdJBRCkBqARu-KpWMqyGS7Om5dLC_rhWbz81P4/s1600/IMG_7505.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snowman we made while defrosting the fridge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: white; font-size: large;">It’s been another
amazing week in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Tolosa</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region></st1:place>! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">The
temperatures are steadily getting hotter and hotter as we get closer and closer
to the middle of summer. We find ourselves not exactly walking down the
quickest route, but the one that has the most shade cover! We return back to
the pench sweaty and sticky. But tis the season!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">My
companion is great! He has about 9 months on the mission and he is from <st1:country-region w:st="on">El Salvador</st1:country-region>!
Pretty cool place. It’s funny because he is learning English (a little) and
knows little words like “awkward” and “epic fail”! Lets just say with me as a
companion, he says those a lot!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">My
Spanish is struggling some still, but I will consider myself comfortably “fluent-ish.”
I understand almost everything, and say what I want. I don’t worry about it too
much because I can say what the Lord needs me to say, so I’m where I want to be
with that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">As far as
the work goes, we are really beginning to have some success. First week of the
transfer is a little difficult because after all the changes, you have to get
things moving again! That being said, we had 2 investigators in church! Ignacio
is still trying to drop those cigarettes, but we are working with him a lot. He
is honestly more active than a lot of the members, so we are very happy to see
his progress. On Saturday we visited him in his home and there happened to be a
friend of Ignacio´s family there. He always commented on the progress that he
is making, and the change that he sees in Ignacio. Let’s just say, I’m proud of
him and what he is doing to grow closer to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">We also
had Claudio in church on Sunday! We found Claudio a couple of weeks ago in a
member’s home. He was a Jehovah’s Witness but has since grown unattached. At
church on Sunday, we had a class about the Creation in gospel principles. He
was able to participate and we could see that he liked sharing what he knew
about the Bible. After the class he came up to us and asked, "What does
one need to do to be baptized in the church" We explained to him about the
lessons, church attendance, and receiving a testimony of the Book of Mormon
personally. He then said "Good, because I want to be baptized". I
don’t know if there are any words that could’ve made me happier in that moment!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">That
being said, we are grateful that the Lord has blessed us to serve in this
beautiful area of Tolosa. Elder Orellana and I love it here and the work. While
some days are full of walking and walking, I know that there are many ready to
listen, because they seem to pop`up like whack-a-moles. We just have to be
ready and worthy to act when the spirit tells us too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">I’m so
grateful for my mission and for the opportunity that I have to serve the Lord.
What a blessing it has been to be placed in the middle of miracles, and witness
the blessings of the gospel first hand. I love being a missionary!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>
restored to the Earth, and the Living Christ guides his church in our day. The
Bible and the Book of Mormon are true holy scripture, I have read them, and
there is no doubt that they were divinely written. I know that Christ lives and
loves us, personally. Thanks for everything that you guys do. Keep Moving
Forward!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">Love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">Elder
Chipman<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">PS: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Only one picture, sorry. It’s a snowman we made while defrosting the
fridge!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113938822443694474.post-23547743949859715252014-12-01T15:59:00.000-08:002014-12-01T15:59:18.878-08:00Turkey's don't exist here, so we ate chicken<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">How´s it going? </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">It’s been
another fantastic week in Tolosa! We just finished another transfer up and
Elder Johnstun left and I received a new companion, Elder Orellana from <st1:country-region w:st="on">El Salvador</st1:country-region>! We
are expecting to see miracles this transfer and many new baptisms. The work is
moving forward even when there are transfers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">This week
we were able to find a new investigator! His name is Claudio, and he has been
living with some members in the ward for a few weeks. We began talking with him
and he started to tell us his religious past and how he has always felt like
something has just been missing. As missionaries, we love to hear that because
we have the answer! We were then able to teach him the Restoration, the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, and the Word of Wisdom. He is very interested and he has a
date for the 20th of December. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">We also
had Ignacio come to both the General, and Adult sessions of Stake Conference,
and he even wore a shirt and tie on Sunday. We are happy with his progress and
we expect to see many miracles with him!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">Austin´s
description of the mission to you is very accurate. People here are short, so
they usually don’t have things meant for my height. The sidewalks are bumpy so
I have to look down, and more often then not, I bonk my head on something. No medical problems have resulted from it,
just some bumps. I haven’t had any trouble with dog bites, but my companions
all have. And while I tell you lots of stuff in my letters, I will certainly give
you a more detailed description when I get back in a few months :) It’s all fun
though!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">You are
probably wondering what a Thanksgiving is like in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region>. Well, we were fortunate
enough to have a family in the ward with many connections to the states, so
they made us a Thanksgiving dinner. We had Chicken (<st1:country-region w:st="on">Turkey</st1:country-region> doesn’t exist) Rolls, pumpkin
and apple pie, and mashed potatoes! It was delicious, and we enjoyed the feast.
Maria told me that she tried to find Marshmallows like in the recipe you sent,
but just couldn’t find any. Even at Wal-Mart!
But she made a super good pumpkin pie with a chocolate layer! I’ll send pictures
next week because this week, it’s not working. But it was delicious!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">It
sounded like you had a great Thanksgiving with the Burgoynes, even if Megan did
get sick. The new Christmas tree looks very nice, along with the display
outside. While we don’t have lights, apparently <st1:city w:st="on">La Plata</st1:city> makes a bunch of Statues out of
Paper Maché and then on New Years, light them all on Fire! Sounds like fun!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">With the
passing of Thanksgiving we are heading into Christmas time. I invite all of us
to look at the new church video ¨He is the Gift¨. <a href="http://www.mormon.org/christmas?cid=HPFR112814529">http://www.mormon.org/christmas?cid=HPFR112814529</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">It will
get the Christmas season started on the right note!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">I love
you guys, thanks for all of your support. Hope you have a good week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">Elder Chipman</span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Stephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069241497822825189noreply@blogger.com0