Dear family,
I´m going to write quickly so I can send pictures. The pictures are of me and my anticuchos, me and my llama friends, and the rama San Luis at the baptism of Celma.
Enjoy Alaska! I´m jealous that you all get to go. Also, I got a package from the Murrays. It was just a small package, but it cost 25 bucks to send. I'll be sure to write to them soon to thank them. I enjoyed the package from home so much. The skirt and the white shirt fit perfectly. The other one´s a little big, but maybe I´ll use it if I gain weight. I also enjopyed all the other stuff.
I got sicker during the week, and I had to call the ZL and he called the mission President´s wife. I was on some medicine to kill whatever was growing in my gut and I ate soup for two days, and now I´m better. The food in Peru is really hard on the NorthAmericans, and it´s not uncommon to have problems. But yeah, don´t worry about me, I´m fine. My pensionista is better than most of the others about food safety. We only drink water from Culligan type jugs, and we can´t ever eat strawberries, pork, lettuce, raw fish (ceviche) or anything off the streets. And by the way, there are alfajores, real ones'not packaged, and they are delicious.
We had the baptism of Celma yesterday, but the other joven didn´t get baptized. There is one guy, Guillermo, who goes to church every week with his daughter, and wants to get baptized, but he is separated from his wife and lives with another woman. A new divorce law is coming out in July, and he is planning on getting baptized in August. I´m excited because he is a stronger in the church than most of the members, and teh units are in desperate need of priesthood holders. Also, We are working with a family of menos activos so get them married, sealed, and the father receive the priesthood. They started reading the Book of Mormon and went to church yesterday. It made us so happy to see them with their two little kids in the church, and progressing towards the goals we set with them.
I know that the church is true, and I´m happy and healthy. Enjoy the reunion and send my saludo to the family. Love, Sarah
P.S. I think I still have my cut up t-shirts in a drawer somewhere for my t-shirt quilt...if you are bored. And I still got Carolyn´s letter.
Love, Sarah
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Dear Family,
This week is cambios, but I am staying here with my companion. The time has flown by. I got the package! I haven't actually looked through everything because I just got it at zone conference. It was opened, so I hope all the candy is still there. Thanks so much Mom. I see that it involves clothing. I also got a letter from Janet, thanks Jan. I was going to download pictures because I have some really good ones, but my companion always uses the computer that accepts USB cords. Maybe next week. Or maybe I can actually print pictures today and send some home. I have the feeling that my scrapbook is going to be full of my boring letters. But I really do have good pictures of the baptisms, and with my friend the llama and the llamita.
This week was tough at the start. We didn't have any progressing investigators, but we worked hard. I have been a little sick with a cold and stomach problems, so that made it a little harder, but we were really blessed at the end of the week. We had 5 investigators at church, an improvement of 5 from last week, and 2 are going to be baptized this week because they already have asistencias at church. One of the others is Juan, a 20 year old. His girlfriend is a member, and he is interested in the church, but for the past month he couldn't attend church because of his work. He lost his job this past week and went to church yesterday, and now is progressing. The Lord moves in a mysterious way.
Since you mentioned about the food, we are going to have anticuchos for lunch today. They are cow heart kabobs, and I hear they are very good. Did I tell you about tokosh? It's a food special to Huanuco that is disgusting. I haven't tried it, but the smell makes me want to barf. Basically it involves letting potatoes rot in riverwater and then eating the gooey mess. I also have had passion fruit, and a fruit called guanàbana or something like that, and a fruit from the jungle that looks like a cherry tomato and grows in a pod.
This week we helped a nonmember wash, and I became more grateful for washing machines. We helped her wash by hand her kids' diapers. She had already done the dirtiest part, and I was still grossed out. This lady is 23 years old and has 5 kids. I think I am already too late to catch up, but maybe Janet could. She is from the jungle where they get married, (not really married though!) at 13 or 14.
Thanks for all your love and support, in words, thoughts, prayers, and packages.
Love,
Sarah
This week is cambios, but I am staying here with my companion. The time has flown by. I got the package! I haven't actually looked through everything because I just got it at zone conference. It was opened, so I hope all the candy is still there. Thanks so much Mom. I see that it involves clothing. I also got a letter from Janet, thanks Jan. I was going to download pictures because I have some really good ones, but my companion always uses the computer that accepts USB cords. Maybe next week. Or maybe I can actually print pictures today and send some home. I have the feeling that my scrapbook is going to be full of my boring letters. But I really do have good pictures of the baptisms, and with my friend the llama and the llamita.
This week was tough at the start. We didn't have any progressing investigators, but we worked hard. I have been a little sick with a cold and stomach problems, so that made it a little harder, but we were really blessed at the end of the week. We had 5 investigators at church, an improvement of 5 from last week, and 2 are going to be baptized this week because they already have asistencias at church. One of the others is Juan, a 20 year old. His girlfriend is a member, and he is interested in the church, but for the past month he couldn't attend church because of his work. He lost his job this past week and went to church yesterday, and now is progressing. The Lord moves in a mysterious way.
Since you mentioned about the food, we are going to have anticuchos for lunch today. They are cow heart kabobs, and I hear they are very good. Did I tell you about tokosh? It's a food special to Huanuco that is disgusting. I haven't tried it, but the smell makes me want to barf. Basically it involves letting potatoes rot in riverwater and then eating the gooey mess. I also have had passion fruit, and a fruit called guanàbana or something like that, and a fruit from the jungle that looks like a cherry tomato and grows in a pod.
This week we helped a nonmember wash, and I became more grateful for washing machines. We helped her wash by hand her kids' diapers. She had already done the dirtiest part, and I was still grossed out. This lady is 23 years old and has 5 kids. I think I am already too late to catch up, but maybe Janet could. She is from the jungle where they get married, (not really married though!) at 13 or 14.
Thanks for all your love and support, in words, thoughts, prayers, and packages.
Love,
Sarah
Monday, June 16, 2008
Dear family,
Thanks for your letters and support. I got the family newsletter, with the program from Casie's baptism and the stamps. Thanks for that. I also got Rachel's wedding announcement. My companion was impressed by it. I sent a letter to the Mickelsens and the Murrays this week.
We had two more baptisms this week of Julio and Aldaeir. They both went well except for that they both started an hour late. Everything here is always late, and it drives me crazy. I'm trying to get my companion to work on controlling the time of our citas so we are on time to the following ones, but it's hard. I took pictures at all the baptisms, and when we have a p day with our companions, I will have them printed. It's kind of expensive though, so if I can send them home, I'm going to try to do that.
After our three baptisms, we don't have any more investigators with a baptism date, so we are working hard on that. We contacted a woman, Medaly, whose brother just left for a mission, and we are teaching her and her husband (not married). I have high hopes for this family. They are very receptive because of the brother on the mission. We also got a reference today of a family with 4 kids and they are really married, so that's really exciting. We have about 5 people who want to get baptized but can't because they aren't married and for various reasons can't or won't get married.
I haven't started teaching English yet because no one came the first week, but the Elder that initiated the classes made some flyers and we announced it, so people should come this week. The piano lessons fell through, which is fine with me because the barrio that wanted me to do it only has a keyboard, and it's hard to play on anyway.
This past week I gave 5 or 6 talks in church and at various activities. I'm learning how to quickly put a talk together on any subject.
One of the branches we are in is having trouble getting people to church. In March they had 70 to 100 people attending, but now they only have 30 or so. We are trying to figure out how to help them more. We are going to plan an actividad because the activities bring a lot of people, but if any one has suggestions on what to do, let me know.
Oh, I wanted to tell you that my pensionista was going to make cui--guinea pig--yesterday, but the only cui avaiable was tough, so she didn't buy it. We did have a lovely dish of chicken gizzards, the colon I believe it was. They are impressed that I eat whatever they give me. Last week for pday we had hamburgers, and they were really good!
I love you all, and I know that the church is true.
Sarah
I haven't had more trouble with hives or swollen fingers. We did have fleas, but I think we took care of that.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Dear Family,
Thanks for your letters and support. Congratualtions to Casie! Make sure when she goes out to Utah she gets involved in the student ward. Congrats to Janet for graduating. She made it after years of having to tell her to do her homework every night.
This week I had my first baptism, Jeanpierre Loyola Isidro, a ten year old boy. It was great to see a someone accept the gospel and get baptized. He was really excited, and he bore his testimony at the end really well. I am happy for him. Sometimes I get a little discouraged that we teach so many kids and youth when the branches here need strong members and priesthood holders, but then I think of all the members that say that they were baptized when they were youth.
We had a good experience this week when we were looking for a reference. We asked a family that was outside where it was, and we talked to them and they accepted an appointment for later in the week. I was excited because I am always looking for families to teach. When we went, it turned out that the Dad is a member, and he has a strong testimony. He wouldn´t tell us why he stopped going, but he was really glad we came, and we are going to continue working with him and his wife who is not a member. They aren´t marreid though, which is always a prolem with families. Also we have two more baptisms this week, a 9 year old boy, the cousin of the Jeanpierre, and a 14 year old boy. They are both good kids.
The conference with president Lindstrom was great. Sister Lindstrom came too, and that made me happy. The new president didn´t end up coming. I learned a lot and have a lot to work on.
This week there was a temblor in Huanuco, and a 5 point temblor in Lima. The one here was small, and didn´t do anything. It was more fun than anything else.
This week I got the card with the stamps, and a letter from Sister Murray and a bunch of Dear elders from you, whuich I haven´t read yet. Thanks for your letters. I am going to try to send pictures, but I have a slow computer, so I hope you get them.
I love you lots,
Sarah
Thanks for your letters and support. Congratualtions to Casie! Make sure when she goes out to Utah she gets involved in the student ward. Congrats to Janet for graduating. She made it after years of having to tell her to do her homework every night.
This week I had my first baptism, Jeanpierre Loyola Isidro, a ten year old boy. It was great to see a someone accept the gospel and get baptized. He was really excited, and he bore his testimony at the end really well. I am happy for him. Sometimes I get a little discouraged that we teach so many kids and youth when the branches here need strong members and priesthood holders, but then I think of all the members that say that they were baptized when they were youth.
We had a good experience this week when we were looking for a reference. We asked a family that was outside where it was, and we talked to them and they accepted an appointment for later in the week. I was excited because I am always looking for families to teach. When we went, it turned out that the Dad is a member, and he has a strong testimony. He wouldn´t tell us why he stopped going, but he was really glad we came, and we are going to continue working with him and his wife who is not a member. They aren´t marreid though, which is always a prolem with families. Also we have two more baptisms this week, a 9 year old boy, the cousin of the Jeanpierre, and a 14 year old boy. They are both good kids.
The conference with president Lindstrom was great. Sister Lindstrom came too, and that made me happy. The new president didn´t end up coming. I learned a lot and have a lot to work on.
This week there was a temblor in Huanuco, and a 5 point temblor in Lima. The one here was small, and didn´t do anything. It was more fun than anything else.
This week I got the card with the stamps, and a letter from Sister Murray and a bunch of Dear elders from you, whuich I haven´t read yet. Thanks for your letters. I am going to try to send pictures, but I have a slow computer, so I hope you get them.
I love you lots,
Sarah
Monday, June 2, 2008
Dear family
Thanks for your letter Mom, and for the recipes from the Mickelsons. I am doing well here. We are going to have a baptism this week of a 10 year old boy. His Mom is a member, but some of his family is a little anti, so he didn't get baptized at 8 years old. He bore his testimony in church yesterday, and it made me really happy. After the sacrament, the branch president stood up and said that there was time for everyone to bear their testimonies. We left to visit another branch, so we didn't, but I think everyone did. The keyboard is terrible, so i hope you can read this letter. We've been teaching boy who is 13 years old. We left him 3 Nefi 11 to read, and the next cita, when we asked him about it he told us exactly what happens in the chapter. I am excited for him to get baptized. If he goes to church this week, he will be baptized June 13. The people here will agree to do anything, but it's hard to actually get them to do it, especially go to church. I am looking for families to convert, but it's hard.
My knee, stomach and hip are all fine, Mom. It took about 2 weeks to get used to the food, but everything's fine. For some reason, my hands have been a little swollen latley, and I have had hives a little. If it gets worse, I'll worry about it, but for now, it doesn't bother me. Usually in the morning we have a hot drink, bread, and sometimes an egg or meat. Lunch is the big meal, and we usually have some sort of chicken with rice and potatoes. For supper, we have pan and chicken, usually leftovers from lunch. I am not used to the lack of sugar, so I am always craving cookies, ice cream, and sweet stuff. During the day if we are hungry we eat mandarinas, which are good. Last week. I had an ice cream cone, and it was so good.
Today President Lindstrom is coming with the new mission president for a conferencia and for interviews. I'm excited for that. Also I am going to give piano lessons and English lessons once a week. I'm fine with it, but I'm not sure how to give piano lessons to a group of youth with only one keyboard. Next week I am giving a talk in church on hermanamiento.
Congratualtions to Casie! I'm excited for her. Have Janet make sure that when she goes out to Utah she gets involved with her student ward.
Today I am going to try to mail a little package home. We get mail from the office every week, so I should get your letter soon. Also, I'll send pictures when I can. This week we are at a different internet place, and I can't send them. I might be able to print pictures today, and when I do, I'll send some home. And when I get stamps.
It's been a little cooler than usual, but I've enjoyed it. The people here think it's freezing and they wear coats, but it only gets down to probably 60 degrees.
I love you lots.
Sarah
Thanks for your letter Mom, and for the recipes from the Mickelsons. I am doing well here. We are going to have a baptism this week of a 10 year old boy. His Mom is a member, but some of his family is a little anti, so he didn't get baptized at 8 years old. He bore his testimony in church yesterday, and it made me really happy. After the sacrament, the branch president stood up and said that there was time for everyone to bear their testimonies. We left to visit another branch, so we didn't, but I think everyone did. The keyboard is terrible, so i hope you can read this letter. We've been teaching boy who is 13 years old. We left him 3 Nefi 11 to read, and the next cita, when we asked him about it he told us exactly what happens in the chapter. I am excited for him to get baptized. If he goes to church this week, he will be baptized June 13. The people here will agree to do anything, but it's hard to actually get them to do it, especially go to church. I am looking for families to convert, but it's hard.
My knee, stomach and hip are all fine, Mom. It took about 2 weeks to get used to the food, but everything's fine. For some reason, my hands have been a little swollen latley, and I have had hives a little. If it gets worse, I'll worry about it, but for now, it doesn't bother me. Usually in the morning we have a hot drink, bread, and sometimes an egg or meat. Lunch is the big meal, and we usually have some sort of chicken with rice and potatoes. For supper, we have pan and chicken, usually leftovers from lunch. I am not used to the lack of sugar, so I am always craving cookies, ice cream, and sweet stuff. During the day if we are hungry we eat mandarinas, which are good. Last week. I had an ice cream cone, and it was so good.
Today President Lindstrom is coming with the new mission president for a conferencia and for interviews. I'm excited for that. Also I am going to give piano lessons and English lessons once a week. I'm fine with it, but I'm not sure how to give piano lessons to a group of youth with only one keyboard. Next week I am giving a talk in church on hermanamiento.
Congratualtions to Casie! I'm excited for her. Have Janet make sure that when she goes out to Utah she gets involved with her student ward.
Today I am going to try to mail a little package home. We get mail from the office every week, so I should get your letter soon. Also, I'll send pictures when I can. This week we are at a different internet place, and I can't send them. I might be able to print pictures today, and when I do, I'll send some home. And when I get stamps.
It's been a little cooler than usual, but I've enjoyed it. The people here think it's freezing and they wear coats, but it only gets down to probably 60 degrees.
I love you lots.
Sarah
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