Dang it, I am seriously
weirded out right now because things keep happening that make me remember how
soon I'm going home.
On Saturday three elders
in my zone went to Chiclayo, because their missions are over. They're done! And
it was just really weird thinking that in only three weeks I'll be doing the
exact same thing!! And then today two other missionaries from my district got
transferred and we saw them off at the bus station too. Just another reminder
of how soon I'll be getting on that bus. And all the missionaries bug me about
how soon I'm leaving too. Dang it guys!! I seriously thought I was gonna have
to try really hard to pretend I didn't want to go home at this point, but
really, I don't want to! It’s really a mix of being incredibly happy and
excited to see you guys again, and being super sad that this is almost over...
And gosh dangit, right
now I'm drinking that Inca Kola "The Golden Kola" Americanized
version of Inca Kola and it's not as good as regular Inca Kola!!
This week was a pretty
good one though. On Tuesday I had to give my district class. One of my least
favorite parts of being a district leader. But, it's cool too. Taught a class
about the Priesthood. It’s something that I realized a bunch of the people
we're visiting do not understand well, and so the class was all about how we
can help people really understand what the priesthood is, how someone can
receive it, how the priesthood is used, and why it is important. I really had
no desire to teach that day, but, it turned out a whole lot better than I
expected, with my district participating and everything. I really liked it. One
of the missionaries even came up to me after the class and said "thank you
for the class Elder Hemsley." I don't think anyone has ever thanked me for
a class I've taught before, so it must have been alright after all. Kinda fun.
The Priesthood is really such an important topic, and it's something I am so
thankful for. My testimony of the priesthood has grown so much since I've been
out here, and I've realized more thank ever how huge of a blessing the
priesthood is, and has been, in my life.
Ah! Another thing I liked
about Tuesday was that I got a big ol' batch of Dear Elders! Possibly my last,
or second to last batch, I assume. But it’s the batch where Mom sent me all
those letters from Zanna, and from all the other people in Eugene 3rd Ward who
are starting their missions. I loved reading those!! Reading all those letters
from all these missionaries I know from back home was so inspiring!! As I was
reading I remember thinking to myself wow, the mission seriously is the
coolest thing ever. I'm so excited for all of them!! And I can't wait
to read all their mission blogs when I get home! I wish all of my friends could
have the experience of serving a mission. The mission is the biggest blessing
ever...
On Wednesday we got to do
some sw33t service! Well, pretty regular service, but still, I like service.
Helped one of the members from our ward paint this kiosk he owns in one of the
parks here, that he plans to start selling food at. We didn't finish, but we
worked for a good three hours. Gonna go back to finish the job this week
probably. Fun times.
That afternoon Elder
Maldonado and I went with the sister missionaries to visit one of their
investigators who was going to be baptized. Since I'm district leader I'm now
trying to visit all the investigators with baptismal dates in my district
before interviewing them. It makes the interview easier, and more comfortable
for the investigator (and for me...). The investigator's name is José (A.K.A.
one of the most common names of all time in Peru. If not the absolute most
common.) who was getting married to his girlfriend on Friday so that he could
get baptized the day after. He was way awesome. While we were there he asked us
if we could give his mother-in-law a blessing, because on Monday (err,
today...) she was going to be operated on. So, I gave her a blessing. And then
after that Elder Maldonado gave José a blessing so that he could stay strong in
his efforts to keep the Word of Wisdom (which honestly, he isn't having any
problems with). Kinda neat visit. The next day was his interview, and it went
really well. No problems. Had a huge desire to be baptized. I feel lucky that
so far every single person I've interviewed has passed. One elder told me that
the first three people he interviewed for baptism all failed! That would be so
uncomfortable for me. But, it's all good. At the end of the interview I was
about to ask José who he wanted to baptize him, but, he beat me to it and asked
"would you baptize me?" Uh, yeah! So, I was pretty stoked about that.
On Friday he got married in the chapel. We went for the beginning, but left
before the dancing and partying started. We saw the actual marriage part
though. Dude, marriages are boring here. Not that I have anything to compare it
to, because I haven't exactly attended many (or any...) weddings in the States,
but, it was boring. Made me happy that in the States we can actually get
married inside the temple, instead of having to first get married legally
outside, and then get married a second time in the temple, which is what you
have to do in Peru (not that José would have been able to get married in the
temple anyways, he wasn't even baptized...). Saturday was his baptism. In the
morning we filled the baptismal font and while it was filling I taught myself
how to play some Box Car Racer on the piano. Hehe. Too fun. The baptism itself
went well. Except hardly anyone showed up! It was nice though. But the water
was freezing. Holy crap. Even for me, who always makes fun of Peruvians
for thinking the water is too cold, it was cold. José was shivering
as I said the prayer, and then I baptized him and we got the heck out of that
water!!! Haha. José is really rad though. I'm super stoked for him. After the
wedding he and his wife Rubí gave a little cake from their wedding to the six
of us missionaries. Yum-o! We took some dumb pics and then ate the heck out of
it!!
This weekend Herber went
with a bunch of the YSA to Chiclayo for a multi-stake YSA convention that was
all weekend long. They should be getting back late tonight. But I'm way excited
that he got to go to that!! I'm sure it has been a great faith building
experience for him, and a ton of fun. Before he left he came by to borrow one
of my ties. Herber is so involved in the Church, I love it so much. And he has
great support and great friends who are YSA. Really cool. He's bummed that I'm
going home soon... Aww man...
Oh boy oh boy oh boy, on
Saturday night we went to go visit a member family, and while we were there,
the zone leaders showed up with cans of root beer, and we had root beer floats
with the family!! ROOT BEER FLOATS are you serious I haven't had those in like
two years or more!!
Yesterday was Peruvian
Independence Day. So, everyone was drinking in the streets. Freaking drunk
people annoy me so much. One guy grabbed me by the arm and was like
"Jehova! Jehova!" And I totally thought he was going to kiss me.
Yeah. Cool. Get sober. We sang the national hymn of Peru in sacrament meeting.
I didn't know how it went...
Also, yesterday it hit me
really hard how few days I really have left of my mission. So, I sunk down to
the literal definition of trunky and actually started organizing my suitcase,
seeing which things I could throw out or give away to save as much space as
possible. Still have a long way to go with that. Today for p-day I went out and
tried to buy some more souvenirs. I bought a few little things, but still, with
the amount of money you guys have sent me to by stuff with, I should be buying
tons more!! This morning we went to the bus station to see off the two
missionaries who are getting transferred. Both from my district. Elder Greene,
and Hermana Córdova. I'm bummed because Elder Greene is one of my best friends
in the mish and he makes me laugh so much. I've been his district leader in two
different zones. And Hermana Córdova is super cool too, but she's only
temporarily serving here because her actual mission is in Argentina. She's the
first 19 year old sister missionary I've met here. Anyway, I'm anxious to know
who's gonna replace them and make up my last district in my mission. After that
we went to Otuzco with the Chavez family (my pensionista's family) and Jusseff
and Miguel and Lorena (two other members from our ward) and just hung out in
this super pretty place, played frisbee, had a picnic, and relaxed. It was
super awesome. Fun p-day!
Alright, I got yer
e-mails. Sounds like you had a fun week (whoa, it's weird not hearing about
things you did three weeks after you did them...). High Adventure, and a YW
rafting trip. Sounds like two things I would so not have enjoyed, but, I'm glad
you guys can enjoy them at least!! And Bryn got her wisdom teeth out. Hehe.
That was no fun. Speaking of teeth, I'm really hoping my teeth are still
healthy after this two year long Peruvian adventure. I'm worried.
Anyway, I gotta get
going. FHE's 'n stuff. Y'know, Monday night. I can't wait to see you guys so
soon! And I can't wait to eat Carl's Jr. with you guys! Woohoo!! No more
rice!!!
See ya!
Elder Hemz
Victor sent a bunch of new pictures. Here are just a few. If you'd like to see the rest, just click the slideshow at the top of this blog.
"I hate traveling in this country."
"José's baptism."
"There's some good lookin' missionaries."
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