Werewolves

Monday, after I wrote you guys, we went and played soccer and kickball in that one field for our Pday activity. On Tuesday we had our district meeting. I feel that everyone benefited from that so that was cool.

Here is part of Hermana Devere Morris’ email home. This is her first area. This gives a better understanding of how life is here.

Hermana Natalie Sinks and I decided that Cerro de Pasco is District 12 from the Hunger Games.

Lima is the Capital.

Trujillo is the fishing district.

Cerro has a mine.

All the men work in the mine.

It is cold and ugly.

We don’t have water sometimes.

Also power—that goes out too.

The government officials ignore Cerro because we are far from everything.

No one actually wants to live here and we’re all poor…

Those are some reasons why Cerro is District 12.

I don't remember if I mentioned this before but I taught our district and zone the game "werewolf". I made some cards and everybody loves it. I first taught it in Huancayo but whenever we get together as a district or zone now, we play it for like an hour and a half.

I got this weird fungus-like rash thing on my feet. I think it's the cold/dry skin/cracking blood, I don't know. Elder Richmond gave me some cream stuff to put on it and started burning and turned red. It really hurt but it cleared up in the next day or two so maybe that fixed it.

Not much happened on Wednesday. We found out that Elder Chino's girlfriend died in Bolivia. That was really sad. He met with President to talk and so I hope everything goes well for him.

Thursday I was in Carhuamayo for divisions with Elder Segovia. Carhuamayo is just like Pampas; actually it may be a little worse. Their bedroom is kind of crazy and their bathroom is WAY outside. Other than that it's pretty nice. Elder Segovia goes home on the next transfer.

Carhuamayo

Elder Cook

I got back in my area on Friday and Saturday, we taught six lessons, got a new investigator and six new contacts. I'm not feeling very well. I have a head cold or something. My head hurts, my nose is stuffed up, and my body is weak. I'll drink a lot of water, get some rest and I'm sure I'll be feeling better soon.

Sunday our ward attendance went up a little bit but we had no investigators come to church. I don't know what I'm doing wrong sometimes. I'm doing everything I can. I feel like I was sent to this area to prepare for other missionaries to baptize; but that's what the Lord needed.

Well, I love you guys and I'm really grateful to have you as a family. Take care.

Cerro de Pasco-La Tierra de Machos no de Muchos!

On Pday we went and played kickball and soccer in a field that we rented out. Later we went over to Wendy's house and kind of shared her birthday with her and got to know her family a little bit more.

Tuesday we had interviews with President Henderson. They went really well. I always feel really good afterwards, he's just an amazing guy. We talked a little bit about my future. Since he is a doctor, he mentioned that he could see me being an orthopedic surgeon, like his brother. We had our zone conference and it was nice to see Elders John, Gutierrez, White, and Livingston. It was good to catch up with them and laugh at some of the things that we did together in Amarilis (Huánuco).

On Wednesday I did divisions with Elder Salazar, one of our zone leaders. We worked in his area—La Esperanza. Their room is really nice. Anyway, we had six lessons. It was nice to have a day off out of my area so I didn't have to hike the mountain.

Thursday we had 3 lessons, 11 contacts and one new investigator. We're finding a lot of new people to teach and hopefully getting this area moving. I'm working hard, I am healthy, and everything is going well.

Friday we did our weekly planning. We're finding a lot, a lot, a lot of new investigator this week, which is really nice. I feel like I was sent here to this area to kind of fix it and prepare it for future missionaries so they could baptize. It kind of sucks but if that's what is needed to be done, then I'm glad I am able to do it.

Saturday we had a zone meeting. We talked about how our attitude can affect our success in the mission. Then all of the elders in the zone did the "short sleeve challenge". What it is is that you walk around wearing short sleeves all day and night until you get back to your room. It was pretty cold I have to admit. It rained AND snowed! It was pretty rough but I'm glad I did it.

Sunday was a bit of a letdown. Not too many people at church. We had a some good lessons and I just got done reporting our district's numbers and writing in my journal. I had a good day. I really look forward to emailing you guys every week. I love you guys so much! Have a great week!

Count Your Many Blessings!

After I wrote you guys on Pday we went and played basketball at the church and made pancakes. Playing basketball was fun. I beat everyone that had played basketball in high school and it was kind of funny to see. On Tuesday we had five lessons. We were teaching Wendy and then Hector her uncle came in and he was drunk. I think that was the first time he had drunk since I gave him that blessing a couple of weeks ago. It was seriously so sad, my heart just sunk. It just goes to show that everyone has their agency. We also visited with the elders quorum president. It went well. We're finding people to teach but just trying to figure out how to get them to progress.

My tie drawer

On Wednesday we pretty much did nothing. We just contacted a lot. Thursday I did divisions in San Juan with Elder Chino, he's from Bolivia. We had a chance to give a blessing to a baby named Tiago. He's not doing too well. They were worried about him dying. I got to give him the blessing and right after the blessing I felt the spirit really, really strong and I started to cry. I kind of felt like an idiot because I haven't cried like that in a while. It was weird to think that he just recently left the presence of God. He is 12 days old. He was having a hard time breathing and was having problems in the hospital. I gave him a blessing and felt really good about it. It was cool.

Saturday we had five lessons, five contacts and two new investigators. Hopefully we have a lot of people in church. Gladys is doing awesome with her son Junior, daughter Angela and husband Javier. There's also a new girl named Carol who we should be baptizing soon.

We had Ward Conference and our attendance was a little higher than normal which was good. We ended the week with 23 lessons, 100 contacts, and 9 new investigators!! By the way, I forgot to mention that I have been showering with pitchers of hot water because our shower has not been working for a while. Hector has been really depressed so I had to talk him out of it. Life is great! Talk to you guys later.

Dog Beater, Snowy 4th and Andy

After emailing you guys on Pday, I got my hair cut and then went and played soccer and basketball at the church with Elders Suarez and Gonzalez. Tuesday we had 7 lessons and things are starting to pick up and go well. 

Wednesday we went and took out money, like we always do at the beginning of every month, to pay our rent, pension, laundry, passage and a couple of other little things. I bought this metal rod like thing to beat dogs with. It's kind of like a switch blade sword type of thing, I just whip my hand and this metal rod flies out. It's pretty cool. 20 Soles was totally worth it. I have been slacking on my exercising. I did some exercises on Thursday and I am a little sore. It's kind of crazy.

Friday we had this stake activity with a master chef where a bunch of people made a lot of treats. There were judges and there were a lot of people there. We got some references because of it.

On the Fourth of July we got snow! I bet you guys didn't get that! It was a pretty cold day but we had some good lessons. We have found a lot of people to work with this week.

I'm fasting for our area. Things are going well, I'm working hard, I just am trying to get our area moving! This next change should have a lot of baptisms.

At church on Sunday, we start to go at 10:00 instead of 8:00. It was a good fast Sunday. Later we had a good lesson with a recent "rescue". Nothing else happened except it was our pensionista's son's birthday and baptism so we helped set all of that up. We had some cake and some other good stuff. There is a kid here named Andy, who is getting ready to go on his mission; he came with us to a couple of our lessons. Actually he went with us but we didn't have much success in meeting with anyone. (Darn no shows!) I gave Andy a shirt, sweater, a pair of sweats, and a couple of other little things that I had. He was really excited and happy about it. He's a really good kid.

Well, it's that time again. Things are going well. I always hope that you guys have good Sunday's like I do. I love you guys so much! Have a great week.