Dearest Family,
Thanks for always wriing to me Mom. I hadn't got my flight plans yet, but I assume they will give me them today. The flight to Atlanta is long. Good thing I have my crossword puzzle book to keep me entertained. I am excited to come home. I was planning on sending a menu for the week I'll be home, but today they announced that pouch ceased its existence, and they returned all letters written in the last two months. Sorry Jenae, I wrote you a really good letter, but I'll just read it to you in a month when I'm back out in Utah. But my first night, I request taco salad and corn on the cob and ice cream. And one night a barbecue and/or campfire. I have a whole list, but I don't have time to type it all up. I have another request too. I want to watch the episodes of the Office that I have missed in the mission, so if you could somehow get a hold of that, I will be happy staying up all night with a bowl of peanut butter cup ice cream, and the office.
The picture from the reunion is good, and I was surprised at how big the little cousins are. I guess it's been awhile since I've seen some of them. We keep working. My companion is sometimes overly excited and doesn't want to stop working to eat dinner, but I make us eat dinner because the first time we skipped it she started complaining about how hungry she was. We had a baptism this week, a 17 year old named Anthony. He was an investigator for a long time, and finally got baptized. This week we have another planned, Carlos. He met the missionaries in Novmber, but had a hard time giving up alcohol. He is clean now, and is excited to finally get baptized. They will both be good members, and they will help their respective branches where priesthood holders are lacking.
In other news, my last pàir of shoes broke today. I fixed them up sort of with a needle and tread, but I don't know of they will hold out three more weeks. Hopefully they will, because I'm not going to buy another pair to go home. I'll just wear my sneakers with my skirt.
The gripe porcina is raging here in Peru. They extended winter vacations for all students, and they are canceling church youth activities, and in some places church. I was embarrased because I had a cold, and was coughing and sneezing in church, and everyone noticed. They have put fliers all over about how if you have a cough you shouldn't leave your house, but I'm a missionary, and it wasn't the swine flu, just a cold. I'm afraid I'm going to get the dreaded illness and they won't let me go home.I got my letter about my after mission goals. The list is extensive, including a list of qualities I want in my future husband. Everyone is teasing me that I'm going to get married fast, and I don't know why.
Also this week we are going to have my last zone conference. They are working on sending the missionaries assigned to Bolivia back there, plus a big group is finishing, so the mission is going to be lacking missionaries.
Thanks for your love and support,Sarah
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
We had a baptism last week, and we have another or possibly 2 this week. I'm happy because we had 12 in sacrament meeting. Don't worry about the coming home stuff. The president's sec called me and is doing everything. I said that I wanted to fly into Mosinee or Appleton.
We did a service project this week in Manchay, the ugliest part of Lima. It involved throwing rocks in a pile. We all loved it. I think that is probably the land of desolation mentioned in the Book of Mormon.
We got to go to the temple! It was my first time in 8 months. I was happy because there was an American couple presiding in the session. But whenver I leave I am reminded of how all my clothes are dirty and smell bad. I was surprised that hot water comes out of the faucet in the bathroom. Do we have that at home too?
Mom, instead of using the $20 for souvenirs, I bought us Dominos pizza. It was darn good too. Now I do have to go.
Love, Sarah
We did a service project this week in Manchay, the ugliest part of Lima. It involved throwing rocks in a pile. We all loved it. I think that is probably the land of desolation mentioned in the Book of Mormon.
We got to go to the temple! It was my first time in 8 months. I was happy because there was an American couple presiding in the session. But whenver I leave I am reminded of how all my clothes are dirty and smell bad. I was surprised that hot water comes out of the faucet in the bathroom. Do we have that at home too?
Mom, instead of using the $20 for souvenirs, I bought us Dominos pizza. It was darn good too. Now I do have to go.
Love, Sarah
Monday, July 13, 2009
Dear Family,
I'm in my new area, Santa Anita. I got here Friday in the afternoon, and the trip was uneventful. The best part of the trip is that they play movies on the bus, and they turn the volume up high, so you pretty much have to watch, so all the missionaries do. I saw Enchanted, and some other stupid movie. When the bus got to Lima, it was all the sudden really cloudy and smoggy, and I wanted to go back to Mantaro, but I'm getting used to Lima again. Santa Anita is a middle upper class area. We live in a nice room where there is constant water and electricity and the floor is tiled, not just cement. Plus we have a balcony. It's been a little shock trying to get used to it because where I was before was the complete opposite. Maybe now my feet will get better again since I don't have to walk on rocky dirt roads any more. And it's really humid, as in my towel never dries and when I sleep I feel like I'm in a sauna. Maybe my dry sunburned skin will improve too. I am looking forward to eating good food today. But I don't want to gain weight right before I get back. My companion said she has gained 8 kilos since she started the mission (3 months).
For the first time I got sent to an area that is doing well. We have three baptisms planned for this week, and a lot of people progressing. We are in charge of two wards and a branch: Santa Anita, which is one of the oldest in Lima I think, Bolognesi, and 27 de Abril. Sunday we did divisions. I gave a talk in Sta Anita and my companion went to Bolognesi, so I have yet to go to one of the wards. I gave a talk and played the piano, and after, an old man came up to me and said that I was prepared to go to the celestial kingdom because I am a missionary, I gave a good talk, and I play the piano. Do you think playing the piano qualifies someone to go to the celestial kingdom? Or giving a talk? The pensionista is fine. She doesn't talk much. She doesn't cook that great either, but it's eatable. I got a little nervous when I went in for breakfast the first morning and they had classical music playing, but it's fine.
My companion is Hna Cayetano. I was relieved to find out that she is normal. She is from Trujillo Peru, where the temple is being built. She got baptized with her mom when she was 12(my companion, not her mom). Her dad still isn't a member. I'm kind of glad to have a Latina companion so I can brush up on my Spanish before I go home. But don't worry, the mission president said (to my companion) that I have very good Spanish. But there are some Peruvian living customs that I still am not very used to, or don't like, but we get along well.
Basically I'm just trying to get to know the people and the area. It is huge though, so I don't know how well I'll do. It would have been easier to just stay in my old area and end there, but the Lord moves in a mysterious way. Mom, do you remember when you told me that's how my mind works, in a mysterious way?
Oh, you'll like this. Across the street from our room there is a big colegio (I don't know what it's called, but it's Catholic). My comp told me that there have been three cases of swine flu detected there. Our balcony looks out over the colegio. They raise llamas, 4 of them. Maybe its like a science project, or maybe a national symbol, but I like to look at them when I am studying.
That's about it. I love you. Thanks for you love and support
Sarah
PS I missed getting a letter from Jan this week.
I'm in my new area, Santa Anita. I got here Friday in the afternoon, and the trip was uneventful. The best part of the trip is that they play movies on the bus, and they turn the volume up high, so you pretty much have to watch, so all the missionaries do. I saw Enchanted, and some other stupid movie. When the bus got to Lima, it was all the sudden really cloudy and smoggy, and I wanted to go back to Mantaro, but I'm getting used to Lima again. Santa Anita is a middle upper class area. We live in a nice room where there is constant water and electricity and the floor is tiled, not just cement. Plus we have a balcony. It's been a little shock trying to get used to it because where I was before was the complete opposite. Maybe now my feet will get better again since I don't have to walk on rocky dirt roads any more. And it's really humid, as in my towel never dries and when I sleep I feel like I'm in a sauna. Maybe my dry sunburned skin will improve too. I am looking forward to eating good food today. But I don't want to gain weight right before I get back. My companion said she has gained 8 kilos since she started the mission (3 months).
For the first time I got sent to an area that is doing well. We have three baptisms planned for this week, and a lot of people progressing. We are in charge of two wards and a branch: Santa Anita, which is one of the oldest in Lima I think, Bolognesi, and 27 de Abril. Sunday we did divisions. I gave a talk in Sta Anita and my companion went to Bolognesi, so I have yet to go to one of the wards. I gave a talk and played the piano, and after, an old man came up to me and said that I was prepared to go to the celestial kingdom because I am a missionary, I gave a good talk, and I play the piano. Do you think playing the piano qualifies someone to go to the celestial kingdom? Or giving a talk? The pensionista is fine. She doesn't talk much. She doesn't cook that great either, but it's eatable. I got a little nervous when I went in for breakfast the first morning and they had classical music playing, but it's fine.
My companion is Hna Cayetano. I was relieved to find out that she is normal. She is from Trujillo Peru, where the temple is being built. She got baptized with her mom when she was 12(my companion, not her mom). Her dad still isn't a member. I'm kind of glad to have a Latina companion so I can brush up on my Spanish before I go home. But don't worry, the mission president said (to my companion) that I have very good Spanish. But there are some Peruvian living customs that I still am not very used to, or don't like, but we get along well.
Basically I'm just trying to get to know the people and the area. It is huge though, so I don't know how well I'll do. It would have been easier to just stay in my old area and end there, but the Lord moves in a mysterious way. Mom, do you remember when you told me that's how my mind works, in a mysterious way?
Oh, you'll like this. Across the street from our room there is a big colegio (I don't know what it's called, but it's Catholic). My comp told me that there have been three cases of swine flu detected there. Our balcony looks out over the colegio. They raise llamas, 4 of them. Maybe its like a science project, or maybe a national symbol, but I like to look at them when I am studying.
That's about it. I love you. Thanks for you love and support
Sarah
PS I missed getting a letter from Jan this week.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Dear Family,
They announced transfers, and I am going to Lima to La Molina, the zone of the mission home and the temple. I am kind of bummed, but I was kind of getting tired of the area. Hna Garner is disappointed too because she doesn't know the area that well. I have a Latin companion whom I do not know, so at least I can get my Spanish normal again. We've spoken a lot of English this cambio, but it felt good.
I'm glad everyone enjoyed the 4th of July. We thought about burning stuff to celebrate, but we were tired when we got home and just went to bed. We did have a baptism though, and it was good. It was Laura, the girl who didn't get baptized last week. It was really good to see her baptized, especially now that I am leaving the area.
Yesterday was Hna Garner's birthday. It was fun even though it was fast Sunday. Saturday Hna Clariza made pizza for us. I got kind of scared when I saw it because she put bologna on it, but it was surprisingly good. Yesterday in Relief Society everyone sang Happy Birthday to her, and then all the sisters got up to give her a hug. She said it was awkward, I just thought it was really funny. In the evening a member asked us to pass by her house. They had bought this huge cake for Hna Garner, so we sang and ate cake. Then when we got home I stuck a match in her favorite candy bar and sang to her.
Tuesday was the transportation paro. It was great for us. Everyone was outside in the street playing, so we did a bunch of contacts, and we found all the people who are never at home because they couldn't go anywhere.
I really don't have much else to say. This week was really boring. To break up the boredom, one night we set up all the empty bottles of water in our room and bowled for them with a volleyball. It was fun, but it was kind of loud and the lady who lives in the house where we rent asked us if everything was okay. I haven't gotten the package from the deacon's quorum yet, but maybe since I am going to Lima, they'll just give it to me there.
I love you all,
Hna Scoresby
They announced transfers, and I am going to Lima to La Molina, the zone of the mission home and the temple. I am kind of bummed, but I was kind of getting tired of the area. Hna Garner is disappointed too because she doesn't know the area that well. I have a Latin companion whom I do not know, so at least I can get my Spanish normal again. We've spoken a lot of English this cambio, but it felt good.
I'm glad everyone enjoyed the 4th of July. We thought about burning stuff to celebrate, but we were tired when we got home and just went to bed. We did have a baptism though, and it was good. It was Laura, the girl who didn't get baptized last week. It was really good to see her baptized, especially now that I am leaving the area.
Yesterday was Hna Garner's birthday. It was fun even though it was fast Sunday. Saturday Hna Clariza made pizza for us. I got kind of scared when I saw it because she put bologna on it, but it was surprisingly good. Yesterday in Relief Society everyone sang Happy Birthday to her, and then all the sisters got up to give her a hug. She said it was awkward, I just thought it was really funny. In the evening a member asked us to pass by her house. They had bought this huge cake for Hna Garner, so we sang and ate cake. Then when we got home I stuck a match in her favorite candy bar and sang to her.
Tuesday was the transportation paro. It was great for us. Everyone was outside in the street playing, so we did a bunch of contacts, and we found all the people who are never at home because they couldn't go anywhere.
I really don't have much else to say. This week was really boring. To break up the boredom, one night we set up all the empty bottles of water in our room and bowled for them with a volleyball. It was fun, but it was kind of loud and the lady who lives in the house where we rent asked us if everything was okay. I haven't gotten the package from the deacon's quorum yet, but maybe since I am going to Lima, they'll just give it to me there.
I love you all,
Hna Scoresby
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