Tididngs from Chile

San Cristobal Hill Virgin Mary

Rick and Stephanie Lee and Millie

Catholic Cathedral in downtown Santiago

Santiago Post Office

Virgin del Carmen parade

La Moneda in downtown Santiago

Pretty building

Parade

Parade

Parade

What about that smog

Millie and I want you all to know how blessed we are.  We have been able to skype with Paul and Nellie and see our new granddaughter Raegan.  We are so excited for them!!

Today in the temple the 2nd counselor, President Flores told the youth from Frutillar(southern chile)"you will remember this day all of your lives".  I know that to be true.  I hope that my children remember their experiences doing baptisms for their and other peoples ancestors.  They were literally "Saviors on Mt. Zion".

Millie and I are reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish and we are having such a great experience feeling the spirit of the language and the Book of Mormon.  I once again have learned how important to know the truths of the Book of Mormon. 

A new Granddaughter, Virgen Del Carmen Holiday and Downtown Santiago

Of course the only thing of importance for this blog post is that our 7th grandchild was born on July 17th at 4:27 AM in Sacramento, California to Paul and Nellie Gonsolis!!!!  Her name is Reagan Hope Gonsolis, 19 inches and 6 pounds and 15 ounces.  We love the name and love her already.  We heard her for the first time today cooing with her mother so grandma could hear.  It is diffucult to be here in Chile away from mom and daughter but we know we are doing the Lord's work and they will be blessed because of it.  In the temple yesterday, Millie was saying that our daughter Rachel had called at 6:00 AM our time and that Nellie was at the hospital.  Sister Bruce wife to President Bruce, mission president of the Chile Antofogasta mission, told her she knew how she felt.  She had 2 grandkids born while they have been in Chile.  She gave her a big hug and I am sure it really helped Millie.

So cute when they are first born!!

So Peaceful!

Grandpa I need BYU clothes!!

Last Monday we went downtown Santiago to Cerro San Cristobal.  They have a funicular that was built in the 1920's that takes you up the hill. 

Coming into the landing from above

Attiving at the top

Along the way

Millie enjoying the day

Roundtrip about $3.50

Rick and Stephanie Lee with Millie

My RUT, Orellana Family, and P-Day

Today is Preparation day in our mission as the temple is closed on Mondays.  It seems that this day gets more important for us just to rest from our labors.  We try and wash our clothes during the week so as not to have dueling washers on Monday.  There are 3 washers and 3 dryers for about 9 couples and 1 single sister.  That gives us more time to be a little more lazy!  Millie cleaned this morning and I went with Gary Davis to the government place to get my RUT number.  What is a RUT?  It is Chile's version of a Social Security number.  When I was a missionary in 1968-1970, I was issued one and it has been in their system ever since.  Upon entering Chile this year, I entered as a tourist.  The church is doing the paperwork to register us as missionaries but it takes upwards of 4-5 months to finalize it.  So with my RUT number now I can get a cell phone, a frequent shopper card with Lider and of course with Jumbo!!

On Sunday past Millie, Gary Davis and I attended church with Susanna Orellana, her daughter Eros and family in the Villa Sur ward in San Miguel.  I have known Susanna since the day I arrived in Chile in 1968.  Her mother is now 85 and in failing health and we wanted to see her before she passes away.  Their ward is small but have a great building to meet in.  There was maybe 40 in attendance.  The full time missionaries talked on missionary work.  Sunday School class was on Ammon and Lamoni from Alma 18 of the Book of Mormon.  And High Priests was on missionary work as well.  All done very well.

We then had dinner at Susanna's.  It is a big deal to Susanna as she feels feeding us is one way she can give of herself to thank us for coming to visit.  We had chicken, empanadas, baby pizza bites, avocado salad, diet Pepsi, coke, orange juice to name a few things.  It is one of the best visits I make while I am in Chile.  We always are asked to give everyone blessings that want one.  It was a very sweet spirit that attended us.  Susanna invited her best friend to dine with us.  She had a Russian last name I didn't catch very well.

Susanna and her friend cooking

Susanna and Eros

Table ready for dinner

Gary Davis and Millie

Friend and Teresa Orellana

Susanna, Millie and Eros looking at pictures

Susanna, Millie and Eros

Gary in the dining room

Looking at pictures

Susanna's friend

Eros and Millie with a tender moment

Eros Millie, Susanna, friend, Teresa

Eros, Millie, Susanna, friend, Teresa and Van

All with Gary Davis

We had 7 buses from out of town on Saturday at the temple.  We had a warm day 60 degrees so there were alot people on the square.  It was a very spiritual day in the temple as many people brought their family cards to do their ordinances.  Always special doing your families vicarious temple work.

4th of July, Birthday week and Care Package from Nellie

The last week and 1/2 seem to have gone by so fast.  Millie and I aren't sure where the time goes.  Each day now has as it's own routine for me.  Tuesday Brother Robles and Aravena co-ordinating the shift, Wednesday Brother Mejias and Rohr, Thursday Brother Lopez and Mendiola, Friday Brother Ramos and Maureira and Saturday Brother Rojas and Carreno.  Tuesday, Friday and Saturday are always fraught with worry about will we have enough workers to get the temple work done with out having coronary attacks.  So far so good but I must say it does test Elder Figueroa's heart condition!!!

This last Wednesday was a very unique experience.  Sister Onate, a single sister missionary from Concepcion, Chile, was sealed to her mom and dad and to her husband.  She had waited quite a long time to have the temple work done.  What was so compelling?  All 5 Adult missionary couples were able to be with her.  Elder Lee who is a sealer, did the sealing.  The spirit was very overwhelming.  Much like the day I had my mom and dad sealed and at the same time sealed myself to them.  Rachel was proxy for my sister Fayetta.  There are special days in the temple all over the world every day.  There are currently 136 operating temples with many more announced.  A temple mission is very special and we are blessed to be serving.

This last week we also got a care package from Nellie and Paul.  Thanks so much!!!  It was like I was in the mission field in 1969 getting packages from home.  I am saving my 1 box of Junior Mints for an appropriate movie.  Of course the other box disappeared rather quickly. 

What could be in this package?

Candy, food, cooking stuff!

On Saturday, the ward from San Felipe, that my friends are in,  came to the temple to do baptisms.  I think 30 or so youth came.  Denisse and Martin Palacios were among them.  I met them in 2008 in Calama, Chile and they have since moved to San Felipe.  Was so exciting to see them again.

Millie, Denisse, Martin, Van

Millie, Denisse, and Martin

My random wedding picture of the week.  It was cold and cloudy but they always go out take pictures!!

Who are these gringos taking pictures!

Yes it was cold!

My birthday week started on Monday.  I had determined that I wanted to eat breakfast at a restaurant most like one I would eat in the States.  So we went to the Sheraton Hotel and had their buffet breakfast.  We found out quickly that this hotel has most every commercial pilot that flies to Chile.  There were allot!  Also a convention of Baptists from the United States.  We were joined by Gary and Debbie Davis and Joe and Dixie Bowler.

Cinnamon roll, ham, pancakes, banana bread, and eggs!!

Gary and Van

Debbie and Gary

Dixie and Joe

Van and Millie



The glamorous side!

Joe, Dixie, Millie and Van

Gary, Debbie, Millie and Van

Debbie and Millie.  Notice the swimming pool!

Debbie, Millie and Dixie

high rise of about 20 floors for the hotel

Then on the 4th itself, we worked in the temple.  It seemed odd in that we weren't BBQ ing!  But we did go to a session in English in the evening with about 25 Northamericans, Chileans and others.  Then we all went to the La Hacienda restaurant for dinner after.  Millie had steak and I had salmon.  We got home late and went to bed later.  We have paid the price all week.



Millie and Van on the 4th of July at La Hacienda

Note and piece of birthday pie from Eduardo and Soledad Rojas.  My shift co-coordinator on Saturday morning.



Millie and Van on my birthday July 4, 2012

Then on Thursday night we had dinner at Gary and Debbie Davis's apartment.  They treated us well as always!!  She brought me from the states Jello pudding!  Chocolate of course!  It is so nice to have them close.  We don't see them as much as we both might like but they have their things to do and we are in the temple 5 days a week.  We sit together at church on Sunday and talk on the phone and drop by to see each other at least once a week.  Funny we have come so far to be close to each other!!

We will miss being at the baby shower on Saturday in Galt, California for Nellie Gonsolis.  Nellie's baby is due at the end of the month.  No news on boy or girl.  But Paul is paying dearly for finding out on delivery day.  I hear Nellie has ordered a Porsche?   Well maybe not that expensive but something nice I am sure for making all her sisters, aunts etc wait!  Hopefully we will get a full report in short order!