Monday, October 3, 2011

Leonel, Carlos, Max, and Luis

Hey Familia,

How's it going with you all out there in the good ole USA? I can't
believe how much Roxy looks like Lucy. I'm so glad that I finally got
to see some pictures from Nicole's fancy new camera. I was pretty
shocked to hear about Alex actually going on a date and having a good
time there. That's pretty hilarious about Don and the free stuff at
Chili's. Also, that is pretty awesome to hear that my best bud Darrin
actually remembered me and where I'm at right now. Is that true about
Lindsay Hunter getting her call to Des Moines, Iowa Spanish speaking
mission? Becuase if it is, I'm happy for her, I know she will do a
good job. If that was a joke on Alex's part, it was a pretty funny
one, almost like Boise, Idaho. That's too bad that BYU actually won
their game, the zoobies mostly get on my nerves here in the mish. All
in all it looks like you all had a pretty good week with lots of
excitement.

This week was definately a new and different experience for me. So
what happened was that after we played some soccer and ate with my
companion he called the mission president and was told to go back to
Arequipa. The mission office then informed me that I will NOT be
recieving a new companion this change. I had to look for young men
preparing for the mission in order to come with me and work in my
area. I was a little bummed about that becuase I will pretty much be
alone this change. First Leonel came with me, then Carlos for two
days, then Max, and now Luis. Luis is going to the Bolivia La Paz
mission at the end of the month and should be able to come with me for
much of the month. It is definately different working with young men.
Ive learned a lot and am going to be a better missionary for it. I
really look forward to general conference and hope you all pay
attention, this is revelation from the prophets!!! I seriously can't
believe it's been 6 months.

Bye,
Elder Child

Sorry, short on time this week.

Mi Hijo

Hola Familia!!!!!!!!!

First of all I just want to tell you how pumped up I was to hear about
the Utes and BYU game on Saturday. I was a little worried just becuase
they lost to USC the other week. Josh was telling me that it was
actually a pretty close game and that they could have tied it with a
last second field goal but it got blocked, that's sad. But it sounds
like they are doing pretty good.I was also happy to hear about the
successful date outing that my lil bro had this past week. Girls are
actually sometimes pretty interesting to be around, some wisdom I've
acquired here in the old mission. I also feel a little sorry for Dad
and the whole sacrament job. Sometimes the best talks we give though
are the ones we have to rely more on the spirit. I feel for you Dad
becuase I've had to give a few on the spot talks in sacrament meeting
so I know what it feels like. It's a little bit harder to do it in
spanish though, especially when you first start.

My week was pretty crazy, I'm not going to lie. First of all, I had to
sleep with somebody so I wasn't alone on Monday night. I hung out with
a teenager from a different ward. His name is Carlos and he got
baptized a year and a half ago by an elder that went home the day I
got here. That is pretty crazy to think about. The next day (Tuesday)
I had to be with a different priest named Wilfredo. He's pretty cool.
He just got his call to go to the Lima North mission. I can't remember
if I told you that this area used to be a sisters area, but a lot of
the members were sooo happy to see Elders again in these wards. I'm in
charge of two wards: Central and Portillo. I was pretty lost for a
while because there wasn't anybody that could show me my area, but I
figured it out eventually. The old people that we live with aren't
members but they have a daughter that is, so that's why they let us
live there.

My companion finally got here Wednesday night. His name is Elder
Punguil, and he's from Guayaquil Equador. He's the only member in his
family. He got baptized three years ago, and he's 21 right now. He
said he was pretty sad and that he talked to the MTC president about
going home but the president convinced him to stay. I told him that it
was okay that he was sad for a little bit, but that we are going to
work with some amazing people and then he will feel better after that.
Turns out he really doesn't want to be here. I honestly tried for
three days to work, to contact people, to teach and to help him all
that I could, but it wasn't really enough. I was really sorry to hear
that he told me he doesn't have a testimony and he doesn't really know
why he got baptized. I really tried to help him but he's going to talk
to the president today. I was sad for awhile but I'm okay now.

This sunday we had a special conference for all of Peru. It was good
to hear from Elder Christofferson and the Prophet.

Well, that's about all the time I have this week, please pray for me.

Elder Child

P.S. I would like to know what the new dog looks like please. Pictures
(Nicole)=)