I'm leaving Jaén! I don't know where they'll send me when I get there, but I'm leaving for Chiclayo in a little bit to be reassigned to a different area. I'll miss Hermana Norabuena, but I expect my new compy will be just as cool. I have another funny story to tell today. We went to visit an investigtor who has a part-member family, but didn't find him at home. But we did find his son, who was baptized when he was a teenager but has since left the church, instead. We're sitting there talking about the restored gospel because he has a ton of questions about why there are so many churches in the world with so many different doctrines. Restoration, right? Duh! Haha And it's marvelous. At the end, he's like, "Oh, yeah I remember that I had heard about Joseph Smith, but I didn't really realize who he was. He just has to have been a profet!" We love it, right? We're like, "Oh yeah, this guy's coming back to church! He's gonna receive the priesthood and go to the temple and seal his family together forever, etc." All this stuff, right? And then, after we've already said the prayer and we're putting our scriptures back in our backpacks to leave, he says this one little thing, "Oh, one last question." "Yeah, of course! What is it?" "Why do I see duendes?" Now, to give it a little perspective, a "duende" is a type of sprite-like creature that doesn't really exist. "Duendes?" We ask. "Yeah, duendes! I always see them with there little shoulders like this [he hunches] and their nose like this [he gestures at his scruntched nose and snorts]." "Oh. Oookay." I say. Hahaha rrooooouuugh! I had no idea what to tell him! We promised to study it out and get back to him. I still haven't found anything. But if anyone knows anything, I'm open for advice. Haha

Yes! I have a people to add to the list! (Mom's explanation of the list as requested by Gabby: We are doing a 21 day promise in our Ward.  We put on a list we fast and pray for them.  We read scriptures as part of obedience.  Then someone will accept the missionary lessons is the promise from the Lord) One of them is really, really special. His name is Michel. He's fourteen-years-old and he has a super strong testimony already. We found his grandma sweeping up the leaves that had fallen in front of her house and offered to help her. She hasn't shown incredible interest, but one day we went to visit her and found him at home alone instead. We started to visit him, and it turns out that he's super prepared. We explained the Restoration to him, and, at the end, he was like, "Where is this church?? Where is the church of Joseph Smith??" And we responded, "Calle (which means street) Iquitos (which is the name of the street)." And he bursts out laughing. "Are you serious?? The church of Jesus Christ himself is in calle Iquitos??" He's incredible. In another lesson, we presented him with a bible (which he had never owned) and a book of mormon of his very own, and, you'll never believe this, but he almost cried. He even wants to be a missionary! Trouble is, his mom is not into the idea at all. We've almost never been able to talk with her. Everytime we come by, she very forcefully says, "We are busy. We don't have time right now. Look. Look at me. We. Are. Busy." And for this, Michel has never even been able to go to church on Sunday. The one time he asked, she beat him. His mom took her nails and scratched his neck and chest. So... Yeah. That's where we're at. We're going to keep teaching him, feeding his spirit with the good word, but we've run out of ideas at this point. We fasted, we pray, we've had members try to visit her too. We just don't know what more we can do.

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

Hey! The pictures I'm sending are of our north american investigator, our lu`au, and this crazy rope-bridge thing we crossed a river in last p-day. The govenor of Bagua Chica area also happens to be the second counselor in the stake presidency, so last week he showed us around and gave us  a bunch of free local fruits and stuff. It was really nice of him.

This week I'm just going to write you one of my journal entries with the preface that I ate something weird at the lu`au, which is how I account for the following. (I'm fine now.)

Picture this:

We're at an appointment with this teen aged girl who's asking us if real change and repentance are possible in her life. I step up to the plate. I hit a home run with my tale, winningly told. "I haven't been feeling well today," I say. "My companion plead with me to think of my health and stay in the apartment, but I said, 'No. [we'll call her] Nicole is more important.'" Really noble, right? And she's hooked too, leaning forward, listening intently as I explain (and this part in truly awful Spanish) that if I didn't believe in her ability to change, I wouldn't be with her today, or in Peru, or trying to learn Spanish. (If I hadn't meant every word, I would have deserved an academy award. The whole thing was very tense and sacred.) And in this poignantly triumphant moment, as my companion is expounding (and this part in infinitely more excellent Spanish), I realize that I am about to erupt. Responding to my urgent pokes, my companion, thinking quickly, asks, "Can we borrow your bathroom?" Of all the rotten good fortune, it's four steps in front of me. Of all the rotten MISfortune, I don't get the lid up in time. [¡CAUTION: It WILL become more graphic!] Chunks spew everywhere (we're talking EXPLOSIVE vomit), and the only cleaning utensil I know how to say in Spanish is "napkin." "Do you have a napkin?" I ask Nicole. She does, and hands me two. Awesome. Too embarrassed to tell her what happened, I pathetically and ineffectually dab at that which would have watered the Sahara. Eventually, she realizes what just happened, tells me to sit down and not to worry. As she cleans the entire mess up, I have to laugh at the remarkable and rapid decline of my dignity. And all I have to say is that the Lord does His best to keep us humble. Hahaha!

Also! I got mail! Thanks go to the Wilders for the Easter card. And a picture of Bagua for Brad because the outrageously detailed description of my mayordomía will have to come later.

Guess who's planning a Luau for the ward! Recipies would be awesome (especially for otai)! Of all the dirty, rotten luck. And, speaking of... During the break between the Saturday sessions, my companion and I had fifteen minutes before we had to be somewhere, but we were already there. So we decided to take a seat on the side of the road and read some scriptures. Along comes this kid on his motorcycle who sees us, shouts, in ENGLISH, "Are you Mormons? Are you reading the Bible? What IS the Book of Mormon anyway?" I don't have much time, so, to be short, he agreed to be baptized during the Sunday afternoon session. Killer, right? Blessings, blessings, blessings! Today for preparation day, our zone went and hiked Gocta falls, which is one of the largest in the world! So, that was cool. :D

Also, just heard some rumors about people going nuts in Korea. We're pretty secluded out here, so I don't know all the details. But the scripture in DD&C 100:4 really helped me out. Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place: for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls. http://www.lds.org  I want to be panicky and freak out, but I know that I'm here for a reason and that I'm on the Lord's errand. There is literally nothing better I could be doing right now to help His children.

I can receive packages now!!

Mission address

Peru Chiclayo Mission
Calle Maria Izaga #690, 3er Piso
(Cruce con Av. Balta)
Chiclayo, Lambayeque
PERU

Aight. So, I just wrote to my mission president; my first letter in Spanish. Woo! SO rough.

Kay, so first off. I didn't wish Grandma a happy birthday in my last email. But, Happy Birthday, Grandma! I swear I had it written in my agenda at least three times, and I told my companion at minimum once each day to remind me. In the moment, there were thirty screaming missionaries in one room, all trying to maximize their computer half hour. Excuses, but anyway, I'm so sorry!! And I love you!!

Next, one of the members of my CCM district dislocated his knee and has had to be in the CCM for two weeks more. He's had a rough time with the language, with being a missionary, and with his testimony (which is only a year and a half old or so). He asked me this one favor, so if anybody knows Katie Green, please ask her to send one of her stories to the Peru MTC in behalf of an Elder Thomas Logan Gray. He said it would cheer him up a lot.

So, okay, next. I'm here in my mission! Whenever I told people in the CCM that I my mission was Chiclayo, they would respond, "Very hot!" Once I got to Chiclayo, I was assigned to the Bagua Chica area of the Jaen district, about which I was told, "Very hot!" Hahaha. But, anyone that knows me well knows that I'm loving it. Heat, I can do. I was also told that it's the most beautiful place in our whole mission, it's in one of the three most coveted zones, it has a killer pensionista (the lady that cooks for us, and also happens to be the bishop's wife), it's ward is the largest in the mission and is amazing, and that once I went there, I wouldn't come out until I was transferred because it's one of the two areas in our entire mission that are in the jungle (the Amazonas), and it takes over 9 hours to get here. What I wasn't told is that my companion, Hna Castro, is amazing, Bagua also has a set of elders, and one of them speaks English, and that mine is one of the few  areas wherein the district AND zone leaders both speak English. SO it's pretty bomb sauce.

I still don't speak Spanish, so I'll leave off telling you about our investigators because I'm not entirely sure about what's happening with them from day to day.

I will tell you, though, that I'm pretty much the weirdest thing that's ever hit Bagua. Everybody stares and asks if I'm from Argentina or Mexico, where the people are lighter and taller, and then I speak and they're even more confused. Hahaha! We had a 16-year-old member with us yesterday, and she kept laughing at me the whole time! Apparently I'm pretty chistosa (funny). :) C'est la vie (<--not Spanish).

I have more pictures to send, but I'm about out of time, so hasta luego!

Also, there's a chicken literally at my feet right now. Hahaha