Week 29: Have I told you that it rains a lot in Chile?

oh hey friends.

This week was rainy. Just straight up full of rain. Like I have never seen so much rain in my life. The streets were basically rivers. Before the mission, I always loved when it would rain.. But here its a little different. The rain doesn't come straight down, because there's wind too. It basically just comes straight into our faces. It rocks. Yesterday at Church, every single member was informing us that we're super lucky missionaries, because its just barely starting to rain a lot, and usually July is the rainiest month of the year. So I guess we're grateful that we got to enjoy the sun for a little longer before the rains came. But hey, its fine, we're just the crazy mormons that our out in the rain all day everyday, laughing and smiling. And its just fine. 

This week the coolest, cutest thing happened. We had a conference with all of the other hermanas in our zone and in the other zone of Los Angeles Sur. Which means, I got to see the Hermanas from Avenida Alemania, my old sector! After the conference, we had a grand intercambio, which basically means everyone switchs companions for the day. Aaaaand of course I got to be with Hermana Norton! It was so fun to catch up with her for awhile. While we were working, she informed me that on Saturday there was going to be a baptism for Fernando Salina! 

now, I'm sure you all remember who Fernando is, but let me just remind you really quick: Familia Salina have been members for about 5 years, but less active for about 3. Long story short, we had been trying to find this family, but they were never home, or never answered their phones, up until about the last week of my cambio there. They had sooo many family problems and financial problems, and we straight up promised them that if they came to church this week, everything would get better. And it sure has! they have attended church every sunday for the past month and a half, and they are just so much happier. Anyways, fernando is there 10 year old son, and he got baptized this last Saturday! It was seriously such an invredible experience for me, to see this incredible change in this family, and their desires to follow Christ. They are now preparing to enter the temple, and thank the missionaries every day for helping them. HOW COOL IS OUR CHURCH.

What else. Oh. This week we planned and had this hugeeeeeee ward activity that was such a freaking success. We had food, games, and tons and tons of people. It was seriously so fun, I love this ward and all of the people soooo much. I'm attaching pictures. 

yeahhh. not a ton happened this week! lots of walking. We have found a couple of new people that we have lots of hope for, so we'll see what happens with our new investigators! 

this week we are going to hit 7 months in the mission. I have no idea how in the HECK that happened. Mission time is so weird, the days feel like weeks and the weeks seriously feel like days.

But I have never been happier! I am in love with this beautiful country, work, and gospel. 

Also I have a new favorite scripture. Alma 37:6-7. If you need a pick me up, its a good one. 

oh and also cambios are next week which is scary, but I am pretty sure I am going to serve my whole mission in Los Angeles so I am not too worried.

Thanks for everything! I love you, thanks for your prayers! 

love hermana poyfair

Week 28: Brownies, Blackouts, Bulldogs

HOOOLLLLAAAAA

okay seriously this week was so fun. and hard. but good. and bad. you know, one of those weeks. ;)

first of all, we had a blackout this week! it was seriously wacko. All day long it was pouring rain, but also the wind was so stronggggg, that our umbrellas didnt help us in the slightest. We literally just walked and walked and walked, because who wants to let two soaking wet mormons inside their house right?? 

Well yeah, so anyways we decided to visit on of our investigators whose name is MinIrva. Shes this older super catholic lady who we think is trying to convert US, but her house is always nice and warm, so we decided to stop by. Welp. In the middle of our lesson the power went out! Luckily it was still afternoon, so it was still pretty light outside, but as we left Hma Johnson and I looked at eachother and said, "shoot, we're not getting into anymore houses today..." anddddddd we were right. The next hour was seriously an adventure... We walked and walked. There were telephone cables flying everywhere, it was getting super dark, pouring rain, and still no light. It was fun buttttttt we were happy when we finally got the call telling us to get back into our apartment hahah. We spent the next couple of hours crowded around my SUPER STRONG SUPER BRIGHT FLASHLIGHT (thanks mom). what a day. The lights came on at about 10 that night. fyi. 

This week we also got to have interviews with Presidente and his wife! These interviews were so cute, the Mays seriously remind me so much of my own grandparents, so loving and caring. Hermana May even made us chocolate chip cookies. 

In my interview with President, he told me that he was proud of the work I was doing, and that even though to me it might seem like im not doing anything, that I just need to keep smiling because who could possibly say no to my smile? hahaha... He also promised us that our miracle is right around the corner. And, unless he recieves some huge revelation, Hermana Johnson and I will probably stay together next cambio. woot woot. 

Oh but the best part about interviews was that president wanted to do it in ENGLISH and I had the hardest time talking! I could barely remember english. What a blessing, Gift of Tongues. 

What else. Oh thids week we've had a bit of a struggle trying to find people to teach.. So Saturday we decided to try something different! We made some brownies. Like, A LOT of brownies. And we seriously just walked around our sector handing out brownies for like 5 hours. I dont really know if I would call it "successful" as of right now, because we didn't get any numbers or addresses, but who knows, maybe in the future some family will let the missionaries in because some girls gave them brownies a few years ago. 

OH yeah. This week while we were walking along the street, we heard like thes pig noises or something.. Literally scared the heck out of us. But we turned and looked and found 2 HUGE FAT BULLDOGS. Oh my gosh I died. We may or may not have passed by this house every single day this week with a different treat for these cute puppies. I named them Zoe and Tbone. I love them. 

I know this is super long but I this week I was studying the the book of Thessalonians, chapter 5:14-22 and I just wanted to share with you what I call "HERMANA POYFAIR (AND THE APOSTLE PAULS) RULES TO A HAPPY LIFE."

1. be patient toward all men.

2. always follow that which is good.

3. rejoice evermore.

4. pray without ceasing.

5. in everything, give thanks

6. quench not the spirit

7. hold fast to the good

8. abstain from all appearance of evil

9. be faithful

We have been sharing these rules with the members here with the promise of a happier life! 

have a fabulous week.

I love you all smuch.

love hermana kate poyf

Week 27: usted es un fideo y ella tiene carne

hey. sup.

This week was straight up wacko. seriously. I don't even know where to begin.

First of all, happy 7/11! please enjoy a slurpee for me because they definitely do NOT have those down here. :( 

This week we got to meet our new president and his wife! President and Hermana May. President served a mission in Mexico and Hermana served a mission in Spain! I like them a lot because they speak very gringo spanish, just like me. They rock, seriously. They have so many new and interesting ideas and I'm super excited to see what they have in store of us. They obviously haven't been in Chile that long though, because for lunch they barely fed us anything... like only a footlong subway sandwich... jajaja. Needless to say, after the conference Hma Johnson and I went on a hunt for some dessert. haha! 

okay now about the title... This week, as we were leaving the house of one of our investigators, she looked at us and, pointing at hermana johnson, said, "usted tiene carne." in english, that means "you have meat." and then she pointed at me and said, "y ella es un fideo." which means, "she's a noodle." freaking Chileans are so blunt, I don't know if that was an insult or a compliment...and ya we only cried a little bit on the way home, no big deal. I'm a noodle. 

what else. This week I had an intercambio with one of the Capacitadoras! I had to lead my sector, and it was a little nerve wracking because it was my first time and I still don't know the sector very well. As we were walking, I had a super strong impression that we needed to visit a less-active young women. But I couldn't for the life of me remember her house! We walked and walked and I was praying like a fool, but I just couldn't find it! So we kept walking and I decided to just wait until the next day when Hermana Johnson could help me... And then out of nowhere this young womens mom gets out of a taxi and starts walking towards us! "looking for my house?" oh what a miracle. This cute little young women, Noellia, told us she had been praying all day for the missionaries to pass by, because she was feeling super lame and needed a pick me up. She was crying, we were crying, and it was just the cutest experience. I LOVE THE MISSION.

This afternoon we ate McDonalds. In Chile. Doesnt get better than that.

BUTTTTT yeah. This week was a little lame, because right now everyone is on Winter Vacation! Basically no one is in there house. We knocked so sos o many doors with no luck. But its okay, This week is going to rock rock rock.

have a super swell week in the heat.

ove hermana poyfairrrrr

ps yes its still freezing bye

Week 26: Happy 4th of July from Frigid Chile

Happy 4th of July my american friends!

celebrating 6 months no mas

This week we were thinking about our last 4th of July, popcicles, shorts, sun, fireworks, barbeques, etc... Today to celebrate we are gonna curl up in front of our cute little heater with hot chocolate and sweats and socks and try not to freeze. Two different worlds my friends, two different worlds. :) 

This week was freaking fantastic. 

Since it is starting to get really cold at night, there aren't a ton of people out in the streets and people dont generally like to answer their doors. So we have started to plan Family Nights with members in the ward every single night, so we don't freeze. Well, family nights here are just kinda an excuse to eat lots and lots and lots of food. We literally can barely walk home at night because these members just stuff us to the brim. Its the best I love it so much. 

we literally have the exact same clothes.
happy red white and blue dayyyyy

what else. OH! cutest story. This week we were contacting with one of our ward missionaries here, an 18 year old girl that is planning on serving a mission! We were walking and knocking doors and kind of stressing because no one was opening their doors. Then we heard this little whisper that said, "quieren pasar?" which is like, "wanna come in?" we were shocked when we saw this cute little ten year old boy with his dog. Once we made sure his parents where home, we walked in and taught this little boy like three different lessons. His name is Benjamin and he seriously has the mind of a 20 year old. he had SO many questions and comments and just such a desire to learn and understand about our church! We gave him a book of mormon and told us he wants to be baptized and its just the cutest thing. He wasn't able to come to church yesterday, but next week for sure. So cute!!! 

celebrating 6 months no mas

Yesterday in Church, this hermana came up to us right after the sacrement meeting and said, "Is there any way you guys could teach the youth today? I can't." being missionaries, of course we couldn't say no... SO we taught this class of about 15 youth and it was a nightmare and there wasn't a manuel but hey its okay we survived woooo.

today marks 2 weeks with only speaking español, and let me tell you, its been hard but I can see SUCH an improvement in my spanish already. I also finished the Book of Mormon in Spanish this week so thats pretty cool. 

This week we hit 6 months in the mission! Its been crazy, all week we have been saying, "this has been the fastest and slowest six months of my life." guess thats mission life for ya. 

Butttttt yeah. Not much else to report! Happy as could be, living the chilean dream. 

have the GREATEST WEEK. 

and remember that God loves you.

that is all.

love hermana kate 

1. 

2 and 3. celebrating 6 months no mas

Week 25: Chile won so that's cool yay

oh hey friends.

yayyy chile wooo

life is so good here on the other side of Los Angeles. Its so so funny. I cant believe how close I am to my old sector, its kinda funny. I can like wave to all the members and the other missionaries from Avendia Alemania, truth. We're that close. haha.

This week has been awesomeeeee. Hermana Johnson is the best. Our first night together, we sat down and set some goals. And one of our biggest and hardest goals is that we are only going to talk and spanish, always. With eachother, with other missionaries, always. Its really hard for two gringas to only talk in spanish, butttttt I am happy to say that today marks one whole week for us with only spanish! Woo! We are definitely seeing the blessings already, our spanish is improving a ton. I'm happy bout it. 

fav familia de Avenida Alemania

This ward is HUGE. seriously, its like half the size of a ward in Utah, which is hugeeee for Chile. There are like 150 members or something. It was so funny on Sunday, I had to go up and bare my testimony, and After the meeting this Lady came up to my companion and said, "How weird that your companion is so freaking small, she's like a little girl!" hahaha... But I love this place! Its beautiful.

Oh this sunday was CRAZY because Chile was playing in the American Cup, so seriously EVERYONE was watching the game. We literally walked in the streets for like three hours doing nothing because everyone was watching the game. But hey. Chile won and thats all that matters. hashtag chile prideeeee

second fav famila

Then yesterday was a holiday, thats why we have pday today. Everything was closed for like some random Catholic holiday Chile has. Butttt yesterday was lame because everyone had stayed up super late the night before, so they just wanted to sleep all day. We literally did nothing except walk and walk and walk all day. lameeeee.

but yeah! This is my week. next week our new presidente arrives, and we are super duper excited to meet them! AHHHH.

Have a great week! Love you alllll.

con amor, 

hermana kate 

Week 24: Hermana Potifar gets transferred...

okay first of all 

transfers came this morning :( 

my day in conce with the Jones!

andddddd so I'm leaving! I am heading superrrrrrrr far away tooooo.. Los Angeles North. I am going to be serving in the ward Villa Obispo, which is literally on the other side of the river from our sector. hahahaha. My companion is going to be Hermana Johnson, who arrived in the mission with me and hermana norton. I am super excited, we get along super great! Pretty sure I am going to serve my whole mission here in Los Angeles though, whatever. I like it here so Im gooood. :)

this week was fantastic, lemme tell ya. We got to spend one day up in Concepcion, because hermana norton had to visit a chiropracter for her hip. Concepcion is HUGE! We had to take bus after bus after bus to get to the office and we may have gotten lost ALOT! But it was fun, after the doctors appointment, we were invited to a lunch with a bunch of the senior missionaries here in our mission, and in the Concepcion North mission! The president of that mission took us to a super nice restaurant and paid for it all. Twas the dream.

Saying goodbye to Sis. Norton

We had a concert on Saturday night! it was combination of the Los Angeles South Stake (my old stake) and Los Angeles North (my new stake). We were volunteered to sing a song, and I had to learn the alto part. It was such a beautiful concert, and I'm pretty proud of myself because I cant sing alto BUT I learned the alto part and sang a solo. Mission is all about developing new talents aye?

fav family, bishop castillo

Here's our miracle for this week though. There is this family in our ward. And they have been less active for about two years! Our bishop and Relief society president have been telling us for months to pass by their house, but its so hard to find them! They are never there and they never answer their phones. So this week we decided to pass by one final time, and She answered! We walked into there house, and there was just so. much. tension. Apparently this couple, who have been married for 30 years, had been having problems and this day was just the last straw, they were planning on separating. We started talking to them, and promised them that if they went to church this week with us, together, everything would work out and there marriage would get better. So they decided to put us to the test. They came to church with us! They have to little kids, one is ten years old and one who is 4. The ten year old isnt baptized, but he loves the church and was so so so excited! It was such a great meeting, all of the talks, I kid you not, were about marriage and working out our problems and relying on the lord. It was perfect, they were both crying, and they said thank you so much for our help. awwwwwww. The last song we sang was families can be together forever and it was seriously just so perfect. What a way to end it. 

the cute ladies in the relief society

Oh and one little funny story of the week: My last name is SUPER hard for the Chileans to pronounce, and so there is a ongoing joke in the ward that my name is "hermana potifar". you know, like the story in the bible with Joseph and the coat of many colors? yeah. Well this cute youth in our ward gave a talk yesterday and was realting the story of potifar and his wife, and she made a cute little joke about me, hermana potifar. hahaa. I dont know if thats a good nickname to have or not.. but oh well. :)

but yeahhh! Thats my week. twas a good one, but this one is going to be better! I am excited for my new adventures, on the other side of the river.

have a great week! love ya alllll.

hermana kate