More "Welcome Home" Pictures

He's Back!

With tender hearts, we welcomed Landon back to the Magic Valley on Wednesday December 2nd at 6:06 pm. I had the same emotions and some of the same feelings I had when I held him for the very first time 21 years ago. He was in my arms again, safe and whole. He is still "Landon" but has grown and changed so much.

Gramma and Grampa Schofield surprised us at the airport! Bill and Diane Workman surprised us also! Merick and Andrea and Mason came with them.

Amy made cute signs for Landon's nieces and nephew to hold. They got a little mixed up in the final delivery, but the message was still the same..."WELCOME HOME UNCLE LANDON!"

Brian had taken the day off to ride down to Salt Lake on the Shuttle Bus and fly home with Landon. They had almost 5 hours in SLC together before they flew to Twin. Brian was his 'final companion' on the last leg home of his journey from Peru. Brady had a special sign for Brian too that said "Welcome Back Brian!"

It was 13 degrees in Twin Falls that night. He had just come from almost 100 degree weather. We didn't even think to bring a coat to the airport! Brrrrr!

We left and went straight to the Stake Center and Landon had a good visit with President Ackerman. It was a little emotional as he traveled the rest of the way to Buhl, after taking off his name badge....

What a wonderful young man. What a wonderful and exhausting day!

Some Final Thoughts From Peru

This past change I have really had some personal time to just sit and ponder to myself. President Perez sent me a copy of my Mission Call and asked for me to re-read it and ponder the blessings and the commitment that I made with the Lord to serve as a mission. One part stuck out to me alot, when it talks about by putting aside your personal affairs and dedicating all of your talents, abilities, and strengths towards the work, The Lord will bless me with more joy then I have ever received. The things that I have been able to experience here in the mission are very unique and what makes it hard is knowing that the joy and happiness that I have experienced won`t be felt in the same way. The joy that the mission brings can only be experienced in the mission.

Some of the things that I have learned to live for is seeing an investigator come to church alone, seeing a dad lead his family in family prayer for the first time, receiving the sacrament from one of my converts, watching one of my converts perform the baptism of one of his children, and listen to the simple yet heart-felt testimony of a recently baptized member. I have lived for these moments will keep them with me forever.

I feel as though the mission isn´t as much a time of “Change” but rather a time of “Progress”. I was called to serve here in Peru for who I am but I feel as though I have experienced a great deal of Progress in my life. I see things a little differently and know now more than ever our divine potentials as children of God. How blessed I have been to have had the opportunity to share the Gospel with my brothers and sisters here in Peru. Sharing my testimony in Sacrament meeting yesterday I mentioned how I find myself with alot of mixed feelings. I honestly feel as though I am once again leaving home. I love the people here in Peru and I know that I am leaving them in the Lord´s hands. After all, there isn´t a better pair of hands to leave them in.

I have really enjoyed sharing my mission with you. I love you all and can`t wait to see you next week. I fly out to Lima today in the afternoon but I wanted to be sure to get a letter off to you before heading out. Thanks for everything and may the Lord keep blessing you!

Wonderful Experiences In My Final Week In Peru...

I`m not quite sure how my schedule will play out this next week but this could very well be the last letter from your missionary here in Perù. This past week was so amazing and special and I feel very fortunate for having been able to be a part of it before leaving Pucallpa.

Friday night was the “Matrimonio Massivo” and everything went great. Wednesday night when we were making some phone calls to see if everything was set and ready to go we got the thumbs up and the go ahead. But when Friday morning came around a lot of things fell through and lucky for us we got put in charge to getting things put back into order but thankfully everything turned out great. The couples showed up and everyone left with a smile. Elder Rodriguez and I married four couples and that in itself turned out to be alot of work. But at the end of the night I was really thankful for the way everything had turned out mainly to see the Zambrano Family so happy. Wilson Zambrano made the comment to me that this was hands down the happiest day of his life. That is coming from a man who hasn`t wanted to get married for over eighteen years but finally arrived his time and was able to make the right decision. He had a gimped foot so he wasn`t able to dance with his wife Nelly but their son Neil stepped up and took the responsibility.

Saturday night was the baptism of the Zambrano Family and honestly I have a hard time expressing how I felt during that baptismal service. I was asked to give a small thought and I talked about how the Lord is mindful of each and every one of his children, we only need to trust in him and things will turn out. Elder Rodriguez baptized Nelly and Wilson asked me to baptize him. What a special family they are. They are so grateful for the church and all of the blessings they have been able to receive ever since they began taking the discussions from the missionaries. Yesterday they invited us over to have a Sunday lunch with their family and for the special occasion Wilson killed the fatted duck. It was great to spend time with them, they have really won a very special place in my heart and can`t wait to see how they keep on progressing in the Gospel.

Such Little Time Left...

I am enjoying my time so much here in Pucallpa. Even with the little time that I will have had here I feel lucky to have been able to work with the People from Pucallpa.
Monday I will be flying back to Lima and there I will finish out my last week.
I love you guys so much and am looking forward to seeing you all. It hasn´t really hit home yet that I will be seeing you in two weeks because it honestly just feels like another change. Well I still have work to do so I hope you have a great day and another great week. Love you All!

A Crazy P-Day

Monday for our P-Day we decided to go FISHING. It was a blast but I think that everything that could have happened, happened. We rode in the back of a cargo truck to the lake but on the way there our driver got stopped by police, we ran out of gas and had to push the truck to the nearest gas station, everyone got really sunburned, and on our way home we got caught in a rain storm. Only one Elder caught a fish but in the end it was a great day.

Making Friends Right to the End...

We had the opportunity to have five Baptisms this past week in the Ucayali Ward. Martin Trigoso, Kevin Vasquez, Peter Hauyaban, Cecilia Ortiz, and Jhonny Montes were all baptized and what a special baptismal service it was. Martin and Peter are already planning to leave on a mission once they have one year as a member. Kevin is the only member in his family but after his baptism his mom shared her desire to get baptized as well so he is already showing a good example to his family. Cecilia Ortiz is a single mom who has been attending church and listening to the Missionaries for over a year and finally made the decision to get baptized. Jhonny Montes has a story a little bit different.

Jhonny´s older brother Manuel was baptized about seven months ago by Elder Rich. During that time Jhonny´s Father was still alive but two months ago Jhonny´s dad died from cancer and with his death it took a toll on the entire family. Jhonny´s mom felt overwhelmed and his brothers as well felt overwhelmed with their new responsibility to provide for the family. When we started teaching Jhonny he didn´t show much interest so we decided that really what he need was a friend. We became friends and little by little he became more receptive to the lessons. When he taught him The Plan of Salvation he told us that was what he and his family needed. He made the decision to get baptized and achieved it this past weekend. He has such a strong testimony of Joseph Smith and of the Families Being Together Forever. What a great kid!!! He always goes on visits with us when he gets home from school and just enjoys sharing his testimony with others.

Pioneering with the Shabivos!

This past week has been really something else. Elder Rodriguez and I are doing great and getting along so well. What a blessing it is to have him as my last companion. We were able to see a few little miracles in our area as well as the zone this past week but things just keep on keeping on.
We got a call last Tuesday from Elder Sweet and Elder Barba (The Zone Leaders in Iquitos). They called asking us to find a Birth-Certificate for one of their investigators which is going to get married and is from a small village called San Francisco. San Francisco is about an hour and a half outside of Pucallpa and it is the home of a small indian tribe called “Shabivos”. The women where their typical dress and their first language isn´t Spanish, its Shabivo. After looking for a way to make the trip we finally found a MotoKar Driver willing to make the drive. It was a very long, bumby, and dusty dirt road to be on with a MotoKar but it was great. When we got to the village nobody understood us when we tried to ask where their “Municipalidad” (Town Hall) was. We decided to take a break and we found a little store where we sat down and bought something to drink.
There were a few men inside and to our surprise asked us who we were in Spanish. Come to find out their were the local “Chiefs” or leaders of San Francisco. They asked us who we were, what we were doing, and where we had come from. They had never heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or The Mormons. We began explaining a few of our beliefs and practices and before leaving them we taught them The Restoration. They were extremely interested in learning more and were asking us when we were going to be able to return. They gave us a Shibivo blessing and declared that by our visit we had brought a blessing to the Village of San Francisco. After leaving Elder Rodriguez and I started talking and it hit us that maybe, just maybe we were the first missionaries in this Dispensation to take the gospel to the people to San Francisco.
They helped us to find the Birth Certificate that we were looking for and that in itself was a miracle. They took us to a little wooden shack which ended up being their “Municipalidad” . The man who was helping us didnt speak Spanish and he laid on his desk a bunch of old dusty books which were full of Birth Certificates and with that we started looking for ours. I say its a miracle because the Birth Certificate we were looking for was registered in ´75 but we found him in the book containing the Birth Certificates from the year ´84. All and all our adventure in San Francisco was a success and I hope that the seeds that were planted will one day make something happen as well.

Hope They Haven't Forgotten About Uncle Landon!

Hey I am just curious is Bishop Miller has assigned me a topic to talk about in Sacrament Meeting yet. When am I going to report in the 2nd Ward? The news about Amy and Anna definitely made my day and seriously I can’t wait to see my little nieces and nephews. I´m glad they haven’t forgotten about their Uncle Landon quite yet.

I have an Elder here in my zone from Eastern Idaho. His name is Elder Briggs and he graduated from Sugar Salem in ´07. He was on the football team when they came to Buhl and sadly got sent home with a lost. I don´t know if you know his family but I think its very possible. He has about 16 months is the mission. We have a great time conversing about good old Idaho.

I love you all and hope you have yet another great week and am glad to call you my Family. Thanks for Everything!

Bittersweet Experiences...

It looks as if I will be heading back to Lima on the 23rd along with the entire zone. Elder Pino from the Area Presidency is going to be going on a tour of the Mission and giving trainings. The Pucallpa Zone will fly back to Lima to be able to participate but the sad part is that I won´t be returning to the Jungle. I will stay in Lima until the end while the rest of the zone returns to Pucallpa. Its definitely a bitter sweet thought but it just makes it just that more important to make every second count while I´m here.

The main reason why we have been extremely busy this week is because next week we are going to have a Massive Marriage and between verifying paperwork as well as the work of the missionaries it makes for long days and short nights. The Zambrano Family is going to get married and baptized the next week. They will be my last baptism in the field but I couldn’t have been more blessed to have see them get married and baptized before going home.

I Love President Perez!

We had interviews this past week with President Perez. It was my second to last interview with him, my last will be when I end. I am so thankful for the sound advice and counsel that he always shares with me. What I love about President Perez is that he is extremely practical and tells things how they are. He lets you know what you can do better but with so much love and understanding. He always tells me that he doesn’t see me as a missionary but rather who I will become after the mission. I am thankful for the trust he has in me and the many opportunities he has given me to grow and progress.

“Why couldn´t we have found each other sooner”

I´m glad you could have already guessed as to why you haven’t heard from me yet this week. I guess that in the long run I am thankful that things are going so great and that the work is still keeping me running because I really wouldn´t have it any other way. This past week has been something really special and I have really been able to see the Lord´s hand in this work and how he is directing us to those who need us most.

I feel as though I have found my purpose of being assigned here in Pucallpa especially here in Ucayli. We ran into a man by accident while we were looking for a reference. We found him while he was sitting alone with a bottle of alcohol by his side, as we walked by we hadn´t past more than three steps when we heard him shout to us “ELDERS, I´m a lost lamb, help me!”. Elder Rodriguez and I both turned around to found out how he knew the missionaries. His name is Areleo Alberti and has been inactive from the church for quite a few years. As we got to talking with him he told us about how he has his family and three kids but a few years ago his mother passed away and how it seemed to be an unbearable trial to overcome and in order to find peace he began drinking. We made an appointment to visit him in his house and on our next visit was when we could really see his true-self and his desires to change.

We began by making small goals or stepping stones to help him realize what he is losing and what he needs to do to get back on track. You could tell that he was looking for something more, someone to turn too. As I explained the process of putting behind his addiction, I told him that the first step was recognizing that things aren’t right and that a change needs to be done. He asked what the second step was and I told him “Realize that you can´t do it alone and ask for help”. He broke down in tears and gave me a hug, he said “Why couldn´t we have found each other sooner”. Before leaving his house we gave him a Priesthood Blessing asking for strength and the desires to lift himself up when he falls and to see it out till the end. He has a long road ahead but I know that he will see it out. Its experiences and opportunities like that just I don´t feel ready to give up quite yet.

Google Earth Keeping Track of Landon in Peru!

That’s crazy that you can actually see the city of Pucallpa. We actually live very close to the soccer stadium. We live in the second floor of house in the middle of the market place. We get an early morning alarm clock every day with people shouting and animals hooting which usually begins around five o´clock every day. The smells are incredibly gagging but its just one of those things that makes it all worth wild.

Mom I hope you get over the Pig Flu soon so that you can get back up and at it. I guess its a good thing that I am still a little distance away. Tell Linda and her family Hi for me when you are over there for Rusty´s wedding. I hope you all have a great week and I can´t wait to hear from you. Take it easy and remember that you are loved by a missionary here in Peru. Love you Guys!

Wilbert=Our Amulek

Here in Ucayali we have a member who is pretty much our lifesaver. His name is Wilbert and he will complete one year of being a member of the church at the end of this month. You can pretty much call him our Amulek because without him we would be lost. He is always willing to go on visits with us and is preparing himself to go on a mission at the end of the year. He is such an example to me because he doesn’t have much when it comes to resources which is why I have decided to leave all of the mission clothes with him to help him get into the field. My pants and shirts and my boots which still have some use left in them I am going to leave with him. I know he will make great use of it and basically I cant think of a better person to help out. Keep him in your prayers so that he will be able to serve a mission.

I Love My Mission And Miracles I've Witnessed

Talking with Elder Puente the other night I filled me in on some more great news. The Martinez Family from Lima also achieved their goal and were married and baptized this past week. Elder Puente said that he hadn´t ever seen them so happy. Fernando is also doing great and continuing being strong in his new lifestyle. Its a great feeling of comfort knowing that the people who I have grown to love and helped to know the gospel are embracing it and continuing forward and gaining their own testimonies. I honestly love my mission and the many special miracles that I have been able to witness.

Mangos and Miracles

What a great, and at the same time crazy, week it has been her in Pucallpa. The ever hot Jungle son keeps on shining but fortunately we were blessed with a little bit of rain to cool things off. The special thing about Pucallpa is that when it rains, the streets turn into a thick red mud which acts like glue and makes for a lot of build up on your shoes.

Here in Pucallpa its Mango season and needless to say there are alot of mango trees. Never will you eat anything quite as delicious as a fresh picked mango. Its great because when we get a little hungry we just find a mango tree and pick a couple, one to eat and one to eat a little bit latter. One of my new favorite snacks is a sliced mango sprinkled with lemon juice. Some people also sprinkle on a little bit of aji (one of the spicy spices that the people here eat) in order to give it a bit of a spicy kick. But all and all it looks as if I will be able to enjoy fresh mangos till the end of my transfer.

We are teaching some many great people right now, its humbling to see the way the Lord is giving us so many opportunities to teach and find new people. One of the families that we are teaching is the Zambrano Family. They are about as Junglish as they come in just about every aspect. The Father, Wilson, is a hunter and goes out in the jungle for weeks at a time and brings back everything from parrots to fifteen foot anacondas. He is what we would call back home, an animal trafficker. The stories he has are nothing short of amazing and its a miracle in itself that he is still alive despite everything that he has experienced. His wife, Nelly, is the sweetest lady who is always preparing us strange jungle dishes with the animals that Wilson brings back. She has actually been attending church for about a year but just recently Wilson is attending with her. They have plans to get married here withing two weeks and they are both very anxious to be baptized and put things in order. You can´t help but feel such a strong spirit when you are with them. So humble and so willing to follow Christ and his gospel.

One of the little miracles that I was able to witness this past week happened with the Zambrano Family. We were on our way to their house for an appointment and when we climbed up the steps leading to their house I noticed that there was someone in their house who I didn't recognize. As we entered the house I went to greet him and when we saw each other we instantly knew who the other was; he shouted “Brother Schofield!” and I shouted “Jorge!”. It was Jorge Martinez from the Versalles Branch in Iquitos. He is here in Pucallpa visiting family which just happened to be the Zambrano Family. I don´t know if you remember The Martinez Family from Iquitos but during my six months there I spent about five and a half months working with this family. Jorge and his wife weren't members or married and I spent alot of time working with them and teaching them. While I was there with them they had made alot of big sacrifices in order to change their lives and when I left the area they were in the process of locating their documents in order to get married. I really grew to love that little family and quite honestly didnt think that I would ever see them again. When Jorge and I found each other here in Pucallpa what a special reunion it was. He told me that shortly after I had left he and his wife got married and now he, his wife, and two of their kids are members of the church. He also told me that his kids always ask about me and he honestly didn't think that we would see each other again. The Lord has his way of making little miracles come to pass as well as answering even the most humblest of prayers.

Working In The Hot Jungle Sun

Thursday night Elder Rodriguez and I flew from Lima to Pucallpa but we didn't think that we were going to be able to land because of a rain storm that was going on, so what our pilot did was fly above the storm for about an hour until it cleared up enough to land. The hot, heavy, and humid jungle air was present to welcome us as we came out of the airplane but it is so great being back in the Jungle. One thing that I have realized is that between the four places (Iquitos, Tarapoto, Yurimaguas, and Pucallpa) that I have been able to work in the Jungle, each one is a little bit different from the other. Here in Pucallpa one of the first things that makes it so neat is that the people are so humble but at the same time they are so faithful to the Lord.

We had a baptism this past weekend of Luis Tananta. He was actually a contact that the last Elders made (Elder Vigil and Elder Figueroa) who was over coming a strong alcholic addiction. When I met him, I wouldn't have ever guessed that his addiction was as severe as he told us it was. He is the only member of the Church from his family but has alot of hope that his wife and kids will also follow especially after seeing the great change that he has had in his life.

Here in our area we are assigned to work in the Ucayali Ward as well as the Campo Verde Branch. Sunday we went on division and I went to the Campo Verde Branch while Elder Rodriguez stayed here in the Ucayali Ward. Campo Verde is about forty-five minutes outside of the city of Pucallpa and it is a remote little village. It has a little casa capilla (house chapel) where about twenty-five members meet every Sunday. It made me think alot about the Trapiche Branch. The members are so humble and willing learn Gods will. As we arrived to the Chapel, the Branch President quickly assigned me a talk in Sacrament meeting as well as the Preisthood lesson. That little Branch has a lot of potential and I'm looking forward to working there. Things are going great here in Pucallpa, the missionaries are excellent, and the sun is oh so hot.

We don't have a pensionita for dinner but what I am doing is buying alot of fruit and eating alot of fruit salads. I also buy alot of Pineapples and just naw on a pineapple for a few days, but it looks as if I am going to be slimming down a bit while I am here but its all good.

Well I hope you are enjoying the cool air back home because I am trying to take advantage of the hot jungle sun here in Pucallpa. I love you all so much, thanks for everything.

The Trainer Being Trained

Oh how great it was to hear from you all and to know that you are all doing great and from the sound of things; getting a little anxious. This past week has been nothing short of amazing, with a few new adventures to add to the list, but I'm just thankful to have another day in the Lords work.

The farewell from the San Carlos Ward and the Trapiche Branch was bitter/sweet. It was tough saying goodbye to so many great people who have been of great support to me and the zone. I know that Elder Puente will keep supporting our investigators, especially the Martinez Family, as well as our converts so that they remain strong and firm in the faith. I will be back in Lima at the end of November and I looking forward to seeing everyone again and seeing their progress.

Last week before flying out to Pucallpa we had our Zone Leaders Council Meeting and it turned out to be one of the most memorable council meetings with President Perez that I have been a apart of. All of the Mission Presidents from the area had trainings with Elder Christoferson, Elder Clayton, and Bishop Edgley and last Thursday(Zone Leaders Council Meeting) was the day that President Perez was going to be able to share with us what he learned from the week long training. As a mission we are now focusing even more on three principles: 1. The Book of Mormon 2.Our Ability of presenting the Doctrine 3. Teaching by the Spirit.

In order to allow us to experience the results of these three topics President Perez changed the complete agenda for the council meeting the night before and I was informed that I would be giving a training the next morning. It was a bit of a surprise but I was thankful for the opportunity. Never before have I searched personal revelation as I did preparing for my training. The night before the council meeting I wrote down a few thoughts, things that came to my mind as to what I could share but I didn't have anything concrete. Even the next morning I didn't have anything solid but strangely enough I was worried and I felt at peace. While I was giving my training I felt as though I was just being a mouth peace and that what the other Elders needed to hear was being shared. I talked about the great importance of work visits with the Elders to help them achieve their potential and become better than us. If I didn't know it before I definitely was able to experience then, the importance of following the spirit and allowing the Lord to work through us.

Plan of Salvation and Everyday Life

Saturday we also had a baptism for Isabel Chamochumby. I’m sorry I haven’t told you more about here but she too has a very special story. She lives with her husband and one son but her family situation is more than difficult. She and her husband are in the stages of divorce and early this year she lost her oldest son to drug abuse. All of her challenges and trials have taken a large toll on her as well as her outlook on life. We found her by searching some of the old investigators that earlier missionaries had left for lack of progress. We decided to pay her a visit and see if her time to accept the Gospel had arrived. I actually met her with Elder Cruz and felt as though she was ready to progress. She really grabbed onto The Plan of Salvation and shared with us that maybe it was necessary that her son pass away in order for her to realize what she truly needed in her life. I love sharing my investigators/converts stories with you; each one has a story and have had to pass through their own journey to find the path again.

You give that Gabe Jacobson a hug for me. I’m so excited for him, he will do great. When does he enter the MTC? Is his mission close to where Dad served? It sounds as if good old Buhl is doings its part with keeping the Mission Field supplied. I’m pretty sure that I know the Roberts Family (Is their son Chris and has red hair?). I’m so thankful that our little ward keeps on growing and doing well. Tell everyone hi for me and that their support and prayers are felt and appreciated.

I fly out Thursday night after the Zone Leaders Council for a transfer full of new challenges and adventures in Pucallpa!!! I love each and every one of you and can’t tell you enough how thankful I am for all of your support.

Power and Authority

Our Conference with Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder L. Whitney Clayton was very special and motivating. Bishop Richard C. Edgley also accompanied them which was an added bonus. It was held in the CCM and that was my first time being back since I left it in January 2008. I ran into one of the maintenance workers which was one of my good friends while I was there. (Brother Bernard) Bishop Edgley talked about the power that each of us hold by being set apart as representatives of Christ and also discussed about no matter where we are from, what our education background might be, or our difference in cultural; we are the same and have been empowered with the same power and authority. Elder L. Whitney Clayton talked about the conversion of a person and how that conversion needs to be centered on the Savior and his atonement and not centered on the Missionary. They need to be converted to the Gospel and not the missionary. Elder D. Todd Christofferson discussed “The Spirit of Prophecy” and “The Spirit of Revelation”. What an in depth and very powerful lesson of the spirits role in our work. They whole meeting was such a boost for me and it couldn’t have come at a more important stage in my mission.