Okay, so something to share from this week is a journal entry I wrote. So, yesterday was basically a bum day all day. We walked around the whole entire day, found no one, entered 0 houses. Then, at the end, we had a family home evening with the Reque family. The wife and the husband have been having a bunch of marital problems. I haven't been sure if they're going to end up making it as a couple. But yesterday, they exchanging glances like I have never seen before. And right at the end, they comitted to continue fighting for their family. Yay!! But THEN, after dinner, the son of my pensionista (the sister who cooks for us) makes like he wants to chat. So, we're like, "Okay, we dig it." And he confesses that he's been wanting to go on a mission! And he says that he's thinking about going in January!!! WHAAT?! I'm McLovin' it because I was there when he first started getting that testimony back. When I first met him, he said, "Yeah, I WAS Mormon, but I haven't been in a looong time. I'm super, super inactive." And now look at him! And today, we went to see Nayelli. Maria, her grandmother, is not our biggest fan. And since Nayelli says that she does literally nothing without her grandmother, her progression's been pretty rough. But I love Hermana Escobedo because se just goes in there and attacks at full speed, no fear. And Maria starts to LISTEN to her! She looks at her like she's this supreme being who's been called to translate for te American. At the end, she's like, "Yeah. The Bible and the Book of Mormon are one in the same, just like God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three different people but one in purpose." Pow! Blew my mind.

My favorite part of this week was definitely the tour of the capilla that we did for an investigator this past Saturday. He's having a hard time progressing because he's afraid he's going to get super deep into the church only to find out one day that he was equivocado. So, him actually coming to the church was a big step. The Spirit was super strong. It was awesome. :) Lourvin' being a missionary. ...even though I'm realizing more and more that everything is more intense during this time. I think Satan works a whole lot of overtime on the missionaries. And I know that it's because of the work we do. While, it is super rough sometimes and I'd prefer that it wasn't the case, at the same time, it's somehow gratifying to know that it's that important. I'm just going to keep taking baby steps at a time. I'm lejos de perfect, but I just keep thinking that if I can just make a good decision this once today, maybe tomorrow I'll be able to make another one. So, that's the lesson learned this week. Also! We found out that Russel M. Nelson is going to be coming to our mission soon. Oh check yes!

These are photos of Hermana Brito and I and our guinea pig lunch.

Here is a really picture of Kuelap! (I think she is translating from Spanish to English, what do you think?)

So, guess what! I'm opening an area! It's called Santa Victoria 3, and it's in the heart of Chiclayo. It's the most affluent area in the whole mission, and the ward is ridiculously cool. Plus, Santa Victoria 1 and 2 are the elders that work in the office. That means they don't have a lot of time to go out proselyting and that we've got our work cut out for us here, but it also means that we're super close to the president and that we're super well taken care of. And I've got another surprise! I have a daughter! Oh, well a step-daughter. In the mission, when we train new people, we're called their "parents" and they're our "son" or "daughter." But this time, my companion got transferred with me in the middle of her training, so I'm just finishing it up. Lots to do! Prayer's become a big deal. Hahaha. But I'm glad for the opportunity to do it. She's also American!

So, what's it like in Chiclayo... it's super, super different from Jaèn/Bagua. It's a lot more like the states in the way that there are more cars than moto taxis and there's technology and shopping malls. It's pretty different. AND it's cold here! It's like autum-ish weather. They say it'll warm up around January-December.

I love being a trainer. It's the greatest. We're putting up Christmas decorations in our apartment to prepare for the missionaries who will come in after we're transferred hahah. I even made a paper Christmas tree. Pictures will come when my usb is fixed (has a virus). I loved conference. I sang today in our zone conference and the elders from the office told me that they wanted to record it to be able to distribute it through the mission. The song wasn't mine, so they told me to write one and they'd do it. We'll see how that goes, but I'm pretty excited. I'd honestly love to do it.

So, guess what! I'm opening an area! It's called Santa Victoria 3, and it's in the heart of Chiclayo. It's the most affluent area in the whole mission, and the ward is ridiculously cool. Plus, Santa Victoria 1 and 2 are the elders that work in the office. That means they don't have a lot of time to go out proselyting and that we've got our work cut out for us here, but it also means that we're super close to the president and that we're super well taken care of. And I've got another suprise! I have a daughter! Oh, well a step-daughter. In the mission, when we train new people, we're called their "parents" and they're our "son" or "daughter." But this time, my compaining got transferred with me in the middle of her training, so I'm just finishing it up. Lots to do! Prayer's become a big deal. Hahaha. But I'm glad for the oportunity to do it. She's also American! I wrote some thoughts to a sister that used to serve here. She and I have become penpals. So, this is what I wrote her on the subject. There's this article about unhealthy perfectionism that Elder Alviña randomly gave to us that was the source of my inner reflections this morning. There were a couple of parts that hit me pretty profoundly, but the one that changed the game was this: "To be perfect is to be a Savior. My investigators need only one Savior. And my job is to invite them to come unto him." I had a teacher at BYUH that once told me that any lack of faith is a lack of faith in Heavenly Father. Hermana Sonictrumpets, I know that sometimes times get rough, in the mission as well as out in the world. We're not exempt from pain because we're returned missionaries. But I hope you perservere. And it sounds like you are. I know that the Savior of the world died so that you and I could have the ability to make mistakes, to learn, to grow. I hope the challenges you face right now won't keep you from believing that there is good in the world and peace to be found in Him who died to make us free.

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