La Boda, El Padre, y El Testigo  
(The wedding, the father, and the witness)

We have become good friends with a young couple, Andres and Katerin, who got married last week.  She is from Peru and did not have a father at the wedding, so they asked Elder Jones to be her father and escort her into the chapel.  Sorry the picture is not focused, I had it on the wrong setting and did not have time to change it.  But here he is doing what he does best--being a father!

Couples here who get married and then later receive the ordinance in the temple have their ceremony in the chapel and their celebration afterwards in the cultural hall.  This one began with an opening prayer and hymn, followed by the ceremony performed by what in the States would be a Justice of the Peace, then a few testimonies, a message from the Branch President, another hymn and prayer. 

 Two witnesses are required, one for each.  They asked me to be witness for Katerin.  During the ceremony when the Justice was talking, Fredy (our friend who was the other witness) and I stood with the couple to "witness."  The Justice explained things to me before it all started, but since he wasn't speaking "church spanish" I did not understand that I had to actually say something.   I thought I just had to sign my name!   Anyway, at the point where I was supposed to respond to his request, I got some of it right but a glance over to Fredy which meant, "what do I say now?" helped me through the rest without making a complete fool of myself.  

But now they are married and hopefully will continue their course toward the temple.  

The celebration after included lots of tasty food and some entertainment.  These dancers came to perform.

Family Home Evening in a box.  About a month ago we had an idea to create a family home evening lesson that we could share with families in their own homes.  It was very apparent that the Lord wanted us to do this, and to offer it first to the families in Ovalle Sur Branch.  We met with the President of that Branch and got his approval, including an announcement in his next Sacrament Meeting explaining what we wanted to do and that we would pass around a sign-up sheet during Sunday School.   

Seventeen families signed up!!  We have done five so far and they have been wonderful experiences. We talk about the temple and why we have to do the ordinances for our ancestors, then about family history and how to do it, ending with them setting goals in these areas.  The Spirit has been very strong each time.  We have taught new converts and long time members.  It has been a great challenge but very rewarding.  

This is one of the families.  The father is not a member but listened closely and had a great time telling a family story.  There are some tender feelings in this family and a great desire to continue their family history work.  

Monte Patria:  We have a new Branch President in Monte Patria (again) who is working really hard to make things better there.  He loves the members and his heart is in the right place.  Because of lack of opportunity and education, his employment is sweeping the streets of Ovalle every day.  His wife works also, and spends the day cracking walnuts.  Her daily batch is weighed before and after, and the nuts and shells have to add up to the same weight or they reduce her pay.  Be grateful for opportunity.

This is Elder Winward, Elder Jones, and Elder Giles.  Elder Winward and Elder Giles left to go back home a few weeks ago.  We worked with Elder Winward in Monte Patria.  We have learned a lot from him and his companion.  They plan, conduct, and often speak in Sacrament Meeting every week.  They also usually teach the Sunday School lesson and often the Priesthood lesson.  They do everything!  And by the way, Elder Winward is from Preston, Idaho and has skills, but does not keep his tater tots in his pocket!:)

A wonderful family:   Last week we went with the Monte Patria Elders to give a lesson on the Plan of Salvation to a family they had met.  I was asked to say what the atonement meant to me, and Elder Jones was asked to bear his testimony.  By the time we finished, they were both crying. The evidence of the Spirit was so strong that hardly anything else happened for the next several minutes.  We realized once again how very life-changing this knowledge is to people who hear it for the first time.  It is hard for those of us who have grown up with it to understand this.  

We have also learned that when people are first taught the gospel by the missionaries and begin to see a completely new way to live, it brings to the surface things that need resolving in their lives.  This is a wonderful family with two amazing children; but like many others, they have some issues to resolve.  

Elder Jones and I met with them again last night and suggested some very basic doctrinal paths to happiness.  They committed to try it for a month.  

A national park close by has petroglyphs made by Incas.  Apparently a Martian came to visit a long time ago because they drew his picture on the rock!  

                                      Fishing boats in the harbor of a town north of Ovalle.  

Seeing how growth comes from challenges, blessings come from righteousness, purity of heart comes from humility and love, and the path for each of us is different, we are reminded again and again that God is in the Heaven and knows what we need more than we do.  Trusting Him, even and especially when all we have are questions, takes the fear out of the unknown and lets us step into the future with confidence.   A hymn keeps coming to mind, that explains how this feels to me right now.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

His wonders to perform; 

He plants his footsteps in the sea

And rides upon the storm.

Ye fearful Saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy and shall break

In blessings on your head.

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err

And scan his works in vain;

God is his own interpreter,

And he will make it plain.

God bless you all,

Elder y Hna. Jones