Hola from Chile 9-28-10

Buenas Tardes,

This week for me was a great one. We found and taught several people and also we had a baptism. Her name is Veronica Quioroga and her baptism was very very special. Tears and a great big hug for her husband who baptized her. It’s a moment I will never forget. Also there were changes this week, I didn’t have any changes but everyone in our zone did. I was happy though because two district leaders that are trained are now zone leaders in other zones. I am excited to have another 6 weeks her in Lo Prado.

One verse I just read in Isaiah was interesting:
Isaiah 28:20, “For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.” This is what I feel it means: “If we are not covered by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, we will find yourself like a man in a bed too short for him with a blanket that is too small to cover him. No matter how appealing sin may look at first, it can never satisfy our inner needs. The sinful person will be ever like the man in a short bed with inadequate covers. He will twist and turn and constantly seek comfort, but he cannot find it. The Atonement of Christ for our sin covers, or is efficacious for, only those who trust in God with all their hearts and keep His commandments.” If you have ever tried to sleep sitting up, like in an airplane chair, or in a car, or in a small bed or area shorter than your legs, you can understand how uncomfortable and restless that sleep might be for you. Also, in some cold nights here in Santiago or Los Andes, we really notice if the covers or blankets of our bed leave one part of us still exposed to the outside air. We realize how important that blanket is to help us be completely warm and comforted. How insightful was Isaiah in describing this symbolism to us in reminding us of our need for the Savior and His complete Atonement in our lives. We want complete forgiveness of our sins, so that there is not one part of us still with sin. “We have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” (Mosiah 5:2) As we prepare this week for the blessing of participating in the General Conference, may we remember the words of Alma as he reminded the people of Zarahemla of the opportunity to hear the word of God, as we will from our Prophets, Apostles and other leaders of the Church. Alma 6:5, “The word of God was liberal unto all, that none were deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of God.” This General Conference will be made available to His children, and we need to prepare ourselves spiritually, to be ready to feast and be filled with His spirit of revelation to personally teach us what we need to hear. Let us each go prayerfully seeking instruction, personal revelation, and answers to our individual prayers. As the Book of Mormon father Mormon wrote to his son, Moroni, my heart shares similar thoughts for each of you, my dear Elders and Sisters. “My son (dear family) be faithful in Christ…may Christ lift thee up, and may His sufferings and death, and the showing His body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever….”(Moroni 9:25)

de corazon,
Elder Fischer

The Lord has commanded it and I must obey

Hola from Chile 9-21-10

This week was truly a fun one. We have about 20 empanadas in the refrigerator because everyone for mom’s birthday had a barbeque and were just handing out food every second to us. Lol it was great. We also had to do some "babysitting" for some of the missionaries but its all good lol. We also had a wonderful baptism this week. He is called Miguel Arraya a Joven of 15 years that already wants to serve a mission and arrives at church every day at 8 to serve and help and learn and grow. Very spiritual experience. Also on the other side I think the Lord is testing our patience because we have talked with a bazillion Jehovah witnesses this week and sometimes they just really irritate me...

Lol anyways sounds like you have had a good week. Mom I can’t buy a camera here now because last time I lived right next to an Americanized store but now I’m in the city and they don’t have anything. I will not let it get stolen this time!!!!!!!!!! lol

This Week our mission Doctor had to go home early because he was detected with terminal cancer that is very aggressive and fast. They say he has one year to live. He bore a powerful beautiful testimony about the Atonement. It was a good learning experience.

Spiritual thought. This week I have been thumbing around through some Church history that has really lifted up my spirit and diligence in missionary work and also in my personal conversion. It is amazing to me some of the trials and persecutions that they were able to bare. Missionaries left without even having shoes on their feet or a single penny to their name. But they went joyfully with a song in their hearts only saying; I’ll go were you want me to go. I was meditating how and why they could have such great faith and confidence in the Lord. Cause when I have trials my first thought is why me or why is this happening. Then I realized that their faith and confidence and understanding came through their understanding of the Atonement and Love for Christ. They truly understood it and because they understood it they were able to apply it in their lives and serve with ALL their heart might mind and strength. When one really understands the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the words "I" and "me" disappear and the words "what more can I do for the Lord" appear. When this change happens, our testimony, conversion and desire to serve greatly increase and we become more and more like our Savior Jesus Christ. It is my solemn testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Fischer

The Lord has commanded it and I must obey.

09-13-2010

Familia,

This week has been a really good one. Filled with lots of challenges and also lots of miracles as always. Lots of blessing for the sick, also lots of baptisms dropped (wah?!) and also lots of training for missionaries .

Don’t have lots of time because we have lots of work to do but there are a few things that I wanted to say. First and most important, mom, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ha ha how old are you now? lol jk don’t respond. I wish I could be there Saturday to bug you like you always do to us lol jk I actually miss it. Spence congrats man. Hit me up with an email man. (with a pic) Jay sounds like you are doing a wonderful job already, keep it up. Can I send emails to Jayson? Britt and Bruce, enjoy your flights and be safe. Madi too. Zack good luck in school. Allie kick some butt in basket!

Story,
So Thursday started out really difficult with lots of failed appointments and stuff but we continued with excitement and energy and followed the spirit. After pretty much everything fell through we felt like visiting a new convert. We showed up right at a moment when they desperately needed us and it was a very spiritual lesson. Then we left the lesson still without hardly any plans, again we felt like we should visit a member. We showed up and they were very very sick and we gave them all blessings and all of them are now completely better and they gave us lots of references! lol follow the spirit, he knows the way.

Oh yeah, mom 18 is so special cause it’s your birthday duh! lol and also its the "4th of July" of Chile. And its the 200th also so its huge here this year. Everything will be shut down all week and we are going to talk with pure drunk people all day every day ha ha. Please pray for us. Also because of this our p-day next week is Tuesday because everything will be closed Monday still. All of Chile will be celebrating moms b-day in grand fashion. lol anyways, love you all!

Elder Fischer

The Lord has commanded it and I must obey

Hola from Chile 9-06-10

Hola familiacita,

This week has been a week with lots and lots of hard work which truthfully is just how I like it. Ha ha one night my companion and I both fell a sleep in the middle of planning lol. Divisions, fasts, prayers, and motivating the missionaries. But with much work as always comes many rewards. The Zone is really really getting better. We are on tract to baptize more this month than any other zone in Chile. I try not to take pride in myself but rather in the work these lovely missionaries are doing. Sometimes I find myself in the middle of the night still on my knees having fallen asleep praying endlessly for these missionaries. Sometimes I even have the problem of losing focus in my own sector and baptizing in my own sector and my companion has to slap me back into focus. This month will be full of challenges though because the 18th is a Saturday and the biggest holiday in Chile and I am worried about getting people to church. But with faith and works all will come out fine.

As far as health goes really I am just fine, dead tired in every aspect but just fine lol. So thinking about my package there is something else I would love to have...peanut butter! And lots of it too. It’s rare and really expensive here. Also some updated pics would be nice too. Also I remembered that I left my ctr ring and it would be nice to have one. And, snickers, lots. Lol the rest is all up to you peeps. Oh actually no, one more thing. But first I have to tell you a story. so basically I got robbed again and they took my camera all my pics for the past 4 ,months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I kinda need a camera. I am going to ask companions and others to send me some pics they have of me in the past months.

My companion is awesome. Really funny and smart and willing to work so he’s perfect.

Spiritual thought,

"be wise, what more can I say" -jacob. Good man lol

Elder Fischer

The Lord has commanded it and I must obey.

8-23-2010

Wow thanks so mush for all the letters that you have all sent me. I really felt your love and concern for me and your wonderful energy and excitement about your lives. Wow TAYLOR!!!!!! Ha ha my Spanish speaking Mexico serving friend! Congrats man. Lol that is so awesome! It sent a chill up my spine when I heard the news...well, read the news lol. Jayson is in England, that’s crazy, no that’s awesome. I am so excited to get back and play Rugby with all you guys, it sounds like so much fun. Matt you probably should try running faster...

Well things here in the mission have been crazy this week. Lots of work, but that’s a good thing. There is an elder that fell on his bike this week and is in bad shape and the Doctor for the mission couldn’t see him until this Tuesday for some reasons that will remain unnamed. But short story, we did some praying and made some calls and found a doctor that lived close to us that just got baptized yesterday and went an hour and a half in car to see this Elder and help him. Lol and this doctor is from Italy and he is strange. Lol good experience though.

My new companion is shill. He is here to work and serve the Lord so we get along great. Actually he got baptized just 3 years ago. He is from Peru. It’s funny though cause he looks just like the Monkey "lui" from the jungle book. I’ll try to send you all a photo.

Spiritual thought,

"Whether you think you can or you think you can’t your right" this is something we have all heard several times. A scripture that supports it is Mark 9:23. If we have faith this statement is really true. We have so many examples, especially the two thousand stripling warriors. They were obedient, worthy, and faithful and they had set in their minds they could do anything and they did it putting all their trust in the Lord. I know that it is the same for us. Trust in the Lord, be obedient, and faithful.

Elder Fischer

The Lord has commanded it and I must obey


Last Week – 8/16/2010

Hey all!

Well let’s see where I should start. This week has been an eventful one that is for sure. There at home as well I here. Wow Braydon congrats man. Also Taylor I can’t wait to see were your going! Also a shout out to Jayson, man you are going to do great I love ya man. Ok so here this week we did lots of stuff. Saying goodbye to Elder Lloyd was harder than I thought. We really were great friends. Pretty much the entire zone had a change. So we are excited to get to work here in San Pablo. My new companion is Elder Francia. He is from Peru (lima). He is really smart and we are excited to get started.

Anyways I don’t really know what else to write. I am doing fine, don’t need anything. It will definitely be a good challenge being lead zone leader but I’m excited for it. If you have any questions or comments just shoot me an email.

Spiritual thought, when we get baptized we all become disciples of Christ. In D&C we learn exactly what it is we must do as disciples of Christ "5 He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you". So, if we are Disciples of Christ then we must "do the law" or, be obedient. We made this covenant when we choose to get baptized. It is my invitation that we can all meditate on our baptismal covenants and what it is we are all doing in our lives to honor and magnify it.

Love you all, thanks for all you do for me. Keep it up!

Elder Fischer

The Lord has commanded it and I must obey

August 8, 2010

Hola family,

Lol wow it really seems like everyone has had a really busy week. Zack and the boys into rugby - that’s awesome, my companion right now was way good at it and he always talks about it so that’s cool. I'm excited to try it out. Mom congrats on finishing the taxes, sounds like you is way more relieved. Wow Jay congrats on going to the temple! How was it? Lol wish I could have been there. Getting close to leaving aren’t we? Lol nervous? You will do great.

Oh man Cathy, I'm so sorry. Aunt Cathy has had it rough lately in her life. Also I'd like to give a shout out to Lauren. You are really a good example for me. I am so grateful to have someone so strong in their faith to endure all of these trials. Taylor congrats on getting the Priesthood. Use it well.

Well this week has been a good one. Even though half of the zone is going home next Monday so they are all trunky and chueco. So basically no other missionaries are doing anything except buying going home memorials. 20 missionaries are arriving to the mission and all of our district leaders are going to leave so I will be a busy man. That’s a good thing though. They will be humble and ready to learn and follow and lead. I think president really trusts me to be focused because he always puts me with the trunkiest missionaries lol. I'll be excited to have lots of changes this next week. Speaking of, might not have a whole lot of time to write next week just a heads up. This week we just did lots of divisions with some of the younger missionaries so they can start to prepare to be the future leaders of the mission. But in spite of all the troubles and trials I have really felt my Saviors love for me this week. I really grew in my testimony and love for the mission and what I have done and am doing and will be doing. It was a good experience though the other day talking with my companion and he just told me how much I had helped him stay focused towards the end of hi mission and helps him with some problems he has had. I thought that my job as helping and supporting missionaries in need had ended as I became zone leader but I realized yesterday that it wit is one of the most important jobs w as missionaries have even if we re with other great missionaries.

This computer is really slow and the keyboard is annoying me.

Anyways...lol lets move on to a spiritual thought. As I was just sitting here pondering a bit. It came to my attention that in our family we have had several people among us who have had to face some serious trials in their lives and in the lives of friends as well. Also I have seen several that have stayed so true to the Gospel and to their God that it is absolutely amazing to me. It made me think of an example from the Old Testament. Job. Satan had full rein and rights to test and tempt Job. Job lost his wealth, his house, is family, his health, and even in the end his friends ridiculed him saying he was a bad man. And in spite of all this, in the middle of these burdensome trials, all he had to say for himself was ¨though he slay me, yet will I trust him.¨ Job 13 15. Job held on, Job was true to his God and his Savior and murmured not. And as a reward God promised him eternal life and riches and glory beyond imagination. I know that sometimes in life and sometimes lots of time in life we go through trials, but if we follow the example of Job and rely upon the Atonement of Christ and trust in him with all we have, we will be delivered from all our trials. Whether it be in this life or the next, we will be delivered. He loves us, He is our Savior and he is preparing our mansions in the Kingdom of God. He is waiting there for us and as long as we obey we will get there. So it is my prayer that all of us may rely on the Lord, in times of need as well as in times of joy, that we may all be lifted up together in the last day. In the Name of Jesus Christ amen.

Elder Fischer

The Lord has commanded it and I must obey.

Hola from Chile 7/26/10

Familia,

Ok so I am just going to get right down to things because we are in charge of a zone activity and we are already running behind on schedule. This week has been crazy, for leaders we had an AP meeting because there are new Preach My Gospel teaching DVDs and we had to learn of how the mission is going to change and purify the way we do things. The mission is hitting a very low point right now and is struggling a lot. Being in charge of 26 missionaries in a time like this is fun...lol some try to go a little disobedient and some start arguing with companions and all sorts of problems. Anyways, we are working with all these things patiently and with trust in the Lord.

Mom I did get your packages about 2 weeks ago. And I do still need the clothes because it is still really really cold in the mornings and nights and heating doesn’t exist in Chile. Lol Anyways this week just talking with lots of families and people that just don’t really know what they have really made me start to think. Thanks so much for the way you raised me. I really realize now how truly privileged I am to have been raised and loved by probably the best parents ever. I hope I never take that for granted.

I had planned on sending you guys some photos this week but with the
activity we have less than any time. For our activity we are going
to all go play soccer at a rented field and have a barbeque. And we don’t have a lot of time to do it so we have to do it efficiently. Lol and so I am sorry that this letter is even shorter than others have been lately but when duty calls you must answer. Sounds like you all had a wonderful week. Pictures look great. Love you all and if you have questions just let me know and next week I’ll be all over it.

Elder Fischer

The Lord has commanded it and I must obey.

Hola from Chile 6-28-2010

Good day family and friends,

Thank you all so much for the wonderful letters you wrote me this week. I seriously felt your love and the Spirit so strong I just wanted to get out of my seat and go preach the gospel and then I remembered that I still had to writ back. Well I don’t have a whole lot of time so I will just fill you all in quickly on the week. This week as a zone we were able to bring many souls to Christ. It was a good reward for all the hard work these wonderful missionaries have been doing. Actually this week my companion and I were running around like crazy trying to take care of all the interviews. Also we managed to bring a young girl named Izydora into the gospel this week. She is so amazing and you can really see a change in her eyes as she has been welcomed by the members in a loving fashion. Also this week Chile qualified for the next round of the world cup and it went crazy. Lol there were kids in the middle of the street throwing rocks at each other. A drunken man was pushing us around, and a drunken lady proposed to us and offered us about 20 cents to marry her. Lol today they play against Brazil so it will be nice for this to come to an end as it is really affecting the work sometimes. Actually for the reason of the game we cannot go out a whole lot today during game hours.

Allie is beast at b'ball! Lol wow if she keeps it up with this group they are sure to win states in high school. Keep it up sis I am so proud of you. Keep taking it to the whole. And by the way...HAPPY BDAY! Lol 13 whats up my teenaged little sister. How is it like to be a teenager_ I wouldn’t know...lol

Zack you’re a beast

Mom and dad, thanks as always for your inspiring messages.

Oh wow when I read Elder Millers first letter chills ran down my spine. Welcome to the brotherhood my good friend

Spiritual thought
The successful man in life is not the one that has a million dollars or a really good job, he’s not the one that uses his bright mind to run and manage others and not the one who has all the talents in the world, but rather, the one who gives all his talents to the Lord, and the one who submits 100 percent to the will of the Lord.

Elder Fischer

The Lord has commanded it and I must obey.

Hola from Chile 6-21-2010

Family,
So great to hear from you all today, especially President Peters and his family. I love hearing from them and their council. Well this week has been way crazy here in Chile during the World Cup. Especially because Chile is winning their games. Actually they just won their second game here about 30 minutes ago so everyone is running around in the streets with the Chile flag and everyone is in their cars honking their horns, and shouting. lol it is bien loco. Also this week we went to the temple. I love the Temple. Being in the city has its advantages and disadvantages for the work. The advantage is that when we find an investigator they get baptized really quickly because the life style is faster and more up beat. The difference is it is just a little harder to find the people because they don’t want to talk to you. But with an increase of faith, obedience and diligence, anything is possible. Mom you are going to hate me. Bueno not hate me but be a little frustrated. Thanks for sending the package but I have one other request...lol we have been playing lots of soccer and I need new shoes and I have looked here everywhere and it is impossible to find shoes my size so if you can buy some indoor soccer shoes that would be cool. Nothing fancy I just need some. Well we have an activity this week and we have to prepare it so I don’t have any time at all but I will leave you with a spiritual thought. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary and walk and not faint." -Isaiah 40, 31. I absolutely love this scripture. Also I like to replace “waiting upon the Lord” with "trusting in the Lord" because to me that’s what it means. Let us mount up on eagles wings, trusting in the Lord, and run with all we got knowing that we will not be weary nor faint. We must run in our study of the Gospel and increase of testimony. We must run with greater understanding of God and what he requires of us. It is my prayer that we can mount upon the wings of the Gospel and of Christ, and sore to new heights we never thought imaginable.

Zack write me, Koontz too. Love you all, till next week!

Elder Fischer
The Lord has commanded it and I must obey.

Hola from Chile 6-07-2010

Family of mine,

Wow sounds like everyone has had a really busy week there at home and that it will only get even busier this week. Lol congratulations for that. Dad sounds like your meetings were awesome. Lol you will have to tell me more about them when your brain slows down. Why is everyone graduating!!!!!!!!!! Lol I guess the business of Britt and Bruce is doing better if they are buying the biggest and baddest phones on the block.

Mom I will not be needing a sleeping bag because Elder Orellana sent me his that he used for just the last two months of his mission so I lucked out there. But I haven’t had time to buy sweats and nor do I think I will have the time so some nice sweats would be a good help. Also I don’t know if they still exist or if zack stole them but my long sleeve under armor and pants would be a help also. As you know I don’t have a whole lot of time but I will share a spiritual thought and a cool story with you all.

STORY: so in the city things are just a little bit more dangerous. Don’t worry mom everyone is too scared or drunk to do anything. So yesterday we were walking down a street and all of a sudden we here a loud voice yell "Norteamericanos” so we turned to see who it was to shake his hand but he was really angry. He started to sprint at us so we started running. Then he started yelling at us "SAPO” which in Chile means spies but in Spanish means frog so I was kind of laughing. But anyways he was kind of big so he ran out of breath after like three blocks and stopped but I thought it was funny because I have never been called a frog before. Even zack didn’t come up with something that original.

Ok a little more spiritual. In Alma 37:38-43 Alma cites the account of his fathers and the Liahona. He seeks to teach his missionary son Helaman the importance of having both faith and diligence in God’s small means of bringing about miracles. The Liahona was provided to help Lehi and his family reach the goal of arriving at Promised Land.

20 “And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.” (1 Nephi 2:20)

38 “And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.”

39 “And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.” (Alma
37:38, 39)

We have been given a number of simple tools such as prayer, scripture study, and Church attendance as “types in this thing” in accomplishing our goal of having a mighty change of heart. President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, “There is no greater miracle than when an individual is converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” May I propose the idea that just because we were baptized into the Church of Christ does not mean we have been fully converted, We must have a change of heart and that comes from using our daily tools such and prayer scripture study and church. But even more, we most prove it through our works and actions. Do we do home teaching, do we do it early in the month, more than once, do we show up to meetings early and sit in the front and pay attention and try to learn and progress, do we try every minute of every day to serve? It is my firm testimony that to arrive to be all that we can be a change of heart is absolutely necessary and I testify that it comes as we increase our understanding of the atonement.

Love you all and all you do for me.

Elder Fischer

The Lord has commanded it and I must obey.