Our Hearts are "TIED" together with love

There is a quilt being made in the Chile Santiago North Mission. It consists of ties from each missionary as they have left the mission, and sleeves from the hermanas, since they wear their 'hearts on their sleeves.'This also has memories of Chile, names of Pdts of Estacas, Zonas y the Islands. Mosiah 18:21, "Our hearts are knit together in unity." But what about those serving presently in the mission?.....


We asked any of the missionaries who also wanted to be included in the 'mission quilt' to donate the smaller, short, tiny tip of one of their ties of choice. They made it up with quite the fanfare, and had tie-cutting moments that were hilarious to see. We realize that our lives will ALWAYS be 'tied' together, after serving and loving one another here in the Chile Santiago North Mission. See the fotos also attached.

- Read more!

“A Tree that was Tall, but Fell Short…”

Recently one of the trees in the front of the mission home fell down during a heavy rain. The tree was one of the biggest and tallest of all of the trees in the front yard. It measured more than 48 feet tall with the diameter of the trunk being more than 2 feet. Apparently the weight of water soak leaves and oversaturated soil combined with a strong wind caused the tree to topple over. Evidently the tree did not have roots sufficiently thick and deep enough to keep the tree from falling. Because the yard has been watered regularly throughout the years, the roots were able to supply the needed water to the tree without having to grow thick and deep into the ground to find water.

I want to invite each of you to share with me in your weekly letter to me next week some of your thoughts about this story. Here are some questions you might ask yourself:

· What can I learn from this event as it relates to me personally?

· What are some of the basic gospel principles that can be applied to this story?

· How could this story be used to help an investigator or member become more converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

· What scriptures could I use to teach the principles from this story?

· What could have been done to prevent the tree from falling?

I am looking forward to hearing from each of you!
We love you,

President May
Read more!

Savory Spiritual Feast even before Thanksgiving

As we are preparing here at the Mission Home to welcome in the Holidays, which means not only getting the turkey, papas y gravy ready, but also the Christmas trees and garland out, we are reminded of the more important part of these Celebrations. Of course in November our hearts are thankfully turned to our many blessings, which we could undoubted list for hours and take too much room here on paper. Not only for the material, monetary and comfort blessings, but more importantly, the eternal blessings, in the spiritual aspects of our lives, such as families, friends, relationships and gospel testimonies. We as members of the church have the most to be grateful for, in the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Atonement of Jesus Christ changes our lives and gives our very lives eternal meaning. What are each of us going to feast on this Holiday Season that will truly "nourish us?"

In anticipation for the celebration of Thanksgiving; whether sharing it with family, loved ones, acquaintances or even alone, it usually focuses on the main attraction; “THE FEAST.” But we are reminded that there is more than just Turkey and pumpkin pie in a true feast. Recently we have been spiritually fed by listening to our Church leaders in October, when our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson and the Lord’s 12 Apostles, and other anointed also taught, inspired and reminded us of eternal truths that are ours for the ‘consuming.’ Just a reminder; “Because of your faith,” “Reflections on a Consecrated Life,” “Of things that matter most,” ”Cleansing the Inner Vessel,” “Avoiding the Trap of Sin,” “Faith—The choice is yours,” “Never Leave Him,” “Be Thou an example of the Believers,” He teaches us to Put off the Natural Man.”
This was not just given to us as appetizers, but as the meat that the Lord wants us to know, as we were fed Doctrine to help us change our lives. We were nourished by the good word, felt the love from our Heavenly Father again, as we recognize that He sends prophets to the earth to bless and guide us. (PMG)
After the General Conference, we had a Mission Presidents’ Conference here in Chile. We were taught again, by our Area Presidency; Elder Carlos Amado, Elder Lawrence Corbridge, and Elder Jorge Zeballos, and their wives, along with another visiting member of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy, Elder Lynn Robbins and his wife, Jan. We were invited to learn by faith, as they taught us about the Plan of Salvation, The Atonement, The Restoration, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, The Book of Mormon, The Blessing of Interviews, Uniformity Vs. Flexibility, Stewardship and Support, Motivation, Judging, the difference of numbering and counting, asking “heaven inspired questions,” setting goals, doctrine of love, Velocity vs Perspective, etc…..we could go on and on. We know that these messages were not just for the Mission Presidents and wives, but these teachings will go forward to our missionaries, throughout all of the 9 missions in Chile. How blessed we are to receive instruction now, pertinent to our missionary work here in the Vina where we are called to serve.
Lastly, our whole Chile Santiago North Mission was able to feast early in November with our Mission Tour/Zone Conference with Elder Lawrence Corbridge and his wife Jacque visiting authorities. We again were fed, as he personally described the Savior’s nourishment, “mantequilla y miel” which means butter and honey. He described how Jesus Christ only partook of good, spiritual, sweet things, and didn’t digest other disagreeable items, such as sin gives to us, to pollute our spirits and not fill us with the nourishment that the Holy Ghost gives us. We learned details about the Holy Ghost, deciding to decide, and helping us to be worthy for the Lord to help us do His work. All of these messages and lessons were so valuable and meaningful for us, as they were sweet to our spirits, we have no need for Dessert!
Read more!

“Rejoice with me; For I have found my sheep which was lost.”

We are so happy to report the best news yet….Yes, we have heard from our dear Elders on the Isla Juan Fernandez and they are both fine. At 10:00pm this evening, Pdte May finally rec’d an email from these missionaries who were apparently the last missionaries in all of Chile who had not be completely accounted for, until now.
We can’t quite describe the joy and gratitude we feel to now have ALL of our missionaries in the whole Chile Santiago North Mission, safe, healthy and accounted for in their appropriate sectors. Here is the email President May rec’d from the Island:

“HOLA PRESIDENTE Y FAMILIAS, ESTAMOS VIVOS Y SIN LESIONES, NO SE PREOCUPENE STAMOS BIEN. ESTAMOS ALOJANDONOS EN UNA CASA QUE ESTA ALTO EN LA MONTAÑA ASI QUE NO CORREMOS RIESGO, LA ISLA ESTA BASTANTE AFECTADA Y ESTAMOS SIRVIENDO Y TRABAJANDO, BUSCANDO GENTE QUE ESTA PERDIDA. TENEMOS AGUA Y COMIDA ASI QUE NO SE PREOCUPEN, ESTAMOS AYUDANDO ACA Y TRATANDO CUMPLIR CON NUESTRO DEBER.
LES AMAMOS MUCHO
ELDER MITCHELL y ELDER MARIN
Hello President and families, We are alive and without injuries. Don’t worry, we are fine. We are staying in a house that is up high on the mountain and we don’t run a risk. The Island is quite affected and we are serving and working; looking for lost people. We have water and food, so don’t worry. We are helping here and trying to accomplish our duty.
We love you much,
Elder Mitchell and Elder Marin

When we finally heard this marvelous word, we felt the Lord’s hand again, and then the words that He taught us also, in way of a parable. Paraphrasing, Luke 15:3-7, talks about a Shepherd who had at least 100 sheep, and lost one. (Like missing our 2 Elders). He would leave the others in the wilderness and go after the one he couldn’t find yet. Then the words came so clearly to my mind as this email arrived tonight. “And when he hath found it (These two great missionaries have been found, healthy and happy!) he rejoicing…calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep/ Missionary Elders, which were lost.” Also, even though these excellent missionaries are nothing like the prodigal son in any respect of being lost like he was, we also felt like the loving father who was overjoyed upon finding his son again, “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad; for this thy (two missionary Elders) were ‘lost/missing” and are both alive and fine, and they were lost, and now are found.”

We feel to exclaim like Ammon, “Our joy is full, yeah our heart is brim with joy, and we rejoice in our God.” (Alma 26:11) We know these miracles come from God and His Son.
Presidente y Hermana May
Read more!

Youth from Colina District come to Mission Home

Presidente Yanez had a great activity for his youth who were Laurel/Priest age. They met at their chapel on Friday, March 27th, had some missionary activities and then surprise the 20 youth and had drivers bring them to the Chile Santiago North Mission home.

We enjoyed having them here in the Mission Home, where we could take a few minutes and give them ideas of how to prepared for a mission. Hermana May talked about preparing by learning how to cook simple things, tend to their own health issues, fix their clothes, do their laundry, learn how to work, having part time job, to also develop their own testimonies of Tithing, so they can teach and personally testify of that principle too. Also, how to meet others, develop social skills and also learning to serve and think of others. Presidente May talked about developing their own testimony, what to study, Preach My Gospel and the Book of Mormon, specifically. Also, he gave them an overview of the typical day in the life of our missionaries. They could ask questions and understand the process of a mission call.
Afterwards we took them into the dining rooms and had refreshments together, while they took some fotos inside and outside with each other. It was a delightful evening.

Read more!