Valdivia!

So let me tell you a little about Valdivia. It's a bigger city, touristy, with a beautiful river that runs through (remember the photos i sent of the sea lions a while back?) We live kind of on the outskirt of the city in a a peaceful, really small neighborhood. We live on the third floor of an apartment building. It's simple, but we'll fix that up real quick with some homemade decoracions. The people are so friendly here! It's crazy how much one sector changes from another. Many people are willing to hear what we have to share and we've been able to find a lot of people to teach. Our progressing investigadors have been really busy this week so it gave us a LOT of proselying hours. We found 9 new investigadors and invited 6 people to be baptized. It make me so happy to have that sacred privledge and blessing to invite other to enter into a convenant with the Lord. There are very few callings that allow you that opportunity; missionaries, mission presidents and prophets. I'm so humble that the Lord trust me to extend that sacred invitation.

Yesterday we had 3 investigadors in church! and the elders had 2.  E told us he feels great at church, like everyone's accepted, no matter what. E is new investigading the church. He's only had one lesson and a half but already attended church 3 times and has been to a baptism. He feels strongly that he need to keep investigading but is having a hard time accepting a baptism date. When he was younger he studied to be a catholic priest but realized in the end he didnt believe it was the church of God. He thinks to much with his head and we're trying to help him stop anylizing so much and let the spirit testify to him. It hard too because his family not intrested. But we've planned to have a family home evening with them and another member family this weekend. I hope they can feel the spirit!

Another investigador is F. A couple months ago on exchanges i talked to him over the phone actually! He was a referral. He's 20 and his girlfriend is mormon. He's been working a lot lately so i havent actually had the oppotunity to teach him. And he lost his phone so we didnt have contact with him for a week! but yesterday he showed up to church! tie and all. his interest is so genuine. 

This week we had two companion exchanges. Traveling and working with other sisters makes the weeks go by so fast! Its rediculous. I'm grateful for the opportunity to get to know so many sister and learn from every single one of them. They all have so many talents. 

I also had an interview with President. I love him so much. He's so great. 

Thanks for your love and prayers.besitos

Hermana Meacham

long/short

It has been the longest and shortest week of the mission.

It was so hard to say bye to Hermana C. because we went through a lot together and i learned a lot. and she my little baby! but I know she'll do so great. i hope to see her again.

I left wednesday morning and got to Valdivia in the afternoon. HNA S is my companion and she amazing. She was my hermana líder so we already had experience working together. And the next day we had to do división haha. I dont know the sector at all but it was fun. we were able to teach a less active that wants to go to the temple to be sealled to her husband that passed away. Totally cried.

Then on friday we had a conference for all the leaders with Presidente O. IT WAS AMAZING. I felt a Little out of place, like pres, are you sure i should be here? but It made me way motivado to work harder. I felt like way impressed in the conference that I have more to offer to the Lord and His work. I didnt come to just give up a year and a half. But to give MY ALL. asi que, estamos en eso.

We're working on the focus of baptism. well duh, we're missionaries. This mission has had kind of a rep. And it needs to change. Presidente is placing a lot of new rules to show our obedience and willingness to the Lord. We're changing the way we work with the Ward, the less actives, planning, etc. Well, with changed efforts brings changes results right? So we're real excited.

The Ward is great here in Valdivia. We're working with our Ward mission leader, who is awesome, and the Ward council. We have a few promising investigadors. I still have yet to get to know them better but I'll let you how they are next week.

I love the Lord and I love the mission.

Dios vive y nos ama.

Hermana Meacham

Clay in the Hands of a Potter

I can't believe how fast time has passed. Hermana C finished her training today. The worst is that the last thing they have you do is watched "The District". If you haven't seen it I advice you to watch it, if you have seen it- watch it again! I've been bawling like a baby these pass couple days. It's great. I've seen Hna C grow sooo much. She's come to love the mission and her Savior more and more each day and I can see it in the way she teaches now. It reminds me of the personal progress I've had. I've been so blessed to have this opportunity.

As I sat in sacrament yesterday I fascinated about the fact that we literally lived with God. We heard His voice, we know His face and His embrace. I'm sure it just about killed Him to have to put the veil of forgetfulness. I testify that He is doing EVERYTHING in His power to help us remember how it feels to be with Him and be part of His celestial family. I know the Lord foreordanied each of us to play a special role in the lives of other people. I'm grateful He had asked me to be His missionary and serve His children in Chile and that I accepted. It hasn't been easy by all means. The will of the Lord will never be easy because His blessings and a life with Him is "not a cheap experience" (Missionary Work and The Atonement - Elder Holland).

I have been able to remember Him as my Father as I studies the scriptures, in particular the Book of Mormon. As a mission we've been challenged to read it in 3 months. It's been a great experience and I encourage you all to do it as well. I'm so grateful for ancient prophesies of our Lord that help me to remember Him as my heavenly Brother, Friend, Teacher and Savior.

WELL the courts are still being indecisive and Jand D won't be able to be married and baptized this week. But they aren't discouraged. They're fighting so hard for what they know "without doubt is the right path". I'm so grateful that I've had the blessing to witness the change they have had in their lives. It's incredible. It's like black and white, day and night. And it's Christ that's done it. I have witness the fulling of the promise that "they shall be in his hands as the vessels of clay in the hands of a potter". Revelacions 2:27

Transferred have ultimately come and I've been called to leave my sweet little Pucón. *tears* But I trust that there are great fruits to come in Pucón. The Lord has called be to serve in Valdivia! I'm very humble and excited to also have the opportunity to be an Hermana Líder or Sister Training Leader(?). It's gonna be tough and a lot of work but I'm up for it and ready to work hard and allow my Savior to be the "potter". I'll let you know how it all goes but I could sure use a few prayers as I take on this calling! 

Love you guys so much. Ya'll mean the world to me.

Chao Pucón

P.S. the earth trembled saturday night like way huge. but we're all good.

hey guyyys

hey guyyys, it's miranda.

jaja jk that was for my sisters. 

how are ya'll? first off i want to thank you for all the prayers. I can tell you I literally feel them blessing my life and the life of those here in Chile. We were walking down main street and the thought came soo strong to me how grateful I should be for the prayers of my loved ones back at home. So thanks. xoxo

So we've been struggling to find new people to teach. We've been looking in the antique investigadors (is that what they're called) and a couple weeks ago we decided we need to find "F y F". We found there suposed address and it was an abandon house. Shoot. WELL a few days ago the Herman Liders came to visit and gave us a reference from a member of their ward: F Y F!!!!! They had moved but still live in our sector and we found them! They're so excited to receive missionaries again. They said they had had impressions that it's time to really accept this in their lives right now.

so something totally not important but like major #missionarylife. on tuesday i woke up sooo tired. I could not stop yawning. and the same went for my companion. we walked sooo much and when we went to our appointment in the evening i probably looked like a potato. I don't even remember what i said. or if i said anything for that matter jaja. it reminded me of when dad said he never knew he could sleep with his eyes open until he got to the mission. soo true.

so remember how i thanked you for the prayers? well a little later in the same day that i had that thought we took a taxi and we heard on the radio that the city courts are opening on weekends only for WEDDINGS. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! well it's not official but the Lord is definatly hearing our prayers throughout the world and things are looking hopeful. J and D are so grateful to witness modern day miracle in their lives and are so determined to get married and be baptised. If ya'll could keep working the magic and pray for them it would be greatly appreciated. Also they're looking for a house cause they'll be kicked out by the 15 of November. They're passing through a LOT right now but are still so happy and faithful. I know they'll be blessed. 

Love you guys. I love my Father and I love His work. 

Hermana Meacham

p.s. im totally learning how to make homebread bread and pies and things here in Chile. get excited. 

"I will be on your right hand and on your left"

Okay, you guys. I'VE BEEN SO BLESSED. I'm so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who hears and answers our prayers

So first off, I've been trying to acquire more attributes of Christ and praying to have opportunities to be diligent and obedient and the Lord answered me with an opportunity a little bigger than what I was expecting. President O changed our schedule and now we leave the house at 10:30 (or 12 if you're training- que bendicion) and we don't come home until 9:30. I can't even count how many hours that is outside proselyting. jaja. and it was just in time for summer too so I'm looking a little red these days. Yesterday a member was worried about the "spots on my forehead" aka freckles. It's definately a challenge but I'm all for a challenge and, de verdad, it's been really fun! Now we don't have time to do lesson outlines to prepare us for our appointments but we've been able to test our abilities to follow the spirit and teach in unity.

We had the opportunity to invite a lot of people to church and the whole week I was just really excited to go to church idk porque maybe just cause CHURCH IS THE GREATEST THING EVER. So let me just tell you what I wrote in my journal yesterday.

<oh my gosh. Today was beautiful. j and d don't have money to take a collectivo (it's like a cheap taxi) and even though J has marrow cancer she wanted to go to church. She was so strong and we walked together about an hour to church.  As we walked in we saw none other than V F. (remember him? 83 yr old half-deaf man that lives in the country side and wants to get baptized even though he doesn't understand much). It was a miracle. And even though he didn't hear nor learn much I could see in his eyes that he felt the spirit as he partook of the bread with the biggest grin. THEN, a little late but not the least of the miracles, the C M family came walking in. My heart was so full. And I probably looked like a fool with a huge dorky grin as I lead the opening hymn. 30 people came to church today. THIRTY! and only 2 were visitors.>

Some goal that we had that once seemed impossible now are right there with in our reach. I'm so happy to be here. And to top off the week we had a Family home evening with the M family and the C M family and the R family. IT was so beautiful and even after we left they stayed and just had the greatest time together. 

The Lord has been so diligent in answering my prayers. I have felt such a peace this week. You missionaries know how it is sometimes with the inner battles we sometimes face of discouragement. KEEP PRAYING. KEEP WORKING. KEEP INVITING. If little Pucón can make it you can too (;

I know the Lord lives. And He lives to love, He lives to help, guide and comfort.

You guys are the best. Keep working. Keep testifying.

Hermana Meacham

God's greatest gift

So usually I direct my emails to my family but today I want to change it up.

Hi everyone else!

In case you didn't know I wanted to let you know how cool my family is. As a missionary I've had the opportunity to get to know a LOT of people and a lot of families. I have never gone a day without testifying of the importance of family and how esensial (spl?) it is in God's plan. I've never, ever, ever been so grateful in my whole life for the biggest blessing God has given me: my family. 

I would not be here writting this in a little computer lab in downtown Pucón, Chile if it weren't for each one of them. I remember the examples that each of them has set for me and I know I would even be who I am without them. They have been my biggest support and I'm so glad to be part of their team. 

The gospel really was made for the family. When we apply it, our families grow stronger and we develop attributes of Christ. 

okay so all of a sudden I dont have any more computer time and I'm sorry that really stinks but you know how it is. or if you dont, well just forgive me. but if you care too you can translate my letter to President. hehe

The Family Martinez accept baptismal date! But they need to get married first but ALL the city courts are on stike so they can't. Plzzz pray that they get payed or soften their hearts so God's children can get married and baptized and be happy forever and eternity.xoxo thx

--

Ha sido una semana muy bonita. Tenemos una familia preparando por ser bautizando el 7 de Noviembre! Es la familia Martinez. Si recuerde es la pareja de que le consulte en la entrevista. Hemos pasando muchas cosas con esta familia, incluso hacer dejarles. Pero cuando Damian nos dijo que realmente había recibido una testimonio del Libro de Mormón empezaron a progresar de verdad. 

Antes decían que no querían ser casados y bautizado hasta que pudieron mudarse y empezar otra vez. Pero al tener este cambio por medio del Libro de Mormón ahora saben que no importa donde estén- necesitan ser bautizados. Ahora Jésica, Damian y su hijo Brandon tienen fecha bautismal. La única cosa es que Jésica y Damian tienen que casarse pero el Registro Civil está en paro. Yo y la Hermana Cordoba hemos estado orando mucho para saber si esta fecha era lo correcto y sentimos muy fuerte de que el Señor iba hacerlo posible. Ahora viene la prueba de la fe, oración y ayuno.

Yo sé sin ninguna duda que Dios nos da revelación personal y por nuestros sectores. Yo sé que nos ayuda cumplir con lo que ha mandado (1 Nefi 3:7).

También hemos visto el milagro de ver nuestros menos activos progresar! Eso es algo muy importante por Pucón. 

Yo ama la obra. Yo amo a mi Salvador.

Gracias por todo lo que hace Presidente y por su apoyo y preocupación por nosotros y nuestro sector.

Hermana Meacham

google translate:

It was a very nice week. We have a family preparing to be baptized on November 7! Is the M family. If you remember the couple that you see in the interview. We have a lot going on with this family, even to leave. But when D told us he had actually received a testimony of the Book of Mormon they began to make real progress.

Before they said they did not want to be married and baptized until they could relocate and start again. But to have this change through the Book of Mormon now know that no matter where you take sole need to be baptized. J now, D and his son B are baptismal date. The only thing is that J and D have to get married but the Civil Registry is unemployed. Sister  C and I have been praying hard to know whether this date was right and felt very strongly that the Lord would make it possible. Now comes the test of faith, prayer and fasting.

I know without a doubt that God gives us personal revelation and our sectors. I know that helps us meet that he has commanded (1 Nephi 3: 7).

We have also seen the miracle of our less active progress! That is very important for Pucon.

I love the work. I love my Savior.

Thank you for everything you do and President for their support and concern for us and our industry.

Sister Meacham

I know God lives

So we got crackin this week. We asked the Lord where the chosen people are and He's telling us. With the spirit of prayer we individually picked a few streets to knock and 4 of the 5 we each picked were the SAME STREETS. We knocked the first on Monday and immediately found 3 people, very receptive. The same goes for the others we've been able to knock so far. 

One is J (a different one from a few weeks ago). J is 62 and told us he quit going to his church after the congregation divided into 3 separate churches. Now he's looking for the one true church. When we taught him the restoration he TOTALLY UNDERSTOOD. I admired the humility of the 14 year old Joseph Smith and is excited to come to church next week. 

This Thursday I had the privilege of taking a 2 hour ride in the car of President O himself. I felt pretty special. He took us to a Zone Conference where he talked about the "foolish traditions of our fathers". This mission has been know as a tough mission, low in baptisms. President O noticed that a lot of new missionaries were getting discouraged with the thought that they would never have a baptism. We putting an end to the "foolish traditions". Hermana C and I are excited and ready to prove our desires and faith to the Lord and invite all to be baptized.

And with conference just days later I really hit a spiritual high. I LOVE THE PROPHET. I LOVE HIS APOSTLES. I LOVE THE CHURCH. I KNOW IT'S THE CHURCH OF GOD. I LOVE MY SAVIOR. 

I had the strongest confirmation that these three newly called apostles really are called of God Himself. I know the organization of the church is perfect and exists to help us come to Christ through saving ordinances of baptism and those of the temple. I bear witness that God lives. I KNOW IT. without a single stinkin doubt.

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Hna Meacham

p.s. we had to take 2 whole days to travel to Osorno to renew my visa. Has it really been that long?! I saw a picture of myself the day I got to Chile and I look like a baby! Besides the fact that my face is a little rounder, I really am a different person. Not completely, I'm still paige but just like refined I guess? IDK it's just that I've learned and experienced so much! I'm so grateful the Lord called me to be one of His missionaries.

pics
so a couple of weeks ago the house of two elders burnt down with everything inside. they barely escaped with their pajamas. so i'll be sending more pictures now I think. you never know what could happen. 
foto: 
our trip to valdivia a couple of weeks ago
lobos marinos (sealions) they are so fat and snort like pigs

pics 2
service project we did on independence day on the lake

it's been cold lately. i swear i gain like 10 pounds when i put on all my clothes.