Week 88 (March 12, 2018)
This was a great week! Super spiritually recharging and fun.
We started off a bit slow... Monday and Tuesday didn´t show any results. Wednesday we went to Cusco to have interviews with President. President told me that I didn´t have much time left. He´s trunky. But we came back to Sicuani and got right to work. We ended up finding a family to teach. Good find. They actually listened to the gospel before, and almost got baptized.. so we´ll see where that takes us!! Thursday we found even more new investigators. An old lady named Genoveva, and her grandson Erick. They are super catholic buuuuut, we invited them to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. This week we are going back. Friday was a flop. But Saturday we had our Zone Conference with President Herrera. He basically just came and told the zone that we needed to find new investigators. He shared some scriptures with us, idk why but it was inspiring! Haha, after the conference my comp and I contacted like 16 people.
One of the things I´ve felt bad about is the fact that I haven´t been able to find very many new investigators. Neither have I put 100% into doing it. One of the biggest reasons for that was because I didn´t really have faith that we could find anyone. I haven´t had very much success here in Sicuani, and its gotten me down. I felt discouraged, and I realized one day this week that, I didn´t have the spirit very strong with me.. I couldn't figure it out. But I realized I didn´t have the spirit because I was discouraged. Discouragement is a lack of faith. On my mission, I´ve realized the importance of faith, but also how hard it is to have it. I know its hard. But we should not doubt that the Lord will always provide. And move us along. If we are discouraged, we cannot advance.
On Saturday and Sunday, we had a 70 come to stake conference named Elder Moscoza. He talked about being a light. He roasted the members for not doing missionary work. He said to the RMs "What makes you think that because you took your tag off you stopped being a missionary?" WHOA. That hit me hard, Once I take my tag off, I can´t stop doing the Lord´s work. Everyone who has served a mission has never stopped serving. I love that.
2 Nephi 9
20 O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.
I love you all so much! see ya later
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Twas a good week
Week 87 (March 5, 2018)
HI FAM AND FRIENDS.
Well this week was actually a good one! Lots of spiritually uplifting things happened and I feel good!
FIRST- I have to tell this first because I'm just so excited about it. On Friday this week, I got to travel to Santiago, Cusco (my old sector) and see Lucia, one of the people I found while I was there, get baptized. Before I left Santiago she had a baptismal goal, but she didn´t get to it. And 6 months later, she entered the waters of baptism. And I was blessed enough to go and see it. That was a testimony to me that our work is never in vain on a mission. We plant the seeds.
SECOND- I´ve been heavily involved in playing the piano in the stake here in SIcuani the past two weeks, (didn´t see that coming did ya mom?) and I´ve been in rehearsals almost every single day. One of my favorite numbers we did was my own arrangement on "If You Could Hie to Kolob". E´Cutipa (ZL) helped out on the violin. And a sister named Milagros sang. When we played it, the spirit was so strong (we played in a seminary kick-off). So the Stake President asked us to play in Stake conference. I'm also playing the piano for the primary, the Relief Society, and the Stake Choir. Its been good to get involved in music again.
THIRD- One of our investigators finally committed to get married to his partner. FINALLY. We have to do the long process of marriage here. Its ridiculous here haha. But we´re absolutely stoked for them!!
I think one thing I learned this week is summed up in 2 Nephi 5: 6-34. In the sequence of these passages Nephi tells us a lot of things. He taught them to farm, build, fix, and keep the commandments of God. So many good things happened!
27 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of ahappiness. (--- I love this scripture because its the one my brother shared with the families he taught when we went to pick him up in Chile.)
And then in verse 34 he says...
34 And it sufficeth me to say that forty years had passed away, and we had already had wars and contentions with our brethren.
Ok, so Nephi told us about all the wonderful things that he did with his people, the happiness felt. I dont believe that Nephi just forgot to leave out the part about the contentions and wars. I think he did it as a lesson for us. In life, we will see many wars and contentions, whether they personal or community wide or world wide. BUT IT WILL NOT HELP US TO DWELL ON THOSE THINGS. If we really want t o live after the manner of happiness, we aren´t going to talk about those bad things that happen so openly. We are going to focus on the good, see exactly what the Lord gives us, and then focus on how we can recieve more. It will do us no good to constantly be focused on, or talking about the bad things about others, or ourselves. I know this is true!! As a missionary that is the only thing that will keep you going.
I love you all so much! See you later
HI FAM AND FRIENDS.
Well this week was actually a good one! Lots of spiritually uplifting things happened and I feel good!
FIRST- I have to tell this first because I'm just so excited about it. On Friday this week, I got to travel to Santiago, Cusco (my old sector) and see Lucia, one of the people I found while I was there, get baptized. Before I left Santiago she had a baptismal goal, but she didn´t get to it. And 6 months later, she entered the waters of baptism. And I was blessed enough to go and see it. That was a testimony to me that our work is never in vain on a mission. We plant the seeds.
SECOND- I´ve been heavily involved in playing the piano in the stake here in SIcuani the past two weeks, (didn´t see that coming did ya mom?) and I´ve been in rehearsals almost every single day. One of my favorite numbers we did was my own arrangement on "If You Could Hie to Kolob". E´Cutipa (ZL) helped out on the violin. And a sister named Milagros sang. When we played it, the spirit was so strong (we played in a seminary kick-off). So the Stake President asked us to play in Stake conference. I'm also playing the piano for the primary, the Relief Society, and the Stake Choir. Its been good to get involved in music again.
THIRD- One of our investigators finally committed to get married to his partner. FINALLY. We have to do the long process of marriage here. Its ridiculous here haha. But we´re absolutely stoked for them!!
I think one thing I learned this week is summed up in 2 Nephi 5: 6-34. In the sequence of these passages Nephi tells us a lot of things. He taught them to farm, build, fix, and keep the commandments of God. So many good things happened!
27 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of ahappiness. (--- I love this scripture because its the one my brother shared with the families he taught when we went to pick him up in Chile.)
And then in verse 34 he says...
34 And it sufficeth me to say that forty years had passed away, and we had already had wars and contentions with our brethren.
Ok, so Nephi told us about all the wonderful things that he did with his people, the happiness felt. I dont believe that Nephi just forgot to leave out the part about the contentions and wars. I think he did it as a lesson for us. In life, we will see many wars and contentions, whether they personal or community wide or world wide. BUT IT WILL NOT HELP US TO DWELL ON THOSE THINGS. If we really want t o live after the manner of happiness, we aren´t going to talk about those bad things that happen so openly. We are going to focus on the good, see exactly what the Lord gives us, and then focus on how we can recieve more. It will do us no good to constantly be focused on, or talking about the bad things about others, or ourselves. I know this is true!! As a missionary that is the only thing that will keep you going.
I love you all so much! See you later
My Week
Week 86 (February 26, 2018)
Well, I really don't have time today to write too much. But I´ll tell you guys about one experience I had.
This week I´ve been really discouraged with staying in Sicuani. And on Thursday I remember I was asking God to be able to see a miracle. I wanted to see one. So we left that morning and we couldn´t find anyone, so we went to pick up Books of Mormon from the ZLs. On our way back to the apartment we got a call from Jorge asking us to go to his immediately, we said yes. So we went over and went up to his room. We walked in and I see sitting on his bed my converts from Cusco, Josefina, and her kids. WOW. (Efraín wasn´t there). For me, that was God saying. You´ve already seen miracles. You´ve met all these people, and you should never ever forget it. That was a cool time for me to be able to talk with them after a while. I love them so much. The Lord has sent a lot of miracles my way personally to remind me that he loves me, and will never give up on me despite my disabilities. I know Jesus Christ lives and I love him. I´ll have more to send next week!!! LOVe you all soooooo much!!!
Well, I really don't have time today to write too much. But I´ll tell you guys about one experience I had.
This week I´ve been really discouraged with staying in Sicuani. And on Thursday I remember I was asking God to be able to see a miracle. I wanted to see one. So we left that morning and we couldn´t find anyone, so we went to pick up Books of Mormon from the ZLs. On our way back to the apartment we got a call from Jorge asking us to go to his immediately, we said yes. So we went over and went up to his room. We walked in and I see sitting on his bed my converts from Cusco, Josefina, and her kids. WOW. (Efraín wasn´t there). For me, that was God saying. You´ve already seen miracles. You´ve met all these people, and you should never ever forget it. That was a cool time for me to be able to talk with them after a while. I love them so much. The Lord has sent a lot of miracles my way personally to remind me that he loves me, and will never give up on me despite my disabilities. I know Jesus Christ lives and I love him. I´ll have more to send next week!!! LOVe you all soooooo much!!!
Well
Week 85 (February 19,2018)
Ok soooo this week has been kinda crappy except for one cool thing that happened!!
On Monday, just an hour after I told you all that Liliana was going to get baptized, she told us that she wasn`t going to anymore hahaha. So yeah that's how the week started.
On Wednesday we started off early in the morning to go look for Danery in her aunt's internet. We found her, AND we found her cousin, Nirvana. Yes, that is her name. lol. She is the same age as Danery and we taught her the restoration and invited her to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. She did it!!! And she got her answer, she told us that she felt like God responded to her. She also came to church on Sunday! We`re hoping that as Nirvana progresses, Danery will be able to progress further!
Well, today were the transfers. Aaaaaand I'm staying 5 changes in Sicuani... yay..
Just please pray that I will be able to get through this transfer hahaha.
I love you all!! Sorry, the internet won´t let me send pics today!
Ok soooo this week has been kinda crappy except for one cool thing that happened!!
On Monday, just an hour after I told you all that Liliana was going to get baptized, she told us that she wasn`t going to anymore hahaha. So yeah that's how the week started.
On Wednesday we started off early in the morning to go look for Danery in her aunt's internet. We found her, AND we found her cousin, Nirvana. Yes, that is her name. lol. She is the same age as Danery and we taught her the restoration and invited her to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. She did it!!! And she got her answer, she told us that she felt like God responded to her. She also came to church on Sunday! We`re hoping that as Nirvana progresses, Danery will be able to progress further!
Well, today were the transfers. Aaaaaand I'm staying 5 changes in Sicuani... yay..
Just please pray that I will be able to get through this transfer hahaha.
I love you all!! Sorry, the internet won´t let me send pics today!
Stranger Things
Week 84 (February 12, 2018)
This week has been a slower one.
We have some people who are progressing, they´re the same people as before so don´t get too bored lol.
Liliana is ready to get baptized this week!!! I´ve been teaching Liliana for my entire 6 months here. 6 flipping months. But something amazing has happened and she wants to be baptized. I couldn´t honestly tell you how or why. I just know that its been a miracle.
Danery is doing great, her mom traveled out of town this week, and so we´re not going to be able to see her get baptized. Sad. But we visited her this week and she told us that she wants to get baptized. The young women made her commit to do personal progress. And she´s stoked. Its funny.
Jorge, well its been an interesting week for Jorge. We had a lesson with him about Chastity. I won´t tell you all the details. But we learned this week something very interesting about Jorge. He told us, "When I started talking with you guys Ahlely told me that after a while I would be begging you to baptize me. I just laughed then, but now I realize that she was right." Unfortunatley Jorge will not be getting baptized this week, Im not sure when he will be baptized. But I know that the Lord has touched his spirit. And he knows the truth of the church and the Lord´s kingdom on earth.
well, I got sick for a day because of the change of the season, I had a fever and couldn´t go out to work so I took time to listen to some talks that I downloaded from Thomas S. Monson. In one of the talks, he talked about 3 things:
Choose your friends with CAUTION: In a world that's falling faster than we can rise, we need to have a group of people (mainly family) that will hold us and keep us from falling with it. I am SO GRATEFUL to have my family, and also my friends to help me do that.
Plan with a PURPOSE: As a missionary, I have learned the importance of planning. Life is so hectic that if we don't have a plan. We´re kinda screwed. We need to know what we´re going to do, and how we´re going to do it if we want to achieve anything. This week I learned something about that. On Friday we went to Ayaviri to see the baptism of a sister there. We had planned to go back to Sicuani right after the baptism was over. But the members there were very persistent in asking us to stay. So we stayed and played volleyball with them. So we made another plan. We planned exactly what time we would go back and we stuck to it. So we played and then we left. It was already dark out and the car wasn´t filling, Usually, when the car doesn´t get enough people to go, it doesn´t leave. We were about ready to get out of the car when a bunch of people came and filled the car. We were in the back and a joven squoze right between us. We ended up talking to him the entire hour and a half ride. His name is Jose. And he travels every day from Sicuani to Ayaviri and back for his job. He was interested in the gospel and we took down his address to give to the other elders to find him when he has some free time. I know that if we hadn´t of made a plan, we probably would have stayed in Ayaviri and not have had the opportunity to talk with Jose. I know God guides his servants. Even though we may just think we are making the decisions.
Frame your life with FAITH: As I listened to President Monson talk about this I couldn´t help but think about my time in the mission. All the experiences I´ve had so far, and how far I´ve come. I feel like a big part of faith isn´t just a trust for the future but also a gratitude for the past. And recognizing that Christ really is there for us. Faith isn´t just knowing you can move a mountain but knowing that you´ve already done it.
I love you all so much!!!! I studied 1 Nephi 22 this week, and I noticed the repetition of the promise that the righteous will be preserved. God wants us to be happy. And he knows that righteousness is the only way to that goal. "Wickedness never was happiness"
See ya next week.
This week has been a slower one.
We have some people who are progressing, they´re the same people as before so don´t get too bored lol.
Liliana is ready to get baptized this week!!! I´ve been teaching Liliana for my entire 6 months here. 6 flipping months. But something amazing has happened and she wants to be baptized. I couldn´t honestly tell you how or why. I just know that its been a miracle.
Danery is doing great, her mom traveled out of town this week, and so we´re not going to be able to see her get baptized. Sad. But we visited her this week and she told us that she wants to get baptized. The young women made her commit to do personal progress. And she´s stoked. Its funny.
Jorge, well its been an interesting week for Jorge. We had a lesson with him about Chastity. I won´t tell you all the details. But we learned this week something very interesting about Jorge. He told us, "When I started talking with you guys Ahlely told me that after a while I would be begging you to baptize me. I just laughed then, but now I realize that she was right." Unfortunatley Jorge will not be getting baptized this week, Im not sure when he will be baptized. But I know that the Lord has touched his spirit. And he knows the truth of the church and the Lord´s kingdom on earth.
well, I got sick for a day because of the change of the season, I had a fever and couldn´t go out to work so I took time to listen to some talks that I downloaded from Thomas S. Monson. In one of the talks, he talked about 3 things:
Choose your friends with CAUTION: In a world that's falling faster than we can rise, we need to have a group of people (mainly family) that will hold us and keep us from falling with it. I am SO GRATEFUL to have my family, and also my friends to help me do that.
Plan with a PURPOSE: As a missionary, I have learned the importance of planning. Life is so hectic that if we don't have a plan. We´re kinda screwed. We need to know what we´re going to do, and how we´re going to do it if we want to achieve anything. This week I learned something about that. On Friday we went to Ayaviri to see the baptism of a sister there. We had planned to go back to Sicuani right after the baptism was over. But the members there were very persistent in asking us to stay. So we stayed and played volleyball with them. So we made another plan. We planned exactly what time we would go back and we stuck to it. So we played and then we left. It was already dark out and the car wasn´t filling, Usually, when the car doesn´t get enough people to go, it doesn´t leave. We were about ready to get out of the car when a bunch of people came and filled the car. We were in the back and a joven squoze right between us. We ended up talking to him the entire hour and a half ride. His name is Jose. And he travels every day from Sicuani to Ayaviri and back for his job. He was interested in the gospel and we took down his address to give to the other elders to find him when he has some free time. I know that if we hadn´t of made a plan, we probably would have stayed in Ayaviri and not have had the opportunity to talk with Jose. I know God guides his servants. Even though we may just think we are making the decisions.
Frame your life with FAITH: As I listened to President Monson talk about this I couldn´t help but think about my time in the mission. All the experiences I´ve had so far, and how far I´ve come. I feel like a big part of faith isn´t just a trust for the future but also a gratitude for the past. And recognizing that Christ really is there for us. Faith isn´t just knowing you can move a mountain but knowing that you´ve already done it.
I love you all so much!!!! I studied 1 Nephi 22 this week, and I noticed the repetition of the promise that the righteous will be preserved. God wants us to be happy. And he knows that righteousness is the only way to that goal. "Wickedness never was happiness"
See ya next week.
Super Weird Week
Week 83 (February 5, 2018)
This week has been super strange! But very good for me personally.
Monday- P-day with President. We just played games and stuff.
Tuesday- We had our Zone Conference with President and The AP´s.
Wednesday- Wednesday was rough! We had appointments for every hour of the day, but only one was ready to receive us! It was Liliana. As you know, Liliana is the only non-member of her family but has been refusing to get baptized. Well on Wednesday she accepted a baptismal date for the 17th of February. MIRACLE. I´ve been teaching her for 6 months here in Sicuani. And to be honest. I was losing faith that she would ever get baptized. PRAY FOR LILIANA.
Thursday- A rollercoaster day for sure. Danery told us that she has been having dreams with Satan in them whenever she reads the Book of Mormon. So that's been rough. But she hasn´t lost the faith and still came to church with us on Sunday!! The rest of the day was weird, we would find a great contact one minute and then everything would go down-hill the next. We were contacting and I get a call from Jorge, so I answered. And it turns out he was drunk. that was super disappointing for me. After the day was over we went to the Plaza de Armas and just sat on a bench and thought and tried to just be calm. It was that crazy.
Friday- On Friday we found a new investigator named Veronica. She owns a beer deposit store. So that's an interesting place to teach. Then we traveled to Ayaviri to do a baptismal interview.
Saturday- Another slow day. We taught Liliana about the importance of reading the Book of Mormon. Again. haha.
Sunday- We taught a family from the campo. They aren´t super educated in the campo so we have to teach them a little differently. Its literally like teaching a child. Then we had a lesson with Liliana again. But this time we talked about the commandment of following the prophet. I testified about President Monson, and then about President Nelson. Such a powerful spirit entered that room when we talked about them. I know God calls Prophets. And I know that they say what he would have them say.
Its been a solid week!
I love you all so much!
This week has been super strange! But very good for me personally.
Monday- P-day with President. We just played games and stuff.
Tuesday- We had our Zone Conference with President and The AP´s.
Wednesday- Wednesday was rough! We had appointments for every hour of the day, but only one was ready to receive us! It was Liliana. As you know, Liliana is the only non-member of her family but has been refusing to get baptized. Well on Wednesday she accepted a baptismal date for the 17th of February. MIRACLE. I´ve been teaching her for 6 months here in Sicuani. And to be honest. I was losing faith that she would ever get baptized. PRAY FOR LILIANA.
Thursday- A rollercoaster day for sure. Danery told us that she has been having dreams with Satan in them whenever she reads the Book of Mormon. So that's been rough. But she hasn´t lost the faith and still came to church with us on Sunday!! The rest of the day was weird, we would find a great contact one minute and then everything would go down-hill the next. We were contacting and I get a call from Jorge, so I answered. And it turns out he was drunk. that was super disappointing for me. After the day was over we went to the Plaza de Armas and just sat on a bench and thought and tried to just be calm. It was that crazy.
Friday- On Friday we found a new investigator named Veronica. She owns a beer deposit store. So that's an interesting place to teach. Then we traveled to Ayaviri to do a baptismal interview.
Saturday- Another slow day. We taught Liliana about the importance of reading the Book of Mormon. Again. haha.
Sunday- We taught a family from the campo. They aren´t super educated in the campo so we have to teach them a little differently. Its literally like teaching a child. Then we had a lesson with Liliana again. But this time we talked about the commandment of following the prophet. I testified about President Monson, and then about President Nelson. Such a powerful spirit entered that room when we talked about them. I know God calls Prophets. And I know that they say what he would have them say.
Its been a solid week!
I love you all so much!
Things always work out for the faithful
Week 82 (January 29, 2018)
Well, this week compared to last week was incredible!! I don`t have a lot of time so I`ll just fill you all in quickly.
Danery- Turns out that Danery went to church in Espinar last and we didn`t know! So we were super stoked about that. She came with us to watch a baptism and during the service, she leaned over to me and said: "Elder, I want to get baptized too". WHAT. Holy cow. So we put a date with her for the 17th of February. She came to church here for the first time! The only bad thing is that she has another family that lives with them that are from another religion and are telling her lies about the church. That`s gonna be an obstacle.
Marleni- Marleni wasn`t really an investigator who was progressing, but this week she also accepted a baptism date for the 17th of February. We had a SUPER spiritual lesson with her and we felt prompted to invite her to baptism, she accepted. So now we have to work with her a lot more!
Jorge- Well good ole Jorge. He`s great! He`s basically a member who isn`t baptized. Yesterday the Elders quorum organized a service project for 5 o`clock in the morning today. We went to. And to our amazement. Jorge was there too with shovel in hand ready to help. I was speechless. That was a cool experience.
Well, those are our all-stars. They are amazing and we love them so much. I wish I could give all the details about these people. But there just isn`t enough time! Maybe when I'm home hahaha.
I love you all so much!
Well, this week compared to last week was incredible!! I don`t have a lot of time so I`ll just fill you all in quickly.
Danery- Turns out that Danery went to church in Espinar last and we didn`t know! So we were super stoked about that. She came with us to watch a baptism and during the service, she leaned over to me and said: "Elder, I want to get baptized too". WHAT. Holy cow. So we put a date with her for the 17th of February. She came to church here for the first time! The only bad thing is that she has another family that lives with them that are from another religion and are telling her lies about the church. That`s gonna be an obstacle.
Marleni- Marleni wasn`t really an investigator who was progressing, but this week she also accepted a baptism date for the 17th of February. We had a SUPER spiritual lesson with her and we felt prompted to invite her to baptism, she accepted. So now we have to work with her a lot more!
Jorge- Well good ole Jorge. He`s great! He`s basically a member who isn`t baptized. Yesterday the Elders quorum organized a service project for 5 o`clock in the morning today. We went to. And to our amazement. Jorge was there too with shovel in hand ready to help. I was speechless. That was a cool experience.
Well, those are our all-stars. They are amazing and we love them so much. I wish I could give all the details about these people. But there just isn`t enough time! Maybe when I'm home hahaha.
I love you all so much!
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