Feb. 29, 2016 Happy leap year! And a happy birthday to Chase! Big 20!!!

My new trio

The hills in my new area!

Our meeting house.

My beautiful new area.

A P-day hike in my new area.

A ward priesthood activity (hike)

Our ward mission leader.  One of two who showed up for the activity.

What does this actually say?

A beautiful summer day in Chile!

Look what we found in our apartment!!

A closeup!

Hey guys. So this week has been a super crazy one. I feel like literally a million things have happened. First off, I got to my new sector Lirquén which is right next to Penco. Its GORGEOUS!! I will send some pics of the ocean and the hills. It literally reminds me so much of my first sector because of all the hills. If I finish the mission here, I will be returning home in such good shape. Not to mention the fact that my comp Elder LeCheminant is 6 foot 4 and his legs are twice as long as mine, so we walk super fast. Anyways, things are different getting used to a trio again. Its kind of awkward in the contacts, and teaching lessons, and walking down the narrow sidewalk.... someone always gets left behind. Its also kind of a difficult change for me, because I spent the last 7 months being the person in charge. My comps were new and so I sort of just made all the decisions, and always took the initiative in everything. And now I feel like I have become junior companion with Elder Fuentealba. ha its weird. 1 because I don't know the sector at all, or the people, but I am just not used to being dragged around places and everything, and so its sort of a hard change. But its all good, Im sure there are lots of things Heavenly Father wants me to learn here.

ummm.... its funny because Elder Fuentealba is chilean, and was born in Talcahuano. And has lived in Antofogasts, and Santiago (where he did his mission papers) then moved to Brazil, where the missionary call got to him, and sent him back to right where he was born. And turns out that he actually has a bunch of cousins and aunts and uncles in Lirquén. And the fact that half the members are related here, it means he is family to half the ward basically hahaha. Also his grandma lives in Talcahuano and came to our church yesterday with her grand daughter my comps sister to visit and drop him off a package of candy and stuff haha.... small world right?

Also we had an amazing special training meeting with Elder Bednar and his wife, and the area presidency and their wives. It was basically a 3 hour question and answer thing with them all. It was incredible! They were all in Buenos Aires, Argentina. But they broadcasted it to over 6,000 missionaries in the area (Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay or 1 other country im not sure). And I learned a ton, Elder Bednar is seriously the most incredibly capable teacher I have ever seen in my life. And right now one of my favorite apostles! haha :)

Yeah let me tell a super quick story about my first lunch here. Tuesday we had to go to the training in the morning, and then to Chillán in the afternoon for a medical appointment of Elder Fuentealba. We got back from penco to our house, and the bus dropped us off at the top of this massive hill where we picked up our lunch (because the lady lives alone) so we brought it back to our house. The thing is that we were in our suits from the meeting, and in a big rush to get home and off to Chillán. So Elder LeCheminant starts talking us through the "short cut" to get home, which consists in the equivalent of hiking down Timpanogos through trees and bushes, on little deer trails, in your suit and tie, and dress shoes... hahaha and so like 20 minutes later we get home, and open the lunch and to our disappointment... it was rice and fish :( ahahah So we then hustled off to the bus terminal and it was a miracle that we boarded the bus right as it was leaving the terminal, and rode an hour and a half to Chillán, and had to wait another 2 hours in the doctors office. Anyways.... this week has been full of adventures like that!

Without boring you guys too much, just know that I am doing well. And had a super great birthday, President and Sister Arrington called me to wish me a happy birthday, and a super super sweet lady from my old ward called me through a young man (that she knows) on his cell phone to wish me a happy birthday!

anyways, have a great week, and let me know whats up in Alpine :)

con amor,

elder hartvigsen

Feb. 22, 2016 Transfer day has arrived!

Fernando who served his mission in Argentina

Our Bishop who is super young and great!

Hey everyone,

so FINALLY..... after 7 months of being in Hualpén I am getting transfered to Lirquén (the names actually kind of rhyme haha) Anyways, Im pretty excited. Lirquén is like directly across the bay from my first sector in Talcahuano Centro. So I think its going to be VERY similar, because of the harbor, the ocean view, (maybe smelling like fish), and lots of hills!

The strange thing is that I am going to be in a trio. AGAIN! With Elder Fuentealba (Elder Seller´s son) who is Chilean and has about 7 months in the mission, and Elder LeCheminant who is from Utah who has about 5 months in the mission. And I am going to still be District Leader. So thats the big news of the transfers. Im sad to leave all the people that I learned to love so much, and I have so many memories in Cerro Verde, because I was there for 18 Sept (independance day) Halloween, Christmas, New Years, and a million other little things. ha.

This week we had a fun ward activity that was "remembering the returned missionaries" and there are 12 RM´s in this ward, and so we invited them all. And with a clear demonstration of this wards commitment level to the church, only 3 came. (The bishop, the gospel doctrine teacher, and this kid that got back last year) I will send pictures. And each week there are bout 80 people that go to church in this ward.... and only 10 people went to the activity. Which was pretty pathetic, but you gotta keep your perspectives right. Because there were 2 youth there, and if they felt the spirit, and it helped motivate them a little bit more for the mission, or frankly, if someone was touched by the spirit and left a better person than they were the activity was a success. We watched the mormon message of Sid going who left rugby to go on a mission, and it was a really great night. I will send pics of that!

Other than that, not much has happened. I will be excited to take you guys around to visit all of these great sectors that I have been in when you come. As for you.... keep reading the scriptures daily, and praying for missionary experiences. Because I know that even living in Alpine, UT there are people that need to hear the gospel from you guys :)

con mucho amor,

Elder Hartvigsen

Feb. 15, 2016 The gospel changes lives

Why does Chase have a Lord of the Rings Backpack?

Hugo and me! A great day!

Elvira, Santos, Hugo, Me, Nelson, Hermano Sepulveda, Elder Soliz

Hey guys, yeah sorry for not writing a big letter last week. I sort of got caught up in responding to your individual letters, and kind of forgot. But not too much happened... haha so let me tell you what happened this week. The most exciting this, is that we had a baptism!! Our Investigator Hugo got baptized on Saturday. I don't know if I have told you anything about him yet, but he is like 65 years old. And rents a bedroom behind the house of one of the members. And the missionaries were teaching him like last year, and he almost got baptized but relapsed in his addiction to alcohol, and began drinking again. And ever since I got here almost 7 months ago I met him, and he seemed to sort of be the typical drunk guy you see on the street. So I didn't really think anything about him. Also he was in such bad shape, that he couldn't walk on his own, nor could he even talk. He just slurred all his words together constantly that you couldn't really even understand him.

And we had been visiting the member  lady Elvira that is the one that rents him part of her house. We actually did a service there one time, and she is the lady that gave us a plate of seafood. haha. remember her? Yeah, so like a month and a half ago (right when my comp elder Soliz got to the area) Elvira told us that Hugo wanted to go to church again. So we arranged to go pick him up with a members car. We showed up and he decided that he didn't want to go, because he had a little problem with someone. Anyways we went back the following week, and ever since that first day that we went to church he has been progressing incredibly well. After a couple lessons we taught the word of wisdom, and told him that he needed to stop drinking alcohol, coffee, and tea, and he agreed, and gave us all the tea and coffee that he had in the house. And we went and gave it to this guy in the street who was digging through the dumpster :) haha And the coolest part about it, is that ever day we go by there is countenance changes a little bit, and he looks so much better. He walks better, he talks so much better, and we are 100,000% sure that its because he has been living the commandments (the word of wisdom especially.... which in Doctrine and covenants 89 states the very specific blessings that come to those who live this commandment.)

So it has been a really cool experience to see this HUGE change in Hugo`s life! And I think that is part of the reason I stayed in this sector for SO LONG.... to be able to see first hand the drastic changes that the gospel can cause in the lives of people. Something that I have wanted to see my whole mission, and now I just gotta keep teaching the rest of Chile so everyone can experience the same thing! haha :)

Anyways, next week is transfer day so I think I will be headed out of Hualpèn. But I will let you guys know about the details when I find out! 

and something randomly COOL that I learned in the scriptures this week... that isn't entirely necessary for our salvation, but still very cool. Is that Nephi in the year 590 (B.C.) approx. saw in vision Christopher Colombus come to America and discover the promised land. yeah I already knew that... but then he saw the revolutionary war as well (1 Nephi13:17). cool right??? and it talks about the europeans being white and beautiful, that came to take over the land. And all this happened according to gods chosen timing, because The Lord says in 2 Nephi 1:1-11 that  the people that live in that land (the nephites, lamanites etc.) will prosper if they serve god, and keep his commandments.... but when the day comes that they fall into transgression and unbelief, the lord will bring other nations to that land the take it away from them! THAT WAS US! compare those 2 scriptures and study the chapters they are dang cool :)

Love you tons, and have a great week.

Un abrazo,

Elder Hartvigsen

Jan. 25, 2016 Teach Repentance, Baptize Converts

At the President's house.  A pretty view from the balcony!

The Mission Office

Hey guys, well I hope you are all doing well. This week has gone by super fast, and we had interviews with President this week which was always good. Also we had a worldwide missionary training thing this last week, where Elder Bednar, Anderson, Oaks (of the 12) and Elder Clayton, Brent Nielsen, and Waddel (of the 70) spoke to us. It was super great. All based on Preach My Gospel. And basically how we can better find people, and teach repentance, and baptize converts.

Elder Bednar talked about (like he usually does) the role of the Holy Ghost. And he said that "as much as we would like to, or for as good of desires that we have, we simply cannot force someone to feel the Holy Ghost by our testimony. If we could do that.... we would just need to allow everyone on earth to hear President Monson's testimony, and they would all become converted to the gospel and beg to be baptized." haha The role of the Holy Ghost is to convert people to the gospel. But our role as missionaries is to create an environment and setting, where the Holy Ghost can come. All we can do, is bring the spirit UNTO the person. But its up to them whether they are going to allow it into their hearts or not. Super interesting. Also he said that "Teaching is MUCH MORE listening, than speaking." So when we are teaching in companionships the missionary that is NOT talking, has the responsibility to be paying really good attention to be able to detect the promptings of the Holy Ghost to be bale to know what questions to ask.

Also Elder Clayton talked about the Less Active members of the church, are like a gold mine of references. They just simply don't know how to start inviting them to the gospel. Imagine us if we were really standing inside a giant gold mine. We would know for sure that this place is filled with gold! And we wouldn't doubt it, but we simply would have no idea how to find it. Like where do we start digging? Or what tools do we use? etc... We need to teach the members of the church, how to share the gospel, and how to invite the friends to church.

As far as how the work has gone his week.... its been pretty slow. Its definitely ROUGH at times, with the fact that I have been in this sector for so much time, and am struggling to know of things to do here that are gonna work. But this friday we are going to watch Meet the Mormons as a ward, and are inviting everyone to bring one person! So hopefully that helps. Also President Arrington in the interview told me "Elder Hartvigsen.... if the Lord wanted you to stay in Cerro Verde for a 5th transfer.... its because he has someone here waiting for you to find them! Maybe for the past 4 and a half transfers, that person would not have accepted, or just didn't have the opportunity.... maybe now is the time?"

So I just wanna work hard, and overcome any weakness that may be holding me back. But pray for us here in the sector, and pray that the Lord will please soften the hearts of the people here. Because they are ROCK SOLID.

Anyways, the Church is true. Of that I have no doubt. And I know that with all the hardships we face in this life, comes a certain type of learning and growing that wouldn't be possible otherwise :)

Con mucho amor,

Elder Hartvigsen

p.s. here is my comp and I at the Presidents house. Pretty view from the balcony right? :)

Jan. 18, 2016 My 25 yr. old Bolivian Son

They have these all over Conce

Elder Soliz

Heyyyy guys! I hope everyone is doing good back there. Things are going well here too. So I went and picked up my NEW companion from the mission office on tuesday. His name is Elder Soliz. He is from Oruro, Bolivia! He is 25 years old, and has only been a member of the church for 3 years. He is super great. We get a long really well, and I am excited to get to know him better and have a great cambio (transfer) together here! Its been pretty tough for him this week trying to adjust and stuff to the missionary life. More than anything he misses his girlfriend. Because she is the one that introduced him to the church. And they had been dating for 5 years, and then 3 years ago he got baptized, and they both did their missionary papers together, and got their calls together, and left on the very same day! And she is in Paraguay. So I am trying hard to get him excited here about the work and everything, and get his mind thinking about other things here to distract him :) 

And its been a little bit of a stressful week, just because I am training him. And so I have basically had the entire load of my sector on my shoulders, and having to worry about the missionaries in my district as well. And at the same time, our sector is just about dead as far as people to teach. So I have basically been praying hard this week for Heavenly Father to let me know the reason why I am still here in this sector. I know there is a reason, and I just want to figure it out! Also I am praying hard for his help, because as a District leader, my sector needs to be a sector that is an example  or a model to all the other sectors. And I honestly feel like I am in one of the hardest sectors ever! So I am trying to see if the Lord will bless me to be able to accomplish what he is requiring of me.

Anyways, Santos is progressing, and should be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood in 2 weeks. And you better believe I will be blessing the sacrament with him :) haha. Also this wednesday there is a worldwide training meeting for all missionaries and so that should be super interesting. Im way excited! umm... other than all that, I dont think there is much more news. Its blithering hot here, but nevertheless we are enjoying it! Oh, and mom tell grandma Jessie that her package got here last week, and the one from you guys got here today! So Christmas has finally arrived for Elder Hartvigsen :) hahaha thanks for everything guys. Keep reading the scriptures daily!!!! We can't afford not to put on the armor of God, in the sin sickened world that we live in!

Con much amor

Elder Hartvigsen

January 11, 2016 Day of transfers except for me!

and this guys is named Neftalì. (yea like one of the 12 tribes)

and when he was 17 years old, he got hit by a train, and lost  his leg and injured his left hand. But he is the high priests group leader, and has been a member for like 30 some odd years. And is stellar! he also took off all the handles and stuff on the back of his wheel chair, so that no one could push him around. he is like the definition of stubborn (in a good sense..... like being independent etc.)

this is Nelson Campos. who is the friendliest guy EVER! and one of the few people in this sector that I feel like is actually excited to see us every time we pass by his house :) On Saturday we went by, and he knew it would probably be my last visit, and was waiting for us with completos and everything :) He calls us "my little angels" (he got baptized like a year and a half ago, and is the only member in his immediate family)

Hey guys!!! So the day of transfers has finally come. And you have to always be expecting surprises, right? Because inspiration from God isn't a guessable a thing. So it turns out that my comp. Elder Parker is the one getting transferred (he is going to Chillàn) and I am staying ANOTHER TRANSFER in Cerro Verde. AHHHHH! I am going to be here for 7 months! but the fun thing is that I get to train again! Which Im actually super excited about. And so I will stay here and continue being district leader, which is gonna be sick.

I totally think that most other people if they were in my same situation would be sad, or sort of mad about it. Because Cerro Verde is BY FAR the hardest ward/sector that I have been in. And to be in a sector for 5 cambios (7 months) is not that common at all. Almost always you get transferred out of the area after being the for 4 cambios ( 5 1/2 months). But I know that the Lord wants me to stay here. And I know that there are more people for us to find here and teach, and hopefully baptize :)

Something super cool this week, is that we ate lunch with a lady (my first time eating lunch with her) and she asked where I was from. And I said utah. And she was like oh.... the Elder who baptized me is from Utah, maybe you know him? (and I was thinking in my mind YEAH RIGHT! hahaha there are so many blithering missionaries that come out of utah) but I asked her what was his name. She said Elder Collins. And I thought, OK. thats a super common name. And then I remembered that Jared Collin's dad had served in Concepciòn. But then she started to pull out this little box that this elder has sent her a Christmas card every single year. And I saw out of the corner of my eye on the envelopes "Alpine, UT"  and then looked closer and it was Sean Collins (Jared`s dad) who had baptized this lady named Maria Isabel (Gònzalez) I think.... but she said they were the "Tapia family" and she could NOT say enough good things about Elder (Bishop) Collins, and how their family had come to visit them in Chile a few years ago, and how it was so nice that he kept sending her a Christmas card each year.  and then I helped the sweet older lady find Jared`s mom on Facebook to be able to add her!  what a small world right?

 Tomorrow I pick up my new companion in the office. I sort of think it will be a latino. because there are like 13 new elders coming. and only 3 of them are gringos. but we will see :)

Elder Hartvigsen

Jan. 4, 2016 Repairing a broken link in the chain

A special dinner out for amazing burgers!

The Louisiana Burger with onion rings and everything!  A real treat!

Me with Elder Parker, Eduardo, Lorena and Varinia

The entire Maldonado family

A fun P-day out

An aquarium in Talcahuano

Los Lobos Marinos

Gorgeous day!

Talcahuano

Hey guys!! so first off.... its been a super great week! :) We had a really cool experience this Saturday, because we got to be there for Varinia`s baptism! She is the cutest little 9 year old girl ever!! Her dad Eduardo (newly reactivated member) baptized her, and her Grandpa confirmed her on Saturday :)

Im sure I have said this a lot before, but ALL of Eduardo`s family are active in Talcahuano, and he is one of the only ones inactive. And his parents along with his brothers and sisters were just so content at the baptismal service! And a really sweet impression that came to my mind there, was that what we were doing.... was "repairing a broken link in the chain". That fairly small little act, of helping bring 1 man back to church, and allowing him to baptize his 9 year old daughter, would be something that would bless hundreds of people in the future. I am really confident that they will stay active, and that now their kids will grow up in the church, and hopefully Varinia will marry a member of the church, and raise her kids in the church etc. For generations to come :) 

Also her little 8 year old cousin (from her moms side who isn't member) wants to get baptized. And she doesn't live in our sector, but Its so cool to see the influence that good members of the church can cause in their own families, and with all the other people they know!

Also on sunday during Priesthood meeting, a member pulled my companion and I outside for a sec, because some guy named Alvaro walked into the church, and was asking if he could learn a little bit more about what we do here. He is from Santiago, but is on vacation here right now, and has a Mormon friend where he lives, and has learned a lot about what we believe already. He just basically wanted to see for himself what we do inside the church, and stuff. So we took advantage of that amazing opportunity, and gave him like a 30 minute tour of the chapel. We took him to the different art portraits hanging on the walls, we took him to the baptismal font and taught him about the ordinance of baptism. And we gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon to finish. He said that if he is still in town he wants to come next sunday at10:00 AM for the meeting. We also helped him go on to lds.org and find the nearest chapel to his house! haha it was so sweet!!!!

I know this church is the only true, and restored church of Jesus christ here on the earth. The only one that has the true Priesthood Authority of god, and the only one that allows us to be sealed together as families for ALL ETERNITY! Never forget how blessed we have been to be born into this amazing gospel. And how much of a responsability we have to share it with EVERYONE :)

Con mucho amor,

Elder Hartvigsen