La Cola de Caballo (Horse Tail Falls) 11/18

Hi family!

This week was pretty chill. There wasn't too much excitement. We bought a new iron because our other one died. And the branch is going to do a Christmas missionary activity where they're going to sing Christmas hymns while we give out Books of Mormon and pamphlets. I may have already mentioned that. Anyway, I've been helping with a bit of piano. It's coming along nicely. :)

Today was super crazy because we had yet another district activity. We have a zone leader in our district who will be ending his mission in three weeks and I think he's trying to get in as much sight seeing as he possibly can before he leaves. It was way cool though. We went to see another waterfall called "La Cola de Caballo" which means the horse's tail (or horse tail falls as I call it.) It's a bit more secluded than the last waterfall and it was way prettier. I'm going to add a few pictures of it so you guys can get an idea. We had to walk through some really jungley areas to get to the falls. It was pretty much awesome. We saw a lot of those lines of ants carrying leaves. I thought it was interesting because that's normally something you only see on discovery channel. :P We also had to cross two small streams on the way - hopping from rock to rock. My companion was scared or something because he had to prepare himself mentally for about five minutes each time we crossed. It was pretty funny. Once we got to the falls we took pictures and climbed up to a cliff right next to the falls for some more pictures. We got completely drenched from the spray off. It was pretty much the coolest district activity I've had here. The only bummer was that it took seven hours in all. (Mostly traveling) We traveled in trucks rigged up with a cover on back called "piratas". It means pirates. It was a really fun trip. Anyway, that's why we got back late.

I want you all to know that this really is the true church of Christ! No matter what hardships we pass through in this life, if we hold on to the end we will be rewarded. I know that families can be eternal. That's the great goal in this life.

I love you all and I'm glad to know all is well. Talk to you all next week!

Love,

Elder Sean Horrocks

Photos:

1) Swinging from a vine.... like Tarzan!

2) Welcome to the Jungle!

More changes in the mission - 11/11

Hi family!

This week was fairly average, but there are a few tidbits of interesting things that happened so I'll try not to "scrimp on the details." ;)

We had a zone conference on Wednesday where we learned a bunch of new changes. They're trying to unite the mission field as a whole a little more so they're doing away with things that pertain to just one mission. Basically, before we had a mission theme and mission hymn and mission logo and stuff like that. Well, not anymore. I understand why they did it and I support the decision, but it's still kind of sad that we won't have anymore of those fun little things. It's all good though.

We also went on splits with the new zone leader, Elder Vaca, on Friday. I actually had a good time and learned a lot. We worked in my area of Santiago. He helped me to get excited about contacting again. Contacting was honestly my least favorite part of the work (and it's still not my favorite) but now I understand more about how it's a means to an end. If done correctly, it's how we constantly have work to do. As a missionary, that's what makes me happier.

I also had another breakthrough this week. Every week we have weekly planning where we set plans for the upcoming week. Well, I don't think I've ever had a very efficient one until this week. I felt that it went very well and it finally just clicked in my head. Hopefully I'll be able to keeping going with these news changes I'm discovering.

Yesterday was the Primary program during sacrament meeting. It was cute, but a little more interesting over here seeing as how the majority of the children are wild as can be. It was pretty fun though. :)

We're also practicing for a Christmas missionary activity in this branch. The branch members are practicing some Christmas hymns and I'm helping a little with piano. It's starting to come together. The idea is that they sing in the town square (where there are usually a lot of people) while Elder Araneda and I hand out Books of Mormon and pamphlets and set appointments with people. If it all comes together it should be an amazing opportunity. Fingers crossed! :)

In other news, my friends are writing me a bit more. DJ, Taylor and Addison all sent e-mails around the same time. I replied to all, but only Addison is writing me fairly consistently. Oh well, not to worry. I resigned myself a long time ago to the fact that I might not have friends when I get home. It's all good. I'll just have to bug my little brothers some more. ;)

  

I know this church is true. I hope that you all realize just how blessed we are to be members of the true church of Christ. I've seen what happens to a lot of the people who don't enjoy that blessing and let me tell you - not pretty.

I love you all and hope to hear about your adventures! Apparently you guys didn't do anything exciting for Halloween because no body wrote me about it. If you did do something I'd like to hear about it. Even if it was just watching scary movies and eating kitkats. ;)

Love you all!

-Elder Sean Horrocks

P.S. We went to visit a waterfall today. :)