Ask the missionaries...

August 11, 2014
Week 61

 Pday fun with one of our favorite members Constanina. We hung out with her and made some stuff that is like fried dough. She gave me that hat for the sun and insisted that it was a gift. She is so cute.

Hello!

This week went pretty swell. 

We were walking down the mountain that is our area and this lady stops us and was just like, "Excuse me, do you speak Spanish?." Yes! She told us about some really hard times she is going through and asked if we could help her. Well of course! Her name is Maria and she lives wayyyy up the mountain. But everyday we hike up there I think it gets easier. It smells like sheep poop but besides that I like it because if reminds me of being at Ragged mountain. Her life is that her parents gave her away when she was young and she was raised by a woman that beat her. Now that she is grown her mom is back and she is taking care of her in her old age. The problem is that she usually doesn't have money to feed her but she does anyways but when they go without the mom talks bad about her to everyone up there. Yeah. But it was really amazing. She has come to church once now. And we visited her once and talked about the Atonement. We felt the spirit really strong. I had been trying to study more about how to actually apply the Atonement, and not for just sins, but pains and sadness. I shared an experience with her and through sharing my testimony with her I realized I had used the Atonement and been blessed by it without really realizing it in the moment. I felt a lot of love for her.

Also, Eber received the priesthood Sunday and is going to bless the sacrament next Sunday. The Bishop is also thinking of callings for him. He is excited. I think the last convert baptism in our ward (besides Ever) was in January. Yay for miracles!   

Okay so in the Area South America Southwest we only know where about half the members are living. So the area sends us names of members and we go find them! We were in this process this other day and went to ask some old members for help. They invited us in and we ended up sharing something small with them. My companion finished sharing her beautiful testimony and the hermano was just like, well! we like cooking with (insert some random brand of pots). We were just like, uh,,,what? And they were like follow us! And took us into the kitchen. Ahh no. There were stainless steel pot posters and they started bringing them out. And showing us this wonderful  pressure cooker pot that is silent!  It reminded me an awful lot of Napoleon Dynamite. Then they gave us some stuff to make our faces not red. As they were explaining it all it reminded me of nutrition class where we learned how to tell if something was a scam. I wish you could see them. This cute old couple trying to explain why their Malaysian supplement would fix all my problems, including a wart on my finger. They gave me some for free to try. I'll let you know if that works. We haven't found the member we were looking for yet though. 

Love you all so much! Sorry for lots of errors. This keyboard has problems.
Have a great week! 

Maria's lamb had a baby. Me with the lamb when it was three days old. She might be naming it domingo.

Surprise!

August 4, 2014Week 60

The Luque family at his baptism

Dear Family Wamily, 

Ever was baptized and confirmed this week! What? I know right! Well, he was just ready and really wanted it. It was amazing. Ever has always been kind of a shy and serious fella but after he was baptized he was the happiest I have ever seen him. And after his confirmation he said he felt a feeling of warmth come over him and he felt more confidence. Many of his non-member family members were able to attend the baptism and-or confirmation so that was great. We got to teach him temples and family history afterwards and he is looking towards the temple. We are still working with Elmer, his younger brother. I know he will get baptized too, and it was great for his brother to give him a good example. He just wants to know everything beforehand. We will be helping him to strengthen his faith to the point where he can take a leap of faith. Pray for this family please. We also want to keep working with the parents. About half the kids of the family are already members. We want to get them all the the point where they can be sealed as an eternal family. I love you guys! Have a great week! 

Green apples. It's been awhile since I've had one of those

Round three in Puno

July 27, 2014Week 59

Happy Peru Independence Day! 

Well, we got the transfers this morning and I am staying with my hija here in Puno! We are so excited. I really want to be here to see Elmer and Eber make it to baptism. I know they will. Although there was a small setback this week. Their cousin got married and we went to our appointment and  Elmer was a little tipsy. The good news I guess is that we hadn't taught him the word of wisdom yet. It was still really sad though. Drinking is a big part of the culture here but we will teach him and help him!

I just wrote a few days ago, so here are some fun stories:

We  had to say goodbye to one of our less actives who is moving which was sad but fun because she is funny. Her name is Margarita and we asked her if she was excited to have more grandkids and she said no, haha. She was like I already have 16. She always says random stuff like that. But this time we found out she eats coca, so that could explain some of her behavior.

Also, there are lots of parties going on for independance day and also they think it is lucky to get married in August in even years, and so they are getting an early start on that. Whenever we run into drunk people we can get away easy but this time we saw a drunk man and he looked pretty unstable but then he started picking up the pace!  I don't know how he could move so quick but we were literally chased by a drunk man. We weren't in any danger but it was exciting.

Also, we went to this magical place where they give English classes. It is nice and clean and has American flags in it. We  have always wanted to go in but never have until we were helping someone with their homework this week. It was fun because we felt like celebrities in there. Everyone just stared at the two white people. We ran into our neighbor and talked to him a little before his test. As he was walking away, I was just like, Good luck! And then, take luck! Take care of the luck! If you have it, take it, take care for it! (Quoting Brian Regan) It was fun because they all had no idea what I was saying. 

Also, when I was on splits with Hna. Olivares we were at the pensions house and the little boy comes in. I asked him what his name was and he just looked so appalled and was like, you don't remember my name?! Hna. Olivares had to explain I was a different missionary (than Hna, Rasmussen who lives there and is white also). He just got a little sheepish and was like, oh, they look exactly the same! 

Love you guys! Have a great week! 

Restoration movie night with Elmer and Ever and our favorite member Gina (she is the bishop's wife and always feeds us and loves us) 

Margarita

The Week I was almost shot for smiling

July 24, 2014
Week 58 1/2

Hey Guys!
Well sorry I´m writing on Thursday instead of Monday. It´s because I had to go to Lima, AGAIN! But this time I left Lima with my Peruvian ID! So I am good to go. Peruvian immigrations office: my message to you is hasta nunca!

Anyways, here is the update on Elmer and Eber. We were sad when Elmer didn´t show up to church on Sunday and Eber made us nervous because he was late but he came! We talked to him afterwards to see if he was still up for his baptism on the 26th. Apparently that is the same day of his cousin´s wedding and it was going to be fun but his mom wants him to help all day. And so he is most likely getting baptized the following week. We were a little sad because it would have just been the coolest miracle to see them both baptized on the 26th but I was reflecting on it. We had our vision so set on the 26th but we felt strangely at peace when it didn´t work out. I think it was because we knew we had worked with that goal in mind and had done all that was possible. It made me wonder why Heavenly Father wanted us to put that goal. I think one of the reasons may have been this: I think if we would have only put a goal of one baptism instead of two, we would have focused more on Elmer because he seemed the most ready, where in reality, his brother Eber was more ready to get baptized. Also I think the Lord wanted us to have this goal as the 26th so we would maybe be a little more bold and with a higher attitude of urgency than we may have been otherwise, and so they will get baptized sooner than they would have otherwise, even if that day isn´t the 26th. That would have been an amazing miracle if they had both been baptized on the 26th and I would have been so grateful to have been able to see that. But we did not lose the faith and we were expecting that baptism right until the very end. But I know they will make it. I can´t wait for one day all of their family to be members and to be sealed together. We will get them there. 

And so about the subject line, this week I had just about the most terrifying experience of my mission. We opened this area and apparently we still don´t know all the ropes yet. Anyways, we got into a combi (these little bus-van things that go everywhere) that was not the right one and it took us right out of our area. We realized this and got off. We started walking back to our area and had to cross this hill where the army station thing is. It was good because that is in our area so we just had to get to the right side of it. And there are houses out there so we knew it was okay to be walking there. But we were walking by the Ejercito and there were guards up there on the walls. I guess I have because friendly I dunno because I´m a missionary or something so I just gave a little smile to the guard and we kept walking. But exactly when I smiled, he cocked his gun! Oh my gosh it was so terrifying. But we got out of there and he didn´t shoot us! So we are happy! 

Also, we have this cute member we visit. She is old and widowed. We happened to show up when the elders and a member were already there. But we were the ones with the appointment. So we stayed and she gave us all food of course. She is just so hilarious. She was giving the member such a hard time for eating slow. She had prepared soooo much food. There is no way we would have been able to finish it all if it had just been us and she just made him eat more and more and was making jokes about him not having teeth (don´t worry, he does) and stuff. He had finally gotten a little tired, and was just like, and what about her? (meaning me, because I definitely was not pulling my weight). And Constantina (the lady) was just like, Naaaaah, she´s a little lady! Haha yes! Probs the only time I have been ¨little¨ on my mission. 


I love you guys! Hope you have a great week! It´s weird. I will email you all again in like 3 and a half days. What? Love, Hermana Beckstead

Special meeting with President Harbertson in Juliaca on the shore of Lake Titicaca

 Hna, Olivares is my sista leader now! And she´s grown! (Just kidding, she´s on a stool)

July 14, 2014
Week 57

Boy do I have a lot to tell you guys! At the beginning of this month when we made our goals, we had two new investigators that we were pretty excited about. We felt like we should put 2 as our goal for baptisms. I was hesitant because to be completely honest, I am tired of setting goals and failing at them but we prayed again and I felt a peace come over me. So we put two as the goal. Well, turns out one of them lives just outside our sector (we learned it wasn't part of our area when a member came with us) so we passed that reference over to ChanuChanu. And then the other one didn't come to church that Sunday and she isn't quite ready to give up dancing in the Candelaria, which is a really big festival where they dance for the saints. So I was just praying really hard that we could meet this goal. I remember what President Harbertson taught about real faith. I know Heavenly Father wouldn't just make me feel like we needed to put 2 just to set me up for failure. So I have been praying a lot. This week when we were planning, we had an appointment with two new investigators we had felt inspired to contact off the street. I just had a subtle impression--that's them. I just got so excited! Heavenly Father brought us to this awesome family. The parents aren't members but have three children that are. One is currently serving a mission. The dad is out of town for work except for the end of the month and we are excited to meet him but for now we are working with the rest. There are two brothers in their 20s that I feel like have just been so prepared. We invited them to be baptized the 26th and they are praying about it still. But I know what Heavenly Father's answer will be. They came to church. One of them especially has just been reading in the Book of Mormon and Liahona like crazy. I don't feel worried about it. They haven't given a definite yes but the Lord has just prepared them so much and heard all my prayers. I am so grateful for all my opportunity to practice having real faith I don't have to worry because God made me a promise and He is not going to back out on it. So let me go back to how we actually found them. We were just walking down the street and I had a prompting to knock on this random door. We met Evert who told us he used to go to church and listened to the missionaries but stopped because he was offended. We talked to him a little and invited him to church but didn't make another appointment. The next week we were walking down the same street and my companion felt like we should go back. So then we met Elmer, who is Evert's brother. He has a lot of admiration for his younger brother that is in the mission field. He has noticed how happy faithful members of the church are. They just love everything. Elmer is 23 and wants to go on a mission. They showed up at church! In a suit and tie and Evert had actually combed his hair. It was kind of one of those sacrament meetings where the speakers were making me nervous but I just prayed that God would save this sacrament meeting. In that moment, the counselor got up and announced the patriarch would be speaking.It was perfect and they loved it.  Prayers answered for sure! So they are doing great. We have an appointment with them tonight and we will see what they say. I love you guys! Have a great week! 

The pic in front of the tree is from carnival, the big water festival thing. They walk around this tree and chop it down and then collect all the goodies below. Like a piñata tree. 

Peruvians and Party Games

Week 56

July 7, 2014

Hahah. Well. We have an investigator Patricia who is pregnant. As a way to get some good fellowshipping AND eat cake we had a baby shower. Baby showers are relatively new here, and they haven't been Peruvian-ized quite yet. The word for baby shower here is "baby shower". The last ward baby shower was a family event that included a clown and was a little strange, so we showed them how it was done. Let me just say, at parts it was kind of like pulling teeth. But they got a kick out of pin the binky on the baby.

Also, Happy Fourth of July! My comp has this sweet American scarf (see pics) and we were very patriotic that day. The sad part of the Fourth of July was that we dropped Moises. He just is not keeping his commitments. I had to tell him we weren't going to stop by anymore until he started to show his faith by doing things like attend church. He legitimately looked sad. And it broke my heart to tell him that. As we walked away Hna. Hunter and I just cried. But it was one of those times where we were disappointed, but not in ourselves.We did all we could do for him, but in the end it was his choice to not progress any more. At least for now. I see a lot of potential in him. Maybe just now is not his time. 

This week we had a lesson with a less active. I won't use her real name but lets call her Martha. She is a return missionary who came back and fell in love with a non-member. They never got married but they moved in together and they now have two kids. It was so weird to teach her because she already knows everything. She already knows that she is involved in serious sin, but we did share a message of hope with her. She just started to cry and say "it's all my fault, it's all my fault". It was so sad. But I know we have to remember the message of hope we share for her. No matter how low we find ourselves, we can always be picked back up thanks to the Savior's Atonement. This morning I was reading in 2 Nephi 4. I love that chapter because so many times I have felt so frustrated with myself for not being as strong as I know I should be. My soul wants to do so many good things but sometimes the flesh wins. But I love the line, Pero se en quien he confiado. But I know in whom I have trusted. I know that if we put our trust in the Lord, we can overcome our weaknesses. As we make more and more righteous decisions it will become easier to do so. We can be triumphant through the Atonement. That is what the gospel has to offer our burdened down less actives (and everyone!). Martha has come to church a couple times and has met with the bishop. She is on the right track. We will help her experience the freedom from guilt and pain that the Atonement provides. And it is there for literally everyone at any time or place.Be free!  I love you all so much!

Hermana Beckstead

 

oh yeah. And the food is papa a la huancayina. We have a new pensionista and she is the BEST! It's my favorite and she made it.  Also, we went to the shore of the lake again. Have an awesome week! 

Guess Who Has Legs?

Week 55
June 30, 2014

Well, I do. But RUPERTINA HAS LEGS TOO! I know. What? I feel a little silly being tricked by a 76 year old woman, but hey. These sweet Puneños are quite the little tricksters. Starting off with the member family one of my first days here trying to get us to believe they were investigators and would be extremely offended if we didn't take their alcohol. They didn't get me that time but boy did they get me this time. You see, Rupertina is a little on the plump side. And here their native dresses are really big. So she just always had her tiny legs under there hidden sitting on the bed when we visited. You can imagine my shock when we caught Rupertina standing up in the street by their house one day. So yeah. But it's really nice that she has legs because getting her to come to church is going to be a lot easier now. And she came! It was so great! 

This week is going great with the less actives. Not so much with the investigators. We are probably dropping Moises at least for a little bit because if he won't even come to church there is no way he will have the strength to quit for good because he will be missing out on those blessings. There is a scripture in D&C that talks about how they received the glory they were willing to receive. We have done our part. It's up to him and his agency--where he wants to be.

And then there was the part of this week where a drunk man yelled at us, "get out of here Satan!¨ Twice. But it was one of those Elder Holland being a disciple moments and I'm just like just keep walking. 

Oh yeah, one funny story: We were talking with an hermana we contacted who had just had a baby. I asked her "where do you think your baby came from? She just paused and was like,  "well, I think we all know...when a man and a woman..."  WOAH woah woah stop. That is NOT what I meant. Like before that! haha so fun. 

Then we met this less active Thania. We have had her address for awhile from our area book but we hadn't found her house! This week we found it! And it was one of those awesome lessons where we just asked questions and found out why she really went inactive. I just felt like we were able to discern her needs and I felt so much love for her. I felt prompted to share the story of the Prodigal son and I just almost cried there with her. I felt that God loved her so much. She made a few bad mistakes that led her so far away from the path God wanted for her and as a result felt ashamed to come to church. But I really do feel like we helped her. And we stopped by for her on Sunday and she came to church for the first time in a very long time. I felt so happy to see her there! 

It was a great week. I love you so much! Have a wonderful week! God loves you!

Hermana Beckstead

Pictures- my hija finally got her first llama sweater! They are the warmest.

Our stake had a dance festival for the public. We went outside and got a bunch of people to come in off the street. Great missionary opportunity! The wards did dances from different countries. Ours did Bolivia and of course they were pretty much the best.