Buenas!

  Well, this week was far better than the last week we had here in Jardin del Valle. Well, it started out rather hard but then it got good at the end of the week. I'm happy to say were not in an investiagtor crisis (well, not as bad of one) now. So here's what happened this week. Monday we taught a new lady and her son, but they were just mas o menos no mas. We also met with Alejandra (who just got baptized) and her brother Mario (who was gonna get baptized this week). It was the last time we saw him this week before his baptism, because he was going on the young mens trip for the week, coming back Friday, with his baptism on Saturday.  Now we decided to fast on Tuesday as a companionship to find some new, prepared investigators. So we started the fast on Tuesday after lunch.  Then our faith was tried the whole day. We had planned a good day of finding new investigators, doing contacts, looking for old investigators, trying to contact references, etc., Now, the whole day we didn't enter a single house!! So that was pretty rough, but we worked hard, and were super tired at the end of the day.

   On Wednesday morning we had district class, were we got some news. The zone leaders had conference with the President on Monday and Tuesday, and came back with the news. We got a lot of the rules changed (not big rules, but like small ones.) So that was interesting. Also, we got our schedule changed. We now wake up at 7:30, go to bed at 11:30. So thats kinda cool I guess. We also started teaching the mom of a newer convert, she's kinda old and slow to understand things but hey, we're working with her little by little. So then a coule days went by of missionary work, and then we saw the blessings from our fast. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we found really, really cool people that I think are going to progress.  I'll tell you more about them next week, but we ended the week well, with 13 new investigators! Saturday was Marios baptism, and it went really well. I'll send pics of it next week. Then on Sunday he was confirmed. The only investigator we had in church was the mom of the newer convert. But things are very hopeful here in Jardin del Valle. We've been able to turn things around pretty good, and things are looking bright for the future.

   This morning we played some soccer on a turf field and it was fun. And tomorrow we have a little mini-conference with the President, so I'm excited for that. Well, the church is true, and I'm way excited to be here in this sector. Have a great week!

 

Talca!

  Well, I don't even know where to start, there's a lot going on in my mind. But things are quite good! Here I am again in Talca, dying of heat (its suuuper hot), making the best of my new sector,  Jardín del Valle. So I'm gonna give a rundown of whats going on here.
  So last Monday, was my saying goodbye day in Lirquen. I think it was the hardest goodbyes I've done so far, because I've met some of my favorite people in all of Chile here in Lirquen. So that was really rough. Then I had to pack (ugh), and got ready for the trip. So Tuesday morning I reported to the bus terminal in Conce at like 9, and from there started the long trip back to Talca. So at 2oclock, I arrived in Talca. So I got to the terminal and talked with the ZL's a bit, and learned we would be having a baptism on Wednesday (that's cool) and heard a lot of good things about the sector and the ward. So then I met my comp Elder Demann, he's from the same group as Elder Strong.  So we headed out to work. On Tuesday, I met the bishop of the ward. And it turns out that he is Martas (my very first convert) son! So that's cool. The bishop is really cool, he's only a convert of 3 years, but he's pure power. Then we met the girl who was gonna be baptized Wednesday, Alejandra. She's also really cool and was ready for her baptism. Then towards the end of the day we went to buy groceries, and on the way there I saw Felipe, my convert! That was really cool. Pretty sure next monday I'm gonna go to my old sector and make an appearance.
  On Wednesday morning we had the district class and I got to meet the zone. It's relatively small (12), Penco was 20 missionaries. But it's all good. I continue as a DL, my district has only one other companionship.  So right after luch we had Alejandras baptism! It was really good. So now a little about the new sector.
  Jardin del Valle is in the bottom left corner of Talca (Piduco was the top right). The ward has about 115 members who go each week, which is pretty good. The missionaries have been having good success, last Sunday a couple got married and baptized, and Wednesday there was the baptism. The bad news? We have 1 investigator. No one else. It's the brother of the girl who was baptized on Wednesday, and he's getting baptized this Saturday. So really we're in an investigator crisis, which isn't really fun to come to a sector where there's no one. But I'm excited to work. This week I've been formulating my plan of attack for this sector, and I'm gonna work a lot with the members, going and asking for references a lot. We got like 7 references from members last week, so I'm pretty sure it's gonna work. But basically, we're basically just trying to find news. But we have some pretty good references, so we're gonna see how it goes. I've got a lot of hope and faith that we'll see a lot of success here, I can just feel it.
  So the week was spent going to members, trying to find news, etc. Sunday the only investigator we had in church was Alejandras brother, Mario. So, here we are this week. Kind of in a crisis, but we're gonna have an amazing week and find like 9 million people. This morning we went to Centro, and we played some basketball and soccer with other missionaries. So that's about it! I'm very excited to be here in Talca again, sad to be out of Lirquen, but I know that for something, I'm here. I love this work, and I'm gonna do work! Love you!
Elder Ryan Mayberry

Back to my roots - Talca !

  Yes, as you can see in the title, I'm going back to my roots with the cambios. But more on that a little later. This week was really good for us here in Lirquen. Mostly because we've been seeing a lot of blessings as of late.
  So recently the President asked that we do at least 85 contacts a week, and that if we do we'll find new investigators. Now Elder Strong and I have done it for the past couple weeks and this week we saw the results. We found at least 1 new person every day this week, and a lot of them are really good people. One of them is Bernarda, she was a reference from a member and she is so golden! She's so good. she's super receptive.  And we have various other people were teaching. Pia and Valeska are also doing really good, they're both reading and praying, and they both came to church!  Bernarda couldn't because some relatives came on Saturday and stayed there for the weekend.
  So basically not much else exciting happened this week. So on Sunday night I couldn't sleep very well (I never can sleep well on nights of cambios where it's possible I go), and in the morning we got the call that I'm going. I kinda wanted to stay here close to Concepcion, but I'm going back to Talca! But I'm going to the other zone in Talca. The sectors called Jardin del Valle, and I hear it's a way good ward. I'm super excited to be over there. I guess we get bikes too! And my comps gonna be Elder Demann, he got here the same time that Elder Strong got here. And I'm still gonna be a district leader over there. I'm pretty excited. But sad at the same time, because some of my favorite people here on the mission I've met here in Lirquen. Tonights gonna be a hard day of saying goodbye, packing (ugh), and getting ready to go.
  So next week will be full of new information. I'm gonna attach quite a few fotos now, becuase of the lack of pics I've sent home the past few weeks. I'm super excited to work in my new sector. I love being here, I love the Mission. Talk to you next week!
  The pics: I don't know what order they're in. But there's a Chilean sunset, me being a witness (signing the official document) at Miguel and Jocelyns wedding, me at a Chilean Disneyland, Sandras and Jocelyns baptisms, and a huge fire from new years. Enjoy!
Elder Ryan Mayberry

 

2011 is here!

Happy New Years!
It's so strange to think that we're now in 2011.  This week or so has been very good for us here in Lirquen. So here's a couple things that have happened.
  So we talked on Christmas! It was really great to see all you and be able to talk to everyone. So since then basically 3 big things have happened. One Wednesday, the 29th Sandra was baptized! She overcame her smoking addiction and was baptized! She was sooo prepared by the Lord, and we just happened to be the Missionaries there to baptize her. But it was super great, the baptism went really well (I got to baptize her) and she really enjoyed it, her husband as well. So that was one of the highlights.
  On Friday we had interviews with the President. Those were really good, I always love talking to the President.
  Then not too much happened until new years eve. On New Years eve. we went to Elisas house and had dinner there, then we went over to Tome and spent the night with the missionaries over there. Elder Doxey (my mtc comp) is one of the Elders over there, so that's cool. We had a blast. So one of the Chilean traditions for New years is make these huge poles, make some stuffed people and put them on top, then burn the whole thing at midnight. Last year I didn't get to see it, but this year it was done right outside the apartments where the missionaries live in Tome. So it was way cool! It's intense. Another is that you hug everyone for new years. Those are just some of the traditions. I got good pictures and video to show you.  And then on Saturday we had a zone activity where we just played a ton of games and ate, it was way fun.
  Ok, then then on Sunday... Jocelyn finally got baptized! It was also really good. Miguel was also really happy for her. So that was also a really special time. I forgot my camera : /  but Elder strong took pictures.
  And so then we have today! We just can email for like an hour, then go to work. This could be my last week here in Lirquen, so that makes me both sad and nervous.  But next monday I'll let you know what happens! I love this work and love being here. Have a great week! Well I can't get the pics to you this week, I'll do it next week though, sorry!
Elder Mayberry

Woo!

Finally, a week were something went just as we wanted. well, not exactly, but I am very happy after this week. So this weeks focus, like last week, was Elisa. Passing by every day, helping her to get baptized. And after many weeks of very hard, stressful working with her, she finally got baptized!!! But more on that in a bit.
  So this week we've been working like normal, nothing too out of the ordinary happened this week.  We've been working with the same people, Jocelyn, Sandra, and Elisa basically. So in that order...
  Jocelyn was doing fine- We organized her to be baptized in the morning on Sunday so that Miguel would be there and everything, then she found out she had to go to a work thing on Sunday :( So she's either gonna be baptized this upcoming Wednesday (Miguel doesn't work) or Sunday in the morning.
  Sandra is also doing good. She still wants to get baptized for the 26th and everything. But this week we found out that she smokes. She doesn't smoke a ton, but she still smokes. But she is willing to quit, and wants to do it. So if all goes well with her, she'll also get baptzed this Sunday.
  And the big news is with Elisa! She got baptized!! It was such a long struggle but it finally happened. She was nice and animated the whole week, and we even went over Sunday morning and made breakfast for her. The baptism service was really good. She wanted it to be private, so there was only us 2, the bishop, and the relief society president. But it was still really good. Oh, and I got to do the baptism. : ) We were both so happy to see her finally take that step in her life. You never can really express how good it feels.
  So that's basically what happened this week, and what will happen next week. There was also a devotional held by the missionaries last week. They made a choir of like 20 missionaries and sang christmas songs in the stake center. It was really good, and a ton of people came!
  Like I said, that's what happened. Now next week. I seriously can't believe its christmas! It's snuck up on me this year, it still hasn't really hit me yet. So it should be a pretty eventful week, a nice dinner, and a nice phone call. Well I'll see you all then (in a very literal sense!!!)! The church is true! By the way, a couple pics. One of Us and Elisa at her baptism, and the other is me with the capsule (yes, its the actual capsule used to rescue the miners. cool huh)

Elder Ryan Mayberry

Wow!

  This week was soo nice for us. A lot of good stuff happened ( I took good notes throughout the week), and a couple unexpected things also happened. So I'm just gonna start it off right away.
  Alright, so Monday = normal day.  Tuesday was good for us. There's a neighborhood waaaay up on a hill in our sector (it's where Jocelyn and Elisa live) called the Huaska. Now, I've contacted it here and there, but on Tuesday we started what I call "Project Knock the Huaska" We're gonna contact every door, and if no one comes out the first time were gonna go back. Now we've already seen some success in finding new people who have let us in, I'm excited to do it. So also on Tuesday, me and Elder Strong went to the church so he could practice the piano. So I was downstairs while he was upstairs practicing. so I decided to quietly sneak upstairs, crawl underneath the benches, and I popped up right in front of the piano, and scared the living daylights out of Elder Strong. It was pretty funny.
  Ok, so also on Tuesday. So I think I told you we had a mouse in the house, right? Well it's been there for like over a month and we had tried everything to get it, poison, etc. So one night I made a trap. I led a ramp up to a bucket of water, and put a see-saw on it with food at the end, so if the mouse stepped on it he would fall in. So the trap was there for like a week in the middle of the kitchen, and on Tuesday, it finally worked! I'll put on some pics.
  So on Wednesday was the Teletón, the national wide telethon they have each year. And everyone watches it. SO that was interesting. Also, this week was the national day of the virgin Mary, so they had a massive procession here in Lirquen. Also on Wednesday we went to the chapel with Jocelyn to help set up for her wedding.
  So on Thursday morning was the wedding! We had permission to go to it and the reception. And it was really cool. So for the marriage it's necessary that theres 2 official witnesses to sign the marriage document, Elder Strong and me were the witnesses! It was way cool. So then we went to the reception and had a good time.
  On Friday we had the Mission Conference, which would have been really good, except that I was sick the whole time. It started with a massive headache, then I threw up right before lunch, so I didn't get to eat the delicious lunch :( But it was still a good conference. Then after we had the baptism interviews of Jocelyn and Elisa. Jocelyn passed, but Elisa still didn't feel like she was ready.
  Then on Saturday we got the info that Jocelyn was really sick. And that also led into Sunday, so she didn't get baptized :( But she's good for this next week. Also we've been talking to Elisa a lot, and helping her with her testimony, especially of Joseph Smith. She lacks only a very little. SO she after watching the restoration with us said that she thinks she'll be baptized this Sunday. So we're pumped for that, Jocelyn and Elisa should both be baptized this Sunday.
  So that's how the week went in Lirquen. SO we're very excited for this next week. Today we went to Telepizza for lunch, and after this, we're gonna go take pictures of us with the capsule fenix 2! Yes, THE capsule that brought up the miners, it's here in conce for a bit so next week you'll have some cool pictures of me. Also, here's a couple pics (two of the trap, one from the weeding) from this week (Elder strong has all the good wedding pics, and he left his camera at home :( )But thanks for everthing! Have a great week!

Elder Ryan Mayberry

Tis the Season!

  Well this week was alright for us here in Lirquen. Not too much special happened this week. So let's just talk about what happened with our investigators.  
  So Jocelyn has been doing good. She's getting ready for her wedding, (this Thursday!) and we're excited for that.  She then will be baptized this Sunday! So were very excited to see it happen, after a long time of waiting.   We also talked to Sandra this week, and she's doing good. She's gonna be able to come to church 3 weeks in a row starting this upcoming Sunday, and be baptized the 26th. Again, we're very excited for that.
  So Elisa: has been a rollercoaster ride this past week. So she had another interview to see if she was ready to be baptized this Sunday, and she came out of the interview feeling worse. She felt like she wasn't exactly ready, and was kind of frustrated with herself that she wasn't ready. So we've been working with her and alls good now. She feels ready and excited to be baptized this Sunday the 12th. So if all goes well this Sunday Jocelyn and Elisa will be getting baptized.
  Apart from that not much happened. SO we've got big hopes for this month, and this week. Me and Elder Strong are having a good time and working hard. Time is going by really quick (hit my 16 month mark), but lots of time left to do a lot of work. 
  So here's some pictures of the zone and of thanksgiving to make up for the smallness of this letter. Love you all!
Elder Ryan Mayberry