Took a Little Tumble off the Cliff

First of all, everything is fine. Second of all, I cant believe no one heard about a stinking 7 point something earthquake in the city where your daughter, sister, friend, etc. is serving.

But yes, we had a huge earthquake, and it felt a little bit like that part on Sword in the Stone where Merlin's tower is rocking all over the place, because we were at the top of the Reñaca hill, having a lesson with an investigator, and everything just started to shake (obviously). You guys didn't even have to be there! Watch that part of Sword in the Stone and you will have the clearest image possible haha. My companion started freaking out, because she's kind of dramatic (I realize that's the pot calling the kettle black, but it's true). And I was just really calm. It reminded me of tornadoes in Illinois. So I was just trying to calm down my companion... didnt really work... but whatever. And after that we just finished our lesson and stepped out into the torrential rain storm. The hill was pretty much a mudslide, so we just went as quick as we could to a member's house, where we experienced yet another earthquake. But it was really cool. It was kind of like... yes, we may possibly die right here in this little rickity shack on the side of this hill, but worrying isn't going to make it better. So I just sat and waited haha. And prayed out loud. There were a few more little earthquakes during the night too. 

It's very reassurring to know that you guys have actually no way of knowing if there has been some sort of disaster... so that's nice to know... not. 

But we had another baptism yesterday! Diana is so wonderful:) It was so beautiful. Latinos can't sing, and so they think my voice is amazing, so once again I was the musical number... how fantastic. We are trying very hard to help Bryan and Jenny realize the changes they need to make in their lives in order to be baptized. They know all the lessons forward and back... they can pretty much teach us. But it is hard for them to realize that they actually have to apply the stuff the Spirit is teaching them. 

Oh, if you want to know what it is like to scale the Reñaca hill up and down all day in mud, watch the other part of Sword in the Stone where the poor little wolf is about die from chasing after Arthur. Once again, you didn't even have to be there. Now you can all now. 

My companion left, so Im working back and forth with another sister between our two areas, and Wednesday I will have my new companion! 

I absolutely love to study my scriptures, like always, and it is getting easier little by VERY little to understand this language they pretend is Spanish. 

I am a little worried about staying here to work without my other companion, because she had been here for 9 months, and so all the members absolutely loved her, and I just hope that stays when Im here with someone else. But that's the normal missionary life I guess. Everything will be good. 

I love you all so much! 

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Sister Coray

p.s. I watched a dog get pummled by a car. I cried, even though I have decided I am never owning a dog for the rest of my life. Ever. Or a cat.

Little White Girl, do You Have your Sun Block?

I really wish that the question I heard most often was "When can I be baptized?" or "When can I come with you and your companion to an appointment?" But... usually, people are more concerned about my skin than the gospel haha. And so, I hear, a lot, "blanquita, tiene su block?" hahaha.

This week Ricardo and Sebastian were confirmed, and Ricardo recieved the priesthood, so that was awesome! It looks like their dad probably doesn't want to be baptized this week, so we are a little sad. That has happened with several of our other investigators too. But it's all gonna be ok. 

If anyone has any good ideas for ward missionary activities lemme know. 

The culture here is very respectful, but very relaxed. So there's the whole struggle with having to have a time schedule... let alone staying with the time schedule.

We eat luch with the members, and it is pretty formal, regardless of who's house your in. They serve different courses, and always on nice dishes, and it is kind of like one big tea party. Thank heavens I haven't had to eat a hot dog with mayonnaise or beans or gooby cheese yet. It is a lot of cilantro, tomatoes, meat, salad, soup, rice, and caffeine free coffee haha. 

Also, we have five neighborhood cows. They dont belong to anyone... they just roam free. 

Also, we are like the only mission in the world that goes to bed at 11 and wakes up at 7. So that's cool.

A few of our progressing investigators are not progressing anymore, just for lack of committing to things. That same laid back cultural thing kicks in and no one really feels like waking up to go to church, or reading their scriptures, or really anything. 

But there are still lots of blessings everyday. 

Pray for me and my companion as she gets ready to leave. Im probably going to stay here, and our sector is so huge......... soooooo huge. I wish I could remember every street and every name, but that just isnt going to happen yet I dont think. Guess we're gonna find out. 

Love you

Sister Coray

"But what if there is no tomorrow?!​?!?! There wasn't one today!!!!"

So even though I have this planner that has the date written on every page, I can't ever remember the day or the date. Also, every day is kind of a blur, and so it is hard to tell if time is actually moving, and usually it just feels like I'm living the same day over and over and over and over, (got it ;)) haha. But not in an awful way... mostly it's just a little disorienting. So I made this calender (fam, see video) to help with the time warp struggle. So if anyone has anything to contribute for exciting days that are coming up, I would happily add them to my calendar.

OUR BAPTISMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was the coolest thing. The water was freezing cold, but my precious little Ricardo and Sebastian are baptized now! I am so happy for them. Their dad came to church with the rest of their family yesterday, and that was super exciting too.

I'm not sure how detailed you guys want to know all my stuff, but here's a list of the people we are working with right now:)

 

Hunberto - Dad Fernandez, loves the gospel, is really having trouble getting work off, but wants to get baptized the 24th.

Dianna - her mom is an aethiest, but her dad is awesome, and she is going to be baptized the 23rd hopefully. She is an angel, 15 years old, and so amazing. 

Carlos - super old, and has a phobia of leaving his house, Jehovas Witness, but really receptive. Wants to be baptized, but, once again, has a phobia of leaving his house and his daughter at home (really, his daughter is his cat, but we dont tell him that)

There are others, but those are our focuses! Pray for Beatrice and her family, and Caroline and her family! We are trying to baptize families, and trying to build branches and wards. 

Love you all! 

these are pictures of the baptisms and yesterday was the day of ninos so Hno Marcelo made us these little cakes!

 Heating water in the microwave to try to warm up the font.

 Adding warm water to the freezing cold water in the baptismal font.

 little sister? Hermana Carias, Ricardo & Sebastian, Sara

Pictures!!!!

These are pictures of Sara and Sister Sanford  traveling from Mexico City to Chile.

 

First look at the mountains of Chile!

First look at the City of Vina!

Sara at the CCM with Algie Brown's sister, Hermana Brown

Take into Considerat​ion: Street Without Rocks

So obviously there are dogs everywhere, but we haven't had any problems. I just do what Brycen told me, and if there's a creepy one we reach down to pick up a rock and they leave. Anyways, last night we were walking to an appointment, and on our way we saw some creepy dogs that were barking, and when my companion bent down to pick up a rock, I had the thought to actually pick up some rocks. But the dogs went away, and so I was going to drop them. I had the thought to stick them in my pocket, so I rolled my eyes and felt like a pack-rat and stuck them in my coat. After our appointment it was dark, but a super clean and safe part of town (no rocks on this road), and so we were just heading back to our house, and we saw two "Serious Black" dogs, and I looked around for a rock, and there weren't any on the ground, and I remembered the two that I had in my pocket. The dogs started freaking out, and my companion was afraid, so I fumbled around in my pocket for the rocks and chucked them as hard as I could. They kind of just started attacking each other when the rocks hit them (yes, the rocks actually hit them haha. Two points for me), and we passed by them while they were distracted. Haha Im sure I looked ridiculous, but also I kind of felt like David and Goliath. 

 

Two months today! 

This week we are preparing two boys in the Fernandez family to be baptized this next Sunday. They are so great, and their dad is also excited to be baptized someday very soon also. 

 

Last night we had a lesson with a less active family that we're trying to help prepare to go to the temple, and it was hard to keep my voice from shaking talking about temples. You are all the reasons I am here, and that's what I told this cute little family. The spirit was so strong, but not the dense, Elder Holland kind of strong. Just very happy and clear. 

 

I just thought about how grateful I am to have a family where we are used to praying, and telling each other I love you. I am so grateful for mom's voice everyday before we left for school to listen to the spirit and be a good helper. That is still my job every day on my mission. I think of how dad has always come home from the hospital, and even if he's dead-tired, he played with us or goes outside and keeps working with our family. That's how the work is here too... 

 

Some days I feel like Im still on day one, and Im never going to get to week 79, but I know I will get to the end and wish I didnt have to leave. Little by little I am loving it more here, and it happens as I find a person here and there to love and help. It is hard to think about everyone else all the time, because usually we arent used to that, but that is becoming more of a habit too. 

 

The little sign that hangs in grandma's house that says "eat a live toad every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day" is extremely accurate. But the work is great! Im so glad to be here working!

Love you all so very much. 

Sister Coray

Mission Home address for mail

Sister Sara Marie Coray

Chile, Viña del Mar Mission

4 Norte 1112

Casilla 631

Viña del Mar, Valparaiso Chile