Elder Pierce McMullan : July 2014

Monday, July 21, 2014

Package from Chile!

Last week we got a package from Chile! We were so excited! Pierce didn't tell us he was sending one, so it was a surprise. So sweet of him! He sent us an ENORMOUS Chile Flag, (Not quite sure what to do with it?) A football jersey for Jackson, a cool shirt for Matthew, a hat and a bunch of toys for Aiden, a beautiful Copper Chilean plate, (Aiden is holding) Chilean coins, a book for Tim and the sweetest Wedding gift for his cousin who's getting married next month. It's so hard to have Elder McMullan so far away..., especially since he does NOT give us much detail in his weekly emails. Then he does things like this and I'm reminded of what a considerate and loving young man he is! It makes me proud to be his Momma :)

It was good to hear from Elder McMullan this week. (It's always good!) He sent some goofy pictures, so it was good to see him having some fun too. He and the other Elders went to a member's house last night to help. They are moving to the States this week, so they were helping them pack. (at least it seemed that way??) Anyway, they had a good time trying on some crazy outfits. (2 pictured below)

He likes his companion and he also gets along really well with the other 2 Elders they live with. He said he gets the opportunity to talk to a TON of people everyday. Even though very few end up wanting to hear more about the gospel. He seems to have a great time getting to know everyone in his area.

Here are a couple of excerpts:

"We were able to find a couple of new people to teach this week, so that's good!'

"Mom, you know how you went with the missionaries to teach that lady, and she watched cartoons the whole time or something?? I think I can top that. Well, last week we found these 2 people interested in hearing about the gospel. They told us to come over so we could teach them. Basically while we were talking, they lit up a blunt and started smoking it. You’d be surprised how common that is here."

Love from Chile!

Silly Elder McMullan and Rogers

Elder Stokes and Elder McMullan. ????

Monday, July 14, 2014

Gnomes?

Elder McMullan's 2nd week in a new area! (3rd area in all) He went from a tiny little town to a big city. He said it feels strange being in a big city again. He seemed a little stressed today. He said that their numbers were bad this week. They were able to meet and teach some inactive families, but spent so much time looking for new investigators, that they ended up not accomplishing much. (As far as numbers go) It has to
be hard at times for these missionaries, feeling like their hard work isn't being accounted for?

Here are a few excerpts from today's email:

"It’s nice here. I don’t really have any pictures still. Really need to get on that. But no I haven’t cooked anything lately really. The Relief Society president asked me to make cookies for an activity. Don’t know when, but that should be cool. Yes we have a mamita here."

"I’m still doing the challenge Elder Spannaus gave us in May. He challenged us to read the book of Mormon before September 1^st, marking all the things that talk about Jesus Christ, the Atonement and the doctrine of the church. He promised us with a greater testimony of the BOM and of Jesus Christ. I’m almost done with Alma."

"The bishop here is really awesome and the leaders too."

"The people here believe in Gnomes, like garden gnomes. Except, that they’re evil and hurt people! People have legitimate fears of them and say they get attacked. They practically cry if you say the word. Just one of those Chilean things."

Saturday, July 12, 2014

1st Week in Antofagasta

I didn't do a blog post last week. Elder McMullan was getting his bearings down. He was getting acquainted with the area, his new Comp and the other 2 Elders he lives with. His new Companion is Elder Golpe from Argentina. He lives with Elder Stokes from California and Elder Rogers from Arizona.

He had quite the "welcoming" from some "ladies" in the sector. Let's just say they weren't shy. Way more aggressive than any before.

Here's some excerpts form last weeks email:

"That’s awesome that Dad finished 25^th in the world. Who won? Musical Island boys I imagine? I can only Imagine Aiden during a concert or show or whatever it’s called. Sitting through people singing for that long. Sounds like you had fun there, how is it? (Vegas) Pretty vulgar and dirty I imagine?"

"Antofagasta is huge. I feel so weird here. Elder Rogers (one of the other Elders that lives with Pierce) actually lives like 2 minutes away from Tyler. They go to the same church building and everything, but not the same ward. Elder Rogers and Stokes are awesome. We have a lot in common. Elder Golpe is cool too though, pretty relaxed for an Argentinean. One of the first things he told me was "I know I'm from Argentina, but I'm not a stereotype like the rest."

"This area is known as “Ghetto” because everyone is "flaite." My sector is mostly those type of people. So yesterday…, oh my. These 5 women, probably like 20-30 in age…..,we stopped because we were waiting for a lady to get home. There were people playing soccer, so we were watching while waiting. It was in a really "flaite" (ghetto) area. These people were all drinking and smoking and stuff and talking to me because of my hair and stuff. Then these girls started talking to me. We told them what we do and stuff as missionaries. They asked if we drink or smoke. We said no. Then one was like "But you can have sex right?" I was a little startled and said no. Then she was like "hard to get? Look I love your eyes and you’re so different than anyone I've seen…., just give me 20 minutes." (she was being completely serious) Then the other one said something like, "Don’t you think a baby would be beautiful with my skin tone and your eyes?" I was just so confused/ taken back. Then someone asked me "how much?" Then we left! They weren't even drinking or anything. CRAZY. So that happened."

"Our sector is cool and most of those women don’t live nearby which is good. The members here are awesome too. We had over 100 people in church! I've never seen that here in any of my other areas. Ever."

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Goodbye Vallenar!

Here are some pics that Elder McMullan sent last week after he was transferred. (We were on vacation, so didn't get to post them earlier) He took these before he left Vallenar. He's on to a new adventure further North!