THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PACKAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

​Pretty much all of my favorite things!!! Thank you so so much!! But, the letters were still my favorite part of the whole thing :) And thank you boy for putting in the magnetic hair toy, the elders played with it for a solid 20 minutes :p 

​There's dogs everywhere in Chile, but I guess like people hangout in groups with people they like and in 
places they like, dogs do the same. Every poblacion has dogs that are there all day everyday even though they dont technically belong to anyone. This one is Hermana Hulicks personal favorite.  

And we have a mama dog and her puppy that live on our street  :) 

​Made tapatio quesadillas right after we had our package opening party.......I almost cried out in pure joy it was SO GOOD.

    Presidente Salinas also freaked out with the BYU shirt and couldn't thank you enough. Thank you so much for sending that in the package :) :)

  This is what Chepica looks like in the Autumn :)   And the haziness is from the volcanos that are erupting in the south of Chile about 500 miles from here!!!  

Madre!!!!! 

LOVE ALL THE PICS YOU SENT!!!! 

The volcano is all anyone has been talking about here!! Havent seen any pics of it, so thanks for those. Floods in the north, Volcanos in the south. Everyone here in our missin is holding their breath to see what happens to us in the center of Chile :p Chepica is pretty far from the volcano, but there still a perpetual haze here from all of the ash and dirt! 

Its been cooling off, but have still been keeping warm at night with our caliente camas and normal pjs. It will get cooler but Ill let you know if I need to buy anything :) 

Holy!! Mom I need more pics of Boy!!! He has gotten big!! His face is changing and he has gotten taller! 

Well dad said the new girls (chickens) will get bigger than the old ones so maybe Gracie and Erika are just enjoying these last moments of superiority :p Hahaha I can just see in my head you and dad exchanging that eye glance in a sacrament meeting!! 

What projects have you been doing to help the people with JustServe? :) Aww your kids!! You will probably get invited to their graduations just saying :) I used to be super jealous but now I get it :) You were an amazing example of christlike love for those you serve and I didn't see that. Sorry for giving all the crap about them before. I hope I can make it up to you!!! 

I'll send an emali to Mikaela, but I am a little sad that I haven't received any news from her at all these last 9 months not even about her engagement. Hope her wedding is as amazing as she has always wanted it and that she will soak everything thing in about the happiest day of her life : ) Being sealed to the one you love for time an all eternity only happens once!! :) Can't wait to see pics, she'll be the most beautiful bride ever :) 

So what is sleep apnea? Just fancy name for not being able to breath at night?? Haha oh how the tables have turned!!! Dad might make you sleep on the couch like grandma Mary does with Grandpa Rich!! ;) 

As for skype, it depends on if you want saturday or sunday :) Personally I think sunday would be better at around 7 here, 4 over at your time :) I love yo so much!! 

Love you mom!!!! :))) 

I Can't WAIT TO SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!!!!! 

Hermana Temple

Excerpt from Hermana Hulick

"In other news, we had another death this week. That makes 3 funerals in 12 weeks. Do you realize that? Even more, she was our only worthy, endowed hermana. She was something over 90 years old, and her husband is something over 100. We don't know exactly because the records say they are 89 and 96, but we know the records (something something, piece of paper--I don't know how it works here) were done when they were about 8 years old. They don't normally come to church because they can't make the trip, so the Elders were taking the sacrament to them. Anyway, because there isn't anyone else who's worthy, Hermana Temple and I, with the help of Presidente Salinas (her grandson), had to put her in her clothes. Can't say I expect to ever do that again, but I guess we'll see. And for the first day or so, I don't think the husband understood what happened. So we got to be a part of every step of a Chilean funeral. Can't say the same about an American one. I didn't think it was sad. She was old. And it was time for her to rest. But not all of the family is lds. The sweet woman and her husband were some of the first members here. He was the first branch president here. They used to set up one chair to put the sacrament on and had church in a house. And she's an amazing woman. She gave birth to 21 kids. And no, I didn't mistype that. But only 9ish of them surgived to adulthood. But not all the family is still active. So there was a lot of crying. So that was awkward."

 Hermana Hulick really is hilarious, I love that girl :) Wish i could give you more quotes from her, maybe I should start writing them down. The people here are funny.... it's always "en mi maner" or tambien the phrase "si dios quiere" normally when we are inviting them to read the Book of Mormon, pray, or go to church, to which they say "Dios siempre quiere".

Also, I didnt realize I would be companions with the cat whisperer. Seriously, if we enter a house and there is a feline friend inside, they will jump on Hermana Hulicks lap. Every. single. time.

So far,  I get along with ALL my companions...I don't know I have been so lucky to have all good ones! :) On small occasions when I'm in a less than ideal mood it helps to remember to not let the little things bug you so much and just accept that in some cases that's the way they are. I have my little things that are annoying too, but luckily I've always been able to be surrounded by people who are patient with my shortcomings :) 

​Each Saturday we have to visit Hermana Lucia who lives waaaaaay out in our sector (50 min. biking) to remind her that the next day is Sunday. She loves showing us pictures from when she was younger and telling us about all the knick knacks in her house. And yes dad, I think of you every time I see the picture of the guy pouring himself some mate on her wall :) 

 Every Saturday in the plaza, a nice sized group of about 20 people get together and play drums  for a few hours. It's so loud, that you can hear them even after biking a solid 15 min away in either direction. It always looks like so much fun and I'm hoping one day they'll trade a few minutes on their drums, for a few 
minutes of glory with my sassy pink bike. 

                                             ​More drums in the plaza :)

Hermana  en el Campo

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​

​Pomegranates from our tree! Between thee peaches and the pomegranates, sometimes I feel like we have a mini Garden of Eden at our house :)  

Apparently this is what Hermana Hulick sees most of the day :p

On Tuesday, we did a service project in Nancagua, cleaning el edificio de la Municipalidad, Nancagua. They have spent the last 5 years working to restore it since the earthquake of '05

It was super fun in the zone meeting and we learned really good things. The thing that stresses me out is the sector :p

Didn't get the other letter you sent.   We haven't gotten your packages yet (Hna. Hulicks mom sent one about the same time you did) but maybe we'll get them next week :) 

I love and really really miss you. 

Hermana Temple

IF YOU LIKED TO WRITE HERMANA TEMPLE she can be reached at Dominique.temple@myldsmail.net

​

We went to Rancagua this week for Training for Nuevos, and it was almost magical being able to walk in between several blocks of these trees in such a beautiful country :) 

Thank you so much for the pictures!!!!!!!!!! I loved seeing YOU and my favorite place in the entire world!!!!! 

Holy...this week so much happened o.o  Our favorite blonde is going to Russsia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So excited for her please mande mis saludos!!!!!!!        (Taylor Thomas)

 

We are counting our blessings this week because we found one new investigator!! Her name is Camila and I think how we contacted her pretty much sums out what has been happening here in Chepica and what will continue to happen even after the mission. The poblaciones(neighborhoods) are really funny in that sometimes you will go up and down the streets a million times, and still discover that there is a street hidden that you missed because nothing is very clearly marked. We had been contacting for hours in a poblacion and nothing had been happening. I was about ready to move on to a new place, when my sweet companion told me that she had seen/discovered a new street. We went and contacted it, and at the VERY LAST HOUSE, Camila opened up the door and after talking a little, let us in. We were able to talk to her and as she shared some of her experiences, we were able to show her a little bit of how the message we share is able to help her specifically in her life and answers to the questions she has been looking for.  There's a scripture that's used all the time for missionaries that talks about when Alma and the Sons of Mosiah were at the point of leaving, and then they turned back, giving it one last shot, and milagros were brought to pass among the people. There have been so many times when we feel like we have given our all and have nothing left, and are at the point to turn back. But that is why we have the atonement of Jesucristo. So that we can be given even more strength to go even mas than we thought we could go on our own. We were never intended to be left alone to fend for ourselves and are only left in our own strength if we don't humble ourselves and sincerely come unto Christ. But with His strength, we truly are enabled to do all things.  Love you and have an amazing week! :) 

So my companion is awesome and she explained a little bit of what happened at our zone meeting this week para que sepa :) 


(Hernana Hulick)

"This week for Capacitación de Zona, Hermana Templo had to give a presentation on how important it is that we use our Carpetas de Área (Area books), but she didn't want to get up there and rant and be one of the boring-type people she zoned out for in all her previous Capacitaciones. So together we came up with and implemented this idea. So we called up the two dorkiest  elders we could think of: Elder Lémes (Uruguay) and Elder Marshall (Estados Unidos). And then we told them to act out this wierd chapter we "found" in the Book of Mormon (which was, in fact, a chapter that we had written in scripture-type Spanish). It started off that they had gotten white-washed in Chépica, the notoriously difficult sector that is the butt of everyone's jokes... the sector Hermana Temple and I are in. And they went around trying to talk to people and preach but no one would listen. So they started trying to talk to the door, and we were like "No hay personas allí." And made them preach at the audience. Everyone started wagging their fingers at them, and when they tried to preach to Elder Virguez (Colombia) he yelled "EN MI MANERA" which is what basically everyone here says about the way they do religion. I'm Catholic but in MY way, as if there's actually a lot of wiggle room in any of these religions. Really what they're saying is that they profess to be this or that but never go to church other than maybe Christmas. So everyone started busting up. And Hermana Templo read that they fell to the ground in prayer, (but Elders Lémes and Marshall fell on their faces together before she finished the sentence.) and asked for divine help. Then they went to bed. And the Elders laid down together in front of the room, and Elder Angel called out "en camas distintas" in different beds. So they jumped up and laid down again 10ish feet from each other, Elder Lémes on one of the pews. And I ran in and delivered my homemade Liahona. It's super awesome. But I owe you a picture because I forgot to take one. Sorry. Hermana Temple read that they woke up and found it outside their bedroom door. And then they followed its instructions. And the Elders jumped up and wandered around together with it, but they made the arrow I drew on it point in a wierd direction, leading themselves right out of the chapel for a moment before returning. Y sucedió que Hermana Templo read that they found a lot of people to teach, so the elders inserted themselves into the audience and began preaching. At first the audience wagged their fingers again, but Hna Temple ammended that they were well recieved and everyone changed. It was really fun to watch. And then she said they baptized many people. And Elders Lémes and Marshall began yanking other elders out of their seats and into the aisles and "baptizing" them. I wish you could have seen it. It was my favorite part of la Capacitación de Zona. Everyone was smiling and laughing and having a good time, and my cheeks hurt so much afterward. It was awesome. And then we made them open the Liahona, and Elder Marshall's face lit up like it was Christmas, he was so excited to find out that there was more. And inside was a tiny Carpeta de Área that I had made. And Elder Marshall just about died he thought it was so cute, though neither of them could figure out what it was for a solid 30 seconds. And as much fun as that was, I hope they don't ask us to repeat the experience any time soon. My favorite part of the whole process, though, was calling up our Líder de Zona, Elder Pérez (Peru), and asking him if Elders Lémes and Marshall were still in the zone (because it was the first meeting after cambios, and we knew those two elders would be perfect to play those parts). At first Elder Pérez was really confused, and actually, he stayed confused until we called them up. And then he gave Hermana Temple this "Oh I see" look when she did.""

So the light went out in our kitchen, and Hermana Temple was hungry so I made her food... With a flashlight tucked under my chin. And then she caught me and felt loved. Totally worth the crick in my neck.

​Even laden with two bags each and exhausted from the stress of that day, Hermana Temple is still gorgeous. How dare she.

If you'd like to write to Hermana Temple you may contact her at dominique.temple@myldsmail.net.    

I know your prayers are working because I was protected this week!!!

Hey mom!!! :) 

I know your prayers are working because I was protected this week!!! On boy's (Spencer) birthday, we were riding on the side of the road to visit some members. The road is really skinny, and because of all the plants it's hard to tell if there is a house or a road in front of us that enters the main road. We were riding really fast because we had an appointment and were a little late. I had a feeling to slow down before we passed this one place on the side of the road, but didn't have enough time to stop completely.  As I rode pass this point,  I got hit by a truck. Thats kind of dramatic.....I got nudged by a truck! :p  He was backing out of this dirt road and neither of us could see the other.  It's was funny though because he said normally he pulls out way faster and just gets directly onto the main road but for some reason this time he didn't!  I got some scratches but nothing bad since we were both going pretty slow. We are always careful, but in times like that when we couldn't really help it, there are angels protecting missionaries :) 

Highlight of the week: Being protected and seeing how much Hermana Demetrio has grown in her testimonio and as a missionary :) She is going to do awesome in Buin and i love my cholita! :) 

Low point of the week: Forgetting to write an appointment down with a menos activa in our agenda and therefore forgetting about it. Turns out, she had made a cake to despedir my companion and had invited people over and we didnt show up. She was angry and sad, and Presidente Salinas was pretty mad too, and of course we felt awful. Never going to do that again! 

Only time we have never NOT gone to an appointment!!!! It was awful because people should at least be able to depend on the missionaries to be there and we failed,. 

If you guys could send some extra prayers this week, that would be awesome :) We just got cambios and I'm staying in Chepica, training a nueva, and Im the coordinadora for our Zone now. I really don't know how Ill be able to do all of this because any one of those 3 things is hard, but having all at the same time is.........a little heavy :

Im just really really nervous. The coordinators and trainors in my mind are the examples and the best of the best in every way. I KNOW Im no where near that point and have no idea how I can carry the load of all 3 things. The coordinators go on splits specifically with the hermanas and help them know what to improve and provide an example. They also counsel them if they have problems and give talks and things at zone conferences. They also have meetings with Presidente Warne to know how to help the hermanas and the zone improve and communicate that with the zone that we are in. Training, espécially if I have a gringa will be teaching her everything about how to be a missiopnary and I have to be 100% an example at all times or she won't learn how to be a good missionaryl. Then, Chepica is one of the hardest sectors in the mission. We have no active members and when we are working hard, it seems the results just don't come.  There's so much pressure to perform and I dont know if I can do it :/

I keep thinking about what you said last week about if you could just see what HF wants you to be it wouldn't be so bad!  I have no idea what the heck He is doing right now, but Im trying to do my best to keep that eye of faith and pray that I'll be able to serve in the capacity He has given me. 

My first Sunday, there were 18 people at sacrament meeting, this Sunday there were 13 (but the people only come for sacrament meeting).  If the missionaries weren't here there would be no priesthood and no relief society. I dont' know how to help the people here.  Just trying to keep working and fasting and praying that something will change and they'll be able to have a change of heart. This cambio is going to be a major testing point, but it will all work out  :) 

​Hna demtrio got her finger stuck in her helmet while we were riding one day, and rod with her finger on top her head for a solid 5 minutes before we could stop, one of the funniest things Ive ever seen!! 

Add ​Some freak summer storm rolled in and we got SOAKED but it was fun :) 

Love, Hermana Temple  <3

WRITE TO HERMANA TEMPLE AT :  Dominique.temple@myldsmail.net

A Brighter Future Ahead

We actually had a baptism this week!!! Her name is Valeria and the hermana I replaced contacted her right before she finished her mission!  Her story is incredible but I don't have enough time to explain it all this second. :/  The part that was most amazing about her baptism, was seeing how free she felt from it. She had made a lot of mistakes in her life, and felt so burdened by guilt and by the sorrow it has caused her and her family . When she exited the font, she was glowing and it was obvious that all of those heavy feelings had left her. She has such a committment to do things right and to follow the Savior, and has experienced the joy that comes through repentance.  Sometimes thatss a word that strikes fear into peoples hearts, but repentance always means a brighter future ahead, and it's been a miracle being able to see a change in people through this gospel.  To see people who once felt so burdened and alone for the first time look to the future with hope because they KNOW that the things that happened in the past are washed away, and that through the atonement of Jesus Christ they can continually feel the peace and joy that comes from living in the way that He wants, the way that He knows will bring us the most happiness. 

This week has been one of the most stressful weeks in the mission because of a combination of things, but seeing Valeria be baptised at the end of it is the reason why as missionaries we always push through, so that other people can receive this happiness as well and live life to the fullest with their families :  ) I love you so much and am and can't wait to hear about whats going to happen next in yourlife, because I know youre being prepared for bigger and better things :) have an awesome week! :)

Hermana Temple


(You can write to Hermana Temple at dominique.temple@myldsmail.net)


More photos below and some with President Warne.

Mission President Warne on the very right end.

Enjoy the photos!

The shoes are  holding up but ill probably have to buy a new pair in a few months more :p We have been drinking a ton of water dont worry and a lot of fruit too. I actually have a question, I feel so sugared out because of the fruit, but I cant get away from it (it's all they eat here!)! Is there anything I can eat to balance out the sugar in my blood besides drinking more water?

Funny, you mentioned love in your email and dad did too!! I got the message loud and clear, and know that I need to develop more love for them than to just preach. I LOVE the quote from Jeffrery R Holland!!!! This week was brutal and its been really hard with the companion too. It's like the perfect storm out here in chepica :p But I know things will get better and it will all work out together for the best :) I love you mom and can't wait to hear from you next week! :) 

Hermana Temple

Brand New Bike,  Unfortunately the pedal fell off!

New Bikes from President Warne

​Ella es hermana lucia y tiene un bololo!!! Cuando le prguntamos como, ella dijo "porque soy bonita-po!"

We didnt just get the bikes fixed......presidente warne takes care of his missionaries and we got BRAND NEW BIKES, HELMETS, and BIKE LOCKS!!! It was like the navidad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)))) 

<3

Hermana Temple