So today the weather is actually really nice. Its pretty "chilli" but sunny. Which is a blessing. Because Friday night it started to rain and literally did not stop until Sunday night. I don't even know how much rain they got here, but Its got to be close to like a foot and a half. Its actually really cool when it rains super hard. Because Utah never rains like that. Saturday night I had to pull out my camera and just film a video of inside the house and then walk outside, so that you could hear how wild the rain was wailing upon our metal roof. Oh yeah by the way... all the houses here in Coihuec (the majority of lower end chilean houses in general) have like thin tin metal sheets for roofing. And so the rain just sounds even louder! Anyways... Im really grateful for the really nice American rain gear that I have that keeps me dry :) ha
And hey we finally got 2 bikes this week. We took the one that we already had to get fixed, and my comp has a convert from Chillàn that gave him a bike. so a member from Coihueco helped us drive to Chillan and pick it up. And we have only used the bikes a couple times. Because its complicated when its raining. Better to just walk, so you can hold an umbrella. but I have to tell a funny story that will make EVERYONE in my family laugh. Remember when I woke up that one morning (after like my only time sluffing mission prep) and how I like got a paralyzing neck cramp? yeah that happened this week to my comp Elder Sanchez. But I think it happened because he rode back after picking the bike up squished in the back of the tiny car of our friend Ariel (that brady kind of knows ha.) And I think he was in a bad position or something, because it totally kinked his neck shoulder and left arm. And so for the rest of the afternoon, he was walking with his arm dangling at his side, and his shoulder like slouching, and his neck crooked trying to be in a non painful situation. People just looked at us weird Im sure. (well more weird than normal I guess) But the funniest part is that he used it as an excuse to start our contacts. He would always say, "Hey hows it going there, excuse me can I ask you a question? What is something I can do to cure my kinked neck?" and you wouldn't believe how many make shift Chilean remedies were prescribed to us that day in the street. Im sure Bishop (doctor) Hasleton would get a kick out of them all as well. For example, people said "he may have received an air" (como le dieron un aire) apparently when you are inside a hot house for a while and go outside in the cold air, air enters into your skin and can like kink your neck. I have no idea if thats even true. Or if putting a copper coin on the skin with a glass on top and a lit candle inside, acting as a vacuum to suck the air out of the skin to heal it would be a proper remedy either? hahaha
And the last crazy experience before I share something spiritual... is that 20 of us missionaries after playing futbol today went and bought food from this Colombian street vendor. And this big black lady was just handing out foot to all of us that asked her for something, and I guess she was just planning on collecting all the money after we had all asked and paid. And it was rather hectic to say the least. We all ate, and then retured to pay, and after asking everyone like 3 times if they had paid exactly what they owed, they told us that they were still missing like 14 dollars worth of food. And we had verified so many times, and everyone had paid. I am almost positive she was just trying to rip us off and take advantage of us. Because no one we still owed her that much. We ended up just giving her what she said we owed her. But told her that she has to do a better job next time of keeping track of the food. Because she is the one that is selling it. haha anyways, they were delicious little colombian treats ;)
Anyways our Branch mission leaders' grandpa passed away this week. (he was 98) and had been in a coma for 6 months. And so the whole family is happy that he could finally rest now. I went once with elder Sellers to see him ( he lives 15 minutes into the campo from coihueco) a few months ago. But the family was saying how they were sad that we hadn't come recently. And so we went to see him like 3 days before he passed away. And I was able to give him a blessing, and it was a really sweet experience to see him. I was wondering about people like that, and I imagine he was having some really spiritual experiences during that time. Because his spirit was still here with his body, but for 6 months not opening his eyes or talking, or eating, I imagine his spirit was kind of floating between the veil and perhaps receiving the last of his experiences that needed to happen before he could be taken back home?. and we had the viewing on saturday. Only the daughter of him, and the grandson (mission leader) are members of the church. The rest of the family aren't members. But 12 of our members got together and we sang a few hymns at his viewing. It was really sweet. And the impression that came to me, was despite whatever the religious beliefs may be of people. Or even if they don't believe in God. Jesus Christ still came to this world, and lived a perfect life, paid the price of our sins, and died to satisfy the demands of justice. So whatever people believe it or not, Every man, woman, and child will live again after death. Because Christ loved us enough, and loved the father enough, to come down and be the key part in his perfect plan!
The plan of Happiness is for EVERYONE.
Also President Eyring's talk from conference is TOTALLY worth reading it over again. (As are all of the talks) Its about the relationship between prayer, and priesthood power. Its super cool. And I am trying to improve my habit of MEANINGFUL and SINCERE daily prayer, to be a candidate to receive the revelation needed to KNOW THE LORDS WILL. And work miracles in his name.
I love you guys tons! Have an amazing week, and hopefully you enjoy reading a little bit about my week. yeah?
con much amor
Elder Hartvigsen
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