Hey Family,
This week was pretty awesome for me and it sounds like for you guys
too. I'm glad its warming up a bit over there in Utah and that you're
all enjoying the extra hour of daylight. I saw that on the calendar
and thought Oh no, we're going to lose an hour of sleep but then I
realized I'm in Peru!!!! Sorry about not telling you about my new
comp, it kind of slipped my mind. His name is Elder Lozano, he's from
Peru, a part called Iquitos that's in the Jungle. He has 6 months in
the mission and isn't super experienced but he's super calm and
obedient, so I couldn't ask for anything else. His trainer is from my
group of missionaries who lives in Tooele, kind of cool. So my old
comp Elder Parra was only in Moqegua for like a week without me. He
got transferred this past week, can you guess where? That's right, in
our Zone!!! It was so cool to see him again. We see eachother three
times a week now which is cool. He really is a good friend and we went
through a lot together.
So I actually wrote some stuff down this week so I could remember.
Last P-day was cool. We ate in a member's home. We had the typical
food from Arequipa, stuffed red chili peppers (so delicious). It's
been like 8 months since I've eaten those, so It was good. Tuesday was
interesting because it was the first time in like a year that I've had
to use my raincoat. Its funny because it rains here every year but
nobody is really prepared for it, the streets flood pretty easily. But
the craziest thing is that for the first time in my mission I saw
lightning and heard thunder!! It was pretty weird. It usually doesn't
throw around lightning here in Arequipa for some reason so last year I
never heard any. Everybody freaked out but I was calm!!!!
Friday was super cool becuase a prayer was answered. Up to that day we
didn't really have very many new investigators so I pleaded with
Heavenly Father for help. I promised to talk to EVERY single person
that crossed my way that day. In the morning, I felt the strong
impression to knock a door. Turns out the guy that lives there has a
friend that's a member and is waiting to read the Book of Mormon.
Twenty minutes later we found a guy that had just moved to this area
and was looking for the church. He said he feels something different
in his heart when he goes to the Mormon Church and just wants to know
for himself what church to go to. Then in the afternoon we found like
6 others like that, unfortunately I dont have time to write about all
of them but just konw that I konw if we EXERCISE our faith and bind
god in his promises, he will ALWAYS deliver us. I konw the book is
true too!! I've met and listened to a lot of other churches in my
mission and have to say that a few have pretty convincing arguements
about their churches or about specific practices (going to church on
saturday). If I didn't have the rock that is the book of mormon, It
would be easy to be confused and lost by these teachings. I encourage
you all to read the book of mormon again and feast upon its words. Let
those words get infused into your soul and practice them. ASK our
loving heavenly father at the end of every day if the book is true.
When you finish the book, your testimony will be bulletproof. I love
the mission!!!!
Elder Child
P.S. That's crazy to hear about Jordan, I wrote him an email. Can't
wait to see him hear in Arequipa.
P.SS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX, HOPE THE PARTY IS OFF THE HOOK! JUST ONE
YEAR MORE AND YOU'LL BE OVER HERE TOO!!!!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
El Palacio (Palace)
Hey Everybody,
What's going on family, good or what? (That's how Elder Parra always said hi to people). I'm glad to hear that alls good in Gringolandia and that FINALLY you got some snow. My belief in the end of the world this december has diminished a little bit with that news. I hear Karyn is doing all right down there in Cedar, I hope she gets that scholarship. Also, I was a little surprised that Nicole got a new car, I guess that job is treating her pretty well. I'm excited for all of the good news.
This week was actually pretty crazy. So right after I got to my new area, I wrote you all. After I got off the computer the zone leaders were like, "Hey did your other zone leaders tell you the news?" I was like, "What news?" You were just called as DISTRICT LEADER! I was pretty surprised and taken off guard becuase they usually tell you that with your transfers. I was so humbled to be given this new assignment. I honestly wasn't expecting that becuase I thought that I was one of the least prepared people to do that. I have searched for the Lord's help even more this week and have felt His hand right there with me. Leaders have to call people and make sure everybody is safe and working well so it takes more effort at night. I was thinking that there is no way I could do that becuase I usually get home and I'm exhausted. This week, I had all the energy in the world and was able to fulfill my calling the best I knew how. Pretty much every day I just barely had time to think that its finally time to sleep and got into bed, closed my eyes and bam! already dreaming. I know that the Lord will help you fulfill your calling. The thing about having a leadership assignment in the mission is that nobody really tells you all the specifics about how to be a leader so you just have to recieve the Lord's help and follow the spirit on some stuff. I really had no idea how to do some of the stuff so I know I'm not perfect but that's how we learn.
My area is sooo rich!!!! I was stunned to see how many houses had gates, electric garage door openers, lawns, plants, pitched roofs and cars. Most of our investigators live in gated communities and we have to check in with the security guard before going in. It was the first time in 16 months that I've heard a lawnmower!!!! That was definately a cool experience. We live like 20 feet away from the church so that's cool. It is the smallest chapel I've ever seen!! There's room for about 50 people in the chapel. There's like 4 classrooms, the bishop's office, the secretary's office and the bathroom, that's it. What's ironic about that is that there are actually a lot of members that come to church (probably 80) and they are all super wealthy. Like half the people know english and a quarter of the people have been to the states. One lady used to live in the Avenues and we are going to eat mexican food in her house next sunday (first time in like forever).
All in all this week was pretty awesome. We have a lot of support from the members and we are getting references. I hope we continue to find, teach, and baptize here in order to build the Kingdom. Sorry, my time's a little short becuase I wrote Karyn and Nicole so I have to say bye. Keep the faith and have some spiritual experiences. Can't wait to get the Valentine's package in July!!!!!!
Love,
Elder Child
What's going on family, good or what? (That's how Elder Parra always said hi to people). I'm glad to hear that alls good in Gringolandia and that FINALLY you got some snow. My belief in the end of the world this december has diminished a little bit with that news. I hear Karyn is doing all right down there in Cedar, I hope she gets that scholarship. Also, I was a little surprised that Nicole got a new car, I guess that job is treating her pretty well. I'm excited for all of the good news.
This week was actually pretty crazy. So right after I got to my new area, I wrote you all. After I got off the computer the zone leaders were like, "Hey did your other zone leaders tell you the news?" I was like, "What news?" You were just called as DISTRICT LEADER! I was pretty surprised and taken off guard becuase they usually tell you that with your transfers. I was so humbled to be given this new assignment. I honestly wasn't expecting that becuase I thought that I was one of the least prepared people to do that. I have searched for the Lord's help even more this week and have felt His hand right there with me. Leaders have to call people and make sure everybody is safe and working well so it takes more effort at night. I was thinking that there is no way I could do that becuase I usually get home and I'm exhausted. This week, I had all the energy in the world and was able to fulfill my calling the best I knew how. Pretty much every day I just barely had time to think that its finally time to sleep and got into bed, closed my eyes and bam! already dreaming. I know that the Lord will help you fulfill your calling. The thing about having a leadership assignment in the mission is that nobody really tells you all the specifics about how to be a leader so you just have to recieve the Lord's help and follow the spirit on some stuff. I really had no idea how to do some of the stuff so I know I'm not perfect but that's how we learn.
My area is sooo rich!!!! I was stunned to see how many houses had gates, electric garage door openers, lawns, plants, pitched roofs and cars. Most of our investigators live in gated communities and we have to check in with the security guard before going in. It was the first time in 16 months that I've heard a lawnmower!!!! That was definately a cool experience. We live like 20 feet away from the church so that's cool. It is the smallest chapel I've ever seen!! There's room for about 50 people in the chapel. There's like 4 classrooms, the bishop's office, the secretary's office and the bathroom, that's it. What's ironic about that is that there are actually a lot of members that come to church (probably 80) and they are all super wealthy. Like half the people know english and a quarter of the people have been to the states. One lady used to live in the Avenues and we are going to eat mexican food in her house next sunday (first time in like forever).
All in all this week was pretty awesome. We have a lot of support from the members and we are getting references. I hope we continue to find, teach, and baptize here in order to build the Kingdom. Sorry, my time's a little short becuase I wrote Karyn and Nicole so I have to say bye. Keep the faith and have some spiritual experiences. Can't wait to get the Valentine's package in July!!!!!!
Love,
Elder Child
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Good News, Bad News
Hey Family,
Greetings from the big city of Arequipa. This past week we had
transfers and after almost 6 months I left Moquega. I absolutely loved
every minute of my time there in that area and I learned soooo much. I
love the people there, the weather (hot), and the cool landscape.
Heavenly Father knew that I needed to learn some things there and
that's why I was sent to that area. This past week was full of events
and surprises. Firstly, on Monday, I was able to play soccer with the
zone after a long time. I actually playing that sport now. I can
actually keep up with the latinos becuase I understand most of the
techniques and play strategies. My comp was like, "hey, this is not
the Elder Child, I used to know, he plays like a latino!!"
So, my email is entitled, good news bad news and I'll tell you why. On
Tuesday I got the biggest surprise of my life, my Christmas package
arrived!!!!! I was so elated!!! (big word bonus, kind of). That was
definately good news. I loved the drawings, the card, the cds (even
though you've already sent me two of them, but now I have duplicates).
I also loved all the treats in the package. I was soo glad to get to
eat the m&ms. Now the bad news, I literally could not eat it all fast
enough and I had to leave the better half of it in my apartment when I
left. Unfortunately I didn't have room for all that stuff in my
suitcases.
More good news. That same night I went on splits with an assistant.
He's really cool and not like super strict trying to get everybody in
trouble for breaking rules. He helped me out a lot. My comp went with
our zone leader to an appointment with an investigator we've been
teaching for like 4 months and wasn't really progressing. In the end,
she decided she wanted to get baptized this past Saturday and they did
the interview in that moment. I was sooo happy to hear that. Her name
is Veronica and she's really nice, she showed effort on her part at
the end because we didn't have to drag her to the baptismal service or
the confirmation, she actually had the desire to do it all on her own.
Her baptismal service was pretty sweet becuase it was with the whole
stake. We had 8 baptisms that night as a zone, it was pretty cool. I
got to be with my friends from the mission the last saturday in
Moquegua.
We had a cool activity in the mission department of our ward. We had a
few returned missionaries share experiences from their missions and a
little bit about the country where they served. They also cooked stuff
from the different countries. They asked me in the last minute to cook
something too so I made French Toast, they loved it and all wanted to
know how to make it. The bad news is that the stove pretty much blew
up in my face and the end becuase there was some gas leak in the stove
but God protected me and nothing happened, just a loud bang and a
bunch of freaked out Peruvians. The good news is that nobody got hurt,
the bad news is that all the peruvians are always super late so we
(missionaries) couldn't stay for the whole activity. But the next day
for breakfast I had a PB&J sandwhich (actually three=). I missed that
stuff!!!!
I'm soo happy to be serving the mission here in Peru. I got
transferred to Arequipa again, I'm in a place called Palacios. Its
pretty rich compared to any other area I've been in. I'm soo excited
to start working here. The bus ride was a little long (almost 4
hours), and hot, but I'm happy to be here again. It brought back sooo
many memories so come back here. I know the Lord has a plan for us and
that we can be successful in this life if we are obedient. I hope you
all have an awesome week and that Spring Training goes well too!!!!
With a lot of love,
Elder Child
P.S. Tell Josh Liddle that I'm happy for him and his new job at the
Jazz. Maybe one day I'll get to see him play, prrrrrrr!!!!
Greetings from the big city of Arequipa. This past week we had
transfers and after almost 6 months I left Moquega. I absolutely loved
every minute of my time there in that area and I learned soooo much. I
love the people there, the weather (hot), and the cool landscape.
Heavenly Father knew that I needed to learn some things there and
that's why I was sent to that area. This past week was full of events
and surprises. Firstly, on Monday, I was able to play soccer with the
zone after a long time. I actually playing that sport now. I can
actually keep up with the latinos becuase I understand most of the
techniques and play strategies. My comp was like, "hey, this is not
the Elder Child, I used to know, he plays like a latino!!"
So, my email is entitled, good news bad news and I'll tell you why. On
Tuesday I got the biggest surprise of my life, my Christmas package
arrived!!!!! I was so elated!!! (big word bonus, kind of). That was
definately good news. I loved the drawings, the card, the cds (even
though you've already sent me two of them, but now I have duplicates).
I also loved all the treats in the package. I was soo glad to get to
eat the m&ms. Now the bad news, I literally could not eat it all fast
enough and I had to leave the better half of it in my apartment when I
left. Unfortunately I didn't have room for all that stuff in my
suitcases.
More good news. That same night I went on splits with an assistant.
He's really cool and not like super strict trying to get everybody in
trouble for breaking rules. He helped me out a lot. My comp went with
our zone leader to an appointment with an investigator we've been
teaching for like 4 months and wasn't really progressing. In the end,
she decided she wanted to get baptized this past Saturday and they did
the interview in that moment. I was sooo happy to hear that. Her name
is Veronica and she's really nice, she showed effort on her part at
the end because we didn't have to drag her to the baptismal service or
the confirmation, she actually had the desire to do it all on her own.
Her baptismal service was pretty sweet becuase it was with the whole
stake. We had 8 baptisms that night as a zone, it was pretty cool. I
got to be with my friends from the mission the last saturday in
Moquegua.
We had a cool activity in the mission department of our ward. We had a
few returned missionaries share experiences from their missions and a
little bit about the country where they served. They also cooked stuff
from the different countries. They asked me in the last minute to cook
something too so I made French Toast, they loved it and all wanted to
know how to make it. The bad news is that the stove pretty much blew
up in my face and the end becuase there was some gas leak in the stove
but God protected me and nothing happened, just a loud bang and a
bunch of freaked out Peruvians. The good news is that nobody got hurt,
the bad news is that all the peruvians are always super late so we
(missionaries) couldn't stay for the whole activity. But the next day
for breakfast I had a PB&J sandwhich (actually three=). I missed that
stuff!!!!
I'm soo happy to be serving the mission here in Peru. I got
transferred to Arequipa again, I'm in a place called Palacios. Its
pretty rich compared to any other area I've been in. I'm soo excited
to start working here. The bus ride was a little long (almost 4
hours), and hot, but I'm happy to be here again. It brought back sooo
many memories so come back here. I know the Lord has a plan for us and
that we can be successful in this life if we are obedient. I hope you
all have an awesome week and that Spring Training goes well too!!!!
With a lot of love,
Elder Child
P.S. Tell Josh Liddle that I'm happy for him and his new job at the
Jazz. Maybe one day I'll get to see him play, prrrrrrr!!!!
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