Please keep these Elders in your prayers

A few Elders who were recently called to the Peru Lima North Mission, are "stuck" in the Provo MTC. A few of them are Elder Ridge and Elder Layton (pictured here) and Elder Hyde (not pictured). They should have flown out to the CCM in Peru, mid July, but are having problems with their visas. If they haven't come through by August 20th, they will be temporarily assigned to another mission until they do. These Elders and their families could sure use our prayers in their behalf. Thanks !

Español/spanish:
Por favor, mantengan a estos Élderes en sus oraciones
Algunos Élderes que fueron recientemente llamados a la Misión Perú Lima Norte están “varados” en el CCM de Provo. Algunos de ellos son Élder Ridge y Élder Layton (los de la foto). Ellos debieron haber estado en el CCM de Perú, a mediados de Julio, pero están teniendo algunos problemas con sus visas. Si ellos no vienen a Perú hasta el 20 de agosto, serán temporalmente asignados a otra misión hasta que el problema de las visas se solucione. Estos Élderes y sus familias desean que oremos por ellos. ¡Gracias!

Português/Portuguese:
Por favor, mantenham aos Élder nas suas orações
Alguns Élderes que foram recentemente chamados à missão Peru Lima Norte estão “varados” no CTM de Provo. Alguns de eles são Élder Ridge e Élder Layton (os da foto). Eles deveram ter estado no CTM de Peru a mediados de Julho, mas estão tendo alguns problemas com suas visas. Se eles não vêm a Peru até 20 de Agosto, eles serão temporalmente designados a outra missão até que o problema das visas se solucione. Os Élderes e suas famílias desejam que oremos por eles. ¡Muito Obrigado!

A Good Meal

Gabo invited Elder Flores and Elder Rich to lunch at his house yesterday. He fixed Arroz con Pollo, which is "Rich with Chicken" - one of Landon's very favorite things to eat :)

Thank you Gabo !! You are the best :)

Español/spanish:
Buena comida
Gabo invitó a Élder Flores y a Élder Rich a almorzar en su casa ayer. Él Preparó arroz con pollo; una de las comidas favoritas de Landon.
¡Gracias Gabo! eres lo máximo 

Português/Portuguese:
Boa comida
Gabo invitou a Élder Flores e Élder Rich a almoçar na sua casa ontem. Ele preparou arroz com frango; uma das comidas favoritas de Landon.

I love being a missionary

I was thinking the other day... to be a missionary is such an awesome thing. We just carry something with us. It's the Spirit and Jesus Himself. When people see us, they just light up. The members, and just everyone. We carry such power I can't even believe it. I'm starting to notice it everyday a little more and a little more. I love being a missionary.

Español/spanish:
Amo ser un missionero
Estaba pensando el otro día…el ser un misionero es una cosa muy hermosa. Sólo llevamos algo con nosotros; eso es el espíritu de Jesús mismo. Cuando la gente nos ve, se alegran. Los miembros y cada uno de ellos. Nosotros llevamos un poder que no todavía no lo puedo creer. Lo estoy empezando a notar un poquito más cada día. Amo ser un misionero.

Português/portuguese:
Amo ser um missionario
Estava pensando o outro dia...o ser missionário é uma coisa muita maravilhosa. Só levamos algo com nós; isso é o espírito de Jesus mesmo. Quando a gente nos vê, se alegram. Os membros e cada um deles. Nós levamos um poder que ainda não o posso crer. Estou começando-o a notar um pouco mais cada dia. Amo ser um missionário

Prayers have been answered !!

Well, your prayers and fasting have been answered this week. Thank you all, for all you do for me back home. This week the numbers weren't any better, but the success was! We found 12 families that are married!!!!! You guys don't know the jungle, but that's rare. We're finally finding people that want to hear this gospel and need it in their lives. It's the chosen ones we're looking for, and thanks to God and all of your prayers this past week has been amazing. We had a good Sunday, with alot of members in the church and 4 investigators - a family! Right now we have 2 families with 8 baptisms we're preparing for, and we're planning on even more. We have sooooo many people to teach ... and also me and Elder Flores.. we're going great.... Never fighting, just laughing and playing and (everything is done) with the spirit. Teaching and helping one another and all the people. I love this mission and time is short here in the jungle. I can't believe I might be leaving in only 20 days.... scary to think about.. and then it will be September, how crazy is that?

Español/spanish:
¡Las oraciones han sido contestadas!
Tus oraciones y ayunos han sido contestados esta semana. Gracias por todo, por todo lo que haces por mí. En esta semana los números no fueron muy buenos, pero fue exitoso. ¡¡¡Encontramos 12 familias que están casadas!!! Chicos, ustedes no conocen la selva, es algo rara. Finalmente estamos encontrando personas que desean escuchar el evangelio y que lo necesitan en sus vidas; son los escogidos que queremos encontrar, y gracias por todas las oraciones en esta última semana ya que han sido sorprendentes. Tuvimos un buen domingo, con un montón de miembros en la capilla y 4 investigadores – ¡una familia! Ahora tenemos 2 familias con 8 bautismos los cuales estamos planeando en tenerlos, y estamos planificando muchos otros. Tenemos muchas personas a las que enseñar… y también a mí y a Élder Flores nos está yendo estupendo…no más roses, sólo riendo, jugando y (todo hecho) con el espíritu; ayudándonos el uno al otro y a todas las demás personas. Amo la misión y el tiempo es muy corto en la selva. No puedo creer que estaré yéndome en 20 días más… me da miedo de sólo pensarlo y luego será setiembre, ¿Cuán loco es verdad?

Português/Portuguese:
As orações têm sido contestadas!
As suas orações e jejuns têm sido contestados nesta semana. Obrigado por tudo, por tudo o que você face por mim. Nesta semana os números não foram muito bons, mas foi bem-sucedido. Encontramos 12 famílias que estão casadas!!!...Garotos, vocês não conhecem a selva, é muito rara. Finalmente estamos encontrando pessoas que desejam escutar o evangelho e que o precisam nas suas vidas; são os escolhidos que queremos encontrar, e graças por todas as orações já que têm sido surpreendentes. Tivemos um bom domingo, com muitos membros na capela e 4 investigadores – uma família! Agora temos 2 famílias com 8 batismos os quais estamos planeando em ter-los, e estamos planificando muitos outros. Temos muitas pessoas às que ensinar... e também a Élder Flores e a mim nos está indo estupendo...não há mais roces entre nós, só rindo jogando e (tudo feito) com o espírito; ajudando-nos mutuamente e a todas as demais pessoas. Amo a missão e o tempo são curtos na selva. Não posso crer que me estarei indo em 20 dias mais... me da medo de só pensar-lo e logo será setembro, Quão louco é verdade?

Letters from Home/Package rules

I got tons of letters and things this past Tuesday. Not my package, but it will come when they come for interviews. Only a month after my birthday, haha, it's all good.

I got the birthday cards from both grandparents and a letter from Grandma Rich. I also got the Dear Elder from Nate. Tell all these guys thanks and I will be writing back to them soon. I got the photos that you sent me for my converts, thank you so much, it's perfect. I also got the Church Hand Books for the Branch also, so thank you for that. It will help a ton.

I'm also happy to hear about Ian Fiek and all the younger guys who are getting ready to leave on missions. It makes me happy.

The mission has asked us to tell our parents that when sending packages, to not send dry meat or jerky, cheese, watches, used clothes, or ties, money or other objects of worth, I know we don’t have any problem there, just a reminder.

Español/spanish:
Cartas de casa/normas
Me llegaron toneladas de cartas y cosas el martes pasado. Mi paquete no, pero llegará cuando vengan para las entrevistas. Sólo un mes después de mi cumpleaños jajaja, está todo bien.
Tengo las cartas de cumpleaños que me enviaron mis abuelitos y una carta de la abuelita Rich. También tengo Dear Elder de Nate. Diles a todos los chicos ¡gracias! Y que les escribiré muy pronto. Tengo las fotos que me enviaste para mis conversos, muchas gracias, está perfecto. También tengo los manuales de la iglesia para las Ramas, ¡se pasaron; muchas gracias por ello! Ayudará muchísimo.
Estoy también feliz por oír sobre Ian Fiek y oír también de todos los hombres jóvenes quienes se están preparando para salir a la misión. Me hace tan feliz.
La misión nos dijo para decir a nuestros padres que cuando envíen encomiendas, que no envíen carne seca, queso, relojes de mano, ropa usada o corbatas u otros objetos de valor; yo sé que en eso no tenemos ningún problema, sólo para recordarles.

Português/portuguese
Cartas de casa/normas
Me chegaram muitas cartas e coisas a terça feira passada. Meu pacote não, mas chegará quando venham pras entrevistas. Só um mês depois de meu aniversário jajaja. Está tudo bem.
Tenho as cartas de aniversário que meus avós me têm enviado e uma carta da modéstia Rich. Também tenho Dear Elder de Nate. Tem que dizer a todos os garotos ¡obrigado! E que lhes escreverei de volta pronto. Tenho as fotos que me enviaste para meus conversos, muitas graças, está perfeito. Também tenho os manuais da igreja pras ramas, estou muito agradecido com vocês. Ajudará muito.
Estou também feliz por ouvir sob Ian Fiek e ouvir também de todos os homes jovens que se estão preparando para sair à missão. Me faz tão feliz.
A missão nos tem dito pra dizer a nossos papais que quando enviem pacotes, que não enviem carne seca, queijo, relógios de mão, roupa usada ou gravatas ou outros objetos de valor; eu sei que não temos problemas com isso. Só pra recordar-lhes.

Confrontation

"It's crazy….. a new event happened.... for the first time in my mission, and in a long time in my life, I yelled at someone. We were teaching a family that is amazing, but they live in a house behind the house of their parents, and their parents are of another faith. We knocked on the door to set an appointment and the Grandpa answered and oohhh booyyy."

"He came out and started shouting and said, "You’re the Mormons, right???" We said "Yep!" .. he said , "Just the people I want to talk to", "This house is (another faith), my son is (another faith) and married and baptized (in this other faith), and he doesn’t want anything to do with you guys". (He is talking about his son and his wife that were expecting us)


He said, "I am the owner of this house and you will never again return here and bother us". "I am the owner of this house", and I said, "Are you the owner of them?" (not yelling yet) and he yelled, "Yes!" and I yelled, "Are you the owner of their salvation!?!" and he yelled, "YES!", and we yelled a little back and forth and then I realized I was kinda shouting loud, and ya, he left and we left, and ya .. it will never happen again."

"I shouldn’t have yelled, but I did……."

Español/spanish:
Confrontación
Es tan loco...un nuevo suceso ha pasado… por primera vez en mi misión, y por un largo tiempo en mi vida, Grité a alguien. Estábamos enseñando a una familia que es sorprendente, pero ellos viven al lado de la casa de sus padres y sus padres son de otra fe. Tocamos la puerta para llamar a alguien y el abuelo contestó y OHH NO.
Él salió y comenzó a gritar y a decir: ¿Ustedes son los mormones verdad? Entonces nosotros dijimos SIP..él dijo esta casa es (de otra fe), mi hijo es (de otra fe) además es casado y bautizado en (esta otra fe) y él no quiere hacer nada con ustedes chicos. (él estaba hablando de su hijo y de su esposa que estaban esperándonos).
Él dijo: Soy el dueño de esta casa y ustedes no vendrán nunca más a aquí a hermanarnos. “Soy el dueño de esta casa” y yo dije: ¿Es es dueño de ellos? (sin gritar aún) y él gritó, “SI”, y yo grité; ¿Es el dueño de sus salvaciones? Y él gritó “SI”, y estábamos gritándonos el uno al otro un poco hasta que llegamos a gritar muy fuerte, luego él se fue y nosotros también. Eso nunca más pasará.
“No debí gritar…..pero lo hice”

Português/ Portuguese
Confrontação
É tão louco...um novo acontecimento tem passado... por primeira vez em minha missão, e por um longe tempo em minha vida, gritei a alguém. Estávamos ensinando a uma família que é surpreendente, porém eles vivem ao lado da casa de seus papais e seus papais são de outra fé. Tocamos a porta para chamar a alguém e o avó contestou e OHH Não.
Ele saiu e começou a gritar e dizer: Vocês são os mórmons verdade? Então nós dissemos SIM...ele disse esta casa é (de outra fé), o meu filho é (de outra fé) ademais é casado e batizado em (esta outra fé) e ele não quer fazer nada com vocês garotos. (ele estava falando do seu filho e da sua esposa que estavam esperando-nos).
Ele disse: Sou dono de esta casa e vocês não verão nunca mais aqui irmanar-los. ”Sou o dono de esta casa” e eu disse: É você dono deles? (sem ainda gritar) y ele gritou, “SIM”, e eu gritei; É você dono das suas salvações? E ele gritou “SIM”, e estávamos gritando-nos os dois até que chegamos a gritar muito forte, logo ele se foi e nós também. Isso nunca mais passará.
“Não devi gritar...mas o fiz”

More interesting food

"This week I ate two things I have never eaten in my life. I ate clams and octopus. I ate two different kinds of clams and the octopus wasn’t too bad, haha.. it was good. This week has been filled with seafood."

Note from mom: You would think that Landon might have had clam chowder growing up, but he never did. Anyway, I don't think these clams would be your typical American clam chowder :)

Español/spanish:
Más comidas interesantes:
“En esta semana comí dos cosas que nunca pensé comer en mi vida. Comí calamar y pulpo. Comí dos tipos diferentes de almejas pero el pulpo no estuvo nada mal jajaja… estaba bueno. Esta semana ha estado llena de comida marina”
Nota para mamá: Pensarías que Landon habría crecido con chupe de almejas, pero él no lo hizo, de todos modos, no creo que estas almejas serían para hacer el típico chupe americano.

Portugués/Portuguese:
Mais comidas interessantes:
“Nesta semana comi duas coisas que nunca pensei comer em minha vida. Comi lula e polvo. Comi dois tipos diferentes de ameijoas, mas o polvo não esteve nada mal jajaja...estava bom. Esta semana tem estado enche de comida marina”
Nota para mamai: Pensaria você que Landon tem crescido com sopa de ameijoas, porém ele não o fiz, de todos os modos, não creio que estas ameijoas seriam para fazer uma sopa americana.

A Better Week

This week wasn’t any better in success or numbers.. but overall it was better. We had better lessons, we sang and prayed in every lesson, and let's just say I'm a singing man now. I never thought I would like to sing, but it's ok, haha.

We're for sure seeing the hand of Satan in the work. With all the effort of getting a Stake here in Tarapoto, Satan is for sure working hard. But I was thinking, "Does God let Satan work on us??" Good question, huh? We are for sure being tested.. us… the members… the leaders… the investigators, everyone. In all sorts of ways.

We have people that we are teaching, but nobody is progressing. We didn’t have anyone of our investigators attend the church.. we don't have any baptisms coming up, and it’s a tough time right now, but it will get better. Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I need all I can get right now. Dad, Thanks for your advice. It's always the best. You’re the hardest worker I know, and I will work like that in my mission.

One thing that is going better is our companionship. It's going good now. We aren't butting heads anymore, we're actual friends. It's going better. We're not being prideful anymore.

I love you all. Take care…

Español/spanish:
Una semana mejor

Esta semana no fue tan buena en éxito o números… pero a pesar de todo fue buena. Tuvimos mejores lecciones, cantamos y oramos en cada lección y digamos que estoy cantando ahora, nunca pensé que me gustaría cantar, pero está bien jajaja.
Estamos seguros que Satanás está metiendo su mano en esta obra. Con todo el esfuerzo de ser una Estaca acá en Tarapoto. Satanás de seguro está trabajando muchísimo. Pero me puse a pensar, ¿Dios deja a Satanás obrar en nosotros? Buena pregunta ¿no? Estamos de seguro siendo probados, nosotros, los miembros, los líderes, los investigadores y cada uno de nosotros, de cualquier tipo y maneras.
Tenemos personas a las cuales estamos enseñando, pero nadie está progresando. No tuvimos a ninguno de nuestros investigadores en la capilla, no tenemos ningún bautismo que esté cerca, y es un tiempo duro ahora, pero mejorará. Gracias por todas sus oraciones y pensamientos, gracias por tus palabras de aliento, necesito todo lo que pueda conseguir ahora. Papá, gracias por tus consejos, son siempre los mejores, eres el más trabajador y lo sé, y trabajaré así en mi misión.
Una cosa que está yendo mejor es nuestro compañerismo. Está todo bien ahora. No estamos teniendo problemas de ningún tipo. Somos amigos ahora. Está bien, ya no estamos molestándonos.
Amo todo y cuídense mucho.

Português/Portuguese
Uma semana melhor
Esta semana não foi tão boa em êxito ou números...pero a pesar de todo foi boa. Tivemos melhores lições, cantamos e oramos em cada lição e digamos que estou cantando agora, nunca pensei que eu gostaria cantar, pero está bem jajaja.
Estamos seguros que Satanás está metendo sua mão nesta obra. Com todo o esforço de ser uma Estaca cá em Tarapoto. Satanás de seguro está trabalhando muito. Pero estava pensando, Deus deixa que Satanás obre em nós? Boa pergunta verdade? Estamos de seguro sendo provados, nós, os membros, os líderes, os investigadores e cada um de nós, de qualquer tipo e maneiras.
Temos pessoas às quais estamos ensinando, pero ninguém está progredindo. Não tivemos a nenhum de nossos investigadores na capela, não temos nenhum batismo que está cerca, e é um tempo muito difícil agora, mas melhorará. Graças por todas suas orações e pensamentos, graças por suas palavras de fôlego, preciso tudo o que possa conseguir agora. Papai, graças por seus conselhos, são sempre os melhores, você é o mais trabalhador e eu o sei, trabalharei como você em minha missão.
Uma coisa que está melhorando é nosso companheirismo. Está tudo bem agora. Não estamos tendo problemas de nenhum tipo. Somos amigos agora. Está bem, já não estamos incomodando-nos.
Amo tudo e se cuidam muito.

Tarapoto apartment continued.........

At the Peru Parents Party we had last week, I was asked about the bathroom situation in Landon's apartment. The video I had posted a few days ago didn't show it, and they were afraid it would be like his FIRST apartment........

YIKES !!!

But I am happy to say that it is MUCHO better :) Check out this second video.

Español/spanish:
El apartamento de Tarapoto continúa………
En la fiesta que tuvimos la semana pasada, estuve preguntando sobre la situación del baño en el apartamento de Landon. El vídeo que colgué unos días antes no lo mostró, y estaban un poco preocupados, sería como este primer apartamento….
Pero Estoy feliz de decir que está mucho mejor ….Chequea este segundo vídeo.

Português/portuguese
O apartamento de Tarapoto continua.....
Na festa que tivemos a semana passada, estive perguntando sob a situação do banho no apartamento de Landon. O vídeo que carreguei no internet uns dias antes não o mostrou, e estavam um pouco preocupados, seria como este primeiro apartamento.....
Mas estou feliz de dizer que está muito melhor ....faça um check-up a este segundo vídeo.

Sunday Lesson

"You all probably don't have a problem with this, it's just something that I want to help everyone with. In the church, be reverent.. Don't talk during the talks in sacrament meeting.. Listen and pay attention and learn.. Be as reverent as you can be..... Don't play, just read the scriptures and listen and the same goes in the classroom... Participate and learn and things will go alot better..."

Español/Spanish
Lecciones Dominicales
“Tú quizás no tengas un problema con esto, es algo con lo que quiero ayudar a los demás. En la iglesia, ser reverente.. No hablar durante los mensajes en la reunión sacramental.. Escucha, pon atención y aprende. Se tan reverente como puedas…. No juegues, sólo lee las escrituras y escucha; lo mismo es para los salones…Participa y aprende y las cosas mejorarán”

Português/portuguese
Lições dominicais
“Você talvez não tenha um problema com isto, é algo com o que quero ajudar aos demais. Na igreja, ser reverente... Não falar durante as mensagens na reunião sacramental...Escute, ponha atenção e aprenda. Sê tão reverente como você possa... Não jogue, só lê as escrituras e escute; o mesmo é para os salões...Participe e aprenda e as coisas melhoraram”

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

When we went to internet last week, there was a white family and I tried to speak English with them and it was hard!!! Let's just say it will be really really hard when I come home. You will have to help me speak English while I help you speak
The zoo was good last week. It wasn't what I expected. We saw monkeys and a mountain cow, haha, and giant rats. That was cool, but the coolest part was when Elder Foutz got bit by a HUGE ant called "Siquesapa" - It was hilarious. He was jumping up and down, but it wasn't that painful - no worries...

Español/spanish
Probabilidades y extremos
Cuando nos fuimos a internet la semana pasada, Hubo una familia norteamericana y traté de hablarles en inglés y fue ¡¡difícil!!..Digamos que sólo será requete-archi-difícil cuando regrese a casa. Me tendrás que ayudar con mi inglés y yo te ayudaré con el español.
Todo está bien aquí, No hace mucho calor, realmente está siendo un poquito fresco en las noches…helado, bueno no helado, pero para mí si, porque suelo estar más caliente jajajaja. Estoy usando camisas con manga larga los domingos, y me da muchísimo calor, estoy sudando siempre, pero estoy acostumbrado.
El zoológico estuvo bueno la semana pasada, no fue lo que esperaba, vimos monos y vacas jajaj y ratas gigantes, ¡fue tan chévere!, pero lo más chévere fue que A Élder Foutz le mordió una hormiga enorme llamada “Mamaco”, fue tan chistoso, él estuvo saltando de arriba hacia a bajo, pero la hormiga no lo lastimó, así que no se preocupen.

Português/portuguese:
Probabilidades e extremos
Quando nós fomos à internet a semana passada, Houve uma família de Norte América e tentei de falar com eles em inglês e foi difícil!...Digamos que só será tão difícil quando volte a casa. Você me terá que ajudar com meu inglês e eu vou ajudar a você com o espanhol.
Tudo está bem aqui, Não faz muito calor, realmente está sendo um pouco frio nas noites...gelado, bom não gelado, porém pra mim é assim, porque costumo estar mais esquentado jajajaja. Estou usando camisas com manga comprida os domingos, e me da muito calor, estou suando sempre, mas estou acostumado.
O zoológico esteve bom a semana passada, não foi o que esperava, vimos macacos e vacas jajaja e ratas gigantes, foi muito divertido!, Mas o mais divertido foi que Élder Foutz foi mordido por uma formiga enorme chamada “Mamaco”, foi tão divertido, ele esteve saltando de arriba para baixo, mas a formiga não o lastimou, assim que não preocupem-se.

While the kids are away...........

........the parents will play !

We had a great get together at Dickson Farm in Morgan, Utah yesterday. Thank you so much for coming. We hope to make this an annual event - even AFTER our Elders get home, so if we missed you this year, plan on NEXT YEAR - the Saturday BEFORE the 24th of July. Check out the pics here.
Español/Spanish:
Mientras los chicos están fuera…………
………..¡Sus padres jugarán!
Estuvimos juntos en la Granja Dickson en Morgan, Utah ayer. Muchas gracias por venir, Ansiamos hacer de esto un evento anual, incluso después que nuestros Élderes estén de vuelta en casa, así que si perdiste este año, planéalo para el año próximo, un sábado antes del 24 de Julio. Mira las fotos.

Português/Portugueses:
Enquanto os meninos estão fora............
................Seus pais jogarão!
Estivemos juntos na Granja Dickson em Morgan, Utah ontem. Muito abrigado por vir, Nós queremos fazer de isto um evento anual, inclusive depois que nossos Élderes estejam de volta em casa, assim que se perdeste este ano, programe-o, para o próximo, um sábado antes do 24 de julho. Mire as fotos.

The Wise Man Built His House Upon A Rock

"We did some service this past week, helping tear down a house and build a new one. There were like 7 of us, and we worked for an hour and a half. Unfortunately, we didn't get much done. It will probably take about 4 days to complete it. It made me miss working at the property and on the farm with my Dad. Haulin' hay, ridin' on the tractor... I was like, "Look for something to do, organize stuff, pick up trash, help out". I am proud to have been raised by parents, and in a family who knows how to work. We have a name for working, and I love it. I love you Dad... thanks for everything."

Español/Spanish:
El hombre sabio construye su casa sobre una roca
Hicimos un poco de servicio la semana pasada, ayudando a derribar una casa y construir una nueva. Hubo como 7 de nosotros, y trabajamos por una hora y media. Desafortunadamente no hicimos mucho, probablemente tomará 4 días para terminar de construir la casa. Me hizo recordar cuando trabajaba en nuestra propiedad y en la granja con mi papá. El remolque, manejando el tractor…estaba como; “Buscando algo que hacer, organizar cosas, recoger la basura, ayudar” Estoy muy orgulloso de haber crecido con padres y con una familia que sabe cómo trabajar, sé que tenemos un nombre para el trabajo y me gusta mucho. Te amo mucho papá…..Gracias por todo.

Português/portuguese:
O home sábio constrói sua casa sob uma rocha
Fizemos um pouco de serviço a semana passada, ajudando a derrubar uma casa e construir uma nova, Havia como 7 de nós, e trabalhamos por uma hora e media. Desafortunadamente não fizemos muito, provavelmente tomará 4 dias para terminar de construir a casa. Me fez lembrar quando trabalhava em nossa propriedade e na granja com meu pai. O reboque, manejando o trator...estava como, “Procurando algo que fazer, organizar coisas, recolher o lixo, ajudar” Estou muito orgulhoso de haver crescido com pais e com uma família que sabe como trabalhar, sei que temos um nome pra o trabalho e gosto muito de isso. Amo-te muito pai....Muito obrigado por tudo.

Gulp !

"We ate a lunch yesterday, and for the first time in my life I ate chicken feet. They served us rice and chicken feet. You put it in your mouth and suck and chew the meat and fat off the bone, and then spit the bone out."

Español/spanish:
¡Trago!
Comimos un almuerzo ayer, que por primera vez en mi vida comí patitas de pollo, nos sirvieron con arroz y patitas de pollo. Lo pones en tu boda y chupas y sacas la carne de los huesillos y luego tiras los huesillos.

Português/Portuguese:
Trago!
Comemos um almoço ontem, que por primeira vez na minha vida comi pé-de-galinha, nos servirem com arroz e pé-de-galinha. O pões em sua boca e chupa e saca a carne dos ossos e logo lança os ossos pra fora.

The work goes on........

"Well family and friends... I'm here in Tarapoto and it's going good... We are working... We have a matrimony (marriage) and baptism set for this end of week and it should be good. A family - so I'm excited for that. They have so much faith. They recently moved from Tarapoto to Picota, which is like an hour away in car. Every end of week (weekend) they will be coming back until they get married and baptized and Carlos (the dad?) has the priesthood, then from there they will stay in Picota until the Stake comes here in December, and the church hopefully will expand out to them."

"We have more families to teach, but they aren't progressing as fast as I would like them to. I have to be patient. I thought I was a patient person, but I learned and am learning, that there are many levels of patience with yourself and others. This week I'm working on humility. All is well here. I'm good of health and I'm ready to finish up the work here in Tarapoto."

"We're planning to have a month of perfection in August, so pray for us. A month of perfection is a baptism every week, with 5 invites in the church, and 15 lessons with and without members. It's tough, but we are going to do it. I'm learning so much and I love the scriptures. This is preparing me for my life with my own family and for my life eternal with my Lord. I love this work. Take care everyone, love Elder Landon Lee Rich"

Landon's apartment in Tarapoto

Proclaiming the Gospel

"Behold, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should proclaim my gospel from land to land, and from city to city, yea, in those regions round about where it has not been proclaimed." - Doctrine & Covenants 66:5

Mountains like Morgan

I mentioned to Landon in a previous email, that I thought the mountains near Tarapoto looked alot like "Utah" mountains.

He agreed, until you get "up close and personal".

The Straight and Narrow

"Strive hard to stay on the right path, especially with families. Satan attacks first in the families before anything else... always remember that.. Stay close to your Father in heaven... the world is a changing place with changing morals... we need to be steadfast and steady in our spots, and overcome Satan in all we can... pray...... read.. and go to church..." - Elder Landon Lee Rich

"Remember, Remember, keep your eye on the Plan. This is all a part of that Plan. Use your agency to draw closer to Him. You are far strong. You are valiant. You are steadfast and immovable in your faith. You are His and He is with you. Live up to who you REALLY are" - Stephanie Waite

Faith Precedes the Miracle

For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith. Ether 12:12


Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. Moroni 7:42

"It will be good. We're going to put some new things into work and it will be better. We will have exito (success) in August. It will be good."

I'm glad Landon has faith.

Bad Night

"I have been so lucky and healthy throughout all my mission and finally, 8 months 24 days and 3 hours since I was set apart, for the first time in my mission.... after eating all sorts of things and everything, I was sick!!! I was sooo mad haha.. I fell asleep fine, and woke up at midnight and didn't feel too good. I knew I had to throw up, but I couldn't, and finally at 3 in the morning, ohhh booyyy. Then I couldn't sleep all the night and ya.. I was bad all Thursday, but we still worked. I rested a bit and I got a blessing, and I am fine, perfectly fine.. It was the 24 hour flu and now I'm fine..."

"Mom, no worries about me. During my agony in that night, I thought.. "Man, how nice it would be to have my mom here to comfort me and take care of me", haha... Even though I have (am) 20 years old, I still think about you taking care of me. I love you Mom..."

I'm staying put.............in Tarapoto

"I'm staying here with Elder Flores for another change. I'm glad I'm staying. I will be here until the end of August. The work here in this area is tough right now, and I'm struggling a little bit. We're not having much success and not many people are progressing, but we're getting there.........things will change, starting today..... We're going to put some new things to work and it will be better. We will have exito (success) in August. It will be good. I hope this change goes better for us. I love you all, please keep praying for me and my companion, and the people we're teaching. The Lord will do the rest..... Thanks for all your words of encouragement. I need them.... I'm having a tough time right now with a few things, but hey, it's life. Things will get better and time will fly. It's the way of the Lord."

The Church in South America

Thanks to Elder Layton's blog for this link.

Elder Herdt - what a funny guy !

The Sons
Herdt, Rich, Peterson









The Moms
Peterson, Rich, Herdt

"That's so awesome about the get together you guys had with Elder Herdt's family. And also about Elder Herdt being assigned to the mission offices, I didn't know that - that's cool! Good for him (Elder Herdt will be serving as the financial clerk for 6 months). But I'm glad I'm in the field, haha, man it's been awhile and will be awhile till I see all my friends again."

The Herdt family is from Vegas. Elder Herdt entered the MTC the same day as Landon, and they became really good friends, along with Elder Woolf (Texas) and Elder Peterson (Kaysville). We were able to visit with the Herdt's over the 4th of July weekend, at a cabin in the mountains east of Heber City. It was great !

Check out a funny video of crazy Elder Herdt. I can hardly wait to meet that kid :)

A letter to my friends

To my fellow classmates and missionaries.... How much I love you, and can't explain.... In all the parts of the world, speaking more than 5 different languages.. How great is this work!

This past weekend was the day Joseph Smith was martyred. Doing what? The same work we are doing today. We should work every day like he worked his whole life.

I'm having the best time in my life right now, and I can't believe most of you have one year or will be returning soon. It's crazy, only two changes more, and I will have a year.

Remember we're being blessed. We need to work hard and be obedient and the Lord will provide the way...... I love you all.... I love this work and I love my Savior, and He is with us as we walk... take care... from Tarapoto, Peru.....Elder Landon Lee Rich

Who is he writing this letter to? Check it out here.

Lunch with Members

"We have started eating lunch in the homes of the members.. It's been interesting so far. To start off, the first meal of the month..... cow stomach, haha. Well, I starting eating it, and I knew it wasn't meat, and I thought it was cow stomach, but I didn't say anything, because if I let it get to my mind, I might throw up... But I was surprised.. You couldn't really taste the difference, there was vegetables and rice and cow stomach and it all tasted the same, and it was good.

We have also had arroz choufa (fried rice), a soup called inchicapi, gabo tuvimos, papa la hauncayina,lomo saltados, and bistek wtih pure y arroz. It's been good.... It's helping the members alot... "

From Elder Woolf's email: "It’s a great blessing for us and the members. They can receive the blessings of service and sacrifice. And we can get to know them better so that we can work as a team."

Today is Paro Nacional in Tarapoto

No one is working today - not even the missionaries !

This is a day of "unemployment" that is observed every year.

“A force measurement to emphasize the change of the economic policy, fights against the rise of the life cost, general increase of pays, wages and pensions, the cease of the repression and violence against the workers, the cease of the privatizations, unrestricted defense of the natural resources, attention to the agrarian agenda, attention to the social security, solution to the problems of workers.”

Gabo reports that all shops, schools and roads are closed. Everyone walks to where they need to go. I guess the missionaries will get a lot of studying done today !

Don't worry

The latest earthquake in Peru is no where near Landon.

Working Hard and Learning Much

This past week has been good…. I learned a lot and I'm working hard... You won't recognize me when I get home, I'm learning so much.

This change (6 week period) in Tarapoto is slow - but fast. Let me explain.... it's fast because, wow - next time I email I will let you guys know the change (where he's going next), but slow because the work is kinda slow.. We find new people to teach every day, but they don't progress. I'm working hard, but right now we're not having success in baptizing, but we're spreading the gospel to hundreds of people every week.. Teaching them about the restored gospel....

The people are great... I love the members, and I have such good friends here.. Gabo, Marco, and all the members. I love Spanish. I love speaking it, but I have to get better. Right now I can speak fluently, but my grammar, well that's a different matter. But I will get better. I can understand everything, and I can respond good. I don't sound like a white guy speaking Spanish, so that's good. I sound like a Latin, so that's good. It's just the little things.

I'm doing great in health - haven't been better... Ya know I'm a pretty lucky kid. I haven't been sick with anything of the stomach or anything, knock on wood... haha, it's truly a gift of God. I was studying the other day in D & C, Section 46, I think it is, and Moroni 10, about the gifts of God.... It's amazing how many gifts I have. I'm striving to reach all of them.. and that should be our goal...

More Pics !!

Check them out -

Pics from Multizona

Pics from Painting at Diego's

Pics from A rooftop

Pics from Landon's birthday

Happy 20th Birthday Landon !

Landon had a special birthday dinner fixed especially for him by his friend Josê Gabriel Arévalo (Gabo). He had his favorite Papa ala Huancaina, and also, Lomo saltado, which is a dish of marinated steak, vegetables and fried potatoes, usually served over white rice. It is one of the most popular recipes in Peru.

Gabo also got Landon a beautiful Cake.

I am so glad that Landon had a wonderful birthday, with good friends.

Click here to view a video of Landon cutting his cake. Gabo is standing (to Landon's left) and Marco, another friend sits down at the table opposite Landon, and Elder Flores (Landon's companion) is taking the video, and also mugs for the camera.
To view all the birthday pictures, click here.

Happy 4th of July

Waterfall Video

Landon first visited this water fall in May. And you wonder why I worry about him getting too close to the edge !

Interesting food......

I had an INSTANT MESSAGE session today with Gabo, and he said that the missionaries in Tarapoto are starting to eat their lunches in member's homes. This is new, and just started a few days ago.

He said the Landon was enjoying it, and today had a real treat ! It's called "cau- cau". He said that Landon had previously said that he would NEVER eat THAT Peruvian food, but I guess he had to literally EAT his words today.

Want to see a picture??

Take a guess - what do you think it is? I guessed that the chunks were potatoes, and I was right........but what is the MEAT?................looks kind of "fatty" with a skin or lining of some sort....... It is Cow STOMACH !!

Gabo assures me that it is yummy, and he said the Landon actually enjoyed it very much.
I'm going to be able to feed that boy ANYTHING when he gets home :)

Anniversaries

It's crazy.. I was looking back at all my anniversaries. It has been 1 year since I received my call.... This Saturday I will be 20, and have 1 year of endowment (Landon went to the temple for the first time on his birthday last year). I completed 3 years of having my (Patriarchal) blessing, and also this past week was the anniversary of, Joseph Smith's martyrdom. I would encourage you all to think back about the important dates in your life, and reflect on how you're doing since then, on keeping those covenants and just remembering the important things in life. Strive to find the little important things, for example; the family.. strive to have a happy family and to be eternal.... meaning.. GO to the temple and get sealed... It will be the best thing in your life. I love you all and wish you the best.... Love Landon

Yo tengo un buchisapa (Boo-chee-sawpa)

Last week, Landon's heading on his email said this (see above). He bet that we could NOT translate what it said, and he was right. I put it through a couple of different translators, and no luck. It is actually some jungle "slang", a modified version of Quechua (Ket-chu-wa).

Landon Walker, a former Peru Lima North missionary came in my office a few days ago, and I asked him if HE knew what it said. He translated it immediately - "I have a POT BELLY". I told OUR Landon in this last email, that we knew what it meant, and this is what he had to say:

"I'm getting pretty chubby here in the mission, but it's just the jungle. The food here is heavy, like fried bananas, haha, yes they are good by the way... and just fried everything. But I will lose my gut before I come home, don't worry Kacey hahahahaha."

Sharing the Gospel

"This week has been really good... We contacted a lot of people. Our goal is to contact 10 people everyday..... so that's 70 people every week.. Do the math.. It's a lot of people in 2 years, and we actually contact and talk probably double that every week. It's amazing, the work of the Lord... This week in 6 days, we talked and spread the gospel with 128 people, and you know how many of those are going to get baptized? ONE, if we're lucky. "

"The references of the members are the most important thing in the world, because they know the people, they know what their life is what they're going through, and they can help in the process of their baptism. I want to encourage all of you at home, everyone who reads this email to every week, think of someone who you can share the gospel with.. a non member.. and give their name to the missionaries and assist them in their process of baptism. I know you're thinking wow, everyone I know are members, but it's not like that, you know there are people who aren't.. your neighbors or classmates.. SHARE the gospel please.. it's the most important thing in the world."

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."