¿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

Otro día glorioso

Queridos Amigos,

This week was absolutely amazing! We were in Adrogue this week with Hermana Ochoa and her new companion, Hermana Callister. It was a great experience because Hermana Callister just started her mission. She's only been here for 3 weeks! It was great to hear her talk about the crazy things that we do here. For me, they've all become the norm, but I remember when they seemed strange to me too.

She talked about giving kisses to people on the cheek and clapping our hands outside instead of knocking on the door.

She asked to see pictures of me when I started the mission and she said, "Wow, you changed a lot! Why do we change?! I don't want to change!"

Little does she know, but that change is the most beautiful thing. I love seeing my companions change and I especially love seeing the changes in people that come to know the gospel. That change is repentance in action. I wouldn't trade anything for the change that I've seen in myself. I think and act differently now. I still like the same books and the same music. I'm still me, but I'm not at the same time.

That's one of the reasons that the mission is the best thing ever. We change. We change to become more like Christ. We learn to forget ourselves and serve others. I hope that you can all see changes in your lives thanks to Jesus Christ and his sacrifice.

I love you all so much!

con amor,

Hermana Chaffin

Buen día

Queridos amigos,

I am so very sorry that I haven't been very good about this whole writing thing.

Last week I got to return to San Vicente and it was the most amazing experience. I got to see old friends, investigators, members and converts. It reminded me of the importance of my efforts and I truly left a changed person. San Vicente will always have a place in my heart.

This week I was in Cañuelas with my old companion Hermana Chappell. It was so great to catch up with her and work our hearts out. We quickly fell back into our old rhythm and it was like we never separated.

Today we talked about the Book of Mormon in church and I was filled with so much love and gratitude for this book. I wouldn't be here without it. I invite you all to read it and see what it has to teach you.

I can't believe how fast the time is going. I only have 3 1/2 months left and I hope to use every moment to the max.

I know that my Savior lives and I know that through His perfect sacrifice we can all be made clean and return to God's prescence. Through the grace of Christ we can overcome our weaknesses and reach our full potential.

Life isn't easy but how boring would it be if it was?

I love you all and wish you the very best.

con amor,

Hermana Chaffin

"It is for us to make the effort. The result is always in God's hands" -Mahatma Gandhi

"I do the very best I know how; the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brigs me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything" -Abraham Lincoln

Amo Argentina

Queridos Amigos,

This week was abosolutely amazing! I learned so much and really saw a personal growth in myself, my companion, and the other sisters.

We went to Adrogue this week and I had the blessing of being with Hermana Hernandez (from Mexico) after 9 months of not seeing her. She is my best friend in the mission and I had a blast working hard with her.

This week I was reflecting a lot on what my mission has meant to me and how it has shaped my life. Sunday morning we passed by an investigators house to accompany her to church. She ended up being sick and couldn´t come. As we walked to the church, I had a moment to reflect on these past 14 months. I was filled with so much love for Argentina as I walked through the mud, looking at the leaves on the trees. It´s a love that I can´t express with words.

I love this country and it will always have a special place in my heart. It´s not perfect and it´s not paradise, but I love it. I love it because it has completely changed my life. My time here has brought me closer to my Savior and to my Father in Heaven.

I wouldn´t trade these past 14 months for anything. I can´t wait to see what these next 4 bring. I know that they´ll be great.

I love this work.

Con amor,

Hermana Chaffin

Hola

Queridos amigos,

Another wonderful week in the Lord´s work! I´m loving Monte Grande and my time with Hermana Santos. I can´t believe how fast time is going by.

This Saturday we will be receiving the call letting us know about changes next transfer. We´ll see what happens.

Saturday we were in Ezeiza for 12 hours for an open house in the church there. We worked until we were dead. It was wonderful to work so hard with a bunch of missionaries. I had a blast and learned a lot.

Yesterday Sonia surprised me and showed up after church in Monte Grande! It was so great to see her again. I love her so much and I´ve really missed her.

That´s one of the best things about the mission, meeting amazing people. But the hardest thing is leaving them behind.

The weather has started to cool down a little and my companion from Brazil isn´t taking it too well.... Haha we´ll see how she handles winter.

I´ve got to go, thank you for taking the time to read this.

I love you all,

Hermana Chaffin

"Do your work well- God´s recompense to yo uis the power to do greater things" -Lucy Gertsch Thomson

Oh Esta Todo Bien

Queridos Amigos,

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! I can´t believe that it has already come and gone. The time is passing so quickly.

This week was amazing! I learned so much!

Last Monday my companion received some bad news about her dad. He needs a risky surgery and her mom wasn´t very hopeful in the email. My companion began to sob in the internet cafe. I was trying to console her the best that I could and just held her while she cried.

This week was really rough for her. She tried to be positive and focus on the work, but it was really hard for her.

Tuesday we had district meeting, and we were able to talk to the zone leaders and they were able to comfort her and help her feel better. They did little acts of kindness throughout the week that brought smiles to her face and I could see her burden begin to be lighter. In the end, many in our zone got involved sending scriptures or words of encouragement.

It was truly incredible to see everyone working together to brighten someone´s day. I love Hermana Santos so much. She´s funny, spunky, and super sweet. I was able to come to love her even more as I served her this week and tried to lighten her burden.

The little acts of kindness that you all do really make a difference. A simple smile, a text, or a Facebook message can make all the difference in someone´s day. Please make that difference. Don´t ask them what you can do to help, just do something. Tell a joke, bring them cookies, or tell them you love them. We are here to lighten the burdens of those around us. I promise that as you seek to help others that you will find that your burden is made light as well.

Thank you all for your love and support!

Con amor,

Hermana Chaffin

"A goal is nothing more than a dream with a due date"

-Joseph Fielding McConkie

"Your faith will perform miracles, especially when you get your hands and feet involved"

-Spencer W. Kimball

La Vida Loca

Queridos amigos,

There are random occasions in life that cause us to reflect on who we are, where we are, who we want to be, and where we want to be in the future. This week I had one of those moments.

I was trudging through the mud with my companion (with our bright purple bikes and shiny orange helmets) when we turned the corner and passed a house blasting the song "Livin´ la vida loca". I smiled because a year ago I would have never imagined that I´d be where I am today.

Argentina is beautiful, the people are great, and the work here is amazing.

I´m extremely grateful for all that I´ve learned here in these short 7 (almost 8) months here in Argentina and my short 20 years here in this beautiful world that our Heavenly Father created for us.

This morning I looked in the mirror and asked myself if I am who I want to be. My immediate answer was "No, but I´m getting there".

This life isn´t perfect, but our Father´s plan for us is. It is for us to learn and to grow. We must experience sorrow to truly experience joy.

I challenge each of you to ponder your lives, however "loco" they may be. Are you where you want to be? Are you getting there? What needs to change?

La vida es loca, but I wouldn´t want it any other way.

Thank you all for being a part of my vida loca. I´m grateful that I have a part of yours as well.

Thank you all for the sweet birthday wishes and thank you for your support. I truly appreciate each one of you. You wouldn´t be receiving this email if you weren´t important to me.

I love you all and I know that our Father in Heaven loves you too.

Con amor,

Hermana Chaffin

"Everything you are learning now is preparing you for something else" -Marjorie Pay Hinckely

"Are we prepared to leave our comfort zones to reach a better place?" -Elder Godoy

San Vicente

¡Hola!

¡Otro día glorioso en Argentina! This week was fantastic. It was also my last week in Banfield. It was a pretty laid back week after a crazy one preparing for a baptism. So, it was nice to focus on lessons and finding new people.

Saturday I had a "last supper" with the Hermanas in Banfield. We cooked hamburgers and fries and had icecream. It was the best way to end the transfer. I love those sisters so much, and I had wonderful times with them in Banfield.

Yesterday I said goodbye to sweet Hermana Medford (who will be training a new missionary in Banfield) and headed to my new area. I´m sad to leave Banfield but I´m also excited for my new area and my next adventure.

My new area is San Vicente and is so pretty! It´s very calm and peaceful. My new companion is Hermana Chappell (Chappell and Chaffin isn´t confusing for the people at all haha) from Phoenix, Arizona. She is super sweet and funny. I can´t wait to get to know her more and to work hard together.

That´s all for now!

Gracias por todo!

Hermana Chaffin

"Worry a little bit every day and in  alifetime you will lose a couple of years. If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry. Worry never fixes anything" -Ole Helgerson

Bautismo!

Queridos amigos,

This week was truly a week of miracles!

Tuesday I had exchanges with Hermana Walker and then we had a lesson with Oscar. He was still struggling with smoking, and we had a great lesson on faith. We discussed showing our faith with actions.

Faith is not waiting for the Lord to help us and then doing something. First, we need to act, showing our faith, and then we receive the Lord´s help.

During this lesson, I received the strongest impression to ask Oscar to be baptized this Saturday. I would have thought I was crazy if I didn´t know that this thought was from the Holy Ghost. I could not deny that the Lord was telling me to invite Oscar to be baptized.

Oscar said that he would pray that night and then let us know the next day.

Wednesday I was reunited with my sweet Hermana Medford and when I told her what happened Tuesday I think she thought I was a little crazy. When we went to talk with Oscar, we could sense that something was different. He told us that he´d gotten his answer and that he wanted to be baptized Saturday! We felt the Spirit confirm that this was the will of the Lord, and we were so grateful that so many prayers had been heard. Oscar quit smoking from that moment on, and we began to set up everything for his baptism.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf said that a sacrifice is when we give up something good for something of far greater worth. I´ve been in the mission for 5 months now, and up until 6 days ago, I was sincerely questioning if the mission was worth it. Not that I wanted to go home, I simply felt like I wasn´t fulfilling the purpose God has for me. I couldn´t see the "far greater worth". I felt stuck. I was obedient and trying to be humble, buty I wasn´t seeing the fruits of my labors.

My experience with Oscar has been nothing short of incredible. The Lord is truly working miracles here, and I´m deeply grateful to be a part of those miracles.

I´ve come to realize my weaknesses and all my falts. I´m quick to doubt but just the same I´m quick to ask the Lord to sustain me and strengthen my faith.

I don´t know what the future holds for me here in Buenos Aires, but I do know that the Lord has great plans and I´m going to do all that I possibly can to help Him fulfill those plans.

This is His work, and I´m going to do it His way because His way is the best - and only way.

I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ and that it was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that we are led today by a prophet of God and I know that the Lord has a plan for each and every one of us. Jesus Christ is our Savior and only through Him and His Atonement can we return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.

I love you all, you are in my prayers.

Con amor,

Hermana Chaffin

Sabrina the Teenage Missionary

Queridos Amigos,

Wow, I can´t believe that another week has come and gone.

This week was really busy. We had a lesson with Oscar that went really well. He committed to stop smoking, and he is progressing little by little. He started smoking when he was 11, so it is a difficult process.

This week we had interviews with the mission president, and they went really well. It´s great to know that he cares for us and the mission and wants to help us in the things we need so that we can have a lot of success.

Two days ago, we were walking near the border of our area when we found a secret street that isn´t on our map. We named it Narnia because it is seriously the most beautiful, peaceful street we´ve ever seen. We knocked a few doors, and several people asked us to come back and visit later this week. We are super excited about that 😀

This week is going to be super busy because we have lots of appointments, which is awesome.

I´ve come to have a love for the scriptures in my life. Every day I have 1 hour of personal study, and I´ve learned so much. I´m incredibly grateful for all that we have to learn from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. They are more than just books full of stories. They are proof of God´s love for us and His willingness to give us guidance and direction in this life. I hope that you all can find some time in your day to read a verse or two and see what the Lord has for you to learn.

I love you so much, thank you for reading my emails and for supporting me.

Con amor,

Hermana Chaffin

Note: For some reason the exlamation point key wouldn´t work today, so if it sounds like I´m not excited, it´s because I could only use periods.....

Happy Mother's Day!

Queridos amigos,

Buen Día! Man, it is super hard to type in english after a week of total spanish. Haha hopefully you all can forgive my spelling and grammar mistakes.

This week was absolutely amazing!!! I seriously love my companion. She is a rock star! I love her so much. I love her work ethic and I love that she is super diligent in the work. We´ve seen a lot of success these past 2 weeks, and I´m excited to see what we´ll have this week.

We had 2 lessons with Oscar this week. He is progressing a lot, and making changes in his life. Yesterday he went to church again! I think it´s still a little uncomfortable for him, but he always asks if he can come, so there´s something that he likes.

Yesterday was Mother´s Day here. It was really weird to be walking among the streets and seeing all of the families walking together and not being with my family. My companion and I felt really guilty that we hadn´t contacted our moms yesterday when we realized that it wasn´t really mother´s day for our mothers. Haha the mission changes a lot of things. So, once we realized that our mother´s weren´t at home awaiting a phone call, we were able to focus more and continue sharing the happiness of our message.

Today we have district activity. Somehow I got put in charge of it, and I´m sure it will be a blast. We´re going to eat pizza and everyone is bringing a dessert. Then, depending on the weather, we will play soccer or volleyball and then pool and ping pong. It should just be relaxing and fun.

My companion and I made chocolate chip cookies for our dessert. This was the first time that I made cookies in the mission and they turned out pretty good considering brown sugar really doesn´t exist here. So, we added a little dulce de leche to the dough, and I think they´re pretty tasty. I´ll try to send photos if this computer decides to work.

Hermanas Walker and Hernandez moved out of our apartment yesterday, which is bittersweet. I had such good times with them. It will be nice to have more time in the bathroom and more one on one time with my companion, but I will miss them.

That´s it for now! I love you all!

Keep smiling,

Hermana Chaffin

"My people must be tried in all things... he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom" D&C 136:31

"Many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties" - Walter Spurgeon

10 Minutes

Dear Friends and Family,

I only have 10 minutes.... I had so many lovely emails from my family that I ran out of time!

This week was great! We had interviews with the mission President and they were wonderful! He is so funny and loves the work. He truly wants what´s best for us.

Today we have a district activity, which should be fun. It is my first district activity and I´m super excited. All I know is that pizza is involved.

We taught a woman named Soledad who lives alone with her three adorable children. The Elders were teaching her, but couldn´t always get a member to accompany them, so they passed her on to us because sisters can teach single women. She is so humble and kind. She accepted our invitation to be baptized!!!! She is working to stop smoking and desires to follow the Savior.

I know that God knows each of you personally, by name. As His representative, I testify that He loves you and has blessings ready to pour upon you if you follow Him.

That´s all I have time for!

Lot´s of love,

Hermana Chaffin

D&C 122:9 ...Fear not what mlan can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever

Photos- Our apartment

P.S. 2 MONTHS DOWN!!!

The Streets of Argentina

Queridos amigos,

Another week in Argentina! The funniest things seem to happen on P-days and then I have to wait a whole week to share with you guys!

Last Monday, a family in the ward invited us over for dinner. After dinner, we were rushing home to make it back to our apartment in time (dinner is at 8 here). It was dark, and the few street lights that we had didn´t cast a lot of light on our path. My brain was focused on speaking spanish to my companion, not getting hit by a car, avoiding dog poop, and walking as quickly as possible. All of this seemed to be too much for my brain to handle, because with all the grace that I contain (which I´m sure comes from my dad´s side) I tripped and fell on the cold hard cobblestone sidewalk.

I had tears streaming down my face from laughing so hard. It took several seconds for my companion and I to calm ourselves and walk (slowly now) back to our apartment. I guess Argentina is giving me the opportunity to perfect my tuck and roll.

This week was much better than last week. I was more comfortable with the area, my spanish, and my purpose being here.

Thursday we taught our first lesson! We taught a man named Gustavo who is a lawyer. He first came in contact with the missionaries in 2012 and hasn´t talked to them since 2014! I didn´t talk a lot, but I was able to share some of my thoughts and feelings with him. He is out of town this week, but we have another meeting with him the first week of August.

Saturday was a great day. We had more success in that day than we had our whole first week. We went to a house of a lady (Luisa) who had listened to the missionaries a few years ago and had stopped for some unknown reason. She invited us in, and brought her son (Gabriel) into the conversation as well! It turns out that her son is a member of the church, but he hasn´t been to church for 4 years. We talked about the restoration and invited them both to come to church.

On Sunday, we got to the chapel, and Gabriel was there! We were so excited to see him! The members were so welcoming and many told him how good it was to see him again. After church the bishop pulled us aside and said he couldn´t believe that Gabriel came to church. They´ve apparently been trying to get him to come for a while now. The bishop really wants to help us with our missionary work. He is a convert (he was baptized 8 years ago) and loves sharing the gospel.

I love the people here, and I can´t wait to progress and really be able to converse with them. I hope all is well with you and your families.

Con cariño,

Hermana Chaffin

"...The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the eartrh, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regulasr form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator" Alma 30:44

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm" -Emerson

Please read John 17:3

"If you want your neighbor to see what Christ´s spirit will do for him, let him see what it has done for you" -Henry Ward Beecher

Por fin!

Dear friends and family,

It`s finally P-Day!!! I don`t know if I`m more excited to have a break or have something to read in english!!! It has been so great hearing from all of you (especially my dear family).

So much has happened since I last wrote!

I left the CCM on Tuesday, had lunch with President Calquin (he is from Chile) with his wife and the other new missionaries. After lunch, and a little debriefing on our mission and our goals, we went to the church to meet our new companions!

My companion is Hermana Medrano and she is from Bolivia. She has been out now for 14 months! I feel like a toddler around her when it comes to knowledge. We are in an area called Banfield 2B. Normally, when you come to your first area, your companion has been there for a while and knows the area. However, that is not the case with me (I always knew I was special). We are in what is called a "white-wash", we are both new to the area and are learning together.

Our area is super nice and the members here are so sweet! They`ve fed us a lot of delicious meals that I`ve enjoyed immensely.

The missionaries before us were only teaching 2 investigators before we got here, and we`ve only been able to contact 1 of them. Hopefully we will start teaching people!

Fun fact, I bought some new perfume before I left on my mission, and I`m allergic to it!!! I broke out in a nasty rash on my neck. I guess I`ll stick to lotion for a while :(

Haha no worries, it cleared up in 3 days and I just used makeup to cover it up.

This week has been pretty rough, but I`ve had the strength of the Lord. The scriptures have especially helped me. I love you all so much!!! I can`t even express how much I love you all.

He lives!

Con cariño,

Hermana Chaffin

Scripture that helped me: Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many, but endure them, for lo, I am with thee, even uto the end of thy days - D&C 24:8