The Lighthouse

This week was pretty fun! I got to do some wedding decorations of my own for a family in my branch that is going to be sealed in the Santiago temple this Friday. They are one of our favorite families and we are always visiting them. The parents are converts from 2003 and recently their 11 year old daughter got baptized, so the three of them are going to be sealed. The husband, M wanted to have a little reception and everything to celebrate. They are about to celebrate 25 years of being married as well, so it was a grand celebration. The Latin receptions are a little different seeing as their first concern for decorations were the colors of the balloons, but in the end it was a great little party. We had a little ceremony to start in the sacrament room and the couple were able to share their testimonies. Then the four of us missionaries sang "When Theres Love at Home". We sang in english and spanish to try to disguise our voices, but I think overall it turned out well. Then we went into the cultural hall to eat and dance. 

 I was in charge of the table decorations and found some sticks while prosyleting. Not sure the rustic sticks go with balloons, but whatever hahaha. 

 The four missionaries with the couple!

First dance? Probably not, but it was cute:)

It was fun to be able to do lots of service and the M's were so happy. They have made a lot of progress since first getting to know the missionaries in 2003 and it was exciting seeing their joy at the thought of being married for time and all eternity. Thursday night the branch is driving down to Santiago for a branch temple day and the M family will be sealed! Its amazing

We still havent been able to visit E. She had to do some paperwork in Copiapo and should return tomorrow. We have been calling her to see how she has been, so we havent lost contact. Y and Mand E are doing great! They continue to read the book of mormon and want to attend church. This past week of course the little boy got sick and again they werent able to attend. (I dont like oppostition!!!!) However, we are being patient and they are very receptive. E returns from his work shift tomorrow, so we are going to go and teach the whole family again this week. We also found a really great new investigator, "I". Her neice is a member in Copiapo and she has attended church a few times there. We had our first lesson and one of her cousins was there with her. The lesson of the restoration went really well and the spirit was very strong. We invited them both to be baptized, and they are going to pray for an answer. We are meeting so many great people here.  

Oh by the way transfers were Saturday and my companion and I are staying together here in Caldera! We have dedicated this transfer to be a transfer of change. We are going to be missionaries on fire! Talking with everyone, teaching with power and authority, and developing those attributes that we want to see in ourselves. I am thrilled with the idea of growth. I was thinking about the time I have been in the mission. Everything is flying by so fast and I still have various things that I want to see, in myself and others. Caldera may be a hard sector for baptisms, but I can still be progressing personally. We are putting all that we have into this transfer!

  Today we decided to go on an adventure and walk to the Caldera´s light house. We have never seen the lighthouse because its in a little hidden cove, but some members gave us vague instructions and we took off. It was quite the adventure walking more or less aimless next to the highway. We kept thinking that maybe the lighthouse doesnt exist since we have never seen it, but the few times we asked people along the way they affirmed that if we keep going we would find it. At last, probably 4 or 5 miles from our house the lighthouse came into view.

After walking for about two hours passing barking dogs, heat, and angry workers,  this little bity thing was on the horizon.

 When I saw I shouted with joy, " there it is!". My companion, obviously tired from walking said irritatedly, "Thats it!!! Uhhh I thought it was going to be something important". She had never seen a lighthouse before, and even I had imagined something a bit bigger. But we had walked so long that I wasnt going to turn around. 

We finally arrived and had a good laugh. It was a cute little lighthouse and had a great view of the ocean and part of Caldera. 

In the end we had a good adventure and a long walk home, but at least we know that the lighthouse does exist! Hahah

I love you guys and hope you enjoy Bailee´s birthday!

Hermana Biggs