Futbol and Cookies

Last Saturday we were able to play soccer. Guess where???? VILLA SOL!!! There is this man who owns a taxi service, and he takes care of all of our needs as a mission. He lives in Villa Sol, and we played against him and his friends. I saw members from my old ward, and man how good it was to see them and actually be able to talk to them and ask them about the families I baptized. It was great.

Afterward, we went to the house of President Perez and ate lunch, to celebrate the birthday of Sister Perez. It was good as always, and I’m fat, haha. We cooked your pumpkin cookies that you had sent for Christmas, and they were good. Thanks so much for sending them, President and Sister Perez never had tried them, so it was good.

Easy Pumpkin Cookies
2 boxes of Spice cake mix
1 large can of pumpkin
1 bag chocolate chips

Mix all together and drop by spoonfuls on cookie sheet. Bake at 350*F or 180*C for 15 minutes
*This was very easy to send through the mail for my missionary. I sent a disposable foil cake pan (for baking) and hoped he could find a member with a large bowl for mixing - Just an idea.

**This picture above was actually taken at Christmas. President and Sister Perez take such good care of our missionaries.

A good week - teaching, working, studying....

This week has been a good one, we are finding new people and blessing their lives. We have a baptism date with Walter for the 7th of Feburary, and we’re trying to get more for this date, and we’ll find more.

I have been really really busy here in the offices with a lot of paper work to do for every single missionary that is foreign, and I have a lot still to get done, but it will be good.

I have been able to study the scriptures a lot this week, practically reading all of Mosiah in one day. I really love Chapter 27 in verse 25, 32, and 37. It talks about being born anew and changing. Well this "change" in verse 32, comes with teaching, proclaiming, and preaching... and in verse 37, comes the blessings. This gives me hope, and well, I love the scriptures. I love reading them, and following the words which helps me and guides me.

**This picture was taken Presidente Perez's balcony overlooking Lima, and out towards the sea at sunset.

Familia Alcántara - Friends of the Missionaries

What a wonderful family ! You can just tell that they love the missionaries.

Missionaries pictured here - Left to right along the back:
Elder Vargas, Elger Ticona, Elder Montellanos, Elder Gubler, Elder Herdt, Elder Seaman, Elder Hirschi, Elder Sanchez, Elder Anderson, Elder Rich
Missionaries kneeling: Elder Roldán and Elder Roldán (yes, that's right)

Thanks to Jazmin Alcántara for the pics and video - you're the best :) and to former missionary, Elder Shandon Gubler (recently returned home) who helped to fill in the names of the missionaries I didn't know.

Surprise Package

Mrs. Peterson!!!! (Elder Peterson’s mom) Thank you so much for your package, it really provided us with some fun here in the offices (she sent silly string, and a lot of other fun stuff). I want you to know your son is an amazing missionary and is one of my best friends. We will have a great life together as friends after the mission and it will be great!!!! Love you and thanks for everything!!!! Love Landon

Elder Bagley covered with string, and Elder Rich and Elder Peterson (he's got his dad's smile)

For Sure

Well, it’s coming to an end. I will be leaving the offices the 11th of February. I had my interview with President, and it was good, short and sweet, and full of the spirit as it always is. He made a comment to me that really made me happy, and more than anything, shows I did my best. I would do anything for that man.

I’m not going to lie, it will be sad to leave Independencia. I will miss a lot of people. It’s a great ward, young, and still learning the ways of the Lord, but they’re progressing.

We have a winner !

Family, Friends, and assorted Blurkers (Blog Lurkers), we have had OVER 20,000 "views" on Elder Rich's blog, and decided to offer up a little "give away" of sorts, to encourage a comment or two or three or more.....we got "7" to be exact. Hmmmm, we must have more "lurkers" than "commentators" out there, but that's okay :)

The winner, picked through a randomizer, was.....................drum roll..................
Aunt Erika Bettinson !! Your "prize" will be sent to you soon !

Thanks to Elder Layton's dad, Aunt Joni, Elder Peterson's mom, Taelyn from the 6th ward, Vanessa S. (from Peru), Elder Westensee's mom, and everyone else for checking in on Landon, we appreciate it.

Baptism Day

The work is going good, we had a baptism last Saturday (1/27/09) of Milagros Quispe, a girl 15 years old who has been waiting to get baptized for almost 2 years. Her parents just barely gave their permission. She has assisted in church and seminary for 2 years. She is really shy, but ready to be baptized. I will have the privilege of baptizing her. I’m really excited.

Gracias

Well family… All of you who write me emails, letters, look at my blog, or just think about me or pray about me…. Thank you… it means a lot to me.

I miss you more than you will ever know, and it means a lot to me that you take time out of your day to do these things.

I’m learning a lot out here, and learning how to control and put out the natural man and the feelings of that, thanks to God and my Savior Jesus Christ.

Working Hard

We're struggling finding people to teach. We always need help from the members, and we're always talking with new people everyday. My companion is amazing. It's like having a best friend here on the mission.

Words of Wisdom from Peru

I know everyone is really busy in life, but just know you're not alone. You have 3 godly beings behind you, and also angels here on this earth to help you every step of the way. Be a light, follow the commandments, keep your covenants that you made with God as you were baptized, and follow the words of the prophet. Be true and faithful in all things, and everything our Father has will be yours.

Words we like to hear

I learned this week what obedience REALLY means. I’m grateful for the parents I have, and for things they taught me.

It’s unbelievable how much I have grown in these six months in the offices. It’s helping me prepare for the life after (the mission), it’s like having a job, but at the same time keeping myself in the world but not of it. You get it… it’s helping me out a ton.

I’m glad to hear all is well with everybody at home. I get nervous sometimes to check my email, thinking there might be bad news, but the Lord will help me.

Dad, your surgery will go great, don’t worry. You will be in and out and you won’t even notice a thing, just that your leg will be a million times better. I support you in all your decisions and choices.

When I get home, I can’t wait to get a calling in the ward and to be a home teacher. I’m way excited for that. I have such desires and want to study right now, learning more about different things. When I get home I want to study, not to just get it done or complete something, but actually to learn and be smart and grow mentally.

Fun times on P-day

Today (01/17/09) we went to a museum of natural history. It was good with interesting things, and it was just good to get out and relax and walk around a little bit. Click here for more pics.

Then we came back and we ate trout. Well I don’t know if you know this, but I’m not a big fish guy. It was pretty good, but now my stomach hurts, haha.... oh well.

Last night we had a sleepover, haha. Elder Sandy and I took our beds into the room of Elder Bagley and Sanchez, and then we put up walls and a roof with blankets, and we were like little kids again, haha. It was like old times, sleeping out with friends, talking, and falling asleep. It was good.

Crazy Elders -
Left to Right:
Elder Rich, Elder Bagley, Elder Nemelka, Elder Sandoval, Elder Sanchez, Elder Hirschi

9 months and counting.........

Okay, I wasn't going to start the countdown quite yet, but this is too funny to pass up. I had a conversation with Elder Larsen's parents that went something like this:

Larsens: "9 months and counting, are you getting excited?"

Me: "Oh yes ! Just like having a baby ! My BABY will be coming home :)"

Larsens: Yes, but without the morning sickness, weight gain, stretch marks, or delivery pains. Hurray!!

**I thought about putting a pregnant lady countdown widget on the sidebar, but thought that might be a little over the top :)

He Lives

Working with the Spirit

I felt the spirit pretty good this week, and have had a good spirit of discernment. A few times throughout the week I could feel how people were feeling, and I could sense what they were thinking, and was able to help them out. It was a good feeling.

We have a baptism date with Milagros (different than the Milagros I have previously mentioned). She has been waiting a year and a half to get baptized. We are also teaching a young woman named Carol, and of course Xiomara, and Eduardo and Regina. We are searching to find additional investigators. We have 2 or 3 people that we plan to baptize by the end of January, so we’re working!!!

Be Pure

This week I had a dream. I learned a very very great lesson that I will remember ALL my life, and it was from a dream!!

´´Receive a remission of your sins, and be pure´´ Those are the words from my dream. This is something very special to me, and these words came from a very wise missionary that was in our mission but now is home. A great friend and a great future leader. I remember these words EVERY DAY since that night.

I want to invite you all to receive a remission of your sins through the atonement of Christ and then be pure! Whenever a thought comes into your head, just think - “Be pure”.

I am thankful..........

Always in ALL my life I have had food. It is a great blessing. Some people in my area hardly have anything to eat. I love my family and I’m very thankful for what we have.

There are kids at every stop light who wipe the dust off cars during the red light for only 10 cents each.

There are girls as small as Camryn (4 years old) walking the streets selling bubble gum for 10 cents each. It’s what they do to eat.

Be thankful for what we have, never take it for granted.

Elder Sandoval - new companion

Elder Sandy is great!!! He is a great worker, he is organized and teaches very well. Our area also is wonderful, we have a few challenges with a few people, but we’re going to work hard this change. Elder Sandoval is in a family of 7. All are members. He is very very humble. I love him.

Mormon Missionary Challenge

Rich.......Ridge..........Rich...........Ridge

Landon was telling us in his Christmas phone call, that there always has to be a "point of clarification" between he and Elder Ridge. Apparently in Spanish, Rich and Ridge are pronounced EXACTLY the same ! (Try letting it roll off your tongue.........see? He's right !) I guess when referring to one or the other, the missionaries always say, "Elder Rich/Ridge who is/is not in the office". I wonder what will happen when Landon goes back in the field? Oh well, gotta keep those missionaries on their toes ;)

Elder Henry B. Eyring - Your Call To Serve

“… In a world so large, the Creator … somehow not only knows you but loves you enough to ensure that your call is where He needs you to go to teach the children of our Heavenly Father.”

You Raise Me Up !

All good things must come to an end..........

Elder Herdt moves on today - back to the field..........the jungle at last :)
Until we meet again, take care.

FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!!!

The Office Crew (New and Old)

Back Row: Elder Bagley, Elder Nemelka, Elder Hirschi, Elder Sandoval

Middle Row: Elder Sanchez, Elder Vargas, Elder Herdt

Front: Elder Rich

Baptism Day

"On December 27th, Freddy and Orlando were baptized, and yesterday (01/03/09), Hermanita Teresa was baptized. Alot of people came - it was great."

Landon has been companions with TWO missionaries for a week now. Elder Vargas is training Elder Sandoval. (far right in this picture below) This will continue until next Tuesday, January 6th, when Elder Vargas will depart for the field.