The drawings are what me and elder L. did during our break in general conference. I drew the one in red.

I baptized the girl and the kid with the dog on his head. They are super good friends with the missionaries.

Yes. Elder Cattron letter Oct 7th

I simply cannot adequately express in a handful of words how great this work is. I cannot explain nor put in writing even the half of the beauty of missionary work. It is something you must experience to understand.  I invite all to work on those papers or get on it now. Hay que no faltarse. 

Lynnette wrote me this week - ¨As President Monson said, Now is the time ;)¨

You speak more than you know. I´ve been working on my faith... I love what was said by Elder Valenzuela during conference.  He also mentioned the scripture that ´by small and simple means are great things brought to pass´. 

As I said, I was working on my faith, and my hope, and my optimism. I hear that it changes outcomes of events.  So instead of simply doing the work, I will do it with faith. This is what came to mind during his talk - ¨By small and simple means... Are the works of faith and hope shown, yet... great things are brought to pass.¨

Faith and hope are internal. The action is external. If only the action is done, the outcome is superficial, and not as beneficial for yourself or the receiver.  Let us all try to be more optimistic as we go about our daily activities. Who knows, maybe the pass along card or invite you made to your neighbor changed his day because he felt that at least someone was thinking of him. 

You never know who is in need. People are a lot more humble than they realize. It is classified as pride, but from my perspective, it is both. They don´t often like to show their discomfort so that others don´t worry about them. I have learned from the Chilenos how to not worry how simple of an act it is, what comes from it is always more than it appears. 

For anyone who has children, I have learned more of the power of words of love. I changes hearts. It changes desires. It invites the spirit.

 http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/the-tongue-of-angels?lang=eng

One of our investigators committed to getting married and baptized. Doing whatever it takes so I can see it happen. They think Im being sent away this change. I didn´t argue... hahaha

a couple days ago someone attacked them with a knife after punching the mom in the face.  The police had to come.  It´s really trying their faith. We gave the mom who got punched a blessing because she was really disanimated and sad and hurt. I know that this gospel does exactly what the scriptures and prophets always say ¨Lifts up the hands which hang down, and strengthens the feeble knees¨. - (D&C 81:5) 

More than my testimony of the doctrine is the effect that our actions have that we have learned from it.  I know that this is the Gospel of Christ. We are as Truman G. Madsen excitedly teaches - the only church that didn´t get our religion from the bible.  We got our church from direct communication from heaven, and we have the Bible to prove it for us, and the evidence of the Book of Mormon to show us more. 

I love all of you, and hope you find joy in this semana que viene. 

Ciao, Amigos. 

--Elder Cattron

Sept 23rd 2013

Hey everyone. Good news. Fruits of the labors have finally shown in the form of baptisms.  They've always been there, but for me, this is the first of its type. haha

So incredibly excited for this family. [Two children] were baptized. Hes 10, shes 8.  They are so cool.  Super fun family that loves to joke about everything. 

I don´t have much to write about other than the Baptizing experience.  Its so peaceful inside the baptismal font, and you can´t help but feel the spirit in there.  It gives me the chills just thinking about it. 

The two kids I baptized are part of a less active family. We will have to work a lot to get them all come together to have a stronger family in the Gospel.

One of our investigators came to the Gospel principles class we had. The teacher asked a question about any experiences of baptism. I mentioned something about an old friend who talked to me after a baptism in our church at home, and I noticed the investigator, look shockingly at me.  She felt the same way my friend did, but about the church in general. 

Seconds after the lesson finished, she came up to me and asked if she can get baptized with the children. I laughed a little and said, no, but talk to me when it´s quieter.

We talked a few minutes later, and we set an appointment at the house she´s staying, which just so happens to be close friends of the missionaries.  She accepted the invitation to be baptized when it wasn´t even extended to her. We are excited to see her progress now more quickly now that she knows the answer she recieved was a yes. 

During this visit, the mom and dad of that family she´s staying with told me that they had just set a date to be sealed in the temple.  If things aren´t falling together, I don´t know how else to put it.

Thank you for all your prayers and support. I love you all.

Have patience. I write that for all things, and to everyone. Heavenly Father´s blessings will come.  It might take 10 months, but you´ll see the fruits, and the countless parts where you helped out and didn´t notice before. 

Keep listening to the spirit. He will guide you. You can´t force him to talk, so always be alert. 

Keep writing me, because a lot of the time what is written is something also happening here that gives me ideas what to do. 

Hey. thanks for everything.

Ciao.

Elder Cattron

Pickss

This was my companion I worked with before he finished his mission. Elder R. 

 We woke up at 5am to go see the sunrise on top of a small Hill. IT was amazing. 

And this one is Elder A. and I. My companion from the MTC. He´s in an area not too far away now!

 This is a street we found in the other half of the Ward´s area.

She said Yes! Baptismal acceptance.

¡[An investigator] recibió su respuesta!  No estaba en la lección para escucharle, pero ella está muy contenta con su bautismo que va a venir muy pronto. Su familia le ayuda y son mucho mas felices. Aún los niños se están portando mejor.   Estoy bien y muy animado por poder verles in su progreso.  Élder R. era muy divertido y estoy muy agradecido por poder trabajar con él. Aprendí mucho. 

In case you can't understand what I wrote and you didn't read last week's...

A week ago, we challenged [an investigator] to pray about the Book of Mormon with a true desire to act on what answer she received. 

She did it.  She received an answer. She said she was thinking, when all of the sudden she felt EXTREMELY happy and calm. She said the feeling was strange, unlike any other feeling she's felt. Sadly I wasn't in the lesson, but I was probably about as happy as her when I heard this.

She is currently stopping smoking, only one cigarrette, and I'm sure that she can do it very very soon, and the answer she received definitely gave her some animo.

We're very excited for her still, and her family is improving as well, even though they were fine before, but you can still notice the difference in calmness and happiness in the house.  The children are more obedient and listen to her more.  She also seems more sure of herself and confident. It's great.

I still can't put up pictures of the mountain we climbed last monday. I'm currently in a trio of missionaries until my companion arrives. My other just left for home on saturday because he was serving 30 days extra to be able to visit some of his converts. It was great, the time we had.

We'll see what happens these next two weeks, but I'm pretty sure I'll still be here another 6 weeks. It's awesome here, and getting very hot very fast. There was a virus 2 cities over that got in the water, and spread a little bit and the water is dirty enough that it seems normal. A few days ago, we had to stop drinking the water, but we still have to when people give it to us in juice... it's made my stomach a little irritated, but not too bad. 

But hey, I love you all. If you want a cool Scripture, I command you to read Matthew 7:21, and think about the temple.  Whatever we need to take care of to get there, let's start now. Whoever needs the Genealogy work done, let's start now. Whoever of your friends hasn't been to the temple, go together soon, or start sharing the gospel now. Let's do good now. Not tomorrow. Make plans now!

Go work with the missionaries this week. 

Love ya'll. Ciao. 

More news Sept 3rd

 

"I would love to share about the full story of this... whatever, it all sounds weird in English... woman who is a sister of an inactive member. Their family makes me so happy.  There are a lot in the family. [We found a woman and a child, while searching for another woman and her four kids.  The woman was frustrated with some things that had happened recently] Then we show up with this amazing message that instantly caught her attention and brought her the peace she was looking for. She shows even on her expression, a true desire to repent and be baptized.  She is always excited and willing to do her homework that we leave her, but like just about every Chilean, you have to invite the spirit pretty clearly for them to open up.

It´s a little bit harder, because every time we visit them, I often get a strong reminder that, no, these aren´t my nieces and nephews that are climbing all over us.... haha. I often think, No, you´re not in your house... but it sure feels close to home. 

Just yesterday we finally had a lesson where we could get her to express herself without the distraction of the kids. They went to sleep early. HA! It was so great.  The recently activating sister even shared her strong testimony of the church. It... ahhhh! 

La misión es tan genial. 

Oh and she has a baptismal date for the 15th.  As long as nothing comes up, and she attends church twice more, it´ll be perfect."

I just want to share one more thing. This is the story of a 39 year old lady:

Two weeks ago, she got out of a rehabilitation from being addicted to slightly stronger than normal drugs. She had been doing well for 2 weeks but still finding herself in dangerous situations that would make her fall back again.  Finally, on this day, she had given up hope, and ran from her mother's home to buy one of Chile's most harmful drugs that causes permanent damage to the brain. She had been praying this whole time out of the house for a reason and hope not to do this. . . the 30 minutes it took to find, prepare, and hide herself in an alleyway all while praying put tears in her eyes. She put the freshly made drug to her lips.

This is our side of the story.  Very simply. 

Our plans all failed. We didn't know what to do. We had one place in mind to go, when suddenly my companion said Hey, let's go visit that one member who we met near the church from out of town. 

I wanted to go elsewhere, but I didn't argue because it was a better idea than I had. 

We found the house, and no one was home.

Then we said, hey I have an address in my agenda close to here. the number didn't exist from where we looked, so we searched for someone to ask. We went down an alleyway with no one, so we thought.

We saw her with tears, saw her drugs, and thinking quickly, we invite her to come see the church for a tour.

She explained her side of the story after we gave the tour. Amazed at circumstance, and how quickly her prayer was answered, we asked her if she wants help, and if she would be baptized.  She accepted the invitation.

I don't want to say or claim any personal glory or pride in this example. But I do want you to know that this story is REAL, and prayers are answered.  There are countless people being prepared by our loving Heavenly Father who listens to our prayers.  If we are alert and listen, and willing to do something, we could be the means of saving a life, and in the case of this middle-aged mother, their family. 

Never think that you are left alone. God has made his promise, and we will see it personally if we are faithful.  

I love you all. I hope that you continue in prayers and studies. 

Have a great week. 

Sept 3rd 2013

Tuvimos una semana tan buena. Estoy muy animado por una nueva investigadora. Ella está progresando y demuestra mucho un deseo real de arrepentirse. Asistió este domingo, y todavía está bien con su fecha del 15 del Septiembre.

Con los intercambios, solamente yo tuve ´intercambios´, trabajando con Élder F. Tuvimos un día muy bueno, y encontramos algunas personas muy receptivas. 

De hecho, con Él, enseñamos a un hijo de una menos activa. Él tiene 8 años, y con su deseo de bautizarse, la mamá estaba buscando una iglesia. Élder F. y L. estaban hablando con todos en la calle, y encontraron a Ella y su hijo. Queremos enfocarnos en la mamá. De hecho, también, la hija de ella no quiere compartir mucho, pero quiere sentarse con nosotros y escuchar.
 
También, una mujer, la que tiene fecha y está progresando, se encontró por pasar por su hermana. Viven juntos. Por causa de las visitas, ella está reactivandose con su familia. Su hijo se bautizó hace mucho tiempo, y una hija tiene 8 años. La familia asistió con ella y asistieron a los clases. El barrio les hermanó muy muy muy bien. Se sentían muy cómodo, y quieren seguir siempre así. La hermana de ella ahora comparte su testimonio de la iglesia casi cada lección. 

Con los nuevos conversos, pasamos por otra mujer y su familia. Tuvimos una lección de Matrimonio Eterno. Quieren empezar de prepararse de nuevo para sellarse. La lección les ayudó a recordar de la meta que fijaron hace 5 años atrás

Pictures End of Aug

Sorry, from Jon's sister-in-law.  Life has a way of speeding by.  But here are some pictures he wanted to share.  I'll also be posting the letters you've missed.  Thanks for keeping up with his mission!!

"

"not much to say this week. The good stuff is in my journal. Had an
awesome activity as a district, spray painting t shirts. haha. i made
a funny one with a dinosaur."

first photo is of Jon, "dancing in the back" :) 

More Photos- Aug 19th

August 19th Letter

19 Agosto 2013
 
Yo estoy bien. Me gustó la reunión de zona que tuvimos. No estoy muy
muy animado, pero por lo menos contento.
Tuvimos una experiencia muy buena el jueves. Estábamos buscando N.
con un miembro para visitarles, pero no estaba. Al lado vive un
futuro, y golpeamos la puerta. No quisieron contestar, y una hija
salió y no respondió y se fue de la casa. Pero vimos una familia
afuera de una casa de un futuro que nunca pudimos visitar. Fuimos a la
casa y preguntamos de la persona. Se mudó, pero ellos viven allí
ahora. Los hijos estaban moviendo cosas de afuera de la casa, y les
ayudamos con eso. Después llegó la pareja, y él nos agradeció. Él era
un poco más tímido y crítico. Entramos y cantamos, y explicamos del
Libro de Mormón. Dejamos libros con la familia, y el padre está
leyendo y entiende muy bien. Son cinco en la familia.
Estamos trabajando mucho con los miembros. Cada lección con miembro si
se puede. El líder misional está trabajando duro/muy bien y con ánimo.
Vamos a ver muchas cosas buenas muy pronto.
 
We had an amazing week. Sadly my Brazilian Companion was called
another direction, but he seems to be doing well.

 
Mom and Dad, I just want to say before I continue that I´m thankful
for you both.  You have taught me a lot and I´m thankful for that as
well. I´m happy that you are serving a mission again, and that you are
doing well. Thank you for having such strong testimonies of the
gospel, at least from the time I started to understand.  Thank you mom
and dad.
 
Hey we have a family here in our ward that are fanatics about
genealogy. It´s amazing. I´m not excited to do the work, but to have
experiences like that would strengthen my testimony incredibly. The
dad says that going to the temple is like a henhouse where they teach
you to fly. You might be a chicken in the metaphor, but at least you
can fly.  Then you leave the temple after the work is done, and you
start to forget to fly, and you´re walking or even not doing anything
at all.  Genealogy will keep you in flight.
 
Sometimes the work is like their fishing but in Chile, something
really cool at least happens every day, and
the people are ready for the gospel here!  Found a family 3 days
ago!!! They´re reading the Book of Mormon! The dad said he had a dream
like Lehi in First Nephi, and he was the skeptical one, but now he´s
rather intrigued. He has many many doubts and questions, but we keep
stressing the importance of asking Heavenly Father to know if it´s all
true or not.  That´s one of the most important things. He also feels
that he isn´t worthy to ask about it because he says he´s a sinful
man.

I want to testify here that Heavenly Father is not a grudge holding
God.  Firstly, He knows that we are going to make mistakes, and that´s
why He sent His son to give us the ability to repent and change, and
be forgiven completely.  He doesn´t take away your agency and make you
repent, but he sure does want you to do it, and willing and ready and
happy to forgive.  My invitation to all is to avoid sinning, for one,
because it only brings embarrassment and feelings that you can´t talk
to Heavenly Father even though that´s not true, and for two, Repenting
is a harder task than holding on and not sinning.
 
I love this area, the members, my companion, and the investigators.
Agency of theirs is tough and frustrating at times, but we learn how
to deal with it. I have learned from my companion that if you´re
persistent and don´t let them sit down on their excuses and give them
little pushes as they try to tell you they can´t, 90 percent of the
time they learn that they really CAN do it, they just doubted too
much. Se ponen límites. -They put limits on themselves-
 
We have 2 investigators with baptismal dates for the 4th, but we
worry... they have to attend church more!  Excited for baptism though.
 
Okay. Now here´s the part that comes directly from my noggin... The
part that doesn´t ever make sense unless I´m in a lesson and the
Spirit´s helping me. haha
 
My new companion started his mission here and spent 6 months. . . 

We often wonder what the Lord has in store for us.
 He often knows the people we contact in the street and remembers what
the people were like 2 years ago. It´s a huge help. He finishes his
mission halfway through the change, so I´ll end up with a different
companion in a few weeks as well.  He´s from El Salvador. It´s a tiny
island that apparently is a part of North America.  The people keep
thinking we´re making a joke when we tell them where he´s from because
in spanish, El Salvador means ¨The Savior¨...
If you want to know his personality, just find Nate N. He´s
basically his twin.  It´s rad.
 
But hey, There are ups and downs on the mission. Don´t get
discouraged. And yes, I am talking to myself here too.  It´s  amazing.
Love you all. Keep praying and being awesome as people and members.
 
 

This is Humberto. He´s our mascot here in Compañía Baja. He´s a very
faithful and loyal guardian of the house. He took place of TARO, a dog
who used to go everywhere with the missionaries. Humberto has been
getting a little lazy, but he he´s always happy to see us. A timid
pitbull. You don´t see it often, but he´s taken a lot of beatings from
dumb flaíte kids here. I hate it, but it happens. He´s a tough dog.
 
Went with the other elders to the chapel to play ping pong with my
set, then after we played basketball.  Naturally my companion, being
6ft something, even though he had to take about 10 shots every time
even with his hands almost touching the rim, he kept the ball most of
the time. Oh and did i mention he doesn´t know what a foul is? haha So
much fun.

More Spray Paint Art

Falling into Perfect Place 8/12

Letter from Elder Jonathan Cattron 8/12/2013-

Hey. Sorry I don't have much time today. But I might be able to write
by hand letter. Sure love you all. we had an amazing week.

(from Jon's mom) -What did you learn this week?
Tuvimos una semana muy buena, y nos sentimos que fue exitosa. Estamos
muy animados por esta área y el éxito que por fin encontramos. Mi
compañero dijo cuando estaba recuperándose su espalda que le mostró lo
que no estaba haciendo bien, y quiere enfocarse mas y trabajar mejor.
Después de eso y cuando se sintió mejor, trabajábamos mucho mejor.
Por fin pudimos reunirnos con , que esta conviviendo, pero le
enseñamos la ley de castidad y la importancia de esta ley para Dios.
Entendió muy bien, y el espíritu estuvo muy fuerte. Se va a mudar de
la casa, hablar con su pareja, y esforzarse para bautizarse el 25 de
Agosto. También asistió con su familia y quieren hacer
transmites y bautizarse, y nos dio permiso para bautizar a su hijo de
8 años, lo que hacen 3 bautismos en la familia.  con su pololo
menos activo asistieron y ella quiere prepararse para su fecha,
también el 25 de Agosto. el hermano del pololo también esta
preparando por esta fecha. Es posible que sera difícil llevarles a la
iglesia cada domingo, pero se puede. Tenemos que trabajar duro con la
mama.

Short summary of this week - A giant miracle in less than 12 hours.
all things seemed to be falling in to perfect place. I love you all.
--------------------
 
Here is what Google Translate gave from his Spanish message above.

We had a very good week, and felt it was successful. We
very encouraged by this area and finally found success. my
partner said when he was recovering his back that showed him
I was not doing well, and wants to focus more and work better.
After that and when he felt better, worked much better.
At last we meet with with an investigator, who is cohabiting, but it
taught the law of chastity and the importance of this law to God.
He understood very well, and the spirit was very strong. They're moving to
the house, talk to your partner, and strive to be baptized on 25
August. Another investigator also attended with his family and want to do
transmit and be baptized, and gave us permission to baptize his son
8 years, which make three baptisms in the family. Another investigator with her ​​boyfriend
less active attended and she wants to prepare for your date,
Also on August 25. the brother of the boyfriend is also
prepared by this date. It may be difficult to bring to the
church every Sunday, but you can. We must work hard for the mom.

News from the mission 8/5/2013

It´s supposedly winter here. It´s super hot, but when it´s cold it
cuts through your clothes and everyone tells you that your hands are
freezing and it gets hilariously annoying.  My health is fine, and a
friend companion gave me his inside lining to his jacket a few days
ago because he heard i lost mine, then i received a call that MY
jacket is coming to me.  Heavenly Father has a great sense of humor
that tends to teach us and bless us in the right way.  He sent me my
jacket that I´ve been looking for all winter after winter passed and
after I had just received an extra.
 
There are some really weird aspects to spanish that tend to drive me
nuts, and none of it feels expressive enough. You can´t emphasize
words in spanish and be understood, nor can you say quickly which
people did what... posessives drive me nuts.
But I love the language anyway, and it´s coming to be easier and
easier every day. I´m already progressing way past what I thought I
would be and I wonder how it´s done. I´m learning quickly and being
helped tons as I continue to be an eager learner and servant, or learn
how to be more wanting to serve.
 
the mission is really something hard and difficult. More stressful,
annoying, and patience testing than anything I have ever been a part
of, but It´s also one of the most important pieces of my life so far,
and wouldn´t trade this time or what I have learned for anything in
the world.   It´s all part of the plan, and I´m learning to just deal
with it if I don´t like it, because as long as I´m doing what I
should, I´ll always be happy enough and provided for.
 
The Heart Attack incident, completely honestly, did bother me for a
short while. It hung in the back of my mind, but I mentioned it to my
mission president during our interviews and also to my companion.  It
all just gave me a reason to work even harder so that we can be more
blessed as a family.
 
Eat all the foods that cause noise. It makes life in the MTC fun. . .
 
If you´re late to an appointment, there´s no reason to point fingers.
Nor anything that you can change after the fact. But you can at least
communicate with the person and leave notes. It makes us happy to know
that we were remembered.
 
I got all the letters. I was just super lazy last week, and ordering
garments to survive wherever I might get sent this next change. . .
 
Just so you know, yes I did spend money and purposely. I bought a hard
drive so that I could put my pictures on them. I can´t send sd cards
in the mail becuase supposedly the Chile mail here is weird and they
run it through scanners that have been known to wipe memory in the
past.
 
I´ve been reading Jesus the Christ, and I´m almost done. I´m on the
last 100 pages of the 800 page book... wow.  I´ve come to learn that
the Jewish people were exactly what Christ warned them they would be
and were - - Ignorant of their wicked deeds and hypocrisy.  They broke
almost all of their Jewish laws and commandments, even some of the
ones they themselves made, so that they could convict Him and put him
through a fake trial where Christ was completely innocent in every
way, following their laws of which they professed to be masters and
followers....
Herod and Pilate were victim to their own rule for fear of their
leadership. Especially Pilate for KNOWING what was happening, finding
him guiltless, having power to change it, and not speaking up.  It was
a part of His plan, but the people blindly made their decisions and
killed their King that they had been waiting for since the beginning
of time.  Sometimes we can do everything perfectly, and we will
receive our blessings, and others will completely deny what they could
have just because they don´t want to make the right decision.  And I,
many times making the same mistake as a missionary, understand it, and
yet still do it a lot...  We REALLY need the help of our Heavenly
Father in His work. He proves evermore patient with us, and that in
itself seems a miracle.
 
Anyway.
I just want to express how much they both love us. They suffered a lot
and are still helping as we think that our life is hard.
Remember always that we´re not fighting to be better than eachother.
We are fighting and improving to overcome the natural man, who loves
to find the easy ways out and listen to the promptings opposite of
Heavenly Father's promptings.
¨For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of
Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings
of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a
saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a
child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to
submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him,
even as a child doth submit to his father.¨ - Mosiah 3:19
I am learning A LOT about that topic.  Personal desire is a very core
subject to that as well, so one more scripture :
 
"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for
he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a
wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do
many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much
righteousness".
 
Fight the natural man this week, and think about which is closer to
what God would have you do.
 
Love you all.
Ciao.
 
 

Origami Dino-la Serena

Spray paint Origami dino 5 seconds from our house.

Joker Graffiti

The Giant Joker Graffiti that we pass by every day. There are also a few here of Bruno Mars and other Actors. Chile is so Americanized. They often ask us if we have certain TV shows in the US, when they don´t realize that´s where the show is filmed... haha. 

My birthday was amazing!

June 25th, 2013

Today we have PDAY because yesterday we had an area conference. It was amazing. I wrote about as much as I do in General Conference. And it was all important information answering some of the questions I had.

Dad n mom, I´m jealous of your companions. They´re soo cool!

Everything not Eternal is Eternally out of date.

C.S. Lewis  

Yes, I got the package with the card. Thank you so much. Sadly president says it´s a perfect book for Pday, but I´m still happy for that. 

 

My birthday was amazing! Some members invited us over to a Family Home Evening, and brought one of their moms, which they did because of the awesome birthday conference on sunday. I didn´t know the General Authorities made movies and gave talks specifically for birthdays... 

So the mom counted as a new investigator, and we´ll be trying to meet with her in the next couple weeks. 

What I thought about where you are going was, ¨YES.¨  Even though the out of the US calls are always exciting, it still gave me a little more peace of mind because of the blessings of the states. The only better place would have been here in Chile. 

 

The mission president is an inspired man. I was extremely excited for your call and the rest of the day my companion wondered why I was walking so fast. I guess I´m just easy to be excited about things. 

 

Remember to invite a bunch of non member friends!  I say that because yes, I did see it. 

haha. Thanks for the story. It seems that I´m the only one in my mission who cracks up every time someone makes a noise.

A few other elders have blogs but if you don´t feel like updating them don´t worry about it.  It´s a lot of work it seems like.   If people want to talk to me, they can do it personally now since the missionary rules have changed.

I still haven´t written president. If I have time I´ll come back to this. 

Birthday Cake- Mini Tortas

The Elders we live with and my companion made me a birthday cake made of ¨Mini Tortas¨. It was delicious.

July 1st

Originally sent 7/1/2013

News for the moment - 

We´ll hopefully be having the baptism for a young 10 year old. His parents are finally thinking about letting him. The mom already said yes, but the dad is still a bit worried. They´re good people.

We finally got a hold of an investigator that disappeared. She moved back in with her pareja, so... we don´t know what she´s going to do. She was ready to be baptized, but since she moved back in with the guy she can´t get baptized unless she moves out until she´s married. Convive-ing here is a pain. Everyone does it because the marriage laws are so difficult and slow. There´s a law that you have to wait 9 months before you can get married again after a divorce just in case there was a pregnancy. It´s rough because a lot of your golden investigators who are ready to be baptized have to wait a long time. . . 

My companion is no longer with me. He should be on a plane by now going home. I´m working with the other elder from the ward in both sectors. It´s a huge area and a wonder how they did it like this before.  It was just 5 months ago that they received the second pair of missionaries here.

Anyway, I gotta get out of here. I took too long with letters to the mission president and everything. Love you all. 

Here´s part of it. Can´t put the rest because there are too many names of the people and we´re not advised to put them in emails.

Estoy bien. Ésta semana era muy rara, porque habían muchas cosas nuevas como mi compañero saliendo y todo de eso. Fue una experiencia buena, pero siempre es algo triste cuando cambie. Estoy muy agradecido por poder trabajar con Élder V. Me enseñó mucho. Con el trabajo, yo estoy progresando en mi confianza y no preocuparme de cosas que no sean importantes. Estoy aprendiendo más de ser un líder en algunas formas y que yo tengo que hablar más con mi compañero en cada momento. Me cuesta hacer ´small talk´ y cosas así, pero estoy aprendiendo. También este tiempo ahora que Elder O y yo estamos trabajando en las dos áreas, estoy aprendiendo cosas que no probablemente podría en alguna otra manera a este punto de la misión.

Back online!

Sorry, you've had to wait in anticipation of Jon's mission communication, we've been traveling and tackling this had to wait.  But here it is!  I'll post quite a few back letters and then start posting as they arrive.  One of my favorite came recently about a moving experience during a hospital blessing!  Hope his experience with the Spirit touches your lives as much as it continues to touch mine.  Thanks for checking in and supporting him as he strives to do God's will thousands of miles from home.
his sis, Lynnette

Hi Ya'll.

Elder Cattron's Mom and Dad got their mission call to San Jose CA.  Mom is too busy getting ready to edit letters for this blog.  Now that we have another facilitator, you might see some posts in the near future.  So stay tuned because the blog could receive some updates.   : )

My birthday is coming up. All of you are expected to write me. Can you do it?

June 3-2013   11:05 AM

How’s life in the “flat” city.  Is it so flat?  Or is it just less hill-y than your last place.

It's very flat. At times it's confusing because it has no hills to tell me where I am.  It's also a half area because we share a ward with another companionship, but our sector is still pretty big.

My birthday IS coming up, Ma.  Se espera que me escriban, ¡todos de ustedes  ¿Podrán hacerlo?  (ALL of you are expected to write me!  Write to me ... Can you do it?)   (June 23^rd)

When you meet someone who says they don’t like “organized” religion, share with them how thankful you are for belonging to a perfectly organized church…one set up by Jesus Christ himself. 

Asi, testifico.    (Testify about it.)

Mom - I'll listen to better music and games when I return home.  Probably in general--Especially after teaching things like that for 6 months.

Wow.  Think about that! I’ve been on my mission six months!  Wow.  Se pasa rapido.  (It happens so fast.)

Well, I haven't written much, but that's okay. I still love ya'll. 

I just want to share something that came flying into my head one day during church when they were teaching about the restoration.  I left the journal in the apartment, but this is the idea.

"Joseph Smith's first vision, even though it is extremely significant and important, isn't actually that unbelievable once you believe even the first two books The Bible - Genesis and Exodus.  Moses in his time was but a young boy when he spoke to God with the burning bush.  Moses himself said that he was weak in words, but we know that he was guided to become a strong vessel for doing the work of God. 

"God came among the people several times in Exodus in the form of a cloud, and even let a few of the prophets see Him personally, whether spiritually or in the flesh, the prophets testified after and wouldn't deny what they saw."

There is a lot more to this thought, but I just want to stop here and consider the fact that we know these things to be true, and often times, just like the learned Pharisees in Jesus' time, we believe the things of old, but when the source and answers happen to be right in front of us, we often don't recognize its absolute truth, or even pay attention to our feelings.  We are, as humans, by nature, unsure and unaware of so much. So very much that we forget that we can ask the same Being who has the answers, because by His Spirit, that same being, the words of the Prophets of old were written.

Without a doubt, the Gospel has been restored.   Don't doubt, just believe, and ask Him –“What if it is all true?”   If it is, read Matthew 12:21 and ask Him for yourself. 

This week went by very fast. It was great. I enjoyed the exchange with Elder S.   I was inspired, in fact, because he is taking some time in the field, new to the language, but does not prevent, and teaches very well. Work with a desire and fire that encouraged me.

I had a little time to be 'Trunky' for a few minutes when a member let me play his guitar when we were waiting for our research to the member's home.   I'm fine.

We had 3 come to church.  One that has a baptism date, one that wants to be baptized but lives away, and one that is a reference that wants to be baptized too.

I'm thinking about how I can help people feel more comfortable and see that the Gospel really applies to their lives.  Instead of just talking and make an appointment, I help them think, and at least consider what we are saying and that it is something that applies to their lives, even when we talk to them at the door or on the street. That's a goal that I have now.

I love you all.  I hope you have an awesome week.  Ciao.

- Élder Cattron

This awesome area is super flat

5-27-13 

Got transferred from Hope (Esperanza) to Lower Company (La Compania Baja)

My new companion is awesome.  He’s from Honduras and even cooler, he lived in the US 10 years so he also speaks English.  He has a good sense of humor.  He is also the District Leader.   I feel that we are going to have a super good companionship.   He teaches very well and we are trying to work together in unity.  I know I’m a quiet person at first when I meet people but he is making me speak to them.  I’m learning I have more to say than I thought.  I just need to open my mouth more.

We live in an apartment with 4 of us Elders because our apartment is being changed or fixed, I don’t remember.  It’s super fun but hard to be punctual to studies and everything since there’s only 1 shower.  We are painting the apartment because it’s old and ugly like that dog I wanted to get a photo of in my last area but never got to because he kept hiding.   People are friendly here.    The people are a lot more open to talking than in the USA.  It makes it really fun to talk to people in the street because you can joke with them a lot easier and they’ll actually smile.  Not much different from the USA, based on where I’ve been so far.  Chile is as close to home as I can tell.  The ward is amazing.  We took a lady to church and the members and leaders said Hello and talked with her.  They gave her a warm welcome.  She said she is always going to attend because she feels comfortable and happy. 

Happy birthday to my awesome nephew.  I wish I could remember the birthdays better for everyone.  Sorry to everyone who I haven’t said Happy Birthday to…I still love ya.

To my sister in law: I’m always hot.  But Chile is cold and it’s cramping my style.  I complain during the summer and the winter…but I still really like it, so I don’t know why I complain. 

To my brother R-----d: You must have been with me in my last area.  It was pure “stairs” and it drove me nuts.  My knees were killing me but I didn’t want to complain much so I stayed quiet about it most of the time.  Finally I was told we were supposed to tell the mission president things so I put it in my letter.  I got sent to this awesome area that is super flat.  I feel like a wuss, but at least I can focus more on the work and not on my knee pain.

Dad: I sure miss you.  Thank you for everything you’ve done and do for helping me so much with everything in life.  What is this thing you wrote about using a notebook while we sleep?  Does the Spirit tell us things while we sleep and before and after our sleep?

Wow, the time went fast on the computer today.  Here’s a few pictures for  ya’ll.

Love you,   

Elder Cattron

Eating at Mc Donalds. It was 6 american dollars for a tiny burger and fries and drink. And they didn't have ice cream!

Awesome fountain - Elder S----g's and me at the fountain

This is our tiny study room in the apartment that we share with the other 2 Elders. We basically live in there and it's a pain.  Haha but It's super fun.

Listening with love

5-20-13

I feel pretty good. Sometimes I have pain in my knee from all the stairs and hills.  Other than that, everything is great.  This week I learned what I can do to be a better companion.  I was talking to Elder G---a of the need to listen.  What I need to do is ask people how they really are, learn more from their lives.  I already love them, but did not know how to show it.   Moroni 8:16.    And in the same verse, this is true also:  ...And I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do."   The missionary's interest can help a lot. I learned that we have to do it always. But more importantly than listening is listening with love. I'll keep doing it and learning more about it.

[From Mom: Is it getting “COLD” there yet?  ]   I just might need some warm wool socks. It´s actually pretty cold here in our pension every night. Who woulda thought it?

[From Mom: The new Branch President for the Singles is President J.R. Dalton.]   

J.R.!  Yeah!!! What a cool guy.... po. 

Here are some photos.

Love,

Elder Cattron the VI.

Bad haircut

A couple new friends

A nice fountain

A gentle feeling started to enter my chest

5-13-2013   

Dad,  Thank you for the letter and thoughts.  I will keep it in mind and try to remember it whenever I am walking in the street looking for people.

One contact we taught finished the discussions but we had to send him to the other missionaries where he went.   I read that scripture every once in a while and realize as we do the work the Lord blesses us.

My pants are okay…I’ll just deal with it I suppose.  Haha.   (weightloss)

The Bread, even the “worst” kind is super good.    There are breads that are like French bread from Super 1 and the others are awesome cracker looking breads that work perfectly with Salsa and Dipping things.

Dog bites…if you are talking about the missionaries, we have to get a bunch of shots.  But the owner has to pay money and is always in the wrong even if the person was teasing or putting their face in the dog’s face and “asking” to get bit for it.

Tr----Chile is still a boiling mixing melting pot of people.  A lot of people I talk to say that I’m tall –and beautiful, but we all know that’s because I’m American and they all think Americans are beautiful.  The girls in the street actually call the missionaries “Bon o Bones” like the candy (Bon o Bons), and the humor comes from that whole…completely true Bonito aspect.

Some Senior missionaries here have to deal with finding new apartments or closing apartments of missionaries.   I say “deal with” because a lot of missionaries do a lot of things without thinking, like using tape on the wallpaper…we all know what happens with that.

Fleas are ok-ish.  I’m still frustrated with them, but I’m just figuring out how to ignore them.  I would like to try the flea powder thing, but our DL says we only have issues because we have carpet instead of a hard floor.

I did have a blister at one point but the moleskin worked for 3-4 days.  It’s calloused now.

My health is ok.  Recently I’ve been feeling slightly light headed for no reason, but I think I just need to drink more water (?)   I also feel like I’m just complaining as I battle the “natural man’s desire” to just sit down on a couch.

[From Mom’s letter:  “Some thought that came into my mind today when I was listening to you.   I think you were expressing that you have started to “forget” what it’s like to be back home.  Maybe you didn’t say that but I thought I heard it.  My answer to that is “Don’t worry about forgetting about home.”  It’s okay.”  So, don’t worry about forgetting home and what it’s like to be there.  It will take care of itself.  Just enjoy the time while you are out there.  You have been given a privilege and great opportunity to take a “time out” and devote yourself to serving God , serving the Chileans and serving your future self.  And we are proud of you.  Time flies doesn’t it!   And you have been gone 6 months!   I can’t believe it—can you?]  

Thank you Mom. You're right, I didn't say that, but that is one of the things on my mind.  I'm not a person to get homesick, but I am a person to get distracted.  I wish I could do better at focusing in every moment.  SIX MONTHS? November, December, January, February, March, April, May... What in the world? I keep on telling everyone here 4 months whenever we talk about how long I've been in Chile. I didn't remember until just now that I was also in the MTC for 2 of them. Wow. Missions go even faster than I was thinking when I said that.

I have 5 minutes. I want to share a thought really quick.  This is a journal entry I wrote about 3 days ago:  "I think today we woke up 12 minutes late, realizing the alarm clock didn't go off.  It was very sad.  We want to be obedient, and we're just hurting ourselves and our investigators when we're not.  I spent most of that morning feeling terrible for such a small crime, but a big one as a missionary...  But then we started studies.   I was 12 minutes late to those also.  Rushed and feeling terrible, and repenting silently, I got down on my knees.   Everything Changed.  I started thinking of the Savior. Walking with Him.  A gentle feeling started to enter my chest and even down my spine. With several minutes passing by, I saw more and more blessings sneaking into my eyes as I prayed with my eyes partially open.  My nametag.  "... I couldn't have done it without The Savior's help, and the power of prayer.  Then pictures of my family brought my attention. Where would I be without them? Where would I be without their examples and love in my life?  Even now, where everything seems so simple, I wouldn't be able to have this..."  "...I want to serve with that same strength. I want to give my all... and it's hard.  But I know I can do it.   I've seen it once before.   Todo es posible..."   I love you all. Pray lots this week and seek that guidance that only our Father in Heaven can provide. 

Work hard everyone. Don't forget to smile :o)

“I can’t believe this is real.”

May 4 2013 – May 6 2013.   These emails weren’t much of an informative letter.   We were getting situated for the privilege of Skyping on the following Sunday for Mother’s Day.   This is how it looked in the emails back and forth that day…..

Email from Mom:  Dear Elder Cattron:  I will try to practice Skyping but if things don’t work out when you try to Skype with us, please have a “backup” plan.   Let us know exactly what you plan so that we can be ready.   Here’s our schedule….OUR best time will be between 1:00 and 6:00 YOUR time.    (If you really are only two hours different in time.  I think I have that right.)   1.  Are you calling us on Skype or 2. Do we call you?  3.  The email we will use is “r…….com”.  4.  What is your phone number? It would be good to have it even if we don’t need it.  5.  You know our phone number. 6.  Let us know about what time you think you will contact us and it’s easier for us to be waiting. 7.  We love you.   So, until tomorrow on email….Good night!  Love Mom and Dad.   (())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(()(())

·         ‏From  Jonathan Cattron 10:14 AM    5-6-13      

·         To: Mom     Mom Hey if you´re on (the computer) say hello right now. gotta talk about skype.  What time you getting home from church    430pm chile time is my time.  i´m getting on the computer at 430 chile time making that 230 your time.  It is currently 12.35pm here 

·         Re: mom‏     

1.  Are you calling us on Skype or  …

Elder Cattron:  don´t know. I´ll be on though around that time.

2. Do we call you?  

Elder Cattron:  Whichever. There´s a chat istn´t there?

3.  The email we will use is “r………….com”    

Elder Cattron:  Already added you.

4.  What is your phone number? It would be good to have it even if we don’t need it.

Elder Cattron:  What phone number? 

5.  You know our phone number.  

Elder Cattron:  Yeah but I can´t call

7.  We love you.    

Elder Cattron:   I know. I love you too.

(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())

·         RE: mom‏   5/06/13    To: Elder Cattron  From Mom….

YOU CAN'T PHONE US???  SO NO PERMISSION TO PHONE?   IS IT BECAUSE IT'S CHEAPER TO USE SKYPE?  I HOPE I HAVE THE SKYPING THING DOWNPAT BECAUSE I REALLY WANT TO ENJOY THE VISIT WITH YOU. I'LL PRACTICE.    LOVE YOU   MOM 

(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())         Re: mom‏  From Elder Cattron     10:45 AM  5-6-13

   You´re talking in all caps. 

(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())

·         RE: mom‏    From Mom:  5/06/13    To: Elder Cattron

YEAH, SO....?

·         Re: mom‏   From Elder Cattron:    10:45 AM   5-6-13

To: Mom   

Sure love you mom.  Didn´t write much this time. but still. all good.  Elder Cattron

·         (())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(()(())(())(())(()(())(())(()(())  

·         Re: 11:00 AM   5-6-13     To Mom   

12:19 PM   Monday, May 6, 2013 (CLT)   Time in Viña del Mar

10:19 AM    Monday, May 6, 2013 (MDT)  Time in Kalispell, MT, USA

Dear Elder Cattron:   On the video, one of your cousin “L…n’s brothers’ voices was heard to say: “I can’t believe this is real.”    Ha, I think it sounded like Ryan.    (Referring to her marriage.)

Elder Cattron:   That´s basically every day here in the mission... (I can’t believe this is real.)… hahaha