Take Luck

My Beloved Family,

It has really been a big adventure up to this point in my mission. I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for all the things that have happened in the past 23 months 3 weeks. I absolutely cannot believe that this is my last letter home, it feels so weird to type this letter knowing that I wont be able to add anymore words after these. It kind of makes me feel like Moroni as he was writing his last words to us, I'm sure he thought about it a little more than I have but it puts it in perspective. I was so happy to read your emails today, it sounds like winter is coming with with full force now as October winds down and November starts up. I just hope all the leaves fall before I get home so I don't have to do a bunch of raking my first week back!

For me this week was real test. It didn't start out so well becuase nobody wanted to listen to us and a bunch of appointments fell through. That's nothing new but I kind of freaked out becuase I thought there's no way this can happen at the end of my mission, I have to be perfect from here on out. So those kinds of thoughts definately do not help the Spirit. But I trusted a lot in goodness and mercy of my Heavenly Father and He ended up blessing us. We worked pretty hard the last few days of the week and I just put the shoulder to the wheel hoping for good results. Then Sunday came. Sunday morning wasn't that cool because none of the investigators that said they were going to come to church actually came, frustrating. But in the afternoon we had a really good Branch Counsel where the Branch President layed down the law a little bit and encouraged everyone to actually work in their callings and take this more seriously. I like that in a leader, it doesn't really happen that much here in this part of Peru. So then after the good branch council the Lord blessed me with one of the coolest experiences of my mission.

Three days ago we contacted and taught a lady that goes to the Seventh Day Advent church. She accepted another appointment and wanted to hear more but she told us she was already baptized and that it was okay to keep talking to her but she didn't really expect to get baptized again. That's kind of discouraging but we planned accordingly to teach the Restoration and have her gain a testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. So we passed by after the Branch Council and we started talking about the Restoration a little bit but then the conversation got turned to baptism. My comp started teaching baptism again and I didn't really know why but while he was teaching I felt the strong impression to talk about the Gift of the Holy Ghost and emphasize that. So we started talking about the Gift of the HG and she actually understood really well the importance of recieving the Holy Ghost. She admitted that she hadn't recieved the laying on of hands and felt like she needed to do it. When we felt it was right we challenged her to get baptized and she just stayed there, thinking. Then she started to tell us how last night she had a really powerful dream. She dreampt that she was dressed in white with all her family and they were outside the church (our church) and she was about to get baptized. She knew she had to get baptized again and she felt like god was telling her to do it but she didn't understand why. That is, she didn't understand till we taught her exactly what she wanted to know. Then she accepted the baptismal challenge for the 24th of November! It was really awesome and I know that the Lord prepares people to accept His gospel right when they need it.

Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to see the wedding and baptism of that family. It turns out they need to wait 15 days then they can get married. They're going to do it and wanted me to be there but its just not going to be possible till the 16th. I'm just grateful for the modern blessings of technology so I can keep talking to them and can see their baptismal pictures.

I hope this letter finds you all well. I'll see you all in the Salt Lake Airport on Wednesday November 7th. Hope I recognize you all! Have a good week and take luck.

Love,

Your Son and Brother,

Elder Child

Gettin Hot Hot Hot

Family!!!!

Thanks so much for all your letters and all your prayers this week. I've experienced some of the weirdest feelings this week becuase it seems like I can actually see the finish line up here in the near distance. It kind of makes me scared, nervous, happy, sad, home sick, mission sick, tired, and of course, hungry! So just wanted to thank you all for your prayers becuase I know that it could be so much worse without them. 

So this week was pretty action packed and I actually look back and think of all the stuff that happens to us everyday and I'm amazed. The first notable thing that actually happened is the subject of my email, its getting HOTTER! Last week all the people were like "its really weird this year becuase its still cold" and I was thinking, good I want it to stay that way. But the Lord heard the prayers of His sons and daughters here in Camana beucase everyday it has gotten hotter with a lot more sun too. If I wasn't a missionary it would be awesome to go to the beach and just enjoy it but since I'm hiking up hills in a suit everyday its not that fun. The other thing that has happened is the increase of mosquitos! They are driving me nuts. Repellant really only works for like an hour so I'm always putting it on. When I forget though it gets pretty horrible becuase they bite like crazy! Don't worry about me though becuase the Lord protects his missionaries.

This week we've seen the progress of a couple who are actually really interested in the church and want to get baptized. They are pretty cool. The lady is the sister of a member and the guy has a lot of friends who are members. The only problem is that they aren't married so we have to marry them. They were supposed to get married on Friday but we someone gave us "bad directions" and they didn't turn in the papers in time so they couldn't get married. It was kind of sad. But then I saw a little miracle in my life. We were talking to a member about our situation and she was like, "Why didn't you tell me before? Don't you guys know that the Mayor of Camanà is the godfather of my daughter? He'll do anything for me cuz we're best friends, if you want a free marriage he'll do us the favor, trust me, I've done it before." I was so grateful for that. We're going to nail down all the details this week so that they can get married and baptized next Friday, then they get confirmed my last Sunday in Peru. It would be such a cool experience to see them get married my last week in the mission, it would be a prayer answered for sure.

Well, so much other stuff has happened this week but I don't really have the time to do it. Just wait for a couple of weeks and we'll be talking all you want. I know the Lord lifts us and helps us becuase he did so with me Saturday and Sunday. I was going through a tough two days but my Father in Heaven blessed me with the strength to move on. Have a great week everybody and remember that your always in my prayers too!!

Love,

Elder Child

P.S. That news about the Cardinals almost killed me! I think I'll have to fast and pray like Enos so they can win tonight!! Please keep me updated!

P.S.S Congrats Nicole on the new "frosting" -

The Real World

Hey Family,

Thanks for all your love and thoughts this week. I've definately felt my savior closer to me these past days because even thought I'm used to being a missionary and I love doing it, there are still trials and days that just don't go as well as planned. But through it all I've grown do know that my Father in Heaven loves me and that I can make decisions that will make me happy in this life no matter what is going on around me. Feel free to send me as many letters as you want, I'm not complaining. It was funny to only see a couple this week as a response to what happened last week! As I think of it though I'm not really that far from talking to everyone of you so just hang tight. I also have to thank mom for making even more trunky than usually by painting me a nice picture of the canyons and the leaves in the fall. Its been about two years since I've seen a red or orange leaf so that's something I'd like to get back to.

I'm really amazed at just how much my view of the world and my view of people's decisions have changed on the mission. I have been blessed with a gift, probably one of my only gifts, of knowing why it's important to be obedient. It just makes sense to me, I really don't ask a lot of questions when it comes to commandments and rules and things like that. I also know that there is really no excuse to be disobedient then think that God will just forgive us becuase we had the "intention" to be a good person but for some excuse or another we weren't. I tell you all these things becuase we had the chance to visit a few more less active members and investigators who are really good people but who don't seem to aknowledge the importance of being obedient. We visited a man who got baptized more than 15 years ago and who really enjoyed listening to the missionaries and even gave them room and board. Little by little he fell away from the church. His excuse was that he had to work to support his family. He said that it wasn't possible to go to church on Sundays because if he did his kids would starve. I understood his concern but after establishing his faith in Jesus Christ we taught him what Jesus says to the Nephites in the Americas. Its when he reteaches the Sermon on the Mount and says that we shouldn't worry about what we are going to eat or drink or what we're going to wear, God will provide. I felt the spirit and knew it was true when we taught him that principle. But after I read the scripture he tells me, "Come on Elder, that was then, this is now. Unfortunately I have to live in the REAL world. Get serious." I felt really sad for him in that moment becuase he is missing out on so many blessings. Then I thought, you know what, THIS IS the REAL world. If we live by the teachings of our Savior, he really will bless us.

I think that we are sometimes the same as this good man who has real concerns about providing for his family. Do we REALLY believe in the scriptures? Do we apply them to ourselves? Or do we just think they are pretty stories? I know that if we trust in the scriptures and bind the Lord to His promises, we will never go hungry or fail in this life. I invite you all to ponder about your level of obedience and think about if you are putting up excuses to not be obedient. If there is something that impedes you to keep a commandment, really consider adapting your life so that you can keep that commandment.

This week was also really cool because we've seen some really good progress from some investigators. I'm amazed at how perfect the organization of the church is. Ward council can bless so many peoples' lives we just have to use it correctly. We are going to help a few couples get married in the next couple of weeks becuase there is going to be a free marriage soon! I'm excited for all the happy things that are going to go down after I leave, that makes me not want to leave! I hope you're all good and happy, I love you all!! Till next week!

Love,

Elder Child

P.S. October kills me because my team is going to REPEAT that playoff run of theirs!!! Just watch! (please tape the games)

Don't Ever Look Back

Hey Family,

I was pretty amazed at all the love I got in my inbox this morning, 11 huge letters just brimming with love and the spirit (and a little bit of sports but that's okay). I honestly have felt the savior's love for me through my family. The only problem is that I have about 10 mintues to write about my action packed fun filled week, lets go!!

So this week was pretty amazing, why you might ask? Oh I don't know probably becuase it was the GREATEST CONFERENCE EVER!!!!! There's definately not words (english or spanish) or exclamation points that can describe my feelings about conference. I laughed as the Prophet made a joke about the empty seats and his mother telling him he should have stayed with the piano (just so you know I'm having Karyn teach me the piano becuase I don't want to regret that). We were in a room with just us two americans and we were anxiously waiting for the temple announcements. He announced Tucson, Arizona then I was on the edge of my seat just waiting for what seemed like an hour then says in his prophetic voice of his "AREQUIPA, PERU"!!!! You could say we were a little bit pleased by that announcement! We both immediately jumped out of our chairs and starting yelling for joy. This missionary is going home with me, we've been together in the mission for two years and is a real friend of mine. We embraced and the the tears came easily as I thought about all the work we've been doing here for the past two years of my life!! I know that Thomas S. Monson is truly a prophet of God. I bear my testimony as the Lord's representative that He calls inspired men to do His work and that it is just that, His work. I've experienced more blessings and spiritual experiences in the last two years that I wouldn't trade it for the best job offer or the best sports offer. 

Needless to say that the entire conference spoke to me in a way that most people can't comprehend becuase just being in this service then feeling that connection with your mission and the Lord is something I will never experience ever again. My favorite talks were from Elder Nelson, Pres. Eyring, Elder Holland and of course the prophet. I heard that talk from Elder Holland when he gave it to the missionaries in the MTC teaching them to never go inactive after serving a mission but he once again spoke to my soul as he reiterated that for the entire church. My friend from St. George Elder Carr also loved the talk becuase Elder Holland is also from his home town of Santa Clara so that was special. 

Well, that's about it this week. Sorry about not writing more but my physical disablilities (and mental) at the keyboard keep me from typing more in just a few minutes. Keep the faith, be strong and trust your whole lives to the Lord. He has a plan and everything happens becuase he knows what's best for us. Can't wait to tell you everything else that happened this past week when we meet again.

Love,

Your Son,

And Brother,

Elder Child

He Does Listen

Hey family,

Thanks for all your letters, thoughts, prayers, and concerns I know I've really been strengthened by you all this week. This week was one of working in the Lords vineyard like always and I definately had a ton of spiritual experiencias with the members and investigators. Thanks for updating me on the weather over there in Zion, fall is a special time of year. Here its pretty much just overcast everyday (kind of boring). We're just entering spring here so its starting to warm up a little bit. I definately am glad that I'm going home the first part of november becuase as it gets warmer there comes a ton of mosquitos too and I do not want to live through that adventure.

So I got to know my comp a little more this week. Like I said he's pretty new, 3 months in the mission. He's from Paraguay and he's older than me, 24. We get along pretty well becuase he's pretty mature and level headed. Pretty much all of my comps have been pretty immature, even the ones older than me, so I've had to keep them planted on the earth most of the time. Its a good change to be able to concentrate on the work more and more every day. We've had some good experiences teaching together and he's already taught me a ton about how to follow the spirit and also about respecting people's agency. We aren't called here to force those around us to accept the gospel, we're here to invite them with the spirit, but if they don't want to accept it we just have to keep on talking to others who do. 

I feel really blessed by my Father in Heaven. I remember a talk President Monson gave when he was a little kid in the Great Depression and saved up 5 dollars but then lost it in the wash. He taught about prayer and about how God really does listen to us and loves us. This week I had a similar experience. I lost the memory card from my camera and along with some pictures that I really wanted to keep. I looked everywhere but couldn't find it. I have to admit that I was pretty sad becuase I really cherished those pictures and the memories they represented. I was praying to find it but still, nothing. I thought every thing was lost till today. I opened up my sock drawer and wouldn't you know it, there was my memory card with all those pictures I wanted! I felt so blessed in that moment. It wasn't something about life and death, but for me it was important and my Father in Heaven answered the humble prayer of one of His sons.

Things like that happen all the time to all of us. As I really ponder over that I recognize the Lord's hand in my life. We just need to remember to give thanks to God for all those little blessings we recieve everyday. I invite all of you to take some time and think about what you are grateful for. You'll have a spiritual experience I promise. This week is one of my favorites cuz its CONFERENCE!! I hope you can all listen to it. I'll be able to listen to it all in english so that's good. Have a good week everyone. Till next week.

Love,

Elder Child

P.S. Go Cards!! Please let me know what happens this week with the playoffs.

He Does Listen

Hey family,

Thanks for all your letters, thoughts, prayers, and concerns I know I've really been strengthened by you all this week. This week was one of working in the Lords vineyard like always and I definately had a ton of spiritual experiencias with the members and investigators. Thanks for updating me on the weather over there in Zion, fall is a special time of year. Here its pretty much just overcast everyday (kind of boring). We're just entering spring here so its starting to warm up a little bit. I definately am glad that I'm going home the first part of november becuase as it gets warmer there comes a ton of mosquitos too and I do not want to live through that adventure.

So I got to know my comp a little more this week. Like I said he's pretty new, 3 months in the mission. He's from Paraguay and he's older than me, 24. We get along pretty well becuase he's pretty mature and level headed. Pretty much all of my comps have been pretty immature, even the ones older than me, so I've had to keep them planted on the earth most of the time. Its a good change to be able to concentrate on the work more and more every day. We've had some good experiences teaching together and he's already taught me a ton about how to follow the spirit and also about respecting people's agency. We aren't called here to force those around us to accept the gospel, we're here to invite them with the spirit, but if they don't want to accept it we just have to keep on talking to others who do. 

I feel really blessed by my Father in Heaven. I remember a talk President Monson gave when he was a little kid in the Great Depression and saved up 5 dollars but then lost it in the wash. He taught about prayer and about how God really does listen to us and loves us. This week I had a similar experience. I lost the memory card from my camera and along with some pictures that I really wanted to keep. I looked everywhere but couldn't find it. I have to admit that I was pretty sad becuase I really cherished those pictures and the memories they represented. I was praying to find it but still, nothing. I thought every thing was lost till today. I opened up my sock drawer and wouldn't you know it, there was my memory card with all those pictures I wanted! I felt so blessed in that moment. It wasn't something about life and death, but for me it was important and my Father in Heaven answered the humble prayer of one of His sons.

Things like that happen all the time to all of us. As I really ponder over that I recognize the Lord's hand in my life. We just need to remember to give thanks to God for all those little blessings we recieve everyday. I invite all of you to take some time and think about what you are grateful for. You'll have a spiritual experience I promise. This week is one of my favorites cuz its CONFERENCE!! I hope you can all listen to it. I'll be able to listen to it all in english so that's good. Have a good week everyone. Till next week.

Love,

Elder Child

P.S. Go Cards!! Please let me know what happens this week with the playoffs.

Transfers

Hey My Awesome Family,

I've actually really enjoyed reading all your letters this week and I was so excited to hear about the Brigham City temple dedication. I don't now if its a sin but I always brag to people here about the fact that there are 15 temples in Utah, I do it to try to encourage them to actually magnify their callings and do what they are supposed to. I can't remember if there are other future temples in Utah but I'm sure the Lord will put more around the world according to the obedience of His sons and daughters. You guys kind of made me trunky talking about the beutiful fall weather and the leaves turning colors. I'm pretty lucky to see a tree with leaves here in Peru, well at least this part of Peru that is. Thanks for always updating me about my grandparents and other extended family members. I really do love my grandpa and my grandma. I know they are in good hands and the Lord will protect them while we grandsons are on missions but my heart really does go out to them when they are down in health.

This week was pretty crazy to say the least (I feel like I always say that at one point or another in my letters). Monday was just like any other p-day without playing soccer. I really do love the mission but I'm glad I'm going home in six weeks so I can play some basketball or something! It was pretty funny though becuase an Elder that just went home gave away all his stuff to the Elders in the zone, I just kept thinking how fast the time goes by. Tuesday was crazy becuase yet again we had to wake up early and travel to go to interviews with the mission President. I'm usually a little nervous when we have interviews with him becuase he is very strict but this time we just talked like old time friends. He told me a lot of things that I can't really share in an email but I was really grateful for the chance I had to hear from him that I have his support in my area and with my companion.

Speaking of companions, my comp was awesome. I say was becuase in that interview he told us ahead of time that Elder Pino was going to have transfers =( Transfers were this week and he advised him of his transfers on Tuesday. Elder Pino is now working in the mission office! I know he'll do great there. That's a place where they can't really work and have to do a lot of stressful work but they are blessed in their areas. The good thing was that we had the whole week to say goodbye to all the members, but the bad news is that we had to say goodbye. He was probably my best companion as far as obedience and spirituality is concerned but I was only with him for a month and a half.

My new comp just got here and he is a fairly new missionary too. He's been in the mission almost two months and he is from Paraguay. I've seriously only been able to get that much out of him in the little time we've been together so I'll fill you all in about him next week. I really hope we are able to work well together in the next six weeks but eventually he will have to "kill" me.

Looking back on some experiences in the mission I feel like I haven't been perfect and that I've lost some experiences becuase of my youthful errors but then I start to remember what the Lord has done for me and I'm filled with His spirit. I know He lives and loves us. I am so grateful for the chance I have to repent and start over new. I hope I can please Him in all that I do and can make Him proud. Love you all tons, hope you all have a good week. I heard the Utes lost so I guess I'm not that mad at Alex for not emailing because I'm sure he's not happy either.

Your Son and Bro,

Elder Child

Witnesses of God

Hey Family,

So today was one of the greater days of my missionary life, I feel like my missionary service has actually payed off. You want to know why? CUZ THE UTES BEAT THE COUGARS!!!!!!! I was so happy to hear about that!!! I know the Lord takes care of his missionaries that are out in the field. For all those young men that don't really want to go on the mission just tell them that their baseball team will win the World series and their football team will beat their rival three years in a row!!!! I'm grateful for all your support and letters and prayers and just in general all that you do for me even though we're not that close together. It sounds like life just keeps marching on like always. Things change, we adjust, then the world freaks out about something and everyone thinks it's the end of the world but those who are built upon the rock of Christ just keep going. I know that our Father in Heaven wants us to be happy and wants us to have His spirit and His guidance every day of our lives. It is our responsibility to get this guidance.

This week was pretty different than usual. There were definately some ups and some downs as well. The biggest thing that happened was probably a zone conference we had in Arequipa. There's nothing like waking up at 3:00 in the morning to take a 3 and a half hour bus ride to sit in a meeting for nine hours then take another 3 and half bus ride home!!!! I wasn't quite that excited about the idea but hey I did it. Anyways, it was a really good conference about our purpose as missionaries and the love god has for all of His children. I've heard all the stuff before, like 99% of the other missionaries there, but somehow our mission president always knows how to motivate us and get us to try to be better. He talked a lot about how we as missionaries have to be like Christ. We have to be like him becuase he made the doctrine of his Father his own doctrine. How did he do that? He had a personal relationship with his Father and sacrificed himself for all of us and was successful. We have to do the same. It was really a good training meeting and I'm confident that one day he'll be a seventy becuase of all the success we are having in the mission.

The next coolest experience was when we had District Conference. The general authority in charge of the conference was my mission president so we got to see him twice this week. He gave an awesome 40 minute talk about a lot of stuff but basically he reminded everyone of their baptismal covenants. It was awesome, he talked about how we have to do four things to have the spirit in our lives and recieve the remission of our sins 1. pray daily 2. read scriptures daily 3. family home evening every monday night and 4. home and visiting teaching. Don't ever settle for less than perfect! We are literally sons and daughters of God with His divinity within us. We can't be happy with being mediocre, He commands us to be perfect, even as He is. I really liked that talk and he told a few stories about each of those four things that really boosted my faith. Be Witnesses of God as well. A witness of god gives testimony of Him and spreads His teaching to all His children.

Well that's it for me this week, hope you all have a good one. Can't wait to hear from you all next week, be safe and try to be better in those four things mentioned above, it will make you happier.

Elder Child

Conferences Are Awesome!!!

Hey Family,

I can't believe it has really been an entire week since the last time I read your letters and was able to write you about that crazy wedding and baptism. Good news, Eliceo got the priesthood this Sunday which is always awesome to witness as a missionary becuase that means more people will be building the kingdom of God on the earth. Just to let you all know, YES I finally got my birthday package after waiting a month and a half for it. Thanks for the beautiful letters and homemade birthday cards, I think my favorite was mom's coloring book page of how the Beatles got started, I laughed for more than a while! Anyways, I'm glad you had a good vacation over there in San Fran and Oakland even though you didn't find yourself in the best of circumstances. Now you know how I felt for about 2 months in the field when I was the only white person around and they all were speaking a language I couldn't even understand. Sometimes I feel like we are also in dangerous circumstances in the mission, mostly dog troubles and crying drunk guys who want to kiss me, but I know our Heavenly Father protects us, especially if we are doing the right things and trying to serve him with all our heart.

So this week wasn't one with a ton of news. Monday I got my package and we were able to play some ping pong, shoot some hoops with the only other gringo in the zone, and just hang out for awhile. Soccer (football) is now strictly prohibited thanks to my dear Elder Juan Uceda. When he came to visit the mission about two months ago he gave that new rule to our mission president and said that here in south america soccer is a contact sport that we shouldn't play as missionaries because... well the Lord says so, so just do it. It's kind of funny to hear the mission president talk to us about that rule becuase he absolutely loves soccer. He told us that he was talking to Elder Uceda on the phone and was like, "You know what, I don't understand at all your rule, but I'll be obedient." To which Elder Uceda responded, "You will be blessed for your obedience." Now our mission president is like "Well it's been two months and I'm still waiting for my blessings!!!!!" I think our lives are like that a lot of times. There are some commandments, rules, meetings and what not that we just don't understand but our Father in Heaven is just testing our obedience. If we're not humble we might just be obedient but with bad feelings and we won't see the blessings. But if were are humble, meek and mild we will definately see our blessings more than we can count.

The biggest story from this week has to be the support we've been getting from our branch. I think this was the first time a branch has actually done what the Area Presidency has asked them to do. I don't know if this plan exists in Utah but here the wards are supposed to give us 15 families where not everybody are members so that we can reactivate and baptize with the help of the ward. They actually gave us their 15 families this week and they are more than willing to help us out with some members that have fallen away and baptize their family members. I'm really excited to work with them becuase that is so much more effective than knocking doors and talking with the same people every week who really don't want to accept the gospel.

One of those families was a kid who got baptized when he was like 16 and was active for like three years. He went away to work and then went inactive. As time went by he knew he had to go back to church but felt uncomfortable with the members he hadn't seen for three years. What would they say? What would they think about me? Would I be accepted by them even though I've been inactive for so long? So he didn't ever go back. He met a girl and had a baby with her. He got into a really bad car accident about two months ago and had to have titanium bars placed in his leg to heal it. He still can't walk or work. We visited them the other night and we met the girl he's living with. The girl is really awesome and wants to listen to us really bad. The guy, Luis, was really grateful and I think one day they will get married and she'll get baptized.

That experience made me think of a few talks in the April general conference. How are we helping the less active come back to church? Do they know that we still love them and care about them? Or are we judgemental of those who have lost their way and gossip about the weaknesses of others? I hope we can all extend a warm hand of friendship and love to all those that live in our wards and help them come to the Savior. I love general conference talks. I'm reading them again this week and I feel like I understand them better. We'll have District conference this week and from what I heard from mom that regional conference with Elder Perry and Elder Clayton was filled with the spirit. I invite you all to prepare yourselves for this upcoming October general conference. Try to listen to all of it, every single session, live. I know it might be a sacrifice but I promise you that you'll recieve revelation.

That's about it. I can't wait to see you all in November. I was thinking about doing that tour of Peru with the Parents but have decided it would be better to go to my best friend's wedding and see the whole family at the airport.

Love,

Your Elder

Richie

They Got Hitched

Hey Family,

Thanks for your letters this week about your lives in the good ole USA. I'm glad to hear everybody is okay and happy. I'm loving it here in my new area now. It's not as cold as it was when I got here. I can imagine how crazy humid it gets though in the summer and I'm glad I wont be here when all that goes down.That makes me very happy that the  Utes won there opener just hope Utah State doesn't pull anything off. Luckily I'm in a zone where there aren't any BYU football fans so I don't have to hear any of that this year. My week was super busy and a little bit tiring but it was awesome at the same time.

First of all I have to tell you about the wedding and the baptism. Its official, THEY GOT HITCHED!!! So lets start from the beggining of that day becuase it was kind of crazy. My comp got sick and was like super weak and discouraged the entire day. It was kind of frustrating becuase I wanted to help him and take it easy but we had to go pick up  the couple, pick up the witnesses and a whole bunch of other stuff. We were with some other missionaries that morning so we gave him a blessing and in the end it all turned out okay, he didn't die.

So they were supposed to get married Friday at 2:00 pm by the mayor.  And his secretary was like, hey we don't like to marry mormons becuase they always show up late, if you guys aren't here at 2:15 the mayor is leaving... So my comp and I go over the the couple's house at like 1:45 and we're like ya let's go. The daughter comes out and says, hey my dad was like crying this morning and says he doesn't want to get married and he's still in his pajamas so they might not get married. I FLIPPED OUT!!!!!!!!!!! I was like, ya go tell them that if they don't come down here in five minutes I will drag them to the town hall and they're getting married wether they like it or not!!! So she was like, okay calm down gringo I'll tell them. So at like 1:55 they come downstairs all dressed and we go over to the town hall, crisis avoided.

We got there on time but the witnesses didn't. The second witness didn't get there till 2:14 and like 58 seconds and I was about to have a heart attack!!! But anyways we all got there and so we go in and the secretary is like, thanks for coming, could you do me a favor and go to the mayor's house and tell him to get over here?!! I was about to die from the whole sarcasm of the day!! The Lord really does have a good sense of humor becuase of all the trials he put me though before the wedding and the mayor isn't even in his office to marry the people!

The wedding was more of a business meeting than anything. They had to  sign a whole bunch of papers. The mayor is actually a cool guy and he kept referring to us in the wedding."Well, you guys made a good decision and the missionaries will be there to tell you how to make it all good with GOD, so keep going to church." I thought that was funny becuase he really doesn't have any power to bind those two people but in a holy temple of the Lord we can make those promises and recieve those blessings. They were pronounced man and wife and I took a deep breath of relief.

Eliceo, the groom investigator then got baptized. I wish I could tell you all that happened to get that baptism ready but the time doesn't permit me. Just know that it wasn't that easy. Luckily a few members showed up and it was a good service. They then had their little reception and I was glad we have  a branch that actually cares about these kinds of things becuase there was cake, music and dancing.

All in all I really saw the Lord's hand in my life this week. We found an awesome family of 5 on Tuesday and hopefully they can get baptized on the 22 of September!!! I'm also learning quechua with my comp, an indiginious peruvian language, it's pretty cool.

I hope you all have a good week. Be careful on your vacation to San Fran mom and dad. Get ready for conference now, start thinking about all the stuff in your life that your want answers to and listen to the prophet!!

Till next week,

Love,

Elder Child

P.S. My comp thinks he's a shark and always bites me, that's like Karyn class wierd!!!

Anxiously Engaged

Hey Family,

Well first things first. I'm glad to hear that its possible to come get me I'm just sorry there's not much time to plan everything. Right at this moment all I have is the husband's email, who is really the one that has the tour business, its jorgesad3@hotmail.com I THINK!!! Sorry but I didn't exactly come to the internet store with all that info. But ya seriously she was like, ya I can do it for about 800 soles (which is like $300) and she took me through every single day, the hotels, the food, the buses, everything. Remember that guy who called you from Orem and his daughter served in my mission? Well she was in that area too and they did a similar tour with that sister, so they've done it before. The couple's name is Jorge and Noelia Sardon. They kind of speak english but not super fluent. I don't have their number today but will bring it next week. As far as my release date is concerned I believe it is the 6th of November or the 7th but I'll call the office and try to get that info!!! If you call my president I have no idea if you will be able to speak to him because I've never heard him speak english, good luck!

So this week was actually really interesting even though it was kind of stressful at the same time. First of all I have to tell you about a first in my life. Wednesday was the first time in my life that I've eaten goose! It was pretty interesting. So there's a part of our area that's up the canyon about an hour and a half in bus and we went there on Wednesday. Its pretty cool becuase Camanà is the coast and pretty humid but this place (named Socso) is like nice and dry by a river and there is NOTHING! Its pretty much all dirt where the people live and they build their houses out of plants (in spanish its cañas but in english I have no I idea what it is).  Anyways, there's some members who live up there so they took us to their references and we taught a little bit. But the interesting part was when the old grandma killed the goose and said hey this is what we're having for lunch! Goose is good, its like duck, which is like a tough chicken!

This week we are going do have a baptism and wedding (i hope). We are trying to marry a member to her "husband" and he's going to get baptized. His name is Eliseo and he's got a cool story kind of. His wife and daughters have almost always gone to church but he was too busy working and getting drunk to care. Then about a month ago he fell off a construction site and broke his back. That's when he decided to take the missionaries seriously and listen and go to church. So we've been helping them get married which is like a nightmare becuase the peruvians aren't exactly organized and they do everything in the hardest way! But yeah, I have faith that it's going down this Friday!! (Pray for us)

 This was the first time in a long time that I've been a part of a "real" branch council meeting. It was actually pretty awesome becuase they did a lot. They actually made goals for the trimester report and made everybody accountable for what is going on in their organization. For example, of the 167 families that live in the branch, only 10 were visited by their home teachers last month, so they kind of wanted to get better. Then they surprised us and started making goals about the missionary work in the branch! We were pretty happy becuase they want to baptize 11 people this month of September! If that actually happens that would be great! We really need their help becuase we have like three families that need to get married in order to get baptized which is like impossible to do without the member's help. The branch president quoted Pres. Hinckley and I really liked it "If you spend your whole life just thinking of yourself you'll end of being very sad. Lose yourself in the best cause there is in the worl, the Lord's and you'll experience more hapiness than anything else." I like that becuase it is absolutely true. I've been a little more engaged in the service of my fellow beings this past week and have really felt the difference. The time sure flies and I've felt even more strength from my heavenly father.

I love you all very much, thank you for your prayers. The hill in the morning for breakfast is getting shorter every day and I don't breathe as hard when we get there. But I don't know if I can get used to the ice cold showers every morning!!!

Till next week, love you all!!!

Elder Child

P.S. We were walking home really fast one night through a street that's kind of dark and I hit my head on  a low lying roof! The peruvians didn't really have me in mind when they made their houses. I felt like an Idiot though!

P.S.S. Well here are the pics from my baptism en Palacio, Diana.  Then there's pics from Jackson's baptism and finally my birthday wish to my favorite sister named Karyn!!!! Happy birthday sis sorry I couldn't be there for the party at Texas Roadhouse, was too busy preaching the gospel among the sinners here in Peru!!! Love you all, have a good week!!

It's always good to start a transfer with a baptism!!

Hey Family,

Greetings from Camana in the great country of Peru! This week really has been something different and exciting. I could definately see the Lord's hand in my life this past week and I'm so grateful for it. It was so good to hear from all of you, thanks for your prayers and for your thoughts, I honestly was able to feel all of them. I have a lot to tell you all so lets get started.

Well my area is pretty interesting. The city is by the ocean so the weather is sometimes like a really nice San Diego, sea breeze and warm sun. But becuase its winter here in Peru its been pretty overcast and muggy. That's supposed to change here in about a month and then its supposed to get really hot right about the last of November. My area is next to the fields and farms of camana. They farm a lot of rice and other stuff here. Its pretty interesting how they do stuff here in Peru, they save all the flat area for farming then they build their houses on steep slopes of sand. So there's a lot of dirt just to say the least. We live pretty far away from where we eat so that's always an adventure. We have to walk really fast (up a giant hill of sand) for about five minutes to eat. I get a work out every time! The members here are pretty cool, they are warm and friendly even if they have no idea how to run a branch of the church.

My comp like I said is like my little brother because he turned 18 the 17th of March. He's from Santiago Chile and he has about two months in the mission now. He was born in the covenant (which is pretty rare). He played for the "minor leagues" of chilean soccer so that's cool! I really love him becuase he's super obedient and knows the lessons. I barely have to help him at all.

We had a baptism this first week which was awesome. Jackson is a little kid who's grandma is a member so we taught a couple of times and had his baptism on Saturday. I'll have to go into more detail when I get home but lets just say it was a special experience with the water. My comp baptized him then Sunday he got confirmed.

Something really hilarious that happened this week is that the little kid that lives where we eat was eating spicy chips so he started to blow on them to cool them down!! I love little kids!!!

Sunday was amazing because we found a bunch of really awesome people to teach and baptize. One lady said she had heard the missionaries before and has a lot of family members who are members. She was about to get baptized but then her dad got sick and had to take care of him. She also had a dream where god told her to read the book of mormon so that's awesome.

Well, that's about all for this week, the hour really flies by to write letters. Thanks once again and do something fun for my birthday and for Karyn's as well. Love you tons. Congrats Alex on the old Elder ordination thing, the priesthood is awesome but only if you use it to serve others (go home teaching)!!!!

Love,

Your Bro,

Elder Child

It's always good to end transfers with a baptism!!

Hey Family,

I'm so grateful to hear about this past week from you guys. It sounds like summer is winding down nicely over there and school is starting up for some and work for others. I'm glad you were also able to enjoy yourselves at a ward activity. That rarely happens where I'm at in the mission so it will be nice to actually go to a well planned ward activity here in a few months. I know God answers prayers becuase my little brother got his job to pay for his mission, I was happy to here about that.

So this week was actually pretty CRAZY!!! It started off pretty cool because we taught a super awesome lesson Tuesday night to an investigator we've been teaching for like 5 months, Diana. Diana lives with her aunt and uncle in our ward. They are members but she was raised Jehovah's Witness. She has come to church for the past 4 months and she likes it but always said it was different. She had a natural interest in the church becuase it was different and she wanted to hear more about prophets and apostles that we have now. But she always had doubts about certain things. Little by little we helped her with her doubts and questions. Then she started to read the Book of Mormon regularly and her faith got huge. So Tuesday we talked about Alma 30 with Corihor and asking signs from God. Diana had prayed and read before about the Book of Mormon but kept telling us that she didn't want to get baptized becuase she was waiting for a bigger answer from God. So when we read that chapter with her she really got touched and the spirit testified that she had to exercise her faith and just do it. The members helped us out with a couple of good testimonies. I'm so glad for that because in that lesson she made the decision to get baptized!! We had her baptism on Saturday in the afternoon and even though not a lot of people showed up, her testimony was the best part. I love new convert testimonies becuase usually it is so pure.

The other crazy thing that happened this week is that we had transfers. I was seriously doubting my transfer because I wanted to end in Palacios. The members here are really my friends and I've have some awesome experiences with them. So after visiting a few families last night we waited till 1:30 AM for the phone call. I was a little discouraged when they told me I had transfers. I was sad to leave that awesome ward I was in but the Lord has called me to work in another part of the mission for the last 3 months of my mission. I had to pack all my stuff and call a few people and say goodbye to the boys that I lived with, that was tough, they were like my brothers. So I went to bed at 3:30 and got up at 6:00 to catch my bus to my new area. I'm now in a part that's called Camanà. Its the coastal part of Arequipa so yup I got to see the beach this morning. I hope I can do a good job here. My new comp is called Elder Pino, he's from Chile, he's 18 (week younger than Alex) and has been out for a month now. I hope I can teach him the things he needs to know to be successful as a missionary. Its a great responsibility.

Well, that's about it. Pray for me here. I was really bummed out about leaving this past area because I was there for 6 months but I know I'll make new friends here in this area. I love you all so much, waiting for the package hope it comes this week.

Have an awesome week.

Love,

Elder Child

It's Kind of a Long Story!!!!

Hey Family!!!

I missed you guys soooo much these past two weeks, just want to tell you all I'M ALIVE!!!!!! Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts and concerns. I can imagine how worried you were  from not hearing from a loved one for a couple of weeks! I can explain everything but I don't know if I have the time to do so.

Alright, so last week was all good till Tuesday. My companion has had this weird growth thing on his thigh for about a week and it started hurting pretty bad so we finally called the President's wife and she said we should go to the hospital. So we go to the hopsital and the doctor said my comp shouldn't be walking. He had an infection that I have no idea how we say it in English so I won't try. So my comp and I had to go to the hospital every day for four days so they could clean the infection then on Friday he had another visit with the doctor. Turns out his leg got worse instead of better and the doctor said, you know what, you have to be in the hopsital for the next two weeks or we have to amputate your leg!!! That was a little bit of a shocker. Of course we were super bummed and I kind of flipped out becuase we have a ton of work to do. So that night Friday we started our "hostage" situation in the hospital. I tried to set up splits with the priests in our ward and a couple of days I was able to leave but the majority of the time I was stuck in the hospital too. It was kind of a weird experience becuase my comp was fine but he had to have an IV and tons of anitbiotics.  So we spent a ton of time together  and the nurses got mad a lot becuase my comp just couldn't sit still in his bed and had to get up and walk around. Luckily Saturday in the afternoon the doctor came in and said, Hey it's not as serious as we thought you can leave on Tuesday!! We were super happy for that.

Now, I wasn't able to write on Monday becuase we were stuck in the hospital and I couldn't get two people to do splits the whole day. So since I couldn't get to a computer sadly I wasn't able to read your letters or write you either. Believe me, I was more worried about what mom would do over the phone to my mission president than about getting to read the letters from my family!!!! I was definately praying for you all this week.

So after Tuesday my comp was released from the hospital but he was ordered to stay in bed for another five days, till sunday. So it was pretty much the same story this past week, in the house not doing much, but at least I was able to sleep in my own bed.

I grew to be really thankful for all the blessings my Father in Heaven gives to me everyday. I am very grateful for my health, I really haven't had to suffer that much in the mission. I'm grateful for a family that writes me letters every week, well at least most weeks. And I'm very grateful for the restored gospel in my life and the plan of salvation. We taught an investigator a coulple of times this week that grew up in a Jehovah's witness family and it's apparent their desire to learn all they can about God and try to do the right things. But, they don't have all the knowledge we have about the pure and simple truths of the gospel.

Hope you all have a good week and thanks for the pictures you've been sending me.

Love,

Elder Child


Here are some pretty funny pictures from the barbeque the other week.

Hate to Be Unoriginal With My Subjects But This Was a Great Week

Hey Famali,

This week like my title says was a great week, just a ton of good news and hope for my area. I love to read all of your letters and all the good news from the states. I'm glad to hear that you all had some good spiritual experiences this week, some in the form of getting flat tires as a result of breaking the Sabbath, and others by remembering the pioneers and their legacy. This week a brother gave a talk from the July Ensign about the pioneers and it is a great talk from Elder Perry. I absolutely love to hear about the pioneers and their legacy becuase that's where I come from and my whole family as well.

This week was awesome because we had our Baptisms!!! Paola and Monica got baptized on Saturday night at 7:00 pm and there was quite a bit of ward support so we were happy. Even though we had to worry about filling the font and heating the water and organizing the baptismal service at least the Relief Society President bought the cake and was there to give the ward welcome to the two new converts. I was really edified that night and humbled at the same time. There was a little bit of stress because we had to organize a lot of stuff at the last second and wasn't really feeling the spirit till the actual ordinance. Then the two girls gave their testimony and I really was surprised. Monica gave a really good testimony that came from the spirit. She gave a testimony just like an old member in the church and I knew without a doubt that the church is true and that this work is also true. Paola also gave a moving testimony. Paola always wanted to get baptized but her sister no. Because of our persistence and the love she felt when she was around the members and around us, she decided to really listen to us and read and pray. Then she felt the spirit testify to her that the church is true and that she should get baptized.

Also this week Elder Juan A. Uceda of the Seventy came and visited the mission. We had a conference with him all afternoon on Thursday. It really was one of the biggest spiritual experiences of my mission. I know that he is a servant of God. He always referred to the seriousness of this calling that we both have. The difference I think is that almost ALL of the Seventies take their calling seriously and act on faith and obedience. Sometimes us young men don't really understand our calling and don't take it seriously. I really want to be a better missionary becuase of that conference we had.

We had a stake activity in our ward on Saturday and it was pretty awesome. It was almost like being at home becuase they did a really awesome barbeque and had soccer and volleyball tournaments. We also now have a Ward Mission Leader!! We are going to have SOOO much success now that we are going to have more support. Our new Ward mission leader is that ex branch president who graduated from BYU and live in the Avenues in Salt Lake for like 20 years. He's super cool and the first day called an assistant and is already planning meetings, activities, has goals and has the vision. He said something really awesome yesterday. He said that some people get offended becuase they get released from their callings and think that they are doing something "worse or less important". He said he had served with ex mission presidents in the primary and they loved it, we have to have this attitude of lifting where we stand. The church is perfect and true, shouldn't we try to serve there?

Thanks for all the support, I know the Lord will bless us for being obedient.

Love,

Your Son and Brother

Elder Child


P.s. This is the baptism we had. The girl with the baby is Monica and the other one is Paola. More pictures next week. 

Happy Birthday Elder Bastidas

Hey Family,

Its so great to hear from you all this week. I love to hear that you're all doing well and that the summer is in full swing. I wish we could get some of that heat here at night. Its usually really nice during the day but right when the sun goes down it gets really chilly. Its like some great fall weather but without all the leaves on the grass. It made me laugh the other day becuase one of the kids we live with, Josemit, had to "rake the leaves" it was like half a garbage bag full of leaves in their tiny yard. He was complaining about it all then I told him how it is at our house and he just grabbed the rake and started again, it was funny. That's probably something I'm not looking forward to when I get back home though. Speaking of coming home I think there was a little bit of a mis communication last week. If I remember right Karyn asked me when I was coming home and I responded Wednesday November 7th. That is my guess as to when I'll be home becuase the North Americans ALWAYS get home on the Wednesday after the last transfers. BUT if I extend I'll be coming home right around christmas (six weeks later), so I can't say for sure If I'll be home on the 7th or not, it's just a guess. Sorry for not writing to the whole family about the matter, its not a verified fact from my mission president so I'll just have to wait and see. Thanks for your concern, when I know 100% I'll be sure to write the whole family in the same email. But hey if its a hassle to come to the airport that day I guess I could just take a taxi like mom suggested.

Anyways, this week was pretty awesome for us. Like we usually do we played soccer as a zone last monday and had a good time. I actually scored like three goals left footed so that was probably like a little accomplishment for me especially since I'm right footed. We had some pretty cool experiences this week doing splits with a bunch of elders in the zone. Its always fun to get to know other elders and learn from them and their style of teaching. I was with the Elder from Idaho on Tuesday and then an Elder from Ecuador on Thursday. I just love how the Lord knows who we work best with and who needs to be our regular companion. I've learned a lot from Elder Bastidas and love to be around him, usually. There's always those MOMENTS when we disagree but we usually get along really well and he is HILARIOUS. He is known as the uncontrollable ADHD jokester in the mission and of course we get put together cuz I'm exactly the opposite!!! It was his 25th birthday on Friday the 13th and we had a good time. We visited a couple of members and they threw eggs on him (a peruvian tradition-actually I think its in all of southamerica)!!! Our "mom" gave us pizza and cake that night too and that was special. I also sang him a birthday song along with the other kid that we live with, it was pretty funny because it was total improv and sounded horrible!!!

I know without a doubt that this is the Lord's work. This week we should have our two baptisms. Paola and Monica. They are so special. They are accepting all of the commandments and living by them and are excited about their baptism on Saturday. Paola still needs permission from her dad but they say he is happier about the decision now which is an absolute miracle. This guy didn't even want to see us or want us in his house but now he is changing his mind a little. We'll just keep praying, I know that he will soften his heart. We were able to give talks in sacrament meeting, again. I talked a bit about the normal and natural way to share the gospel. The ex mission president of this mission also gave a 20 minute talk so I got saved a little bit on time but the spirit was there. I love the promise that Jesus gave his disciples in 3 Nephi 28:9-10. I know he will help us and bless us if our desire is to bring souls unto Him.

Love,

Elder Child