Thanksgiving Recap

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and ate really well.

For our Thanksgiving, the assistants were out to the jungle with President, so we secretaries invited ourselves to a great lunch at a restaurant that was really good. It was great!

Emails? Comments? Sign the Guestbook? Anyone?

I'm sure the best Christmas present ANY missionary could receive, would be a note from friends and family.
Take some time today, and add a comment to this post, or the guestbook on the sidebar, or you can email me at sled4fun2@hotmail.com, and I'll pass your kind words along to Elder Rich. Thanks !!

Happy Thanksgiving

"Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen." Alma 26:37

Words of Wisdom from Peru

Remember, everything we do in this life has a consequence or a reward. We have to make the right choices and be ready for the trials the Lord is going to give us. Remember, the Lord gives the righteous trials to test their faith and to help them grow, but God also gives punishments to those who are doing bad things and not obeying, so they will maybe repent and change. Let's do the things that are right and be strengthened by the Lord and get on our knees when it's tough. Remember we're stronger when we're on our knees. Saying your prayers is really important. I know life is hectic and there are ALOT of things going on, but we HAVE to remember our God in everything, and thank Him for everything he has given to us.

Getting the Royal Treatment

Elder Rich sent this photo, and there was no info attached, except to say that the woman in the picture was a Sister from the CCM (Peru MTC). If I had to guess, I would say this was taken at the airport this past week. During all of the changes, the office missionaries spend quite a bit of time at the airport.

"So I got back from the airport and slept for an hour, then I had to get up and wake up some missionaries that had to go to the airport. I woke them up and got back to bed at 2:45 am, then I got a phone call at 3:30 am, saying that one of the elders couldn’t travel with his baggage, so I had to go BACK to the airport to bring his baggage back."

Till we meet again...........

Tuesday night, it was pretty sad to see Elder Larkin and Elder Schaertl leave to go home. I had become pretty good friends with them. Elder Ticona and I took them to the airport and didn’t get back to the offices till 1 am.

Elder Larkin and I were talking, and I told him a few of my goals after the mission.
1. Learn how to play the piano.
2. Learn another language, and then Elder Larkin pulled out his guitar, and I added,
3. Learn how to play the guitar.

Elder Hirschi and Elder Ticona and my companion (Elder Vargas) all know how to play it, and also Elder Larkin.

Elder Larkin said, “How am I going to take this home?? I can’t send it. I can’t put it under the plane, and I don’t want to carry it on. I don’t know what I will do”.

About 15 minutes later he was like, “Elder Rich, when is your birthday? Here, I give you my guitar, Happy Birthday, haha”. So I am in the process of learning from Elder Hirschi, how to play the guitar. I never thought I would have my own personal guitar. That’s cool.

Love to Eat !

I’m staying steady at 90 kilos - that’s about 198 pounds I think…. I’m pretty chunky, but it doesn’t look like it. The members feed us a ton and we eat it all. Oh well, I have some exercising to do when I get home.

Museo de la Nacion

"Last P-day, we went to a museum. I had been to it previously, in my first area. It was pretty good, better than the last time I went. I think it was because I can speak Spanish, and understand things better. Then we went to a market place and looked around, then went and ate and came back to the offices - pretty good day."

*The Museum of the Nation,is one of two major museums of Peruvian history in Lima. It houses thousands of authentic artifacts spanning the entire span of human occupation in Peru.

Words of Wisdom from Peru (and a picture too!)

(Not sure when this was taken, but thank you Elder Peterson *and mom ;)

All is well. I’m trying everyday to be better and be more humble. I love the Lord and I love you all. Thanks for all you do and all you help me out with.

I love the Lord and He loves us. Follow Him and keep His commandments. Be as happy as you can be, and the only way to do that is to follow Him and keep our covenants.

We need to look into the future, even after this life. What do we really want?? What really matters?? I know this church is true and that all of us just need to keep at it, have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, believe and fulfill our covenants.

The family is the MOST important thing in this world, nothing else!!!! Work will come, the chores will always be there, but the family is something very sacred we should cherish.

Remember the promises we make at baptism. If you don’t remember them, go to church every Sunday, and there is a complete hour where we can remember them and renew them.

I hope you all have had a great November, because it’s halfway done!!! And then we’re in December, that’s right, then we’re on to the new year, then we’re on to Mother’s Day, then we’re on to July and October........It’s all going way way too fast. A lot of things are going on back there in Morgan and I’m missing it, but I know I’m where the Lord wants me to be, and I’m happy. I love you all and I love my Savior and what He did for me…… and does for me…. Go to church!!! Love Elder Rich

Ouch !!

So about a month ago we were playing soccer, and I jammed my big toe, hard on the soccer ball. A little blood spot showed up underneath the nail.

Well today, (Saturday the 15th) I stepped on it wrong (as we were playing early morning soccer again), and it popped, and man did it hurt... I took my sock off, and there was blood under my whole nail, and it feels so weird - like it's going to come off, and now it hurts really bad, haha... We will see how I hold up :) My feet are getting pretty beat up out here. Really, I don't think my feet will ever be the same.... but oh well, it's a long way from my heart....

Actually what I need is socks, like 3 or 4 pairs if you could. It will be good to get those new shoes also, my feet are starting to take a beating. (His old pair purchased from Missionary Mall have a hole, so we sent him FREE replacement shoes) It shows that I have walked everyday for the past year and a month. I will have to get pedicure when I get home, haha… I will have Leisa Wilson do it, haha, my feet are pretty bad.

PS - ONLY in the mission would you catch me waking up at 6am to play soccer, haha. Never again outside of the mission would I do that!

Highlight of my week

"The highlight of my week was just being able to teach the people in my area. Eduardo and Regina are doing great, and have plans to get married on December 6th, and their baptism will shortly follow. Also we have a few other investigators that we have planned to come to church, and they will be progressing just fine."

"Sadly, Milagros..... I don’t know what happened, she just dropped off. She doesn’t have the desire anymore, and she wants to be part of the world, and doesn’t want to put any effort into it. But we all have our albedrío (free will)."

Till we meet again...........

"I was able to see Elder Arévalo!!!!! (Gabo) He looked really good. He came to the offices to get set apart by Presidente Perez. It was good to see him, he is so so so skinny. I hope he gains some weight while on his mission, and I told him right before he left, "Work hard and I love you and I’ll see you when you get home." He is very excited and worthy to be out there, and I’m very excited for him."

*Gabo is going to Bahia Blanca, Argentina . The reason President Perez, the president of PLNM, "set apart" Gabo as a missionary, is because Tarapoto, where he lives, is not a "stake", and so there is no Stake President. But because Tarapoto is located in the Peru Lima North Mission area, Presidente Perez does the honors.

Office Elders

This picture was taken last week, when the Elders from the office went to Temple

Becoming a Missonary

My beloved brethren, you and I, today and always, are to bless all peoples
in all the nations of the earth. You and I, today and always, are to bear
witness of Jesus Christ and declare the message of the Restoration. You
and I, today and always, are to invite all to receive the ordinances of
salvation. Proclaiming the gospel is not a part-time priesthood obligation. It is not simply an activity in which we engage for a limited time or an assignment we must complete as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rather, missionary work is a manifestation of our spiritual identity and heritage. We were foreordained in the pre-mortal existence and born into mortality to fulfill the covenant and promise God made to Abraham. We are here upon the earth at this time to magnify the priesthood and to preach the gospel. That is who we are, and that is why we are here--today and always. by Elder David A. Bednar (Ensign, November 2005)

Splits with the Zone Leaders

We recently had a work visit with the Zone leaders, and it was good. I have made two new friends in the mission, Elder Larkin and Elder Scheartl. They’re both from Utah, and they both finish this next change. (Nov. 19th) I will sure miss them, and I will look them up when I get home. Elder Larkin is from Layton, and the other from Mapleton. The work visit went really well, and I learned a lot and got pumped even more for the work. We’re working harder and progressing.

I went to their area in our zone and worked, and Elder Vargas stayed here in our area and worked. We found some new people to teach, and I’m excited to see some of the changes in the lives of people.

House of the Lord

Last Saturday, for our P-day, we went to the temple. This time we got in, and it was good. I loved it. I felt really good.

Note to Grandparents: I went to the temple today and I had a great time, I can't imagine going there as often as you guys do, what a blessing. I have a plan to assist every week when I get home.

Preach My Gospel

This past week we had two investigators come to church. It’s funny how many we people commit to come to church (even on Saturday night), and they say yes, and then they don’t come :(

There are some great people here in our ward, great families. I love the ward members and our area. There were A LOT of inactives and less active people who came to church today. People that haven’t been for 5 years, and they’re starting to come and they keep coming. It’s good. We have 6 new ward missionaries, and we’re going to start doing visits with them, having our meetings every week, and talking and using Preach My Gospel. I’m excited.

Food Food, Wonderful Food

One day last week, we had a great lunch that I loved!!! We had beans with turkey and rice, it was GOOD. For a few minutes I was looking at my food and thinking, “Man, I hope there is this kind of food when I get home”. I love the food down here. I guess that’s why I’m getting fat.

I think I might spend a lot of money on that Peruvian restaurant when I get home. I was thinking back when mom and I went to that place, and nothing looked good on the menu. I had never eaten food like that before, and I couldn’t read Spanish to see exactly what it was. Imagine when I get home, being able to talk to the owners about Peru, and just chillin’ and gabbin’ and eating ALL sorts of food and INCA COLA. It’s going to be sweet!

Relaxation

This picture was taken just before heading to bed last week. It's nice to see they can kick back and relax a little.

How do you like those Alpaca slipper's? Maybe Elder Herdt can hook us up :)

Different Day - Different Reaction

Well for the second time in my mission we got yelled at!!! This time we didn’t yell back though. We were knocking on a door of this lady we had talked and prayed with before. Her husband was there when we knocked on the door this time, and he wasn’t very happy. He said some colorful words and threatened us, but it was all good. I just feel bad for the guy, so unhappy. But oh well… it all goes on.

Click here to see what happened the FIRST time they got yelled at.

Normal......Healthy.....Working......

Well to tell you about my week….. It’s been pretty normal down here, all healthy, just working, preaching, and teaching. We have a lot of investigators that are doing good, but then we have some that aren’t, it’s just the way it is.

We have one family where the dad is a member, but less active. The mom, Gladys, is the one learning and progressing. They have 2 kids, and need to get married. Gladys and her son that is 8, have a baptism date for the 22nd of November. Pray for them.

Eduardo and Regina, are as good as ever. They have had all the lessons, and are coming to church every week. We visit them 2 to 4 times a week, and they are eating it up. They just need to get married too, and they are ready for baptism!!!

Milagros Valenzuela (Leyla’s cousin) is going good also, she has a date for this 8th of November.

Last Friday we found a new family to teach. We visited an inactive home and they let us in. The mom isn’t a member, and at first it looked like she didn’t want us there, but we taught and she caught interest, and it turned out wonderful. We have another date with her and it will be great.

Details

Why was the temple so busy yesterday? "Today we went to the temple, we were going to go in and do a session, BUT we kinda forgot it’s a holiday and there was more than 200 people there, so needless to say we didn’t go."

A member invited the missionaries to lunch, and took them to a Columbian Restaurant. Here's what Elder Rich had to say about that "It is soooo good. All the food in South America is good. I swear that’s all I'll eat when I get home. I will be fat fat fat."

The Earthquake - "We got back here (to the offices) around 3:30pm and guess what happened? An earthquake!!! Not a very big one, but big enough to set off all the car alarms on the street, and to make all the dogs bark in the whole town, and to make everyone leave their houses. It was all good… not a very big one… only like 15 seconds long."

Some Good Advice, "Always wear a smile and make the day of someone else. Open your mouth and help someone different everyday."

Today's Terremoto

In today's email, Landon said they went to the temple, but were not able to get in a session. There were over 200 people there! Afterwards, they ate at a Columbian restaurant which was very good, and then they went back to the office and "were in for a treat" (his words) and got to feel a Terremoto. He said it wasn't as strong as the one last April, but it did cause people to leave their homes and gather in the street.

Dia de Todos los Santos

Today is celebrated as "All Saints Day" in Peru

During this time, the doors are opened to guests, who enter with clean hands and share in the traditional dishes, particularly the favorites of the deceased. Tables are bedecked with bread figurines called t’antawawas, sugarcane, chicha, candies and decorated pastries.

At the cemeteries, the souls are greeted with more food, music, and prayers. Rather than a sad occasion, the Día de Todos Santosis a joyous event.