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

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

God is There!

Sector- Renka, Santiago
Companero- Elder Bird
Carta #71



WOW!  I'm filled with mixed emotions right now, but I also am filled with comfort because I've prayed SO much this week. This week has been one of the HARDEST weeks. I know that God is giving me this trial so that I'm able to grow, but its one of the hardest times to have trials as well. Its been taking a toll on me, but I promise I've said like 25 prayers every single day to be able to keep pushing on. Because I swear Satan has been trying to get at me allllll weeek. With Emily going home, with the fact that were not having a lot of success, the fact that its like 110 degrees outside, and if we're lucky we have one lesson a day. Its been REALLY hard. And some of the hardest moments in the mission, is when I feel completely ALONE. Because I am not a person that likes to be alone. And sometimes when I'm here I feel alone. But during this week that happened a few times, but every time I prayed I was able to feel comfort and to feel him say "keep going". And I was able to know Someone is there. And that God is there with me through every trial. I LOVE praying and honestly it is the only thing that gets me through right now. And I've been able to feel the true power of prayer. I know that these things are only a test and that I need to be faithful and hopeful in these hard moments so that I am able to get through it and see the MIRACLES that will happen in this area. I know its hard now, but one of my favorite scriptures is in D&C 58 where it says after the tribulations come the blessings. and that we are not able to see the plan that God has for us with our natural eyes right now, but one day we will be crowned with glory, and be relieved from all our problems and difficulties. I know that after this there will come so many blessings. I don't know when, but that's the great thing about living the gospel is that you don't know when the blessings will come, but you DO know that they WILL come. Maybe not in this moment or a year from now, or maybe not even in this life, but they WILL come. (that's not me that said that. Its from a talk Jeffery R. Holland gave).  hahah, not taking credit for that!!!

I am just praying and praying that I will be able to make it through this hard point and see the blessings. I know that I have felt your prayers as well. Keep praying and supporting me because I need it!!! I'm so thankful that heavenly father is always there to listen to my complaints and to comfort me. And I'm glad that there are the scriptures that can comfort me as well. And I'm so glad to know that God has great things in store for me right here in the mission and afterwards.

you guys should call e\Emily for me and tell her I love her!!! hahahaha
I love you guys!!!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, January 12, 2015

Always Trust in God

Sector- Renka, Santiago
Companero- Elder Bird
Carta #70

Hahaha, thanks for alll the uplifting stuff you guys always send. 


To be honest this week has been another hard week haha. It has been SO HOT outside. And we´ve been working really hard to just find new people more new people. We have a few investigators that are progressing pretty good. Hahah, we have one named Marcella that is super good and ALWAYS reads the Book of Mormon and says she knows its true. We invited her to be baptized, and she said she would like to be baptized, but we tried to put a date one month away, and she was like wow, wow, wow, if I'm gonna get baptized, its not gonna be one moment to the other, I'm gonna wait at least a year. hahahahaha that SUCKED!!!!!! but were going to work with her and explain things to her. At least we found a few new people this week that have a lot of potential. I also was praying a lot to know what I can really do with this sector so that it can have a real change. And not just a few baptisms, but that the whole ward would be able to change and that there will ALWAYS be baptisms here in this ward. Because its not my goal to just baptize a few people and go, I want there to be a change in the way the ward looks at missionary work. because right now they're looking at it as hopeless. like there's never going to be success in this ward. because there's been like 5 baptisms in the past 2 years and all of them are inactive. I was just praying to know what I can do. And I realized that what we need to do is work with the leaders. Do activities where the ward is participating in fellow-shipping the investigators, where investigators are able to come and feel a love from the ward. I don't Know exactly what the plan is yet, but that's the feeling I get that we need to do something different than what all the other missionaries have done here in the past. And I want to get the ward motivated to work with us. I'm praying that it works. And I'm praying that we can start to see some change here. I'm praying that I can stay strong, because some days I feel like Satan attacks me sooo much and puts negative thoughts in my mind, especially in this hard part in my mission. So please pray. because Its pretty hard. But I do know that there will be blessings after this. I'm glad that I am able to go through challenges here on my mission, so that I can progress and become a better person for when the challenges will come when I have a family. And that I can be a good leader of that family, always trusting in God. And Always wanting to do Gods will. 

Shout out to Emily shes ending the mission next week and shes really been a great missionary. She has shown me how I can be better. And really has shown me how I can Love the work. And LOVE the mission. I used to tell here how hard it was, but she helped me to be able to LOVE the mission. Shes served well. hahah And I'm proud of what she has done.

I love you family. I'm excited to see you guys again, in just 7 months. We're gonna have the time of our lives. It'll be SICK.

I love you guys!!

Love,
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, January 5, 2015

Struggles & Perseverance

Sector- Renka, Santiago
Companero- Elder Bird
Carta #69

Wow! looks like you guys had a fun time this week! haha Everyone's just partying it up without me!! haha That sucks that during your vacations you had to be sick!"! hahaha That's crazy how Bobby already went back!!! crazyyyy, time goes by so fast on the mission. seriously. That's the great part about it hahah!

Well, we had an investigator that was superrrrr goood this week named Juan Carlos, and we taught him the restoration and he was super excited about it and we could feel the spirit sooo strong in the lesson and everything, so afterwards I was allll pumped that we were having some success, and it wasn't only him, but his 3 daughters were there too and they said they knew the things we taught were true and stuff. And then we go back on Friday, the day we had the appointment, and he comes out and tells us that he really wants to continue and that hes been reading the Book of Mormon, and that he's felt the spirit a lot, but the other day his wife got SUPER mad at him for reading the Book of Mormon and for him wanting to go to church, and they got in a fight. And he says that she doesn't want us passing by anymore. WOW that SUCKED. I was like WHYYYYYYYYYYYY? Obviously we know who wears the pants in that relationship. hahah But that was such a downer, and wore me down for the day. But we´ve been praying a lot so that he'll be able to convince his wife and this his wife's heart will be softened. 
 
This week we´ve found some new people, that have potential. The problem is that they all have to get married. All of them. We found a couple that has a desire to get married, I'm just hoping and praying that they'll have a date kind of close, not like 6 months away. 
 
I don't know, its pretty hard right now because its sooo hot everyday and were looking and looking and looking, but we keep working. Its just weird coming from an area where I was just used to it, having success and everything, it shows how God wanted me to progress. I know that through these trials Ill be able to progress and after we see the results of our work, we´ll be able to see Gods plan. I don't know what his plan is right now, but whatever it is, at least I know its for the best, because he loves me. I just need to keep pushing forward, these next weeks are going to be hard, but I hope and have faith that everything will work out. I'm just praying more than ever now. And that's the only way I can feel like someones there with me. Because I can feel that Gods there listening. I hope that we have success this week!!! 

I hope that you guys have a wonderful week also!!! happy new years!!!!!!!

The fireworks here were sickkk because we live right at the bottom of the hill where they light them off, and they were sweettt. 2015 is gonna be a good year, because a lot of BIG things are going to happen this year :) 

I love you Guys!!!

Love
Elder Nate Dirkmaat

Monday, December 29, 2014

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

Monday, December 22, 2014

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

Monday, December 15, 2014

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