Surgery in Utah . . .

As most of you know by now, I have experienced great pain in my left arm and neck for the past two months. As these MRI images show, I had a herniated disc in my neck that was pinching the nerves for my left arm.

The herniated disc is between the 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae and surgery was required in order to repair this. On July 16th we left Chile to return to the United States for the surgery. Dr. Yonemura at the University of Utah Medical Center was my surgeon and the procedure, known as a Posterior Lamino Foraminotomy was performed yesterday morning. In this surgery entry was made from the back left side of my neck. Some bone is removed to make a larger space for the nerve and then the ruptured portion of the disc is shaved away. As a bonus, he removed several bone spurs that formed due to my arthritis.

The surgery took approximately 3.5 hours and went well. I am now recovering at home. The doctor estimates 2-4 weeks for recovery. Interestingly, the most painful part of the procedure was a large second degree burn to my right arm that occurred during surgery from the carterization tool. As I woke from the anesthesia I wondered why my right arm was so painful and that is when they discovered the burn.

It is certainly nice to be home for a few weeks and to see many family and friends, especially our granddaughters, but we miss the mission and our missionaries very much. We are hopeful that the recovery will go quickly so we can get back to the greatest mission in the world: Chile Osorno!

In our absence, Elder Stephen Boyden and his wife are watching over the mission. Elder Boyden is the Executive Secretary for the Chile Area and previously served as a mission president in Mexico and president of the MTC in Spain. It is wonderful to know that they are available to help through this process. They will be a great blessing for our mission.

July Cambios . . .

This was an interesting month for cambios. During the month of July, including this weeks cambios, we lost 15 missionaries. Only two missionaries took their place, so we had to close 7 sectors: Niebla, Futrono, one in Panguipulli, one in Rio Bueno, one in Alerce, Puerto Cisnes and Porvenir. Fortunately, the two missionaries that arrived this week are great young men. We are excited to get to know them better and witness their progress and service.

Pictured above are our two new missionaries. Pictured l-r Elders Shallenberger and Matorell, our two assistants, Elder Gonzalez from Uruguay and Elder Aros from Santiago, Chile.

As I´ve said many times, watching these missionaries leave is very painful. In this group we lose one assistant, 5 zone leaders, two district leaders and a great sister missionary. Seated l-r are: Elder Carreño-Chile and Hna Butler-Utah. Standing: Elder Matorell-one of our AP´s, Elder Hernandez-Chile, Elder Martinez-Bolivia, Elder Lucas-Paraguay, Elder Alvarado-Columbia, Elder Morales-Chile, Elder Cubillos-Columbia, Elder Didier-Chile, Elder Diaz-Chile, Elder Shallenberger-Utah, Elder Benitez-Paraguay, Elder Miner-our new AP and Elder Perez-Argentina.

Seeing their faces and knowing their names does nothing to convey the wonderful service and great influence of these exceptional missionaries. They have forever marked our lives and forever blessed this mission. We will miss them very, very much.

Zone Leader´s Council . . .

The current zone leaders: Seated with Susie and I are Elder Shallenberger and Elder Matorell, the current assistants. Standing l-r are Elder Pedraza (Columbia), Elder Cubillos (Columbia), Elder Strawn (California), Elder Millan (Argentina), Elder Cuadra (Chile), Elder Benitez (Paraguay), Elder Viti (Argentina), Elder Wallace (Utah), Elder Gobetti (Argentina), Elder Lucas (Paraguay), Elder Callaú (Bolivia), Elder Aravena (Chile), Elder Palmer (Washington), Elder Rodriguez (Panama), Elder Ortiz (Chile), Elder Cudahy (Washington), Elder Diaz (Chile), Elder Spitzer (Texas), Elder Alvarado (Columbia) and Elder Bigelow (Arizona). Not pictured are Elder Miner (Utah) and Elder Wohlfart (Germany) in Coyhaique, and Elder Merrill (California) and Elder Hernandez (Chile) in Punta Arenas.
We can´t have a meeting with the missionaries without having food. You would be amazed how much food 22 young men can put down. These missionaries can eat a lot and they love it.

In this picture, 5 tribes of Israel are represented: Elder Shallenberger (Ephraim), Elder Cuadra (Benjamin), Elder Matorell (Judah), Elder Rodriguez (Levi) and Elder Benitez (Manasseh). Not pictured is a sixth tribe represented in our mission by Elder Chavez (Asher).

This past week we had the zone leaders in the Mission Home for a training council. This happens about every other cambio and will generally include all the zone leaders except the ones from Coyhaique and Punta Arenas. Because of travel costs, they attend about twice a year.

It is wonderful having these great young missionaries in the mission home. This council we focused on clarifying the vision of our leadership and working hard to ensure that every missionary understands what is expected and becomes a willing and active participant in this great work. Our goal is to improve our planning and increase our faith and diligent. Then we will strive to be more constant in applying these principles.

Elder and Sister Oaks and Elder Amado visit . . .

We were blessed to have Elder Dallin H Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife visit Osorno this past week. He was accompanied by Elder Carlos H Amado of the First Quorum of Seventy and President of the Chile Area. They spoke at a two hour fireside with all of our missionaries, with the exception of Coyhaique and Punta Arenas, and they spoke later that evening at a singles fireside in the Osorno Stake Center. It was a wonderful opportunity for our missionaries and members. What a great experience!

I love this picture with all of the missionaries (except Coyhaique and Punta Arenas Zones). Have you ever seen such a great group of young men and women? Seated from l-r are Pte and Hna Otay (my first counselor), Susie and I, Elder and Sister Oaks, Elder Amado, and Pte and Hna Carcamo (my second counselor).

Susie and I were blessed to be able to host them in the mission home for lunch and some relaxation between meetings. We enjoyed being able to spend time with them.

In August, Elder Scott came to Chile. In October, Elder Nelson came to Osorno. And now Elder Oaks has come to Osorno. I know the Lord loves this country.

San José de la Mariquina . . .

Branch building in San José de la Mariquina

President & Sister Salas and their two daughters Paula and Pamela

Susie and I with some of the branch members. Wonderful people.

Susie and I spent Saturday in Villarrica conducting interviews with members and leaders. For Sunday, we attended church in the small branch of San José de la Mariquina which is in the Los Lagos District. We had a wonderful day with these great members. The branch is blessed with an exceptional branch president (Pte Salas), two great missionaries and some excellent families. Several of the recent converts have added significant strength and several are preparing to go to the temple. We were fortunate to be there when a young husband was confirmed a member of the church, having been baptized yesterday and on the same day seeing his new baby boy blessed. In a year this family will be going to the temple to be sealed. It was very nice.

June Cambios . . .

This was cambio week again and we received 10 new missionaries. Above is a picture taken at the Osorno airport upon arrival. The sisters in front with Susie include (l-r) Hna Stout from Plainfield, IN, Hna Burningham from Layton, UT, Hna McMaster from SLC, UT and Hna Whisenhunt from Las Vegas, NV. The new Elders from l-r are Elder Jaita from Bolivia, Elder Benitez from Uruguay, Elder Riches from Grantsville, UT, Elder Paris from Santiago, Chile, Elder Cortez from Nicaragua and Elder Olmedo from Paraguay. They are a great bunch of missionaries and we are grateful to have them here.

After interviews, dinner and training, here are the new missionaries in the mission home. Sisters l-r are Hna Stout, Hna McMasters, Hna Burningham and Hna Whisenhunt. Elder l-r are Elder Shallenberger (AP), Elder Paris, Elder Riches, Elder Benitez, Elder Olmedo, Elder Jaita, Elder Cortez and Elder Matorell (AP). On Wednesday the met their new companions and left for their areas. This will be an excellent group!

The hardest part of cambios is seeing the missionaries we love so much leave the mission to return home. This is one of those great groups and we will miss them so much. The sisters l-r are Hna Apaza from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Hna Crook from Centerville, UT, Hna Koontz from San Diego, CA and Hna Wood from SLC, UT. The elders l-r are Elders Matorell and Shallenberger, out Assistants, Elder Escobar from Costa Rica, Elder Aranda from Bolivia, Elder Alves da Costa from Uruguay, Elder Pizaro from Chile, Elder Lainez from Honduras and Elder Gomez from Argentina. Also leaving this week are Elder and Hna Allen, our senior couple. These are all exceptional missionaries and we will miss them. We will especially miss the Allen´s who have been such a wonderful blessing. They´ve served for two years and have been such a big help. They were especially helpful for Susie and I when we arrived last year. They will be returning to their daughter´s home in Oklahoma, so it will be nice to know they are in Oklahoma. I think their kids live in Mustang, OK.

I can´t emphasize enough what a blessing these senior couples are. If any of you are considering this, please serve. You will love it.
In this picture before dinner, Susie, Hna Allen and Hna Westover join with the departing sisters for one last picture.

Fresia Branch Conference . . .

Sister Lovell with Hna Allen and Hna Westover

Some of the members from the Fresia Branch

Elder Hernandez from Santiago, Chile who is serving as the Branch President and his companion, Elder Bateman from Salem, OR

Fresia Branch Chapel

Susie and I visited the Fresia Branch today for their annual Branch Conference. Elder and Sister Allen were there (they finish their service next week) as well as Elder and Sister Westover who are the new missionary couple that recently arrived.

Fresia is a wonderful branch that struggles in a small and isolated area of the mission. The branch does not belong to a stake or district, and is therefore an independent branch belonging to the mission. The branch president is a missionary, currently Elder Hernandez from Santiago, Chile. His only counselor is his companion, Elder Batemen from Salem, OR.

We had excellent turnout today with over 45 in attendance and it was wonderful to be able to see them again and speak to them. We originally attended Fresia on our second Sunday in the mission, so we were anxious to get back to them. I love the Spirit in these small branches and am inspired by the faithfulness of these members.