10 Minutes

Queridos Amigos,

Another glorious week in the work of the Lord.

I only have 10 minutes so I'll make this short and sweet.

We were in Banfield 4 with Hermana Barlow and Hermana Santos. It was the first time as ETM that I got to be with Hermana Santos after being her companion. We had a blast and worked a lot. I learned so much from them and my sweet companion.

One of the hardest parts about the mission is your companion. You live with them 24/7 and learn all about their family, their bad habits, if they snore, and how they work. You learn the little quirks and you also realize that you do weird things too! I've learned so much from each companion and I'm so grateful to be ending my mission with Hermana Rivarola as my companion.

I've learned a lot about love and charity, humility, and patience from her. She knows how to call others unto repentance with so much authority and love that it astounds me. Her style is always top notch and she is always performing little acts of kindness to others.

My companions have shaped me into the person that I am today. I know that I've done the same for my companions as well. For better or worse, we learn from them. This influence extends outside of the mission as well. You all have the abiltity to change lives- if you choose to.

I hope that you can all take a moment this week to strive to bless the life of someone. Start by sharing a smile and then see where life takes you. This life would be very dull if we lived selfishly. Thank you for your love and support.

con amor,

Hermana Chaffin

¿Cambios?

Queridos Amigos,

Another week has come and gone in the glorious work of the Lord.

In our mission, the transfers are always every 6 weeks, but this transfer was 5 weeks because Pte. Calquin has a special seminar when we would be having changes, so we had transfers early. So, I was very nervous this whole week waiting to know what was going to happen to me for my last trasfer. I wanted to know if I was going to have an area and a new companion. Usually missionaries are ETMs for only 3 months and I've had 4 and a half, so I wanted to know what the future had in store. Saturday was the day of "the call", but the call never came. All the other sisters learned about their new areas and companions but we didn't hear anything!!!

I have yet to develop a broad scope of patience, so at 4pm I couldn't take it anymore and called our leaders to know what's up. The answer brought me so much happiness that I literally jumped and shouted for joy! I will end my mission as an ETM! Hermana Rivarola is still my companion!

I am so grateful for this opportunity. I've learned so much from each sister here in the mission and I've grown so much. I absolutely love my companion and she's teaching me so much. She is the most loving and patient person that I know.

This week we were in Alejandro Korn with Hermana Velasquez and Hermana Evangelista. They are so sweet and such hard workers! I had many spiritual experiences and my love for this work grew even more. We worked our hearts out, and ended up finding 15 new investigators!!! It was absolutely incredible! The spirit was so strong in each lesson.

I've been reflecting on what I've learned in my mission and what I would like to learn in this last 7 weeks that I have left. I've learned a lot. How to make rice in different ways, how to run 20 blocks in 8 minutes and arrive at the apartment on time, I've learned how to speak spanish, I've learned how to set goals and achieve them. But, as great as these things are, I've also learned how to see people through God's eyes. I've learned the importance of patience and love when helping someone who feels like there's no hope left. I've learned to suffer with joy and to come closer to God in my sufferings. I've learned that God's plan is PERFECT and that there is always a second chance. The Atonement of Christ makes everything possible. I've learned that this truly is the Lord's work and the only way to do it is His way.

I love the mission and I don't want it to end, but like all good things, it must come to an end. Life is short, so make the most of every moment. Dance in the rain. Share a smile with a stranger. Stop to smell the flowers. This life is meant to be enjoyed.

con amor,

Hermana Chaffin

Live the story you want to tell

ETM

Queridos amigos,

First off, let me apologize for not sending emails. I promise that I will be better this go around.

This week was crazy and jam-packed, so I´ll try to make sure I don´t forget anything.

Lunes- P-Day. We had a district activty that was amazing! We had a scavenger hunt in the church and then we went to a buffet restaurant and had a blast! I think I ate too much icecream but it was worth it. While we were there, I had the surprise of seeing a member from Banfield! Norma Sanz was like an adopted grandmother. It was so sweet to see her.

Tuesday- District Meeting. We learned a lot and had a fun time taking photos and saying goodbye because it was the last one of the transfer.

Wednesday- We traveled to Adrogue for a special meeting with L. Whitney Clayton. It was incredible! His spanish is astounding and his wife speaks really well too. It was great to get together as a mission. I loved getting to reunite with old companions and friends in the mission.

Afterwards, we went back to our area when I got a phone call from one of Presidente Calquín´s assistents. Elder Tenhoeve said, "Hermana Chaffin, tomorrow you need to come to President´s house at 9:30 to have a meeting with him and the assistents. Have a nice day."

At first, I didn´t know what to think. My first thought was, "what did I do?" and then, "oh no!" This leads to the heading of this email. Many of you are wondering what ETM stands for. For those of you who thought Extra-Terrestrial Missionary you are unfortunately wrong. In our mission, we used to have viajeros (travelers). Elders that change areas every week helping different companionships. Presidente Calquín changed what they did along with their name. He changed it to Especialistas en Trabajo Misional, or ETMs for short. So, when I got the call Wednesday I knew that I was going to have a meeting with the ETMs. And I was right!

So, I no longer have an area. Every week I will be going to a new area to help out different sisters. My new companion is Hermana Ochoa from Argentina! I now have a blow up mattress and I will be living out of my suitcase!

Hahaha it´s a good thing I like camping. I´m excited for this new adventure and I hope that I can help the other sisters with the things they need. This week I´ll be going to Ezeiza, which should be a blast!

Thursday-Meeting with the ETMs. There are 4 Elders and 4 Hermanas. It was amazing! It was fun to have some one-on-one with Presidente and to prepare for this transfer.

Friday-Weekly planning....it was a little weird planning for an area when I already knew that I would be leaving

Saturday- We got the call about transfers. Hermana Santos will be going to Villa Madero and two new sisters are going to be in Monte Grande. We spent the rest of the day contacting and then packing and cleaning the apartment to have everything ready for the new sisters.

Sunday- Church was great, and I had the best surprise ever! Graciela from San Vicente came to visit me!!! She came with her whole family! I cried like a baby and was sooo happy to see her. She stayed for all of the meetings and told me that she´s still preparing to be baptized.

Later, my taxi came and I went to Banfield (where I stay when I´m not traveling) to be with my new companion!

Well, I hope that my english made sense! Thank you for taking the time to read this email!

I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!

Con amor,

Hermana Chaffin