TREMBLOR!!....For Real

Okayyy so for this week, looking back.. this week flew by. I don't even know what happened haha, but with our investigators we found a new couple, Jorge and Stefani. They're younger and super humble and are very open to learning. They're super awesome. They couldn't come to church but we have a cita (appointment) with them this week so we´ll be going back soon. 

Manuela is doing great. We went the other day and talked about the Plan of Salvacion (Salvation) also the Book of Mormon and she loves it. She couldn't come to church because she wasn't feeling good but we are just trying to help her with her question about the authority. We've told her but she just doesn't get it for some reason. Dad, any suggestions? 

With Carlos we went with Hermano Caesar and he gave an awesome testimony about the Book of Mormon and about coming to church. Caesar is super funny. He just goes and cracks jokes during his testimony but they're always super strong. Carlos works on Sundays so we´re trying to work around that but he's doing good. We couldn't visit him this week because we missed his cita (appointment) because we were super busy that day, but we´ll be going back soon. 

Diana y (and) Jorge are doing great. Jorge came to church this week!!! Which was awesome. He's super funny and Diana always gives us food every time without fail, so bonus points haha, but we had a great lesson about the Plan of Salvation and we are going back tomorrow and are going to set the same date of the 4th of March with Diana's daughter, Durli, because we haven't set a date with her yet. But they're awesome. They understand it and are super open to it and are super humble and nice. Love them! 

Then with Lilia and Abraham, we went earlier this week and brought Viviana (she's actually Lilia's cousin, cool fact) and she bore an awesome testimonly about marriage! Then we went back yesterday and Abraham told us this dream he had (and Perúvians are super crazy about their dreams..) but he said that he felt like it was a revelation. He said basically he was walking down this path and it was dark and then a demon was in front of him but then two missionaries were by his side and the demon left and we kept walking with him down this path until we came up to a river and we came to the river and then he was in it and waist high in water and was dressed in all white, and he looked up and saw on the hill a bunch of people and his wife came down out of the people, also dressed in all white, and he told us, "It was a revelation and I need to better my life and be cleansed of my sins, and I want to get married!" And we weren't going to disagree! So we were like, "YUP!" And so they are going to the offices this Tuesday to see what they need to do. All they really need to do is go to Viru to get a paper and then they're practically ready! But yeah, please, please pray for them. We are pushing for the 25th of February for the baptism and the week before that, hopefully the 14th, for marriage! 

Also this week in the middle of the night, I was rudely woken up. I just heard the windows in the back banging and all of the sudden, a loud rumble, and I'm laying in my bed and my bed is going nuts and I was freaking out. I knew we were having an earthquake! I was just laying there though, I didn't even move. I had no idea what to do! It was so sketchy!! I was all excited to experience an earthquake before my mission, but now.. nope! Hard pass! I was rattled after just a little 5.6 haha. It was pretty nuts. I'll take that experience and walk away. 

That same day was pretty crazy too because the other elders had a baptism and on our way to the baptism we had to ride in a moto cargo. As we are riding in the back of the moto, guess who, out of all people in the entire world, happens to be driving by us from Trujillo to Chimbote..? Yup, you're right! President Rios, our mission president, and the assistants. He pulls over and asked us where we were going. We told him we were going to the baptism and he's like, "Ohh, don't worry about it! Congrats on the baptism, good luck in the work. Keep it up!" And off they went haha. We were all tripping because we thought we were going to get chewed out, but nah, because we were going to a baptism, we were good haha. But yeah, their baptism was awesome. They baptized a girl named, Milagros, who is about 18, and her mom, Petronila. It was sweet! 

                                                                             

Running into President Rios on the way to the baptism. (Cory didn't explain why he thought they would get in trouble....maybe they thought President wouldn't want them on moto cargo? I don't know.)

Elder Stroud and his companion with the two women they baptized.

Later that Sunday the teacher for the young men and young women didn't show up so me and my companion went in and were like, "Shoot, what are we going to teach?" But when we went to the secretary's office, we found some "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlets and were like, "Yup! We´ll teach them repentance and dating", Haha, it was great! I would love to be in a calling with the young men and young women. It was so much fun. They're just all studs. 

So yeah, the missionary schedule changed today! Our p-day is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. so me and my companion cleaned up the room then knocked out for 2 hours then came to internet, but the electricity cut out half way through, so here we are again. But yeah, so we plan in the morning and start at 6:30 a.m., companion study is only 30 minutes and then we proselyte practically all day from 10 a.m. and get 30 minutes for lunch, then proselyte until 8 p.m. then have dinner for an hour, then 9-10:30 it's prep for bed.. so yup! Extra time to workout or go to bed whenever we want as a companionship. It's pretty sweet. We´ll see how it goes this week.  

That's about all for my week.. it's been a great week, not too much happened, but all is well here in Chao!! I love you guys so much. Keep up whatever you're doing haha, cuidense!! Chauuufaaa.

*** Mom's note: I don't have many explanations about pictures this week. Cory was having a hard time getting his pictures to upload on the computer so the pictures posted are ones that I got from a church member in Chao this week.

                                                                                   

***The Chao elders before the baptism.

*** Cory has always been a person who loves to have his things looking clean....I'm loving the "dusty shoes" look. It's so not Cory, but it's fun to see him adapting to life in Perú no matter how his shoes look.

*** Cory with some kind of fruit and the Branch President, President Overt, in the background.

*** Trying to eat that cake before it's cut.

*** He's probably loving that ice cream since the days are quite hot in Chao right now. Usually the temp is in the high 80's, plus humidity.

*** Looks like Elder Stroud caught Cory taking a nap on the bus.

*** The four elders of Chao.

Don't Scare Flor

BUENA!!  

So this week was a lot better than last week. Nothing too crazy happened. This week just absolutely FLEW by. It was nuts. I learned a lot of patience and me and my companion are really bettering ourselves. It's getting better! My companion is just a little different and we have nothing in common. This week we haven't had any arguments at all and my patience has gotten a lot better with him, which is good. He's respecting me and my needs more and visa versa, I'm doing the same. I know things will work out and it's always good to start and end the day with a good attitude. Slowly but surely it's getting better. I'm pretty sure I'll go this next change. In fact, I'm almost positive. And sadly, we have a ton of baptism dates for the 4th of March and also the 11th, that I would miss. But.. that's the way the mission is. The Lord doesn't count your success by how much time you're in the water but by how much you bring people closer to Christ. That's really what it's about and that's really why I'm here. 

Anyway, so about our investigators! Sooo one day we were walking around town, doing what we do, and we walked down a hill and then we get this call from Joiner and he was like, "Hey! I see you! Come up here!" So we went up and taught him. He was playing his guitar. He's super good. But we taught him and then he came to church! He really wants to do the right things and is super receptive and he loved church. So we are excited for his progress. We don't have a baptism date with him but we will soon. 

Also this week, we found a family, and the dad, Victor, reminds me of Chad haha. Just a big guy, beard, he's got bushy hair, but super fun and cool and just really receptive to the gospel. The same day we found him and his family, we went to knock on a door to contact a referral we received from Rosa. Her name is Lucia. (... some kid, like 8 years old is just standing here looking at me type and is reading my email... hahaha) anyway, we went and knocked and some old lady walked out, and she was like 97 years old, and she goes, "TEACH THEM TO REPENT!!!" Hahaha me and my companion were just dying!  

Manuela is really progressing. We went to go visit her and we asked if she read 3 Nephi 11 that we left with her last time, and she goes, "Yeah, I read a little bit", and we were thinking, oh okay, she didn't finish the chapter, no big deal... but then we start talking and she starts talking about tithing.. and we`re like, tithing? And she starts talking about 3 Nephi 13! She read all of 11, 12 and 13... Yep, that's a "little bit." But she's doing great. Reading, praying, and coming to church. She's just a sweet little lady, but when she doesn't understand something, she gets heated and goes off for like 10 minutes and won't let us explain. Most of the time, it's super dumb stuff that could be explained in about 10 seconds.. but she likes to get heated, and we let her just go off until she's done, then we explain it. We think it's pretty great. Also, she has been confused about why she needs to "get baptized twice." We keep trying to explain the authority part but I don't know if she's really getting it. 

Lilia and Abraham, just the same. We haven't been able to visit with the both of them this week. We passed by but he was working construction and his schedule wasn't set so we haven't had a chance to talk to the both of them. Abraham still isn't coming to church. I have no idea at this point what to do to help him... but we are praying and trying our best. The Lord will work out the other half. 

Also during this week, we taught familia Risco. We taught them lesson 1 (Resteration) and the spirit was super strong. I about cried when I recited the First Vision. Super awesome family! It was a great lesson. 

Yesterday was the most eventful of the week! So in the morning, I'm just chillin and I get this call at 7:30 a.m. from President Overt and he goes, "Oh hey, you have a talk today." I was like, oh... cool... haha I hadn't even gotten ready yet and it was 7:30 a.m. and we had to leave at 8:15 a.m. to pick up Joiner. But luckily I had showered the night before, but I was still stressing out a little bit. I said a prayer for guidance on what I should share and help the people with. I pumped out a talk about Faith in about 30 minutes. Then we got there and I wasn't nervous or anything, but I was still praying that they would at least be able to understand what I was saying haha. I got up there and straight gave a 20 minute talk on Faith, and it was the best Spanish I have ever spoken in all my mission. Words and grammer I had only learned once or heard of once, I was whipping out. It was so cool! And during the talk, the people were nodding their heads, like they understood and everything. It was a super awesome experience and I can just testify of the power of the gift of tongues and that it is so real! It was super awesome and I was so greatful to have that experience! 

Later at lunch, we`re sitting there eating and Meyte, Flor's daughter, about 11 or 13 years old, not sure.. (she's a thug though..) scares Flor. We look back and Flor grabs a fork and was so mad! She was yelling and was actually straight up mad. I've never seen her so mad in my life hahaha, and she was chasing Meyte yelling, "nunca haz eso otra vez! te matarè" (Never do that again. I'll kill you.) But hahaha, it was hilarious! We were about crying! Even President Overt, her husband, was cracking up. I loved it..... (some kids are asking me why I'm writing in English and what I'm doing.. it's because I'm white hahaha...) 

Later that night we went and taught C. and J. We taught them because we know they have been having some problems. We still don't know what, but just some personal husband/wife problems. We visited them and asked them how their reading and praying was and ... (haha now the kid is telling me that I write super fast....) They told us they weren't praying or reading. We talked about how that is what Satan wants. They're pleasing Satan and that he is trying to tear them apart, and as of now, it's working. I talked and shared about a certain member of our family and how Satan has them right now, that I want to live with my whole family, but Satan is working to destroy part of it and that I'm here with them because I don't want that to happen to anyone else. I traveled all this way to Perú to keep families happy. We shared that through small and simple things, great miracles are brought to pass. We asked them to pray as a family but J. didn't want to.. she said she would with her kids but not her husband. Eventually, after talking with them, we got the kids to come in and told them their homework was to have family prayer every single night. The kids were up for it! We asked C. to say the prayer and he said yes. Then right before he was about to say it, he aksed if we could do it on our knees. So we did, and he gave an awesome, super sincere prayer! He just talked with his Heavenly Father. After the prayer we told them that now they had to have a family hug. J. still didn't want to but all the kids were hugging their dad and then they all went over to J..., Oh shoot, I'm going to cry here in internet, big ole baby... haha, but they all went over to J. and finally, C. pulled her up and they just hugged as a family. Then just J. and C. hugged. It was the highlight of my week to just see this family happy! I wouldn't have cared if this was the only thing that happened during the whole week. That was the best part of my week. I was just so happy to see them as a happy family, and just see during that lesson and after the prayer, how much the mood and the spirit changed there. 

I can testify that Satan is always there. He is there and he is trying to destroy families! He wants to tear them apart and destroy them. Do not give him an inch. If there is anything that I want anyone to get out of this email is to never give Satan that inch. Especially in the families. Families are forever. I testify of that, and I know Satan is there, trying to destroy them. But, there is help and there are tools to keep him out. And that is reading and praying every day. As a family. Through that, families will be strengthened and will experience a joy that cannot be explained. Not only in this life, but forever. I testify of that! 

I'm thankful for you all and all your love, support and prayers. I will continue to work hard and I'm so grateful for this opportunity! I love you all. Have a great week!!!

                                                                                   

After p-day futbol.

Like Goldilocks, Elder Alarcon sat in the little chair and broke it to pieces.

Me and my favorite dog, Negro. Yep, that's his name. Negro in Spanish is "black." He couldn't sit still for the picture, so that's the best I have. 

Me and my llama friends...... They do exist!!

Sometimes when my companion is taking a shower, I get bored and take selfies.

 

YOU. IS. SMALL!!

Heyyo. Changes happened. Nobody in Chao is going! I'm happy but I'm going to learn a lot of patience... but that's the way life is. God knows me better than I do and I guess he knows I can do this. So I'll put my trust in Him and do all possible to improve! I'm trying so hard to be patient with my companion... it's super, super hard sometimes... but I guess I'm going to learn real quick. It's good I still have Elder Stroud in the area, but I'll sure as heck learn how to be patient. 

Thank you for your advice on working with my companion though, it means a lot! I'm going to try as hard as I can to be better and quit being selfish and pridefull as well. Also Dad, I loved that story you shared about wedges! That's awesome and so true. I'm really going to try harder with not letting wedges come between us. I've set goals of how I can better our companionship and I'm going to do all possible to complete them. I'll also be using that story in lessons and with members!

Okay, okay so now for this week! So p-day was super awesome because the Zone Leaders came down and played soccer with us but the best part was that Elder Herget brought his football and so he whipped that out after an hour and me, Elder Stroud and Elder Herget all played 1 on 1´s and it was so much fun! Haha I love football!!!!

                                                                            

"Futbol" (Soccer) team 

"Football" (the real thing) team.

Later that night we visited with Diana and Jorge and challenged them to the 4th of March for baptism. They accepted! They couldn't come to church this week but they will this next week. They're progressing really well, especially Durli. She is reading and praying and we didn't even ask her to read, she just did it, which was cool.

On Tuesday we didn't teach anyone... we tried to contact this barber guy but... well... he just started bashing the Book of Mormon and how the only prophets that existed were those in the Bible and that we have no knowledge... basically called us stupid... and after that, I was pretty heated. We left early because I was done hearing it, but after I got some juice-in-a-bag at the jugaria (smoothie shop) to cool down, that helped. I thought about that man all night though and the next morning I was reading in 3rd Nephi 18:30 (Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out from among you, but ye shall minister unto him and shall pray for him unto the Father, in my name; and if it so be that he repenteth and is baptized in my name, then shall ye receive him, and shall minister unto him of my flesh and blood) and it reminded me of 3rd Neph 12:44 (But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you) and how we should pray for those people like that, so I did, and I just felt so much better after that. It was great. 

Later in the week we taught Lilia and Abraham. We started to share the 10 Virgins story but Lilia was sick and we thought we better finish another day and give her a blessing and leave.. so that's what we did. We are teaching them tonight though. Lilia and the kids came to church on Sunday but Abraham still isn't coming. We´re working on him. I appreciate how you reminded me that weddings are important to family members and that I, myself, missed my sister's wedding because I was going on my mission. I'll definitely use that in Lilia and Abraham's lesson tonight! I know it's important for Lilia's father to be here for her wedding, but getting baptized is also important and that can't happen until they are married. I'm sure my personal experience will help. I didn't even think about sharing about Amber's wedding.  

The next day we had another interchange.. and it was one of the best days in my mission! I went to Elder Stroud's area with Elder Stroud and we just told stories and laughed our heads off that day and night! Haha he's a stud. Me and him are probably going to room together when we get back from our missions. He wants to go to BYU or UVU for a little bit and I'm planning on going to UVU so that would be awesome!  

The next day me and Elder Alarcon taught Manuela and she's really progressing. She came to church this week and she is really sincere in her prayers. She is just awesome! Also, we challenged her to the 25th of February for baptism. She accepted, which was awesome, because before, she was like, "Why do I need to get baptized?" and stuff and didn't get it... but after about 4 or 5 visits, she accepted for the 25th, which is so cool to see her progress! She's the best! She's older and fragile and has diabetes and here, they just don't have the stuff to help figure it out, so she suffers and is usually in a lot of pain, but she's a warrior.

Also that same night we were looking for a teen that we contacted on the street, named Juan Carlos, and here there aren't really directions so you just have to figure out the general direction, then pick houses until you guess right haha, so that's what we did. The first house we knocked on, a guy looking about 25 answered the door and we told him we were looking for Juan Carlos. He said, "Yeah.. okay.. just a sec." We were like, "Oh cool, first try..". A couple minutes later, this same guy comes out, changed, and goes, "So you guys are the testigos (Jehova Witnesses) right?" and we go, "Haha no, Mormons." He was super cool and chill. Well, after talking for a bit, we find out this kid's name is Juan Carlos too.. coincidence? Nope! Haha it was so cool. The kid is 18.. looks like he's 25, but he's super cool. He doesn't have a religion, his dad taught him the Bible growing up though and he lives alone, no girlfriend, and doesn't work Sundays. Yup. He's been prepared by the Lord and we found him! It was super cool to have that happen! I'm excited for this guy. He's a stud.

Later that night after consejo (council) in the church, we were walking back to Flor's. Me and Elder Stroud were arguing about who is taller (I obviously am) and finally we ask Elder Daza to check.. he does. Then he lies to us and tells us that Elder Stroud is barely taller. I obviously objected and me and Elder Stroud continue arguing haha. Then Elder Daza jumps out and goes, "YOU. IS. SHORT!!.... SMALL!... YOU IS SMALL!" Hahaha me and Elder Stroud just lost it, hahaha it was super funny! At that point I almost forgot about who was actually taller. 

                                                                               

Elder Daza, Me, Elder Alarcon and Elder Stroud

That's my week for ya. Anyway.. I love you guys!

Your handsome missionary friend... Elder Rokovitz! Les amo!! Chaufita!

                                                                             

Valle De Dios. We had a lesson here and I realized that probably none of you will ever see this in your life so here's a picture. This is probably the poorest part of our area.

My new English case - The front has a Perúvian Moroni with the Perú flag.

Cultural Perúvian symbol on the side.

On the back is an American Moroni with the American flag.

Me with Manuel and Melissa

With Manuel and Melissa

Me and Elder Stroud with Manuel, Melissa and Xavi, son of Abraham and Lilia.

Me with Lucas, son of Abraham and Lilia

Me and Elder Stroud with Lucas

Me and Briana, cutest kid ever - daughter of Abraham and Lilia

Me with Xavi, Lucas, Ami (all Abraham and Lilia's children) and Juniano, son of Gianfranco and Viviana.

Me with Xavi and Lilia

Showing baby Mia how to eat watermelon.

Giving baby Mia a taste of my watermelon.

It's Hot....

Heyyyoooo!! Anyway so I'm just going to jump right in to it. I have to write some other people today as well! Wow! The pictures of the snow..... that snow is.. AWESOME!! That's so cool! That's so much snow! Yeah while you guys are getting dumped on it's like 100 degrees here. I loved the pictures! And wow, I'm so mad. Man. I knew you guys would buy a snow blower, literally the winter after I left.

Okayyyy so, to start off this week - So I noticed something awesome last Monday when we were with Gianfranco waiting in a house for Julten. Gianfranco asked me to translate something Henry B. Eyring had posted on facebook. I literally translated the whole thing (about a paragraph) and it was just a huge realization that I never ever thought I would be here, in Perú, and be able to translate a whole paragraph in perfect Spanish one day. It sure was crazy. 

Speaking of Julten, we are trying to get him to change his work scheduel to be able to come to the church. We shared Genesis 2:2-3 (And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.), then Mosiah 13:16-19 (Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; But the seventh day, the sabbath of the Lord thy God, thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is; wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.) then hit him with Juan (John) 14:15 (If ye love me, keep my commandments.) He had this huge realization and he really felt the spirit I think. Sadly, he wasn't at the church this last week but we are working to progress with him. He can only visit on Mondays so we are going to talk to him again tonight. 

Also, we found a woman named Manuela, who is part of a pf (?) and she is super cool. She is about 50 or 60 years old and she wants to know what is right and she asks a ton of questions and she's like one of the only ones who completes her homework that we give her. We have been teaching and finding a lot of great people. We are just working with a lot to progress. 

With Lilia and Abraham, the fecha (date) of the 25th isn't for sure right now. They told us that she called her dad to tell him about how they were going to get married and he was like, "That's awesome! I want to be there." He is in Italy and has been there for 15 years. Lilia hasn't seen him for 20 years, but he won't be able to come until December so they want to wait until then. We asked them to pray to know which fecha (date) is right for them and we haven't been back to verify yet. But we are going to try to share the story of the 10 virgins with them next visit and try to keep the date of the 25th. 

Diana, Jorge and Durli are progressing very well. Durli came to church this week but Diana and Jorge couldn't because they went to Trujillo. They promised to come next week. We are going to challenge them for the 25th tonight as well!! Vamos!! (Let's go!!) 

We also put a date with Kevin and Sulema for the 25th or 4th of March.. I think the 4th. Yeah the 4th. They are very interested and want to do what is right and want to find the right church and they are about to be progressing. 

So this week I was having some more problems with my companion. The night that I was about to break down, I got to the page where Elder Simonsen wrote a note to me in my journal (in the CCM we wrote a page or two to the other one to help motivate and express our love etc. hahaha) and it was perfect timing! A couple of the things it said were, "Can't believe we've only known each other a month and we're already like best friends. You're going to kill it on the mish bro and the people are going to love you like I do. Always here for you if you need anything. Always remember this scripture: 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' Phillipians 4:13. Love ya homie."                                                   

                                                                                                                                               

The next day we had an interchange with the Zone Leaders and Elder Herget came here. He's about 40 feet tall and played football. He's got about 16 or so months in the mission and he's super great and our personalities are basically the same! Me and him went off and found 8 new people and put dates with all 8 of them. They're super cool and I will let you know if they are progressing next week! Me and Elder Herget were just laughing in the street all day and all night. We were just telling stories and laughing haha, it was a perfect break. He really helped me with my companion. He taught me some things about patience etc. The guy's a stud and the Lord just put all that in perfect timing for me because I was having a hard time. Everything just came in perfect timing!

                                                                           

Me and Elder Herget

I had such a great time with Elder Herget and laughed so much that it carried into the next day. That night during correlacion (correlation) me and Elder Stroud were just cracking jokes while Casto was reviewing our oja`s (?) so we were in this lauging mood. Then right before we are about to pray, (we were in Casto's house) Casto's special-needs son (about 40 years old) is standing in the doorway and the dogs were about to run out. Right before Casto is about to say the prayer, the dogs just about run out the door and Eddie (Casto's son) throws up his arms and yells, "HAYATUH!!!!!" to scare the dogs off. So the four of us are sitting there, little good missionaries, trying to be good.. cracking up, about peeing our pants, because we`re trying to hold our laughs in hahahaha, it was hilarious! Anyway, so yeah, Saturday and Sunday were a lot better and I ended up having a better attitude, more patience and really learned a lot from Elder Herget. 

Well. I have to go now! Sorry it's sort of short this week. I love you guys!!! Cuidense!! <3 (Take care)

                                                                               

These are leather covers for my quad and hymn book that I bought with my Christmas money.

I had dreams in the middle of the night that I was scratching my arm because it was so itchy, then when I woke up, my arm looked like this - Lots of daily mosquitos here. 

Jugo (juice) in a bag. It's how they do drinks-to-go here.

Feliz Año Nuevo (Happy New Year)

Alooooo, how are yuuuuu? Okay, so just for your information, I went to the doctor and got all completely checked out. I'm okay. Don't worry. I'm okay. He basically said it's stress related. That's why I have had it before. It makes sense. Also he said it could be worse now because of the change of food. Also con razon (justly or makes sense.) So yeah, todo bien. no te preoscupes! (all is good. Do not worry!)

Sounds like you guys had quite the fun this Christmas and New Year's Eve! I love the pictures from all the games you played. My favorite is with Grandpa with the thing that opens your mouth super wide hahaha, that's awesome! And of course Dad was cheating. What a surprise. 

I'm sooo glad you guys loved the presents! I was trying to think of things you guys would like personally and that represented and showed Perú. I had to put on latex gloves and wash my hands and eyes for about 2 days straight after I bought the one tie for Dad.. but I'm glad he liked it. (This is a joke. Cory bought his dad a Peruvian tie with a "Y" on it for BYU. Cory is a Utes fan, so he was teasing about the "Y" on the tie causing him problems.) 

Okay so this week started off pretty great! We had brownies and hot fudge and ice cream with the Whitney's and then afterwards we played football. Like, real football! I realized how complicated it is compared to futbol. The Latinos did not know how to play. It was pretty funny but way fun too! 

That day on the way back from there, we got pulled over on the bus. The bus was loaded front to back. All the seats were filled and every person was shoulder to shoulder. Literally the whole bus was filled and that's very illegal here! The guy who works the door got out as the cop comes up and then like 20 seconds later he gets in and goes, "lets go!" Haha he payed off the cop 10 soles to let them go... literally about 3 dollars and 40 cents. It was super funny! The bus driver and the door guy were super funny and the bus driver kept calling me and Elder Stroud "gringitos." 

Later during the week we taught Lilia and Abraham and set a fecha (date) with them for the 28th of February!! They seemed pretty good about it and want to work to get married, possibly on my birthday. They were going to do it on the 14th but then I told her my birthday is the 15th, so they think they're going to work for that day! Later we taught them Mosiah 5 and I asked, "What is this talking about?" Lilia responded that it's talking about keeping the commandments and making covenents. I was like, "YUP!" Then I asked, "Which covenants do you think it's talking about here?" She said, "I think it's talking about marriage and baptism..." I was like "YUPP!!!" Haha it was awesome. It made me so happy!! We really are just working on getting Abraham to complete with his commitments and come to church, but other than that, the whole family has such great testimonies. Even Elder Stroud said, "Dude, I was talking to Lilia the other day and she's so prepared. Her testimony is so strong man!" We are super excited for them and their progress. 

Later this week when me and my companion were running in the morning, there's this black devil dog on the side of the road where we always run in the morning and walk every day. Normally it barks at me, I jump at it and it gets scared. Or it'll run at me and I throw a rock at it. Yep, not this time. He was coming full bore at me! So I straight kicked it in the side! It was super sketchy! But yeah, that's about the closest I've ever gotten. It was pretty nuts! 

On Wednesday, I think it was, we had a noche de hogar (family night) with Manuel and Melissa. We talked about the Family Proclamation to the world. After we talked, I started talking about how greatful I was for my parents and their examples for me and that without their examples, I wouldn't have been here with them. Manuel after was just like, "Wow. Thank you." It was super awesome and the spirit was super strong.. I almost cried. It was really great! 

The next day we taught Diana and Jorge. After the lesson she was like, "I just know everything happens for a reason. You two are here for a reason and I may not know what that reason is, but I know God does and that He sent you two here to help guide me." I was like... "YUP!!!" I almost cried there too haha. They are so awesome! 

Also during this week I've had a few small problems with my companion - just small disagreements and what not, but I'm good now. It's hard sometimes to work with him, mostly because I can't express fully what I want to say and he doesn't understand what I'm trying to get at... but I'm getting better and the language is slowly.. slowly improving. Sometimes, because we don't talk too much in the street walking. I get a little trunky or start getting bored walking and thinking about weird stuff, like I think I figured out my kid's names.. Yeah, I know, pretty weird. It's just hard sometimes to not get bored like that in the streets when we're not talking at all haha, but I'm all good, don't worry! 

Earlier this week, I think on like Friday, we moved the benches that we brought to the wedding back to the church. There was a bunch and we were sitting on top of them in the trailer attached to a motorcycle... also super dangerous. And the cops drove past us in an intersection! We were freaking out but the cops just kept driving.. like they didn't see anything.. hahaha the cops don't do anything here. It's pretty funny! 

                                                                           

The church benches stacked back and forth on the trailer, with us on top. 

On New Year's Eve, I got woken up at 12 and it sounded like World War 3 was going on with all the fireworks! It was nuts! The next day everyone went to the playa..(beach), I mean everyone. Nobody was in Chao. The only people were all the drunk guys and then Casto (el fiel - the faithful), Viviana and Gianfranco, Flor and Presi and Lilia and Abraham.. By the way, just some back knowledge, Lilia is related to Viviana. 

When we were walking around on New Year's Day it was super funny because we would walk past a bar and like 5 guys would be passed out on the tables drunk. We saw a bar fight too... pretty crazy haha. A drunk guy tried to come in the church this week too. It was pretty funny! We were also able to teach a short good lesson with Lilia, Abraham and Viviana and  Gianfranco and their families for like 2 hours and visited with them because literally, Chao was emptry! It was nuts.

                                                                           

This guy was passed out drunk on the streets on New Year's Day.  

Sometimes, it's a lot different here, hot.. really hot.. especially in the night when I want to sleep, but man.. I'm only going to get this opportunity once. I'm only going to enjoy this once and it's where I've been called and it's my calling to love the people and where I'm at! I love you guys so much. Even looking back on this past year this week, the year has just FLOWN by! Especially now. I mean today I have 5 months in the mission already. Pretty crazy! I'm trying to enjoy every moment I get! Thanks for your guys´s love and support! 

Anyway, so time is super short and almost out! But I'm doing good and super excited for this new year! Ya fue 2016!! (2016 was already!!) But I love you all. Thank you so much for your prayers and love and support for me! 

Love you all!! Besitos!! (Little kisses!!)

                                                                               

Me and my companion, Elder Alarcon.

Walking the streets of Chao.

For New year's Eve they make these fake men out of straw, dress them up, tie them down and then blow them up at midnight! It was awesome. The shirt basically says, "Goodbye to the old year 2016."

The is a brand of plastic spoons. Pretty weird to see a swear word from your country as a name for spoons!!