Yesterday we took a tour on the subways of Santiago to see the sights of the Subway in Puente Alto.  It is a community on the west side of Santiago where they have dressed up the Subway stations and the concrete supports for the subway.  In this area the subway is above the ground on 20 ft supports in the air.  It seems there was a rich lady from that area that hired some mosaic artists from around the world to dress up the subway system.  All of the subway stations have these murals in mosaics that are very realistic.     

I took about 100 pictures and we only covered half of the art work that was done.  We walked for about 2 miles and enjoyed the time with the other missionaries.

As we ride the subway there are subway minstrels who play a variety of instruments.  The music was really good and enjoyable.  After about 10 minutes of music then he passed the hat and we all contributed.  You can tell he is living on little but seems happy playing his accordion.

We received information that our office will be finished for us to move into next week.  This will really be helpful in that we will actually have a place to work.  We are  basically in preparation mode now.  We are learning about the work we need to do and the lessons we need to teach.  I was complaining about not having enough to do and Chris told me Randy we are blessed in that the Lord is giving us a chance to get prepared so when everything is ready we can jump right in and not waste time learning our duty.  Of course she is right and I could tell she was inspired to tell me that.  I had not even considered it as a blessing.  That is why Chris is so good for me in that she can very quickly steer me in the right direction.  So we trudge on and I feel blessed. 

We had testimony meeting today in church.  Even though it was in Spanish and I had a hard time understanding all that was said, the meeting was so spiritual and so inspiring.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to go and participate. 

Last night our mission president came to visit us.  His name is David Wright from Medford Oregon.  He was Stake President in Medford the same time Ken Lathen was Stake president in Grants Pass.  He knows Ken and his family well, and it gave us a connection.  He gave us some very good advice as to our mission.  He said that he wants us to be and feel successful in our work but that we should not set our sights to high.  Many of the Stakes in our mission lack sufficient leadership to have all of the programs of the church completely organized and it is difficult for them to accept new programs.  I told him not to worry about us feeling successful because I know it is hard sometimes to get what is on paper actually working.  Sister Wright fell while they were in Argentina and hurt her hand.  It was all swollen up and you could tell it was painful for her, but she was visiting with us and extending all the love and acceptance that you would expect of a mission mom.  We feel like we are finally part of the mission and included. 

We are learning to love this country who are struggling with the same things we see in our own country and we feel their concern and worry.  I told a fine brother today in church that we can only do what we can do and have faith that God will guide us in how to keep our children safe.  Our manager indicated that they lost a daughter in an accident a couple of years ago.  He said his wife says she is grateful that she is in a place where she is protected from the evil that is all around us.  One brother told me the other day that they see what is happing in the US and know that it is only a matter of time and it will be here.  I told him, the Lord has told us that we need but to hold on to the iron rod of the Gospel to be safe in a world of sin and evil.  Our homes are the protection that we must offer our children with the teachings of the Gospel and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost.  The great knowledge of the Love of the Savior and maintaining a home where the Spirit of God can thrive is the best source of hope we have in this world of fear and trouble. 

I know that God will take care of his saints and those who keep his commandments and as he has told us in the scriptures "I the Lord am bound when ye do what is say. If ye do not what is say ye have no promise".  I do not want to be on my own in this world. 

We pray for our family each night and know that as we do his will they will be blessed.