Week 9

“I prophesy with all of my apostolic authority that Chile will be a beacon of the church in South America. It will be a beacon to the whole church around the world. If we will exercise faith in God and in the future there is no limitation to what the church will be in this country. It is a land of destiny. I leave an apostolic blessing upon the land itself. On the nation of Chile.” Jeffrey R. Holland

 

I love this country! I love the people in this country!

 

This week I experienced my first earthquake, crazy stuff. I am sure it will be my firsts of many and I don’t know how I feel about that. haha So this week we had divisions and the AP for sisters came to MY SECTOR which meant I was the senior companion and had to lead the day, the lessons, everything. I was terrified and felt so inadequate the night before. That night I prayed harder than I think I ever have before. The next day was one of the best days on my mission! We taught 8 lecciones and had 3 new investigators, miracles. That whole day I was amazed at the blessings I was receiving. At night we always have to take the subway home because our sector is massive and its dangerous to walk home in the dark alone. So Hermana Erthal and I go to catch the subway and there is a massive group of men screaming. As we get closer we see a bunch of police men blocking the entrance and men are throwing bricks, glass, everything at these police men. The police start beating men with bat type things and then people begin shooting at the police. Women were sobbing, people were running around like crazy. I have never been so scared in my life. We were trying to call leaders for help but no one would answer so we caught a taxi and got the heck out of Parque O Higgins. I guess Hermana Erthal called and talked to President about our experiences and he might remove us Hermanas from this area for safety reasons. I hope not because people are so humble and are willing to listen more than other areas! Please pray for my success as well as the success of other missionaries all around the world. We need your help, this is hard. Why is it so hard? 

 

“I think missionary work is so hard because salvation is not a cheap experience. I don’t think salvation was ever easy. You cannot be a representative of Christ without walking where he walked, feeling what He felt, weeping as He wept. You are going to have to walk on the edge of Gethsemane.” Jeffrey R. Holland

 

I love you all. But most importantly, I love my Savior. He lives. I know He loves each of you. I hope we can all try a little harder to be a little better. 

PS Please pray for my Neapolitan hair. Its currently red brown and blonde.

 

Love Hermana Beardall

 

PPS   In 2 weeks we get to go to the temple with Juan and Edwin and do baptisms for the dead for their parents and ancestors. How amazing is that? And Elder David Bednar is coming in 2 weeks!

 

 Juan, Edwin, Mercedes and Lizette-all recently baptized

 View from our apartment

 Lunch with our Bishop's Family

 Roof of our apartment

Christmas Package! (2 months late.... but who cares?)

Week 8

What used to make me happy... Shopping. Going out to eat. Watching movies. My phone. Family and friends obviously. 

What makes me happy now.. When investigators pray for the first time. When investigators come to church. When investigators quit smoking. WHEN INVESTIGATORS GET BAPTIZED!

I had my first baptism this weekend and it was amazing! Edwin Laines and Juan Mena. I cannot explain the happiness I felt as I saw them be baptized and confirmed members of this church. These men have had hard lives due to bad choices and just because life isn’t fair. They have nothing but are still so happy. They live away from their families, they work harder than anyone I know and  have a tiny room for a house. They are amazing examples to me! My companion and I taught them for 12 days and it was amazing to see their transformation. We were so nervous about telling them about not being able to work on Sundays and tithing because of their money situation but they excepted with no hesitation! As hard as this is, I am so happy. My companion is one of my favorite people on this planet. We have so much fun together and work so hard together. We had hot dogs the other day, yes we eat hot dogs so much here. hahaha God has a good sense of humor. Anyway, a lot of walking and hot dogs don’t go well together and in one of our appointments she totally tooted. We died afterwards. haha After the baptism on Saturday we decided to order pizza to celebrate. Best decision we have made so far. This week has been a good one. I just want to finish with my testimony. I know without a doubt I was called to Chile and more importantly Republica right now. I know this life is the time to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ and I am so grateful for His constant companionship. 

 

Alma 26: 27 through 31

27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

 

28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have travelled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world-not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.

 

29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.

 

I am honored to be a missionary. Every day is a struggle but every day is good. I love you all and pray for you a million times a day. 

 

Week 7-Republica!

Wow! I do not even know where to start. This has probably been the craziest 2 weeks of my life. So, as you all know I left the CCM and that was super hard. I never thought I would say that but I really did love the CCM. You get to sit all day and learn how to bring others unto Christ. Sounds pretty nice now that all I do is walk around in the heat all day. Ha Ha! I left the CCM Tuesday morning and headed off to the Mission Presidents home. I love my mission president and his wife SO MUCH! He speaks a combo of Spanish, Portuguese, and English so it is hard to understand him but he is so great!  After meeting them, having lunch, and a learning all of the rules, we headed off to Maipu (yes my poo) to meet our trainers. To say I was sick to my stomach to meet my trainer would be an understatement. Deep down I was really hoping for a trainer from the U.S. who would understand how hard it is to learn Spanish and be sympathetic but God had other plans for me. A 4’ 10” super sassy Argentinian who speaks zero English and has no sympathy. Ha Ha! She is amazing though and has taught me so much!! I met her, the elders took my suitcases, they gave me a backpack and we started proselyting right off the bat! Please read Matt 10: 16-20 to understand how I felt my first day. After 5 hours of proselyting, we returned to our ‘home’. I live in the ghetto and my apartment is something else I tell you. Let’s just say it makes me miss home….. a lot. My area is Republica which is right in the middle of the city. It’s by Navia on a map. We are the first and only Hermana’s in this area because it has been known to be dangerous. Don’t freak out, I will be fine. But really it’s sketchy. Ha Ha! It is incredibly rough and everyone is so poor. The elders treat us like gold though because we are the only sisters. My companion and I have HUGE goals and already have 3 investigators with baptismal dates. Please pray for Javier, Juan, and Edwin EVERY DAY. Juan and Edwin are from Peru and are in Santiago for work. They send money home to their families every month and live apart, it breaks my heart. I am so blessed!! I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to come home sometimes. This is hard stuff. My feet were so swollen the first night I couldn’t even get my shoes on the next day I kid you not. I had blisters on top of blisters. Ha ha! We walk at least 10 miles a day because our area is so big! I am so happy though. Nothing easy is worth it. You know that saying, Obedience brings blessings? I love this quote but I believe exact obedience AND sacrifice brings miracles. So I wake up 30 minutes early in order to study Spanish more. I know if I sacrifice the Lord will bless me. Funny stories of the week. I hope this doesn’t make you fly down here and get me but some chicks threatened to kill me yesterday. I wouldn’t have cared but they had a knife. Ha ha They started screaming horrible things at us and I didn’t understand so I was just sitting there smiling and my companion runs off so I hurry and follow her. We get around the corner and my companion told me they were saying, Let’s kill the North American. Ha ha Girls these days. Also 5 minutes into my real mission and some man with no teeth comes up to me and grabs me in a hug and refused to let go. My companion was trying to pull him off and his wife was smacking him in the head and he still wouldn’t let go. I was terrified. The first night with my companion I was just kind of sad. Kind of wallowing in self-pity because it was 100 degrees and we have no AC. I was just lying there thinking about Circle K. The next day we had our first lunch at a members house and it was HUGE. They don’t have dinner here so lunch is a combo of both. Anyways I am struggling to get this meal down when in the distance I hear the song Don’t Stop Believing by Journey. That gave me strength to finish. Ha ha I gave my first talk in Spanish to my ward yesterday and I sound so gringa my heavens. I asked them to pray for my Spanish and they all died laughing. I need all the help I can get. I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Week #6

We received a letter from Alex's Mission President, President Barreiros. He said she is well and happy! Alex is now in the field serving with Hermana Galeano. They will be serving in an area called Republica.

I can't wait to hear from her next week! Thank you all for your support, prayers, and emails. I know it means the world to her.

Week #5

So the last few days I have been praying my heart out for courage to open my mouth and talk to the Latino missionaries more. Well, this week all of my roommates from the United States got moved out of my room and Latinas got moved into my room. (All part of President Doll´s plan) It has been extremely frustrating in understanding what is being said and then responding. But I love them so much! Their names are Hermana Jambo and Hermana Acebo and they are from Bolivia and Peru. President told me he had the strongest impression to put them with me and that this is ¨"preparing me for something great". Communicating with them goes something like this...Them: "Hola Hermana.” (And that is all I understand.) Me: "Muy bien gracias! ¿Comó fue su vida? What I meant to say was.... "How was your day?" what I said was, "How was your life?" they laughed and laughed and laughed.

 

This is my last week in the MTC so I thought I would share some of my highlights and what I have learned. I have learned that people in South America are so loving! The Latinas are always hugging you and kissing you on the cheeks, it’s so cute! And the Latino elders are so cool! I have absolutely loved playing soccer with them every morning. We would play at a big park and bunch of little kids would join us and parents would even come watch sometimes. I will never forget how fun that has been. I have loved my teachers SO much and I am seriously considering being a MTC teacher when I get home. (PS. One of my teachers is on the Chilean Voice right now, no big deal.) I have loved going to the temple so much (Doctrine and Covenants 109:22) and have loved getting to know my Savior and the scriptures more. I have loved meeting people from all over the world, they will be friends for life. Every Sunday Presidente has everyone write a 5-minute talk, in Spanish, and then he chooses 5 people to share. Well, this week I played the piano, translated all the announcements from Spanish to English, AND got picked to give my talk. I know this church is true because somehow I managed to give a 5-minute talk in Spanish without losing my mind. Basically I am just super grateful for the MTC and the memories I have had here. I won’t be able to email next Tuesday because I LEAVE FOR THE FIELD! So just know I love this gospel and I love all of you. If you want to pray for me this week I wouldn’t mind. I need all the prayers I can get. Read Doctrine and Covenants 31 this week. This scripture has reminded me that you are all hopefully being blessed for the service missionaries are giving all over the world and it reminds me how important missionary work is. Also read ‘Look Up’ by Elder Carl B. Cook. This talk changed my life! One of my teachers gave it to me because he knew I was upset about learning Spanish. This applies to all of you though so read it please. Have an amazing week everyone!!

                                Elder Willis -  Friend from Oak Canyon Junior High in Lindon

                                                                   P-Day - Empendas

                                                               Two of Alex's CCM teachers

                                                           Her roomates are moving out!

                                                                   Home sweet Home!

                                                                        Alex's District

President and Sister Doll's last day in the CCM

Week #4

Sometimes it is so hard to believe I am a missionary! I have always looked up to missionaries and wondered what it would be like to be one. I can tell you it’s nothing like I expected. Its better! I am so incredibly blessed. The oldest group of missionaries left today which means my district is the oldest group here. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN! In 2 weeks I am leaving for the field and although I am incredibly scared, I am so ready to get out there and get to work! I also wouldn’t mind leaving the mystery meat at the cafeteria behind. Last week we got to go to the temple and I loved every second of it. Santiago has the only temple in all of Chile and so people will sometimes drive 28 hours to come to the temple. I am just realizing how dang spoiled we are back in the states. We had two temples within 20 minutes each way and these people drive for days to get here! So basically I have no excuse to not go like every day when I get home. Ha ha!  So we watch devotionals almost all day on Sunday and I love it. We watched one this week by Jeffrey R. Holland, my favorite, and he told a story that I want to share with you guys. The story was about a bishop teaching his ward that no one was perfect. He asked, ‘who do you know that is perfect,’ expecting no one to answer. Then a woman stood up in the back and said, ‘the missionaries who brought me into this church.’ I bawled when I heard that. This week was crazy though. Someone threw rocks through the windows all over temple square. They broke 5 windows in the CCM and the Hospedaje where we live. But not one window broke in the temple, so amazing! So I have kind of a personal experience I want to share with you guys because I feel like someone may need to hear it. Last week the district older than us went out and did splits with the real missionaries out in the field. When they came back they were glowing! They are all going to Vina del Mar or Rancagua, on their missions but did splits in my mission, Santiago West. When they got back they were telling me how amazing it was but how rough Santiago West is. They said most of the houses were shacks and everything was very dirty. I have to be honest, at first I was a little disappointed. But then a picture of a cute little family popped into my head. A family in my mission who needs me and who I need. I then realized how divine my call is. I was called to Santiago West for a specific reason. It doesn’t matter what it smells like or looks like. God wouldn’t call me somewhere if He knew I couldn’t do it right?! I love this gospel. I wanted to share a little something with you boys. As I have been reading the scriptures more, I have come across something super cool. I have come to realize how many YOUNG men God has chosen to help with His work. He chose David*1 Sam 7/33* out of everyone to fight a giant. He chose Mormon *Mormon 2/2* to lead an army against the Lamanites when he was 16. And he chose Joseph Smith*JS His 1/7* who was 14 almost 15 to restore the gospel. And now He chooses 18 and 19 year old young men to share His gospel. I don’t think you boys understand how powerful and needed you are. Keep working hard Connor, Preston, McKay, Colton and all you other boys out there. God has great faith in you just as He did with many boys before you. I love you all. Have an amazing week and know God is with you always. 

 Hermana Bohling

 Hermana Rockwood

 All Hermanas from AZ!!

 Santiago

Hermana Cronin