Elder Ramos

Elder Ramos is from El Salvador, and was baptized at age 10. He has been out in the mission field for 10 months, and is a really hard worker. Elder Ramos has a good temperament, and Landon has never seen him mad. His past companions have tested him, and he has learned patience. Elder Ramos has the spirit and is very kind. He comes from a rough background. He and Landon get along really well. He is really good about teaching the gospel in a simple way, and that helps Landon ALOT with the Spanish. That, and the fact that Elder Ramos doesn't speak a lick of English:) Both Landon and Elder Ramos are "new" to the area, neither having any idea of what to expect. Don't they look happy in this picture? I just love their smiles.

To the Temple

Landon went to the Lima Peru Temple today. Here are some interesting facts about some of our temples, and also some FAQ's. Also, some more pictures taken that day.

Interesting....

You know how we all say Peru? Puh roo'.
When Landon says Peru, he says Pay'roo, with the emphasis on the first syllable.
He's getting an accent! Hope we recognize him on Mother's Day (haha).

Did you know that Peruvians speak the most "pure" Spanish spoken? Whenever the LDS church needs Spanish translators, they ALWAYS get a Peruvian. Interesting, huh?

We received an audio tape from Landon. It was great to listen to Landon, from his first days in the MTC in Provo, to December 18th, the day he went into the field. He sounded SO excited that last day - you could just FEEL IT.

Latest email info

We have 6 baptisms scheduled, and we're working on 2 more for the 8th of March. We have been fasting for these families. I'm excited. I love my area, it's great. Great people and good surroundings.

The work is going everyone, our President has set high goals for us, and it's going to take a lot of work to meet them, but we can do it because we have the best missionaries in the world. I love you all.... I wish you all the best.

We're working really really hard. I love it. time is flying. Strive to have the spirit with you... it's very important. We're going to the temple on Wednesday, so that will be good. All is well down here.

Family Home Evening

Landon's pension in his new area is Carmen. He says she is a wonderful cook, and takes good care of the missionaries. In the picture above, she is with two of her children, Karen and Aymmar.
Click here to view more pics of a fun family home evening in Carmen's home

P-Day - Hike in the Mountains

P-day - Hike in the Mountains

Click on the picture above and view the slideshow

Walked and walked and walked......

Hey dad, my week has been rough and hectic tambien (also). We have been walking everywhere. One side of our area to the other, and Wow ! I tell ya, I hope my feet hold up these two years haha. It’s been tiring this week, that’s for sure.

Note from Gwen: These aren't Landon's shoes......They belong to Curtis Tonks, my cousin's son who finished his mission in Brazil last year.

Speaking in church

I spoke last Sunday in church. All in Spanish, and I’m the only person in the room who knows English! I spoke for 5 minutes on Helaman 6:3 and the obra misional. It went good. I was really nervous, but I spoke alright, and it was fine.

The REAL Elder Ruiz

A few posts ago, I put up a picture I thought was of Elder Ruiz with Landon and Elder Woolf. I was wrong! Thanks to Elder Woolf's mom, she helped me out and supplied a picture of the REAL Elder Ruiz.
You've got to understand, as our sons send us home their pictures, they have no way (that I know of) to put a caption WITH the picture file. Most times we are at a loss, and have to guess... What Donna did, was ZOOM in on the name badge, to scope out WHO was WHO.
That's what I was able to do with all of the pics Landon sent home from the Provo MTC. It kind of makes you feel like a sleuth :)

Tagg you're it !

Hey Zac and CJ.. Man that’s so cool. I have another sobrino. Man I can’t wait to see him. I bet he is so cute, just like me haha ! Cuz we all know I’m the best looking in the family haha, even though you (Zac) got all the muscle. I got the looks, haha j/k. I hope all is well with you, CJ, Treyson and the new one.
Tag, huh? I know his name has two g’s, but this computer won’t let me type two g’s, haha! I love you guys.

Giving Service - Having Fun

Hello all in Morgan! Everything is bright and sunny down here in Peru. Last Friday we had a fun day with our zone washing cars and motos for free, and while they are trapped outside of their cars, we teach them! It was bright and sunny and warm, and afterwards we had a nice water fight and all. I hope I’m not making ya mad. I’m sure you can all have a snowball fight or something haha. I can’t find any ice down here, not even ice cubes, haha.

Here are some pictures from that day. Too bad Landon isn't in any of them :)

Happy Day - more Pics !!

Landon mentioned in a previous letter/post that he had met a women from Connecticut, who was visiting in Peru. We received a most wonderful welcome phone call tonight from Julie Camacho. She said that she got to meet/visit Landon and his companion for about 2 weeks, before she had to return home. She actually saw them for the first time as they were walking and crossing a street, and she hollered out the window, "Elder's... Elder's". It makes this mom's heart so happy to hear how Landon is being looked after. Julie said he looks good and healthy, and seemed so very happy. Now that sounds like our Landon, doesn't it? Julie was born and raised in Peru, and recently returned to Peru for a few weeks to help her mom with some medical issues. Julie lives in Connecticut with her husband and three children. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of a very special friendship.

Two different worlds

There are two wards and two areas in my new zone; Villa Sol and Proceres. It's crazy. There is a street called Universitaria. It's the divider of areas. Villa Sol is kind of richer, and Proceres is poor. Just from that one street, it's a completely different world, and buildings, and people. You can stand in the middle of the road and look both ways and tell the difference, that's how distinct it is. We have tons of success in Proceres, because they are humble. The people in Villa Sol are a little harder to reach.

The Red circle is where we "think" Landon's church house is located, and the yellow circled street is the street where we "think" he lives. Hopefully we'll get more info soon.

Click here to view more pics of Landon's new area

Those were the days .........

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun....


We went down to UVSC the past two days to watch the 3A State Wrestling Tournament. We sure enjoyed it, and it brought back many great memories - good AND bad. Landon had this to say in his latest letter......."Sounds like Region wrestles went alright... that's cool.. Man I miss wrestling. Wish them all good luck this next week at state."

¡El español está consiguiendo más fácil!

"There is a sister here in the ward, and she is from Connecticut. It's funny, we were talking in English, and I found it hard to reply back in English. It was easier to reply in Spanish! It was weird, it hurt my brain, trying to think of the answers in English, cuz I have never had to think about how to talk in English before. It's pretty sweet. I love it. We had our interviews with President Perez this past Friday. It was great. It's a lot different when I can speak Spanish, it's crazy how fast it's coming, and how fast I'm understanding. I have noticed a huge difference in Spanish since that's all I can use with my new companion."

We Love Uncle Landon

"That's cool about the new baby. Tell Zac and CJ congrats, and I'm sorry I won't be home to teach him the "way of Landon" (haha). I'm excited to see pics of the little guy, he will almost be two when I get home - crazy, I tell ya."

Hot in Peru

Hey, how is everyone? Hope the cold and snow are treating you all nice and good (haha).
Down here it's hot hot hot. I'm getting a nice old tan. I probably have the best farmers tan I have ever had. It's awesome. Dad you would be proud, I think it almost compares to yours (haha). I sweat all the time. You will see in the pics I send. Night and day. I love it.
I joined in a water fight yesterday with one of our investigators from their two story house. It was a blast getting little kids wet and them not being able to get us. It's fun.

Elder Ruiz' we presume?

Elder Woolf's mom sent this picture of her son, with Landon, and if I had to guess, that would be Elder Ruiz in the middle. Our sons became very close with Elder Ruiz. He was very friendly, and something just "clicked" and they became fast friends. He is from Iquitos, Peru, and is the only member in his family. It is a really sad situation. His dad threw him out of the house because he wanted to serve a mission. He cleaned the church, and they let him stay there. He slept there for about 6 months. He has been a member for a year. He is great missionary. He is excited to teach and serve. Elder's Woolf and Rich got his address in Iquitos, and told him they would try their best to teach his family. He told them he doesn’t know where he is going to live after his mission, because of his dad. "It’s a sad story but he has amazing faith. He knows this is where he is supposed to be."

Did you notice?

We finally have a red dot in Peru !?! Wonder who took a look? Landon said he was going to try and get Zanaida's daughter Cindhel to log on. And in Australia, that would be Matt Barr's mom and dad, and in Japan/Korea, that would be the Frosts' and Kelly, and in Columbia, the young man who put together "The Rising" video, and in India, the Wilkinson's (on a mission),and in Hawaii, Trin's family, and in Europe, cousin Janet and others, and in Georgia, Aunt Judy, and in Vegas, the Herdt's and in Texas the Woolf's, and in Ohio, Sue, and in Montana, President and Sister Fisher, and in Spokane, the Phillips' and in Virginia, cousin Dee, and in Ontario Oregon, Jose' Garcia, and in Eugene, Jon's mom, and in............. I could go ON and ON !! Thank you all for keeping track of Landon ! If any of you have friends in Alaska, Canada, or AFRICA.......be sure and pass this along !

Take care today, and I'll post later to let you know about Landon's new nephew, about to be born later this morning.

Carnival

"We're in the month of February, and here in South America it's the month of Carnival. It's a month long water fight. Every corner you turn, there are kids and grown ups with globals or water balloons, and buckets of water. It goes on for a whole month, everyday. I have only been hit once so far with a water balloon, but I'm sure more are coming."

Unbelievable !

My pension is awesome. I hear she is one of the best in the mission, and I would have to agree.

I eat everything she puts in front of me. Let's just say I won't be a picky eater ever again in my life. You would be proud.

I have eaten every single type of veggie you can name, and also fruit of every kind. I have eaten liver, lung, and heart, and just everything - haha.

Yes, I had to choke some of it down, but I'm getting used to it. I'm getting fat here in this area.

More info from Elder Rich

Ok to get started... I am in the Independencia Mission Zone, but it's actually in the Los Olivos "district" within the Lima Province. It is in the same area as the Peru Lima North Mission home. And my companion isn't Vargas anymore, it's Elder Ramos from El Salvador. It's great. He has been out 10 months, so he is in the thick of things and works hard. No English though...

The first night and next day in this new area was tough. I didn't like it. I didn't like the area, and I couldn't understand anything because my companion speaks Spanish a bit differently. But that got over quick, and we went right to work, and ya... I love this area now and the Spanish is better than ever. I am understanding a ton. I hear and can recognize the words, even though I don't know what they mean, I can tell what words they are, ya know?

We have two wards, Villa Sol and Proceres. They are really good. The leadership is outstanding, and it's more like a city area. Villa Sol reminds me of Arizona, the part Manda used to live in, except not as nice of course, but this area is really nice compared to my other one. Like I'm in heaven - haha.

Finally !!

We have a picture of the Peru Lima North Missionaries who entered the field on December 18, 2007.
Back Row: Elder Herdt (Las Vegas, NV), Elder Wright (Chubbock, ID), Elder Rich (Morgan, UT), Unknown, Unknown, Elder Woolf (Flower Mound, TX)
Middle Row: Elder Peterson (Kaysville, UT) - he is the second one from the right.
Of course, Presidente y Hermana Perez are in the middle in the front.
Hopefully we'll get to know all of the other missionaries before this wonderful adventure is over.