April 1st-28th

Abr 1, 2019

Today my companion died... April fools! Ha-ha! I honestly forgot about April fool’s day until I typed it here on this thing. I must apologize I have not been the best at responding to personal emails, as I am able to talk with family over phone calls, I have not had time. Also, I forgot to revise the last two weeks for spelling so they might have been ugly! Today was an awesome day, we went to a museum and looked at a bunch of ancient ruins of Peru. We also had cake on behalf of our success here in Jayanca and also because of the birth days in the month of march. Then came to the room and changed it up a ton! It looks so good! We also looked at some new shoes and I turns out the people here in Peru do not have the same sized feet as me, so I will have to make do. We taught some powerful lessons here in Jayanca, but the miracle of the day was us waiting at the bus station in a nearby city past curfew for 10 min with no cars in sight. Then a taxi came up for the other direction headed out of Jayanca and asked if we needed a ride, we were the only two in the taxi... which is rare... and he drove us all the way to our door... which is also rare. I love you and good night!

Abr 2, 2019

Today we had another weekly planning thing which I still am not a big fan of, but then we had an intercombio, so I am with E. Espinoza with and he is so funny! He is like Mr. Allen where he is almost legally blind. He has only been in the area of Motupe for 1 week, so he was freaking out we visited 2 people and they both said we are catholic, and we are not going to change, pretty much a big ole’ heck no! So, he was really disappointed. I just told him, prophets in old times talked and walked with Jesus Christ and still could not get people to understand the importance of their message, we have not been crucified, stoned, or decapitated so I call today a win! He laughed. which was awesome because I have been trying to focus on a new goal to just try to make everyone feel loved, respected, and a little happier each day. this truly was a great way for me to feel completed in this day and feel that I was able to help him! A tender mercy. Oh, and also, in two different lessons today the people we visited tried to kiss me and it was probably the scariest moments in my life! I love you good night

Abr 3, 2019

Today we ended the intercambio, E. Espinoza said whoever gets five contacts or 1 new investigator before the district meeting the other must buy the winner oreos, well we got not one, but two new investigators and I got them both! Ha-ha he warmed my heart, just the kind of guy you just got to love. Well we went to the meeting and on our way back to Jayanca I looked out my window and I saw something, it was a chubby girl and two skinny girls in a race, as they started the chubby one bulled the two others down to the ground by their hair. Then the two got up and pushed her in the ditch. This experience really spoke to me. When life gets you down sometimes the only option is to push it into a ditch. We got back to Jayanca and ate lunch, rice and chicken. We studied a little more and went out teaching. The lesson of the night was Daniela again, she left her house saying I do not want to be baptized. In the lesson she recorded us but tried to play it off as nothing. Probably the hardest lesson for me to focus in, having a phone pointed at my face. Well it was all or nothing, if we offended her, we were back to where we started with her not wanting baptism, but we talked, and she just wants a firm answer about the book of Mormon before she agrees to baptism. Which I can handle. overall it was a good day today, I love you and good night.

Apr 4, 2019

Today we tried teaching a little differently, and we did not have as much success. We did however see someone painting and went to go help, turned out to be a member and it was a fun and enjoyable way to serve! we invited 2 people to be baptized and have many with baptism dates, if they attend church this Sunday... but I have high hopes with the fact we get to listen to the prophet. Today I wrote my pench an awesome letter, and at the bottom I put me and my companion, Anthony with a Spiderman mask hanging from a web, Alejandra in her princess dress, and Aaron in an avocado costume. It’s some attributes that reflect these kids. Aaron always has green on and is 2 years old, so he looks like a little avocado. She loved the letter so much. I almost offered to cook for them, but they have different ways to cook everything. Well we started a safety video thing that all missionaries must watch, well it is a good thing because when we got to CO2 portion it said to leave the house and call 911, but when ours would go off I just opened the window and put it outside.... well I’m learning a lot! I love you good night

Apr 5, 2019

What a day! First off, some bad news, one of our investigators with a baptism date for this month is moving to Chiclayo tomorrow morning. However, I found out my companion loves big time rush, he has photos of the crew, folders, stickers, I mean the whole 9 yards! Also my pench cooked us steak and mashed potatoes. it had been too long since I have had meat different than chicken let alone steak! It was meat of a milk cow... or horse meat for all I know JK... so it was not anything fancy, but it was still really good. so, to continue with the safety videos it talked about electrical safety, and because here in Latin America power lines in the streets are common, I had to watch the video. It turns out we have like 5 violations in our room.... and when I smacked the power lines into my companion to scare him, he could have died... but now I know! If you search the safety zone, they are some pretty enjoyable videos! I love you good night.

Apr 6, 2019

Today was a good day, we traveled to Motupe to watch the conference in English with E. Olivares a missionary from the Philippines and it was so much! We had snacks, talked in English, and went teaching between sessions of conference. Then went to the pench to get our beds... probably 150 pounds each and like all mattresses really awkward. Also, it looked like it had been in our barn for 3 years soooooo dusty and miss formed. well we got them to our room in Motupe and up the stairs so we could spend the night. I have never sweated so much in my life, I’m not what I used to be! Well it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed today a ton! I love you and good night.

Apr 7, 2019

Well we got up and bee-lined it back to Jayanca this morning so we could get ready and invite as many investigators as possible to church to listen to the prophet. We went to about 15-20 investigators and got to conference on time, well about 4 came to the conference and 3 of them were asleep for it all. A little frustrating. Today it was in Spanish, so it was really easy to tune out because it’s a lot of energy to listen to people. well we went out teaching afterwards and we taught Daniela and I could tell her attention was split he whole time, so I asked if she wanted to keep having us visit and she without pause told me straight up NO. Well it was a tough pill to swallow but what do you do? Other than that, it was a pretty good day, the Damian Chavez family is preparing for marriage so they can get baptized, 8 months in the making! I love you good night.

Apr 8, 2019

Today was a really good day, we started teaching the dad of Lionel the 9-year-old who got baptized in March. He is awesome and has a strong desire to get baptized and join the church, but he is not actually married, so we got to work on that. Today was not p'day because tomorrow we are having a p'day with PDT. due to the success we had in the month of march with 110 baptism. It is just our zone with PDT so that should be a lot of fun! We are also looking into moving rooms; my companion wants to change rooms because ours is too far from everything. So that should be new. Nothing too exciting today but I love you and good night.

Apr 9, 2019

Today we went to another museum and it was awesome! look at a bunch of dead Nephites and all the gold ruins in the tombs here in Chiclayo area. We were not able to take phones or cameras into the museum, so I have no photos inside. afterwards we went to the gift shop and it was really expensive. A sweatshirt was 200 soles, that is almost 100 dollars! I was blown away and a little sad my monthly missionary money would not be able to cover the cost, so I bought an ice cream sandwich to lift my spirits. I gave her five soles expecting 4 in return but it turns out the ice cream sandwich was 4.50!!! It was dreadful, I ate that golden ice cream sandwich and tried not to think of the financial debt I found myself in. well overall it was really fun, we got back to Jayanca and had lunch it was so good, probably the best meal yet, why-- because it had gravy! Rice, chicken, and gravy! To top it off had some soda. we then had a wonderful time talking with family. Then came back to clean our clothes and went out teaching for the day. Olenka is our new investigator and he has a fear of reading, praying, and assisting church... it will take some work, but we got this! today when we were walking to lunch, we found someone who needed help and it was so nice and always refreshing to do some service! I love you and good night.

Apr 10, 2019

Probably the best day of my mission yet. Today was a fairly normal day we had a weekly planning session and afterwards we hit the city to teach the good word. we taught a family yesterday who is not married, they said they had a wedding date for the 20th of December... so we challenged them to get married this month. We visited them today and taught them about the book of Mormon and at the end they asked what are the qualifications to get married... so they can get married this month! We then taught the son and he is so naturally smart! He is like Sterling Nielsen we taught him the book of Mormon and he remembered it all and he is only 13! We now have 7 people who are going to get baptized this 27th of April! also for my 6-month celebration I burnt my tie.... only thing people do not tell you is you need to take it off before you start the fire... my hair is singed, and my face is burnt. JK! Ha-ha I’m not that dumb. I love you good night

Apr 11, 12, 13

Well normal work days but yesterday was multi zone conference so we were in Chiclayo all day. We got some awesome revelation and I also got my camera and I am in love! thank you so much mom and dad. Our investigators are progressing I love you so much good night.

Abr 14, 2019

Today we found a man and when we were teaching him, we asked if he had a religious background, he said some Mormon missionaries visited him before and had a book of Mormon. He also said he has had a feeling since then that that church was true. He had difficulties with us because he thinks they are 2 different churches... he said he feels similar but does not want to change his beliefs. We explained in every way, shape, and form they are the same church. His book of Mormon was from 1992 so I believe it has been some time since the last visit. After that we had a visit with, the family Damian Chavez they have been taking visits from the missionaries for 8 months and they finally have a marriage date for the 27th still a lot of work that needs to be done before then but I’m feeling good about the family. I love you and good night!

Abr 15, 2019 Today was preparation day and we just sat in our room watched a movie about the Salt Lake City temple, slept, and ate food. It felt nice. We then taught and all of our investigators with dates to get married are starting to get cold feet... ahhhh well pray for them and we will continue with faith! not much other than this. good night I love you! Abr 16, 2019 I want to share the importance of family, the first thing is you must go by the promptings of the spirit when choosing a spouse, yes it’s easy to say tall dark and handsome, but the qualities that matter are those found in life long promises someone who will honor marriage vows, who has the same priorities in life as you... i.e. kids, work, location to live. Find someone who will back you up on any argument true or false and will help correct when correction is needed and will build your confidence when the spirit of discernment testifies that they are having a rough day. I know to many this is not new information, but too many times have I seen here in Peru someone with a great testimony and strength in the church or with a good standing with the Lord fall to temptation and inactivity due to the spouse they decided to marry. This is far more than good looks and a sense of humor, this is looking beyond qualities of change and into the thoughts and desires of their hearts. I do not know why but I felt this small rant was necessary to talk about. today while walking in the street a car came flying by and almost hit me, not the first time... but it turned out to be President Balderrama and he was with his wife, and they were just going for a drive to talk and listen to church music, a pure and simple and full of love date night. I love you and good night Abr 17, 2019 today was a weird hard day. my comp has not said anything to me today, he will say stuff like where to now or will you pray, but in the streets or between lessons not a single word, so I learned humility. Well the long-suffering part. It’s kind of just his character, we also did not talk Sunday or Saturday last week. but the family of Jesus is ready to get married this week they only need papers and clothes for the wedding! They are a great family and if Richard gets baptized I think he could be a prophet! We also taught an old man named Dionisio, he is super old and cannot remember anything, but he has the cutest smile I have ever seen! He is so lonely I just want to take him back to the states with me. We also talked to our branch PDT. and he gave us 2 awesome references! That was a miracle and that’s pretty much my day, my comp made it hard but I’m doing alright. I love you and good night Abr 18, 2019 I talked to my companion and it turns out I was doing something that offended him so instead of talking to me about it he went silent for 4 days... well we are all good now and we had a successful end to our day, our families are traveling to Chiclayo tomorrow morning to receive their papers so they can get married this week and baptized the next! I’m close to memorizing the 2nd lesson but for truth I have not studied this last 4 weeks. Today I started again! I feel much better having someone to talk to! I love you good night Abr 19, 2019 What an awesome day! Today we had some solid study time and I have almost got lesson 2 memorized, and I’m only 5 months behind schedule. Me and my comp are doing so much better and we are back to best friends! We taught Jesus and Richard and man they are so fast in learning. Jesus and his soon to be wife are going to Chiclayo tomorrow to get all the papers to get married this upcoming week. Richard has read 3 chapters in the book of Mormon in 1 day, he goes to church, he remembers lessons, and I think he is going to be a prophet in the future! We also did some unplanned service, someone’s truck died and so we pushed it up a hill and then ran down the hill pushing it so he could put it into gear and start it back up. we did that 3 times and I was DEAD! We then taught English, it was a lot of fun and I’m pretty sure they learned nothing! But they did have fun! I love you and good night! Abr 20, 2019 Today had some miracles of its own. every day when we plan out our days, we start with a prayer to help guide where we go who to teach and what to teach them. Well we planned a lesson at 9:00 at house 1 (as a reference point) and our lesson at 11:00 was at house 4. I planned our next visit at house 4 on the other side of Jayanca at 10:00. well not sure why but later today we heard that someone pulled a gun on another guy, I am not sure if he shot him but he did shoot his gun, and guess what, we were on the other side of Jayanca and far from danger! Other than that miracle we had difficulties with Jesus and his family not wanting to get married.... but we are working on it! We did however find a young kid named Anthony and he is almost as smart as Richard, he read a chapter in the book of Mormon and almost memorized it! it was amazing! He also said he believes the church of Jesus Christ is the one true church on the earth and Joseph Smith was a prophet! A freaking blessing! Abr 22, 2019 Well I do not have a lot of time because we bought pollo a la brasa and I must clean my clothes. Tonight, was a lot of fun, we went to Lambayeque and played soccer, I got really burnt, and also got an amazing shaved ice ice-cream thing that was the best thing I have ever had in my life! We came back to Jayanca and had no internet, so I was upset with that. I got to go but, I love you and good night. Abr 23, 2019 Well today was a trial of faith. for the last two weeks we have been working on overdrive to get these families married so they can get baptized. Today we found out that they never could get their last paper which was in Bagua Grande... so our 6 baptisms fell through. We are going to try and push for the kids to get baptized but it’s going to be a stretch. We will reschedule the baptism for the next month but all our goals plan and works fell through, so it was a tough one. Olenka accepted a baptism date so that was a really good part of our day! I love you and good night Abr 24, 2019 What a crazy night!! We had lessons planned this morning, but they were normal lessons, only thing is all our contacts led to new investigators. Every time we said can we share this message with you and your family they all accepted at the door. That was amazing! I also bought a soda for the first time in 6 months! I had to make it worth it, so we got the 3.3-liter soda. Then went and visited Richard and Jesus and Richard did not want to get baptized without his brother... so we were looking at my first month without a baptism... we then went and had another lesson with Ivan. A newly found guy investigating the church and we had one of the most powerful lessons in all my mission with him! It was crazy! Afterwards we went—ran to council de branch because we were late and shared with them all of our progress here in Jayanca. Then ran to the family Damián Chavez and the parents changed their baptism date as well due to not getting married, but the kids said they want to get baptized!!! So, we will be having 2 baptisms this Saturday and 4 more on the 4th of May! So many miracles! I love you good night! Abr 25, 2019 Today we taught a few lessons in the morning then wet to go get Octavio and Jesus for their baptism interview this morning, we got to the church and waited about 20 min for our district leader to show up. He got stuck in traffic and never made it out, so we postponed the interview until tomorrow morning. The worst part was we got a call while we were waiting, and the land lord said we had to move out by today... we told him we wanted to move rooms so we could be closer to everything and he said that was okay. our plan was to move the 1st of May, but long story short that plan moved to today. So, we had to pack up all our books, clothes, beds, dressers and all. It took 3 and a half hours to move it all to the other room and thankfully we had a member come and help with his moto, so we did not have to pay for that! I’m so tired, we lost a lot of important visits with people and right now we are in a room with ALL of our stuff piled up to the sky and I do not know where we are going to sleep tonight. Possibly the floor, so it was a crazy day. I will send a photo of our room at the moment and our stuff. It was so freaking heavy and I do not know why! But that was our day I love you good night. Abr 26, 27, 2019 Yesterday we worked hard with Jesus and Fresia to get all of their papers in, they have been traveling all over Peru to get the 8 papers required for their marriage. Today we went to visit them, and they said they do not want to get married... they are so close, and it is so hard on everyone. In the evening, we had a baptism for Jesus Chavez and Octavio Chavez. Their parents Cristian and Hilda will be getting married next week and baptized the fallowing Saturday. With this baptism I was able to continue my goal to have a baptism every month! Poor Jesus, I baptized him, but he has a fear of water... so that was a mess. He was shaking because I had to do the baptism over again do to not being in the water completely. But he did it so that was a win. Afterwards we bought cake and soda and had a little party of just me and my comp. I love you good night Abr 28, 2019 Today the branch wanted to talk to us in private. It turns out that Christian is not the dad of Jesus or Octavio... so legally they have different last names and the baptism was not valid due to the prayer being incorrect. So, this was my first month without a baptism, and they need to get baptized next week along with the confirmation. After church we explained the problem to our Pdt. of the mission and he said we baptize people, not names and that the baptism was in fact valid and was really mad we did not call before sacrament so that they could be confirmed. This was all really confusing but in the end it all works out. I love you good night.