Staying in Coihuico

Hello Friends and Family!

 

 This week was really stressful but really successful. We were really stressed and worried but everything turned out fine. Got some big news today....

 

First I´m staying in COIHUECO.... so is my comp. We have been together for 3 cambios and I was praying for a long time he would get changed out. For some reason Pres has decided to keep us together. I guess after 3 hours full of praying and thinking what he should do with us he decided to keep us together. I´m a little frustrated because he doesn´t really help with anything. This cambio is going to be a bit difficult. BUT...

 

I just took the next step on the ladder of leadership... Say Hola to the next DISTRICT LEADER!! Yeah that's right... I`m a little nervous about it but Elder Bracken my ZL is going to help me out. He is probably one of the best elders in the mission. I told him we are chillin after the mission. His dad was the guy that wrote ¨My orange Dufflebag¨ book. Anyway I have to now teach our District class and I´m a little nervous. Should be a good learning experience.

 

This last Tuesday I had 3 interviews in my sector. I ended up going into another sector and my DL came to do the interviews. I called at about 9 to see if they passed and they told me they couldn´t find one lady and the other girl failed her interview. Luckily they were lying. The three passed.

 

We had our Christmas conference this last Wed and I got a Christmas package with decorations and candy in it. We had an hermana lend us a Christmas tree and we set it up and put the presents under it.

 

Well, during lunch this week the hermana had the TV on with the news. I can`t remember which day it was but it was right during the shooting in Connecticut. It makes me sick to think someone would shoot a bunch of 1st graders. There is a special place for sick people like that. I can´t even imagine the heartache the families have right now. I felt like crying. One thing I really don´t miss is seeing news and all the violence and stuff that happens. I guess almost a year and a half without seeing stuff like that it kind of hits you harder when you see it. I will be praying for the families.

 

I am going to send a package home this week so hopefully it gets there. I have bought a couple things for everyone and I´m going to send them this next week.

 

At the Conference everyone kept coming over to me and asking if I was the Elder in Coihueco. I don´t know how but every one knows about the success we are having. One elder said he had heard there were a couple bombs in Coihueco and wanted to know who they were. I thought it was pretty funny....

 

This weekend we had another three baptisms. Juan, Claudia and finally Evelyn. We were really stressed but everything turned out alright. I actually had to perform another baptism this last week end. I have learned I don´t like doing it. I´d rather have a member do it. I was a little nervous about this one because Claudia is a little hefty. I wasn´t sure I was going to be able to do it. But everything went great.

 

We just found a new family of about 6 and none of them are baptized. We had a really good lesson with the mom. She has had a rough time lately. Her mom just passed away, her brother just passed away and her neighbor just passed away. We taught her about the Plan of Salvation and she was crying by the end of the lesson. She ended up giving us both besos... haha

 

We just got a whole new branch presidency and are really excited to work with them.

 

Well not much else is happening. Not sure if i´m excited to talk to you all or not... Just means one step closer to finishing my mission. I am hoping that we can go into Chillan to call you guys. If not the Internet here in Coihueco is really slow.

 

Well love you all and miss you tons.

 

Elder Torgersen

Hello friends and family!

 

Well this week has been good. We are really excited for this next week. We should have another 3 baptisms. We have a mini cambio tomorrow and our DL will do the interviews.

 

This last week we had a mini cambio for 2 days. I was just about done after the two days. The sector I was in was really boring. I didn`t like it at all. Their Investigators were really weird and my DL is really awkward.

 

We are really excited because Juan and Claudia are going to have their interview tomorrow and they are really excited. We are also hoping to baptize Evelyn this week end. We found out she is not a member and will need to be baptized.

 

This week We had a family night with Juan and Claudia and their mom. You will all be surprised but I actually played the ukulele and we all sang I am a Child of God in Spanish. It was pretty cool. We had a fun time with them playing a weird game my comp taught us and eating potato chips and Cheetos.

 

Yesterday we were sitting in church and the Stake president came in. Next thing we know our president is released and we have a new Branch Pres. Our New BP is a missionary that has been home for 2 months. We were really excited because he has still got a little motivation to help with missionary work. Yesterday him and the other RM did divisions with us and we were able to visit INV´S and MA´s. We are really excited.

 

We had a mini Conference this last week and MP is changing the way we teach. I guess there is a new way to teach the youth... More like Christ would... We are now starting to teach more like Christ would. I think It will be great. We are still having to memorize over 50 scriptures word for word. It is kind of ridiculous.

 

This week we were able to help out 2 families with service. We cleaned up garbage and pulled weeds for Evelyn. There was a tree with a couple rose bushes... and a lot of big rocks. I ended up cleaning the garbage out, pulling out the weeds and lining up the rocks in a design and she just about died when she saw it. She was really happy with the work we did. We also helped a MA, Mauricio, clean up the outside of his house. He is a younger guy and recently married with a 3 year old little girl. His little girl has got to be the cutest little girl I have ever seen. We are really trying to get the wife, Pamela, to church with the husband. She isn´t a member and hasn´t really given time to the missionaries. We were there at the house on Monday and asked her to share with us for 5 minutes, after a couple seconds she finally walked in. They have been having trouble in there relationship. We told here that we were there to help. The sister of Mauricio is a member and came to me crying the other day asking if We could go pass by there house. She went with us to the lesson and she said that it was the first time she has sat down and actually listened. She said she always says she´s busy and walks out. We are hoping we can help them out.

 

The Relief Soc. had an activity this Saturday giving away clothes in front of the church. We were able to contact lots of people and give away pamphlets and pass alongs. It didn´t really help us out but it was something new to try.

 

I got an awesome letter from Aunt Kay along with a box of caramel popcorn. She sent a box of 4 big ziploc bags of it. It cost her $60 to send! Tell her and her family I love them all and thank you for the treat and the awesome letter. The letter really helped me out this week.

 

Still have been a little sick, Cough is about to kill me, Nose bleeds have stopped though.

 

We had a total of 62 people in church with 3 INV´s and 6 RC.

 

We don´t have plans for Christmas.... we will be going to Talca for a Conference on WED.

 

Well not much else happened this week. We didn`t have much time this week. We ended up having to go into Chillan and didn`t get back till late. Love you all and miss you tons. Tell Colten I will write him next week.

 

Con Amor,

Elder Torgersen

December 1, 2012

Hello Friends and Family!

Well this week was really slow, not just for us but for the whole Zone. This week was full of lots of stuff.

This week started off with a Zone Class. Every Tuesday we go to the Church in Chillan and we meet as a district. Sometimes we meet as a Zone. This last week we had a Zone Class. We had a couple announcements about Conferences and then the ZL´s told us they wanted to talk to us about something serious and a little depressing. They told us that with the announcement of the prophet and with so many missionaries entering into the MTC... They will be changing our transfer dates to meet with the MTC or something like that. They weren`t 100% sure why but we are all getting screwed over by a month in our missions. The room went completely silent. After a minute or so people started asking questions. There is nothing we can do... We are finishing a month earlier than planned due to the changes in ages of missionaries. I´m a little ticked... even though its only a month and I will be able to see you all earlier I´m still mad. 

This week has been really slow for us. I have been getting over my cold and it hasn´t been fun. Every morning when I wake up, I have a headache, sore throat, and congestion. I had this for a few days and to make it worse... just about every hour I was getting nose bleeds. It was really annoying. We were leaving the house one day and right as I was leaving my nose started bleeding and wouldn`t stop. Finally, after about 20 minutes lying down, pinching my nose it stopped. But just about every other hour it would come back. In church Sunday we ended up having to walk out during the closing prayer because it started again.

I did get the package from Halloween. My comp was really excited and said to tell you all MUCHAS GRACIAS! 

We did hear back on SLC if Evelin is a member or not. She is not a member so we will hopefully baptize her here soon. We have also received just about a million blessings. We visited a less active and tried a thing we have learned to get references. She ended up giving us two and she invited them to church this last Sunday. They came and we have talked to them and got them with a baptismal date for the 22 of December. They are progressing daily and are really excited to be baptized. 

The Assistants were traveling assistants they go around the mission looking for future leaders and helping build sectors. They came out looking for future leaders. 

The fruit has been amazing. It is getting to be really cheap and we are about to get into summer and have all the fruit. So far we have had bananas and strawberries. We have also been buying palta or avocado. It has been really good.

Ignacio my recent convert has been working with us. He even wears a shirt and tie. He bore his testimony the other day during a lesson and it was awesome. He was like,¨before my baptism I had this really heavy feeling and then I entered the water and was baptized and the heavy feeling went away.¨ It was so cool.

We have a mini Conference this week with the MP and the Asistontos. I´m not sure what we are going to do... but we should see if I have mail. 

We also have the Christmas conference this next week. Should be pretty fun. We usually eat something really good and learn from president and everyone.

Well really not much is happening. I have no idea if I will stay here.We are not sure what will happen. We still have a lot of people preparing for Baptism. We should continue to have success here. 

Well I love you all and miss you tons. 

Elder Torgersen

November 19th-25th

Hello Friends and Family!

Well this week didn't go as planned. We had kind of a crazy week.

We were planning on having 4 baptisms this week... but only came through with two. Our Mission Leader is not willing to take time off work, or try and work with us to baptize Ricardo. He has chosen to push his Baptism date back another month. We are hoping that he doesn't lose interest. If he does... It will be our mission leaders fault. We have tried everything we can to try and get Ricardo to choose someone else to baptize him. Nothing will change his mind. We are now having to wait until the 22 of December.

We had our interviews this week with Evelin, Rodrigo, and Cristobal. I have literally never been so worried, and so frustrated in my mission with an INV. She tells us one thing and during the interview tells our ZL the opposite. She had told us she had stopped drinking tea and was reading and everything. She gets into the interview and says she hasn't done anything. I was really frustrated with her. Obviously she didn't pass the interview. But her two kids knew everything. They passed the interview and somehow managed to make it to the baptismal font. With all of us fasting and praying all week, and many phone calls from there mom with doubts, we managed to get them into the water on Saturday.

After Evelin failed her interview we went to a store to buy some herbal tea. We ended up running into the ex President. He asked us how we were doing and told him that we had a family that the mom failed the interview. He asked us who it was and we told him... He then told us that Evelin the mom, had been baptized in 1989. We ended up having to call the office and send her name into SLC to see if she is member. We are still waiting for an answer. ha

Saturday was awesome! One of the most Spiritual baptisms I have ever had. My Comp and a member ended up baptizing the two kids. Our mission leader wasn't there and everything went really smooth. The family and friends obviously felt the spirit but had fun. It was really just kind of a relaxed baptism. Rodrigo, we aren't quite sure what is wrong with him but he has a couple health problems. We don't know if he is handicapped or autistic. But his mom said he can't remember the things he learns in school but caught on really quick with the stuff we taught him. He knew all of the ten commandments. We taught him the ten commandments with hand actions and he caught on right away. We were still debating if he needed to be baptized but he passed the interview and understood everything we taught him. After his baptism, while everyone was welcoming him in, he started crying. It was a really spiritual moment. We know that he ended up feeling something.

Sunday was a busy day for me. We got to church and I ended up having to give the opening prayer, Bless the sacrament, and do two confirmations. During the confirmation of her two kids, Evelin started to cry. It was really cool. We have been visiting a lot of the members and less actives and a lot of the recent converts and this week the total number of people in church was 67. We are now breaking numbers of 4 of the WARDS in our Zone. We are a BRANCH and we are getting more people to church than the 4 wards in our zone. The ZL's, Assistants, and President have all called to say how great of job we are doing. We have doubled the number since I got here.

The assistants had called me during the week and said they were coming to Coihueco to do a mini cambio with us. I was a little nervous because there are really two reasons why they do them...

1.We have been disobedient or have been doing something wrong (I knew it wasn't the reason)

2. They are looking for future leaders.

I had also called president to help us get rid of the stupid dog because more people had been stopping us telling us that if we were really representatives of Christ we would give it food and water. (missionary handbook Specifically says do not give food to any animal). If I could I would go back in time and beat the stupid elder that had the genius idea of giving this dog food. President said he was going to send the Assistants out to help us. The Assistants came but without the truck... Which means they were looking for future leaders.

Just like every mini cambio, all of our appointments fell. We did end up teaching 3 lessons with 4 new people.

I have learned again this week that Chile has THE BEST FRUIT! We bought a kilo of strawberries for about $2. We have been munching on strawberries and bananas all week.

We have had an investigator that hasn't really been progressing that we decided to drop for a little. We ended up visiting her again and she now wants her daughter to get baptized. She isn't married and is living with her boyfriend. Her next door neighbor would always whistle and yell out the window at me. We decided to pass by her house one day and she let us in. To our surprise she was pretty much golden. She accepted a date right away and said she would go to church this next Sunday. She and her daughter are preparing for the 29 of December. Her name is Maria and her daughter is Valentina.

This weekend I ended up getting a pretty bad cold. We had so much to do I couldn't really take any time to sleep or try and get over it. We had tried just about everything to try and get rid of it. A member told us we needed to go buy honey and some lemons, mix the two and drink it. They also said Honey with Garlic. I tried them both and it worked like a miracle. I can actually breathe today. We couldn't find honey anywhere and we ended up finding a house that sells it. An older man walked out and told us "NO NO NO." We told him wait, we just want to buy honey. He then said okay come on in. We walked in, talked to this older couple and they ended up giving the honey to us for free and then we ended up teaching him. It was really funny. I'm gonna start making up excuses to get into houses. "No we just need to use the bathroom, no we just need some water...!" I think it will work haha.

Well we are going to find a lot of people this week and hopefully get them with baptismal dates. We are going to have a couple weeks without baptisms. We kind of stopped finding people because we were really worried about the people we had.

Yes I finally have been getting some sleep. I found a natural sleeping pill that is amazing. I'm sleeping like a baby now.

I would like some new pants. My other pair ripped and now I only have my skinnies. I would like another pair of those though. I don't need pajamas.

Not much else happening. Love you all and miss you tons.

Elder Torgersen

1 Down 4 to go

Hello friends and family!

Well this week has been awesome! We have been having a lot of success. Lots of good things happening and better things to come.

Well this last week we found out we are both staying in Coihueco. It was kind of a surprise but... I can´t change the outcome. This transfer will only be 5 weeks instead of the normal 6. If we would have kept the normal 6 weeks, Christmas would have been the same day as transfers. We will now be getting transferred the week before Christmas. I´m not sure who will end up going. I found out this week that my old comp in Los Volcanes had problems with his knee and is now back in the office, his comp for some reason was taken out, and two completely new Elders were put in Los Volcanes. We have no idea what happened and why they were changed out so quickly. I guess Obispo Richy Orellana was pretty happy that they left. I guess the members really didn´t like them and they ate a lot.

This week we had our interview for Ignacio. We had been really worried because DL and I passed by his house and he wasn´t there. He and his mom weren´t answering their phones. Finally about an hour and half later he called and said he got stuck at school doing some project. We went to his house and had his interview. He was really nervous. His mom later told me he had never been so nervous. She said he had studied all the pamphlets that we gave him the night before his interview. My DL said he answered every question perfectly. My DL said that Ignacio said that abortion was like killing an angel. I thought that was pretty funny but true.

Saturday we had a service project with the family... LEPEZ. From Los Volcanes. They had bought a piece of property close to Coihueco and are now in our branch. They came to church last Sunday and were really surprised to see me there. They needed help building part of their house so... My comp, Presidente, others from the elders quorum passed by and fixed a lot of the house for them. They made a breakfast and lunch. We had to get up and leave the house by about 6:30 to be there by 7. They were really surprised with the work we had done and how fast we did it. We ended up driving back and going right to the church to start the font. We got there and found out that the switch to drain the water last time was turned on but didn´t suck the water out. We had to switch it on and off a couple times to get the water out. We then filled the font with clean water. We made sure to start it early so that we had a lot of water so the mission leader wouldn´t complain.

We got everything ready, setting up chairs, cleaning the chapel, and sweeping. Ignacio showed up right on time and we told him to hurry and change. Our mission leader last time got made because we took pictures with the family and stupid stuff like that. Before he showed up we took some awesome pictures. The last time he got mad because we were laughing and joking around with David. It just took all the fun out of the baptism... so we took pictures before he got there. He told us that we shouldn´t be laughing that it should be a serious, spiritual moment. I´m sorry but I don´t have to be as serious as him to feel the spirit. Ignacio was really happy, his family was really happy and they thought it was awesome. His dad had taken off work and traveled all the way from Santiago to come see his baptism. When he showed up we were completely stunned. It was so cool to have the whole family there. I sent some pictures of the family, the youth, and the kid that baptized him.

So... our mission leader shows up and without telling us changes rooms in where we were starting. We had already set up chairs in the room we always start in. Also, Richy (Ricardo) our investigator that is supposed to get baptized this next Saturday, walks over to us and says, ¨hey did you guys hear we changed my baptismal date?¨ I look at my comp and said ¨who changed it?¨ He says Hermano Lobos. (our mission Leader) Let me tell you I have never been so ticked in my life. First off, he has no authority over our INV´s. Second, He didn´t even tell us. Third he got mad because we keep baptising people on Saturday so they can get confirmed right away on Sunday(that was info directly from Elder Arnold from the Seventy. Elder Arnold told us that NEVER EVER again should we baptize someone on a day other than Saturday unless there is a special occasion.) He ended up ¨changing¨ his date to the 28th... a Wednesday. I was ticked. We got into the baptism and we were sitting in front with Ignacio. Our ML starts the meeting and announces everything, talks are then given and we start to head into the font. All of a sudden he steps over to my comp and asks him if he wants to be a witness, without even looking at me. My comp says yes and then he walks over and gets right into my grill and asks¨We good¨ or Estamos Bien?¨ I look at him and answer yes and walk away. Not saying I ever would but I could have easily dropped him. I was so ticked that he just steps up into my grill and asks me that. I seriously have no idea why he has so many problems with us. We have gotten multiple less active families back to church, baptized more in the first month here... When the missionaries before hadn´t had a baptism in over 6 months... and have gotten the attendance up to 62. My ZL´s ended up coming to our baptism and ended up seeing everything. We had to basically hold one of them back from punching our ML. They were ready to go off on him about changing our baptismal dates. but the Baptism and every thing went well and after the meeting our ML left right after before our ZL´s could even talk to him.

Sunday we got to church and didn´t have enough chairs to fit everyone. We had a total of 62 people in this little tiny chapel. This last week we visited a lot of the people that have a date to get baptized and a lot of less actives.

Sunday morning we get to church and of course Richy comes over and says, ¨hey did you guys hear we changed my baptismal date again?¨ He says, ¨yeah we changed it to the 22 of December.¨ Just because our ML won´t take time off work and can´t be there for the baptism he thinks we are going to wait a full month and a week to baptize him. I DON´T THINK SO!! A lot of stuff can happen in a month. Our purpose here in the mission is to find the chosen people and invite them to follow Christ by being baptized. I´m not going to wait a month and a week to baptize someone that is prepared and ready to make this promise with god. After church we met with the BP and his counselor and told them all the stuff that has been happening. They agreed but said we just had to have patience. While we were waiting to talk to President... My ZL´s and my DL called to see how many we had in church and I had to tell them both that the ML keeps changing the baptismal date. The ZL´s told me if I didn´t give them his phone number I would lose my P day. haha I guess they called him and were really nice to him and just asked how Richy was doing and why his date kept changing. They said he is ready and willing to be baptized and if he isn´t going to be there to baptize him they needed to find someone else to do it. I guess our ML stuttered and then hung up on them. Our ZL´s called to tell us that they were calling the Stake president to have him released... Guess who we have lunch with tomorrow.... yup, that's right ML´s family.

But not everything is bad news... This next week we should have a total of 4 baptisms including a Part member family. The Mom (Evelin) and the two sons (Rodrigo and Cristobal) should be getting baptized this Saturday... Along with Richy. We have a meeting with the two today. We are going to meet with Richy and after with Evelin and her family. Pray that the ML will not be a stumbling stone this week with his baptism. My DL, ZL´s asistontos, and president are still amazed at how much success we are having. At the end of this last cambio we had the goal of 2 baptisms this month and now we are saving the Zone with 5!! We are really excited.

The picture of Ainsley was hilarious. What is Breaking Dawn? I don´t know what that is.

Tell dad to take pictures of the $12,000 table.

Ethan.... Taking first assistant seriously? Wow what happened? Are we talking about Ethan Torgersen? The punk that was always teasing his sisters, wearing my clothes and using my stuff... That Ethan? Tell him he better be taking it seriously. Tell him he better be taking Seminary and mission prep Seriously also. But that does sound about right. Even with the size that he has, he never did hit or fight with anyone except me.

The empty bottles, weren´t empty. They had water in them. They were frozen in the Freezer. Yes we do clean. You would be surprised how much I have cleaned here in the mission. That is one thing I have learned. Our stupid crack house was crappy and small but at least was clean. I´m getting so sick of tiny, moldy, stinky, dirty Chilean mission houses.

As far as more missionaries, I have no idea. also being with my comp for Christmas... NO idea. We have transfers right before Christmas. But he doesn´t get very many letters or packages.

These past 3 weeks I haven´t slept at all. I have been so stressed, worried and frustrated that I´m tired during the day and at night I´m so worried and stressed that I can´t sleep. I have talked with Sister Humphrey and she said if I can´t sleep I´m going to have to go into Conce. I have been so tired that by about 5 i´m literally just dead tired. Throughout the day=dead tired. Night=Restless. We are out in the middle of nowhere with only us two. We don´t have really anyone watching over us so it is really hard to wake up on time when I´m just so tired. I´ve literally never been so tired, exhausted, and stressed in my life. If it doesn´t get any better I have to go see the Doctor for the mission in Conce. I have tried natural sleeping pills, sleeping pills, and just about every herb that the members have given me to try and relax and sleep.

Well Not much else happening. Pray for our INV´s and for me so that I can sleep. Love you all!

Elder Torgersen

I'm Staying

Hello Friends and Family:

 

Well we had transfers today and.... I¨M STAYING! and so is my comp. I was a little stunned that my comp ended up staying also. I am a little bummed I was looking forward to getting a new comp. I guess the asistontos said that we were working so great together they decided to keep us where we were... It kind of bothered me because my comp... doesn´t do anything. He doesn´t help plan, he doesn´t help with our area book and we are pretty sure he´s saving the mission money. I´m a little bummed but I know there is still something I haven´t learned with him. We all thought for sure he was leaving this cambio.

 

Well this Saturday we are having our third baptism here in Coihueco. His name is Ignacio Lagos. He is completely stoked about getting baptized. He got to church yesterday 30 minutes Early. He was the kid that asked the young men's leader what he had to do to be part of the church. We told him he had to come to church yesterday or he couldn´t be baptized. It was really funny. He told us he had one and only one thing planned this week. GO TO CHURCH. He has gone to every young men's activity and has completely loved it. We planned everything for this Saturday for his baptism.

 

This week we had a mini cambio with my DL. We found 8 news and taught 7 lessons in one day. It was awesome. We went to go visit a family that is less active and they have about 5 boys from about 18-8. About three of them were playing soccer in a dirt soccer field. They had played there so much that the dirt had been turned into straight dust. They had all been trying to use the Chilean multi tool, the broom, to sweep off all the dust. My DL looks at me and says, ¨We have to play.¨ It was our last hour and a half in the day and had basically taught all the lessons we needed. We stopped and played with them for a little while. I have never laughed so hard in my life. The 8 year old of the family loves to play goalie and has a pair of gloves that are huge. He rolls and dives to block the ball from going in. It was hilarious it looked like he was eating dirt. They had been playing with a volleyball that the cover was starting to come off... The dust pretty much stuck to the ball. The elder I was with is from Antofogasta, Chile and plays basketball for Chile professionally. He´s a pretty big kid. One of the little kids kicked the ball and my comp starts to run for it while it´s in the air. He thought it was going to go farther and didn´t notice but the ball fell directly on the back of his white shirt. There was a circle of dust on his shirt all of the little kids were busting up laughing.

 

Now I realize It probably wasn't the best use of our time but It really bugs me when we walk past a group of kids playing and we only look at them say Hi and keep walking. We justified our actions by saying that we were planting seeds. My DL said there are tons of missionaries that pass little kids playing like that all the time. They start to believe that we are robots and can´t have any fun. I have always thought that was true. He said that maybe it won't be right away but those kids will remember the two guys in white shirts that stopped to play soccer with them. He said that maybe later on we will contact there houses and they will remember that experience and will let us in to teach them. He told me that he never thought he would people in some of the ways they have. He said they worst way to find people is by contacting door to door. He was a rapper in Antofogasta... The other day he and his comp were walking down the street and saw a group of kids listening to music and rapping. He walked over with his comp and starting acting like a gringo saying he wanted to rap with them. He busted out with a rap and he said by the end all the kids took out there phones and were recording it. They later passed by one of the kids houses and he let them in. The next lesson the whole family of 6 was there listening. 3 weeks later they were baptized. He Said he never would have guessed he would have found a family by rapping.

 

The other day while we were teaching a less active family it started pouring rain. We were really confused because when we walked into the house the sun was shining and was perfect. We walk out 35 minutes later and its pouring. We didn´t have anything to protect against the rain and we had to run to our house to get umbrellas. We were soaking wet when we got to the house. We got home, changed clothes, and left with the umbrellas. We were visiting another family when all of a sudden the lights go out.  I guess a tree got hit by lightning and fell on some power lines and killed the power in all of Coihueco. We ended up having to go home because it was pitch black and people had starting stealing stuff. I guess whenever a natural disaster happens its a free pass to steal stuff... We ended up going home an hour early and had to plan by candle light. Tell Chris thanks for the Flashlight. The little thing is amazing.

 

We did all hear that Mitt Romney had lost the election. I think the missionaries should be able to vote. Then he would have won. A lot of people down here were saying the Mitt Romney had made a lot of racist comments and that´s why he lost...?

 

I´m excited for Alex. That will be great for him. We have a missionary here serving in Brazil and he sends his family pictures all the time. It looks awesome. He sent his family a picture of a city where I guess Michael Jackson filmed a music video. The houses were all different colors and it looked really cool. Tell Alex to take lots of pictures.

 

We have a meeting in the church with Ricardo tomorrow. We are going to be straight up with him and ask him what would keep him from being baptized. He seriously goes to church every Sunday and goes to every Activity.

 

Tell Grandma and Grandpa Kratchen they need to save me some ribs and some pork in the freezer till I get home so I can have my last rack of ribs and pork sandwich from the Cafe pig. What did they end up doing with their boat? They are getting rid of everything before I even get home. Tell them to slow down a little.

 

I did get the picture of the snow. I would kill to roll around in it. I has been about 80 to 90 degrees this week, with a little rain.

 

Today while stuck in the house because my comp never wants to do anything, I decided to clean out our fridge. The ice around the freezer was about 3 inches thick. I unplugged it and threw hot water on it to clean it out. I sent pictures so you could see how bad it was.  I also sent a picture of Elder Carvajal from Antofogasta. Sounds like his family is pretty rich... I guess they live on the beach in Antofogasta. He said I had a room at his house when I came to visit Chile. I also sent a picture of Elder Coronado.

 

Well We are hoping to have about 5 baptisms this next cambio. We are teaching a family of 4 that the oldest son is a member but the mom and 2 sons aren´t members. Their names are Evelin, Rodrigo and Cristobal. They have come to church three weeks in a row.

 

Well not much else happening. Love you all and miss you tons.

 

Elder Torgersen

Hello Everyone:

 

Well how is everyone doing? We are now in the last week of the cambio. We will find out Sunday night/Monday morning if I will stay in Coihueco. My leaders told me the other day there is a really good chance I will stay and my comp will go. We never know. Anything could happen... But my ZL´s called last night to ask how many beds and tables we have in our house. There is a chance that we could have just opened this sector for 4 missionaries. There´s a chance they could split us up, put me with a new comp and put a sr comp with my comp right now. It would really help us out if there were four missionaries here. I´m really getting sick of everyone looking to me to do everything. Sundays are about to kill me. Everyone is always saying ¨Elder, Elder!¨ It´s never my comp it´s always me. And pens must not exist here... I have learned to buy crappy pens because people are constantly asking us for pens. I made the mistake to pass a pen to someone and next thing I knew they were gone. It drives me nuts. No one ever has pens.

 

Halloween here obviously isn´t what it is in the states. People put on costumes that were really cheesy and nobody did anything cool. Just basically walked around asking EVERYONE for candy. I say everyone because they were even asking us.... We had just left a house and were practically running to our next cita and a group of little punk kids says, ¨dulce o travesura¨ My comp gets the genius Idea to say ¨Travesura¨ In the mean time I´m talking on the phone with the recently returned missionary that is now our 2nd counsellor to see if he can come with us this week to a lesson. Next thing I know I feel something hard hit my shoulder blade. I turn around and a little kid chucked an egg at me. Luckily it didn´t break. But... the little kid picks it up and hucks it again. This time hitting my backpack... Egg shatters getting my backpack, back, legs, and the backs of my arms covered in egg. There was a young kid that is a member walking by at the same time and he chased the kid down... I don´t know what happened to the kid but a lot of people saw it happen and yelled at the little kid. We walked into a negotio or little store and asked if they had any paper towels. The guy working there said if it had been him he would have chased him down and beat the crap out of him... lets just say that was the edited version of what he said. ha ha

 

This last week I decided that since door to door contacts wasn´t working we would call some old numbers in our phone. I called a couple people and some of them had really dumb excuses or just hung up on us. Then I called a girl named Fabiola. I told her we had a lot of numbers in our phone from people that were sharing with the missionaries and we would like to pass by her house. She basically then say´s ¨elder wait wait. I´ve been a member for a long time... I´ve been baptized and even sealed in the temple. I then find out that it is the sister of our president... the sister that was in Los Volcanes. The family that I got to know really well. Her brother is the handicapped kid that would pass the sacrament in Los Volcanes.  She had a good laugh but was glad to hear we were doing good here in Coihueco.

 

Last Monday the leaders in the mission had a meeting with the MP. I guess during this meeting he talked about stepping up and working harder. I guess he used me as an example in the meeting with all the ZL´s and DL´s. My ZL and DL said that president is freaking out about how much success we are having here. MY ZL´s told me... I have no idea what you are doing but president pretty much loves you right now. This last week we focused on Less actives and Members and we got a family and 2 other people to church along with 4 INV´s. We got the church attendance from 35 to 55 this last Sunday. It was awesome. The MP and the Asistontos are really excited with the work we have done.

 

We found a LA (less active) member this week and she asked us If we could baptize her two sons... We told her... ¨umm let us think about it for a second... YES!¨ only problem is her youngest son is only 7 but turns 8 in March. We are going to talk to her about baptizing the 12 year old first and wait for the next son.

 

We had a costume party in church on Friday and we invited a lot of LA´s and INV´s we got bunch of crap because we were celebrating the birthday of Satan... blah blah blah. We ended up playing really funny games, the members danced (while we sat and watched) and then ate food and drank soda the members and our INV´s had a blast. It was really fun. Except for the dance... Since we couldn´t do anything.

 

This last Sunday was AWESOME!! With the success we had with numbers and the people that came. Daniella the RC of about 3 weeks got up and gave her testimony. It was AWESOME. She was a little nervous but she got up and bore her testimony like a pro. Me and my comp both looked at each other with surprised looks.

 

Well, we should have another baptism this next week and we are trying to figure out what is going on with Ricardo. He comes to every activity and church every Sunday but is really having a hard time with his family. He is 25 years old and I guess his family is really bugging him about going to church and everything. We are going to meet with him on Thursday with a member and try to get him baptized this month. Sister Humphrey said we need to be loving but really firm and open with him. Pray that our meeting with him goes well.

 

The drunk guy that kicked me is in jail right now. I thought I told you guys. He got picked up by the carabineros and is now in jail for 3 months.  Still haven´t gotten Halloween packages. I already ordered G´s, don't need more.

 

This week we are going to focus on finding more people to teach. We had to drop a couple families that weren´t progressing.

 

Well thank you all for everything. Love you all and miss you tons.

 

Elder Torgersen

Oct 29th

Hello Friends and Family!

 

How´s everyone doing? Well this week was a lot better than the last... Didn´t have to deal with any drunks. All around it was a good week. Glad you all thought it was funny a drunk guy tried to fight with me. Thanks guys...

 

First off HAPPY BIRTHDAY AINSLEY!!! I LOVE YOU!! Hope you have a great birthday. Tell mom and dad they need to do COMPLETOS this year for Halloween. Tell them they need normal hot dogs with palta (avocado) tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, and mayo.

 

Well it´s sad that football is over. Tell Ethan He´s gotta send some film clips to some colleges to see if anyone offers.

 

So... I had a feeling I had to pass by the family of the drunk guy... We ended up passing by the drunk guys family. They let us in... we sat down and started teaching them. Meanwhile my comp looks on the book shelf and sees something, He asks if they are members... EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, except for the drunk that kicked me was a member and baptized. We were kind of bummed that every single one of them were members and weren´t coming to church.

 

This week we had a meeting with our mission leader and off course he had more to complain about. He told us about 20 things we were doing wrong. I´ve just let it go in one ear and out the other. It´s ridiculous. We are the only Elders to Baptize in this little town in over 8 months. I´m doing the best I can working with a comp that is basically a roller coaster of emotion, stupid dog that follows us everywhere, with little support from members. He was getting mad because I guess at one point we both had our hands in our pockets. He told us we had to sit straight the whole three hours we were in church and we needed to shine our shoes. The stuff he was saying was just stupid stuff to lecture us. Luckily he wasn´t here for our baptism on Saturday. He has a son in Brazil right now and he said if he knew that his son was doing the stuff we were doing he´d smack him. He said that everyday he sends his son an email of something he has to do. SHINE YOUR SHOES, Cut your hair, stuff like that. I´m glad I have the parents I have. He is just ridiculous. . I guess the whole branch has had problems with him and his family. They are all the same. I asked the BP if we could swap him for one of the returned missionaries and he said he couldn't. I guess when they moved here he told the Stake President he had to be president because he was the only married and endowed member here. I guess that didn´t go over very well with them. I guess he has to be in some kind of Leadership position.

 

This week we had a futból activity and we played against some friends of a member. They were all 18-20 years old. It was really funny because they were all decked out in there soccer clothes and shoes and were all doing crazy tricks with the ball. My comp, a couple of members and I played against all of them. I learned I had been playing the wrong sports in high School. I should´ve played soccer. I had 3 goals and an assist. It was really funny because my comp is horrible at soccer. (funny how that happens, I always end up with the Latins that don´t like sports our like them but are horrible) It was really funny because he was on the right side of the court and I was on the left. I stole the ball from a kid and ran down the court on the left side. Last second before going out of bounds, I kick the ball to the right, Basically smacks my comps foot and goes in. Basically my goal cuz my comp didn´t really do anything but we all went crazy like it was his goal. It was really fun. I think when I´m home I´m gonna make goals out of PVC and teach the young men in the ward how to play Baby or Futsal. It is so much fun.

 

Saturday we had another baptism. We baptized a kid named David. He´s the best friend/neighbor of a member and is awesome. We purposely didn´t call him the past couple of weeks to invite him to church to see if he would come. He ended up calling us asking if we were going to church. I just hope he stays active. I´m sick of people judging our converts. Everyone keeps telling us that he doesn´t have any support from his family and that he´s gonna lose motivation to go to church. It doesn´t matter who we baptize and how awesome they are. People still complain about the converts.

 

 

I will have to send some pictures of the package she sent me. And yes she does right every week. Unlike others... She´s seen my Facebook so I have no idea... She´s in her Senior year. She´s wanting to serve a mission now though... hahah so yeah.

Well,

What a week

Hello Friends and Family!

Well this week was really all over the place. I don`t know whether to count it as a good week or a bad week. There was all sorts of stuff happening. 

First off tell Ethan he is a beast. That is so cool that he was on TV. Tell him To keep doing work and to prepare for his mission.

Well we had our baptism on Monday and Daniela was really excited. Her family was really excited also. We had the baptism so we didn`t have much time to leave and teach. Our ZL`s ended up coming to the baptism and they were really happy about the work we are doing here.

Wed we ended up having interviews with the MP. It was a completely different interview from the last time. He was really happy and had the biggest smile on his face. He was really excited about what we have been doing. He asked me how I was doing and how I was feeling about the success we have had. He said that he had given me a chance to step up and he said I took a huge step up. He said the sector was close to being completely dead and I have flipped the sector around. He was really excited for us and the success we were having. 

After interviews we asked the Asistontos if there was any mail... We went to the truck and we looked around for a minute and couldn`t find anything with my name on it. Then as we are getting ready to leave he yells oh wait here`s one. He threw me a little package that had my name on it. Guess what it was... The package from Kelsi the girl from Colorado. I really didn`t think she was gonna send me something. I waited until we got home to open it. When we got home, we opened it to find about 8 wrapped presents inside with a letter and a picture. Each gift had a saying on it relating to what was inside. My comp was busting up laughing... Next thing I know he`s opening the letter with the picture on it. I was really surprised... She`s really cute. She sent me a Spiderman Yo-yo (I now have a batman and a spider man yo-yo) Stride gum, a tie, Twizzlers, gummy bears, a recipe book, and beef jerky. It was really kind of cool haha. My comp has not stopped talking about it. I think he was just as excited as I was.

Well, Friday after lunch my comp ended up getting sick and no one was able to stay with my comp so we could leave and go teach. I spent all  day long in the house. I was so bored. I had studied, watched finding faith in Christ, and the restoration video a couple times, cleaned, and just sat there. I was so bored. 

Saturday we finally were able to work and it was one of the worst days in my mission. We left lunch to teach a family. Got there, taught them and then left. We were close to another INV.. so we decided to go by and visit her and her family. We were outside her fence yelling ¨Ahlo¨ when her neighbor walked outside of her gate and told us she had just left. I asked her if she knew if she went to her moms house... She said she didn`t know... All of a sudden some short, little guy, that reached to about my chest comes walking out and starts screaming and swearing in Spanish. We had started to walk away and all of a sudden he runs, almost falling over, to get right in front of me. His hands and legs were all tore up and was bleeding. He gets right into my face and starts screaming that he`s gonna kill me. He grabs my shirt and raises his fist like he´s going to punch me. Then the neighbor pushes him and he lets go. She then says that we should leave. We start to walk away and he gets back up and starts running at us. We hadn`t realized that he had gotten up and started running at us. Next thing I know I feel a foot hit my butt. He literally ¨kicked my butt...¨ It was kind of funny. but he grabs my sleeve again and gets into my face, I shove him off and then his mom comes running out of a nearby house. She tries to grab him and get him to let go of my sleeve. The whole time I`ve got my hand in a fist ready to clock him. I`m really surprised I didn`t drop him right there in the middle of the street. Then his little sister that was about my age comes running out and drills him. It kind of looked like the picture you sent me of Ethan hitting the Lone Peak Quarterback. He falls back and smacks his head on the concrete harder than I have ever seen someone hit the ground. We didn`t want to leave because we weren`t sure if he was gonna fight back with his mom and sister. She tells us she`s fine and to just go ahead and leave. We left and later found out they ended up having to call the police to come get him. It was quite the experience. My comp had basically started to run when he first got into my face. I told him thanks for backing me up after we were walking away. he just kind of laughed and said He thought I had it under control.  We passed by on Sunday night to visit the family and the neighbor was like, ¨oh I`m so glad to see that you guys are fine, I thought you guys would never come by here again.¨ I thought it was kind of funny. She said my comp looked pretty shook up. I haven`t had anything like that happen in a long time so my adrenaline was sure pumping but I wasn`t really scared because I knew he had been drinking. The neighbor and the family said that he is constantly drunk and deals with alcoholism. 

Saturday not even 5 minutes after we walk away from the little drunk dude ,that for some reason wanted to kill me, We find the neighborhood GAY. He I guess has always had a thing for the Gringos and is always saying stuff to them as they walk by. He walks up to us and asks when we are gonna come visit him and his family (his family are members) We told him we would come by another day (yes I`m sorry I lied But I`m sure God will let this one go...)He shakes my hand really creepily and we walk away. Then we decided to go visit a member because supposedly her neighbor is a member with a couple kids that aren`t baptized. There one of the little kids beat me with a stick. By the time we left the house my elbow was swollen. It was kind of funny because the broom down here is the multi tool used to sweep, clean cars, mop, and beat kids. 

We then were walking to a lesson with a member. The RM that just got home. I have my little fanny pack looking bag that I use when It´s hot to put my scriptures in. Then another drunk guy in the streets walks up, puts his arm around me and asks how to say something in Spanish. I hadn`t realized it but he spilt a little beer on my bag. Luckily didn`t get my scriptures. Then we were on a corner talking to the member asking what we could have done better when a bird flies by dropping a little present on my shoulder. I was just about fed up by that time. We walked home and I had to end up cleaning everything. 

The ZL`s called last night and told me that I`m doing an awesome job here and that they got compliments from a couple people from the stake presidency. I guess I didn`t know but someone from the stake was in one of our sacrament meetings and they told the ZL`s that they couldn`t remember our names but the two short, small, really happy Elders in Coihueco are miracle workers. They called to tell me that multiple people noticed us when we went to watch conference and other people that had visited Coihueco were really impressed. I guess A lady in their ward said those to short elders in Coihueco just look so happy, They must be the worlds best missionaries. I thought it was really funny. We know that someone from the stake came yesterday, It was a good day to have him their because We had a total of 8 INV. In church. we had an attendance of 40 and 8 were INV´S.

Well this week we should have another baptism. His name is David. His mom told us the other day that she has no idea what we are teaching him or what he learns at church but he is really starting to be more obedient. She said she really likes it, she still doesn`t want anything to do with us but she`s happy about her son. 

This week we have been writing notes for INV`s and leaving them in random spots in their houses. It has been a lot of fun. We have received multiple phone calls after we leave saying they found our notes and were really happy. It has turned into a game. We try to find ways while we are teaching to hide notes in the house in random spots. It has been a lot of fun. 

I have gotten the Birthday cards from Gma and Gpa. Also the Cousins. Tell them all thanks. I am writing two letters for each set of Grandparents.

Yeah yeah yeah quit reminding me of how much time I have. goodness. It`s bad enough I get it from my comps.

The dog, is slowly starting to disappear. He still sleeps outside of our fence and he eats garbage. He attacked another dog the other day to steal a piece of bread it had in its mouth. It was really funny. My comp is even starting to get sick of him. The other day my comp (same comp that said we couldn`t drive it out to the campo and leave it there) kicked him and told him to go away. He is constantly walking in front of us. Don`t feel bad for him. He looks like a zombie dog. I think he already died it`s just reflexes that somehow keep him moving.

Well this week should be great. Miss you all and love you lots. Thanks for everything.

Con Amor,

Elder Torgersen

Thought I`d send my own thoughts and quotes...

Smile Well and often. It makes People wonder what you`re up to.

-Sachel Paige

My people must be tried in all things,... He that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.

D&C 136:8

1 down 4 to go

Hello Friends and Family

 

Well Sorry I´m writing so late. We just sacrificed a couple hours of our P-day to have an amazing baptism. Everything went great. We´ll talk about that a little more down the page.

 

Well first off this week was great. We ended up having our mini cambio on Tuesday and I learned how my leaders are having 30 lessons every week. They enter into a house, say a prayer, invite to read the folleto we have and then set a time to come back. Tuesday we had a total of 9 lessons with 2 lessons with a less active. Wednesday We had a conference In Talca and had to take a bus 3 hours North instead of going an hour south to Conce. It was a great conference. We are now expected to memorize over 30 scriptures, word for word, so that we can teach with scriptures more clearly. It is going to be really difficult. President has also put a goal for the mission to baptize over a 140 people every month. They did the math and if every companionship who isnt a leader has one baptism, DL´s have 2, and ZL´s have 3-4, we can complete the goal for a 140 baptisms. We have hit 126 the past couple months.

 

They want us to work better in our sectors using our time more wisely, work with members and know the lessons better. It is going to be really hard. The assistontos printed out maps for us and our map was horrible. It doesn't have any street names and it is missing like four parts. We spent a little time trying to write down the street names. We still have parts of the city that aren´t on the map. We have been asked to divide our maps into four or five sectors and only work in that sector certain days of the week. It is kind of hard because our map is missing some stuff.

 

Things I have learned this week (for you Traci)

1. Assistontos are the worst brown nosers.

2. Doesn´t matter how you get the baptism, Numbers are what counts. (if I buy you a bike, will you get baptised?, How about a cake? That is a load of crap.)

3. The dog has now started to interrupt our work.

4. We have three options with our dog, Call a dog pound (doesn´t exist here), Call a member to take the dog into the campo and leave it there, or kill it.

5. DL, ZL, and president are all really excited and happy for the work we are doing here in Coihueco. We are completely destroying it down here. We had 22 lessons with 2 people progressing, Baptism today and also Saturday, with a church attendance that is slowly increasing.

6. Our Branch mission leader is the most grumpy guy I have ever met. He came from Santiago. The church and missionaries have been there for more that 50 years. The little branch of around 35 people isn´t going to be as strong as your Ward in Santiago. I really think I am going to talk to our President to change him. We have 2 returned missionaries that would be great.

 

During our Conference we had a missionary that was here in Coihueco, teaching us in the conference. We have heard from a lot of the members that he bought bikes, cakes, and a whole bunch of other stuff for his investigators. Obviously if you are buying stuff for them every time you visit them they will get baptised. Huge surprise here, His converts here in Coihueco... Completely inactive. They have called us multiple times to ask for money and other things. Anyway this elder was teaching us in our Conference. I found it extremely hard to listen to what he was saying. What a joke... I have learned it doesn´t matter how they get baptised or if they stay in the church, as long as you have good numbers = LEADER in the mission. I´m not gonna lie we have a lot of really good leaders but there are a lot that I have no idea why they are leaders.

 

I am just about fed up with the stupid dog, it has fleas, ticks, smells horrible and is interrupting with our contacts. Every time we contact people they are either yelling at the dog to go away or they are scared of it. When we contact houses that have dogs, they bark at it and we can´t even talk to the people. The three leaders I have had mini cambios with have told me I have to get rid of it. My comp is being a baby about having to get rid of it. We visited a family the other day and I told them I had to get rid of the dog. They told me they didn´t want to help because it is one of gods living creatures. Who cares... It´s not ours, and its messing with the lords work. Then my comp starts in on it also.

 

I told my leader today I needed a mini cambio so we could get rid of the dog. Our president let us in on a little secret and said there is a vet around the corner and if we take it in there saying ¨our dog is really old, has fleas and ticks and is suffering¨ they will put it to sleep. The thing has been following missionaries around for 5 years. I don´t know how they have done it. It is driving me insane. I might sound a little harsh but if you had a dog following you around that has fleas, ticks, and smells horrible... You would want to get rid of it also.

 

Well today went great. We got up this morning, Studied, and headed to the church. We had 11 guys at the church playing baby with us. (I bought a baby soccer ball and I´m totally going to teach our ward how to play when I get home. It is so fun.) Today I completed my goal of having a goal with my head. It was pretty dope. We seriously played for 3 hours. But our president said he was going to pass by and drop the keys off to start the font. We had called all morning, passed by his house and we couldn´t find him. Finally 2 hours before the baptism we ran to his house and luckily found his uncle there to get the keys. We ran to the church, started the font, ran to lunch and ran home to shower. We got to the church 10 minutes early to take pictures and get started. Our mission leader was there and he wasn´t too happy. The family of Daniela still wasn´t all there and so we couldn´t have started anyway. We took pictures and got started. The uncle of Daniela ended up baptising her and we were the witnesses. Our mission leader first got mad because we had our hands in our pockets, then he got mad because he claimed she wasn´t completely submerged in the water. (She was completely submerged and as she was coming out of the water her knee came out.) They ended up baptising her again but he was ticked. We have no idea why he is so bitter. We are the first missionaries here to have a baptism in over 5 months and actually have people going to church. I feel like we are working as hard as we can so I have just been letting the stupid things that he says go.

 

After the baptism, Daniela´s dad had a BBQ and we played soccer. It was the coolest baptism ever. Our leaders ended up coming down to it and they were completely stoked. We had two investigators in the baptism and we should have another baptism Saturday.

 

We have a family we are teaching that had a really close friend pass away. I guess earlier this past week an 18 year girl that was pregnant was driving into chillan and got hit head on by a truck. Her and the baby ended up dying. It was a really close friend of the family and they were all really sad. We ended up passing by them a couple days after to see how they were doing. Their neighbors were outside when we stopped by. They came out and ran back inside to get something and said they would be back. Meanwhile, they neighbor was outside telling us to pass by another day because they were too busy for us ¨mormones¨. I told they lady we really needed to talk to them and she said they were ¨too busy¨. I told her what we had to talk to them about was more important than anything they could be doing. The next thing we know they come walking out and tell us to come in. I looked at her neighbor and gave her a smug grin as I walked in the gate. I thought it was hilarious. We got into the house and read Alma 40 and about the spirit world. We talked to them about the plan of salvation and they really seemed to calm down. It was an awesome lesson. My comp bore his testimony about his dad passing away but he knows that some day he will see his dad again. We are hopefully going to pass by them today.

 

Yes I got an email the other week from Grandma and Grandpa. I will write them back ASAP. I really don't have much time.

 

Yes, mom we have lots of other investigators.

 

My comp was a little down after our lesson with the family that their friend died. He was really depressed after that. He is a little different. The other day my DL dropped the hammer on him for going to bed early and he said he wasn´t in the mission to be pushed around by other missionaries. It kind of reminded me of Nefi and his brothers finding the truth to be hard. He said he wasn´t going to listen to anyone but president. It has kind of made me mad.

 

Next transfer is November 12. I really hope I get to stay here. We are about to explode with baptisms.

No email from Keaton yet. I haven´t gotten any from Easton or Melissa... You gotta get on them for that. Haha

I have no idea as far as Christmas. I was given a calendar today and it had all the way until the end of my mission to the month. That kind of scared me. 

 

Well we also have interviews this week so We are going to be seing Pres and the asistontos again. Whoo hoo. Well thank you for the love and support love you all.

 

Con Amor,

Elder Torgersen

I LOVE CONFERENCE!!!

Hello Friends and Family!

Well, what a week. I always love the week of conference. This week had
been a little slow for us as far as teaching. We ended up doing a lot
of contacts out in the rain. We were able to find a couple new
families.

Monday after I had written you guys my comp wouldn`t talk to me. I
have no idea what I did or said but he just wouldn`t talk to me. Then
all of a sudden, Tuesday we wake up and he`s acting like nothing
happened...? I really think he`s bipolar. He`s all over the place as
far as emotions. It is really kind of difficult to work with him. I
had decided this week that I`m not gonna let his emotions and attitude
affect our work. I have decided that It is really hard to look and act
happy all the time. But if people see us and we are moping around it`s
gonna make us look by. Like I`ve always heard, fake it till you make
it. Even if its a slight fake happy. I`m going to be happy. Then...
Elder Uchtdorf basically summed it up for me... I`m not gonna have any
regrets on the mission and I`m going to be happy all the time. Like he
said ¨We determine our happiness.¨ I`m also gonna make sure that we
stop to help people with whatever thing even if we have a lesson.

This week end we had to take the 45 minute bus ride into Chillan to
the stake center. There, all of the missionaries and all of the wards
met to watch all of the sessions of Conference. We had a separate room
where it was being played in English. About 7 of us elders and 2
sister missionaries where in watching it in English. We all just about
freaked out when he announced the age being 18. We pretty much knew it
was coming because here in Chile you can leave when you are 18. We all
about died when he said that he was changing the age of the sister
missionaries also. I thought that was crazy. I really think it is a
great idea. We did get to watch a little of the press conference. We
all thought it was really cool. I think it will be great. I really
think it will increase the number of missionaries to serve. Let me
tell you I was on the edge of crying this whole conference. The Talks
were amazing and there was lots of really cool news.

Well, I`m not going to say what I think about what Ethan should do. But
I am going to say... Either way it is now, He`s going to need a lot
more preparation. It doesn`t matter if he leaves right away or waits
but He`s going to need some serious Preparation. I feel like I could
have prepared better for my mission. I would have at least read PMG a
couple times more. Now it is going to require a lot more preparation
from the young men and especially the young women. I feel like it was
a really good move to lower they age for the young women. That way
they can still serve and get home and get married. Only a year and a
half for girls 19 years old is perfect.

We did end up getting two people to the conference. We, along with the
ZL`s were the only missionaries to have people in church this weekend.
It was really awesome. We were the farthest sector away and we were
one of the only ones to have people there.

We ended up coming back to Coihueco to watch the priesthood session
here in our capilla. How do you say capilla in English... Uhhhh I`m
forgetting English. It ended up being a bad Idea. The Internet here
was really slow and we could either hear the talks but not see them or
we could see them and not hear them. We ended up not hearing almost
half of it and we had to watch it in the presidents office. We had 11
people crammed into a little room. It was quite funny.

I was really hoping that the talks would be online today to print
off but they are only ready to download. Guess ill have to wait till
next week.

Tell Ethan his picture was sick. That`s so awesome that the lady got
the picture perfectly. That is so cool. I wish someone was following
me with a camera so they could record or take pictures of cool stuff
I`m doing. I guess I`ll have to do it myself. I did get a free suit
the other week. Our branch pres found a bag of suits, ties, and pants
in the church and he gave me a grey suit with pin stripes. It is
pretty dope. I got it dry cleaned for free too.

Tell Grandma and Grandpa Kratchen they cant close the Restaurant until
I get home and can eat my last Pork sandwich and a couple rack of
ribs. Tell them if they close it they have to give me their boat to
make up for the sadness I'm gonna have because I can`t eat pork
sandwiches and ribs.

I am planning on using my football this week. I taught a couple kids
in the street how to throw a football. They had bought a piece of crap
rubber football in Chillan that probably cost a ton and were in the
street playing with it. I walked up, and their mom said something with
¨Mormones¨ and walked inside. Next thing I know the dad is outside
with the wife. I taught them how to throw it, threw it around with
them a couple times and then left. The dad was behind us and I could
hear him say, ¨oh, he`s only teaching them how to throw it.¨ It was
really kind of funny. But that lead on to our idea of having an
activity to teach how to play football. I really hope some people show
up.

I found out I can buy pepper here but it is really lame. I have been
using it like crazy this week. Chilean spices  and cooking methods
include, Sal, Oregano, aceite, y limon. I`m just about sick of eating
spaghetti, lentils, and pure con pollo. I could really use a
cheeseburger or even just a taco. But seriously like 5 bags of seeds
would be great. I need something to munch on. Everything cheap here is
really greasy and fattening.

Well not much else is happening. I have a mini cambio with My district
leader, who`s comp is the ZL. They are teaching close to 30 lessons a
week. I`m hoping he can teach me their secret. We also have A
conference this wed. Well Thank you all for everything. I love you all
and miss you tons.

Elder Torgersen

Hello Friends and Family!

 

Well this week has been the best week we have had here in Coihueco. We have a total of 12 people that accepted a baptismal date and 11 news. We also had the most lessons this week. 

 

Monday, we had a family night with a family of a returned missionary that has kind of fallen off the wagon for awhile. He has asked us to help him and his wife and his little daughter get to church and later to the temple. We are helping them prepare to go to the temple. There is only one couple here in Coihueco that is endowed. It is really sad. We are trying to get that number to two.

 

This last week we had a stake conference and our mission pres came. He and his wife spoke. We also heard from Elder Alliuad or something like that. He´s a member of the 70 from Argentina. He had a great talk and basically dropped the hammer on people that leave the church because someone ¨offends¨ them. He said that no one can offend us. We decide to let them offend us. He had a great talk.

 

After the conference I guess president talked to our Zone leaders about the zone. He told our ZL´s that he was really happy and content with the work we were getting done here. He said it´s the best numbers he´s seen in coihueco. My zone leader and I were talking and wondering why he put two of the crappiest elders in one of the smaller cities? Then it made sense... Worthless elders+branch that is dead=no damage done. The elder is now in his house and we are fixing what he ruined. I guess my Zone leader was in a sector the same missionary had been in and he said the attendance tanked! It is really sad how one dumb elder can do so much damage. But the good news is... President is happy with whats happening here.

 

I´m still feeling a little alone. Even though we are having success I´m finding it really hard to have fun and to be happy. My comp is really starting to bring me down. I don´t know what I did but this last week he just hasn't talked to me. I try to talk to him to find out whats going on and he´s just completely closed. We get home and plan and then he goes directly to bed. Today we had a Zone activity and we missed it because he wouldn´t get out of bed. The Zone, along with the other zone and some members bought a pig, killed it, cooked it and then ate it. While it was being cooked they played soccer. I have been stuck in the house for the last 3 weeks of P-day because he doesn't want to leave the house. He told me we were basically sinning because we were murdering the ¨innocent¨ pig. It was really weird. I was really excited to eat a pig and play soccer and he goes all little girl on me. I´m finding it extremely hard to find common ground with him and i´m getting sick of missing out on stuff because he doesn´t want to do it. 

 

Tuesday night we already had 5 lessons and 2 less active. We were on a ball. We were rolling in and out of lessons like crazy. We had 30 minutes left in the day and it was 9:30. We didn´t have anything else to do but contacts. We contact a few houses and then we contact a house that the house is set back kind of far from the fence. A guy walked out and asked what we wanted in a really snappy voice. We told him our names and said we were from the church. He then asked why we were out preaching at this hour of night and said that people are busy, as he is turning to walk inside. I don´t know what happened but before I could think it came out of my mouth. It could have been for the good and it could have been for the bad... ¨And what could you be possibly doing right now to be so busy? Watching TV?¨ He turns back around and walks to the gate. He then starts yelling at me ¨Blah blah blah No I´m with my family!¨ It came so quick to my mind I didn´t even have to think...¨Great, we love to teach families. We would love to come in and teach your family right now! We know out message is more important than anything you could be doing with your family!¨ He yelled some more, I said thanks, and walked away. He yelled something more as we were walking away but I couldn´t hear him. I was kind of stunned after all of that happened. I kind of feel bad for going off on the guy but I´m so sick of getting treated like crap just because we are missionaries. I realized that Christ would have probably handled it a little more calmly but then again, like dad said,Christ was humble and calm but he wasn´t a wuss with people and let them walk all over him. He corrected them in a firm but kind and loving way. I´m so sick of getting stepped on like a floor mat just because we are missionaries. People have no respect for us when they see the name tags. People don´t even say hi to us in the streets. I ¨forgot¨ my name tag one day while using a sweater and in the street and I kid you not about 15 people more than normal said Hello. I don´t understand it. We offer to help, we are nice, we say hello to everyone and they still treat us like garbage. Ok, I´m done with the complaining. 

 

I did get two more packages this last week. I got the back pack, sunflower seeds, socks and other stuff. Thanks for the confetti! It was everywhere. I opened one of the packages at a members house before lunch and the confetti went everywhere. Surprisingly she was really happy to see it. She said a handful of the confetti here cost about $5. I told her she could have it all. We emptied out everything into a bowl. She and her kids were really happy!

 

Only one problem... I asked for a smaller backpack. The other backpack is just as big maybe even bigger.

We got into a lesson the other day and taught some crazy old lady that is part of some Evangelical church. She told us that there never was an Apostasy and the church continued through the spirit. And that if we talk about the bible or of Christ we are prophets. So i guess me and my comp are prophets. This lady was completely nuts. Honestly... I don´t like teaching older people. Sounds kind of harsh but i´m sure most of them have had their chances to listen to us and the missionaries. Most of the older people here are completely lost or completely out of it. It is really sad but most of them have no idea what we are talking about when we teach them. My comps always get mad because we never try and ¨teach¨ them. You can usually tell in the contact if they are crazy or not. I usually give them a pass along and say thanks. The other day we had a lady kiss the picture of Christ we gave here like 5 times and try to tell us a story of her cat or something strange like that. 

 

Friday and Saturday we had 2 activities. Friday we played baby soccer in the basketball court behind the church and Saturday we had a movie night. We actually had quite a few people there. We had a less active lady yell and me and my comp because here kid didn´t get home on time... Don´t know why it was our fault the kid didn´t listen. He´s 12... He knows when he´s supposed to be home. This was the same lady that said she was going to help us on Sunday for the conference... What she said to us went in one ear and out the other. As you can probably tell I haven´t had the most patience this week. 

 

The other day we were talking to an investigator outside of her house and her neighbors came walking out and were sitting just inside their gate. Next thing I know I hear whistles and ¨Esta Bueno, Mira este russio Que Bonito¨ I look up and the mom and two daughters were out sitting there looking at me. Our Investigator tells them we can´t date, tells them to shut up and go inside. It was hilarious. They of course didn´t listen but I thought it was funny and really gross.

 

We have talked to the parents of Daniela, and they are really excited for the baptism. (it is so cool that we were the first elders to get into the house and talk to the parents and then get her with a baptism date) She is completely stoked. She already made invitations. It is weird to think that she is a year younger than Baileigh. She seems so much older than Baileigh. The kids down here grow up a lot quicker than they do in the states. It was really weird to think she´s a year younger than Baileigh. Pray for her and her family. The dad is really excited he wants to do a BBQ after her baptism and play soccer. Good thing its on a P-day, it might be a full party! 

 

Well I´ve got another cambio here with my comp. Hoping we will be able to find some common ground and have some success. Well not much else. I love you guys and miss you tons. 

 

Elder Torgersen