March 28, 2016

Oh man of little faith.....

So yesterday as we set goals for the week, my companion said "baptisms..... one."  I then went on to say that we had no one with enough attendances or with enough of the teachings in order to be baptized and that I had a lot of faith in Christ but that I would not set a goal just to have a number.  This morning, we received a phone call from the secretary of the mission telling us that a woman named Clyde moved here from Antofagasta and that she had already received almost all of the teachings and various attendances and she wants to be baptized.  It was a giant slap to the face and the quote from Elder Holland "If I want fish, I can GET fish" came to my mind. So looks like we will probably be having a baptism this week. haha thank goodness for Elder Barlow´s faith! 

Can I just say how amazing the Gospel is and how much it blesses families.  This week we found out that the Huitrañan family was just about to split up.  Jorge and Perla almost never talked to each other when they were both at home and she was about to take her kids and just go.  She said the other day she was reading the Book of Mormon and just got a strong feeling that it was true and that she had to stay with Jorge.  The other day, as we walked with them, he had his arm around her as they walked.  They were holding hands and both were just SO happy.  They are progressing really well.  We are working with some of their friends to try and get them baptized.  We have two baptismal dates for the 17th of April! Rocio and Soledad....keep them in your prayers

Today, I read 4th Nephi.  How cool is it that they had almost 200 years of complete peace.  I can’t think of any time in history when any people have been so free of conflict.  The Gospel blesses families and societies.  Gospel principles bring happiness.... it is just as easy as that.  I love this church and I know that it is true.  I know that Christ lives.  Hopefully we can think more about and strive to become more like Him.

Su hijo, hermano y amigo,

Elder Crofts

President & Hermana Diaz came up for our district conference!! :)

They are so great!

Interchanges with Elder Clifford

He forgot his shoes. Haha

Some tasty empanadas!! :)

That is a nice tan line!

Your newest police officers folks

The Aguilar Family! Miguel is doing really well after his baptism.

They made us some mango juice from Ecuador.

Hermana Diaz did a good turn daily and brought us a HUGE chocolate bar and yes...that is right....ROOT BEER!!!!!

I love that woman!

March 21, 2016

Gypsies and Milagros!

Querida familia,

What an awesome week.  To start it out, we found 4 new investigators on Monday. 3 of which were gypsies.  Yes you read that right. ha-ha we taught a family of gypsies.  They have this colorful tent set up in a large abandoned field with a big old mat underneath.  As we were walking towards the tent, my Mom´s voice came to my head saying "Bobby! don’t go over there.  You know that if they offer you drugs you need to say no!" haha Well, in the end we taught them and no we did not participate in their drug fun.  It would be hard for them to progress but we are going to give it another try another day..... don’t worry... we´ll be careful! 

I had mentioned the Huitrañan family right? Well they all came to church and Pedro brought his girlfriend (Rocio) that we are teaching.  This family is catching fire and they love the changes that are happening in their family.  Pedro is inviting all of his friends to church and we committed Rocio to a baptismal date for 17th of April.  We have SO much potential here and could have a lot of baptisms this next month so we are praying that it will all work out. Also.... Guillermo and Miguel both received the priesthood! Alright! 

Wow.... I just LOVE the mission.  I have learned so much about myself and about Christ.  I have learned to accept His love and atonement even when I feel I don’t deserve it.  His hand is always stretched out towards us.  He will help and guide us through our ups and downs.  I love this work! I hope you all have an amazing week.

Les quiero mucho! 

Elder Crofts

We had Zone Conference last week

Elder Barlow & Elder Gutierrez

Carrots....yummy, yummy.

We gave her a card and she got really excited :)

Now THAT is a green bell pepper.

Lunch with Hermano Paolo

Lovin the mission life!

March 16, 2016

Another great week! Unfortunately, we have not been able to teach Emiliano and his family and we are hoping that they haven´t cooled down.... We will have to see how this week goes.  Well... we haven´t lost hope with that family but we were able to find an inactive family.  The Huitrañan family (it is a Mapuche name) lives in very poor circumstances and as a result got into drugs and alcohol. The way we found them was a miracle.  For time, it will have to wait for another day.  One of the family members decided right there and then in the lesson that we had with him that he wanted to turn his whole life around and be a blessing for others and not a nuisance.  He threw away the drugs he had and also made other HUGE changes that I will have to talk to you guys about after.  It was a CRAZY day! The whole family came to church and yesterday we taught them and they are praying as a family.  They asked for all of the Mormon movies that we have, and they want to give us lunch this Saturday.  Talk about a dramatic change.

We watched a satellite conference by Elder Bednar for the area on Saturday and also had a conference broadcasted from Salt Lake for all of Chile on Sunday.  Elder Soares and President Nelson were my favorites.  What impacted me most with Elder Bednar’s talk is the importance of learning "line upon line."  He said that we shouldn’t feel bad or disappointed if we don’t feel as "awesome" as the prophets and apostles because they have 50 years more of consecrated service than we do.  That is something that has been a real fight for me in the mission, accepting that I have to learn at the Lord´s pace and in His timing.  We do our best and then trust in the Lord to hasten His work.  In the conference on Sunday, they talked a lot about forgiveness, the Book of Mormon, obedience and charity.  Hopefully, someday I can have a love as pure as the apostles do for God, Christ, and everyone that surrounds them. 

I really just love my mission.  Every day I love it more and more.  The Atonement, repentance and forgiveness just blow my mind.  God loves us so much and I am so grateful that I can share that love here in Ovalle.  I hope you all have a great week and that you can help someone feel like God is there and that he loves them.

Love,

Elder Crofts

I love Chile

P-Day Activities

The usual food photos in case you thought Elder Crofts was missing a meal

That is one big grape