2nd Week in Chile

Happy Birthday to our beautiful missionary!! 

She turns 20 on St. Patricks day!  

HOLA FAMILIA!!!!!!!! 

All your letters this week were SO EXTREMEMLY good to receive! Thank you SO much for your love and support! I really do appreciate them so much! I feel like there are A LOT of questions to answer so I’ll try my best to answer everything! Dad, I don´t know the exact number of baptisms and or missionaries... all the numbers I’m not really sure of. So sorry! Ha our apartment is only Hermana Pereira and I. We walk about EVERYWHERE! The serros (hills) here are super intense. The members feed us SO MUCH FOOD! but with all the walking and hills it is somewhat balanced. I think from all these hills and stairs I now have the calves of a Samoan rugby player. ha

This is the view from my apartment!

  Buses, micros are our main transportation to get to central viña. I feel like we are going to die about every time we ride one. The other day we were riding to a member’s house for Almuerzo on the bus and I swear we were going to die. We were going 80 down this small street, dodging dogs, and old ladies. Hermana Pereira dropped her pamphlets, my nametag flew to the front of the bus, and both our skirts were all over the place. You can only imagine the scene. But we survived. 

Downtown 

The ward members here are incredible like I said earlier. It is has been an absolutely humbling experience going into some of the houses here. A hermana in the ward we had lunch with the other day, I swear it couldn´t even be called a house. It was as big as our mudroom. SO humbling, these people really do not have anything, but they do have the gospel and they make that the rock and foundation in their lives. Their testimonies are so incredibly powerful and have strengthened mine so much! I love them! Last week we were eating lunch in a members home and their 20 year old daughter wanted to know how I did my hair (sock bun). I taught her all about it and she came running up to me during church on Sunday with her sock bun! So funny!

We have 2 new investigators Marisol and her 12-year-old daughter Monsuratt. Monsuratt reminds me of Lauren Chaney, super young but looks and acts like she is 20! They were a referral from the Elders in Viña. We have been to their house twice and we invited them to come to a baptismal service on Friday! And they came! It was so incredible watching the service. After the 23-year-old sister was baptized the young women in the ward sang the baptismal primary song. I looked over at Marisol during the song and tears were flowing down her face. The spirit was so incredibly strong. Hermana Pereira was crying. I think the spirit truly witnessed to Marisol the importance of baptism because we have talked with them a little bit about it. This week we are teaching them about the restoration. They are such amazing women and I believe that the Lord has prepared them to hear this gospel. They were all laughing at me saying that all I do is smile even when they are saying something sad or bad that has happened...cause I don´t understand. haha oops. So I may not speak the language great but I can certainly smile!

Lots of bugs here. BIG SPIDERS. fleas. I think there is a bicho in my bed because I have bites all over! ha 

We eat a lot of fruit. 

For dessert sometimes we eat cough drops. ha interesting.

The Mission Home

There are so many people here in Reñaca. We are doing a lot of contacting. Since it is still summer many people are visiting which is hard finding actual people we can teach here in Reñaca. Like you said dad, many are visiting from Argentina. 

This past week I’ve read a ton of the Book of Mormon and my testimony of it is SO incredibly strong. I just finished reading about Christ in the Americas. My relationship with the Savior has grown so much through reading this true translated book. I can testify to you that our Savior lives. That he suffered for us. That he knows each and every one of us. That THIS is His gospel.:)  The Book of Mormon is full of answers. Here, I find them every day! I am so grateful for the spirit that we experience every day here on the mission. To reading scriptures, to bearing witness of this gospel, and to being lead to those needing to hear this gospel! 

Dad to answer your question we have 30 min to email here! haha mom every time I show a picture of my family they all say you look like Cameron Diaz! ha Lauren... this family in the ward here are convinced you served a mission here and are now living in Colombia.... hahaha quite hilarious! 

Family, I hope all is well. It is so good to hear from you. Thank you so much for your love and support I really do appreciate it!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxo CON MUCH AMOR 

Hermana Katelyn Nicole Smith 

The rest of her letter was of a personal nature.  We will share it in the weeks to come....

1st Letter from Chile

We are so excited to hear from Katelyn!! After talking with her on Monday we had not heard any information from her, or the mission.  So as a mother does, I started to worry.  On Friday in my prayers that morning I prayed and prayed that I would know that she was safe and sound.  Friday evening we received a wonderful email.  All it said was Hola, we are glad to have Sister Smith with us safe and sound.  The exact words from my prayer.  I am so mindful that our Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers.  He is mindful of each word we say.  He answers and know us as individuals! I testify that I know this is true!  (tender mercy)

Leaving the MTC onto Chile!! 3:30 a.m.

 Leaving the MTC

¡HOLA mi querida FAMILIA! (Hello my dear family)

WOW!!!!. it´s crazy that I am in Chile!!!!!! Fully Immersed in the language, comida, (food) culture. EVERYTHING! 

 It was so amazing talking to you all on the phone at the airport, I miss all of you so much! Hearing your voices was amazing! 

That experience we had on the plane with the lady from Peru was absolutely incredible! The spirit was so strong. 

The first day here was very busy. We drove to a lookout that overlooks Valpariso and Vina del mar. It was foggy but it was beautiful. Then we went to the Reloj de Flores and took a mission picture with the President and his wife! They are honestly incredible. I swear Predident Kahlein could be a general Authority. They are extremely strict but amazing. 

One of the rules is that we are only allowed to email our families. AND besides that we get mail once a month! So please tell Jordan and Cassidy, I love them and to write me. 

Also Taylor Happy Birthday from me!!! Please tell him I love him and to write me.  Muchas Gracias! 

The first night here Hermana Pendleton and I shared a room in a hotel in Viña and tried our first... a Chilean nighttime snack? ha 

The next day we had an orientation. President speaks a lot of english not well but enough to get his point across. ha the whole orientation was in spanish so hopefully I understood the main points. After we all met in the Church 4 Norte 1112 Viña del Mar for a changing meeting. A couple Elders and Hermanas bore their testimonies and then the President began to announce where everyone was assigned. The moment they call your name you have to get up and leave. So Hermana Pendleton and I never really got a goodbye.  We aren´t allowed to write other missionaries in the mission. SO could you please just let her family know, and tell her I love her and miss her a lot!!!  

My name was called and my companion is Hermana Pereira from Paraguay. Ha she is so sweet. She is 25 years old almost 26 .  A little bit older than me!  She doesn´t speak a lick of English! ha we are assigned to the area of Reñaca here in Viña. 

My new companion!!

Necacitamos la dicionaro siempre!!!  (We need the dictionary all the time) It is a brand new area because the people are very wealthy and it is close to the beach. Yeah it´s like RIGHT on the beach. We aren´t allowed to go out on the beach, mission rules, but last night we walked along the board walk! 

The sunset was absolutely beautiful! The people here are so extremely nice! I swear we are always hugging and kissing and so on....  We do not have many investigators only 4 right now because it is a new area and no missionaries have been here before. There are 3 families here in Reñaca that are members and then yesterday we met an inactive member that lives here. She was absolutely incredible and so sweet. She kept saying that we are an answer from God. 

WE are going back to teach her again this week!

Oh p.s. P-days are on mondays! Yeah they definitely do not speak Spanish here. I feel so bad for my companion because having lunch with the members or doing contacts I kind of just smile and try to participate as much as I can. But I can never even follow where the conversation is going! ha She says I need to talk more but the problem is that I don´t even know what we are talking about! ha wow. 

Sunday at the Church

Walking the path to one of the members homes

It´s very overwhelming. I understand a word here and there but not enough to understand what´s happening. Apparently we are receiving 30 new sisters in 5 weeks and all the new sisters will be the trainers. In 5 weeks I will be a trainer.  Please pray for me so I can do my best.  This gives me a lot of anxiety because I still don´t understand the language, the money, when our district leader calls on the phone, where we are going. I just follow and smile.  I think about my farewell talk preach the gospel and if necessary use words... ha yep. Definitely just have to smile it out. During the day I feel so overwhelmed sometimes especially in the houses of the Chileans because I really don´t understand much! They speak so fast!!!! 

I know that with the Lord all things are possible, I have to keep having faith in that because sometimes here I feel so alone! But I know the Lord is with me!  This keyboard is so hard to write on and we don´t have anytime. But the people are beautiful and so is Reñaca!!!! I love you all so very much!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT!!!!!! 

I am praying for you!!! Thanks for your prayers they are very much needed right now! 

xoxoxo Hermana Smith 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH! a few things... Here they call me snow white or barbie some say I look like a celebrity!?!?!!? hahaha crazy people!  Also never thought this day would come... I like Tomatoes! Only been here what... 6 days and I love Tomatoes. hahaha so crazy. Hermana Pereira is taking longer on the computer so I figured I would also! Might as well!  The buses her are crazy! I feel like I might die everytime we ride them, which is multiple times every day! There are dogs EVERYWHERE!!!! ha Cameron Brunt was right. many dogs... ha. con Pulgas. (with fleas) NASTYYY.

The members here are so strong and so sweet.  don´t know what they are saying but they are so strong! Bore my testimony and we introduces ourselves to the ward yesterday, I think I forgot all the Spanish I know and the ward probably thought I am nuts. well got to go. love love love

Flying to Chile Monday Feb 25th

It was such an amazing day getting to talk to Katelyn before she got on the plane to Chile!!

Saw this on Facebook Monday morning!! So exciting!!

Kelsey Baer----to Katelyn Nicole Smith

Saw Hermana Smith this morning at the airport! She looked excited, fresh and so eager to head out to Chile!! She was literally beaming with the Spirit! It was so fun seeing her with the huge group of missionaries flying out today to Vina Del Mar! I hugged her and sent her love from her family and friends as she sent love back! So happy for her!

Katelyn called at about 3:00p.m. from the Miami airport.  She said I already feel as though I'm in another country in Miami.  Every sign is in Spanish, every announcement is in Spanish.  She said she loved the MTC, she was so grateful for her companion, and she was so excited to get to Chile.  She was so grateful for all the letters, packages and prayers.  She truly has felt so loved by all.

She said" I have been so nervous thinking about how to start talking about the gospel  to people."  She didn't know if she could do that.  So a beautiful (tender mercy) took place from Dallas to Miami.  Katelyn was seated by the window, a women from Peru who spoke no English, was in the middle seat and an Elder was sitting on the isle.  

Katleyn said" hello" to the women from Peru. So Katelyn said to herself  "here goes my Spanish."   Katelyn asked her some questions, the Elder asked her some questions.  She asked Katelyn what all these sister's and elders were doing.  So Katelyn started to tell her  what a missionary does.   The Elder and Katelyn starting talking to her about the Restoration of the Gospel, the First Vision, Baptism, the Plan of Salvation, the Book of Mormon.   She was catholic and said she only recited one prayer.  So they taught her how to pray.  Katelyn said" as we sat on this airplane I asked her if she would say a prayer."  Katelyn said a prayer first., then the Elder said a prayer.  Then Luz (which in Spanish means Light) said a simple prayer.  Her eyes filled with tears, she opened her coat and touched her heart.  Katelyn said" how do you feel. " Luz said" I've never felt anything like this in my life.  I feel so happy!  I feel it in my heart. "  Katelyn read in the Book of Mormon in 3rd Nephi where Christ comes to the America's with her.  As the plane descended they asked around for a Spanish Book of Mormon.  Katelyn wrote down a couple of sciptures for her to read.  Challenged her to read the Book of Mormon & contact the missionaries in Peru. She said she would.   Katelyn then wrote on a napkin, Heavenly Father loves you so much and stuck the napkin into 3rd Nephi.  Hugged her and  got off the plane.  

She said "it was an amazing experience.  I want to talk to everyone I meet now about the gospel. " She said " I don't know very much Spanish.  However I understood Luz and she understood me."  

How great a love our Heavenly Father has for us when we give ourselves to him.  To serve with all our might, mind and strength. He makes up the difference.  Katelyn truly felt His love.  She is a missionary on fire! 

More to come......

Last 4 days in the MTC

The time has come for Katelyn to leave the MTC and head to Chile!! We are so excited for her!  We are so proud of her!!  She will leave on Monday at 3:30 a.m. for Chile.  So this is the last letter from the MTC.  The Mail room isn't open on the weekend so if you want to write her before she leaves today is the last day.  She will then receive it on Friday:)  We will update her address when we hear from her!:)

Hola FAMILIA!!!!! Como le va?! :) :) :) :) :)

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS MY LAST LETTER TO YOU IN AMERICA! The time here as absolutely flown right on by, I can't believe we are now here...leaving to Chile in what... 4 DAYS! I am feeling all sorts of emotions let me just tell you. Estoy muy animada pero tambian muy preoccupada. Es feliz, es triste.... a WHOLE jumble of emotions! But I can't wait for this amazing opportunity to go and teach, become the Lords hands in Chile. Teaching and talking to people... :). I love them already! Every morning this week I have woken up with the thought... this time next week I’ll be in Chile! It's a very surreal feeling!!! I think I need more training her at the MTC, I might ask for an extension. ;) Chiste. :) My thoughts are all over the place with it all. Satan tries to fill my head with many doubts, I don't know Spanish yada yada yada... but I’m not going to have it. Yes, I might only know how to say the first vision, bare my testimony, and pray. But that's all the important stuff right!?? :)  Yes, language is the thing that I get most frustrated with. At some points I feel like I’m going to be the first missionary to go out not even knowing how to speak the language. haha but I know when I give it all I got, the Lord will make it more. With language it's hard not to get discouraged though! But I believe in miracles!! :) Like you said Dad, patience. I have no doubt the Lord is testing me with patience right now, that's one thing i've always struggled with. I've prayed for it every day and i'm definitely learning my lesson! :)

This is about how much Spanish I feel like I know.  It's all going to work out!!

Learning the last little bit before we go on Monday!!

I want to say thank you family for ALL the amazing valentines packages last P DAY!!!!! You're love is SO greatly appreciated! I am so very loved, and I hope you all know that you are loved as well!!! I think and pray for you continually! I got my license and that great package from all the aunts. SO thoughtful of them. LOVE those little microfiber towels.... they really do the trick when it comes to taking off makeup! :) Tell all the aunts THANK YOU SO MUCH for everything!!!! Also got packages from Jordan and Taylor! ALL SO AMAZING AND THOUGHTFUL! Thank you to everyone! All of your support means the WORLD! :) ha dad I loved how you said you are dissecting the pictures... ha. I am so happy and I do love this WORK! I might look tired in them.... cause we always are. Simper. ha. But that's part of it, I’ve gotten used to only getting so much sleep! My body is adjusting! I love wearing the names tag each day. Constant reminder of whose service I am in. What a incredible opportunity to be a representative of Jesus Christ at all times 24/ 7 :)

 Taylor, you are a sweetheart and know just what I would love!!

Yum, Yum and can I say Yum... Turtle Cheesecake!!

 Should we invite the Elders, what Elders.  Should we use the plates, what plates.

It sounds like you all had such an amazing weekend! I can't wait to hear about your weekend in Jackson Hole boys and Lauren, and Mom and Dad, I'm so glad you were able to go get some sun and spend time in Vegas together! :) Thank you so much for the SD cards (they will be perfect) and the cute scarf and shirt mom! I LOVE IT! :) I'll be looking stylish down in Chile because of you mom!  I hope your headaches have been getting better and you are feeling healthy mom! :) How's the Diet Coke challenge going?! :) Tanner that's absolutely amazing about your science fair project You are SUCH a smart boy. WAY TO GO :) I would love to see pictures!!!! :) Mom I loved your letter yesterday! Thank you so much! Always brightens my day to get a letter from my mama. :) YOU ARE THE MOST AMAZING PARENTS.

Thank you all for your letters they are always so good to get! :) Dad that poem was amazing! I wrote it down in my journal! I absolutely love it! It definitely lifted my spirits... that we can achieve anything we want if we work hard and depend on the Lord! :) And about the Hymns...we always sing Secreta Oracion!!!! It's honestly one of my favorite himinos en espanol! :) Our district also loves scatter sunshine... it gets stuck in your head SO EASILY!!! Simper goze siempre al andar. paz y gran consuelo,  a todo ser^^^^^^^. ha That's our district himino pienso! :) So about everything that's been going on here. We finished teaching out investigators Joana y Jorge yesterday. It's so crazy cause I feel like we didn't teach them for long at all! There is still so much more for them to learn!!! We taught Jorge ayer manana and just said we are leaving to Chile so we can't teach him anymore but we asked if he would like to continue on this path and learning and we would have the other missionaries in the area come and meet him. He said he would like that. We bore testimony of the few things we taught him. We taught him of the importance of baptism and then asked if he would be baptized. He said he likes what he is learning; he wants to keep learning more because baptism is a huge commitment. We butchered Spanish in that lesson, but the spirit always helps us to get our main point across. :) So things left on a good note with him. I wish we could teach him more so we could find out his fears and his thoughts, but it was a gran learning experience! :) We had hosting in the middle of the day yesterday. Got to help all the cute new missionaries! :) I hosted 3 girls, one was going to Chicago Illinois Spanish speaking. I freaked out because KAITLIIN DAVIES just left there on MONDAY! :) Saying goodbye was very hard. I don't really like all of these goodbyes... ha. She is going to be an amazing missionary! After hosting we taught out second investigator Joana. She has grown so much since the first time we taught her. From I hate God. God doesn't love me... to diligently reading the scriptures, pondering them, and PRAYING. Wow. Such an amazing experience to see that growth and that light come into her life. In the beginning we did not like her because she was so hard, but I have come to love her so much! hahahaha sounds weird cause these investigators are just our teachers but the person they portray you really do come to love! In our lesson yesterday with her we taught her about baptism as well. She has been reading Alma 32 and has loved the comparison of fe to a semilla. Just like a seed needs water and sun, we asked her what things she needed to do to "feed" her faith and testimony. In the visit before she expressed the joy she felt when we were there and how she wanted to exhibit more faith. I try. I try. She said. Well, Baptism was just the lesson for her! She loved the idea of getting all of her sins washed away! It was so exciting  to see her reaction! :) She asked many questions like why is baptism in our church any different. We explained it's because we had the Priesthood Authority of God! So... we read a  few scriptures about baptism and then it was my turn to ask her. Right as I was about to ask her I inhaled wrong and started choking. hahaha I literaly could not breath, face was twitching, tears were streaming down my face and both Hermana Pendleton and poor Joana looked at my with WIDE EYES!!! I tried talking but no sound came out... as I turned purple hahahahahahhahaha (if you can only picture this) Joana said Necesita AGUA?!?!? We had to abort the lesson real quickly. Get a drink. Regain my breath. Then we were good. hahahahaha. In a soft voice... or else I would start choking again I asked if she would have the faith and follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. SHE ACCEPTED!!!!!!!! She is getting baptized March 21! :) We expressed how exited we were for her and how great of a decision she is making! :) It was such a great experience and I thank the Lord for it. Even through the choking... ha. I cannot wait to meet those in Chile the Lord is preparing! :)

Every time we walk by this picture, we think yes that's us the tall one and the small one!!

Look at how well we imitate them!

Eating time at the MTC

I have learned so much her in the MTC! I am going to miss this place and the constant spirit I feel here. I am going to miss everyone in my district they are all so amazing! We have all just grown to love each other SO MUCH!!!! I can't say I’m going to miss the food... I’m kind of done with cereal, bananas, and PB and J's ;). I have loved being companions with Hermana Pendleton. She has really taught me so much! That girl is strong. With everything she has gone through in her life she is so amazing. We study hard, and laugh a lot. I can even say enough to both peeing our pants. yeah.... us girls. hahahaha. But l love her! So amazing great memories and experiences here! I have loved the devotionals, the talks we have watched the things our teachers and fellow missionaries have taught... but I’m ready to get to Chile!!!! I cannot wait for this next step of the adventure!!!! :)

"Home is behind, the world ahead, and there are many paths to tread." :) HERE WE GO!

So travel plans  are:

1st flight American Airlines: Flight 436 LV:  SLC 6:00am Feb 25. AR: Dallas/ft Worth, TX 9:45 am

2nd flight American Airlines: Flight 2244 Lv: Dallas/ft Worth, TX 10:55 am AR: Miami, Florida 2:35 pm

3rd flight Lan Chile S.A.: Flight: 501 Lv: Miami, FL 8:25 pm AR: Santiago Chile 6:50 am February 26,2013

^^^ yeah. It's kind of weird to look at that. Is this really happening?!?!? :) Kay so I could call you guys in the morning before I leave Salt Lake just for a bit. Then the majority of the talking time I could do in the Miami Airport!?  I CANNOT WAIT TO TALK TO YOU!!!!!! :) :) :) : ) :) THANK YOU SO MUCH! Mix of emotions but I’m exited!!!! :)

 We have talked with a couple of the Chilean workers here and they are like oh it's not even Spanish down there. Don't worry about not knowing Spanish because you won't be speaking Spanish. It's a whole other language! Haha. It's going to be fun :) :) Question for you guys.. Did you ever watch the heavenly father, earthly father Mormon video?!?! IT's unreal huh?!?! Well guess what they came our with ANOTHER ONE yesterday! It's called mountains to climb. It's incredible. I challenge you to watch it as a family. I was balling my eyes out! It's incredible. It just talks about having faith to endure our trials!

I read D&C 78: 17-19 this morning and it really comforted me. "..Be of good cheer for I will lead you along..." I know this is going to be another big change but I know the Lord is with me, with all of us, every step of the way. Footprints in the sand. :)

I want you to know the testimony I have of this Gospel. I know that it is the only true church on the earth today, even that same church in which Christ established during his ministry. I know that through a young fourteen year old's faith and simple prayer that it was restored on the earth in these last days one last time. I have a testimony that with the power and authority of God Joseph Smith was able to translate the Book of Mormon, which is in deed another testament of Jesus Christ. I have a testimony of prayer and it's importance. For the 2 greatest events in history started in a humble prayer. The Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Restoration of this gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith. Here at the MTC I pray all day for strength, for patience, for charity, for answers, for peace, and I TESTIFY the Lord answers my prayers. Not always while I am on my knees but as I am acting, working, and listening. I know that we are literal Children of God and the he loves us. I know He loves his children in Chile as well,. I know that he loves me. I know Christ died and suffered for me so that I may be able to repent and live again. I am grateful for the gift of the Atonement and Repentance in my life. I know that when we turn our lives over to the Lord he is bound to bless us. I love my Heavenly Father. I love my Savoir Jesus Christ. He is my Redeemer and my Salvation. I know with every fiber of my being that this church is true. In a talk in the Sunday night devotional the speaker talked about sharing the gospel. He said if you had an endless pot of gold would you be shy about sharing it? NOOOOOO. You would just want to give and give and give until EVERYONE had it. The same goes for the gospel. This is the most important message anyone could EVER hear. THIS IS SALAVTION! When this was said it really struck me. my goal to to share it with everyone I come in contact with!!! Our brother and sisters need our hands to left them up and come back onto the path! :)

I love you all so much! :) :) Thank you SO MUCH! FOR EVERYTHING you have given me. All that I am I owe to you! :)

Dad had a glass of milk just for you this morning in the temple. Ha taking my last hot showers... I could live without the hot dogs. ;)

Sister Mansfield in our branch presidency lives in Highland, so she offered to take my things I’m not taking and come drop them off at the house! So on Sunday or Monday! She will hopefully be dropping some stuff of for you! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!! CAN"T wait to talk to you in just a few short days!!!!!! :)

xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxo

Sonrisa. :)

CON MUCHO AMOR SIEMPRE:

Su misinonera, Hermana Katelyn Smith :)

We get to be host's today!!:)

Sister Allie Vincent is in the MTC!!

Mail Room Crazy

Companionship inventory today!! It was a little small! 

Writing home and family and friends... last time from the MTC