MERRY CHRISTMAS

Won't write a lot today cause I just wanna see my family haha but I hope you're all having an awesome Christmas!!! I've had a blast so far this Christmas but I'll let the pics show it!! Fanny will be baptized this Saturday! We're super excited, lots of good things happening!!!! Love you all!!! 

Some of you may recognize Elder Lewis, he's from the Santa Clarita area (kinda) it was awesome to see him again after so long, also saw my good ol MTC buddies, Cusco was a good time!!!

Cheesy Pics and Hiking / CHRISTMAS

 I hope all of you had a good week! This week we did a tonnnnnn, Last Monday night we caroled in the plaza and we'll be doing it again tonight, it's a blast because caroling is not something normal you do here haha. You already get looked at weird for being white but while singing it's even better, but we had some success we got some people to join and stuff like that so it was really cool. We also went and did service at a preschool and also sang to the kids, they LOVED it, we taught them the true meaning of christmas and how to sing Wish you a merry christmas. We've been trying to find different ways of contacting people instead just the good ol door knocking, so this week we played basketball with a bunch of kids, super fun but my gosh Sicuani is just in the clouds, there's no air and you get tired in like 4 minutes, still not used to it haha. We've also just been walking into stores with the Light the world on the tiny DVD player every room has in the mission, (I call it our missionary laptop) It's been working pretty well, people love talking about christmas. We're still teaching English  twice a week, and gospel principles which I actually haven't done yet on my mission so that's new and really fun. 

I also did splits this week with my good ol friend Elder Haws, this is like our 3rd time doing splits in the mission which is hilarious, out of all the people in the mission Elder Haws is just somehow always my leader haha, but anyways we were teaching english the other day during splits and we got a call that their window had blown off from the second story (it was raining super hard) and it had hit the street, we came back to the house and thankfully no car or anyone was hurt. So after finding that out it was pretty dang funny taping up the window peru style with scotch tape. Good time.

So we have an investigator named Fanny, she's about 14 years old and we set a baptismal date with her this week! For the 30 th of December, at first she was terrified (reminded me of Sara) But we came back a couple days later and she feels totally fine now which I'm super grateful for, she's been to church a million times and loves it and is also super smart and just knows everything, like many missionaries say, she's a golden investigator. We're going to be working a lot with her this week! Hopefully, this week is insane haha. We're still visiting Jennifer a lot and she actually came to church yesterday!! She's super cool she's just still trying to find that answer and receive that testimony. 

Elder Austin and I are having a blast, it's nice to speak English a ton cause half the Americans in the mission are in Sicuani haha. We will be going to Cusco on Wednesday!! It will be our mission christmas party with all the zones that are somewhat close to Cusco, (we're 3 hours away) We're super excited cause every zone has a "musical number" and ours is just a lip sync, with a dance;) Hope you all have an awesome Christmas!! I know I will cause I get to see my fam!:)

p.s.  We went hiking today 

Christmas Music

Definitely getting into the Christmas spirit, this week we wrapped book of mormons in wrapping paper and put notes in them and we'll be having a fun ding dong ditch session this coming week. There's a ton of things we have to do this month but it'll all be super fun. Our mission is having a christmas party but this time I'll be going to Cusco for it which will be awesome, we've been practicing for a song that we'll be lip synching and dancing too. For the stake christmas party all us northamericans will be singing All I want for Chirstmas is You haha. I will also be playing a long Christmas interlude on the guitar for the stake which I'm terrified about but honestly I'm just glad that I've been able to play the guitar so much on the mission. Lots of music practice but we're lovin it. It's been a blast living with the zone leaders and sharing the area with Elder Haws. So yah our ward has 4 missionaries in it which is super cool, it's kinda weird to see other missionaries in your area sometimes cause there's hardly any wards in our mission with more than 2. We teach 2 english classes a week which is a blast cause tons of people and investigators come. We're all trying to learn Quechua as well casue so many people here speak it, someone even gave a prayer yesterday at church in Quechua haha. 

So yah we're teaching lots of people! We're teaching a family which is kinda complicated but I'll explain it, so Edith is the mom and she's an investigator, she goes to church a ton and loves it, her husband listens to us but doesn't really want much to do with anything, but Edith wants to be baptized but needs to get married and her husband is kinda iffy on it but he said maybe in January so we're prayin for that. AND Edith's daughter Anel was baptized last year and introduced us to her boyfriend Eduardo this week, so basically we just teach them all at the same time and it's actually really cool, everyone's kind of at a different point in learning about the gospel but we're always able to help them all out especially from Anel's help and Edith is already a pro too so it's easy haha. We're also teaching Jennifer, she's awesome and always lets us in and has really good questions, she told us she wants to be totally sure about the church before she is baptized and so we're helping her recognize and receive that testimony right now. so this morning we helped a member make ice cream to sell (it was a ton of ice cream) and she lives with an investigator that we have named Olivia, she's doing really well and she always reads what we give her and loves it, so we're planning on asking her about baptism here real quick. So yah hopefully you enjoyed my little summary of our investigators, it's not everyone but they are the ones we feel are going to progress a ton!! LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“When we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the Spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ Spirit. It will block out all the distractions around us which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning."

¡¡¡ Sicuani !!

Alrightyyyy, I'm already having a blast. First off Elder Austin is awesome, he's from Logan Utah, he has about 3 more months than me in the mission and we're lovin it. We're part of the ward that's just called Sicuani so we're rigtht in the middle haha. We also live with the zone leaders and one of them is Elder Hatfield who I met about a year ago in Yunguyo/ilave. Our district leader is Elder Haws who was my zone leader in Cusco. And also we're working kind of in a trio with Elder Bolduc cause he doesn't have a companion yet so he's working with us and the zone leaders. This Christmas is going to be awesome. Sicuani is the best, our zone is awesome and the weather is gorgeous. (For now) I can't really talk that much about the work and the investigators cause I'm still getting to know everyone but so far it's really cool. Our Pensionista is really sweet and funny, her name is Mery and she's been feeding the missionaries for like 20 years. (There's a picture) But yah we're all getting into the Christmas spirit like crazy and we're going to be doing a ton as missionaries. Lots of service and lots of mission parties. On the 20th we're having a Christmas party as a mission in Cusco and every zone has to present something like a sketch or a song and our zone is going all out so when we do it I hope I'll be able to get the video out cause it'll be hilarious. 

So yah Sicuani is super cool, leaving Mirador was really really hard, leaving Walter and Janeth and the kids was insanely hard but hopefully I can come visit after they're married and baptized;) I'm super excited to have a new start, time is going by fast and I'm trying to make the most of it but I know these transfers are just gonna be so fun, we have a ton of work to do and a lot to plan but it'll all be really sweet. Hope all of you are already getting into the Christmas spirit cause it's the best time of the year. Last night we decorated Mery's christmas tree drinking hot chocolate and singing christmas music. So I'm already super hyped on Christmas and hope you all are too!!! Have a good week and I'll let you know more about the people that we're teaching next week! Love you all!!!!!

2 Corinthians 12:9 

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Sara's Baptism / Goodbye Puno

We got the signature, there was water in the font, it was warm water, lots of people came, there was cake, and Sara got baptized. Everything went so smooth it was crazy and honestly a miracle. We were so worried about this week but everything went through so well and I'm super grateful for that. It was a blessing being able to see Sara progress so much and be able to baptize her. One of the most spiritual experiences I've had on my mission, can't explain the joy I felt but it was awesome haha. Sorry the pictures are inside it was freezing cold and not worth it to go outside haha. I feel like all the work with Elder Letham and Elder Paez led to Sara's baptism haha, Sara's been visiting with the missionaries for about a year now and honestly half the mission is happy that she finally took this first step. Super grateful for this week and everything that happened. 

Alrighty, so I'm being transferred! After almost 6 months here I guess it's time to go haha, I will be transferred to Sicuani! It's about 2 hours away from Cusco and my companion will be Elder Austin, yes, another one from the States;) It's funny cause Elder Austin served here in Mirador (He taught Sara too) and was Elder Letham's trainer! So I'm pretty excited about this transfer and excited to see what Sicuani's like. But I'm definitely going to miss Puno. These 4 transfers I've learned sooooooo much, and I'm super grateful for them, never have I come to love so many people that I barely know haha. I'm also going to miss my pension and her food, my goodness this will be sad. Tomorrow morning I will take a bus to Juliaca and from there another 5 hour ride up north! Time flies. But I'm grateful for Mirador and everything I've learned. Excited for what's to come. 

Love you all!!!!

Alma 26:35-37

35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

Buscando esa actitud positiva

Yikes this week was long. 

Sara should be getting baptized this week but we had a problem this week with her mom, she doesn't want to sign her baptismal record, she said she'd think about it this next week so we're praying and hoping that tomorrow it gets signed and Sara has her interview and then she's baptized Saturday. I really really hope it all goes through, I've been working with Sara for the past 5 months and I really hope to see her get baptized, she's so so so ready we just have that tiny (i hope) bump in the road to get the form signed. I think I said this last week but it's something we can't control so the only thing we can do is get on our knees and stay there for 28 hours haha. 

Sandra, Gabriela, and now Benjamin are in the same position. Sometimes it's hard to not see the fruits of your work but I guess that's being selfish cause I know someday they'll get there. Camila and Nicolas came to church with us this week, they go almost every week but they're just so fun, I always feel like I have two kids that I have to take care of during Sacrament meeting haha, but they're awesome, they always bring their hymn book and book of mormon and they always pay attention, well Camila does, Nicolas always asks me what time it's gonna end haha. 

But anyways it's been a good but long week, patience has been tested a ton, but it's the best. I hope you all have a good week! 

---"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be"--- Abraham Lincoln 

--Congrats to Perú for making it into the mundial (world cup?) for the first time after 36 years! Everyone celebrated...even during work...

Conferencia / #ArribaPerú / Tengo Sueño

I'm so tired. This week was good! We had a conference with President Herrera on Saturday, learned a lot! I've still got a lot to learn and improve on haha, and I don't have a lot of time to do it, I realized I'm getting old during the conference when I didn't recognize hardly any missionaries cause they're all new haha. I've always had that fear that I won't have learned enough or changed by the time my mission ends but I don't think I need to worry about it! 

So this week Perú played New Zealand in fútbol, and as you can see from the picture I cheered them on missionary style. The passion for soccer here is insaneeee, but I'm getting way better at it;) 

This week we visited Sara a ton, but we're kinda scared cause she's having problems with her mom's permission to get baptized, but it's not super bad like other investigators we have, it's just so frustrating I think she's like the 3rd person we're teaching that is having the same problem haha. But it's something that I can't get mad over cause it's something I can't control. We've done everything we can with Sandra and Gabriela but it doesn't depend on us anymore which stinks but just gotta pray super hard haha. We're still visiting them and they're awesome, they know everything and have such strong testimonies, it just always breaks our hearts after every lesson that we can't invite them to be baptized and become members. It's so hard! Just gotta keep going and keep visiting them. We weren't able to visit Martha this week which was a bummer and Ivan is on vacation or something. But we visited with Walter and Yaneth again this week, they're still reading the book of mormon as a family which is just awesome to hear, I have a feeling I won't be able to see them get married but I know it will happen with my companion and another missionary, but just being a part of teaching this family has been the highlight of my mission without a doubt.

 I hope you all had a good week! Happy Birthday Westley!!;) 

John 14:23-27

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

---We took a picture of everyone from the States....my companion snuck in cause I mean look at him lol--

Día de la Muerte

Pretty slow week during Tuesday-Friday, too many parties to count haha. I think I heard that Puno drinks the most beer out of all of the cities in Peru haha but man Saturday and Sunday were awesome. 

We found a new investigator Martha, I got hungry one day when we were walking to an appointment so we went into a "Tienda" I don't know what they're called in English but it's like a tiny awesome store. I bought my Doritos and decided to start talking to the lady who owns the tienda cause she was super nice. We asked Martha if we could come back the next day and teach her an awesome plan that God has for her, she said um of course and now she's listening to us! We taught her the plan of salvation yesterday and she loved it, she had so many questions and it was just honestly super cool to teach her haha. I know that's such a common missionary story but it made me realize that we have no idea who needs the gospel and we just need to talk to everyone, and with such casual conversations you can bring up the gospel. 

Our investigators are doing really well, we're teaching a boy named Benjamin, his mom Veronica has been listening to the missionaries for awhile but recently we've been teaching Benjamin more, and he wants to be baptized! He's nine years old and we love the influence he has on his mom haha, reminds me of Camila and her parents! Sara is doing really well, she comes to church super early cause she says she never wants to be a minute late or people will look at her haha. 

But yah this week ended up being a lot better than we thought it was gonna be, today we played soccer (what's new) all morning and went shopping at our beautiful Costco inspired Plazavea. I hope you all had a good Halloween! and have a good week!!! 

2 Cor. 12:9-10

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.