Monday, February 7, 2011

February 7 update

The week after a transfer is always suspenseful until the next Monday, when we find out the news.  So we were happy to learn that Elder Kenison will finish his mission in an area called Carlos Valdovino, in the Republica area of Santiago.  It's apparently pretty far downtown (see map in the right column of this blog), but seems to be a nice residential district.  Here's a photo he sent of the area — he said it's from a different elder's pension. but i guess you get the idea. haha (Click any photo to view larger...)

Here are three photos from "Google Earth" that show the location in the city (way downtown), the general neighborhood, and the approximate location of the elders' apartment (near the corner of Mozart and Haydn streets):

Elder Kenison's new companion is Elder Smith, from Rocklin, California (near Sacramento).
When President said that this should be an interesting change I think he said that because Elder Smith is from my same group. So we BOTH go home this change. So I don't know what happens to the area. The area though, Carlos Valdovino, has four elders. We also live with Elder Speakman (from Kansas) and Elder Van Dyke (from Utah, who is from Elder Hassler's group) so we think that Elder Smith and I will leave and the area will just be left with two elders.
Here are the two new comps:

We heard from another source (from Elder Hassler via his mother) that Elder Smith might be going home three weeks early; in that case, Matt might either get a new companion or be left in a threesome for the final three weeks.

In spite of the sadness of leaving Elder Hassler behind in Talagante, Matt seems quite excited about his new area.  We asked about the church building and the ward, and he responded:
Bigger than my other sectors though. there were about 76 yesterday. and the ward is AWESOME!!!
Really friendly, the bishop was called about 3 weeks ago so he has that "new bishop fire" it's awesome!!! He'll be coming with us this week to work with us all day :D He's awesome! The other leaders are too! :D
That's encouraging; having support and enthusiasm from local leaders can make a tremendous difference!  Elder Smith has been in the area for one change, and this is the status of their current investigators:
yeah there are some good ones, and we're finding some news. Yesterday we knocked a door of the house of a guy that Elder Smith and his last companion contacted, and the wife came out and said "Hey! we've been waiting for you" haha Her husband was sleeping but we have a time to pass by for them today. Hopefully it all works out.
Matt also sent us about a dozen photos of families and individuals from Talagante that he appreciated.  Here are a few, with his captions:
President Reyes and his wife. what a stud.


FAMILIA ESPINA haha I love this family the little boy's name is Mateo (Matthew) and he was always walking around and yelling at church. They would always make the joke when he would do something crazy "wow, all Matthews are the same." Referring to me of course

Familia Rojas. This is the family I had lunch with for my birthday. Hna Betty, the mom, is the music director for the branch, and Valentina who is only 18, is the Primary president. haha an awesome family :D

Marlene and Antonio. The ones who wrote me on facebook haha We passed by for their "store" (almacen) a lot because they have really good bread and stuff haha I would visit Talagante just to go to their almacen haha

Familia Muñoz. haha I love this family. This is the family that gave us the crazy food. (because we asked for it of course haha) they're awesome!

Simon. He's the only one in the young men's group in our branch. He came with us a bunch to teach people and gave us some references. He's going to be an AWESOME missionary! We traded ties when I left. :D

After today, we now realize that...
WE'RE ONLY GOING TO RECEIVE
FOUR MORE LETTERS
FROM OUR MISSIONARY!!!

3 comments:

  1. I love all the photos this time--all those sweet connections he has made with the Chileans. But why is Matt wearing the same tie in every picture?

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  2. Judy - all the visits occurred in the same day - the "farewell tour" of his area after he found out he was being moved!

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  3. Only four more?!?! I'm going to miss these updates!

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