Chile Independence Day- September 19, 2011

Hey family this week was the the celebration of the independence of Chile! I sent some fotos of us flying volantines they are super fun to fly and also pictures of kids in the ward dancing the national dance. I think its the ugliest dance ever. haha It was tough to work this week but we kept working hard. I did find out that I am being transferred to Concepcion. I will be the zone leader there with a very young companion, but I know him and he is really cool. So it will be a fun way to end the mission. Its crazy to think that almost all of my friends are gone from the mission. I feel old. I also can't believe that I only have 6 weeks left of my two year mission. Ha best part of the week is I called the office to find out if I had mail and they were like yes you have 3 letters! Awesome, so at the conference we had I go to the back to get the mail and every zone has a box of mail but us. Our box got stolen that morning as they were loading it into the truck. So If you wrote me I guess it wasn't meant to get to me!!! I have been having good studies lately, I am almost done with 3rd Nephi so I should be able to finish the triple before coming home. Its going to be weird to have a new companion after being with Elder Zepeda for the last 5 months. I have been to the house I'm going to be living in, its on the fifth floor and super nice it even has a balcony. I'm really excited! But if there is an earthquake I'm screwed. Well I love you all and can't wait to see you, sorry for such a lame email but I only have so much time today since Saturday was our pday. But I love you all and cant wait to see you!!

Elder Ward

Another Fast Week - September 12, 2011

Hey everyone, thanks so much for all of the emails I loved them. I really enjoyed dads email this week. So we worked really hard this week, we talked to a lot of people and walked probably more than 50 miles easily. I would probably say even double that. We did not have a baptism this week. She wants to talk with her father more about it, the rest of the family supports her but he doesn't. We are giving her 2 more weeks. She said if not with or with out his support she is going to do it on the 23. The not so cool part is I will probably not be here. So me and Elder Hadfield went out to Longavi today to say goodbye to all the people we met there. Its weird to see how fast new converts progress. Its only been a year since I've been there and a few of them have been to the temple more than once and have great callings. Its amazing to see how much we are blessed by our Heavenly Father. And to see how different peoples lives are with the restored gospel. So one more week until cambios, the last one of my mission. I'm pretty nervous, anything could happen with our mission president. Until then I am going to just work hard here. I am kinda ready not to be a zone leader anymore hahaha. I'm learning so much and growing. As I think to myself, "have I changed" I'm not sure. Most missionaries say yes but I don't know. I have learned a lot and changed a little, I for sure have grown more in the gospel in knowledge and application. But I'm pretty sure I'm the same Matt, same desires that I had from the time I read the Book of Mormon the first time when I was 17. I'm not trying to compare myself in a I'm better type of way but I think I just made a lot of those big changes in desire before the mission. I'm still the same Me. Different in somethings but I'm still me. Ive thought about it a lot the last few days hearing other missionaries about how much they have changed. I know who I am. It helps me overcome everything in my life that's difficult to me or I don't understand. I know why I'm here. Its stated so plainly in my patriarchal blessing. And the best part is I like it. Its the desires I have. And to think I received that blessing before I had those desires. That man was inspired of God. That right there should prove to me God knows me and that this is his church. I can't wait to see all of you in seven weeks and don't worry I'm still working. I love you all this email was kinda weird but its what came out of my mind. I love Chile I'm looking forward to this week its their Independence Day on the 18th. I love the mission and will work hard.

Love,
Elder Matthew James Ward

Hola Family

Hey family how’s it going?  Thanks for all the emails again, I really do enjoy reading all of them.  I know I can be somewhat lazy and not write a lot.  But its starts to get a little old after 2 years and especially when I feel as if I was just emailing you.  I’m not enjoying how fast the days are going by.  I sent some photos of my shoes, they have been retired.  But don’t worry mom the super ugly ones you sent me 6 months ago are still holding up.  And about the visa card, I can’t even use them so don’t worry.  And yes I got my package!!!  I loved it; Blair sending that Petsmart card really got me.  He knew what he was doing sending that.  This week I learned a lot reading the book of Helaman.  Sometimes I wonder how I don’t see things, when I reread the Book of Mormon and something impacts me that I have never underlined or highlighted before.  I have been a little distracted because I have discovered the amazing Encyclopedia of Mormonism on the BYU website.  I have heard that there is an app for church books now.  I want it.  Jared this is your assignment!  We played American football this pday and man is it so much more fun than soccer to me, maybe because we always play soccer.  We should have a baptism on Saturday it all depends on Tuesday.  But the 22 year old girl is more than prepared, she is just a little nervous.  I got my hair cut and like usual people asked me if I gained weight!  It always happens.  Because it makes my cheeks look even bigger.  I don’t know I have not gained too much weight on the mission only about 10 pounds.  Yes it’s all fat but I can get rid of that at home.  Or just give it to Cody that fool looks like a twig.  I was given a cup cake yesterday after lunch; all it did was remind me of how much better Jessica’s are. I love how amazing our memories are, and our feelings and everything.  I can’t wait to taste beautiful and delicious cup cakes again.  I’m enjoying the Nesquick whose idea was that they are a genius.  Well I love you all, and mom don’t worry about my feet I can handle it. I honestly just love you all and can’t wait to see you again. I will keep working hard and take it day by day.

Love Elder Ward