Mr. Moretto Would Be So Proud!

Given that my companion "son" is from Colombia, I figured that he would already know Spanish and that we would get right to work. Well come to find out, there are quite a few differences between the Spanish in Colombia and the Spanish from Peru. I have to teach Elder Ortega some different words that the people here in Peru use. It's kinda funny because I'm a gringo and I have to teach my Latin companion Spanish. I like to give him a hard time about it, but he's a good sport and his Spanish is coming along great. (Mr. Moretto was Landon's High School Spanish Teacher)

The Lord Works Along the Side of Us

This past week we had three more baptisms which included the Tucto Family as well as a 17 year old named Javier. As always it was an amazing experience watching them enter the water and come out knew and perfect. Seeing how far the Tucto Family has come was such a great feeling of accomplishment. They have overcome family troubles, financial problems, pressure from family members and the list continues. Knowing that I had a part in their spiritual progress and helping them to find the truth, is more satisfying than anything. When Janet Tucto bore her testimony she shared the experience of when Elder Zamora and I knocked on her door and how she knew that we were the answer to her prayer. She talked about how she knows that her family is now on the right path and how she and Freddy both feel that there is meaning to life. Yesterday we were able to ordain both Freddy and Javier to the priesthood as well as two more of our converts. It was definitely a week full of success but it's only because the Lord works along the side of us.

Working Like Crazy

This past week was full of success, smiles, laughs and spiritual experiences. Elder Ortega and I continue working like crazy and the Lord still shows us where we need to go. It is truly amazing how when a companionship really buckles down and truly wants to find success, how the Lord always comes through with his part if first we do ours. It's a great feeling kneeling down at night, exhausted and worn out, and giving an account of your day to the Lord knowing that you had done your best and did your part.

"Good luck with him..."

Saturday night was the first baptism in the new baptismal font and it was definitely a night to remember. We baptized David Ore and oh what a great experience it was. All of David’s families are members including his wife and kids and he has listened to the missionaries since 1996. I remember the first time we met him, we talked to him for a bit and tried to see if he was interested in listening to us (we didn’t know that he had listened to the Elders before) and he accepted an appointment. Before we arrived at the house we ran into his mother in law who had a bit of advice for us. She told us ¨Good luck with him, we’ve tried and no one has been able to get through to him¨. The Lord prepares his children and he prepared David to be baptized the 17th of January. As we were leaving the baptismal font he just kept smiling at me, gave me a huge hug, and just told me thanks. I don’t feel as if I did anything to help him make his decision except show up and teach him the lessons. They are already planning on going to the temple next year.

Something to Be Proud Of....

Well this past week was another really great week with a lot of success. Saturday afternoon was the dedication of our new chapel and so many people came from all over our area. Everyone is mentioning how they have longed to have something in their town that they can be proud of. Even the people who aren’t members take a lot of pride in the chapel and are softening their hearts and allowing us to enter their homes.

Little Things That Make Me Want To Stay Forever!

Last Saturday we had the Wedding of The Tucto Family. They looked great and definitely had a special experience. Their entire family showed up, which wasn’t expected by Freddy or Jane. They all came and showed their support as well as the members of the ward. We really have come a long way with this family. I remember knocking on the door and Jane answered and when we told her that we were missionaries and that we had a message that would make her family eternally happy she broke down and cried. She let us in, told us the circumstances with her family and we shared with her how the Gospel of Christ would change everything. She told us yesterday that she knew that we were the answer to her prayers, and that for the first time, she feels at home when she is home. It’s the little things like that, which just make me want to stay here forever. This work is what brings the joy and happiness which will last forever. I love the trials and I love overcoming them and feeling the joy and comfort of the spirit.

Opening New Chapel!!

Well yesterday was our first Sunday in our new Chapel and it is simply amazing. It is definitely a diamond in the rough in our area. It is two stories high and is very simply designed but yet so beautiful and special. This little ward has worked so hard and have been so obedient and the Lord has blessed them all in such a big way. Elder Ortega and I were the lucky ones to be the first people to give talks over the new podium. Elder Ortega talked about the atonement and I talked about the importance of prophets in these days. It was such a great Sunday but what made it even great was the joy that we saw on the faces of our investigators. We had nine investigators come to church and they all told us about how the chapel has a special feel about it. How walking through the door they felt as if they were leaving the stresses of everyday and the worries of the world behind, and for three hours they felt at peace and uplifted. The whole area is talking about the “Mormons” and that is just what we want. This weekend will be the dedication and the following weekend will be the Open House.

I'm Doing Good!

I am really doing good and trying to stay healthy. If I was sick you wouldn’t know it anyway so as far as you all will know I am doing great and working hard. I love you guys and hope that this letter finds you all in great shape and with smiles. Thanks for everything.

Working With Special Families

This weekend we have the “Matrimonio Massivo” and The Tucto Family are ready and really excited. Tonight we are going to have a Family Home Evening with them with some members so that will be really great. These last two weeks they have come all the way to the chapel by themselves, its incredible. They walk so far with their three little kids and they always arrive with the biggest smiles on their faces. Last week when we were teaching them they mentioned to us that they don’t want us to leave or get transferred. I get so attached to the people that I get to work with that it hurts thinking of the day that I will have to leave them behind. I just want to be here forever helping them with whatever they need temporally and spiritually.

I Have a New Son!

I hope the title line didn’t scare you at all but it looks like my son will be staying with me for the length of his first change. His name is Elder Ortega and he is from Colombia and this Wednesday he will complete his first month in the mission. He is very new but he has a whole bunch of excitement and energy to get to work. We are going to have a ton of work here in the area because this next week we will be in our new Chapel and everybody in the area are asking questions about the church and the Mormons. I’m really glad that I am in the area for at least another change because we are definitely going to be kept busy the next five weeks, But that’s the way we like it!!!

Where I am at right now, is where I need to be.....

So last night I got a bit of a surprise which I am really looking forward to. I got a call from the assistants and they informed me that today I am to go to the offices to pick-up my new Greenie Comp. I am going to be in a trio for at least a week until the transfers next week. This change is going to last 7 weeks instead of 6 because it costs a lot to travel on holidays so the church expanded this transfer and will shorten the next. But today at 3:00 I will be the first mission field companion for a newbie. I´m way excited and way stressed out!!! But I am thankful for the trust that the Lord has in me to carry out such important tasks and responsibilities with his holy work. Something that I have learned here in the mission is that the Lord calls us in our weaknesses to carry out his work and I am a living testimony of that. I don´t feel adequate at times but I know that the Lord makes a way for his work to be accomplished and press forward.

I’m sorry if this letter seems a bit rushed but we are also just on our way to our District Meeting. I just want you all to know that I love you tons and that I know that where I am at right now is where I need to be and is the best thing for me as for my family. I know that the Lord is taking such great care of you all.

With Love and Thanks

Elder Landon Schofield

Very Special Day at the Temple

Yesterday the zone went to the Temple and as always it was such a great experience. This temple trip was special for not just the spirit that was felt but also for the company we were with during the session. Elder Evans and I did a session with Elder Gavarett from the first quorum of the seventy. He and his family were going through a session and Elder Evans and I took up the last two seats. He is the General Authority that spoke about Puente Piedra and President Alarcon in Conference. Afterwards, outside on the temple grounds, he asked us to take his family pics and it was great to get to know them all. They all wanted to practice their English so we did out best to help them out. He gave us both a big hug and we went on our way. It was really such a neat day in the temple. Our session kept on getting postponed so we were able to spend a lot of time in the Lords house, which I am thankful for.

Busy Holiday Season!

After we talked to Landon on Christmas Day, we were expecting to hear from him again on Monday, like usual. Monday came and went, Tuesday came and went...We were hoping things were fine and that he just would skip this week and catch up on Monday the 5th. FINALLY we heard from him later in the week and were tickled to get his letter. Very busy down there!

Yes this is your missionary who finally found a moment in time to sit down and write his family a little letter letting them know how he is doing. Sorry it has taken so long to get a letter off to you but to make a long story short, it has been one heck of a crazy week thus far, and its going to get even busier really soon.

First off Monday morning we had a Multi-Zone conference and Christmas party. It was great to finally catch up with so many Elders from my group that I haven’t seen in so long. Everyone has changed a little bit but it’s all in a good way and sometimes I get to wondering if I have changed at all. President and Sister Perez both presented the certificates for baptizing families and things like that, and when they called me up to give me my certificates for the families that I was able to baptize, President Perez grabs the microphone and says “Elder Schofield also baptized a Catholic Priest in Iquitos”! I had actually just wrote him a letter (Alberto) to see how he is doing.

It was so much fun and such a boost to hear your voices last Thursday. It sounds like I got the better end of the deal because I wanted to hear your voices and you wanted to hear mine, but thankfully you all talked more, haha. You all sounded so great and I am so thankful for the great support I am receiving from you all. Before you know it I will be calling you again, CRAZY!