Week 85 - I Have a Son

written: 8/15/2022

Week 85

What an absolute BLAST this week has been! Monday night was the big transfer call and I found out I'm staying in Frutillar and Llanquihue and that I'd be receiving Elder Mortensen, fresh from the MTC! My first time training! More on him in the little. 

I didn't receive Elder Mortensen until Thursday, so Elder Amaya and I were still together for a few days. We got along super well and in the few days we were together became awesome friends. We were always laughing and enjoying the time to the fullest. Something we also took advantage of was knocking doors! The weather was nice and he loves knocking doors so I knew with his enthusiasm and mine we would see some miracles. We started knocking on a street and first house, nothing. As we waited on the second house, a man left to check on something by his car and we started talking to him. He had talked to missionaries in the past and said he'd love to talk to us again. We walked a few doors down and we knocked again and a man came basically running outside and opened the gate and began talking to us. That usually doesn't happen. He said he talked to missionaries recently and he pulled up his whatsapp and showed us a picture of Elder Jara and I!! I checked the phone and it was actually the old missionaries from a few months ago, but I knew it wasn't a coincidence! Long story short, he talked to missionaries 7ish years ago and when we returned the next day he told us he didn't want to mess this opportunity up, he loved the restoration, he loved the book of mormon and he wants to invite his sister also. He has a ton of potential!!!! All by just knocking a few doors!

We continued having lots of fun all the way up until our last moments! I was sad to not be companions with Elder Amaya longer but then I met Elder Mortensen! He is the best!!! He is my height, which I've seen I've grown a little, as he is 6'5". He loves basketball, he has a sweet tooth, we have the same interests and we just get each other. He is from Washington and the only bad thing about him is that he likes Gonzaga. We spent the weekend getting used to each other, and I was doing my best to show him the ropes and make sure he felt comfortable as a new missionary. He is doing great and his Spanish is very good already. There is never a dull moment and we always have something to talk about. I'm super excited for this time with him!! 

Something that stood out to me in my studies this week was this quote, "The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each and all of us. It is a love which is full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering, and, above all, forgiving." I know Jesus Christ loves me and I want to emulate his love to others as well. Elder Mortensen and I are ready and up for the challenge. 

Love, Elder Collin Steele

pictures include: Me and my new son, Elder Mortensen; Stake Conference; Elder Amaya and me; and #MangoLoco