I'm exactly where Heavenly Father wants me to be.

Well, How’s it going?                                               

It’s been another great week in Adrogué! It’s starting to get warmer already, and while there is sometimes a chilly wind in the air, we can already tell that Summer is on its way! 

Office life is still fun and keeps us busy. There is always a project that has to be done, or an errand that has to be run, but I enjoy it! We distributed supplies to 4 zones this week, and started a big mission wide map project.

As far as teaching, we have continued teaching the Bustamantes, and began teaching the sister of Andrea, a recent convert in the ward. So we are gaining momentum. My companion, Elder Evans and I get a long well. He’s the first companion I’ve had here in Argentina that has helped me be obedient and helped me work hard. We are on the brink of having a lot of success in this area. With only 3 working hours a day, it’s hard to tell, but we are trying hard and we may have found a family to teach. We plan on teaching them a lesson on Wednesday so we’ll have to see if they really want to listen or not. We also got a referral from that family on Thursday, and they plan on coming with us to teach!

Thursday night we had dinner at the Ward Mission Leader’s house, and he has 4 return missionary sons. They were all there and for the first time in my entire mission, our Ward Mission Leader said that I didn’t have a lot of time left on my mission. To make things worse, all of his sons agreed! Usually when I think of the END, it’s a far distant thing. Now I know my perspective is off, and the END is still a long distant thing, but like I told Megan, I don’t want to be like the penguins in the movie “Madagascar”.  They work so hard to get to Antarctica and when they finally get there they realize that there is nothing! I want to make sure that I use the remaining time on my mission well.

As far as the other news goes, I already heard about Robin Williams. I’m pretty sad about it. He was one of my favorites, and he made some of my favorite movies. It’s sad that he went like that too. Everyone in Argentina knows American Actors, so it’s no surprise that I heard about it. I also heard that the country of Argentina is bankrupt--which can’t be good. Inflation is already out of control. We bought a 90 peso pizza today that two weeks ago was only 85, and 2 months ago was only 80. Bus fares are rising as well as little snack foods.  It is just going out of the roof. It hits us hard because we don’t get lunches with members, and so we buy everything. Our monthly allotment of money can’t keep up with the inflation either, so that can  make it fun. Dollars are very good and valuable on the street, but the country is trying to control it, so trading with the bank or taking money off the card is about 8:1, while on the street you can find up to 11:1.

The country in general is amazing. I would never live here permanently, but I love it for now! Food is good, culture is fun, & soccer is fun.  People are generally discouraged with the economy and the lack of jobs, but they are good people. That makes missionary work here a little difficult right now.  It is not just because we are in the office, but in general throughout the mission. We are baptizing people, but nobody is staying long because they are discouraged.  We’re still working hard to keep the church growing.

I hope Allie enjoys her 15^th birthday.  Just don’t buy her a car,  that would be cold.....

The spiritual thought of the week is about forgiveness, but more focused on the forgiveness of others. I have thought a lot about the parable that our Savior gives about the king and his servants. One of his servants owes him an unpayable debt, but in an act of mercy, the king forgives the servant his debt, and sends him on his way. We would think that the servant, grateful for the mercy shown to him, would be more merciful to others, but as the parable goes, he goes straight to a fellow servant, and demands that his fellow servant pays him a very small debt. When his fellow servant can’t come up with the money, he is sent to prison until he can pay off the insignificant debt. The king hearing this is angered,  and wondered how can one who received so much mercy show so little? It’s the same with our lives. We have received forgiveness for an unpayable debt that each of us owe. We could not be saved with sin, which all of us have, but our Father, through his mercy sent our Savior, to help us return to him through repentance. How can we, receivers of such mercy, then turn and hold grudges with our friends, or even our enemies? Anything that they do against us is only a small offence compared to the eternal debt we are in to our Father in Heaven. So the lesson that I have learned this week is that I need to just forgive others just as our Savior has forgiven me.

I learned today that I am exactly where my Father in Heaven wants me to be, both physically, and spiritually. In the past, I have always thought that I had to be a perfect missionary from the start, but I wasn’t, so it was hard on me. Over the past  few months, I’ve been able to improve on the things that I can such as make goals for teaching, follow the rules better,  keep my appearance and pench cleaner, and other things like that. I’ve always tried my hardest in everything, and because of that, I am improving which is what He expects of me. It makes me feel good to know that.

Thanks for all of your support! I love you all!

Have a good week!

Elder Chipman

Culturally satisfied, but we won't go back!

Well, how’s it going?                       

It’s been another beautiful week in Adrogué! Its still technically winter but its been beautiful and sunny all week, so its been very enjoyable!

Today is my companion’s Birthday, so, we decided that we wanted to try an authentic Argentinean Parilla, which is a restaurant that specifies in meat! We went and ordered a big platter for all of the missionaries in our district to share. When the food came it was filled with sausage, beef, chicken, and to our surprise, other things.... We finished off the normal foods pretty quickly, so we were left to experiment with what was left. The first weird things to go was the Blood Sausage, this is actually pretty typical in Argentine Cuisine. It is, well, a sausage with thickened blood in it, honestly, not too bad. Next was what we think was a braid of intestines. A little chewy and it was not on my list of favorites to say the least. After that, the other participants in the dinner became less adventurous.  About half of us tried the big, dense, black thing in the middle. We never figured out what it was, but our guesses were either heart or liver. That was followed with what we concluded was just fried fat. Then there was something that I don’t even want to know what it was. In the end, we are full, culturally satisfied, and I don’t know if we will ever go back....

As far as teaching goes, the Bustamantes brought their two grandchildren to church the other day. They enjoyed the meetings and primary! We hope that their parents will let us teach them soon! Other than that,  we knocked on a lot of doors this week, and honestly, at night, people don’t usually let you in. We are still looking for a family, but we might have potential with one we tracked into, time will tell though!

So I guess that the theme of this week is just being tired. It’s been a super busy ! We had a lot of materials to deliver, and stuff like that. We went all the way to capital only to find out that the mail was on strike, so we had to return all of the way back! Man, that was a pain! But overall, life is good. We still run every morning and it gets me up in the morning, but there is no escaping the afternoon slumps. Man it gets old sometimes in the afternoon after spending all day at the computer! Anyway, that’s all I have to say for this week! I have a feeling the upcoming week has a lot of the same planned, but I hope to sleep better, we’ll have to see what happens! I’m just plunking along in the office, getting what I need to get done, done, and trying to make people happy ( probably the hardest part). But it’s all good anyway. 

I know that Christ lives! He is with us en every moment of our lives, rooting us on! He will never forsake us, and he always has his arm extended to help us change and follow his example. I love being a missionary and feeling the way I do everyday!

That’s all for this week! Love you all!

Elder Chipman

I really like it here in Argentina

Familia Bustamante con Asado!

Well, How is it going?  
                                                                          

It’s been another great week in Adroguè Argentina!

I really don’t have much to say this week. It’s been super busy but fun! We’re really trying to get out and teach, but keep up with work in the office. Its a juggle. But we try! Elder Evans is really cool and we get along well. Its funny because he went to High School in Utah, but before he lived in California. With that he says he’s from California because if he says Utah, all of the members role their eyes and say La Fabrica, which means the Factory. When they ask where I am from and I say Colorado, they all still think that the Grand Canyon is in my home state, but I just kinda gave up on that. I am working hard trying to get things done while teaching Elder Evans how to do things in the office at the same time! He`s a super quick learner though and very excited to work, so I think that we are going to have a lot of success! This week begins Zone Conferences so we will be giving materials to all of the missionaries this week, and we might be able to sneak a capital trip if possible. So it should be fun.

Sounds like it was fun in New York! You even got to try empanadas so you can get a taste of what I eat probably at least once a week! When I get home I can cook you up some Argentine ones, but I just got to get the recipe down first! This week I mastered my Donut recipe and I have my Latin pench mates gushing over them. Makes me feel like a master chef!

I don’t know if anybody would hug and cry  for me if I walked into my wards here like people did for Megan in New York, but I hope that what I learn in the office will help make me a better missionary so I can serve better when I leave the offices. I still have time, but it’s amazing how 10 months doesn’t seem very long anymore. I’m still trying my hardest, and improving or at least trying to everyday!

Dad, thank you for telling me about our heritage because it is interesting. I like the fact that we had people in all of American History! We had them in Plymouth, Barnstable, Cape Cod, Revolutionary War, and we left our traces throughout the history of our nation. So I’m pretty solidly American Blood thorough and through!

Teaching is slow. Really slow. We knock on doors but we all know that it is a slow and discouraging way to find people. It’s all we got right now. We have a goal to get a baptism this transfer and find a family to teach. So we hope to be able to find a few people to teach this week! We know that there is always a family out there, we just need to find them!  We are super obedient so I think we will start to see miracles. Just when you pray for me ask for some guidance on where to look for find investigators to teach.

With the Bustamante family, we are still working with them. They made us a delicious asado today with homemade chimichurri (Argentine Vinaigrette for MEAT!) And it was a very stomach filling experience. They are still progressing and moving forward in their progression toward being sealed in the temple. And everyday, more and more of their grandkids come in and listen. It’s only a matter of time!

Anyway, I really like it here in Argentina! It’s fun, cool, adventurous, and all of the fun stuff! I’m sorry this letter is short, but like usual, materials, mail, and cell phones usually doesn’t make headlines, but it keeps me busy. Its weird to think that I’m might already be finishing my final transfer in the offices, but we’ll see. Whatever my plan is, I’m up for it! 

I had a really good week! It’s been busy and fun! I love being a missionary. It’s hard, but rewarding! I will have other bad weeks and hard times, but as for now, I’m doing pretty well! Elder Evans runs with me every morning, so that might also help!

Thanks for your prayers and letters! I love you! Miss you! And look forward for the big hug! 

Until next week

Elder Chipman

Celebrating Pioneer Day

JUlY 26, 14

How’s it going?                                                                                  

It’s been another good week on the mission. A cold front is hitting Buenos Aires right now, but its still not super cold. I don’t think it ever gets super cold here, but then again, I’m in the offices for the majority of the day, so I shouldn’t be one to talk.

Monday is transfers and my companion Elder Mason is leaving the offices, and I’m getting a new companion! His name is Elder Evans, and we were companions before in the MTC! I’m really excited and I think it will be a lot of fun because I already know I’m going to get along with my next companion. I’m staying in the office for at least another transfer.

As far as proselyting goes, it was pretty slow this week because we had a lot to do with transfers, and we have an activity tonight to celebrate Pioneer day, and so we did a lot of planning with that. With the time we did have though, we were able to visit the Bustamante family again this week. They are continuing to progress and move towards their goal of entering the temple. Every week it’s a great blessing to teach them because they are a living example of the Atonement. Every time we visit they just seem happier and there is just more life in their faces. They are truly coming to Christ, and it’s a blessing to be able to witness that.

We have an activity tonight and it should be fun. My companion and I made a really big Buffalo out of cardboard and hangers, I’ll send some pictures afterwards. I’m happy with it! We are going to be playing some pioneer games and then watching 17 miracles as a ward. Afterwards, there is a Ward Baptism, and so it should be a fun but busy day. Not much of a Pday, but we’ll get some time in!

 

My Comp and I made the animals for the game

The classic "Stick Pull Game"

They had to "push their handcarts"

Bean Bag Hunting for animals

It sounds like New York is a party! Wow what a cool trip! Being in the middle of China Town probably helps you understand what I first felt like coming to Argentina. You just kinda stand out like a sore thumb! If you find a place that sells empanadas, get them because they are probably my favorite food down here, and if there is a place to find them, New York would be the place!

Other than that, its been a pretty normal week! I know the Savior lives and loves each of us. All we have to do is come unto him!

Have a good week everybody!

Love,

Elder Chipman

Too bad Argentina lost the World Cup!

 Hola! ¿Como Andan?                                                July 19, 2014

It’s been another great week in Adrogué, Argentina!

The world cup was fun, but it would’ve been more fun if Argentina won. It is pretty hard to describe what happened. There was nobody in the streets, and so it was probably the quietest I’ve ever seen this city. We were confined to the pension for the night, so the only way we could figure out what was happening was by listening to fireworks and screams of the people--which really didn’t help us much. When the game ended and it continued to be silent, we realized that Argentina lost. Apparently they had a goal in regulation, but they were about half a step off sides so they waived it off. Then Germany scored with about 8 minutes left in overtime, and that just about ended it.

The people are taking it really well, except for some crazies that went crazy in downtown Buenos Aires and robbed a bunch of stores. But I have a feeling that they would’ve done that whether they won or lost. People are still moving, but with a cloud over their heads. They seemed to have accepted second, but they still are dwelling in the ´What if´ mode. As for me, I’m happy I got to enjoy it for so long and that I can say that I was in Argentina when they played in the final!

The World Cup has made me realize the power that sports have on the world. For me, the World Cup has changed how people see my ethnicity. For my entire mission to this point, everyone always knew that I’m from the United States. I really stand out like a black sheep around here. But this week that changed and now everyone thinks that I am German. Even members call me German..... So I think I will be considered German for the next few months.

 

We made Cinnamon Rolls  and Pizza on Game Day!

We made a little too much!

As far as the work goes, we are still making a lot of progress with the Bustamante family. They went to church again on Sunday even though it was game day, and we were able to meet with them 3 times this week! Every time we visit they seem really excited to learn more about the gospel, and more ready to enter the temple.  We don`t really have a lot of people to teach and it is difficult to find people. The church has been in the area for a really long time and it seems like everyone has already talked with the missionaries.  They kinda have a “been there done that” attitude. 

I was also able to do some family history study when planning for a lesson with a recent convert. I was able to read a lot about Stephen Chipman, the one who settled American Fork, and it really was a cool story, and it taught me a lot about the importance about not only preparing a way for your immediate family, but for your ancestors. The majority of the blessings in this life that I enjoy are from the hard work of you and mom, but there are also a lot that come because I had faithful ancestors. I do look forward to hearing the rest of the story though!

Other than that, the world is still turning. I made some cinnamon rolls and pizza this week from scratch so I’m building quite a menu.

This next week will be filled with getting ready for transfers and wrapping up this past transfer so it should be busy but fun week in the offices! We are also working on building a giant map of the mission to replace the one that is in the office kitchen. so that’s the life of the Registrador for now. I’m looking forward to it. Its just amazing the blessings we see as missionaries. Every day I get to wake up in this awesome country, speak a different language, but most importantly, help others find our Savior Jesus Christ. It truly is an amazing calling!

I love you all, and hope you have a great week! Anyway, I hope you have a good week, and enjoy the trip to New York or that Russia doesn’t shoot down your plane on the way! I love you and miss you a lot. Thanks for everything! Gosh, it would be nice if you could just send a hug in the mail! But your emails do work just fine too!

Love

Elder Chipman

Learned philosophy from Kung Fu Panda

Hola todos!                                                                 July 12, 14

It has been a very exciting week in Adroguè with all that is going on. It’s fun being in a world obsessed with sports. But then again, I’m glad I don’t live here, or at least I won’t forever, because sports are fun, to a limit. This is a little crazy. So I can enjoy it one year :)

The excitement level has increased just a little bit with the World Cup, actually it’s really picked up. After Argentina won the Semifinal there were fireworks and car horns until 4 in the morning. There was a nice drunk neighbor who was dressed in a crazy blue and white elf hat with his Argentine flag. He was waving the flag in the street to get every single car to honk as they passed by. Let’s just say, we didn’t get too much sleep that night. That being said, everything is just gearing up for the final tomorrow.

Look at my sick soccer hat!

As far as teaching goes, it’s been a slow week. While the World Cup creates a fun, exciting atmosphere, it makes it difficult to visit anybody. Not even the Elders Quorum President lets us visit him on game days. We have been able to get a lot done in the office though, which hopefully will help us get more done in the field when things calm down. President has come out with a rule saying that everybody has to be in the pench at 4 on Sunday, so that kind of gives you a perspective. Everybody is a little football crazy, but hey, its fun being here experiencing it. I filmed a video of just the sounds in the air the day they won, and honestly it was very crazy. I can see why we can’t leave the pench that day, it makes sense.

In the past and for some reason, everybody knows that we are Americans.  I don’t know how, because we have the same skin and eye color, but they seem to always know. That has changed a bit this week as we have received a lot of questions about my nationality.  It has all been “Are you German” or “You aren’t Germans are you?” Man, I sure would hate being German right now.

We are still teaching the Bustamonte Family and helping them reach their goal of being sealed in the temple. While it is still the beginning of a long journey, they are making a lot of progress, and we get a chance to visit and teach them three times a week. They are very willing to change old habits, and while they don’t understand everything, they know and feel that this really is what they want to do. It’s a real blessing being able to teach them and work with them, because every time, the spirit is so strong and it builds my testimony of the truths being discussed.

I like being a missionary, but sometimes I still have a hard time talking to strangers because I am still naturally shy, and people here don’t have a lot of trust with one another. That makes street contacts or normal approaches a little difficult because people always have their defenses up. I thought once I was a missionary it would be easy, but I learned otherwise.

I learned something pretty interesting this week as I was waiting in line to pick up packages. I learned that every day truly is a once in a lifetime experience and we will never live the same day twice so we should use each day and treat it like the gift it is. It’s like what the wise turtle in Kung Fu Panda said, “ Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that’s why its called the present.” Every day of this mission or this life is a day that we won’t get back, but we will always remember. So while I think it is impossible to keep this perspective daily, it’s worth trying to remember it when times are hard.  That is just stuff that was revealed to me this week. 

Anyway, it’s weird that Seth is coming home from his mission and that Eric is already leaving.  It is pretty amazing how fast time goes by.  

Anyway, it has been a great week! I hope that you all are happy and healthy. I’ll talk to you next week! Tell Seth and Eric Hi for me! 

Elder Chipman

Part of Capital called Retiro, its where we pick up packages. I took the picture in Plaza Canada where the totem pole is. You can see the English tower in the background. On the Right Side of one of the images, you can see just a part of the Retiro Station, and on the left of the other fotos, you can see skyscrapers and the Sheraton Hotel!

The World Cup is in full Swing!

Hola Todos!                                                                                        

It’s been good week here in Adrogué! The World Cup is still in full swing. In fact, it’s hard to have a conversation that is not about the world cup. We even have people using Messi (Argentine soccer star) to prove gospel principles during church classes. And during the games, there really is not much we can do outside of the office. The other day we tried to go and cash a check during one of the games.  We left for the bank and when we got there, it was closed. We looked through the glass doors, and all of the workers were crowded around a TV wearing their jerseys and drinking matte. Even the security guard! So we then decided to go pick up some cell phones from our distributor. We gave them our ticket number to start processing the order. After two minutes they  came back and informed us that the system was down, and it would probably be up again in about 30 minutes--which just happened to be the remaining time in the game. So we decided to go get an ice cream cone from McDonalds and just wait out the game. When we walk in we saw the whole staff was watching the game with all of the costumers, and they weren’t taking any orders! So we learned our lesson: Argentina Soccer Games are like holidays. Luckily I’m in the offices, because I think the other missionaries have even less to do during those times.

Argentina won again today so World Cup life is going to continue and everyone is pretty happy. I’m happy too, its fun to see people get so into sports. I do get to see, however, the importance of balance. While the craziness is fun, its fun because it’s a once in a lifetime experience, I don’t have to live with this craze forever. So I will enjoy it now, and then enjoy the simplicity of American Sports. And don’t worry; there have been many members who told us about the flopping Dutchman. He’s not a very popular guy right now, especially for the Mexicans serving in the mission.

Other than soccer, the work is still moving forward. One of the greatest moments of my mission happened this week. We are working with an inactive couple, who have actually gone to church the past two weeks in a row. When we passed by on Wednesday, both of them expressed to us the goal that they now have to be sealed in the temple. They know it’s what they want to do. It’s really impossible to describe the feeling that I felt when they said that. When people are putting aside everything, and deciding to come unto Christ, there is an amazing feeling of peace, which is the Spirit testifying of the divinity and truth that comes from their decisions.

I also got my cool looking scripture cases.  There is a lady in the mission who makes them out of leather.  They came faster than I thought and they turned out really good! I look forward to using them. I won’t be able to use the ones for my Spanish scriptures too often during my mission because they might get stolen, but I can use them for conferences and stuff like that. Here is a picture:

Overall I’m happy, healthy, and doing well. I feel like the more I learn about the Gospel, the more questions I have, and I realize how little I know and really how weak I am. But it’s like Mom said, God wants the small and weak things to preach his gospel (D&C 1:23). So I guess He got what He asked for with me.

Christ does live, and he loves each of us. He really does care, and when we go to him, he will show us his love. I have felt it. And I’ve seen others feel it as well.

Thanks for all of the love and support. I love you all, and hope that you have a good week!

Love,

Elder Chipman