"Nuevitos" Arrive on Tuesday October 19, 2010

Three Happy Hermanas and five Excellent Elders arrived with bright eyes and shining smiles on Tuesday morning October 19, 2010. We gathered them from the airport and took them directly to the Santiago Temple. In the Pocuro Chapel, we met with them, and President Laycock interviewed each of them. They expressed their excitement and their enthusiasm over and over as we oriented them, introduced them to their new companions, and sent them into their sectors for their first day of teaching. We love them already. They have brought a brightness that will bless our Mission in many ways. They are ready to work. They want to continue to learn the language. They are committed to the Gospel. They have strong testimonies. They are happy, and they are a wonderful addition to our Mission.

Nine Faithful Missionaries Go Home On October 18 and 19

Elder Carroll and Elder Livingstone look out over the Chile Santiago East Mission from the top of Cerro San Cristobal as they help us say good by to nine excellent Elders and Sisters

. Elder Livingstone will finish his last transfer cycle in the La Dehesa Ward. We love him and have enjoyed working with him as an Assistant to the President. He has served so well, and he truly loves every Missionary in our Mission.

We always enjoy spending the day with "los que se van" before they leave for home. It is so hard to say good by to them, but we know they have many great and wonderful experiences awaiting them. We love them very much. We feel blessed to know them.

Faithful Missionaries Return Home!

We spent the day on Friday October 15, 2010 with 9 excellent missionaries! We saw some important Santiago sights. We ate dinner at the Mission home. We shared testimonies, and we enjoyed one another's company. These missionaries have served faithfully. They returned to their families on Monday and Tuesday October 18 and 19, 2010. We will miss them more than they will ever know. They have served with all of their hearts, and they have learned and grown in miraculous ways. Because of their faithful service, they are now prepared to meet any challenge life may present to them. We are so thankful for their love and their willingness to accept every assignment the Lord gave to them with happiness and gratitude. They will always hold a special place in our hearts. We will always love them..

Signs of Spring

Finally...our little Chilean eggs hatched. This nest in the rafters of the Mission home patio is getting rather full as this sweet little family grows and matures. It will soon be time for the little ones to spread their wings and fly. We have enjoyed watching the patient parents sit hopefully on their nest and wait for their family to come. We will continue to watch until they gently nudge their babies out of the comfortable, safe nest to soar away on their own.

It reminds us of the many faithful parents of our Missionaries who have worked so patiently to teach their children, and now with great love and patience, they support and encourage their children in their excellent mission service. We are so grateful for the Lord's plan of happiness that allows us all to experience peace, joy, and happiness, to create strong family bonds, and to prepare ourselves to live with God again. (Estamos agradecidos por el plan de felicidad de Dios para la vida.)

More Chilean Miracles

The miraculous rescue of all 33 Chilean Miners was completed on October 13, 2010. This story has reached out to the entire world, and once again the Chilean people have united in remarkable ways. President Laycock, Landon and I were driving home from a teaching evening with two of our wonderful Elders. Cars honked, people screamed, and sirens blared. The celebration of the successful rescue spread throughout the entire country of Chile. We are very grateful to have witnessed yet another Chilean miracle. Heavenly Father loves His Chilean Children. We see and feel that love every single day of the mission.