Classic

 Well. This week I learned a little bit more Spanish, tried a new dessert, saw a miracle (being able to eat the biggest plate of mashed potatoes I have seen in my life so as not to offend an important member of the branch), saw lots more miracles (arriving just when someone needs us), had a mini-cambio in which we went to a member's house way out in the campo (farmlands, country, don't know exactly how to translate it), and more!

We did lots of service this week, but only because the Elders are good enough to invite us. I think that everyone thinks Hermanas can't do service because we're delicate or we always wear skirts or something. Who knows. The point is, we got to the house where we were going to paint with a less active member, and she said "oh, hermanas, you're not going to paint too, are you?" and we said "uh, yes, of course!" I was thinking "why on earth would I be here in my sweats right now if I wasn't going to paint your house?" but whatever. After suggesting that maybe we could just help her in the kitchen, she let us paint too. I'm starting to understand why it was hard to find service opportunities in Cauquenes, where there were 4 sisters and no Elders...

Okay, the reason this email is entitled "Classic" is because of the classic-ness of our weekend here. We were basically walking around in the rain the whole weekend knocking on doors without much success. It was actually fun because it wasn't tooooo cold. There was one moment where I just felt like such a classic missionary. We were walking through about 7 inch-deep water that had flooded the street, looking for people to talk to to meet our goal of contacts for the week (we needed 3 more) and there was no one around, and we only had about 10 minutes left before it was time to go home. As we started thinking about which way we could go, where there might be someone outside (pretty rare on a rainy Sunday night), every dog in the street started barking at us. I wanted to shout "Yeaaaaaah the mission!!!" but I did want to wake anyone up so I just kind of half-shouted it. Oh how the mission has changed me (previous me would have just shouted it).

Anyway the thing I'm learning here is how to see the positive. There's nothing that lasts forever. For example in a few more months I will be dying of heat, and my clothes will probably be wet with sweat instead of rainwater. (Poor clothes, when will the ever be dry?). But it doesn't matter. I don't have to think very hard to see all the blessings and good things. For example, I have great boots that kept my feet warm and dry until the very end when water was splashing over the top (couldn't handle the 7-inch deep thing). Also, we contacted lots of great people that we have appointments with for other days. We also have a firm resolve to try new things to avoid having the same situation happen again. Also, at the very least I can say I had these classic mission experiences of walking for hours in the pouring rain. Sometimes I just remember, whoah, I'm actually a missionary! Yes! And the time passes too fast. Whatever, gotta keep working and nothing else.

Love you all, remember that there's a time for everything - work and play, study and sleep (sometimes not enough time), etc. If you haven't been, go back and read the May General Conference. That's been awesome for me this week. Also, the Book of Mormon! I fiished it about a week ago (first time in Spanish woot!) and I'm starting again now. We have a goal in the Relief Society here to read it all the way through before the end of the year. I'll be giving updates about that. Anyone who cares to join, read with me! And tell me what things you're reading and loving. Oh that book. Changes my life every day.

Love you all, 

Hermana Glazier

Quillón, Valle del Sol

That means "Valley of the Sun". I thought I was going to Chillán, the big city. Nope. I'm in the pueblito Quillón. It's a little town an hour outside of Chillán, but it pertains to that zone. It's GORGEOUS. 

I feel like the nickname of this town, Valley of the Sun, kind of explains what Quillón is for me. It's the sunny days after a lot of storms. It's rained a few times here but I'm not talking about weather. The last few months have been kind of crazy - physically, mentally, and emotionally. I wouldn't trade those experiences for the world, but I'm so happy to be here. I love Cauquenes and it's people so much but a change was overdue. I feel very at peace here with Hna Arndt (also from Utah woohoo!) and Quillón is an excellent place. We had some normal mission challenges this week - broken toilet, having to break into our own house (the lock is soooooooooo temperamental), walking around for 3 days straight without finding any new people to teach, having some uncomfortable food experiences (too much, weird stuff, etc), having a lunch appointment waaaaay far away over the river and through the woods, and basically no one we visited showed up to church. But at this point none of that even phased me. I have reached a point where mission life is 100% normal now. It didn't take me too long to "get used" to being in Chile, but I'm reaching a new level. Like, America stuff is weird now. I have changed in so many ways. Being here with another Hermana who doesn't know very much Spanish and changing areas made me realize how much I have learned. 

I'm feeling great. Tired, but excited. Not like a crazy excited that wears off in a couple hours - a real love for the work that grows deeper every day. I have never been so exhausted in my life but I also have seen how the Lord is strengthening me. There are times when I literally would not be able to keep doing this alone, and I have learned for myself that I really am not alone. 

I hope you're all enjoying your summer vacation in the states! I sure am enjoying my winter-work-time here in S.America! (it's not even that cold anyway). Love you all!

Hermana Glazier

Photos: service with a family that lives in the "campo"

activity with young women - we made peanut butter cookies! Weren't quite as good as normal because brown sugar doesn't exist here but still good.

The TWILIGHT ZONE

This week was a little eeeeerie. We heard various rumors of two missionaries from a different church that are also working here in Cauquenes. There are always other missionaries, yes, but this time it's different. One's blonde one's Latina and they have nametags like ours! Some of the members have seen them and know who they are but I've never met them. A lot of people have asked us if we're from the same church as they are and we never knew who they were talking about until now. People would say "yeah other girls visited me the other day" and we would ask "oh, one from Ecuador and one from Columbia?" and they would say "no, una rubia y una morenita" ("a blonde and a dark-haired"). Now we understand! I just want to meet them because honestly, it freaks me out that people think we're the same. Honestly feelin' like the Twilight Zone these days.

Well in other news, TRANSFERS. After almost 6 months in Cauquenes I'm going to Chillán! I will have my first American companion. Not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous about the whole neither-one-a-native-spanish-speaker thing, and not to mention the only time I ever went to Chillán we got hopelessly lost, but I know it'll be great. It's a good time for a change. I love love love Cauquenes but being far away from civilization for too long does things to your mind. 

Well, in the next couple days I should be finishing the Book of Mormon for the first time in Spanish! It took me a long time because I never focused too much on reading straight through - in study time I'm always studying other stuff. But I'm excited to be able to say that I have read the whole thing in Spanish. And let me tell you, the mission really helps a girl understand the scriptures more deeply. The Book of Mormon never gets old!

Love you all, next week news from CHILLÁN!

Love, Hermana Glazier

Photos: 

Travels to doctor in Concepción...again. Cauquenes needs a mission doctor especially for this woman

We decided to contact everyone in the bus instead of losing all that travel time so there I am, with the last pamphlet after a day of being on the verge of serious carsickness. 

All the people watching the world cup in the bus terminal

I finished my knit skirt! ... almost. Needs a slight adjustment...

Old agenda new agenda, the obvious reminder of how fast the time goes!

San Alfonso - the Catholic church that we have predicted will one day be a temple.

Hermana Glazier sneaking in on a Catholic procession...

Let's Not Talk About America

4th of July in another country. How depressing. The only thing we did to celebrate was wear red, white, and blue, and even that didn't work out too well because after lunch I changed into a more rain-friendly skirt and my clothes were hidden by my coat anyway. We were going to make an American-flag cake but didn't have time. We had a zone training and sang the Star-Spangled Banner as the opening hymn, but that was even depressing because all of the missionaries who are not from the states were like what the heck what racism (not really but I felt kinda super-nationalist afterwards). Guys, I love America so much. I love Chile so much too because, obviously, this is my mission. I love the people and the culture and I'm used to all the things that once shocked me. But we are going to have to celebrate the 4th DOUBLE next year, okay?

Anyway this week was normal for Hna Amaya and me. Or in other words, it was crazy, full of ups-and-downs, seeing some people excited and loving us and others getting down or mad at us or mad at the church. The highlight (not sure if that's the correct word but whatever) was when a man started reciting poetry to me in the bus terminal. The situation was a little bit uncomfortable seeing as everyone in the bus terminal heard and saw everything. Sadly for this man, I have to lock my heart so...the only thing I could do was just laugh. I wanted to at least invite him to church but I couldn't get a word out because when I tried to open my mouth just laughter came out. That seemed kind of rude so we tried to walk away. That's pretty hard when you're waiting in a specific place for someone to come get you. The good news is it looks like this eating-healthy thing is working!

Well, I just want you all to know that this week, more than ever, I love my Savior. We watched the video about his life (can't remember what it's called in English) in Relief Society and I just cried the whole time. I have really come to know that He lives and knows me. He came here knowing that he was going to suffer more than any other person and he did it. It helped me remember that I shouldn't get discouraged if a problem doesn't get resolved right away. I love Him and I know He loves me and all of you. 

Do good things this week!

Love, Hermana Glazier

Photos: magic towel from this huge Chinese store here, America clothes! (don't judge me for not wearing shoes - they got all wet and I was freezing)

The Coldest Birthday

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. My day was great! It was cold (probably the only time in my life that will happen). At the end of the day we had our weekly meeting with the branch mission leader so we had a mini-birthday party. It was perfect.

This keyboard is super terrible so this will be short. 

This week I decided to start being more healthy and instead of eating cookies all the time, I've been snacking on carrots and cucumbers. My companion gets really embarrassed when I walk down the street munching on veggies. The first time she saw me putting a ziploc of cucumbers in my bag she starting cracking up. She couldn´t believe it. Sometimes we try to do good things and there's just so much opposition. Haha but honestly, I've felt so good eating more vegetables. 

This week was full of weird random stuff. We drank pollen tea (so natural there was even a bee in it), contacted a Chinese family that didn't know Spanish or English, taught very unique people, etc. I don't remember what else happened but it was just a weird week. 

Spiritual uplift for the week - let's talk about death for a second. Isn't it so awesome that the knowledge of the Gospel gives us so much hope - we don't have to fear death! We were talking about that in the 3rd hour combined class yesterday. Actually they were explaining how we should prepare for our own death - focused on funeral preparations; what should be done with the coffin, temple clothes, the funeral service, etc. There were a couple of investigators there and I can only pray that they weren't traumatized.

Thanks again for all your support, love you all!

Hermana Glazier

Photos:Waking up to a tiny birthday cake. 

Not really feeling 20 years old with my retainers and all.

Companion from Argentina not handling the cold too well..

Birthday!

                                                                                        

                                                                                                  

Torn

Am I supposed to cheer for Chile or the U.S. these days? The good thing is that the colors are the same :)

This will be brief because we have to be in our house early today (while Chile's playing). 

So the interesting missionary experience of the week was: teaching in English. So there's this kid who has studied English a lot and his mom knows some members of the church. She was asking them if the missionaries could go to their house so he could practice his English. The member said that we could, but we would be teaching him what we teach everyone else - about the Restored Gospel. She said that was fine, so we went a few days later. My companion doesn't know much more than "hello how are you" so I was basically teaching alone. It was actually really hard. There are so many things that I learned how to explain in Spanish and I had a hard time explaining clearly in English. Never thought I would have that experience in the mission. It was cool though and we could still feel the Spirit really strong! The kid actually understood really well and said he was going to read and pray. My companion felt awkward at some parts because she didn't know if she should try to say something, but it was still cool.

This week was Branch conference woohoo! We had a great activity on Friday - talent show and dessert competition. Not that many people participated with the desserts so all the missionaries won something...(see photo of our awesome certificates. My lemon bars won "most sophisticated").

We also all sang in the branch choir on Sunday. They told us to wear bright colors so we decided to take some photos after. 

And finally, Elder and Hermana Scholes made me a birthday cake! I had almost forgotten about my birthday but now everyone's going to remember. So weird that I won't be a teenager anymore....

Well thanks for all the love and prayers and letters and support. Love you all!

Hermana Glazier

P.S. let's go red, white, and blue!

¡Viva Chile!

Well folks, the season of the World Cup has come. That means staying inside the house while Chile is playing instead of being out working. It's a little bit hard focusing again with so much time inside the house, but the good news is that I was able to work on a project we're doing with all the Relief Society sisters. We're learning how to knit with . . . looms? Not 100% sure what you call this stuff in English, but it's cool anyway. You can see the photos of my progress right now but hopefully not too far in the future we'll have a finished project! I know you're probably thinking, "seriously, that's how you're spending valuable mission time?" Yes, my friends, your question is vaild. But the important part is that we're spending time with the sisters here. We have to work together or nothing will ever get done.

This week we also had a night without electricity. Someone *cough cough not me* lost our electric bill and never sent it to the mission office. We got everything figured out by the next day and we're all alive. I can't complain much because, like I said, I wasn't in charge of the electric bill. We can't complain about our situation if we aren't willing to fulfill a responsibility that would change it. That's something I've learned in the mission as well. In the church we are very good about criticizing and pointing out all the things people don't do well in their callings. But we have to remember that that person has been set apart to do that work. The Lord trusts them and if they mess up once in a while that's just part of the learning process. If I one day am in charge of the electric bill, I will never forget to send it because I will remember how scared I was entering a dark house, thinking that the other hermanas were lurking somewhere, waiting to scare us...

As if that weren't enough excitement, this week we also had quite a traumatizing occurrence. (Queasy people please don't read this, I can only tell the story without fainting because I've heard it about 20 times this week) We had to go early to district class this week so Hermana Amaya decided to shower the night before. Unfortunately, she slipped and fell. As she stood up, she noticed that she had a razor hanging from her arm and there was blood everwhere. She had caught her arm in my razor (that as she always explains, has like 5 blades because I like good razors okay, not my fault) and it cut her arm open pretty deep. I was absolutely no help in the situation, seeing as I don't do well around blood. In fact, just telling this story is putting butterflies in my stomach. When I saw her arm I went running for the other room and the other sisters had to help her out. In the end she had to go to the hospital and get 5 stitches. I didn't even know that part until the next day because I fell asleep as they were caring for the wound. The moral of this story is: Hermana Glazier is not always the best companion and, I hope my poor kids never have injuries in the future. 

So as not to end on that distressing note, the good news is that this week there was a baptism in the other branch in Cauquenes. Remember Hernan? This week he baptized his girlfriend! We weren't teaching her because, like I said, she's from the other part of Cauquenes. But still, it was pretty exciting for me! 

Well, love you all, happy Father's Day (yesterday, be good. 

Hermana Glazier