Trip to the Temple!

Landon had a great week and some fun times working with the people of Peru. They were able to go to the Lima Temple and loved the cute, short little native temple workers they were! It was really beautiful. It looks alot like the Boise Temple but the landscaping is very different. The session was in English so that helped. "The Spanish is coming, but I still feel very inadequate and have so much farther to go. Hope you all have a great New Year and REMEMBER the Gospel is True!"

Feliz Navidad!

Amy and I found this nativity at Deseret Book. It was made in Peru and we felt a little closer at Christmas time by having it in our home! I especially loved the llamas! Landon's llamas are doing well also. This picture with Elder Corpus and Elder Campos was taken on Christmas day 2007.

The people in Peru think it is crazy that Landon has two llamas back home in Idaho!

Merry Christmas to you all! It's
about 80 degrees outside!
The parties get
started early here in Peru! We
have had some wonderful
devotionals and
enjoyed relaxing with pandera
(fruit cake) and caliente (hot
chocolate).
Elder Evans, Elder Cooke and
I had a little Christmas
celebration with a
tree (actually a palm leaf!)
decorated up and a picture
of Christ on the
top. Everything is good here
and the Spanish is coming
along! I hope you are
all having a great
Christmas! Feliz Navidad!

This Year For Christmas

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving
The thrill just wasn't there
No pictures taken with Santa Claus
My decorating has no flair
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties
Two suits and socks...no fun
I've bought him all white clothes
because
This year I'm giving Christ my son

I've spent more time in the temple
Felt strength come from His words
I've reread November's Ensign
And my testimony stirred
Our family prays more frequently
My tears are quick to run
Abraham seems closer
because
This year I'm giving Christ my son

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers
Gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion
Their sacrifice was so much more
My loss will be his presence
I'll miss his smile a ton
For two years we will pray for him
I'm giving Christ my son

I stare at his face from long ago
I memorize his eyes, their shine
He's always hungered for the part of him
That makes his soul divine
The stories and lessons he always heard
His choice and mine are one
I'll put my faith in God's hand
This year, I'm giving Him my son

Past gifts have lost their glitter
I think I finally understand
Christ's birth should be celebrated
By giving Him a hand
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns
That all the packing's done
My gift has taken years to make
This year... I'm giving Christ my son

~ Author Unknown

What is the CCM?

The Missionary Training Center (CCM) of Lima-Peru was dedicated on August 27, 1998 by Élder Russell M. Nelson. Click on the following website for some pictures and info about where Landon will be for the next 6 weeks!http://www.iglesiajesucristosud.org/ccm/ccm.html

Young men and women called by the Lord to serve as missionaries begin their service in one of the 16 MTC's in the world, of which the CCM of Lima is the third in capacity. Every 21 days groups of missionaries begin or end their training. The administration, teachers and leaders provide the best care to every missionary who enters training. The duration of stay for the Latin American missionaries is 21 days. While for the missionaries who need to learn Spanish, the stay varies between 42 and 64 days. During this stay, the missionaries develop great love and understanding of scriptures and doctrine of the Church. Currently, the CCM can train up to 152 missionaries every 21 days. The campus includes 3 buildings, beautiful gardens and 3 fields for sports and physical activity. Learning how to teach the gospel and to assist in the establishment of the Church is a big challenge that will test the ability of a missionary. However, the blessings that come with this work will result in enormous personal growth. Missionaries receive many blessings that strengthen them and their families not only during their missions but also for the rest of their lives.

I Have Landed In Peru!

"Things at the Peru CCM are green and full of color. An amazing little place! President and Sister Crayk are extremely friendly and so good to talk to. I have had my first experience with Peruvian cuisine and I officially love the food! The flight took 8 ½ hours from LA. Very exciting traffic system! Elder Smith from California and two Latinos are my roommates. I have been very lucky to have such good people to work with. Thanks for your love and support!"

Leaving On A Jet Plane!

Landon was in the Provo MTC for 3 weeks only then flew out to Peru on my birthday-December 19th! He was able to call us from the airport and visit for a bit. Even though it had been only 3 weeks, it was still so good to talk to him! He sounded happy and excited and ready to go. He was headed to the Peru Mission Training Center or CCM as they call it for 6 more weeks of intensive language and mission training. What a blessing the transitional training is!

One In A Million!

Awesome article about Missionary Work!http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,680194052,00.html

Landon really enjoyed his time at the MTC. He has already met some lifetime friends and has been blessed with wonderful associates. His Spanish is coming and he is really working hard on his training. He loved the "Call Center" and had fun with those types of referrals. He loved it when newbies came in and he was no longer the freshman of the MTC! The food was good and the spirit of the MTC was amazing!

Called to Serve! Learning Spanish! Learning the Ropes! Getting Prepared!

What To Expect At the MTC?

Landon was scheduled to enter the MTC on November 28th 2008 and we planned to go down alone with him that morning. Brian and Landon were both good with that and they pretty much said their good-byes Tuesday night. We had some surprise visitors at 2:00! Anna and Curt snuck in to town with a 12 pack of “DEW” for Landon. We sat up and talked for an hour or so and then tried to go to bed again. Too excited!Wednesday morning we got up and got loaded the car while Brian got ready for seminary, school, and his basketball game that night. We all left about 6:50 am and we were almost to Twin Falls when the phone rang and Brian asked “Is it too late? Can I still go?” We were so glad! He got to his seminary class and thought “What am I doing?” We met up with him and the two boys hung out in the back seat on our way to Provo. We were very glad to have them together for the day.
When we got to the MTC everything was so organized. Landon’s cousin, Matt Zweifel, met us at the main entrance and it was so good to see him! Landon got his name tag and “dork dot” to show he was a newbie! We went in to the main meeting chapel and had a wonderful and short devotional and meeting. I felt so good about leaving him there in such good hands. The good-byes were quick and fairly painless! Like a band-aid - - get it over with quick and it doesn’t hurt so much! Click on this website for an awesome inside look at the MTC-www.allaboutmormons.com/Eng_video50.php

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had Thanksgiving at Buhl with all the kids home and in and out for the weekend. Saturday we had our “early Christmas” gift exchange with our $5 gifts. What fun that was! Landon had his “See Ya Later” meeting on the Sunday after Thanksgiving –Nov 25th. It went really well and he had a lot of support from friends and family. He said lots of ‘see ya laters’ as everyone left. We appreciate everyone so much for their love and encouragement.

Landon has been lucky(?) to have so much time to prepare. I know now that he needed that time to really get ready to leave. I am so thankful for his good friends and the example and support they have given Landon. KC Hulse and Kyle Clements are also serving Spanish speaking missions and they certainly will be the "Three Amigos"!

Peru Lima Mission History

The Peru Lima North Mission is a very large divided mission covering a section of Lima and then a large area of the northeast part of the country.
August 7, 1956 - First missionaries arrive in Peru.
February 24, 1957 - First Lima Branch Conference
November 1, 1959 - Andes Mission formed (included Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Columbia and Venezuela). There were 5 branches in Peru and 300 members!
1965 - Church memebrship in Peru grows to over 6300.
1970 - The first stake was formed in Peru. The Lima stake 6 wards, 3 branches, and approximately 5000 members.
1974 - Lima West Stake formed.
1976 - Lima Peru Central Stake and the Lima Peru Lamanita Stake formed.
1977 - Approx. 17,000 members in Peru.
January 10, 1986 - Lima Peru Temple dedicated1988 - Church grows to 45,000 members in the Lima area and a total of 120,000 in all of Peru.
1996 - Church membership reaches 270,000 in 75 stakes.
2000 - Over 312,000 members in 81 stakes.
2001 - Over 348,000 members
2002 - Over 353,559 members in 512 Wards and 221 branches.
Average baptisms per Peru mission per month: 117.4
Average new converts retained per mission per year: 352

Passport Details

Landon filled out the paperwork to get his passport started as soon as possible. He knew the Visa application is what would usually hold him up from leaving the country so Brady took him to town and submitted his Passport application on August 1st. The actual passport arrived in our mailbox in Buhl, ID on August 11th! Unbelievable!

The Big White Envelope!

Landon was expecting his Call to come in the mail this week and they usually get to Buhl on Thursday. When we didn't get it on Thursday (July 26th 2007), Lani and Brian left to go to Camp Bradley to help and Scout camp. Landon left to go visit friends in Eastern Idaho. So guess what came on FRIDAY (July 27th!) while mom was here all alone! The Big White Envelope! I put it in a safe spot (and one that I could remember!) and waited rather impatiently for everyone to get back home. Amy and Brady came for the weekeend and Anna and Curt were here with their girls. We all gathered in the living room as Landon opened it up. Peru Lima North Mission! Wow! We were all so excited for him! Spanish speaking! To report to the MTC in Provo on November 28th. 4 months! So long to wait, yet so much to do!