Happy Birthday Mom

Dear Mom,

Feliz cumpleaños, as they would say here. Just think, it´s your last birthday with me here in chile. Next time, I´ll be home! And I´ll get to eat the lemon berry cake!!!

     Do you still put my ornament on the tree? Who puts it on the tree? And now you´re the mia maid advisor - weren´t they going to call you to that position two years ago? My how time flies. 

     I really don´t know how much money I will need, but it shouldn´t be a lot. I will be calling home between 3:00pm and 3:30 pm my time on christmas. That will make it between 10:00am and 10:30am your time. Is that okay? Just let me know. 

    I´ll be waiting on your package - still nothing from  mrs hairston. And I am absolutely sure about BYU - lets just say that I recieved revelation about it. Still nothing about a major, but that will come with time.

     I´m doing well - a lot better actually. I am excited for christmas next week. I love you, and can´t wait to talk.

Elder Hjelm (AKA: El Destructo)

Baptism Picture

Working Hard

Dear Mom,

    I will be able to talk via skype with you. Just let me know when, and I will make it work. I have to finish before 6:00 pm my time, which would be 1:00 pm your time. I´ll talk with the members to find out who has skype, so just let me know when and we´ll talk.

    I´m working, reading, praying, and waiting for inspiration. It hasn´t come yet. The only thing that has come is some depression, which I´m also overcoming. I know that there are things that I need to learn, and that here I will have the chance to do that. I´m just low on enthusiasm and a little high on trunkyness. but I´m doing okay. 

    Can you include the recommendation letters that I got for my eagle scout in my package? Dad should know where they are. I was told that I could read them when I turned 21. Well, here I am. Also, we need to get started really, really fast on BYU application. I want to start in fall 2014, so we have about two months to get it in. I already have permission from President to do it.

Love ya mom, thanks for everything.

Elder Hjelm

Out of the office, back to the field

Hey mom,

   I have nothing planned for thanksgiving, mainly because they don`t celebrate it here. I wish that I could be there, eating turkey (even though ham is so much better) and the traditional anti-pumpkin dessert. I think that I might actually try the pumpkin pie next year. If it`s anything like pumpkin bars, I should like it.

     Kjersten is going to korea too? Wow, that is pretty cool. When does she head out? I get back there on april 8th, just after general conference. That`s only four months away, or 19 weeks to be more exact. Fun stuff.

     Chad Bangerter is in lacey now? Wow. I will have to visit him when I get back. And you found him in the temple of all places. I plan on going there quite often when I get back. I can only go once a year here, which kind of sucks. I would love to go more often. 

     I don`t need recipes anymore because president sent me out of the office to the field. He said that he needed me out here instead of in there. I`m not very happy about it, but you just have to do it. I learned that from you and dad, ya know.

    Anyway, thanks for everything. I`m really grateful for your prayers and support. I don`t have much time left, so I`m trying not to get trunky. I love you all, and can`t wait to see you again.

Elder Hjelm

Got the Trunky Paper

Dear Mom,

     I think that living under the stairs would be just a little too "Harry Potter" for me. You should really send me pictures of what he´s doing. How many things has he changed? 

     Office work is going well. I´ve now got my international drivers license, so I´m driving now. It´s actually pretty fun, but the chileans don´t know how to drive very well. I´m learning a lot, actually, and trying to remember it all. Sister Condie is hemming my pants for me. She is so nice, and she and her husband are really funny. We listened to Elder Holland and he actually shouted and pounded his fist on the pulpit several times. It was pretty cool.

    My seahawks just keep winning. It´s a miracle! And my buddy kearse just keeps on doing really well. I hear that things are going kind of hard for Jonah. I am trying to help from my end, and I know that you and Dad are doing all that you can to help him.

    Can you send me some quick, easy recipes that are cheap and something that I could cook? So far, I´ve cooked hamburgers and barbecue chicken tacos - not really that hard. Also, how much money do I have on my account? Could you spot me some money to buy a few things? I need a new memory card for my camera, and maybe some new ties. I have about $90 in american bills here, but I can´t exchange them because they have to be in almost perfect condition to exchange them - what a stupid policy. 

     Anyway, I love you Mom. It´s weird to think that I only have four and a half months left. The mission secretary sent me what we call "the trunky paper". I have to fill out a bunch of information about home. By the way, the system says that I´m a member of the Gravelly Lake ward. If you could fix that, that would be great. I also need to know if we´ve moved (ha ha ha) and if you are coming to get me at the end of my mission. I really don´t expect you to, but just know that I already have a family who has offered to let us stay in his house and to use it as our base of operations if you want to come. I want you to know that I am happy, and doing well. I love you.

With love,

Elder Hjelm 

Happy Birthday in Chile

Dear Mom,

     Yes, I am in the office. I am the new financial secretary. My companion is Elder Wright (for the second time, he was with me in La Rioja). Grandma´s friend Joyce Condie is serving here too. She and her husband are training to be the new housing secretaries. I know that she has already emailed Grandma, telling her about how she met me. It´s pretty fun. My life revolves around the office. I get here when I need to do stuff, and I leave when the stuff is done. I would say that my schedule has been thrown off, but I don´t really have a schedule. I´m learning from Elder Wright how to be the finance secretary - reimbursing missionaries, making and approving payments, and receiving lots of phone calls from the missionaries about their accounts. I haven´t met Elder Holland yet. And yes, I did buy some pants today. Dockers actually. One pair is khaki, and the other is a shade of gray that is really hard to describe. Good news: I´m down to a size 40. Bad news: The pants are kind of long, so I´m going to ask Sister Condie to hem them for me. 

     I got my package on monday, and the first things that we ate were the pepperoni sticks and the hot chocolate. I´ll be waiting for the other package. I celebrated my birthday by waiting in line for a long time to get my new visa. That was fun. I doubt that Isaac is really that much like me. My new P-day is saturday, so keep those letters coming. I love you Mom,don´t forget that. I´ll be home in five months, so don´t worry. I´ll be back soon enough. 

Keep on smiling,

Elder Hjelm

Elder Holland is coming

Hey mom,

     No sign of the package yet, but I´ll be one of the first people to know when it gets here, mainly because President has called me as the new mission finance secretary. Just think - you´re soon to be twenty-one year old son is now being trained on how to manage the finances of 250 missionaries. Fun stuff. 

     The past week was crazy. Monday we carved Jack-O-Lanterns. Tuesday I got sick, and used about 25 tissues throughout the day. Wednesday we had to go to Priesthood executive committee. Thursday I fell on bike and skinned my and ruined a pair of pants. (That reminds me, I need to buy pants, one or two pairs. Can you pass me some money to my account to buy some pants?) Friday our lunch fell through, we left late, we got caught in the rain about twenty minutes on bike from the house, and when we started back, my bike tire popped, so we had to walk 45 minutes in the rain. Saturday we had a sector attack with the stake presidency and bishopric, followed by stake conference. Sunday we had stake conference, and at night, when I was making hot chocolate, president called to call me as the finance secretary. It was quite a week. 

     Next week Elder Holland is coming to visit and to speak to our mission. Thanks for everything mom. I love you. And just so you know, my P-day will now be on Saturday.

Love,

Elder Hjelm

Los Andes with Elder Ferreira

Hey Mom,

     I`m doing well. I`m still here in Los Andes with Elder Ferreira. There are now four sectors in our ward - four companionships. It`s crazy. Two are sisters and two are elders. It`s crazy, eight missionaries in one ward. We are trying to find more people to teach, so that is fun. You`d be surprised with the things that I do now. I go and talk with people that I don`t even know. Yesterday, I did it more than thirty times. And now I`m looking forward to turning 21, the age where I can do anything ha ha ha. Thanks for sending me a package - It still gets a little cold in the mornings, so I will enjoy the hot chocolate. I have started doing more exercises - only five and a half months left. I plan on leaving about sixty pounds here in chile. Should be fun. Anyway, good luck on your test. I`m sure that you`ll do well.

Elder Hjelm

Missing Grandma

Dear Ma,

     Sounds like a rather interesting wedding. Jacob is 18? And he officiated the wedding? Wow.

     I can just imagine my grandmother with "big sexy hair." I don`t even want to know what she did at the wedding, but I imagine that you all had a good laugh. Did she transport alcohol across state lines again? That would be funny.

     We will be having our primary program soon here. There is a bit of a battle between the primary presidency, the Bishop, and the stake president. The stake president or somebody issued a decree or something that only the older kids can participate in the program, and they can`t be up on the stand. The bishop supports the stake president. The primary wants all the kids to participate, and I personally think that they are right, but I`m not about to get into this argument. It all got to a climax in ward council when the bishop said, " do you know what this is? This is apostasy!!!" Oh the things that happen in chile.

     I`m doing better. We had a baptism - photos to come. We have changes tonight, but I think that I am staying. I bought a soccer jersey last week because I found it on sale thirty percent off - you did teach me how to shop. Today I`m going to buy a jersey of the chilean national team. Chile qualified for the world cup, and prices are going to be raised soon. Please don`t forget my package!!!

I love you mom. And yes, I still miss you.

As Always,

Elder Hjelm

It's like an oven

Hey mom,

    yes, it`s really eighty degrees here. It`s like an oven. And the worst part is that it`s a dry heat - and it burns. Everytime that I step outside, a johnny cash song sounds in my head - I fell in to a burning ring of fire. It`s about the same. I hope that I get used to it quickly, or I´m going to die. 

      Congatulate the bride and groom for me please! They just had to wait to get married while I`m in Chile. What great timing they have. 

     I don`t have any other wants for the package. And I would like some money in my account so that I can buy some nice souvenirs and things for myself and for the whole family. Thanks for Everything mom. I love you.

Elder Hjelm

Six months to go

Hey mom,

     Conference was super awesome!!! My favorite was Oaks, hands down. Maybe it`s just his voice. It was a great conference all together. Pres. Monson made me cry when he talked about his wife - it was so sweet. You could tell that he really loved his wife.

     Hope you know, this conference marks the start of my six remaining months in Chile. I should be coming home the day after the april general conference. Crazy right? That`s how fast time flies.

     My companion is a freaking riot! His name is Elder Ferreira, and he is from concepcion, chile. He has about three months in the mission, and he arrived in La Rioja when I left, so we know the same people. He is super fun, and keeps me enthused to knock doors. 

     I`m freaking out about being 21 too!!! Where has all the time gone??? About the package... I need allergy meds, and a package of riesens. If you could send me a sounders jersey, that would be cool too. Really, It doesn`t have to be a big package - just something small. Sometimes I think that It would be easier to give me the money and I  could buy things here. But I like packages. Love you mom. I couldn`t do this without you.

Elder Hjelm

Life in Chile

Excited for General Conference

Hey mom,

    this past week was rough. We`ve had everything from vomiting in the street while on an exchange with the assistants to recent converts with huge relationship problems. It`s quite stressful. Sounds like you had a better week this week. Would you like me to release doves at your funeral? I`m glad to hear that the funeral went well. Tracy was a really nice person, and I`m sure that she is learning a lot.

     I too am excited for general conference. We get to see all of it, and it will be shown in our ward`s chapel - sweet!!! Can you transfer what I have in savings to my checking? I`m making a list of stuff that I want to buy. The majority are soccer jerseys, which range anywhere from 40$ to 80$. Yikes. But I`ll make it. Thanks for the love and support mom. I love you.

Elder Hjelm

The will of the Lord is first in everything

Hey Mom,

     Sorry to hear about your friend tracy. Yes, I remember her. She was always very nice to me. If there`s one thing that I have learned here in the mission, it is that the will of the lord is first in everything. If it`s your time to go, you go. That might sound kind of cold, but it`s true. It`s important to remember that tracy is probably being taught the gospel right now in the spirit world. It could be Grandpa warby that is teaching her. She probably found out that he is your grandpa, and started right up on the lessons. And now, you can start on the temple work for her. You can share the knowledge that you have with others 

     Thanks for writing. I am doing well. I survived the chilean holidays. I`m working hard and having fun. The postal strike is over, so you can send things. I`ll let you surprise me with the package - fun stuff, and maybe some candy. You know me well enough to know what I`d like. Oh, and if anyone wants to give me money or anything for birthday/christmas/ or because they want to be nice, it`s better to put it in my account, because it`s hard to exchange bills here because they have to be in near perfect condition. That reminds me, how much money do I have in my account? Thanks for everything mom. I love you.

Elder Hjelm

Big brother to little brother :)

Hey bud,

    I created a new message because the other one was getting really big. Anyway, I enjoyed the scriptures that you sent me. They were pretty cool. I hope that you are reading the scriptures everyday, and praying as well. I know that when I didn`t read or pray, my days were miserable, and I didn`t do too well in school. But as you read and pray, Heavenly Father will bless you in all things. If you don`t believe me, try it. But believe me, my brother, it works. Hope that you are having fun and learning lots.

Elder Hjelm

Senior Companion

Hey mom,

    Sounds like fun stuff in Washington. We had changes today. Elder Bush - with whom I got along surprisingly well - was sent to Santiago to be a zone leader. I`m still here in Los Andes, but I`m now a senior companion. My new companion is chilean, from concepción. He`s waiting to recieve his visa to go to Venezuela, and has about three months in the mission. I`ll try not to corrupt him. Anyway, things are going well. I`m working hard and having fun. Brooke wrote me this week - I gave her a hard time for not writing me before. And jonah didn`t write me this week. You`ll have pull his ear for me. Thanks Mom for all that you do. I love you, and miss you.

Elder Hjelm

Just a little trunky :)

Dear Mom,

     That is one of the first things that I want to do is go to bremerton, take the ferry to seattle, and go to a mariners game. Whoa - that was a little trunky. Anyway, sounds like fun stuff. Is that really the new hudtloff? Wow. I`ll have to call in a favor and take a tour. And you only say that Isaac is like me because he is smart. 

     Sounds like my hawks are doing well. You can read my letter to dad about the information that I would like each week.They really have some good talent it appears. Thanks for your letter. I love reading what`s going on at home. I save your letter for last. I hope you know that I love you, and can hardly wait seven more months to see you again (only 3 1/2 months until christmas!!!) Anyway, thanks.

Love,

Your Favorite (and only) Elder,

Elder Hjelm

Random stuff

Dear Mom,

     Wow, Brooke is going to South Korea?!?!?! That is so cool! She always has liked the whole asian-oriental thing, so that will be great for her. And she enters october 16th? Shoot, she won`t be there for my homecoming. Oh well, I`m sure that she will do great. I still haven`t recieved that email that she supposedly sent me.

     Don`t paint the front door!!! I like the stained wood, it just wouldn`t be the same. It`s not like I can really do anything about it from 6,000 miles away, but still, it`s my front door too!!! At least send me a picture of the color that you want to paint it!!!

     I`m doing well. We have new bikes, because some hooligans stole ours and didn`t even leave the chain. It was the first time that I have had to call the police - on purpose - and the most awkward phone call to president that I  have made. And I had a migraine on saturday and I threw up for the first time in more than a year. But other than that, I`m doing great. Have fun and keep on doing good.

Love,

Elder Hjelm

Lots of teaching going on!

I believe this is Hector with Elder Bush and Elder Hjelm.  Doesn't he look handsome in his suit?!

Elder Bush, Berta and Elder Hjelm.  Doesn't he look handsome in his whites?!

I am not sure of the names for this couple.  I just love the fact that my son looks happy!

The Package Arrived!

Mom,

    The days are getting hotter but the nights are still cold. Luckily, I have this new eddie bauer jacket to help me out. That`s right - my package got here before the postal strike!!! I`ve already eaten all of my slim jims, and my companion is claiming that he gets 50% of my package - I`ll share a bit with him, don`t worry. 

     I have no idea where Isaac gets these ideas about knot tying and such. Anyway, I started in the fourth grade, not the sixth. And I`m not even there to influence his knot tying. 

     Sounds like you are doing well. The baptisms all happened, and they are all happy. I bought a soccer jersey today - it was on sale, and I was going to buy one anyway, so I guess that I`m kind of like you. You did teach me to buy on sale. Love ya mom. Thanks for everything. Less than eight months left (not that I`m counting or anything...)

Love,

Elder Hjelm

Elder Tweety Bird :)

Mom,

     This week felt longer, but the time is flying! I don`t have much time left. We are teaching a lot of people - so many that we don`t have time to teach all of them, and somebody gets left out of the fun. But we did have a baptism yesterday, and I will try and send pics next week. His name is Hector, and he finally got baptized after breaking off his relationship with his long time girlfriend. It`s actually quite a remarkable story. We have three more baptisms planned for this week, so that should be fun. My bike is annoying, because the rim on my back wheel isn`t straight and it rubs against my brakes, making it hard to ride, and it sounds like tweety bird. The neighbors only have to listen for the sound of my bike to know when we`ve arrived at the house. I need to get that fixed. And I don`t know when I will get my package, because Correos Chile, the chilean postal service, is on strike or something like that.

     What does PBIS stand for? You didn`t tell me. The time really is flying by! I only have five more changes after this. It sounds like you have improved. Sometimes I get to thinking about home and everything that I could be doing and that I will be doing, and then I have to snap myself out of it and get to work. I already have somethings planned for when I get back, but I try not to focus on it. I have to start my application to BYU again here soon. I have to focus on the mission, but plan for life after the mission. And I still have no idea what I`m going to study or anything. Any ideas? 

    Love you mom. Thanks for everything.

Elder Hjelm

Yea! More pictures!

Bad luck on a bike!

It took 16 months, but he finally found his favorite ice cream!

Elder Bush from Alabama is ready for the rain.

Chilean sunset

Elder Chung and Elder Hjelm

Chilean Mountains

Even after 16 months

Hey Mom,

   I just finished sending you some photos. Seriously, you`re not cooking for girls camp? Great, now you can start preparing to make barbecue pulled pork sandwiches when I get back - I have a hankering for pulled pork, but they don`t have that here. Darn. Anyway, I`ve decided that I want an IPhone when I get back. And yes, I have a microwave. Isaac is acting like me? Seriously? Great Minds think alike you know... Thanks for everything Mom. I hope you know that I love you, and miss you, even after 16 months.

Love,

Elder Hjelm

Chilean slang!

Mom,

     All of my friends sound so grown up. They`re all going on missions or getting married. Fun stuff. Oh, just so you know, I`ve been over it for more than four years.

     Sounds like fun stuff is happening in Lakewood. What play is Jonah in? Is it another broadway review or something like that? Oh, I`m going to be in Los Andes for another change with Elder Bush - should be fun. We obtained a book that has all of the slang in chile. We are going to be chileans!!! Anyway, thanks for sending the package. I love you, and I will try to send pictures next week. Thanks for everything, Mom.

Love ya,

Elder Hjelm

It's all part of the mission experience

Hey Mom,

     Yeah, it's pretty cold. It snowed in the mountains the other day, and all of the cloud cover went away, so it`s pretty cold. My thermals are working well, but it`s another thing when you're on a bike. But, it's all part of the mission experience. If you could find my earmuffs - the black ones that I bought many years ago - and put them in the package, that would be great. If not, I can buy a pair here. I think that`s about it for the package.

     I heard that you did a great job with your talk yesterday - you always have done a good job. I remember that before I enjoyed speaking in church, you wrote the majority of my talks. I think you also wrote some of my speeches for school as well - even if they were plagarized from "Designing Women." Ha Ha Ha.

     We have changes this weekend, so we'll see what happens. I hope that I will be staying, because the ward is great, and I hate packing. Thanks for everything. I'll send photos next week of the mountains and all that.

Chao,

Elder Hjelm

Counting down instead of counting up :)

Mom,

     Time is flying. We`re already half-way through July! Wow. Time goes much faster when you`re counting down instead of counting up. Anyway, I`m doing great - tired, but great. we`re teaching a lot, which is good. Yesterday we had four progressing investigators - that`s pretty good. Lately it`s been warm during the day, and cold at night. But I`m used to that now. 

     Sounds like Isaac is taking after me a little too much.  If he is anything like me, you have to get him interested in a good book. I always did like to read , and still do. I`m reading Jesus the Christ again in what little free time I have - usually while I eat breakfast. I love it.

      I hope that things go well with your classes. That would be rather boring to take the classes over again. I still have no idea what it is that I am going to do with my life. I still don`t know what to study. My mind keeps changing between about ten different careers and study options. I was hoping that I would find inspiration here about a career, but the only idea that I have is to design cheap, earthquake resistant houses with insulation for Chile.

     We will play risk when I return! Please say Hi to the colonel for me, and send my best wishes to Sister Smith. I will save this letter, and when you have grandkids, we will play dodgeball together, ha ha ha. Love you Mom. Thanks for everything.

Elder Hjelm

Life in Los Andes

Dear Ma,

     Los Andes is different from the city. things are much more relaxed here, I can actually see the mountains,  and it is very pretty. My companion Elder Bush is very cool. He is from Alabama and is a very, very big fan of University of Alabama football - Roll Tide. And yes, he has a southern accent, but not when he speaks spanish. We are teaching more than twenty lessons everyweek, which is pretty darn good for chile. We are working hard, and having fun too. We haven`t heard anything about the new programs yet, and I don`t think that many things will be implemented until next year. But it will be fun to see what happens. I would like candy in my package as well as my USB drive that I got for christmas like four years ago, that is if Jonah hasn`t stolen it. You can surprise me with the rest of the stuff. What type of jacket is it? Now that I  hear that it`s on it`s way to the house makes me curious. I still miss you mom. I`m doing fine.

Love  ya,

Elder Hjelm

Brrr.....Looks like fun!

Happy Chilean 4th of July

Hey mom,

     My companion Elder Bush and I are going to celebrate the Fourth of July in our house. It`s going to be fun! And I`m not as scared now as I was a year ago. 

     I`m sending pics of when we went to the snow this past monday. One is of the lagoon that was there (with me in front of the lagoon, of course), and the other is of the elders and the member that went with us. It was fun.

     I`m doing well - don`t worry. I`m having fun. I love being on a bike, I love the rain that just completely drenched us the other day, I love it. And I love you too.

Yours Truly,

Elder Hjelm

Legs of Steel

Mom,

     I did not get to watch the broadcast, but it appears that we will soon be able to use facebook and IPads here in the mission. Also, we will have greater access to the ward meetinghouses. Fun stuff. Jonah didn`t send a picture of the cake. I wish he had. I like cake.

Hey hey, kenny and i will have to talk in spanish. It will be a good opportunity to keep up the spanish.

     Things are going well. I`m obtaining legs of steel, and I`m settling in rather nicely. Elder Bush is from Bessemer, Alabama, about twenty minutes from the University of Alabama. He actually started the mission with me, but was in another district in the MTC. We got here in the same plane and everything. Things are going well. I`m surviving the cold, and working hard. Oh, have you sent my package yet? If not, I need more allergy meds. I`m almost out.

Love ya, and thanks for everything,

Elder Hjelm

A little tired, a little sad, but happy...

Dear Ma,

     I am reasonably sure that the anniversary came first, considering that I`m only twenty, going on twenty one. 

     It sounds like your keeping pretty busy. I am as well. Yesterday I was rather busy saying goodbye to my home for the last seven months. It was hard to say goodbye. Honestly, I cried. It was tough. I`m now in Los Andes with Elder Bush, a gringo from Alabama who arrived with me. This is going to be fun. We have a nice, big house in a very calm area. 

     I love my new backpack. It is not eddie bauer`s fault that it cost so much. FedEx is weird down here. The majority of the charges were taxes from the government. That`s all. Sister Essig said to never do this again, or at the least, send it to the house first, and you can send it to me via USPS. I told her not to worry about it.

     Yes mom, I`m okay. A little tired, a little sad, but happy. Thanks for all of your love and your support. If I had a penny for everytime I thought about you, I guess I`d be making about a hundred bucks a week, to quote Radar.

As Always,

Elder Hjelm

Elder Hjelm and Elder Saravia  on their last day together.

Quick post and freaking fedex

Mom,

    I don`t have much time. I got my backpack today - it is super cool and I already love it. But I had to pay $110 to get it out of customs and everything. I took the money out of my account last week. Freaking FedEx. But hey, now I have my backpack. 

    Sounds like a busy week this past week. Hope that you can keep up with things - I know that you can. I`ll send more info next week. We receive changes on Saturday - wish me luck! I love you Mom.

Elder Hjelm

PS - the photo is of me and elder Saravia on our last day together

Random stuff

Hey mom,

     Sorry, I completely and utterly forgot about doing a video or taking a picture, basically about everything. We had to go to the airport today and visit the fedex people. That was fun. At least I know how to get to the airport now. The fedex people said that they would send my package on to the mission mail box tomorrow, which means that I should be getting it on wednesday.

     Sounds like quite the party there in Lakewood. I sure miss all the green and the lakes and the curvy roads. And you can`t move from the house just for a couple of rats - for heavens sakes, we just painted a year ago! Things are getting back on track, and we are working super hard. Can you send me Leavitt`s mission email? I love you mom, and I still miss you. Oh, can you send me a scarf? I have no Idea where mine is, probably in Gambino.

Until Later,

Elder Hjelm

 

Just to clarify, the rats are not at our house - they are at the neighbors.  They had better stay there!  I thought I should let you know that.  We would hate to frighten away any future houseguests!

 

-Jodi

Persevering through trials

Hello Mother,

     This past week we saw the blessings that come from persevering through trials. We found and taught a lot of people. I`m hanging in there, so don`t worry.

     I talked with a FedEx representative on thursday, and she told me that I had to send some info to someone else about what`s in the box and how much it cost. I sent the info, and now, I`m just waiting. Hopefully, it will arrive to district class on thursday.

     The jacket needs to be BLACK!!! And if it has a hood, even better, but it`s not necessary. I would like it to be what they call a soft shell jacket, like what they sell at costco. Hmmm, What else do I want? Peanut butter. A large jar please. That would be delicious. And my usb drive if Jonah hasn`t stolen it. And my black running gloves. They are made by Champion, C9 brand. I think that they are in the pathfinder or with the other gloves in the closet.

     Anyway, Mom, I love you. Thank you for your prayers and your support. I miss you.

Until next time,

Elder Hjelm

Crazy weeks

Mom,

     We both had crazy weeks. I had a week where every single appointment failed and we only taught two lessons the whole week. You have always done extremely well with young children. It`s a gift that you have.

 I will try and do a video for jonah`s eagle court. It will be interesting to see how I can send it to you, but I feel that I will have help from on high. Speaking of help from on high, I could use some. I found out that my backpack is here in chile, but it`s caught up in customs in the airport. Now I have to call a number and find out what it is that I need to fill out or who I need to talk to. That should be fun. Please pray for me. I need it. I love you.

Elder Hjelm

ps - can you include a package or two of jelly-bellys in the next package? I need them for a companion.  thanks

Mother's Day

Hey mom,

     Great to see you yesterday. Isaac and Jonah are still the same as always. How is your kindergarten class? I hope that it is going well. Are you still working with the same teacher? How are my teachers there? Tell them Hi for me. I wish that I could be there to help with the carnival, but I will most likely be there next year. I still don`t know what I`m going to do. Anyway, there aren`t any gangs here. Don`t worry. I`m fine. I love you.

     If you could include my 8 gigabyte usb drive in my next package, that would be great. Also, more photos. I like photos. I would also like mints, and some gum to chew in the house. 

Love,

Elder Hjelm 

Staying in La Rioja

Well, I`m still here in La Rioja in central Santiago. This will be my fifth change here - seven months in one place. Wow. My new companion is Elder Wright from Ogden, Utah. He is a hard worker and we will be kicking butt here. It was hard to let Elder Saravia leave. He is a great friend, and I will miss him. All in all, things are going well. Not much to report on this past week. Thanks for the prayers and support.

Elder Hjelm

Asado, yummmmm

Hola,

     Well, changes are this next week. I`m pretty sure that I  am going to stay, since my companion  is finishing his mission and going back to Bolivia, but nothing is for sure. One thing that is for sure is that It will be hard to change companions. I have been with Elder Saravia for four whole months. I will miss him, I already know it.  The good thing about having a companion who is finishing the mission is that the members want to celebrate, and here, they celebrate with Asado,  or chilean barbecue.  Yum. Anyway, things are going well. Hope everything is going well up there. 

Chao,

Elder Hjelm

Happy Birthday Elder Saravia

Hola,

     This past week was really good. We got to go the temple, which was really cool. Also this past week, I completed a year in the mission. This time next year, I`ll be at home. This past week we found a lot of new people for whom we will be passing this week. It should be pretty fun. Also, my companion, Elder Saravia, celebrated his birthday. He says thanks for the birthday wishes, and thanks for sending me on the mission to celebrate his birthday. His b-day is the same day that I started the mission, so we celebrated the two events together.

      Anyway, things are going good. Thanks for all of your prayers and your support. I need them.

Love,

Elder Hjelm

One year down, one to go

Well,

     in two days I will complete a year in the mission. Wow. I don`t really know how I feel about that. Anyway, I will most likely be coming home two weeks early, instead of four weeks later. The only way that I could be here for four more weeks would be if I extended, and I`m not sure what I want to do yet, but I will keep you informed.

     I`m writing on tuesday because they changed our preparation day so that we could go to the temple today. It was pretty cool, and interesting in spanish, to say the least. I understood everything, and was able to translate somethings in my head correctly. I really enjoyed going to the temple again after almost a year. The temple in Santiago was remodeled in 2006, and it is very nice. It`s not very big like seattle, but it`s beautiful all the same. 

     About the puzzle, I haven`t used it yet, but when I do, I`ll let you know. We had a great ward activity this past week - a talent show, and We, the missionaries, won first prize. If you can imagine the missionaries and other members of the ward, including the bishop, dancing to the popular song "Gangnam Style", you can picture the first of our two acts. The other had something to do with glowsticks, pitchblack darkness in the gym, and dancing. The videos are a little too big to send via email, so you`ll have to wait a year to see them. But it was so freaking cool. 

     Thanks for all of the love and support. It will be nice to count down instead of counting up, but, I still don`t know how I feel about that. I love ya, and I miss ya. And I would like more info on my seahawks please.

Chao,

Elder Hjelm

Conference in Spanish

Greetings,

     What a great General Conference we had this past week. It was the hilight of my whole week. I understood eveything, even in spanish. I even took notes in all five sessions. Mom should be so proud of me. I feel grateful to be able to listen to men and women who are called of God to lead his children here on the earth. It was a really good conference. Oh, and I bet another elder on saturday that President Uchtdorf would be the first one to speak on sunday. The loser has to buy french fries for the other. Needless to say, I will be eating french fries in the near future.

     This past week was good. One cool thing that happened is that two youth, ages 11 and 9, actually chased us down in the street to set up an appointment with us. One bad thing that happened is that I lost a screw on my glasses that holds the frame together and keeps the left lens from falling out. I will try and get it fixed, but if not, I`ll be needing either my prescription or new pair of glasses. We`ll see what happens. Oh, I am excited for the new Cedar City Temple. It will be fun to visit while at BYU. Grandma is already planning what she thinks will be my marriage in that temple, and the reception to follow at the Parowan House. I told her that it is not my decision in which temple I get married. It`s my future wife`s decision. Anyway, I`m looking to a great week this week, with lots of fun, and lower temperatures. Hope you`re all having fun.

Yours Truly,

Elder Hjelm

Pday in Patronato

Wow,

     It`s April. The time is literally flying by. In 17 days, I will begin to descend the other side of the mission mountain. That`s really weird. The cool thing is that my companion celebrates his birthday the same day that I celebrate a year in the mission, so we are going to have a party in our department. We will be baking the brownies that you sent me. 

     Talking about food, yesterday we ate one of the best lasagnas that I have eaten in my life. Sister Lobos makes it from scratch, with cream and meat and everything. I never understood why garfield liked lasagna so much until I arrived in the mission field. It`s like a taste of home. The members treat us super well, and are always willing to help us. One sister is fixing some of my ties, and another brother accompanies us and can teach basically the whole lesson. 

     Today we went to Patronato, basically the commercial district of Santiago. You can literally buy anything there. It was interesting to see all the people hustling and bustling, and also to see the large market for surplus or counterfeit clothing. Anyway, I went with my companion and another companionship of elders. One of them and my companion are ending their missions in five weeks, so they bought a few souvenirs. I didn`t buy anything more than my lunch. But it was fun. I saw some cool stuff that I would want to buy, but I`m trying not to buy a lot until I only have about six months left.

     This weekend is General Conference, and I am excited. We have to watch it in spanish, but that`s okay. I should understand more this time. Last general conference I had been in chile for four months, and didn`t understand a lot. But now I should understand almost everything. Anyway, Happy Easter! I hope everyone has a lot of chocolate, but more importantly, that you focused more on the Savior. Love ya, miss ya.

Until next time,

Elder Hjelm

Let's hear it for Elder Savaria!

Hey,

     Well, I got my package. Thanks for the sweets, the socks, and everything else. It`s pretty sweet to get a package. Oh yeah - we had changes this past week. Guess who`s still here in La Rioja? Me!!! Six more weeks!!! And I`m still with my english speaking, starwars loving, about to finish the mission, companion from Bolivia, Elder Saravia. I will be his last companion here in the mission. Super Cool.

     This past week was interesting. We found a catholic missionary couple that invited us in to their house and immediately started asking us questions. We also went with a member to bless the house of a little old catholic woman who said that the spirit of her dead sister was wandering through her house and bothering her. We made a lot of videos this past week as well, one of which includes my companion falling from his bed on the top bunk. It was really quite funny. We also had a super delicious lunch on saturday - Asado, or chilean barbecue. Oh man, it is the best. It is going to be so hard to change back.

      Well, that was my past week in summary. Not much, but we are going to be having more adventures this next week. Thanks for the package. You are still in my prayers.

Chao,

Elder Hjelm

No more fear of spicy foods!

Eleven months down, thirteen to go?

     Where is all the time going? Wow. Anyway, we will be receiving changes on saturday. I hope to stay here again, but wherever I go, It`s where I`m needed. The time is flying.

     I had my first experience conducting a meeting this past week. Directing a baptismal service in spanish isn`t something that they teach in the MTC. I was kind of nervous, but then I remembered General Conference and tried to imitate President Monson, only in spanish. It worked.

     They don`t celebrate St Patricks day here, which is good, because I have nothing green. I do eat with manners, but the manners are different here. For example, you are encouraged to have your elbows on the table, and the people use their own spoon to get sugar or Ajì (chilean hot pepper sauce), or other garnishes when they eat. It`s kind of wierd. Oh, that`s the other thing. I no longer have fear of spicy foods. The other day elder Saravia and I bought some fries to go with our lunch, and he smothered them with Ajì. I ate alot of fries, with alot of Ajì. Lets just say that I am now eating bread with ajì when they have it at lunch without fear. It`s delicious. I can say that I now Like spicy.

     Things are going well. It`s cooling off a little bit. We`re working hard. And yes, we are staying safe. 

Your Favorite Missionary,

Elder Hjelm

Broccoli with mayonaise and ketchup - that's our boy!

Hey,

     First of all, m piano lessons are rather, well, bad. I have basically forgotten all the little songs and things that I have learned in piano, and I am trying to teach the things that I have forgotten to three students who have no books, no piano (except the one in the church) and vary in age from 7 to 18. Interesting, no?

     We are keeping busy between finding people, teaching people, teaching recent converts and less active members, and visiting and strengthening members. We never really have a day off - preparation day only lasts until 7:00pm. One good thing is that it is cooling off a bit. Either that, or I`m getting used to the heat. But in April it really starts cooling down.

     Everyday except monday we eat with members. Sometimes we pick up the food and take it to the house, other days we eat with the members. Generally we eat chicken or beef with rice or mashed potatoes, or pasta with tomato sauce, but every once in a while we have asado (chilean barbecue) or lasagna. I have a new found love of lasagna. One of the wierdest things that I`ve eaten is brocoli. I like a little bit of brocoli when hidden in a soup or salad. This was a full stalk of brocoli, like a small tree. Luckily, they eat almost everything with mayonaise here, so we put mayonaise on our brocoli, and I put ketchup as well. It sounds wierd, but it was better than brocoli alone. 

     Anyway, things are going well. We are having fun. I am safe and healthy.

Love,

Elder Hjelm

The latest pictures

This is a statue of the Virgin Mary that they hiked up to.

Sushi!

Not the best picture, but he sure does look awesome!

 Pictures from his trip to the zoo.

Food from an Elders Quorum activity

Carcamo Family

Varas Family

Teaching piano instead of english?

Hello, hello, hello,

     This week was rather fun. We had a baptism yesterday for Matìas Càrcamo, a nine year old boy who reminds me a lot of Isaac. Isaac has his nintendo, Matias has his playstation. I feel a little like we baptized Isaac. Funny how that happens. One of the members here looks like Uncle Clint. I`ll have to take a photo.

     We now have to start the process of retaining our new members, something that wasn`t done for a long time in Chile, and explains the large number of inactive members. But these new members will stay active. It sounds like things are starting to warm up up there. Things are still the same here. It starts cooling down in April. Oh, and something comical to cheer up your day. Before, I was teaching english classes, and one of the other elders in the ward was teaching piano classes. He left last week. His replacement doesn`t know piano, nor english. So now I am teaching piano and my companion, who is from Bolivia and speaks decent english, is now teaching english. Pray for the piano classes. Please.

     I love you, I miss you, and I sent photos.

Yours truly,

Elder Hjelm

Still in La Rioja!

Hello there,

     Elder Hjelm here, reporting from Chile. Transfers were yesterday, and I am still here in La Rioja, with Elder Saravia. This will be a new record - three changes in the same sector. I am excited to stay here and work some more. We did have a baptism yesterday. Elder Saravia baptized Esteban Varas. His family is now attending church every week. And this computer doesn`t have a usb port, so I will send pictures the next week, which will include our baptism that we will have this coming sunday. 

     It`s cool to here about the girls getting their mission calls. The work continues to go forth. They created a new mission here, the Chile Santiago South Mission. I don`t think it will affect my mission. There is a list on LDS.org that you can see. Anyway, all is well. No problems. Things are starting to cool down a little bit. The work is going well. The ward is great. I love you, and I miss you. And I have only one question - who won the world series? I still haven`t found that one out.

As always,

Elder Hjelm

No pandas at the zoo

Happy Monday,

Yes, it`s monday. No change in the schedule this week. Yes, I would like a picture of this puzzle of the plan of salvation. It is the most difficult lesson for me to teach, and it might help to have a cool visual aid.

We continue to have a lot of fun here in La Rioja. On tuesday we went to the zoo and we saw all the animals, but they didn`t have any pandas. If you don`t know, pandas have been my favorite animal for about four months. Anyway, this zoo is on a hill, and afterwards we took a bus to the top of the hill, where there is a statue of a virgin. We took photos of the virgin and of the view, and wouldn`t you know it, Santiago is a heck of a lot bigger than I thought it was. But that was a lot, and I mean a lot, of fun.

It`s starting to cool down a little bit here, heading into fall. Today, I just completed 10 whole months in the mission. Wow. And now the time is going to go a lot faster. We have a baptism planned for this sunday. I am waiting to send a lot of photos at the same time, so you`ll get some of the sun, some of the zoo, and some that are just random.

We also have changes this next week. I`m hoping to stay, because we have another baptism planned for march 3, so here`s hoping. Thanks for all of the prayers and support. Oh, I recieved the package from Mrs. Hairston. It is delicious.

Ta Ta for Now,

Elder Hjelm

Earthquakes are common?!

Hey,

Just so you know, down here anything less than 7 on the richter scale is called a temblor, or a tremble. They`re quite common around here. Anything bigger than 7.0 is an earthquake, or terremoto. Nothing happened on sunday because of the temblor. Yesterday in district class we reviewed emergency procedure, and I am preparing a bag for emergencies. Oh yeah, they changed our P-day this week because yesterday we had our regular interviews with president Essig.

This past week was really fun, and we worked really hard. It`s still really hot here, and it will be for another month or so. It should start to cool down in april. Today we are going to Cerro san cristobal, or the hill of st christopher, to do fun things and take pictures. I forgot my converter for my memory card, so I can`t send photos today, but next week I should have some good ones.

In my next package I would also like a pack of sharpies of assorted colors (they`re very useful those sharpies). And if you could send me by email a picture and description of the plan of salvation puzzle that mom used for sharing time a month or two ago, that would be great. I love you all, and I miss you.

All is well,

Elder Hjelm

New camera - now we want pictures!

Hola,

Yes, I bought a camera, and I used my card to buy it. I don`t know how the fees work with that. The camera is a samsung ST-77, and it was only $140. It has a lot of cool functions and other things, and it can record in HD. I got it on sale because it`s the 2012 model. And I love it. I`ll send some pictures next week.

Yes, I am safe. The sectors here are super calm. In fact, my sector is so calm, that there were sisters here before. Yes, I am safe.

WOO - HOO!!! GO RAVENS!!! Do you at least have the score?

No, I have not yet recieved my package from Mrs. Hairston.

Yes, Leavitt emailed me about his mission call - super cool. But he hasn`t written me since.

In my package, the preach my gospel needs to be in spanish, not english. I would like photos - yes, more photos. Also, athletic socks, like the ones at costco. Candy, sweets, and things are up to your judgment. Also, if you can, one of those dvd holders that can hold like 40 dvds. Not one of the double wide ones, but one that is single wide, and is of good quality. I need one for the dvds that we show to investigators.

Yesterday was super cool, because we have been working with a less active family to baptize their nine year old son. So far, the father, the daughter, the two sons, and even the grandmother have all gone to church at least once, but the mother no. And yesterday, she came to church!!! And she stayed for the full three hours. Finally, after two and a half months!

I love you, and I miss you. i`ll send pictures next week.

Cordially,

Elder Hjelm

Blessings of a child in the mission field!

It`s almost february?

Wow. This month has gone by really fast. It was more than a month ago, but it feels like yesterday, that I could talk with you, and now there`s only four months until the next call. It sounds like you had fun in Vegas - I know that you are all such party animals. It`s hard to believe that with Jonah home alone, the house did`nt burst into flames or something. Hmmm. More blessings of having a child in the mission field. My companion and I have been working hard to find new people to teach, and we have been blessed with a nice harvest after working through a drought for two months. But Things are going well. We have zone conference this week, so be watching for pictures on the mission blog. We didn`t get permission to go to downtown this week, so We will try again for next week. I promise I won`t buy anything too expensive - I have a camera in mind that another elder showed me that he bought here that is pretty cool. I also plan on buying a smaller backpack. The shoulder bag that I had when I got here ripped my back and shoulders to shreds, and a big backpack loaded with stuff does the same thing. I`m thinking that a smaller backpack with less stuff would help.

One thing that would be really cool to have if you could send me one is the new preach my gospel minibook, which is preach my gospel but one forth of the size. If you could slip one in my next package or order one on internet (only $4.00 - I checked), that would be super cool. Now for football. I have chosen the Baltimore Ravens to win the superbowl, mainly because I don`t like the forty-niners. Oh, and one question - who won the world series? I neglected to ask that. Anyway, I love you, miss you, and can`t wait to hear from you again next week.

Remember who loves you,

Elder Hjelm

just as long, but not as painful...

Hello, Hello, Hello,

Well, this past week, I completed nine months in the mission. Here, we call it giving birth - just as long, but not as painful. Anyway, the time is flying. It`s already 2013 people! Only fifteen months to go. And they announced that this next change will only be four weeks, to put our changes on the same schedule with the rest of the area. Therefore, I will now be coming home either two weeks earlier, or four weeks later. If you have any questions, you can ask me when we talk again in four months. I was thinking about not telling you all about this and returning secretly two weeks early to suprise you all, but where`s the traditional missionary homecoming in that?

Anyway, things are going well. We are finding people to teach, and having fun. I love you, and miss you.

Elder Hjelm

All is well with pizza, ice cream and brownies!

Hey,

How`s it going? I`m sitting here in a small internet cafe here in Santiago on a monday afternoon. It`s the last week of the change, so we are going to party with the other elders in our ward - pizza, ice cream, and brownies (from the package I recieved almost two months ago). Woo Hoo.

All is going well here. We are finding people to teach. The ward is awesome. My companion is awesome. I`m having fun, and I`m learning a lot. I didn`t find a good camera last week, so we have to wait about two weeks to go to downtown. What is the limit that I have to spend on the camera? Anyway, things are going well. My seahawks are winning! Woo Hoo! DangeRuss for rookie of the year!!!

Love you all, and miss you!

Elder Hjelm

Staying hot in La Rioja

Hola Amigos,

Things got really hot here this past week - upper 90`s for three or four days straight. We drank a lot of water, and nobody died, so it`s all good. We recieved changes yesterday, and I`m still here La Rioja for six more weeks, provided there isn`t another emergency change. I`m still with Elder Saravia from Bolivia, and the other elders in the ward are still here as well, so it should be fun. This ward is awesome.

On Saturday we introduced a new sport to South America -Ultimate Frisbee. We played it for a zone activity. My team won, but, sadly, I have lost almost all of my frisbee ability. I only had one touchdown catch and four touchdown passes. Wow. But hey, I did better than my seahawks this past week.

This next week we are going to be working superhard. Next monday we are planning on going to downtown to buy my camera - what is the limit that I have to spend? Anyway, things are going well here in Chile. It sounds like things are going well there. I miss you and pray for you.

Cordially,

Elder Hjelm

Go Seahakws - and Happy New Year!

Well, Well, Well,
     Why is it that my Seahawks are doing the best when I`m not there
to cheer them on? When I`m 15,000 miles away and can`t watch or
listen, they succeed. Oh well. It`s just another blessing of
missionary service.
     It was so cool to talk with you on Tuesday. It really lifted my
spirits. When we were quoting Frasier, The family whose house we were
at thought that I was watching youtube videos because I was laughing
so much. I miss that. But Christmas was good. I love my pajamas, and I
still have one peanut butter cup, a bag of jerky, and almost all of
the reisens left. The families are really nice here. One family gave
me a mug, and the other a boxed kit with a pen, a light, and toenail
clippers. I`d say that it was a very good christmas. The only problem
is that I couldn`t take any photos. We`re going to Lider (yes mother,
Chilean Walmart) today to go grocery shopping and to buy a new camera.
     We are working hard now trying to find people to teach. We`ve
been knocking doors and contacting referrals, but everyone has said to
pass by after the holidays. but we`re having fun. My companion super
funny, likes star wars and super heros, and is super cool. Things are
going well.

Que tengan un prospero año nuevo,
Elder Hjelm