Robbed by gypsies

Hola Hola!!

So I`ll start off this with an embaressing story of the century I decided to let you all in on.

Lately I have been trying every avenue to try and get people to feed me less. Hermana Tejerina said she would help me out and talk to the relief society president about it. I told her to tell the sisters that my stomach hurt or something so to not feed me much this week. So we are sitting in sacrament meeting when the bishop gets up to make announcements. I`ll try and and translate what happened here..."Brothers and Sisters, if you have the missionaries for lunch this week please do not feed Hermana Orchard much because she has been having problems with diarreah." uhhh....WHAT??? WHAT just got announced about me over the pulpit?? That is definitely NOT what I told Hermana Tejerina to say.

And its moments like those that I am reminded I am far away from America.  All I could do is laugh and cover my face with my hymnal as I had about 7 bottles of fiber pills handed over to me.

One day I was trying to figure out some of the cultural differences...like why it is totally okay to call someone fat and ugly as a nickname but stupid is a swearword. (Taylor Swift is playing in the internet cafe right now....I could die!! Its been so long!) It lead to an interesting discussion about the values of of our countries. I then asked why all latinas have such beautiful strong hair. She said that every baby at about 1 or 2 years has their head shaved! After its shaved the hair grows back thicker, stronger and shinier! If a baby doesnt have their head shaved they will have really weak hair. And I thought...who has the best hair in our family? Emily! Who had her head shaved as a baby!  I`m totally going to shave all my babies heads!!

Last P-day we had an unusual experience. There is a gelato place in the city where you can buy mountains of gelato for almost nothing. So we always go and get a scoop of everything and then eat it by this huge fountain as it melts all over us. Well last week we were njoying our gelato and sunshine when a woman came up to us and asked for money or something. We all just shook our heads no...well all of us except hermana Tejerina who is too sweet to deny anyone anything. Within seconds we were surrounded by at least 15 gypsies. They grabbed our palms and started muttering and rubbing them with sticks and clumps of leaves. One tried cutting off some of my hair. We tried getting up to leave but we had a tight crowd of them around us of chanting and other weird stuff. Finally we were able to grab our bags (which they had grabbed) and push through. They followed us for awhile saying we owed them money and were going to curse us or something. (In the last 20 mins I have heard like every one of my favorite songs played in here....I cant decide if this is a dream come true or Satanas tempting me) Then we realized that Hermana Tejerina wasnt with us but was still at the fountain surrounded by them...and with a womans hand IN her backpack rummaging through her wallet! We ran ovr and grabbed hermana and her backpack. The woman had grabbed 5 mil out of hermanas wallet and wouldnt give it back. So we just ran and ran until we were inside a more normal part of the city. I think it was the first time I have actually been really frightened here. We will not be going back to that fountain today.

My focus this transfer has been to get the youth in our ward involved with missionary work. So we  get them to accompany us everyday. They have learned to like it so much that they will accompany us the ENTIRE day! We normally have a group of 5 or 6 with ages from 14-19. They dance around us, singing, running and contacting for us. Its great. Its so much fun! I love them all so much and it makes everything worth it when they say they have decided to serve missions too! We are also teaching a ton more youth now! And our investigators have instant friends!

The days are too short. Almost before its started it over and I feel like time is just slipping through my hands way too fast. I want to stay here with these amazing youth and my incredible house of missionaries forever! Last night we had a FHE with one of my favorite families in the ward. They live on top of this huge hill that overlooks the city and it is so gorgeous. We had gathered quite a large group of youth to come with us and as we sat on the porch drinking mango juice these increible youth shared their stories of missionary work and talked about how they could be better example to their families and friends (most of them are the only members in their family). And I just thought...how could life get better than this? There are so many amazing people in this world....but I feel like the best of the best are here...in Chillancito. Living with me in our apartment that is so tiny yet feels like what heaven is supposed to be like.

We have been trying to help one of the young woman in our ward out. She said one day she didnt think she had a testimony. So we had her accompany us for a few days. We went and visited a less active lady and she gave us some hard story that me and me comapnion had no idea how to answer. So we just kind of sat there....waiting for some inspiration...when sweet Claria just started talking. She bore her testimony and cried...and we cried...and the lady cried...and it was so amazing. And after she said "I think I know this is true. I get it now!" And we said YES! It is true!! Now go on a mission and convert thousands!

I can't express how much I love the youth here!! Last night (after accompanying us the whole day) they walked us all the way to our apartment. The whole time skipping and singing and laughing....and laughing at my spanish haha. And then I realize transfers is in two weeks...and I cry. Because the day I have to leave this place will be the saddest in my life.

My companion is so amazing and supportive. She is an awesome missionary and teaches bomb lessons! Hermana Lee`s and has been the biggest blessing ever to me. I have learned an incredible amount from her and been entertained by her never ending energy and humor. And Hermana Tejerina...oh easily one of my most favorite humans in the world. I dont know HOW I got lucky enough to end up with her. Not only does she braid my hair everyday, give me endless back massages, teach me spanish grammar for hours on end (and endless pep talks too) but she is easily the funnest person I have come in contact with. I know we were friends before. In fact so many times I meet here...I just think...this is not the first time we have met.

I used to think I wanted to be in America on my mission. With no dogs, clean bathrooms, less food and mayonnaise and english. But I would not trade this for the world. These people, this place that is so unbelievably gorgeous and the opportunity to be a missionary!

I hope everyone has a beautiful day and remembers that each person we come in contact with is a Child of God and has amazing potential. Lets try and see the potential in others and love them for the person they can one day become!

Hermana Orchard

Wadin in the sewers

Holaaaaa!!!

Can you believe we have already arrived at another P-day? Time is starting to FLY! Im not complaining....

haha Well HAPPY NEW YEARS!! We spent the hour of midnight trying to see the fireworks from the 6th floor of our apartment and trying to ignore the complete chaos that was happening downstairs and outside. At some point it was decided we needed a new years postre! We didnt have much to make somewthing with though...but we DID have a microwave, pretzels, marshmellows, candy bars, peanut butter and granola. Turns out when you mash all that together and pop it in the microwave for a bit...its fantastic!!

Monday during the middle of a treausred p-day nap we were awoken by the knock at the door. Its always a little scary when people knock on our door because we have had some troubles with visitors in the past...So I was shocked and delighted when my mother and old trainer walked in! She had to come to the city for some visa stuff and stopped by! It was so great to see her, have her in our house again, speak some english and introduce her to my step mom! Little surprises like that are always fun. Especially when the surprise includes chocolate. She didnt actually bring any chocolate with her...but maybe next time.

SO I finally understand why migranes arent looked ipon as fun. I was graced with quite a vicious one that lasted about a weel. I kept mistaking it for the flu or food poisoning because I kept well...throwing up. But eventually I realized the real problem was in my head. Luckily me and my companion got weird sicknesses at the same time (she got pneumonia..in the summer? I know) wo while she coughed away, I lay on my bed with a pillow over my face feeling knives every time a dog barked (which in case youve never been to Chile...its every second...we call it the "chorus of Angels" All the dogs barking and howling forever)

Once we were well enough to go out my companion led me by the arm everywhere so I wouldnt have to open my eyes and be seared by the sunlight. Somehow word got out that we were sick. I am pretty sure every abueloito, padre, hijo and wawa brought us food. Well...more of tea, coffee flavored milk and carne. The bishop also came over and gave me a blessing and everyone had fun finding out what my first name is."How could your first name be weirder than your last??"

We had another beautiful baptism this weekend! Let me tell you about Hector. He is pretty dang awesome. He is about 23 or so and working on his doctrite here at the University of Concepcion. On Christmas his parents told him they would disown him if he got baptized. Yet, saturday he shocwed up in white...smiling and teasing us with his english phrases like normal. He even gave the talk and special musical number at his baptism! I dont think I have ever seen that before..

Friday I went on a mimi cambio to Calloa. It was great in the way that ut made me appreciate and miss my roommates and companion so much! I came home and we all pretty much fell into tears of happiness and relief that that is the last time we will be seperated..at least for two more weeks. The thing is I just have the three best missionaries in the world living with me! And possibly our 4 personalities are as different from one another as it can get! The result is just perfection! Hermana De Leon makes up raps using random english (ish) words and raps to me as we walk (after I told her how much I miss rap). Hermana Lee`s helps me stay sane by speaking in english whispers sometimes and agrees that mayonnaise should NOT be part of the food pryamid. Hermana Tejerina (from Bolivia) is possibilty the funniest, sweetest and most adorable person in South America. She teaches us a different latin american dance every night, enjoys talking about her boyfriend (and shares the chocolate he sends) and amuses me with english phrases she knows...like "come on baby" and "I love spicy hot pepsi".

Lately we have been working on the pronouncuation (forgive me...I have no idea how to spell that) of english songs. We have spènt quite some time on the difference between "her" and "hair·. Who knew that could be so hard? Lately she has gotten into the habit of singing me weird, scary bolivian lullabys at night. I love her to death even though she does poke my stomach every morning and tell me that I am "mas gordita cada dia" (getting fat). I would like to be related to her so if some single cousin wants to write her I can help you out with that.

Every once in awhile we have a "gringo night" where I will teach some American thing. Like how to make and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich..or how to skip...or how to dance the chicken dance. Its great.

We have been teaching a 70 year old convert how to read. I cannot believe how normal it is here for people to not know how to read or write. This poor man desperately wants to read the book of mormon...so instead of coming everyday and reading it to him- we go and teach him how to read. I figured since I leanred how to read from the Book of Mormon, he could too! But any advice on teaching this skill would be appreciated.

Anyways, thats about it for this week! Wish you could all be in Chillancito today and enjoy the streets as they are flooded with sewage. I wont go into the peculiar smell that is in the air. Good thing I can jump pretty far and have highish shoes. Hermana Page is out of the hospital and better! Pretty sure she is going to get back out there tomorrow! Huge blessing for sure!

Have a great back to school week!! Those weeks are always hard. I encourage everyone to eat some chocolate to get through it. In case you havent noticed I am thinking about choclate a lot today...I think I shall go buy some.

YEEEAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! WHHHOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!

Chow chow!!!

-Hermana Orchard

A whole chicken someone dropped off for the sick people. The soda is Kem. Short for chemical. Im pretty sure it is fatal. It feels and tastes like bleach or windex or something. 

Hectors Baptism and stuffed in the back of a taxi

I love you all so much. Hope your Christmas was merry! I may or may not have gotten a don quixote ski mask for christmas....THANKS so much for the photos of Maria. I love her so much. Hay que bautizar Ximena no mas. :D And Hna Woodbury told me about Hector!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to be, rippin up Chillancito and stuff. I Love you. Happy 2014!

Flooding the church building

EEELLLLLLLOOOOOOOOO!!

This week was different. I feel like I start all emails off that way...because in reality all weeks really are different! This one especially. This will be short. We have a doctors app we need to shimmey on to in a min. 

Chritsmas came!  We had lots of plans for it but sadly the morning of me and my companion woke up sick with a flu sort of thing. It could have just been food poisoning again...who knows. Anyways..we had to change plans a bit for that. We ended up just getting up for the bare minimum....callling our families and visiting the abuelitas we had promised to visit. It was a good day despite the inconvenience of sickness. 

Here the main event of Christmas is Christmas Eve. Everyone has a big dinner around 11 at night and then a huge sleepover. The next day most people just go to the beach or up to the mountains. Its just a normal day. So Christmas eve we spent with one of my favorite families in the ward. We sang every single Christmas hymn in the book and chowed down on MEAT! The sweet hermana of the house made us all stockings and stuffed them full of chocolate (chocolate is pretty rare here). They even called a taxi for us to ride home in beacause they live in a really dangerous part of town and it was past 11:00. It was great! 

Saturday was a special day because it was MARIA´S BAPTISM!! We really thought we had everything ready for that but since it was my first baptism...there were things I just hadnt thought of. Like filling up the font…

Two hours before the event we remembered that important detail and ran to the church building. We turned on the faucet and watched as none of the water would stay in the font! The drain was completely broken. I was all for just getting on a bus and having the baptism in the ocean but instead we got trash bags out of the trash and started stuffing the drain with them. We thought that would do the trick so we turned the water back on and watched it fill up nicely. Until it was about three feet full when the trahs bags rose to the surface and the water slowly started draining. There was a moment of panic as we tried to decide what to do. We didnt have time to wait for it to drain all the way before we fixed it...so we just dove in. We splashed around in the water trying to unscrew different drains on the wall and connect pipes. I was wishing I was a bit more educated in plumbing at this point. 

The water was also coming in freezing cold so I was trying to connect the water heater with the foucet....basically it was a mess. Eventually we stuffed enough bags into the drain to stuff it up and then put a stack of plates on top of it to keep it from floating up. We got the water to heat up and then left to go pick up Maria while it filled up all the way. 

Maria wasnt ready when we got there so we sat on her couch waiting. It was a super hot day and had already been exhausting. We may or may not have fallen asleep on her couch. Eventually she came out and looked so excited and happy and I was able to remember what we were actually doing that day. We had a little program and then we all walked over to the hallway where the font is. We were greeted by a partially flooded hallway and a very very much overflowing font. Appartenly someone had turned on the cold water faucet to speed up the process....and well it really sped it up! We spent some time mopping the hallway and taking buckets out of the font (I was not going to mess with that drain again!). 

Once the whole water situation was taken care of we had a beautiful baptism! We were sopping wet at the end which turned out to be a blessing because of the heat. Next time I am going to put someone else in chrage of the font. hahahahaha

We are looking forward to a little more calm week ahead. I´m about out of time. 

Hope everyone has a great New Years and makes lots of really aweome goals! 

Hermana Orchard

P.S. My sweet friend and companion in the MTC, Hermana Page, has been super sick and in the hospital for three weeks. Please pray for her to get better TODAY so she can stay and that they can figure out what is wrong! 

Pictures: Christmas eve

 Me on my third cumplemes!

Maria´s baptism. I know Maria looks unhappy but she really does smile when we arent taking pictures!

Another cumplemes picture and cutting tomatoes on my hand Christmas Eve. (sorry you have to tilt your head on that one)

 Feliz Navidad, todos!! Les quiero mucho y estoy tan emocionada estar en la misma zona. Cualquier cosa que necesitan, llàmenme! (De verdad, porque nadia me llama y me siento abandonada. jaja El mio es 58581866)

Christmas eve...and my meal at home on christmas. A boiled egg, rice and an empanada. The meal on christmas eve also

Feliz Navidad! *Feliz!!!* *Feliz!!*

Feliz Navidad from the Sunny South!

This week was probably the most different than any I have ever experienced. But I´ll talk about it next week. This week is Christmas! Although thats hard for me to realize as I am literally dripping in sweat.

 haha

A few stories…

Days here are hot hot full of sunshine but nights get really cold. One night we were bustling home through the frozen streets- I was rubbing my hands together realizing just how close to Antarctica we are here....When we came across a man. He was a usual of that part of town. Always hanging out near the bar-shouting at passerbys-sometimes asking for money or food. This night however he didnt seem drunk like normal. So when he called out to us and half ran/limped towards us...I decided to talk to him. It started out as a normal contact...telling him who we were, asking his name,,,and then I started on a little correr of how God loves us. I looked at him and said  "And God loves you Juan". When I looked back up at him huge tears were rolling down his cheeks. His eyes held so much sadness and despair. It was painful to look at. In almost a whisper he said "no one has ever said they loved me before". This man must be in his 60´s. How sad! How heartbreakingly sad! To have lived 60 years on this earth without ever believing that anyone loved you. That someone somehwere cared about you. And he is not the only one who is desperate for love-for someone to care and reach out a hand through the darkness. No, sadly there are countless others like him. Who need Love. We must start looking outward and develop an unquechable desire to help everyone we see. Everyone needs help and love. Its hard to tell sometimes- who needs some extra care. So just assume that they do. Everyone needs to be reminded of God´s care for them. Of their purpose...and of their Savior.

As President Monson has invited us- we must RESCUE our fellow brothers and sisters.   "The world is in need of OUR help! There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire and souls to save."

Last week my dear companion was taken from me. And after a few days of not understanding anything around me and feeling suppressed and stamped out...I became discouraged. Well thats not really the right word for it....Something deeper than that. And my days filled with endless prayers of emergancy transfers. I know its only been a week in this new situation but if feels like 10 years. And this week, God did not give me what I wanted..no emergancy transfer for me. And I was reminded once again that God does not always answer our prayers in the way we want or think we need. Instead of this trial being taken from me- I was given the strangth to live through it. And the reminder that God´s timing and infinite wisdom is where our trust needs to be. It´s sometimes a painful and long lesson..but I learning and TRYING to be grateful for this opportunity to grow more.

Sometimes it is so easy to feel alone. To get so discouraged in this fallen world we live in. There is so much evil, sandess, hurt and anger. So many are suffering. Can I remind you of my favorite Christmas hymn (I sing it every morning).

"And in despair I bowed my head. There is no peace on earth I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song..of peace on Earth goodwill to men."

But we are not alone. And there IS hope and we DO have a Savior and a way to escape from all the darkenss.

"That we are lifted up into life because He was lifted up unto death, that He bore our griefs and carried our sorrow and with His stripes we are healed. That He came from God as a God to bind up the brokenhearted, to dry the tears from every eye, to proclaim liberty to the captive and open the prison dorrs to them that are bound."

And as I sit here in Chile..in the heat. Lacking my family, Christmas lights, trees, hot chocolate, stockings, fudge and everything else I thought made Chritmas...I am finally able to see what Christmas really is. I mean I´ve always known..but its never really struck me this deep beofre. Because of Jesus Christ- and his birth some 2013 years ago? We have hope. That whatever hurt or sandess, despair, stress, worry and wounds we have now...will one day be taken away and replaced with a perfect healing and joy. Oh I am so thankful for my Savior and Redeemer.

"Then pealed the bells more loud and deep ´God is not dead nor doth he sleep´. The wrong shall fail the right previal, with peace on Earth goodwill toeards me. Till ringing singing on its way..the world revolved from night to day. A voice, a chime and chant sublime of peace on Earth goodwill to men."

So today, tomorrow, and the next day. Try to remember who and what we really are celebrating. But dont just think about it. Go and out and do something! Give someone the greatest gift possible- HOPE in Christ´s LOVE for them.

Love you all! Eat some extra fudge and rolls for me!

I´m excited to talk to yáll wednesday!

Feliz Navidad!

Hermana Orchard

Our Church building

Not the highest quality picture out there but we took it this morning. My new companion..this is right next to the church builiding.

Earthquakes, Transfers, bus wrecks and all that jazz

FELIZ CASI NAVIDAD!!

Except it doesnt feel anything like Christmas here. Our days are filled with endless sun, HEAT and BBQ`s. 

I have been thinking about a Christmas present you can all get me (because I know you all want to give me a Christmas present). Anyways, I thought of a real good one. 

I want ALL OF YOU to do something nice and thoughtful for someone else and then WRITE me about it! Snail mail or email...nothing would make me HAPPIER! Cant wait to hear about all of your great acts of LOVE and service! :) 

Its kind of hard to write this today. My head is in a fog. I think I have the flu. And they just announced tranfers. All I have to say is "Bye Mother!". My dear madre and trandadora is leaving me. I feel abandoned. Luckily I get to stay in Chillancito for another 6 weeks and welcome in my new latina companion. I think she is from Guatemala. Now is probably the time I should learn spanish. And Hermana Lee`s is staying too!!! YAYYY!!!! That made me so happy!! There will still be many tears though I am sure. 

So I had the wonderful opportunity of experiencing my first earthquake!! We were at an FHE singing christmas songs when everything just went crazy. It was super fun not gonna lie...I was sad when it was over and hoped for another!! Everything here is just like being on one crazy ride. The busses her are better than any roller coaster. They go like 80 over these hills with 100 people stuffed inside. We always have to stand...but we arent really standing because most of the time we are airborne! Its an adventure I cherish everyday. And one day our bus crashed into another while it was trying to pass another bus on a one way street. The drivers here are crazy. I love it. 

Last P-day me and my companion got on the wrong bus home and ended up going on a nice 2 hour tour of Chile. It was great because we had all our groceries with us (just cookies) and had a little fiesta! 

Remember that time we ate a cow in a sauna? 

I had my first chilean BBQ on saturday! Not sure what to say about it. Except that I dont really like meat as much as I thought I did....I mean eating 3 or 4 hunks of steak and sausage is fine...but after 7 or 8...it just doesnt taste as good. BBQ`s here are different. Well more of how they should be. You just eat meat. And nothing else. And a lot of it. It was also really hot and with the heat of the fire and sight of blood and endless meat everywhere..we were all feeling a bit faint towards the end. 

Your carnivore daughter might just be coming home a vegetarian. 

Yes you did read that correctly. 

I dont want to eat steak..or pig...or any other animal ever again. 

We think Americans eat a lot of meat...uhh well I think Chile has us beat by..well a lot. 

Last night we got to thinking about tranfers and how not fun it would be having to lug around our presents. So we just had an early Christmas! It was great! We sat on the floor underneath our huge paper Christmas tree and ate chips and salsa and opened presents.

I dont think I have mentioned dear Maria before. But she is getting baptized next week! We were gonna do it on Christmas but we decided that would be too mean to the leaders. Anyways, she is awesome! We are also teaching her whole family now so hopefully they can join her in a few weeks! She owns the best bakery in Chillancito. Basically lessons with her are the best! Except I dont really understand the whole hot drinks on super hot days thing..

Even though in none of the pictures she is smiling..she is a very happy person and one of the sweetest ladies on the planet! She is always a little nervous about church and will hold my hand very, very tightly for the three hours. She also keeps talking about her 40 year old son she wants me to marry. hmmmm maybe one day. Änyways, pray for HER! I love her to death and am super happy I get to stay for her baptism! 

One day after a lesson with Maria we were carrying around an extra cake (Maria always gives us cake). And we came across a homeless man. He was just sitting in his usual place on an abandoned buildings doorstep. Normally we dont go up to homeless men because they just flash us. But today I felt like we should just give him the cake. So we did. And as we walked away he said "Thanks..its my birthday today". And I just thought...isnt it so great that we have a God that cares about each person so much? I certainly didnt know it was his birthday. But God did. And he cares about him. And through us...we can remind others that God loves and cares about them too! God´s little tender mercies are everywhere. I hope we are always looking for them and trying to be the answer to somone else´s prayer. We dont know everyone and what a person needs at a specific point in time. But God does. And our job is simply to follow His leading one step at a time. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week before Christmas! Dont forget to write me about your service act! 

Love and miss you all! 

Hermana Orchard

Hermana:'))  aquí están las fotos:), lo siento por enviarlas un poco tarde.

le quiero mucho:') cuidese^^

me in front of our new apartment complex! (those objects you see in the grass are wild horses!!) 

all that meat was split between 6 people

us at the BBQ

A good peach cake

YW´s in excellence

Me and Maria

ME. MY COMPANION and maria

Another good cake