May 7, 2012
"...I can`t believe I am going to my last area. I am leaving achupallas (the coast) for Quillota in the interior of the mission. I will be working in downtown Quillota they tell me its the biggest area in the mission so we have a lot of ground to cover. ...I am trying to learn, accept, and adapt to the situations and circumstances of life and the mission.
...the old man is Hno Lepin. He is the most humble example of obedience that exists on this earth. He accompanies us at any time; immediately, and drops everything to do so, he loves it! He walks block after block excitedly telling us about what he ate for lunch and what he studied in the scriptures that day, he has taught me so many things without even trying, just by his way of life."
July 16, 2012
"...we
continue working hard. Today we made a team of the elders that played
soccer to play against some members, it was way fun, we lost by one
point, but I think thats pretty good for a bunch of out of shape guys
playing against others who practice together. I scored a couple goals
and being the only gringo on the field it helped me with my pride for
the usa haha, the highlight was the ball that was overinflated and like
a rock and me taking it to the face when the other team was shooting,
blood immediately started running out of my nose and my eyes filled with
water I sat out for a little. I thought I had broke my nose so my
immediate reaction was oh no I only have 2 weeks left this can´t happen
haha but after using some tissues to dry up the mess it all turned out
good. So I just have a swollen nose now, who knows maybe it will be a
topic of conversation for contacts in the street. haha but its not
broken just sore.
...Yesterday
we contacted a young man in the street and I checked out his sweatshirt
which had a small logo "the road to virtue" YW camp huntsman stake 2007
I couldn´t believe it me and elder griffeth were laughing about it the
rest of the day wondering how it made its way to Chile."
[*for those who don't know, this sweatshirt came from a Utah Mormon Young Women's "Girls Camp"]
July 23, 2012
"...I
am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I
have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple
of Jesus Christ. I won´t look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My
past is redeemed , my present makes sense, my future is secure. I´m
Finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knee´s,
colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and
dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, position promotions,
plaudits or popularity. I don´t have to be right, first, recognized,
praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, Lean on his
presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer and labor with
power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goals is heaven, my road is
narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my
mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured
away, divided, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of
sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the
table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the
maze of mediocrity. I won´t give up, shut up, or let up until I have
stayed up, stored up and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go till
he comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work until he
stops me. And when he returns forhis own, he will have no problem
recognizing me, MY BANNER WILL BE CLEAR.
-Henry B. Eyering
I feel this paragraph or sermon, sums up what kind of an affect that 2
years have had a young mans life. I look back 2 years, not knowing what
lay ahead or what I was commiting my self to do. I owe a million
thanks to Mom and Dad, for helping guide me to this point in my life.
My perspective has changed, this work never had anything to even do with
me, yet it has completely and totally allowed me to take on a
transformation and change that I couldn´t have imagined possible. I
look back at baptisms, converts, investigators, members, companions,
mission presidents and it floods my mind with stories and memories that I
never would have had if I had not come to serve a mission. I feel like
Alma
And behold, when I see many of my brethren
truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled
with joy; then do I remember what
the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea,
then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.
Looking back in the process of helping others God gave me a chance to
change and he has molded me and helped along the path to become who he
would would have me be. I am eternally thankful for this process as
difficult as it has been, I have never done anything more difficult than
this but I have never found a joy comparable with what I have felt here
in the mission. I still have a ways to go in life, it is just
starting, but I feel I now know what I must use to overcome trial and
difficulty. The small and simple things that bring about great things.
...I have seen blessings here in
Chile and at home - receiving your letters has strengthened my testimony
of the blessings of serving the Lord. Now on to the race of life, the
prize doesn´t go to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but him who
endures to the end.
THIS WORK IS TRUE
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH
Elder Matesen
