Would you like your last drink of unpurified refresco?

November 17, 2014
Week 75

"my holy tights and my happy souls"

Why, yes I would. That's what my comp asked me before pouring me a glass of delicious refresco from unpurified water. The area has noticed a lot of sick missionaries I guess and they think it is due to water that is not sufficiently clean. So we hit off the week delivering huge jugs of bottled water to our pensinista. That was fun. 

Also, we got trapped in the capilla for awhile because the District Leader didn't have the key and someone shut the door. Here in Peru the capillas have huge walls all around them so hoolagans aren't constantly playing futbol in the cancha. 

Also this week we recieved a reference from the hermanas lideres. We went to our first appointment and he was a little late and he was like I'm sorry I was 8 minutes late! 8 minutes late? I think that is the most precisely I have heard time described in a while. And feel bad you were late? He is awesome! His name is Anotoni and has lots of member friends.

Katherine canceled our appointment and didn't come to church and we don't know why! We are sad but trying to regain contact.

Also, that family we had our first lesson with last week, the Familia Fuentes, we asked if there was anyone else in the house that wanted to come listen and they asked if they should bring their son in. Yes! His name is Hector, is 8 years old and so cute! The parents carried him in and gingerely set him on the couch.The way they carried him reminded me of the people that lowered that man down in a bed. They did it with a lot of love and it was adorable. He has been in bed several months because of a fractured leg that won't heal. I asked him if he had any questions and he just said "no, señorita". Bascially he is just super cute.

The dog of a less active named Nikol followed us around for a little bit. My comp said he was guiding us. I told her that he was going to pee on a door to show us the way. Right after I said that, well, what do ya know, that dog went and péed on a door. Of COURSE we knocked on it. I mean how much clearer can revelation get? They didn't answer, but we left a pass along card. I will have to keep you posted on that one.

Also I had a stie in my eye and it was red and puffy. I love the Peruvian explanation of why these occur. My companion said it was because you had seen someone naked. Well, nope, definitely not that one. And my pensionista said it was because you had seen someone that is about to die. Yikes! But good news, everyone is alive and well.

We are having great experiences contacting families. President challenged us to contact every family and pareja in the street we see.  This week we saw the same family three times in the street and I am not very good at memorizing faces, I guess, because the second time we saw them we started contacting them and they were just like, yeah, you already told us! And the third time I went for it again but my companion let me know it was the same family so we just did a little follow up. Haha, it has been pretty fun trying to contact all the families.

This week we started teaching a member's mom. She was one of the first people we tried to contact I think about 6 months ago when I got here with Hermana Hunter. She said a lot of things like she didn't have time and she bailed on us in the citas and all that so we left her for a time. But she has gone through a lot of hard things and is ready to listen again! Her name is Lucrecia and I am grateful God gave me a chance to really get to know her. She loves the Book of Mormon and has lots of faith. Her son was headed down a real bad path and she prayed so hard for him. That is when he was introduced to the church. She said that now it is her turn to change and be happy.

Also we had a lesson with a less active and her non-member pareja (not married but live together). They also have a really cute 2 year old, Melani) . As we explained the Restoration he asked where the priesthood was now. Great question! And then later asked how he could get the priesthood. I liked his questions. There is some great potential there. They both came to church on Sunday and the less active member skipped work to come!  I feel good because we are finding new people to teach. And I want to leave this sector well off for my companion and whoever comes here. We are doing good! Just that my companion knows I am a liar.  Our relationship is built on LIES! I forgot to tell you guys she found out a while ago that I am going home. Oops. But she is doing great! 

I love you all! Have an awesome week!

"Waterfall we went to today. My comp and I tried to relive Pocahontas exept the part where we go down the waterfall. "

"oh yeah, the best part was that we saw alpacas!"

That´s how the cookie crumbles
November 10, 2014
Week 74

Hey guys!

So remember how we are teaching Angie? We are trying to get her Mom active in the church again. Well, her grandparents happen to be active members who are the same members that tried to give me all that Malaysian nutrition scam stuff? We wanted a family night with all of them together so we went back there. Big mistake! Angie couldn´t even come and the hermano launched into a full blown sales pitch. The good news is that they gave us cookies. I think I was getting a little stressed out, though, as he went on and on about how if I go into business with him I can earn points to go to Cancun without stopping to take a breath. The cookie I was holding in my hand--I guess I held it a little too hard and it exploded and got crumbs everywhere. It was funny.

Guess what?! Ever went to the temple this week to do baptisms for the dead! Our ward goes to the Cochabama Bolivia temple twice a year. It is about 14 hours of travel plus time to go through border control and all that. But he was so happy! He just was talking about how it was paradise and he just turned to me and said thank you for helping me know this. That was a payday moment. He wants to go back to the temple and was just so happy! He had a wonderful experience and I am so happy he had that opportunity.  The sad part is that he is going kind of far away for work. He is going to the border of Peru and Brazil to work. But he is going to keep going to church so he can go back to the temple. It will cost him 15 soles and is far but I am grateful he had this strengthening experience before he leaves.

We had a few first lessons with less actives we haven´t been able to teach before. One is named Maria. We asked her why it is important to go to church and she said because it is a commandment. I like that answer. We asked what happens if we know a commandment but we don´t keep it. And she said we go to hell. Okay, well we can explain the plan of salvation in more detail later but she understands that there are consequences for not doing what we KNOW we should. She is super smiley and got married and baptized with her husband on the same day. Excited to work with them!

We were walking the other day and we passed a house where a man Hermana Hunter and I had contacted lived. I felt like we should stop by and we met his teenage daughter Liliana. We asked her when the whole family is together and she said Domingos. We came again on Sunday and they let us in and we had a lesson with the father, mother, and daughter! It had been a long time since we had taught a full family for the first time. And it was so much better! It just feels a lot more effective because they can make changes together and there is none of this wondering about what their spouse or parents will say, because we already know. And they are letting us come back! Also we have a really good relationship with our landlords and they always want to talk to us, but we have never really been able to teach them, but we finally made an appointment to share something with them and it was great! I was nervous because they are our landlords and it was kind of weird but once we got going it was great. We learned they are a great family and were touched by the things we taught about the family and parts of the plan of salvation. They didn´t give us a return appointment, but we left them with a little reading and they are going to get back to us. So we are trying to focus on families and it is wonderful.

This week I met a girl named Milady. Or, my lady. Haha. I felt so strange telling her, “nice to meet you my lady!” And so many other things. It was so funny using her name and I am telling you this because you speak English and will get this.

I love you guys so much! Have an incredible week!

 

 Ruins! They are called Sillustani. I went to these with Hermana Hunter too.

Love you and have an awesome week!

Catching Up

November 3, 2014

Week 73

Hello!

Okay. I’m sorry I haven´t written in a couple weeks so I have lots to catch you up on. Let´s start with Nilton.

Recently, Nilton entered the Army.  When he first arrived they dumped out all his stuff to check it, and out came his Bible and Book of Mormon. The Army guy told him that he wouldn´t find religion here, but that he would get along well with Salas (our pensionista´s husband who is a member and is awesome at not drinking and stuff despite a lot of temptation).

The problem is that they don´t give him a whole lot of time for reading. He has 10 minutes to eat lunch and they turn the lights off early. But, he is going to memorize a scripture he can say to himself. Good news is that he is praying every night. His bunk is the very last one off in the corner and the guys make fun of him but he just ignores them while he is praying. He has also made some friends in there from Iquitos that he is going to share the gospel with who are interested thanks to his example (there are people there from all over Peru because it is the main army base Peru has). They let him out sometimes to study and stuff and we can teach him. He asked for Sunday off beforehand but since he is new they don´t always treat him very kindly. But we are hoping with some faith and prayers and help from members he can attend church and we can get him with a new baptismal date goal.

Also. The Elders from a different area gave us a reference! She is named Katherine and stopped by their capilla when it was open. She is 20 and is studying. She doesn´t disponer a lot of time but we’ve had some good lessons. She and her boyfriend Edu have come to church together twice now. Guess what, they don´t live together! That is so great! But also means that Edu lives in a different area and so we had to pass him along. But he is cool too. Before we passed him along (because this is an Iglesia de orden) he showed up at our lesson with Katherine because she had invited him. We taught the Restoration and the whole time he had a really serious look on his face. After we had taught about how Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet and restored the same Church Christ had established to the earth again, we asked him what he thought about it. He said that he thought everyone has the right to choose which church they want to belong to and that he had attended many when he was young. His parents are Catholic and he had decided... (in that moment we were braced to hear that he was Catholic and couldn´t change because that´s what they usually say)… but then he said, and I am sure that this is the Church where I want to stay. Wait… WHAT did you say? Surprise! He also said he was grateful to Joseph Smith because of the Restoratino, families could be together forever (in the Gospel Principles class the lesson was on Eternal Marriage. Haha he kept on asking us all these hypothetical questions. He wants to get married to Katherine in the temple! At least that’s what I think. Get married yeah! ) We invited Katherine to be baptized the 15th. She wants to learn more and still wants to mention it to her parents.  She didn´t accept the date but did accept to be baptized in general. Then we asked Edu and he said he had more time investigating the church and felt he was ready. Surprise, while in Cusco, he went to church almost every Sunday in Tio! That was probably frustrating over there to have someone coming to church almost every week and then disappear. Because it seems like people here are always disappearing (like Ana, the one that bought skirts to come to church :( ) but he is found! And we gave the most golden reference over to the zone leaders last week.

Also, I am a grandma! Hermana Hunter is training! Dream come true.

This week Hermana Viricochea went to Lima for paperwok and I was in a trio (see photo). Their pension is AMAZING! It is the cleanest nicest house I have seen in so long. We walked in and WASHED OUR HANDS and then she fed us tons of fruits and vegetables and there was CUBED ICE in our drinks! So that was fun.

This week we were waiting for a member that had agreed to accompany us and up came some drunk guys who weren´t too terribly drunk and one of them told us about how he used to go to church and he is the black sheep of his family and he had read the whole Bible and was telling us his favorite story in the Bible about Andre, which I have never heard of before. I thought it was kind of funny because the drunken man was not making sense and started to cry and I look to my companion and she is BAWLING. Okay. Just wiping her eyes gently with a kleenex. Turns out just allergies, but still pretty funny. Also, keep the word of wisdom please!

We were walking the other day down the street and we saw a lady that just seemed kind of down. I wanted to talk to her and so we turned down the street where she had gone. We didn´t get to talk much but did brighten her day I hope. I thought I recognized the street we had turned onto but turns out it was a different street, one that we had noticed in the ward directory and there were people on that street we needed to visit! We found the houses of one of the people on the list and I realized it was a house a member had been looking for to show me a long time ago but she couldn´t remember their name or who they were really. So now we know where this person that needs to be rescued lives and we were able to hopefully help someone have a better day. It seems that almost every day something happens that makes me grateful for our calling as missionaries and helps me remember how important it is.

So it was a great week! I love you all so much! Have an awesome week and CTR and read your scriptures and re watch/read conference.

We were invited to a baby´s 4 month birthday party. It was quite the milestone that they needed to invite us to some cake. Not complaining! The funny part is that they will celebrate every month until the year mark, then just at the years. So you are going to have cake every month until the baby can actually eat cake!? Cruel.

Love, Hermana Beckstead

October 27, 2014

Week 72

Some pics we took from some ruins we saw on a pday a little while back. They are called Cutimbo.

We received a reference named Katherine from the missionaries in a different area.  She is progressing great because she actually does what we invite her to do! We are happy because she is not living with her boyfriend and he comes to church with her. We have a theory that he is a less active member because he told Katherine he used to attend church with his family when he was little. He seems really interested, too, he just lives in a different area.  We are going to get his information to pass over to the Elders. Katherine is 20 and studying. In our first lesson she told us she feels she has an emptiness in her life. She has come to church twice now! And her boyfriend, too. The gospel principle class this week was conveniently about eternal marriage and he had a lot of questions, haha. It was fun because he kept asking these “hypothetical” questions, like if you want to make your marriage eternal, where would you do that? Cute. GET MARRIED IN THE TEMPLE!

My companion and I set a goal to contact a family every day. Contacting people in the street has always been hard for me but the Lord has been merciful with me as I try. One day this week we were hurrying to an appointment and we really didn’t have time but as we saw a family I remembered that we were asked to contact each family, it doesn’t matter how much of a hurry we were in. So we started to talk to them and it was really easy because it seems like missionaries have taught them before. Pretty much right off the bat, the woman asked us if we had some folletos. They were good with the idea of us coming to their house to visit them later on. It was a tender mercy because it was something that is hard for me but the Lord made it easy because I was willing to at least try. The Lord can do His own work, He just wants me to be willing to go where He wants and do what He wants. When I have a spirit of willingness, He does the heavy lifting.

Also we had to go visit this hermana. We felt we had to go but we kept getting scared by these mean dogs every time we tried to cross. We weren’t going to let Satan win! So we prayed. And God answered that prayer by sending Constantina’s dog to lead us safely across. His name is Oso (bear) and he scared me at first because he nipped at my heels and I didn’t recognize him at first but he escorted us there and back safely. God loves us!

Put into practice what they told us in conference. I read slowly and studied Joseph Smith history and it was awesome!

Love you guys so much!

We ran into a family from Utah touring! He bought us lunch and told us to keep the change! It was awesome!  

It is the rainy season. It rains almost every day. 

October 20, 2014

Week 71

"got to see Hermana Coffey when we went to Juliaca"

Missionary life was great this week. We had some people who just “got it.” We have a less active who was coming back to church until some financial problems popped up and she need to work on Sunday because she needed MONEY for her daughter’s medical expenses. Her daughter got a lot better but she kept finding excuses not to come to church. We had a lesson and taught about attending church and she told us she didn't know if she would be able to come to church because she had to make lunch and that 8 was early. If it was at 10 she would be able to. What popped into my head was kind of scary but the truth. I told her that one day she will stand before God again and she will be asked why she didn't come to church. And would she feel comfortable giving him that reason? She just looked kind of startled, and was like “you’re right” and came to church on Sunday! I love it when it just finally clicks for them. I loved the talk in Conference about Which way do you face? Because when I get impressions to say something a little fuerte to people I can do it. Because God wants me to do it, and that has to be more important than what others want from me. We visited another less active. We asked her how she felt when she was baptized and she explained how incredible it was. I asked her how she felt now. She said she didn't even feel the Spirit anymore. We taught something really small and she came to church on Sunday. Questions have helped me this week to help others internalize what we are teaching. 

Love you so much and have a great week!

"I said goodbye to my housemate Hermana Allred, who finished her mission."

Caniwako

October 13, 2014

Week 70

Caniwako is hipster quinoa. I say that because the name is hard to say and also because it is a lot like quinoa but apparently it is much better because it is delicious and the whole world hasn't found out about it  yet. So it's cooler. And they claim is has like every vitamin and mineral your body could ever need ever. So what's not to like? When Caniwako gets big in the states like quinoa I will be able to say that I ate that stuff before the whole world knew it was the healthiest food in the world. Hence the name, hipster Caniwako. 

This week we got more of Moises side of the story about that night we ran into him in the street. He said he was kind of feeling bad and wondering what he was doing with his life. And then we just popped out of nowhere! The Lord leads us to those who need us! The only bad thing is that he was starting to progress again but then he didn't come to Conference and we lost hold of him. Ah!

But Conference was SO GOOD! Definitely the highlight of the week. Even better than eating Caniwako. It filled me up and went by so fast! We are preparing more and more for the Second coming and we need to follow the prophet. Also one of the themes I got was that if you don't have a testimony already, do what you need to do, Ask God, and get one! Also I loved Elder Scott's talk about the basics. I testify that these small and simple things really do make the difference for our family. I have met so many families! And the difference between those who read and pray together and those who don't is incredible. The things he mentioned in his talk seem like a simple answer, but they are the best things we can do to keep our families strong!

Elmer got his recommendation for his patriarchal blessing! Also, the Bishop gave him his missionary packet to start on his papers! When I found out about that I was just so happy! It's such a happy cycle. If he goes on a mission that is just amazing because he will help others go on a mission and it will just keep going and going. Share your testimony because they will share it with others who will share it with others etc.

One fun story. I am teaching my companion English and she is doing a great job. One of the hardest sounds for her though is the R sound, so I introduced her to a picture of Mary to help her say R. Which led to me showing her the rest of the pictures in the album. She always surprises me with the English phrases she can put together in her sweet accent and it was surprising and funny when she said, "McKay, what happened to your face?" Haha, because he was making a funny face. And then later she said "Carson is beautiful".  Fun things like this make every day enjoyable. Don't forget to laugh!

Also, this guy talked to me in English on the street but he was making me nervous because he kind of seems like one of those guys that sometimes stalk the missionaries. He asked me what is your address? Which I didn't answer-. And then he asked me what my dad was like. Good question. I told him he is really tall and smart. So that should solve that. Thanks for being the bomb dad! 

Love you lots and have a greaaaaaat week! (I found frosted flakes here. They are called zuaritas. Probably because they have so much delicious azucar).

Hermana Beckstead

We taught Angie and she runs in with nuts and a hammer. She is fun

All the protein is going to her hair!

This is Tahira!

October 10, 2014

Week 69

Hey Guys! What a week!

Tahira, Ever's niece, has never had a haircut. (She is 8 years old.)  Her hair is suuuuper long. Hermana Hunter and I tried to do it once for church. Big job. But anyways, the doctor says she is so short because all her protein is going to her hair, haha.  I think they are cutting it soon.  Your first haircut is a party here with like a clown and stuff. It's a shame, but probably about time.

Well, this week we had an awesome lesson with the Familia Luque.  It is obligatory to vote in Peru, so Elmer came back from work in Lima, and their sister Raquel (she's the best and helps balance out her brothers craziness with some cool normalness) came from Juliaca and the dad came back from the mines. (he asked for something to read about the family.We gave him the pamphlets and a Book of Mormon and he can read on the 7 hour trip back to the mines).Plus, it was Gala's birthday (Gala is the sweetest, she just doesn't know it's true yet. Pray for her please!) ! We shared the Plan of Salvation and ate some cake. It was great. Elmer has finished the Book of Mormon and is reading the pearl of great price and is going to church wherever his travels take him.He told me he has been very tempted, but he hasn't had a drop of alcohol in 5 months.

Before that, we had a lesson with Nilton and talked about temples and family history. He saw the temple when he was in Cochabmaba and He wants to go to the temple! But understands that he himself needs to get baptized first. We invited him to be baptized and he said he wants more time. The member we had with us was 100% essential and shared her experience.I felt prompted to share Ether 12:6 I think. I just remembered the part about after the trial of your faith it will be manifested to you but as we read it I realized it is kind of a strong scripture, don't harden your heart and all that.  But it helped him and my comp shared her testimony and he has a goal to be baptized the 25th of October.  Pray for him that he can get his answer please. It is cool how great examples his brothers are for him. He said if my brothers can change so can I. We all thought Elmer would be the last to change, and now it's fallen on me! He said Ever loves soccer more than anyone, and he traded it for church on Sundays,so he can too.  I love this family so much it is incredible. And the gospel is changing them and making them even more incredible and happy.

We are teaching Moises. He has new spirit to progress. He is reading and praying and coming to church on his own! Except yesterday, because there was no church, SO WEIRD. I love church. Don't take it for granted. Next week we will see the conference and I am so excited.And the week after that we will be able to take the sacrament, which I am so grateful for!

This week a lot happened, more than will be put into this email. It was a spiritual roller coaster but I am grateful for every minute.  I sometimes feel like I can't go anymore but then The Lord pours out the miracles and I can keep going. I love my Savior so much. I am so grateful for my parents who raised me in a way that I could know how to access his help when I needed Him. We all reach a point where we have to decide if we really believe it all or not. I waited until I was 14 to experience the Atonement for myself and I know it is real. But don't wait. I know that all of you can know too. Let the Savior make your burdens light and change your life.God loves us! I know everything we teach is true. Heavenly Father never tires of re-confirming my testimony when I ask. I know He will do it for each of you too! 

Cut my comps hair! Well, just a little. Harder than it sounds, especially when you only have the orange kids scissors you bought for a sol (like 40 cents).  

Inka Cola has grown on me. Demasiado.

My Pensionista left me ice cream when she was gone with this awesome note.

Yes, my Pensionista is the best. She gave us ice cream again and then a plate of Chuno her mom had given her for us to try.

 My comp likes Chuno when it is prepared well so I thought I would give it another try. Nope. Still don't like it. But she ate basically all of it so it's okay.

The family Luque.  I love them.

Love you guys! Have a great week!

Pioneer children sang as they walked, and walked, and walked, and walked

September 29, 2014

Week 68

So this week people were busy or gone doing something I'm not really sure what. There was some big dance festival thing, though, so that could be it. We did a lot of walking this week but it was good. We sang songs and heard lots of music playing on every street corner. The elections are this Sunday and they are in full campaign mode. They are taking popular songs and changing the words to talk about their favorite candidate. My personal favorite is about Ivan. Super catchy, plus our area seems to be big fans, so I get to see his face every day when I wake up if I want. I also heard quite the moving really corny song about hermanos and hermanas we need to come together and basically the Quechuas and Amayras you need to stop hating each other. So great! I might be a little sad when the elections are over. But mostly happy I think. I am sad. though, because of the elections, we can't watch conference. Here in Peru it is illegal to have meetings during the elections or 24 hours before. Ahhhh!. :(  But I will see them the week afterwards. 

Moises came to church! He is doing better at keeping himself busy with uplifting things so he doesn't fall into old temptations. He even came to a church activity at 6 in the morning! That definitely wasn't my idea, but they insisted that it would be best because any later everyone starts washing their clothes and going to the market and stuff. So yeah.

Nilton came to church too. We haven't got to teach him much but tonight we have an FHE with them. 

This week we did divisions with the hermana leaders. The day before we told Jesica our pensionista that Hna. Viricochea wouldn't be there the next day and that another hermana would be instead. She asked where the hermana coming was from and we told her Argentina. She said she doesn't like Argentinans and so she was going to make Quinua so she wouldn't like it. I told her that she hates Papa a la Huancaina, haha. And the next day we had Papa a la huancaina! So that was a highlight for sure. 

Also we were waiting for a combi and a kid came up to us and said to my companion, Do you need some help? but in English. It was really cute. She was just like, uhhh, no we are just waiting for a combi. But way to put yourself out there kid! So cute.

Also, sometimes apparently I still mix up my Spanish. We were looking for an investigator and her son told us she went to her sister's entierro but I heard tienda. And so I'm just like oh, okay. Well could you let her know... I mixed up burial and store somehow. oops! 

But anyways. Kind of a slower week but it's okay. Have a great week! Love you guys!

And don't forget, confia en Ivan! Actually, just confia en Dios. 

Hermana What?

September 22, 2014

Week 67

A member of our ward returned from his mission and we met him for the first time. He looked at my name tag and said Hermana.....what?! It was funny because he said the what part in English. Haha. My favorite attempts are still Hermana Bexter and of course, the hermano we used to pension with just calls me Hermana Beck. I love it!

So here are some cool things that happened this week:

Well first of all, President Harbertson visited Puno! It accomplished its purpose of giving us more of the Spirit to go forth and work hard with new animos. It was the best. After the conference we had a couple extra minutes before our citas and there a less actives house name Yovana that a member showed us a while back. I suggested that we stop by. She had never answered the door before but this time she did. She talked about some of the hard things she is going to and just cried right there. She said that thanks to all the things going on, she had been thinking about the Church, and how she wanted to go back this week. It is amazing how the Lord always gets us to the people at the time perfectly designed to help them most. Maybe I would have liked to have found her much earlier when we had previously knocked on her door, but the Lord let us reach her in the moment that she needed us most and also in the moment that she would be most receptive to hearing the gospel message again and accept an invitation to come to church. Also, she lives with her pareja and parents who are all non-members. 

Also, remember Moises? We were going to stop by a potential investigator´s house. He lives in a part of our area that I wouldn´t really like to be in at night, even though it is lighted, but I still felt we should head over there. Thankfully before we had to turn into the street I don´t really like, we felt to stop. It was a relief but I wanted to know why we were there. We headed towards another potential investigator´s house from there and before long we ran into Moises! He told us he was going to come to church the next day. I had heard that one before but it still made me excited. And the next day, there he was in church! We had told him we were going to stop visiting him until he came to church or until he called us, and he he came! So we have an appointment with him on Wednesday. Dropping him was one of the hardest things I've had to do my whole mission, but obviously the Lord had a wise purpose behind it all. Maybe he will be able to see more dramatically the difference the Spirit makes in his life. I sure hope so. 

Also, Ever didn't tell us this, of course, but we talked to his mom Gala and she told us he is leaving behind some of his old friends (because they always try to pressure him to drink) and they tried to beat him up this week. We are trying to help him form more and more friendships in the Church to help him stay strong. I am really proud of him. This week I heard his testimony about enduring to the end and it was just the best! He is working in his calling. His brother Nilton´has been busy with work and stuff but hopefully he won´t escape us this week. We had an intense lesson with just Gala. I felt so strongly to invite her to be baptized and she accepted, However, she did not accept a date. She is scared. But I know she felt something. We pray that the Spirit works with her and we can help her overcome her doubts. They are so close!

On a lighter note, this week I showed the dogs who were boss. There is this annoying dog that always bugs us when we go to a certain less active´s house. But this week I used the thing mom gave me that makes a high noise that dogs don´t like so they leave you alone. I used that and he just stood there. I am pretty immature when it comes to dogs so I started to stick my tongue out at it and make raspberry sounds at it. When a lady came out around the corner right behind it. Haha oops! Embarrassing.

Also, I read this talk by President Monson where he talks about two shepherds he once saw. In one the sheep knew his voice and heeded his call and it was a cute story and all that. Well we were arriving where Maria lives and I saw a lady coming down with a TON of sheep. And I thought, awww it´s going to be one of those cute stories you could use in a talk, because she is a good shephe
rd. I finished this thought right before she began hurling stones at the sheep to get them to hurry up. Welp. There goes that nice feeling. 

So anyways. I love you guys a lot! Have a great week! D&C 64:33

Love, Hermana Beckstead

Pics- we went to a lookout point as a zone. It´s like the condor we went to but this time it´s a puma! Also, this random lady asked if she could take a picture with me. Ün recuerdo. Being tall and white makes you famous!! Also, my comp took a pic of me studying. One day the miracle of indoor heating will reach Puno, but that day is not today. But that´s okay because of this D&C 122:8 

Love you! 

I am going to resurrect with a TON of hair!

September 15, 2014

Week 66

The Puno Plaza

Haha, that's what a lady in our ward said when we were talking about the resurrection, because not a single hair of your head will be lost. That's going to be so great!

This week was pretty crazy! On Tuesday, Hermana Hunter and I traveled to Cusco. And then she left me! It was so sad! I miss her! And then the next day we went to a training with President Harbertson and I got my next hija! She's great. Her name is Hermana Viricochea and is from Cochabamba Bolivia. She has been a missionary for 3 weeks! It is hard adapting to mission life but she is doing a great job and is a fast learner. Also, she already knows perfect Spanish so she is just jumping right in. 

Hermana Viricochea and I

The last Puno ice cream with Hermana Hunter

So we got back to Puno in the afternoon and we have mostly been going to get to know the members and gain some trust with them. Also with the Familia Luque, Nilton (the only non-member brother) is back and so we are working with him again! We had a great lesson with Ever about family history. He hadn't been working on it, but we found out the real reason why this time. I guess he has a lot of really bad memories from his grandparents, and he prefers to not remember. It was cool because we could talk about how he can do a great service for his grandparents, and they will have a different, much better relationship when they see each other again. 

Saying goodbye to the family Luque. We told them it was going to be a funny picture, but I guess they didn't hear that part. 

Also, speaking of temples, Luz Marina is going! I don't have details because the missionary I talked to had a transfer out of Ollanta one transfer ago, but she has had some serious health issues and even had to go to Cusco for treatment, but somehow, I don't know how, but has raised enough money to go to the temple. I am so proud of her and so happy for her! 

Well, that's pretty much been the week! We have seen some super cool thunder and lightening, as in the coolest I have seen in my life. It's been great!  Also, my name tag is kinda dying and sometimes falls off in inopportune moments, like when I was filling up my water bottle in the sink and my tag fell right into the toilet.  

I love you guys a ton and hope you have a fantastic week! 

Love, Hermana Beckstead

"Sometimes I Lie"

Week 65

September 8, 2014

Haha. That's what Angie said. Angie is the 9-year old we are teaching. Her brothers are members and her mom is returning to activity in the church. She said this when we were playing 2 truths and a lie at a family home evening. She said this statement was the lie haha. 

Another nice moment this week was finally getting to visit Maria (the 85 year-old hilarious lady) again. (see the picture)

Well, sorry but besides that I'm not really sure what to write about this week. It was probably one of the hardest of my mission (but it's okay because I got my mom's package with food in it!!!!) There are some problems going on here in the ward that I can't really explain now, but one day I can.The zone leaders gave us the option to both leave Huayna Capac but even though it's hard, I didn't want to give up on it. Plus, the transfers were in a week anyways, so we would just see what happened. And here's what happened. My hija is leaving the nest and going to the jungle! I am going to miss her so much. We have grown so close in these three transfers together! She has become an amazing missionary. I will be staying here, but am super excited because I will be spending my last two transfers training a new missionary! I am so happy! I love training.  I am excited to help her and make the beginning of her mission the best experience possible and share everything I have learned and learn from her too. Also, I am not going to tell her these are my last two transfers and we are going to work hard and have fun doing it!  Plus, Hermana Hunter gets a sister! So yeah! Also, I know we are going to help the ward. And complete the Familia Luque! So great! Love you guys! Have a great week!

Well. I tried for that photo but it is just not happening. While I was doing this I remember this week the sister leaders telling us that just when something really good is about to happen Satan tries to attack us. My zone leader opportunely said, 'so we just shouldn't try.' haha. Funny, but not true! Keep on keeping on and next week you will get pictures of me and my hija! Know that I love you all lots! Oh yeah, and Hermana Valverde is one of the new sister leaders! She is going to do so good! And I get to see her when I pick up my hija :)

Maria and I