July1st-14th

July 1, 2019

Today was a good day, we went to Lambayeque and played Frisbee, and broke it, and played futbol and that was good. We then went back to the room and got changed and headed back to Jayanca, we got back and had no time to clean the room, or clothes for the morning but I got to talk with my family so that was nice. We came back to the room showered and headed out to teach! Today went by so fast, honestly the fastest day of my life, I was so busy, and I have so much to do and no time to do it all. Tomorrow I will figure it all out. I love you and good night!

Jul 2, 2019

Well today was a good day, we taught Diego about tithing and fasting, and he learns so fast! So, we then taught him a little about temples, it was an awesome lesson. Afterwards we taught Noelia, she has a baptism interview tomorrow and does not have all the lessons, so tonight we taught word of wisdom, tithing, fasting, the 10 commandments, baptism and confirmation, follow the prophet, prayer, obedience, and did her pre-interview. Believe it or not she remembered it all perfectly! I was so amazed. I love you good night.

Jul 3, 2019

Well today we had district council and that was all right, we started 30 min late but anyway, we ended the meeting and started an intercambio with the zone leaders and I was in dire need of that. So, me and Elder Flake from Snow Flake Arizona went to Lambayeque and I had so much fun with him today. We taught some great lessons and he lives on a 15,000-acre cattle ranch and I’m so jealous! But anyway, he helped me out a ton working with my companion who is [trunky] which happens to a few of the missionaries when they get close to the end of their mission. Well he told me about the difference between someone who is resistant, and someone who is resilient. He said right now I’m resistant. It is the mentality of grit your teeth and get through something, rather than resilient as looking at a problem and learning or growing from it. He said Elder Merritt do not just put up with his bad behavior for 6 weeks (because honestly that was my plan). He said learn how to correct someone, with sharpness, or firmness. Then share even more love than that correction. Together we read DC 121:43-44 and then we opened the windows and sang the star-spangled banner really loud to the people of Lambayeque. I love you and good night!

JULY 4TH, 2019

THE 243RD BIRTHDAY OF THE PROMISED LAND! We woke up today and ate pancakes. THE FIRST TIME IN 9 MONTHS! Because we told the pench it was the birthday of freedom, we were spoiled for breakfast. We then called all the gringos in the zone and sung the national anthem to them as well. We ended the intercambio and went into Chiclayo to pick up two desks made of solid gold! They are really nice. We got back to Jayanca and got cleaned up and headed out and had some solid lessons today.

Jul 5, 2019

Well today was an excellent day, we went to Motupe and had a baptism interview for two of their investigators. One was a kid of 9 years, and she was so darn cute in her baptism dress. The other was a woman of 20 years. She had many problems with abortions. So, it was about a 45 min interview. My companion had to leave and consult with the other elders, then went back in, then came out and counseled with them again. They called president. Long story short everything is okay, and she is ready to start over with a fresh start. we had English class and I just taught them nearer my God to thee. One of the investigators is really excited to come watch the baptism tomorrow and I think to be baptized as well! At branch council one of the members gave us a reference of someone who wants to get baptized this month... SCORE! Ha-ha-ha I love you and had an awesome day today and good night!

Jul 6, 2019

Well a great day today, we did not have a ton of lessons, but we did get to enjoy the baptism of Noelia. She is a rock star and honestly my favorite convert so far! Me and my companion set up the font and put up ribbons and flowers and everything. It was actually a really nice baptism! Olenka said she did not want to get baptized then shut off her phone and left Jayanca.... so that was a bummer. But overall a good day. I love you good night

Jul 7, 2019

Well today was an excellent day, Noelia got confirmed and later during church bore her testimony! It was amazing! We then experienced a big party in the streets because Peru is in the championship for the south America soccer game. we did not watch the game, but we knew what happened according to their screams. And it was the whole town! we visited Hermana Rosemary and shared a little something with her and her family. Then went to Diego and did his pre-interview and filled out his baptism forms. He is really ready to get baptized. Tomorrow we are having a normal workday, then Tuesday we are going to the museum again! Tan Bueno! I love you good night

Jul 8, 2019

Well today was a rough day for me, but I will try to look only to the positives. We had a ton of lessons today, and invited people to be baptized which has not happened a lot this transfer. Pdt. Vasquez made time in his day to join us in a lesson, and we get to go to the museum again tomorrow morning. I love you good night!

Jul 9, 2019

What a great day. We went to Lambayeque and went to the museum... again. I have been in this zone for almost 7 months (5 changes) so this was not the first time I have been. It has some cool artifacts, and I had the best contact of my mission inside. Me and Elder Watson an elder from my group started talking to her, and she is from England, so we got to do it in English. Our English was rough, but it was so great, and she wants to learn more and everything. We then went out to eat as a zone and guess what...... I BOUGHT A PONCHO MADE OF ALPACA FUR! It is crazy expensive but like, I’m in Peru, and it had a llama on it. Then we came back to Jayanca and talked with our families. My family bought two rocking chairs, and my mom is very proud of them. 

Sometimes you just got to count the little victories, because even those are still victories. 

Jul 10, 2019

Today was a good day, we went to Motupe and had a district council and that was all right. We started an interchange and came back to Jayanca to teach the restored gospel and drop some truth on these people. Well it went well, and we have not passed by Frank and Araceli because they were not wanting to get married or progress, but today he saw me in the streets and flagged me down and begged us to come teach them again. So, I have hope once again for them. Because of the interchange I led the whole branch council and that made me feel powerful! ha-ha I love you good night

Jul 11, 2019

Well today Diego had his baptism interview and he passed, so that was a relief. Elder Aquino and I then went to Motupe to end the interchange, we got there and waited for an hour for our companions. I asked Elder Aquino if he wanted to contact in Motupe while we waited, he said no, but after a while I got him up and moving. We ended the interchange and Elder Moran made me mad today. We went back to Jayanca and had some good lessons, but nothing was super powerful, but we will try hard tomorrow! I love you good night.

Jul 12, 2019

Today was a much better day. I was really stressed out and I took time to listen to my body and speak my mind. Well it helped so much, but we had almost no lessons today, all of them fell through and we were finding it hard to find new people to talk to. We taught the class of English to end the day and it went really well, tomorrow is the baptism of Diego and I’m so ready! I love you good night

Jul 13, 2019

Well today was a good day, we woke up and got a call that the daughter could not open the door to the church, so we went and helped. We then realized there was no water and we had a baptism, so we opened the tank under the church and tied a rope to a bucket and welled out 500 gallons of water by hand. This was not the first time, but my back is so sore. Later we were walking, and some guy walked up beside me and asked who we are. I told him we are missionaries for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He talked to me about how he wants to change his life and join a church. We took down his information. My companion afterwards asked if I understood him. I told him yes, and my companion said because his initial question was what time it is… Oops! Well, quienes son and que hora es sound a lot alike. We then had the service baptism for Diego, and it went really great! I love you good night.

July 14, 2019

If I’m not mistaken today is my parents 24th anniversary. If they have not gotten a divorce by now... naw just kidding ha-ha today was a great day! We did not have a lot of investigators at the church but we are baptizing the investigators that we do have! Hashtag wining! After church today we were contacted by the priest of the big catholic church... IN HIS OWN CHURCH! He invited us in to eat and we talked about religion and he said how we are equals and we don’t criticize other churches, play for the same team. In more or less words I got free cake and was happy! Today was so much better in more ways than just that, contacts went well, and we could feel the spirit so strong in the lessons! I love you and good night.