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.