"I want to be like Nephi"

We received a surprise call from Elder Lott yesterday (Friday, March 20th).  They were going to make a quick stop at the grocery store and then go into a full quarantine lock-down.  He was still smiling.  Still reminding us he was serving the Lord.  Still sharing his conviction that he is supposed to be in Chile at this time.

There are two senior couples serving in their mission.  One has been sent home (The Thompson's) but one is still there.  Missionaries who have served 20 months or have health problems are being sent home. Some Elders have gone home to countries who have been closing their boarders.  The "Spanish Speaking Gringos" are still ready to serve.  However, the people of Chile are blaming the gringos for bringing the Coronavirus to Chile so missionaries are wearing normal clothes in an effort to blend in. (I don't know that tall Elder Lott is going to blend it but they can always try!)

They are wearing gloves in the office to protect other missionaries.

He had to tell me Chile had experienced it's own earthquake! "Look it up, Mom!  So focused on our earthquake in Utah that I missed the one in Chile.  Their 5.7 magnitude earthquake happened early in the morning too.  He was exercising when they felt some minor affects. He said Santiago is built for earthquakes and they happen quite frequently there but that was his first one.

Elder Lott is facing one of his greatest fears--that of being confined to their apartment but he's doing it with a great attitude.  

He asked if we knew what Nephi's immediate response was when the Lord asked him to build a boat.  Not why or how but simply "where do I go for tools."  Elder Lott excitedly said, "I want to be like Nephi." 

Here's what he shared:

• They have actually been observing confinement for a few days.
• The members are still feeding the missionaries. (Thank you!) Sometime they leave them food on their doorsteps.  Sometimes the missionaries pick it up from members doorsteps. And sometimes Uber Eats delivers food from the members to the missionaries. Uber Eats is done on motorcycles there and they are super fast and weave in and out of traffic, but there is no traffic now.
• There is no one on the streets in Chile.  The public transportation is still running but there are no people on the buses.
• He is now doing 150 push-ups a day and can do a hand stand push-up.
• He is doing tons and tons of home Seminary assignments.  
• They were able to watch the church movie "Legacy" and he loved it!
• There is no talk of the missionaries from Chile being sent home...yet.

May blessings abound during this uncertain times and may we all seek to be like Nephi. ♥