Monday, August 24, 2015

Homecoming

August 23, 2015

Welcome Home Elder Nate Dirkmaat!

For those of you who missed it, here is his talk he gave reporting on his mission:

Homecoming Talk

A BIG thank you to all of you who supported him on his mission and helped make his homecoming a special day!

Monday, August 10, 2015

See You in 3 Days!!!

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- From Ecuador
Carta #99

7 Bautismos!!!





WoWWWW!!!!

I'm soooo excited to see you guys again in just THREE days!!! AHHH I can't believe it's finally come to an end. Seriously. It's sooo crazy!!! I'm so happy for all that I've been able to experience in these two years. Really, it's been sooooooo hard. So hard, but as I look back now, it's been sooo worth it. The feeling that I feel right now is so undescribable, because after the baptisms we had this week I've had the spririt sooo strongly, and I've just been sooo happy. To know that I could help so many people come unto Christ, and take part in the blessings that we have. I just feel so happy to know how much I've changed as a person. I've come to feel the BEAUTY of the Gospel. Because it is SOO beautiful, and I love it. I've come to know of God's love for me. That He LOVES me so much. And that He has preserved me this whole time. And He always comes through with His promises. It's SO amazing. I feel so happy, and I just KNOW that God is happy with me. That's the best part. I feel happy that I came here and that I worked. And that I can look back and be pleased and know that God is pleased. that is what makes me happy. I remember how HARD it was for me to leave on the mission, and how doubtful I was to come. But as I endured through the trials, it became something so amazing. I feel so happy to be able to come home to the people I love. And to know that God is happy with me. I hope I can continue to progress as I come home and continue to serve in this wonderful work. If there's one thing I know it's that this Gospel is true. And that it brings us happiness. It really does, because I'm happy. I'm truly happy. And that God is our father, and loves us truly. I know that these things are true. I feel them deep in my heart, and I have felt it many times. I will never doubt what I've been able to gain in my mission. It's my only desire to serve all my life, because through helping others, is how we become truly happy. Losing ourselves in the salvation of others makes us someone truly happy. I love it. 

I love you guys. I'll see you in 3 days ;) 

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, August 3, 2015

7 Baptisms Coming Up!!!

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- From Ecuador
Carta #98


SNOW in Chile!!


Snow Again!!


SNOW!  Lots of it!!

This week!!!

Well this week was just amazinggg!! We fasted like 3 times this week and it was amazing. Because when you fast, you can feel the spirit, soooo strongly, and really feel that God is guiding and directing you, it's the bestttt! And really we received the answers to our fasts, so that was really amazing. And we had 7 progressing investigators this week, and ALL 7 of them are getting baptized this next Sunday, my last Sunday!!!!! It's going to be amazingggg seeing all of these investigators that I've taught for sooo long, and worked with for so long, come unto the waters of baptism :) It's a great way to end my mission. The best part is that the Sister Missionaries in my branch are having two baptisms that day so there's going to be 9 baptisms in one day and it will be crazzyyy!!!! I'm so excited.

I'm so excited to see you guys again, and finally spend time with you guys!!! Thank you for helping me and supporting me always throughout my mission, it's been the best, and I couldn't do it without you guys :) 

Next week I'll write, and I'll only have two days lefttt!!!!!
I love you guys!!!


Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, July 27, 2015

Miracles are Happening!

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- From Ecuador
Carta #97

This week was pretty amazing!!! A miracle happened this week!!! We have an investigator named Bo that we´ve been teaching for sooooooo long and he's been wanting to get baptized for a very long time. But the only thing impeding his baptism was that he was never able to get a date to get married to his girlfriend whom he lives with. So we had stopped passing by for a while. Then one day we were in the street riding our bikes, and we see Bo in the street and he yells for us to stop and we stop and start talking to him, and he was like suppperrr happy. And he shows us a paper that says he took out a date in the place where they marry people to get married the 5th of August!!! and I was like whattttt!? Are you Serious!? so we put him with a baptismal date for the 9th of August right away!! My last Sunday. And he was super happy to know that he could get baptized before I left the mission because Iv'e been working with him since the beginning. So that was pretty cool!!! I was so happy! It was a miracle that he could take that date out to get married, just the week before I was leaving, and he didn't even know I was leaving that week!!! crazzyy! It was truly a miracle. 

 Its been crazy also, because we´ve been trying to teach everyone who has their baptism planned for my last Sunday and trying to finish all the lessons, so we´ve been working really hard teaching a lot, and also as a zone we put a goal to do contacts so we´ve been doing a lot of contacts also, finding a bunch of people. I'm just trying to finish strong, and work until the very end, and help everyone I can. It's hard to finish the mission because your like so excited to go home and happy, but at the same time you want to work hard and be a great missionary so its hard!! haha

That Mt. Whitney trip seems pretty gnarly!! Are you sure your gonna be able to do it!? 

Thank you family for writing me, I'm excited to see you guys again just in 2 more weekss!!! whattt its gone by sooo fast!!!!

I love you guys!!!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, July 20, 2015

Working Hard to Finish Strong!

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- From Ecuador
Carta #96

WOW, thanks for the long email!! it was cool!! those pictures look soooo amazing!!! That's the sickest scout camp ever!! hahah, Ollie looks like he's soooo tall now!! He looks like a BOSS! hahah he's gonna be so different when I see him again!!! it's ridiculous!! You guys have so many adventures. Thats cool. Can't wait to do sick stuff with you guys againnnn!!! Its gonna be the beeeessttt!! haha
 
This week has been good because we put another family with a baptismal date for my last Sunday in the mission. And we're just praying and working hard so that these two families that we have can be baptized that day and that I can end my mission on a good note!!!! And the families are just amazing, We know that they've been prepared to hear the gospel and accept it. We're going to fast this week so that those families can arrive at their baptisms ready and with a testimony. That would be the biggest blessing to me to be able to finish my mission helping a family come closer to become an eternal family. That would be the most amazing for me!! 

Right now at the end its been super hard for me to not be trunky but I really try hahah but at the end its just hard. But the most important thing is that I am working my hardest. I just want to finish well and work till the end and not give up. I know that afterwards I'll receive sooo many blessings for my service.

My companion wrote me and told me that since he's been home, he's received sooo many blessings and that in the mission you don't even recieve the smallest part of the blessings that await you after the mission. It was cool to see that the mission blessed his life so much. I love you guys!! Pray for me so that I can work hard and finish strong!!! and that those two families can be baptized!!!!

I love you Guys!!!!!!!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, July 13, 2015

Helping Others Helps Ourselves

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- From Ecuador
Carta #95

Well this week has been eventful, because its rained A TON this week. Seriously its never rained like this while I've been in Chile. And its been hard to work, because its been raining so much!!

There were transfers this week, and me and my companion are staying in our sector, and were both really happy for that. Because that family of 3 will be getting baptized, probably my last week in the mission!!! so that will be amazinnggg! I'm so excited for that. Theyre super excited for their baptism as well. But the best part about this baptism is that they have goals to be sealed in the temple. That's their main motivation to get baptized is to become an eternal family!! That is what is amazing about this family, because I know that I'm able to be an instrument in Gods hands to have this family be sealed for all eternity. that will be something so amazing for me. And also all my life to look back on the mission and be happy to have gone, and see alll the blessings the people I taught now have. That will be something that will make me happy continually for the rest of my life! Knowing that I could help others, and along the way we automatically help ourselves and grow our testimonies. If anyones been changed or converted in the mission its me. Because I can understand and feel the joy and beauty of the gospel so much better now. Knowing that I didn't even want to go on the mission when I left, and seeing how I am now is a big change that God wanted in me. And I'm so glad that these things will bless me for the rest of my life.

You have to send me pics of your adventures!!! Thank you for everything!

I love you guys!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, July 6, 2015

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- From Ecuador
Carta #94

My BIRTHDAY with the familia Jimenez

Monday, June 29, 2015

The Beauty of the Gospel

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- From Ecuador 
Carta #93

Thanks for the happy birthdays!!!!! Its crazy im oldldddd now!! Im 21 i can drink, go to bars, and gamble now!!! what a blessing!!! hahahah I cant imagine how you guys feel knowing that your second child is now 21.  WOW hahaha

This week was a really good week for us.  We`ve been working super hard.  And that family of 5 that we found went to church!!!!!! That was amazinggg!!! We have a family of 3 and a family of 5 that were teaching and that are preparing for their baptisms in July!!! The last month of my mission will be the most successful one Ive had in all my mission.  Its amazing how many miracles we`ve seen, how many people we`ve found, and how many people are just sooo prepared to hear the gospel.  I know that these people that were finding were prepared, and that we were lead and guided to them to teach them and bring them the gospel . Its something different when you teach someone that you know is prepared, because you can feel something sooo special as you teach them.  Because the spirit is always there telling them these things are true.  And as you feel that spirit you can also feel a great love for the people that your teaching, and it is just something so amazing, that I will miss a lot when I go home.  I LOVE teaching these people and coming to love them, and then just seeing how their lives are sooo blessed afterwards.  Its amazing and Im so happy to be here and to have all your support.  And also so happy to know that I will see you all again sooo soon.  It will be so sweet.  I love this gospel now.  

Thinking about what has changed most in me, is really now that I find the beauty of the gospel.  It is something so beautiful.  That Im soo grateful to have in my life.  And these last weeks I have in the mission I will use them to help others to receive these great blessings.

I LOVE you guys!!! thank you for all your support and love!!!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, June 22, 2015

Tragedy & Hope


Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Comparero- From Ecuador
Carta #92

Wow, this week has been hard, but it was good over all. In the missionary work part it was slow at the beginning of the week just looking for more people who are prepared to receive the message we have and accept it. But we really couldnt find anyone. However Vannessa and Oscar and Coni are progressing super well. They are the investigators the most prepared that I have ever taught!!! its sooo amazing! Just everything we say and every time we teach the spirit is there sooo strongly because theyre just sooo prepared to receive us and accept the gospel.

But at the end of the week, we found a family that was just amazinggggg!!! We received this family as a reference from a member, and he told us that the son in the family had recently committed suicide and hung himself in the house. And that his mom found him there hanging. So that was something really really difficult for her. And that the Catholics had passed by and told her basically that her son was going to be in hell forever ha. So that didnt help her at all either. So this member invited us to pass by with her, and we explained the plan of salvation and how much God loves us and how he can change and repent, and it brought soooo much calm to her soul, and alll her family. Theyre like 7 in total. And you could just feel the spirit sooooo strongly there in the lesson testifying of what we were saying and they all could feel it sooo strongly. I loved it. We set another date to go back, and i have so much faith that that family will progress and arrive at a baptism to be able to help her son and become an eternal family. That was amazing to be able to be an instrument in Gods hands to bring peace to one of his daughters souls that was greatly afflicted. That is the joy of the mission. We literally are Gods hands here on earth or God angels, and thats amazing to me!!!

I cant wait to see you guys again!! stop having sooo much fun without me pleeease!!! hahaha just kidding. I love you guys Soooo much!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, June 15, 2015

Baptism On July 4th!

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- From Ecuador
Carta #91

This week has been really good!! I dont know If I told you guys already, but we found a family that is just SO amazing, and all three of them are planning on getting baptized the 4th of July!!!! what a good way to celebrate it right!? And my birthday!!! Im so excited, and Im so happy to be teaching this family, because they were just sooo prepared,and Im sooo glad that we were able to be instruments in Gods hands to find them and bring them to him. Thats so amazing to me. And it makes me soooo happy! We have been looking a lot for more investigators, and weve had some success, so were happy with whats going on. Its the Copa America here in Chile so everyone is like crazy for the soccer games that are like every single day. And Chile is doing super well so theres like a tonnn of parties and everything hahah not the best time to preach the gospel ,but its a cool experience!!!

Wow When I think about all that I have to do at home I just get STRESSED, and worried, I just want to be happy and spend time with the people I love hahaha But Im not gonna worry about that now, Im just going to think about the good things that are happening, and the good things that will happen when Im home. Thanks for the tips on the homecoming talk hahaha Dad dont worry, ive gotten soooo used to speaking in public now I feel like comfortable now in front of people. Because like every week I have to teach in front of 22 missionaries! Those are the blessings from the mish!!! pretty cool right!?

Well My companion is from Ecuador and ecuador lost in the Copa America to Chile so everyone makes fun of him for that hahahah but hes cool, Its a little bit harder to get along with him, but still I try to look for the Good and not be thinking about the bad things, becasue that will just be bad for the relationship. Thank you for Everything, HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD!!!! I hope its the best ever!!! I wish I could do skype with you on Fathers day, but we cant, Im sorry hahah but at least Ill be there with you guys soon!!!

I LOVE you Guys!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, June 8, 2015

Instruments in God's Hands

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- From Ecuador
Carta- #90

Wow this week has been much harder than the last weeks!! My companion left, and the companion that I have now is soooo much different!!! my companon is from Ecuador, and hes pretty cool!! But we have been working soooo much this week! the problem that we have now in our sector, is that we baptized all the investigators we were teaching and were in the process of looking for new people to teach and baptize. And thats always the hardest part of missionary work. It means a lottt of contacts and everything hard work, in the streets all day haha but we have had a lot of success actually in finding people, so that makes me super happy. We prayed a lot and we have found some people that are just amazing, and I know that they were prepared by God to receive us in their houses, and thats just amazing!!! We found one family that was just SO prepared and we could just feel it the moment we talked to her in her door. We had the first lesson with her, and we could just feel the spirit soooo strong and after we finished talking, she said, wow Ive never felt like this before, I just feel so much peace and happiness. And the next time we passed by she said that ever since we came, she could feel so much happier, that like before she was struggling, a lot but now she could feel so much peace, and just wants us to come all the time. Her names Vanessa, and the most amazing thing about her is that shes MARRIED. NO ONE gets married in chile thats young like her. They all just live with each other, and thats the biggest problem ever for us. But she is married, and the thing that she wants most is to be sealed, so that makes me sooo happy that we can be instruments in Gods hands to do his work.

Also, one more experience that just strengthened my testimony sooooo much, was that I did and interchange with a missionary thats kind of new in the mission, and he was telling me about his problems and how its hard for him to have faith and be successful in the mission. So when we left in the morning to work, I prayed to God that he could show us miracles that day, so this missionary can realize that really miracles exist, and that God is preparing the people we are to teach. And that day, We left, and immediately we started seeing miracles, we had that lesson with vanessa where she said she was SO grateful we came and knew what we were saying was true, and also, we found TEN new investigators in ONE day. THAT is a miracle. That is something that strengthened my testimony sooo much. And this missionary at the end of the day, said to me, Elder Dirkmaat now I KNOW that miracles exist. Wow that was just amazing, and strengthened me sooo much!!!

I want you guys to know that God hasnt ceased to be a God of miracles and that today, Angels still come to people, we can still heal people, if these things dont exist, its because we dont have faith. We should all have faith that God is the same now, and those miracles in the scriptures still happen. And I see them with my own eyes. I love you guys!!!!! I hope everything works out for BYU Idaho!! let me know if I need to do anything!!!!!

Love,

Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, June 1, 2015

A Miracle Happend!

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- Elder Gonzalez
Carta- #89

A miracle happened this week!!!! We have an investigator named Nancy, her daughter Isabel got baptized like 2 years ago, and she has her Boyfriend on the mission now. Nancy has been receiving the missionaries for more than two years now, and she loves to feel the spirit and listen to the messages they bring, but she never could ever clear up the doubts she had about Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon, and Thomas S. Monson being prophet today. She just couldnt believe it. So we had gone by many times trying to help her. And eventually we went by and she told us that she had finally read the book of mormon and prayed afterwards to know if it was true, and she felt really deeply that it was true. So that day we put her with Baptismal date. Even though she had her doubts still about Joseph Smith and Thomas S. Monson being prophet today. We kept teaching her, and as her baptismal date got closer, we started to get really worried about what was going to happen because she still hadnt received her answer about Joseph Smith and Thomas S. Monson and in the baptismal interview you have to say that you believe that they are prophets and that you know that because youve felt it, so we just prepared everything for the baptism still, having faith that as she does her part preparing for the baptism that God was going to give her her answer. So we went by every single day last week trying to help her, and eventually the day of the baptism arrived and she had her interview at 5:30 p.m and her baptism at 7. I was just supperrr worried because I didnt think she was going to pass and we were going to have to cancel everything. But miraculously she passed, and we had no idea how still because we were busy doing everything. So she got baptized and was just superrrr happy and everything and feeling the spirit and that was amazing, but after her baptism she gave her testimony. She told everyone how that same morning she had gotten the movie about Thomas S. Monson and said a prayer before watching it, telling God that she wanted to know if he is a prophet because she wants to get baptized. So she started to watch it, and she said that as she watched it, in her heart she felt something sooooo strongly and that she knew in that moment he is a prophet of god and receives revelation for us. She said she cried like the whole movie. As she bore her testimony on these things you could just feel the spirit sooo strongly, and I was just soooooo HAPPY that we could help someone to gain a testimony sooo strongly about this gospel and Thomas S. Monson. I know that because of this testimony she will be able to stay in the church and receive the blessings God has for her. It was a MIRACLEEEE!!! 

Nancy Monsalves. It was an amazing baptism!!

Me and my Friend DOMENICO!!!!

I'm just sooo grateful for everything that's happening because it strengthens my testimony as well to see these miracles happen. And that just shows that if we have righteous goals, that we know God is pleased with, that if we do our part, God Will ALWAYS do his part. He will ALWAYS provide everything we need as long as we are following him, and doing his will. We can all have faith in that. And this experience shows that this is true.

I love you Guys!! Thank you for the Email!!!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, May 25, 2015

Testify of the Book of Mormon!

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- Elder Gonzalez
Carta- #88

Thats soooo crazy you got the flight information!!! whattttt hahaha its getting soo close!

We had two baptisms this week!!!! it was amazinggg!!! I'm sending pics right now!! I hope it works!! but the baptisms were amazing and super spiritual!!

Benjamin and his family were superrr happy because he was the only one not baptized in their family and they're working towards and eternal family so that is their next goal!! And the other is named Alicia and she was just super excited alll week for her baptism and she's just super humble it surprises me! on Sunday she paid her tithing even though she makes 30 dollars a week and was just super happy to pay her tithing. It's amazing to see people who have that kind of faith even though they don't have hardly anything. It's amazing to see that in the people here in Chile!! 
 
My companion goes home this week and we have transfers this week, I'm nervous for whats going to happen but I hope they don't change me!!! We're gonna have another baptism this week, a woman named Nancy is going to get baptized and her story is pretty amazing also. She had been sharing with the missionaries for a lonnnggg time and never ever accepted a baptismal date. But once she actually had a sincere desire she asked if the Book of Mormon is true and she felt that it was. That is what changed her. Once she was able to actually read it and feel the spirit she was able to feel what we were teaching was true. And that is how it is for all of us. I feel like once I finished reading the Book of Mormon for the first time, was when I was really converted and could become a powerful teacher and be able to testify of the things we teach. It's amazing. And I love the Book of Mormon now. I know that when I get back I will read it everyday and it will be a great blessing always!!!

We´ve seen so many miracles of conversion and it strengthens my testimony every time. The lord has blessed us soooo much and I'm soo grateful for that. I know it because we have been diligent and worked with all our hearts. 

Alicia and Benjamin!
 
More pictrures from the Baptism!

Familia Soto!
Theyre the bestttt hahah
Thats her boyfriend and we're working with him now so that he gets baptized also.

Family I love you so much!!!!

Tell Chelsea congradulations!!!!!! haha and tell Chandler I say hi.

Hey! I asked Ian if he wanted to room with me also!!! He said he's going to BYU-Idaho so that will be cool.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Be Committed!

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- Elder Gonzalez
Carta- #87

Thanks for the amazing email!!! It's amazing what we can do when we put our mind to it, and we're truly committed to doing it. I think that once I really liked the mission and committed to it, was when I really was converted and started having success. And from that point its just been a blessing and not a sacrifice to be on the mission. I've always thought it would be a sacrifice, but now I see it as the biggest blessing in the world to be able to gain the testimony I now have. And to be able to help others have that as well. That's the best part!! the scripture I always think of when I think about my mission is Alma 29: 9-10. It explains what the joy of the mission is. And also all of chapter 26 in Alma is pretty amazing and explains pretty well the joy of the mission. It's amazing how much joy the gospel brings us and blessings. And it's amazing the love that God has for us. I don't see these two years as a sacrifice.  I give to god, hoping that it will please Him, I know it will please Him to see someone trying to do the best they can, I see it as a blessing to be able to serve and knowing that I don't even have the smallest part of the blessings I will receive for the mission.
 
We have 2 baptisms this week!!!! WHATTTT the miracles that are happening here in Lampa are amazinggg!!! haha we have the baptism of Benjamin, the son of a less active that we´ve been teaching that now is active and her whole family is coming from super far away for her baptism. The other baptism is Alicia and she's an older lady that we´ve been teaching that is just super receptive and loves the church and has soooo much faith! She makes 30 dollars a week, and she was soooo excited to pay her tithing when we taught her about the blessing it is to do it. It's amazing how she can do that with an income of 30 dollars a month, and she hardly has money to buy food. She's super humble and it's an amazing experience to see how humble some people are. We found another family this week that have a baptimsal date, and they're superrrr good!!! there's just miracles all around. If theres one thing I can learn from the mission is that when we have faith we can do whatever God wants. And God always wants us to be successful. I know that will help me for the rest of my life!!!

Me with Nancy shes getting baptized may 30th!!! so excited!!!

Eduardo De La Jara, he's a sculptor and he makes bulls haha he just got baptized last week

Batpism of Eduardo De La Jara! hes super cool and he has goals to get sealed with his gf whos member!! Siicck!

I love you Guys!!!
I hope you have a great week!!!
I only have 12 more weeks left don't worry I'll be there soon!!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, May 4, 2015

Be Strong in the Face of Temptation

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- Elder Gonzalez
Carta- #86

Hey family,

Well this week was pretty sweettt!! the bestt part was that we had 8 investigators in church!!! That was AMAZINGG!!! and they're progressing sooo well! It's amazing how much success we're having, I feel sooo blessed in this sector. My companion is going home this change but he's super focused and he works super hard so it's a blessing to be with him also. We're super good friends and we're always just joking all day it's cool haha. He said he's gonna study in BYU because he speaks english.

We're going to have a baptism this week of a guy named Eduardo. He's like 36 years old, and he's had a ton of problems to be able to get to his baptism, with the word of wisdom, and with the law of chastity, but he has been able to finally leave those things behind, and be determined to follow God. It's been amazing to teach him, because I've learned how I can be stronger in the face of temptation, and how to help others overcome that temptation. And to trust in God. It's been a long time since he's been with the missionaries, but we're grateful that we're finally able to see his baptism. He has a girlfriend that's member and they have plans to be sealed. That is really how he overcame the temptations and all his problems, because we told him to always remember which way he faces. And the way he faces, is being able to spend all eternity with his future wife. And as he looked to his sealing always, he put goals, and he was able to be stronger because he thought of the blessing to be sealed with his girlfriend in the temple. It's amazing how when we take that step of faith and put goals and we pray to be able to complete the goals, God always comes through and is able to bless us.

We're also teaching a family that has been less active for a long time, and really has passed through sooo many difficulties in life, and on our first day here we were both new here in lampa. And we were outside with our suticases, and Judith comes up to us and asks us to visit her. So we went that night, and we were able to become friends with her and all her family. And ever since then, we always go by, and they go to church every single Sunday. Her daughter is starting to go to mutual, and Seminary and everything. And the best part is that were going to baptize her son!! he's preparing for his baptism and he's suppperrr excited! Its been amazing to be able to teach her and her family, because I've really been able to see how they've been blessed through going to church and keeping the commandments. She prayed and prayed for help, and God sent us and I feel sooo blessed to be able to be an instrument in the hands of God and help people like her and her Family to be able to come unto him, and receive blessings that will last for eternity. We're helping her boyfriend to be able to come to church, but its a little difficult, but I know he will someday, because I know he knows the things we teach are true. 

That's a little bit about the families were teaching! and i'ts so amazing to be able to help these people and see the blessings of God. I LOVE IT!

I Love you family!!! IM sooo excited to talk to you guys on sunday!! At 4:30 my time!!!!
On Google Hangout!!! Its gonna be siiick!!!

Love you guys,
Love.
Elder Nate Dirkmaat!

Monday, April 27, 2015

Quick Note

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- Elder Gonzalez
Carta- #85

How was your week!? How are you mommy!! haha how's spending time with Bobby and Kelli! Are they weird together?

I've been good, there's a toonnn of people here in Lampa!! They just come up to us and ask us to teach them it's crazyyy!!! We're having a ton of success!! Sounds like dad and Ollie had a sick hike!! They alwayss go on campouts!! I remember when we did that San Jacinto hike it was sweett! We gotta go backpacking me, you, mom, Emily, Bobby and his Kelli ;) hahah that'd be sooo sick. But the woman would just dieee!

Mom, your were on the news! whhhhattt sweeett!! Ill try to watch it!! I hope I can!!!
Hey mom can you ask Chandler or Matt if I can room with them at BYU-I when I get back!? I dont want to be aloinee!!

I LOVE you guys!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, April 20, 2015

Converting People to Christ

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- Elder Gonzalez
Carta- #84

hahah that was pretty sick to be able to talk to you dad! Mom didn't even answer! hahaha Emily's brother just got engaged also, everyoneessss getting engaged!!! sooo crazzy! hahah How's Ian and Matt doing? I need to room with matt or Ian or chandler in Idaho, you should tell them. That'd be soo sick!

Well this week has been a pretty amazinggg week!! We had a ton of investigators that were progressing this week, and really we're seeing miracles of people who have never accepted baptismal dates before, that are accepting them now. And people who have never gone to church before who are going!! It's amazing, and I know it's not us, but it's the spirit that we bring through the scriptures and our testimonies!! that's the bestt part!!1 I loved what emily felt in the temple. It really makes me feel like I am doing something that is sooo important, and I'm so happy I have so much support. And I really feel like we have found so many people that have been prepared to receive the gospel this week it's been amazing. You just know when they're prepared, because you can feel it. One of the reasons I left on the mission is because I knew that there were people that needed the testimony I have, and I didn't want to stand in front of them on the last day, and say why I didn't go save them. And I know that I've found so many of those people that have needed my testimony, and my help. And I feel sooo grateful to be able to be there for them. And I also know that I will be able to see them when we get to the other side, and there will be great joy to see them there with me. And I know they will thank me and it will be great. 
 
Elder Dallin H. Oaks came and talked to our mission this week ,and It was soooo cool to see him, and to see an apostle up soo close!! I know he's just a man, but I know he's able to see things and hear things we can't. And he gave us some amazing tips and instruccions. He basically talked about how we should be missionaries that give it our all. And that don't serve with part of them but with everything. And also that we need to not convert people to the church, but to Christ. Because a lot people come converted to the church because of friendships and other things the church can give, but if they are not converted to Christ one day they will stop going. And our job is to bring people unto Christ. Not to increes the membership of the church. He also talked about the sacrament, and how much it means. How we need to teach that really well. It was sooo cool, and you really can feel a special spirit when an apostol is there. 

A seventy also spoke at the conference we had, and it was really cool what he said. He said we should do everything always looking forward to the sealing room. We should teach our investigators so that they can get there, and we should prepare ourselves to get there. Because that is the most important room in the temple he said. That was pretty amazing, and I feel like its soo true, that it really SUCKS that other people can't be with their families for eternity because they don't have this message. So that's why I want to preach it soooo much. So that they can be together for eternity. You guys should also preach it always. I feel like when I get home, I'm gonna call the missionaries, and together were gonna go knock on Trevor Flahive's door, and we're gonna teach him, and h'es gonna get baptized. I've thought about that sooo much ahah And its gonna happen!!!!! Im so excited!! hahah
I hope that you guys have another good week!!! I'll be here working my butt off!!! Just for another 4 months :) Then I'll just be a beach bum shredding the gnar.

I love you guys!!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, April 13, 2015

I've Learned How to Be A Missionary

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- Elder Gonzalez
Carta- #83

 Me and my companion!!! Elder Gonzalez

Judith!!! She's the best. She always gives us food, and just super cool! She's slowly coming back to being active in church.and her son's going to be baptized!!!

Mommmyyyyy that sounds amaazzinggg a beach bonfireee seriously!!! We're gonna have to have one when I get home :) haha mommy only 4 more months and you'll be seeing my beautiful face again!!!! Are you sooo happy!!!? hahaha

Yeah, it was super sick to hang out with Wes!  Actually we hang out every single p-day hahah it's soooo weird how we're able to serve the mission together!! haha I hope he can be my companion that'd be super sick. 
 
But right now things here in Lampa are realllyyyy good!! We're super excited to be here. It's my companions last transfer, but he is such a hard worker, and he's an example to me of how I should be at the end of my mission. He's serously so spiritual, and I learn a lot from him. I love Lampa and we're excited to see a lot of people that are progressing towards their baptism. 

I've been learning sooo much and now at the end of my mission I feel like I've really learned how to be a missionary. and it sucks because I'm ending now, but I guess the point of the mission and the real success that you have in the mission, is how you have changed as a person. And how you have been able to become converted to the gospel. I feel like I've been able to strengthen my testimony, and I know that I've not only been able to have faith in the blessings of the gospel, but that I've been able to SEE with my own eyes miracles, and blessings for my service. IT's something sooo amazing. And I'm sooo glad that I've been able to be on the mission and that I have 4 more months of preaching the gospel and becoming a better husband and father for the future :) 

You guys are the sickest. I prob have the sickest family ever. you guys really know whats up and I love how you support me in everything. It helps so much. I love how you guys as a couple can love each other so much because it's an example to me. and you guys have really made me into who I am. So you guys are pretty sick. haha

I love you guys!!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, April 6, 2015

Baptism in Lampa!

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- Elder Gonzalez
Carta- #82

My sectooorrr!

The girl in the middle got baptized. She was too embarassed to take a picture with the baptimal clothes on hahaha!  Her name is Alexandra.

Me and my COUSIN watching the sunrise on the hill last p dayyy. SICKK

Wellll this week was a greaatttt week!! Conference was pretty sweet!! Especially when Uchtdorf got up and started talking in German hahaha that was sooo funny. He's such a boss!! haha but this week was also great because of the GREAT baptism that we had. It was amazing, and the spirit was felt soooo strongly in the baptism. Alexandra has grown up with her family that's been members almost her whole life. She was never really interested in the church and she never really went that much except for when she was a kid in the primary. All she needed was the little push from her baptism. Before her baptism she was sooo nervous. But after she was baptized there was a musical number from the young woman and she just started crying and then her mom bore her testimony and she just started cryinggg. Because it was such a simple testimony but the spirit was so strong. But the coolest part was that afterwards, she told her mom that she wants to go on the mission and that she never wants to leave the church because she felt sooo good. Thats sooo amazing that she was able to feel the spirit soooo strongly and that she was able to have that desire to go on the mission!! So amazing to know that she's growing spiritually and that we could be instruments in Gods hands to help her to do that. We're helping her parents get married so that they can be sealed in the temple. 

Conference was amazing and I was able to recieve so many answers and feel the spirit sooo much. They focused a LOT on the family and having good relationships as a family. Because that is what Satan is attacking most in society today. And I know that if we have a strong family we have the potential to be SO happy. Thats why its so important to me my family!! To be sealed to them and to be happy. Because the family is the mosttt important!!!

Ollie's Email was sooo cool!! hahah he's such a shredder!! and it looks like he loooovvess middle school!!! That's sweeettt!

I hope you guys liked the pics!! They took forever to put up!!!

I LOVE you Guys!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, March 30, 2015

Put God First

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- Elder Gonzalez
Carta- #81

Wow! sounds sweet, your new calling Dad! Your gonna be the bestttt man! Haha Bobby was just telling me all about his wedding plans and stuff..its gonna be crazzyyyy mom!! so crazy!! haha it's so weird how he's already engaged and stuff. he's probably changed so much since I've been home.

Well anyways, this week was SUUPERRR busy the whole time. As a zone leader we always have things to do. Planning classes we have to give and just doing everything so that other missionaries can be better!! haha its kind of hard, but still we are having a LOT of success in our sector, and we're having a baptism this week, between the sessions of conference and that's gonna be amazing!!! My first baptism in Lampa! Me and my companion have put ourselves with some pretty big goals as a companionship, but we've prayed about it and asked Gods help so that we are able to complete with these goals,  I know that as we work as hard as we can God will bless us with success and I KNOW He will show us MIRACLES. because God is a god of miracles. He is a god of love, and I know through our diligence and Gods hand in the work, we´ll be able to see amazing things in this sector. That's something that I've learned on the mission, is the importance of goals, and how when we have Goals God really sees our faith in action. And he can help us complete with those goals, as long as they are righteous and we have the right desires in our hearts. 
 
There's been so many things I've learned, but really nearing the end of my mission, its amazing to look back and see all the challenges I've gone through, and how I've grown and been able to depend on God. How I've been able to really put him first and see the miracles. I'm so blessed as a person. And I'm so grateful for that. I really feel like the most blessed person in my life because God is so amazing and loving. Especially the blessing I have to have a family that's so amazing and strong in the gospel, that loves me is something amazing, and also to know that afterwards I;ll be blessed with my own amazing family overwhelms me with gratitude. I hope you guys have a good week, and that you realize how much I've changed on my mission. At the beginning, when I was on the plane, I was literally thinking in the plane that I was gonna go home after 4 months because I wasn't even sure about my decision, and I was scared. But I can say that I jumped with my faith, and even though I was dead afraid, exercised at least some faith, and now I can see the miracles. Yes, there's been so many trials, but there's always the light at the end. And really it's just a miracle what I've become, and everything I have. Its amazing. I hope that in these next five months, I can give those blessings to other people. My goal in this last part, is to be a better missionary than I've been my whole mission. Because something I've realized is that missionaries at the end stop working and give up a little bit and start to be disobedient. But when I see that, I can say that they really didn't learn ANYTHING or they re just not applying what they learned, because we as missionaries are the most powerful at the end of our missions, and I know in these next five months miracles will happen. Just watch ;)

I love you Family Thank you for everything!!!

Love
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, March 23, 2015

We Are Blessed

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- Elder Gonzalez
Carta- #80

MOM!
Your new car looks sickkkk!!! That sucks the Audi is gonneee :( I wanted to race that thing when I got back!! hahaha

Here in Lampa it's been really good!! We have some investigators that are seriously soooo Amazing!! We found one that is from America and he speaks mostly English, and we shared the first lesson with him, and when we were sharing the first vision, we really could feel the spirit soooo strongly in what we were saying, and I could really tell the spirit was also touching him. He started to cry afterwards and said, it looks like I've finally found what I've been looking for, and started talking about how he was like Joseph Smith and had been looking for the right church and where God wanted him to be and he had finally found it. 

It was really an amazinggg lesson. Its helping people like that that gives me the happiness to be here. because its so amazing to be able to see how happy people are to finally find what's true. And we really are SO blessed to have these things in our lives. We are so blessed to have the sealing power here on earth. We are so blessed for all of these things, and I never realized that before my mission. That is what the mission has done for me. I really really feel like if someone does not have the desire to share the gospel, they really aren't truly converted. Because like Dad always explained, when we find a truth and it makes us happy, we naturally, as people have the desire for others to be happy as well. So if we really are happy in the Gospel and happy for what God has done for us, I really know that all of us would be sharing the gospel ALL the time especially with the people we love.

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
Sorry I didn't have much time today!
I LOVE you guys!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, March 16, 2015

Be An Example

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- Elder Gonzalez
Carta- #79

MOMMY and DADDY!!

Well, this first week in Lampa was fullll of miracles! We know NOTHING of the sector, and it's in the country so there's not even addresses half the time!! haha and we've just been lost!! but somehow God has blessed us soooo much this week with success. I was just surprised, because either God was blessing us, or the people here are just SUPER receptive. We did like 28 contacts, and found 15 new people!! That NEVER happens!!! haha! it was amazing, and some of the people are soooo ready to here the message and accept it!! I was so happy! Everyone was just letting us into their house!! crazy"! We have some people that will probably be getting baptized in this next month. There's one who's name is Alexandra and her whole family are members but she's the only one who isn't. We got to their house, and basically she was like hey, I'm not baptized, and I want to be baptized and a long time ago the missionaries were giving me the lessons, but they just stopped coming!  hahaha, I was like what!? she went to church on Sunday with her family, so she's progressing really well!! We will be helping her a lot!

But here in Lampa has been cool! My companion is seriously super cool. He's from Peru, his name is Elder Gonzalez and he has like 3 months left in the mission, but one thing that's good, is that he's like suuuperr focused on his mission, and that helps me to be focused also. So I'm glad about that. Also he works really hard and teaches really well, It's been a while since I've had a companion like him. So I'm sure we`ll have a ton of success and see a lot of miracles, through working hard, and having faith. The zone has been a little bit slow in baptizing these last months, but we have put goals for them to have 5 people with baptismal dates every week, and 5 new people at least, and we're seeing the results. But first, us and the leaders have to be the example so we're working really hard every day to work as hard as we can and help as much people as we can. I know there's so much potential in this sector, and that we can make miracles happen. It might be my last sector, I have to make it GOOD!! I know I'll be sooo blessed for my service also, that's what makes me happy to see other people accept this wonderful message. My favorite part about the missionary work is bearing my testimony, because the spirit is there to testify right along with it every single time, and that strengthens my testimony soo much. 
 
Thanks for the pics. looks like those double over head waves were siiiiiiickk at Rincon hahaha!  I can't wait to shred the gnar again. Its gonna be SICK.

I love you guys!!!
I'll get your package this week!!
And yes, Wes is in Batuco!! where I was!! haha and I call him every night!!! we're gonna do exchanges this week! craaazzyyy!! hahah

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, March 9, 2015

Vision + Faith = Miracles!

Sector- Lampa, Santiago
Companero- Elder GonzalezCarta- #78

WOW! we had transfers!! and they transferred me OUT and gone. haha It's not as hard for me this time, because really, I'm used to it now. The only sad thing is that Eduardo wasn't able to be baptized Sunday :( he smoked the day we did the interview so he has to wait two weeks. But the important thing is not that he gets baptized with me, but that he gets baptized so I'm happy for that. I'm glad that I could go there. And that going there could teach me a lot of things about the gospel and about missionary work. First of all, that God is always preparing people. And one important thing that I learned is the power of thought. The power of the vision you have. If you arrive to a sector with the thought that the sector sucks, and leaving in the morning thinking we're gonna find no one and be in the street alll day, that's whats going to happen. But if you have the vision, and having that vision also gives you the FAITH, miracles will happen. Everything depends on us. If we work to have success we will have success. It also goes the same in real life, if you think your going to be mediocre, then your going to be mediocre, and if you think your going to be outstanding in all that you do, then you will do it, as you put yourself to work. That is the power of thought. And your thoughts is what Satan works with most. If he can get you to doubt, fear, or think badly about yourself, then he wins. We as people when we control our thoughts, we will be able to be the master of our actions, of everything we do, and we will be successful in everything that we put our time in to do. Its amazing!!!

Well, they transferred me to Lampa!! Its like right next to Batuco, where I was before!! It's in the country and its SUPER hot here!! Its a branch. And they also called me as Zone Leader!!! crazy!! Me and my companion are both new here haha!! When we got here we had no idea where our house was. Hahah, so crazy. So this is going to be interesting starting to work, because we know nothing. We have no idea. But it will be sweet. And I've heard a ton of good things about Lampa so I'm excited!
We just got here like an hour ago so I don't know anything. But the crazy thing is we were carrying our suitcases to our house, and a lady started talking with us and said she wants to go back to church and baptize her daughter hahaha crazy!!! 

I LOVE YOU FAMILY!!!!
Have a great week!!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat
Saying Goodbye to Renca

 Ahahahaha!

 Me and my companion!

 Renca la lleva

Investigator Juan carols. He has baptismal date for 29 de Marzo.

Maria Teresa!! She's a less active that gave us ice cream EVERYDAY we went by her shop hahah!

Victor Crisosto. Hes cool. He always gave us food.

 Saying bye to members

Bye!

Monday, March 2, 2015

Washed Clean!

Sector- Renca, Santiago
Companero- Elder Millerd
Carta- #77

WHAT!? That's craaazzyyy they made a whole new ward!! Is chandler and Jared still in our ward? weird!!! and prob the Wibles are in our ward now too! that's cool! Weird that its changed so much!!

This week for us was great!! We had a tonnnn of lessons and we found some sick investigators, we're really seeing sooo much progress in our sector...and the biggest news of it all...is that we're having a BAPTISM this Sunday!!! SICKKKKKK, Eduardo is gonna get baptized!!! Wow! it's a miracle!!! I never thought we were going to be able to baptize but its a miracle :) I'm so happy and really having lessons with him you can just see the change he's been through. Because he used to do drugs like crazy. like a drug addict to the worst ones and he has changed so much, gone through so many trials, but I'm so excited to see his face as he comes up from the water, leaving all his past behind and starting a new life. It will be amazing. I'm so excited. this is why we come here to change peoples lives. And when you see it really happen you can really see the beauty of the gospel. And we are more and more converted also. That is the beauty of the mission.

This Sunday I bore my testimony in the sacrament meeting, and I feel like it was one of the most sincere from the heart testimonies that I've ever born, and I could feel the spirit sooo strongly confirming that all that I was saying was sooo true. It was an amazing feeling. I bore my testimony all about how much I know God loves me, because He has shown it through my family that can be eternal, and being able to have an eternal family with my future family. I really am so grateful for that. I'm so grateful that the sealing power has been restored here on the earth and that we are able to be sealed for alllll eternity. That is such a blessing, and it brings me so much joy everyday of my life to know that the people I love here will be able to be with me for all eternity. That is my biggest blessing, and the people who don't have these blessings are missing out soooooo much. And I feel like they really need to know that the power to seal is HERE. and they aren't taking advantage of it. It's sad to see so many people who don't know, and I really want to bring the blessings I have to the other people. that is my motivation. And I'm so glad to see that some people are already being able to do that.  My converts from Quilicura are strong in the church, especially Christopher, he's doing his family history and going to the temple to do baptisms and they're preparing for their sealing in December. they want me to come. hahaha I don't know if it will be possible, but that would be a sick Christmas present for me mom and dad....right!? hahahaha

I love you Guys!!! thank you for being such a great family. I LoVE YOu GUYS!
Cant wait to see you guys again and go to Bobby's sealing. It will be amazing!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, February 23, 2015

Mas O Menos

Sector- Renca, Santiago
Companero- Elder Millerd
Carta- #76

Hey family!!

Hahaha! Dad, thanks for the video, I hope I can watch it!! Its 8 mins long, but I'll do it!! You tha bestttt

Well this week has been like a mas o menos week haha but we did have some success. It looks like were going to have a baptism the 8th of March so we're praying a lot for that! We just had to do a lot of things this week that had nothing to do with missionary work, so we didn't get much done. We had to go renew my visa, and we had to wait in a room for 7 hours before we could do it. It was sooooo horrible. and we had to go back another day, and wait another 3 hours, ahhh it was horrible, but its done now!!

We have been working a lot with a guy named Eduardo. He's the one that's going to get baptized on the 8th and he used to be a hard core drug addict. He was sooooo into the drugs. But like two years ago he left all of that, and he always tells us how God was the only one that could have helped him leave that horrible phase in his life. When we passed by the first time he was living with his girlfriend, but recently his girlfriend of 13 years left him for another guy, left him with 4 kids. So that's been hard for him. But he looks at the positive side, saying now he can be baptized and now God has something bigger and better planned for him. He says he hasn't been closer to God ever in his life. He really is amazing, and its amazing to see how much someone can change! From being a drug addict, to converting to the gospel. It's amazing what God can do. 

This week was just hard because really everyday, I feel like it's a wrestle in my head. Because I swear Satan works on me SOOO hard. He just makes me worry, he makes me fear, and he makes me just doubt. And then I just get down on my self for being so weak and not having faith. Ha, literally sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy. And when I pray I get comfort and peace for that moment, then my thoughts just go off. and It's just hard. I have done so much, so Idk what do you think I can do to get better? that's the only thing that's been getting me down lately. But I know I'll just keep moving on moving forward. Just tired of wrestling with my thoughts everyyyday! haha But I know that it will go away once I exercise faith!

Thank you family for everything!!!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, February 16, 2015

Be Diligent!

Sector- Renca, Santiago
Companero- Elder Millerd
Carta- #75

Wowwwww that trip looks like it was siiiiiiiickk!!! Are we gonna be able to go on that boat when I get home??! We should do that the first night that'd be sooo sickkk hahah!

WOW! BOBBYS ENGAGED!!!!! WHHHATTT, siiickkk. did you guys ask him how he feels!? So crazy!! hahah at least he's waiting for me to get married. That's going to be amazing to be able to go to his sealing, after not seeing him for 4 years!!! I'm so excited for that its going to be amazinggg!

Well this week for me was SO much better. And although our other investigators are still lacking, and falling off the cliff, we found SOOO many good investigators this week!! It was a miracle!!!! Its just amazing how after our Diligence in working, God gives us the blessings. but we have to be diligent, and pass the tests. Show God that we are ready to receive His blessings. We wouldn't ever grow if we never had to go through the testing period. And if God was always showing us the blessings and miracles. God has to give us some time to show him that we have faith. We have to walk in the dark a little to find more light. Sometimes when we're in the dark, we panic and think God's not there, but if we understand better how He's making us grow, we will have faith in those moments and always keep moving forward, instead of going back. I've seen sooo many prayers answered this week. So much comfort when I've needed it, and my testimony is being strengthened every single day!! I'm so grateful for the opportunities God gives me to grow into a better person every single day. I hope I can always have faith and hope for the future. because I know God has so many things in store for me!! it's amazing. I can't believe how much God has blessed me in my life. It really blows my mind. I LOVE it.

Thank you for your amazing emails!!! the pics are sick!!! I miss you guys a lot!!!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Monday, February 9, 2015

Go and Do!

Sector- Renca, Santiago
Companero- Elder Millerd
Carta- #74

hellooo alllll,

Well this week was a little hard. Because our investigators this week kind of fell down the drain haha. It was hard to see how hard Satan works on every one of them. Because its so real how much he works on every one of us so that we are not happy. We went to go teach Juan Carlos after we put him and his daughter with baptismal dates for the 8th of march, and we found him just completellyyyy drunk hahaha and we went with a member telling him how great this investigator is and how he wants to change so much and hes excited for his baptism. And he answers the door just COMPLETELY drunk hahah. I was like wooowwwwwwww this suuuuckks. Also our other investigator with a baptismal date wasn't there this week, so it was just kind of a hard week all in all. But we keep working hard. This week was hard, but I feel like we worked really really hard this week. And I know that God will bless us for our diligence. I know that we will start to see the blessings. I just hope that they will get here soon! hahah

I'm soooo happy I get to go to Bobby's sealing and wedding!!! its going to be amazing!!! especially because I'm getting back onnnnn his birthday!!!! august 12th!!! that's going to be amazing!!! I have 6 months left everyone, here comes the count down, and the time where I need to really start working out to get ready to SHRED the GNAR. hahah 

But I was thinking the other night that I really don't have that much time left, and that I need to start working even harder because I really really want to be able to accomplish all that I was sent to do here. And I feel like I haven't done much. So I really am going to work hard these last 6 months, because I know God will bless me for it, and I know that God has people waiting for my testimony still. I just hope I can complete with what God wants me to do here.

I'm SO glad I'm going to the wedding!!! after 4 years of not seeing Bobby I'll be able to go to that special moment siiiicckk!!! and we`ll be able to see each other on his b-day also. I'm so happy!!!!!
I love you family!!!! thank you for your emails they're the best!!!

love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, February 2, 2015

Faithful to the End!

Sector- Renca, Santiago
Companero- Elder Millerd
Carta- #73

HEYYYY Family,

This week was a good week but at the same time reallllyyy hard, cuz I had some moments that were super hard, but also we had some success.

Well the hard moment was when we were fasting on Saturday, and it was 110 degrees outside, and we couldn't drink annnnyyy water. And on top of it allll NO ONE let us in, and on top of that, I had diarrhea that day. I went poop like 9 times. Just completely dehydrated, so I had to drink like one glass of water. But that was seriously so hard, I was dying. But I know that we have to pass through those moments with faith. Knowing that the Lord is trying us to see if we are faithful not only in the good moments, but also the hard moments. And I know if I'm faithful, he will bless us sooooo much here in this sector. 

This week we have been teaching a bunch of people, but they alllll have one thing in common. They ALL have to kneel down and pray to ask if these things are true. So we fasted this week that they will be able to receive their answers. And that they will be able to recognize those answers. I know that the fast is powerful, so I'm waiting to see the answer, if its Gods will :)

Wow sounds like Bobby is just gettin readdddyyyy!!! that's crazy!!!  I Love you Guys so much!!! Thank you for the emails. They always help me.  The other night I was telling my companion how SICK my parents are. haha!! and how they raised me perfectly. So thak you. You guys are the Sickest hahah

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, January 26, 2015

God Blesses Us After the Trial of Our Faith

Sector- Renca, Santiago
Companero- Elder Millerd
Carta- #72

Well this week has been Better!! but its also been pretty hard!!! I feel like I am learning a lot from what I am going through though. But the good part about my week, was being able to see SO many Miracles this week!! it was amazing. And it is truly a testimony to me that God blesses us after the trial of our faith. I learned that anyone can be faithful to god and believe in God when we have blessings, when we are completely happy, when we have everything we need. But what it says in DC 58 is that blessed is he that is faithful in tribulations will receive more blessings, I have no idea what it says in english, but I do know in spanish hahah I know that we receive the blessings if we are faithful in tribulation. I know God sent me here to grow. And I have really seen Gods hand in the work this week. Here is a story that is amazing and that strengthened my faith on revelation so much. Really I know that prayer has such strength when we have faith. I know that Miracles really can happen. I did a contact this week where I was on the way to an appointment, but I felt the sudden need to knock this one door that we had knocked like 10 times, and my companion got mad and said weve knocked this door ten times!

But the man who opened the door started to tell us his problems, and right when we had arrived, he was on his way out the door to seperate from his wife because they had fought. We asked him if we could say a prayer with him and share a scripture, so I shared DC 58 2-4 and we said a prayer. We could feel the spirit so strongly, and afterwards I said the prayer that he and his wife would be able to feel the love for one another and resolve their problems, then he looked up after the prayer and said Im going to go inside kneel down and pray, and saysorry. Can you guys pass by next week?

I was Amazed!!!!! It was a miracle!!! God really can change peoples hearts. And it is only by the Holy Ghost.

Then we had another investigator eduardo, that has been investigating for SO long. And has always wanted to get baptized, but he lives with his woman. And his woman always cheated on him, but he was always in love and always kept taking her back. So he was never able to do it. He also never went to church because she never really wanted to. But we went by this saturday, and we found him there suppperrr sad. And I asked him whats wrong and stuff, and he said his wife left him for good. And He was like well I can get baptized now. Then we testified how God is opening opourtunities for him to be blessed, and now him and his son will be able to be baptized on the 22nd, they went to church for the first time and everything. It was sick.

I have a new comp now. His names elder millerd from Georgia. He has like 9 months in the mish. Hes pretty cool!! I dont know him that well because I met him like 5 hours ago but he seems sick.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIA. Oh my gosh I totally forgot!!!!!
I LOVE YOU GUYS
Thank you for your prayers. They are Working!!!!!! Its a miracle!!!!
I love seeing prayers that are answered its the most amazing thing ever.

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat