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.

Hey fam bam

Hey fam bam.

Well it's been a real tough week. We didn't have a lot of success. Something I've learned here on my mission is how to deal with stress and disappointment. I know they help us grow and when we trust in God, all things work out for our good.

I love in Helaman 5 when he councils his sons to "remember". He says it like a million times! I searched in other scripture stories when servants of the Lord, in difficult times,  remembered the mercies of the Lord and His hand in our lives. (for example: 2 nephi 4 or basically the whole life of Joseph Smith).

It also part of the sacrament prayer, "that they might always remember Him... that they may have His spirit to be with them". I wish I could explain better what I study and the spirit and comfort I felt as i read and study these things. 

The Lord loves us. He wants us to remember that. And the spirit will help us do that.

We also saw some prayers answered this week! Thank you for praying for us and our investigadores. D finally has cleared his doubts and KNOWS the book of Mormon is the literal word of God. After a YEAR of investigating they're ready to move forward and get married. They said they're just waiting to find their own home so they can get married and start a new life together as a family. So please pray that we'll find them a home!

 Love ya'll more than you can imagine

Hermana Meacham

Healthy, safe and happy!

Calm it down, calm it down! (Glozel anyone?) We weren't affected at all by the earthquake. Mom? Dad? AT ALL. in fact, we didn't even know it had happened until several hours later. We contacted this guy who (after rejecting us big time) told us "don't waste your time with me, go away, call your worried familes and tell them your safe". "HUH?"

suprisingly it didn't set off any volcanos. from what i know the earthquake didn't do too much damage and they were able to evacuate everyone before the sunami hit. Two people died.

As for the work, it's been a little slow this week. Like i said last week, we went to valdivia to get a shot for hna c and we ended up having to stay the night there. And this weekend was independence day in Chile and we couldn't work much for two whole days because lots of people drink. Unless you count eating empanadas as work. 

But in the three days we could work we found this guys named J! (although he'd started the festivities early with a something to drink too). He lives alone and has had a problem with drinking since his wife left him. He started crying right there with us in the street as we testified of the redeeming power of our Savior. We haven't had some miracle with him or anything, I'm not even sure if he'll progress. But it made me realize what I hope to do as a missionary and for all my life: help others find the light and love of Christ and our Father in Heaven. Think about it, there are people that walk passed us everyday that don't know that! They don't know they can overcome addictions, that they can be forgiven, that they aren't alone. 

I know everyone can change. And it's Christ who does that when we humbly come to Him.

sorry i don't have more time. this computer keeps freezing.

love you all!!! SOO MUCH

hna meacham

fotos de la zona

Feliz month of cats

FELIZ MONTH OF CATS! (at least here in chile. and ironically I've seen two dead cats in the past week)

well it's been a lovely week. In the mission we're constantly setting goals. Every morning, every nights and for two hours every thursday with a revision every sunday. And it can be hard when you've felt like you've worked you tail off but your numbers come out less than half for what you hoped for. This week was one of those weeks. But you know what? I feel great. 

-Reason number one: Hermana C has grown so much! aww mi hijita. She is so good and pushing herself and me to reach our goals. We both were able to develop new teaching skills and we're starting to teach really well together. 

-Number two: although church attendance was low, more than half of them were our less actives! Hna E came with her three girls and hna P came with her sons and her (ex)boyfriend and J P came! J P is from a new family we found a couple weeks ago. His parents got baptized about 20 years ago but he got baptized 3 years ago. He's 18 years old and wanted to serve a mission but they've been through A LOT! you guys, i can't even express to you the love i feel for this family. They are a miracle and have the most sincere desires to come back to church. But hermano A (the dad) had an accident at work and broke 2 ribs. so they couldn't come. buut next week!

reason number three: we taught a couple that are SO PREPARED. hna C first week i was talking on the phone with a convert and hna C was scared to do contacts but this couple passed and she handed them a card. They told us we could pass by another day. well time passed and we couldnt make contact with them until one day we saw F and he invited us to the baby shower of his girlfriend. we thought "how weird. they don't even know us... pero bueno!" and we set an appointment to visit them. When we came they fed us SOO much food, and afterwards we fed their spirits. They had so many questions and they were so straight forward. P took notes the whole time. They are sooo excited to have their own copy of the book of mormon! We invited them to baptism and P told us she was looking for a church to join because so wants to be baptized for her own desicion and not that of her parents (she was baptized catholic as a baby). They're happy to read and pray to know the truth.

I wish I could tell you guys everything in detail that happens. It's BEAUTIFUL. I LOVE THE MISSION. 

well today we're in valdivia to get shots and they told us they dont have time until tomorrow so we're stuck here with NOTHING. and it's 3.5 hours from our house.

 

p.s. every wondered what horse meat's like? black, tough and taste like the smell of canned dog food. but you can hardly taste it when you put it in a soup.

MUCH LOVE

HNA MEACHAM

fotos de la zona

Buenas!

buenas!

things are good here in Pucón! 

E wasn't able to come to church because she got really sick. ): annnd she'll be out of town for almost 2 weeks for work. She leaves tuesday so we'll see her today to leave her with a bunch of reading homework to keep her spirituly busing (; I pray that she's be able to feel the spirit and power of the Book of Mormon and contintue to progress even though we wont be able to see her.

We've decided to give J and D some time and space. We hadn't seen them for a week and had just asked some members to call them, inviting them to church and what not, hoping that they'd feel a lack of spirit that would draw them to act. and they came to church! after sacrament J said, "we miss your visits! when are you gonna come?" i guess it's working! we'll see where we go from here.

We've been able to find a few new families that are interested and we've invited a couple to baptism. Although they didn't accept the invitation they understand what we hope to help them achieve and accepted to continue to learn and allow baptism to be a possibility. 

The other week another missionary told me something someone had told her and well, it's spot on. People often say, "the mission changed my life" or "thanks to my mission..." etc. But it's not the mission. As missionaries we have a strict dedication and obligation to live the gospel principles at a higher and profound level. We study, teach, breath and live the gospel. Day in, day out. THAT is what changes a missionary. Christ has the ability to change the hearts of men and His gospel is what teaches us how to make it happen. You don't need to be a full time missionary to be changed by Christ. 

As we committ ourselves to Christ and to live His principles at a higher level we recieve light, we come to be more like Him. I've had the opportunity to live the gospel to the fullest for a year. And it has been a priceless year. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for my mission. But I don't want it to end the day I come home. 

In the conversion of King Lamoni, he declared in prayer, "I will give away all my sins to know thee" (alma 22:18).

As we leave behind what we were yesterday and promise to live the gospel at a higher level today than we did the day before we will come to know our Savior. And that's what changes us. I'm so grateful I have a life time to try to become better each day.

I love you guys. I know Christ love you all perfectly.

xoxo

Hermana Meacham

A love without price

HI FAMILIA,

Well I'm just gonna jump right in with E. On Wednesday we were able to do intercambios (exchanges in english? idk) with the Hermana Lideres, and I was able to visit E with Hna S. She had read the chapter we left her (2 ne 31) TWO times in 3 days! She didn't understand much but by reading it she showed her strong desires to learn and progress. (also fyi, "baptism by fire" freaks people out if they've never heard of the comfirmation before. jaja pobrecita)

We taught her about repentance, and although she had never heard about the atoning sacrifice before she totally understood and loved it. We taught her that repentance = change. She told us she has literally seen this change in herself and was so happy to recognize her own progress. Sept 26th here we come! Some things came up and she wasn't able to come to church but she told us her boyfriend wants to participate in the next lesson!

We had a Family Night with J and D in a members house a few days ago. It was so powerful! We felt the spirit so strong and left in tears. I pray that it was the experience they needed to have a change of heart and JUST GET MARRIED ALREADY.

This week I've really taken the time to study the Atonement. It really is incredible the love that God has for us to sacrifice His own, perfect Son to pay the price of all the mistakes of His imperfect sons and daughters.

2 Nephi 26:

24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.

 25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.

33...and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

 I love you all. I know God and Jesus Christ love you even more.

Wish I could write more and tell you about all these beautiful things I'm learning and experiencing but this will just have to do.

MUCH LOVE, HNA MEACHAM 

short on time!

Sorry i'm short on time! But I wanted to tell you all that we had a lesson with E yesterday and she accepted a baptism date! the 26th of september! She is so incredible! She said the last time we taught her there was something that told her she as to get baptized and she wanted to shout it to us! She has a lot of habits we'll have to help her drop but she's already making small changes and has so much faith, i know God will help her. We left our appointment and we were literally just beaming. sooo giddy. It was so amazing to see Hermana C so happy to have her first investigador with a baptismal date. She was radiading light as she testified of the happiness of the gospel to some contacts we did after the lesson.

the gospel really is happiness.

sorry for a messy short email but i love yall.

hna meacham 

Longest week of my life!

LONGEST WEEK OF MY LIFE. 

transfers came and monday night at about 1030 they called us to let us know we would have to leave at 630 am to go to a meeting in pangipulli. It was a long travel and we got back home at 300 and had to catch another bus at 400 to go to Osorno for transfers. and on top of it all the main bus transportation is on strike. SO it was a crazy couple of days full of uncomfortable bus rides. But it was so great to go to the mission home and meet my new companion! (and hna Davis was there! i missed her so much)

Hermana Cordoba. She's great, seriously. I forget I'm training her because she already just rockin it. She extended her first baptism invitation to our investigador Emilia. It went so well! I visited her with a member and we were so happy to hear that she had read the restoration pamphlet we left her and she had prayed! For the second time in her whole time! And she asked if what we had shared with her was true and she said she felt the spirit so strong! Her family and friends and her boyfriend don't support her and make fun of her for listening to "the mormons" but she said she doesn't care cause shes the one who's learning and feeling the spirit. Yesterday she finally relized that she's had faith all along without realizing it. She's going to be praying about baptism and this thursday we hope to be able to help her accept a date. 

Also, our ward mission leader finally came home after a 2 month vacacion! i can't wait to meet him. we'll also have our branch council meeting this saturday for the first time in months! yay for progress!!!

I love my mission you guys. I love Chile. I love the Lord. I love the Book of Mormom. I love the gospel. I love my family. I love you all. 

In the words of our drunk friend here in Pucón who likes to practice his english, "take it easy. slow down. love bobby brown"

or in this case

love, hermana meacham

New companion Hermana Cordoba

Hermana's Davis and Meacham

yesica y damian and fam

pucon y  hna alonso

Hola mis chanchitos!

hola mis chanchitos.

it's been a crazy week. but that just the mission for you. We taught Andrea (less active), she really is progressing so much. She's taking it so serious, which is so cool. She really understands what it means to partake of the sacrament to renew our covenants and what's even cooler is that she's totally renewing them. We're working a lot with the youth of the branch. They're so excited to be missionaries and it makes me so happy. I seriously love missionary work. I wish everyone could serve a full time mission.

but we've got some sad news too. Maria, our progressing investigador, is moving... ): she really opened up to us this week. she could use some prayers. She's really sad to leave us but we'll make sure the missionary make contact with her in her new home. It stinks because she's on the brink of baptism but I know it's what she needs to progress in all honesty. I wish I could be the one to see her walk into the waters of baptism but I'm just here to do the will of God. 

but

guess what? i'm a trainer. eeek! I'm super excited. Nervous too, but mostly excited. Something I've really learned on my mission is how God qualifies the called, not the other way around. My companion is from columbia. (and i totally already forgot her name. oops, terrible mom). NUEVITA.

pray for us please.

sorry for a short email. asi es.

Love you all so much

hna meacham

Al Punto de Milagros

 So yesterday, the beautiful day of fasting and testimonies, I was sitting in church and I felt just this overwhelming love that God has for His children. As missionaries, we're blessed to get to know so many people and God blesses us with the ability to love them almost instantly so that we can teach them and help them. I had this feeling that if I continued to work in charity and love we'd see miracles here in Pucón. After church an elder in the ward said, "the chapel was different today, I think we're about to see some miracles." Needless to say, we're getting ready to work our tails off to make it happen.

   This week we were able to visit Maria, we talked about the plan of Salvation and she told us she's scared to commit to baptism because she's scared of failing. Her family and friends put her down for not being a "saint" but wanting to join the church of latter-day saint. This morning I read an amazing talk from the last conference, "Latter-day Saint Keep Trying" or something like that. I'm excited to share if with her. But she got terribly sick and couldn't attend the baptism in Villarrica with us ): ): but Yésica and Damian were able to come! It was incredible! So beautiful. Hermana Orlando got baptized. His wife was baptized in march and his son was baptized last year. They waited and prayed for this day to come and it came. Yésica said it's motivated her and Damian fasted a full 24 hours! AND they came to church with us. I think we're hitting a turning point with them

   Also, we're teaching a less active, Andrea. She's great. She's really opened up to us. and she came to church too! Which was seriously a major step for her! yay

   ALSO we taught Emilia yesterday! remember the girl that add the experience with prayer but desn't know much about God? yeah her. She is so excited to learn. We talked about Joseph Smith. But she has lots of questions about what faith is and what it means to have it. So will start there with her.

   This sector is challenging me in a lot of ways but I'm growing to love it for it's challenges and all.

Thanks for the prayers and the love.

xoxo hna Meacham

well I caught the cold. We ended up staying in the house for almost another full day. But I had enough of that and we went back to work by, although I didn't feel so top-notch.

Well we're teaching this new guy. His name is F. He took the lessons in Argentina a while back with his son and they both wanted to get baptized but F had to leave suddenly and come back to Chile. He lives in the countryside and didn't know there was a church here but one day he was talking to this lady and he said he's "catholic but more like a Mormon". Long story short for some miracle we came in contact with him! He's old and almost deaf. It makes it pretty hard to teach him but he has such a sweet soul and lovvves the Book of Mormon.

We also have an investigador named M. She is INCREDIBLE. She's so receptive to all the principles of the gospel, like it's so common sense for her. She's hilarious. Every time she opens the door she yells "Hola chicias!" and she's always dancing and singing hymns. The other day she told us that last year she was hospitalized and should have died. She said God gave her a second chance and she knows it's to accept the gospel and be baptized. She was a little uncertain for a while but yesterday she came to church and she had an amazing experience, she even cried! She never cries! AND she bore her testimony in Sunday school! She said she's more certain than ever she needs to prepare for baptizm. We'll attend a baptism in Villarrica with her this Saturday and she said after seeing the baptism she'll decide whether to accept the 22nd of August2as her baptismal date!!! I love her so much.

It was seriously such a beautiful weekend. 

I've been studying "Our Heritage". It's incredible what the early church members went through. They all gave EVERYTHING. Like nephi/lehi style and crossed countries to build the Church of God. Some shared pairs of boot and coats to go on missions. With the prophet, the apostles and other church leaders all over the world, without text messages or gmail, it's proof that God really does direct His church through men called by Him who hold the sacred preisthood. I'm so grateful I've been given so much and had to sacrifice so little. I'll never complain about having cold feet every again.

to answer a few questions from the pops:

-I don't chop so much wood now because we don't have a wood burning stove. We use a little gas powered thing. If you sit close enough you don't feel the cold. haha no just kidding, i'm fine. it's not as cold here in Pucón. Although my equadorian companion is dying of cold. poor thing.

-no i didn't preach from the doorway while my companion was recovering. Good idea, I'm make sure to do it the next time. I ended up cleaning, studying, painting, and writing in my journal.

-My spanish is improving with Hermana A. I'm more acustom to hear it, full speed and everything. But believe it or not, the times my spanish really improved was with gringas, white girls. You gotta step up your game.

MUCH LOVE AND PRAYERS

HNA MEACHAM

There's a lot of work to do here in Pucón and it's definitely going forward. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it. To tell you a little more about the sector, we're a branch, a really small branch. Last week there was 16  of us. Four of which are missionaries. It's also a touristy city so sometimes we're lucky to have visiting members.  We're doing a lot of work with the members and recent converts to help strengthen the branch. They are incredible. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to get to know the pioneers of Chile. 

We're working really hard to find new people to teach. We've found a couple of new people that are really receptive. One is named E. She lives with her mom and her two sons. She doesn't have any religious backround. But she told us of an experience she had when her son was sick. She said she didn't know what to do and she began to talk to God for the first time. She said "i have no idea what i said but the next day he was healthy. I don't know anything about God and Christ but I know He exsit's because he answered me". SOO COOL. I hope she accepts the gospel. cross your fingers and say a prayer. 

My poor compy got sick and we were stuck in the house for a few days. Lucky we were able to do division yesterday with some sisters in the ward. I was starting to go crazy in the house.

LOVE YOU ALL.

hermana meacham

p.s. LOVE YOU SO MUCH ELDER MEACHAM! I'M SO STINKING PROUD OF YOU. GET READY TO SEE SOME MIRACLES. YOU COULDN'T BE MAKING A BETTER DECISION IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NO

Hola Familia y amigitos

HOLI FAMILIA Y AMIGITOS

i'm short on time but i wanted to tell you guys how important the family is to God. Being here in the mission I've met a lot of people and a lot of families. The gospel was given to us so we can  have happy, healthy families but FOREVER. I have seen the diference the gospel makes. I have seen it actively work in the lives of people to change them for the better to be more like Christ. 

(I'm just super giddy to have a new niece and because my brother goes on a mission in like a week)

This week we had a lot of conferences and meeting. There are so many goals and expectations as missionaries (and as members too) it's hard sometimes to feel like we're adaquete (spelling?) to do the job. But the thing is we're not, neither can we every be. And the Lord doesn't even expect us to be. For this very reason He came to earth. So that WITH HIM and only THROUGH HIM we can reach our goals. I know His grace really "is sufficent". But we must submit ourselves to Him and His will. 

As a missionary I've had to humble myself, turn to Him and ask for strength. I have felt His hand on my shoulder guiding me and filling in for my weaknesses. Grace isn't a factor that only comes into play as we stand at the jugdment bar. It is an on-going gift that began the moment we were born.

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH

Hermana Meacham