13 March 2022
VOLUME 10 – NUMBER 443
Family at Cafe Rio
Mom / Jenny
Our stake organized an activity for the adults in our stake called Zion's Camp. It was basically an “EFA”—Especially for Adults instead of “EFY”—Especially for Youth!
For two days on Friday and Saturday we traveled up to the U of U Institute building, and attended presentations on gospel topics, a Latin dancing practice activity, service projects, and games, as we got to know the members of our stake.
It was a great way to unify us as a stake. There was an impromptu activity during lunch one day where everyone downloaded the family history app and we saw who and how we were all related to each other. It was pretty fun!
Playing nine square at Zions Camp
One of the presentations that stood out to me the most was about the plan of salvation and Adam and Eve's story that is told in the temple. In a nutshell, we all go through "creation," "fall," and "atonement" phases in our lives.
We start out innocent, like Adam and Eve, with an ideal perspective on life, and with lofty dreams. At some point reality comes crashing in, and can weigh us down with challenges and lost dreams. Some people get permanently lost in this phase, as they give up on the ideal life they were pursuing, and settle for the harsh realities of a fallen life.
However, those who stay close to the Savior can eventually make it to the third phase of life—atonement, where the ideal goals of the first phase, and dreams of happy endings combine with wisdom and experience that comes in the second phase.
Family at the aquarium
In the third phase, we end up with the best parts of the first two phases, with none of the downsides. It is only through Jesus Christ that all this third phase is possible.
The speaker, Brother Halverson, suggested that all three phases are represented in the characters in the parable of the prodigal son: the older son represents the creation (an ideal perspective that doesn’t allow him to understand anyone who isn’t perfectly obedient), the prodigal son represents the fall (the harsh realities that come from challenges and sin), and the father represents the atonement (someone who maintains his complete obedience to God, but who also has compassion and extends mercy to those who have struggled).
Knowing about these phases can help us enjoy the creation phases, endure the fall phases, and look forward to the final atonement phase that come to anyone who will turn to our Savior Jesus Christ, whose atonement it is.
Ellie laughing at a penguin
Ashton
We introduced the Switch video game, Gang Beast to Braden and Brooke this week, and it never fails to amuse! Christian, Monte, Kai, and Troy introduced it to me when they stayed at my apartment a couple weeks ago, and it is the most hilarious game to play or even just watch. We were all laughing the whole time, even when you lose!
On Thursday, I invited a couple friends to have dinner over at Endia's house before volleyball, and then we all went to play afterwards. Friday, we went to dinner at Costa Vida and then to the BYU volleyball game with Braden and Brooke.
Apparently, BYU men's volleyball has been doing pretty terrible recently, but on Friday they smoked the other team. At volleyball, we all got to say goodbye to Braden and Brooke, and Yarima was there too so it was perfect timing!
Ashton with MTC district
Saturday, I went to the movies twice! Endia and London and I went to see Uncharted in the morning, then later for my friend's birthdays we decided at last minute to go see the new Batman.
Normally I would be pretty hesitant to go see a movie like Batman, but I looked up some of the reviews, and it didn't look like it would be too bad. Ha ha! Lots of the parents' reviews missed a few things in it, and it was a pretty intense movie! Overall, it was an eventful week and weekend, and a ton of fun!
Endia touching a stingray
Endia
Thursday meals and volleyball are kind of the highlight of my week. This week I decided to make one of my favorite meals that I ate in Israel, falafel, and homemade pitas. It was a long process of cooking that involved preparing things over a couple of days.
The first batch didn’t turn out too great, but when we started frying the falafel ball then it turned out better. Ashton had a couple of friends come over, and my old roommate Hannah joined us as well. It was a really fun night.
Braden and Brooke came down to Provo the night before they headed out and we all went out to dinner and then to a BYU volleyball game. It was such a fun time, and I was glad to be able to see them again before they head back east.
We must have been good luck because the volleyball game was really good, and BYU won in the first three sets, even though the team has been struggling this season.
Caleb, Elders Wray and Emery, member
Caleb
This week went by fast and is definitely the beginning of a new chapter here in Chile! I finished my training and we received transfers on Saturday night! Actually, the only transfers or changes in the entire mission were between me and my companion and maybe one other companionship.
I'm going to miss Elder Wray, and I know he is who was supposed to train me out here! I know I've already grown in so many ways, is crazy and I love it.
Also, the name of my new companion now is Elder Emery. He's from Paraguay, and he has about a month more than me in the mission, but he's new to Chile! So now I guess I have the responsibility to help him get used to this mission and just be his companion! Ha ha! There's definitely a culture difference, but I'll adjust.
Caleb with new companion, Elder Emery
I can already tell he's an awesome person and missionary. He can only speak Spanish, we can communicate and talk well enough, so that will be great for me to improve and learn a lot more! I'm excited for these next six weeks. I know they won't necessarily be easy, but I will grow and improve so much!
Earlier this week we had multi zona, or I think it’s called zone conference. That was great! And again, my Spanish has improved a lot and I was able to understand all of it with hardly any effort. It's great! I know it's a blessing from Heavenly Father because of my efforts to be diligent and to keep trying.
I know this is the Church of Jesus Christ! The principles are eternal and they work! I know the blessings we have are from God and I'm grateful for the literally countless that I have, and my family as well!
I love all of you guys! I pray and hope the best for you always! Remember everyone that true happiness comes after we have Christ first and as the focus of our life.
Quinn and Ellie playing
Gloria
I am more caught up in school! My classes are green, and science is almost done. My other classes are close to being done. I just need a few more things to finish the semester.
I also went shopping and got some pants, a sweatshirt and perfume. We also worked a Jazz game. It was fun because it has been a little while since we worked. Falcon Ridge has been a little hard for us because we have a temporary night supervisor that is a little hard on us.
Kai
Mom and Dad went to Zion's camp, while we stayed home. We watched some shows, played some games, and made some food. We also got some treats. I really love Cosmic Brownies, so Dad got them, he also got Lifesavers and Twizzlers.
Troy’s birthday celebration
Troy
This week I did school, and Braden and Brook visited us from North Carolina. They stayed in the guest bedroom. We played games like scum and bridge, and it was very, very amazing!
Then on March 8, it was my birthday. I did school and played VR (Oculus virtual reality headset). First, I played Rec Room and. It was amazing and it felt so weird. Then I played Super Hot and it was so cool because if you went slow then the other glass people would go the same speed that you were going.
This week Vanessa went to North Carolina. She flew back with Braden and Brooke and Ellie when they went back home. I was so sad that she left because she was funny and nice, and I will miss her a lot while she is gone.
Quinn and Joanna at aquarium
Alex
Me and Vanessa went to have lunch with Lupe and some brothers and sisters. We went and ate out at Café Rio. Then we went to eat ice cream at Cold Stone. I got marshmallow plus cookies and cream.
We were gonna eat outside where it was sunny and warm, but then we realized that when it rained yesterday all of the outdoor chairs were wet! Then we got treats and went and looked at cool things at the store. Then Thomas, my nephew, went and took pictures with the easter bunny.
Veidi
While Mom and Dad went to Zion's Camp, Sophie and Bridger Zimmerman came over. We played games and watched part of Camp Rock 2 and other videos. I like having friends over.
Braden and Brooke visiting family
Dad / Arkin
Since he was called over six years ago, our stake president, Derrell Grappendorf, has felt prompted to plan an activity to help unify our stake. As we have come closer to realigning ward boundaries in the stake, the prompting has been even stronger.
After several months of planning, this weekend we had a two-day activity called Zions Camp. We were asked to sacrifice by taking off a day of work, if possible, and to attend. It was kind of like an adult youth conference.
I was surprised at how much this activity helped me. I’m an introvert, and things like this are kind of a sacrifice, but I knew that if I was obedient to my stake president’s request, I would be blessed.
Family at the aquarium
Zion’s Camp was a great experience. Jenny already mentioned that the talks were very enlightening (we talked a lot afterwards about Brother Halverson’s talk), and it was great to meet people from around our stake that we didn’t know before.
As the stake clerk, one of my responsibilities is to research stake data, and provide options to the stake presidency for new ward boundaries. For six months, I have spent many hours struggling with this assignment. I always think about how difficult the change will be for members of our stake.
However, as I mingled with the members of our stake, and got to know them better, I suddenly had a strong impression that we will be okay. No matter where the new boundaries lie, we will be blessed. It was a very calming thing for me, and I am grateful.
Christian, Maui young men in New York