December 19, 2016

Just some quick stories from the week:
We were walking down the street to go to a service project and there
was  a lady in the street hitting fruit down with a stick from a tree
that was on the other side of a wall. So we started helping her out
because she was struggling a bit. We started talking to her and she
wasn't all there. We got a big bag of fruit together for her and then
I asked "How long have you had this tree?" She said, "Oh no, it's not
my tree I'm just borrowing the fruit." So that's the story of how we a
helped a lady steal like 20 pounds of peaches.
This last weekend there was a Christmas choir on the beach of
missionaries and it was really cool. We went brought some people and
the last day, Sunday there was about 1400 people there. So it was a
really great event. But it ended at about 10:15 and we got home at
about 11:10. We had to stay awake until all the other companionships
got back to make sure they got back alright. A certain companionship
didn't answer us at all for like 10 minutes so we called about a
million times. Then it was 11:30, 11:40, 11:50. We called about a
million more times. Then 12, 12:15. We were pretty much getting ready
to go look for them and then finally at 12:30 they called us and told
us that they're phone had fallen out of their bag in the car and they
didn't hear the phone. I've never felt more like a parent in my life.
We were worried sick and we couldn't sleep because they didn't get
back and then it was something really lame that shouldn't have
happened. But I'm over it already haha.
And HERMANO PAVES WENT TO CHURCH!!!! He's the less-active that bought
me rootbeer. He finally went to church, I think it was the first time
in almost a year that he's been to church. So he's progressing. Now
we're going to start working for the temple!
Besides that the investigators that we have are pretty busy with
Christmas and the holidays so we haven't really been able to see them.
To get everyone ready for the New Year and the new goals here is a
quote from Elder Ballard about the importance of goal setting: "I am
so thoroughly convinced that if we don’t set goals in our life and
learn how to master the technique of living to reach our goals, we can
reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we
reached but a small part of our full potential. When one learns to
master the principle of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a
great difference in the results he attains in this life." And
something just as important as setting the goals is FOLLOWING THROUGH.
If we're not diligent to finish our goals we might as well not set
goals for all the good that they are going to do us. So think about
some goals and then make a plan to achieve the goals
Love you guys
Elder Cheney

December 12, 2016

I haven't got the box yet but don't worry it'll get here eventually. You'll be the first to know when I get it. I don't know when the exact date is but from what I've heard it's the beginning of january, so I don't need a Christmas box. Maybe a letter or two. 

Actually today I finished 11 months it's crazy haha. It doesn't feel like it. I've heard the first year is like climbing up a mountain and the second year is like falling down because it goes so fast. 

For the pictures

Hermano Paves bought me some rootbeer so that was pretty cool. (he's a less active)

The companion of elder Clark went home so we took one last picture with a crazy guy(like literally crazy)

And we're getting ready for Christmas

I'm excited for this Christmas. We're going to go caroling to the members. There's a lot of people that have invited us so I'm probably going to gain 10 pounds. 

So now we are with Elder Clark(he's the really tall one). He's got about 5 months in the mission and he's a really cool guy. 

Yesterday we taught some less actives and one of them had a pareja that wasn't a member called Daniel. So we taught them about the Book of Mormon and it was going really well but he had to leave during the lesson. We're going to pass by Thursday, but they seem really great.

Maria José has been having a lot of doubts about baptism lately. She has felt an answer and she feels like what we teach is true. Her only problem is that she doesn't want to feel like she's losing her life (for keeping the commandments). So we're talking to her about that. But in the end she already got an answer so she has to decide for herself if she wants the blessings or not. 

That's pretty much where we are at with investigators right now. But now that we have the trio of power we're going to baptize all of Chile. 

Just a little thought for the week 

"We are surrounded by such an astonishing wealth of truth and light that I wonder if we truly appreciate what we have." President Uchtdorf

Sometimes it is really easy to lose our sense of awe, especially when something becomes a habit. So never forget all the things that the Lord has done for you and always remember to be grateful for them. 

Love you guys!

Elder Cheney

December 5

We really have no time today and I know I killed it last week with the email but we literally have no time today. We had to go to Viña today and run around all day and tomorrow we have a Christmas activity so our p day is shorter today. 

To explain the pictures:

This week there was a baptism of Tomás from the ward and my companion baptized him and I was able to confirm him right after. It was a really cool experience because it was the first confirmation that I've done. But he's a beast.

And I got a cactus from a less active and I decorated it up for Christmas. 

The other is of us and Maria José. Her parents gave her permission to get baptized! But now that there is nothing stopping her she got nervous again. So we're working towards 17th, but we need a lot of prayers for her!

Sorry for the short email but I'll send a better one next week! If pictures are worth a thousand words this email is a lot longer than it looks. 

Love you guys!

Elder Cheney

 

 

November 28, 2016

This year I bet you've already heard but the Church is doing the Light the World campaign and it is awesome! Everyday starting the 1st of December until Christmas there is going to be a different video talking about Jesus Christ and how we can follow his example to Light the World. I'm so pumped for Christmas even though it is getting hotter every day and the Chileans don't believe in putting up Christmas lights, I've got the Christmas spirit.

I haven't really been doing a good job of keeping you guys updated on the people we are teaching so I'm going to repent and tell you about them:

Maria Josè: She is 15 years old and has a cousin that is a recent convert. We've been working with her for about a month and a half and there has been a lot of changes in her. It's been awesome to see how reading the Book of Mormon daily and praying can change someone. At first we were a bit skeptical if she was going to progress, but she is ready to get baptized. Her only challenge right now is getting permission from her parents. We met her dad and it went really well, he's really nice. But the mom is a little bit tougher. Maria Josè told us that when she asked her mom about it that her mom pretty said no that she has to learn more. We're pushing with her for December that she can talk to her parents and tell them why she wants to get baptized. But she's really awesome and is growing her testimony a ton. She hasn't missed a Sunday in like 5 weeks (Since we started bringing her to the chapel). 

Gabriel: He is the one in the picture with us below. We've been "teaching" him for about 3 weeks but we couldn't teach him for about a week. Finally Friday my companion found him in an interchange and was able to teach him. Then sunday in the morning the Bishop passed by him to bring him to church and he went! It was really cool and after we all went to the house of the Bishop for lunch. He's a little more complicated to teach because he has a lot of curiosity and likes to ask a lot of questions, but they don't always have to do with what we are teaching. We are trying to get him to focus on the basics to progress to his baptism. He has a date for the 11th of December and we are working to help him keep all of the commandments for his baptism. We just need to be able to have more contact with him. So we're praying for his date the 11th. 

Samuel: He's the guy I talked about this last week. He wasn't able to go to church and we works in Santiago so we can't teach him during the week. It's a little hard to teach but we can keep up with calling him and he said he is reading the Book of Mormon and he said he is learning a ton and really likes it. He had a date for the 11th but didn't go to church so he won't be able to get baptized then. We're going to try to teach him as much as possible but there is very little time on the weekends. 

And those are the people that we are teaching that have the most potential. The main problem we have is finding the people. Especially with the end of the school year right now Maria Josè is really busy but we can usually teach her and Gabriel like 2 or 3 times during the week. Also I need a favor from everyone. I need you guys to send me some traditions that you do on Christmas that I can do here in Chile!! Low Cost!!! 

Love you guys!!!

Elder Cheney

November 20, 2016

This week someone asked me when Thanksgiving was and I wasn't really sure. I knew it was a Thursday so I guess that counts. Canadians have their Thanksgiving in October (There is a Canadian in my district).

When do you guys go out there? Who else is going to be out there?

The Christmas spirit is a little more distant when I sweating and there are forest fires, but it's a good thing Christmas depends on the date and not the weather. But I'm pumped, we're sharing a bunch of Christmas videos already with people, they are so great. 

I'm going to be honest I don't think I'm going to eat Thanksgiving dinner this year. But based on my track record with Thanksgiving dinners I think that'll be a good thing for me. But that'll be fun, send me some pictures. Whose coming over?

I can print here, if you ever want to suggest a talk I can print things here so I can just print it out here. 

This week we taught a guy named Samuel. We taught him in the chapel and it went really well he wants to read the Book of Mormon and everything. he accepted a baptismal date for the 11th of December. Then he told us he plays piano so we let him play on the piano in the chapel and holy cow I almost cried. He is a master. It was crazy he's like Mozart reincarnated. We're going to teach him again today so we'll see how it went with the Book of Mormon.

But that was pretty much the week, it's crazy how December is already coming up. 

Love you guys!!!

Elder Cheney

(And thanks to Brenna for the following email from Daniel!)

> What are 8 things you are grateful for?
>
> 1. The opportunity to be here and share the Gospel 2. My family and friends at home that are supporting me(like you) 3. The people that open doors to us here and let us teach them 4. The members here that make us their family 5. Completos (google it) 6. The Scriptures 7. My companion Elder Almeida 8. And obviously the Atonement and Jesus Christ
>
> What was the high and low of this past week?
>
> The high: We had a meeting with our President and it was really spiritual and we got a lot of training and learned a whole ton of stuff so I'm pumped to share it with our zone this next week.
>
> The Low: This week I've been really, really tired. But it's a tired in mind and spirit. I guess I've been a little frustrated with how the work has been (Not so much success) but I always have to keep in mind whose work it is.
>
>
> What have you done that is fun lately?
>
> Fun... Do you remember when you were a kid and your parents always talked forever (like at the end of church) and you would get annoyed and ask them why they just talked and they said "This is what adults do for fun." The fun on the mission is usually "Missionary fun" But we play soccer on p-days and eat and that's about it haha.
>
>
> How do you start conversations with people usually? Like random people?
>
> Like contacts? We just walk up to someone that is passing us on the street and I say "Hola, ¿cómo está?" And we try to get to know them in 30 seconds and then teach them something small to hook them on the Gospel and see if we can share more. But it still feels awkward to just talk to random people on the street. It doesn't scare me as much anymore haha.
>
>
> Weirdest thing someone has asked you?
>
> That comes to my mind right now someone asked me what I thought about how the American and Russian governments keeping all the secrets of aliens, time travel, and teleportation. We were in that house with that guy sharing like 30 minutes of his conspiracy theories. And I was tired so it wasn't a good combination.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sushi Chilean style

November 14, 2016

Wow, that's pretty wild. (In response to the election) I always get questions down here about what I think about the election. And I have no idea so I just say that haha. But it looks like it's going pretty nuts up there.

For the Christmas box some BYU t shirts that I have in my room that I can give to my companions. NOT MY FRISBEE ONE. But I have some other ones I think that some are white and if you can send like 4 that would be great. Next week I'll know for sure who is my companion during Christmas so I can let you know next week. But I don't really know what I want. A tie? (Oh, how the Christmas list has changed!)

Speaking of that, we have changes this week. The week before changes is always stressful because they call us in the morning Wednesday and we have to be in Viña at like 4. So we chuck everything in the suitcase see if we can say bye to anyone and leave. But it is also exciting the surprise. It's a stressful week haha.
I think this week I have been the most tired that I have ever been. I still haven't completely fallen asleep in a lesson, but there have been some close calls. But we're going strong. 

This week I had a cool experience with the Book of Mormon. A couple days ago I wanted to ask if the Book of Mormon was true (cause it's always good to strengthen your testimony). So I read a little bit in the night and then I asked. And I didn't feel anything. I didn't feel like I got an answer so I was pretty disappointed and I went to bed and kind of forgot about it. Then Thursday (I think) We were teaching the Pavez Family and we were talking about the Restoration. I talked about the Book of Mormon and I was able to bear my testimony of it. While I was testifying I felt the Holy Ghost really strongly and I felt that what I was saying was true. It was awesome cause I learned that the answers don't always come right when we want them and that the best way to strengthen your testimony is to use it! We found out too that this family read the Book of Mormon together for the first time that they have been married. It was kind of sad because they hadn't read it but it was awesome because they started reading it. 

Pretty much I'm just stressing out about changes, but hope you guys have a great week!

Love

Elder Cheney

November 7, 2016

Hola,

That's cool that Dustin ran the 5k, (The Disney 5k and 10k at Disney World) I kind of miss running a little bit. I want to run a marathon when I get back, at least one. There's not a whole lot of time to run here, just when we're late to a lesson. 

Nice! Dustin's getting in on the missionary work! They seem like a great couple, have they gone to church? I don't have a ton of experience with people like that (A Muslim couple that we have had discussions with)   because everyone and their dog is Catholic here. Or Jehovah's Witness. Or Evangelico. He's gotta read the Book of Mormon, he's not going to be able to know anything if he doesn't. Try looking up some of the videos from the Testaments, I bet that he really doesn't have a whole lot of information on Jesus Christ. And then at the end he has to ask God if Jesus Christ is his son. He can only get the answer from a spiritual confirmation. If he doesn't pray and ask he can't get the answer. But sounds like you guys are doing a good job up there. 

So this week we had a miracle, we found Constanza. She's 14 or 15 and the cousin of a recent convert. We taught her twice before Sunday and she accepted to get baptized the 20th of November. We were super excited because her cousins are great and they are going to help her a ton. But then Saturday we found out the she got bit by some crazy bug and had to go to the hospital and didn't go to church. So that was pretty disappointing, but we're going to find her this week so we can get everything good again. 

I finally getting to know Huanhualí and the members. They're super awesome. It's cool to get to know the members and talk to them. And it usually takes them 4 or 5 weeks to learn your name so they finally know me now haha. 

I got my ballot (We sent him an absentee ballot) and I know it's a civil duty to vote but I'm pretty sure it's a civil duty to be informed and I'm the least informed person on the planet right now so I'm not sure if I want to vote. 

But that's about it from this week,

Love you guys!

Elder Cheney

 

 

October 31, 2016

No Halloween isn't so big here, there's some chileans that are anti Halloween, buts there are people from the states like that too. So I don't think we're going to stay in. 

Our zone is Villa Alemana Oeste, there are 12 missionaries including me and my companion. We have 2 Brazilians, 2 Chileans, 2 Peruvians(People from peru, I'm not sure that's right), 1 Colombian, 1 Canadian, and 4 from the US. The average time in our zone is like 6 months, so we are a really young zone. 

I got the box! I had to wait because they send it to the mission office and I get it when I see someone from the office which isn't too often. But it was awesome, I'm really enjoying it. Elder Almeida likes the protein bars.
You're going to get mad, but I don't want to write a long email today(I'm lazy, lo siento) so here's a scripture I really liked from personal study:

And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. 4 Nephi 1:15

Con much love,

Elder Cheney

October 24, 2016

Pucha, looks like you didn't get around to emailing me, but it's fine I guess you had a wild birthday party. Actually, I did email him, even though we were on vacation!!!  Not sure why he didn't get the email. . .

There's not really a whole lot to write about from this week because you didn't give me any material, but I had a really cool experience this week. I met dad's trainer from his mission. I was in intercambios in the ward El Rocio and we were in the chapel and the ward mission leader comes over and says "Cheney... I had a companion like that, but I think it was spelled differently." And we started to talk and I found out that he served in Santiago Norte in the 80's, and at that point we were pretty sure that he was dad's companion. Then I remembered that handsome little picture that I have of dad from his mission and I pulled it out to show to him and he started crying. It was a really cool experience and I took a picture with him, so ask dad if he remembers Elder Amaya. Brother Amaya contacted Darin on Facebook and told him this story as well.  They are now back in touch! An amazing blessing!

That was pretty much all that happened this week. It's starting to get hot, but it's not too humid so I'll get over it. Send me some pictures that I can print out!! To let you know I still haven't gotten the package, but we have interviews this week so I'll probably get it then. Did you get my letter?

Just to share real quick a scripture I read this morning:

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say REJOICE!" Philippians 4:4

Love you!

Elder Cheney

 

 

October 17, 2016

FELIZ CUMPLEÑAOS A TI! FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS A TI! FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS MAMÁ! FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS A TI! I hope you have a great birthday this week! Eat some pumpkin pie!

Send me some pictures!

I still haven't gotten the box yet I think I'll get it in one or two weeks when we have interviews with President.  

My only advice for college admission essays are that they have their parents write them. I honestly have no idea, just answer the questions?

I met a Sister that lived in France for like 10 years and speaks french but besides that no. But I'm  going to learn it anyways.
 I haven't written Tyler yet, (His cousin on a mission) what's his email? I'm going to shoot him an email. 

 

This week in interchanges that we had we knocked doors all day without luck. No one wanted anything to do with us. Rejection after rejection. Not one person opened their door to us all day. It was kind of a hard day, I like to teach haha. But at the very end of the day, the last 15 minutes we had we passed by a less active member and we taught her about the importance of keeping her covenants and treasuring the gifts that God has given her. After that lesson she wanted to go back to church and felt a lot better. The whole day of rejection was worth it in that moment because we were able to help one person come closer to Christ. We were able to make an actual difference in someone´s life and it was so gratifying. This morning I read the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin. This isn't a numbers game. This is about children of God and the worth of souls. Every person on this Earth is a precious child of God and we need to remember that. We need to help them understand their divine potential. And if we can help just one person to know that, then all the effort is worth it. 

Love you guys honey bunches!

Elder Cheney

I also received happy birthday wishes from 5 other missionaries that Daniel is working with, some in English, some in Spanish, and one in Portuguese which Google translated to "Happy Birthday Mama Cheney with little kisses in your heart!" So fun to hear from the other missionaries!  What a great group of young men!

October 10, 2016

Well I didn't get the box yet but now I'm pretty excited to get it.

That's cool how are the missionaries there? Make sure they're working! Sister missionaries are machines so there probably isn't too much to worry about. Yea, I sold enough blood to be able to buy an ipod so you guys didn't have to worry about it. I asked him if they used ipads.  Thus, the sarcastic answer : ) No, we don't have ipods or cars, so we're just trying the old fashioned way I guess. 

See if anyone remembers me and tell me what they say about me haha. Yea it's starting to get a little hot and I know I complained about the cold but I think heat is worse. But it's ok, I'll survive. 

We had changes this week and I caught the boot from Quintero.  I got the assignment to be a zone leader here in Huanhualí. I'm with Elder Almeida from Brazil so I'm going to be learning some Portugese. He's got about a year in the mission. 

So pretty much I've just been getting to know the sector and all that I have to do here. But it seems like a really good sector and the ward is pretty big. There just isn't a whole lot of free time haha, but it's ok because I'm enjoying it a lot here. 

This week I want to share a song with you guys:

1. 1. Heavenly Father, are you really there?
   And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?
   Some say that heaven is far away,
   But I feel it close around me as I pray.

   Heavenly Father, I remember now

   Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:

   "Suffer the children to come to me."

   Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.
2. 2. Pray, he is there;
   Speak, he is list'ning.
   You are his child;
   His love now surrounds you.
   He hears your prayer;
   He loves the children.
   Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n.

I know that we are children of a heavenly father and he loves us and listens to our prayers. 

Love you guys!

Elder Cheney

No new pictures this week.  Thanks for supporting Daniel!

B.

October 3, 2016

Conference was really good. I didn't even fall asleep once. It's weird watching it as a missionary, I guess I understand better how important it all really is. 

It's spring right now. It's so weird. It should be fall. But that's cool, I like apple stuff. Are you gonna carve pumpkins?

For the Christmas box to be safe let's pretend that I'll have 3 or 4 companions. Ha.  Actually we have changes this week so we'll see what happens to good ole Quintero. Elder Carter is half way done with his training! But for the package I don't really know, Christmas related things. 

Tell that kid to write me! Who is he? Where is he from? Referring to an investigator we had over for conference.

I made biscuits and gravy this week! It was actually beef not sausage, I couldn't find any and not biscuits, but bread. But it was still pretty good. You gotta send me a biscuit recipe so I can crank some out. And other stuff that I can try to make for p-days. 

We had a good week, one of our investigators, Noemi went to all the sessions Saturday in the chapel (She got there at 11 am and stayed until 7pm) and the first session Sunday. She loved everything and said that she wanted to stay for the priesthood session too Saturday. She is really awesome and has a great testimony, she just needs to work out some stuff with her work so she can go to church. 

Something I really liked from Conference is the talk of President Nelson. He said something like: "Happiness is a decision; not a result of our situation." If we always wait on our situation to change, for a new car, new job, better family situation to be happy, we're going to die waiting! We are saying to ourselves that we have to wait to be happy for circumstances that are beyond our control. We have to learn how to not let our internal well being depend on our external situation. The true happiness comes from keeping the commandments, being faithful to our covenants, and feeling that God is happy with our efforts. 2 Nephi 2:13 "Without righteousness there is no happiness."

Besides that we're kind of waiting to see what happens with changes y eso. 

Love you guys!

Elder Cheney