May 16, 2011

This week went well, we were able to find some good people to start teaching, several full families which is pretty rare to find here.  So we are excited to start teaching them and of course hoping for the best. 
 Things are going well with our investigators, the other day we tried to put a baptismal date with Magdalena who we've been teaching for a while now.  We tried for June 5th and the Spirit was super strong there and I felt for sure she will say yes, and she wants to be baptized really bad.  But when we said June she was like, Nope!  Not in June (because of personal stuff she said), it will have to be July.  So, bummer that I won't be here but the most important thing is that she will be getting baptized! 
And Francisco and Pamela are doing well, we couldn't find them the end of the week here but I think we are going to try and pass by tomorow. 
I do really like the Restoration dvd, I've seen it so many times and I still enjoy watching it.
To be honest I don't think I'll see any baptisms before I head home, but I want to leave as many people as I can preparing to be baptized.  We have a good bunch of people so I feel good. 

I'm not training Elder Hollister actually, he was a zl before, in my first sector actually.  So we have fun talking about El Sauce and the people there.  He was comps with my MTC companion, Elder Mills.  Funny how the mission works out sometimes. 
I tried to patch up my shoe with some adhesive stuff but by the end of the day it had been worn off.  So, I'm just going to have to go these 3 weeks with a hole, hoping it doesn't rain haha. 
Yesterday and today I have been sick, just like a common cold type of thing.  But I stayed in the house yesterday to rest.  My throat still hurts a ton and is swollen, but it will go away soon.

Yea, President and Sister King are awesome, I'm so glad they are my mission president. Great people, and they helped me out a lot. I don't really have any new pics to send, I'll try to take a bunch these next weeks.

Ok, well I hope you all have a great week, and that every heals up nice and stays healthy. I'm gonna keep working hard here, and finish strong. Love you all and am praying for you.
Love.
Elder DeLong

May 9, 2011

Well, the Mother's day call has come and gone. Actually, the family was able to do a  conference Skype call with Jeff. It was great to actually see him as well as talk to him. So not a very long letter after that.

Wow, so it was wayyyyy fun to be able to talk to everyonw yesterday.  I loved it!  We are one awesome family ;)  Haha, no but really, it's true.  I love you guys and am so grateful to have been born into this family.

Everyone looked great!  I'm excited to see you all again in just a few weeks.  But like you said I need to stay focused, and don't worry.  I am :) 

We are teaching some great people and we have the goal that by the end of this change(before I go home) we will have 5 baptisms or 5 people with baptismal dates.  So we are going to work hard to reach that goal.  Yesterday after Elder Hollister got done talking to his family we went and taught a lesson to some inv named, Francisco and Pamela.  It went really well with them.  Me and Elder Clark found them and they have been progressing really well.  We watched the Restoration dvd with them and Pamela starting crying during and had some really good questions at the end.  So they are excited to keep reading and gaining a testimony about this message of the restored gospel. 

Today we didn't go play any sports or anything, we are still sore from Basketball Saturday haha. But we went to eat breakfast and I got some bread with scrambled eggs(in the pics)


 Well, I really don't have too much more to say since I talked to you just yesterday. I hope you all have a great week and enjoy the pictures.  And keep on reading the BOM! Love you all and you're always in my prayers.
Love,
Elder DeLong

Yum! It is so good. They eat a lot of that kind of bread here, in just about every meal. It's not a meal without their "pan".

May 2, 2011

We have been curious to find out who Jeff's last companion/replacement will be for his last six weeks of the mission. Here is his second to last comp Elder Clark.

So my last comp will be Elder Hollister!  He is a really cool guy, I know him from before because I was his DL out on the coast.   I told him too, One day we'll be comps.  And what do ya know he will be my last here on the mish. He is great, we get a long great and he'll help me finish the mission strong.  So I am really happy, I was nervous to see who my last comp would be.  But I am very relieved that it's Elde Hollister.  He is from Springville Utah.  He played football too, corner back.  Elder Clark actually went to San Antonio!  How cool is that, I know he'll enjoy the coast a lot.

Things here in Chile are going well though.  We still have quite a few investigators that are progressing well.  We hope to see baptisms this month, I'd really love to before I leave.  But if not, I'll be just as content to know that the seeds were planted and starting growing.  And miracles happen.

Man, sorry to hear about the lousy weather in MN and all of the states, I hope all the tornadoes stop.  Those aren't cool, and one of the only downfalls about living in the Mid west. 
 And as for mothers day I will be doing Skype on Sunday at 6:30 here which should be 4:30 there and 3:30 in Utah.  I plan on calling you guys in MN first and then calling the others in Utah.  So you shouldn't be getting a call from me before then, unless something changes about when I'll be calling.  Haha, it will be a lot of fun to talk, then in less than a month I'll be talking with you face to face!  Pretty crazy. 
Haha, mom you crack me up because you are using all the little text abreviations, its funny (lol).

I told Jeff that the 150 millionth copy of the Book of Mormon was recently printed, passing another milestone in the book’s 181-year history.
Wow, 150 million copies, it's fun to say that I've given away a tiny little chunk of that :) 

On the mission I've had lots of cool little experiences. For example, the other night we were walking around knocking some doors because all of our appt had fallen through. Then we walked by this guy cleaning his car (a nice 1983 Porsche) and we got like 20 feet past went I felt we should turn back and talk to him. So we turned around and contacted him and turns out he was a really cool guy and we were able to note down his address and we have an appt with him for tommorow. It's just cool little experiences like that or little miracles that strengthen the testimony of a person. So we need to always be looking for the little miracles in our lives :)

Well, I hope that you are all well! I love you all and look forward to talking with you on Sunday. Take care (Cuidense!)
Love,
Elder DeLong

April 25, 2011

I sent Jeff a picture of his grandpa and grandma Marje at a 90th birthday cellebration for grandpa:

Hey!
Wow, thanks for sending the picture of Grandpa and Grandma! That was so great to see them. I didn't realize that Grandpa already completed 90 years! Thats great, he looks great still. I'm excited to see both of them and just talk with them. Thats cool that you were all able to eat with Uncle Pete and Aunt Angie, and that they invited one of their new neighbors. Haha, I remember that wood duck house. I wonder if there are any still standing in the park. How many years ago was that? Like 4? I don't even remember, that whole time period from after high school up till the mission is easy to get confused with.
But yea, so that was pretty weird for me to have to give my testimony. No, it wasn't hard to give it but it just wasn't expected yet. I have had to give a lot of talks and classes these last 9 months. So I really have gotten used to it, it's not a big deal to me anymore. So I guess thats good :) Yea, this change will have a lot more of those "last time" moments.

Oh right, so for the big news...I will be ending my mission in the same sector.  Yep, I will be dying here in Ochagavia, but the sad part of the story is that my comp and good friend Elder Clark will be leaving me.  I'm really sad to see him go, I was hoping that he'd be my last comp.  I have to train in a new zone leader companion so he can carry on when I leave, and my comp still isn't quite ready.  But he'll be there soon enough.  I am happy that I won't have to do another change though, that would
have been tough.  So now I'm just anxious to see who my companion will be and I'll find out tomorrow.
 As far as being trunky goes..I'm really not very trunky.  I'm just gonna keep on going hard these last few weeks, then when I'm on that plane I'll relax ha. 
 Thats what the Lord asks of us in life too.  That we are faithful and obedient until the end, not 99% but the whole 100%, then when we pass to the spirit world we can relax.  There are many different people who will read this letter, all in different parts of that journey.  Don't ever give up, there are always many challenges and trials but I know, I really do, that if we stay strong in the gospel we will make it through.  I just look at our family, we've passed through lots of trials, and we are still going strong.  And I know it's because of the gospel, without it who knows where any of us would be.

Yea, I'll let you know what day and time I'll be "Skyping" (is that a word).
 Ya know, I'm gonna be honest, I am looking forward to the college life again. I know I have to work my butt off and study hard, but it's a lot of fun too, especially with all the firends I've made here on the mish. SO it will be a blast. But thats a ways off still so..the summer will be great to relax!

Well, I'm happy to report that it has been getting colder here in Chile! Finally, I'm not walking around soaked in sweat haha. I just hope my shoes don't get a whole these next 6 weeks, because it's been raining a bit and will probably conitnue to rain here. But even if it does I'm just gonna put on another pair of socks haha. But I'm holding up fine, it's funny I think the Missionary Mall clothes are designed to hold together exactly 2 years. Because after these next 6 weeks I'm pretty sure that they are just going to fall apart! Oh well, I'm leaving most of them here in Chile, not worth the weight.

Well, I don't have anyhting else to say really. Today we had a big barbeque as a district, it was a lot of fun. I didn't eat much (I'm going home in 6 weeks can't get fat!) It was yummy though.
Ok well hope you all have a great week!
Love you all!
Elder DeLong

April 18, 2011

Yea, it was really sad about Elder Colman.  We had our conferences of zones this last Wed. and President gave a little presentation in memory of him.  It was sad, he started crying..
At that same conference several things happened.  I had to give a class in front of 4 zones, and I had to give my going away testimony too (because we only have these zone conferences every 3 months, so that was my last one)   So that was pretty crazy for me, one never thinks that they'll be up in front giving their parting testimony, but it came and it came fast.  This change has definitely been the fastest of my mission and no doubt that this last one will be even faster.  We'll see, all of the things I'll have to do will make it go fast, and talking with all of you too.   (Mother's Day call..Hooray!)   We will be able to do Skype again as far as I know.

We have a lot of investigators that are progressing really well, hopefully in Mayo we will be able to have some baptisms again.  Like I said to dad, I have interviews with President King tomorrow, so hoprfully he'll tell me whats going to happen.  We have a really good relation so I hope so :)  But for sure next Monday I'll know whats going to happen.  I'd like to stay here with Elder Clark, but I don't think thats going to happen because I have to train a new zone leader in for when I leave.  So if thats the case I'd like to go to a neighboring sector where Elder Egbert is and be his comp.  But we'll see.  I'm pretty sure I'll be staying here in the zone though. 

Yea, having so many good friends that are gong to BYU makes me really excited for it.  I really hope I can work something out so I can live with E'Speakman, but we'll see.  E'Egbert will be living pretty close, so that will be cool.

I really like serving others now, before I did too, but it was just a lot harder for me to do it. Now it's a lot easier, I hope it stays that way.

I don't think they really celebrate Easter here much, we'll see what happens.
 I did find out the true meaning of why an easter bunny and stuff. And it has nothing at all to do with Christ, so that kinda took some of the enthusiasm out of it.

 Have they heard anything from Ex-Elder Matt Kennison? Hope he is doing well, I told him I'm going to visit him in Utah when I'm out there to get to know him better.

Ok, well really not much more to say.

Oh, today we had our zone acitvity and we played Ultimate Frisbee. It was a nice change of things from soccer and was super fun. I'm for sure going to play at lot at BYU :)
Ok well I love you all and hope you have a great week! Hold true to the rod always :)


Love
Elder J. DeLong

April 11,2011

Well, first of all I just want to start off with some sad news. One of the missionaries that returned this last change, Elder Colman from Panama, just passed away. Right before he left he got real sick of his kidneys. And he basically went strait from the airport to the hospital, and was never able to recover. It is sad, but I know that every death has a purpose. That Heavenly Father needed him above more than he needed him here. But I'm happy that he was able to see his family before he went. He was older, like 28. I lived with him for one change, he was a really nice, humble guy. Really quiet, but a hard worker.

Life isn't easy most of the time, but we all knew that and accepted it before we came here and knew that we would pass through challenges, but for our own good so that we can progress.
 
But this week went really well for us.  We continue to find lots of new people to teach, and many of which show potential to be progressing investigators. 
 We visited Magdalena yesterday and had a really good lesson with her about prophets and the word of wisdom.  She smokes and drinks coffee and was fine with not smoking but didn't understand why she couldn't drink coffee.  But we were able to teach her the doctrine of Christ behind it and then she understood perfectly and was happy to stop.  Cool stuff :) 
The low down on Jovanna is that she will have to go through a long process of writing letters to the First Presidency and finding witnesses that will confirm that she isn't a member and stuff.  It could take quite a few weeks.  But she seemed happy still and willing to do it.  So we hope that she will do what it takes do be able to recieve baptism in the church.

Hey so you guys have been doing a good job about not being too trunky,haha. I'm not too bad, I''m excited to keep working this last change. I wonder what will happen, If I'll stay or if I'll go. Who knows.
Yeah, I really hope that Speakman and I can figure out a way to room together. If not in the same apartment, at least in the same complex or something. He is a really cool guy. I've made a new really good friend here too, Elder Egbert. He too goes to BYU, so we will hang out too :) That will be a lot of fun. He gets home in July, one change behind me.
 
Well, I really don't have anything else to say, there's only 2 more weeks left in the change. So I hope they go well and then we'll see what will become of me for my last change.
Well, don't really have much more to say this week, so hope that all of you are doing great! That you are reading the scriptures daily and being faithful to the Lord :)
I love you all!


Have a great week!
Love ,
Elder DeLong

April 4, 2011

I said to Jeff that receiving his itinerary made it seem very real that he will be home soon:

Hey Mom!

Yes, it seems very real now..only like 63 days or so left. Pretty crazy.
But there is still a lot of work to do. Elder Clark and I have been able to receive a lot of inspiration that has guided us to many new people to teach. So we are excited for that.

I'm still in the same place, changes are in 3 more weeks.  I think I will either get a new companion who will be a zl, or I'll go be with one of the DL here and train him as a zone leader.  But, we'll see what happens.  I'd like to just stay here with Elder Clark, but who knows. 

The decision on Jovanna is that President is going to have an interview with her Wed.  I think that she is telling the truth, she says that she had the baptismal date and everything, and that day came and it was a Sunday.  Pèople passed by to take her to church but her husband wouldn't let her go and get baptized, and she never went again.  If that is true, that means the missionaries went ahead and registered as a member anyways.  So we'll see what happens.  And Magdalena is doing great, she went to conference and really liked it.  The only challenge with her is that we can only teach her on weekends, hopefully this week we will have a home evening night with her and her member friend. 

 We had concilio with President in his house last Friday.  And because it was the 1st he played a little joke on all of us.  After lunch, we went up to have more classes and he came up with a letter in his hand that he said he had just received from the 1st Presidency.  He started to read it and it basically said that because of all the natural disasters that have been happening missionaries will no longer serve outside their own countries, and that the stake presidents will organize the mission work in thier stakes.  Haha, we all believed it, he wrote it really well.  It was pretty funny, but Sister King was behind it all..it was her idea. Haha. 

I think my shoes will make it 2 more months, they kinda have too ha.  No, I threw my other pair away, they were totally trashed.

And conference was great :) I love listening to the prophets and apostles now (unlike before the mission if you can remember). Oh how the mission changes one, but all for the better. And the time passes so fast, 2 hours is nothing now. But it is such a blessing to have a prophet, listening to him alone is testimony that he is called of God. And that is testimony that the church of Christ is a living church, what a great blessing! I can't imagine living in a time with out the light of the restored gospel and can't imagine not having it in my life now. We truly are blessed :)
I too took many notes and received lots of personal revelation.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!


Love,
Elder DeLong