Mission Firsts

We left "Spiritual High" MTC and flew to Atlanta on Monday , April 29th.  It was in Atlanta that I experienced the first STARES at our missionary badges. (It turned out that one person staring was a member of the church.  She was headed to Brazil.  She came over at our gate to talk to us.)  We arrived in Chili dead tired from our 9 hour flight.  Pres. Essig and his wife were there to pick us up.  When we got to the mission office we went right into the President´s office and discussed our assignment.  Three seconds out of his office, our assignment was changed.  That is how mission life goes.  We were assigned to worked all week with another senior couple that is leaving in June.  We will be taking their place as "pensionistas."  To clarify our duties:  find apartments suitable for missionaries, draw up legal contracts to rent the apartment  and then buy items to furnish the apartment...beds/mattresses/microwves/stoves/washers/refrigerators/ dishes & pots and pans/blankets/pillows/toasters/iron and ironing board/etc.  We buy a lot of these items at Liders, which is Walmart.  In one week we probably spent $5,000 or more.  17 new missionaries came in to the office on Tuesday and at the same time 15 bunkbeds and 30 matresses were delivered....we were grateful for the added help.
Driving here is crazy....I mean crazy....each time we drive we loose a year of our life. Drivers stop wherever and whenever they want and they zoom in and out of any little space....then there are motocycles to BEWARE of and of course there are bicycles and horse carts AND dogs!   Dogs are another story....they are everywhere but don´´t bother you much.
Now for some fun things.  There are two large cemeteries close to our apartment.  So there are MUCHAS flower stands nearby. The flowers are gorgeous!  The people here really respect their dead and put fresh flowers on graves almost daily.
Our apartment has 15 floors...we are on the 10th. It is much nicer than I ever expected when we first entered the city on the first day.  We are two block from the office so we can walk everyday to work.  There is a bread store across the street from our apartment....the bread is delicious!!!!  We go get rolls almost every other day.  They also sell deli meat and cheese.  So, if one of the vehicles is not available to go shopping we won´t go hungry.  On the other corner are two more small stores and a beauty shop.  I haven´t asked how much it costs for a hair cut.  Also on our block is a lady that brings her fruit each day and in the middle of the block is a lady that sets up her candy cart.
Yesterday we cleaned our apartment, washed clothes and then walked 10-12 blocks and took a tram ride up a hill to see a statue of the "Mother Mary."  It was a nice diversion from working from 9:00 a.m. to 8-9:00 p.m.......one night when we traved to a northern town (Los Andes) we got home at 10:20 p.m.  It has been fun AND a challenge.
Our other duties are:  make medical appointments for missionaries that are sick or have a problem; turn in a vehicle  milage reporst; order name badges to be printed, help with the mail run, take out the garbage three times a week and whatever  we are asked to do. (I can´t think...it is late...and everyone is talking in the office)
Last Sunday was Stake Conference.  There were about 15 people in attendance at the Saturday night meeting.  However, for Stake Conference Sunday we had a full house.  I understood a few "words."
Today we attended our Ward...which was changed from our first asssignement. It was  about a 20 minute walk We were expecting 4-6 people but the chapel was full.  They asked Elder Chase to introduce us in Sacrament meeitng.  It was testimony meeting so I did understand a few phrases.  However, in Sunday School and in Relief Society I did not get a thing.....we have a long way to go.  Elder Chase is even having trouble understanding.  They speak very fast and run everything together.  However, there was not even a pause in the testimonies.  There was a baptism after the block and they asked if I would stay and play the piano.  It was electric....we have one upstairs in the office ...I will need to go practice.
Elder Chase said bed is calling....this will give you a "little" of the Chili life.  I am sure there are a lot of mistakes....I am using a Spanish computer...don´t laugh....the keys are in different places.
Hasta luego!
Elder and Sister Chase

It was a happy day and a sad day...Tuesday, March 12 Elder Stolp left for his mission and boy was he ready!  He experienced a powerful "set apart" time with his Stake President.  Some great scriptures were explained.  Missionaries have great power and blessings given to them.  It was also great to hear Jayden's testimony.  He is mature and confident!  He will have a great mission.

New Zealand Beware...Here comes Elder Stolp

The Mission is OFFICIAL

Jaycee's Baptism

Another Great Weekend

March 2nd already!  Today Jaycee was baptized by her brother Jayden.  Jaycee did great and looked so pretty.  Jayden did it like a pro.  Kerri had a nice lunch for everyone.  A great day.

The Good and the Bad of a Weekend

A fun weekend in Ogden beginning Friday, February 22 viewing Sam and Aspen doing a Karate demo and Sydney showing her skill in tumbling.  Following that adventure, Grandpa and Morgan, and Kevin and Aspen went to a Daddy Daughter Dance.  Grandma was given a tutoring class on "blogging."
Saturday was to be an adventure going to the Temple with Aspen to do Baptisms for the dead.  It was an adventure!  We had to drive to Brent's to get his signature so we decided to attend the Bountiful  Temple instead of Brigham City.  Opps...it was closed.  So, on to Salt Lake City.  This time we were successful and we all had a beautiful experience.
Leaving the temple we had another beautiful experience....lots of snow!  We started for home only to have a car slide into us.  We were not hurt and luckily we were in the truck.  The Sheriff's dept. was VERY nice!  All was well. That is the good and the bad!