April 20, 2015 Coihueco, a small, little town near the Andes

Hey guys, so yeah... winter is for sure arriving in my little small town near the Andes Mountains!

Its absolutely gorgeous here. seriously I love the feel of a small town. the city part of Coihueco isn't that small. it reminds me a little of like Heber, or Kamas or something like that. there are a couple little restaurants, and a bank, and stuff like that. its super nice and tranquillo (chill).

The mornings here are FREEZING. And our little house has zero insulation I think...  and we have one little electric heater, that works... but you cant have it turned on while your companion is in the shower. because we have an electric shower and I think the power cant handle the both of them running together, because it happened to both me and my comp. on different days that we were in the shower, when the the breaker tripped... because of the apparently too high voltage use of power.  and being in the freezing shower waiting for your comp. to put shoes on and run outside around the house to flip the breaker isn't very pleasant. But I still thank my heavenly father every morning that we have a hot shower that works. the water pressure is almost non existent, because you have to have it turned on so low for it to be hot, and the light flickers in the bathroom when its on.  I think the house just lacks electricity capability. But no things are good here, I stay warm at night because of all our blankets.

and one really nice thing is that we have a washing machine in the house. and so we don't have to wait for a lady in the ward to wash our clothes according to her time table. The only bad thing is that in chile... no one has dryers, and so we have to hang out clothes to dry outside. and in the winter, that doesn't really work. I hung my clothes out a couple of days ago and it rained really hard for about 30 minutes... and my clothes have stayed wet for a couple days because the sun hasn't come out. but its all good, we bought stuff to put a clothes wire in the house.

and yes mom my rain gear still does fit me, and its really nice! THANK YOU! and I am super bummed I cant send pics yet, still trying to find a safe virus free computer. sorry... be patient! ha.

The Rama (branch) here is super great. there were 52 people in church which was actually a ton for them. And we brought 5 investigators to church. 4 with a baptismal date. its a family of 4 and they are seriously so prepared its amazing. I ask that everyone please keep Sara Aguilera and her family in your prayers this week. she is trying to quit smoking and her date is may 9th for baptism. her and her 4 kids are all super awesome, and I know that the Lord has prepared them... because my comp found them last week, and we are just starting to get to know them... but it would be such a blessing to see this whole family be baptized! we will be fasting tomorrow for her, but pray for them please !! :)

and the branch pres. is super cool here. he is 28, and joined the church when he was 24. left on the mission at 25, and got home over 2.5 years ago, and has a family with 2 kids. (one he adopted that his wife already had) and he works during the day. studies at night. and has tons of church responsibilities. teaches early morning seminary and a million other things too. Its so cool to see how faithful some of these people can be!!

also we made pancakes for the seminary kids for breakfast this week, and they loved it! and there are only 3 kids that go,  but it was fun!

Also, we had a whole mission conference on Sat. where Elder Dallin H. Oaks came to Santiago, and we watched the broadcast. he spoke to 4 different missions here, us, Conce south, Santiago north, Antofagasta. and it was so powerful. he talked mostly about the power of the sacrament. and also mentioned that the first presidency and the 12 would be talking a lot more about the sacrament and sabbath day observance this year, a lot more than they have in the past. also he mentioned that in his 70 years of being a teacher, the number 1 mistake teachers make.... is : assuming the students know something that they actually don't. and he stressed that we have to teach the basics to everyone. teach everyone how to pray. because if they don't know how to pray, they CANNOT receive a testimony through the power of the holy ghost, and without that they can never become converted. anyways it was a powerful conference, and fun to see everyone in the mission, like Elder Garcia before he goes home in 2 weeks.

I think thats all for now guys, it was a super busy week in which we did a ton of things... but thats when its the most rewarding right? :)

Love,

Elder Hartvigsen

April 13, 2015 A quick transfer to Coihueco

Hey guys. okay so, before I even say anything... let me just tell you that you aren't going to believe what happened this week.  Let me start out by telling you that I am not in Chiguayante anymore.

The mission President called me friday night to tell me that there was an emergency transfer, and I was going to be transfered to Coihueco. A tiny little town about an hour past chillan. And so that`s where I am right now! haha I know its crazy. He told me over the phone, "Elder Hartvigsen, hows it going? umm... so we are going to change your life up a little bit right now. Its needed that you go serve in Coihueco right now." but turns out that I actually didn`t leave until this morning.

He was calling me and trying to get everything figured out about the transfer and they couldn't make it happen sooner. But its sad because, the missionary that was here in this sector is going home after a year and a half in the mission. Apparently it is for health, and its a problem he has been dealing with for the whole mission, but I dont know the details... nor does it really matter. But its sad for him, but now I am here with elder Sellers. He is from Orlando Florida! (crazy right? that you guys just barely went there for vacation...or are still there Im not sure) Also, he`s my first gringo companion! Should be good :) and we live in a house with us 2. I went from 5 elders, to 2.

anyways... Coihueco (you should look on the map) its a little town right up next towards the mountain! its actually really really pretty there, and we have bicycles and our sector is huge. Its apparently a tiny branch with about 30 or 40 people going to church, and a lot of the members live anywhere up to 15 kilometers away, and so its a whole lot different than Talcahuano, and Chiguayante! But I really am excited, it should be awesome! It was crazy when he called me... because I was only in Chiguayante for 3 WEEKS... and got transfered! But its all good, because I was in a trio, and im sure it made it easier to take me out of that, and I hope I can make a difference and really help the branch grow here! 

Also... the assistants came and picked me up this morning in their white Ford Ranger truck! Its so sick!!  and so we were driving on the freeway in a brand new ford truck, listening to music (efy) on the stereo with 3 gringos for like 2 hours... It definately felt like a piece of home!  I enjoyed it though! And then we droped the stuff off, and were able to make it to Chillan to buy groceries, and meet the zone for a BBQ. 

Also one fun thing, is that Elder Ospina got transfered the same time as me 3 weeks ago to San Carlos, which is in my same zone, and I got to see him today... he was so surprised! haha but its fun to be there with people I know!

Anyways, its been a little bit of a crazy week, and I dont have much to say other than the fact that I will be getting adjusted to another sector right now. Also I had some pictures to send, but my companion told me ALL the computers here are severely infected with viruses ... and so I am not even going to risk putting my pendrive in. Youll have to wait a bit on the fotos. Anyways have a great week, and I hope everyone is doing well!!

Love Elder Hartvigsen

April 6, 2015 General Conference

Hey guys, so some details about conference weekend if you`re interested... We all went to the Stake center to watch every session, and there were about 300 people at the most. But the good thing was that the Gringo missionaries got our own personal classroom, with a TV and we got to watch it all in English! It was awesome because there were only 4 of us there!  we had the whole place to ourselves. Also this one returned missionary from the stake who served his mission in Canada wanted to watch it with us, because obviously it would be better in English! I don`t think I could watch Elder Holland speak with a translator...

And what was cool is that we had the remote, and when the 2 people gave talks in Spanish, we just changed it to the spanish channel so that we could hear them give their own talks. And it was great because I understood everything. thats a miracle in itself, that in such a short time... I can understand spanish without a problem! :) Anyways Elder Zeballos is from Northern Chile, and served a mission in Concepcion, and was mission president here also. It was also cool to be able to see the difference in the spanish of Elder Zeballos and Elder Pino ( who is from Venezuela)

I learned so many things in the conference, and I was on such a spiritual high, I NEVER WANTED IT TO END!  Its the greatest thing ever for missionaries.

But seriously I don't even feel like I could begin expressing my feelings about it. Because I frankly don't even remember all the things I learned this weekend, I just remember how I felt! If that makes any sense. I just remember that the feelings I had were that of Love, gratitude, desire to learn and understand more, and motivation to be better! If those aren't the fruits of the spirit... I don't know what are! ha

 But one of the things that I loved, was in the talk of Elder Kevin W. Pearson who gave us 6 steps on Enduring to the End. He mentioned that Enduring to the End doesn't just mean "Hang in There". Or as I sometimes say... "You just gotta BOAR through it!" anyways...step number 4 is that the Book of Mormon is the key to spiritual survival. Thats so true! Whether its trying to armor yourself with power to resist satan's temptations, or strengthen your own testimony to push out the possible doubts that satan puts into our minds, or whatever else may be our purpose, The Book of Mormon is key!

He stated that those who may have strayed from the path a little (at some point in our lives, that applies to EVERYONE of us) and desire to return, there is a guaranteed road map back to safety. Its Prayerfully Study the Book of Mormon and LIVE its principles. Its as simple as that! I loved that talk, thats one of the many things that stood out to me in Conference this weekend! That the Book of Mormon was given to us for many reasons... and we know that its all for "a wise purpose in the Lord".

Well, I hope you guys take advantage of studying the talks more in depth. Because one of the apostles has said... that we get more out of conference AFTER it has finished!

Things are great here, and our investigators are progressing and I love the sector! Have a great week. Love you guys tons!

Elder Hartvigsen

March 30, 2015 My new area Chiguayante

Along the Bio Bio river

Our view out our windows.  Our apartments are the same

Our new trio. Me with Elders Garcia on the right and Ribiero in the middle

Look who I saw at the hospital!!!  Luke Yamada from Alpine!!!

Hey everyone, so first off... its been a great week here in Chiguayante! I really like the sector, and the ward! The best thing is that it is "puro planito" here. Meaning there are no hills!!!  :) Umm, I actually really like the trio that I am in, and have found it to be WAY better than I first imagined it might turn out. Elder Garcia is from columbia and goes home this transfer (may 5) and Elder Ribeiro is from Buenos aires Argentina, but he lived the last six years in Porto Alegre Brazil, and he is like 23 and was in the Brazilian army, and has really cool stories! 

Anyways... let me tell you a little bit about my first day here, and one that I will NEVER forget! My comp had borrowed a bike from a member and we went to return it, and Elder Ribeiro and I didnt know the sector or any members, and so we get the front door and this guy comes out looking really grumpy. We say hi and stuff, and he says that what we did was wrong. And he was upset with us, because we borrowed his bike without permission, and he had to walk to work that day. We said like sorry man, youre wife said we coulde, and we didnt know that you didnt know. Anyways, Elder Garcia tells him that he needs to work that problem out with his wife, not us! And we ask to come in and visit the family. He says that you guys already know how I feel about your church, and you are going to just waste time with me, my wife (a member) is busy. We assured him,. we wouldnt be wasting our time, and he finally let us come in. We sat down and it seemed like he began to interrogate us. He tells us that he is a Jehovah`s Witness, and doesnt like the Mormon church at all. He was like "yeah I know what you guys try to do. You just try to convince people to joining your church and believing in it. But its not gonna work on me" and he starts asking us about if we have had success "convinving people" in the past... and well my companions were pretty quiet, and so I kind of stepped up to try to defend ourselves a little and really what our purpose is! That we teach, and then invite the people to pray so that God himself can convince them. Not us!

Anyways after a few minutes, he continues and he is being super negative and everything, Elder Garcia asks if he can please call his wife to come here, because she is obviously more receptive than him, and that we really didnt come to talk to him anyway, but to his wife. And he was like no thats okay! He didnt really want to, he actually wanted us to leave. My comp tells him to go get his wife, and if he doesnt like what we have to say than he can just leave, because we didnt come to talk to him! The guy was surprised and said, "Are you seriously trying to throw me out of my own home?" And he got ticked, and my companion persisted, and I was trying to lighten things up a bit! I was like "No I am sorry sir, we arent trying to offend you, we just wanted to visit your wife, maybe we can just come back another day?" And my comp just persisted and the guy was like "OKAY, if you ask me to leave one more time I am going to kick you guys out and sick my dogs on you!" (he has 9 dogs outside of his house okay?) and so he finally gets up and leaves the room, I didnt know if he went to get his wife, or went to unleash the dogs on us...? 

Finally he comes back into the room holding a book (I first thought it was the book of mormon, and that perhaps he was going to try to give us back his wifes book or something) He handed it to me and said here this is a book from my church.... And when he gave it to me, I saw that it was a Book of Mormon, and I said "This is from your church?" I was really confused... and then his wife and daughter came out from the other room and they all started smiling and were like "WELCOME TO THE WARD ELDERS!!!" and then my comp stood up and gave the guy a big hug and everything, and then I realized that it was all a big prank!!! hahaha I was so surprised, and of course I started laughing and we all laughed about it, and my face turned red and It stayed like that for the rest of the visit, haha I couldnt believe it. Turns out that Elder Ribeiro recognized the daughter from a photo on the wall and realized it was a joke and so he didnt say anything, and Elder Garcia was just "Throwing wood on the fire" and I was taking the heat!!! hahaha. It was actually really funny, and this whole family is members and they are awesome! It just caught me way off guard! haha This family pulls this prank with all the new missionaries! And the guy told me that he was being way harder on me than he usually is, haha anyway great experience to always remember!

So this ward really is awesome here. There are so many people (140) that came to church, because in Talcahuano it was like 60 or 70. Also they are super organized with missionary work, and they have a great vision for the ward, and so overall I am really enjoying it here! My companions and I get along very well, and just being able to laugh has made it so much more enjoyable. YEah the house is a lot more squished with an extra person, but thats not really a big deal! Just so you dont worry mom, things are great!! haha ;)

ALso really quick story about an investigator of the other 2 missionaries. WE had a zone fast that we could all bring someone to the church with a baptismal date. At church (literally 2 hours before we ended our 24 hour fast) their investigator Americo pulls elder Garcia and I out into the hall and leads us to where the picture of Christs baptism is... he points to it, and tell us that he wants a baptismal date! And that he doesnt have any more doubts! (before he wasnt sure how he could pay tithing and stuff) now he says it doesnt matter. HE apparently had a really profound dream, and knows that its the right thing to do. So long story short, We fasted for this very thing, We brought this kid Sebastian to church with a baptismal date, and the other elders brought Americo who did not have a date. But he left sacrament meeting with a baptism date! Truly a miracle I believe :)

God answers our prayers when we have the right desires! Fasting works! And this is the Lords true church!

I hope you guys have a great week. Love you all!!

Elder Hartvigsen

March 23, 2015 My first transfer to Chiguayante

Elder Villar and the ties we traded

This is me with Carolain and Carlos.  She is a member and he is our investigator.  I will miss them so much!

Saying Chao to Elder Hepworth

the ward had a sandwich making contest

The ward party

My favorite food called Chorriyano.  It has french fries, chicken, hot dogs, steak, avacado and boiled eggs! The Bishops wife made this for us!

Me with Hermano Puchi! One of my favorite members here!

Hey guys, so just to let you know right off the bat that I am getting transferred to Chiguayante! I am pretty excited, its close and its actually just on the other side of Concepcion. But the thing that is going to be a little different... is that I am going to be in a Trio. So one of my companions is my district leader, and his name is Elder Garcia, he is from Colombia. And was actually a former companion of Elder Cruz. But he seems like a cool guy! And the other companion is Elder Ribiero from Brazil. and so I am pretty excited, and truly ready to have a good attitude, and make the most of it! 

Its gonna be weird, starting over for the first time after 6 months here in Talcahuano! One good thing, is that I will be close to Conce, and I will get to come to the office still every week for P day and mail comes every week! which is nicer, because if you live in the campo way far away sometimes packages and stuff takes months longer to reach you!

But this afternoon after P day we get to go around the sector and see the members, and thank them for all they have done for us! But yeah guys, I am just excited to experience something new and different!

umm... this week I mentioned in the photos, that we had a sandwich contest for the ward! It was really fun, and our investigator Carlos came, and actually was one of the judges and participated a lot and loved the activity! Thats one of the biggest reasons we have activities like that. And to have more unity among the members of the ward! And yeah dad I heard about the phone call you received from this guy in the ward...  I am going to read your email first and see how it went, but this guy is really funny. But I think one of the main reasons he called was to be able to talk to Brady in spanish, and practice English with him...  I don't really know!

Well let me just say, that despite any of the hardships or frustrations that I have had ... I have really liked it here. The members truly are amazing! And I love them all so much! Mom if you guys come here, I would love to go to church here if its possible to be able to see them again. Anyways, I am grateful for the opportunity that the Lord gave me to be "born" (start the mission) here in Talcahuano. And I remember what Brady said about Ayacucho when he got transferred... something about that that was the place where he learned to be a missionary, and the people he loved, and the companion that taught him spanish or something like that. I just remember all the love that he had for that place and the people more than anything. Its true, I have loved seeing the church grow here. Its been a testimony to me of the divinity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints... that it doesn't matter what part of the world you are in, the church is the same. Its that way, because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn't change. This church is HIS CHURCH. And what an incredibly undeserved blessing it is to be members of it! :)

"When much is given, much is required." -Doctrine and Covenants 82:3 

That I think should be the motto for latter day saints. We truly need to be spending more time focused on the things that really matter. (Giving the blessing of the Atonement, and gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as will listen to us!) Thats my testimony, and I hope you guys are still escudriñando las escrituras every day!!! (aka. SEARCHING the scriptures) :) Because thats the source of the spirit, knowledge, and personal guidance for us that we all so desperately need... living in a world clouded from sin. Have a great week guys!!!

Much love,

Elder Hartvigsen

March 16, 2015 Last week in Talcahuano

Hey guys! so, another week has past here in Talcahuano, and my time here is winding down. Im trying to soak up all the memories, and everything about the city and members here!!

... one interesting/random/funny thing that we have enjoyed here is going to buy candy at this store called La Fruna. Its so interesting how life here is so different in South America, even from the smallest details to the biggest! But this store, they sell stuff in bulk (like Costco). And the majority of the things here are candy, cookies, soda, milk, cookies supplies, etc... but most of the people that have a little venders cart that sell stuff on the side of the road come here and buy their stuff in bulk! Thats the best thing is that everything is so much cheaper here, and the interesting thing is how they work. There are like 5 to 7 workers behind the counter working in this big room, and the counter runs along 3 walls, and everyone just has the workers pick out what they want, and bring it down from the shelves, and most of the time people have a huge order of stuff, and when they are finished the worker just shouts out really load the entire order, and there is this guy in the middle of the room on this big tower (I call it the Rameamptum)  and he is just typing out the order so fast and prints it off, but its nuts in there (especially on saturdays) because everyone is just shouting out names of food and candy and stuff and he is somehow keeping track of everything, and then the next person yells out the order!  its great... life here is much more fast paced than in alpine ;)

But no this week has been good, and lots of the same things, visiting the same people, and just hoping that we are making a difference here in the ward! I was sad to hear that Mauricio, one of the first less actives I met when I got here, (well for a time he progressed really well, and is now regressing lots... its been an up an down battle for him) He is only like 33 years old, but is a severe alcoholic, and has 2 beautiful little kids that live with the grandmother, because the mom of the kids left after they were born, but anyway he was drunk and fell and really badly damaged his face, apparently broke his nose and cheek, and he is in a really bad condition. And its really so sad to see how badly Satan, can destroy someones life or take it in such a wrong direction, with the simple tool of alcohol. Obviously this isn't his only problem, but I have literally seen how awful alcohol affects families here... and its so sad!

There are so many men, and teenagers that literally DO NOTHING with their lives, except sit on the corner of the street ALL DAY... and drink and smoke with their friends. They don't work or go to school, they just sit there and waste their lives away... its tragic! Thats why everyone should be "anxiously engaged, in a good cause!"

And, well something interesting I studied in the scriptures was about Forgiveness! Because there is this one lady in the ward that has completely stopped going to church, because there are people there that have offended her, and she cant throw her pride away and forgive them, therefore she is losing out on so many of the blessings of the gospel, just because of this. Its actually shocking how many people I have met that tell me that they can't go to church, because the people there are hypocritical, or have done them wrong and they can't forgive, or something along the lines of that. And so what I studied was the parable in Matthew 18:21-35. Its about a King that has a servant that owes him a fairly large debt! The servant pleads for him to disregard the debt because he was going to sell him, and his family, but he didn't have the money to pay the debt. anyways The king lets him off the hook and the servant goes out to one of his like co-servants who owes him a very small debt. And he demands that he pay him that which he owes him. Anyways the king is so disappointed because the servant is being a big hypocrite!

well... long story short, thats exactly how our father in heaven feels after he forgives us of all the infinite debts we have against him, and we withhold forgiveness from our brothers and sisters. King benjamin taught "Aren't we all beggars?" He used this to demonstrate how we shouldn't withhold our substance from the poor, but I believe it summarizes the message of forgiveness also! Who are we to withhold forgiveness when we so often plead with our Father to forgive us of our many many debts!!!

Anyways, we shared a scripture that says that the Lord won`t forgive us of our sins, if we first cannot forgive our brethren! Thats a powerful lesson in itself!

Yeah so, that was was stuck out to me... that no matter how hard it is to forgive, think of how many times the savior and our father have infinitely forgiven us! :)

Hopefully the spirit can teach you something from this message, as it taught me something! And hope you guys have a good week! Things are good here! Cambios next week :)

Elder Hartvigsen

March 8, 2014 Visitors from home!!!

Well... first off, guess who I ran into wandering around Talcahuano!? haha. It was really fun to see Brother and Sister Hilton here with Brian. And mom and dad thanks for sending the little package! My comp absolutely LOVED the beef jerkey! haha its his favorite thing ever. Also the letters were great! Thanks a lot guys! Brit and Cole thanks for sending something! And the birthday wishes too.

Grandma also sent me a little package this week, which IDK if I told you or not... but tell her thanks! Always good to hear from her :) ... on Saturday we had a whole mission wide fast! And since our investigator Carlos has been coming to church every week, and reading the Book of Mormon almost daily with his wife and hasn't quite gotten an answer if its true or not... we decided to invited him to fast with us! Turns out he actually did! He came to church fasting and everything! We haven't heard how it went for him yet... but it was something that I sure hope will help him! but this guy truly is awesome!

He met with the bishop with his wife and he wants to start paying tithing. Believe it or not! But can`t because he isn't a member yet. (Dad... is that true that you cant pay tithing if you aren't a member?) Anyway... he is going to pay a fast offering, and he told us that even though he hasn't gotten an answer yet, he knows "we are heading down a good path!" Which is a really good sign! Please pray for Carlos!

And how I saw the Atonement in my life this week is this: That while we were fasting, I had complete strength to climb up and down the hills, in the beating sun, and work all day, with a great attitude, not even thinking about the hunger. Most of the day I forgot I was even fasting, and then remembered I hadn't eaten or drunken anything since the day before... but was able to work hard. And then as we were coming home for the night, the tiredness began to hit me. Once we walked in the door, I collapsed in my chair exhausted! and we planned a little, and then I hit the hay. And slept like a baby!  OK it doesn't sound like that was even an experience worth repeating... but I know that the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is what helps us accomplish the little things during the day that we wouldn't be able to do by ourselves. For example, help edify me through this fast. I could DEFINATELY tell the difference between what was my own physical strength and will power, and that help that was given me!

Just a cool way to see the Lords hand in my life! I challenge all of you to watch SPECIFICALLY every single day, for "How you saw the Atonement of Jesus Christ in your life that day." (remember that their are 2 main parts to the Atonement: Enabling, and Redeeming. But I believe there are a lot more things that relate to the Atonement. We just need to be watching to find them out) I promise that you will see and recognize more of the blessings in your life. And especially when we have spiritual experiences, if we will write them down, and ponder on them... that shows the Lord that we cherish those experiences. And then he will give us more of them! Thats a promise from an apostle!

I hope you guys have a great week! Love you tons!

Elder Hartvigsen