25 New Missionaries Arrive in the Santiago East Mission

Twenty five new missionaries arrived today, November 30 2010. We picked them up at the airport in a bus because they are such a gigantic group. We filled the bus completely and needed even more space for luggage in two other vehicles. What a huge blessing for our mission! We immediately felt the monumental strength of each one of these Elders and Sisters. The power of their collective and individual testimony filled the air and gave us strength and inspiration. They are truly like the Army of Helaman. They are strong and brave and true.

We drove directly to the Santiago Temple where we oriented these faithful missionaries. We took a photo in the Temple Gardens which we will send to their parents today to let them know that their missionary arrived safely.

We received a warm welcome from Elder Amado, our Area President and Elder Corbridge, his first counselor. This was a special treat for us to get to hear their testimonies and receive their counsel as our twenty five missionaries begin their service.

It was a wonderful experience to introduce our new missionaries to their companions. We know the Holy Ghost guided President Laycock's decisions as he made these assignments. Once again we felt the overwhelming power that these missionaries have brought with them to add to our mission. We are so very grateful to the Lord for them and for their families. We love them very much, and we know that, just as Elder Amado promised them, they will experience miracles as they are obedient and faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a great privilege for us to serve with them and to know them.

Los que se van November 21 and 29 2010

Once again it was time to send a group of ten faithful missionaries home. It seems like the transfer days come around all to soon these days in the mission. These young people have been diligent servants of the Lord. They have worked so hard to do all they have been asked to do. They have been cheerful and loving in their service, and we will miss them very much. They have been a great blessing to the their Chilean brothers and sisters and to the other missionaries with whom they have served. We enjoyed the day we spent with them before they left, and we were impressed with the fervent testimonies they bore after having dinner with us in the mission home. We love them very much, and we know that our mission is better and stronger because of their examples of goodness and righteousness.

Primary Activity

President Laycock and some of our missionaries spoke to the Primary children in the Nunoa Stake during October. They all want to serve full time missions. It is a blessing to see our missionaries help young people to prepare to be able to serve missions. We need to work hard to encourage all young men and those young women who so desire to be worthy and ready to serve full time missions.

Mission Tour With Elder and Sister Corbridge

Once each year, each mission is blessed to have a mission tour with a member of the Area Presidency and his wife. They teach us and share with us the Gospel. We were blessed to have our mission tour with Elder and Sister Corbridge at the end of October this year. One half of the mission met with them one day, and then the next day the other half of the mission spent the day with them. We enjoyed them so much, and Elder and Sister Corbridge greeted each missionary personally. Our missionaries who are Spanish speakers worked hard to be able to greet them in English. We also had lunch with them and enjoyed their company. It is a great blessing to have Elder and Sister Corbridge in Chile. They do so much to strengthen and build the Lord's Kingdom.

Mission Tour With Elder and Sister Corbridge

Elder and Sister Corbridge shared many insights and helped us to strengthen our vision to baptize. We spent two delightful days learning from and with them. We love them and appreciate their consecration of time and talents and all that they are to do the Lord's work. We feel privileged to serve with them.

Mission Presidents' Seminar

During November, we (President and Sister Laycock) participated in a Seminar for all Mission Presidents and their wives. It was a wonderful time for us to learn more of the Lord's vision for His work in Chile. We were privileged to learn from Elder Robbins and his wife, Elder Amado and his wife, Elder Corbridge and his wife, and Elder Zeballos and his wife. What a blessing to be taught by members of the first Quorum of the Seventy! We treasure all that we learned, and we hope to be able to do what the Lord is guiding us to do in the Chile Santiago East Mission.