Kami letter from Copiapo (dated 11/25/13)

FELIZ NAVIDAD!! 

almost. 

One month from today, is Christmas!! CRAZY. But im so excited to be able to talk to you guys!!! Like I think I mentioned last week, we bought a Christmas tree!! So I attached a picture of it ;) Its little, but I love it!! 

This week was a quick, busy one for us!! Like I also mentioned, my foot started hurting a little bit, but not too bad. Its already feeling a LOT better. This time it didnt get nearly as bad. which is nice. 

I had to go start everything for my Carnet...Chilean ID ;) I have my visa which is good for a year, so I just had to go do the ID stuff. We had to go SUPER early in the morning... left our pension at like 7ish (normally we wake up at 7:30) and went to the PDI... to get my foreigner stuff figured out. Then to the Registro Civil, to get the ID and stuff. 

Funny story, so we were at Registro Civil, waiting in line, when we realized I needed money for it. We counted our money between the two of us...and we ended up about 500 pesos (about a dollar) short. Oops! So we called the other Hermanas, who were still at home, to come meet us halfway to bring me a little more money. The Registro Civil is in their sector, so it wasnt too far, like a 30min walk or so. So we start RUSHING home, and they start RUSHING towards us, because I had a number, and didnt want to miss it. We got to them, started RUSHING back, afraid we might not make it, then Bro Judd comes to save the day! He had just stopped by the pension to give us that package, but we obviously werent home. So he was on his way to work when he saw us on the street. So I got the package and he was able to drop us off quicker too. woo hoo! Thank you for the little package ;) Everything is perfect! So fun to get it all from ya ;) and he gave us too sour patch watermelons and almond joy ;) YUM. Attached are pictures of us 4 enjoying our treats too :D

Im glad you got the email of our musical number too! It was so fun ;) I love every chance I get to play the piano, so last week Bishop asked if we could do that, and we both happily accepted! Ive been playing to accompany sacrament meeting lately too... love it ;) Everyone told us we "make a good team" so we are hoping we can stay together another transfer ;) We know they are changing a lot in Copiapo, putting hermanas and elders in the same wards, so theyre changing all that. But we know its the other hermanas that are most likely leaving...well their sector is bringing elders. 

We also...because our house is breaking and huge, for just two of us, have been looking for a new one! and we think we found one! A lady in our ward rents houses, and she told us she has one cheaper for us. So we went and looked at it today..its nice!! and smaller, and cheaper, and new! and not breaking ;) So hopefully we can get that all figured out soon, before we have transfers this weekend!Saturday we find out..so hopefully next monday Ill be able to tell you guys im staying here for christmas ;) 

Our best investigator yet... Benjamin, who I mentioned a few weeks ago... moved :( He is still here in Copiapo, but another ward. We were so sad because he is progressing VERY WELL. He just has to get some things with divorce figured out before he can be baptized, but he would be baptized, and WANTS to be baptized as soon as he can. He was definitely prepared, one of those chosen and placed in the path ones. So I was sad to see him move, but I guess theres a reason for everything. But he was really open and accepting that new missionaries would have to come and a new ward. Hes great! 

We started focusing on the Plan of Salvation this week. Almost all our investigators are on this same page, so we basically do almost the same lessons with them...of course personalizing them too, but the same basic concepts. 

And a funny story. We are with this lady, and her 6yr old is in and out of the lesson. Teaching Plan of Salvation. And she mentions that she has had the question before.... what happens after this life. So we ask her, what are your beliefs, where are we going? and the little son yells..."ARGENTINA!" and we all couldnt help but laugh. and he says "but mom.. you told me we are going to argentina some day". haha ;) 

Thats crazy to hear about the wards all splitting! craazzyy!! Whos the new Bishop then? Wow, big changes happening, its going to be weird when I get home! haha 

They dont have Thanksgiving here... but we are going to celebrate it anyways. We are 3 from the US in our pension..and 1 from Peru, so we are celebrating it. Ill send pictures next week. But no, they dont have anything like it here, so its kinda weird. 

But hope you all have a good holiday! Remember all the blessings you have, and show your thanks! 

I hope you all have a wonderful week!!! Enjoy Thanksgiving, couple days off of school, and family and friends ;) 

I love you all lots and miss you too!! But one month ill getta talk to you all!! ;) 

Love you, 

Hermana Severtson

Email from a Member in Kami's ward in Copiapo, Chile

Dear Familia's Severtson's y Tuft's,

Attached is short 6 second "vine" video of the Hermanas performing in Sacrament meeting today.

They made good use of their talents.  It was excellent.  Best musical number I have heard in my 3 years here in Chile!!  It made us all tear up.  The spirit was so strong.  I could have listened to them all day.  I am glad they used their practice money wisely so we could all benefit.

Thanks for sending you precious daughter to Chile.  They are super missionaries and you can be very proud of them.

Saludos,

Bret 

Kami letter from Copiapo (dated 11/18/2013)

Hello Hello!! 

Another quick week, for real. It flew by!! 

My foot has started hurting again though... not nearly as bad as before, but I have medicine for it again. Hopefully it starts getting better. I talked to Elder Garrison, our Senior missionaries who are here who is the physical therapist, and he said it sounds like I actually have Plantarfesicitis.... no idea how to spell it, hopefully you still know what Im talking about haha. And hope also that I can get it controlled so I can first, enjoy the rest of the mission, but also, to be able to do fun hikes and stuff again after! Guess we`ll see.... 

Can`t believe I finished my half-way mark this week. Wow. That really went fast. It feels weird to know I`m on the "countdown". But, its great! ;) Love every minute of it! 

Thats so CRAZY that Bro Judd is in Brad`s ward! small world! Cool you got to go over and meet him, thats really neat. I`ll be waiting for him to come home then! ;) 

And as for the package, as of now, still nothing. But Hermana Tuft`s parents sent one about a week or so before you guys, and we know the Zone Leaders have one for her, so it should hopefully be getting here soon. 

We`ve started to get a lot of investigators right now, lots of looking and searching the last few weeks, and its paying off! They`re all still really new for now, so hopefully in the next couple weeks they can be really progressing. But we have them. Just now have to teach and feel the spirit. 

I just hope, REALLY HOPE, I get to stay in Copiapo one more transfer...theres just 2 weeks left of this one, and I really want to stay! I want to stay at least for Christmas ;) But I guess we will see! 

One lady, we were trying to talk to her neighbors, that are never home, and we saw her car there. So we decided to try her. She let us right in, and we had a good lesson with her. 

Another, was a reference from a member. We went over, she let us in, and she ended up crying because it was perfect for what she needed in her life right then. 

Its so amazing how the Lord prepares people. They are ready. And theyre everywhere ;) 

I realized too, can you send me my counselor`s email address? I should probably get that all figured out, because itll come fast by when I have to know all that..especially with only being able to talk to them once a week. Just send me whatever cards I gave you (I think I did...) and Ill just ask them if Im talking to the right person ;) 

Cant believe either, that CALEB is starting his EAGLE!! Good for him!! Thats so cool! you gotta make sure to send me lots of pictures of the project, because I cant be there to help him. But Im so proud of that kiddd!! 

Like I said, this week flew by! So theres not much else for this week... sorry. haha Ill try to make the next weeks email a little bit cooler ;) 

Love you all LOTS!! 

<3 Hermana Severtson

p.s. a picture of my district in caldera last week. 

this head is placed right in front of easter island! its part of a different mission, but its directly in front of ours. but its still like a 6 hr or so plane ride away! far! but cool ;) 

Kami letter from Copiapo (dated 11/11/13)

HHOOOLLLAAA ;) 

Crazy right??? 9 months just about! But just about exactly 9 mo from today, ill be coming home!! wowwy! I cant believe how fast the time has gone. 

I was talking to a new sister that just came this transfer, and she was just telling me how hard it was and the language is difficult.... it feels just like a couple weeks that i was in her spot, and it felt so weird to be "experienced" to tell her that YES it gets better...the language comes, it just gets amazing. Being hard at first, just makes it that much better at the end... or the middle I guess, I dont know about the end yet ;) haha 

Speaking of, Ive had SO many dreams lately that I am going home. And its as if this transfer. Like in my dream I know im only 9 mo in, and everyone that recently left is left recently, but its my turn to go home, and my group i came with too. weird. but i still got 9 months, so its good! ;) its so weird, i miss everyone and i miss home, but i love it here. as if i dont want to leave, but dont want to stay either! 

We made a Christmas chain this week...counting down the days ;) haha we are in the 40s now... yikes!! Make sure to tell everyone to send me christmas cards ;) i want to see everyone! Its so crazy how much people change in just 9 months! ;) 

Thats cool you saw the Laytons, and Kenzie Stewart. How good for both of them ;) Kenzie is getting ready to go in another year or so, right? thats awesome! i would definitely, without a doubt, recommend a mission to everyone. 

And Bro Judd! Cool youll see him tomorrow! how crazy how he travels to and from mesa and copiapo. haha 

We had ward conference yesterday, its funny, here, everyone makes it kinda a bigger deal. it was this huge program and they gave us all little tag things for the conference. and we had our all-time high for church attendance!! we were so happy!! last time the stake came, we had 58, then yesterday, it was 117!!!! It was amazing! :D

On saturday, there was a RS activity in the plaza... all the wards had a little booth showing what theyd done through the year. and us missionaries went around just talking to everyone, showing them what it was, and inviting them to talk to us another day. it was really neat! a really cool idea. 

also, here, theyve been doing "emergency backpacks" just like a 72 hr kit in a backpack. everyone has been really stressing getting them ready.... yikes! haha kinda makes me nervous ;) haha 

our door too this week... haha our pension right now is kinda crazy ;) ha the bottom 2 of 3 hinges came off. so we opened it that night, and the whole door almost fell! So we put a couch in front of it for the night, and the elders and members came the next day to help us out ;) 

but all in all. this week was GREAT!!! SO much better than last week. I just felt so much happier and excited to do the work. it was great ;) 

We are in Caldera right now again, the little beach town ;) we came as a district to play some sports on the beach. we had a little while before the next bus left, so we are writing. I took some pictures, but ill send those when we get back to Copiapo in a couple hours or so. So watch for that email!! 

Love you lottsss!!!!! Hope you enjoy your week, remember what you know, and share it with everyone!!! <3

<3 Hermana Severtson 

P.S. Shoes we bought together, christmas chain, pictures from the beach

Kami Letter from Copiapo (dated 11/4/2013)

HEEEYYYY!!! 

For real, you are all too busy!! haha Always something going on! ha, but its great. I love hearing from you and seeing whats new and whats going on in your lives. Its so funny, being in the mission, it feels like time stops! I always want to say "the other day..." then realize ive been here almost 9 months, so it was more of probably a year ago or more. 

But this week was good. Ended good. It was one of those discouraging weeks, but those are when you learn the most, and learn to rise up and keep going. 

We met a Brazilian lady, who was talking to us half in Portuguese half spanish with her accent, knowing we dont fluently speak spanish trying to mess with our minds. haha but, the gift of tongues is real, and we actually understood more or less, the idea, of what she was saying. Funny people ;) 

Lots of finding, teaching, inviting, talking, .... physically, spritualy, and emotionally exhausting. But looking back at the week, it was really a good one. 

We had been focusing on Charity together this transfer. We have studied it and tried to figure out how to develop it better. And at first, it seemed really hard. But after a more difficult week, we were really sad at the people that rejected us, the people who are struggling with their testimonies, the people who wont accept and realize the miracles and the holy ghost. we realized that this sadness, is because of the love for the people. I knew I had always loved them, loved Chile, loved the mission, loved the Gospel, but after being sad for them, I realize it even more. That was neat for us to see. 

And the best part, just means this week we will do so much better. We already have lots of appointments set for this week, so we are excited to move on and become better from a down week ;) 

Sounds like you all had a fun halloween!! Loved your costumes ;) Here, Halloween is "new", they`re slowly adapting the American ways. haha the people that DO decorate their houses, a little bit, do it the day of, then take it down the next day. Kids all dress up as zombies and go "dulce o basura"-ing (sweets or garbage). We luckily had our meeting with our Ward Mission Leader that night, so we didnt have to be out in the madness ;) 

Crazy how Caleb turned 13 this week. My baby brother is a teenager!! sounds like he must have had a good time... and he will have to show me his scooter skills when im home ;) 

If our ward changes, make sure to let me know. Im supposed to tell President if the home ward or stake changes. I hope not... that would be really sad. but at the same time, its HUGE, so i wouldnt be surprised. 

Thats really cool about Kirsten too! Congrats to her! wow, so weird knowing people that are getting married.... yikes! ha :) 

Hope you all have a fantastic week!!!! Love you all LOTTSSS and miss ya too!! 

Have a happy November!! 

<3 Hermana Severtson

Pictures attached of my companion and I, us in our pension, my district, us "dressing up" for halloween... ;)

Kami Letter from Copiapo (dated 10/28/13)

Hey hey hey!

Another GREAT week!! My new companion is Hermana Tuft, from Springville, UT. Shes GREAT!!! Bringing lots of great new ideas to try with the memebrs and investigators, and its really going well. we`ve started by sharing the first vision with everyone. Its really a great way to invite the spirit and remind everyone the reason we have the church. 

I have come to have a new love and appreciation for the first vision. Of course, Ive always loved it, but just this focus on it this week, and the weeks to come, i`ve come to understand more how powerful it is. I encourage you all to read the Joseph Smith History... no matter how many times youve done that, you can always feel the spirit and feel prompted of people to share it with. 

My companion mentioned theres a "missionary mom" website you can join, and all the parents can talk about their kids on missions. I guess Hna Tuft`s mom talked to Hermana Rindlisbacher`s mom, and knew we were going to be companions before she even got here to tell her family! ;) I thought that maybe you guys would want to check that out. 

It`s weird. Copiapo here in this sector, is so far the sector Ive spent most time in. Still only been 3 months, but all the members here are so great, Ive come to love them all so much! I assume I have another 3ish months here, so it will be a good few months. Our ward attendance is continuing to grow, and it makes us all so excited! The ward planned a temple trip this weekend, and a bunch of them went. It was really cool to have them come home and talk to us all about their experiences and their testimonies. Its so crazy that they had to drive 12 hours to get to Santiago, the closest temple here. And if we drove 12 hours, in either direction, we would pass a TON! Its great to see their dedication and excitement to get to the temple. 

I talked to Bro Judd again yesterday. He took home a little box for you guys for Christmas.... but dont open it until Christmas!! Also, he said hes coming back here in 2 weeks! So if you still havent sent the package, you should talk to him again and just see when he will be coming back, and maybe if you can send it with him. Its a little more secure, sometimes the mail system here isnt too trusty ;) ALSO, then, if he is coming back, could you just send me some garments through him? haha I didnt have a chance to talk to the members here, and they ended up not even having time anyways. But if not, its okay ;) 

We had a new investigator this week, who we set a baptism date with! He is so great and receptive, and is really interested in all we have to offer with the Gospel. Its so great to see the Spirit work through people. So hopefully all continues to go well, and we have a baptism here in a couple weeks ;) 

We had an activity as a district today. We were going to go to the zoo here, but it was on strike, like all things here right now ;) haha So we just went down to the chapel and played games, and ate burritos. it was fun! 

So..... October is just about over. Crazy. That means CALEB IS TURNING 13!! My baby brother!! awww dudey! For real, every time you send me pictures, I cannot believe how big they are all getting! And how awesome hes planning things for his eagle. wow! 

That also means, that here in november, I will finish up 9 months in the mission. yikessss!! half way! It was SO fast, but also feels like Ive been here forever! But I wont dwell on it..that just makes it go faster! ;) 

Another cool thing I found out!! You all went to EFY this year, right?? Theres some songs on the CD, Mountains to Climb and Still and Quiet Moments. Definitely Hermana Tuft`s friend and the friends sister sang those songs. Cool, right?? 

I also LOVED Porter`s homecoming pictures. awww! Im so proud of that kid. Asking girls out! woo!! ;) ha 

Hope all goes well for you this weekkk!! Hope everything with your job goes well, dad. And that you are all staying happy and healthy! Remember who you are, and let your light shine!! 

Love you lotsss!!

<3 Hermana Severtson

Kami letter from Copiapo (dated 10/21/2013)

Hello Hello!! 

Sounds like you all had a good week there!! Happy Anniversary! crazy how its already/only been 3 years, right?? Time sure does go by fast.... 

Another good week here, too, we had transfers again!!! And I`m staying ;) I will get a new companion, Hermana Tuft, also from the US, but I`m not sure where yet. She will get here tomorrow morning. It`s crazy, because before I never was in a sector for more than 2 transfers, but here I am, going on my third here, and it doesnt even feel much longer than any of my other ones. It`s crazy! But I love it, its a great ward!

Speaking of the ward, remember how I mentioned we had to double the attendance before it closes? Yesterday, we had 98 people in church... needing an average of 100 consistently to keep it a ward!! We were SO happyyyy!! And there were a few members too that werent able to make it, other less actives or converts that couldnt go as well, so we are on our way to keeping our ward here! 98 was the most our ward has had in a LONG time. We and our bishop were very excited ;) 

This week for real flew by. I dont even remember all that much that happened! And I always too keep a list of things I want to say to you all, and it`s not that big this time... haha but It was a good week, I remember that! ;) 

I talked to Bro Judd yesterday again, he leaves on Monday to go back to Arizona, and said I could send a little something home for Christmas for all ya ;) So I`ll give that to him on Sunday, and hopefully you can get in touch with him. The Chile mail system is all back to normal, no more strikes, for now ;) So everything should be all good there too. 

Speaking of Christmas, I listened to Ballard`s talk from Conference, about finding someone before Christmas and just sharing the gospel with them. I think that`s a great goal, and you all should definitely listen to that talk again too ;) Its a great one, and every time I hear it, I learn so much from it. 

Another thing I learned this week, that no matter what, everything happens for a reason. I know I`ve said that quite a bit, but I always find more and more reasons to think so. The people you meet, the experiences you have, everything. I`ve met so many people here that I know were put in my life for a reason. Heavenly Father knows what I`m going through, what someone else is going through, what we already have gone through, and how we can all help each other. So remember always, everyone you meet, learn something from them. And live so they can learn something from you. 

I wanted to say too, that I used my credit card last monday, I needed new shoes, bad. And for those garments, WOW, didn`t know they costed THAT much, so I`ll look into it here and see how it is. So don`t worry about it. As a matter of fact, our ward is going to Santiago this weekend to go to the temple, so maybe I can just ask someone there ;) 

Sorry so short again, but the time really just flies by so quick!! I still feel "new" here, but here I am almost halfway done. I`m starting to know a lot of people, many of my mission friends, going home. It makes me feel so weird!! I know it will come eventually for me, which makes me happy and sad, but seems like it will never come at the same time. Hermana Garbin, my first companion, just went home this week. CRAZY!! I was happy I got to talk to her on the phone for a few minutes before she left too. 

Make it a great week, I love you guyssss!!! 

<3 Hermana Severtson

PS here are pictures attached of our bishop, my companion and I spelled CHILE with our shoes, our sweet tan lines we`ve got starting (and its still only spring here), my name that I saw a few times this week, for the first time ever in my life. ;)

More next weekk!!