News from Pucallpa

This past week Amparo Leon Lopez was baptized. She will be confirmed the next week. We finished the month of April with 23 confirmations, and we have 38 baptism dates for the month of May, so we're looking good. By the way, we have a goal of 505 baptisms as a mission, and 100 as a zone!!! We're going to make it!!!

This week has flown by, just like the rest. Our interviews with Presidente Perez and the Assistants will be on Wednesday, and then a week later are the changes (May 6th) and I will be flying to Lima for the Consejo.

This week also, we will be doing work visits. That is where either I or my companion goes on splits with another companionship for a whole day in their area. We teach there, sleep there, and eat there for 24 hours. We get to know and learn about their area and they ours. It is a good learning and growing experience for everyone.

New Pics !!

I've been really ambitious, and have posted all of the pics from the CD we received last Wednesday. They are the 15 most current albums. Click here to enjoy pics similar to these.......

Friday Service Projects

Every Friday we have a service to do. We work and serve people and it's great. I love working.

The Law of Consecration

"Going on a mission teaches you to live the law of consecration. It may be the only time in your life when you can give to the Lord all your time, talents, and resources. In return, the Lord will bless you with His Spirit to be with you. He will be close to you and strengthen you"
- Elder Robert D. Hales, Conference Report April 1996

I love the Book of Mormon

I know the Book of Mormon is true, I have read it 2 times in English on my mission and I'm in 3 Nephi (in Spanish) and have a goal to finish it here fast in a month. Then I will start it over again. I love it and it's changed my life. I love reading and studying from it. It is direct and plain. I love the Lord and this work in which He has called me.

Mom and Dad, I love you both and am very grateful for what you do for me and all your love and prayers for me. I will never be able to repay you. Just know I love you and that this is the most amazing time in my life. I'm growing more now then ever before and well, it's preparing me for the life after.

Another good week

This week has been a good week, we worked hard and the numbers show it. We have 5 people with a baptism date, and we had one baptism.

Angel Manuel Montes Panduro was baptized, and we had 12 people attend the church this past week. Elder Figueroa and I are going good and the Zone is well. We're young and we're learning together. There are a lot of challenges this change, and well, it’s a roller coaster. I'm excited and ready to work.

You are or have been a Latter-day Saint Missionary if:

You've ever worn a name tag without your first name on it.

You've ever said to someone, "This is my companion."

You dropped out of college, stayed unemployed for two years, lost your favorite girl, and called it the best time of your life.

You think that Elder doesn't necessarily mean older.

You easily recognize three common human ailments: blind minds, hard hearts, and stiff necks.

You lived with a roommate for a whole month--or more--who you never called by their first name.

The investigator asking you probing personal questions isn't a police detective.

You put ketchup on nearly everything you cook.

You enjoy telling people why they are here and where they are going.

Your greatest hero in the scriptures was a man named Ammon.

About every eight weeks or so you get a new roommate who you don't get to choose.

Your most coveted present all year was a new tie.

You're 20 years old and it's been months since you went to bed after 11:00 p.m.

You introduce yourself to people every day without telling them your first name.

You get one half day per week all to yourself and you spend most of that time doing your laundry.

"And O how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet!" Mosiah 15:15

Taxi to Campo Verde

Elder Rich had sent home a map., showing the area of Pucallpa. On it, he mentioned that the Familia Tiquilahuanca lived about 35 kilos west. I got on Google Earth, and followed the road for that distance, and came upon the "town" of Campo Verde. I wondered how the Elders got there? I hoped it wasn't by "moto". Thank goodness for these reassuring words....

"Campo Verde is a branch that we work in. We go in a taxi, not in a moto, so don’t worry!!! It's safer, haha. We had a great talk with the Bishop there this past week, and we're all set to go and get working in the work here in Ucayali."

Ucayali is the "Area" or "Region", Pucallpa is the "City", and Campo Verde would be one of the little "towns".

Youth of the Noble Birthright

Shall the Youth of Zion, falter in defending truth and right?
While the enemy assaileth, shall we shrink or shun the fight?
No !! True to the faith that our parents have cherished
True to the truth, for which martyrs have perished
To God's command.......Soul, heart and hand
Faithful and True - we will EVER STAND !

In Independencia Ward (Lima, Peru)

In Tarapoto, Peru

In Morgan, Utah

In Pucallpa, Peru

Piranah !!!

No - not in the water........














They look like they are having too much fun - look at the cute mermaid :)















It's, "What's for Dinner" !!!




Whose teeth are bigger - Elder Mamani, or the Piranha ? Look close - hope he doesn't slice his tongue !

Commitments

Last week, Presidente challenged each companionship to find four new people and commit them to baptism by the end of the week. We worked hard, and Milagros, Patric, Cloris and Noe have dates for the 25th of April and the 2nd of May.

I was thinking, the life of a person is so complicated, and to be able to change and be baptized is hard. It's a miracle to have so many baptisms and I'm so grateful for the Lord and His hand in this work.

I have grown spiritually and matured so much in these past months. I'm very grateful. We're planning to have 500 baptisms as a mission in May!!!!!

*This picture above is Family Home Evening in Pucallpa with Elder Rich and Elder Figueroa. Of course, being a mom, the first thing I noticed.............was the big "scratch" on Elder Rich's nose. **Look closer in this picture........... it seems they ALL have one.

Here's what he had to say about that,

"No, it's not a scratch on my nose, it's paint....we were playing a game :)"

I guess I'll quit worrying :)

Elder Rich's favorite talk this past conference

And for our friends in Peru - We love you !!

More about Pucallpa

The Pucallpa Zone covers the entire area of Pucallpa. There are 7 districts in Pucallpa. Elder Figueroa and Elder Rich's area is outlined here (in black). The red dot is the stadium where they play futbol on P-days, and the church they attend is located near the blue dot.

The main road leading into Pucallpa is Centenario, which comes in from the west, and dead-ends at the Ucayali River. Elder Rich says that the Familia Tiquilahuanca, that they baptized on March 20th, live about 34 kilometers (21 miles) out of Pucallpa, heading West on this road. I wonder how they met them?

What matters..............

The conference was amazing as usual. Elder Holland's talk was amazing, and well, I really loved all of them. I really feel a sense of urgency in the messages, all talking about the future and things to prepare for. I have a goal not to miss even one minute of Conference for the rest of my life, I absolutely love it!

I am so blessed to be here in Peru and I understand why I'm here. I'm really happy.

I love you all and I hope you all realize how important this work is. I'm starting to understand a little more about Jesus Christ, His sacrifice, and how much He really went through. I'm grateful He did it for me and for you. I love you all.

Pucallpa Zone

"The zone here in Pucallpa is going good, we're really young and there are little things to correct every once in awhile, but over all we're good. The things we're doing as a zone to have success, is being obedient and working. That is our goal."

Elders of the Pucallpa Zone (7 companionships/14 elders)
These names are in no particular order, not matched up as far as companionships, except Elder Rich and Elder Figueroa

New to Pucallpa - Figueroa, J. Mamani, Elison, Choc, Merrill, Clarke, Cuellar

Already in Pucallpa - Rich, Quintana, Moriera, Morton, Garnica, Rojas, Aguilar

At the Airport

Here is a picture taken on March 25th at the Pucallpa Airport. These missionaries are flying back to Lima for changes, and Consejo de Lideres (Council of the Leaders, or Zone Leader Meeting).

Elder Soto and Elder Lee are headed to other parts of Peru, and Elder Stewart and Elder Cope are headed back to Bolivia. Elder Vasquez is headed to Tarapoto, and Elder Rich is the only one who will come back to Pucallpa, with a new companion.

Back Row: Lee, Vasquez, Cope, Stewart, and Soto, with Elder Rich kneeling in front.

Healthy as an American Dog

"Hey family, how are you doing?? I'm doing great. Here in Pucallpa it's as hot as ever and I'm losing weight more than ever, but I'm as healthy as a dog. An American dog that is, haha, because the Peruvian dogs aren’t healthy, haha. I'm healthy, so you have nothing to worry about there. I actually feel great!!"

Finally - Pictures !!

During the middle of February, we received two disks - FULL of pics. It's been quite a chore to get through all of them(review,organize,crop,lighten,sharpen).

I've posted one of my favorites (with this post), and I also have pics of many of the young members of the Independencia Ward that I still need to go through, but here are the ones so far - enjoy :)

January - Museum of Natural History

Misc. pics from January

January - Lunch with President Perez

Early February

Farewell to Independencia

Reunited once again

During the Consejo de Lideras (March 26), these four friends met up once again.

They were originally assigned as companions at the MTC 17 months ago. Herdt and Peterson, Rich and Woolf. I like to call them the four musketeers. There is certainly a bond. They all look so happy and healthy.

Today...........for one moment..............

I will know what Landon is doing, right at the exact moment. As we watch and participate in our General Conference, we will sustain the leaders of our church.

New Zone

Our new zone is new new new new. Let's just say that 11 of the 14 elders have less than a year in the mission!!! Their attitudes and the way they act show it. I know for a fact I had the same attitude. It's an attitude of a little kid, haha. I don't know, it's just funny to see and to know I was like that.


"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

"For the natural man is an enemy to God...and will be...unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit...and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflect upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)

I know why I'm here, and I don’t care about anything else........... just helping other people and baptizing. I love what I'm doing and I'm happy doing it.

No Joke.................... (04/01/09)

Pucallpa is hotter than ever - 38 degrees Celsius. I don't know how much that is in F(ahrenheit), but I know it's a lot.. haha (It's 100.4 degrees - Mom checked)

I left the offices at 93 Kilos, and well, here in Pucallpa it's hot and I walk alot, the food isn't that filling.

I checked my weight when I was back in Lima, and I am now 86 Kilos !!!!!! I lost 7 kilos, that's like 18 pounds in 6 weeks !!!

I can't wait to see what these next 6 weeks do to me. I might be down to the weight I was as I entered the mission - 80 kilos!!! How great is that??