"First off this week, I had to go to Santiago. My and Elder DeMeyer's visa papers came fast and early, so we had to go on divisions together and make a trip to the city. It was a crazy adventure. It was also funny because our trainers put us on a bus and we were on our own for the first time. Half way to Santiago we realized that neither of us had a cell phone, so we were really flying solo! Luckily, Elder DeMeyer's companion gave him good directions and, with a little miracle, we were able to navigate and find the mission office. We arrived there at 10:00 at night and no one was around, so we just sat there in front of the gate to the church for like a half hour. We thought they had forgotten about us and then, by chance, the APs happen to walk by and let us in. They were a little mad at us for not telling our district or zone leaders that we were leaving our sectors, but then we had no idea that we were suppose to. Elder DeMeyer and I really felt like we weren't suppose to be there. It turned out that Elders DeLong and Thomas had to come to the mission office as well to do their visa work, so it turned out ok. We all stayed the night at the assistants and office Elders' apartment and talked a lot about the mission and played UNO together. We had a blast, but that night was bloody hot!! Elder DeMeyer and I had to sleep on the bottom bunks in the assistants' room and I thought that I was being baked to death. I am so glad I am not serving in Santiago right now. It is so hot over here! We woke up at 7:00, well actually more like got out of bed because I didn't sleep a wink all night in the pit of heck...ha ha...so I was tired the whole next day. We ran all over Santiago and went into the North mission to do some paperwork. We had to take many buses and metros to get there. The metro is so hot and there are a bajillion people down there! It was so funny, because we really had to push our way into the metro. I was laughing so hard because I never thought I would have to push some old lady into the metro so that five missionaries could squash in. All the missionaries in Santiago are pros with the metro, but I still think it's funny and am confused half the time. I realize I am really bad at directions. ha ha Anyways, when we got to the visa place we legit only had to sign two papers and it was back to the metro and busses again. We had to go through all this just to sign two papers. It was crazy! There are many actors and performers here that perform on busses for money. They are actually really talented. One actor did a monologue as General O'higgins, who was the founder of Chile. It was really good. We got back and went to eat at this really good completo restaurant with the office missionaries. It was a blast and we got to know the Elders really well. They are Elders Martinez, Van Dyke, Wardell, Redhair, Cummings, Barlow, Acosta, and Stoddard. It was fun having Elder DeMeyer as a companion for a day. We were hoping that our trainers would be out working when we got back to our sectors, so that we could work together for the rest of the day, but they were both home. Elder DeMeyer is really cool and I gave him that Tiger Balm a while back and he loves it. He says he can't sleep without it. ha ha It was a fun time."
"To answer your question, yes, I am still singing all the time. I just wish I had more music to sing to. Elder Opazo also loves to sing. We are constantly singing different songs together. ha ha It's so funny. Elder Thomas has been teaching me about choir music. He is a choir music pro. ha ha Right when I was reading the email about talking to Elder Thomas's mom, he turns to me from the next computer and says, "yup...our moms are communicating!" ha ha It was funny."
"Every P-day we do something with all the Elders. Today we played soccer and basketball and I killed it! ha ha It's fun doing stuff with the other Elders. I think it would be fun to live with four Elders. The more the better. ha ha All the Elders are becoming my close friends. We have a lot of fun together. Sometimes we get together and play board games. We have been playing Risk at the pensions. I hate playing Risk because by the end of the game, everyone is mad at eachother. ha ha It's still great just spending time together."
"We don't have a Tsunami evacuation plan, but I guess we don't really have to worry too much. Luckily here in Barrancas, it's not like a huge wave that hits at once. It is more like the water just keeps climbing up towards the city. I'm a little nervous though because Elder Opazo and I live the closest to the ocean in our zone. I guess we had a Tsunami warning the other week, but none of us even knew about it. ha ha Gotta love Chile!"
"This week was a definite success. We worked with the Elders Quorum and one of the young men a lot. We had a good time. I also got to talk to the members a lot and found out so much about them. Most of the members in the ward are all friends and grew up together, so they all dated eachother and fun things like that. The members are the best and I love getting to know them. It is also amazing how the investigators come to truly love us. One couple always calls me, mi regalon...which means, my favorite or dear one. They also learned how to say, I love you, in English and say it to me a lot. It's times like that when I know I am here for a reason. I will never forget it. I think the Lord has plans for every one of his missionaries. I love the mission work, even though some days are hard and some days are good. It's all worth it."
"I got my packages just fine. Everything was there, so that's a plus. I haven't been able to bake anything because we don't have pans for brownies or cookies. I'll look at the store today and try to buy some. I have shared some of the caramel popcorn. The Chilean people love sweets. President and Hermana King was here when I got my packages because they were down to see how we were doing and were having a special zone meeting that day. Tomorrow I am going to Santiago for another "greenie" meeting and then back again on Friday for a special orientation. It'll be fun to see all my buds there again."
"Sorry, I don't have many pictures to send. I have pics with my companion and a few of my friends, but it was all on their cameras. I'm sending one of me playing soccer today and one of Elder Opazo moving a cat that had died in our front yard. ha ha Well, I'm doing my best and always trying to improve. Tell everyone "hola" for me and thanks for everything!"
Elder Dallon Smith
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| Soccer on P-day |
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| Elder Opazo removing a dead cat! |