Mother's Day

Dear Family, 

It was so great to talk to you all yesterday. I can't believe so much is happening! With Cassie graduating soon and Aleksi getting married in eleven days - wowow! 

It was a great mother's day here in San Jose. Satuday night, Elder Munns and I made 12 Mother's day cards for all the mom's in the branch. We didn't have any materials - so we had to be really creative. We cut a ton of cardboard squares and then glued photos of temples and the Savior and wrote a nice little personalized letter for each of them, with the quote "The love of a righteous mother is as close to the love of God than any other type of love". They all loved it! Success. It was even better that we had four of our investigators in church - so we gave one to each of them.

With Mamita's daughter, Nataly - we've been practicing "Oh mi Padre" with the tone of "Come thou fount" to sing in sacrament meeting on Mother's day. We were practicing during the week as part of a family home evening - and the power went out - so we ended up taking long exposure photos with the camera - it was a ton of fun. Mamita's family is so much fun. The hymn turned out really pretty. Arturo, a recently returned missionary, played the piano. The wife of the branch President told us we need to have a special musical number every week. We'll see.

The ring sizes - we're not exactly sure but we estimated that Mamita and Nataly are 10 and Papito is a 10.5 - but we could be wrong. Mamita and Papito want normal silver ring bands with "HLJ" Haz Lo Justo - and Nataly wants hers in english - "CTR" Choose The Right. Also silver. They're not picky. They'll like something unique. 

Mom - Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for being such a strong example in my life and teaching me the gospel. I love you. 

Dad - Have fun fishing with Nick and his family. 

Aleksi - your new house is in Provo or Salt Lake? You'll be home this week! Have fun with your bridal shower - send me photos. I hope you feel as special as you should. 

Mitchell - It's true. But they're are other branches that need help - even in Florida. I will think of every possibility before I think about UF. 

Cassie - that Bentley video was so funny! I'm in tears laughing. D'aww, such a cute dog. 

Kate - Deep sea fishing! I would've loved to see Kelly laying out on a box of life savers and saftey jackets. 

Love you family, 

So happy I got to be with you yesterday, 

Love, 

Elder Poirier. 

Val-lluvia

Dear Familly,

Such great photos. I was 100% sure I was NOT going to cry this LAST call home - but I already feel so sad just seeing the photos of Aleksi's engagement party and your trip to Las Vegas. I hate not being there. It looks amazing! You guys did a great job on the set up for the party. You all look so beautiful and adult. I feel like a little kid still. I feel like I won't fit in. Thank you for all the photos - it was as close to being there as I'll get.

I sent a ton of photos too. Saying goodbye to all the members in Camino Real. Every mom here in Chile has a necklace with how many kids they have - like mom used to have of two boys and two girls - when we said goodbye to Yoselin, she gave me hers - she said to remember her sons, when they too are great missionaries. I could've cried. I love that family. A member gave me that little guitar but I have to clean it up and put some strings on it and learn how to play- I didn't have room in my luggage so I left it at the house of my mamita and she said when we come to visit after we can pick it up. haha. 

The city photos are of Valdivia - it's nickname is Val-lluvia - because it rains all the time. I took the sunny photos just now, so beautiful. We saw the Sea Lions again - in spanish they're called Sea Wolves. 

We're finding a lot of great people. We have one investigator that is REALLY striving to live the word of wisdom and a few other commandments. We're so close. I feel like every lesson with him is like preparation for a battle - so full of emotion and the Spirit and he leaves ready to fight the next temptations. We have a district temple trip this month - and if he gets baptized before - he can go! We're focused on the temple - we want him to go to the temple - and even better - HE wants to go to the temple. Everyday we get a little closer to that goal. 

I like being in San Jose - we teach a ton. However, I have NEVER in my entire mission been rejected so often and so harshly. It's all part of the work. This week we had a really great experience. It was one of those days where the plans just didn't go right and every cita fell. So we talked to every person we could find - and every SINGLE person we talked to slammed their door in our face or told us they were too busy or just ignored us. NO ONE wanted to talk to us. But we just kept saying, "it's the next door." "It's that lady in the park! Go!" "It's that old man limping across the street! RUN!" Finally, at the end of the day we were exhausted. and rejected. We knocked the last door for the day. A women looked in the window - and left- "Another rejection" we thought and started to walk away. But then, a man came outside and called us over. He said the missionaries contacted him a few weeks ago but never came by - and we started talking. and talking. and talking. We taught him the entire restoration and invited him to be baptized and he accepted! It was incredible. We came back that night thinking, "No way - we just got rejected from every man, woman, and child all day - but it was all worth it. We found the person we were supposed to find." Those moments make it make the mission. 

I feel like I'm really developing into a powerful tool in the hands of the Lord. I can speak spanish. I strive to teach with power and authority and I love the work. I'm ready and willing. My heart is in the work. and I love seeing the blessings of that. 

Mom - Wow! What a fun vacation. I miss you guys. Disfrute su tiempo en la cabaña - será lindo para ver todas las fotos de su viaje. 

Dad - I'm doing well. I try not to focus on everything that I'm missing - that just makes me feel sad. Happy 50th birthday old man!

Aleksi - What temple did you take out your endowments?! I wish I could've been there! CONGRATULATIONS! on graduating and getting your endowments and your engagement party and bridal shower! I miss you Aleksi. and I'm so happy for you. Tell Nick he needs to start writing me every week, he'll be my brother. 

Mitchell - I think I'm going to go to BYU. I don't want to stay in Florida. BYU Provo or BYU Hawaii. 

Cassie - Bentley is such a grimlin. You're so tall in all the photos! 

Lilli - I didn't know you came to Chile on your Honeymoon! So cool. Today we went to a shop of artesenias and I looked for a three legged pig to ask what it means - I couldn't find one but I asked one of the ladies and she said that you have to have really good luck to find a three legged pig - hah. Something I always see are elephants in windows - she said those too are good luck. 

Kate - Thanks for the birthday photos. Sean looks hilarious in that one photo of the sign -and Chris is wearing shoes?! Wow! instead of flip flops, hah. 

I'll be skyping Sunday at around 5:30 from my Mamita's house. I'm excited to talk to you all for the LAST time through a computer. 

Les quiero familia, 

Con amor, 

Elder Poirier

P.S. In the artesanía shop - there are SO many things - mom, could you put some money in my account to send a package home, I'll get something for everyone. 

San Jose

Dear Family, 

I made it to San Jose de la Mariquina! It's a pretty big small town. We've got a few great investigators and a lot of great members. We've got a branch here in San Jose - yesterday about 28 people attended - there are SO many less actives here - so we definitely have our work cut out for us, but we're always up for a challenge.  It is very catholic town - my first day here I saw a spanish monk! The church is a little house capilla - a little bit bigger than the one in Lago Ranco. 

Every wednesday we go to a different part of our sector called Mafil - it's an even smaller town out in the campo - we have a few members out there so President wants us to strengthen them and work with the menos activos. It's really pretty - I like it better than San Jose itself.

Today we went to Valdivia (a huge, beautiful city - an hour from San Jose) to start my second visa - everyone knows that when you start your second visa your mission is ending...no! In the process the man doing the papers asked about mom's last name and I told him she was Chileana and he told me that if you send me my birth cerfificate, confirmed through the Chilean Consoluate in the US - that I can become a legalized Chileano - with my chilean passport and everything! So could you look into that and maybe send me my birth cirtificate sealed by the Chilean Consolate - I don't know how you'd go about it, but it would be really great to be Chilean and have dual citizenship! 

My companion is Elder Munns - from Idaho. He is REALLY nice. In high school he was really into football - and ballroom dancing! You'd never think it - but he's really good and has even traveled to London to perform. Everyone was telling how, "he's got such a big heart" - and it's true - whenever we're eating, he'll give bites of his food to the scrawny little dogs and pets them and gives 'em love. I'm grateful to be here with him and am already learning a ton. 

I have the BEST Mamita! She hasn't even been a member for a year - and she's the new mamita. She has three kids - Natalie, Benjamin, and Carolina - 17, 7, and 2 and her husband works in Santiago. They were all baptized together. I've met them less than a week ago and I already love them. I feel like I'm one of them. Carolina reminds me of a little brunette Rita. 

Mom - wow that place looks amazing! I'm sure you'll make it even more incredible with the lights outside and the walkway - and everyone dressed all fancy. What a great day it'll be. 

Dad - I'm here in San Jose. I heard you cooked a great Mahi dinner for the Snider's yesterday. I'm looking forward to a few more of those, maybe for Christmas? 

Aleksi - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 25! I love you sister. Remember when Mitchell wanted us all to flail on the driveway. The dance parties with Cyntia. In our old house, our baby sitter Lindsey. I can't believe you're out of the ghost house! Remember when we first found it. That place has so much history. And you're going to be back in Florida the 17th?! NO! That's RIGHT after my mothers day call - aka - LAST call home as a missionary and RIGHT before you get MARRIED?! No. 

Cassie and Mitchell - I can't go out *uegh* *uegh* I'm sick. Boo you for not writing. 

Kate - HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY! Remember Murray Middle School and how busy you were that day in August that you didn't have time to talk to me, and nicely told me, "YEAH -SO?!" and now I'm in Chile. "it's wingardium leviOHsa, not leviohSA!"

Lilli - I can't believe summer is so close. Christian is going to be a Junior!? Wow! He's a real young adult. Is Dylan playing on any basket ball teams?Send my love to the family. I'm glad you're all doing so well - and that Bill got the teaching job! - whoohoo! 

I love you family, 

Love,

Elder Poirier

PS. Something is wrong with this computer and I can't send photos...which is terrible because I have a TON I wanted to show you - today in Valdivia - there's a part near the river where there are wild SEA LIONS! And they are huge! It's a huge fish market and the fishermen just throw all the guts and fins out in the water and the sea lions and birds come from all over to eat. And I saw Elder Vasquez! - my old companion - it was great to catch up and tell him all about what happened with Yoselin and the ward in Camino 

Real. Love you familia. 

I'm Getting Transferred!

Querida Familia!

I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED! I knew it! I'm going North. My new sector is called "San Jose de la Mariquina" in Los Lagos and from what I heard it's a small pueblito - very tranquilo - with lots of country. But they said it isn't as campo as Lago Ranco - but we'll see. I'm excited. My companion is Elder Munns, which is ironic because Aleksi is getting married this next month and will have her reception in the house of the Munns. He's from Idaho, I'll be sure to ask if he has some relatives in Florida. He just finished his training - Surprise - another companion who just finished their training. It'll be my first gringo companion in OVER A YEAR! I haven't had a gringo companion since Elder Arce back in Puerto Varas! He was my second companion. I'll speak English again! Cambios are Wednesday, so I have a few more days to say goodbye to the rest of the members and pack my bags. 

I'm grateful for the time I've been given to be with Elder Fonseca. I really have learned a lot. I studied this past week "The Fourth Missionary" again (It's like our mission talk). It seems that everytime I read it, I realize that I'm still not there and want to work to achieve it. Not only to become "the fourth missionary" but to become "the fourth person". I want to cultivate those attributes for life. Elder Fonseca has taught me patience and charity and I'm so grateful to have seen a change in his attitude and animo. I feel like I did my part as his companion, and nothing gives me greater satisfaction. 

This week has been really great. My last full week in Camino Real. In church, I got to give a brief goodbye. I shared the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 128:22, "Brethern, shall we not go forth in so great a cause?" Before I spoke, I was looking around the room and I thought how I really knew everyone on a personal friendship level. Dad asked me if I'm going to miss anyone in especial - YES! Familia Imilmaki. Familia Delgado. Familia Chaipul. Hermana Yoselin. Hermano Carlos. Carlitos. Hector. Felipe. and all of our investigators. It really has been a priviledge to serve alongside so many great people. I can't wait to hear about the progress of everyone we've taught and especially Yoselin, in the coming months and years. 

Mom - that hat is so cool! Is the craft room up and running? 

Dad - Who will all be staying at the house? What is the scedule for the 24th?

Aleksi - Felicidades! School is over! Now there is only ONE thing that I'm sure you can't stop thinking about - May 24th - I've marked my calender! Ahhh!

Mitchell - I agree with your story. I haven't heard much about Roberto or Sergio, but it would be devastating to hear that they've gone inactive. Here in Chile the sad truth is that there is a huge problem with retention, but we're working on it. And your convert friend was REALLY forward. Awkward! 

Cassie - you miss me? Say it. Out loud. 

Evan - So great to hear from you! Studying in the morning has become sacred. I never thought I would look forward to a solid hour of studying. Before the mission, I would always think - why is it so easy to read Harry Potter and so hard to find time to read the scriptures? And now I look forward to reading the scriptures like I looked (and still look forward to) reading Harry Potter. Send my saludos to Eowyn, Tyler and Looey. 

Kate - I'll definitely keep Sean in my thoughts. Summer is so close. You've got only a few more weeks and then it's over! Si se puede. 

Photos: 

Some from last week at Cascadas. 

and saying goodbye to the ward. 

Saying goodbye to Familia Imilmaki. 

The Mamita of Rahue Alto with my entire district. 

And Rahue Zone. Where in ranking from oldest to youngest - when you sit in the chairs - it means you're getting old in the mission. I've never sat down before! 

Sometimes it's so hard to find the words to express how I feel. I'm grateful to be a missionary. I'm SO grateful to be a missionary. It's hard sometimes. But right now, it's everything to me. It's all I want to do. Every morning, I can't wait to put on my placa. I'm proud to be serving. I want to give the Lord all that I am, holding nothing back. I love being a missionary. 

Love you forever, 

Love, 

Elder Poirier 

P.S. 

Today is but the next great adventure.

Cascadas

Dear FAMILY!

Today is a great day. We just got back from a little day trip to the Chilean "Cascadas" and it was so beautiful. It's a 45 minute trail in the forest - crossing rivers on fallen tree bridges and walking down steep slopes to arrive at a HUGE waterfall. We were at the bottom of a huge cliff - the waterfall was so loud and so powerful - we got completely soaked. Naturally I took a ton of photos, but I'm only sending a few of my favorites. Nevermind, this computer is really slow so I can only send pocitos.

Looks like everyone had a great week too. Transfers are next week and I'm pretty sure I'll be leaving. I've been here for so long. But we'll see. We've found so many great people and we're working so well with the members. I'm really proud of everything we've done. On Sunday, Hermana Ana - a less active member who's been coming back to church bore her testimony saying how a member had been visiting her and one day told her that she needed to come back to church, that she lived so close and had no excuse. She literally lives across the street from the capilla. That member was me! And she said from that moment on, she decided she was going to return going to church - and has - and said she wants to keep coming! (Obviously I didn't say it like that - but that's basically what I said). Yoselin also bore her testimony - I got a little teary eyed just thinking about how less than 5 months ago, we hadn't even knocked at her door. The work goes on so fast.

Mom - The Imilmaki family are one of my favorite's here in Camino Real. But they seem to only take unflattering photos of me and now that they have your facebook, I fear I won't be the only one to see them.

Dad -  The work is good. Days like today are so nice - I love having adventures and seeing the touristic part of the mission. 

Aleksi - two more weeks! Si se puede! I'm pretty sure I've decided what I want to study - but where is still the question. Florida isn't my first choice. and neither is BYU Provo. 

Mitchell - Harry Potter World AND Taylor Swift! Was it amazing?! I'm glad you went with Cassie. I can't wait to hear her songs!

Cassie - YOU RODE A ROLLER COASTER! I'm so proud of you! 

Kate - Wow - you guys look so much older in the photo. It'll be so great to see everyone again. 

Kelly - It's a hard decision, but if you lose your passion - then you're right - you'll lose that fire that comes everytime you go to take photos. Don't lose your passion. 

Rachel - I was reading you letter, thinking - who could this be?! So great to hear from you! Keep writing me. 

I love the mission. I was thinking today on the bus - looking at the great volcano Osorno - that I'm just so happy. I'm happy to leave and talk to people. I'm happy teaching. I'm happy with the members. I'm just happy. I love what I'm doing. The mission is a lifetime of experiences. And I'm living it. I love it. 

I love you family, 

Love, 

Elder Poirier 

Camino Real

Dear GREAT Family, 

Man, every week I feel like I love you guys even more. Don't worry about the red christmas bell - an investigator gave it to me, but then after the first lesson - never answered the door again...so symbolically it broke, of course. I didn't make the volcanic display, a missionary gave it to me. Dad, did you like the Indio? haha, you have to raise it up to see what's inside. That's Chilean humor, it is funny. I would never have expected it. Mom, do you like the nativity, I found a few more that I like. Thanks for the candy and sweets in the latest package - I've got to write a thank you to Sister Gleason too, it was loaded! 

General Conference was incredible! The Priesthood session was the best. They talked a ton about missionary work. And I felt like President Monson was speaking directly to me. Us five gringos got to watch it in the little secretary's office in the stake center - it's so much better in English. 

I'm doing well. I basically know everyone here in Camino Real. There's this lady named Cintia that sits on the corner of the streets Peru and Arequipa every afternoon right as we pass by. I always greet her. There's the mom's in the park that are always playing with their kids. Matias who always sits on the bench and watches the other kids play soccer. Maria who sells flowers on the way to the cemetary. Valentina who works in the local bakery. Marcelo who plays soccer with his son Marcelo in the plaza. And the funny thing is, they all know me too - "the missionary with the glasses." This isn't missionary work - this is missionary FUN. (Remember that quote) haha. This really is the best thing I've ever done. 

Mom - I got all the photos. You're right, Cassie does looks stunning! It's so weird that's she's a senior...I feel like I was JUST a Senior. My Chesney looks bigger and happier than ever. Glad to see she's still eating healthy. It's funny that Aleksi wants a manjar cake - I eat one at least once every week! They sell little individual ones for less than a dollar! So delicious. 

Dad - The house looks incredible. My room looks really good. I forgot how comfortable my bed is - it'll be weird to not sleep in a sleeping bag after getting so used to it. 

Aleksi - Don't be sorry. I mean, sometimes I think about it and it does make me sad - but what a glorious day it'll be! I hope you enjoy every second of it and that Eva takes tons of beatiful photos. I know everyone will dance for me. Love you Aleksi. 

Mitchell - School is stressing you out. That is one thing I certainly don't miss. Thanks for the photos - home looks so different. You've got a cool new style. Do you like being back at UF?

Cassie - Wowow! Those photobooth photos at prom look fun. Did you have a blast? You better have danced a lot. You really look beautiful. 

Kate - April. Those photos of Coral Cove. "You Remind me - Yeah - you remind me" (the song from Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley). I'm glad you and Chris are still in good contact. I miss you guys. 

Kelly - What great shots. It's almost summer. Glad you had a stress free week. 

Eva - haha, that quote from Rita! So funny. I miss my Pita. Send me the rest of the photos of Aleksi, what are you waiting for?! You're such a great photographer. Are you so excited for the wedding?! I am! 

Lilli - Easter sounded so fun. Thanks for all the updates on the family. I hope Bill gets the teaching job that he wants and that Christian gets to play in the ranking that he deserves. 

I love you family. 

Les Quiero Mucho, 

Love,

Elder Poirier 

P.S. 

Sometimes enduring to the end means standing strong and holding fast where we are.