A Love Note from Chile

Luka's last comp sent pictures of the baptism of the little boy Victor that they had been working with:

When Luka left, he left all but the clothes on his back, some ties he collected and his souvenirs.  His baptismal tie went to Elder S.  He wrote:  "Even though you may be out of chile, i wanted to show you that i made sure you were still part of the baptism."

Awwwwww - how cool is this?

PS - Luka explained it's not very customary for Chileans to smile for pictures

Monday Missionary Update

I cannot believe it's our last email from Chile. Our very last. Not gonna lie, a little bittersweet. Of course much more sweet than bitter, but still.......


Subject: Re: Our last email

Hello!!! Thanks for the email or I should say, last email. It was great to hear from you guys, I am so happy to see you guys this Friday and to be able to come home. I actually just have 2 days left, today and tomorrow then Wed, in the morning I go to Osorno. That is so weird. THANKS SOOO MUCH for depositing the money I really needed it. I will get some AWESOME souvenirs!!! I love you so much and am way excited to see you guys!!!! thanks for all that you guys have done for me. There is lots to tell but I will tel you Friday. Love you!!

Love Elder Catmull

Early this morning I got a call from the office in Osorno. It was another missionary calling on behalf of Elder L to let us know he was out of money and needed more. For a minute I about had a heart attack thinking that they were calling to tell me something had happened to him. Just money? Yeah, I can handle that. Crisis swiftly dealt with and now just to get through the next couple of days.

Missionary Update.....Merry Christmas Eve

Parents,

Hey how are you guys doing!!! Merry Christmas EVE!!!! Here honestly does not feel like Christmas Eve at all. I mean, everyone celebrates Christmas, but it is not the same at all. I will tell you on the phone all of the details. Well sorry for not telling you guys about the PDAY change, I totally forgot. But just to confirm, you guys did call the right number cause the mamita told me that someone called from the US and tried to talk haha it was funny. Sorry we are good to go tomorrow at 4 a clock, consider it good to go. AH and to answer the question about the garments thing mom. I actually kinda want difirent ones than I have, but just a couple. I have a lot of lost ones, un matched pars and so I will need some new ones. My size is 32 S for the bottoms. I t would also be cool if for the tops I could get some that have the low neck and that are extra smalls, and the others that are just the t shirt. But that is about it. Just so you know, I will be coming home with very little clothes…… Literaly…..haha just kidding. Well I will not send you guys a long email, just for the fact that we are going to talk tomorrow. I am going to send a voice recording of last night. I hope that you guys enjoy it. I love you guys so much. Okay and just to confirm, tomorrow, the 25th at 4pm chile time. I love you guys soooo much!! Talk to you soon!!
Elder Catmull



Just a few more days!

Monday Missionary Update...and a whole lot of rambling

sorry i forgot to tell you guys that i cant email today, our p day is thursday love you guys!!

Yup. That was our email yesterday. Are you kidding me? I had some VERY specific questions that I really can't wait until Thursday for the answer. Like - let's confirm the time for the Christmas day call. Do you have fleas? If so, I need to prepare. You know, things like that. Now I have to wait clear until Thursday morning. And that's if he'll even answer them. I really shouldn't worry about it. I won't let him off the phone on Friday until he's answered. That is, if we get to talk to him Friday. Yes, a test call went through, but the woman who answered didn't speak English and our fab friend who is letting us use her free international calling doesn't speak Spanish - so there you have it. We don't even know if we have the right number. If it was even Chile we will be calling. Should be lots of fun, and NO, I'm not stressed at all about it. Not.one.bit.

Christmas is this week. Friday. I don't even care. Okay, maybe a little since Sissy will be opening her presents and we may or may not get to speak to our missionary, but other than that, I really don't even care. I just want the week to be over and next week to be here. I will say we have the majority of shopping done, just a few little things left over, but I'm sure I'll get some screaming deals the day after Christmas so why not wait, I have time, right?

My house looks like it's been thrown up in. For reals. You can barely walk in the front door. I don't cope in clutter. I think that is why I have been hiding in my room with the door shut. That and the noise of the machinery that Splenda is using scares the living crap out of Jordan and she sits shaking and cowering in fear. I have some SERIOUS work to do around here in the next several days.

However, I am on call this week, so my time is limited. No days off for me ('cept the holidays of course), so I just weave my way around the crap strewn about everywhere and plot about just loading it all on the trailer and sneaking it to the dump. Okay, not everything, but really, do we NEED all this crap?

Speaking of being on call, and having the archaic pager. Every time it beeps, I remember poor Kasey. It would scare him and he would spend all week in a nervous breakdown. I miss that stupid dog. Today's snow storm would have put him in 7th heaven.

I have realized what a huge loser I am. I have gotten the CUTEST Christmas cards the past several days. I mean CUTE! Cute kids, cute families, cute sayings, on and on and on. I have not sent ONE. I think I stopped sending them the year my oldest got married and life was absolutely crazy. Major upheaval and I couldn't barely think, let alone do one more thing. And, I just haven't picked it back up yet. Maybe next year. Or not. But to everyone who has sent me cards....... LOVED 'EM! You are winners. I am not.

Monday Missionary Update

Parents,

Well another week has gone by and just a couple to do. This week went great and really fast. We saw some great miracles and we are working really hard here. Its difficult that I will be seeing another baptism before I end my mission, but that’s okay, at least I will be leaving some for the next two missionaries that come here.
Thanks for the letters that you guys sent me. I know that the time is going by really fast, and the time is coming when I will be home again. I am very happy and sad at the same time, I guess if you guys could imagine those two feelings at the same time. Should go by really fast this week. We got interviews, and activity and a conference of all of the leaders in the mission. I love the idea that you guys have about giving some of the money to a needed family cause really there are some families that do need it, but it actually is against the rules to give out money, just as a missionary. It was a good idea though.
As far as the pizza tower goes, we are doing alright, we just don’t have anymore money to spend on pizza, it really Is expensive here. What was cool was last Monday we went the coast of a river called Rio Calle Calle. There they have what is called Lobo Marinos which are like sea liones. They also have a fish market which is really cool! We watched some guys gut fish and prepare them. Also I got some sweet videos of the guys feeding these sea lions. We got pretty close to some of them. I am going to send you guys some pics so that you can see. I also picked up a living crab which was kinda weird. I thought that it would pinch me, but it was all good. To add to the fun, we made a really cool thing in our house. We have one of the basketball hoops that you can hand on your door and shoot. Well we put this on the curtains and then pulled them out to make it into one of those games that you see at nickel cade where you shoot. I guess you will have to see the pick better to get it, but it is really cool!!!
Well thanks so much for all that you guys do. I love you guys and miss you!! See you soon!!

Elder Catmull




**And then I came home to find this letter in the mail......
As much as I am ready for him to come home, I admit, I will miss some of these tender mercies.

18 more days.**

Monday Missionary Update

Parents, Well another week gone by and things are going good here in Chile. This week went by really really fast and so has the misison. I am glad to hear that things are going good back home and was really happy to get some of the pics that you guys sent to me, especially of the whole family. Wow you guys look just a little bit different. Corbin I think is the most that has changed that I have seen in this last time. Just so you guys know we are doing great on the tower of pizza. We are at 24 boxes of pizza and it is just a little bit more than half way. Thanks for the weather update date. It is getting hot here. The rays are really strong so the heat just beats on ya. I guess that it is good this was the last week here in chile that I am going to do a fast haha jk. It was kinda hard though with the no water thing. Also dad, good call about studying. I think that I am just going with what I want more than what would be smarter. I am pretty sure that I am going to just wait to study. I just hope that I could get a good job, that is my only worrry, and especially one that will help pay for my schooling. I am glad that you are doing a lot better with your leg and stuffy mom. It really has had me worried. I bet by the end of the month or somehing it will be all good to go! Speaking of injuries we went to visit a less active member that was in the hospital because he got ran over by a car and had to get metal plates put in his legs. He showed us and it was pretty grose. I am not going to lie, the experience here in Chile at the hospitals, are just well...gross. Okay here is the update with the call for Navidad. We have the 24 25 or 26 to talk to eachother, in one of those days. You guys can choose, I think it would be good to call for Navidad though. And the call would be at about 4:00 in the after noon soo...... but if anything changes I will defiantley let you guys know. Okay and to answer your quesiton, what do I want for Chistmas?? Anything is good for me, but I guess if I have to choose, I guess I would just want a new phone for when I get back. Thats it haha. I love you guys sooo much, seriuosly, thanks for all that you do and have done for me. I miss you guys, and will see you guys soon!!
Elder Catmull

**less than 4 weeks!!**

Monday Missionary Update

(old pic again - but I love this one!)

Parents,

How are you guys doing?? Good to hear from you this week!!! I am glad that everything back home is going great! Here in the mish things are going great. This week was really long and a very hard week, but very fruitful. I don’t know if I told you guys yet, but me and my comp got the number to a near by pizza place here that delivers, its called Telepizza. Anyway we basically have been ordering pizza almost everysingle night haha. We decided to set a goal and save all of the pizza boxes and stack them up until we get to the ceiling. We so far have 20 boxes of pizza saved, in just this transfer. I think that it is a great diet haha.
I was still thinking about the whole work after I get home thing…. I made like a little list of all of the good things that come from studying right when you get home, and the bad things of doing it. Then the good things of waiting to study and just working, then the bad things of it. Still kinda indecisive. My thoughts are leaning more towards working when I get home. But I wanted to know, when does the school start in January?? Like what date is it? Ah and to answer your question….about calling in Dec. I will be able to talk to you guys so there is no problem there. We already got the number and house picked out so there is no prob, and nothing to worry about.
Things are going great with my comp. We get along just great and it will be hard to got home and not have one haha. Deigo is way happy and wants to go on a mission!!! Can you guys believe that?? Wow I am so excited for him. Of course he will have to wait a year, but still that is sooo cool.
Just so you guys know, we are defiantly going to have to go to a Jazz game we I get back. I just think that would be freaking awesome. Anyway just something to think about. I am sorry that there are no fotos. My batteries are all dead and are charging as we speak. The next p day I will be sending some. Also I am going to buy another memory card to get as much video and pics before I come home!!! I love you guys so much and thanks for all that you guys do for me. I hope that you guys have a great week and that things work out for you!!!!


**Great email. I just noticed that he didn't even sign his name. I'm going with the theory that he was in a hurry. Only 32 more days left!**

Monday Missionary Update

Parents,

I guess that you guys both would be wondering about how the baptizms went….well here are some pics!!! He is freaking amazing. He is 18 years old and just loves the church. He is thinking about going on a mission too so that would be great! He really is my great friend and brother. Just trying to think on how much really, this baptizm changed the sector and the members. Let me explain.
In this entire year there has only been 1 baptizm….apart of Diego (who I baptized). The members were totally discouraged. This sector is HARD but posible. At first when the members started to know Diego they were like well… he is good, but nothing like WOW hey someone really coming to chruch. Like it really didnt mean much to them. Well, he got dunked and now all of the members are just way excited for the missionary work. They are offering to help us out more and Diego will be giving us some references. There is more……Diego has brought encouragment to the liders of the ward which as a result has animated other kids to come back to chruch. This has giving the members more excitement to work……Well in a nut shell…..did we just change one life? Or a generation? I think that the answer is too obvious. The sucess of a missionary does NOT depened on his baptizms…… it depends on his dedication to the work and how hard he does it. Then if its the Lords will, he will provide you will the people to dunk. There is more good news. I told you guys that went I left Franke there were people that were going to get baptized. 3 to be exact. Well they all got baptized, as a result……3 more got baptized and some of them have callings in the church. I was not there to see that…but I was there to do what the Lord wanted me to do. See? Just some FYI stuff that has happened in the mish. Now if you really want to get tricky….as a lider you have to help other missionaries… Once you do this, they baptize and the same chain occurs…..sooooo….did we just help one missionary? Or a generation? The answer is obvious. Some people are reapers…others are sewers. I mean come on… Elder Alves da Costa ended with more than 25 baptisms hahahahahahahaha.

Okay on to some other stuff. About the job thing and starting school. What kinda job do you think that I could get that would help me with my schooling? Cause I mean i Know that for one time I wanted to be a translater and I think that would be awesome if I could. But from what I am aware of, you have to pass a test and that certifies you as a translater. THEN i could get a job like that. I am not sure what the test is, how to take it, nor how much it cost. Or what else could I do as a job? Just a thought. I would love to however use my spanish a lot in my job. Oh and speaking of the money situation, I have kinda just spent it on random stuff, like souveniers and stuff for the baptizm and food that I needed and a tie and socks and just stuff that I needed. I havent spent all of it, but I guess that I just took out more that was needed.

So is that my for real realease time??? Wow, that is crzy. I would like to have bish smith there and the current bish. Then just our familiy would be good. I guess that if anything changes I will let you know. Feelings?? I dont know what to feel really, I guess that it is hard to explain, Happy and Sad. Weird. Well I mean we will only me emailing eachother 5 or 6 more times and then I am home. That is wierd. So I guess there should be some good emails huh haha. Okay so this email is getting pretty long, I guess that is okay. Tomorrow is my last zone conferenece in my mission. I will be bearing my “last testimony” in front of the missionaries and I am nervous. I know i will cry. I love you guys, and thatnks for all of the support. Have a great week, see you guys soon!

Elder Catmull




**Best.email.EVAH!

Monday Missionary Update

Parentals Units,

Okay, well I guess that you guys need some answer and are probably looking foward to knowing what is going on with me. I am A LOT better than I was before. Last tuesday I went to the doctors to see what was all going on and I had the funniest doctors experience en chile as a missionary. I have been making a tape for you guys for navidad so I am going to be sending that off to you guys. I told the story there haha. Anyway...the doc said that I had Gastritis. I dont know if that is in spanish or english. But it is basically when someone eats something bad and it like hurts your stomach....something like that. Anyway, they made me go buy some stuff, some meds, and in about 4 more days I was better, and working. It was a loooong time just resting and not working. Good thing though, is that everything is back to normal and I am eating just fine. Only bad thing was.....is that is lost weight....so I am now on a get fat diet if you could believe that haha. I guess we will see how things go with that.
The pics where great!! Looks like some things are changed around cause I dont remember corbs old room like that at all! Kinda funny how they went to sadies with the call of duty t shirts haha. That is so tuffy. The weather is getting good here though, or I mean, warmer. Dad says that it is going to rain....and thats not good news haha. Ah, and the reason that I said countdown.....is because today we start the week of my last transfer in my mission.....That means that in 6 weeks...I am coming home. Fast huh? Anyways transfer are coming up and my comp is going to coyhaique and I am training a new zone leader. I forgot what his name is but he is fromthe same group as Elder Larsen. Should be really fun. Larsen told me that he is a really good guy though. My goal is to get 3baptisms inthis time period. It is going to be tough, but Posible!!!
I guess that I am going to start buying a lot more soveniers. I really havent bought that much, so I guess that it would be good toget some huh?? Also I wantedyour guyss help and opinion.. about coming back and getting right into studies?? or waiting and working for a little bit toget some cash then study? What do you guys think that I should do? Or isit too late to get inlisted or whatever? I am not sure how all that works, but I dont know what to do. What else can I say?? I amhappy, working hard and loving the mission!!! I love you guys so much and thanks for all you do for me! I amgoing to send you guys a pic and if your on and want to give an opnion that would be great! I cant reply back, but I would love tohear from you guys!

Elder Catmull


**Parental Units? Two years later, and he's still our funny kid! Much better email this week. Interesting that now at the end of his mission, he is getting gringo comps.**

Monday Missionary Update

(Old picture - AGAIN)

Mom and dad,

I am sorry but this email might be a little short. I am going to let you guys know basically what is going on.....starting with the good news. Deigo is going to have his interview this saturday so that he can get baptized next week! And next week victor will have his, so they are doing great. Things are going interesting. Now for a little of the bad news...I have been really sick this past week. It started about thursday and I thought that i just ate something bad cause i had diriaha and a little throwing up, but i am not sure what it is now. I am on day5 of sickness....and i should have an appointment with the doctor to see what is going on....but I am sure that it is nothing big at all. Ya know the Lord is watching over me. Now to change the subject. Speaking of Christmas, I am going to send you guys a tape home for Christmas. Me and my comp have started to make it since we havent been out to work for a little bit, so we have had some time on our hands. ANways, that is basically what is going on!! Today, we are going to celebrate the birthday of a sister misionary in our zone and play pool and go bowling. should be really fun!!! I love you guys and thanks for all that you guys do for me. Thanks for the pics and the updates. Have a great week guys!!

Elder Catmull

NGL - I am not happy. I'm worried and want to call Chile. Am I suppose to feel okay about a Chilean doctor? I've my doubts. So far, I've made it the whole mission without calling down there to the mission office, but now I am worried. I know, I know, he's in the Lord's hands. But there are the laws of nature.

If you happen to be a praying sort, could you throw his name in there once or twice for me?

Monday Missionary Update

(old picture - AGAIN)

Well parents,

I am sorry to say that I really havent wrotten that much in my letters that i have sent to you guys. I know that I need to be a lot better in that. I am just really focused right now in the work! Things are still going great in this sector.... in about two weeks we will have two baptisms..... Ones name is Diego and the other, is Victor. Diego is about 18 years old and really was prepared to be baptized. Victor is a little boy about 8 years old and is waaay cool. His mom and dad are less actives and we are trying really hard to activate them so that he can get baptized. In the mission, this family would be callled a family PF (or at least in spanish thats what they call it haha). Keep them in your prayes so that they can go through with it. Wanna hear something cool? Everyday pday I am playing BBall with my comp, some kids from the ward, and Diego. We are going to try and get a zone game going on next week that would be sweet. Thanks for sending me the pics, I really enjoy getting them, and it looks like Clhoeee is getting so big. I am guessing that I will be able to get back here and be able to talk to her with ease. That will be weird.... Also....for real about Josh getting enganged???????? That is soo crzy. I asked him the other day in an email when he was going to get hitched and he told me that he had no idea....
But I guess things change right?? Also...GO YANKEES!!! Right dad??? haha oh and I didnt tell you guys this, but there is a sister misionary that is from....Boston. So we have our laughs with the broken curse and the luck they pulled off to win the playoffs. I am hoping that we do good this year. Things are getting cold up there? For here, we are getting better. Still cold....obviously cause we are here in the south, but things are getting better. Less rain, and a tiny bit more wind. The list is soooo big of the things that I am going to miss on the mission, so I am just making a list of the things that I WONT miss on the mission.
1. The rain.....
2. The dogs..... they also bark, bite, pinch loafs and make babies in the street.
3. The haircuts.....I got mine cut today, and lets just say, I am glad I dont need to impress anyone.
4. La cazuela... its a type of food here that...I wont miss.

I guess that is all that I got on my list. I love you guys sooo much.
Thanks for all that you guys do. Things are going great with my comp.....we get along great and have a lot of fun. I am going to have to show you guys what we did with our house next week. Lets just say we are very smart missionarys...... Have a great week!!!!!

Elder Catmull
p.s. I am going to write Grandma here so if you could tell her or give it to her that would be great.

Grandma,

Well grandma....it has been tooo long! I just want to you know that I have gotten every single one of your letters. Thank you sooo much for your prayers and encouragement in the mission. I really have gotten your letters and the articles that you send me in the perfect time when I really need the boost. I reed carefully each one of them!!! Thank you sooo much grandma!!
I am happy that you are going to serve a misison again. If they could give me the chance to server again, for another two years....I would do it in a heartbeat. It was true when they said, there is no greater work than missionary work, and no other work that brings so much satisfaccion. I know that to be true!!! I couldnt count all of the spiritual experiences that I have had on my mision...it would be close to impossible. I am ending the mission pretty soon, but I am really focused and dovoted to end stong. it wont be long for when I will have to keep working in the missionary work, but only as a member.
Grandma I just want you to know how much you mean to me and that I am really gratefull for all that you have done for me. I am not very good at all writing, for that i have written seldom times. Please forgive me.
Grandma I will pray for you!!! Thanks for all that you do!!! Love you!


Elder Catmull

**He is such.a.good.boy.**

Missionary Monday - update

Hey mom and dad, sorry that I am writing you guys so late. We actually went and played a b ball game with the kids in the ward and an investigator that we have called Diego. He is sooo awesome!! He will be baptized this next month. I really do appreciate the letters that you guys sent me, even though it waanst the best news.... I am sorry to hear that Kasey died, I really do feel sad. I was actaully looking really foward to seeing him again, but I guess that it is a lot better that his is not suffering right? That was really suprising about you being rushed to the ER mom, I hope that you still are doing okay and that it does NOT happen again! We are getting so much work done here in this sector, seriously, we are turning things around here. I try not to think aboout the time that I have left, but just to work work and work hard for the rest of my mish. I am so glad that we are doing great here. I will probably end my mish here. Sorry this letter is goin gto have to be short, we are kinda in a big hurry. I love you guys soooo much and thanks for all that you guys do! Have a great week!!!!

Elder Catmull

**That's it. THAT'S IT! A measly paragraph. Just cause he's busy doing the Lord's work and all......**

Monday Missionary Update

(old picture)


Hey mom and dad how are you guys doing??? Things are all going goodhere in the mish. I am glad that you guys got the plans!!! As for me I still dont know what is all going to go down. This week I had my second to last zone conference. It was really sad to think that the next time that we have zone conference I will be bearing my testimony. Oh i dont know if i told you guys that, but at the end of every conference the missionaries that are going home that transfer give thier last testimonies. So the next conference that we will have, I will be giving mine. Really sad.... We are having a lot of success in our sector with finding people and have a lot of people to teach. IF all goes well we should be having some baptisms soon! I am really getting used to the whole ZL thing. Its just like once you get the hang of it, its all good. I am sure also the time is flying by as fast as it is for me as it is for you guys huh?? I am really taking advantage of the time that I have left. I am really lucky though, I got a really good comp. that helps me out a lot. The missionaries in our zone are doing all right, we are trying to help them out to do better, but i guess that you cant take away the free agency that someone has right? Also this Friday we are going to have a meeting as Leaders within 4 zones and the typical interchanges with the missionaries. We are improving the sector a lot where we are working so I am feeling really great about that. It has its challanges but that is nothing that cant be overriden. I am glad that you are doing better mom. I was worried but I know that you will get a lot better soon. Oh and to answer your question dad about if I wanted to wait to help you with the bathroom so that I know how to do it and stuff that would be great. Of course, if it is something that you need to do right away and would be better if you did it right now, go ahead, but I dont have a problem at all waiting and doing it with ya, thatwould be really cool. Its too bad....just when I thought that the rain was done.....we got rain all this week :( oh well, I guess I am so used to it that it doesnt affect me too much haha. I love you guys sooo muhc and I miss you!!! Have a great week, tell griff and chris that I said HI!!!!!

Elder Catmull

** The countdown for me has begun.....**

Missionary Monday - update

Parents,

Hey mom and dad, how are you guys going? How did this week go for you guys??? All things going good here. As you know we had transfers, and I don’t remember if I told you guys about them very much, but here ya go. I stayed here and was moved up to senior comp and to train another zone leader named Elder Larsen. He is way awesome and hes from Bountiful. We are doing great here. I felt kinda weird cause when elder cuadra left, it was the entire weight of the sector, the zone and the missionaries (our sector, 5 others, 12 misionaries) on my back, but now it is getting a little easier as the days go on. I guess just a lot more work haha. Yeah that’s right, that means that I have only one more transfer until I come home. The next transfers are on the 18 of Nov. and then 31 of Dec. Time is flying by. It kinda hasn’t hit me yet that I am getting ready to go home, but I guess president wants me to realize that I am haha.
We are having some awesome experiences here in the mish and things are just straight up going good!! Nothing new going on, the basically the work work and more work.
Today I am going to be using the card that I got. I know that everything is good to go there, I just haven’t had much time to be able to use it haha.
Things are going good like I said. Me and my comp are doing some crazy blue darts haha and I got some funny videos. Some time this week we are going to see some good views so we should be good to go there!!
Mom I really do hope that you get better. I am praying for you, so I know that you will!!! Sounds like things will be going good back home in a bit. That would be nice if I could get the talk about the starfish??? Thanks for the info on the weather dad, it seriously is good to know. 70 degrees here is lik 85 really with the humidity and the o zone thing. Well I love you guys have a great week!!! I am going to send some pics as you can see!!!!

Elder Catmull

Tuffy,

What is up dude! Sorry I couldn’t get ya an email last week, there was just a crap load of stuff that went on. I think parents will tell you about the transfers and everyrthing, but now I got a comp from the states named elder Larsen. He is tight dude, and things are going great here on the mission. So she is your gf dude? I don’t even know who she is bro, you gotta let me in! how is school and work going?? Anything new going on back home? Dude, I gotta tell you bro, we have been throwing some mad blue darts here hahaha. I got some good pics and videos dude that I wil have to show you when I get home. I hope things are going good back, have a good week!

Elder Catmull



**YES!! Finally some new pictures! And since I have received nothing yet from Church Travel Services, I am left to assume it will be early January that he comes home. But doesn't he look and sound happy? Love it!**

Missionary Monday - update

Dear mom and dad!!!

I am sorry to tell you guys, but this emial is going t bve a little short. as you guys know, trnsfers are coming up this wed. nd my compnion with be going to osorno to be the zl. he has been there before for 9 month as secretary and he was htre 3 months when he started his mih. i am guessing that he will end his mission thr cause he only needs 3 months left hahahaha. I am going to be staying here training a new ZL named ELder Larsen. He has about 1 iyear in the mish. Which means....................mom and dad...........I might be ending my mission here. There are only two transfer left in my mission so one will be with him and the other, i dont think tht they are going to transfer me out the next, but then again you nevr know. The fence looks great!!!!!!!!! the crutchs too mom, but i am sorry that you are still having promlems. In jut a sec, we will be getting togther as two zones to play some bowling and got out to eat. it rally will be aweome. I got to watch conf. and it was awesome. my fav. talk was ELder Holland.....WOW!! if you guys missed it you will have to se e it for sure!!
To answer your question, the flights have been arranged, but I am guessing that I will be home the first of Jan. I love you guys soo much and I am thankful for all that you guys do!!!!!!!!! I promise my next email will be a lot longer.

Elder Catmull

**So my question is, can I call the missionary travel service and get his flight information, and if so, does that make me one of "those" missionary moms??**

Missionary Monday - update

(again, an old picture. I need to get on that boy for something recent!)

parents,
well mom and dad, by the looks of things it looks like this week went good and bad. I LOVED the pics that you guys sent me, thanks a lot!!! I kinda felt like for a mintte that I was actually in that party haha. although I do have a question.... I really am not sure at all if that girl that tuffy took to homecoming was from our ward.... I seroiusly dont recognize her at all, but oh well i guess that a lot can change in 2 years. also looked like you had a lot of work to do huh dad?? i guess this means that we would not be moving if we are working on the fence.....??
this week went a long great here. just work work and more work. GREAT NEWS is.... i got the package that you guys sent me and I got the card (you guys know that). and just to clear tings up, I did get the package from griff, actually i got it like 3 weeks ago i think. i thought i t9old you guys that, but i guess not. oh well, i got it though and it was really awesome. i sent him a letter telling me thanks for everything. thanks so muh guys for the package that you guys sent me cause i really needed that. almost all of the candy is gone now hahha. i got a call after the missionary talked to mom on the phone from the guy and told me what you told him to do hahha. i just laughed and cause he is in osorno and i am in valdia, i told him i guess the next time i go to osorno you can do it haha. Tell the blands thanks for the b day present!!!!!!!!!! sorry mom about the hip thing, but i hope that things will get better so that you will be able to run again soon.

Voy a necesitar de su ayuda...... tenemos alguien aqui que se llama Felipe. realmente necesita una respuesta de Dios para que el pueda estar seguro de su bautismo. por favor si pueden orar por él para que esté seguro de su decision a bautizarse. es un muy buen joven y yo con mi compañero sentimos fuerte que él, con nuestro ayuda, VA A BAUTIZARSE. Gracias :))

I love you guys and miss you guys sooooooo mucfh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know that I only have a few months left so I am going to work really hard!!!

Elder Catmull

oh mom and remember to check and accept the people on facebook thanks!!!!

His Spanish part translated into English via Google Translator:I need your help ...... Here we have someone called Philip. really need an answer from God so that he can be sure of his baptism. please if you can pray for him so he is sure of his decision to be baptized. is a very good girl with my partner and I feel stronger than him, with our assistance, VA baptized. Thanks:))

** I realize that the translator is obviously not perfect, but the gist is Phillip needs prayers. If ya don't mind, could you also remember him?**

Missionary Monday - update

**No pic this week : (


Parents,
Hey how are you guys doing????? All things are going good here in Chile!!! I am really happy here in the Mish. Our went along pretty good, there wasn’t too many parties here in Valdivia. This place is really calm and there is not a lot to it. At times it kinda seems boring compared to the other sectors that I have been in. It was also good cause at least I could get some sleep in the night. A year ago when it was this same festival week it was really hard to sleep cause we slept right next to a bar and there was music the entire night!! At that time I was in Quellón. Despite some of the difficult things that we are going through here, it really has been a blessing to be here in this sector.
Thanks so much for sending the pics! Chloee really is getting soo big and cute to. Kinda sad that Grandma will be selling her house. I could only imagine that there are good memories there. That is cool that she will be serving another mission again. I am happy for her. Actually you guys know what?? She, along with you guys have been the most faithfull in writing. Grandma has never stopped writing me this entire time that I have been here in the mish. I am going to send her a letter today thanking for all of that. At least every month I get a letter from here along with some cut out of the ensign or some article that she sends me. I feel bad cause I haven’t gotten a chance to write her as often as I would like with the lack of time here in the mish, but I for sure am going to send her a letter a long with a post card from here. Have you guys talked to her or given any updates about me and the mish?
Espero que ustedes esten bien. Ya que el tiempo esta terminando, trato no tanto a pensar de la familia y casa. Muchas gracias porque en este tiempo de mi mision es muy vital que me enfoco aqui y que no estoy pensando tanto en lo que voy a hacer cuando vuelvo. Me acuerdo en la entrevista que tuve con el Presidente, el me dijo que yo tenia que darme cuenta de que yo estaba terminando la mision solo para dar todo lo que pueda a los misioneros, el sector, y al senor. Espero a lograr esto porque SÉ que hay personas esperando a escuchar este mensaje. De hech, quiero contarles esta hestoria que me paso meintras que estaba en un intercambio con un misionero. Nos encontramos enseñando a un joeven que se llama Jose (si sé que su nombre es ordinario), y el era un joven que le gustaba mucho el rap y el hip hop. Estaba metido en el mundo, pero le gusto mucho a compartir. La segunda visita con el, mientras que compartimos con el, hablamos de su proposito y como es que el puede vovler a vivir con Dios. Compartimos la escritura en Hechos 2:38. Despues que lo leyo, me miro y me dijo, Elder, y habia una pausa por como un minute. Luego dijo, Elder, este es increible. Yo por mucho tiempo ha buscado una respuesta en mi vida, y ahora, yo lo tengo aqui. Yo se lo que tengo que hacer en mi vida. Aqui yo tengo las respuestas.
These experiences that I have had in my life, have changed me. I will be really sad when I am released to be a missionary…….. :( I liked the story of Micheal and the T.V. haha made me laugh a lot. Would be kinda cool to be able to do that all of the time. Also…. I am not sure whose tuffys date is….. I don’t rememeber who she is….also AB?? I don’t remember either haha, but that is kinda funny!!
Mom and dad, thanks for all that you guys do for me. I have had a lot of companions, and not any of them have had the great same support that I have from you guys!!! I love you guys and miss you sooo much!!!!

Elder Catmull

Tuffy,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO!!!!!!!!!!!!! The big 18 huh????? Wow dude, that means that your curfu will be later!!!!! SCORE!! Not to mention that you will be going on Homecoming I am sure that your b day will rock man. Sorry I wont be able to be there for ya, but just know if I could send you a present, I would have!!! Hmmm….MB, I don’t know who she is. I guess I will see when you send me the pics of homecoming right? Or I mean next week? Tell her that for your b day you want the new halo game so that she will buy it for you man haha. J tells me that you and J have been hanging out is that right? That’s cool man, is he into WOW too like J???? He told me that he has a level 80 priest man hahaha. Oh dude, have you gotten any raises yet either at Maceys?? I would think that after at least a year of working there you would get some sort of raise or promotion. Anyway dude, have a freaking blast this week man, CAUSE ITS YOUR B DAY BRO!!! Feliz cumpleaños!!!! Love ya and miss ya

Elder Catmull

**I think this might be one of my favorite letters!

Missonary Monday - Thankful Thursday all rolled into one

I'm so thankful that we got a great email from our missionary today!
Really, really old picture. Like from the beginning of his mission. His first area.

Parents,

Hey!!! How are things going for you guys?? Sorry I kinda told you guys a little late that we were going to have our PDay a different day, I guess I just forgot. I sure that you guys are probably wondering what I did on my B day right? Alright I will let you guys in on what happened.
Actually the day before my bday we had intercambios one of the sectors called calle calle so when I woke up in the morning my companion that was in our sector, El Laurel gave me a call and dang happy birthday to me. After that we studied and finished our intercambios. My comp showed up with the comp of the missionary that I was with with two balloons, those things that you blow into (its like a piece of paper and it makes a sound) and cake. They came in and sang happy b day to me and we ate some cake. We went with our normal day…. I wasn’t expecting anything special cause I really didn’t tell anyone that it was my b day so we just went with the normal day of work, I kinda had something crappy to eat for lunch, but I guess that is normal here haha. We left at about 3:30 with a member to work and we taught a lesson and when we went back to his house, him and his wife had made empanadas for my b day with drinks and hats. It was like a mini b day party. He is my ward missionary leader so that was really nice of him. We ate tons of food there. Then we kept on working like a normal day. We had a Family Home Evening planned with a less active family and our Mamita´s family to help them come back to church. It was about 8:30 when we got there to have the Family Home Evening and what I didn’t know was that they had a little b day party planned. They had put up balloons and made cake, and of course, my favorite…..brownies!!! They all sang happy birthday and we ate cake and had a little party there. That really was awesome!!! It really was a lot better day then I thought that it would be. I have a couple of videos and some pics! That really was about it! I really did enjoy it. It wasn’t the best I have ever had… but it was great!
Anyways, I am sorry mom to hear that you are injured and wont be able to run for a bit. I am hoping that you will get better so that you can start running again! I did get the last package that you guys sent to me. I got it about 2 weeks ago!!! Thank you sooo much it was so good. I already have eaten it all. I am still staying warm so don’t worry. I wont be buying the jacket after all, the weather is starting, little by little to warm up, so it wont be necessary. I will be buying some clothes though, I mean, socks and shirts. I don’t know what is going on, but everytime that I leave my clothes to be washed, I always get back less than what I sent. I am only down to 5 pairs of socks!!! So sometimes I am using the same socks and garments like 3 times hahaha. Kinda sad, but I am used to it now…..
Me and my comp we are going to get the mail today so I will know if the packages have come yet. You will be getting a call if I get the card!!! We actually did get a new heater so we are good to go there. We are actually using it less and less cause some of the days, we really don’t need to. I am glad that corbin got the job!! I am going to send him a little letter today!! Today we are going to go and visit some places here in Valdivia. We are going to visit a place called niebla today, which I heard is kinda cool. Its like some kinda historical place with some beaches and stuff. I will be sure to take pics and send them to you guys!!!! I love you guys and miss you tons. I cant believe that this sat I will be at 21 months in the mish. I will be home soon.

Elder Catmull

I am going to post his letters to his buddies. Only because I love how much he is so himself still. And that he loves them so much. Also, as you read his letter to J, realize you NEVER know the influence you have on others. J didn't think much of it when he invited Elder L to EFY that summer, but it was a life defining time for my son. Had he not gone, he would not have had the special experience that he did, and he wouldn't be where he is right now. Sometimes, the small and little things make all the difference in the world.

G,
What up dude, what is going on man???? Good to hear from ya man. Things are going good down here in CHIILLLEEEE. We haven’t had any baptisms for a while, but still things are going good!!! It is kinda weird that we are 21 now and dude, my last b day here in the mish!!! Hows your life going man?? How is the GF and work doing?? Oh and when did you actually plan on going to VEGAS???? Keep it real man. I don’t got that much time left on the mish, so we will be hanging out soon man!!! Te amo como un gordo ama torta, tu sabes. Cuidete mucho hermano and escribeme pronto!!!!!

J,

What up dude?? How are things going for you bro??? Thanks so much for writing me man, it really is good to hear from ya. Haha I laughed when you said that sometimes you feel like a zombie cause dude, I can kinda relate to what you are talking about. My life was kinda like that before the mission soo….I guess that I kinda know. And, ILL PASS with the whole “Marriage when you get back from the mission thing.” I don’t have any big planes, but I don’t plan on trowing the eternal ring of death haha.
Sorry I couldn’t get to throw you an email the other week, it was kinda really busy. I will be honest with you man, I seriously have never been so busy in my entire life. I guess that is normal for a missionary, but something that I really didn’t expect. Things are going great on the mission though. I haven’t changed much, I still teach some of the my comps how to do bluedarts. Its hilarious dude. Can you image that some of the Chileans here done even know what that it is?? Anyway I have some cool videos of the bluedarts that we did here haha.
Josh, I really never got the chance to thank you dude. You seriously did so much for me. Seriously I love the mission soooo much and I would have never been out here if you didn’t invite me to EFY. I know that it is something way small, but seriously dude, I am so gratefull for that dude. YOU ARE THE MAN!!!! Thanks for always being an example for me!! Well I don’t have that much time left in the mission so that will be good cause we can hang out and play some WOW or Halo. Speaking of that, do you and G hang out a lot now? Or are you guys hanging out with the women more than each other? I know that you are still keeping it real at home man. Thanks for sending me a letter and looking forward for the next one man!!!

Elder Catmull

Tuffy,

What is going on dude??????? I cant believe man that you are going to be 18 man. I guess that the time goes by realllllllu fast. So homecoming is on your b day huh? Dude, you gotta go man, I remember mine, and it was really fun dude. What concert are you guys going to go to? I bet that will be fun. Oh and what does scott say about going on a mission??? Oh and what is up with this new Halo game?? Tell me about that dude?? I serioudly bro would send you something for your b day but I don’t want to take the chance that it will be stolen like the last two times. Are you still working at Maceys?? Well dude, have a great week man, good to hear from you man, and looking towards the next email!!!! Love ya and miss ya

Elder Catmull


I am so thankful for the good people in Chile who made my son's birthday special. it was a bummer here at home without him.

I am so thankful for the good friends my son has.

I am so thankful that he has not burned himself or his comp's in the teaching of the blue darts. If you don't have boys, you most likely won't know what I am talking about. And that is okay.

Monday Missionary Update

Parents,

I forgot to tell you guys that today is not my PDAY for this week, this Thursday will be my PDAY, so i will let you guys know how this go on my BDAY!!! Thanks for the letters, I love you guys!!!!

**Really? He forgets to tell us this? CRAP! Oh well, guarantees a great Thankful Thursday post right?

Monday Missionary Update

(old picture - AGAIN)
Parents,

Hey how are you guys doing? All things are going good here in Valdivia. It really is getting cold down here. When it doesnt rain, it is very cold in the night. But I am actually glad because now all of my clothes have been given time to dry

HI Catmull family... i am Elder Catmull Companion and just want to say hi and thanks for the skittles J See you in the future maybe in Sates someday or here mi casa es su casa ah.. your son is a example for me every day he teachme somthing new and i will be always thanfully for preparing your son for be a missionary . I love you guys. Elder Cuadra.

Haha that was my comp, I had to switch comps to write about the interchanges that we had the last week and my comp just wanted to write to you guys. Anyways like I was saying, it is a good chance for my clothes to dry. I havent gotten the letter from you guys yet....... but I did get the package from Griffin. If it doesnt come this week it would be a good idea to try and send it again, and if you guys need to by airmail. I am not sure if it is going to cost a lot more, I hope that it doesnt.
We are seeing a lot of success here in this sector. We just had an entire family last night make a “pact” with God to live the word of wisdom to prepare themselves to be baptized. We also have a kid, who was emo, turn completely around and want to get baptized. He wants to get baptized this sat, but he will not be able to cause he is still haveing problems with smoking. He has actually gotten to the point of taking all of his piercings off. That really was a miracle. We have a lot of other families that are going great, but still no baptizm here. Soon they will come...... Also that doesnt suprise me at all that the Bishop is S B. I guess we kinda all knew it and I am excited to come home to him being bishop! Haha and I guess that he really is a true friend huh dad? Letting you have more time on Sundays and throughout the week by not giving you a calling haha.
The other day I had a good time making cookies with my comp and another missionary that is in our zone called Elder Riches. I think for the first time here in Chile I saw a package to make some chocalte chuck cookies. All it needs is egg, and water and good to go. What we didnt have was anything to mix it with. So I just used my hands to mix it up. It was kinda fun haha and I think that i am going to do that again. The cookies turned out good and we ended up giving some of them to some of the members. My companain was about to throw up cause I was mixing it all with my hands and he was all grossed out. I think that this next week we are going to do brownies and for the next time we will bring something to mix the stuff haha. I am not sure why but I didnt get a letter from mom. I hope that everything is okay. I love you guiys so much and miss you guys. Have a great week!!1 Oh and if you could please send the next two letters to griff and Josh that would be great, thanks!!

Elder Catmull

**Im getting more than worried that his debit card hasn't made it to him yet. His birthday is in two weeks - frantically getting a package out the door! I also didn't include his letters to his friends, they were too personal this time. But he does tell them about how the food right now sucks, he has gotten back down to his pre-mission weight. He's a skinny little thing!