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.

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

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!

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

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

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

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