October 29, 2012

What's Up!!!  How´s it going??!!

Well we had an awesome week! Always chaotic, always unexpected experiences, but always really good!!

Juanito´s confirmation was super sick! Elder Camús offered the blessing, which actually was a good thing, I would have been pretty nervous. BUT, not important. The spirit was super strong, I felt like I was having a heart attack almost a little bit. I hope that's a good thing. After, Juanito asked me, "is it normal to feel this warm?!" I thought that was pretty cool. 

We´re working a lot with the members now. We´ve got a new plan about how to work here in the mission, and it revolves pretty completely around the members, that is, working with them, and working with their friends and references. The thing is, here in Chile, there are a TON of members, but there are equally a TON of inactivs and such. Firstly, It´s great to baptize, but if the members aren´t going to retain the bonds of these people, theres not much sense, right? Sadly, it´s happened a lot here. Also, all of those inactive people need help too. And there´s a lot here. 

It centers around helping the members act for themselves and get involved in the missionary work. For example, we are all agents. We have the power to act. And when we choose to act with faith, we allow the spirit to teach us. Lots of times, as missionaries, we treat members, or investigtors, or whovever like objects in front of us, not like agents for themsleves. Because of that, we end us teaching ourseslves in a sense, not them. We repeat the lessons to ourselves, and don´t allow them to recieve their own revelation, or as much. Maybe I'm not making very much sense. We´ve got to help them experience the joy that comes from knowing, living, and sharing the gospel. 

Stephanie, and her mom, Anna (funny stuff, ehhhhh????) are both killing it. We set a firm date with stephanie yesterday, becuase she recieved her answer. She prayed a felt really calm, and peaceful. Her mom should also have an answer any day now, she just hasn´t found a quiet moment yet to pray. Also, they´ve got a bunch of kids, and although, right now, the dad or the brother aren´t interested, a lot of the kids are. 

Thanks for the letters about Billy, and Eric, sounds like he´s got an awesome new area, and everyone! Adam also, thanks for the letter. Also again, thanks for the packages and letters everyone. Fam, yours was awesome, and Grandma, Grandpa, and Heidi, yours too was super ballin! Thanks for the socks especially! I'm curious why yours came so darn quickly!

I read this morning in Mosiah 20, 21, 22 about Limhi, his people, and their afflictions, and how although difficult, his people were strenghted, and brought towards God through their afflictions. Don´t despair about problems fam, don´t get caught up in those things! This life is a test and will be hard. But afflictions and such things, bring us closer to God, IF we allow that. If we humble oursleves. Then we repent and strenghten ourselves a new, through the commandments and such, and therefore we prosper in Christ. 2 Cor. 12:10. 

The mission is awesome, the church is true. It´s hard, and I beat myself up a lot for little things. Things that I do, or things that I have no control over. But I´ve been working on focusing on what or who is in front of me more, in enjoying the moment and slowing down, and not being so rushed and crazy all the time. It´s helped. Also, it´s funny but I realized that I´m never going to be perfect. Or my comp. Or the investigatores, or the situation. Such is this world, and such is The Fall. I need to accept that, still do my very very best, but accept it and repent and forget about it and move on when I fail. Mosiah 3:19.  

Tyler- Thanks for the tip! I can defintely make my teaching more comprehinsible, more exciting, more real, more tangible. Sometimes it´s pretty good, I get into it and animated. But sometimes it sufferes and I just say phrases. 

Mom- I love you a million, utah, sounds really pretty right now. You excited to go skiing??? Some of our invest. saw my snowboard movies and my facebook with stevey and hyrum and benny and thought it was really awesome. 

Dad- Juanito is working less now, should be able to teach with him a little more, thanks for the tip. Glad to hear about work, and the temple, and the connection there. Man, I´ll prob get to go to the temple only 2ish times in my mission, and it makes me miss it. I want to go pretty bad. 

Stevey- Your letter was the coolest!!! I guess you´re not scared of ralphie anymore eh?! I remember when you were scared of doggies. You´d like Santiago, ha. 

Anna, Benny, Hyrum!- Your pictures from arches were the coolest!!!! I love you all, benny your hair is super white. Hyrum, still orange! And Anna, still a ninja. 

Where are you guys skiing this year??

Yours truly, and going to take a cold shower (it´s getting hooottteerr),

Elder Tasso

p.s. A lot of these words sound really weird in English. 

October 22, 2012

Another week already??! I hope that yours was all as good as mine!

A couple things happened this week!

 Elder Bednar spoke to us friday! It was with several other missions. Also David Archuletta sang "Im trying to be like Jesus," but of course in spanish. The song was really simple, but beautful, the spirit was really strong, I almost cried.

    According to some of the things that Elder Bednar said I'm going to change some stuff. Really, if we listen, then discern, observe, and ask inspired, real questions to our investigatores, they have the capacity to respond for themselves. They can open their hearts to recive their own revelation, and be agents for themsleves Mosiah 12:27. Not simply objects, that understand our teachings, but aren´t ready to continue the model of recieving their own revelation, independent of us. For that, maybe our lessons won´t have as much immediate structure. But if we do the above model, and have faith in the Lord that we will recieve the words to say, and open our mouths, they will be edified. The same things happened to Nephi in 1 Nefi 4: 6.

    Me and my comp taught a couple lessons, applying this. The spirit was especially strong, and I'm hoping, and thinking that it really clicked for them. Its really just a way to teach better, and more FOR the investigator. Not making them an object, but an agent, ready to think and recieve for themselves. Its also a lot harder to teach like this, I´ve got a ways to go, but it´s coming. Family, think of how you can apply this. Benny, Hyrum, Anna, when you read the scriptures, are you really looking, asking, expecting to recieve revelation?? Or just reading? I did that for wayyyyyy too long. Don´t do it. You all have the gift of the Holy Ghost and are entitled to recieve revelation for yourselves. 

   Also I realized at times I expect too much out of my actions alone. My obediance, my efforts, my diligence, etc. But in reality, ultimately it´s up to the people to open their hearts to recieve these things. We do all of those things so we can be in the right place at the right time, so when we do meet these people, we can share the spirit with them, and they can recive it for themselves. It´s ballin. 

   He also talked a lot about unity, and the importance to have unity, in the family, or in a companionship. For example , the end of 1 nefi 7, 21-22, through their struggles, Nephi´s family is united. They then, in chapter 8, recieve the vision of the tree of life. For us to recive revelation, we need to have unity. Think of the impact of the vision in 8, all because they were finally united. My companion and I are balllers, and best pals. We´ve got our challenges, we´ve had a lot, but they really can, and will, be behind us. I´ve actually been using the,"Eye of Faith," or Dad and Tyler, like you talked about, Visualization. The things we think about happen. Think about and visualize the good, and it will happen. 

   Also, Juanito got baptized! It was pretty neat, short, and simple. This week we´re going to contact and find some new awesome people, because we need to! We´re seeing huge changes in the Familia Barra, they´re becoming a huge strength. The ward is doing better, attendence is up! 

Congratulations on everything with soccer! Benny your goal sheet was super sweet. Your hair is awesome also. You all ate chicken hearts at Tucanos right?? Hyrum how is 6th grade??  Anna you're the coolest. Thanks for the outdoor update mom, Im excited to go on adventures when I get back, and thanks for the letter!  Dad love you lots too. 

Also!!! I got your packages!! Thanks so much, it was awesome, and Tyler, your letter. If you guys want to write me, Dear Elder is always a quick good, tangible option. Also thanks for the letter from Grandma susie and Grandma Debbie, I always enjoy those. Also, Grandma Susie, Grandpa Jim, and Heidi, I got your package!!! It was awesome, I'm putting a bunch of beef jerky in my emergency fund, it´s perfect for that. Speaking of which, last week there was a earthquake here, it was little though, a 5.7 But it lasted like 20 seconds, and was pretty awesome!!! The chileans didn´t get tooo excited though, they´re used to bigger, ha. 

Love you all!!

Elder Tasso

October 15, 2012

Hey Everyone!!! You're Awesome!

Well I had a pretty good week. Juanito will be baptized next week, he´s awesome and I'm excited for him. Estefani will be baptized but we moved her date to the 8th of diciembre, with 2 others. We also found some good people this week, Diego, Im excited to meet with him, and Javier and his family. 

The mission is good. We´ve had some challenges, personally, in our zone, with the members, but I'm really learning how to overcome and work through those things. One thing I really want to improve is my personal happiness, confindence, etc. It really can be hard to always keep your head up in the mission, when so many people are expecting so much of you. But really, as Elder Uchtdorf said, we can be personally happy and confident in any situation. Its a choice. At times, I need to slow down, find the joy in a situation, and concentrate in the person in front of me, in loving and serving them, and those around me- in sharing what I know to the best of my abilities. 

Today was P Day, we played some futbol with some other Elders and members, it was sunny, warm, and beautiful. 

Tyler- As always, thanks for your letter! It seemed actually, especially pertinent this week. I had let myself relax a little bit with time management, and with rules. Habits and time management are real important. Also with the bit about the members, thats our barrio. Its sooooo easy to forget those tings, but i need to be more bold, and have more confidence in what I share. Sounds like your doing really well, having a good time. Smile, and keep it up! Eat some ice cream for me! 

Dad- Love you a ton, Your a champ! Im going to try going on splits with Juan (will-be member), but he also works almost 24 7 except sundays. We´ll see. 

Mom- Love you so much!!! Thanks for the adventure stories and photos! Thanks for all you do, and have done, for me and the kids! I'm trying to stay healthy. thanks for the letters from my friends!

Anna- Happy birthday! Love ya! Good job with track.

Hyrum-Benny-Stevey- Loved your climbing pics!!! You're all awesome!

Love you all, Im excited to recieve some mail from you, and crossing my fingers!

Elder Tasso!

October 8, 2012

Howdy!

Hope you´re all well, as am I! I uploaded some new pictures.

P-days- Well, usually they are pretty hectic- we don´t really rest. Today, as seen in the last 8-10 or so pictures that I uploaded today, we went to Santa Lucia, a Hill in the middle of Santiago. It was pretty cool, and then we went to the Feria, the little shops below, and browsed for a bit. Usually we have some kind of activity, like that, play futbol, or something. Pdays, really are just another day.

Conference was so awesome! I know I never appreciated conference before the mission- honestly I didn´t appreciate a lot of things- but I loved it! And ya, we got to watch it in English, which is good, simply the words mean more to me still. I wish I had my notes with me, but a few that stood out to me, actually you already said! Elder Uchdorfs on simply, finding happiness. I needed to hear that. I beat myself up a lot as a missionary, ha, someof which I deserve, someof which I don't. Also, I DEFINITELY noted the visualization hint as well, which is good, because I really haven´t applied it, I forget simply. Also, how awesome and direct was Elder Oaks, ¨For the Sake of the Children¨ talk??? I bet a lot of people, non mormons especailly this year (the election) watched conference and saw that. It was especially pertinent- and awesome. Also I feel like I gained some eternal perspective, on the importance of really why we´re here, from the words of Presdient Monson. He´s such a boss. I love all of his stories about serving the old people, visiting, going to the hospital, etc, and how always the most important things we do are in the church, are serving and helping people. Conference was awesome- The spirit was there, and I hope that all of us can apply the revelation we recieved. Also, only two of our investigatores made it to conference, Denise and Juanito, but they both felt the spirit very strongly, both recieved answers, and both will be baptized when their dates come. I should get to see Juanito´s, I hope I don´t get transferred before! We also ate lots of cookies and felt sick, ha, such is the conference here. 

This morning we gave a blessing to one of our families in the ward- the Familia Barra. They´re awesome, there is 20 of them in the house, (its pretty big), and they´re pretty crazy. In Chile, and this familia is definitely no exception, many times the grandma, the kids, and their kids live in the same house, its tight- literally. Anyway, we visit them a lot, because they really need help. In the past, A couple of the women in the family have been kind of strong and a strength to the family, but still not enough to inspire all of them to action (18ish of 20 are members, but not really active). BUT, we have been reading the LDM in 85 days, as missionaries, and they joined us! 5 of them at least. We have literally seen a miracle with this family. Mylene, one of the moms there, (she has 3 kids, is 27) has been reading, studying, and pondering super diligently, and in just a week we have seen a huge change in her. Mylene and some others came to conference, and heard the talk on how Sacrament meeting is the most important meeting of all (last session sunday), which is perfect for them. Anyway, this family is really changing, and will eventually return to the church strong. The blessing- the Abuelita (grandma) has diabetes and her legs hurt very frequently. We gave her a blessing of comfort this morning, I offered it upon her request. The spirit was really strong, I cried, for the first time in a while. The Lord blessed her that she will be healed according to her diligence to help the family accomplish the little things, the fundamentals- read, and attend church, etc, and according to her faith. 

Estefani, and some others are progressing rapidly as well. We found a cool family, thursday??? I think, off a sporadic contact. They´re really awesome, but we haven´t been able to see them since, I´ll try to keep you updated. I really love contacting as a missionary, we didn´t get to do very much these past two weeks, we´ve had a few complications, and we can work harder too, but this week really will be super ballin´. Im excited. Hopefully we get some sun too, it´s been a little cold and very rainy. The weather here is equally sporadic as Utah´s is. Contacting is awesome- I reallly like talking to people, still am not amazing at listening, and still can learn a lot more spanish, but I´ve seen a lot of progression, thanks to the Lord. 

Mom- You are a camping ninja- Im pretty sure that tent does not even stand a chance anymore. I love you a million, thanks for all the stories, and the care. During P. Monson´s words about gratitue and expressing thanks, I thought of you and Dad, you´ve done so much to help me be here on the mission, and are really awesome parents. Keep it up!!!!!!! Im sure that at times you feel inadequente or get down, like me, but don´t- in whatever it is. You, Dad, and the fam. are the coolest, and I´m so grateful for everything you´ve done for me, and are doing for Anna, Hyrum, Benny, and Stevey now. Remember when we went to Havasupai and had fun and ate those tacos that weren't that good at that shop in the village? Awesome. And Skiing with my friends? Also awesome.

Dad- 10000 points for you! Equally, thanks for everything. For pushing me to do my best, and to do hard things before my mission- work, school, church, everything. I love the pictures that you send me!

My companion is definitely not the the extreme of Elder Ross, and honestly, and now, I feel like we were missing some important things before with my other companion that I'm now doing wiith Elder Camus, BUT, like you said, we HAVE made excuses, and I know we can work harder and be better missionarys. I can lift and lead by example. 

But really, personally, I´ve learned a lot from Elder Camus, see my letter from last week. Every Companero is going to teach you a lot. 

Tyler- Your ward sounds ballin´, are you married yet? Send me pics when it happens!!! HA! No, un broma. Thanks for the advice!

Anna- Good job with track! Still super busy eh? And the mission ages?? Pretty sweet. Love ya! You´re still my favorite sister!!!!!!!!

Hyrum!- Thanks for the letter! Tell Benny and Stevey to get their rears in gear and write me too!! Hey we´re all going to have a crazy soccer match when I get home ok??

Benny and Stevey! - Heard about your week from Dad! Still the most athletic awesome bros every! Excited to go skiing in a bit???!

My card still hasn´t come? Hmmm... Bank of AF is always really slow, I remember that from the past. Im not sure they´re the best international bank for this. Also, I still haven´t recieved your package, but I'm crossing my fingers!!!!!  

Ps. Send more Pics! 

Looking for the best week yet, and the bathroom, 

Elder Spencer Tasso 

October 1, 2012

Dearest Relations,

Whats up??!!!?!  The Missions awesome, I loved hearing about all of your adventures, they were freaking sick!!!

Well, I had a great week, and learned a lot, although the week started off really hard. Me and my companion have had a lot of differences, and that really came out at the begenning of this week. We´d even had a couple of arguements, and it was really difficult. Every single companion I've had, we've had our differences, and there was always a short period of time when we don´t really get along, but we learn from it, and we´re always better after that. Well, the same thing has been true with Elder Camus, although much more so. It was difficult at the first of this week, we had a lot of tension, and more than anything, weren't really comfortable around eachother and didn't have the spirit. I'm not sure why this came out at the 3 week mark, but It did. But ultimately, we honestly worked out and accepted our differences, and it started out with giving compliments to each other, saying things we liked, things we respected about the other, and now we communicate much better. That really was the catalyst, that 5 minutes when we chose to share things we liked and respected, instead of focusing on other things, got us to where we are now. Its funny, because we obviously A) are here for the same reasons B) Ultimately, want the same thing- missionary success. Really we just had things that were slightly different, that we needed to work through. I needed to put my perceived perceptions, of "the right way to work" behind me, and focus on the end goal. And the funny thing is, now that we're not focusing on our differences, we work so much better. We´re now both working harder, and not only are accepting each other's differences, we´re NATURALLY doing the things the other wanted from the beginning. Phsycology, right? Some scriptures that really helped me were Moroni 7:45, and 3 Nefi 11:39.  And Now....... We´re tight!!!!!

Our sector is awesome, I'm worried I'm going to get changed. I don´t want to, (in 3 weeks), but we´ll see. Juanito, Estefani, Teresa, Denise, Enrique, Maria Jose, and mucho mas are all killin it! Our wards awesome, but is small. The Lord is blessing our sector with these people because it needs the priesthood, the additional strength. We´re also working with a bunch of less active, partially active, semi-active, and inactive people in the ward. It's comin great! We had an amazing lesson with Estefani Saturday, the spirit was especailly strong. 

I KNOW the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I´ve prayed, I´ve felt it many times, I´ve read it. I know this is the Church of Jesus Christ. The mission is hard, but I'm happy, I know this is something very very good for me. My testimony is much stronger now than it has ever been. At times, a little push, a little adversity, is just the thing we need to learn, to change, to become better. If we can work past that initial difficulty, it´s only golden from then on.  1 Nefi 1:1, Isaish 30:20, 2 Nefi 2:11, D&C 121.  I´ve seen that in my mission, and even in the situation above, with my companion.

Benny!! Hyrum!! Stevey!!! You are all easily the most athletic kids ever!! I love you guys more than all the Goals you´ve scored. When I was reading about all your success- with soccer, with the wolf walk (again), and with flag football, I was smiling and lauging, almost crying even. 

Anna- Hey you´re a ninja. Im proud of you for picking up track! Ha! I sound like Dad, right? That´s ok, he´s awesome. I remember I tried to do track in 7th grade and hated it, but now I love running. Don't know what changed, but something did. Its awesome, and good job on your 5k time, especially for almost no training! Keep up the good work! 

Tyler- Say hi to Sutton and Ryan and Steven for me. Your St. Geezy adventure sounds awesome. Dont get married. How's phsycology coming?

Mom- Also sounds freaking awesome! Im excited for the adventures in a bit! 

Dad- As always, thanks for the advice. I try to apply it. And thanks for the stories! Random Business idea- I think I'm going to open up an inflatable jumpy thing business when I get home. And Happy Birthday!

PS.

The Spanish is really coming. 

We're reading the LDM in 85 days, starting yesterday. Want to join? Or create your own program? It´s 7.59 pages a day, (in spanish pages) and 13.5 extra portions of spirit per day. 

Conference!!!!

Elder Bednar is coming to talk to us in Chile the 19th!!!

Trying to stay healthy, yours truly, un brazo,

Elder Spencer Tasso

Elder Spencer Tasso

Mision Chile Santiago Oeste

Correos, Casilla 149

Pajaritos 1921

Maipu, Chile