Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Hooray for Hermana Conference!




 So this series of seven photos actually belongs at the END of this post, but it won't go there and nothing I do seems to be successful.  I guess the last shall be first!

This was the last of our unity building activities after our almuerzo at the Hermana Conference.
Try it - you will definitely learn to work as a team!  Here are the instructions, thanks to our inspiring activity directors, Hermana L and Hermana N!

Eight of you stand on top of a blanket (fresada, in our case).
Without anyone stepping off the blanket, work together to fold it in half.
THEN, for bonus points, flip it over!   GOOD LUCK!!!



Got it in half!

Success!

A great team!

Happiness is . . .teamwork!

Finished and folding:)

Excellent work girls!

It's harder than it looks!!
I may ever and always be a month behind in my blogging, but I will keep trying!!

On OCTOBER 24, we had an amazing conference just for the Hermanas - all 66 of them.  It was actually the brainchild of our APs because the next two cambios are packed with incoming Hermanas who will need to be trained.  We decided that an Hermana Conference would be the most efficient way to distribute the necessary guidance.

Our Hermanas are from 15 different countries in the world!  They are so hardworking and are definitely selfless - no high maintenance here.  Oh if you could SEE their living conditions!  And very little, next to no whining whatsoever!

We showed a video describing how the first Sister Missionaries came to be called for the church - in 1898 - and the great influence for good they had then and continue to have now.  We talked about Queen Esther in the Old Testament and the critical impact she had in saving her Jewish people through her great faith and obedience.  We talked about the value of women, the importance of women, and the power that women have in the world today!  We talked about how important it is to be your BEST SELF, in whatever you are called to do.

Most importantly, we spoke of the great love and value that the Savior showed for women during his lifetime here in mortality.

We had beautiful music, a delicious lunch, and then spent time learning things that sister missionaries need to know:  self-defense, exercise and personal health, and the importance of unity.  The following pictures will help you see how great it all was!!

Hermana Conference - Mision Chile Concepcion Sur - October 2014

Here are our beauties - one table after another . . .




Note the decor!  We had planned for the pretty table settings, but when the APs arrived in the morning, they discovered coordinating puffballs hanging from the ceiling.  Added to the festive fun during almuerzo!
Thank you mystery decorator!







Our APs and Office Elders were gentlemen through and through:).  They came early and set up, served each plate to the tables, and made sure that every Hermana had a beautiful gerber daisy to take home.  They are awesome!

A huge thank you to Hermana Ingrid and Hermana Salamanca for our delicious almuerzo!

Elder Pendley had a very interested audience as he taught self-defense!

Our sweet Pendleys - couldn't do it all without them!


Two fun hermanas showing the "wrong" way to get exercise:)


 
And then the RIGHT way to workout!




Now for a little unity teamwork!
Hold on tight and "fall out"!

No No - don't let go!!
Okay - now alternate which direction you face.  Yikes!!





Next - forming the human chair!  Try this at home!!

Even the Elders have got it!



After all of the fun, we returned to the Chapel for more beautiful music and final remarks from President Bluth.
It was a memorable day - meaningful training, thought provoking activities, and the bonding of sisterhood.
We love our Hermanas!  

Friday, November 7, 2014

ESCUELA LA MESETA

October 22, 2014
During this last year, the church here in Chile was approached about helping to supply much needed resources to the little school of La Meseta, located near Arauco, on the coast.  The church accepted the project and we were invited to attend the appreciation ceremony since it lies within our mission boundaries.  It was a heartwarming experience and made us grateful for the generosity of the humanitarian funds of the church!


We were greeted at the front door by some of the students - so adorable!  Don't you love those rosy cheeks?!

They were quite curious about the tall, blonde gringa!  They were full of hugs and kisses.

We gathered in the courtyard before going on a tour of the campus.  The fellow in the blue cap is the principal of the school.  The man to his right is the Mayor of Arauco.  The couple to the right of Lothaire are the Gouldings from Hurricane, Utah.  They are Humanitarian missionaries and live in Santiago, as does Brother Chavez - front right.  He supervises the humanitarian projects in Chile.  Behind him, to the right, is Presidente Mellado - the President of the District of Coronel in our mission.  He was asked to speak at the ceremony.  He is such a wonderful man and is puro Chileno - which means he speaks so fast and cuts off many of the endings of his words to the point that he is nearly impossible for us North Americans to understand!!


This donation is a huge hit - an interactive media screen!  It is located in the library.

There were many other library items donated.  
They are grateful for whatever books they can get.  Our kids at home are so blessed!!
A couple of foosball tables were donated - everyone loves those!!!



This is the kindergarden room with the colorful new tables supplied by the church.
We met the "maestra" (teacher) who was so pleased with everything!

Grandpa is pointing out the "araña".  Grandma doesn't like arañas!

We loved the fun decor all over the walls!










This is where they made a special video presentation to show their appreciation.  And then they had such a nice reception with lots of fancy appetizers.  They were so appreciative!!








And of course, a cow:)!!  This tiny calf was in the field across from the school.  We saw it on our way out.  It was just a day or two old and ran right up to the fence and sucked on my fingers!  I know that's gross to most of you but I fell in love:).  You can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl . . .!

RANDOM MOMENTS

A District of outstanding missionaries outside of their local chapel!

Two happy compañeras on their Pday - they just bought matching shoes!

Here is our friend and helper, Ingrid, purchasing these strange plants to eat.  For the life of me I can't recall the name of them.  She gave us a sample - we decided it is one of those acquired tastes:)

Look at these two big beauties - we pass by them on our morning walks.