SURPRISE!

So I have this SUPER cool story to tell you.

Last week I had this.......and then I ended up needing to.......all the while I couldn't help but think........and then I had to go to.......!!  Can you believe it?
This is exactly how I feel after reading Hayden's email this week.  Remember a few posts back when I mentioned something about change in the mission being inevitable and certain...well, this week that could not be more true.  Hayden is being transferred three weeks into a change.  (The potential to be transferred usually comes up every six weeks in his mission.)  Now, we have no idea where he is going and who is going to be his companion.  We have no details, except for the fact that he got evacuated from his apartment and that he was transferred.  He has his bags packed and is awaiting further instructions.  I guess we get to play, "Guess where Hayden ended up?" for the next week.

At least he sounds like he is keeping a positive attitude!

"Hey Guys! 

It`s been a crazy week. We got emergency taken out of our pension this past week.. So that was fun sleeping on the floor basically. 

I got surprise transferred in the middle of the change! So I don`t know what sector I`ll be in tomorrow! I`m pretty bummed. I saw so many miracles here in 5 de Abril. I loved my new comp even though I only had him for like 3 weeks!  We were super good buds! He`s the only other missionary who knows who Kendrick and ASAP are.. So we had fun churchifying rap songs in the street. 

New Years we got to sleep in a little bit again!  Buena Buena.

Looks like I`ll be saying goodbye to the Haitians. I love them so much. They are the coolest people in the whole world! Everybody give Rolando a hug for me! Haha! 

We gonna bap the world!  Haha I`m pumped to see where I end up.

Love y`all! 

Elder Clegg"

Senior Year

Today, Hayden has six months left to serve!  Apparently the missionaries in his mission (not sure if it's ALL missions) break it down into six month chunks.  Your first six months you are considered a freshman, the next six you're a sophomore, and so on...  He references that in his email to me this week.

"I`m doing super well!  We baptized this past weekend!  It was a good Christmas! Haha I was sittin' there talking to my comp last night and I cannot believe that I am entering my Senior year of the mission. We got so sad last night!  Haha it passes by so fast!"

Our Skype call on Christmas was incredible!  It was so good to see his handsome face, hear his beloved voice and feel his tender testimony!  He is growing and changing in ways we hoped and in ways we didn't see coming.  What a blessing!  We love and miss him.  Here's to a quick "senior year" and a sweet reunion in June 2016!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

A Change, A Testimony and Merry Christmas!

Last week, Hayden mentioned that he and Elder Ballard would be together for the next six weeks.  I guess one thing we have learned is...change is inevitable and certain while serving a mission. According to Hayden, there was a meeting last week where Elder Ballard was called out of the audience and pulled into the office to work as AP.  He and Hayden were shocked!  So, Hayden got a new companion named Elder Brophy.  They will continue working with the Haitians.  Hayden is super excited to stay put.

This Christmas, my Mom asked Hayden to share his testimony, so that she could share it with our family.  (Thanks Mom!)  I figure if you are reading this, you are probably family or may as well be...here it is.

"My testimony is pretty simple! 

I know that God lives. He sent His son, Jesus Christ, here to the earth to pay a price that nobody else could pay.  If we are obedient and keep the commandments, we can follow the path that He showed us and make it back to our Heavenly Father.  I know that we can not only make it back there alone, but as families.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Also, in his group email, Hayden sends his love.  He writes, "Merry Christmas ya filthy animals.  My mom sent me socks that say that, so that`s nice.   Thanks for all the love and support! 

The mission is the best place to be for Christmas!"

Love ya all,

Elder Clegg"

Together Forever!

It was so good to hear from our Elder this past week.  He had transfers.  I'll let him tell where he will be for the next six weeks.  We CANNOT wait to see his face and hear his voice on Christmas Day!  Also...Hayden says it is getting HOT down there!

"Well here we are again!

This week went by super fast and it was a way fun week! We had another couple baps! Frank is such a beast. He has come to church a bunch with one of our recent converts and just knows everything. Haha his Dad was hesitant to let him get baptized, so we went over to his house and watching him sit there and bear his testimony to his Dad and ask him for permission was the coolest thing ever. 

Elder Ballard and I will be staying together again!  Six months as ZL`s...together forever!  Ghetto forever. 

We walked down the street one day and this old guy was laying on his couch with the door open and when he saw us, he just started yelling, "Amen! Amen! Gloria a Dios! Amen! Alegria!" and waving his arms around. It was way funny, but it was even funnier the next day when ALL of his clothes had gone missing...Let`s just say I will never enter in that house. 

We`ve found some super solid new people to teach, but we are out of people that have enough attendance to get baptized!  However, we had 10 investigators in the church this past week! That was solid. I love this ward!  They support us so much! 

Love you all! 

Elder Clegg

Go skiing for me!" 

Pics: 

Elder Matamoros is my guy! Haha I love the kids from Ecuador!

We went to the Zoo

Frank..

Wilson..

Our Zone

Baller

Baller:

(N) 
1. One who exhibits a consistent proficiency at-, or exuberant love for the game of basketball. 
2. One whose person has been fully and successfully established in numerous social circles (esp. one who is extremely popular with both the male and female members of any given social group).
3. One whose status in society has been earned by one's possession of "game" (that is, proficiency at the game of life). 

(Adj) 
1. Exhibiting those qualities of a baller; not limited to the description of a person, 'baller' may be used to describe any place, thing or situation.

urbandictionary.com

"Hey there!

Well, we baptized a Jehovah's Witness in 14 days so that`s about the coolest thing ever! Wilson is a baller.

Frank will be getting baptized this week. Also a baller. 

We`ve been real blessed in this sector! People just come up to us and want to get baptized...Which is really not a normal thing for Chile, so it`s awesome.  I`m not gonna complain. 

I have no time! 

Have a good week! 
Elder Clegg"

Waste and Wear

This past summer, I decided to join a few of my friends and try a big ride.  It was on my bucket list and one I REALLY wanted to accomplish.  I worked hard to be ready.  I got my bike fit to my body, I got the proper snacks to eat during the ride and I even got special cream that saved my hide...no really! (Biking people will know what I'm talking about!)   

The day of the ride came and I was ready.  I paced myself and found that at the halfway point, I was pretty tired.  I still had 50 miles to go.  I kept pedaling.  At the 80th mile, I didn't think I had it in me, but I kept pedaling.  Eventually, I saw that finish line!  I crossed it and felt absolute happiness and exhaustion.  I felt wasted and worn out.  Hayden is feeling the same way, except he is not just doing a big bike race.  No, his work is eternal in nature.  It has the power to bring more happiness than any 100 mile ride ever could.  His message is short, yet powerful.  I'm inspired to renew my efforts to waste and wear my days in serving my Heavenly Father.

"November was a rough month for me health wise!  Haha as ZL's we don`t have time to do like anything!  I`ve just been loving the scripture in D&C that says, "Therefore we may waste and wear our lives in bringing hidden things unto light!"  I love that and I`ve found it to be true." 

Pit bull Butt Bites

"Hey guys! 

We've had a couple of weeks full of miracles down here in Chile!  Every time we feel like we can`t baptize anybody else.. because they don`t have attendance or don`t want to get bapped...the Lord makes something happen!  The mission is about to reach 100 baptisms in a month for the first time in 15 years, so Elder Ballard and I are under a ton of pressure to get our zone baptizing this weekend!

We`ve seen a lot of brawls this week! They`re always a good time. 

For those that haven`t heard...I got bitten in the butt by a Pit bull. That`s also a good time. 

Have a good week!

 

Elder Clegg