Why was it the best? Ponder these few points:
1. The best people in the world.
2. The best country (aside from my own).
3. The best part of the Chile. You cannot beat mean temperatures of 80 degrees with no inclement weather, ever.
4. Great mission presidents
5. Best time ever. (Elder Holland would probably agree with me on this one. Just sayin'.)
6. Best companions, and fellow missionaries.
So, why the revisit? I recently received an e-mail from my mission website. I usually ignore these e-mails because I am too old to know anyone who puts their profile up. But, tonight was different because I remembered that it has been a few years since I last updated my profile. So, as I updated my profile, memories of the mission and those whom I served flooded my mind. It was great to reflect upon my experiences as a full-time missionary, and to be able to testify that every good thing that has happened to me thus far in my life is attributed to the mission.
I love my beautiful wife, who has a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful to be sealed to her for all time and eternity through the sealing blessings of the temple. I am fortunate to keep in contact with many of my dear Chilean friends. I have been able to return to Chile and visit them on two separate occasions. I hope to soon visit again to introduce them all to Kenz. She speaks amazing Spanish, and I can't wait to show her off to everyone in person!
I am grateful for the blessings of an education that will allow me to pursue interests that I developed on my mission. I am grateful for a language which has opened my mind, and has opened doors of opportunity.
I love the Chilean people. I love their culture, their country, and their language. What a blessing and privilege it has been for me to know and to serve them. Bear with me as I share a few of my favorite mission pictures.
My first area, Gabriel and Sebastian. As you may be able to tell, Seba was a little roudy.
A view from the top of a hill in my first area in Arica. Half of our area was on top of the hill, and half on the bottom. It was amazing at night to see the lights of Arica as we walked home from a hard day of missionary work.
One of my good friends, Erick, who was baptized in my second area, Iquique.
A p-day picture that gives you a little idea of how amazing the Atacama Desert is in northern Chile. This was in my third area, Calama.
Some great friends in my fourth area, Caldera. The priesthood was great to help us do as much work possible!
A p-day picture that gives you a little idea of how amazing the Atacama Desert is in northern Chile. This was in my third area, Calama.
Some great friends in my fourth area, Caldera. The priesthood was great to help us do as much work possible!
One of my best friends in this mortal existence. Elder Sandagorda is my Bolivian brother that I trained in my fifth area, Copiapo. Sacamos la mugre! Since we both were called "Elder", many people asked us if we were brothers, or related. We simply replied that yes, we were brothers, but our mother had fed me giraffe milk, and Elder Sandagorda was fed chocolate pony milk.
In my last area, Antofagasta, we had the opportunity to work in one of the greatest wards in Chile. Eilin is an example of faith through trial, and we were so blessed to teach and baptize her! In this picture are also some of the most stalwart members of the church. I am privileged to call them my friends.
My last picture in the mission with President and Sister Call. They taught us, led us, and loved us as their own.
In my last area, Antofagasta, we had the opportunity to work in one of the greatest wards in Chile. Eilin is an example of faith through trial, and we were so blessed to teach and baptize her! In this picture are also some of the most stalwart members of the church. I am privileged to call them my friends.
My last picture in the mission with President and Sister Call. They taught us, led us, and loved us as their own.
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