2 Nephi 4:34

Dear Familia, 

Death. That's pretty much all I've thought about this week. We got a phone call a few weeks ago from a sister in the branch telling us that her daughter was in the hopital because her appendix burst and she had lost a ton of blood. She was visiting her mom (who lives in our branch) from Santiago when all of this happened. We had blood donations here in Lago Ranco to try and help but sadly, on Friday we got a phone call saying that she had passed away. As the branch president and first counsler, all priesthood responsibilites relied on us. We put together a short service on Saturday with the district president and the Relief Society President, who both spoke and sang hymns to help comfort the family. It was really depressing. There were a ton of people in the house of the hermana, and after we finished with the service, one of the ladies asked if we could keep singing. We sang so many hymns. It was a little awkward because we were all crammed into a room with the body in a coffin, but that's Chilean tradition. In good news, Corina and Valentina came to church on Sunday! Corina told us that even before we showed up at her door, she would tell her dad that one day she was going to be baptized Mormon. It was so great to have her in the branch. However, Mario didn't come which was a little sad - but next Sunday, we'll make sure he's there si or si. The funeral for the hermana was Sunday at 11. Which is when Sacrament meeting ended, naturally all the memebers wanted to go - so we voted - and all decided to go to the funeral. It was like an episode of The Office. So random, but it was the right thing to do. So together, with Corina and Valentina, we all drove to the next little town and went to the funeral. It was very depressing. I've never been to a funeral before. and the mom was so sad. I tried to imagine what it would be like to lose a loved one or a friend - but she lost her child. I can't even imagine her suffering. Elder Cayoja dedicated the grave, which I felt was really comforting and brought a lot of closure. Crazy week, right? But we're glad we were able to do our part and help this family in such a tragic moment of their lives. and we're really excited for Corina and Mario and their dedication to be baptized. 

Last week I said how it wasn't so terribly cold, I cursed it - because this week was FREEZING. I've never been more cold in my entire life. Mitchell, I want to watch the Olympics so bad. There are posters all over of the Chileans who made it to the Games. Last week I got all of my mail for July in one sitting! So many letters! and I got the package with Elder Cayoja's watch and gifts (thanks mom!) and the Mamita was really greatful for her gift! She said no one has ever sent her anything! 

I really love being a missionary. I'm grateful for the time I've been with Elder Cayoja, not because it's been easy - but because even though it's taken everything I have to be patient and kind, I've grown immensely and am a little bit closer to being the person the Lord needs me to be. 

Thank you for all the photos! So many adventures. You guys are all so tan and summer looking. Bentley is so spoiled, how did he get so lucky. The Sniders all look very grown up! I'm glad everyone says they like Nick, I look forward to meeting him. Aleksi you look happier than ever. Cassie, that photo of Rita modelling - hahaha! Dad, you look more fit and mom, you look beautiful as always. I'm glad you all had a great vacation and found lots of lobsters. Mitchell, I'm glad your activity was successful. Those members really do love you. I love you a lot family. 

No scar is too deep, no sorrow too painful, no wrong too darkened, that the merciful hand of the Savior cannot reach, comfort and heal.

Love, 
Elder Poirier (Maxwell Poirier)

P.S. 2 Nephi 4:34 "Oh Señor, en ti he puesto mi confianza, y en ti confiaré para siempre" 


Elliot. Your letters are hilarious. Weird to think that only a month ago you were here in the field. 

My Adventures

Buenas Tardes Familia,

 

Esta semana paso rapido. ¿Cierto? You guys are in the keys again. By now, Aleksi and Nick have arrived. Dun. Dun. Dun. You swam with another manatee! It's sunny. Lilli and Bill are going to Alaska?! Dylan looks so much older and leaner. Wow. Summer sounds good over there. Mom, I'm glad you guys went to the Branch in Marathon Key. The other day I was thinking about that little ward building and how we didn't find it until after Sunday. and I was wondering if you guys would go this year, I'm sure the branch president loved having a full meeting. Dad, hopefully the weather calms down this week so that you can show Eric how to fish. Thanks for all the great photos, keep me updated on the trip.

This week in Lago Ranco - our investigators Mario and Corina said they want to be baptized! It was amazing. Mario all this time has been saying that 'Corina will be baptized but not me' but now he said they both will be baptized! We had a great lesson with Hermano Sergio, who was a menos activo. Was - because he came to church this sunday! It was great because we've been meeting with him ever since I got here - and this sunday he came back! and he's going to keep coming back. But sadly, Mario and Corina didn't come to church. They have a date for the 18th of August. We're doing everything we can to ensure that they feel ready and confident by that date - which is completely possible. So we're excited about that.

Photos - have you been getting all of them? Another Elder said that when he sends a lot of photos, the email fails. The photos are mostly of us exploring Lago Ranco. There is so much campo, it's really beautiful (when it's not raining). I love the people here, they just live off the land. One of our joven menos activo's new baby calf. An once with Mario and Corina. A photo with the old Branch President, he moved to Uruguay and was in town this Sunday and came to church. On the bus, while Elder Cayoja slept. And photos from today. The zone met in La Union to play soccer. The cancha was wet so we played inside, someone kicked the ball muy fuerte and it hit the ceiling and knocked out tiles, so we built a tower to put the tiles back. Dangerous. (I'm sending three emails of photos, tell me if you get them)

It's not dreadfully cold, but it's still cold.

I really do love the mission. I cannot believe how fast time has gone by.

I'm thinking of sending a package home? Good idea? bad idea? This would probably be my only package home so I'll put stuff in it for everyone, or at least try to. Can I send volcanic rock or no? (that's a serious question...I need to know)

 I love you family.

Love,

Elder Maxwell Poirier

 

PS. "Because not trying is always worse"

 

PPs. To everyone who writes me (Kate, Alexa, Chris, Sean, Reagan, Shreeves): Mail to Lago Ranco is slow - sorry if you feel like you haven't heard from me in a long time, I feel the same way. Deathly Hallows Sign.

 

Elliot Broadhead - I wrote out 'Elder' at first....Thanks for you letter - I laughed the entire time. Colon was so great. I feel like I was just being trained, the photos are great - You and all your brothers look exactly the same. Good luck with applying for you classes and everything. (and obviously 'Inception' is more important than any other distraction)

 

 

Hello Gringo

Great Family! 

Another week has come and gone in the great sector, Lago Ranco. It´s crazy that the time I've been with Elder Cayoja is the same amount of time I was with Elder Arce. Things got pretty intense this week. I don't think I've ever known someone that knows exactly what they need to do, to bother me. And do it purposely. Sometimes you just have to laugh, because if you don't you're going to get so frustrated you'll feel like casting an unforgivable curse - and then what?! Trust me, been there and back this week. It seems as if we've sorted everything out. My gosh, I hope we've sorted everything out - I don't know if I can stand another battle. I'm doing good, by the way. I'm really excited about Lago Ranco, slowly but surely we're getting the sector alive again. We've activated two menos activas - yes, women - I don't know what it is about this town, but the only members are women. We have one family that we've been working with since I arrived here. Mario and his daughter Corina. and Corina's three year old daughter, Valentina. They are so great. They really understand the Restoration and basically all of the gospel. The problem is that they live so far away from the church, that getting them to attend is rather difficult. (rather should only be read in an English Accent). The buses on Sunday don't go their usual routes at their usual times el dia domingo. They're super friendly, and Corina and Valentina even came to a Branch Noche de Hogar. They had a great time. Corina's really sarcastic and said it was, "her first and last" - so that's good, right? and Valentina was loved by all the hermanas, she even felt so comfortable that she found a dark corner near the door and peed! haha, yeah. We all had a great time. 
I'm happy to hear all of you are doing so well. Cassie sent me a ton of photos (thank you!). I can't believe how much older she looks and I've only been gone a week! Have fun in the keys with Aleksi and Nick. Mitchell only has 10 more weeks on the mission. Do you know how fast that is going to go by?! AHH! My trainer, Elder Broadhead finished his mission this past week. I can't believe it. He called me while he was in the mission home to say goodbye. and Elder Arce is now a zone leader. 
Funny stories that have happened to me that Elder Cayoja likes to tell to everyone:
1. There were a bunch of freshman aged girls sitting by the road we were walking by, and all of them are shouting at us, "HELLO GRINGO!" "COME HEUR!" (we're on the other side of the road) we keep walking, don't look at them - and then - I step in mud and SLIP, grab the fence to keep myself from falling and they star ROARING with laughter and jeering, even past the point when we turned the corner. It was awful. 
2. We were visiting a menos activo, and in Chile you shout "Alo" instead of knocking the fence. So I shouted "Alo" like I always do. He came out, greeted us, invited us inside and said, "Is there a niñita with you guys?" "uh..no?" "Then who the heck shouted 'Alo' like a little girl?!" Elder Cayoja bursts out laughing. This isn't the first time this has happened. Now I do a very, unmistakenly manly "Alo"
3. I tripped infront of the Carabineros, the chilean police, with my overly huge umbrella - flat on my face. They ALL happened be looking out the window at the exact moment that I ate it, and they too - along with my companion burst out in tears. 

I'm doing well. I'm not sick. I haven't anything weird lately. I did eat lamb the other day - it tasted good. Like Aleksi says, every animal reminds me of our dogs and there are a TON of Bentley's here. I don't know why but the cows remind me of Chesney, they're just so tranquilo. Have fun in the keys again. Take lots of photos and send them to me. Good luck dad catching fish. I love you Mom, thanks for all the photos and updates. I miss you Aleksi and Cassie. Mitchell, you've been in your sector since I've been on the mission! 

I love you family. 

Love, 

Elder Maxwell Poirier. 

P.S. the photos. 
1. The last P day, Elder Cayoja and I made pizzas
2. The noche de hogar. 
3. Deathly Hallows Sign. 
4. Walking with cows. 
5. A river. 
6. Mountains. 
7. Saying goodbye to the Elders and Hermanas before the transfer. Wearing my 'district 12' tie. 

I'M TWENTY!

Dear Family,

 

I'm twenty years old! I'm 20! It was a pretty normal day. Although, it didn't rain at all, which was fantastic because it had rained all week and it's nice to get a break every once in a while. Whoever thought they'd hear me say that? a break from the rain. I love when it rains at 10 at night, when I'm inside getting ready for bed. I'll like the rain after the mission, when it means 'stay inside, watch a movie and take a nap.' but right now, all it means is 'you look like a floating trash bag, but at least you're dry.' I'm glad to hear you guys had a blast in the keys. I'm not surprised Cassie's darker than the dark side of the moon. Sorry for the dumb jokes, I'm really hungry. Back to my story: I woke up - well first - at midnight I pretended to write 'Happy Birthday Harry' on the floor next to my bed, because I basically sleep on a matress on the floor and I've never felt more like HP on his 11th birthday. I know, I'm a loser but I was awake, and that was the first thing that came to my mind - after I said "I'm 20!" In the morning, we got up, Elder Cayoja told me happy birthday, I made breakfast - sopaipillas that one of our investigators gave us - with honey and an ecco. We left for church, President called and said he and sister Rappleye would be attending. We had the most people in the branch since I've been in Lago Ranco, which was great. 24 people! Whoo. Hermana and President Rappleye gave their testimonies during the meeting. It was really hermoso. Then, President and Elder Cayoja left to visit a less active member and I was on a 'split' (temporary companionship) with hermana Rappleye! haha. It was funny. Since there are no other sacerdocio, I went to Relief Society with her. She's really nice and her spanish is super great. Then they came back, and President and Hermana left. Elder Cayoja and I left for La Union, for a meeting with all the branch president's in the district. The meeting lasted a long time, so we stayed the night with the zone leaders. On saturday, I bought a cake from the pasteleria - here in Ranco. Knowing that we'd be spending the night with the zone leaders I traveled with all my luggage and the cake across three cities and two buses. Vale la pena. The cake was delicious. and they sang 'Feliz Cumpleanos' and according to latino tradition, I got three wishes. Obviously, I can't say what they are. But that's way better than America - all these years - I've only wished for one thing. Also, waiting in the zone leaders house were letters from Cynthia and a package from Kate. So I got to open my Justin Bieber card in front of everyone, thanks Cynthia! and I now have two new Hunger Games ties and the mockingjay pin from Kate, Thank you! It was a great day. Thank you for ALL the letters, the packages, and the gifts. I love you family.

 

I was reading this morning in the July Liahona, President Utchdorf's talk about being in the middle. I loved it. Also, there is a story about never giving up. Two really great messages. I hope you all know, that I know that this church is true. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that he spoke to God the Father and Jesus Christ and that through him, the fulness of the gospel was restored. Christ is our Savior, he lived and died that we might learn this gospel and live the commandments. I've never appreciated the gospel more than I do at this point in time. It's a sacrifice. It's difficult. It takes courage and a constant desire to be better. But it's worth it. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I hope you all take the time to appreciate the blessings, however small, that the gospel has provided in your life.

 

Thank you for everything. I love the mission!

 

Love,

 

Elder Maxwell Poirier.

 

P.S.

photos include:

eating beef jerky and throwing the 'pop' sparks (I made that name up, I have no idea what they're called) on the fourth of July.

my LAST photo as a teenager! 19. haha.

Birthday cake with the candels Aleksi and Cassie sent me.

Celebrating with the zone leaders and Elder Cayoja.

Photos of Lago Ranco at it's finest.

and the Mockingjay pin Kate sent me, that will now travel with me everywhere!