Hola todos!
This week we had to spend THREE DAYS cooped up in the house. My companion has had some problems with his back for a while now, it sounds like a muscular pain that really bothers him. We went to see the doctor on Wednesday, and my companion has gained fifty pounds in his mission so far! Remember that he has only been in the mission since November. So it sounds like that`s the root of the problem. We are trying to diet, but it's difficult in the mission since we pretty much have to eat what the members give us in lunch. He`s had a few days of a lot of pain this week, which kept us cooped up. I suspect that he might be exaggerating a little bit, but there`s really not much I can do about it. Oh well, please remember Elder Cuadros in your prayers that he might be feeling better and be able to work.
Francisco and Tanya are kind of a roller coaster in their marriage. This week they seem to have resolved things a little, but in talking to them it really sounds like Tanya just wants to find a justification to get out of the relationship. Obviously we don`t know all the details, but to me it appears that she needs to mature a lot. She`s 23 years old and Francisco is 29, but she wants to be a happy and free teenager again. She has told us that she didn`t want a child, it was an unplanned pregnancy, and she really struggles with the idea of having the responsibilities that come with motherhood. She wants to be free again, but unfortunately, the story changes when you get married and have a kid. Oh well... They need a lot of prayers on their behalf. They both have very sincere desires in following the gospel, but they just need to work through their differences. They didn`t make it to Church yesterday, and we talked with Tanya`s mom on the phone and it looks like they took the baby to the hospital urgency room. Of course, here in Chile they go to the emergency room if a baby even sneezes, so it`s probably nothing very serious. We have an appointment with them tomorrow, so we`ll see what`s happening. Their baptismal date was for this Sunday the 26th, but Francisco only has one attendance in Sacrament Meeting, and they need three. Tanya has already gone three times, but we are going to have to push their baptism back a little so that they can be baptized together.
We received a sad bit of news the other day. The elder who was with Elder Cuadros his first change was sent home for things he had done here in Centenario before Elder Cuadros arrived. It didn`t come as a surprise because we have heard some of the things that happened, and we knew that President Essig was doing some investigating to find out more details, but it's always sad when a missionary is sent home dishonorably. I should say, it is sad when missionaries do things that result in them being sent home dishonorably. Elder Cuadros commented to a few of the members that this elder had gone home and they weren`t surprised either. It`s a real shame, and Elder Cuadros has been pretty bummed.
Yesterday was Ignacio`s confirmation, which went off wonderfully. Italo (the dad) came to Sacrament Meeting to see his son be confirmed, which was the first time he has ever gone to Sacrament Meeting! We wondered if he would slip out after the confirmation, but he stayed to the end of the meeting! After the assigned talks the bishop gave a wonderful message about the pre-existence and the responsibilities we have as children of God, and I hope that Italo felt the Spirit. Olivia finally went to take out a date for their marriage! They have an appointment for the 27th of March to get married. It`s pretty far out, but even so it's wonderful to know that soon Olivia too will be able to enjoy the blessings of baptism and membership in the Church.
Well, that`s about it from Centenario today. I love you all and pray that you are all well.
Love, Elder Fugal
