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!