If you haven't read up on your German music composers, you should probably read up. George Frideric Handel was the coolest guy who had a lot of opposition and then great inspiritation to write MESSIAH and become famous. I read about him in a random Liahona in the house from December 2010. (elder spencer j. condie)  I learned seven important life lessons from him.

         we have to be confident in ourselves but grow from criticism

          quantity is no substitute for quality and variety

           when we act with inspiration, we are doing heavens work

           we must acknowledge our source of inspiration
           we must never underestimate the power of the word

           we must invite real spiritual meaning into a work-that being invite the Holy Ghost.

           power is in God and His works, not our words.

Also, Rudyard Kipling said Trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too.

Basically this is a great work that we have ... and it's important to trust God and trust ourselves with what we have to do. One of my friends inspired me to ask God if I were pleasing Him this week and what I could do to please Him more. I exhort you to do the same. It will bless your life!

Our two investigators, Marilyn and Tamara have baptism dates and went to church! wahoooo. Okay. thats it for this week. I hope all is well with all y'all. love ya

We have been teaching our cute recent converts how to be ward missionaries. They kept praising us and saying how professional we are to teach. I think it's the spirit. ....me and the spanish language and professional would never be in the same sentence.
We had an awesome zone conference. I loved it so much. We learned about the life of christ. I want to go to Israel. We had an awesome musical number. just kidding. I got to sing a solo. It was fun. It was the first solo I really got into and tried hard (so hard that un gallo salio) ...my voice cracked. haha but it was fun to develop my talents and many people complimented me. Someone said I sang like adele. ahha...
I felt the spirit so strong on sunday. It was so long since we had renewed our covenants and I just knew that this is his work and that the church is true. Since I know its true it's time to act, keep trying my best and share with everyone I can. The spirit gives me so much help. I love it. anyways.
We did yoga as a mission zone. The worst thing ever. I have the body of a ninety year old man. I'm all downward dogged out. hahah have a good one! love, Hermana Nokes

In like a Lion, Out like a Lamb

 They say that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb and I think that was basically how it went for me too. It was a good March. I still can’t believe its over, but I’m stoked for general conference.

I am up here in Buin, seven hours north of where I

was last week,...(just under Santiago)  living the dream. I’m finally feeling like a better missionary and I love this companion because we are obedient and diligent and crazy. And go to bed early (earlier than the latest possible moment) what more could I ask for? Plus, she cooks way good. Arepas, Frijoles, homemade cream of mushroom. I’m in latina paradise. Something that happened to me that was neat was we taught this little recent convert about the 10 commandments.As we talked about not coveting I looked around her apartment and saw darkness (they cut her power), a few plates, a homemade table, chairs falling apart, mold, her sitting in a homemade wheelchair and the smell... 

but she went off about how many blessings she has. I know that the things we have in this earth are not what make us happy. I may or may not have left the house crying hard and feeling very touched. It was the perfect night.

My spiritual plug for today. Pray for conference, and you’ll receive an answer. I know that for sure.  Its happened before. 

The Beach ( My new area)

This week was like that horrid machine at the gym, of never ending steps. Partially because we climbed this huge hill twice this week, where my feet are too big to climb normally, so I side step the whole way. Also partially because I am taking things one-step at a time to better myself. It was hard but amazing. Sunday was a day of champions because I felt the spirit so strong. Whenever anyone said something I knew was true I felt the spirit testify to me of that thing. It was really neat. I started writing them down. I know that we have a living prophet, that Joseph Smith restored the church, that our families can be forever and that the church is true. How cool to have this little foundation in my life. 

I finally figured out my comp. It took a few weeks. Just don’t take things personally and just love her to pieces. It’s going good. haha that was a huge step.

We had a big wedding in the ward this week, and then the investigator got baptized on Saturday. It was fun to see a Chilean wedding, even though we aren’t allowed to  dance (thank heavens. I would probably  kill someone. )MY comps been teaching me how to dance. I hope to learn the salsa. She’s got the moves. In Chilean weddings they do toasts, the bride and  groom dance a waltz and most importantly they eat like vultures. 

Speaking of many birds devouring things, we got to go to the lovely beach today with 2 zones. I loved to be in the dark sand in the fresh air. It’s getting chilly, Chile, here. Well it was always Chile. This next week is more chill. Not too many things to do, I hope we get down to the nitty gritty work. I am ready for some more success! haha but life is good. Just taking it one puny step at a time. 

p.s. the best part of the week was when we were at the train station and this drunk guy was all in my face saying joseph smith, no sé como, no sé cuanto and then finally leaves. This other guy comes over and is like man! Sorry about that drunken guy, I wanted to protect you two. Then he gets going and is more drunk and worse than the first. Yelling about his son and how he wants to be a good dad and how he’s seen aliens. The best part was when he just looked up at me and yelled CACHAI?! Which means do you understand in chilean. hahah me and my comp have yelled that while fake crying all week. CACHAIIII? =) 

p.s.s. I saw a walrus

Baptisms

This week was so fun. It was amazing to see the fruits of my efforts. I was so happy for Arturo (72) and Camila (15) (not related) on their baptisms. Arturo was so happy that not knowing it was against the rules, hugged and kissed me. I´ve been kissed by a seventy two year old.- Hahah.I loved to think about how great my joy is to bring others to Christ, although I know that baptism is not the only way. I have felt that many times on my mission, so I know that even if we dont have measurable success, it is still there.

We met a cute little lady who is very deaf. We screamed all of the lesson. I wrote in her steps to pray ïn the name of Jesus Christ, Amen! haha oops. She thanked us a million times for making her know that Heavenly Father is aware of her. 

My first Baptism.. 72 years old

I was praying hard to think of God´s presence in my life and how I can strengthen my conviction. They shared Alma 30:44 in sacrament and I thought about all the times He has blessed my life. I really know that He is making his arm bare for me and helping me through my mission and my life. I am eternally grateful for the things I am learning here. I know I have changed. 

I hope you all have a great week. I hope you know that He is aware of you and you´re probably doing more than you think. 

Lots of love,

Eating Contest

This week was good. I can’t believe how good things are going. I don’t have too much time today. But this week was preparing for championships.

One- everyone and their dogs (each have about 6 here) have been feeding us so much. in the last three days I ate a whole watermelon. No joke. Hermana parker said its like we are preparing for a food eating contest.

two- I have two baptisms on Saturday. I could not be more excited. They have changed so much. Camila was a miracle disguised as a beautiful prepared 15 years old. She knows more than me I think. I love her so much. And Arturo reminds me of my grandpa. =) 

three- me and my comp are doing great. We laugh a lot more now and I realized to just LOVE her. Its been getting easier. And we have good times now and work harder than I ever have.

four- the branch got a new president. That was a miracle worth forty. I am so excited for the changes in Guadalupe. I think that new President will do well because he is very humble and has some simple approaches that will strengthen people´s testimony in Christ. That is what they need here. We met with him his first night as President and he shared with us how he wants more focus on reading the keystone of our religion- the book of Mormon and on family home evening between various families. I am excited. 

I know the Lord loves me. I have received that testimony stronger than I ever had in my life this week. I am so blessed to be serving him at this time. Give me mountains to climb, give me oceans to cross. I love the things i am learning.

 I cant believe the subtle life lessons I learned this week and am so grateful the Lord loves me enough to manifest His Hand in my life through the spirit. I prayed to feel His love for me and had a few moments for a couple days when I just felt so warm and couldn´t get the idea He Loves You out of my mind. Despite all the challenges I have and will have, I know that He is teaching me so much. Thinking about entering a body building contest...not for the body, just for my tan.. Happy 95 degrees everyone! 

Have a great week. Lots of love,

Hermana Nokes

Look for miracles

::: This week was super great. Happy New Year. I decided I wanted to be happier and more lively and all. So I have been looking for miracles everyday. 

. My dad tells me to look for the miracles everyday and I started doing that. I made a booklet with all the things the Lord blesses me with everyday. I am a bit overwhelmed. He is so good to me. There are many miracles in my life and I am so grateful for the challenges and opportunities I have so that I can learn and grow.

Happy New Years. We had to be home at seven. Party! ha-ha the Chileans were out super late. We lit matches as fireworks. and laded in bed in  extreme heat. 

We had 6 people (3 little kids, but still!) in sacrament! I was so happy. It was awesome. One investigator will be baptized the 18th.It feels like we just met her! She is my first. . I was worried with how fast her conversion has gone, but we had a lesson and she was teaching us. I know that’s what the spirit will do for someone. I can´t wait for her and am just antsy for her big day.

I had a feeling to go to a contact that we haven’t seen for months. It was his only day here in weeks and for weeks. That was neat. I know that we receive impressions. 

We got to go contacting to a gorgeous place with rivers, giant corn fields the mountains. I didn’t have my camera. The sunset there! it took my breath away. 

We finally got celestial missionary 100 percent. I think that’s why we are having success and I am learning to deal with my companion and her with me. All is going great. Thanks for the prayers and love. I love you all and wish you the best week..

Love, 

Hermana Nokes