WEEK 33

This Week From Elder Colin Eyre in Vina del Mar Chile:

This week was super!  Elder Pan and I just hit the streets hard all the time and the other thing I love about him is he is so funny!  His only downfall is he always smells like B.O.  I know I should probably tell him to use some deodorant but I just don't want to be rude.  My zone leader was like dude you gotta tell him.  I think the Europeans just don't wear deodorant so it's normal for them.   Anyways our room kinda smells so the windows are always open but I'm going to go buy a candle or something haha! 

This week we were out in a rich sector of Viña.  We were just knocking on doors and normally we are just rejected.  There is this one nice house that I have seen several times and just can't imagine anyone ever answering the door.  We decided to knock.  An eighteen year old Chilean girl answers the door.  Turns out she lived in New Jersey for most of her life.  I knew right away that she was one of those people that has totally been prepared by the Lord to hear the gospel.  She is really interested in hearing the lessons but wants permission from her parents first.  I am really hoping we will be able to teach her this week.  Then totally off the subject her Dad has a solid dope truck that looked 100% American parked out front.  I asked them about it and told them I thought it looked like it was from the US.  It was pretty funny they had bought it in New Jersey and brought it back to Chile!  

One of the hardest things for Chileans is to get them to church on Sunday.  They like to sleep in on Sundays and here in Chile the church even starts at 10:00am.  I am just like come on people its not that hard but for some reason it is hard for them.  I pray every night the people we are teaching will come to church!  

Chile is pretty great. I am starting to make contacts in places I have already been and I have had a few people tell me I have already been to their house.  Next time that happens I will just tell them it was probably my twin bro.  Funny thing, we do have to go the the passport office every few months to check in and sign some paperwork.  Anyway last time I went the guy was like hey you were just here yesterday!  I was like oh that must have been my brother, I'm a twin.  He gave me a real strange look.    

Sunday I have to give a talk in church so kinda nervous about that I really could use all your prayers.  My talk is on missionary work and how the members can help us.   

The mish life is legit we just work so hard everyday and when we come back at night we are worn out!  The great thing about that is I sleep good.  I love everyone so much you guys are the best and I hope everyone has a way good week! ;)

Oh and last week we made german pancakes from my solid recipe book.  I had no clue they were german pancakes until we looked in the oven and they had puffed up a ton I was so excited.  I guess you could say I'm a solid cook!  Thanks for teaching me mama!

Love, 

Elder Colin Eyre

This Week From Elder Colby Eyre in Santiago Chile:

Hey guys this week was super awesome.  We've been working really hard and finding lots of new people to teach. Cloudia is doing great we moved her baptism date to March 26th because we haven't been able to teach all the discussions to her.  I really feel like she is doing great and learning so much.    

We also have this investigator named Veronica.  She is a really neat lady and it was a miracle finding her.  A  few weeks ago when I was with my old comp, Elder Aguirre, we were walking down the street.  Suddenly my comp was like hey I think I just saw a hand come out of that fence and wave at us!  I was like sweet lets go!  It turns out she has been looking at several different churches.  She said she has always believed in God but wanted to learn more about our church.  We made an appointment to come back and teach her.  We also left her with the Book of Mormon and asked her to read 3 Nephi Ch. 11.  In that chapter God testifies of his Son Jesus Christ, we learn about the Atonement and that we need to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. Then the next visit she was like now I understand I need to be baptized.  Wow we were so excited, like way awesome! We are continuing to teach her.   

Update on the dogs:  Yesterday we walked an hour to the Stake Center dogs following us the entire way.  Then we took a bus home to leave the dogs there...haha then today we came back to the Stake Center for an activity and they were waiting for us outside!!!  Its all good we took the bus home again today and we're praying they can't find their way back. 

I hope everyone has a great week I love you all!

Elder Colby Eyre

WEEK 32

This Week From Elder Colby Eyre in Santiago Chile:

Hey guys this week was pretty good we still have the awesome dogs following us all around.  They sit and wait for us outside when we go to investigators homes to teach lessons.  Everyone says that its because they can see the goodness in us... haha!  They are becoming much more annoying than funny. 

This week has been pretty good we've been working hard and doing lots of contacting so we can find more people to bring to Christ. The mission is such a blessing in my life.  I can't believe how much I have learned in the past 7 months.  I am truly grateful for this opportunity.  

I'd say our most promising investigator is Cloudia.  She is awesome and I feel like she is pretty close to baptism.  Everyone pray for her! 

This week I have been reading in the Book of Mormon in Alma.  Captain Moroni fought many sweet battles but there is a part where Captain Moroni talks about the Lamanites not being able to destroy their faith in Jesus Christ and that God would continue to help the Nephites as long as they are faithful.  We can apply this to our lives and as we continue to be faithful Heavenly Father will bless us.  In James 2:17-18 we read, "Faith without work is dead" this is one of my favorite quotes.  I've gained such a strong testimony of that and I can say without a doubt so true.  So many investigators will say, "Ohh I've got so much faith."   but then they are not willing to do any work!  Then there are the people I see doing the work and I can see them growing so much and receiving so many blessings.

Love all you guys back home have a great week!

Elder Colby Eyre
This Week From Elder Colin Eyre in Vina del Mar Chile:

This week was pretty sweet we were able to find eleven new investigators thats a lot.  Normally we find three or four a week.  A few of them are families so I'm happy about that.  Elder Pan and I just go to work everyday.  He is really funny so we have a great time together!

Yesterday Elder Pan read me his journal entry from his first day in the mish.  Elder Pan went to the Chile MTC and I went to the Mexico MTC.  It just so happens that he roomed with my bro Colby while he was there!  So this is what his journal said, "There are four people in this room one is Elder Eyre he is pretty cool he has a twin brother in the Viña del Mar mission where I will be going.  I wonder if I will ever be able to meet him?"  Now here we are companions in the mission it's pretty sweet! Funny thing is it's the first time I literally have to stand up for the mission rules because my comp isn't always perfect with them which kinda blows.  We are both a little more relaxed but I know we will soon be master teachers so thats dope. 

I feel like my Spanish is really coming along.  It's weird to think that how far I have come with it in the last 7 months.  Oh how I would love to go to my Spanish teacher who gave me a D- and start speaking really fast Chilean Spanish and see if he understands!  Haha  

This week was pretty fun Elder Pan and I are always doing funny things we found a huge tarantula walking in the streets we kinda killed it.... yesterday we went back and found it and put it in a bag.  I really hope my comp doesn't pull any pranks with it cuz I hate spiders!  

We are still teaching that older lady and her family.  She is the one who asked if we had been praying for her and her knee.  We really have been praying for her and her family everyday.  We pray that our lessons go well and also that they will come to church on Sunday.  I know Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways and I love him so much.  I know we just have to keep our eyes open to see the many working miracles in our lives.  Thanks for all the prayers.  I love everyone back home so much you guys are the best I'm always praying for good old Utah!

Elder Colin Eyre

WEEK 31

This Week From Elder Colin Eyre in Vina del Mar Chile:

Got a new Comp his name is . . .  Elder PAN, which means bread in Spanish so its like the new joke of the ward because they have so much bread here.  Elder Pan came into the mission the same time I did.  The crazy thing is he was in the same dorm as Colby in the Santiago MTC so he knows my bro pretty well!  Elder Pan is from Spain which is so sick, and he is just awesome. 

A crazy story, my very first day in Chile we had to get off the bus in the middle of Viña and find the mission home and also give a Book of Mormon out on the way.  At this crazy and very hard moment in my life I was with Elder Pan.  He kinda knew English so he helped me so much.  Six months ago I remember being with him and it was so weird because for the first time in my entire life I felt like I knew him before our missions.  His face was so familiar and honestly it was like I knew him in heaven.  I remember so vividly on my first change talking with my comp, Elder Miller and telling him that there were a few people here that I felt like I met a very long time ago and Elder Pan was one of those individuals.  I just knew that one day we would be companions and here we are!  The Lord does work in mysterious ways. 

I love it here we're just trying to work really hard and get a lot of lessons in together.  I have learned that I definitely need to work on my lessons and teaching people.  Example, yesterday somehow we totally got off track in a lesson and this lady was like well I hate your rules and how you can't hug girls.  She thinks its rude because a hug and a kiss on the cheek here in Chile is part of the culture.  Obviously we can't do that haha.  That is what I need to practice during my lessons because if I were a master at teaching the lessons I would have never gotten her off track!  My goal for the week is to be better at teaching.  

Yesterday the coolest thing happened.  We taught this family of four and it was such a good lesson.  We had planned to teach them again but Sunday the mother saw us after church and waved us down.  Then she says, " Hey guys were you praying for me because I had problems with my knee all week and then after your lesson my knee didn't hurt at all!"  I was like holyyy cowww uhhhhh YES we prayed for you!  It was pretty funny but this could be a miracle for her and the beginning of her wanting to get baptized and growing a strong testimony of the gospel.  You never know!   

Love you all at home,

Elder Colin Eyre

This Week From Elder Colby Eyre in Santiago Chile:

Hey guys this week has been pretty good!  Being a trainer and the opportunity to train someone can be stressful but its also a huge blessing.  I'm learning so much and when it comes down to making an important decision I can't just look at my comp haha.  He looks to me!  

The closest person we have to baptism is a girl named Claudia.   She's super awesome and is the girlfriend of a less active member.  She really has the desires to be baptized and its been great teaching her.   You can always feel the spirit so strong during the lessons.  

On a funny note, we've had these dogs follow us around to every lesson.  At first it was pretty funny to have them wait outside of each house for us.  Now it is beginning to be a little annoying.  Currently as I am writing this I can see the dogs waiting for us to come out!  Haha pretty crazy. 

I love you all and really appreciate the weekly prayers.  I know Heavenly Father listens to each one of them.

Elder Colby Eyre

WEEK 30

This Week From Elder Colby Eyre in Santiago Chile:

This week was super great and super crazy!  First my old comp,  Elder Aguirre is reunited with his family right now he finished his mission.  It was really weird to send Elder Aguirre home but I am so grateful that he was my companion the last 6 weeks of his mission.  He really taught me so much.  

The crazy part is that on P-Day I got with my new comp after Elder Aguirre left.  Well he had barely unpacked when President Morgan called and was like hey Elder Eyre you're going to train and you need to come to the mission office and get your new comp right now!  Then he tells me that the comp that I had for a whole three hours is going to go somewhere else.  My three hour comp was from Peru and he was super cool so I was a little bummed  to lose him.  So we booked it to the mission office to pick up my new comp.  We got to the mission office and thats where I met Elder Gorri.  He is from Argentina and he is super awesome!  I love him its weird to be teaching him and to now be the senior comp and trainer!!!  To tell you the truth it seems a little scary sometimes to think whats ahead but I know everything will be okay.  

Thanks so much for everyone at home and thanks for the continued prayers.  I  love you all sorry I wasn't given much time to write this week.  

Love, Elder Colby Eyre

This Week From Elder Colin Eyre in Vina del Mar Chile:

This week was pretty sweet, next week we have transfers.  Elder Silva has 6 months in this sector so I'm pretty sure he will get changed but to tell you the truth I have no clue what will happen because our mission pres. is unpredictable! 

Somehow none of my emails sent last week so kinda sad about that haha!  Anyways the last two weeks were pretty good I'm just trying to keep pushing along.  I was a little sad I couldn't go skiing with the my whole fam last week my Dad finally went skiing for the first time this century and it happens to be when I'm on my mission haha nutzzzzz!   However I am glad that I can be here bringing others to Christ.  I know this is where I need to be.  

Back at home my Dad would always come in the house and just yell BOYSS and most of the time for no reason.  There is this guy that works where we live and he always tries to speak English.  He can only say a few words but we were leaving our appartment and we start walking and the guy comes flying around the corner on his bike and yells HELLO BOYSSSS with a huge smile.  I was just dying with laughter it was so funny! All I could think about was my Dad, I just loved it.

This week was legit we had a movie night with the ward and we watched this movie called The Cokeville Miracle its pretty sweet but after we had a dessert contest.  I made sugar cookies from a cookbook that a neighbor gave me in UTAH so thanks a ton SISTER Christiansen you're the best!  We made the cookies and there were six other desserts at the contest.  You won't believe this but our cookies were gone in like five minutes and I had made a ton haha!  They didn't really have a winner in the contest but really the missionaries totally won!  I'm pretty sure the Bishops wife was kinda bugged everyone loved my cookies the most and not very many people ate her cake.  It was pretty fun!

Anyways I'm just Teachin and Preachin in Chile its pretty cool.  My sector is kinda rich and so to be honest its hard to find new people because so many have the attitude of, "Ahhh I don't need something more".   Elder Silva and I just keep at the work.  I know with hard work we will find more people.  

Thanks to everyone for all the prayers they're the best and I'm so grateful.  Have a good week love you guys tons.

Elder Colin Eyre!

WEEK 29

This Week From Elder Colby Eyre in Santiago Chile:

Colby's real time selfie :)

Hey guys this week has been great!  Elder Aguirre and I have been working super hard trying to find as many people as possible to hand out Book of Mormons to.  There is nothing like spreading the good word!

Yesterday was so hot and we had been in the streets most of the day trying to find contacts.  I seriously thought the soles of my shoes had melted a few times haha!  The heat is real here in Santiago.

Today I was reading an article I liked in the Liahona. The article said we should not think about how doing something will bless our own life, but how serving the lord will bless others. I got thinking about that and it really hit me how important it is to have that mind set. We will be much happier and help so many people in the process.

Thanks so much everyone at home for all you guys do.  I love you all have a great week.

Elder Colby Eyre

This Week From Elder Colin Eyre in Vina del Mar Chile:

We did not hear from Elder Colin Eyre this week. His LDS mail was not working. :(

Colin was happy to be hanging out with Elder Miller!

Week 28

This Week From Elder Colby Eyre In Santiago Chile:

Hey guys this week has been pretty good.  Elder Aguirre and I have been working super hard to get our ward to start working with the missionaries.  The missionaries are a really big part of the ward here.

Right now we have this one golden investigator his name is Daniel. He's super awesome.  Daniel has his baptismal interview set for this Thursday.  I would love it if you could remember him in your prayers this week.  His entire family are members but less active.  We have been working with them for a while now so hopefully all goes well.


Nothing super crazy, we are just working hard everyday.  My testimony of the gospel continues to grow and I am so grateful for the Savior and his sacrifice for us.
I love all you guys and hope you have the greatest week.

Elder Colby Eyre

This Week From Elder Colin Eyre in Vina del Mar Chile:

A super week ended with a Super Bowl Sunday baptism ahhh yaaa! His name is Remijeo he is my amigo fiel y estoy super feliz por el but anyways I'm happy that I can be here and serve.  Remijeo is 15 years old and from the first time I met him I knew he had a desire to follow the example of Christ. It was pretty cool! We had an instant connection.  We had a baptism date set for last week but it fell through because Remijeo didn't show up for his baptism interview with my amigo Elder Miller.  This was the first time he had done something like that.  I was pretty sad but we kept working with him and he came to his baptism interview.  Another thing that was a problem was we needed his mom to sign that he could be baptized but she finally agreed.  It was awesome Sunday his whole family showed up to support him.  I was SO happy! I didnt baptize him a guy in the ward did.  It's better that way because then he will be more connected with the ward! I know that Heavenly Father can prepare people to hear the good word before we even get to them so thats cool!:)


Funny story, yesterday we did some visits with our Bishop.  We were walking home with him in the night and like a week before someone told me he is pretty much blind at night.  Well I totally had forgotten and we were walking home and he was holding onto my bag and my shoulder.  I was just like hmm weird but okay.  Then I noticed he was kind of tripping on a ton of stuff.  I was just thinking he was joking around and then he also stepped on a dog.  There are lots of dogs in the streets.  Now at this point I still hadn't remembered that he didn't see well at night.  Finally we get to his house and that's when I remembered hahahaahha it was sooo funny!  I had totally spaced it that he needed me to guide him!  Luckily in the real world we have the Holy Ghost that is our constant companion if we are keeping the commandments.  I am so grateful  for the opportunity to have the best companion by my side always helping me and protecting me! I still feel really bad for not guiding our Bishop home very well haha!

I'm so happy we could baptize Remijeo :) I hope everyone has a smokin cool week and I'm glad the Broncos won the Super Bowl!

Love,
Elder Colin Eyre

WEEK 27

This Week From Elder Colby Eyre in Santiago Chile:

Hey guys this week has been pretty good!  We've been working really hard to find new people to teach.  In my mission they are really focusing on baptism and repentance.  With our contacts that is what they want us to focus on. Yesterday Elder Aguirre and I had lots of time to contact so we just went for it and amazingly we found five new investigators.  We also have a few baptism dates set so thats super awesome.  It is really important that these people are joining for the right reasons so we have to make sure of that too! I've got faith that we will be able to teach all of them again hopefully in their homes.  

It is such a cool experience when a person accepts a baptism date.  Being out contacting is the best way to find the people that are elegido/chosen and are ready to receive the gospel. I know this gospel is true with all my heart and I know that in our lives we can see miracles if we have faith. 

I love all you guys back home have a great week!

Elder Colby Eyre

This Week From Elder Colin Eyre in Vina del Mar Chile:

 This week was pretty sweet except for one day.  Elder Silva and I were in the streets this lady walked by mumbling and looked nutz.  I didn't even talk to her cuz she was just too crazy.  She breezed passed me and touched my shoulder and kept walking.  There wasn't anyone in the street and we were out house contacting.  The next thing I know I hear like splashing so I turn around and her pants are down and she was peeing it was pretty gross.  I will have to say this was my first time being mooned on the mission haha!  My comp and I thought it was pretty funny we just walked away and laughed.  My mind is still scarred from that!

During a lesson this past week I had the opportunity to share a really neat story my grandmother shared with me.  It is the parable of the Mule in the Well.  

Sometimes it's not what is happening but how you handle it.  A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule.  The mule fell into the farmer's well.  The farmer heard the mule 'braying' - or - whatever mules do when they fall into wells.  After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving.  Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical!  But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back...a thought struck him.  It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back...He should shake it off and step up!  This he did, blow after blow.

"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself.  No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!  

You're right!  It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well!  What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity. 

That's life!  If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity...the adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us!  Remember that repentance, forgiveness, faith, prayer and hope are all excellent ways to "shake it off and step up" out of the wells in which we find ourselves.

So anyway there is a member thats going through a really hard time and I shared this story with her.  I think it really helped her.  It is so true that there will be hard times and Satan will throw hard things at us.  He wants nothing more than to tear us down.  We have two choices, we can just give up or shake it off like the mule.  When we shared this parable with this lady going through a hard time I could really feel the spirit.  I am so grateful for everything I know that I have been so blessed!  This week was great just trying to work hard and find new people to teach.  It's actually a hard thing to do but I'm grateful for everything that I have.  

Hope everyone has a good week love ya tons!

Elder Colin Eyre