These past two weeks have been a little rough. We've had comp exchanges, transfers, and zone meetings, so a TON of traveling. This week I'm super excited to get back to life as we know it. And with a shiny new companion! Her name is Hermana Rodriguez from Ecuador, and she's fantastic. Seriously. I'm so excited to get to work with her. I think she's just what this area needs. And, with three baptisms coming up, she's been a great help already.
Jun 24
This just in! (and by "just in," I mean that I've known for a few weeks now but haven't said anything because I wasn't sure if I could handle the level of distraction it would cause) We can email friends too! So feel free to write me! My email address should be on my facebook page somewhere. So, that triple baptism didn't actually come to pass. We still had a double baptism, but the madre of the family still has some things to work out, so it was good in the end that she didn't get baptized. I'm sending a photo of aaaaalll of the niños in our primary. The little girl in the middle with the pink dress is Esmeralda Esperanza, and we helped her be baptized! Be good! Keep the faith!
Jul 1
So, yesterday was crazy. We had 12 investigators attend church! It was amazing. And this little girl, who's grandma is a member and has attended our church many times, comes up to us and is like, "I would like to be baptized." "Oh, wow. Okay. How does in two weeks sound?" "No. This week." "Okay." Haha it was great. So, long story short, we have a crapton to do, a schedule that was already full to begin with, and we feel crazy blessed.
And here's a random journal entry!:
So yesterday, we made an appointment with Wison (who was a reference of Hermana Carmen and who we had met for the first time yesterday) for today. So, we visit him in the afternoon, right? In the morning, we had weekly planning, and talked about him and his progression. Compy (my companion) was pumped about teaching him, but I wasn't quite as jazzed. I wasn't sure if he understood our lesson yesterday or if he was into it or if he was just polietly masking the fact that he was secretly really steamed that we woud make such claims as a modern-day prophet and revelation received by a 14-year-old, uneducated boy. So we go, awkwardly find him under dressed, and begin to teach. At first, we start out by asking him what he understood, what he was able to read, and how he feels about it. We get nothing. I'm pretty sure at this point thathe's not getting it. Then, he says this truly magical phrase, "But it seems to me to be really important." Woah! He flips a 180 and midways through the lesson, he's explaining to us how the priesthood works--things we did NOT teach him! IT was baller. He accepted an invitation to be baptized upon the condition that he receives an answer from God saying that this Book of Mormon-Joseph Smith thing is legit.
Jul 8
Hola!
We went to Kuelap again yesterday. This time, for some reason (which I still don't fully comprehend), we ended up taking twice the amount of time we should have just getting there. So, it was a pretty short Kuelap excursion with a TON of car songs. We met, while there a few people from different parts of the world, but specifically one student from Germany. She was touring through Peru on a six-month trip. She told me that she didn't believe in God, and I asked her why. She said that, as religious people don't understand non-religious people, people in her country aren't religious and that she can't comprehend the complexities of being religious. It made me think a lot.
I may be proving her point, but I don't really think there are complexities to being a religious person. And, albeit, I've often said that I don't feel like I'm a naturally religious person; that I have to work at it, so I may not be an authority on this point. But when I think of being religious, to me, it's just doing what makes the most sense. Logically, I know there is a God. I know that He loves me. And I know that He loves His people. He's given us commandments to help us, to instruct us, to benefit us. While I'm making decisions about what to do with my life, one has to wonder, "Am I going to do what I think is best, following after my own knowledge and understanding, which I already know to be serverely limited because they both grow and change daily? OR am I going to follow the words of modern-day prophets that speak for the Lord to make known unto the children of men His will for them and the inspiration and guidance which He daily gives me as long as I live worthy to receive it? And, for that matter, am I willing to do little things like pray and read the scriptures daily to be able to be worthy?" The answers are as follows: "Yeah, let's not do that." "Uhm, duh, yes I will." and "Oh heck yes." So, do as you feel is correct. But for me and mine, we will serve the Lord.
Jul 16
I was going to write this lengthy bit for the blog, but my comp's fallen ill and between here and there, I forgot to bring the lengthy thing with me. But send my thanks to the Wilders, Brad, Katie Green, Kelsey Gorman, Emily Russon, and LeGrand Lawrence for me! I've been awful and have been hoarding all of that gratitude since right after my birthday at the end of May. Be good! Stay chevere!
Jul22
Here are some pictures of Kuelap! My comp is way better. We were told that right now she's more healthy than all of the doctors in Bagua. And, speaking of Bagua, I'm not there anymore! But it was an internal transfer, so I'm still in the zone of Jaén. Miraflores, my area's called. It's the biggest area in Jaén with only two sister missionaries to cover it. So, I'm seriously stoked. We're gonna hoof it! I already knew my comp and have taught with her in comp exchanges before. We're both pretty stoked. She's from Peru, her name is Hna. Norabuena, and she says she wants to learn English. We'll see how it goes.
I forgot to thank Rachel "Maples" Moyes, who sent me a letter (or a blog, if you like) that literally made me cry. It helped me remember who I am and why I'm here.
(I'm going to send this because time's running out, but I hope to send more.)
Jul 29
I forgot if I'd already mentioned that I cooked fried chicken, sweet cornbread, mashed potatoes and country gravy for an inactive family last week when I was still in Bagua. We ate and talked and it was all going smoothly. Then, Veronica, who's husband is a non member who we were teaching, up and admits that she's not actually married to him (not husband, then, boyfriend... or, better said, father of her son). She looks all embarrassed and kind of waits for our response. We're prepared. And with all the guidance and wisdom which our endless scripture study and incredibly impressive title had given us, we respond with, "Why the heck not??" Hahaha! She didn't know, but we already knew that she wasn't married. A few jokes and giggles later, we're testifying that marriage is an important part of Heavenly Father's plan for his children and that she has to take this first step to be sealed in the temple to be a forever family. She loves her husband, and it's obvious how much he loves her. Yesterday, I got word from my old companion that they are engaged to be married in September and that the Saturday after, Persi (the husbandish thing) will be baptized. :)
Aug 5
So I have a cool story to share. Got your popcorn? This past Wednesday we were sitting in an investigator's house, teaching her like normal. For no reason in particular, I lifted my heel off the ground and, to my surprise, I hear a loud popping sound. It's a joint, joints pop, I didn't think much of it. But as we left and started walking toward the pensionista's house, it started to ache. The aching grew until I told my companion that I needed to go back to the apartment to recooperate. (idk if that is spelled correctly). The pain grew and we called our zone leaders for a blessing. They were out of town, so they called our stake president. President Sanchez showed up with a small army. His wife, his daughter, another member of the ward and his mom all showed up to help us out. Fortunately the mom of the member happened to work specifically with bone injuries. Turns out I dislocated it! The pain was so bad, I thought I was going to throw up. They give me a blessing, she pops it back into place, and I sleep. The next day, I wake up without pain. I walk. Guys, the church is true. The priesthood is real. And miracles happen.
Aug 12
Yeah, my foot's great! Good as new. It was just this rare, random thing that happened. I think it was because of the other part of the story which I left out due to a lack of internet time. This all happened right before we went to visit an investigator who we found that Sunday in church. He and his family were visiting Jaén and had found the church by accident and had attended a meeting once in their home town. In sunday school, he asked a ton of really awesome questions and kept repeating, "But who is Joseph Smith?? Who can tell me more about Joseph Smith??" He was awesome. And we had set up this appointment under strict orders to explain to him the significance of the prophet Joseph Smith. We missed the appointment, obviously, and I really think it was because there is somebody who is working to make sure that he doesn't find out the truth.
But, as we all know, this somebody is pea-sized compared with the other somebody who wants him to discovered the restored gospel and enter into the waters of baptism. So, this is the other part of that story. We left the house just a day or two later, not taking the correct route because I wanted to swing by our pensionista's house to get a water bottle. Not three steps down the sidewalk, we run into the investigator, accompanied by his entire little family. Right then and there we set up an appointment for an hour later. During this lesson, they agreed to get married civilly and, after, to be baptized.
Aug 19
I visited my old area this week! My companion is the leader of the sisters in our area, so when she needs to do a work visit, I also get to be involved. And since I got transferred within the same zone, it means that my old area is also on the list of potential visitees. This week, we explored that right and off I went. It was kind of trippy. We also visited an investigator that got baptized the saturday after transfers, so that was awesome. She was all, "Sister Sabalones!!" And I was all, "You're Mormon!!" It was super, super cool. I'm so happy and so blessed to have been a part of her conversion to the restored church of Jesus Christ.
Aug 26
Jun 24
This just in! (and by "just in," I mean that I've known for a few weeks now but haven't said anything because I wasn't sure if I could handle the level of distraction it would cause) We can email friends too! So feel free to write me! My email address should be on my facebook page somewhere. So, that triple baptism didn't actually come to pass. We still had a double baptism, but the madre of the family still has some things to work out, so it was good in the end that she didn't get baptized. I'm sending a photo of aaaaalll of the niños in our primary. The little girl in the middle with the pink dress is Esmeralda Esperanza, and we helped her be baptized! Be good! Keep the faith!
Jul 1
So, yesterday was crazy. We had 12 investigators attend church! It was amazing. And this little girl, who's grandma is a member and has attended our church many times, comes up to us and is like, "I would like to be baptized." "Oh, wow. Okay. How does in two weeks sound?" "No. This week." "Okay." Haha it was great. So, long story short, we have a crapton to do, a schedule that was already full to begin with, and we feel crazy blessed.
And here's a random journal entry!:
So yesterday, we made an appointment with Wison (who was a reference of Hermana Carmen and who we had met for the first time yesterday) for today. So, we visit him in the afternoon, right? In the morning, we had weekly planning, and talked about him and his progression. Compy (my companion) was pumped about teaching him, but I wasn't quite as jazzed. I wasn't sure if he understood our lesson yesterday or if he was into it or if he was just polietly masking the fact that he was secretly really steamed that we woud make such claims as a modern-day prophet and revelation received by a 14-year-old, uneducated boy. So we go, awkwardly find him under dressed, and begin to teach. At first, we start out by asking him what he understood, what he was able to read, and how he feels about it. We get nothing. I'm pretty sure at this point thathe's not getting it. Then, he says this truly magical phrase, "But it seems to me to be really important." Woah! He flips a 180 and midways through the lesson, he's explaining to us how the priesthood works--things we did NOT teach him! IT was baller. He accepted an invitation to be baptized upon the condition that he receives an answer from God saying that this Book of Mormon-Joseph Smith thing is legit.
Jul 8
Hola!
We went to Kuelap again yesterday. This time, for some reason (which I still don't fully comprehend), we ended up taking twice the amount of time we should have just getting there. So, it was a pretty short Kuelap excursion with a TON of car songs. We met, while there a few people from different parts of the world, but specifically one student from Germany. She was touring through Peru on a six-month trip. She told me that she didn't believe in God, and I asked her why. She said that, as religious people don't understand non-religious people, people in her country aren't religious and that she can't comprehend the complexities of being religious. It made me think a lot.
I may be proving her point, but I don't really think there are complexities to being a religious person. And, albeit, I've often said that I don't feel like I'm a naturally religious person; that I have to work at it, so I may not be an authority on this point. But when I think of being religious, to me, it's just doing what makes the most sense. Logically, I know there is a God. I know that He loves me. And I know that He loves His people. He's given us commandments to help us, to instruct us, to benefit us. While I'm making decisions about what to do with my life, one has to wonder, "Am I going to do what I think is best, following after my own knowledge and understanding, which I already know to be serverely limited because they both grow and change daily? OR am I going to follow the words of modern-day prophets that speak for the Lord to make known unto the children of men His will for them and the inspiration and guidance which He daily gives me as long as I live worthy to receive it? And, for that matter, am I willing to do little things like pray and read the scriptures daily to be able to be worthy?" The answers are as follows: "Yeah, let's not do that." "Uhm, duh, yes I will." and "Oh heck yes." So, do as you feel is correct. But for me and mine, we will serve the Lord.
Jul 16
I was going to write this lengthy bit for the blog, but my comp's fallen ill and between here and there, I forgot to bring the lengthy thing with me. But send my thanks to the Wilders, Brad, Katie Green, Kelsey Gorman, Emily Russon, and LeGrand Lawrence for me! I've been awful and have been hoarding all of that gratitude since right after my birthday at the end of May. Be good! Stay chevere!
Jul22
Here are some pictures of Kuelap! My comp is way better. We were told that right now she's more healthy than all of the doctors in Bagua. And, speaking of Bagua, I'm not there anymore! But it was an internal transfer, so I'm still in the zone of Jaén. Miraflores, my area's called. It's the biggest area in Jaén with only two sister missionaries to cover it. So, I'm seriously stoked. We're gonna hoof it! I already knew my comp and have taught with her in comp exchanges before. We're both pretty stoked. She's from Peru, her name is Hna. Norabuena, and she says she wants to learn English. We'll see how it goes.
I forgot to thank Rachel "Maples" Moyes, who sent me a letter (or a blog, if you like) that literally made me cry. It helped me remember who I am and why I'm here.
(I'm going to send this because time's running out, but I hope to send more.)
Jul 29
I forgot if I'd already mentioned that I cooked fried chicken, sweet cornbread, mashed potatoes and country gravy for an inactive family last week when I was still in Bagua. We ate and talked and it was all going smoothly. Then, Veronica, who's husband is a non member who we were teaching, up and admits that she's not actually married to him (not husband, then, boyfriend... or, better said, father of her son). She looks all embarrassed and kind of waits for our response. We're prepared. And with all the guidance and wisdom which our endless scripture study and incredibly impressive title had given us, we respond with, "Why the heck not??" Hahaha! She didn't know, but we already knew that she wasn't married. A few jokes and giggles later, we're testifying that marriage is an important part of Heavenly Father's plan for his children and that she has to take this first step to be sealed in the temple to be a forever family. She loves her husband, and it's obvious how much he loves her. Yesterday, I got word from my old companion that they are engaged to be married in September and that the Saturday after, Persi (the husbandish thing) will be baptized. :)
Aug 5
So I have a cool story to share. Got your popcorn? This past Wednesday we were sitting in an investigator's house, teaching her like normal. For no reason in particular, I lifted my heel off the ground and, to my surprise, I hear a loud popping sound. It's a joint, joints pop, I didn't think much of it. But as we left and started walking toward the pensionista's house, it started to ache. The aching grew until I told my companion that I needed to go back to the apartment to recooperate. (idk if that is spelled correctly). The pain grew and we called our zone leaders for a blessing. They were out of town, so they called our stake president. President Sanchez showed up with a small army. His wife, his daughter, another member of the ward and his mom all showed up to help us out. Fortunately the mom of the member happened to work specifically with bone injuries. Turns out I dislocated it! The pain was so bad, I thought I was going to throw up. They give me a blessing, she pops it back into place, and I sleep. The next day, I wake up without pain. I walk. Guys, the church is true. The priesthood is real. And miracles happen.
Aug 12
Yeah, my foot's great! Good as new. It was just this rare, random thing that happened. I think it was because of the other part of the story which I left out due to a lack of internet time. This all happened right before we went to visit an investigator who we found that Sunday in church. He and his family were visiting Jaén and had found the church by accident and had attended a meeting once in their home town. In sunday school, he asked a ton of really awesome questions and kept repeating, "But who is Joseph Smith?? Who can tell me more about Joseph Smith??" He was awesome. And we had set up this appointment under strict orders to explain to him the significance of the prophet Joseph Smith. We missed the appointment, obviously, and I really think it was because there is somebody who is working to make sure that he doesn't find out the truth.
But, as we all know, this somebody is pea-sized compared with the other somebody who wants him to discovered the restored gospel and enter into the waters of baptism. So, this is the other part of that story. We left the house just a day or two later, not taking the correct route because I wanted to swing by our pensionista's house to get a water bottle. Not three steps down the sidewalk, we run into the investigator, accompanied by his entire little family. Right then and there we set up an appointment for an hour later. During this lesson, they agreed to get married civilly and, after, to be baptized.
Aug 19
I visited my old area this week! My companion is the leader of the sisters in our area, so when she needs to do a work visit, I also get to be involved. And since I got transferred within the same zone, it means that my old area is also on the list of potential visitees. This week, we explored that right and off I went. It was kind of trippy. We also visited an investigator that got baptized the saturday after transfers, so that was awesome. She was all, "Sister Sabalones!!" And I was all, "You're Mormon!!" It was super, super cool. I'm so happy and so blessed to have been a part of her conversion to the restored church of Jesus Christ.
Aug 26
