Faith in Every Footstep

So Elder Herrera received a surprise Tuesday night. We never received a transfer so we just assumed we were both staying here in Fitz Roy. We were doing service when we received a text telling us that he had a transfer the next morning and had to pack. There had been some confusion and he wasn’t on the original transfer paper, but he still had one.

So Wednesday I received a new companion named Elder Amaya. He is from Colombia and is so awesome. He just finished his training and just like with Elder Herrera, I am Elder Amaya´s ¨Mom¨ (second companion). His father is a professional clown/ comedic magician and Elder Amaya inherited all of that. We have already seen miracles as well as trials.

Wednesday I was with Elder Herrera, Elder Cabrera, and Elder Woolley (The two Elders from Porvenir) and we all ate lunch with one of our members. When we finished I stood up and almost fell back down because my foot hurt so bad. I thought I could just walk it off, but by the time I went to go get Elder Amaya I wanted to puke.

I visited a member who is a foot doctor and he told me I broke something in my heel from all the stress of walking and that I had to just be a man until it could heal. The next three days were terrible, but it has gotten much better and almost doesn’t hurt at all. So no worries.

The work is progressing and we are happy. I love you all.

Elder Rich

Elder Rich, Elder Amaya, and the sisters in the internet cafe where they write letters on P-Day.

The Spirit speaks in divers ways.

Classic Chile

¨They say the gospel is supposed to heal you, and its done much healing!¨  Totally had a moment like that this week. I started off a contact by testifying, and then looked at Greenwood to pass it to him. By the time I looked back, the door was closed. Classic Chile.

I really don’t know what to tell you about the week. We started chopping a lot of wood for people and have been stacking it a lot too. I am professional and all the members saw me stack it at our mamita’s house and now they all want me to do it. Both of our main investigators ended up in the hospital for different reasons so church was a bust, but we had a really nice sacrament meeting.

I love you all so much.

Elder Rich

Elder Rich and Elder Greenwood P-Day Photo Shoot. Apparently, Elder Rich has become a big fan of the vest. 

The Daily Life of a Missionary

Hey, sorry if my emails have not been the greatest. Truth be told, yes we have been busy, and also I have just been lazy. I really appreciate all your emails. The last couple of weeks have been a little tough. I am fine, let me clarify (mom). But, sometimes being a missionary kind of sucks. I just kind of let it get to me for a sec, but it won’t get me down. I am very blessed to be able to serve and I recognize that. The place I serve is beautiful and my companion is a stud.

As far as what we do every day as missionaries. Each day I wake up at 6: 30 and work out until 7:30. I shower and usually don’t eat much for breakfast. I have personal study at 8:30, companionship study at 9:30, language study at 10:30, extra study for Greenwood at 11:30. We take a taxi at 12:30 to go to lunch at 1:00. Then we leave and walk the streets, contact people, knock doors, offer service and go to appointments until 10:00. When we get home, we plan for half an hour, relax / snack until 11:00, then sleep. Every day. Never changes.

Love you.

Elder Rich

The "Why" of Missionary Work

This week was pretty calm, not much to report. When have been preparing a couple people for baptism and it looks like we might have more baptisms than we had originally anticipated. Which is always a welcome surprise. We had some funny experiences, good laughs, and good lessons. Elder Greenwood is such a chill, low-key guy and I really like the way we do contacts. We don’t deny or go around the fact that we are missionaries and preach, but the contact itself is a lot less of a business presentation and more of a personal, human conversation if that makes sense.

One thing I have realized is that the gospel is a natural part of who we are, we are naturally spiritual beings. In my opinion, an amazing missionary is not someone who can present the gospel in an attractive way or use pretty words to explain our purpose, but someone who can start a conversation, analyze the need, and apply the gospel and atonement as the healing substance that it is. It is a million times more personal and makes them understand the ¨why¨ of missionary work.

I love you all.

Elder Aidan Rich

Taking a break to look over the Pacific Ocean.

Elder Greenwood (left) and Elder Rich (right) taking in the sights of the coast.

Sometimes the dogs win...but it's just a scratch. 

"Weak Things Become Strong"

Elder Rich was called away on missionary business and wasn't able to send a general email to share with everyone, so our family would like to share the brief, sweet letters we received from him this week.

Addie, Andy and Anna- 

I just started to write back to the family, but we received a call and there is a woman in our ward who had a pretty bad fall and needs us in the hospital. She asked for us to give her a blessing so I have got to go right now. I read all of your letters and your pictures made me laugh from a deep happy place.

I guess I want to share really quickly the importance of preparedness and worthiness. I have to leave because a woman needs a worthy priesthood holder and asked for us by name because she knows missionaries are pure. I cannot explain the joy that that gives me. I am far from perfect. None of us are perfect. But being worthy and ready always is something of immeasurable importance.

I love you three so much. In a way that only an older brother can. You are all so special. GOD LOVES YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN EVEN UNDERSTAND. Never let anything, anyone, or any situation make you think otherwise.

Know that I think of you always,

Elder Aidan Rich

Mom,

First of all, I freaking love you. Just thought you should know. And keep beating Andy, just like a good steak it will make him more tender…or at least that’s how I always justified it.

I thank you for all of your spiritual insights. One thing that really hit me was the Sermon on the Mount. He says so very simply, “Ask and it shall be given.” I was knocking doors with one of the APs and I was so frustrated. This scripture came to my mind in almost a “duh” kind of way. I prayed right there in the middle of the street and invoked the power of my sacred calling as a missionary and the priesthood I hold, and asked for at least one of the next seven doors to be someone prepared to hear me. Literally 30 seconds after I said, “amen” a woman asked us almost word for word if we baptized people because she was looking for the church of God and knew we preached. About five minutes after that she agreed to take the lessons and be baptized if she felt the Spirit.

Moral of the story, if we have a bad habit or a weakness, just ask to have it be made strong. I might not happen in thirty seconds but the promise is that it will happen. Ether 12:27 makes that so clear.

I love you so much Mom. I always end my emails this way but it’s because there is no better or truer way to do so.

Elder Rich

We got an inactive punk kid to come be a missionary with us for a day.

I made homemade buns and burgers because I couldn't take any more potatoes and pasta. 

Chilean In 'N Out Burger