We Have Faith in Our Savior Jesus Christ.

Once again, President Laycock and I are most grateful for your prayers and love. We are thankful beyond words for the guidance of the Lord's chosen leaders, for the blessing of the Holy Ghost, and for the obedience of our Missionaries in "preparing every needful thing." All Missionaries in the Chile Santiago East Mission are safe and accounted for following the interesting "events" of the day today. We continue to receive bounteous blessings of peace and protection, and we feel the Lord's hand as we minister to our sweet Chilean brothers and sisters.

Please continue to pray for each Missionary to be able to do all that is being required. These Missionaries are wonderful, loving, humble, and courageous. They are reaching outside of themselves in love and concern, and their service is transforming them into even more lovely individuals than they already were. They are serving with all their heart, might, mind and strength, and the light of Jesus Christ shines brightly in their eyes and in their smiles. As Missionaries in the Chile, Santiago East Mission, we have faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, and we know that He has called us to labor in this part of His vineyard at this time for a very specific purpose. He walks beside us, and He directs this work. Of this we are sure.

We love our Missionaries, and we love the beautiful Chilean people!

Missionary Devotional, Monday March 1

Last Monday in our office meeting where we plan each week for our mission, President Laycock felt impressed to plan a gathering for every missionary in our mission to meet together on Monday March 1 for a mission-wide devotional centered on the life and mission of Jesus Christ. Normally, we would not bring the entire mission together, but President Laycock felt that we should. What a blessing! We are now able to better understand that prompting. We were able to see the bright, smiling face of every missionary in the Chile, Santiago East Mission. Don't they look fabulous!!!We are so very thankful for all of the blessings we have received. Thank you to all of you for your prayers and concern and love. We want you to see the faces of these missionaries. March of 2010 will be a marvelous month in the mission. Hearts are humble, and we are prepared to teach, preach and rejoice in our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ! It is truly miraculous all that has happened here in the past few days.

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." D&C 38:30

All Missionaries in the Chile, Santiago East Mission are safe and accounted for. Today will be a day of service for all of us. We will look for ways to serve our Chilean brothers and sisters by teaching them about our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. We are thankful for the blessing of safety that we have been given. We are thankful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and we stand as witnesses of our Heavenly Father's love for all of His children throughout the world. Without a doubt, we know that our Savior lives, and that He directs this work. We know that when we do His work in His way, He is with us, and we experience miracles! Thank you for your prayers and concern, and please know that we love our missionaries with all our hearts. They are the Lord's army, and we are blessed to be among them and learn from them. They are blessing the lives of so many of our Father's children, and they are powerful examples of all that young people can and should be. Don't worry! Our missionaries are prepared, and "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." (D&C 38:30)

Greetings from the Chile, Santiago East Mission

Greetings from the Chile, Santiago East Mission.

You will be hearing reports that there was an earthquake in Chile. The Earthquake occured 212 miles south of Santiago in Concepcion. Although communication is down in Santiago, we are working to establish communication lines with all missionaries. The Elders and Sisters are well prepared and know exactly what to do in cases of emergency.

Please be aware that we are doing everything possible to make sure that all are safe. We will keep you advised as information becomes available. Thank you for your prayers.

"Fruits of our labors"

Pillars of Strength

Zone Leader Concilio Wednesday, January 27 2010
We felt the Lord’s love as we fasted and prayed for help and guidance.

During the month of January, we invited our Missionaries to participate in a Mission fast for the spiritual and physical health of our Missionaries and to prepare us to set our own personal goals as well as to come together and set some mission goals for 2010. We felt the Lord’s love as we fasted and prayed for help and guidance. This Zone Leader Concilio was a spiritual feast for all of us. We sat in a circle and looked in each other's eyes as we discussed the needs of our Mission. We felt the Holy Ghost leading us and directing us as we set our 2010 Mission goals. We felt the Lord’s hand gently directing us as we pondered, planned, and prepared. Our Zone Leaders are dedicated and determined. They want our Mission to grow and to reach the high levels of success that we all know we are capable of reaching. We know that with the Lord’s help, we can do all that He is asking us to do.


Interviews Every Tuesday and Thursday
We recognized the Lord’s love as we met with Zones in Zone/District Classes.

This transfer cycle, we decided to have Zone/District classes in conjunction with interviews. We like this new arrangement very much. We cut down on wasted time, and we were able to attend at least one Zone/District class in every Zone. During this transfer, Elder Espinoza and Elder Martineau taught about goal setting and having perfect planning sessions. They also reminded us all that we should strive to be the best teachers that ever served. Elder Amado taught us in our Mission tour that our responsibility is to be excellent teachers. We work with members to strengthen homes, find people to teach, and baptize, but our primary responsibility is to be the best, most inspired gospel teachers we can possibly be. We also role played and practiced teaching with questions, scriptures, and the Holy Ghost. Each Zone/District class was different, but each one was rewarding and helpful. We are impressed that our Missionaries are becoming such accomplished teachers. We will continue to help them reach their full potential as teachers. They will continue to help us do the same.


The pyramid picture above was taken in one of our Zone Classes. The other two are of our Zone Leader Concilio. The pyramid was an object lesson which taught us many important principles. Notice that President Laycock (on the bottom row) can never resist an opportunity to participate in Zone Class, no matter what the challenge may bring. We feel so thankful to be able to be with these delightful young Missionaries. They are enthusiastic and dedicated. They love the Gospel. They are strong and brave and true! We love them.

Sister Missionaries

I am so grateful for the faithful service of our faithful Hermanas. They are diligent and obedient. They are laying a great foundation for their lives, and they are blessing so many families and individuals as they tirelessly share the gospel. I love them all!

Future Missionaries

We have been given the assignment from our Area Presidency to double the number of Missionaries that leave from Chile in the year 2010 from the number that left in 2009. For that reason, President Laycock is doing all he can to encourage the Young Men who live within the boundaries of our Mission to prepare for full time Missionary service. This week, he spent an evening at scout camp talking with the Young Men. The Assistants accompanied him, and they taught and inspired with all the enthusiasm of three great Missionaries.

Good-bye to Elder Guzman

Elder Guzman Faithfully Completed his Mission this past week. We love him. We will always remember his great attitude and his willingness and ability to always be happy. We know he will do well in all he attempts to do in his life, and we look forward to knowing all about his future endeavors.

South Zone Conference #5 "Small Things Bring Us the Attributes of Christ"

Zone Conferences Allow Us to Look Into the Faces of our Missionaries and Feel Their Love for Their Savior and for The People of Chile.

We had Zone Conference Wednesday January 13 and Wednesday, January 20. We always enjoy being together for Zone Conferences. It was nice to start the new year and set new goals and commitments. We decided to re emphasize 5 major points that we have been working on and that we introduced in the first six months of our mission and to remind everyone that the small things really do make a huge difference in our capacity to serve. We talked about Naaman and how "small things" really matter.The five re-focusing points we are emphasizing are:

1. The Vision to Baptize

2. Urgency

3. Cosechar

4. Permanaced

5. Love: We do everything with love

We know that we need to keep working on these 5 things for the missionaries to really do what they need to do to be successful. President Laycock spoke about the importance of “Being Preach My Gospel” and the Assistants focused on setting goals and planning effectively. We also discussed the need to be like our Savior and work to attain His attributes in our lives. If we teach and love as He does, we will not fail. Our excellent Zone Leaders also taught us about having perfect planning sessions.

Zone Conferences Unite and Focus Us

Zone Conferences Remind us to Work Hard

Zone Conferences Bring Us Closer to Our Savior

Zone Conferences Feed Us Spiritually and Physically

South Zone Conference #5 "Small Things Bring Us the Attributes of Christ"

In this Zone Conference, we remembered the importance of doing the small things.





We talked about how the small things in our lives lead us to greatness.








Zone Conferences always stengthen and fortify us.




Eating together is a highlight of Zone Conference.





We are blessed to enjoy one another as we serve together.

North Zone Conference #5 "Small Things Bring Us the Attributes of Christ"

We love being Missionaries and attending Zone Conferences!





We look forward to gathering together to share ideas and learn about our Savior.







Every time we meet, we are reminded that Mission work is a refining process that takes time, patience, and perseverance.
















We know that Mission work is not meant to be easy. If it were all easy, we would not grow and develop our testimonies.









We are so grateful for faithful Missionaries who love and serve the Lord without thought of reward.

North Zone Conference #5 "Small Things Bring Us the Attributes of Christ"

Zone Conferences teach us Doctrine!










Zone Conferences make us happy!











Zone Conferences
provide time for us to be together!








Zone Conferences
help us set goals!











Zone Conferences remind us to be obedient in all things.

December 29, 2009 New Arrivals

On December 29 we received a wonderful Christmas gift...12 New Elders to add to the team of Missionaries in the Santiago East Mission. Every one of these Elders was eager to join the Santiago East Mission Team. We enjoyed their spirit of humility and their overwhelming desire to be exceptional Missionaries. Everyone who met them, commented on the "special feeling" that these 12 Missionaries have brought with them. We are absolutely thrilled to see where their Mission service will take them. We traveled right from the airport to the Temple where we took this picture. Then we took them to the Conference Room in the Obispado (Church Office Building) where we sat around the conference room table together and looked into their bright, shining eyes. We gave them a short orientation to the Mission and answered questions. Next, we walked over to the Pocuro Chapel next door where their companions were waiting. Their companions had spent the morning in the Temple preparing to receive new Missionaries to train. We had a short ceremony that President Laycock calls, "The Parable of the Geese." All of the chairs were placed in a V formation. Trainiers sat on one side of the V and New Missionaries sat on the other side. President Laycock taught about Geese and how geese are 70% more efficient when they fly in their formation. If one is tired or injured, two drop out and help the one until he is able to rejoin the formation. We Missionaries are like Geese. We fly together. We take care of one another, and we are efficient!!! We love these new Missionaries. We are thankful for families who have taught and prepared them. We are thankful for the testimonies they bring. We are thankful for their humility. We are thankful for the consecrated efforts of all who have made it possible for them to serve with us in the Chile, Santiago East Mission.

Christmas Activity December 23, 2009 Preparations

Christmas in the Mission is an experience everyone should have.

It is a time to be grateful and to draw near to our Savior. Without the close surrounding of family, we were lovingly nudged to draw even closer to Jesus. Our Missionaries dedicated themselves to serving Him without any thought of selfish reward. We watched as our Mission broke many Mission Records in terms of numbers, but most importantly we experienced the true love of our Savior as we worked together to bring to pass Missionary Miracles.

We will always remember our sweet first Christmas in the Santiago East Mission.

On December 23, we enjoyed our Christmas Mission Activity where we gathered together and played and enjoyed one another's company during the morning. Then we went to a meeting house where we ate wonderful food together. We watched "A Christmas Carol" and discussed the meaning of repentance and changing our lives as Ebeneezer Scrooge did. We reminded each other that we are here to help people change their lives by coming unto Christ. Then we went into the Chapel for a fireside where we discussed the symbols of Christmas and how each one bring us to Christ. We feel so blessed to be among these noble Missionaries. They teach us so much about love and charity. They are humble and happy and full of love for their Savior.