Elder HJones: Love the People

"The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired." - President Hinckley 

Thanksgiving was nothing here in Chile. Nobody even knew there was a holiday in the USA. But my Thanksgiving Day away from home was good. I did miss the big dinner with the family because here, people don't eat dinner. Most people just buy bread (sometimes with ham, cheese, or butter) and eat it with tea or something for dinner. So for my Thanksgiving dinner, I had mate and galletas! It wasn't turkey with mashed potatoes, but it was still good.

Thanksgiving Dinner 2017

 Here in Chile the church sometimes has open houses for capillas. It's really different, I didn't know what it was until we did it. Pretty much we set up different stations in the chapel. The missionaries go in the street and invite people to take a "tour" of the church, to learn more about who we are. It's kinda hard to get people to come though. Everyone says they are busy. That's the most common rejection answer..."No. No estoy occupado."

It's almost December but it feels like July. It doesn't even feel like Christmas is close. For Christmas here people have asados, or BBQs. Maybe you guys can put some snow in a box and send it to Chile for me. Ha!

The last couple weeks have been hard. Our investigators are having a difficult time progressing and keeping their commitments. Sometimes it is frustrating. But I have learned something very important. Sometimes, all I can do is love the people. When Christ was on the earth He lived His life through love. Everything He did was a way to show love for us and His Father. I can't force the people in Chile to listen to the gospel or come to church. I can't make them do anything, but I can love them. And even if they don't want to be a part of this wonderful church, I, at least, want them to feel the love that I have for them.

 Grateful that FAMILIES ARE FOREVER!

 Love, Elder Jones