My Final Email

 Hey👋Elder Wastlund here. Wow, it's been a while. I hope y'all remember me. I've probably been the worst missionary ever to send out emails😅. Despite that, many of you have sent me encouraging emails and messages for which I am very grateful🙏🏼. Thank you. This email will be the last of my mission. I leave this country in 4 days. Wow. This will probably be a long email. 

I was thinking maybe some of you would like to see a brief summary of the "wheres", "with whom" and in what capacity did I serve during my time in Santiago, Chile. 

(A transfer is 6 weeks and there are 6 zones in our mission; starting from the South: Buin, San Bernardo, Los Aviadores, Los Alerces, La Cisterna and San Miguel).

The Santiago, Chile South Mission is the smallest mission in the world besides Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

~I started Home Mtc December 20, 2021, and left for Chile February 3, 2022. 1 transfer. Arrived on February 5 after some canceled flights and redirection to New York. 

~Spent 3 transfers in Hospital, Buin. Wide open fields with the bike. 🚵‍♂️🤠

~Without notice(because the signal down there was bad and the zone leaders didn't get a hold of us), they came to pick me up from Hospital and in 15 minutes haha I shoved my belongings in the truck to go to San Bernardo.

~Spent 4 transfers in San Bernardo in which time I was called to train 2 elders and be a district leader for 3 transfers.

~Then was called to go back to Buin to be a Zone Leader for 3 transfers.

~Was sent back to San Bernardo as a Zone Leader for 3 transfers. 

~Sent to Vicuña Mackenna in Los Aviadores where I've finished training 2 different Elders😁. 3 transfers. 

17 Transfers. 2 years. Thousands of miracles.

This past month we have been extremely blessed to help choice people join the true Church of the Lamb. But, as in all conversions it is as Paul said. 

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." (1 Corinthians 3:6)

The love of God is what makes miracles happen. Regardless of the seeds I have planted, I know that the love and power of God makes it all possible. Makes it possible for me, an awkward and shy kid, to be an instrument in his hands to help his children progress back to his presence. 

I love this poem found in a time capsule during the recent renovation of the St. George, Utah temple:

“Whatever be my failings and desires

“To Thee O Lord my heart be firm and true

“Thy law my law. Whatever God requires

“This be my hope His loving will to do.

“And whatsoever I love with act or breath

“If I should love Thee less than how I can

“Remember me O Lord in life or death

“As one that ever loves his fellow man.”

J L Townsend

July 14 1876

St Geo Temple

"His loving will to do"

One example of a person whose hope is exactly this, is Diego. His wife Gabriela was not active in the church for many years. And during that period of time outside church life she met and married Diego. They have 2 children, both have varying degrees of autism and are constantly running around the church building. Despite the embarrassment that other people likely would feel, they don't care. They go to Church for the Lord. Diego was baptized November 25. Our first lesson was November 8. I had never met someone so eager to accept the restored Gospel. His parents don't like the missionaries so we couldnt go to his house and, inspite of his very busy schedule with work and kids, we taught him almost every night through videocall. The first time he listened to President Nelson's talk, "Think Celestial," he said he believed he was a prophet of God. Yesterday, we traveled an hour in the subway to the Santiago Temple so they could get to know the temple. They had received their temple recommends just days before. He and his wife are preparing to be baptized for their ancestors. He is preparing to receive the Melchizedek Preisthood and they want to be sealed to each other and to their children. There's another family we helped to baptism the week prior that actually had to get married before Lloyth(the wife) could get baptized. 

I told them both I would be honored to attend their sealing in the Temple in a year.

I will try to attach as many photos as I can. I might have to send a separate email😁.

Lots of love and gratitude 

-Elder Wastlund