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