Mudslide!

Hey guys! Monday after I wrote you we went to Ambo and played soccer at this indoor facility with Hermana Dali, one of our less actives. Transfers got pushed back a day because there was a mudslide in between Lima and Huancayo. The road was blocked and the "new" missionaries couldn't get in and the "old" Missionaries couldn't get out. We had a number of lessons this week. We are working Elder Hardison's schedule as well as our own until he gets a companion.

Thursday we had transfers. I am staying here to finish Elder Tapia's training. Some people from our zone have left and became zone leaders. Elder Pincock, who was a district leader here, is going to be a zone leader with Elder Fitzgerald in Huancayo. Elder Delgado is becoming a district leader in Huancayo. Elder Inkley came to be a zone leader here in Huánuco (in La Colonial). Elder Hardison's new companion is Elder Fawson, the previous assistant. It's kind of funny that Elder John and Elder Fawson just switched spots. Elder Fawson is from Panguitch.

We had John's baptism on Saturday and it was awesome! I had the opportunity to baptize him and it was a really spiritual service. He was really, really happy. You should have seen the smile on his face. It was crazy big! He was super, super happy! It's amazing what this gospel can do to bless the lives of people. Another cool thing was that we had some investigators come to the baptism. I wasn't expecting them to come but it just goes to show that people can do things that you don't think they can.

It was a little bit crazy getting the baptism ready. All during the day we did not have lights. We were scrambling around and hoping the lights would come on, we said a prayer and sure enough the lights came on. Then there was no water. We had to find somebody to turn on the water. We had to use hoses and buckets and whatever we could use to fill the font. We said another little prayer and once again God provided. It worked out perfectly, better than I thought it would. Christian got the priesthood about three weeks ago. He, Mariana and Gabriella are doing great. We are going to watch general conference this next week at the stake center, so that’ll be sweet.

As a little side note, there was this big truck (like a water truck) that was coming down this hill and the brakes went out. He ended up going down this flight of stairs and crashed into this mud house and broke it. It was crazy to see this big truck tipped up on its side. The driver went to the hospital and I think he ended up dying. It's pretty crazy and sad to see that. Well, until next time. Adios!

Street Burgers!

Monday after I wrote you guys I went and got my haircut, went to Metros and bought some floss and stuff, and then we went and played soccer on the turf fields. It was our zone against another zone and it was really fun.

On Tuesday night, Elder John got a phone call and he is now the new assistant to President Henderson. So Wednesday morning he left and his companion, Elder Hardison, is now with us temporarily.

We had more meetings with John, Johnny's brother, and things are going well that way. Just getting him ready for his baptism. We found some more less actives to teach so that is great. We had one of our meetings fall through, so the first counselor in the bishopric took us out for these burgers. They were AMAZING! Oh my word! They were from this little cart thing on the street but they were incredible!

On Friday there was a big stake activity about missionary work. There were about 200 people there. It was freaking nuts! I figured there would only be about 80. They asked me to do a little presentation/training there and it all went well. We came back and killed some fruit flies in our house and then went out and had some lessons.

It's really good to go to church after a week’s worth of work and have good attendance. There were 113 people there which is awesome. We had two new investigators, Elga and John, (mom and son) that came and John (Johnny's brother) came also. He is progressing well toward his baptism.

I just want to say “sorry” for how selfish I was back home. I thought about myself before anyone else every freaking time. That is something that I have completely changed since I've been out here. It was great to get your letter. Rachel, it is awesome that you finished the Book of Mormon in two days! Wow! I love you guys so much! Have a great week! Ciao! 

God is Great!

After I wrote you guys on Pday, we went out to eat as a zone to this Chinese restaurant named Khon Wa. I had a steak. We then went as a zone to the temple of Kotosh. I didn't see a temple, buildings, or ruins. It basically was as if we rented a grass field. Good thing we only paid one Sol. We were probably in the wrong spot.

I got my package from you guys on Tuesday and oh my word did you guys spoil me. It's seriously ridiculous, it's all laying out my bed right now, I can't even tell you guys how amazing it is! I got to organize it all, it all traveled pretty well, only one of the little toothpastes exploded but that was it. I really like this new white baptismal tie that you sent me. It's pretty sweet. It's kind of like a sparkly, snowy camouflage tie. I'm going to wear it at the baptism.

Wednesday we had to drop one of our investigators. She just wasn't progressing. I basically just told her when you're ready we are here to teach you. Thursday and Friday we prepared for the baptism. Johnny had his baptismal interview with Elder White and it went great. We also had some lessons that went well.

Saturday we filled the baptismal font and had Johnny's baptism. I was able to baptize him and it was amazing! It was probably my favorite baptism that I've had so far. I didn't have to worry about anything, it was nice and organized, people showed up on time, it was just awesome! I really felt the spirit!! I am so happy! I am on cloud nine! His whole family was there and now they want to join the church. Johnny has a twin brother named John and now John has a baptismal date set for the 28th of March! He has already attended all of the meetings that are required; we just need to finish teaching him. We had investigators show up late, but that's okay because I freaking love them! There were so many people there I am just so, so very happy right now! I just need to remember that when the bad times come, the good times like this are always on their way. Seriously, please remember that things always do get better; if you are doing the right things you will be rewarded! That's one of the things we teach. It's one of the simplest promises and principles of God. Your obedience will always bring blessings! I love you guys so much! Have a great week.

The BoM is the bomb!

Last Pday (after I wrote you guys) we went to Yanag again and played soccer on their turf fields. Later that night we had a family night with the family Matias, not the family we live with but his brother. Tuesday was a tough day. We stayed in the room all day because my companion was sick. Wednesday wasn't much better, pretty much everyone canceled.

We have a new investigator now, his name is Johnny. He has been coming to church for a while but has never really been taught by the missionaries. He is 14 and has all the required attendance to be baptized. So we are teaching him the lessons and he has a baptismal date for March 14. We have an investigator named Anthony and he is awesome. He has a lot of sincere questions. He's a really smart kid and is really studying the Scriptures. He is really searching for answers and we had a really cool lesson with him where he was asking these really deep doctrinal questions and the spirit was really strong and I definitely felt prompted of what to talk about and what to say in response to his questions.

On Thursday I did divisions with Elder White and we taught to 6 lessons. We met with Ivan and Henry (who have been having a few issues with alcohol) and Ivan was sick. We asked him if he wanted a blessing for health and so I gave him a blessing. It wasn't until later that I found out that he was upset to his stomach because he had been drinking! Crazy!

Friday we switched back to our normal companionships. Elder Tapia is doing well. I'm learning a lot on the mission: patience, humility....a lot of things, it seems like something different every day. Everything's going to be so freaking easy when I get home. I was kind of cranky on Friday because it wasn't the best day. It started off well with our zone meeting but then we had all of our meetings fall through, our investigators weren't doing their parts, it just sucked. It's amazing how I can go from super, super happy to just ticked off. It's alright though, there's much learning and growth from it. One good thing that happened is that I finished the Book of Mormon today! I wish I would have read it more back home. I love reading it! I hope you are all reading it. I love you guys! Have a great week.

"Throwback Thursday"- La familia Monicas in Pampas

6 Month Mark!

Hey guys, so Monday, after I wrote you guys, we went back to our place and changed and then went to Tottus. We messed around there for a while and then we went and played a little soccer, had some lunch and went and helped a family move. Later we made no bake cookies with Elder Bush and his companion, Elder White, Elder John, and Elder Hardison. They were really good actually. On Tuesday we had our normal district meeting in the morning. Later we had some lessons with our investigators which went well. They're all progressing and we set a baptismal date with a few of them for March 21st.

Wednesday was a pretty good day actually, we had a member come with us to every meeting, which is always nice, it's a really big help. We set baptismal dates with 3 more investigators for March 21st. We're going to work hard to make that happen. It's definitely not going to be easy with some of the problems that they're having, but we're going to make it happen.

On Thursday I completed six months in the mission, which is crazy! I can't believe I am a quarter of the way done. Friday not much happened we will just leave it at that.

Thanks for my T-shirt Aunt Heather

Saturday we went to Ambo for a little activity for the youth that are getting ready to go on a mission. It was cool! We, as a companionship, got to take the youth and go and teach people. It was a really good day and we had a lot of success. I was able to give a blessing of health while I was out and I felt really good while doing it. The blessing was for a little girl who was sick. It was such a great experience. We found two new investigators and I hope they come to church. We have about eight people that we're supposed to pick up for church and I'm not sure how that's going to work out but we are working hard and things are going well.

I'm fasting right now and I have a headache because we've been traveling and there's so much noise outside of our home right now. I'm kind of miserable but that's okay because sacrifice brings blessings. But seriously, there is this huge party going on right outside of my door!! It is ridiculous! It is so loud! They have these freaking speakers that are about 10 feet high, no joke! They can't be allowed to do that, it has got to be against the law. Everything smells like beer outside. I just opened the window and it reeks!! There are these two big trees that they cut down and they put little decorations on it and they have a weird blanket of a cat...I just don't even know, it's ridiculous! I can't believe they're doing this. I hopefully am going to be able to sleep. But that's alright! I love it! I freaking love it! The mission, it's awesome!! I love you guys! Keep praying for me and our investigators. Pray that I have patience with these people tonight!