Number 10,000 and counting.......

Sometime today, we will hit the 10,000th viewer of Landon's mission blog. That is pretty exciting. Roger likes to give me a bad time...... he says that I'm at least 9,999 of the "views" haha. Thanks to all of you for taking time to check out what Elder Rich is up to. This is really a labor of love, and I enjoy it. It helps me to feel close to him, and helps the 2 years pass by quickly. Thanks again for reading :)

New pictures, finally posted

Check out new pics here

On the Streets of Tarapoto

My first attempt at uploading a video to YouTube. Sorry - there is no sound......... cheap camera :( But you will catch a glimpse of that beautiful smiling face !

What Mormon's Really Know

Odds & Ends...............

Mom - Pray for me, better yet, pray for the Familias Gomez and Vasquez. They're familias that are struggling. I love you mom... I wouldn't have it any other way.. I love you...

Dad - I'm glad you had a good week.. and boy let me tell you.. I sure do remember that 4 wheeler.. haha, I loved it, and now Treyson and Tagg will use it, and my kids, when I have kids... this life is sure short, don't ya think? ... Things pass, and people grow up so fast, where does it all go? It makes me think alot... I love you dad... be safe.. and remember.. your Father in heaven loves you.. and he is there for you. I love you dad....

Elder Flores - He is a really good comp..... he is a good missionary with a good attitude.. works hard and teaches a lot.. it's really good.. it's going really well with him.. we're pals..

Multi-zone meeting

Well everyone.... not much has happened this past week.. we had a multi-zone meeting with the Elders from Moyabama on June 18th. It was good... We had some good training... Pres Perez is the best.. It was great.. Elder Nash didn't come this time.. I don't know why.. it was just Presidente Perez. It was amazing as usual.. he is a great man... he answers all my questions and helps me keep on track... Man, I love him and he reminds me so much of Bishop Fisher, I think there is a reason they are both so alike.. lovable and loving.. I love it.. the work is going good.. a little slow right now, we can't get people to go to church, but we're working with a few families now and it's going to pick up... it's going great.... I love it.. Click here for pics.

Early Birthday Package

"I got one package... with the 3 shirts....(matching "Browning" shirts for Landon, his companion, and Gabo) and the one package with my shoes (his old sneakers, beat to heck).. Ipod (filled with church hymns in Spanish) and lifesavers, carmelos, and everything in that one.... Oh my heck ! The Mike and Ikes and the Tootsie Rolls, wow !! I haven't had those in 8 months, and they were good haha... I can't wait for the Mountain Dew haha.. The other package, they (the zone leaders) told me they left in Lima, but it's all good. I'm happy and thank you so much for everything in the package.. Right now I'm wearing my shirt.... and also I got my b-day card so thank you for that.. and the list with all the stuff in the packages, so now I know what I am waiting for.... I also got your postcard, packet with the stories of my missionary friends, and a letter from Manda.... Tell her thanks for me. I love her and Cam and I will write them a letter next week. Tell Grandma Rich thanks for the socks.. They are great, and just thanks for everything in the packages. Tell everyone thanks for me, and I love them.. I loved everything. I'm so thankful for you mom and dad, and all you do for me..... I love you.."

Dia de San Juan

The people of Tarapoto had a traditional celebration yesterday. It is called Dia de San Juan, which translates to St. John's Day. No one works or attends classes, and the day in spent with familias. As a tradition, they eat Juene. This is rice, which has been colored a bright yellow with turmeric, and is placed in the center of a large flexible jungle leaf called bijau. Chicken, eggs, and olives are added, and then the leaf is gathered at the top and tied with palm fibers. The ball is boiled in hot herbed water for one hour. This has been a traditional Peruvian Indian dish for over 400 years. Gabo said that Landon tried it Tuesday night, and he loved it.

Here is some more information on Elder Landon Schofield's blog, about this holiday

Rejection

"In 1 nefi (1st Nephi) where it talks bout him crying and filling his pillow with tears... I now know what he meant, and how that came to pass. We were walking home from the church one night, and we had a good day, but we still didn't complete and meet our goals. I was a little down in the dumps, thinking about that. The day passed so fast, and now we have to go back (home) and we don't have time. I was down, with my head down, and then I thought, ya know what? This is what Satan wants, he wants me to be down and feel like this. So I got a different attitude and was happy, and then we saw this couple walking towards us. We walked up to them to contact them, and I put my hand out to greet the lady and she walked right by, pushing my hand out of her way and mumbling something under her breath, and she just kept on walking.... and once again my hopes and attitude were dashed for the night. My eyes filled with tears in that moment for two reasons.. One, a day full of rejection, and Two, I can't believe there are people that are that hard hearted. I then turned to her husband and said, Hermano (Brother), you will be blessed this night, because you stopped and listened to the Lord. He will bless you this night for that... Thank you, and we walked off."

"I couldn't help but cry that night falling asleep, thinking about the rejection and the people here in Tarapoto. The mission is crazy..... it makes you see every aspect of everything... it's a wonderful blessing and I am so thankful to my God and Lord for this oportunidad (opportunity). I am truly blessed to have a family who loves me and who are my friends.... I love you all...... please.. never ever reject anyone... invite everyone in... talk to everyone... they are sons and daughters of God.... please....."

Landon's thoughts on Teaching

Along with teaching the gospel, the missionaries teach a few English
classes during the week. Here is Elder Evans (Landon's previous comp)
teaching a group. I would love to be a fly on the wall and listen to Landon.

"People teach in so many different ways. We all learn what our style is, and how we should teach, and by the end of two years we should be the best teachers ever. There is a rhythm to it also. Think... how many years you experience parenthood. Your first child you learn a ton and how to do everything right and you experiment, then the second.... and then comes the last, and by then your teaching should be perfect. It's like that in all things. Work, and just everything. I love teaching. I sometimes think about it. I think back in grade school, how boring it would have been to teach during all of the hours of school, man, how boring..... but now I'm teaching every day for 2 years without summer vacation.... and I love it"

Preach My Gospel

All people on the earth were members of God’s family in the premortal life (see Acts 17:26-20; Hebrews 12:9). We are part of God’s family in this life and can enjoy even greater blessings as members of His family in the life to come. We are all brothers and sisters in the family of God. This knowledge gives us a sense of identity and belonging. It gives us reason to hope for eternal life in God’s presence. We understand these basic truths because of the Restoration. Teaching restored truths to your brothers and sisters is your responsibility and blessing. Like Alma seeking to help the apostate Zoramites, you can pray: “O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ. Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious. . .; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee” (Alma 31:34-35). (Preach my Gospel: A guide to missionary service.)

My testimony

Family….. I know that this church is true.. I know that if we read the Book of Mormon we will be closer to our God and learn the fullness of the gospel… Stand up for the truth… Never neglect it… I love you all….

Best of all ...........

But the most amazing thing of the week, is we are working with this guy. He is 25 years old… and let's just say he has had a rough life. He is a BIG GUY - like the giant on Princess Bride. He is the smartest and most nice guy ever. He has changed and now has a baptism date. He wants to get rid of all his mistakes and change his life and follow Christ. He himself put (set) his baptism date. It will be a great day. His name is Cristian … and I love him…… He is amazing… He works in a shop like CPI (Custom Pipes Inc - mechanic work), like Zac did. He is just a great guy.

HOT !! ~ CEVICHE ~ HOT !!

I ate Ceviche for the first time this week. Don't worry, it wasn’t raw. Hermana Teresa put AJI in it… AJI is like peppers or something like that. Man, it was the hottest thing I have ever tasted. I couldn't even swallow the juice because it was burning everything, just by touching it. I could only eat 2 bites because I was sweating, haha, and crying also. It was funny. I guess my face was really really really red, haha.. But it was a good experience…

What happened last Thursday

Thursday, we met up with a old investigator who had a baptism date (previously) but then he traveled (out of town), some things went wrong, and now he is back and we talked to him and took out (set) another date with him.

What happened last Wednesday

Then Wednesday night we had an activity in the church. A show of talents (talent show) and it was a hit. It was amazing. More than 150 people came … inactives.. less-actives, and more than 10 investigators, including this new family we met yesterday on Tuesday. It was great.

Interviews this week

This week we will have a "multizona" conference, and also have our interviews. Elder Nash from the First Quorum of the Seventy is going to come and see how the work is going in the jungle with the stake and everything. I'm excited ....... a 70, teaching us.. wow… it will be great.

(Elder Nash did not end up coming - I'm not sure why)

What happened last Tuesday

Tuesday, we were down to our last 30 minutes of the night, and we were contacting people in the streets. We started talking to this one guy, and at first he wasn’t very interested, then we explained where our church was, and he was like, "Oh wow, that church? - the one that’s all nice and wow!" "I have always wondered" and (he) just was in awe. We explained that the most amazing part was what took place on Sundays inside, haha.. He then wanted to present (introduce) us to his dad. We were running out of time (because it was late), but I'm so glad we decided to go. We met his dad.. his brother and his wife and all his family. It was great. We have these two families that we're teaching now, and it's great. I love it.

What happened last Monday

Well to start off, Happy Dad Day to all the dads.. Especially my dad….. I sure do love him…

Well, this week has been one of, if not the best week of my mission…. Almost everyday we had a spiritual experience…


Monday we met these three people and we started talking. One of them asked us, "What is the difference between your church, and the rest of the christian churches". We said, "Well, 15 men are the difference …. A profet, (this is how they spell prophet in Spanish) his counselors and 12 apostles." He was blown away. He wanted an explanation of everything. We gave him a Book of Mormon, and he was content with what he heard and what we taught. It was a good night.

Today (June 16) I think we're going to the waterfalls again… so that will be good.. especially because it rained all night long so the waters will be high and it will be sweet.. and no.... don’t worry mom.... I will be careful hahaha….

Happy Father's Day Dad

The Little Chap Who Follows Me

A careful man I ought to be;
A little fellow follows me;
I do not dare to go astray
For fear he'll go the self-same way.

I must not madly step aside,
Where pleasure's paths are smooth and wide,
And join in wine's red revelry--
A little fellow follows me.

I cannot once escape his eyes:
Whatever he sees me do he tries--
Like me, he says, he's going to be;
The little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I am good and fine,
Believes in every word of mine;
The base in me he must not see,
The little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go,
Through summer's sun and winter's snow,
I'm building for the years to be,
A little fellow follows me.

Investigators

We have a lot of new people that we're teaching, but not a lot of them are progressing. We may have to drop them and find more, that's one of the challenges in our area this week. It's an everyday battle. Probably 90 percent of Tarapoto isn’t married, and it's so tough, but we're going. We're working on it, and it will get better.

Don't flinch

"Pre-mortally, in the most difficult of circumstances, we stood loyally by our Father and his Son, and we did not flinch. The question for us today is: Will we do it again?" - Sheri Dew

More on being a Senior Companion

Questions - What new things does this entail? Is it hard?

"Only that it's my area, and everything that happens, good and bad, falls on my head. I'm responsible for all the numbers and just everything in my area. It's a way bigger responsibility, but I like it. It's not much of a change in the work, I still teach and contact the same, it's just that I'm the example and leader in my area - it's good."

More on Elder Flores

"My new companions is from Tacna, Peru. This is only his second change. He has about 2 months in the mission, and only 1 month and a half in the field. I'm his second comp, so it's a bit of a change. He is the only one in his family that is a member. He was baptized 4 years ago, and he is 20 years old. He is a good teacher. He is good with me, it will be a good change."

Treasure your companions. They have something to offer you if you will learn. Look for the good in them, and help them. Help one another. Get on your knees and pray to the Lord and ask Him to bless you. Never leave your apartments in the morning without asking for the directing and protecting guidance of the Lord. And never come back to them in the evening and go to bed without getting on your knees and thanking Him for the blessings of the day. - Gordon B. Hinckley

Tender Mercies

Those of you who know how detail oriented I am, won't be surprised by this post. Early this morning, Gabo, from Tarapoto, instant messaged me to let me know that Google Earth had CLEAR images of Tarapoto - FINALLY !! Then he and I conversed back and forth, and he pointed out Landon's church, Landon's home, Mamita Teresa's home, his home and school, and other LDS Chapels in the area. This just made my day !!

Elder Woolf, Landon's friend and companion from the MTC is also in Tarapoto, and he is in the Tarapoto Central Area. Landon is in Aeropuerto Area. I don't know if you can see this Google Earth picture well enough, but I thought I'd post it. You can click on the picture, and it will appear bigger.

Thanks so much Gabo - you have become a good friend. You need to let us know as soon as you hear about the mission papers you turned in. I hope you come to the Ogden, Utah Mission :)

Dear Mom and Dad.............

" I love this work and everything that it brings. The Lord is molding me into something that I yet don’t know. I will find out many years after this great mission. Thanks Mom, for all your words and prayers. I'm glad you're safe, and good of health, and yes I am too. For about a week and a half now, I have been perfect. I love you Mom"

"Well Dad, I love you and know I know I'm doing the Lord's will. Every single one of us has a will to do, and it's of God. We have a purpose, and yes, we need to fulfill that purpose. I love you Dad, and thank you for all your prayers and words. You’re the best… I love you."

Fun Information

I was talking with Gabo, in Tarapoto (Instant Messaging). He said that Elder Flores arrived Wednesday night on the plane from Lima. Elder Flores is from Tacna, Peru, which is just about as far south as you can go in Peru, before crossing the border into Chili.

Today, the missionaries had a barbeque for lunch. Gabo said that Mamita Teresa garnished a chicken, and that Landon cooked it over an open fire. That, I would have liked to see :)

Authorized Servants

I want to say to you that all those missionaries who have gone out to preach the gospel…have had laid upon their heads, the hands of God’s authorized servants, men who held his authority; and all over the wide world, in every land and in every clime, from the midnight-sun country of the north to South Africa, wherever they have gone, the Spirit of the living God has attended them. From every land and from every clime men and women have received the witness of the Holy Spirit, and have embraced the gospel. (Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, p. 29).

A new Stake?

"When I got in here to Tarapoto, the goal was to raise the numbers and to maintain them, and if we do that we will become a Stake. I don’t know if you guys realize it, but to become a Stake is a big thing. It brings so many more blessings to the people. We just got a notice today that we have passed the numbers (needed). Now we just need to maintain them, and we will have an Apostle come down here, to dedicate and create a Stake in the fall. How sweet is that? Man, how cool would that be if I could still be here? I love you all, and this work is crazy. The weeks fly and the days are long, but I love it. I love you all. Thanks for all you do for me and all your prayers. Take it easy, Love ya… Choufa"

Gabo says: Choufa is a Spanish slang for Good-bye

We are happy - It's all good

"We had 3 baptisms this past week. Pedro and Giovanna got married and then baptized and Hermana (Sister) Rosita was baptized also this past weekend. It was a great day. They are happy, we are happy, all is good. We have lots and lots of families that we are teaching. Man, it’s a tough life down here, but the Lord provides."

Staying in Tarapoto !!

"Well, some news on the changes. I stay in the same area, thankfully. I'm happy about that. Oh ya, and I went up to comp mayor (senior companion), so that’s cool. I'm pretty nervous though. I'm too young in the mission to be doing that, haha, but the Lord makes big things out of small people, so I'm sure He has something waiting for me and He will help me along the way. Elder Evans and 3 other missionaries from Tarapoto are going to Lima, and other missionaries are coming here. My comp is Elder Flores. I don’t know him, I don’t know how much time (he's been out). I don’t know anything. I think I will be his Padrasto….. his second comp, in his second area. He was in Independencia, I think with Elder Villanueva in Villa Sol, how cool is that? (Elder Villanueva was Landon's last companion in Villa Sol before he was transferred to Tarapoto) Oh ya, Elder Santiago from my old zone is coming to Tarapoto baby, I'm stoked! He is one of my very good friends in the mission. I'm really excited for this change."