Christmas Phone Calls!!

We had a wonderful visit with Landon at 12:00 noon our time on Christmas Day. He called on Christmas Eve to set up the exact time and had just had dinner with some investigators. On Thursday, he was with some members and sounded so good. He was able to get his phone cards down there and call right through! Isn't technology just a miracle?! Anna and Curt and their kids were here. Amy, Brady and Alyvia and of course Dad and Brian and I. He sounded like he is busy and loving the work. What a blessing and a wonderful gift to be able to hear his voice through little tiny wires!! What a great time to be alive and to be a missionary!!

A Special Christmas Message...

Enjoy...and Remember

Sand Angels?

Well Family I´m going to end this email, but just remember that I love you all and can´t wait to hear your voices THURSDAY. Have a great Christmas week and enjoy the snow day. Maybe I will have to go roll around in the sand and pretend that its snow, ha ha, yup, I´ll just have to do that. Love you all and I´ll talk to yáll later. Thanks Guys!

Better Belated Than Never!

HEY MOM, don´t you worry i did not forget your birthday but Elder Evans is giving me a hard time because i didn´t say anything to you before the big day, but I am definitely saying somthing after the big day. I hope you had a very specail day Mom. I love you tons and I was thinking of you on the 19th. You are such a great example to me mom and love the support and encouragement you all give me. I can´t wait to talk to you thursday but until then, remember that I love you. Oh yeah i almost forgot HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Your Son,

Elder Schofield

Update on Manuel...

This week went a bit smoother than the rest but we still have a few bumps to smooth out. Just a little update with Manuel. He accepted a baptismal date and will get baptized the 10th of January. He along with another one of our investigators will be the first ones to get baptized in the new Chapel.

Christmas Fireside-Peruvian Style!

Saturday night our zone along with the support of President Alarcon, put together a New Member/Investigator fireside. We invited as many people as we could to come and enjoy a special night of Christmas Stories and experiences along with conversion stories. We invited President Perez, The Lima Peru Temple President, as well as Elder Loli (member of the area Seventy). They all came and shared some very special stories from their personal lives and how they came to know the truth. All of us missionaries formed a choir and sang “Oh Holy Night”, with Santa hats and everything. It was really a great night but it was really neat to see our investigators and new converts really get a feel for the true meaning of Christmas and to feel the spirit.

Christmas Call is Coming!!

I am seriously having a hard time believing that it is already time to talk to you all again over the phone. TIME IS FLYING! I am going to get the phone call business out of the way first so that I can fill you all in on what went down this past week. I will be making my pre-call Wednesday around six o´clock your time, which means 8 o´clock my time. So from there we will be to setting up the time and all that good staff. I can´t wait to talk to you all and please please please make sure that Anna and Curt, Amy and Brady, and the kids are all there. I can´t wait to chat with everyone for a bit. Have your questions ready and your thoughts organized because a little Peruvian missionary will be making a call home.

My Testimony of Prayer Has Grown

This past week we had a bit of a surprise baptism. We had been teaching a man by the name of Javier for the longest time. This guy is a future bishop and for the longest time has wanted to get baptized. He family got baptized about a month ago but he couldn´t get baptized because he has been working in another part of Peru and is only home for about two days and then leaves for several weeks at a time. This past week he got home and we told him that if he felt comfortable and wanted to do it, we could get him baptized and confirmed this week. He was more than excited, so Saturday we got him baptized and right alter the Bishop confirmed him. This is when it gets really neat. When he stood up Saturday to give his testimony he shared with us that he has been praying and fasting for the longest time so that he would be able to be home for Christmas, have the opportunity to get baptized, and begin taking the steps to get to the Temple. He bore his testimony that God hears and answers prayers. He know that God wanted him to get baptized and spend this special time of the year with his family and he made it happen.

Before the mission I didn´t have a very strong testimony with respect to prayer. But I just want you all to know that when I pray God hears me, and when I ask he answers. By this simple yet powerful form of comunicación we are able to talk with our living Heavenly Father who only wants to know how we are doing and what he can do for us. I find so much comfort in that and love being able to talk to him about anything at anytime.

So my new Penionista and family is really great. We actually live at one end of their house so in order to eat in the mornings and nights we just have to opened up a door and walk on in. I must say its not to bad of a deal. It defiantly beats walking several blocks both ways to get to the Pensionista´s house. They have one son, Jefferson, and he is twelve years old. He is always asking us to make visits with him to members of his deacons quorum that aren’t attending church. They are a great family and I’m pretty sure we will be spending Christmas with them this year.

Well Family just remember how much you are loved by a Missionary here in Beautiful Lima Peru. I love you guys and appreciate all that you are doing for me. I defiantly love every moment of the mission, the good and tough times. This is the Lords work and no matter what happens, it will always go forth. Love you Tons.

Swedish Cake or Paneton.....Swedish Cake!!

Just for the record, Paneton has nothing over Swedish cake. I would take Swedish cake over Paneton any day of the week.

Matrimonio Massivo!

Our Stake and the Mayor of Puente Piedra and organizing a Matrimonio Massivo for January and we are busy getting people ready. We have one couple that is going to get married and they are the Tuctor Family. We met them by knocking their door and when we first met them they were going through a really tough time. We were able to teach them the importance of Marriage and if they were to get married they would be able to work together towards a single goal. Like Elder Nelson says “Marriage is when God takes two imperfect people and puts them together to achieve a single Goal”. They realized that this would be the best thing for their family as well as themselves. Yesterday we had a big meeting with President Alarcon (Stake President of Puente Piedra who was mentioned in Conference) to get the marriage organized and all that fun stuff. It looks as if we will be marrying 20 couples!

Something Big Is Going to Happen!

This past week I had a work visit with one of my Zone Leaders Elder Pratt. The entire day was full of appointments but one by one each and every appointment fell through. It’s normal that one or two appointments fall through but I got a large dose of disappointment that day. After every appointment I just turned to Elder Pratt and told him “Something Big is going to Happen”. I said it to him a lot that day. But at the end of the day Ssomething Big Happened. I bet we had made a mission record for contacts in one day but I’m glad we did because in the midst of all the disappointments and contacts we found the one. We knocked on the door of Manuel and we got to talking with him. He had told us that sometime ago a friend of his gave him a book (The Book of Mormon) and he read it and loved it. After reading he had some questions but didn’t know who to talk to or where he could go to find out more about the Church. We taught him more about where The Book of Mormon came from and invited him to pray. Since then he is progressing right along and is really excited about continuing with the church. I was sure glad we ended on that note because I’m not going to lie, It Was A Hard Long Day! It was one of those Tester Days, when the Lord tries to see what you are made of and I just pray that we gave him something to be proud of.

A New Temple Announced in Peru!

The First Presidency made this announcement today! There will be a new temple built in Trujillo, Peru. Trujillo is north of Lima. Landon has a relative, Mitch Withers, who is serving in Trujillo. Check out his blog at http://elderwithers.net/. (Elder Withers' dad, Gary, is Landon's mom's cousin.) How exciting to see the growth of the church in this area of the Lord's vineyard!

Paneton!!

Everyone is getting excited and bustling around for the holiday season. It sounds like we are both going to have a snow-less Christmas. Remember how before I left for the mission I accompanied the Spanish speaking Elders and one of their investigators gave us some Peruvian Fruitcake. Well the first time I will have to admit I wasn't a fan and even when we ate it in the CCM and didn't think to much of it, but now I have eaten so much of it I will have to admit that I kind of like it. It's called Paneton and everyone year during December and Christmas the Peruvians eat lots and lots along with hot chocolate. So when I get home I might have to look into finding some place that sells Paneton back in the states. You guys should look for it and give it a try, let me know how that goes. (We were able to find this special treat at Costco in Twin Falls! Lani was an instant fan and it is growing on the rest of us!)

I love you all so much and am so thankful for all of your encouragement and prayers. Tell everyone hey and that I am thinking of them. Thanks for Everything!

"I know that my family will be together forever too"

We completed the Mori Family this past weekend with the baptism of their oldest daughter Vanessa. She is 14 years old and for the longest time didn't want anything to do with the church or even the Elders that were teaching her parents. She was going to the Jehovah Witnesses for the longest time and was actually getting ready to be baptized there. Our first couple of days in the area we focused a lot with her and I remember our first visit with her after the baptism of her parents. She ready with her in the Book of Mormon and taught her the importance of Baptism by Priesthood Power and the spirit whispered to her that this is what she needs to do. We felt impressed to challenge her to get baptized the 6th of December and she accepted. The baptismal service went extremely well even though the water in the font was really chilly. Like I always say, my favorite part of the service is when the baptismal candidate has the chance to bear their testimony. Vanessa bore her testimony about the family and how she new that her family is going to be together forever. To myself I was thinking, "I know that my family will be together forever too".

Challenges and Trials are just opportunities to show the Lord Who We Really Are

The Mission is really an interesting thing. Just when you think you know how things should be done or the way you should work day to day, the Lord quickly humbles you and straightens you out.

The past week we had our fair share of challenges, trials, and disappointments but that is just what they are, nothing more and nothing less. The challenges that we face here in the mission are unlike those that I have ever faced before, but at the same time the attitude that I need to overcome is what I have learned long before the mission. Challenges and Trials are just opportunities to show the Lord Who We Really Are. The way we endure what gets thrown at us defies who we are and as a result, shows the Lord that we trust and love him. Even though the road is a little bumpy, it's only for a time and this great work will just keep on keeping on. Thank you so much mom for those great words of encouragement. They gave me a lot to think about and to put things into perspective. The Lord has a lot of trust in us (Elder Zamora and I) and I know there is a reason we are together. Even though it is hard to understand at times, the Lord teaches us so many valuable lessons when he makes us suffer a bit. But don't you worry about a thing, I will just keep on Keeping on!

A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

I was so glad to hear that your Thanksgiving went great and that the entire family was able to get together. Tell Amy that I was proud of her "boxing out" skills with the early morning shopping. Needless to say, here in Peru Thanksgiving isn’t recognized like it is back home. Thanksgiving has definitely got to be my favorite holiday because I love getting together with the Family. Being away from everything for so long has really made me grow to appreciate the little things in life, especially the moments I spent with family and friends. Out of all the things I miss the most, would be spending time will all of you guys. I am so thankful for all of the love and support you all have shown to me. Thanks for everything. Love you all!

PS I’m keeping my eyes out for the wood carved nativity sets but I haven’t had any luck yet.

The Lord Has Prepared His Children

This past week Elder Zamora and I found a lady by the name of Angelica. She is about 75 years old and has a heart condition that doesn’t allow her to walk very well. She is always in her house and we met her when we knocked on her door. She invited us in without hesitation (which is very rare here in Lima) and was willing to listen to the message. We taught about the Book of Mormon and together we read 3 Nefi 11. When we taught about how Christ gave the Priesthood to the people here in the Americas so that they could be baptized correctly I felt as though she needed to be challenged to be baptized. After I read verse which tells that those who are baptized will receive eternal life, I looked at her and she had tears running down her face. I challenged her to be baptized the 27 of December and she accepted. She told us that for the longest time she has been looking for the peace and comfort that she just felt from our message. Angelica reminds me alot of Grandma with her smile and her attitude to do the things that need to get done. Every day my testimony grows by seeing the way the Gospel changes and blesses lives. It hurts when people don’t want to accept or listen to the only thing that bring the happiness and peace that will last forever, but the Lord has prepared his children and he shows them to us.

The District that I am in charge of is really pretty neat. I am in charge of 6 missionaries and also the missionaries that are in my first area of Miramar, so when I do work visits there I will be right at home. The whole District Leading responsibility is going great and its crazy all of the little things that get thrown at you. I am learning and receiving a large dose of Patience but I guess that’s what I need. The Lord definitely knows better that I do.

One Year Already!!

Wednesday night I got a little phone call from Elder Evans. He said to me " Well Hello There Elder Schofield...........ah..............Happy One Year To You". It was really kinda awkward and random but wow, I ALREADY HAVE A YEAR. Only one year down and yet a whole lot of work yet to do. It’s crazy to think that I have been away from home for a year already, away from everything that I am use to, and everyone I love but that’s the way it goes, especially here in the mission. Here´s to another 12 months!!!

Dreaming of a White Christmas!

The Peru Lima North misión is going to have a White Christmas. (White with Baptismal Clothing!) We have set a goal of "X number" of baptisms for the month of December. I seriously can´t wait to make it happen! It won´t be easy but its what the Lord has revealed to President Perez so if we do our part, its gonna happen.

This past weekend we had our first two baptisms in the area. We baptized the Mori Family (Wilmer and Amelia). The two them work all day and all night and are rarely home. They both knew of their goal of getting baptized this past weekend but neither of them thought that they would be able to do it together because of their work schedules. But Friday night when we went to visit them we found them both sick and they weren’t going to be able to work over the weekend. We chatted with them for a while and before we left we gave them both a Priesthood Blessing. Before we walked out they told us that they wanted to get baptized together even though they were both sick. So Saturday morning we had their interviews and Saturday night they entered the waters of baptism. We challenged their daughter to get baptized yesterday so she will be baptized the 6th of December.

Leaving Iquitos....

So saying farewell to Iquitos was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Tuesday afternoon we spent some time with my converts and some of the members and that night the ward threw me a going away party. Everyone was there and everyone was crying and I was thinking "What the heck, I´m not dead yet". But they all gave me my fare share of goodies, treats, and little souvenirs. It was tough telling them goodbye but thats the way the misión goes. I remember what Flint Jacobson told me during my misión interview with him, he told me "Just about when you get use to an area, you get transferred. That’s the way it is". Boy he was right. But the next morning in the Airport The Cubas Rios Family came to bid me farewell, along with all of their kids. So many great people I left back in Iquitos, its as if I left a part of my family back there.

Gotta Love LIMA!

Being in the Jungla for so long I have forgotten just how much I love climbing sand dunes all day, being bitten by fleas at night, and being chased by dogs. Gotta love LIMA. But I´m back in the city and my new area is Los Rosales. This area is really neat because at the end of the year they will be finished building their new chapel and everyone is really excited. They are all so willing to and anxious to talk to everyone about the church as well as give us referentes so that is always a plus. I don´t know why President Perez likes putting me with pretty boy comps who don´t want to work but I´ve got another one. My new companion is Elder Zamora and he is from Ecuador. He has about 3 months into the misión.

The Spirit Of God

The Transfers Are In....

Another six weeks down and the changes are in. This go round it is going to be a bit more than just a little change for me. I’m heading back to Lima and heading back to Puente Piedra, I’m not quite sure where I am going to be going to but both Elder Evans and I are headed back to Puente Piedra and we are both going to be District Leaders. I’m excited, nervous, and sad all at the same time. Last night we had a Family Home Evening with the Cubas Rios Family and we mentioned the possibility of transfers, and they all started crying. I never thought it would be so hard to leave an area here in the mission but when you have six months in and you know pretty much everyone, it makes it a little difficult to leave. The Elder that is taking my spot is Elder Trinidad (my second comp) so at least I know that my area will be in good hands. Well Guys, I love you all and the next email will be coming from LIMA. Keep on keeping on and remember I love you. Thanks for Everything!

A Song and a Prayer...

One of our converts Alberto (the Catholic Priest) is really quite the guy. He has such a huge knowledge of the bible but what makes him really unique is that he loves to play religious songs with his guitar. This past week we started teaching his wife and after every lesson we would end with a song by Alberto and a prayer. It was so much fun, he loves singing for us and its fun stuff listening to him. Even though he plays catholic songs and doesn’t know how to play the church’s hymns yet, its great hearing him sing. He loves sharing his talents with us and he is gaining such a strong testimony of this gospel and work.

If we trust in the Lord, He shows us who is ready...

Ok one more story of one of our investigators. We started teaching a man by the name of Jorge Panduro whose family and wife are members. His wife use to be the Pensionista to the missionaries and he has listened to the missionaries for over 10 years. He has always had the Elders in his home but no one was able to get him excited about the gospel and to motivate him to get baptized. Needless to say this guy is what they say here “Bien Duro”. We have been working with him for only two weeks and yesterday he took a HUGE step in his progress to getting baptized. For the first time in 10 years, Jorege Panduro came to church. This guy use to come to the chapel to yell at his wife from outside the gates to tell her that it was time to get home. But seeing him in the chapel yesterday was a huge achievement for us. His wife told us that she never thought she would see the day when he would accompany her to the church. The bishop and his wife also asked us “how did you Elders do it”. Every person has their moment and if we trust in the Lord he shows us who is ready. The Lord showed us Jorge and I just pray that we will be able to keep him motivated so that he can take the steps of having an eternal family.

This Is What Heavenly Father Does for His Children

One of the families that we have being working with for so long finally entered the waters of baptism. The Cubas Rios Family was completed this past weekend. We baptized Flor two weeks ago with her mom, but Saturday we baptized Percy (her husband). This was the family we found when we decided to be late to an appointment in order to help a young kid with his wheel chair. Last night we were visiting with them for a little while and I began to share this experience with them. How we crossed the road to help out Percy Lino (their oldest son) who was having a struggle with his wheel chair and how we arrived at their house and met Flor. From there we made an appointment to return, by a miracle, found all of their documents to get married in only TWO days. And now I was able to see them all enter the waters of baptism and begin to take the steps to have an eternal Family. After I got done sharing this experience and bearing my testimony Percy said something special "This is would our Heavenly Father does for his children". I can’t begin to tell you how happy and proud I was of him. He alone has come such a long way; he too is like a brother to me. I am honestly dreading the day when I get transferred just because I am going to be leaving behind so many people that will forever have an impact on my life.

It is very likely that the 19th of November I could be shipped out to another part but as for now I am trying to not think about it. I’m so thankful that the Lord gave me 6 more weeks here in my area so that I would be able to see the Cubas Rios Family get baptized. The Lord trusted us alot with this family and I just pray that we didn’t let him down.

We Are On Fire-In Lots of Ways!

This past week our chapel caught on FIRE!!! During one of the activities one of the lights exploded and at first only made a lot of smoke, but a little bit later that smoke turned into flames. Don’t worry the chapels here are made out of wood and leaf roofs like the houses but it still gave everyone a pretty good little scare. It only makes the wall really black but this week they are going to get everything cleaned up. They will have two weeks to do it because this week is Stake Conference. Which reminds me of something really great that is going to happen. One of my converts Eliseo is going to receive the Melchezidik Priesthood this weekend along with his son that we baptized too. The two of them will get it together!!!

Elder Cahui and I had a very neat baptismal service Saturday. We baptized an elderly man by the name of Alberto and he has quite the past. He was a Catholic Priest for over 30 years and needless to say was living very comfortably. He was a very prominent Catholic leader here in Iquitos for the longest time until he came to realize just how many bad things go on in the catholic church. I won't tell you everything, because it is so so so wrong, but there is a very large list of things. He was finally faced with the decision of leaving the church or being forced to sleep with a lady in order to clear him of his sins. He left the church and all of this money and worldly comforts. He is currently living in a very small shack and doesn't have water or electricity and in order to teach him, if I forgot my flashlight we would buy a candle just before we got there. I remember when we first met him, we were walking down the road on our way to lunch and he came out of his house yelling at us, wanting to know who we were and what message we were carrying. We made a brief contact with him but weren't able to find him the entire week. He came to church on the 19 and told us that he really needed to talk to us, he said that he would be home every night at seven in order to talk to us. We went to his house and began teaching him, and in only a week we had taught him everything he needed to know but the most important thing he received his own answer with respect to the Prophet Joseph Smith. We baptized him Saturday night and got him confirmed yesterday.

When he shared his testimony after his baptism he shared an experience with us. He told us that for the longest time after leaving the Catholic Church he felt so alone, He didn't know where to go and for the longest time he prayed to know what to do. He had a dream where he saw two young men, with white shirts and ties. He told us that when he saw us walking by his house he had to talk with us. He thought that we thought he was crazy but he knew that he had found the two men in his dream. Alberto is still struggling to live day to day but he said that he has never been happier or felt closer to the Lord. I live for testimonies like those from my converts. I feel so happy and thankful that the Lord trusts me enough to be the one to find the people who are truly looking for the truth. I love this work and our church is ohh so TRUE!

Brian's Broken Arm

Holy COW Family!
Those pics of Brian's arm are SICK! I'm not looking at them right now but I am still getting the creeps. I opened them up with Elder Evans and he was grossed out too. But that is just like Brian, to jump back up and get ready for the next play. Just tell him that it was a dang good thing that he stopped the kid from scoring or then he would have really looked dumb, lol. Just playing, my little Bro is as tough as nails and he showed his true colors this past weekend. I hope everything gets healed up soon. Tell him hey and that I Love him.

Brian broke his arm in the playoff game against Payette on Halloween night. Maybe that's why these xrays are so spooky!! He had a double break, just short of a compound fracture. He went through surgery and is wired together pretty good. He won't be playing basketball this year, but has a good attitude about it all! We have certainly been shown many tender mercies that have come into our lives from this experience. I have included some before and after photos!

The Language Has Become a Part Of Me!

I have come to the conclusion that when I get home, I am going to have to pray for the gift of tongues to talk to you guys. Just saying simple phrases with the North Americans here in my zone is a struggle but we have a good time laughing at each other with how pathetic we sound, lol. But don't worry, I will manage some way to communicate with you all at Christmas. They have a nick name for me here now Gringo Charapa because I am beginning to talk with the crazy jungle accent that the people have here, but its all good.

Exciting Growth in the Mission

I doubt I will have the opportunity to serve in the new mission but at least the church is expanding the little villages along the river. This little "island" of Iquitos" is sure sprouting up and growing, its definitely an exciting time.
The Bishop´s family says hey and are really looking forward to meeting you when we all come back.

Never lose sight of how IMPORTANT and TRUE this Gospel is!

Well we took a huge step in getting the entire Cubas Rios Family baptized this past week. We helped them to get married last month and slowly but surely they are also accepting the gospel. We baptized the mother, Flor, along with Flor´s mother Mechi and this week are have a baptismal date with Percy (Flor´s husband) . This family has really come a huge way from the time that we first met them. Remember the story of us finding them through their son who is restricted to his wheel chair, well this is the family. When we met them they had a bar in their house. There bar was very very successful and were always bringing in big music names to come to town and play for the weekend in their bar. Needless to say it was very successful and they were living very comfortable. But over the past month and a half we have worked so hard with them helping them to find the strength and faith to leave the bar and rely on the Lord to provide for them. They have sacrificed so much in terms of worldly treasures but they have come to the realization that what the Lord has in store for them is far better than anything money can buy. They have since left their bar and are now enjoying the blessing of the Gospel. When Flor bore her testimony Saturday night after her baptism, she shared how her family has never suffered so many trials and challenges from leaving the bar but at the same time they have never been happier. It just another great reminder to me that the Lord is in charge of this work and that he merely uses us (19 year-olds) to carry this message to his children. Never lose sight of how IMPORTANT and TRUE this Gospel is!

A Monkey Named Garfield!?!

Well to end on a lively note we found a little monkey and we got him bought. He's the coolest little guy I know. I figure he has a pretty good resemblance of my nieces and nephews so I feel like I am right at home, lol. Just playing --but our little monkey Garfield is pretty dang cute. He looks like a miniature King Kong!

If It Doesn't Kill Ya, It Only Makes Ya Stronger!

My poor comp is having a really rough go at getting acquainted to Jungle life. This past week we spent quite a bit of time in the hospital because he got bit by a mosquito and got a case of Yellow Fever. Even though it passes within two weeks in the mean time they is quite a bit of pain and suffering but he is getting better. I just try to keep him positive and I always tell him just how sweet of a journal entry he is going to have. I told him the other day "if it doesn't kill ya it only makes ya stronger". He didn´t quite understand it at the time but he is now beginning too. Keep him in your prayers!

Blessings of the Gospel

Thanks so much for that letter from Elder Ruiz. Every day I hear of the sacrifices that many of the Latin Elders have made in order to serve a mission and continue with the church. But this gospel does amazing things with the lives of the people who truly seek the truth. I know that the family of Elder Ruiz will one day feel the importance and the truth behind this gospel. He sounds like a great kid with such a great love for the work and the gospel. Elder Cahui is the only member in his family as well. He is the youngest of three brothers and like Elder Ruiz, isn´t receiving alot of support from his family. He is doing great though and loving the work along with Elder Ruiz.

Along that line, I am including something Gwen Rich posted following a conversation she had with a sister from Arizona who had recently returned from Peru: "Sister Coombs was there with her husband, who had previously served a mission in Peru about 35 years ago. They were with another couple who work with our church's Perpetual Education Fund. They were meeting with North American missionaries who were soon to be going home after completing their missions. One thing that she said, sticks out in my mind. If these returning missionaries would set aside $5.00 per month, this $5.00 would "fund" one of their former companions, for one month, as they progressed through the PEF program. Just think of that !! So many of these missionaries that our sons are serving with, have no prospects for an education, or bettering their lives after returning home from their missions. Our sons, who are so VERY blessed, can help to improve a life - by giving so very little. I tell you, it surely changed the way I personally look at the PEF program. It puts a "face" on it, so to speak." Thank you Sister Coombs and Sister Rich!!

Amazing Things in Iquitos!

Even though the church here in Iquitos has a lot of challenges and obstacles, it is definitely growing. By the end of the year, my little ward is going to be made into a STAKE. They finally have enough members attending along with Priesthood holders to be able to support another stake here in Iquitos. I remember when this place was DEAD, but looking at it today you wouldn’t ever know that it was the way it was. The leaders are also talking of the addiction of an Institute building as well. But the highlight of what is going on is the Making of a new mission. They are going to be making Iquitos its own mission and are going to expand the church to the pueblos that live along the river. When I heard that I about lost it. I am always telling President Perez that I want to go and teach the pueblos but here in the near future the missionaries are going to arrive there. This little part of Zion is growing and definitely getting stronger and I love being a part of it.

The Marin Gonzalez Family

The Marin Gonzalez Family that we baptized about 3 weeks ago had another very special weekend. We completed their family by baptizing their youngest son Marco Antonio who is 18 years old and yesterday Eliseo received the Priesthood and his first calling/assignment in the ward. He is going to be in charge of passing out and collecting the hymn books for the ward. How sweet is that!!! It reminds me of when I had the calling of ringing the bell to change classes. Something simple but still very important. We are getting the two of them ready to receive the Melquisedec (I forgot how to spell it in English so I wrote it in Spanish) Priesthood next month during Stake Conference. This little family is truly something special. I remember hearing about families like the Marin Gonzalez Family before from other missionaries but never did I think I would have the responsibility of helping one find and receive the Gospel. I am so excited for what this Family is going to do for the Church and this great work.

I Love Everything About Jungle Life!

I definitely don’t want to go back to Lima any time soon. Despite the heat and the crazy jungle challenges I am going to have a hard time leaving Iquitos. Last night I got to thinking, "wow I am going to have SIX months here in my area, Where the heck has the time gone” I love almost everything about jungle life especially the people that I have gotten so close too. Even though we still have a month until transfers, I’m not in any hurry of leaving this place.

Monkey Business!

Everyone here in the ward tells you all hi and hopes that all is going well. Elder Cahui and I are planning to buy a little pet for our bishop’s family this week. We are planning on buying a little spider monkey or a sloth. Since we can´t have pets in our apartment, if we want one we will have to let it live in our pensionista´s house. But I will be sure to let you know how it all goes. The monkey that Elder Evans bought actually ran away because their pensionista put it in their tree and it ran off. But we are going to have better luck with ours. Wish us luck! Exotic pets here cost about Five Bucks and you can buy anything from monkeys, to sloths, to boas. Gotta love the Jungle!

¿Conoce la familia “Chosen”?

So we had a bit of a really neat experience this week. When I do my contacts I love using the question ¿Conoce la familia “Chosen”? (Do you know the Chosen Family), well this week we found them! There was a lady sitting out in front of her house and we asked her my question. She of course responded that she didn´t know the family but her husband was walking down the street towards us and she waved to him to come over to see if he knew them. Her husband isn´t your ordinary Latino, he is about 6 foot 5 inches, he has arms the diameter of coconuts, and he has nothing less than a very intimidating voice. I was a little more than nervous but He told us that he didn´t know of the family but he mentioned to us that he had once spoken with “Elders” before and he had a question about “Who is Joseph Smith”. We went into his house and gave him a brief lesson as to the life of Joseph Smith, his history, and also we shared the First Vision with him. We asked if we could come back and share a video with him. He accepted and we returned the next day to watch “Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration”.

During the movie the spirit was so strong, both Johnny and his wife were so focused on the video and nothing could pull them away. When it ended the room fell silent and no one said anything for a while. I looked over at Johnny and noticed that he had tears falling down his cheeks, he looked at us and bore a very simple yet powerful testimony as to the Prophet Joseph Smith, I answered his testimony with my own. We have since been able to teach them about the restoration and they are going to get married in December and right after they are going to get baptized. Obviously us missionaries don´t know who is prepared but the Lord does and he shows them too us, even if he has to test our faith and courage a little bit.

Warm Temps-Warm People

I am a little bit more than jealous of the cold weather you are all receiving. Oh what I would give to have an Idaho winter right now. Don’t get me wrong, the warm weather is great but I am getting tired of being sweaty all the time, lol. The raining season is just around the corner so the temps will begin to drop here soon. It’s really easy to do street contacts right now because everyone is outside all the time. Every eats, take naps, watches TV, pretty much everything right now because it is so hot to be indoors. Its fun to just chill with a family that we don’t know for several minutes, get to know them, and then share with them our message.

Looking Forward to Working With Elder Cahui!!

My new comp has arrived and he is very green. His name is Elder Cahui and this is his second transfer here in the field. He is from Arequipa (a very cold part of Peru) and is having a tough time getting use to the hot humid Jungle air. I am actually his step-dad (first comp has title of dad; second comp has title of Step-dad). Its great working with him, it reminds me a lot of when I had just a bit of time in the mission and didn´t know anything and was a little more than confused. At least this kid knows Spanish. But teaching him the ropes and the work here in the Jungle is going to be a great adventure

Another SIX WEEKS!!

The Changes are in and I am so thankful for so many things! The last six weeks have really been a push for me but still at the same time I was able to learn so much. I will be STAYING ANOTHER SIX WEEKS here in my area of Mi Peru/Versalles! YEAH! I was actually hoping that I would be able to spend some more time here because there is still so much to do and quite frankly I love the people here and everything about my area. My new companion will be Elder Cahui and from the sound of things he is a newbie. He will be entering his second change with me so it will be a great experience for the both of us. Elder Salvatierra is heading for Barranca where I use to be. It’s been a great, rough, challenging, and yet amazing last six weeks, and I am definitely looking forward to the next.

Time has gone by so fast! It’s hard to believe but only 14 more fast Sundays!

I Love Conference Weekend!

Conference was amazing as always! We were able to attend all five sessions and I was able to experience something different. For the first time I watched all of the sessions in Spanish but amazingly it didn´t make a bit of difference. I was still able to learn and grow so much; I love this whole gift of tongues thing, lol. There were so many great messages shared which gives us another chance to grow and better ourselves. The talk from Elder Eduardo Gavarret (the one who made so many references about Peru) really hit home for me. He was talking about the Lima North Mission and the success we have had in reactivating less actives and inactives. The story he sharred about Puente Piedra was really special. The Vargas Family that he talked about lived in my ward. We had spent so much time with them sharing spiritual thoughts and encouraging them to endure to the end, and to help build the ward. The Stake President was always asking us how they were coming along and he too made personal visits. I love watching the change in people when the truth of this work touches their hearts for a second time. Somtimes we need a little reminder as to what we should be doing and with the help of the spirit, the truth can touch our hearts again. What an amazing and special experience.
I am the only North American Elder in my district and we went to another Stake Center to watch conference. I was the only one singing the hymns durring conference. It was kinda funny because I was just singing my heart out for all to hear and everyone was doing their best to read my lips and try to follow along. But I didn´t feel out of place or anything, I am definitely amongst family and friends here in Iquitos. These people have a very special place in my heart and I can´t wait till you will have the chance to meet them.
I love conference weekend because it is a special time for our investigators, less actives, as well as our recent converts. Everyone one of our investigators as well as recent converts came and participated in conference. They all shared their own special experiences with us and we are able to see the change that the Gospel is having on their lives.

Message From an Elder in Peru

Thanks for all ya think, and all ya do, and all ya think ya do! (Farley Family Quote) I love you all so much and am so thankful and happy that you all are doing great. Keep the great letters coming and remember how much you are loved by and Elder here in Peru.

The Importance of Flashlights--

I am quickly learning just how important it is to carry my flashlight with me all the time. So many of the houses here don’t have electricity so it makes reading the scriptures and teaching the people a little difficult. So I have been carrying around my flashlight everywhere I got so that we can teach anyone at any moment. The people we teach thinks its pretty funny, because one of the excuses they give us is that they don’t have electricity so they don’t think that we can teach them, and that’s when I pull out my light and tell them “ we know this message is important and we know that it will bless and change your lives”. Its little tactic that seems to be working so I am going to keep on using it.

Matrimonio Massivo-Jungle Style!

Tuesday we held the “Matrimonio Massivo” and everything went extremely well. The Missionaries were responsible for getting ten couples married and Elder Salvatierra and I had two couples. The Iquitos Stake was in charge of the program and they started out the evening with a bit of a fireside. A family sang a musical number about the family being together forever. After the fireside the Mayor of Iquitos, Mayans took the stage and performed the ceremony. One by one the couples came up to the table and signed and fingerprinted their papers. We took tons of pics of both the Marin Gonzalez Family and the Cubas Rios Family signing their papers. After all the papers were signed and they washed off their fingers then the party started JUNGLE STYLE. It was crazy!!! They brought in a band which played authentic jungle loves songs and everyone was dancing and singing. It was really something. It’s been a while since I have had my dancing shoes on but I resisted and only got my foot tapping at times. After this party my ward threw another party the same night for the two families. We weren’t able to attend the second reception but the bishop took alot of pictures. But all and all it was a great experience and seeing the joy on the faces of both families made all the stress and work worth it.

General Conference

This Work Is So Worth While and Special

Sunday morning was the baptismal service of the Marin Gonzalez Family. They wanted to do it Sunday in the morning so that all of their family could attend, but at the last second all of their kids decided to work Sunday and no of their family was present for their baptism. It was definitely a sad note but I am so thankful that the ward came through and showed their love and support by attend their baptism. The entire service went so well and Hercilea kept leaning over to me and telling me how happy she was. She is a sweet old lady who always smiles; she reminds me alot of Grandma. But when they bore their testimonies and shared their feelings with us they both described how good and warm they felt for the decision they had taken to be baptized in the church. They called Elder Salvatierra and I angels and told us how thankful they were to us. I love the little things like that; it makes this work so worth while and special

Got Goals?

During the conference, as a mission we reanalyzed a lot of the things that we are doing and how we can better ourselves in order to achieve our full potential. Everything from the way we make contacts to the way we ask the members for references. We set new goals and I am able to testify that President Perez, the Assistants, and President Nash made these goals according to revelation. They may seem like lofty goals but everything is possible with the Lord

Finally Feeling Complete

Yesterday we had the baptismal service for Wader Rios and like always it was something special. He has been looking forward to his baptism for so long and yesterday it finally came to pass. When he bore his testimony he shared with us that for so long he has felt as if something was missing in life. He has always had a great family (members of the church), work, and the worldly things that make us feel complete, but still he wasn´t complete. For so long he had been looking for it and had been praying to find it. He said that when Elder Quiroga and I showed up at his house to have a Family Home Evening he felt that he long search was over. Wader is going to be a huge blessing to the church and is going to contribute so much to the work. Even though he is 38 years old I feel as though he is my brother. My brother from another mother!

Don't Hold Anything Back!

Saturday morning we experienced “The coming of Nash”. We had a multi-zone conference with him here in Iquitos. The missionaries from Pullcalpa and the other zone here in Iquitos all came to our Stake Center to be apart of the conference. President Nash came with is wife and of course President and Sister Perez were there too. The purpose of the whole conference was to strengthen our ability to teach, contact, and realize our true purpose of being Representatives of Christ. It was six hours of true inspiration. President Nash shared an experience that he had with one of his sons when he was serving a mission. When they were saying goodbye in the airport his son was giving hugs to his family but didn’t leave much time to say goodbye to his dad (President Nash). He quickly gave his son a hug and told him one thing “Don’t hold anything back”. When President Nash said those words something hit me hard. It brought back so many times when I did hold something back, when I didn’t give everything that I had. More than anything it brought the pain of Regret that I have experienced before. It made me think of my junior year and the Stake Track Championships. When I was running the 800 for our relay and I took the baton in first place. What happened that day still haunts me because I finished that race knowing that I hadn’t given everything. That my teammates paid the price for my efforts. I held something back.

One of my goals here in the field that I made for myself back in the MTC was to give everything in every moment so that I won´t feel that same pain of regret that I felt that day in Bronco Stadium. The zone conference gave me another opportunity to rededicate myself to give everything so that when I some home I can tell my dad and those I love “I didn´t hold anything back”.

I Love This Work!

I have never been so happy or stressed out in all my life. But we are working every day the way the Lord expects us to do so. Every day is another day to make something happen and give your all for something that you know to be right and true. I love this work and love suffering in the work of the Lord. I hope you all have another great and exciting week. Thanks for everything. I love you all.

The Lord Knows!

This past week we also found another great family to teach, and it was a pretty neat experience finding them. Last week in the afternoon we were walking to one of our appointments and I noticed on the other side of the street a young boy in a wheel chair who was struggling with moving himself along the sidewalk. I told my comp we were going to be a little late to our appointment because I wanted to help this kid out. We crossed the street and I told him to kick up his feet and pull in his hands because we were going to set a land speed record. We got to talking and he told us that his name was Percy and that he was a member. He was baptized a year ago by an Elder Mayo. I asked him about his family and he told us that his parents weren’t members. He had a great conversation on the way to his house and we asked to talk to his folks but they weren’t home right then. We made an appointment to return and on our return visit, both of the parents were home. We started talking to them and they welcomed us with arms wide open. We found out that they weren’t married yet so we instantly told them about the “matrimono massivo” that was coming up. They both told us that they have wanted to get married for so long but haven’t had the money to do so. It was truly a miracle, we gathered all of their documents and did their health examine in no more than two days. We have began teaching them and helping them to gain the same testimony that their son Percy already has. This week we are going to challenge them to get baptized. The Lord works in so many ways and knows who is ready to receive the gospel and progress in this great plan.

Getting Things in Order

Well “La Venida De NASH” (The coming of Nash) didn’t happen this week but is going to happen this week. President Perez and the assistants are busy making sure that everything is in tip top shape for when he comes. I’m more excited than nervous for the whole little adventure; I can’t wait to get feedback from him with what I can improve on to help my investigators understand the truth and importance of the Restored Gospel.

This past week we definitely covered some ground and walked hard. We were busy getting birth certificates, personal identifications, health examines, and a huge list of other things ready for our couples that we are helping to get married. Everyday this past week reminded me of when I would plan to take care of 15 lawns in a single day. We didn’t have time to take a breather and whenever we just felt like falling over; we found another gear and kept on keeping on. But in the midst of all the hard work and success, we also ran into some speed bumps with the Martinez Family. They weren’t able to find all of their papers in time and we had to tell them last night that they were going to have to wait till the next “matrimonio massivo” to get married. It broke my heart telling them the news. I have worked with this family for over 2 months and I feel as if they are part of my family. I have really grown to love them, and seeing how the gospel is changing their lives and strengthening their family, made it so hard to tell them the bad news. But they are still determined to do everything possible to be ready for the next opportunity.

We Are Working And Growing Together

Every transfer definitely comes with its own challenges but I am really excited about this next six weeks. Elder Salvatierra and I are starting to click and he is slowly getting use to my pace of working. He’s a great guy and he is beginning to get a feel for the real work I think. We definitely have a lot of work to do this change and we go to sleep dead tired every night but that is the way the Lord would want it to be.

We are going to get a bit of a treat this next week. President Nash (President of the South America East Area) of the first quorum of the Seventy is coming to Iquitos to pay us a visit and to see our ability to teach as missionaries. The missionaries from Pullcalpa are also going to come (another part of the jungle) and we are going to have a huge meeting, and one by one he will call us out and give us a situation and we will have to teach him and commit him to do something. I am way excited to have a General Authority here in Iquitos. Elder Salvatierra is nervous because he doesn’t think he teaches very well. I told him he knows the lessons, he knows how to make a contact, you have nothing to be worried about, just rely on the spirit and you will say what needs to be heard. So this week President Nash is in town, and I will let you know how it goes next week.

THREE Families in Harmony with the Lord

In this weeks email I wanted to tell you about the THREE families we are getting ready for baptism this month; First off the Martinez family. Jorge and Hermalinda live in the poorest part of our area and it has really been a humbling experience working with them. They have so little and yet are sacrificing so much to live the Gospel. We actually met them thanks to the branch President and we have been working with them for about two months now. They are going to get married September 23 and then enter the waters of baptism September 27. They have a huge family of about eight kids. It’s so much fun when we teach them, because when we arrive all of the little kids go running through the house yelling “MAMA, LOS HERMANOS”. The kids are big fans of the magic tricks you guys sent me, so thanks again for those. But I have really seen the way the Gospel touches the hearts of those who are ready to receive it with the Martinez Family. They tell us everyday just how happy and excited they are to finally be putting their lives in harmony with the Lord.

We received a reference from the Bishops wife last week of one of her friends who isn’t married but her and her boyfriends are excited about tying the knot. When we arrived to meet them, they were in a hurry and were heading out the door. So we made an appointment to return, but after they left we began talking with her parents. Eliseo and Hercilia are in their 50s and are definitely a cute little couple. We began talking with them and we found out that they weren’t married as well. We began to teach them about Matrimony and all of the blessing that the Lord has ready for them if they are will to obey this commandment and get married. We began to explain to them about the “Matrimonio Massivo” that we are getting ready and they both instantly told us, “Yeah lets do it, what do we have to do” We were definitely excited to get them ready to get married but it wasn’t until our next appointment that we began to teach them about the Restored Gospel. We taught them the first lesson and Elder Salvatierra and I both felt that they were ready to be challenged to baptism. We challenged them and they both accepted to get married September 27. They both came to church yesterday and afterwards they told us about how they hadn’t felt so sure about anything until we challenged them to be baptized and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. Eliseo always has a handful of questions but he has received an answer to his prayers and the two of them are progressing together. This family, the Marin Family, is what every missionary prays for, and I am so thankful I have the opportunity to help them along.

The last couple is the Rios Family. Wader and Rosa aren’t your typical jungle couple, mainly because THEY ARE ALREADY MARRIED. I know, crazy isn’t it, but it’s true. Their kids are already members but for some reason the missionaries that were here a long time ago didn’t teach the parents. So here we are cleaning up what some bum missionary didn’t do, lol. But the two of them are really excited. Wader came to church yesterday and after Sacrament Meeting, I leaned over to him and asked him how he felt and if he had any questions. He was silent for a moment and then he told me “I know now more than ever that this is the only true church on the earth” I smiled and agreed with him. They are going to get baptized September 20. They truth is definitely going forward even here in the Jungles of Peru.

Changes and Challenges!

Let me just say that you hit it on the head when you said my new companion will add a new dimension to the work. He is also from Bolivia like Elder Quiroga but it will definitely be a learning experience for me. I love taking him through the really muddy and rugged parts of our area just too dirty up his shoes a bit. Hopefully I will be able to find a way to get him motivated and focused by the end of the change. I am really missing Elder Quiroga but I just have to remember that there is a reason for everything!

Families Can Be Together Forever

This up coming month is looking really good and I am really thankful for the success we are having thus far. We have a total of three couples that are going to get married this 23 of September and all of them are really excited about the message of the restoration. We received a reference from the bishop’s wife so we of course made it a point to contact them as soon as possible. We met them (The Familia Marin) and got to talking and our conversation slowly merged into the importance of the family and the plan that God has for every family. They told us that they weren’t married but asked us if we could help them out. We were like HECK YEAH, so they will be getting married this month as well along with their son and his partner. We taught them the entire first lesson last night and this week we are going to challenge them to get baptized after their marriage. Never before have I taught so many families at one time that are actually going to be able to progress and are excited about the Gospel. I feel a little overwhelmed because there is so much to do and so little time. Everything from getting their documents ready and authorized for their marriage and well as trying to keep them motivated about the Gospel, Whew, There is a lot to be done. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Signs of the Gospel Message

The last couple of weeks we have been teaching a young girl (whose parents are members) who only communicates with sign language. Her name is Sarbia and we baptized her this past Saturday. We had been teaching her for about two weeks and it was really a great experience. I can officially teach the four lessons with sign language. Every night Elder Quiroga and I would practice the lesson we were going to teach her and planned out what pictures we were going to use to help her understand and feel the importance and the truth of the Gospel. Her mom also helped us out quite a bit with some principles that we weren’t quite able teach. Her dad is a less active and he too joined us during the lessons and this past Sunday he came to church and after our meetings he cooked us lunch. But the best part came after the baptism of Sarbia and it was her turn to share her testimony. She told us that he had been practicing her testimony and so she got up and shared her testimony with nothing but sign language.

Hands That Help

This past week we also did a huge service project as a zone. There was a member family whose house burned down when their propane tank exploded. No one was in the house when it happened which was a huge blessing. But we had the privilege of tearing down the old a building up the new, JUNGLE STYLE. The method of building houses here in the jungle is really a bit different from back home in the states as well as Lima. More or less it’s like building a model for school out of toothpicks, lol. We used poles and of course the house is raised up off the ground. It was really quite a process but it was really great. We got to wear t-shirts which read “Manos Que Ayudan” (Hands that Help) and we served our fair share of Lemonade. The house we built back in Lima isn’t anything like the house we put together here in the Jungle, but I still had just as much fun.

Twin Falls Temple Dedication Weekend!

We had a fantastic weekend with the Dedication of the new Twin Falls Temple. President Monson was so fun and personalble! Brian and Lani participated in the Youth Cultural Celebration at the Filer Fairgrounds. This article and video from Mormon Times (by Deseret News) features our very own President Akerman and his family from Filer Stake! Enjoy!

http://www.mormontimes.com/WC_aroundChurch.php?id=1920

Open Houses All Over the World!

Well its that time again and the email informing us of our upcoming transfers has arrived. I will be staying in my area of Mi Peru/Versalles for at least 6 more weeks. Elder Quiroga is headed to another part of the jungle in Tarapoto. My new comp will be Elder Salvatierra and he is from Bolivia so I will still be tearing it up in the jungle with another crazy Bolivian.

We did an activity this past week to try to find more people to teach and at the same time introduce the people to the chapel. Just like you all did back home with the Temple, Elder Quiroga and I had our own little “open house”. We opened all the doors, turned on all the fans, and invited everybody and anybody to come on in and take a look around. We gave them a little tour of everything and we ended it with the baptismal font. By our baptismal font there is a picture of Christ when he was baptized. We would show them the picture and then share our testimony about the importance and need to be baptized like Christ by someone who has authority and power to do so. Most of the people instantly asked us when we could come and visit them and teach their families as well. One of our contacts, Jaime, actually asked us “how much does it cost to get baptized here”. We chuckled a bit and told him that the sacred ordinance of baptism isn´t something that can be bought with money let alone any of the sacred ordinances. The entire “open house” went really well and we found quite a few really great people to teach as well as families. I t was kind of fun putting the whole “open house” idea together and I kept thinking of you guys back home, preparing for the “open house” and dedication of the Temple.

I was so glad to hear that the dedication went so well. It sounds like everyone really came together is a huge way to make it such a great and special experience.

What Happened In the Sacred Grove Changed The World

Yesterday our Bishop came to us just before Sacrament Meeting and asked us to give the talks. (This happens a lot, lol) He didn’t have a topic for us so during the passing of the sacrament I prayed for something that I could talk about that would help build the testimonies of the ward. When I got up to speak I still didn’t have a clue as to what I was going to say or what I was going to talk about. I simply greeted the ward and opened up my scriptures and it fell open to Joseph Smith History and the page which gives the testimony of the first vision. I instantly started talking about just how much our Heavenly Father loves us for him to call a prophet here on the earth. I gave a little bit of history of the circumstances of Joseph Smith at this time and just how much of a need there was for a restoration of the Truth. I felt as though throughout my entire talk I didn’t say a word. I was simply moving my mouth and someone else was putting the words in it. I shared with them the first vision and my testimony. As members of the church how often do we think about this miraculous event which is changing the World? How God and his son appeared to a young boy to restore all of the truths that we lost. I am so thankful for this act of love with God showed to us, because it blesses families!!!

The Way We Handle Life Is What Makes Us Who We Are

I liked how you said that there is never a dull moment. That was defiantly the case this past week here in the Jungle. Elder Quiroga and I had a really great week but still at the same time it was full of challenges. We are praying a lot for the couples that we are preparing for their marriage so that everything will go through and we won’t have a problem there. It really is a challenge to motivate these people to make a decision like getting married because the world around them is telling them NO!!! But the teaching of the Restoration of the Gospel is what does the trick, and a family that truly prays to know if it is true will also accept the invitation of getting married. It’s just another one of the many wonderful blessings that people receive from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We have been working with a less-active family for quite some time and our prayers are begging to be answered. The Amasefuen Family has been inactive for about 5 years and they have had a hand full of trials which have caused them to go in active. Every time we visit them we give them a really powerful spiritual thought and always bear testimony that God is mindful of us and know what we are going through. This past fast Sunday the entire family came to church. Just about when the Bishop was going to close the meeting one of the sons (Miguel 11 years old) got up and began to bear his testimony. He shared one of the most powerful and heartfelt testimonies that I have ever heard. He shared how much he loves this gospel and that he knows that his family will be a family for ever. Miguel has really had to grow up fast because he hasn’t had a really strong father figure to look up too. He helps his mom make “juanies” to sell and also studies in the afternoon. He’s friends at school constantly give him a hard time for being a Mormon but he told us that he wouldn’t have it any other way because he has a lot of opportunities to share his testimony. His simple testimony really spoke volumes to me. No matter what life throws at us, the way we handle it is what makes us who we are.

I Am Still A Runner!!

I am doing great and staying healthy. My gringo soccer skills are defiantly coming along. We play tons of soccer in the streets, the stadium, with members, with investigators, with EVERYONE. Our chapel has a soccer court along with every other chapel in Peru. Yeah I am learning to love another sport but don’t get me wrong, I am still a RUNNER.

Temple Open House

I’m glad to hear that the Open House for the temple went great and people are becoming to respect and admire the Lords House. I love sharing with people that “My Temple” with be ready at the end of the month, Anna sent me a really great picture that I always show people.

I hope you all have a great week and remember I love you all. Thanks so much for your prayers and support. I love this work and the way it has blessed the ones I love. Keep on Keeping on!!!

Goin' Bananas!

I am learning very quickly just home many different varieties of bananas there are and just how many ways you can eat them. Every meal we eat bananas in one way or another. They have a banana here called “platano verde” and it’s basically a potato that looks like a green banana and you have to peal it, but it tastes exactly like a potato, CRAZY. But my favorite type of banana is called “manzano”. They are basically midget bananas but they are oh so tasty. I usually buy a bundle every other day to fill the gaps that the rice doesn’t fill.

"I Want That Kind of Happiness For My Family"

As of right now we are teaching about six families and only one of them is married. But in reality we were really lucky to find the married one. Jungle life is really different from anything I have had to get use to. People just don’t get married; it’s too much of a hassle. It’s much easier to just live under the same roof and have a family. It’s sad because when we teach these couples about the importance of marriage they tell us that marriage is a big decision and is something serious. We always ask them how many kids they have and then we use that number for the amount of reasons they need to get married. We had a really neat experience this past week we a couple who wasn’t married. We discussed the importance of marriage and began to teach the message of “The Restoration” teaching the importance of marriage in every principle. At the end we challenged them to pray to receive an answer from God if these things are true. On our return visit we began to ask them about how there prayer went. The father (Juan) looked us straight in the eye and said “I know Joseph Smith was a prophet, and I want the kind of happiness the gospel brings for my family” We are helping them get their papers and documents ready for the next Matrimonio Massivo here in Iquitos. The Gospel changes lives and its just as true here in the Jungles of Iquitos as it is back home in Idaho. I love seeing the changes in people and seeing them progress.

My Companions Are Great!

We had our interviews with the President last week and he and the assistants really emphasized the importance of teaching with the spirit and being diligent. No matter how hard we work or how we do it there is always something to improve. Elder Quiroga and I are great about being straight-up with one another and helping each other to learn and grow. If there is a problem we just solve it on the spot so that we can continue working together and as a team. My comp is great, we have a blast and work like LOCOS and everything we do and have accomplished is thanks to out third companion, The Spirit. Obedience and Diligence is the key to success and the constant companionship of the spirit.

What Matters Most is the Name

I would have to say Elder Quiroga and I had the most successful and challenging week thus far in the mission. We set the high mark for “Investigators in the Chapel” in the mission for the week as well as “Baptismal Dates”. We had a total of seven investigators come to church and five of them have baptismal dates by the end of August. But in reality, the numbers don’t matter a bit. What matters more is the name behind each number.

Elder Evans in Iquitos!

Another bit of good news, you will never guess who got an emergency transfer and is now working in Iquitos. ELDER EVANS! He arrived Friday night and traveled all by himself. He was companions with Elder Duran for a while and was working in my area. He was actually the one who baptized Yesinia. So yeah it was great to see him and now he’s in my zone so that was cool.