I did it. It was awesome. We had a member drive us up to the park and we were able to hike right up to the base of the Volcano! It was so cool! We hiked up and there was even snow at the base. The hard crusty type but it was snow! We were also with an elder from El Salvador who had never seen snow before in his life. He was able to sled down one of the hills on a jacket that we brought. A good experience I am sure. We took some good pictures and ate a snack then headed back down. The member accidentally left the car lights on and the battery was dead. So here we are in the middle of one of Chiles national parks with a car with a dead battery. My companion and one of the other Elders ran to the nearest military instilation to get help. They were really nice fellows and even took the time to pose for a picture with us.
This week was also really cool because we have some investigators who have committed to get married and baptized! We have all pistons running so that we can get the wedding planned for the beginning of February. Anyway I will be sending those pictures as well. I hope everything is going well for you guys. Elder Miller
Jan 18, 2015 This week was really hard but really good at the same time. I just felt so tired but so eager to do everything. When we put all of our efforts in we really are able to accomplish great things. I have been able to feel the guidance of the spirit so much in these past couple of weeks. This Sunday was so great. Over my time in Vilcun we have had a lot of little steps toward bigger things. This Sunday was the biggest. We had a wonderful meeting in church and the thing is there wasn't a single person from the ward in Temuco. All of the classes and talks were given by people here in Vilcun and not even the missionaries. Also we had a really great family in church and they absolutely loved it. We were able to put a goal for them to prepare to get baptized.
Also this week I saw my very first llama in Chile. I took a picture and will be sending it. Is it a little sad that I got excited about that. Probably but I am sending it anyway.
It is so cool being down here right now. I by that I mean just the opposite. It is ridiculously hot. I am frying. Also I heard that there is a hole in the ozone down here or something but if someone could find that information out for me that would be great.
Anyway Elder White and I have just been working very hard to try to find new people to teach. It is a little difficult sometimes because usually people in this town let you in but don't want you to come back. However this week I have taught some of the best people yet. There is this one guy named Pablo and he is just GOLD. We actually had an appointment scheduled with his mom but she wasn't and we were teaching. We taught him about how God always worked through prophets in order to lead his people. We explained that when Christ was on the earth that he set up a church, established on his apostles. Expounding on the fact that they had all died and that the earth was left without this priesthood authority after their death. He then said "So Christ's church isn't on the earth right now." Well actually.... IT IS!!!
Accidentally sent that early but yeah.
I love you all and don't have any more time but I hope the best for you.
I know that God lives and that he sent his son because he loves us. (John 3:16) Also I want to let you all know that even though we may not see it all the time that God is in every act of our lives. The big and the small. He loves you. Jesus loves you. I love you as well but they love you way more.
These last two weeks have been really hard to work in. The people were all really focused in the festivities of the new year. Especially the guy I saw in the market with two carts full of beer.
New years we had dinner at a members house again. It was actually the same member that we ate Christmas dinner with. It was really good as well. We went back to our house at 11 and then brought in the new year by banging on some pots and being overly excited. Chileans have a couple of really wierd but cool traditions. For instance they have a tradition of eating a certain type of bean soup at midnight. Then for the next two days they all stay in there house drunk. The second one wasn't really a tradition it was just an observation that I had. Anyway Elder White and I are doing all right. We are roasting in the heat. I thought I got badly sunburned Saturday but then when I woke up Sunday God decided otherwise. This Sunday was a really cool moment. It was the first sunday in the history of Vilcun that we had priesthood and Relief Society classes. That is going to be such a blessing to the members and for their spiritual development. Also this last week an adult couple of missionaries arrived to Temuco area. They are so cool. They are taking care of us missionaries and also they are doing really great work in strengthening the branches down here.
Well just to finish of I hope all of you are able to take this time of news and look at what you are going to work for this coming year. Place some goals. Then the important part WORK TOWARD THEM. We are never going to get somewhere if we do not work for it. God gave holidays so that we can remember him and develop. (Leviticus 23)
