Sept. 28, 2015 October here we come!

Hey guys!! Well with October right aroud the corner, we`ve got 2 HUGE events that are gonna be epic for the people here! 1 obviously being the General Conference this upcoming weekend! :))) and the 2nd being on October 17, its the groundbreaking of the Chile Concepciòn temple! That truly is going to change the lives of so many people. It will make temple attendance a lot more possible and frequent for MANY MANY saints! Also remember that when a temple is constructed, it lessens Satans power in that area! What an incredible blessing :)

Well this week we actually found a really great family! Its a couple named Carlos, and Natalie. Carlos is an inactive member. He is like 35 ish right now, and grew up in the church, but hasnt gone since he was 18 years old. And his wife Natalie is catholic. But it truly was a miracle how we found them. Over a month ago a sister in our ward told us there was a lady who lived on their street who has a little store in front of her house (incredibly common in Chile haha) who is a member of the church, but long time of being inactive. So we passed by to talk to her and she was friendly but basically said yeah Im not that interested, but my son Carlos would probably be more interested. So we commited her to talk to him, and we would pass by another day to see if He had agreed for us to go by his house. Everytime we went by to talk to her she said "oh sorry I havent talked to him yet...." it was just always the same excuse. And after like 4 or 5 times of the same thing, a few days ago we were walking quickly by her house and I had the still, but strong impression to just stop and ask her one more time. So my comp and I walked in and she was actually there with her son. And we talked to him for a few minutes and he seemed super excited and wanted us to go visit him on saturday (2 days ago).

So basically he has really good memories from the mormon church and him and his wife said they are just looking for which church to join (as a whole family) Because they want their son Matthew (a baby) to grow up in the gospel. Anyways, Natalie is super open and they both said the Mormon church definiately could be the one where we go, its between you guys and the Evangelicals... hahaha.

So we taught the Restoration to her, and helped remind carlos as well. Anyways Carlos seems super excited about the General Conference because he has great memories of it in the past, so we are thinking they are gonna come with us this weekend! Anyways, please pray for them yeah! Pray that the Evangelical missionaries dont go knocking on their door anytime soon! haha:)

Also something really cool that I read in the Book of Mormon is the story of Ammon and his brethren. Its classic, but it never gets old! But after the well known story of Ammon, what called my attention was just the way/form in which Ammon taught King Lamoni. He uses the knowledge that the King already has, and builds on that. To not confuse him. Relates his knowledge of "The Great Spirit" and teaches him that he is God. And basically starts from the beginning teaching him. LIterally the beginning, The creation of Man. Then the fall of Adam. and the Plan of Redemption etc. (this is found in Alma 18)

Then the coolest thing is found in Alma 22, where Aaron teaches King Lamoni`s Father. He teaches him in exactly the same form that Ammon taught Lamoni. Why? Because it was given to them by the Spirit what they had to teach. And of course Lamoni`s dad accepted as did Lamoni, but if you dont remember the story of Lamoni`s  Dad`s interaction with Ammon and Lamoni... its legendary! RE-READ it!! I freaking love EL LIBRO DE MORMÒN.

Those are basically the highlights of the week. Its been a rainy week as well... I'm thinking once Oct starts, we should be basically out of the rainy season! :)

Love you guys tons!

Peace out!

Èlder Hartvigsen

Sept. 21, 2015 Happy Chilean Independance Day! (Sept. 18)

The first wood burning stove I have seen in a Chapel

Random holiday decorations

Awesome ward BBQ 

Articuchos

hasta los autos llevan banderas chilenas :)

Marcos, Jose and the Garcia-Santillan families, she washes our clothes for us!

Evidently it is a law to display a flag on this holiday!

Hey guys!!! I hope you all had a great week... We had a pretty good one here too!

So I hope you got to enjoy all the pictures that I had from this week. So I'm pretty sure that the Chile is either the most patriotic country in the world, or they are the just the ones that take the most advantage to party hard for as long as they can! haha because basically its a holiday the whole week of the 18th. But Friday we had the ward activity and it was really fun!! But seriously Hualpèn was a GHOST TOWN this weekend. There were aboslutely NO ONE in the streets, because everyone who stays in town, just stays in their yard and has BBQ's, and everyone else goes to the campo! (like goes to a ranch house somewhere in the countryside)  Thats why I still wanted to be in Coihueco for the holidays because it would have been legendary!

But anyways, we still had a good time. It was kind of a struggling weekend, because my companion was in pain and sick from his medical issues, that we still don't know what he has. So friday we didn't do much with the holiday, and saturday we didn't even go out to work, and sunday, was just as slow as the other days... so its been a bit hard to keep the level of excitement up and everything... but we are hopìng this week gets better! :)

umm... other than that, there wasn't a ton of details that happened this week. 

All the kids here, fly kites for the holidays. Its pretty cool to see different types of kites all day in the sky, its like a crazy fad here.

And our investigators arent really progressing very well, but we are gonna keep working and trying to find new ones. I hope you guys have a great week, and let me know if you have any questions... Ill be on for a little while! ha :)

Elder Hartvigsen

Sept. 14 Happy Independence Day to Chile!

Hey guys!! Man the Chilean spirit is in the air here!! The streets are all decorated with Chilean flags, and red white and blue streamers and balloons and everything... because Sept. 18 is their Independence Day. And its definiately the biggest holiday of the year down here! And Im pretty sure the celebration basically goes throughout the entire week, but we have an activity planned for the ward this Friday, which is gonna be sick! Its just gonna be a huge asado (BBQ). I will definately send pics of it next week! I think we are going to be eating tons of Sopaipillas, empanadas, pajaritos, and lots of other little chilean treateries ;)

So something that happened this week, was on 9/11 apparently a long time ago there was a huge  government uprising or something.  I'm not really sure what happened, but some rebels tried to overthrow the government I THINK.  not sure... but regardless, every year on Sept. 11 there is so much destruction and riots, and just pure havoc that is reeked throughout the cities. So we had to go home at like 8 oclock at night, but I dont think it would have really been that dangerous here anyway... but in like Santiago, it would be incredible dangerous!! Anyways, the day after (saturday) we did a huge service project in Concepcion. I think it was  world service day or something, But about half the mission all went to Concepcion and we cleaned the streets, and bus stops and stuff for a few hours, so I will send pics also. Nothing TOO exciting, but still. 

Also some guy in the ward gave the other 2 elders this big black Lobster thing (ALIVE) because they wanted to bring it home and pull a prank on me, because they know how much I hate spiders and bugs and stuff.  So when I was in the shower, they put the Lobster on my desk, and hid a camera in the room to film my reaction when I saw it there. It took me like 5 minutes of being in the room to realize it was there, and when I saw it I was like "OH MY HECK! WHAT IS THIS FREAKING CREATURE DOING HERE?" haha It was kind of funny.

Oh and mom, will you please tell grandma that I really enjoyed the package of candy she sent me! She sent GHIRARDELLI chocolates :))))) Some completely scrumpteous flavors like "pumpkin spice", and "egg nog" YUMM! :)

Well with our Investigator Santos, we basically left him with the ultimatum commitment to go home and PRAY for himself to get a sure answer or not. And we promised him, that the Lord would answer him, if he asked with a sincere heart and real intent! And so we are going to meet with him today and If he doesnt have an answer, Im really not sure what else to do. Because we have taught him everything there is to teach someone, and we have left it all in the Lords hands... hoping with the Faith that if the Lord wants this man to be baptized, he will give him the answer he needs!

But if not, we are just gonna keep looking with the faith that there are OTHER people here in Hualpèn that want to hear the gospel!

Oh man, I have loved studying the Book of Mormon lately. I just finished the book of Mosiah, and I think that may be one of my favorite books in the B.O.M. now! haha I have never really read it in chunks of like 7 chapters at a time, and seriously you catch the whole story better, and its incredible to see how all of the story is connected, and its a complete testimony to me that Joseph Smith, nor anyother man could have written such a book... its far too complicated, and TRUE to be made up.

It had to have come forth the way Joseph said it did, and there is no other way. Thats only a tiny little element of my testimony of the Book of Mormon. But every new little element I find, just strengthens it even more...

I hope you guys are feasting upon the words of Christ daily!!! And getting as stoked as I am for the General Conference next month!!! :)

Love you tons,

Èlder Hartvigsen

Sept. 7, 2015 Rabies shots!

Hey everyone!! Well guys... its been a good week here! And with the most exciting news of the week already in the title, let me just get to the story haha.

So I got bit by a dog this week! I know... Its not like I was wanting to get bit, but I was kind of expecting it to happen sooner or later. In a country where there are probably more dogs than people.... its inevitable! 

We were knocking on doors in a little gated community, and this lady had 3 dogs outside barking like crazy at us and we just tried to kind of walk past them, but one just lunched forth and attached to my leg!  Bit me hard, and then let go. It all happened super fast, and the lady was like "Oh sorry about that... he's kind of a mean little dog" I was like "Freak, I KNOW! I realized when he bit me!!!" Then she took him inside. Luckily it looked like a somewhat clean, house dog (even though it was pretty bit)... But at least it wasnt one of the really sick, rabbid looking ones in the street. So we went over to a members house that lived close by to use their bathroom to clean off the wound. Then they ended up taking us to the clinic to get a rabies shot. And the worst part is how stupid I felt in the office, because the ladies at the front desk were like "oh yeah you're a foreigner... so we need to see your identification". so I showed it to them, and they asked me where I lived... I said "uhh... The United States...Utah." And they were like "yeah we know... but whats your address here?" haha OOPS, and then we gave it to them, then they asked what happened, and I explained that a dog had bitten me. Then she asked me "¿Cuando naciò?" (When were you born) But I thought she said "¿Cuando paso?" (When did it happen) and I answered "About half an hour ago"... and then they all just started laughing, and were like AWW.... YOUR JUST A BABY THEN! hahaha I felt so stupid!

Anyways, I have to go to that stupid clinic 5 different times, for each different shot. So basically all throughout the month of September.  At least I got a cool story to tell right? ;)

So today is cambios, and all 4 of us elders in the house stay the same. It should be fun, and Im excited to start a new cambio here. This ward really had struggles with unity, and stuff... so we are going to see what we can do to refocus on Reactivating, and Retaining the recent converts! "¡¡hay harta pega!!" (There is a ton of work to be done)

Well, we got less than a month left before General Conference! I am super excited and I hope you guys are gonna watch every session (like you usually do) But its gonna be legendary! 

And well, something that made me super happy to hear was that Ariel, and Camilo (2 of my friends from Coihueco) Got the Melquisedec Preisthood this week! What a cool experience for them!!

Yeah sorry that I dont have tons of new details, but If I think of anything else I will send it! Love you guys tons!!

Elder Hartvigsen

Aug 31, 2015, My last Aug 31, on my mission! One year left!

An amazing p-day with the district, visiting the ships in Talchuano

El Huascar, The Peruvian ship

I'm using my rain gear, ALOT

The hats Elder Butler knitted for us.

The grren one is for Brazil's colors for Elder Abreu

Hey guys!! Today is my last August 31st in the mission..... hahaha

Well I am doing great here, enjoying the end of winter, and looking forward to summer! And as far as updates go for my sector, our Investigator Santos says that he still wants to get baptized but wants to wait until October when we are attending in our normal church building. And after he can get to know more and more members. Because he feels like he knows only a couple, and wants to really have friends in the ward and everything... so we still have hope for him! hah

I don't know if I told you about Marcos or not... but he is this super great guy who is returning to activity in the church. As of 3 months ago, he was completely inactive and hadn't gone to church in YEARS. (In spite of being a returned missionary like 15 years prior) Anyways... we have been working with him, and he is really progressing. Mostly because he has a son Josè (12 years old) that he wants to grow up in the church. He is already a member, but hasn't gone to church in years just like his dad. But they are progressing super well, and actually yesterday Josè received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained a Deacon. It was so awesome to see the family all there together, and know that this is going to be a great blessing for that family in multiple ways... 1. The dad feels the responsibility to raise his child in the church, and help his son accomplish his Priesthood duties. 2. The relationship between the two is being strengthened. 3. They have been studying the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet together and are just making lots of progress and really making GOOD changes in their lives! So that was definitely a highlight from this week.

And something so funny from yesterday was Hermano Nelson who is a recent convert of like 6 months, and is like 65 years old. He used to be Catholic or Evangelical (Im not sure which). But he always makes so many comments during the sacrament, when it is so quiet but his voice is heard echoing all throughout the room. He just says things under his breath like "I am going to receive DOUBLE blessings today :)" or "I feel so strengthened right now" haha... and when the deacon passed him the tray he took the bread and exclaimed "GRACIAS, HIJO MIO, GRACIAS!" (thank you my son, thank you) hahaha all the members were just smiling and I was sitting right next to him smilling also. There is nothing wrong with that.... its just how he shows his appreciation to God, and to that young Deacon :) And the best part is when we were singing the hymns, I have a pocket sized hymn book and I asked if he could read the little lettering to sing along with me, and he says " yeah hold on one second"... and pulls out a little yellow magnifying glass from his jacket pocket, and holds it right up next to his eye, with the book right behind it and sang along with me! :) haha It made me smile so much, but at the same time I knew Heavenly Father was pleased with the efforts this man is making to come to church, and renew his covenants and everything, probably without fully understanding exactly WHY! He just knows he feels good in the church, and thats it! :)

And I guess that puts my stories from this week to an end. We have one more week left in this cambio, even though I don't think much will change this cambio.... but WHO KNOWS? Crazy things happen during cambios... crazy things! I think we have about one more week or rain and then it should be turning into summer! Thats what everyone says. Anyways, I will send some pictures afterwards. Love you guys! Have a stellar week, and remember to keep studying the scriptures DAILY. The Book of Mormon specifically!!!! :)

Con mucho amor,

Elder Hartvigsen

Aug 24, 2015 Visiting El Huascar, the Peruvian boat

a mini cambio with Elder Troncoso, Robertson and Sellers

Random pic, ours towels drying on the balcony

Me and my comp Elder Flores

Awesome pizzas we made

helllooooo again everybody ;) 

Well its been another good week here in Hualpèn. I hope all of you especially Cole and Brit enjoyed their first week of school!! woo hoo! You gotta give me the details about it. Anyways, today we had district class early in the morning, because we are changing the P day up a little bit for only this week. Because tomorrow we are going on a Zone activity to Talcahuano to see this boat they have called "El Huascar" It was Peruvian boat that had a big role to play in the history of Chile. Its an interesting story, my chilean companion gave me the whole run down.  You can look it up if you want. Anyways, it should be fun, and I'm super excited because Its in the Port of Talcahuano, where my first sector was. After living there for 6 months, we never went inside the boat, but I saw it from the distance EVERY SINGLE DAY.  So it should be a fun thing, and I will send pics of it next week.

Well we had a super great P-day eve yesterday because it was Elder Abreu`s birthday (the brazilian elder that lives with us) and so Saturday we bought stuff to make pizza, and made 4 pizzas last night and we went to the Mormon movie theater. (haha the portable DVD player we have with movies from the church) And we even made a dessert pizza too, it was delicious! I will send pics.

Well our investigator Santos that I told you about is still coming to church and everything, but they had a lesson with him last week and I wasn't there because we had a mini cambio that day, and apparently he said he just isn't quite prepared to be baptized. He says that he still needs to learn more, and thats basically his biggest impidment. Which is a little frusterating, If I were there I would have explained and asked him If he thinks that all the 8 year old children that are baptized are fully prepared, and know everything they need to know at that age. OF COURSE NOT! But that is what the Lord has commanded, and so we must do it. But we are gonna try to have another lesson this week and see if we can help him progress.

We had a great first lesson with a Lady yesterday named Ester. She is an older grandma thats probably close to 80 years old. And we saw her walking in the street, and I stopped her and simply offered to carry her grocery bags for her, and so we walked her about 5 minutes to her house and then I asked if we could come in and share a message about Jesus Christ and stuff... and she said yes. And basically was super receptive and expressed her question about "Why on earth are there so many churches, and why do they all teach different things, if there is only ONE GOD?!" sound familiar????  What a seeker of truth, right?

Anyway, we tought the Restoration and it seemed to give her a little more answers to her questions, and obviously we left her the challenge to pray and ask god if its true. And we are going back on wednesday to see how it went! If you can, please pray that she might receive an answer that she will be able to comprehend (obviously if its the Lords will.)

And well... the scripture thought that I want to share this week that has really made an impact on me is found in 2 Nephi 25:26

26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

Well, if you havent realized... everything we do in this church is based on Christ. We talk of him, we preach of him, we prophesy of him we rejoice in him right? but the question is.... WHY? Well, we do all that SO THAT our children (or whomever else we come in contact with) will know where they need to go to find a remission of their sins. Because the only way to receive a remission of our sins is through the Atoning sacrifice of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. He is the way, there is no other way that works. If we are not giving all the emphasis in our teachings, to the Savior we are missing the Point. 

I love that it says WE REJOICE in Christ. Its so true. Is there anyone that has not done something wrong, repented, and felt the relieving power of the Atonement of Christ work to clean you from your sins... and not wanted to PURELY jump up and down rejoicing because of the change that you have felt? Thats the power of the Atonement. Its a 100% blessing, and miracle that we can receive a remission from our sins. But only through Christ. Thats why rejoice in him, and preach, testify, and talk of him. So that our children (and the rest of the world) will know how to find that same Joy!

Christ lives today! Use his Atonement! And Rejoice in the blessings that come!

I love you guys tons, and have an outstanding week :)

Elder Hartvigsen

Aug 17, 2015 El Libro de Mormon: Otro testamento de Jesuchriso

Heloooooo again everybody :)

Well, to be honest... this week has been just a little bit hard. Because my companion has been 1. Really really homesick because of the natural disaster (mudslides and flooding) that happened in his hometown of Tocopilla. He was really discouraged the first few days of the week, because his family only wrote him a short note that said "the house is flooded... but all the family is okay." And then later the Mission President called him to see how he was doing... and The President called his family to see how they were doing, and so that made him feel a lot better. But then he got a really bad fever, and we havent really worked that much this week. A few hours each day. But yesterday we stayed inside the whole day after church. But don't worry he is feeling a lot better now.... I think mostly because its P-Day. :)

Anyways, the brightside for me is that I had a WHOLE bunch of extra study time!!! And I have seriously loved it. Because I have started reading "Our Search for Happiness" by Elder M. Rusell Ballard. And its seriously an awesome read!

One cool story that happened about this is this: We contacted a Jehovah´s Witness guy the other day in the street. (He is actually a missionary of their church. aka: it would be impossible to convince him of anything) And we attempted to share about the importance of the Book of Mormon. And he was all hard hearted and saying "yeah, lets say that Jesus did come to the Americas... what NEW things did he have to teach to the people there, that he didn't already teach in the bible?" Well... we explained, that he didnt really teach anything NEW. Because he taught the same doctrine that is found in the Bible. Its just there are things in the Book of Mormon that are not found in the Bible... or that are not explained very well. Because the Bible has been changed and altered so much (even some of the pure and plain doctrines have been taken out). He demanded examples....

And for some reason, in the heat of the moment, my mind seriously couldnt come up with a single reason. haha I felt like an absolute innocent fool. My companion and I seriously couldn't think of anything to say, I don't know why my mind didn't think of anything but... we just testified, invited him to read, and left. And seriously I felt so bad after that contact, just wishing I had had something better to say... and then later that very same night I was reading in that book by Elder Ballard. And there is a section that he literally says "I know some of you wonder why we Mormons focus so much on the Book of Mormon and not the Bible. We do CHERISH the Bible to be the word of God... but there are just some things that are not found there, that are found in the Book of Mormon. Or better said, doctrines that are explained more in depth." And he gave a list of a few examples.

1. Baptisms of children (Moroni 8)

2. The Fall of Adam (2 Nephi 2)

3. The Atonement of Christ (Alma 42)

4. The concept of Resurrection (Alma 11:43-44)

I was astonished to read EXACTLY what I wished I had known or remembered earlier. haha and the moral of the story... I dont think even if I gave those examples in that moment... that that really hard hearted guy would have changed, or even wanted to listen more. But I do know that It strengthed my testimony A TON from reading that book by elder Ballard. And I testify that the Book of Mormon truly is the Word of God. And it is the only book that contains THE FULNESS of the gospel of Jesus Christ. "Feast upon the words of Christ, for they truly tell us ALL things that we must do"

Yeah okay... I just want to ask everyone to please pray for our investigator Santos. He has a baptismal date for this saturday... and is basically just waiting for an answer to his prayers to go through with the decision. He freaking told us on saturday about this dream that he had. That he was at some sort of a party, and there were white roses and white baloons everywhere, and everyone was at these tables eating food. And he thought that it was an answer from God that he needed to be baptized. Then the very next day there was a party in his apartment complex.... with the same white roses and baloons, and food and everything. Then he realized that is WASN'T an answer from god. AHHHHHHH thats so annouying! haha

So I told him what I thought about the answer, and we invited him to keep praying and asking. And testified that the Lord would give him an answer that he would know was an answer to him! Please pray for him!! :)

Well thats about it for this week guys! Love you tons... and one funny thing is that this week we went to the grocery story to buy something, and literally 3 different abuelitas (grandmas) asked us how much something cost, or where the eggs were located, or something related to that because they thought we worked there, with our shirt and tie, and dark pants and sweater and name tags. haha. It was just something that made me laugh!

ok. les amo mucho! chao chao

Elder Hartvigsen