Week 11

Hola!

Thanks for all the pics from last week everyone!!  Wish I could have been there with all the family!

W----- came to conference!  He is a really hard investigator to teach, he has so many questions and tells a lot of stories that take us way off topic for a solid 15 minutes.  We have taught him 6 times for 1-1.5 hours each time and he would never come to church, so this week my companion and I decided that if he didn't come to 1/4 sessions we were going to have to be done teaching him. However, HE CAME, and he came Saturday afternoon which was the sustaining of the officers of the church and Holland spoke, it could not have been more perfect! I wrote this Saturday, then we taught him yesterday and have decided to stop teaching him.  He gave us a lecture that were not old enough and in 20 years we will understand that this book (The book of Mormon) isn't really important.  In seven lessons we cant get the message to him that God loves him (He sees god, but with Satan like qualities) or how important the Book of Mormon is....so until is heart is softened, we cant do anything more...

J----- is our investigator from Venezuela and this week he got great news! He's been attending the wrong ward, but in the ward he's been going to a member has loaned him the money to bring his wife and daughter to CHILE! He was supposed to be baptized on April 29, but he asked if he could wait a few weeks longer so that they can get baptized as a family! I don't know the member that loaned him the money but I have a lot of respect for them.  Also now when he does get baptized, planning for May 23, there will be 3!  We're sad to push his back, but so happy that this conversion can be a family event.  I think it's crazy that they had to flee Venezuela and completely start their lives over, but in the process they have found the gospel! The Lord truly works in mysterious ways!

This week we have accomplished nearly nothing.....because of the Day of the Young Fighter we couldn't teach Tuesday or Wednesday night.  Conference took away our Saturday and Sunday too....so there's that.  Most our investigators all request lessons after 7 (All except W----- and he asks for 6), so it's hard to schedule lessons, most the time we can only teach 2 each night because of walking time.  It's hard but we make it happen.  

On a spiritual note, my companion and I thought of a question this week.  The question is, "What covenants did Jesus make at his baptism?" To take upon him the name of Christ? We asked my mission president and he said, "I don't think he needed to make any." But, if he didn't need to make any covenants, then why was the priesthood necessary and what was the point of the baptism if no covenants were made? What do you all think? Was it simple because Christ was the perfect example in every way, therefore he gave the example of being baptized?

This week I wanted to study the accounts of Christ healing the sick and raising the dead.  I started in Mark and Luke reading about Christ raising the daughter of Jairus.    I recently wondered why the scriptures contain all three points of view (Same stories in Mathew, Mark, and Luke) but I read this story in all 3 books and each gives a few more details or clarifies a little more of what happened.  For example, in Mark it talks about how it was the daughter of Jairus, but in Luke it adds that it was the only daughter of Jairus and she was 12 years old. While Christ was on his way to heal the daughter, a women touches his robe and is healed by her faith.  Christ takes a little longer getting to Jairus's home and states to the women who touched his robe, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole.  Go in peace, and be whole of they plague."  After, a man comes and tells Jairus, "Thy daughter is dead, why troublest the master any further?" Christ hearing these words said, "Be not afraid, Only believe."  The daughter is raised from the dead.  

The amount of faith that this would require is incredible to me.  Many times in the scriptures faith like this is depicted through miracles.  "But Miracles do not produce faith, but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ, in other words, faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm ones faith." (B.D. pg 641). Many times I hear people say, "It would have been so easy to have a testimony while Christ walked the earth and did miracles."  This is not true, many people watched him perform miracles and still never believed.  That's because faith is confirmed by miracles not built by seeing miracles happen.  Having faith allows us to see and recognize the miracles that happen every day.  "Where there is true faith there are miracles, visions, dreams, healing, and all the gifts of God that He gives to His saints." (B.D. pg 641)

In John chapter 5 Jesus heals an invalid on the Sabbath.  Back in the time there was a belief that an angel would come and trouble the waters of a pool and the first person to set foot in the pool would be made whole.  There was a man who had been sick for 38 years, every time he would try to get in the water, someone else would beat him.  Christ saw him and knew how long he had waited to be healed and said unto the man, "Wilt thou be made whole?"  The man explained that he'd tried but someone always beat him to the water.  Christ replied and said, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.  And immediately the man was made whole.  Working on Sunday's as a CNA was always hard for me, there was always a part of me that felt guilty for missing church.  One day I was working on Sunday, everything was calm, and at the same time I should have been in church my patient crashed. With an entire team of doctors, nurses, CNAs, and respiratory therapist we were able to perform CPR, get him stable, and transfer him to the ICU.  I remember thinking to myself, "this is why it's okay to work on Sunday."  Now I'm not saying it's okay to work every Sunday or pick up extra shifts on Sunday, however for me I believe that my fair turn is okay. And Christ understands.  I believe that the hand of the Lord is in everything we do.  Every decision we make, every person I take care of, every happy moment, and every sad moment.  If we will allow him, he will be there to say, "Arise and walk."

Final story... In John 11 Christ raises Lazarus from the dead.  Could you imagine hearing the news that your close friend has died, then having the opportunity to go a raise him from the dead? In this story I find it interesting that when Martha went unto Christ she said, "Lord, if thou hadn't been here, my brother had not died."  Then when Mary goes unto Christ a short time later she says the exact same thing.  Christ responds saying, "Where have ya laid him?" He goes unto the tomb and Christ weeps.  This was a painful experience for Christ, his friend had died.  When Christ asks for the stone to be removed from the tomb he says, "If though wouldest believe, thou Shouldest see the glory of God?" How many times in life does the spirit whisper to us, "Thou should see the glory of God?" And we don't pay attention long enough to see the miracle right in front of us?

Scripture sections:
1. Christ heals the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:22-24 & 35-43)
2. Christ heals the daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:41-42 & 49-56)
3. The women who touched Christ's Robe (Mark 5:25-34 & Luke 8:43-48
4. Healing the invalid on Sunday (John 5:1-9)
5. Christ raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46)

Hermana Sullivan

Mission Nurse Specialist 

Chile Santiago South Mission

Week 10

Hola!

This week has definitely turned around in comparison to last week! It has been incredible and the work is finally moving forward! 

My companion and I have created a moto for our time as companions.  Our moto is, "Never Shovel Twice!"  When the bakery/home burnt down a couple weeks ago, we were working hard to shovel the rubble into a wheel barrow and then dump it outside in a big pile.  One man was a little too impatient and wouldn't wait for the wheel barrow to come back, so instead he would shovel the rubble into a pile, then when it came back, we would shovel his pile into the wheel barrow, therefore doing two times as much work as necessary.  I was getting really frustrated at how stupid this system was, so when the wheel barrow came back, I grabbed it and drove it up and over his pile.  When he turned to throw a shovel full he was surprised to see the wheel barrow right in front of him, but started shoveling into it.  This was a lot more productive.  My companion and I thought about how many circles we were going in because of poor planning or wasting 5 minutes here and another 5 minutes there.  We have since been so much more productive with our time, and we're not "Shoveling Twice" or back tracking to get to another house.

On Thursday we taught K-----. We taught her about baptism and about the word of wisdom.  She smokes, a lot.  But she wants to quit and wants to be baptized.  She is a great investigator when we teach her, she keeps all commitments and gives her full focus. However, she owns a business out of her home, so she is crazy busy and half our lessons fall through.  But our lesson went great, and if all we do is leave an impact and help her stop quitting, she will eventually make more time for the missionaries.  Also she is moving next month, so that sucks.

On Friday we taught E-----who is a recent convert, he was baptized 1 month before I got to the sector.  He is an Haitiano and lives in the place with lots of rooms and we teach on the porch.  While teaching him two new people joined the lesson this week, M----- and D-----.  They are refugees from Haiti and are so excited about the gospel.  Their lives are really hard. M----- moved to Chile 9 months ago followed by his wife D----- 3 months later. They have a 4 year old son who is still in Haiti with her mom until they can save the money to bring him to Chile. The Chilean borders are closed, so the only way to come is by flying and it's really expensive.  With Haitianos we've learned that they either progress really fast, or take a lifetime of teaching to get anywhere.  This couple is perfect, if they could be baptized tomorrow, they would.  However, they have to attend church 4 times and that means 4 weeks until they can be baptized.  On Monday, we taught them again, but separate from the others to make the lesson specified to them.  We talked about prophets and baptism.  We asked if they wanted a goal date for baptism.  They said yes, so we let them choose between April 29 or May 6, and they chose May. They are so excited, and so fun to teach! Also M----- came to church on Sunday for sacrament and we were able to give him a tour of the church and show him the baptismal font! He is my first investigator to commit and attend!

Saturday we taught J----- about the plan of salvation.  He is progressing so fast and has such a strong testimony!  In the middle of the lesson I had a really strong impression to share my experience with gma passing and bear testimony of life after death.  By the time I finished arguing with the spirit in my head about not knowing how to say it in Spanish, I had completely lost track of the conversation.  A break came and out of nowhere I said, "Do you believe that there is life after death and you can live with your family forever." J----- said that he hoped in life after death but he didn't know.  I explained that gma had passed away and how it's been hard for me to not be home, but that God created a plan by which I can live with her and see her again.  As I spoke J----- began to cry and explain that both his parents passed away about a year ago, and it was all connecting in his head.  The spirit was so strong!  After the lesson I told my companion I was sorry if my question was off topic and that I had no idea what was going on when I asked it.  She laughed and said, "Really cause it went along perfectly with what we were talking about."  The spirit works in miraculous ways, and I am truly grateful for the knowledge I have of the Plan of Slavation. 

So yesterday my comp and I were making our way to lunch, running about 3 minutes late.  We turn the corner to head down a long street when we see the Elders. We all eat lunch at the same place.  Elder C----- is having problems with his knee and is currently in a groin to ankle knee brace in order to keep it totally straight with no ability to bend, therefore they walk really slow.  They always beat us to lunch, so my companion says, "should we run and try to beat them since Elder C----- can't run?"  I said, "Lets do it!"  So we take off running down the street (Shamelessly in dresses) and we get about 10 feet behind the Elders before they turn around and Elder C----- says, "Oh this is not happening!"  We get about 10 feet in front of them when we hear someone running, thinking it was Elder C----- we start to turn around just as Elder C----- goes running past and says, "Suck it Hermanas!"  In order to run, he had to jump super high so he could swing his straight leg around.  I was dying laughing, I wasn't sure if I should keeping running or try to pull out my camera! Either way, it was super funny! The Elders are super chill and funny, so teasing him about his leg was okay, he cracks jokes about it all the time too!

Today is Day of the Young Fighter here in Chile, basically just a day when people go a little bit crazy.  I live in a super calm area and they don't normally have any problems here but because of it we had to be home by 8 last night, and we have to be in our houses by 3 today.  It's kinda inconvenient that it falls on pday....but we get to just hang out, watch movies, kinda do whatever inside.  I'll be honest, I have been so excited for this day to come since I heard about it in the CCM, I'm gonna take a glorious nap! Don't worry, I'm safe, our house is secure, and we are in super calm area, nothing to worry about!

Ive studied about Christ a ton this week! So a few of my favorite scriptures that I have come across are...
1. Mosiah 26:22 (Christ's Church)
2. Alma 5:27 Christ's mission and our part)
3. 2 Nephi 31:5 (Christ being perfect was also baptized)
4. 3 Nephi 15:9 (Look unto me for I am the light)
5. Ether 4:12 (I am the light of the world)

Hope you all have a wonderful week!
Love,
Hermana Sullivan

Week 9

Hola! 

Firstly, it’s a hard day. I woke up early this morning and the thought crossed my mind, “I wonder if gma is still here?”  Then saw the email from my mom around 9 this morning.  Thanks to the honesty of a friend and my mom about gmas condition I was able to get permission to call gma last week.  My mission president gave me permission to call her as much as I wanted until then end came.  I was able to talk to her 5-6 times this last week. I will never forget those short but perfect calls with her.  While it is a hard day I am at peace knowing she is in a perfect body, with gpa, and all who passed before her. Yesterday I was talking to my mission president and he told me, “If it's her time to return to the father, then now is your time to put your faith in action and teach what you know to be true. You will see your grandma again.” I know grandma wouldn’t want me anywhere else, and I know she will be watching over me.

On a mission side of things this week has sucked. All our lessons fell through, no one came to church, and we have no new investigators.  However, in church, on Sundays here if the speakers end early, then they just close the meeting early and leave.  Sacrament is last and this week we got out 15 minutes early! Who knew they could do that!?

A little about my area, we live in "Departamental" in a little yellow house.  This part of Chile is really poor and kinda dirty, but the people are so humble! We live outside our sector so we walk...A LOT. Its 3.5 miles to the building that we have zone/district meetings and interviews in. We live about a 15 min walk from church, and 30 minutes or more to most our lunch appointments, the metro, or any real store. Here the houses are super close, some are broken down tiny shacks that barely have a roof, others are quite nice.  There are very few trees and dirt on the sides of the roads, so when its hot it really sucks because there is very little shade. Its kinda fun walking and getting to see all of our area, but we do spend a lot of time just walking that I wish we could spend teaching, but that's okay, I love it here! There is graffiti everywhere, but some of it is really cool pieces of art. On every corner is a little tiny store called an Almacen, its super convenient when we forget lille ingredients to cook or need ice cream. My favorite thing here is the Feria.  Everyday there is a a street fair somewhere in this part of the city that people line up tents and sell food, clothes, cleaning supplies, etc.  It is the cheapest place to buy fruit so we have permission to go on Tuesday/Fridays. Its really cool, kinda just a street fair to buy stuff you need for the lowest cost.

My comp had interviews this week and a few of us were talking about the CCM with Hermana G---- and out of know where she says, "The CCM is a psychological experiment of sorts, you put people from all over the world together, different ages, give them tons of rules, tell them to sit in a classroom for 12 hours, and expect everything to go perfect"....I was laughing so hard. That is the truest statement i have heard my whole mission!

We have an investigator named W-----.  He lived in New York for 25 years so he speaks pretty good English and wants the lessons in English, which is convenient for me cause I can actually say everything that I want to.  W---- is a unique person, he is super goofy, little weird, and gets distracted SO easy! During our very first lesson with him we asked if he would like to say the closing prayer. He said, "If i were to say the prayer i would say something like this.... So he tells us what we would say and we told him that it would be great! We made it a goal to kneel for every closing prayer in our lessons, so we invited Willy to kneel and he said no because he has bad knees but told us we could.  So we get down on our knees and say, "would you like to say the prayer now?" He said, "I already did.... " We had this super awkward moment when we realized that what he told us his prayer would be about, was actually his prayer...so we awkwardly stood back up...we got a good laugh of it afterwards.  During our second lesson we asked about his life and what he hoped for, and he told us all about how he wants his own house, he lives with his mom and brother. So during our closing prayer he asked me to pray and as i was praying, getting near the end, he adds to my prayer and says, "And please bless me to have my own home." I awkwardly add it to the prayer and end.  W----- is so funny, but he is a great investigator and even calls and reschedules if he can't make it to our meeting. 

Because of my role as nurse we visit the office usually about once a week, which means we get to know President and Hermana G----- really well and also the office Elders.  We have learned that if we give the office Elders treats through "pouch" (system for mailing and getting mail within our mission) we can get just about anything, such as, nice pens, sheet protectors, and help with translating medical papers from English to Spanish.  This week the Elders really wanted a treat so they came and dropped off some cooking ingredients and a hand beater (gift) at our house, but because we weren't home they had to jump the fence. Elder K----- hit one of the spikes on his hand, so then he had to call me and ask what to do because it was a pretty good puncture in his hand.  I told him to send me a picture and he titled the email heading, "I impaled myself for cinnamon banana bread!" We were laughing so hard! Needless to say, his hand is fine and they got banana bread this week, I also got my medical documents translated....nothing quite like sucking up!

For people who have served missions. My first two weeks here we had two investigators; E----- and J----.  We realized they weren't going to progress, they don't keep commitments, wont come to church, and one is a teacher at his church and isn't willing to give that up....so we decided to "drop" them, and spend that time finding people who are prepared.  After a week and a half, at the chapel open house, they came and they brought 6 friends! We didn't invite them, they were invited my a member friend. What do we do, we don't want to teach them if they aren't willing to do their part and progress, but they came and listened....

In my mission there are a ton of "lost members". So President G---- made a program we call, "5 minute visits". We have a list of all members in our ward and we visit every house, pray with them, and verify who still lives at the address.  It is a more organized and effective way of contacting. A lot of people have moved, so we find new people to teach, and if they still live there we invite them to come back. Well, Monday night we went to a business/house that we thought a less active lived at.  As we talked with J--- He said, "Oh! you guys are the missionaries from my church?" However, later in the conversation we asked how long he has been a member and he said, "No I am an investigator..." WHAT! He called it HIS CHURCH!

Quote for this week: "God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability; and if we prove our dependability, He will increase our capability."

-Elder Maxwell

Some of my favorite scripture sections/stories:

• Jacob 7:9-20 (Sherum & Jacob)
• Mathew 14:15-21 (Feed 5000)
• Mathew 14:23-32 (Peter & Christ walk on water)
• Luke 1:26-38 (Mary is told she will concieve)
• 1 Nephi 17:7-17 (Nephi builds the ship)
• 3 Nephi 11:8-17 (Christ returns)
• Alma 22:4-23 (Aaron teaches king Lamoni)

Work hard, love life, and learn as much as you can!

Love,

Hermana Sullivan

P.s. Sorry my emails are so long, because we spend so much time walking we stay out as late as possible, so its hard to find journal time, my emails are sort of my way of remembering the important things....

Week 8

Hola y Buen Dia!

This week has been crazy!  First off, an Almacen (Tiny corner store) about 2 blocks from my house went up in flames early Friday morning.  It was awful!  It was a tiny little bakery and store and the family who owned it lived upstairs. They lost everything! The fire also burnt about 5 homes that were next door.  So Saturday all the missionaries in my zone came and helped start the process of gutting the inside and my comp and I and a few elders went again on Tuesday.  It is so sad, one of the friends invited us to lunch with them for helping, and at lunch the friend raised her glass and said, "Cheers to new beginnings" despite everything bad that happened they are positive and focused on moving forward!  Also, most of the people we helped are catholic but anytime they see us coming down the street they wave and come talk to us, we set a really good example for them of the church. My comp and I are also currently working on getting care packages made with basic necessities to help them out.  Before our second day of service at the house we invited some elders who are our zone leaders over for breakfast.  We woke up early and made breakfast and because the Elders can't come in our home, we moved the table out on our porch to eat, it was super fun!

X----- is just as great as always.  Today for pday she took us to get pizza! Also, i told her thanks for teaching me/helping me learn Spanish, and she replied by saying "I don't know Spanish, I'm teaching you chilean..."  Help me! haha the chileans speak so fast and are incredibly difficult to understand!  My Spanish is coming along though.  On Sunday we had an open house at the chapel where the Elders went contacting on the streets and sent people to the chapel, once at the chapel all the Hermanas gave tours and talked about different aspects of our beliefs. During our 3rd tour i was able to communicate everything i wanted to say.  May not have been exactly correct but they understood me.  The gift of tongues is real!  One member asked how long i have been in Chile, i said " two weeks in the field", and she was astonished.  So I'm feeling pretty good about my Spanish right now...

My favorite foods right now are a "Churrasco" which is thin sliced meet, grilled, and served on a hamburger bun with tomato, avocado, and mayo.  It is so good!  My favorite dessert so far is a "Mondecino", which is this little cookies with dulce de leche inbetween and chocolate on the top outside! So good also!

So Thursday night I get a call from the other nurse (the one from mexico that I am replacing), and he asked if I would go and give an injection to an Hermana that got her wisdom teeth taken out.  My first thought was, "Why is she getting an injection".  So I get off the phone and I call the hermana, the dentist had given her an ampule of medication to inject for pain.  Not knowing the name (because its in Spanish)  I called the medical adviser for my mission and he informed me that the medication was toradol.  We do not give injections in the mission at all, let alone a narcotic.  So he asked me to go and look at the sockets and get the medication from them.  So at 10 pm X----- rescued us and drove us 40 minutes to this Hermanas house, I talked with her, got the medication, and explained what to do to help with the pain. We got home at midnight! It was fun, but I was super tired the next day! Other than that, just a few minor medical things such has plantar fascitis, problems with the meniscus, rashs, etc.

My favorite investigator right now is K---, she owns the sewing store that makes jerseys and uniforms for all the schools.  She is so busy and its super hard to plan lessons with her, but when we do teach her, she gives us her full attention and she keeps most all the commitments we give her!  X----- works for her, so we drop by and see them throughout the week, and we do a lot of service for her.  She smokes, and has a few health problems but overall she is a wonderful person and so good to us! Last night we asked her if she would be baptized if she knew what we were teaching was true. She didn't have a solid answer but did agree to pray about it!  We teach her again on Friday!

My comp and I were going to make banana bread this week, but we got half way making it and realized our bananas had gone super bad, so we improvised and used raspberries...BEST LIFE DECISION! It was delicious, also the recipe is from my mom! I love her banana bread recipe!

Today I had to use the bathroom while at our pday activity at the park, so we walked over to the bathroom and there were no toilet seats or toilet paper..so obviously i decided to wait.  The thought of my dad saying, "The royal throne" when referring to the toilet popped into my head and continued with, I never thought that statement would ever be so true and applicable in my life....thank you dad.

I included a picture of how I've started marking stories in my scriptures.  Its always been really hard for me to pick out and understand the different stories but I've found if i used two shades of the same color to map out the conversation it helps a ton!  So i just thought I'd share for anyone else who has the same problem....  My favorite scripture section this week was in Jacob 7:9-20.  If you believe the scriptures are true, then you have to believe there is a Christ because the scriptures truly testify of Christ (Hence the reason the Book of Mormon cover says, "Another testament of Jesus Christ).

Hope everyone is doing awesome in school and work! Love you all and thanks for the support!

Love,

Hermana Sullivan

Week 7

Hola!

This week has been incredible!  I started meeting with Elder C----- to start the nursing side of my mission.  He is a Nurse from Mexico, and has been helping with the mission health until I got here.  Also this week for our service hours, my comp and I cleaned out the church office. It was a horrible mess, but meanwhile i found a super old blood pressure cuff! It was actually super cool!

 One of my favorite people here is X----, she is a less active and she loves the missionaries!  She does so much for us! My first day in the field she picked us up at the mission office and drove us to our house, buying us ice cream on the way.  Then this week, I needed a pocket sewn on a scripture case I bought here so I could just carry a small bag everyday, and because she works at a sewing place, she made me a pocket! And today we were going to have to cram on the metro to go to the temple, but she owns a taxi....so she had her driver pick up my comp and I and the Elders in our same ward and drive us an hour away for free.  It was so much better than cramming on the metro!  She is so amazing, and works really hard to help me learn Spanish when I'm with her, it helps a ton! She is so patient, kind, and generous!

We serve in the same ward as two elders. Elder C----- & Elder C-----. They are awesome! We had a guy call and want to meet with the missionaries, which seems great....but seems a little sketch, so we agreed to meet him at Liders this friday (Walmart of Chile).  But instead of us teaching the lesson we asked the Elders if they would come with and teach, then if the guy is really interested in the gospel it won't matter that the Elders teach, but either way we're not in danger.  While explaining this Elder C----- starts laughing and says, "Oh I see, just cover us in worms, put us on a hook, and throw us way out there, and just see what happens from the safety of the shore!" haha We all got a pretty good laugh out of it, but we´ll see how the lesson goes this week.

Also here in Chile everyone has big fences around their houses that are locked, so there is no way to knock on doors, so instead you stand outside and yell "Halo". Personally I think it is super annoying...Anyways last Friday night my comp and I were sitting on our beds around 10 pm when a man starts yelling "Halo" outside our gate.  We could tell he was a lil drunk so we just made sure everything was locked and our alarm was set, thinking he would eventually go away.  Well 15 minutes pass and he´s still yelling, and shaking our fence. We couldn't understand anything he was saying.  So at this point we call the zone leaders to figure out what to do cause he isn't leaving, and they called Elders C----- & C--- who came over and talked to the guy trying to figure out what he was doing.  At a few minutes the Elders call us and say that the guy is convinced that his cat is in our yard/house....We look inside...No cat.  So Elder C----- in Spanish tells the man, "Sir, there is no cat." At the exact moment the Elder said that, the cat goes walking by our back door, in our yard.  End of the story is, Elder C----- jumped our fence and got the stupid cat and the guy left. ALL FOR A STUPID CAT!

So yesterday was incredible!  We had a meeting with the Hermanas in our zone which took 3 hours, so we were both a little bummed cause we didn't have a ton of time for contacting.  But when we finally got to contacting, we made 4 appointments in about 45 minutes! We were killing it! Then we taught a lesson last night with E-----.  He is a recent convert, he was baptized 1 month ago. He lives in a place kinda like a motel but way crappy. There are rooms, then outside the bedroom door you are outside in a common area, and everyone shares a little shower room and tiny kitchen.  So we teach him out in the common area.  While teaching him, a less active who lives in the same place joined our lesson, then our investigator P----- came and joined, and the last part of our lesson some random guy joined in and we all knelt for the closing prayer!  It was amazing! Also we asked P----- if he would be baptized and he said ¨YES¨! He has a baptism date for April 22!  P----- is Haitiano, so lessons have to be taught super slow because there is a HUGE language barrier, so were hoping for April!  It is incredible what the Lord can do when your being obedient and working your hardest!

There is a lot of really bad things happening in Haiti right now, so Chile is being flooded with Haitianos.  We are teaching several Haitianos right now and in most those lessons our investigator will read the scripture in Creol, then my comp reads it in Spanish, then I read it in English.  Our lessons are a mix of the 3 languages! Basically my head hurts...ha but its really cool to hear scriptures read in Creol!

To buy our groceries and food we go to the Feria every Tuesday because its a lot cheaper than going to a store.  We bought 2.2 lbs of raspberries for about $3.50! I am in heaven! Also my comp made the worlds best peach pie this week!

As far as nursing goes.  I have taken over care for all of the Hermanas, and beginning of April I will be doing all the nursing care.  Elder C-----l has done an awesome and very caring job, he's just a little eccentric. We have so many missionaries going to the doctor, who don't really need to be going.  Also a Hermana came to me this week and says, "Look how cool this is", she then pushes on her ankle and she has pitting edema that last 2 minutes! I looked at her and said, "That's not very cool" ha I'm now working with the doctor to get blood work done and figure out why she has such bad pitting.

It is so hot here, but i am loving every minute, my companion is amazing, and the work is moving forward!  I hope everyone is doing well at home! Love and miss you all!

Te Amo Mucho!

Hermana Sullivan

Mission Week 6

HOLA From the South!

I'M FREEEEE!!!!!!

Okay to finish off last week, then ill tell you about leaving the CCM yesterday!

During the week all the elders got hair cuts in preparation for meeting their mission presidents....well one elder's hair cut was awful!!! Uneven super defined lines....so during district planning, I used my cheap scissors and ¨fixed¨ it for him, it looked soo much better!  It was by all means not perfect, but it did look better, one elder was like ¨From nurse, to missionary, and now barber?!¨ It was funny and Elder C------- was really grateful!

So the first couple days at the CCM my comps were late for EVERYTHING!!  So while one was in the shower and the other was in the bathroom, I took my only opportunity and set the clocks 5 mins fast.  Ever since, we have been 3 minutes early to everything.  Well this week while walking to our final class Hna T----- said, ¨I don't understand how we are always early!¨  Then I said, ¨confession time....¨ They both just started laughing....moral of this story is, there is a good and logical reason for setting clocks fast....We were so obedient with being on time:)

Hermana M------- from Argentina was in our room at the CCM and she is so cute and sassy!  One night she was teasing me for not knowing Spanish, and so I was teasing her back for not knowing English.  She was all giggly... Then I said, ¨Hermana M-------, no entienden espanol, por favor hablar en engle!¨(Hermana M--------, I don't understand Spanish, please speak in English!¨ and in the cutest, but stern voice, in pretty perfect English she yells, ¨Hermana Sushivan, Silence Please!¨ We all busted up laughing! She is my favorite Latina of this group.

Okay, the day has come!! Yesterday we left the CCM and came to the south mission!  At the mission office we had a ¨Transfer meeting¨ where we got our companions, and all the comp exchanges happen.  All the new people sat on the stand at first and they introduced us, I was the last sister to get introduced and President introduced me by saying, ¨Hermana Sullivan from Utah, she will also be our mission nurse!¨  I got a standing ovation for being the nurse......they have had a lot of dog bites lately (There are 2 million stray dogs in Santiago).  I'll be honest, I was smiling pretty big, it was cool!

The plan, an Elder from Mexico who is also a nurse has been helping with the medical needs, but it's not his calling. So over the next 6 weeks he will help transition me to  being the full time nurse.  We will meet with him weekly until I am able to take over.  But I will officially take over in 6 weeks.  

My new companion is an ANGEL FROM HEAVEN!!! And an answer to soooo many prayers!!  Her last companion was terrible, so she is so kind and compassionate!  Also she loves smoothies....nuff said there.  She is organized and clean, on time to everything, and she had 4 lessons planned for my first day (yesterday).  It was the most perfect day!  Today we went shopping and deep cleaned our house.  

We live in 2 bedroom hours by ourselves and it's so nice!!  One room is just for our studying desks and stuff.  Its pretty nice! Also we have 2 locks and an alarm system, plus a gate to lock us in our yard.  So were pretty safe!

I am so excited to finally get to work and be free of the CCM!!

Happy Week Everyone!

Love you all!

Hermana Sullivan

Week 5 of MTC

Hola!!

First off and most important.....HAPPPPPPYYYYY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!  My dad is the most incredible, loving, supporting, wise, and kind man I know!  He has taught me how to work hard, be wise, and never give up!  I remember when I was young we would have a specific part of the orchard and garden that we would have to hoe the weeds.  My dad being wise, tried to teach us that it is a lot easier and enjoyable to wake up and do the work while its cool in the morning rather than sleeping in and having to work in the St George Heat.  This took me a LONG time to learn.  Some days he made us get up early, but mostly i remember him counseling us, then letting us make the decisions.  I remember the first day I woke up willingly and completed my chore before the sun came up, I worked quicker, I was happier, and i had plenty of time to play later.  This can be applied to any situation in life, and my dad taught it to me.  The gospel teaches that the home is the most important place for living, and my parents did a pretty dang good job!  Thank you for everything dad!  Especially over the last year in nursing school and supporting me on my mission!

I hope your birthday is an amazing day!

Lets just say, understated chaos!  This week has been insane!  We were visited by Elder Villar (Area 70), Elder Bragg (Quorum of 70), my district spoke 100% Spanish (or punished with push-ups), and weve been preparing to leave the CCM!

Elder Villar spoke about the power of "Doing" and working hard to receive an education.  My favorite thing he said was, " There is a lot of power in working hard and receiving an education.  Our only limitation is our own heads making up excuses as to why we "Can't". Where there is a will, there is always a way!!  I am so proud of my mom receiving her nurse practitioner, Whitnie getting into pharmacy school, Zak/Janelle opening a business, and Ali working hard in college! My family is such a motivating factor for me and I am so proud of all of you!!

Elder Bragg spoke a lot about missionaries and our purpose.  He emphasized that "You are called of God through revelation."  It was really cool for me to listen to him speak and explain the authority that i have as a missionary to preach and teach the lords plan to His Children!  I leave the MTC next Tuesday morning and I am so excited to be in the field!  I am excited to share this beautiful gospel and learn from the people of Chile!

What is the most important thing we should be doing right now? As answered by Richard G Scott, "Learn to recognize the power of the atonement and then use it".  The atonement is not a punishment, it is a hope filled path back to a loving heavenly father!  I get the beautiful opportunity to teach this.  And I have spent so much time in the scriptures learning of the atonement.  So my challenge is, whether you think you know a lot or a little.....STUDY THE ATONEMENT!!

So this week Hermana M------ and I work out together in our room, do sit ups, wall sits, planks etc.  She is so cute and it is so fun!  She is from Argentina and in Argentina they pronounce the double "LL" like "sh", so when she says my name she calls me Hermana Sushivan....it is so cute, we taught her the correct way, but she thinks it's funny so that's what she calls me!

With the new missionary daily schedule changed, E--- (the last Nurse for Chile Santiago South) emailed me and told me that my mission was part of the pilot program and has been using the change of schedule for a couple years.  So basically I'm going to a pretty legit mission!  Kinda cool little fact.....Also one of my teachers live in my mission boundaries and she came to me at lunch on Monday and said, "I passed some sisters missionaries on my way to work, and they asked about Hermana Sullivan"  She asked how they already new me and they said, "She is going to be our nurse and we are sooo excited".  So this week I have been incredibly excited.  Santiago south is the most poor part of Chile so I guess they have a few more health problems than the other missions, so hopefully I will be able to put my skills to good use!

Last night we had a "Health and Safety" class in preparation to leave the CCM.  I want to emphasize the blessings the lord has promised me as a missionary.  In D & C 84:88 it says, "And whoso recieveth you, there i will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."  How incredible is that?!?!  I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that I am safe, through the help of the spirit and the Lord.

Also for my mother, in 1 Nephi 5:8, Sariah (Nephis mom) was really worried about her sons going to get the plates from Laban and when they returned she said, " I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons.....and given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them."  So mom, this is what I want you to remember, and when I return home, we will re read this scripture together!

Also Everyone go read Mosiah 14:3-7 but when the word "He" appears, switch if for the name "Christ" and when the word "We" appears, switch it for "I", it completely changes the meaning and is very humbling!  It was one of my favorite scriptures this week!

Welp that's it for now!

Love you all!

Hermana Sullivan

Ps. Picture are of my new roommates in the CCM and my companions and I.