Week 13: Adventures of the Victorian prince

Hello everyone!
Well if you are wondering where Zach has been, he is still in Chile, sending us letters every monday. That is still consistent, I on the other hand have dropped off the face of the blogging world. Sorry about that! Still trying to find time to type up his letters.

Anyways Zach is doing super well and is getting stronger every week (or so I am assuming from his letters.) The mission president has taken most of the missionaries with experience out of Victoria and given Zach the responsibility to take care of the newborn baby missionaries. So he kinda has the opportunity to show them around Victoria (hence the name I have bestowed upon Zach this week, the Victorian prince.) I was going to name him the Victorian princess but that may not be appropriate for me to make fun of him here...

Zach got a new companion, Elder Pistorius from Sandy Ootah. They were given a baptism by some of the missionaries who had been transferred, so they spent most of the day preparing for that by filling the baptismal font and getting the clothes ready. So it came to pass that they baptized Pablo, and he came into the fold! Good for you Pablo!

Elder Van Pelt has had some difficulties, as you may imagine, with the language still. He tells us of his harassment by the Chileans for not being able to speak with them very well.  Zach has learned through it all that he needs to be patient with himself as he learns a completely new language. Through that he has been able to comprehend a lot of what is said around him. Thats our little gringo!  He has grown to love Chile and the people, and will be so sad to leave when the time comes. He has told us of the poverty he has seen while tracting and the overwhelming kindness that comes from those he has taught in these situations.

Zachs scripture for this week is Nephi 33: 7. Go look it up! It is about having charity and great faith in people. Become someone that serves the people around you.

That is all for this week! Hasta luego Zachy lovers!

Bonus round

I got some pictures from some of the members in Zach's area. I hope she doesn't mind me using them. We enjoy the extra pictures and love seeing that the members are so welcoming of him. I think they are getting the better end of the deal, having that goofball with them all the time :)

Week 12: Adventures of Elder Fatty

Hello everyone!

12 weeks... Holy smokes! My mom would say different, but the last 3 months have flown by and I'm so glad. We really miss him here at home but I can tell he is in good hands, and is having so many awesome adventures and experiences. He apologizes that he can't write everyone back individually, as he only has an hour to write emails. I will reiterate that hand written letters are much appreciated and he can reply much easier to those.

Well my friends, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is so important to Zach (as it should be to all of us). Think about it, it is the only true church, and we are lucky enough to be a part of it! Elder Van Pelt asks that we all deepen our understanding of the gospel so that we can be ready to teach it when we are in a situation to do so. Study it so that you can be a representative of Christ and his church. He said in his letter that if we want to better our lives, relationships, homes, anything, it will be through the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our plan, our path and our way back home to our Heavenly Father.

Zach has realized the importance of putting others needs before his own and has truly done this out in Chile. He has seen not only a change in himself but a change in his companion and others around him. He has found the spirit telling him what to say and sometimes actually speaking to him. He has had the gift of tongues among so many other blessings. A great example of putting yourself in front of others is our parents and Zach pointed that out about our parents. He encourages everyone to forget yourself and serve others. Love god and watch how the Lord will bless you. Love is strong. Strong enough to change a young 18 year old boy.

Zach finally got a baptism scheduled this week. He is having a great time helping others come unto Christ, and surprise, its an older woman! A Chilean grandma who doesn't scowl, yell, or wave her finger at Zach. I never thought I would see the day!  She is at least 75 years old and was taught by them about the gospel and accepted baptism that same day. Before she can get baptized she needs to go to church a few times, but she was truly blessed with the spirit testifying to her of the truth of the gospel.

Elder Van Pelt is getting fed VERY well. So well, in fact, that he is gaining weight (which if you know Zach, has been nearly impossible in the past). There was nothing but empanadas and fiestas this week for the holiday in Chile. He said his "six pack" is leaving, and I imagine he is beginning to see a "fun pack" replacing it. With all the fiestas came a ton of drunk people, so he had some funny stories about that (which he chose to withhold from us, which I am a little sad about). One other thing that Zach has been doing lately is drawing. Atta boy! Taking after his art fart family. He has found a hobby that he loves, so that is a great way to fill his extra time.

Elder Van Pelt is getting a new companion this week, who he hopes to finish his training with. His name is Elder Pistorus, so we will hear about that a little more in the future.

Hasta Luego!

Week 11: Adventures of the sucky vacuum

Allo!

Zach had a short email this week because they weren't given a lot of time for emails because this week they had a holiday to celebrate the independence of Chile (September 18th). During this holiday he got to eat like the little piggy that he is. Im super jealous because all of this yummy looking food he gets to eat. I asked him to send me some, but I haven't received any yet. What a jerk. Just kidding, I can't say that about a young gentleman serving the Lord... But still, send me food Elder Van Pelt.

Well Zach is trying to keep up with all the change in his life, it has been crazy for him to go from one lifestyle (in Utah), to another (the CCM), and then to another (life in Chile as a full time missionary). He had been having some troubles with his companion and was letting his feelings build up into a big ball until he confronted him about what had been happening between them and how they can clear up their relationship. It was a super tender moment between them and the spirit was able to help them through love. They are slowly overcoming their differences and beginning to work together as a team. Zach's theme of the letter was a lot about love, that loving one another can help you overcome feelings of doubt, fear, and internal battles with yourself. Serve and love someone else, and you will be changed for the better.

Elder Van Pelt told us a story about a vacuum this week... I know right? Sounds stupid, but it was a great lesson about prayer. Every tuesday there is a meeting with all the missionaries in the zone at the local chapel. Well an hour before their meeting this week, Zach was trying to vacuum and clean up the floor. Well this vacuum sucked (or didn't suck in this case). It wasn't picking up the paper and crumbs that were on the floor. Zach prayed to heavenly father to give the vacuum enough power to clean the room for the sacrament meeting the coming week and had faith that this prayer would be answered.  Turns out, his prayer was answered and the vacuum started to work, and now they have a clean room to take the sacrament. No prayer is too small or unimportant :)

Anyways, that is all for this week!
Hasta luego!