March 12th

So its a bummer that Mom couldn't write me but I know that she has a ton that needs to get done with the house there in Colorado so is fine. I know how important it is to Mom to be able to sell that house. That will be good for them to finally stop worrying about that house. I know that things will go great out there.

So don't worry about the fact that I left from one stake that I didn't know and that I'll get home to another. I knew it was probably going to happen so it really isn't a big deal at all. I am excited to meet the branch and see what it is like. Everything you have said has sounded great. I hope that everything will be ready so y'all will actually be there in the new house there by the time I get there. 

Cheryl told me about how she is going to be a grandma. I thought that was great. I hope she has as much time as possible to be there and enjoy her first grandkid. It is also great to know that grandpa is doing okay. I hope that he doesn't feel too lonely but with Bettyann there I think he should be doing okay. 

So things are going okay here in Conce. It is different than all of my other areas but that just means that I need to keep learning and growing to be able to work better here. We are going to have two baptisms this saturday that we are really excited about. They are the 9 and 8 year old kids of a woman who was inactive but asked us to work with them to get them active in the church again. We are really excited and the ward couldn't be happier. I will make sure to send you pictures of the baptism. 

So you asked for pictures. Well, I've been really bad about taking pictures recently (and writing in my journal...oops) but I promise that I will improve that and I will make sure that these last few months are well documented. 

So you mentioned a possible job change. What are they asking you to do? I was thinking about that and everytime we are offered opprotunities to learn, grow, and develop here in the mission, we are estatic. Who doesn't want to learn more or progress in new ways? I know that you are kind of sick and tired of traveling and that it might be easier to just stay where you are at but it might be good to change things up. I mean, obviosly keep praying and thinking about it but if you are willing to take advice from your snot-nosed missionary son, I say "why not?" 

Well I am a little short on time but just want to let you all know that I love you a ton and hope everything goes great for y'all this week.

Love,

Elder McNeil

March 5th

Well, things are going good. This week, I really don't have a whole lot to report. I have to admit that this sunday, our ward had the highest attendance than I think any ward I have ever heard of here in the mission. 188 people were in church! Many of those came for a baby blessing but still 160+ were active members from our ward. I really love it here in this sector. 

It has been a little rough finding people to teach. I mean, being here in the city just makes things different but things are going really well and I think that we are on the verge of finding some wonderful families. I know that this sector has all kinds of potencial, we just need to tap into it. We are working hard and we are seeing sucess in many aspects of the work and in others, we are on the verge of big breakthroughs.

This week, we got special permission from the stake president to have a meeting with the bishops in our stake to see what we need to improve as missionaries and it was impressive how some people are really conflictive about the way things need to be done in missionary work. For the most part the meeting went well except for a few bishops who were way too harsh on the missionaries in their wards (luckily the stake president and his councilers were there and they saw who was willing to work to improve the missionary work in the stake and who wasn't). I hope that doesn't sound bad. We don't have any serious problems with members here in the mission, but some times, if one missionary makes a mistake, they take it out on all of them. It is just motivation to be perfect right?

So about the mall, only half of it burnt down and last week they reopened the half that was fine. We typically can't go to the mall but we can ask members to go there and buy stuff for us. It is really nice to have pizza hut or dunkin doughnuts every once in a while. That is one of the blessings of being in "the Second Capital" of Chile. Concé is really beautiful. The people are generally nice and I can't really complain about the climate. It is really similar to the Bay Area, just a lot less polluted and with a lot less people everywhere.   

Things are going well. I am really happy that everyone is good and happy. I am also really excited to see what happens with the house. I hope things get wrapped up quickly. I want y'all to be at least a little settled by the time I get home. Well, I love you tons and hope to hear more good news next week. 

Elder McNeil

February 28th

Well this week was an improvement over the last one. My comp has a lot more excitement and we see a lot of good things happening in the zone. It is always tough when the zone is struggling but this next month we are starting off strong and we are keeping the missionaries motivated to finish even stronger. The mission is teaching a lot of these kids for the first time in their lives that hard work actually is worth the effort. Unfortunately, some missionaries still haven't learned the lesson that "just because it is hard, doesn't mean that you can relax". The one downside of being a leader in the mission is that often we have to see that bad side of missionary work (disobedience, gossip, and, for a lack of better words, stupidity). This week hasn't had too many interesting experiences and I know that this mission generally doesn't have problems, but any degree of disobedience is too much, so we have too much.

I do have an interesting story about a family we reactivated. This week the son of an inactive family we were working with got baptized. He was really excited and it was a great experience. They are now sharing the gospel with their friends. He is 8 so it technically isnt a convert but we did what the ward and family asked us to and he finally got baptized. The mom is now really excited and invited a ton of people to the baptism and a family home evening that we are going to do this week. We are really hoping to see fruits from that. 

We are also working with another less active woman who has a 9 year old son and an 8 year old daughter who are really excited to be baptized as well. I guess that I have learned more here than in any other sector that even if things are tough in the sector, you are always strengthening the stakes of zion if you are working your hardest to invite people to Christ. 

Also as I leader, I have learned that my experiences that I have had in my mission and my life have really prepared me to help the missionaries that I work with. I sometimes talk to some of my missionaries and reflect on what the Lord did for me when I was passing through the same experience. There are so many stories that I sometimes forget, all about the way the Lord has blessed me. I guess having the constant support of the Lord sometimes makes it easy to forget how much help comes from Him. 

We are teaching some great people (we need to find more but that is okay because summer vacations are ending and people are easier to find now), but more than anyone else, we are working with Daniela (the less active woman) and her two children, Rodrigo and Maria Jose. They are awesome and are a huge blessing from the Lord for us right now. 

Things are going great. In sad news, the mall here in Conce burnt down. Well not all of it but one third was destroyed. There are two more under construction here but for a really long time that was the only mall, bowling alley, and movie theater in Concepcion. (I have no idea how a city this big lasted so long with only one mall. It is a big city and there is money here.) They are going to rebuild the part that burnt down in about 9 months but millions of dollars are going to be spent on it. 

Well things are good and I am really happy to be here and hope everything is treating y'all well even though it is busy and sometimes very exhausting. Enjoy your travels and I know that things are going to be great. 

Love ,

Elder McNeil

February 20th

Well, thanks for the photos. I am really excited to meet the branch. Everything that you have said makes it sound great so I sure that it is going to be a great fit for the two of you. It is also great to see some of the progress on the house. I know you say that you don't want anything spectacular Mom, but I know you too well. The house is going to be fantastic and everyone is going to comment on it. We have never tried to have spectacular houses but they always turn out incredibly.
So things are going really well. I feel like my comp has been a little down recently because he has been feeling a little sick and feels like we have been working really hard but things haven't been falling from the sky like they always have for him in his mission. He is easily one of the missionaries who is most prone to see miracles. He is a really great guy and deserves many, many blessings, but recently it has been really hard for him. I feel like the Lord has tended to make me work a little harder in the mission before receiving blessings. Like it is said, "To those to whom much is given, much is required" is pretty much the theme of my entire mission. The Lord really knows what I am capable of and he only pours out his blessings on me if I am doing everything in my strength (as it should be).  I feel like since I've been transferred I have had to make some changes but I am now good to go and things are going well. There is a lot of potential and we are really happy to keep working hard.
So Today, we went to the zoo and it was awesome. I got to touch a tiger and we also saw a lot of cool things (the zoo here isn't very big but it was a lot of fun). Also this week we had a ward talent show where I did something a little special. We were supposed to imitate celebrities or characters, so I decided to be the Elastic Man from the fantastic four and I put 148 clothes pins on my face and did some of those things that make Mom squirm and feel uncomfortable. My comp has the pictures. The ward loved it.
So things are going great. We have been really busy but things are great. I love you all a ton and I am really excited to keep you all informed on everything that is going on here in Concé.
Well, if you want to know anything special, you can always ask questions. Sometimes I don't know what to write y'all but things are great and I hope everything y'all have to do goes well.
Love you tons,

Elder McNeil
 

February 13th

To be completely honest, I couldn't remember who Jessica was at first but after reflecting on the name and all of my friends from High School, I remember exactly who she is. If I remember right, here parents are Lutheran and her sister, Brittany, was in a lot of my classes and was also in band with me from freshman to senior year. (She played trumpet I think)
 I will always remember being "the Mormon" in the band. I know that I wasn't a perfect example of a member of the church. Yeah, sometimes I was prideful, yeah, sometimes I let my attitude get out of control, and yeah, it was fun to just hang out a little even if the conversations weren't quite LDS standards, but I really tried to be the best example possible. I know people who have admitted that, by knowing me, their interest in the church has grown but I find it amazing that one of the people that I least intended to impact received the gospel so well. I have a ton of other friends that I have invited to learn more since I went to BYU, but that never went very far, but it is great to know that people can often see what one cant in the way they are or they way they act.
I was really caught by surprise by that story. Thank you so much for sending it to me. Tell Sister Milne that I am speechless and astounded by what she said. I needed to hear that.
SO this week went well for us. Our investigators aren't progressing as fast as they need to be and are starting to face a lot of opposition so we are still trying really hard to find new investigators. We have a lot of great people that we are teaching and everyday we find more people who are trying to improve their lives and their relationship with God. It is incredible, the stories people tell us are heartbreaking sometimes. Often they turn to us to help them understand their trials of find ways to overcome them. It is amazing seeing how the Atonement really changes lives and allows people to change.
We also had interviews this week which are always great because we learn a lot and Pres. Humphrey really likes to keep things interesting. The mission has changed so much since I've gotten here and the mission only gets better day by day. I am just trying to keep up with all of the wonderful changes and not fall into the old habits that my senior comps taught me. Things are so much better now.  I love it!
Things are going great. I am really happy. And the package you sent arrived this morning to the office so I just got it. Cheryl told me that you are going to be hanging out with her this weekend and I suggested that all of y'all should go to Monterrey and enjoy some seafood. Also you can enjoy the bay in winter. I know it might be rainy and cold but it might be fun. Who knows, maybe you'll run into somebody you know there.
I love you all a ton and hope everything is going great.
You are awesome,

Elder McNeil

February 6th

Well yes mom I am still a zone leader if you are still wondering. Things are going great and I am really happy. I've settled into my new sector well and I really like the zone. Concepcion is really beautiful. Actually, today we got to go to Subway for the first time. They just built one close to the mission office and I got to go the for the first time with a part of my zone. Dang it was good. In  Conce, there are 3 "Lider" stores which are owned by Walmart but things are really starting to get gringo-ized with subway, pizza hut, and dominos. Those new additions have all come in the last 5 months so things are changing pretty fast. Also, there is a little bit of chatter about the temple in Conce but no official news yet, but the rumor one the street is that the groundbreaking needs to happen before I pack my bags. I'm not sure but it would be cool.
Things are going well in my sector. We are happy, healthy, and finding a lot of good people. The ward is really good here. We are doing great and the zone is improving.
So, it is good to hear that grandpa is doing well and coming to the realization that he cant do everything. I know that it must be frustrating to realize that you are old but... well... it happens.
Sorry I am a little short on time but I love y'all a ton and hope everything is treating y'all well. Mom I know you have a lot to do but take things one at a time and don't feel overwhelmed. The houses will be fine, mike and Cabrina are doing well, Kerri is happy, and I am in no rush to go home yet. The Lord will keep blessing yall, just be patient.

Love,
Elder McNeil

January 30th

So, thanks for telling me about the change in ward. I actually was
going to ask that question and I was actually asked about that by
mission secretary. So, that actually was perfect timing. Actually, it
is getting to the point where they are asking me some pretty trunky
info. I would like to remind the World that I will still be a
missionary for 5 more months and there is a lot I still have left to
do. I love the mission and I am so grateful for all of the work that I
still have the chance to do.
Talking about work that I still have left to do, I love my new sector.
I am in one of the strongest wards in all of concepcion. The sector is
named Andalien. It is on the north side of concepcion. It is
surrounded by beautiful hills and there are some really wonderful
views. It is actually a little strange because a part of the sector
looks like it is straight out of nicer parts of the bay area and then
there are some parts that are really humble. It is actually a really
cool sector. I love it.
 We actually had a baptism this weekend which was an incredible
miracle because he has been going to church with his aunt in a
different ward since he was three. His name is Lucas and he is 10
years old. The missionaries from that ward told us about him and we
talked to him and got everything prepared in one week (he came to our
ward the Sunday before I got here) and he was baptized on Saturday.
We also have other great people prepared for this month. We just need
to keep praying with faith, working hard and doing our best, and
things will keep falling into place for us.
I actually talked to the missionary who replaced me in Curico and he
was so grateful for all the seeds that I planted that they will he
reaping this month. I was a little sad to not have the chance to be
there for their baptisms but I will always be grateful for the
opportunity I had to help them receive the gospel.

I am so grateful for all
of the chances that I have been given to learn and grow. I hope you
are all doing well and I am always keeping you in my prayers.
Love ,
Elder McNeil