Dear Family,
We had an exciting week here. The conference with Elder Christofferson was great. He gave a great talk in which he gave us an apostolic blessing that we would be able to teach with power and authority, and we would not be confounded before men (D&C 100). He also said that in D&C 4, the sickle is the Libro de Mormon, and we should thrust it in with our might. Elder Costa of the presidency of the seventy also spoke, and Elder Christofferson's wife. They all spoke in Spanish. Sister Christofferson told us that she sympathized with us trying to learn Spanish. Elder Christofferson shook hands with all the missionaries, which was a big endeavor since there wer a bunch of us. There were all the missionaries from the 4 Lima missions, the CCM missionaries, and all the NorthAmericans that got kicked out of Bolivia. It was really fun to see missionaries that we haven't seen in months. I suppose it was how Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah felt when they found each other after 14 years of missionary work and they were still brothers in God. I got to sit by Hna Lucas, my CCM companion. She never got the letetrs I sent through the Peruvian mail (surprise). I also sent a letter to Jeff with her letter, so I suppose he never got his either.
We had three baptisms this week. I still don't have batteries for my camara, so I'll have to get the pictures from my comp. Andrea and Josselin, 12 and 13 years old, were baptized Saturday, and Juan, 22 years old, Sunday. The baptisms Saturday were actually a bad experience because we went to get Josselin, but she wasn't in her house. We went all over town looking for her, and in the meanwhile, the ward baptized Andrea. We missed her baptism. Later we found Josselin and baptized her. I probably would have done things differently, but I wasn't in charge. But they got baptized. Juan's baptism was great. He brought all his nonmember family and friends, plus the ward supported well. He is preparing to go on the mission.
Saturday we did a service project of picking rock on a mountain. It was pretty exciting, and I learned that picking rock is really hard work. After 3 hours, you couldn't tell that we had done anything. More of the rock and dirt ended up on my clothes. The purpose of the activity was to move a lady's house about 10 feet over so they can make a road up the mountain. The house is a crate box the size of my bedroom at home, and there is no floor or a real roof, so I think it would be easier just to move the lady's house somewhere else.
No, Mom, I don't blame you for the mail. Today an Elder told me that he got a package, and the candy was opened and half eaten. I'm certain that it's the Peru mail system. I can't believe Jennifer is engaged. I haven't written to her in a while becuase I haven't heard anything from her, but I'll write now. I have an idea for sending things. I spend my freetime thinking up ways my mail could get to me, and this was my latest thought; I always get the letters where the address is typed instead of handwritten. Maybe they are more likely to slip through without being stolen. Maybe you could try that, because I am running out of stamps, and Janet wants me to write to her more. She found out what it's like to get mail, so she said she would write more to me if I would write to her.
They haven't told us yet about transfers, so you'll have to wait to hear. I love you lots. Thanks for your love and support.
Sarah
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Dear family,
I am doing well here in Tilda. We have a lot of investigators and they are progressing well. Yesterday we had 7 investigators in church, and they are all people they can be baptized. Remember Pedro, my mariachi friend? He came to church! Really he came to talk to the bishop about something he does with kids sports, but he was there for 45 minutes in his suit jacket and everything.
Saturday we had our first baptism in Tilda, Marcelino. I bought new batteries so that I could take pictures, but I should have known. They were Peruvian made, and only lasted one picture. Hopefully I can get some of the pictures from my comp. We were happy to see him baptised because he is a real convert. The elders that share the capilla with us brought an investigator, and they were asked to give a talk at the baptism. It made me laugh because they read 3 Nephi 11:33, which is a great scripture about baptism, but they also read verse 34, which says that those who are not baptized will be condemned. Yesterday Marcelino was confirmed, received the priesthood, and was interviewed for a calling. Transfers are next week, and either my comp or I is going to be transferred. Neither of us want to because we have lots of investigoatrs and the ward supports us so much. Plus the pension is good. By the way, I weighed myself today. It cost a sol, but it was worth it. I weigh the same as when I went to the doctor in Huanuco, which surprised me because I thought I had gained weight.
We had our p'day with the hermanas. It was a lot of fun, and Pres Leyva took us to Alcomar, which is the tourist zone of Lima, probably where Dad goes when he comes to Peru. We ate at Tony Roma's. You guys don't even take me to Tony Roma's, and there is one 3 minutes from our house. I enjoyed it very much. Later I played Disney scene it with their duaghter. She likes me because she wants to go to BYU, and she wants to study biology, so we make a good team. I talked to Hermana Leyva about my mail that never arrives, and she said she checked in the office, and nothing has arrived there. She thinks you are writing the address wrong. I said I don't think so, and she said you could try to claim the packages at the post office. What I understand from that is that I'm not going to see the packages again. This week I got letters from Jo and Jan and Carolyn and Katrina.
This week we have a conference with elder Christofferson, which will be exciting.
In other news, there isn't much news. Oh yeah, this is funny. We have an investigator named Jesus, which is a normal name. He is the sobrino of the pensionista. She told us that his mom is named maria, and his dad is jose. So, we are teaching Jesus, the son of Joseph and Mary.
I'm sad that BYU lost. It made me so excited that they were doing well, but they always break under pressure. Tell Joe and Tracy and my namesake hi. I would love to hear from them.
I don't have any pictures to send because of the previously mentioned batteries, so thanks for your love and support.
Love,
Sarah
I am doing well here in Tilda. We have a lot of investigators and they are progressing well. Yesterday we had 7 investigators in church, and they are all people they can be baptized. Remember Pedro, my mariachi friend? He came to church! Really he came to talk to the bishop about something he does with kids sports, but he was there for 45 minutes in his suit jacket and everything.
Saturday we had our first baptism in Tilda, Marcelino. I bought new batteries so that I could take pictures, but I should have known. They were Peruvian made, and only lasted one picture. Hopefully I can get some of the pictures from my comp. We were happy to see him baptised because he is a real convert. The elders that share the capilla with us brought an investigator, and they were asked to give a talk at the baptism. It made me laugh because they read 3 Nephi 11:33, which is a great scripture about baptism, but they also read verse 34, which says that those who are not baptized will be condemned. Yesterday Marcelino was confirmed, received the priesthood, and was interviewed for a calling. Transfers are next week, and either my comp or I is going to be transferred. Neither of us want to because we have lots of investigoatrs and the ward supports us so much. Plus the pension is good. By the way, I weighed myself today. It cost a sol, but it was worth it. I weigh the same as when I went to the doctor in Huanuco, which surprised me because I thought I had gained weight.
We had our p'day with the hermanas. It was a lot of fun, and Pres Leyva took us to Alcomar, which is the tourist zone of Lima, probably where Dad goes when he comes to Peru. We ate at Tony Roma's. You guys don't even take me to Tony Roma's, and there is one 3 minutes from our house. I enjoyed it very much. Later I played Disney scene it with their duaghter. She likes me because she wants to go to BYU, and she wants to study biology, so we make a good team. I talked to Hermana Leyva about my mail that never arrives, and she said she checked in the office, and nothing has arrived there. She thinks you are writing the address wrong. I said I don't think so, and she said you could try to claim the packages at the post office. What I understand from that is that I'm not going to see the packages again. This week I got letters from Jo and Jan and Carolyn and Katrina.
This week we have a conference with elder Christofferson, which will be exciting.
In other news, there isn't much news. Oh yeah, this is funny. We have an investigator named Jesus, which is a normal name. He is the sobrino of the pensionista. She told us that his mom is named maria, and his dad is jose. So, we are teaching Jesus, the son of Joseph and Mary.
I'm sad that BYU lost. It made me so excited that they were doing well, but they always break under pressure. Tell Joe and Tracy and my namesake hi. I would love to hear from them.
I don't have any pictures to send because of the previously mentioned batteries, so thanks for your love and support.
Love,
Sarah
Monday, October 13, 2008
Dear family,
I am at a different internet place, and the keyboard is terrible, so thanks Mom for editing my letter. I enjoyed receiving my birthday emails, and a card from Grandma, and the YSA newsletter. I feel bad that people send me stuff and it doesn't arrive. Maybe it would be better just to not send anything for awhile. My bithday was good. The pensionista made a cake, which was delicious, but it was the first birthday I've had without ice cream.
The best birthday present was our Sunday night informe. We have 3 investigators with baptismal dates, 7 went to sacramnt meeting, and 5 are progressing. Th ward helps a lot with retention, friendshipping, and references. If all the wards and branches supported like this, the missionary work would move a lot faster in all the world. The family that called us to visit them came except for the mom. We found out that the litle girl in the family isn't really 8 years old. She's only seven. Apparently the half year before your birthday, you get to say you are already that age. So I've been 22 since April and I will be 23 next April.
The temple was great. It seemed so civilized and quiet and it smelled clean. I left my watch in the pocket of my dress, so now we ae late to everything and will be until I get a new watch.
Today all the hermanas are going to spend the day with Hna Leyva. I'm not sure what we are going to do, but I am excited. That's why we are doing our email early.
Today all the hermanas are going to spend the day with Hna Leyva. I'm not sure what we are going to do, but I am excited. That's why we are doing our email early.
I told you last week abou my mariachi friend, right? This week we saw him again, and he was in his complete mariachi suit with his guitar. He accompanied us down the street, playing and singing one of his religious mariachi songs. Everyone was looking at us, and we were trying not to laugh. He bought us water, and told us he would come to church if the bishop gave him 5 minutes to sing. I must have looked doubtful because he took it back. I wish I had my camera.
I don't really have anything else to say, so I'll send pictures.
I don't really have anything else to say, so I'll send pictures.
Love
Sarah
Monday, October 6, 2008
Dear family,
I am doing well and I am really happy here in Tilda. We have a lot of investigators, and the members keep giving us more references. We set a goal of 10 references this week, so we are working with the members a lot to receive them. We have our first baptism here, Marcelino, the 18th of October. It is the son of a member, and he is really happy with his decision. He doesn't talk much, I assume because he is a young man, and we are sister missionaries, but he always is happy when we come to teach. He went to three sessions of general conference, and made his mom buy him a suit so he could go to church. We are also teaching his sister and their grandmother. If we can, we want to baptize the sister and another youth the same day.
General conference was great. The ZL's told us we could only go if we brought investigators, so we worked really hard to get them there. Later they told us we could go anyway. Sunday morning I got to watch in English, which was better because you get to hear the actual voice of the speaker, and their exact words. Plus everyone didn't look at me when I sang the songs in English. Those who speak Spanish taped their talks earlier in Spanish and played it instead of being translated. Elder Gavarret, who spoke Sunday afternoon, is an area authority for Peru. In the last zone conference, he picked me out of the audience to give a talk. We also had zone conference this past week. It was good, but the best part was that after we got to go to Papa John's. Wow, food tastes so much better when you haven't had it for a long time. Even my companion liked the pizza, and she doesn't like much American food. Don't worry about the weight I lost, because I think I'm gaining it back here. I ate 5 pieces, which I thought was good, but the skinny elder next to me ate 9.
Last p'day we went to Plazavea, the Wal'mart of Peru. It was exciting because they had some American food like macaroni and cheese, snickers, and peanut butter. Expensive though. My companion I think was a little shocked that I would buy a jar of peanut butter for 15 soles.
We get to go to the temple this week, and we are having p'day that day. The zone is going to the zoo. But we still got to do email today.
I got some real mail today, which made me really happy. But nothing from my family.
So you want to know about my companion. She is very short and she is from Chiclayo, Peru. She likes ceviche. Her dad got baptized when she was 3 or 4, so she has pretty much been a member her whole life, which is rare in Peru. She has 2 older sisters and a younger brother.
I've had some fun experiences lately. There is a guy who must live in our area who came up to me shouting bad English phrases. I told him I spoke Spanish, but he continued with the terrible English. He told me he sings religious mariachi songs for birthdays, 15 anos, weddings and such, and then he gave me a mini concert there in the street. He gave me his card and we went on our way. I've seen him twice since then, but he hasn't sung to me lately.
Thanks for your love and support.
Love,
Sarah
Ps. how is BYU doing?
I am doing well and I am really happy here in Tilda. We have a lot of investigators, and the members keep giving us more references. We set a goal of 10 references this week, so we are working with the members a lot to receive them. We have our first baptism here, Marcelino, the 18th of October. It is the son of a member, and he is really happy with his decision. He doesn't talk much, I assume because he is a young man, and we are sister missionaries, but he always is happy when we come to teach. He went to three sessions of general conference, and made his mom buy him a suit so he could go to church. We are also teaching his sister and their grandmother. If we can, we want to baptize the sister and another youth the same day.
General conference was great. The ZL's told us we could only go if we brought investigators, so we worked really hard to get them there. Later they told us we could go anyway. Sunday morning I got to watch in English, which was better because you get to hear the actual voice of the speaker, and their exact words. Plus everyone didn't look at me when I sang the songs in English. Those who speak Spanish taped their talks earlier in Spanish and played it instead of being translated. Elder Gavarret, who spoke Sunday afternoon, is an area authority for Peru. In the last zone conference, he picked me out of the audience to give a talk. We also had zone conference this past week. It was good, but the best part was that after we got to go to Papa John's. Wow, food tastes so much better when you haven't had it for a long time. Even my companion liked the pizza, and she doesn't like much American food. Don't worry about the weight I lost, because I think I'm gaining it back here. I ate 5 pieces, which I thought was good, but the skinny elder next to me ate 9.
Last p'day we went to Plazavea, the Wal'mart of Peru. It was exciting because they had some American food like macaroni and cheese, snickers, and peanut butter. Expensive though. My companion I think was a little shocked that I would buy a jar of peanut butter for 15 soles.
We get to go to the temple this week, and we are having p'day that day. The zone is going to the zoo. But we still got to do email today.
I got some real mail today, which made me really happy. But nothing from my family.
So you want to know about my companion. She is very short and she is from Chiclayo, Peru. She likes ceviche. Her dad got baptized when she was 3 or 4, so she has pretty much been a member her whole life, which is rare in Peru. She has 2 older sisters and a younger brother.
I've had some fun experiences lately. There is a guy who must live in our area who came up to me shouting bad English phrases. I told him I spoke Spanish, but he continued with the terrible English. He told me he sings religious mariachi songs for birthdays, 15 anos, weddings and such, and then he gave me a mini concert there in the street. He gave me his card and we went on our way. I've seen him twice since then, but he hasn't sung to me lately.
Thanks for your love and support.
Love,
Sarah
Ps. how is BYU doing?
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