Feliz Navidad!

Letter from December 23, 2014

Hola familia y amigos!

Are you all stoked for Christmas? I know I am! I love that this time of year we have the oportunity to talk with everyone about our Savior Jesus Christ. I love that during this time the people are a little more open to listening to us; a little more sensitive to this theme. Its pretty beautiful.

Anyways... I learned something this week:) I learned that the power of a testimony is huge. That really when we testify, there is nothing that the people can say to contradict us. For example: Yesterday we ran into a guy who says hes christian but we are pretty sure hes Evagelical. And he wanted to talk with us, but only to Bible bash. Granted, he isnt one to raise his voice or anything, but still he just wanted to contradict, or confuse us. But to every question we had an answer and then he would change the subject all of a sudden, lol. And after about 20mins of our time we told him we needed to go. But during this time neither of us had testified to him of these things. And I remembered the promise we have that when we testify no one can contradict us. That we can bring the spirit and we wont be confounded before men, but our words will counfound the wise. And so I testified to him. And he couldnt say anything. And then my companion testified and it was like, I dont know. He was definitely confounded. And I learned, well more like solidified, my testimony of this promise. That the prophet and the 12 apostles have given us. And it doesnt matter who comes to me and tries to convince me of thier beliefs or change mine. It doesnt matter. Because what we have learned according to the spirit, we cant deny. And NOBODY can take it away from us. And I think I understand a little bit more of how Joseph Smith felt after his vision. That thousands of people tried to tell him that what he saw was false, that he was wrong, confused, disilussioned. But he KNEW it. And he KNEW that God KNEW it. And he COULD NOT DENY IT. And now I really KNOW that its true. That what the Spirit testifys to us brings us the absolute truth. And when we know and feel this truth in our hearts and souls, we cant deny it. And people can try to take it away, but they cant. And thats the power of God. Of the Spirit. Of a testimony. 

I know Christ was born. That he suffered. He died. And then he rose again. I know that He LIVES. That he has come. AND HE WILL COME AGAIN. I know that what I know was given to me by the Spirit. And I CANNOT and I WILL NOT deny it. 

BECUASE HE IS THE GIFT.

I love you all and I look forward to seeing my wonerful family in two days!!!

Con todo mi corazon y amor,

Hna Logan

Angels We have Heard on High

Letter from December 15, 2014

Hola todos! 

Okay so I LOOOOOOVVVVEEEDDD your video of everyone and with Jen, how cool! It made my day to see you all together!!! A little wierd that Jen was with my family and not me hahahahaha. No it was super awesome! I love you all SSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOO much! Glad you got to see each other one more time before Christmas:) BUT A LITTLE BIRDY TOLD ME YOU ATE PRIME RIB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN ALL OF YOU! 

Also, Okay I totally forgot what I was going to say here.... LOL

Aha! I remembered! I would like you all to take a moment of silence for all the spiders I have killed this month.... NOT! Literally spiders are taking over our house! We find a minimum of ten everyday! And our house is falling apart so they come in from all different places! Last night we were talking with our District Leader and telling him about our day when all of a sudden I saw something moving in the corner of my eye. So I look over and its a tiny little spider. But as I looked more closely I realized that our entire wall was COVERED with baby spiders! We may have had quite a go at them with our poison spray! But we have yet to find the Mom and thats what worries me! And these spiders are deadly. If they bite you, you can die. So we talked with the Pensionero (guy who takes care of the houses for our mission) and he said we can start looking for a different house. Thank goodness! The other day I found a spider under my shoe in my room and it was HUGE. LIKE SIZE OF MY PALM HUGE. So be proud of me, lol. Luckily I have a good eye for spiders (thanks to the training of Raechel for many years:)) so I can spot them pretty well. But still.... were gonna get a different house to live in...

Anyways... Besides the spiders, this week was awesome! One day we were talking outside with an investigator and as we were leaving there was this depressed man sitting on a bench talking to himself ( Just a normal day in my area) When all of sudden he calls us over to him. He tells us that he is sick. Because he is an alcoholic.And we are his angels sent from God to help him. So a couple days later we went to house and he has a real desire to change is life. So we invited him to be baptized on the 28th of December and he commited to coming to church.  And he came yesterday! It was awesome! And he hasnt taken a drink of alcohol since tuesday! So we are really hoping he will take the initative to get help proffesionally and not only spiritually. I think he can do it! He just needs a lot of prayer and support! So if you would like to put him in your prayers that would be great:) 

And there arent any updates on the 69 year old. He didnt show up to church yesterday but we're going to see him on wedensday and see what happens... I know that the Lord will help us out with him tremendously. He already has and I know that we will continue to do so! 

 Unfortunately, I dont have any pictures for this week:((( Sorry! I promise to impove! 

I hope you all know that I love and miss you dearly especailly this time of year! But I wouldnt take back the experiences that I have had on my mission. Let alone the ones Im going to have! 

Con todo mi amor, corazon, y esperanza,

Hna Logan

The Perfect Plan

Letter from December 8, 2014

Hola:)

Ok so this week was pretty good. We made some headway with a man of 69 years. He is Evangélico... I dont really know if there is a an equivalent in the US to them... I would think Evangelists...? But the Evangélicos here are very extreme. They sing a yell some not so nice words in front of houses. And they are pretty short with us, lol. But this man (Manuel Jesus) isnt like that at all. We had some lessons with him with members that were AWESOME! Because at first he would NOT pray. Ever! And so the other day we taught him about forgiveness, and the Atonement (because we felt that he didnt feel worthy to pray) and we watched some powerful videos. Then we testified to him that none of us our perfect but Heavenly Father still wants to hear from us. And we asked him to say the closing prayer and he DID IT! And his prayer was soooooooo humble. Then we called him every night to remind him to pray:) And then we had a lesson with him and taught him about repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. And then we invited him to be baptized. And he said no. That he is worried that after he is baptized he will fall of the wagon again. And we explained to him the Sacrament and that we can be clean once again every week... and he thought a little bit more. And he still said no- that he doesnt deserve basptism, but we could tell that he was thinking really hard about it. And I know that he WILL make this decision. Because I know that he is going to think about baptism a lot during this week. 

Also, we found this youth (Edgardo) that has a TON of questions about the plan of salvation. And I LOVED LOVE LOVED teaching him about it because the Plan of Salvation is SO perfect! And the look of understanding that the people have when they hear it! It has all the answers to the quesitions of the soul. And he told us, "Wow, this is something that I have always asked and wondered..." it was amazing! 

And I love that when we teach the people and testify to them about what we are teaching, our own testimonys are strengthened. I mean I used to hate teaching the plan of salvation because I didnt know it very well and because its pretty long and intimidating. But now I think its my favorite! I truely understand now (since Ive been studying this lesson a TON this week) of how perfect this plan is. And I KNOW that it is true. First of all it just makes plane sense. And second its beautiful! Its full of hope, mercy, and love. And I know that only God could have made it because its perfect and He is perfect. I love how much I am learning here on my mission and all the wonderful experiences I have had! I truely understand why people grow sooo mcuh and change soooo much during this time! 

I dont know anything about christmas yet. Only that for sure we get to skype. But Im going to ask this week about all of it! Promise! 

I love you all SOOOO SOOOO SOOO SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH! 

Con cariño y todo de mi corazón,

Hna Logan

He is the Gift

Letter from December 1, 2014

Hola!!!

HAPPY BITHDAY MOMMA! 

And Im super glad you all had a wonderful thanksgiving!!!!!

Okay so this week was interesting. First of all we found this young guy (25 years old) who has a ton of problems. He's a drug addict, a smoker, an alcoholist, and he is addicted to robbing. He has three kids from three different women and he doesnt live with any of them. And so we were talking with him and asked him if he really wants to change, to see his kids more, to be free of these horrible addictions. And he told us yes, yes, yes I want to change, I want a better life, but Im not a bad person, yada yada yada. And really we shared with him that no, he isnt a bad person, he is really special. That he has a father in heaven who really loves him. Who really knows him. And that we want to help him and everything. And by the end of our prayer with him he was in tears. But the bad thing is there isnt much we can do for him. He lives in a place where there is constantly people coming in and out with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, all of it. And its just horrible for him. We told him that he needs to leave this place and get clean. But who knows if he will actually do it. And he has been in prison for robbing and such so it would be a REALLY long process for his baptism and everything. But not impossible. But the ward told us that we cant visit him without another member with us. But I feel really strongly that we need to keep up with him and help him. Because really he wants this. But there is only so much we can do for him. Its just so sad that he is so young and has all of these problems! All of these harmful addictions! Ugh, its aweful! 

But on the other hand we found these two kids the other day when we were tracting and they kept asking us questions about God and Jesus Christ and everything. And they each are 11 years old so we answered their questions and off we went. And a little while later we were helping a women to clean her garden and these kids came to us again. And asked us if they could come to our church. And so we gave them the address and we didnt really know if they would come because they need the permission from their parents, ect. So off we went. Then came sunday. And the sacrament finished and we thought, yeah okay they arent coming. But suddenly there they were! And the topper, WITH THEIR PARENTS! And so after sacrament meeting we talked with their parents and they told us that they have no problem taking their kids to church for all three hours and that they can come to but can only stay for the first hour, but they will come pick them up afterwards. Literally it was a miracle! So this week we are for sure going to their house and hopefully we can teach their parents, too! 

And I dont know if you guys have heard but there is this huge thing happening with the church on the 7th of December. The church has bought youtube for this night to show a video called "He is the Gift" and its going to be shown in Times Square and all sorts of things. But its a christmas video, really short, but powerful. And I dont really know that much about it because I just found out in reading the emails of my freinds on their missions. But Im sure we are going to have a training on it soon. Here is the link to watch the video http://www.mormon.org/christmas and really its about the true spirit of christmas. That all the gifts in this world on Christmas started with ONE. The gift of the Lord Jesus Christ from our Father in Heaven. Its really a beautiful thing. And really something that I have learned this week is that many people know about Jesus, what He did, about His life and teachings, but they dont know WHO He is. Here in La Serena, Chile most of the kids go to a Catholic based school. And so they watch videos about Christ and learn of His life. But they dont understand WHY. That really God GAVE His son to suffer for our sins, to die for us. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. And because He suffered for us, we can repent, we can be free of our sins-clean of our unperfect and sinful state, and most importantly we can live once again in the presence of our Heavenly Father. And He was resurrected so that after our mortal death our spirits can be reunited with our bodies. That we can have a perfect and immortal body. And all of this because HE CAME, HE LIVED, HE SUFFERED, AND HE DIED. FOR. YOU. And this is the Gift. HE IS THE GIFT. I KNOW IT. And I know that every single person can know it for themselves. 

So this Christmas find out about this grand gift that you have been given. And remember WHY we even have CHRISTmas. To remember HIS GIFT. 

I love you all with all my heart and I am so thankful to have you all in my life!!!!

Until next week, con mi amor, testimonio, y corazón, 

Hna Logan

Surprise! I had a baby!

Letter from November 24, 2014

Hola todos!

Yeah so first I killed both of my "moms" and now I am training a new missionary!

But the funny part is, usually when you are going to train the assistents to the president call you first to tell you... and they didnt call me... so my new companion arrived and on our way to out house I asked her how much time she has en her mission. She said, Um this is my first day... and so here I am, lol. A suprise pregnancy for me:) But my new companion is super! She is from the south of Argentina and she is 21 years old. 

And this week was interesting... at church yesterday I was looking around at all the people and I just felt this grand love for everyone. Especially for those people that I have a good relationship with. And then yesterday we were talking with Brenda (the mom of my convert, Alan) and I felt like this is my last transfer in this area. And I just started crying, lol. Because first of all Alan and Brenda... I LOVE them. They are like my family. And the feeling that I have to leave them is pretty devestating. But I know that for the mission we need to change areas and there are different people I need to meet. But man. Now I understand how Andrew felt on his plane home where he just started to cry. Because really this love that I have been able to feel is soooooo powerful. And it makes me just want to stay here forever, but at the same time I know I have to leave. And I dont know if I really am going to leave or not, but I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father that I have been able to feel a small part of His love for his children. And I know that I wouldnt have been able to feel it like this if I hadnt decided to serve a mission. So basically I am just full. Full of love and the spirit and everything, IDK. Basically the love of God is REAL. That is all:)

And are you guys SUPER excited that we get to skype in like a month???? WOOOHHHOOOO! And christmas, I am super excited! 

Well thats pretty much all for this week. I hope you all have an amaaaaaaaaaazing thanksgiving full of lots of turkey and food and pie and yummy goodness! I will miss it with all of my heart! But give everyone a hug for me and everyone can eat a piece of ham and pie for me:) 

I love love love LOVE you all! 

Hna Logan

The Power of the Book of Mormon

Letter from November 17, 2014

Hola todos!

Okay so this week was pretty good. I have officially killed my second mom, and for these next 3 days I am training a latina that has only been out on her mission for a month. But she is super sweet and I really am being trained by her, lol. 

But this week we found a couple new investigaters and so the investigaters that we have are awesome. Really they are all just reading the Book of Mormon and waiting for an answer to know if it is true. I had an amazing experience with one married couple. They are reading the BOM and they asked us on our second visit how we came to know that this church is true. Because they really want to know which church is true. And so my companion and I were able to bear our testimonies. And the spirit was SOOOOOOOOOOOO strong! And then we asked them if they would pray on their knees with us in that very moment if the church was true. And let me tell you I was balling during her prayer because I could feel that Heavenly Father was answering her prayer. And after they both expressed that they were feeling peace, love, and calmness. And after they both shared experiences of how they knew that God exists. And we were all crying hahaha. But they didnt say that they felt like they knew it was true, yet. But I know if they continue to read and pray and attend church they WILL know its true. Because its the promise that Heavenly Father gives to us. And I know if our lessons continue to have the same powerful spirit, they will know. But they also need to attend church, partake of the sacrament, and feel the spirit that is in the church. Becuase I have recieved COUNTLESS revelations and experinces during church that are the foundation of my testimony. 

And so in other words if any of you are reading this and dont know (notice how I say know and not believe, because they are two very different things) for yourselves if the Book of Mormon is true, which church is true, or even if God exisits... and you really WANT to know and are willing do all you need to in order to find out for yourself... READ THE BOOK OF MORMON! AND PRAY TO KNOW IF IT IS TRUE! There are SERVERAL books about Christ, about God, religion, all of these things. HOWEVER, The Book of Mormon is the ONLY testiment of Christ that invites us to read and ask Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ if it is true AND PROMISES us that if we do so, WE WILL RECIEVE AN ANSWER THAT IT IS TRUE. I know that this promise is REAL. Becuase I have done as this book asks. I have read it. And I have prayed to know if it is true. And I can testify to every person in the world that the Book of Mormon is true. It is the word of God.  I know it with every fiber of my being, and I CANNOT and I WILL NOT deny it. 

I love you all SOOOOOOOOOOO much and I hope you all have an amazing week this week! 

Until Monday and with all my love, heart, and soul,

Hna Logan

El Amor de Dios

Letter from November 10, 2014

Hola todos!

Wow, so this week has been awesome! I have officially had my first baptism and confirmation! The boy(Alan)  that I said we were teaching and his mom who is a less active! But more that my first baptism I had the chance to truly see the light that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings to us. When we first showed up at their house the mom was very sad. She was inactive because when she and her husband separated she felt very judged, no one said hi to her, or visted her when she was sick and so she just fell away. And she had anger towards the members of the Church for this. But it was never because she didnt have a testimony. And as we started teaching Alan she would teach him too, explain things so he could understand them, and she would bear a STRONG testimony of what she was talking about. And so when we committed her to coming to church for her son, she agreed. Because she wanted him to get baptized because she knows how important it is. And literally every day that we would teach him she would be a bit happier and share more intimate feelings and her testimony. New experiences she has had with revelation. Until we were having a ball with each other! And Alan! He is wonderful! Super shy but wonderful! He would go to his mom on sunday morning and try to get her to wake up for church! He even made a half box (our of half a cereal box) to hold all his church books and put pictures of Jesus and the prophets around it! Hes adorable! And this week he too has been sooooo happy! He literally just glows sometimes! And the second week at church his mom (Brenda) was very silent. She would be very warm with us but at church we would come in jeans, with sunglasses and wouldnt say hi to anyone. But this week the change... I cant even describe how different it is! When Alan was baptized she wore a skirt and gave a talk that was SO powerful! And now she shares with us how she wants to share the gospel and help other less actives. Oh man! I literally have watched light enter their eyes and begin to glow! And something special she shared with me was this:

She was asking me about my family so I showed her the photos I carry with me and one of them is the pic of all of us with our hand guns (except Andrew of couse because hes the white wone in our family:)) ANd when she saw this photo she started crying. She said I LOVE this photo. This photo is God. I can literally see the Love of God in your eyes. And I want to share this photo with everyone. And she told me, you need to share this photo with those you teach. That this what they are missing. A family full of JOY. And she told me how lucky I was to have such a blessed family. And it just really touched my heart. Because I know that I have an amazing family but to have someone else cry when they saw a pic of us... It made me really want to say that I am So grateful for you guys. For my AMAZING family! I think, that we have definitley come a long way, but just look at us. We are so blessed and we have so many amazing memories. SO I just want to say thank you for all you have done for me. For being the best family in the world!

And really thats why I am here. Its like that plaque that says "Missonary: Someone that leaves their family for a short time so that other families can be together forever" Because that is the joy and the hope we get to share with the world. That if one of their family members dies tomorrow, its NOT the end. That we are all going to be together forever! I know this Gospel is true. I know that God exists! That he is just WAITING for you to talk to Him. Because He is ALWAYS listening. And when you open that door, the blessings you recieve are so grand "you wont even have room enough to recieve them!" I love the fact that I get to share that message with the world and that we as members have that responsibility! Becuase that is what God is all about. LOVE.

I LOVE ALL OF YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART!!!!!! And hope you have a wonderful week!

Con todo mi alma, amor, corazón, y fuerza,

Hna Logan