Follow Christ and Be Like Him!

Sector- Renka, Santiago
Companero- Elder Bird
Carta #68

Familyyyyy whatsss uppppppp!!

It was the sickest talking to you guys!! hahah we talked for so long!!! (whoops) But it was sweet and its always the best because when I talk with you guys I always remember how great of a family I have. And how blessed I am. I think this week, I've really realized how bless I am. I really have realized how much God loves me. Because hes given me such amazing people in my life. And hes given me such great responsibility. Christmas is always hard on the mission, but at least the next one, I wont be here,  Whatttt that's gonna be sick. 

 
I feel like we've been working super hard in this sector. And it really is progressing. We two investigators go to church who we found, and they lovedddd it. I feel like they are going to be able to progress really well. I just hope that they have the desire to get married. That's how it is in Chile, they have kids, they've been together for 25 years and they still aren't married. We also found a couple that have grandchildren together and they have been together 45 years, and they still weren't married. People really just don't want to have commitment here. hahah I guess that's why there's soooo many problems. But we have been working super hard talking to everyone. But haven't seen that much success. I know it will come though. 

 
My convert Christopher received the priesthood he called me and told me, its sicccckkk how much he progresses and how much hes gonna help the church. I love seeing my converts progress in the church and in the Gospel, because I'll be able to see that for the rest of my life, when their kids go on missions and everything. Its such a blessing to be able to preach the Gospel. Because people need it so much.

I think the best part of when we talked over Skype was when we talked about how much my mission has blessed me and US. Its so amazing how much God blesses me so much for giving service to him. that is why we will always be in debt to him. I really feel so blessed everyday, and I think that is something that's essential to happiness in everyone. We have to feel like we are so blessed. And I know that if we are following Christ, and what he wants us to do, we feel SO blessed every day of our lives. So if you want to be blessed, and have happiness that lasts, Follow Christ and be like him. Love like him, and serve like him, and you will be happy.

 
I love you guys!!! Thanks for supporting me with your emails all the time.  

 
Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

New Area, New People

Sector- Renka, Santiago
Companero- Elder Bird
Carta #67

DAAAADDDDD Happy Birthdayyyy!!!! I forgot to say happy birthday dangiiittt!!! But seems like it was a greattt b day. Mom always does the sickest things for you so your a lucky man ;) haha
I'm sooooo excited to do Skype with you guys again!! I LOVE doing it. And I'm so excited to receive the package you guys sent me. It's crazy, almost everyone that's home from their missions is already getting married!! and like two of my companions are gonna be fathers!! haha so crazy!!! So I'm gonna be an uncle pretty soon then ;) ahhhhhhhhh

So were probably going to Skype at 3 my time. So 10 your time!! Be on! we already have it down, so it'll all work good. Its gonna be SSIIICK. I hope that Ollie and Sophie don't get bored of talking to me this time hahaha

Hey, This week has been SO HARD. we've been in the street soooo much this week. Just talking to the people, inviting them to share a message about Jesus, but it seems like they just don't want anything. Its been pretty hard on me, especially coming from a sector that I worked so hard to have success and I had sooo many friends there, cool members and a big ward to work with. And getting here for Christmas is hard. Because I don't know anyone very well. So i'll be passing Christmas with a family that I don't really knowwww...haha but we also had some really good lessons this week. This week we taught a lot of the investigators that were already here. And let me tell you, the investigators that are here haven't progressed in a long time. And they love sharing with the missionaries because they're friends with them and stuffff.. But what I realized is that none of them really has a testimony of the Book of Mormon. And that really is the base of our religion and the first step towards baptism. So we have had some powerful lessons on the Book of Mormon. And there are investigators that have received their answers. They still have doubts about baptism, but at least they were able to pray and receive an answer that the BOM is true. I hope that we can help them understand the true importance of baptism this week and help them to get to the point of getting baptized. But I feel like my testimony of the Book of Mormon has been strengthened sooo much this week. I was able to testify of the Book of Mormon sooo many times this week, and I could truly feel the spirit testifying of the words that I was saying. And I know that the investigators were able to feel that as well. And that is why they had the desire to know for themselves. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. And Every time I testify of it my testimony is strengthened more and more. Because Every time, the spirit is there testifying as well. And I feel like it is the greatest tool that we have as missionaries. Its so important and no one will be able to endure to the end without a testimony of the Book of Mormon. That's why I'm grateful to be on the mission. Because here, I've been able to receive that testimony. And have it strengthened every time I testify of it. 

Its super hard for me right now. And I feel like Satan has really been trying to get to me this week. But I know things will get better. I will pray harder and things will get better. Please pray for me because its hard and sometimes I feel discouraged. So I need your prayers because I know they will be answered. Thank you for everything!!!!

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Testimony

Sector- ?? Chile (He didn't tell us!  We'll find out next week)
Companero- Elder Huarca
Carta #66

WHADDUP,

Uhhh yeah, so were gonna Skype on Christmas!! I think like 3 my time and I think that California's like 5 hours behind. I have no idea. hahah but that's some pretty crazyyy news. I've been talking to Bobby every time I get on, and it seems like hes suuuuperr in love. hahaha so hes prob gonna get married prettyyy fast!!! but I realllyy want to be there. Seriously. I'll come home to see it hahah but I do only have like 8 months left, so that's sickkk!!

I KNEW Chelsea was gonna marry Blake. That's suuuperr cool.  I bet they're super happy. Hey please when you see Chandler, tell him to email me, cuz I haven't talked to him in sooo long and I miss him!!! hahah

Hey, this week was amazzzinggg in many ways. and it kinda sucked in some ways. But the amazinggg part was seeing that Christopher got baptized. Seriously, I feel like it was the most spiritual baptism. It was great.  And I think the greatest thing about his baptism was just knowing that they have plans to be sealed in the temple.  And knowing that his wife, Jazmin can finally have the marriage she has always wanted. She grew up in the church, and finally gets to have the eternal marriage that every Mormon girl wants. She was crying a ton during the baptism. 

 
And when Christopher gave his testimony, it was so spiritual and he said I couldn't have gotten here without Elder Dirkmaat's testimony. And that just hit me in the heart knowing that I can be bringing sooo many blessings to peoples lives. Its so amazing. And I am so excited to see them get sealed in the temple. I truly have found the joy of being a missionary, and I know its bringing this joy to other peoples lives. I saw it sooo much In my last sector in Lo Campino. and I want to be able to do it in my new sector also.

And that last sector I was in was seriouslyyyy THE BEST. I have 8 converts there and seriously, it was so amazing to work in that sector. Because in that sector I changed as a person and as a missionary. I could see soooo many miracles and sooo many prayers answered. It was a great time.
And you know what? they sent me to the WORST sector of the mission that hasn't baptized in years. So I think the Lord wants me to progress more. But one thing I do know, is that there are people here that need me. So that makes me happy. So pray for me that I will be able to have success in this sector that's soooo famous for being sucky hahaha!!

Im nervous, but I know that there are people here that need to hear a testimony. Pray that I will be able to find those people. Because here the people are really difficult.

 
I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!
Thanks for everything!!!!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Not My Will But God's Will

Sector- Lo Campino, Quilicura
Companero- Elder Huarca
Carta #65

We are seeing SO MANY miracles in our sector. Its seriously AMAZING to see all the miracles that God has worked for my investigators and also personally. I feel like as I have become more and more converted to the Gospel, my investigators have been accepting the Gospel so much faster because now when I testify it comes from the heart and from experiences. not just faith that the things I'm teaching are true. But experiences that have shown me that it is true. And a FIRM Belief. Its amazing to see the changes in everyone. And to see the changes in my own life. And I think that is how I have found joy as a missionary.  Because that is the joy of a missionary. Helping others, and being converted to the gospel from doing just that. And I can't even tell you how many miracles I have seen in my own personal life and how many blessings God has given me just for giving some of my time to serve him. Just I have found out that God truly LOVES us. And that if we seek His will, He will show us. And If we are willing to do His will, we will be SO BLESSED. And SO happy. Because He loves us. Its so amazing the Gospel. And it sounds so so so simple when I say it like that. But I have come to know those things from personal experiences and I KNOW they are true. And I can say that all I want to do is follow Gods will. Because that is the ONLY intelligent thing to do in life. Seeking our own will is just plain dumb. Because God is wiser and ALWAYS has the bigger picture in mind. And I can say now that it is my true desire to always do his will. That is why I'm happy where I am right now. That is why I am happy with my plans in the future, because I know they are His will for me. And I know I will be happy. And that's why You guys are sooo happy I'm here because you know I'm doing His will. And You know that I will be blessed. I guess that's the biggest thing I've learned and something EVERY person should have in their life. Is the true desire to not do your own will, but Gods will. That is the attribute that Christ had, and that is why he could say that Him and the Father were one. Because he obeyed the Fathers will so Much and he SOUGHT the fathers will so much, that He ALWAYS did EXACTLY what the Father would do if He himself was right there with them. That is what we need to strive for as disciples of Christ. That is our Goal. And that is how we will get into the celestial kingdom.

Wow sometimes I just feel the spirit so much while I'm writing that I just turn into a preacher hahahaha But that's what the mission is about, learning!! and I'm doing that everyday!!! 

 
This week was a very good week. We did a Christmas concert for the community, and soooo many people went that aren't members and were crying because they felt the spirit so much. We the missionaries got to participate and sing. It was pretty siccccckckk. And were gonna have a lot of people that are interested from going to that concert. I'll send pics. Like 30 missionaries sang and I feel like my voice isn't all that terrible now. hahahaha

 Choir!

The People Who Came to See It!

But also miracles are happening with Christopher. He is SO excited about his baptism. And his wife starting crying because she was so happy that he is finally getting baptized. And she told us how she has always wanted to be sealed for all eternity with him. And she said thanks to your testimony, we are able to make this step and come closer to being sealed for all eternity. SO AMAZING. That is amazing. And they are so excited and so committed to be able to be sealed in the temple. And it was because we showed up at his door with a testimony of eternal families. I LOVE THIS. ITS AMAZING. That's why I'm here on this mission. His baptism is this Sunday, so I'll send you pictures. I'm super excited. 

 
I LOVE you Family. Thank you for always supporting me.
I'm happy here because I'm changing lives, like Christopher and his wives.

I Love you guys!!!

Love
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Go To the Temple - That is Where You Will Find Happiness!

Sector- Lo Campino, Quilicura
Companero- Elder Huarca
Carta #64

WOW you guys are soooooooooooooooooooooooo mean. hahah! Thats sooooo cool you guys got to go through the tour with Emily!! that's super cool. She told me it was spiritual and that my family is the best! hahaha She's super grateful for you guys because you guys are amazing!!!! That made me so jealous to be honest..hahah  I'm glad you guys can think shes just as cool as I think she is hahah Sounds like you guys had a sick thanksgiving. All the Christmas stuff is going up now and its that time of year when you want to be with the family. But its fine I'm used to it hahah  We had a meal for thanksgiving, all the gringos in our zone and we got chicken and potatoes and pudding hahaah because they don't have turkey here in Chile. But the chicken was good!! haahah But it was cool because we played a little bit of flag football so that was sick. A little piece of the USA. It was pretty cool!

This week has been different because I just got a new companion and I'm still getting used to how he is. Hahah he's kind of lazy but I tell him to work and he does it. The good thing is that he has a big testimony because he got baptized when he was 20. And has seen both sides of how it is being like a pro soccer player, like famous, and then leaving all of that because it was messing up his life. so that's good. 

 

Baptism of Almendra!!

We have an investigator now that's going to get baptized the 14th of December, that I NEVER thought would have accepted. But we have had some really spiritual lessons with him, where we testify and the spirit is there so strong testifying as well. And that is how he has come to accept that the church and the Book of Mormon is true. He used to be SO Catholic. But he has accepted that the church is true, because he has felt the truthfulness from the spirit, but not only did he feel it, but he recognized it. And that is how he knows that we are not lying. I'm excited for his baptism because I know it will bring so much joy in his life. 

 
Also the other investigator that we have, Christopher is super good also. He and his wife are just SO excited for his baptism. And all though he gets home from work at 1 in the morning, he wakes up his wife, and they study one chapter from the BOM every night. THAT is commitment. And they are just SO excited to get sealed in the temple one year after his baptism. I'm so glad that they can already have that goal in mind. because that is my goal and that is how we will reach the happiness we can have in this life and eternally. They even invited me to go to his sealing in January next year. so Idk I might have to come...Wow that'd be siiiiiickckk. haha

So things are super good in my sector. We're having a ton of success and I'm super excited for these two investigators to be baptized the 14th because I know they will stay in the church and I know they will be so happy from the decision they're making.

The Zone (just the elders)

Me, Adcock, Ellis SHAKA Bro.

I love you family. Thank you so much for the advice on getting into shape. hahah I started doing better exercises before I go to bed after we get in at night. I do a ton of push ups and sit ups and my comp has that roller thing that's super hard to do. SO I'm not that fat anymore hahah
Love you Guys!!!! Oliver is suppperrrrr talll now!!! Crazzzyyyy!!!!

Love
Elder Nate Dirkmaat