tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29913029150028660202024-03-12T23:00:50.891-07:00Life as Elder HemsleyLife as a missionary in the Peru Chiclayo missionVictor Paul Hemsleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08269251537740600965noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-19182089490137432642013-08-21T11:40:00.000-07:002013-08-21T11:40:32.057-07:00After two years of serving and teaching the people of Peru, Victor is home!!! Thank you for all your interest and support during this amazing experience. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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He's Back!</div>
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The family is all together again!</div>
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First meal.</div>
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Welcome home Victor!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-20516831752151646862013-08-21T11:23:00.000-07:002013-08-21T11:23:29.045-07:00"I can't believe I'll be home in just one day. I don't understand how two years passed by so fast. This has really been the best experience of my entire life."<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br />
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I wasn't gonna check my e-mail today, but turns out I have some free time.</div>
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Uh... first meal? I don't even know! Not burgers because we're going to Carl's Jr. Spaghetti maybe? I can't think of foods right now. Not rice.</div>
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I also miss every kind of juice from the United States. One thing I don't enjoy very much are the drinks here. Every juice is either too watery (not enough flavor) or it has pulp or other things in it that I don't like. I want juice! Especially apple juice. And chocolate milk!! And I also want Cheez-its. Haha. And I want to go to Voodoo Donuts this week. I've never even gone there before but I've been craving donuts too.</div>
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Anyway I'm in Chiclayo right now. Got here yesterday in the afternoon. Had my final interview with President Risso already. Kind of sad. I got to visit the Yataco family last night, and they're going to come say goodbye to me this afternoon at the airport. That's going to be super sad for me too, because they're some of my favorite people in the whole world. I just ran into Elder Navas like a half hour ago. Saw Elder Samamè too. Way fun to see them again. A bunch of people who I get to see one last time.</div>
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Oh PS it looks like my bags are way too heavy. I left a lot of stuff behind in Cajamarca, but still, I have way too much. There's nothing else I want to leave behind, so, we're probably gonna have to pay for the extra weight.</div>
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Yesterday was super sad for me, but now that I'm no longer in my area I feel a lot more excited (now that the goodbyes are over) and I can't wait to see you guys! I can't believe I'll be home in just one day. I don't understand how two years passed by so fast. This has really been the best experience of my entire life. I have a bunch more photos that I'll show you when I get home. I don't have my memory card with me right now so I can't send them. Anyway, I'll see you soon!! Bye!!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-79164641644494817212013-08-13T22:23:00.000-07:002013-08-13T22:23:13.793-07:00"I really can't wait to see you guys! I can't believe how soon I'll be home! Wish I could have written more, but I gotta go finish my mission!"<blockquote style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Helvetica;" type="cite">
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This is so weird. My last p-day of my whole mission. I actually gotta hurry up with this e-mail because I've been taking full advantage of my last p-day playing soccer with the elders (classic way to end my p-days), eating Pizza Hut, and buying some last little souvenirs before I go home. Don't got a whole lot of time left to write this week, but I s'pose it's okay because pretty soon I'll be able to talk to you about whatever the heck you want to know about. I'll jot down some thoughts though for you guys:<div>
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Pretty good week overall. Honestly, we aren't seeing that much success. I'm ending my mission on sort of a low point. Not low as in I gave up and haven't been trying or working as hard, because I've still been working. Just, we aren't having much luck. Surprisingly, this is the area I've had the least success in in my entire mission. Even though it's <i>by far</i> the best ward I've been in. I dunno. Guess that's just how it is. But, the few successes (Herber...) definitely make up for the rest of our unsuccessfulness. It's been good here.</div>
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Last Monday was Hermana Celia's birthday here at the house, and we got to eat cake 'n stuff. And duck. But, I really do not like duck. I didn't eat that. I'm totally willing to eat guinea pig, and cat, and dog, and whatever, but I don't like duck, and I do not want to eat it. Odd. PS, no, I have not eaten cat or dog here. I wish I had. Anyway that night Hermano Francisco, Celia's husband hired a mariachi band to come play Mexican music live right here in the house for Celia. So, we got to go down and see that too. Pretty fun stuff. Dude, Mexican music is way better than Peruvian music. Have I ever complained to you about Peruvian music yet? Because it's been driving me crazy the entire two years I've been here. I do not like it, <i>at all.</i></div>
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Been writing a whole lot of last-minute letters to converts and members 'n stuff this past week. I'm pretty burned out on letter writing, but I still have tons more that I want to write. This week we had a Zone Conference here in Cajamarca, and President Risso came and spoke, I was way excited, because I thought I wasn't going to be around for any more conferences! I gave President like 15 letters to take back to Chiclayo to deliver to the people there. Still have to write a lot more. Anyway, the conference was so awesome! President Risso spoke the whole time about how we have to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. He also spoke about how in the Church a lot of times we hear about how the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon are apostates and how Emma Smith also apostatized, but President said that when we hear people talking like that we need to defend those four people, because not a single one of them ever denied their testimony of truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. They stood as witnesses of the restoration of the gospel for their entire lives, whether they were active in the Church or not. I took a buncha notes and stuff but I don't remember well enough or have enough time to elaborate on it. But, it was one of my favorite conferences. Then, the bad part came. President Risso invited Elder Callis, Elder Vargas, Hermana Lazalde, and myself to come up to the pulpit and give our final testimonies. I got up there and shared my testimony, and it was super hard because I could barely speak. I was shaking. It was so hard to talk. Apparently I made a bunch of people cry, but I didn't notice from the pulpit. I almost cried too. When I got back to our room for dinner Elder Santos and Elder Lopez were there and they we basically like (en español...) "dude you jerk your testimony was so powerful almost everyone was crying! Hermana Risso was crying, and for the first time ever I even saw President Risso's eyes begin to water." Haha. Cool. It was really sad for me giving that last testimony though...</div>
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We visited Kevin Zapana this week. Had a short little visit. Helped resolve some of his doubts that he's had about the Book of Mormon 'n stuff. As we were about to leave I said "well, I hope we've been able to help in some small way." And he responded "on the contrary, you've helped a ton!" He told us that he has had questions for a very long long time, and he said "I've been waiting for the answers you gave me." Way cool. He said the closing prayer, and in it he said "Thank you God for helping me remember that I'm a very special person." Wow, I hope all our visits can help someone feel like that.</div>
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Anyway, I don't have time to talk about too much more stuff. I can't believe that this is seriously my last p-day and the last time I'll be e-mailing you guys before I get home. My mission flew by so fast I can't even believe it. I'm gonna miss it a lot. I feel like this is going to be a pretty sad week for me. But, I can't wait to see you guys again! And I can't wait to be in the United States again holy heck I love that place so much!! The mission has been the best thing ever for me. It has been the most life-changing experience ever. I haven't loved every moment, but I wouldn't trade a second of it for anything else. My testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel has gone from strong to unshakable, and the knowledge that I truly am a literal son of a loving God has become so much more apparent to me than ever before. I love the gospel. I love my Heavenly Father, and my older brother and Savior Jesus Christ. I love this gospel, and I owe all I have to the Church of Jesus Christ, because without it, my life wouldn't have a purpose, I wouldn't have hope, I wouldn't have standards, I wouldn't have any goals and wouldn't be doing anything meaningful with my life. I wouldn't be happy if it weren't for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And I'm just glad that I was able to spend two years sharing what makes me most happy with whoever was willing to listen. It has been the biggest blessing ever. It's gonna be hard to take this name tag off forever, and stop being an official representative of Christ. I will miss it a whole lot. Now I actually have to start worrying about myself and about school and about work and about all kinds of chaos, and I won't be able to focus 100% on helping other people anymore. It will be a bummer... But, on the plus side, I'll be able to eat delicious American foods, listen to music, and hug girls.</div>
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I really can't wait to see you guys! I can't believe how soon I'll be home! Wish I could have written more, but I gotta go finish my mission! I'll just leave you a scripture in 3 John <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4" x-apple-data-detectors="true">1:13-14</a>. See ya soon!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Elder Hemsley</div>
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OH DUDE! After an entire mission of searching, I <i>finally</i> found, on my very last p-day,<i>OCARINAS FOR SALE</i>. SO AWESOME SO AWESOME. Bought two. Cheap ones. But still. They're <i>ocarinas. </i>Zelda!!!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">ZELDA!!!</span></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-35763884260453540692013-08-05T15:16:00.001-07:002013-08-05T15:18:38.832-07:00"Have a fun week having a fun week without me. Next week I'll write you again, but the next week, I'll be too busy FLYING HOME to write. So, sorry about that."<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yo fam!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Okay, this is weird. One
more e-mail left to go after this. I feel a little bit rushed today, because it’s
my last p-day without a zone activity planned, so it's my last chance to get a
lot of things done!! So I'm gonna break out the journal to save myself the
trouble and time of actually having to <i>think</i> of things to tell you.
Let's start...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This week we were trying
to focus on activating a kid named Kevin who just turned 18 but hasn't been to
church in a real long time. On Tuesday we invited him to a YSA activity FHE
type thing. Went pretty well, and we played some frisbee afterwards with him
and some of the other people there. It was the first time he had been to church
in forever! So, that was cool. His sister, who's also inactive, came with us
too. The next night the YSA planned a surprise birthday party for him here at
the Chavez' house (where we live). We took him over here and told him there was
going to be some sort of activity. It was funny because he almost didn't come!!
He was super tired and was trying to think of excuses to stay home. Haha. But,
he ended up coming, and it looks like he had a good time. My companion and I
couldn't stay because it was late, so, we walked up the stairs, and went to
bed. Hope it was a good experience for him though. He didn't come to church
this Sunday because he's in Chiclayo. But, his mom and his sister came!
Success!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Herber told us that he
had a great time at the YSA convention in Chiclayo. He loved it! A Seventy came
and spoke and Herber said he loved his talk so much that he wished he could
have stayed and kept speaking. He is also dead-set on serving his mission. He
even asked us if there's any possible way for him to go on his mission sooner.
So awesome. Sunday was really rad, because we get to church, and there aren't
enough deacons to pass the sacrament (actually, that always happens, because
there are only three deacons in total! None of them were there.) so one of the
members asked Herber if he could help pass the sacrament. He pulled him aside,
explained to him how to do it, and then went up to the front with him to pass the
sacrament with him. So awesome! So, Herber passed the sacrament for the first
time ever on Sunday. And he did it perfectly! Yesterday was fast and testimony
meeting at church, and I was sitting there listening to the testimonies. I like
this ward, because it's the only area I've been in in my entire mission where
there are no awkward silences in testimony meetings. It’s just testimony after
testimony after testimony with no breaks until the meeting ends. Pretty rad. My
companion and I were sitting with Herber and with Jusseff. I wasn't planning on
sharing my testimony, until Jusseff made a comment about how it's my last fast
and testimony meeting in my mission. So, I got up and shared my testimony after
all (after church, at lunch, Hermano Franciso (my pensionista's husband) joked
that it wasn't a good last testimony of my mission because I didn't cry. Hehe).
When I finished, Herber came up and shared his testimony too!! He was nervous,
but it was so awesome to see that before I go home!! Later, in priesthood meeting,
one of the members of our elders quorum announced that Herber is looking for a
job and asked the whole elders quorum to try to help him find a job so that he
can pay for his mission. Man, that is so cool. Pretty cool church day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Random funny experiences
of the week: We were walking down this one dirt road, in between a bunch of
tall multiple-story houses, knocking doors, when suddenly this lady yells to us
from her house "the dog is going to eat you guys!! Hurry! Get out of
here!!" I saw no dog. Also, we knocked this one door, and this old man
came to answer. I said "good afternoon", and he said the same, then
turned around, walked slowly back inside his house, and shut the door. That
bugged me, so I rang his doorbell again. Haha. He didn't answer again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This week we went back to
finish painting that shack. More service. Pretty fun times. The member bought
us Inca Kola afterward. Win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On Wednesday we spent
almost the entire afternoon with the bishop's wife, Hermana Elisabeth (I don't
know how to spell her name. There are a lot of different ways to spell that
name here...) who took us to Otuzco to go visit a lady who has been inactive in
the Church for like 15 years. We got to Otuzco, and then we seriously walked
for like an hour trying to find the house. There are no addresses in Otuzco. We
were in such a pretty place though. It was awesome. I took a few stupid photos
but they don't do it any justice whatsoever. They don't even look that cool.
But it was gorgeous. We finally found the lady's house, and visited with her
and her husband and her parents-in-law and her brother-in-law and
sister-in-law. The lady, Katia, is the only member of the whole family. But the
family was awesome and had a lot of good questions for us and seemed very
interested in the activities we have at the church. Rad fam. After that, we
walked another long way back to the main road where we took a freaking combi
back to the bishop's house. There were at least 9 million people crammed into
that van. It was so uncomfortable! I hate traveling in this country so much!!!
We got to the bishop's house and had a short visit with his family and ate a
little dinner. Anyway, on Saturday we went back to Otuzco to visit that same
family. We got to their house a little faster the second time. But it was less
of an adventure. We taught the family about the restoration of the gospel of
Jesus Christ. Went pretty well. I feel like this family can progress with
time...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ah yeah, got to meet the
last district of my mission this week too! Well, only two people changed. And
one of the new people I already knew from before. Hermana Harmon, from Idaho,
came and replaced Hermana Córdova. She's been out here for like three months or
something. She doesn't think so, but she's learned a ton of Spanish since she
first got here. She's in my ward now. And a brand new elder came and replaced
Elder Greene. His name is Elder Mendoza, and he's Mexican, but has lived in the
United States for most of (if not all of... I can't remember) his life, and is
still learning Spanish. He does know more than the average new missionary
though, which will help him. Looks like a pretty cool district to end with! Ah!
And Hermana Córdova got transferred to Pacasmayo and is opening a second area
there of sister missionaries! Too cool!! Now both Pacasmayo and Olmos have been
split into two areas. The work is moving forward here in Peru! Woohoo! I miss
both of those areas a lot holy heck I want to visit the people there. I don't
think I will be able too before I go home... But at least I'll get to see a few
people in Chiclayo probably. Possibly Picsi too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oooh! Speaking of Picsi,
we got our monthly mission bulletin this week, and it always has photos of some
of the baptisms from the past month, and there was a photo on there from Picsi,
of Carolina and Alfredo's baptism!! Carolina and Alfredo got baptized!!! That
is the couple who was super super poor and the church was going to help them
build a house and get married so that they could get baptized. They got
baptized after all! I am so happy for them!! Seriously that made me so happy
seeing that. What a great family. I miss them. I honestly have no idea how many
of my investigators in past areas have ended up getting baptized since I've
left. Hopefully a few of them...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, those are a few
random happenings of this past week. Today is p-day, and I'm gonna go out and
buy s'more stuff. I just have no idea what it is that I'm going to buy. Also,
I'm going to buy soda. And Pringles. Probably. Mmmm... Today's also Hermana
Celia's birthday, so we're prob gonna party tonight. Woo!! Oh PS I really like
the Thanksgiving in Utah idea. I was thinking about doing that exact same thing
now that freaking Rick's College deleted Thanksgiving break! But yeah, good
idea. But you know what is a bad idea? Going to California <i>for the fourth
time</i> without me. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT. PS if you haven't already done
it this year, don't forget to buy me an In-N-Out shirt please. :) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And I'm not trunky, if
you can believe that. Only when I'm forced to think about my mission ending and
having to plan and get ready. But, it's not distracting me from working! I try
to keep my mind off going home. Just like how I tried to keep my mind off going
on my mission so much that I didn't do <i>anything</i> to prepare myself
to come out here. Hehe. I seriously don't think I ever even once looked up
"Chiclayo" on the internet! I had no idea what to expect!! Have a fun
week having a fun week without me. Next week I'll write you again, but the next
week, I'll be too busy FLYING HOME to write. So, sorry about that. I miss you
guys! Excited to see you soon! Bye!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh gosh I just got my
Peruvian residence resignation letter that I have to sign. I never thought this
day would actually come...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hemsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Here are some of the pictures that Victor sent this week. If you'd like to see the rest just click on the slideshow at the top of this blog.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5bJMnGTIIsV-G5vfyubTWtrrPLlQ35b6sqhYgwwCIaIVSRnoAjjy_w18C7bFmnSNVJqFI4Jh54V3VZbEO64Ot_Ojj-73wnpKMn5qjEcfQpnt_rODtfrDNUPNdjgZuGU-sV2ef-LBK-4e/s1600/IMG_3730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5bJMnGTIIsV-G5vfyubTWtrrPLlQ35b6sqhYgwwCIaIVSRnoAjjy_w18C7bFmnSNVJqFI4Jh54V3VZbEO64Ot_Ojj-73wnpKMn5qjEcfQpnt_rODtfrDNUPNdjgZuGU-sV2ef-LBK-4e/s400/IMG_3730.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Proselyting out in the middle of nowhere in Otuzco."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjen5Lk9amsHXqsq1jp-ZMEJ_Ak-pVkisB4aVt8YpihFRr_NN8WcNETB61OghF13KmYLHbwH6IIo97oSTs3b-Bg-MhNjeiEG7xZKBSwdTn5wVhYnscVT8niG1kIQ-o_mYirU7oO5Y7MJb4R/s1600/IMG_3733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjen5Lk9amsHXqsq1jp-ZMEJ_Ak-pVkisB4aVt8YpihFRr_NN8WcNETB61OghF13KmYLHbwH6IIo97oSTs3b-Bg-MhNjeiEG7xZKBSwdTn5wVhYnscVT8niG1kIQ-o_mYirU7oO5Y7MJb4R/s400/IMG_3733.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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"Pretty places actually exist in Peru." (Otuzco)</div>
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<b>WARNING TO ALL OREGON DUCK FANS...this next picture is extremely graphic, so you might want to skip it!</b></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWoRynwwtBZI8xWjs-R6kXpO6TlxnxT_-8WWekaQDnN-f-Y-_yam2fWnw_Xlwly_m2BzAL3FKnTSPfBFm1l93dz8H_UaF8wD1GwcGKZdxBQUl0HcwCr8Q_1y9zoqORYesBqVefjTZ5me0/s1600/IMG_3757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWoRynwwtBZI8xWjs-R6kXpO6TlxnxT_-8WWekaQDnN-f-Y-_yam2fWnw_Xlwly_m2BzAL3FKnTSPfBFm1l93dz8H_UaF8wD1GwcGKZdxBQUl0HcwCr8Q_1y9zoqORYesBqVefjTZ5me0/s400/IMG_3757.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"HI GUYS CHECK OUT THESE DUCKS."</div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-45050690786432229232013-08-05T01:51:00.000-07:002013-08-05T01:51:43.841-07:00"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!!"
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dang it, I am seriously
weirded out right now because things keep happening that make me remember how
soon I'm going home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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 <i>wow, the mission seriously is the
coolest thing ever.</i> 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...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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 <i>freezing</i>. Holy crap. Even for me, who always makes fun of Peruvians
for thinking the water is too cold, it was <i>cold.</i> 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!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">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!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">See ya!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Elder Hemz</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>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.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQ6IIR9820yGpxJXBa_P_hg6z9EQQvFjPR4CbJJoZDO5MQalTXEOLTkDq7jeVwWLM4jAe7x3z0_RCVVVpMLmekG8bjZkwEfmC2dzb_Mryo89ibErdQVIthZ7TSac6dKQLVaw-V1wCgPAx/s1600/IMG_3611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQ6IIR9820yGpxJXBa_P_hg6z9EQQvFjPR4CbJJoZDO5MQalTXEOLTkDq7jeVwWLM4jAe7x3z0_RCVVVpMLmekG8bjZkwEfmC2dzb_Mryo89ibErdQVIthZ7TSac6dKQLVaw-V1wCgPAx/s400/IMG_3611.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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"I hate traveling in this country."</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyVxAue4a1DYtn42No5dCTUxS95JIdDthTk0rvr84KslNNGGnj_4IuzSqlSfscqTyx4-OBCleTuBdYuCb0exe2wRsmvmRlQejRuHjhwGQtBA6cOl8p6-qgq_wsWjxQhYWwLF1g3Xb0bzv/s1600/IMG_3663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyVxAue4a1DYtn42No5dCTUxS95JIdDthTk0rvr84KslNNGGnj_4IuzSqlSfscqTyx4-OBCleTuBdYuCb0exe2wRsmvmRlQejRuHjhwGQtBA6cOl8p6-qgq_wsWjxQhYWwLF1g3Xb0bzv/s400/IMG_3663.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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"José's baptism."</div>
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"There's some good lookin' missionaries."</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-44213648236136662682013-08-05T01:26:00.001-07:002013-08-05T01:26:18.274-07:00"We don't even have any idea who she was. But that's one of the nicest things someone's done for me on my mission..."
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hola guys<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, I've been spending
the past 15 minutes trying to send you guys some photos, but, my camera is not
doing so well (it hasn't been working right for months now) and I'm not able to
open the photos on the computer. That sounds bad, but later I'm gonna get an SD
card adapter and plug the memory card in straight to the computer and take 'em
off from there instead. I dunno if that makes sense to you guys, but it makes
sense to me, and it works. But I can't do it right now. So, unless I get that
adapter soon, I probably won't be able to send pics this time. Oh well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s been a tough week!
Pros: We visited a ton of members this week. We're gaining their confidence and
their friendship. Kewl. Cons: None of the members are giving us referrals! And
all our regular appointments with investigators are falling through (like
always)!! So, we're not seeing too many people progressing right now. Kinda
bummed, because this isn't exactly how I want to end my mission. But, I s'pose
as long as I'm working hard, that's all that matters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s kinda weird getting
e-mails now. Because now I have to split my internet time between reading and
writing instead of only writing. But, this hasn't really been the most
productive or eventful week, so I might not have that much to write about
anyway! Let's see what kinds of things I can pull out of my memory (actually,
my journal) today...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">First, one of the
highlights of the week: After I wrote you guys last week, we went to have an
FHE with one of the families in our ward. The Marin Lopez family. Why was it a
highlight? Because the lady (Laura) made us tacos. TACOS!! They were soo super
delicious too. Look, a bunch of missionaries who have a lot of time out here
have told me "when I first got to Peru, I hated the food, but now I've
actually grown to like it a lot." Some people say that. But, <i><u>not me</u>.</i> I
do not like Peruvian food and I jump for joy and give everlasting thanks to my
Heavenly Father every time I get to eat food that is not from this country. I
would kill someone for a nice burger. Well... probably not, but still. I mean,
it's a possibility. So, that was one awesome part of the week. Two other
food-related highlights of the week were the two times I ate pizza. Celia, my
pensionista made us pizza one day, and it was delish. And today, for p-day, we
ate Pizza Hut. YES YES YES AMERICAN FOOD YES!!! Pretty soon I'll be eating
Costco muffins 'n stuff. (Seriously, I always torture myself thinking about
food. I've never been able to get over that habit my entire mission...)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh yeah, something that
bothers me a whole lot (I sure am a complainer today) are all the churches that
teach bad things about us "Mormons" in their regular church meetings...
It drives me nuts! I can't remember one single time that I've ever heard
anything bad about any other church in any church meeting I've ever been to in
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I can't remember reading one
single article talking bad about other churches in any issue of the Ensign or
Liahona magazines. But, these other churches are all about that. Because we worship
Joseph Smith, don't believe in God, don't believe in the Bible, have seven
wives, and are racists. "I learned that about you guys in my church."
That's a common phrase we hear. Oh yeah, did I ever tell you about the time we
passed by a preacher of a different faith who was teaching someone at their
door, and the only thing they were talking about was all the reasons why the
Mormon church is false? Psh. The only thing I remember hearing in General
Conference about another church was when Elder Oaks <i>complemented</i> the
Catholic church a few conferences back. 'Member this?: <i>"Many Christians
have voluntarily given sacrifices motivated by faith in Christ and the desire
to serve Him. Some have chosen to devote their entire adult lives to the
service of the Master. This noble group includes those in the religious orders
of the Catholic Church and those who have given lifelong service as Christian
missionaries in various Protestant faiths. Their examples are challenging and
inspiring..." </i>I liked that, because it is the exact opposite of what I
always hear in the streets and in people's houses. Compliments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We went to visit Herber
this week. Had a pretty rad visit, like always. This one was rad not because of
what we taught, but because of what he told us! He told us that what is goal
is, and what he most wants right now, is that one day he can be at home on a
Monday night with his whole family, having a Family Home Evening where his
whole family participates. He wants his family to join the Church. He told us
that he remembers us teaching him that those who participate in the necessary
ordinances and endure to the end will end up in one place after this life, and
those who don't will end up in another. He said that he's thought about that a
lot ever since we taught that to him, and that he hates to think that he could
end up in one place, and the rest of this family in another. He wants his
family to receive all the same blessings as him. He told us that he's felt so
good since joining the Church and that the people there treat him like family
and he loves it. And he told us that he has an aunt who might be interested in
learning about the church too. Getting to know Herber and seeing such an
amazing change in his life and watching his testimony grow has just been one of
the most amazing experiences for me. It has strengthened my own faith and
testimony so much. Herber is a huge example to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On Sunday, Herber <i>finally</i> got
the priesthood. Because of miscommunications and confusion, it just kept not
happening every Sunday. This Sunday in Priesthood meeting, but old MTC teacher,
Hermano Casanova, put his hands on Herber's head and ordained him a Priest in
the Aaronic Priesthood. Pretty awesome. Finally!! In the ol' journal I wrote
"<i>Herber is like my most awesomest convert."</i> Bad grammar
is just a part of who I am. Leave me alone. I do it on purpose because it makes
me laugh more. Oh yeah, and Herber went with us to teach two lessons this week.
Future missionary fo' sho'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh yeah! On Thursday I
finished the Book of Mormon again. That was fast! Fourth time I've read it
cover-to-cover on my mission. Pretty cool. After that I didn't know what to
read, so I started something I've never done before: reading Doctrine and
Covenants. I'm reading fast too. I've read over 100 pages already. It's pretty
neat too. Though, I prefer the BoM because it's a continuous story from page 1
to page 531. Actually, that's a lie, because of Ether.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh check out this
highlight of a different day:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">07/17/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One highlight of today:
Somebody actually told us that he doesn't want to listen to us! We contacted
this guy in the street, talked for a bit, and when we asked if we could visit
him sometime, he said no. Why is that a highlight? Because usually people just
lie or make up the dumbest excuses for why we can't visit them! This guy was
honest. "I don't like talking to preachers."</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hehe. Count your
blessings, I guess. (Actually, counting my blessings has been something that
has helped me <i>a ton</i> on my mission.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We're still visiting
Edgar, and he's still one of my coolest investigators. He's having such a hard
time. He has so many problems and trials in his life and he just wants
everything to calm down. He told us "Right now my main goal is to get
married to Milagros [his girlfriend who he lives with and has a kid with], and
get baptized. I've been listening to you guys and learning long enough that I
now know for sure that this is the true church." I like when people say
stuff like that. I feel bad for him because he's the nicest, coolest guy, but
life's throwing all it's worst at him. After the lesson with Edgar, we said
goodbye and started heading out of the restaurant (he lives in a restaurant
owned by his parents-in-law). After a minute, Edgar comes up to us (we were
already outside) and said "Elders, want some chicken? Come on in and
eat." Uhh... okay! Can't turn that down because the chicken there is <i>so
</i>good! So, we go back in and Edgar brings us each a plate of chicken and
fries. As we're eating, this other lady who was eating in the restaurant comes
up to us and said "do you guys like it? Don't worry, I already paid for
it. Have a good night!" And then she left. Wait, what?! So we ask Edgar
what the heck just happened and who that lady is. He said that as we were
leaving, that lady asked him "were they talking to you about God?"
"Yeah", he replied. To which she said "Get them a couple plates
of chicken. I'll pay for it." Haha, wow! We don't even have any idea who
she was. But that's one of the nicest things someone's done for me on my
mission. I dunno who that lady was, but I wish I could thank her. That was
really nice. And so delicious!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One funny thing that
happened this week is that one night my companion was so tired that he got in
bed and fell asleep with all his proselyting clothes still on. White shirt,
tie, and even his shoes! He slept like that all night. When he woke up, he was
already dressed. His shoes were even still on. Hahaha. So weird.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Had two stressful
baptisms in the district this week, but, it's a long story and I don't feel
like telling you about it. So, why am I even mentioning it?... I don't know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Today for p-day we did
something cool. We played basketball. <i>BASKETBALL!!!</i> Not soccer!!
YES!! I don't even like basketball that much, or any sport, but I am so sick of
soccer that playing anything else is a special treat. Then we watched 17
Miracles and ate pizza. Yum yum yum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh yeah, and our shower
got fixed finally. The water is actually <i>hot</i> now. Hot water
showers!! I have missed those SO MUCH!!! What a blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jealous that you guys had
fun in Park City. You aren't supposed to have fun without me. Stop. PS why are
you going on all these vacations <i>weeks</i> before I get home?! That is
so not even fair!! Got the pictures too. Pretty cool. All my little cousins
aren't little anymore...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dude Sam you just made me
so jealous talking about Star Wars books and stuff. I wanted to read that Darth
Plagueis book so bad!! Oooh boy I miss being a nerd. Still got a whole
bookshelf of Star Wars books waiting to be read at home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Alright, I gotta go now.
I only have three p-days left. What the heck. I should probably go buy some
souvenirs. I really need to get on that. I'll talk to you (literally) soon! I
miss you guys!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hemsley</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-91769611685824809202013-07-22T02:47:00.000-07:002013-07-22T02:47:01.393-07:00"Cajamarca is cold, and when heated houses don't exist, that makes showering a pretty unpleasant experience..."
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hello home!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, I just logged on to
my e-mail to see 22 new messages in my inbox, all error messages telling me
that the photos I sent you last week didn't make it through. Dang it, the
internet has some serious problems here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, I'm doin' pretty good
these days. I can't believe how close I am to being home. But, the weird thing
is, I'm a lot less excited about going home now than I used to be. The closer
it gets, the sadder I am that this is all about to end. It's so unreal. But
don't get me wrong, I'm ridiculously excited to see you guys again! I'm just a
little bummed that my only chance to be a representative of my Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ is almost over. This has been the hardest, and most stressful,
most frustrating thing I've ever done in my entire life. And the best thing
I've ever done. I wish that somehow I could go back and see you guys and still
be a missionary at the same time...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, I'll tell you some
stuff I guess...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We've been focusing a lot
more on visiting members ever since that transmission from Salt Lake the other
week. I can already see and feel a huge difference in the ward and the members
here. We're gaining their trust and their friendship a lot more. They're
getting more excited about participating in missionary work. It's pretty
awesome. I feel like ever since that transmission the way we work has totally
changed. The way I'm working now is so different than the way I've been working
for the past two years. I like it. I'm excited to see how this new
member-focused work style is going to help this work go forward for years to
come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fun part of the week:
Elder Meza came to visit! Brother Meza, actually. He finished his mish in
December. His last area was this one, and so he came the other day to visit
with another elder who recently finished too, Elder Cabrera. Way fun to see
them again! Elder Meza is one of the most awesomest missionaries I've ever met.
Super cool guy. Super fun to see him again. He told me that my Spanish has
gotten way better. I can't tell. All I know is that my English has gotten
worse. He's now teaching English at a Catholic school in Lima. It's not that
weird, this is a Catholic country...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We visited a less active
family this week. The Zapana Cordova family. The mom, Judith, went to live and
work in Salt Lake City for three years, and met the missionaries and got
baptized there. Seriously, why are there even missionaries in Salt Lake City if
everyone is already Mormon? Hehe, just kidding. Anyway we talked to her and her
daughter about the importance of reading the scriptures. She told us that when
she was in Utah she read the entire Book of Mormon and she loved it. She felt
so blessed when she was reading frequently and active in the Church in Utah.
Her whole life had changed. Now that she's back in Peru she's sort of fallen
away from all of that, and she misses it. She misses Salt Lake too. She loved
how calm and clean it us compared to Peru. She wants to go back. And she wants
to start reading her scriptures again to let that light that she used to have
back into her life. Pretty cool. Hopefully we can help this family. But, her
husband and oldest daughter are not members. She's now working in a karaoke-bar
owned by her husband, and her busiest days are Friday and Saturday nights, all
night. So, going to Church is hard. We'll see what we can do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Something a little
not-so-normal is that I taught one lesson this week sitting in the street.
Haha. It’s a recently paved street and cars still aren't driving on it. We got
a referral to go visit this 18 year old kid named Luis who's a member, and his
two friends he lives with named Manuel and Reynaldo, who are 16 and 14. They
don't have seats in their house, so we just sat down in the middle of the
street and talked to them. Kinda different. Luis is a less active member. He
used to live in an orphanage and the director of the orphanage was a member of
the Church. The missionaries came and visited and a lot of the kids there got
baptized. But then they got a new director who's Catholic who no longer let
them go to Church or let the missionaries come visit (we're still not allowed
in there), so he and the rest of the member kids stopped going to Church. When
the kids turn 18, they leave the orphanage, and Luis showed up at Church on
Sunday with Reynaldo. Pretty cool kids. The next day we went back to visit
again and Manuel and Reynaldo accepted the invitation to be baptized. But, we
can't set a date because they need permission first. They came to a Church
activity with us after that. But, for some reason they didn't come back to
Church on Sunday. Eh. We've only visited them twice. We'll help them out
s'more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I interviewed another kid
this week for baptism. The interview lasted forever because the kid loved to
talk! But he was awesome. Nine years old. No problems. Got baptized on
Saturday. He, like basically every kid here (basically every <i>person </i>actually)
was freaked out about the water, but he got baptized real quick without
problems. I don't think he held his breath though because he came up gasping
for breath. Hehe. Swimming lessons basically don't exist here, which probably
explains everyone's fear of water. But, I still don't understand everyone's
fear of cold drinks!! And I never will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One thing that makes me
mad is that people here keep trying to make my companion feel bad about his
long hair. Especially people who think they know something about the
scriptures. "What does the Bible say about men with long hair?" They
yell at us North Americans in the street, and they stare and make rude comments
about my companion. And when the smart alecs who try to use the Bible to tell
my comp he shouldn't have long hair start talking, I just want to pull out a
picture of Christ and be like "do you know who this is?" And they'll
obviously be like "that's Jesus Christ." To which I'd respond
"Yeah, it's Christ. Go tell Christ his long hair is a sin too." And
some Christians here have the strangest beliefs ever. Dancing is a sin,
non-gospel music is a sin, girls wearing pants instead of skirts or a dress is
a sin, going to parties is a sin, having long hair is a sin, etc... But being mean
to anyone who is different is not a sin. It seriously drives me insane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cajamarca is cold, and
when heated houses don't exist, that makes showering a pretty unpleasant
experience. We have a water heater, but it doesn't heat up the water very much.
I still shiver every time I shower. I don't shower every day, because I can't
handle it. Yesterday morning I took a shower. The electric water heater doesn't
heat up the water very much. And if you put your hand up by the nozzle where
the water comes out, the water shocks you because it's charged with
electricity. Scary! Well, yesterday it was even worse, because while I was
showering the water heater exploded!! I heard a pop and saw a flash of light and
then I looked up and the water heater was busted and smoking. Kinda freaky. I
got out of the shower pretty quickly after that. And now we don't have warm
water to shower with. I'm going to have to borrow the other shower downstairs
that isn't ours because if I don't I will never shower because it's freezing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Last night we went to
Hermano Casanova's house. He was my teacher in the Lima MTC. We went with the
ZLs for dinner. We ate pizza and talked with his family. He's way cool, and
really funny. So cool that I get to finish my mission in his ward! Had fun
visiting them. They invited us back over on Wednesday for dessert. Yum!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Got yer mail, from like a
month ago. And got yer first batch of e-mails! 22 months in, and I just got the
first batch of e-mails from you guys. Haha. Cool. I'm so jealous that you're in
Park City! Not fair!! But, no Tyler, no Mitchell, and no <i>me</i>?! Seems
pretty lame to me. Hehe. And Jacque went to EFY?! Seriously I miss EFY so
much, it was like the funnest thing I ever did. That's why I went back even
after I graduated high school. Hehe, I had so much fun that year with James. We
are silly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Alright, I gotta get
going. Have some FHE's to go to tonight. I will see you so soon! I can't
believe it!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Elder Hemsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-80453287147830346712013-07-11T14:26:00.000-07:002013-07-11T14:26:55.357-07:00"Today for p-day we went to this pretty sickawesome place called Cumbe Mayo which is like an hour or so from Cajamarca. It’s just this really pretty place that made me feel like I was in The Lord of the Rings or something... or in Zelda. DUDE, ZELDA!!!!"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hola guyz<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hmm, I'm trying to think
of what to tell you guys this week. It hasn't been a bad week, but it hasn't
been too eventful either. I guess I'll pull out the ol' journal for some
ideas...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ooh, well, for one, last
week after I e-mailed you guys my comp and I went out and hit the streets of
Cajamarca with our bud Jusseff. We went to this sweet cathedral in the Plaza de
Armas. Pretty rad. There's two cathedrals there, but one was closed. The one we
went into was the less cool one, but it was still way pretty. Dude, I don't
even care how not-Catholic I am, I seriously love Catholic cathedrals. They're
way sick. That was fun, we were in there for like ten minutes. Way pretty.
Then, we went to this place called Santa Apolonia which is on this hill were we
get this great view of the entire city. And there are a whole places of tiny
shops 'n stuff that sell all kinds of souvenirs. So, for the first time in my
21 months of being a missionary, I <i>finally</i> started buying some
souvenirs! Didn't get too much stuff, gotta go back and buy a lot more to lug
back to the US of A. I only have a few p-days left! But, that was my p-day last
week. That night we had an FHE with a family, but they weren't there. So, we
came back here with the Chavez family (our pensionista's fam) and had an FHE
with them instead, and with Herber. Was pretty nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We've been focusing a lot
more on visiting members lately. We've been visiting them a bunch. We had like
three or four FHEs this week with members with investigators present. It’s a pretty
good strat, because lots of times we go out with members to go teach lessons,
but all the appointments fall through and we don't actually end up teaching
anybody. But, having the lessons, or the FHEs in the members homes, and
bringing investigators with us, works a whole heck of a lot better. Since we're
six missionaries in our ward, and we're all focusing on visiting the members
more, I think it will be a really effective way to get the members excited
about missionary work and gaining their friendship and trust. I like it. It
might not bring immediate results, but in the long run it will be something
that will continually help this ward from here on out. So, we're planting
seeds. Another important part of missionary work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On Tuesday I went out and
had a work visit with the elders in the Chontapaccha ward. They're two white
boys. Elder Greene and Elder Callis. I started my mission with Elder Callis,
and I've been Elder Greene's district leader in two different districts now.
They're both fun. I went to the Chontapaccha area with Elder Greene and Elder
Callis stayed here with my comp. Perhaps not so surprisingly, almost all of our
appointments fell through. It's not just my area where that happens... But, the
main purpose of the visit was to visit this guy named Edilberto who had a
baptismal date for that weekend. He is way awesome. He's like 60, and recently
widowed. Like three or four weeks ago one of his friends invited him to church,
and he came and met the missionaries. The missionaries started teaching him and
he just progressed at lightning speed. He read the entire Book of Mormon in a
week and then started reading and studying Gospel Principles. We went and I met
him and we taught a quick lesson on tithing. Since he'd already done so much
studying on his own, he basically taught us what tithing is and accepted it
without any issues. On Thursday I went to interview him for his baptismal
interview. Answered all the questions way in-depth and was super ready to be
baptized. On Friday my comp and I went to see him get baptized. I'm glad we
showed up, because he was really happy to see me there! He was golden. He gave
a super awesome testimony too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On Wednesday out of
nowhere at lunch time I just got this super sore throat and couldn't even
swallow my food. It was odd, because I ate breakfast totally normal. At dinner
time I was mostly better too. But at lunch time my throat was just killing me.
Gosh dangit Peru why do you always make me sick?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fourth of July was fun.
NOT! But that was the day that I interviewed Edilberto, which was cool. We had
our zone training meeting that day and the assistants came up from Chiclayo
with President and Sister Risso. President was pretty much only there to
interview. I was hoping for some sweet mind-blowing doctrinal talk, but,
nuthin'. Pretty good meeting though. That day we went to go eat lunch with a
member family (the fact that I'm still alive and writing this e-mail is a
blessing). Actually, it’s a family who's cooking I trust, so, no worries. But I
still can't get that image out of my head from the time I went to the market in
Chiclayo with Elder Perea and we were walking through the vegetable section and
there were freaking rats crawling around in the food!! I do not trust the food
here!!! You have no idea how many times I've eaten meals in places that would
be extremely illegal to sell food in back home. I just can't wait to get home
and start eating fake food again. Fake food is so good!! Anyway, the fam made
us one of the few Peruvian dishes that I actually like, called "aji de
gallina." Pretty tasty. It's like one of only two foods I like here. That
night we had one of our FHEs with a member family who lives down the street
from us, the Campos family. They're rad. Way active 'n stuff. Ex-bishop. Herber
came with us and so did another rad ivestigator (who can't get baptized yet),
and his two year old son. It was a pretty sweet FHE, except for when the kid
peed his pants, and he wasn't wearing a diaper and it got all over his dad and
the couch. Hahaha. And then as we were about to leave, he went number 2. Pretty
funny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On Friday morning we had
s'more meetings. District leader training. The assistants led the meeting with
the ZLs. It was pretty cool. Sister Risso pitched in a little bit too. After
the meeting, I got interviewed by President Risso, which is only like the
fourth time I've been interviewed by him in my entire mission, which is kind of
weird. He never interviewed me while I was in the office. Prob because I saw
him all the time anyway. Pretty sweet interview, 'cause Prez is the best. I
really miss being around President and Sister Risso all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">That afternoon when we
went out to go do some work and be missionaries, this guy came up to us in the
street and told us that his son is a member of our church. We asked him what
his son's name is, and he told us "Herber Infante." Oh! Yeah, I know
that guy! I just baptized him! lolz. He went on thanking us so much because he
said that since we started visitng Herber, that Herber has changed so much, and
has changed for the better. He was super grateful for all that we've done for
his son. Hopefully we can visit his dad one of these days too! But he enjoys
his alcohol. He told us that if he doesn't drink, he can't eat. Weird. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On Saturday I headed out
to Otuzco for only my third time ever with my comp and our mission leader
Oscar. It’s a way pretty place. A teeny little village. Still didn't take
pictures. Gotta go back and do that one of these days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We also had a classic
tracting moment on Saturday. We knocked on this one door, and this nine year
old boy answers the door. We ask if his parents are home, and he said yes and
went in to tell them that we were at the door. A minute or two later, he came
back and told us that his mom couldn't come to the door because she was
changing the baby's diaper. Elder Maldonado asked if his dad was home too. The
kid said "yeah, he's here, but... they're both changing the
diaper..." Hahaha. Great excuse. The people here are creative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yesterday was Sunday. I
still really enjoy going to church in an actual church building and not some
rented out Peruvian house. It is great. Pretty good day. Had another FHE with
some members and investigators. 'Twas nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Today for p-day we went
to this pretty sickawesome place called Cumbe Mayo which is like an hour or so
from Cajamarca. It’s just this really pretty place that made me feel like I was
in The Lord of the Rings or something... or in Zelda. DUDE, <i>ZELDA!!!!</i> The
pics I took don't really do it justice, but I'll send them anyway. It was super
cold there, but really awesome. Probably one of the better p-days I've had. I
liked it. And I got to take a pic with a sheep on my shoulders. Just like...
wait, what I was about to say was probably blasphemy... (Okay fine, just like
Jesus.) Oh, dude, and I found Mountain Dew Code Red today. CODE RED.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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"Pretty neato place."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4lhP-eG8kv2onZUlS7o1xD91Cv3Uz08UbqYH-OT_b4NC4HoUqsYHSKex83HyifaJCFAMjl4M-oFkyJ-DeytscpXRQgTpIAkc_SrXd80OEiZPpu94xWvyLhHjqePEu37YQSIyiLRCRF66/s1600/IMG_3573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4lhP-eG8kv2onZUlS7o1xD91Cv3Uz08UbqYH-OT_b4NC4HoUqsYHSKex83HyifaJCFAMjl4M-oFkyJ-DeytscpXRQgTpIAkc_SrXd80OEiZPpu94xWvyLhHjqePEu37YQSIyiLRCRF66/s400/IMG_3573.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"I'm on a rock."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2TQDYys2Vhhgmit5SOk7XI-sj-i1mQCAvuQK7xuN9y9UNNpuNOSgrZgPQ4x7DI9WGkE9gmHqXfBTNbGA30HOJq4RKEd8tje2cOsuwKJe1SdSczvR5iPgYiVcnqNU7iWFhxrXsKRUaBur/s1600/IMG_3566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2TQDYys2Vhhgmit5SOk7XI-sj-i1mQCAvuQK7xuN9y9UNNpuNOSgrZgPQ4x7DI9WGkE9gmHqXfBTNbGA30HOJq4RKEd8tje2cOsuwKJe1SdSczvR5iPgYiVcnqNU7iWFhxrXsKRUaBur/s400/IMG_3566.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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"Hi, I carry sheep."</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And... that was my entire
week. I got some letters 'n stuff too from you guys. I don't know for how much
longer you should be sending me mail. I feel like I'm gonna go home before any
more letters you send get to me. I wasn't going to ever publicly announce this,
because I thought it would make me way too homesick, but, considering I only
have like five more Mondays to check my e-mail (wait, <i>seriously?!</i> Only
five?!!?!) I guess I'll just say it so everyone knows: As of a while ago we're
now allowed to e-mail whoever the heck we want. So, if you guys wanna start
e-mailing me instead of writing letters or Dear Elders, my e-mail address is <a href="mailto:victor.hemsley@myldsmail.net"><span style="color: #084ee5;">victor.hemsley@myldsmail.net</span></a>.
So, there ya go. I still don't promise I'll respond, but, at least I'll read
it. Hehe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyways, thanks for the
mail. Got some Porter letters, got a letter from a good ol' friend. Wow, I
can't believe that Zach is at home!! We basically started our missions at the
same time!! That is SO WEIRD!!! And Porter's about to go home too. That is
nuts!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dad climbed Mt. Shasta??
That's pretty awesome. Although based on the letters I got from you guys (which
are from like a month ago) all my sibs were pretty much telling me "well,
this was a pretty boring week." IT’S SUMMER VACATION, STOP BEING
BORED.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And just to clear this
up; Dangit Drew! I never said that the Big Carl was the best burger! I just
mentioned it in one e-mail because I randomly thought of it as I was typing.
It's alright, but I mostly just bought it because it was one of the cheapest
bugers at Carl's Jr. My <i>real</i> favorite burger is the Double Western Bacon
Cheeseburger. I'm seriously going to go to Carl's Jr. and eat one of those
before I go to my house. Straight from the airport, to Carl's Jr. With my
nametag still on an everything. Family, keep that in mind. That is a delicious
burger. But if you try it and don't like it, don't make fun of me. Anyway, I'm
headed back to Rexburg in September, so if you're ever around there again,
maybe someday I'll see you again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Alright family, and the
rest of the people who read these. I'm done. That was my week. There is nothing
else to say. I guess it was more eventful than I remembered. Thank you,
journal. K, see you guys in five e-mails!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">...That is seriously so
weird...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hemz<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Victor sent more pictures that you can see by clicking on the slideshow at the top of this blog...</b></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-71565889368254612972013-07-11T11:02:00.001-07:002013-07-11T11:02:40.156-07:00"The chances of me dying before I get home are now 500% higher."
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Familia!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You know what's weird? It’s
July now. That's what's weird. Hope you have a fun 4th. I sure won't! Well,
I'll try to make it fun, even if there are no fireworks or hot dogs or cousins
or nuthin'. Maybe I'll baptize someone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This week was pretty good.
Err... not that great. We had like no lessons this week! And we had <i>so</i> many
appointments! One day we had nine set appointments. NINE APPOINTMENTS. I've
never had nine appointments in one day!! Six fell through. Great. In this zone
we also keep track of how many hours we're out proselyting each week. Elder
Maldonado and I had the highest amount of hours working this week, and the
least amount of lessons! I don't like it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But, let's see what else
happened this week, aside from being in the street for a ridiculously huge
amount of time because we could never get into anyone's house...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On Tuesday we had our
regular district and zone meetings. Being the district leader, I got to give a
class. This time I taught a class on working with members. Inspired by the
broadcast last Sunday. I stressed that the members need to get to know us
better, and that we need to show the members more love. Pretty good class. Hope
it’s something that can help us out. The prophet sure seems to think so. So I
think its a safe bet that yes. Although, I've also learned that in Peru things
don't work like in other parts of the world. So, we'll see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Friday was kinda fun,
because on Friday I got to eat lunch with Elder McGrath and his family! Elder
McGrath was the assistant when I got to the mish. He and his companion Elder
Aaroni were literally the first missionaries I met in this mission, because
they picked us up from the airport! Anyway, he finished his mish over a year
ago, and came back to visit with his fam. He served in this area, so he came to
eat lunch with my pensionista's family. Fun times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_H1-rpJUIBynXsrfw-vU48tlu4leD3CwwrWM6vgo4vDi8p8Ay7LByqHAEukvhAPMlGXmKR9ozlbx_QvCyjdnANRbsXiEi-_vQlt3fXKxQUIezOvufT-Y1LIondLz2y26obeGMbWjjqoO3/s1600/IMG_3496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_H1-rpJUIBynXsrfw-vU48tlu4leD3CwwrWM6vgo4vDi8p8Ay7LByqHAEukvhAPMlGXmKR9ozlbx_QvCyjdnANRbsXiEi-_vQlt3fXKxQUIezOvufT-Y1LIondLz2y26obeGMbWjjqoO3/s320/IMG_3496.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Elder McGrath"</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Later that night, I got a
really awful cold. Still suffereing from it. Not so fun. Saturday was horrible.
I was dying. Sunday was pretty bad too. Today, I'm mostly better, but I sure
don't like being sick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On Saturday in the
morning we got to do some service, which I like. We helped a family move
apartments. We teamed up with the zone leaders and we did it really quick. That
was fun. It was a family that we've been visiting and we're trying to help out
in whatever way we can. I like serving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">That night (when I was
super sick) we had an FHE with one member family. One of the guys there said
that the last time that I visited his family with Elder Tróchez (like three
weeks ago) was the first time in a very long time that the missionaries had
come to visit them. He was super thankful for that. He was almost in tears.
Last night we had another FHE with another family, and the guy told us that in
the year that he's lived in Cajamarca, last night was the first time the
missionaries have ever come to visit his family. He also thanked us a lot for
that. I guess missionary visits are something that the members here really
enjoy, and really need. Gotta keep visiting them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This week we had some
more great visits with Herber. We taught about the priesthood, about temples
and temple work, and about what Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great
Price is. Now, he wants to receive the priesthood, and he wants to go to the
temple, and he's more excited about reading his scriptures! But the most
awesomest part is that after one of the lessons Herber told us that he wants to
be a missionary like us. Because he's awesome!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">That's basically all that
happened this week. Not much, honestly. We wore ourselves out walking so much.
We had like 25 set appointments this week, and almost all of them fell through.
And almost all of our backup plans fell through. This isn't exactly how I want
to finish my mission... But, we're gonna see what we can do to change this.
Finding new people would be a good start.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Read a big pile of mail
this week. Some of it was really old! From when I was still in Picsi! But
whatever. Grandpa Hemsley sent me a cool article about the animation program at
BYU which almost made me wish I would have pursued my childhood dream of making
cartoons. Oh, I got the pictures you sent too! Why the heck are my sisters and
brother so big?! How is Sam so tall?! I don't like it. Stop. Jacqueline
finished the New Testament? That's pretty awesome! I'm trying to finish the BoM
<i>another </i>time before I get home. I'm in Alma. Chapter 53-ish. That's cool
how mom used parts of my e-mails in her stake conference talk too. Hope you're
all having a fun summer!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh yeah, one last piece
of bad news. On Sunday, the bishop announced that starting now, every Sunday
the missionaries are going to start eating lunch with the members! My heart
sank as I heard that. The chances of me dying before I get home are now 500%
higher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, I gotta get going.
I wanna buy souvenirs (something I haven't done my entire mission), but my
companion doesn't want to because he thinks it’s boring because the culture
here is really similar to the culture where he lives. Psh. I'll see if I can
convince him to let me go buy stuff one of these Mondays.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I miss you guys a lot! I
hope next week I can tell you that I had a sickness-free successful week! See
ya!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hemsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-15608981659468778702013-06-28T13:13:00.001-07:002013-06-28T13:15:44.170-07:00"I turn my head to look out the window, and right on the window, like two inches from my face is THE BIGGEST SPIDER I'VE EVER SEEN!! It was seriously a tarantula."<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hey guyz,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, new transfer, new
comp. Elder Trochez left Monday morning. But, he's still close by. Still in the
same zone. My new comp is... Elder Maldonado! He's from Ecuador and he just
finished his training (thank goodness, I didn't want to train again). He's
pretty awesome! We’re working well together! He's from a part of Ecuador called
Otavalo, where the culture is that the guys have real long hair and dress
differently than us. And, my companion has really long hair! <i>Really </i>long!
AKA Bryn's hair length. Because of his culture, he is allowed to wear his hair
long and dress differently than other missionaries. Instead of wearing a suit
like the rest of us, he wears a white shirt and white pants, with white
sandals. That's how he goes to church. Bet you never had a comp like that,
everyone who's reading this who's been a missionary. Kind of awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, the highlight of
the week was Herbert's baptism!! And also I found out his name is actually
spelled "Herber." That always happens. People have weird names in
Peru. On Tuesday, right after Elder Trochez left and Elder Maldonado came, we
had a great visit with Herber. At the end we asked him if he still wanted to be
baptized on the 22nd. He said yes. We asked him what time he wanted to be
baptized, and he told us "I would get baptized this afternoon if I could."
Yes, good answer. Haha. The next day we had another great lesson with him where
we talked about tithing. He accepted it right away. I wrote in my journal: <i>I
feel like when someone accepts the Law of Tithing with no complaints or
questions, that's a good sign that they're really gaining a true testimony.</i> Kind
of rad. On Friday before his baptismal interview, we talked about Thomas S.
Monson and our current 12 apostles. I remembered a story I heard once, where I
think (I don't really remember) someone asked the President Gordon B. Hinckley
what made our church different than other churches, and he responded asking
"if the prophet Moses were alive today, would you follow him?", and
the guy obviously responded "Yes." Duh. And Gordon B. Hinckley said
"that's what makes our church different from the rest. We <i>do </i>have a
living prophet." Maybe that wasn't actually Gordon B., but that's how I
remember it. Cool story. Anyway, we gave Herber the most recent conference
edition of the Liahona magazine, and he asked us "where can I get more of
these?" Haha. That night was his baptismal interview. Passed. After he
came out of the interview, he asked me if I could baptize him! I sure can!! My
journal: <i>I'm scared though, because he's not a little kid, and I've only
baptized little kids.</i> Haha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His baptism was great! I
wrote about it:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">06/22/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Duuuuuuuuuuuuude!!! Today
Herber got baptized!! It was a good day...</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The baptism was great!
For some reason, I was really nervous this time. Probably because I've never
baptized someone who isn't a kid before. Herber was nervous too! There were two
quick little talks. Then us elders (my comp and I, Elder Martin and Elder
Driggs, and Elder Trochez and Elder Law) sang a hymn. Then, baptism time! Dude,
the water was way cold! Which is bad because Peruvians think cold water will
kill you. But, Herber is awesome and didn't complain or nuthin´! But it was
cold!! I baptized him, and when we got out Herber told me that as he was coming
into the font he felt really cold, but once he was in the water, he didn't feel
cold anymore. He later shared in his testimony that he felt cold getting in,
but once he was in he felt warm, and when he got out he felt cold again. Pretty
cool. He also said that he never knew which church was the true church of Jesus
Christ until the missionaries found him and started noticing changes in his
life. He said after going to church he always felt so happy. I can't do it
justice, but it was one of the more powerful testimonies that I've heard from
someone who just got baptized. It was awesome.</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">After the baptism we
walked back to our room with Herber because he lives real close to us. He told
us that he felt really good, and he felt really clean. He said he really liked
his baptism, and that it’s something that he will always remember. As we were
getting close to our room he said that his baptism was fantastic! "Fue
fantástico!" He was really happy. This guy is going to receive so many
blessings. He is seriously the best.</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So, that made for a good
week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUKKRyL9k57NxK2ur3reSpcFuptINgpweRl8eBir0q2KZ5SBKrlSX3S6p1Z6NOSUjbKCvr5lkaeYE_N6X128d_T_Cf6tWJH5CCUW307xeDotWQJWxuJTkiOWeSrsAGpDkURDWirR4Q5mn/s1600/IMG_3483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUKKRyL9k57NxK2ur3reSpcFuptINgpweRl8eBir0q2KZ5SBKrlSX3S6p1Z6NOSUjbKCvr5lkaeYE_N6X128d_T_Cf6tWJH5CCUW307xeDotWQJWxuJTkiOWeSrsAGpDkURDWirR4Q5mn/s400/IMG_3483.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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"Herber's baptism!"</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Last Monday, after I
wrote you guys, I went with Elder Tróchez and Jusseff, an RM who lives in our
same building, to go see the famous Baños del Inca. They’re natural hot water
pools that aren't that far from here. It was pretty awesome! The water is <i>hot</i>!
Well, I didn't touch it, cause I was told not to. Lots of steam. There were
some ancient ruins there too (not very cool ones, but... ones). It was way fun.
Describing it isn't that cool, but I'm sending pics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhWX4TPixjwcHv_KSJ9vWZFhZqJbrp5TY8I93hYTugEmCKr41TWrFyecySimsiXQwM6uPFK2DCJb9yWU-CZ43W9OD45szf0L2UVCo416uHj5qFAiwvh3KYXxTuRgJsHoM9wjWXepmAGkI/s1600/DSC04895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhWX4TPixjwcHv_KSJ9vWZFhZqJbrp5TY8I93hYTugEmCKr41TWrFyecySimsiXQwM6uPFK2DCJb9yWU-CZ43W9OD45szf0L2UVCo416uHj5qFAiwvh3KYXxTuRgJsHoM9wjWXepmAGkI/s400/DSC04895.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Los Baños del Inca."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpIYkg5svxZeKHNNOUO-uGeC99ZBu01mgxg7zYX9cJLBsaSOdFQe8uCg2nU0BVl0i4VG6OB-czz2jp0VpKOBFPo7-5FZA2711hhM94rDY25u99qKSVrcbMRWcS6eI2J5bWxxFK8Y_E0Zh/s1600/DSC04884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpIYkg5svxZeKHNNOUO-uGeC99ZBu01mgxg7zYX9cJLBsaSOdFQe8uCg2nU0BVl0i4VG6OB-czz2jp0VpKOBFPo7-5FZA2711hhM94rDY25u99qKSVrcbMRWcS6eI2J5bWxxFK8Y_E0Zh/s400/DSC04884.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"That water is really hot."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKZXGp0AoqrerQ60G16RVXdaiCy-gvqDups2P71aPCbhMUkqACQJA8u0SQx9c79gHID_LY1ko8HTeshH5NHwDPGhsRPVm1itGFmevkjjeCbvBsKsAwQhkKCoEt9jKHWgqb3-dpt6AmLGC/s1600/DSC04891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKZXGp0AoqrerQ60G16RVXdaiCy-gvqDups2P71aPCbhMUkqACQJA8u0SQx9c79gHID_LY1ko8HTeshH5NHwDPGhsRPVm1itGFmevkjjeCbvBsKsAwQhkKCoEt9jKHWgqb3-dpt6AmLGC/s400/DSC04891.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Pretty awesome."</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">Wanna know what happened
to me this week?! On Tuesday night, we were going back to our room in mototaxi.
About halfway through the drive I turn my head to look out the window, and
right on the window, like two inches from my face is THE BIGGEST SPIDER I'VE
EVER SEEN!! It was seriously a tarantula. That freaked me out and we had to
stop the moto to get the spider out of there. It was </span><i style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">gigantic.</i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;"> And
fat. Sooo creepy. Freaking Peru!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh, here's a fun journal
entry. Let me share:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">06/20/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dude, every appointment
we have falls through! Today the <u>entire day</u> was filed with
appointments, and only <u>one</u> of them didn't fall through!! So dumb.
Here were the excuses for why the appointments fell through today. 1.) We went
to visit Luz this morning. She had told us to come by at 10:00. We show up, and
her neighbor told us that Luz is never home at 10:00 in the morning. 2.) We
ring the doorbell of this house four times before this old lady finally peeks
her head out and we ask her if Felicita is there. She "doesn't know"
and "has to go check." Three minutes later a little girl comes back
and says that Felicita isn't there. I ask when she'll be back. The girl doesn't
know. I ask her when she left, the girl looked around awkwardly for a second
and then said "I don't know." She was there. 3.) The guy we had an
appointment with went to go see his sister. 4.) The lady is out of town. 5.)
The kid "went to church." We go look for him at the church. He's not
there. 6.) The guy is busy taking care of his baby. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It's ridiculous how many
appointments fall through. I hate it really. Last transfer, I marked eat
appointment that fell through in my planner. The other day, I went through my
planner, and tallied up how many set appointments we had had in those six
weeks, and how many of them fell through. <i>70 percent of all of our
appointments fall through. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh oh oh!! Last night
there was this way super awesomatical live broadcast from Utah that was 100%
dedicated to missionary work! You guys probably knew about it too. You probably
were even there, considering here in our stake, every single leader in every
ward in the entire stake was invited, plus all the missionaries, plus, whoever
wanted to come. A.K.A., everyone was invited. It was SO GOOD! That was possibly
awesomer than general conference! And all the missionaries in the MTC were
there, and since I know like 500 billion people there right now, I was trying to
find them in the audience. I didn't see any of them. Did you guys see it?! The
only bad part was that I had to watch it in Spanish. And, the English voices
are still quiet in the background, and whenever anyone makes a joke, <i>they
don't translate it into Spanish. </i>They just don't translate that part! They just
leave it blank! So dumb! Anyway, they announced a ton of awesome stuff, like
how there's now over <i>70,000</i> missionaries serving worldwide. THAT IS
SO MANY. And that the church wants the missionaries to use more technology and
stuff, and so soon missionaries are going to get an hour of internet time <i>every
single day</i> to be online missionaries, using stuff like blogs and
Facebook and stuff. Seriously?! These things most likely won't take effect in
my mission until after I get home, but still! Exciting stuff. My brother's
mission could be completely different than mine...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, that was pretty
much my week. Ooh! Yesterday I got a whole huge pile of mail from home! But I
haven't had time to read it yet. So, if you asked me any questions, sorry for
not answering them. I'll do it next week. Alright, I'll talk to you guys later!
Buh-bye!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hemsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Victor sent several more pictures. If you'd like to see them, go to the slideshow at the top of this blog...</b></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-53346712401200077752013-06-17T17:26:00.000-07:002013-06-17T17:26:09.102-07:00"I'm getting a new comp tomorrow. It will most likely be my last companion, so I'm excited, and nervous at the same time!"
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dude I just got a super
short haircut on accident. Well, I wanted it short, but it’s shorter than I
expected. At least this guarantees that I will not have to cut my hair again
for the rest of my mission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, I TOTALLY FORGOT
AGAIN THAT FATHER'S DAY WAS COMING UP!! I seriously thought it was going to be
next weekend! Well, that's two years in a row that I've messed up on that.
Being back in the States should make it easier to remember next year. But,
happy Father's Day, Dad! Even though it’s late. Still think it’s not fair that
we don't get to call home for Dad Day, but whatever. I swear that was the last
Father's Day that I won't talk to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Luckily, remembering that
I forgot Father's Day, also reminded me that Mom's birthday is in a few days,
and just so I don't repeat the same mistake two weeks in a row, Happy Birthday
Mom!! Next year I should be home for your birthday. I'm still pretty convinced
that I don't want to stick around in Rexburg during the Spring. But, we'll see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, this was a pretty
good week. But, tomorrow is transfer day, and my companion is getting
transferred! He's pretty mad about it. He hasn't been the most fun person to be
around today. He doesn't want to leave. So, I'm getting a new comp tomorrow. It
will most likely be my last companion, so I'm excited, and nervous at the same
time! I'll let you know what's up next week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">First off, Herbert! I
told you about him the other week. The guy we invited to get baptized on the
22nd. He told us he'd think about it. We visited him on Wednesday and had
another good lesson like always. We had a ward activity that night and invited
him to come, and so he came with us! At the end of the activity, I was off
talking to another one of our investigators who was there, and Herbert was
talking to my companion. He said to Elder Trochez "remember how you told
me that if I prayed I would feel ready to be baptized on the 22nd? Well, I did,
and I feel ready." WHAT?! So, my companion asked "so, does that mean
you feel like you received an answer from God?" He replied, "Yes. I
want to be baptized on the 22nd." So, that's kind of the RADDEST THING
EVER. Except, for some reason he didn't come to church yesterday. Still not
sure why, but we're gonna visit him a whole bunch this week to get him ready
for his baptism. If not this weekend, then probably the next. Either way,
awesome. Herbert is seriously a golden investigator. He told us that since he's
been praying, reading, and coming to church more frequently, he feels like
there's been a big change in his life, and in his family. He said he's been
praying a lot that his dad would stop drinking, and he said his dad hasn't been
drinking for over a week and that his dad's relationship with his mom has been
better because of it. Herbert recognizes the Spirit like few people do, and he
is so ready to become a member of Christ's church. He's the best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Thursday was a good day!
Up til Thursday, the week had gone a little slow. We had a good amount of
lessons that day (still struggling a bit to have lessons, but this past week
was the week I've had most lessons since I've been in Cajamarca!). Plus, that
morning I remembered how to play Stay Together for the Kids on the guitar, so
that was fun. Hehe. Had some really good visits that day. One with a lady who's
daughter told us that she's been hiding from us every time we come to her
house, but we actually found her this time and had a good ol' lesson about
prophets 'n stuff like that. On Thursday I had a baptismal interview with this
19 year old girl named Hanais. I don't like interviewing people, and especially
not girls, so I was kind of nervous about it. But I prayed that I would be able
to follow the Spirit and that it would go alright. She was a little bit sad and
stressed. She had had a really hard day and a really hard week. I did my best
to make her feel comfortable and make her feel good about her decision to be
baptized. As I started talking to her I realized how amazingly strong this
girl's faith is. I was really surprised. She gave amazing answers to all the
questions, and I was bearing my testimony all over the place to help her feel
good about her decision. Well, she was super ready for baptism. No problems.
She's been making a huge effort to live gospel standards and to follow Christ.
She's 19 but told me that for most of her life she's lived alone, without her
family, and that she feels like in the Church she's finally found a family.
Pretty cool person. Got baptized on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I also had fun this week
reading Mike Allred's Golden Plates comics that you sent me a while back. That
was a fun change of pace from reading pure scriptures for the past two years.
Every missionary I've shown those comics to think they're like the coolest
thing ever. Haha. They are pretty awesome. Though it made me want to read more
comics and less scriptures. Luckily, that's not an option for me, because all I
have here are scriptures! Comics can distract me when I get home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh dewd I compared
Peruvian and United Statesian 7Ups this week, and, like Sprite, I didn't really
prefer one over the other. I did notice a difference, but it wasn't big enough
for me to care. But still, Coke in Peru is so much more delicious than back
home. That makes me sad. Oh! PS, if you ever find Inca Kola in the States, but
it says "The Golden Kola" on the can, that's not real Inca Cola.
Well, it's really similar, but it's not the same. It's not what I've been
drinking for the past two years. Its an Americanized version that tastes like a
mix of Inca Kola and cream soda. Still good, but, not the real thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You know what I don't
like?! Church starts at 8:00 here for no reason! Or, I dunno if that's normal
back home, but here in Peru, it usually starts at 9:00, unless there are
multiple wards meeting in the same building. Which there aren't here. So I
dunno why it starts at 8:00. I mean, it doesn't matter that much for me, since
I still have to get up at 6:30, but still, it gives us less time to get ready,
and it’s early. I miss 11:00 church back home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh yeah and last night
the ZLs came over for dinner beause Elder Thomson is getting transferred, and
Hermana Celia made us pizza again! So good!! The end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">That's pretty much my
list of highlights of the week. You know what else is really awesome? This old
Ensign article (or Liahona article... what's the difference even?) from a long
time ago, that I read a few months back but I just remembered it. It's called
"Four Peruvian Versions of the White God Legend". Pretty fun article
considering I live in Peru these days and I hear stuff about these weird
legends. Basically, there's a Peruvian tradition that a whole long time ago a
white God descended from the heavens and appeared to the ancient people of
Peru. Well, actually, basically every country in Latin American believes some
variation of this legend. So, pretty much, <i>that's exactly what happens in
the Book of Mormon.</i> The Book of Mormon is so true! Go check it out.
It's a fun read: <a href="http://www.lds.org/liahona/1984/01/four-peruvian-versions-of-the-white-god-legend?lang=eng"><span style="color: #084ee5;">http://www.lds.org/liahona/1984/01/four-peruvian-versions-of-the-white-god-legend?lang=eng</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Alright, that's all I got
this time. I'm using a computer that won't recognize my memory card so I can't
send any photos right now. But maybe if I can I'll try to send you some from
another computer later. More likely, I'll send some next week instead. I barely
have any new photos anyway...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Okay bye I miss you a lot
I like you guys I hope you're all good and stuff and that summer is fun and
stuff. HOLY CRAP BRYN GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL?!??!??!?!??!?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hemsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-89204497695462181402013-06-17T11:05:00.001-07:002013-06-17T11:05:51.628-07:00"Well, today for p-day we took a trip as a zone to this place like an hour from Cajamarca called La Granja Porcon, which has a zoo in it, so, that was kinda fun. I was way weirded out because the whole drive there looked so much like Oregon, it was ridiculous. Except the trees were shorter... Psh, everything's shorter in Peru."<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I feel like I had a whole
ton of random things that I wanted to tell you this week, but, I probably
should have written them down in a list or something, because, I don't remember
them. Soo.... I'll be lookin' through my journal to see what kinds of stuff I
can tell you about this past week...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ooh, first of all, I
actually got mail this week! A batch from April 28th (that is so long ago!!),
and another batch from May 12th. So, that's weird, because there's a missing
week. But, I guess it’s okay. There aren't that many weeks left that we have to
deal with this (I freaked myself out the other day when I realized how few
weeks I have left of my mission...).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, today for p-day we
took a trip as a zone to this place like an hour from Cajamarca called La
Granja Porcon, which has a zoo in it, so, that was kinda fun. I was way weirded
out because the whole drive there looked so much like Oregon, it was
ridiculous. Except the trees were shorter... Psh, everything's shorter in Peru.
Anyway, it was a whole lotta fun. Not so much for the animals, but just bein'
with the other missionaries. One thing that I don't know if it’s good or not
(but I enjoy it) is that in this zone there are a <i>ton </i>of North Americans,
and so we talk a whole lotta English on p-days. Probably good practice for a
few months down the road. I got pretty burnt on my neck. Possibly it will hurt
pretty bad tomorrow. Maybe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ArGXGlbBY38GyFyr5Rz-aSrGw5uqy-753Z4H3HSUVdvryoaC8pPFGDuncTcqp_H3-kys9ErV3AcziNQ2iN_sGusBPyW6zbK19xQJcMvwFJd6EaYMJKXW0iadewgwGqpmlLhA7fF9Ix3h/s1600/IMG_3420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ArGXGlbBY38GyFyr5Rz-aSrGw5uqy-753Z4H3HSUVdvryoaC8pPFGDuncTcqp_H3-kys9ErV3AcziNQ2iN_sGusBPyW6zbK19xQJcMvwFJd6EaYMJKXW0iadewgwGqpmlLhA7fF9Ix3h/s400/IMG_3420.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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AT THE ZOO</div>
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"This was the most American thing I could think of doing with this llama...offering it Mountain Dew."</div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span id="goog_971640763"></span><span id="goog_971640764"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Today Hermana Celia made
us tacos too. YUM YUM YUM! They were very Peruvian though. Not exactly what I
was expecting. But, I still have a few packets left of Taco Bell hot sauce that
you sent me for Christmas, and I put some of that on there, and it tasted
sooooooooooooooo Taco Bell. PS, yesterday Elder Martin and I were talking about
how much we miss Mexican food. I MISS MEXICAN FOOD MORE THAN BASICALLY ANY FOOD
(except my fave burgers). You know, Crunchwrap Supremes, Cinnamon Twists,
Mountain Dew Baja Blast. That is some quality Mexican food right there. Also
Elder Greene made me jealous the other day because he said that before he came
to the mission Taco Bell released Doritos Tacos. I WANT THEM.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This week was rough (do I
say that every week?). We are just not having any luck getting into houses
these days! Not even with people who we set appointments with! This week
started out good. Tuesday we rocked it with a solid four lessons. That's maybe
not super impressive depending on where you are, but for us, that was a big
deal. Plus, it was only a half day of work because the entire morning we were
in our zone meeting. So, that was a good way to start off the week. After that
the week sorta went downhill. It was still one of our better weeks, but it
should have been so much better! Saturday and Sunday killed us, we taught
basically nothing on those days. One fun thing about this week was that we had
a work visit with the ZLs. Elder Thomson came to my area with me and Elder
Trochez went off to who-knows-where with Elder Martin. That was a fun day. It
was a fairly good day work-wise too. Though we only had two lessons with
investigators. Had some good visits with members too who offered to go out and
visit people with us one o' these days. Rad. Man, I would really love to have a
gringo comp. I want that to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I have not been sleeping
well again. I don't know what's up. Everyone says it’s probably stress, but I'm
not stressed. In <i>Picsi</i> I was stressed. Not here! So, I dunno what's
up. I have been very tired all week because of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We went to visit our
ex-mission leader the other day (we just got a new mission leader). It was an
lol visit because he just started talking about music and how his favorite
music is hardcore and metal. Haha. Gotta admit, I do like talking about that
stuff, but, probably not the most productive visit we've had. It was just a few
minutes though because it was late and his little boy was sick, so we didn't
really get to talk about anything important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ooh! When Elder Thomson
came to work with me for the day, we pulled out our ward list (which is <i>super</i> unorganized
and super out of date) and started looking for members that we don't know to go
visit. Well, best thing ever, we found a member who's name is Adolfo Hitler,
and we were like "<i>we have to go to this guy's house.</i>" So, we
knocked his door, but, nobody was home. Sad time. What kind of parents names
their kid Adolf Hitler?! (Actually, didn't that happen no that long ago in the
US? I totally remember hearing about that.) I hope to find him one of these
days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This week I went to go
interview a kid named Cristhian for baptism. Interviewing kids is the funnest,
and easiest. Passed. Got baptized on Saturday. Really funny kid. He's now a
member of our ward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Here's a nice slice of
journal entries from the week:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">06/05/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Its mega late... Bleh.
I'm super tired.</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">06/07/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My body is exhausted, and
I don't know why. My bed has never felt so comfortable.</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">06/08/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I'm dying of tired. I
have to go to sleep right now.</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">06/09/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And thus ends one of the
most tiring weeks of my life... And not because I worked especially hard. Just
because I am not sleeping well.</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lololol my journal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ooh dewd one day Limhi
made us BANANA BREAD. He makes us all kinds of things that don't normally exist
in Peru, because he's a chef. One day he's gonna make chocolate chip cookies. I
haven't had <i>one single </i>chocolate chip cookie in all my time in Peru. I'm
pretty sure that's an unforgivable sin or something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Speaking of sins, in
Peru, we totally <i><u>do not</u></i> keep the Word of Wisdom. What about
that whole "eat meat sparingly" part? We eat meat for breakfast,
lunch, dinner, desert, snack time, second breakfast, etc. here. It's stupid.
And I love meat. But it's stupid. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Had another sw33t lesson
with that guy I told you about before, Herbert. We taught s'more about the Plan
of Salvation, and he just always loves everything we teach him. He's reading a
whole lot of his Libro de Mormón. He's so rad. Came to church with us again
this Sunday, and came to Cristhian's baptism on Saturday. During the lesson we
invited him to get baptized on June 22nd. He said he wasn't sure, but that he'd
think about it and pray about it. I dun' even care bro, if he doesn't get
baptized on the 22nd. Because if it's not that day, it'll be some other day.
He's for sure gonna get baptized. He's awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, that's a lot of
scattered thoughts I just had about how this week was. Fairly normal. We have
some good people we're teaching, but they all have some problem that prevents
them from going to church or getting baptized or doing anything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, that's pretty
much all I got for this week. This e-mail is kinda all over the place, but
whatever. I sure hope I get more mail this week! Though I've grown accustomed
to not getting any. We shall see tomorrow I suppose. Thanks for still
remembering that I exist! Even if it takes over 9000 years for your mail to get
to me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I miss you guys a lot! I
will see you soon! See ya!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Victor Paul
Hemsley<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Here's some more pictures Victor sent this week (you can see the rest by clicking on the slideshow at the top of this blog):</b></span><br />
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"This flag is super authentic. Peru is king of quality."</div>
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"Legit play structure at the zoo."</div>
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"Goin' down this sick slide with Elder Lattin. Somehow I turned into a midget."</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-1483857904557895922013-06-05T11:39:00.001-07:002018-07-28T12:11:44.292-07:00"One day it started raining on us. Like, raining. Like, Eugene style rain. I was out there strollin' down the street in my short sleeves like a boss because I'm from Eugene and we don't use umbrellas or nuthin'. But, Peruvians are terrified of the cold, and especially cold water, and so everyone we visited was horrified..." <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Hey guys!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">It's been a good ol' week
for me. We're not having the greatest of luck investigators-wise. Basically,
we've had multiple days where all of our plans, and all of our backup plans,
and all of our backup, backup plans, have fallen through. Kinda lame. But...
it's all good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Anyway, first of all, I
made a really important discovery this week. Remember how I told you a long
time ago that I really love Coca-Cola now even though I never used to like it
at home? Well, I knew there had to be a reason for that. I was sure that the
Coca-Cola here is different than the Coca-Cola there. But, I've never found
American Coke so I've never actually been able to prove my theory. Well, on
Tuesday, I found cans of Coca-Cola imported from the United States, and I
bought one, and I bought a Coke from here to do a taste test. Well, sadly, I
was right, and Coca-Cola from Peru tastes way better than Coke from the US. I
don't even know if I'm going to keep drinking Coke when I get home! But, for
now, I'll keep drinking the delish Peruvian blend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">If you want to see a good
summary of my day in picture form, and a follow-up to the Coca-Cola story, just
look at the picture I attached. It’s p-day today and we stopped by the mall to
withdraw our money for the month, and then went to the grocery store. Mostly to
see if they had root beer for sale or something. Well, to my surprise, they had
<i>tons</i> of soda imported from the States (that never happens!!) and, I
couldn't really resist, and I went crazy. Plus the Pringles and Snickers. I
already blew half of my monthly personal fund the mission lets us withdraw on
pure soda and snacks from the United States!! And it's only June 3rd! I'm
stupid. But, I'm going to replace it with money from home. Sorry, sometimes I
just need American things to keep me happy. Blew like 50 soles on this stuff
(which is more than it should cost...). None of this soda exists here, except
for the Sprite and 7up (and Coca-Cola), which I bought to do more taste testing
to see which country has better soda. I'll let you know the results next week.
Apart from that, we played soccer today. Woohoo...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDPRQjjxi8BSRAAJM8iTZSBXKFS6IkyPDJwmLkWI6nfsZh4ADdV_KgxPmf61DS_dc6ve5Ib4j3K3mc3QPG-KD-Dt0dvvFZCX6Hsr0csWW1fGglDfQV3UHvImWrHBUAvUGsOa9LWnt9wZY/s1600/IMG_3411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDPRQjjxi8BSRAAJM8iTZSBXKFS6IkyPDJwmLkWI6nfsZh4ADdV_KgxPmf61DS_dc6ve5Ib4j3K3mc3QPG-KD-Dt0dvvFZCX6Hsr0csWW1fGglDfQV3UHvImWrHBUAvUGsOa9LWnt9wZY/s400/IMG_3411.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Also, the other day we
were jus' walkin' down the street, and I ran into a member from my old ward in
Chiclayo! One of the counselors in the bishopric. So, that was pretty random,
considering Cajamarca is six hours away from Chiclayo. Pretty fun though. On
Sunday, I ran into <i>another</i> member from that ward at church! Juan
Goicochea. His mom is that lady that died while I was there... Anyway, he's
gonna be working in Cajamarca for the next six months or so, and he said his
dad is coming up to work here too. So, I'm just running into all kinds of
people I know! Also, I ran into Tyler Balkman the other day...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Just kidding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Oh yeah, and I ran into
this cool drunk guy who told us that we just go around and lie to people to
make money. Okay. When will these people realize that Mountain Dew tastes way
better than alcohol??... Never. Because they don't sell Mountain Dew here.
EXCEPT THEY TOTALLY DO SOMETIMES BECAUSE I BOUGHT SOME TODAY!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Okay lets get on to the
other more important more spirtualish stuff. We had one really awesome lesson
this week (well, we had more than one, but I don't feel like talking about all
of them) with a 23 year old guy named Herbert. He's been an investigator for a
long ol' time, and our main problem is that we can never find him at home to
teach him. We ran into him last week and invited him to church, and last Sunday
he totally came to church! He got there before we did actually. Well, on
Tuesday we went to go visit him, and luckily we found him at home. He said he
had a few minutes to talk to us, but that he had a ton of people at his house
and asked if we could visit somewhere else. So, we took him to our
pensionista's house (well, I guess it's our house too. But only one room of it
is our house.) and had a short lesson with him there. We asked him how he liked
church, and he told us that he liked it a lot!! He told us that even though he
was really tired that day, he really enjoyed the talks and the classes, and he
received answers to a lot of questions that he had. He told us that when he
showed up at church, and we weren't there yet, he walked in, and tons of people
came up to him and greeted him and treated him as if they had been good friends
for years, and he told us that he really liked that. He said that after church
he felt really good. He described it as feeling like he had a heavy backpack
taken off of him. He said that he felt super good after church, and he
recognized that it was the Spirit, and because of the way he felt, he decided
to pick up the Book of Mormon that was sitting in his house and start reading
it. And he read like 30 pages!! Basically, that's one of the coolest
experiences any investigator has ever told me about. We were visiting him at
like 6:00, and we had a mission activity in the church at 7:00. We asked him if
he'd like to come with us, and he came! He had a great time there too. And, my
ward is freaking awesome because all the YSA that were about his age came up to
him to greet him and talk with him and they were all being really awesome,
which for me is pretty much a first in the mission, because none of the members
hardly ever even acknowledge the investigators who come to church. It was rad.
He told us he would do everything possible to make it to church again on
Sunday. Well, for some reason, he didn't show up, and we haven't been able to
talk to him to find out why yet. But, I have high hopes for this guy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">One day it started
raining on us. Like, <i>raining.</i> Like, Eugene style rain. I was out
there strollin' down the street in my short sleeves like a boss because I'm
from Eugene and we don't use umbrellas or nuthin'. But, Peruvians are terrified
of the cold, and especially cold water, and so everyone we visited was
horrified and was like "ELDER!! Aren't you freezing?!!? Do you want to
borrow my husband's jacket?!" Uhh... No thanks. Don't be such cold babies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Uhh, I read a lot of las
escrituras this week. Well, not a ton. I'm reading the OT these days, even
though I specifically wrote you guys once saying that reading the OT wasn't
going to help me that much as a missionary and that it would be better to read
it at home instead. Well... I didn't want to read the BoM or NT <i>again </i>(well,
I do, but not yet.) so I picked up the OT. Pretty kewl too. Although, yes, it is
true that it is not very useful information for me as a missionary. I'm up to 2
Samuel, and I'm studying it along with a Spanish Old Testament study guide from
the church that I found in our room. Pretty fun. But seriously, Leviticus
through Deuteronomy was the most boring thing I've ever read in my entire life.
That took some serious endurance to get through...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Something really scary
happened this week too. On Friday, we were eating lunch with Hermana Celia and
Limhi. Limhi made us orange chicken that day (it was soo good!!). When we sat
down to eat and were talking about I don't even remember what, suddenly I look
up and Limhi is choking on his food. We all jump out of our seats to help him.
Celia pulls him off his chair and lays him down on his side on the floor in a
panic. Then I realize he wasn't just choking; Limhi was having a seizure, which
was why he was choking. So, Limhi was having a seizure with food in his mouth
and in his throat, unable to breathe. We all had no idea what to do. Elder
Trochez and Celia try to stabilize him. Celia is panicking and crying because
he's having a seizure with food in his mouth and in his throat and could choke
to death. We're all shocked, and in all the confusion, I did the only thing
that I knew to do to help; Without thinking I laid my hands on Limhi's head
while his mom and my companion were trying to stabilize him. I ask Celia what
his full name is and immediately give Limhi a blessing while he's convulsing
and choking at the same time. It was a short blessing. I was in a rush and was
super freaked out, realizing that I was possibly watching one of my friends die
right in front of me. Celia was in a panic. I blessed him that he would be okay
and that he would recover very soon. I finished the blessing, and <i>as soon as
I said </i>"amen", Limhi coughed up the food and started breathing.
We helped him up unto the couch to rest. He was okay, but extremely weak, and
he could hardly talk. He wasn't conscious about what was happening. But he
managed to slur to his mother "I'm dying... I'm dying...".
"You're not dying," she told him. "You're okay now." He was
totally out of it. We brought him to his room and helped him into his bed to
rest. Hermana Celia told us that that has happened before. He has had seizures
throughout his life, but he hasn't had one for over three years, and he's never
had one with food in his throat. She thought he was going to die because of the
food. She cried as she told us this. But she told us that when he wakes up he
would be fine. I went to go take a shower, and apparently when I was in the
shower Limhi woke up and asked for a blessing. He was okay. That night he was
totally normal, and even went to the church for a meeting he had. That night
Hermana Celia told me that when I gave Limhi the blessing, right as I said
"amen" he coughed up his food, and at that moment she knew he was
going to be okay. That whole day I was thinking about how grateful I am for the
priesthood. I was thinking all day about how grateful I am to be a priesthood
holder, and what an honor and what a sacred responsibility that is. I feel like
what happened that day was a miracle. It was the first time ever that I've used
the priesthood like that. I've given blessings before, but always after being
asked, and never in such dire circumstances. This time I wasn't asked, I just
acted. It was the only thing that I knew to do. I gave him a blessing, and then
I prayed, a lot. Putting all my trust in God, knowing that there was nothing
else that I could do. And Limhi is okay. Later that night, at like 6:00 (we
weren't there), Limhi's dog had a seizure, and died... I don't even know what
to think of that, after what happened earlier in the day. A coincidence? I
don't know. It just made me so thankful that Limhi was spared. God is still a God
of miracles. His power is active in the world today. And that is a huge comfort
to me. I'm so thankful to be able to be a tool in God's hands through which He
uses His power to bless, or even save someone's life. That experience
skyrocketed my appreciation for, and testimony of the priesthood. In my journal
I wrote: "<i>My Heavenly Father loves His children. He is a God of
miracles, a God of love, and a God of blessings. I love Him so much. And I am
so thankful for what He has given me, and for what He did for Limhi
today."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Well, that's pretty much
my week in a nutshell. Pretty good one. Believe it or not, I still haven't
received one single piece of mail from you guys since I got here. I'm really
hoping that I get some tomorrow in our zone meeting. If not, I have to wait <i>another
</i>week. Kinda ridiculous. But, whatever. Just know that I'm doin' good, and
I'm getting excited to drink the best water in the entire planet again in not
that long. Imagine drinking water straight from the tap... That seems so...
awesome to me...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Alright, I like you guys.
Talk to you next week! Buh-bye!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">-Elder Hemz<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-20750279597125922492013-05-31T11:55:00.000-07:002013-05-31T12:15:55.733-07:00"I'm so willing to try any weird food here at least once. Because now for the rest of my life I can tell people that I've eaten bunny, and guinea pig, and bull intestines, and chicken feet."<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV8Hvs6D1fjNT9-lj6yHv4MihxGEqkkYJgCQElqQGyZLc_irzN50Ll1taFy84HaWUQEotMBEFDDP0IeTUKWcIy7hOAMUX6vemc5SDORJfCl5Xsx29q6PGzGWUQtJ5ZyR27N0lHFDkOe1v/s1600/IMG_3393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV8Hvs6D1fjNT9-lj6yHv4MihxGEqkkYJgCQElqQGyZLc_irzN50Ll1taFy84HaWUQEotMBEFDDP0IeTUKWcIy7hOAMUX6vemc5SDORJfCl5Xsx29q6PGzGWUQtJ5ZyR27N0lHFDkOe1v/s400/IMG_3393.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Eatin' guinea pig... Yes, that is a foot."</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">FAMIRRRRRRRRRYYYYY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, here I am in
Cajamarca. It is chilly. The weather is weird here. I think this is the only
place I've ever been that can be both too hot and too cold <i>at the same time.</i> I
don't even know how that makes sense, but that's how I feel here a lot. Earlier
today we were downtown and I had taken off my sweatshirt because it gets pretty
warm (hot sometimes) in the afternoons here. I realized that it was really warm
out, and I was getting hot, but then I realized that my feet were freezing. I
don't get it. I almost always wear my sweater vest when we go out, but lots of
times it gets too hot to wear it, even though it’s not hot outside? This place
is messing with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, first things
first. Wanna know what I did today that I haven't done in like infinity
months?! I went out and bought guitar strings and picks and re-stringed a
guitar and have been playing it a bunch all day. WOOHOO! THIS IS THE BEST THING
EVER!! I guess I haven't really told you about my pension yet. Well, my
"pensionista" is named Celia. You saw her (or at least a vague
outline of her) when we talked on Skype. She's really awesome, and she gives me
Froot Loops, so I'm happy (actually I've switched from Froot Loops to this
other cereal from here that I really like and I eat it with yogurt instead of
milk. Peru). She gives us our three meals a day, and we live on the second
floor of her house! So, that's convenient. Her husband's name is Francisco, and
he's an RM, and they have two kids who are both older than me. The whole family
is active in the church and awesome. They have a 26 year old son named Limhi
(for realz, 'cept in Spanish it's like "Limmy") and a 23 year old
daughter named Sandra, and the whole family is really fun. Limhi is basically
one of the funniest people I know. And, also a bunch of other people live in
this same house because they rent the rooms in the upper two floors out.
Anywayz, one of the first things I noticed when I got here was that Limhi has a
guitar that's always sitting out here that I've been messing around with for
the past three weeks during free moments while waiting for meals to be served
or something. You already saw a picture I think. Limhi even makes me homesick
and plays songs I know 'n stuff (one of his favorite songs is "Best of Me"
by The Starting Line. TRUNKY). Anyway, the strings were all real old, and the
other day one of them snapped. I couldn't handle having a guitar around that I
couldn't play because of a lack of strings, so, today Elder Trochez and I went
out to an instrument store and I bought new strings and picks (because he
doesn't have picks and I've been playing with my fingers for the past three
weeks), and I re-stringed his guitar (which is WAY harder to re-string than my
guitar is!!! Plus I don't have my fancy tools 'n stuff to do it easier) and
I've been having a lot of fun finally being able to play guitar (with a pick)
for the first time in basically my entire mission!! Limhi doesn't even know I
re-stringed his guitar yet. He's out working or studying or somethin'. He'll
find out someday. So, that has been a whole lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This has been a pretty
good week. Kinda busy! Busy as in we had a lot of stuff to do this week that <i>wasn't
</i>proselyting. Though, we did some of that too. Here's some of the
non-proselyting stuff we did. First, we did two service projects this week (you
know what <i>both</i> of them were? <i>Scraping paint off of walls. </i>I
hate doing that!!). I like service, and I'm glad I'm getting opportunities to
do it here. Never got to in Picsi (though we sure offered to help a lot). On
Thursday I had a baptismal interview with a 19 year old girl named Milagros.
She's the sister missionaries’ investigator. Good interview. No probs. Has a
ton of faith. Nobody else in her family is a member. But now her little brother
also wants to get baptized! So, that's awesome. On Saturday we went to her
baptism because she was baptized in our ward. First, Elder Trochez and I went
to the church to set everything up. Had to clean the baptismal font, and then
wait forever for it to fill up. We spent a very large chunk of our day doing
that (like almost four hours I think...). Though, at one point we got bored of
waiting for the water to fill up and we went out in search of cold soda in one
of the nearby shops. Remember how hard it was for me to find cold soda in
Chiclayo?... Well, it's actually <i>worse</i> here. It's <i>way </i>hard
to find cold soda here! EVERY SINGLE SHOP SELLS SODA AND NONE OF THEM SELL IT
COLD. We searched like four shops, that were all selling soda, and they even
all had refrigerators, and not a single one of them had refrigerated soda!! So,
we gave up and went to the mall instead. The mall sells cold soda. But that
wasn't even the worst day. On Friday we had a special activity in the Baños del
Inca (The Inca's Bathrooms??) area because a new chapel was just built there
and the whole zone (or most of it) went to go invite everyone to the open house
that was Saturday night. After we finished we were very thirsty, and I needed
an Inca Kola, so we went to go buy some. We checked eight stores, and not a
single one of them sold refrigerated soda. What's wrong with these people?! Do
they not realize that soda tastes significantly worse when it's not cold?!?!
Apparently not. Drinking anything cold here makes you sick. According to
superstition. Psh. Anyway, back to the baptism. The baptism was at 4:00, and at
3:00 we were finally ready. But, we hadn't eaten lunch yet (which we usually
eat at 1:00), so we headed home to eat lunch as fast as possible to get back in
time for the baptism. We ended up getting to the baptism at like 4:30. Oops!
But, it's Peru, and the baptism had just barely started. Thank goodness. This
baptism was something else. You've heard all my complaints about the baptisms
here. How they're never spiritual, and how they're never organized, and how the
people in charge never do their part, and how there are always a ton of
problems and lots of irreverence. Well, I think a miracle happened on Saturday
(I mean, the girl who got baptized is <i>named </i>"Miracles" in
English), because it was actually a <i>really good</i> baptism. Seriously,
it was awesome. The ward was super ready and willing to help out and do their
parts (actually, the missionaries didn't have to do <i>anything</i>). Great
talks, great testimonies, even a rad special musical number. The Spirit was
super strong in that baptism. Something I haven't been able to feel very
strongly in most of the baptisms I've been to in Peru. In my farewell talk I
talked about how one of the first times I can ever remember feeling the Spirit
in my life was when Jacqueline got baptized. I felt the Spirit so strong that
day it was almost overwhelming. I've been wishing I could feel that way again
in another baptism, and I think this past Saturday it <i>finally</i> happened.
It was just too cool. Props to my ward! I <i>love </i>my new ward!! I've been
wanting to be able to say that my entire mission, and now I finally can!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My ward is really, really
awesome. It's a big ward. Good church attendance. Active members. Functioning
organizations. The missionaries aren't in charge of everything. Our leaders are
awesome, and they are super willing to help with the missionary work. It's
basically a dream come true for me. The Aeropuerto Ward is the awesomest. I
didn't know the church could even get this good in Peru! Like, almost United
States level of good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Something annoying that
happened this week is that I haven't been sleeping well. I feel like I have
minor insomnia or something. One night I was <i>so </i>tired but I just laid in
bed wide awake for hours. The last time I remember checking the clock that
night, it was 3:00am. The next night was just as bad. Now, I'm sleeping a
little bit better. I think it's getting a little better every night. I dunno
what caused it. But it sure made waking up absolute torture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh duuuuuuuude. You know
what else makes Hermana Celia so awesome (PS, you know what confuses the heck
out of me? In Peru, in the Church, we call people Brother and Sister, like in
the States, but here, sometimes they use the person's last name, and sometimes
they use the person's first name, and it's just totally random!! For example,
Hermana Rosa, my pensionista in Olmos, is named Rosa. That's her first name.
But Hermana Yataco, my pensionista in Chiclayo, goes by her last name! I DON'T
GET IT. It should <i>always </i>be the last name. But here it's mostly the
first name)? The other night, she made us pizza for dinner. <i>PIZZA.</i> So
good! Well, it was pretty Peruvian, but still, it was good (I've had some other
Peruvian pizzas here that are just gross). This week I also ate guinea pig again.
Mmmm. Seriously, it's way tasty. This time I got a leg, and its feet and claws
were still there. I'm not sure why they think that looks appetizing, but
whatever. Oh yeah, and I don't think I ever told you that the other week I ate
bull intestines. Sound yummy? Well, it was... alright. I ate it, but it wasn't
my fave. But I'm so willing to try any weird food here at least once. Because
now for the rest of my life I can tell people that I've eaten bunny, and guinea
pig, and bull intestines, and chicken feet. But seriously, I'm bummed that they
don't eat cats here. I want one. (It doesn't even gross me out. The way I see
it, is that almost all meat is delicious (except duck...), and so I don't care
if it’s a cat or a dog or a horse or whatever, I bet it tastes good.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Don't got much time left,
but this week we met some good people too. One of my favorites is this guy
named Pablo. We met him in the street outside his house and he let us right in
to his home. He immediately gave us bananas and bread. Tasty (except banana
bread would have been tastier). Super nice guy. Super humble. He is the leader
of some Bible group or something from the Pentecostal church. But, he loves
learning about the gospel and was excited to be able to talk to us. He told us
that he hoped we would be able to help him understand the Bible better and that
we would be a blessing for him and his family. Well, my favorite part was the
way he acted. He just kept saying "Glory to God!" over and over
again. I read a scripture, and when I finished he said "glory to
God." We said goodbye, and he said "glory to God!" Haha. When we
asked him to read a verse of the Bible he started by saying "The word of
God; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost..."
and then he read it. Lolol. Funny Christian traditions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Know what's fun? Still
haven't gotten any mail from you guys since I've been here (okay, that's not
really fun, but whatever). Expecting some this week. Who knows. Maybe the next
time I hear from you will be in the Eugene Airport in person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, I'm having a good
time here in Cajamarca. This is by far the coolest place I've been in my entire
mission. And it's by far my best ward I've been in. So, great combo. I like it
here. We're a little low on investigators, but everything else makes up for
that. I miss you guys a lot. It’s really weird for me to think that I don't
have to wait two years anymore to see you guys again. I just have one really
important question....for Jacqueline: What kind of cake are you going to have
for your birthday?? Just wonderin'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Alright, I gotta go. Gosh
dang it you know what? There is a place (or multiple places) that sells Mountain
Dew here in Cajamarca, and I don't know where it is! I heard they sell it in
Baños del Inca, which is a little ways away. Way outside of my area. I had
better drink some Dew sometime soon. But, at least I have root beer now. And it
is the most delicious thing ever. And Limhi loves root beer too (which is weird
because most latinos either don't like it, or hate it), and Elder Davis (who
used to be in this area) sent Limhi some root beer concentrate, and so we've
been making our own root beer these past few days. SO GOOD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You know what else is
weird? I think my favorite flavor of Pringles has switched from Sour Cream and
Onion to Jalapeño flavor. I swear Jalapeño Pringles are one of the most
delicious foods I've ever eaten in my entire life...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Alright, I'm leaving for
real now. Miss you guys!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL17JIGrTm6FwDmPl7zZm1jSsCOb9aTlekMgsGjvKqkBn4xp1Q0EX7IyPzk6doYjjKUJhpS-dtxU7J1aSM2AY32bmYPzH7x1bhyphenhyphenn-CPFxxVa8C3h00_s-NDJl5-doviB05Qyybi8SWp3wU/s1600/IMG_3400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL17JIGrTm6FwDmPl7zZm1jSsCOb9aTlekMgsGjvKqkBn4xp1Q0EX7IyPzk6doYjjKUJhpS-dtxU7J1aSM2AY32bmYPzH7x1bhyphenhyphenn-CPFxxVa8C3h00_s-NDJl5-doviB05Qyybi8SWp3wU/s400/IMG_3400.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"YEAH GRAFFITI."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosKg4C6kmIHMQdwoWqguoEWK3gOctb6MhwihVYA11LQ6mR0UQ0wrnk33FLFOfUev3faq3-4U2KMjxt5e2uXMTAS7yAQ1fqRLSjxao3_elrJIEBufrIylM3HFr07U5l38w1oeWI4w0JqAG/s1600/IMG_3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosKg4C6kmIHMQdwoWqguoEWK3gOctb6MhwihVYA11LQ6mR0UQ0wrnk33FLFOfUev3faq3-4U2KMjxt5e2uXMTAS7yAQ1fqRLSjxao3_elrJIEBufrIylM3HFr07U5l38w1oeWI4w0JqAG/s400/IMG_3406.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Look at my lol guitar picks I bought."</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-56126624617833306412013-05-26T19:19:00.001-07:002013-05-26T19:19:41.901-07:00"I have officially been on the mish for twenty months! TWENTY. How?!?! That is so weird."
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hello!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Week two in Cajamarca.
Still pretty cool. Still pretty cold too! The other day I went out and bought a
new pair of socks because, one, all my socks were dirty and the lady who does
our laundry was out of town, and two, my socks aren't warm enough. Well, the
socks I bought are even less warm and are made for someone with really big legs
because they kept falling down! Buy fail. I'll try to buy socks again some
other day...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hmm, well, it's been a
tough week. For one, both my companion and I got sick, on two different days.
Killed two days of working. Plus, all the days that we <i>did </i>work, we
couldn't find anyone to teach! We made this huge list of people we were gonna
try to find during our last weekly planning session (mostly of old
investigators) and so we spent a lot of the week trying to find those people,
and we couldn't find <i>anyone!</i> Our one ray of hope was the set
appointments that we had with people, but, surprise-surprise, almost all of
those fell through too! Not the best of luck this week, but we <i>did </i>have
some really good lessons, even if we didn't have very many lessons in total.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I also got asked some
questions this week that I always imagined having to answer a ton on my mission
but I've actually never been asked them until recently. These are the fun kind
of questions. Actually, not so much. But still. First, one lady told us that
she had a gay friend and that she read in her Bible that people like that won't
enter into the kingdom of God. So, she was concerned about that, and asked us
what we thought. Not exactly my favorite types of questions to answer. But, we
started by telling her that each and every one of us here on this earth is a
son or daughter of God, and God loves all of us perfectly. We then clarified,
telling her that just "being gay" is not a sin, but acting on the
feelings and urges that cause them to break the law of chastity is where it becomes
a sin. The other fun question (this one was even better) was when one of our
investigators told us that she saw a documentary about Mormons, and it had this
part about these Mormons in Colorado (I think...) who live in this community
where they practice polygamy and their "prophet" punishes people for
disobedience by taking away people's wives (and mothers...) and assigns them to
other families. Haha, whoa! Actually, I've heard of that church before, and
that "prophet" was on the FBI's top 10 most wanted list and is
currently in prison. The FLDS church, I think? Anyway, <i>that</i> was a
fun one, because, all of that stuff is <i>true. </i>Except... it has nothing to
do with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! We explained that that
was a different church, and also made it clear that in our church "We
believe in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law" and that what goes
on in that <i>other </i>church is completely illegal and against what our church
teaches. But, that was a first for me. Nobody in Peru has <i>ever</i> asked
me about those other apostate LDS splinter groups before. Something you hear a
lot more about in the States...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Y´know what else? T</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">I have officially been on the mish for twenty months! TWENTY. How?!?! T</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt;">hat is so
weird. Time is flying so stupidly fast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But, honestly, like I
said, we had two sick days this week and not much success finding people to
teach, so I really don't have that much stuff to tell you about this time! Or
much time to tell it (we have an appointment in a few minutes...)! We really
gotta get ready to go teach a family right now. Sorry we decided to get on the
internet so late! I'll try to tell you more cool stuff next week! I'm doing
good though. Don't worry ´bout me. I enjoy it here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I miss you a lot!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hemsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-46506897697406518002013-05-20T11:02:00.000-07:002013-05-20T13:02:52.554-07:00"I am now in Cajamarca, Peru! Woo! A.K.A. the place that everyone wants to go in the mission. I am no longer in a hot desert. I'm in the mountains, and it's chilly. It is about 20 gajillion times prettier than any of my other areas."<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hey guys!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, this is weird. I
just talked to you guys last night. Even though I couldn't see your faces! I am
sorry that I have never once found fast internet in Peru. It is not my fault.
Some people tell me it exists, but I'm not so sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, for the rest of
the world who I didn't talk to, I am now in Cajamarca, Peru! Woo! A.K.A. the
place that everyone wants to go in the mission. I am no longer in a hot desert.
I'm in the mountains, and it's chilly. It is about 20 gajillion times prettier
than any of my other areas. There are actually plants here! It's actually
green!! Not gonna lie, it’s making me think of home a lot more than I wish I
would. But, it’s rad. Cajamarca reminds me of Park City, UT. Except, like a not
as nice, Peruvian version of Park City. Hehehe. And it’s missing ski slopes.
But, this area is awesome! Compared to my other areas at least. It’s a heck of
a lot more Statesy than Chiclayo is. Some examples.... My first full day here,
I wake up, and go eat breakfast. Peruvian breakfast is like the lamest excuse
for a meal I've ever seen. I have never enjoyed breakfasts here. Well, I go to
eat breakfast, and my pensionista gives me a bowl of Froot Loops. <i>FROOT
LOOPS. </i>I can't even remember the last time I had American cereal!! Soo
good. There's an actual mall here too. Like, a <i>real </i>shopping mall. I
went there today. And I bought A CAN OF ROOT BEER!!!! OH MY GOSH ROOT BEER I
CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE IT I HAVEN'T TASTED ROOT BEER IN TWENTY MONTHS!!!!! So, that
was a happy moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You know what's <i>not </i>United
Statesy? The amount of porn there is all over the place. And not just here in
Cajamarca, but in Peru in general. Usually it’s not flat-out pornography (but
sometimes it is) but on basically every sign of every business there's an
almost naked girl. Some random store? Girl in a bikini on the sign. A
construction company? Girl in a bikini wearing a construction hat. Place to
eat? Girl in her underwear eating chicken. Haha. Okay. On every newspaper the
entire back page is just one huge photo of an almost-naked girl or a girl
taking off her clothes or a girl sticking her butt in your face. In tons of
stores (and in tons of people’s houses) there are just these huge posters of
girls in bikinis, girls in their underwear, girls in mega-short skirts (and no
shirt) or flat out porn posters. The absolute worst I ever saw, and the one
that made me maddest, was in Pacasmayo when Elder Choc and I went to this one
store to buy a map of the city, and the walls are just covered in posters of
naked ladies, and then right in the middle is a giant painting of Jesus Christ.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! When we have to travel by bus, they always put a movie on.
<i>Sometimes</i> it’s an okay movie (okay, the best time was when I was
going to Pacasmayo from Chiclayo and they put on Gladiator), but, usually, the
movies are full of nude and sex scenes and it’s bad because there are little
kids on the bus! Not to mention missionaries!! Yeah Peru, I won't miss your
porn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Okay, sorry if that's not
the kind of stuff you wanted to hear. But it's been something that's bothered
me ever since November 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyways...</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Let's see if I can talk about something a
little... more appropriate...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, it is cold here.
And not just "not hot", but it is legitimately <i>cold. </i>At least
in the mornings and at night. During the day I still go around in short
sleeves. But, it’s a nice change. I haven't felt cold since... like February
2011!!! So, I do enjoy it. Except, I need to buy new socks. My ventilation
socks seemed like a good idea, but, they're just making things worse here.
Haha. And they really sucked in Picsi because it made it so much easier for the
zancudos to bite my ankles!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am now in the
Aeropuerto Ward. I AM IN A WARD AGAIN! I'm <i>finally </i>in a BIG, strong ward!!! I am so excited!
I am serving in the Aeropuerto 2 area. There are three areas in my ward. The
ZLs are in the first, we're in the second, and two sisters are in the third.
Going to church was like going to heaven after living in hell for the past four
months. You have no idea how nice it was to go to church in an actual church
building, show up, sit down on the bench, and just <i>listen. </i>I wasn't in
charge of anything! Not in charge of leading the meeting, or picking the hymns,
or assigning the talks, or taking care of problems in the primary, or teaching
the Sunday School lesson. I was just a normal church attendee, and it was the
most awesomest thing ever. Another fun thing about my ward: one of my teachers
from the Lima MTC recently moved to Cajamarca and is now living in my ward.
Hermano Casanova. He's so awesome! And yesterday he was set apart as our
elder's quorum prez. Too rad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My comp's name is Elder
Trochez, and he's from Honduras. He's way cool! One thing I love about him is
that he actually wants to work which really helps me out a ton because when I
have a lazy companion it starts making me want to be lazy too. Not no more!
He's 24, and he's been out here for nine months. I was in the office when he
got here! I still remember that! I found out pretty quickly that he's
cool because the first day he told me that he liked ska music and then I later
found out that he likes a ton of the same music that I like. He even listens to
Zelda music. <i>Zelda music. </i>Yes, that is awesome. My favorite thing about
Elder Trochez is the way we teach together. We teach super well together! We
have had some of the best lessons of my entire mission together. Something
about our teaching style just clicks so nicely and really invites the Spirit
into our visits. That is awesome. We don't have a lot of investigators here,
but we're gonna try to help the few that we do have, and go look for some more!
I'm super stoked because there are actually <i>active members</i> here!! I
can't even believe it!! Haha. So, that's also gonna be a huge help for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Our area also includes a
tiny "pueblo" called Otuzco. Went there once already. Kinda neat.
When we went I just got this really cool feeling that I'm this missionary
serving out in the middle of nowhere in this beautiful part of Peru. It was
pretty rad. Didn't take pics, but it’s on my to-do list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We've done three service
projects this week. I haven't done service in so long! We went with our
district to go clean out this unreasonably dirty upstairs room of someone's
house that was full of gigantic spiders and lots of other icky things. Found
some interesting things hidden in there. The grossest (apart from the
spiders...) was a pig's foot. We actually found a pig's foot underneath all the
junk we were clearing out. One funny thing was that Elder Martin lifted up this
tarp and this cat jumped out and scared the crap out of us!!! The cat darted
out of the room at light speed, and took a suicide jump off the roof of the
building, while screaming. Hahahaha. It was so funny to watch! PS, it wasn't
really <i>suicide,</i> because it didn't die. Calm down. After that we
headed to another member's house to go scrape paint off the walls of one of
their rooms. I don't know why, but that's the third time I've had to do this in
Peru. Scraping paint of off a wall. But this time the paint was super hard to
scrape off! My entire district came, and we barely made a dent. The third
service project was really just a continuation of the second, because Elder
Trochez and I went back to scrape more paint off the wall. Still barely made
progress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh yeah, I'm still
district leader. I've been busy too! There are four companionships in my
district. Three of them are in my same ward, which is cool. But I've had to do
so much phone calling this week it’s been ridiculous. I don't have time to do
anything at night! Reporting, checking up on the missionaries, checking up on
the sisters who are opening a brand new area and one of them is just starting
her mission, talking with the sister missionary whose wallet was stolen in
Chiclayo <i>in the church during our transfer meeting </i>that had her ID
inside, her temple recommend, a debit card, and 200 dollars in cash inside. Ohh
boy. Yeah, it hasn't shown up. And, lotsa other stuff. But, it’s good.
Although, not gonna lie, I would love to <i>not</i> be district leader
anymore. I just wanna be normal!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well... I think I gotta
get going, Life is good out here in Cajamarca! Pretty sure this will be my last
area before I go home. Good place to finish! Gonna work hard and do my very
best. I don't have that much longer to do this!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I had lots of fun talking
to you guys yesterday! Even if I talk weird and I don't remember how to say
things and I get confused when you try and make me speak two languages. Next
time I talk to you it will be IN PERSON! How nuts is that?!?! Okay well I gotta
write Prez and ask him when I'm going home. Talk to you next week! I have no
idea when the next time I'll get mail is. It will definitely be a longer delay
here in Cajamarca.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Alright, see ya! Talk to
you next week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hemsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Victor sent a bunch of pictures this week. Here are some of our favorites (you can see all the rest by clicking on the slideshow at the top of this blog):</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLc9SzL8ILGxwRIayVn717Ebp-fcPoXQIcBhEfb_FcDjqF57Gt9-Virt24782k4vr5z760e-YAnzDdzr93hwchE9L1q1ZguNGDrUNKOWSOty9sPk6M5q7_mT158etaBACyS7MmdAqhw3a/s1600/IMG_3301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLc9SzL8ILGxwRIayVn717Ebp-fcPoXQIcBhEfb_FcDjqF57Gt9-Virt24782k4vr5z760e-YAnzDdzr93hwchE9L1q1ZguNGDrUNKOWSOty9sPk6M5q7_mT158etaBACyS7MmdAqhw3a/s400/IMG_3301.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Look at this place!!"</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKEQGiKHImbfL_nmoZxX-sfKpAje5rgsYgzJsGqcdf-9OmLUINoxBRpGQgQPIo85J1KI6ET-itpRjk-i_T724Vau3qWRXNp4DovKPxj8T8SlC8nYlK5Oko7MJRVs_ixkSFBUuOtKA7K3d/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKEQGiKHImbfL_nmoZxX-sfKpAje5rgsYgzJsGqcdf-9OmLUINoxBRpGQgQPIo85J1KI6ET-itpRjk-i_T724Vau3qWRXNp4DovKPxj8T8SlC8nYlK5Oko7MJRVs_ixkSFBUuOtKA7K3d/s400/IMG_3317.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Cajamarca."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTF3BAYw9RHgWD1lfz_mZxRulc1gwVjdgAKgR8gnSrL8tl1ymqqGJZ5sUTpukmecUOyiMyzEQaa1bvEYsBsNzQR48otDSQ47uLh5vW7bqczYmXxkQYV-zMNIkeX6Qf7Cbp_wCS97hkK1j3/s1600/IMG_3323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTF3BAYw9RHgWD1lfz_mZxRulc1gwVjdgAKgR8gnSrL8tl1ymqqGJZ5sUTpukmecUOyiMyzEQaa1bvEYsBsNzQR48otDSQ47uLh5vW7bqczYmXxkQYV-zMNIkeX6Qf7Cbp_wCS97hkK1j3/s400/IMG_3323.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Scraping paint with my comp!"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfFsj1NdST6Trr2PCHcLKtuoYr6H17fmeArdwNBEZBcp9dMBSYCvbKv730wqpDHTTxuY9uKYEsP4Y1C4QLoOltI_re5RsHQS3Lv-yMLta6j2TY1Xp46UltMeWoLMukjxX4_OnKHnC3vfq/s1600/IMG_3331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfFsj1NdST6Trr2PCHcLKtuoYr6H17fmeArdwNBEZBcp9dMBSYCvbKv730wqpDHTTxuY9uKYEsP4Y1C4QLoOltI_re5RsHQS3Lv-yMLta6j2TY1Xp46UltMeWoLMukjxX4_OnKHnC3vfq/s400/IMG_3331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Traveling in Peru sucks."</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFuDnBizLAwtRNOHRkFuJBGE4ICDdN0AC8yN5X4EGwJAu2tFywD98Fc49in0d9KYsEIAD6VK5mh5iEMzDM-HImuabe7ThN3yxWxTJzjbb_Mj7WW58bN9uM5LyfBJXtp29SirSi47Lsp7y/s1600/IMG_3346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFuDnBizLAwtRNOHRkFuJBGE4ICDdN0AC8yN5X4EGwJAu2tFywD98Fc49in0d9KYsEIAD6VK5mh5iEMzDM-HImuabe7ThN3yxWxTJzjbb_Mj7WW58bN9uM5LyfBJXtp29SirSi47Lsp7y/s400/IMG_3346.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Comp and I."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX64v3ETAsbg_wnJNjCIQR9fEspOaJPkLwUYar_4DtEYuVPsDSmYvZ-2jracjED2MmZkbWU0MtI-AKJ7zhxAVrQYBldpGEs5r90ikhwdUf7ulqJO4PgjsViEQ3cHY5Uqluvqv69UsaDx85/s1600/IMG_3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX64v3ETAsbg_wnJNjCIQR9fEspOaJPkLwUYar_4DtEYuVPsDSmYvZ-2jracjED2MmZkbWU0MtI-AKJ7zhxAVrQYBldpGEs5r90ikhwdUf7ulqJO4PgjsViEQ3cHY5Uqluvqv69UsaDx85/s400/IMG_3357.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"I'm in Peru."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAwpI3tm8tB6vgp61kBYfO-xI_Lp19xE9T0UfmOfxVnKOU6pA1OzWS3XeFeM1jPiPenIjl1kMH6qtzrlxSl2NSBtXsMqp_dfkv1DHpc2IQ7tIpjcDpTwFjc8P4wEdGrBZfBsFGmYBve_B/s1600/IMG_3373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAwpI3tm8tB6vgp61kBYfO-xI_Lp19xE9T0UfmOfxVnKOU6pA1OzWS3XeFeM1jPiPenIjl1kMH6qtzrlxSl2NSBtXsMqp_dfkv1DHpc2IQ7tIpjcDpTwFjc8P4wEdGrBZfBsFGmYBve_B/s400/IMG_3373.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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"ROOT BEER!!!!"</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-14350072681529209862013-05-08T11:14:00.000-07:002013-05-08T11:14:34.734-07:00"I'm getting transferred! TODAY!"
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Whoa!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Interesting weekend we
had. Saturday night we got a surprise phone call from the ZLs. I'm getting
transferred! TODAY. I'm mega rushed and trying to pack and get everything ready
because in a few hours I gotta be outta here! So, we'll see if I can organize
my thoughts well enough to write a decent e-mail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, this week we had a
meeting with the bishopric to talk about everything that’s going on here in
Picsi. The meeting was really helpful. Now the bishopric knows how things are
and what things they can do to help. One change: The regular Sunday school
class is now being changed to Gospel Principles, for everyone. So the members
can learn the basics and gain a better understanding and a testimony. I like
it. Also, they're gonna try to get the young women we have here involved with
the young women’s program in the Lopez Albujar ward. There is no YW
organization here, or any other organization. Also like it. They might assign
members from Chiclayo to speak occasionally in sacrament meetings in Picsi.
Another good idea. And the bishopric is now going to meet with us regularly to
see how we can help this struggling group. Sounds good to me! Good ideas. Also,
when we went to the meeting we got there first and accidentally set the alarm
off in the church which was a super loud siren that went off for like 15
minutes before we were finally able to borrow someone's cell phone and call our
ZLs to ask them how to shut the alarm off. Haha. Oops. After that a drunk guy
got mad at us for making so much noise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This week I also finished
reading the New Testament! Yesterday actually. Pretty sw33t I think. Understood
a ton more this time. I suppose that's why its good to read the scriptures
often...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Uhh... what else... Oh
yeah! Didja know that now in the mish there are Sister leaders? Basically they
get to do some of the stuff that district leaders do, like go on splits with
the other missionaries and see how they're doin' and stuff, but with the sister
missionaries. Pretty neat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Last night the members
threw together a makeshift goodbye party type deal real quick for me. Most of
the members and even some investigators came to say goodbye to me. It was
really sad! I hate goodbyes! What was especially sad for me was that Alfredo
and Carolina were there (The family that the members are coming together to
help have a better life and get a real house.). Alfredo thanked me so much and
so sincerely for everything we've done for him. He said, "because of you,
we're here" and that he and his family would stay strong and faithful.
That hit me pretty hard. Carolina was crying, a lot. I didn't realize just how much
of an affect we were having on these people. As much as the people in Picsi
drove me crazy, I'm gonna miss them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, I did get a big
ol' pile of mail this week. That made me happy! Wondering how Bryn's prom went.
Still think it's nuts that prom was in April this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh! Sunday is Mother's
Day!! I get to talk to you guys sooon!! Except, because I'm getting
transferred, I can't make plans to talk to you yet, because I don't even know
where I'm going to be! But, somehow it'll all work out. I hope you have most of
Sunday free, because I dunno when I'll be able to call! Possibly I will be able
to call on Saturday for just a couple minutes just to set a time and tell you
if I'll be able to call with Skype or not (depending on where I go, the
internet might not be able to handle skype!! But we're kinda lucky, because if
I stayed in Picsi the internet for sure would have been too slow...)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So, I'm excited to talk
to you soon! I gotta go get ready to move out of Picsi! I hate packing! My bags
are SO full it’s stupid! And they weigh like 800 jillion pounds! I hope you're
cool with paying extra for my overweight luggage when I come home. Haha. Sorry!
But I'll throw some stuff out before I come home!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Alright, see ya! Miss ya!
And I also miss Star Wars!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hems<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-50532659226198681462013-05-08T11:02:00.001-07:002013-05-08T11:02:27.699-07:00"Ugh, I'm kinda frustrated right now..."
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hello!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ugh, I'm kinda frustrated
right now because this computer has shut down on me twice now and twice I've
lost everything I had typed to tell you guys. I really don't have a lot of time
left so this is probably gonna be a really short e-mail. I'm sorry!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Today we had a delicious
p-day activity... McDonald's! Woo!! Man, that was tasty. First time in a long
time that I've actually been excited to eat my meal. But, it probably wasn't
the best idea in the world considering yesterday I was really sick and today
I'm still recovering. But, McD's trips are so rare that I can't pass up the opportunity!!
And McFlurrys are <i>by far </i>the best ice cream that I've ever had in Peru.
I mean, they're good in the States too, but there are better options at home.
But here, it's the best there is. SOOO GOOD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, yeah, I got sick,
<i>again. </i>Yesterday I felt absolutely awful. Today I feel mostly better.
But still, I don't know why I'm suddenly getting sick so often. It worries me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, let's see what
things happened this week. Really quick!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hmm. Well, all of our
investigators and everyone in Picsi has been being taught bad things about the
Mormons in their churches. Seriously everyone we teach tells us that their
pastor has taught them bad things about us! This week we went to visit Felix
again. The first time we visited him he told us that he learned a lot of stuff
about us at his church years ago. Like, that we worship Joseph Smith, and that
we have our own Bible, and we don't believe in the Bible. Psh. This week we
went to visit him and another preacher was there visiting with him in his home.
But... we taught anyway. The other preacher didn't say anything, he just
glared. After we left I assume he taught more bad stuff about us because the
next time we visited Felix he had a lot more doubts and wasn't quite as
receptive as normal. Ugh. And we went to visit Anita again this week, and she
told us that she went to some other church with her parents and the pastor said
in his talk that The Book of Mormon is evil and that anyone who has copy
in their house has to get rid of it, and that you shouldn't let the Mormons
into your house or talk to them because they're liars and their church is
false. Seriously, <i>every </i>church talks so much nonsense about us here!! I
think they all feel threatened by us or something. I don't know why, because in
Picsi, the Mormon Church is basically one of the smallest churches here. It's
only been in Picsi for one year! It’s kinda sad though. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Gah I have like no time
to write! And this computer is causing a ton of problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Uh, what else...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, I interviewed two
people for baptism in Chiclayo this week! A man named Wilmer and his eight year
old daughter Angie. Both way awesome! Got baptized on Saturday. Wanted to be
there, but had to do stuff in Picsi!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Honestly, it hasn't been
the most exicting of weeks, so, you're not missing much with my short and
rushed e-mail. You know what I realized this week? I was thinking the other
day, <i>wow, I haven't used that iPod Mom sent me in a really long time... </i>So,
I went to look for it, and I couldn't find it anywhere. I emptied all my bags,
every drawer, and looked <i>everywhere, </i>and I don't have it. It's gone. And
I'm pretty sure it never even made it with me to Picsi, considering I've never
used it or even seen it since I got here. I think it got lost in Chiclayo. But,
sadly, I think it got stolen. And, even sadder, I think it got stolen by a
missionary, because I never once took that thing out of my room. I couldn't
have lost it anywhere else. But yeah, I don't have that iPod anymore. Kinda
bummed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also the other day I was
talking with Elder Charlesworth and we realized that a few years back we went
to the same Warped Tour in Salt Lake and we were in all the same crowds and
everything. Ha, random.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Had a real fun church
activity in Chiclayo too with the members there! Went on a scavenger hunt in
the church and all the hints were scriptures. Can't explain much more because
there's no time, but, it was one of the better activities I've been to since
I've been in Peru! So, that was one of the highlights of the week. Pretty fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sigh, no time left. Not
much to tell anyway. Anyway, I gotta go! Sorry about this e-mail. Next week
we're gonna try a different internet cafe because every week this one gives us
a hard time. The computers always freeze and randomly shut down and go real
slow ´n stuff. I didn't get mail this week either so I don't know what's goin'
on back in the States, but I should be getting some in the next few days! I
miss you guys! Thanks for bein' cool!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">See ya!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-37047381283588265922013-04-24T11:24:00.000-07:002013-04-24T11:24:40.770-07:00"Hmm, well, what happened this week... Well, I got sick! ... When my diet switches from chicken and rice to Cheez-its, Goldfish, and Big Carls, I think I will finally be healthy again."
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">English time! Woo! I like
writing to you guys <i>en inglés</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Just got back from a
p-day activity in Chiclayo with the zone. This week's activity: talent show. My
first thought: <i>what the heck kind of talents can we even share as
missionaries?!</i> I dunno. There are no electric guitars here, so that
pretty much cancels out every talent I know of. Haha. Anyway I really had no
idea what I was gonna do, but this morning I remembered that there's a piano in
the church there, so I busted out two ol' classics from Yellowcard and Super
Mario 64. Uh, seriously. And I messed up quite a bit on both because I haven't
exactly been able to play much piano on my mish. But, it was kinda fun. I miss
playing piano a lot. We also did a silly skit as a district. Talent show was
pretty funny overall. A million times more fun with the missionaries than with
the members. I've been to like six "talent show" activities here in
Peru, and every single one of them is just a bunch of people getting up and
signing hymns poorly. Not too fun. Today was fun though. Like, a real talent
show. Kewl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, last week I got a
haircut. I dunno if I told you that. But, I don't like it. Really getting
stoked to get my haircut by dad again in a few months. Although when I'm in
Rexburg I don't know what I'm gonna do... Cut it myself. Or, just do what I did
last time and let my hair grow out as long as I possibly can without breaking
the rules, but still getting in trouble every single time I walk into the
testing center. Yeah, I'll stick with that one I think. Anyway, I'm looking
forward to the day that I get a haircut that I actually like again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hmm, well, what happened
this week... Well, I got sick! Woohoo! Felt real bad on Saturday. Didn't get
much done. Went out for a bit, but had to come back and rest. Lotsa trips to
the bathroom. Not the funnest. Sunday I felt a little better. Today I feel
almost normal. Although, I never really feel normal in Peru. When my diet
switches from chicken and rice to Cheez-its, Goldfish, and Big Carls, I think I
will finally be healthy again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I taught my district
class this week on how we can use the Book of Mormon more effectively as we
teach. Lots of the missionaries, myself included, have fallen into the habit of
teaching almost completely with the Bible. b'cause, y'know, people <i>believe</i> in
the Bible, <i>right?</i> But, that's not really what our message is all
about. Our <i>unique</i> message. We're not like all the other preachers
out there who go door to door with a Bible in hand. The keystone of our
religion, and, therefore, the keystone of our whole message, is The Book of
Mormon. Joseph Smith said that a man can get closer to God by reading and
applying the teachings found in The Book of Mormon than by any other book. So,
a personal goal of mine is to start using The Book of Mormon a lot more and a
lot better as I teach. No matter how good it feels to show these people that I
know my way around the Bible and can contradict the things that they tell me
using verses in their own Bibles. P.S.: I shouldn't feel good about that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We had kind of a neat
visit this week too. One member was rushed to the hospital last week and got an
emergency operation. He's the only person in his family who's a member, and his
family is big. We stopped by his home this week and visited with two of his kids
(they're older. like 20 and 27...). We had a really spiritual lesson where we
talked about how Jesus Christ suffered not only for our sins, but also for our
temptations, pains, sicknesses, and every other trial we pass through, so that
He would know how to help us in any and every situation. We ended with a
kneeling prayer (something that we do <i>way</i> less often than we
should... almost never.) and there was just a real strong spirit in the room.
It was a cool experience for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Had another fun lesson with
a member named Teresa. Basically her entire family are all Adventists and she
was asking us tips on how she can share what she believes with her family. Good
question! At one point she specifically asked us about the scripture in John
10:16 where Christ says "<i>And other sheep I have, which are not of this
fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be
one fold, and one shepherd.</i>" and she wanted to know how to explain
that one to her family, because they think Christ is talking about the Gentiles
or something. Well, something cool happened as I opened my mouth to start
explainin'. I wrote in my jern:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">04/17/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">...So, I open my mouth
and start explaining it in a way I never have before, and never even thought
of. I went on to explain how when Jesus came He preached exclusively to the
Jews. His Apostles first started preaching the gospel to the Gentiles after
Christ's death and resurrection. Christ never preached His gospel to the
Gentiles during His lifetime. Christ specifically said that His "other
sheep" would hear His voice, which the Gentiles never did. They heard the
gospel through His Apostles. So, the scripture can't be referring to the
Gentiles. I had never explained it like that to anyone before, but as I was
saying it, it just made so much sense! It surprised me how smoothly and so
easily the explanation rolled off my tongue, considering it was not
pre-meditated in any way. So, then I opened to 3 Nephi 15:21, where Christ
tells the Nephites that they are the other sheep He was talking about, to help
get the point across more clearly. But, what I wasn't expecting was what the
following three verses said: basically the <u>exact</u> same thing that I
had just explained! I seriously had no idea that was there!! I thought it was something
I had just worked out in my head. I didn't know I was basically quoting
scripture! The lesson just went so smooth and worked out so well, and it wasn't
planned at all. Everything just conveniently fell right into place somehow.
Including opening right up to a scripture that I didn't even know existed that
perfectly supported everything I had just said a moment earlier. As we started
reading the scripture and I realized that I had just said exactly what we were
reading, I was shocked. Just one of those awesome "God working by the
Spirit to make me a tool in His hands to do His work" moments. Too cool!
That was one of my favorite experiences that I've had in a while. I hope God
will keep using me like that to help His children here in Picsi...</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So, I thought that was
pretty neat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hmm, what else. Oh yeah!
Funny thing. Well, not really that funny. It's really bad actually. But...
still kinda funny. Can't help it. We were talking with this lady who is a
member who got married a long time ago but is now a single mother because her
husband left her. Her husband is a member too, and he didn't ever divorce her,
because here people don't like to get divorced because they don't want to spend
the money. Well, her husband met another woman and pulled some strings and
worked his way around the law and got married to her. Thus committing both
adultery, and polygamy at the same time (Ha! A Mormon practicing polygamy!
Ironic...). His second wife is also a member of the church, and somehow she was
okay with that. And the worst part: He went to the temple (lied in his
worthiness interview, obviously) and got <i>sealed</i> to his illegal
second wife!! Oooh man. That's <i>bad</i>. He's gonna go somewhere ugly. Weird
situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yikes, more things
happened but I gotta get going. Yes Dad, I liked the part where the guy in
conference yelled "AMEN!" too. Almost as funny as that guy a couple
years ago who stuck his face right in the camera after conference had ended. I
watched that over and over again on Youtube. So dumb! So funny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yeah, k, gotta leave. I
miss you all! Until next week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hems<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-67861101261803317262013-04-18T11:10:00.000-07:002013-04-21T20:49:35.430-07:00"Well, one day we were doing some good ol' tracting. Look, I'll be honest, I do not like to tract. It's boring, it's hot, and it is not an effective way of finding people. However, sometimes you get lucky and actually meet a person who is interested."<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Whoa, you know what I
noticed recently? In the Book of Mormon in English in the introduction it says
that the Book of Mormon <i>and the Bible </i>contain the fullness of the gospel
of Jesus Christ. But in the Spanish introduction it only says that the Book of
Mormon contains the fullness, and doesn't mention the Bible. What, is the
Spanish Bible false or something? Lolol. Nothin' beats the ol' King James
version. The lame Reina Valera version is all we got down here. King James ftw!
But, I don't know if you knew, but a few years back they actually released an
LDS edition of the Bible in español, like the LDS edition of the King James
version we have in English, with footnotes and cross references and stuff. It’s
the only language other than English that has an LDS edition. Pretty cool. But,
apparently still not the fullness of the gospel. Hahaha. Whoa, didn't they
recently announce a new version of the LDS standard works in English? I want
it!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, this week was
alright. Nothing too noteworthy to share. Lots of appointments, few people
progressing. More like none, actually. But... we're doing what we can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sunday was interesting.
Let me share with you how my Sunday was. You might as well just call me Bishop
Hemsley from here on out, because I'm seriously in charge of <i>everything</i> now!
Journal:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">04/14/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Church was interesting
today. First of all, our neighbors who live directly above the room we meet in
for sacrament meeting were having a party and blasting music. Obnoxious. At
2:00, when sacrament meeting is supposed to start, there was only one member
here: Harly. Little by little the members started trickling in. But there was
one problem; the bishopric was not here! We waited and waited, but they didn't
come. 2:45, still not here. I remembered that an elder can conduct a sacrament
meeting if there is no high priest present, so I decide that we can't wait any
longer, go into bishop-mode, and start sacrament meeting. I gotta say, it felt
weird literally being <u>the</u> guy in charge of church today. Not to
mention the bishopric makes us assign the talks here and pick the hymns. So,
today I prepared the sacrament, set up the seats, picked the hymns, assigned
opening and closing prayers, lead and presided the sacrament meeting, with the
speakers having been assigned by me ahead of time, myself being one of them.
A.K.A. I did <u>everything</u> today. No wonder why I'm so stressed here
in Picsi. Partway through the meeting the second counselor showed up. At like
3:15. So, luckily, we didn't have to teach Sunday School too. What I did have
to deal with however were some extremely disobedient kids in the primary. The
kids here are out of control. So, that was annoying. Anyway, kind of crazy
Sunday. Elder Hemsley is in charge of everything!</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yup, that happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Not much else cool
happened this week. On Wednesday I taught my district meeting class on
obedience. I was being pretty bold about it too. Haha. I used the scripture in
Matthew 7:21-24, that we use all the time in lessons to explain the importance
of having priesthood authority to act in Christ's name. But, I put a different
spin on it this time. It's the scripture that goes like this: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Not every one that saith
unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth
the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out
devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto
them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I basically said that the
disobedient missionaries are going to be the people in that situation one day.
They're be there in front of Christ, and they'll be saying "Lord, Lord, I
went on a mission! I baptized people! I healed the sick, and preached the
gospel in your name!" And to them Christ will say "I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Haha, it was kind of a brutal
lesson. But if there is one thing that really makes me angry, it's watching
missionaries deliberately break rules and make a mockery of God in the process.
My district doesn't have that kind of problem, but I was just making sure that
they understood how serious the consequences can be. Interesting district
class... Haha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What else... Well, one
day we were doing some good ol' tracting. Look, I'll be honest, I do <i>not </i>like
to tract. It's boring, it's hot, and it is not an effective way of finding
people. However, sometimes you get lucky and actually meet a person who is interested.
Elder Villatoro and I met Silvia tracting one day, and she ended up getting
baptized. So, tracting is not a <i>complete </i>waste of time, but, it's your
last resort when you have absolutely nothing better to be doing. Well, we did
get lucky this week. We met a man named Felix who let us right in to his house.
He was really kind, and surprisingly, he actually knew the Bible pretty dang
well, quoting passages from memory 'n stuff. It made it a lot easier for us to
teach him, because he pretty much understood everything right away. He had a
lot of questions specifically about our church. Questions about Joseph Smith,
and the Book of Mormon, and stuff like that. He had a lot of doubts, because he
has heard a lot of false stuff about our church. He told us that he used to
attend another church about ten years ago, and in that church they taught bad
things about the Mormons. <i>Seriously?</i> But that's not actually surprising.
That happens <i>a lot </i>here. I wrote in my journal "<i>I swear part of
every church's curriculum here is talking crap about every other church.</i>"
It’s rough. I feel like I'm living in Joseph Smith's era, where every church is
out to attack every other church. That's how it is here. Anyway, our visit with
Felix went really well. He thanked us for clearing up his doubts about Joseph
Smith, and whether or not we believed in the Bible, and stuff like that. He
accepted a Book of Mormon, and said he was excited to read it. Neato! We'll see
how things go from here...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh!! One day Hermana
Gotty told us that while she was in Chiclayo she saw the infamous
"mormon" missionaries who wear green nametags and have green Books of
Mormon. Apparenty from The Reformed (<i>not </i>Reorganized...) Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. And they practice polygamy! Cool!! Hahaha. I've
always wanted to see those guys!! Elder Peña told me he saw them in Cajamarca
too. No fair!! I wanna take a picture with them!! My dream is to see them
before I go home. Lololol. Apostasy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Got yer mail. Still super
jealous about your California trip. Grandma and Grandpa's house, swimming in
the poo, going to the beach, eating In-N-Out, Tommy's, Duke's, Rubios, going to
Balboa Island, etc... basically all my favorite things that you did without me.
And I've never been to Palm Desert, but I guess that sounds cool too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I forgot it was recently
Easter! I'm surprised, because in Peru everyone and their dog and their guinea
pig is super Christian (well, at least they say so.) but on Easter, absolutely <i>nothing
</i>happens! Two Easters in Peru, and nothing. I don't get it. But they
celebrate the whole week leading up to Easter by watching awful Jesus movies on
TV every day. Whatever floats your boat I guess. Oh yeah, it was funny because
one day we went to go visit a family who has four little kids, and as a family
they were watching The Passion of the Christ, and it’s just so brutal and the
little kids were crying because of how violent it was. Haha, not the best
choice for a family movie night... "But it's about Jesus! Of course it’s a
good idea!" Yeah, okay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, I gotta get
going! I also got a letter from Drew! My old roommate! Drew, this is just to
let you know that I got it, and if I ever find time, I will try to write. But
if not, don't kill me. Just don't go checking the mail every day for my
letter!! Hehehe. Inside jokes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Alright, see ya fam! Till
next week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hemsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-58510870434356762372013-04-09T21:46:00.000-07:002013-04-09T21:46:39.506-07:00"Anyway, something really really special is happening right now in Picsi. It is honestly one of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed before in my life..."
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dude, Oregon!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Wow, I've spoken so much
English in these past few days it’s ridiculous. I'm getting my languages really
confused because of it. On Friday we had a district leader training meeting
where I got to see a ton of North American missionaries and speak some serious
English with them. Saturday was General Conference, and, something amazing
happened!! For the first time in my entire mission, I got to see <i>every
single session </i>in English!!! It was sooooo good! And, it's my last
Conference in the mission, so I never have to listen to the translated version
ever again! YESSS!!!!!!! Anyway, I watched it with all the white kids in my
zone. Way fun. Spoke a lot of English. Sunday too. Today was p-day and we took
a cool trip to this place that I don't know what it's called, but basically we
hiked up this mountain and hung out for a bit. It took the whole day, so the
whole day I was basically speaking English. This is nuts! Also, I remember
Jacqueline told me that I spoke with an accent when I spoke to you guys at
Christmas, but I've never been able to hear it. And none of the other North
American missionaries can hear it either, so, Jacqueline, you're crazy!! But,
there is a new sister missionary in our zone, named Hermana Batman
(seriously... <i>that is so awesome.</i>) and the other day we realized that
she speaks English differently than we do, and we pretty much realized that we
basically all have accents now and we've just never noticed because we're all
developing them at the same time. That is so gross!! I don't want to talk to
you guys when I get home (and I <i>especially </i>don't want to pray out
loud)...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyways, this has been a
pretty good week. The highlight was Conference for sure. I loved way too many
parts to list each one. But what really stuck out to me this time was each time
an apostle bore his special witness of Jesus Christ. President Packer said
"He lives. I <i>know </i>He lives. I am His witness." President
Eyring said "I am a witness of the resurrection of the Lord... I <i>know</i>
that He lives... I so testify as a witness of the Risen Savior." Elder
Robert D. Hales said "I bear my special witness that He lives." And
there were some other times too. Those really stuck out to me this time. I
mean... these are <i>special witnesses </i>of <i>Jesus Christ!!</i> Pretty
awesome to me. I also really liked when Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke about
all the stars and planets and worlds and said that scientists say that there
are over 200 <i>billion </i>galaxies similar to the Milky Way in the universe.
That basically blew my mind. And then when he mentioned that all of them were
created by the priesthood it just really put into perspective for me how
amazing and how sacred the priesthood power I hold is. Too cool. Oh yeah, and I
also really liked what Elder Tad R. Callister said when we mentioned the saying
"do not die with your music still in you." Yeah, okay, I'll take that
literally. I have so much music in my brain that I have to turn into actual
music when I get home! And if I die, it will be lost. Can't happen! Haha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh yeah, and I got your
Easter package! Thank you! We ate the candies during Conference. Luckily, we
were watching it in a separate room from everyone else on a small TV, so it was
easier to eat lots of candy in there than in the chapel with all the other
members staring at us and judging us. Haha. And the photos were so cool this
time!! Wow wow wow! I love those! So cool to see pictures of my family and my
ancestors as missionaries. Also, I was wrong the other time I told you, I did
the math again, and really it's more like my family has given over <i>40</i>
years of full-time missionary service. Not 30. Whoa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, something really
really special is happening right now in Picsi. It is honestly one of the most
amazing things I've ever witnessed before in my life. We have these investigators,
Carolina and Alfredo. They are an unmarried couple who have been together for a
long time and have three kids. They are probably the most dirt-poor family in
all of Picsi. And their house is probably the worst house I've ever entered or
even seen in my entire mission aside from the tarp house I visited my first
Christmas in Pacasmayo. Their house is depressing. They basically live outside
because they don't have real walls, or a front door, or a real ceiling, or
floor, or furniture. When it rains, their house floods, and the ground turns
into a swamp, and the whole family gets sick. It's a really sad situation.
Plus, the people in Picsi think that Carolina is crazy. She <i>is </i>a little
silly, and socially awkward, but she's not crazy at all! She's just a mother
under extremely desperate circumstances trying to provide for her children.
Anyway, we've been visiting them for a while. Right from the start they
realized that they need to get married, and they've been making plans for it
and have been excited about it ever since we've started talking to them. So,
that's cool. It was so touching to me one of the first times that we visited
Alfredo. He thanked us <i>so much</i>, not just for the message we shared with
him (he wants his children to be baptized. We taught him that the whole family
can be baptized!), but more than anything he told us how thankful he was that
somebody had interest in him and his family. He thanked us just for caring.
This family is living in probably the saddest situation I've ever seen. Well,
ever since we told our pensionista, Hermana Gotty, that this couple wants to
get married, she's been super active in trying to help them be able to marry.
She's one of Carolina's few supporters, strongly defending the fact that she is
<i>not </i>just some crazy lady. So, she had talked with them both a bunch of
times, but last week, for the first time ever, she went to see them at their
house. She had no idea how desperate and depressing their situation was until
she saw their <i>awful </i>living conditions. Gotty told us that night that she
was shocked (and she told us "I <i>know</i> what it's like to live in
poverty. I've had to use a table for my front door before. But I've never seen
poverty to that extreme before...), and that she couldn't stop thinking about
it, and she told us that she won't be able to relax until that family's quality
of life improves. So, Gotty talked with some of the members and then they went
to Chiclayo and talked with the bishopric and relief society president about
the situation. Well, thanks to that, a miracle is happening in the lives of
this family, because now the church members are going to build this family a
new house, and buy them furniture, and clothing, and what they need to start
living a less destitute life. Gotty then went and talked to the mayor, who is
Alfredo's brother (can you even imagine how the mayor could let his own brother
live in such conditions?!), and she got him to agree to marry the couple for <i>free
</i>(hasn't happened yet, but it will), <i>and </i>also got him to give the
family a piece of property to build on, also for free. Now, the members are all
trying to help and friendship this family, and support them however they can.
Seriously, like I said before, this is one of the most amazing things I've ever
witnessed. The members here actually seem like true latter-day saints. They
actually seem like true members of The Church of Jesus Christ. Coming together
to help this family who has <i>nothing,</i> and working this great miracle
in their lives. These members frustrate me to no end sometimes, but right now I
am <i>so </i>proud of them, and I'm so proud to be associated with them. This
is really the coolest thing I've ever seen happen on my mission. It’s
incredible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, also this week, I
finished The Book of Mormon! Whoa, reading it that fast really helped me to
capture the entire thing as a flowing story and history a lot better than
reading it slowly. Now I have it much clearer and fresher in my mind how
everything in The Book of Mormon relates to each other, and a lot of things
make a lot more sense to me now. Reading it speedy was a good choice. Thinking
about reading the New Testament again. I really want to read the Old Testament
and Doctrine and Covenants, but I feel like those won't be as helpful for me on
my mission, and they can wait until I get home. Gotta open up the OT on
occasion because there are a ton of people here who don't really understand the
way things changed between the Old and New Testaments, but really, more
important than anything are the teachings of Jesus Christ during His earthly
ministry. So, that's prob what I'll read next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, I'm about to go
over my time this week! Gotta cut this short. Sorry, I started my internet time
this week by trying to organize my memory card. I got your mail! Way jealous
that you were in CA. Still waiting to hear about what you actually did there.
Wondering if you went to Disneyland without me, <i>again. </i>Haha. Wow, Bryn's
going to prom again. Didn't that <i>just </i>happen? A year has seriously
already gone by? But seriously, why is prom so ridiculously early this year??
My prom was at the end of May! Actually I don't remember. I don't know if
that's true. The year <i>before</i> it was at the end of May, because I
remember my concert was the same day as prom, and it was May 30th. Haha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, I miss you! I
think I'll close this week with a quote from my journal. This was before a day
that I had to get up earlier than normal for District Leader Training:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">04/04/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, I'm gonna rest up
for tomorrow. There is little I dread more than having to wake up early. I'm
pretty sure Hell is just like normal life, except that you have to wake up
really early every morning... I don't want to go to Hell...</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hemsley</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Here are some pictures that Victor sent this week:</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0C8a0r-BtoDF3083SHdD-yXObnnmDKBzwhdbKAeZnPg0vavDN-6sIJWLLz5BWfbrvGy14s2XZwVOtZdjM_6P1mBnL-0tbYmNY8qGyvKWGngd5D4XrwEQu4CqbxBxnmPIylttjMncF8Xz/s1600/IMG_3122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0C8a0r-BtoDF3083SHdD-yXObnnmDKBzwhdbKAeZnPg0vavDN-6sIJWLLz5BWfbrvGy14s2XZwVOtZdjM_6P1mBnL-0tbYmNY8qGyvKWGngd5D4XrwEQu4CqbxBxnmPIylttjMncF8Xz/s400/IMG_3122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"P-day."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVKjokt2DBh_H06IC25JX9hi7s0yPzpOnbZeMPHcoD4npKBOUC61zNjAPB8LK47HrOp7NbSQu13bR6PsarQdgr2lUfIsmwmdjtma62yhgcCCxkPgctPC4mq0snB5DnN1dBcufu754vx7r/s1600/IMG_3123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVKjokt2DBh_H06IC25JX9hi7s0yPzpOnbZeMPHcoD4npKBOUC61zNjAPB8LK47HrOp7NbSQu13bR6PsarQdgr2lUfIsmwmdjtma62yhgcCCxkPgctPC4mq0snB5DnN1dBcufu754vx7r/s400/IMG_3123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"This is what I always imagined Peru would look like! One year and a half years later, I finally actually made it to Peru."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yMpyt0o3CB_fKNbzIuYshzVGx4g-k7kaXYXl6VLwVXkpAtwNx6M7CdHXMsqNkUsx6zykf83tq2-bWtgtb8A5HDvS1_OF4Z5kSM6DULYMQhujr3qWAtFLABQOiO7rtqd1Dkyy8mM7T_Sj/s1600/IMG_3115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yMpyt0o3CB_fKNbzIuYshzVGx4g-k7kaXYXl6VLwVXkpAtwNx6M7CdHXMsqNkUsx6zykf83tq2-bWtgtb8A5HDvS1_OF4Z5kSM6DULYMQhujr3qWAtFLABQOiO7rtqd1Dkyy8mM7T_Sj/s400/IMG_3115.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Reunited with the old office group!"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tXonuuxGBFVXAFtQEtR-0RRlrP3Io01jgB8KccO_0rKDXGxVN_CfYyQe0Z_C7AVgSdKhrkg2AO_AKKM6uGfVYZQI68zDBvtP3KuMmYXhlSy3Tv2YQ2U-8O_jcK30a3-iOcJCOTqZwI0L/s1600/IMG_3117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tXonuuxGBFVXAFtQEtR-0RRlrP3Io01jgB8KccO_0rKDXGxVN_CfYyQe0Z_C7AVgSdKhrkg2AO_AKKM6uGfVYZQI68zDBvtP3KuMmYXhlSy3Tv2YQ2U-8O_jcK30a3-iOcJCOTqZwI0L/s400/IMG_3117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Our zone (Zona Latina) at Conference."</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-77198496570718256102013-04-07T22:33:00.000-07:002013-04-07T22:33:38.798-07:00"I'm now here with my new companion, Elder Bardales! But y'know what's weird? He's only temporarily serving in Chiclayo! His real mission call is for Mexico..."
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Familia!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2nTnuFX4T36J5KQsqEajMptdKCzsenYMg5fLPHIVndUaQiyUm5vFP7UqBy77U3FaFCGE2UL5sQzY8H5O0XI3WSh3Yw-9wYoQaJDuO6Nb7WgY49PJpHu7NxRGWSxTXzZYB_Zfj24ZPzjq/s1600/IMG_3106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2nTnuFX4T36J5KQsqEajMptdKCzsenYMg5fLPHIVndUaQiyUm5vFP7UqBy77U3FaFCGE2UL5sQzY8H5O0XI3WSh3Yw-9wYoQaJDuO6Nb7WgY49PJpHu7NxRGWSxTXzZYB_Zfj24ZPzjq/s400/IMG_3106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Elder Arévalo and me with our new companions."</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, transfers happened.
I'm now here with my new companion, Elder Bardales! He's from Chimbote, Peru,
and he's just barely starting his mish! He's a cool guy. 19 years old. Member
of the church for three years. But y'know what's weird? He's only temporarily
serving in Chiclayo! His real mission call is for Mexico, but, until his visa
comes through, he's gonna be here with us. Now, that means that basically at
any given moment, his visa could come through and he'll be off to Mexico
(seriously I am so jealous of all the crunchwrap supremes that he's going to be
eating there. Because I know that's what everyone always eats in Mexico. Taco
Bell.), and if that happens, I don't really know what will happen with me, but
I guess we'll find out. Ha. So, I'm training again! But this time a brand new,
new guy! Elder Villatoro had already been out here a transfer when I began
training him. Speaking of Elder Villatoro, he's also training a new missionary!
Wow! That's pretty rad. Elder Villatoro was struggling a bit when he was
starting his mission, but it makes me way happy to see how much he's improved
and how much happier he is now. And he's training a new missionary for his
first time! Too cool. Since so many new missionaries came this time, a gigantic
chunk of the mission is training newbs. And like 15 or so new areas just opened
up! Including Olmos 2! Aww, not fair, I wanna serve in Olmos 2! Hehe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This week I also finished
my fourth journal. I'm on to my fifth mission journal! Dang, that's a lot of
books I've written. I assume by the time I get home I will have started my
sixth one. Kinda cool. But the best part is that when I get home I will no
longer torture myself by forcing myself to write a journal entry every single
night no matter how tired I am. Woo!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, some neat things
happened this week I guess. We had a good visit with Anita, the Adventist lady
the other day. I wrote about it:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">02/26/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Today we went to visit
Lorena, but she wasn't there so we talked with Anita instead. Man, Anita is so
freaking awesome!! She came to Melissa's baptism, so we talked a little about
that. She said she really liked it and that she had never seen a baptism like
that before. Elder Bardales asked her how she felt at the baptism, and Anita
told us that she felt something strong, and she felt like she had found the
truth. Whoa!! Good question, comp! She told us that the first time we visited
her and Mardokeo, she saw us walk past their home, and told Mardokeo that we'd
probably show up at their house one day, and then, just a few minutes later we
showed up at their door! She said that after that first visit she couldn't stop
thinking about the things we had taught her, and she wondered why she had never
been taught those things in her church, because she felt like they were true.
She has felt over and over again that this is the truth. She just needs to get
married so that she can get baptized. However, she told us that Mardokeo has
his doubts, and basically believes that all churches are the true church. Eh,
gonna have to work with him a bit. I think it has to do with the fact that he's
not too fond of the Word of Wisdom. He likes his beer. Anyway, Anita is way way
rad! My comp's first lesson too! It was way good!</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So, that was pretty cool.
Speaking of the Word of Wisdom, it's a ridiculously huge problem here. I think
I've already told you, but it's awful. Everyone complains about being so poor,
but every weekend they go out and spend huge sums of money on really expensive
beer, and then they complain again about how poor they are! And in their drunkenness
they give their little kids beer too! It's the worst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The church in Picsi is
(and has been since forever) struggling a whole lot. The few members we have
are not that active or dedicated to the church. It's rough. Plus, the other
week Elder Rich was telling me about how Elder Hooker, an area authority (I
think) came to Chiclayo a few weeks ago and told the stake president that in
the church there are wards, and there are branches, and nothing else. Groups
don't exist. So, basically, if this group doesn't become a branch soon, the
church is going to be closed in Picsi and the members are going to have to go
to church in Chiclayo. So, yeah, kind of a sad situation. The other week the
members all got together to talk about this problem and how they have to start
working together to help this church grow so that they can keep their church in
Picsi. For a few days they all got more excited to work hard and visit people but
then yesterday was one of the worst church attendances I've seen yet. Ehh... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I've been enjoying my new
and improved faster method of reading the Book of Mormon. No marking nuthin'! I
finished Alma yesterday, so, the rest will be a breeze! Pretty cool. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Apart from the awful
church attendance yesterday, there was one thing that I really liked. It was
fast and testimony meeting, and part way through the meeting I decided to share
my testimony, and as I was speaking I just felt the Spirit so strong. Those are
my favorite moments. I sat back down and remained on a spiritual high until
church ended. The best feeling! Oh, and P.S., the first counselor keeps making
me lead the sacrament meeting. I don't know why, because elders can only lead
sacrament meetings if there is no high priest present, and he's a high priest! Lolz.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I got some mail this
week. <i>Some. </i>Only heard from Jack and Dad this time. Dunno what happened,
but I assume I'll get the rest this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You actually got a second
dog!! That's nutso! I hope he's fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacque, I don't remember
what country I had in the Eurasian conference. I just remember that was one of
the worst school days I ever had. Haha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, we gotta get going.
We're off to Chiclayo to eat lunch with some of our zone. Hopefully I'll have
some cooler things to tell you about next week! Buh-bye!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hems<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-86147669717028352152013-03-31T18:46:00.001-07:002013-03-31T18:46:39.978-07:00"Got the call last night: Elder Arèvalo is outta here. I'm staying in Picsi, and I'm going to train another new missionary!"
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hola!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Wow, guess what? It's
already time for transfers! Got the call last night: Elder Arèvalo is outta
here. I'm staying in Picsi, and I'm going to train another new missionary!
Honestly, even though I've done it once before, I'm way nervous, but whatever.
I wrote in my journal: "<i>President Risso seems to trust me a lot more
than I trust myself, and it always ends up okay in the end.</i>" Still,
lots of pressure! I could make or break this new kid's mission! But, it should
be fun. Picsi is gonna be a way hard first area to serve in. But, maybe it will
make the rest of his mission feel like a breeze when he gets transferred. My
first area was pretty hard too. Anyway, transfers are crazy this time because
35 new missionaries are arriving tomorrow!! That's <i>by far</i> the
biggest group of missionaries that's ever arrived! Before that, I'm pretty sure
my group was the biggest group, and we were like twenty-something people. <i>35
new missionaries this time.</i> That is nuts. Opening up a bunch of new areas
this transfer! Pretty rad I think. Elder Arèvalo is also going to be training a
new missionary in who-knows-where. I think Dad was telling me that something
similar was happening in Eugene. Like a million new missionaries are arriving.
Pretty cool stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As for this week...
Honestly... It may have been the worst week of my entire mission. But, that
doesn't mean that there weren't good parts. There were just <i>a lot </i>of bad
parts. However, I think I'll try to focus more on the good than the bad. I
vented enough in my journal, so that I don't have to repeat it in my e-mail.
Many angry journal entries. No problems with my companion or nuthin'. Arèvalo
is still awesome, and I'm sad that he's leaving. Just a lot of problems with
the members. This little group of members is struggling a whole lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So, I'll skip right on
ahead to the best part of our week: we had another baptism!! I didn't tell you
that we were going to baptize someone last week. That's because I didn't even
know! On Saturday, our pensionista's 16 year old step-daughter Melissa was
baptized. We've been visiting her every now and then since I've been here. She
usually understood everything pretty well, but she never really read anything
we left her to read, and she never wanted to accept a baptismal date.
Basically, she's been investigating the church for a whole year, ever since
Picsi opened up last March (March 21st. We celebrated the church's first anniversary
in Picsi this week!). She's gone through a whole lotta missionaries. We already
knew that one thing she did not like was when the missionaries tried to make
her accept a specific date to be baptized. So, we never set a date. On Tuesday
we had another lesson with her. Pretty normal. Taught about the Word of Wisdom.
No problems. But one thing was different about this time. She had actually read
the chapter of the Book of Mormon that we had left her, and she had even
highlighted the verses that really stuck out to her! She read 2 Nefi chapter
31. She told us that she specifically liked verse 5. She told us that she knows
that baptism is necessary for our salvation, and that all the commandments
we've been teaching her are important to keep. She told us that she really
believes that the Book of Mormon is true, because when she reads it she feels a
peace, and she feels good. We knew that Elder Arèvalo was gonna get transferred
this week, so Elder Arèvalo asked her if she was willing to be baptized on Saturday,
and she said yes!! We were so happy! So, on Saturday she was baptized. The
coolest. It was a double baptism. She was baptized with a sweet old lady from
the Lopez Albujar ward named Mavila, who I interviewed for baptism on Thursday.
So, there were a lot of people at the baptism! From Picsi and from Lopez. Elder
Rich and Elder Sanchez were there, because Mavila is their investigator, and
the zone leaders showed up too. We threw together a special musical number at
the last second (so last second that I don't even remember what song we sang)
which was pretty kewl. As we were outside taking photos, President Risso showed
up too! And he totally joined us in singing the hymn! Haha, way cool. Some
people recorded it, I'm gonna try to get the video from them. I actually have a
bunch of videos, but I can't send them to you because they're either too big,
or the computers are just too slow to send them. But, when I get home, you can
watch some vidz from my mish! So, we were very happy about Melissa's baptism. I
felt like it was a miracle, because for a whole year she's been listening to
the missionaries, and not accepting baptismal dates. Now almost the whole
family are members. The only one who isn't is Melissa's dad. We'll have to see
what we can do to complete the family. Heh. Way awesome though. A great way to
end a bad week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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"Melissa's baptism."</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also on Saturday, the
zone leaders caught my by surprise and told me that I had to go and teach
English again in that same university as last time. Except, this time I had to
teach alone!! Uhh, no way was that going to happen! I've told you before how
bad I am at teaching English. Let's just say that in my year and a half in
Peru, I haven't been able to help a single one of my companions learn any
English, and when I taught the English class before, I had no idea what I was
doing, and I was just sorta following Elder Greene who mostly took control.
Luckily for me, in the end Elder Rich came too, so we taught together. But
still, same thing, he mostly taught, and I kinda just followed along, sorta
lost. We all have our weaknesses I guess. One of my big ones is teaching
English. I sure hate doing it. But it turned out well, thanks to Elder Rich.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Speaking of English, in
our weekly zone meetings (which, by the way, isn't it kind of weird that we
have weekly zone meetings? Preach My Gospel only talks about district meetings.
I think zone meetings only exist in the Peru Chiclayo mission...) we have a
15-minute English class for all the latin-american elders taught by Hermana
Lee, one of the sisters in our zone. This time she announced that from here on
out the opening and closing prayers in our zone meetings are going to be in
English. Aw great! And I was the one who was going to give the closing prayer!
I wrote about it later that night:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">03/19/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When the meeting came to
a close, I had to pray in English. I gave the absolute worst prayer of all
time!! I had no idea how to say the things that I wanted to say. I was thinking
in Spanish, and trying my hardest to translate it to English. Trying and
failing. The exact opposite of how it was at the beginning of my mission! It
was kinda like "and... bless us that... err... that we can help... many
people today." Ha! And that's not even what I wanted to say! But it was
all I knew how to say, so I said it instead. Bad, it was so stupidly difficult.
Kinda funny. All the other gringos knew exactly how I felt. For some reason,
even though we can still speak to each other in English fairly normal, praying
in English is the hardest thing ever!!! I don't know why. Especially since I
say all my personal prayers in my head in English just fine...</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lolol. It was the worst.
I can speak English just fine to other missionaries, but trying to speak to
anybody else in English is the hardest thing ever. When I was in the office,
there was little I dreaded more than having to speak to the parents of some
missionary in English on the phone. I felt like such an idiot because I had no
idea how to even talk to them! Haha. And it was confusing the heck outta me,
because one thing that's funny in español is that we just call everone
"hermano" or "hermana." Not only members of the church.
Everybody. And it really helps me a whole ton when I can't remember the
person's name, because I can just call them hermano and it's totally fine.<i> And
when I say brother, I don't mean, like, an actual brother, but I mean it like
the way black people use it. Which is more meaningful I think.</i> Hehehehe.
But seriously, I was talking to this missionary's mom one time on the phone, en
inglès, and it was really awkward because I didn't know how to address her. I
saying stuff like "oh yeah, thank you... err... sister..." Haha. I
hate English!! Just kidding I love it way more than Spanish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hmm, well, I also got
mail from you guys finally! Two weeks worth I think! It was so good to finally
hear your voices again via my imagination whilst I was reading your Dear Elders
in my head! Good to hear what's up in Oregon. As far as me being able to change
into Bryn's same track at BYU-I, as far as I know, it's not possible, but, if
you find out otherwise, DO IT! Fall/Winter is way better than Winter/Spring.
Though, you also told me that Zach got into Winter/Spring. Ooh, depending on
when I start school, perhaps Zach and I could take back our ol' apartment that we
both used to live in, at different times. Ha. That would be fun!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyways, seriously?
Another dog?? Well, I'm still waiting to find out if you're keeping him or not.
Weird. And way cool about all the people you keep telling me who are going on
missions! Basically all of them at this point I feel like are people I met at
EFY who I don't actually know that well, but still, COOL! Espesh since they're
almost all girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I'm way jealous right now
that you're in California. Not fair not fair!!! How many times have you gone
now without me? Like, three? I've only been gone for a year and a half!! Why
didn't I ever get to go that often?! Anyway, do what you did last year, and buy
me an In-N-Out shirt! And buy me an In-N-Out burger too! And strawberry shake.
Mmmmm... It has been such a freaking long time since I've had a milkshake...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, I gotta get going.
This week should be an adventure! New comp! Fresh off the airplane! Just think
about how weird it is, now that missionaries are in the MTC for less time, this
means that two weeks ago, my new companion was totally making out with his
girlfriend!! Hahaha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Okay, I miss you a heck
of a lot of a ton! Talk to you next week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hemsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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"Melissa."</div>
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"Scary eyes!"</div>
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<span style="color: #535353; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-5375579862428288812013-03-19T21:25:00.000-07:002013-03-19T21:25:13.717-07:00"Anyway, something different about this week is that it's been raining a ton!..And it's a problem, because the streets here are all made of dirt, and so when it rains, it turns into deep mud, and it makes getting around difficult." <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ooh boy am I tired!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, another tough week
in ol' Picsi. Not so bad though. Just a ton of appointments falling through all
the time! The people here just don't understand how to keep commitments, and
it's a little bit hard for me to understand such a strange cultural difference.
If people tell me they're going to do something, I believe them, and the fact
that they never do what they tell us they're going to do is something I can't
quite adjust to or wrap my head around. But eh, just gotta deal with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, something
different about this week is that it's been raining a ton! Lots and lots of
rain! Well, compared to Oregon, not that much rain. But still, for here, lots.
And it's a problem, because the streets here are all made of dirt, and so when
it rains, it turns into deep mud, and it makes getting around difficult. The
streets sometimes are more like rivers than streets. Another big problem is
that the houses here are not built for rain. Which, honestly, I don't
understand at all, because it’s not like it never rains in Peru. It’s really
bad though, because if it rains a lot, some people are in huge trouble because
their adobe houses will fall down and they'll be left without a home. Why don't
they build water resistant houses? Because it’s cheaper I guess. But is it
really worth saving a few bucks (err... soles...) when the next time it rains
hard your house will fall down? Ouch the mosquitoes are biting my ankles!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This week we had what we
call an "ataque de distrito" here in Picsi, which is where the whole
district comes to a certain area to go tracting to find new investigators for
the missionaries in that area. Kinda neat. We got a lot of names of people that
we need to go visit now. Kewl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ugh, this computer is
causing me problems right now. I'm not sure how much I'm actually gonna get to
write to you guys... I'll do what I can!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Another fun thing about
this week was that I ate guinea pig for the second time! Woo!! It’s actually
pretty darn tasty. I don't know how true it is, but everyone here always tells
us that it's one of the healthiest foods there is. However, these are also the
people who say that drinking cold water is deadly, so, I don't really know when
to believe people here on health issues, but still. It was tasty. Guinea pig is
like a special treat for people to eat here. It’s one of those meals that
everyone gets way excited about to eat. So, that was fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As far as appointments
falling through, my journal does a good job of explaining what it was like:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">03/15/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Today was a little
frustrating because of the four hour block of time in which every appointment
we had fell through. Had fixed appointments at 3:00, at 4:00, at 5:00, at 6:00,
and at 7:00. At 3:00, the people were getting drunk in the street in front of
their house. At 4:00, the people were getting drunk inside their house. At
5:00, the lady was "doing her things." We said "but hermana, you
told us to come at this time," and she replied "yeah, but I'm doing
my things." Worst excuse ever. At 6:00, the people we were supposed to
visit were in Chiclayo. And <u>finally</u>, at 7:00, Melissa was at home
and we had a pretty good lesson with her.</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">03/16/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s kind of sad how many
appointments are falling through. More are falling through than aren't. Bleh.
Frustrating.</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sigh, that's how it’s
been. It's not just Picsi though, this has happened in every single one of my
areas. It’s this country's culture. I don't get it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Another thing I've been
enjoying is that I've started reading the BoM a lot more again. I finished
Jesus the Christ, and now I'm reading through the Book of Mormon again from
start to finish. Wanna finish it one more time before I go home. En inglés
though. No Spanish. I started it from the beginning a super long time ago in
Olmos, but I was taking my time to mark and highlight every little thing that
grabbed my attention, which was a ton of things! It was really slowing me down.
I was basically spending more time coloring my Book of Mormon than reading it.
But, this week, I got tired of that, and I put my highlighters down, and just
started reading straight through without marking anything, and it's going a
heck of a lot faster and I'm enjoying it a lot more. Got through Mosiah real
fast. Now I'm starting Alma, which always discourages me because it's like
312987235807 chapters long, but whatever. Having some fun reading the
scriptures. Also, Elder Arèvalo and I are still finding tons of great
scriptures to use in our lessons during our companionship study. The other day
we were looking up scriptures on prayer, but it ended up turning into us
looking up scriptures about idolatry because too many people here worship and
pray to idols! Found a ton. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Church is kinda chaotic
on Sundays. First of all, it normally starts anywhere from 30-60 minutes late,
because everyone shows up super late!! For the past two weeks in a row, the
first counselor of the bishopric has pulled us aside after church to tell us
about how worried the bishop is about this group, because it's just not
progressing! Here's the jern entry:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">03/17/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hermano Miguel, the first
counselor in the bishopric, pulled us aside after church to
"interview" us, and for the second week in a row he told us about how
the bishopric is really concerned because the family group in Picsi is not
progressing. It’s regressing even. Lots of problems. I want to help strengthen
this group so badly, but it’s next to impossible when the members are unwilling
to do their part. We really, really need to do all that we can to strengthen
these members.</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yikes. He told us that if
things don't get better they might have to close the group and all the members
would have to go to church in Chiclayo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">However, there was one
good thing about Sunday! Ten investigators came to church again!! Wow! Well,
really eight. Eight people we're teaching came, but two of them brought
friends! Way cool! So, that made us happy at least. Ten is a lot of
investigators.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Shoot!! The computer has
not been friendly to me this time!! I gotta go!! I still didn't get mail, but
I'll get it tomorrow. Dangit, I wanna hear from you guys!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyways, I gotta get
outta here. Talk to you next week! Miss you all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Elder Hemsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2991302915002866020.post-90792682975800016052013-03-13T16:12:00.000-07:002013-03-13T16:12:59.872-07:00"For whatever reason, yesterday it was just so much easier and so much more natural to talk to people than usual. Pretty rad. Felt like I was being held up by something greater than myself."
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">OREGON! OREGON!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yikes, y´know what just
happened? One member started talking about how in two months we get to call our
families, and it just hit me really hard that it will be my last call home!
Anyway, that's a little ways off still. BUT STILL. Time is flying so fast!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Time is flying so fast,
that last week when I wrote you guys I didn't even realize that Dad's birthday
was coming up! I thought it was still farther in the future! I honestly haven't
been paying much attention to the date anymore. When you start your mission,
you're painfully aware of how many days you've been away from home, and the
calendar sometimes becomes your worst enemy. Now, I just keep getting surprised
when I notice what the date is and realize how fast the time is going by! Mega fast.
Anyway, I hope you had a good birthday Dad! I didn't mean to forget it! Just
sorta taking this one day at a time, and didn't realize that March 9th was
going to happen before the next time I e-mailed home. Oops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, wanna know
something weird and honestly kind of scary that I learned about Picsi the other
day? Doctors here don't work on Saturday or Sunday. They get weekends off. That
probably sounds pretty nice to Dad, but for the rest of us, that's scary! What
if you get really sick on a weekend?! Too bad, gotta wait until Monday.
Hopefully you don't die before then! Yikes. We have an investigator who got
sick on Saturday. We asked him if he had gone to the doctor, and he broke the
news to us that he has to wait until Monday because the doctors here don't work
Saturdays or Sundays. I assume (or, I hope) that doctors in Chiclayo still work
on those days. Chiclayo's like ten minutes away from here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This week was... also
pretty tough honestly. People are just failing us all over the place, not being
home when we have appointments scheduled with them. It's been sort of
ridiculous. Let's turn to my journal to see what it was like:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">03/05/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Wow, these past few days
I just feel like I've been let down so much more than usual. The work is tough!</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">03/06/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Appointments are falling
through all over the place. Kind of discouraging.</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">03/07/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Its ridiculous how many
appointments are falling through. I don't know what's happening. We've had to
result to make people promise us they'll be at home when we set an appointment.
We set a time, and they're like "yeah, see you then." And we have to
be like "do you <u>promise</u> us you'll be there at that
time?!" and they're like "yeah, yeah I promise." And then
they're not there still! It’s frustrating.</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">03/09/13</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Gah!! The people here
make me crazy!!</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Basically, that was how
the week went. Haha. Man, I dunno what's up with the people of Picsi, but they
just have no idea how to stay true to their word. Although, its not really just
Picsi. This has happened in all my areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So, the teaching wasn't
so great this week. Though, we did have some good moments. Probably the best
parts of this week for me were our study time. Seriously. Teaching wasn’t good,
but at least I was learning some good stuff from the ol' scriptures. One day
Elder Arèvalo and I started studying and looking up scriptures to help us teach
about tithing. There really aren't that many<i> </i>scriptures that
mention tithing, so it’s not always the easiest thing to teach to people who
are like "if it's not in the Bible, it's not true" (classic reason
for not believing in Joseph Smith...). But, we actually ended up finding a ton
of scriptures to use to teach the principle. Pretty neat. Tithing is a cool
principle for me. It’s one of the things that God promises a very clear, very
specific, and very amazing blessing for those who are willing to keep it. One
of my favorite scriptures, Malachi 3:10. But, its a principle that a whole heck
of a lot of people have issues with. Especially here in Peru. If you thought there
were a lot of different churches in the United States, that's nothing compared
to Peru. There are so many different Christian churches here it's ridiculous.
Some of the more common ones that you might have heard of like the Jehovah’s
Witnesses and the Seventh Day Adventist Church, but on top of those, there are <i>tons
</i>more!! Anyway, lots of the people we talk to have problems with the law of
tithing, because of their past or current experience with how their church uses
tithing. So many people tell us about how in "the church they used to go
to" the tithing went straight to the pastor for him to use on whatever he
liked for his own personal benefit. When I was with Elder Choc, he told me
about how back in Guatemala he had a friend who's dad was a pastor of some
Christian church. Elder Choc asked his friend what her dad with the tithing
that the members paid, and she said that the family uses it to go on vacations
and stuff. Are you kidding me?! That's an even more literal application of a
man robbing God of His tithing than members who don't pay tithing! <i>"Will
a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?
In tithes and offerings."</i> But, that's how the vast majority of churches work here. The
people don't like that, and they assume it’s just the same in The Church of
Jesus Christ. Wrong! Anyway, now that I'm loaded up with some sw33t biblical
scriptures on the subject (the BoM really doesn't talk that much about
tithing...) I am much better equipped to tackle this issue. Kewl. Plus, this
week I've been continuing reading Jesus the Christ, and I've almost finished it
for the second time. So good!! And I've been reading the Book of Mormon again
in English. I sure love that language a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As for the good teaching
moments of the week, they were few, but they were sweet. First, that Adventist
couple I told you about before. Their names are Mardokeo and Anita. They are
both so receptive to our message! Especially Anita. She is always saying
"yes, I know that what you're telling me is the truth." They're both
way great. Like I said, they aren't married (nobody in this country is
married!!), but they're already making serious plans to get married! We're
teaching like four unmarried couples (who all have children) right now. All
four of them know that they have to get married, but the only ones who are
actively doing anything about it are these Adventists. And, in part, because
the Adventist church also taught them that they have to get married. However,
it's not a requirement for baptism in that church. Anyway, this couple is
progressing fast! They came to church on Sunday and we had a real good Gospel
Principles class with them and some other investigators who showed up (much
better church attendance than last week. Six investigators came!). They so
readily accept all that we say, and you can just tell that they know in their
hearts that it's the truth. Really cool to see them progress like this. We're
excited for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Probably my favorite
visit of the week was with Victor Mendoza, the inactive member. He had promised
us that he was going to come to church this week, because he wasn't able to
last week because he was caught by surprise and had to go to work (he has no
solid work schedule. When his boss tells him he has to work, he has to work.).
Well, we went to visit him on Saturday. The first thing he said to us (in
English...) was "Bad news... I can't go to church tomorrow."
Noooooo!!!! Well, his boss made him go to work again on Sunday. And Sunday was
his birthday! Worked all day. Couldn't come to church. Anyway, we had a nice
visit with him, talking about keeping the Sabbath day holy. I asked him what
his Sundays were like back in Australia when he was an active member of the
church. He explained in great detail all the things he would do on Sunday at
church and with the members. He told us about how most Sundays he would go out
and visit people with the missionaries. As he was explaining all of this, you
could just tell that he missed it. Although he hasn't been able to make it to
church yet, I think his desires to change and make the gospel and active part
of his life again are sincere. Bringing him back to church would be even better
than a baptism for me. Victor Mendoza could be such a huge help for the church
in Picsi! And his own life will be blessed so much as he lets Christ back into
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On Sunday for some reason
they made me lead the sacrament meeting again. I don't know why, but I did it.
I also gave a short talk. Using Christ's parable of how the kingdom of heaven
is like a mustard seed (and makes it clear that the mustard seed is one of the
smallest and most insignificant of all seeds) that starts out tiny, but
eventually grows into a great tree. I used the scripture in Alma 37:6-7 about
how by small and simple means God brings to pass great works for the salvation
of many souls. Basically I applied it all to how Picsi is a tiny family group,
and how a "group" is the smallest of all branches of the church, but
how with time, the church in Picsi will grow into something great, for the
salvation of many souls. Not to brag or anything, but I thought it was a cool
talk. Haha. :p<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, I gotta get going.
Although this was another tough week, I definitely felt the aid of the Spirit
in my teaching. Especially on Sunday after church. For whatever reason,
yesterday it was just so much easier and so much more natural to talk to people
than usual. Pretty rad. Felt like I was being held up by something greater than
myself. Although, I <i>am </i>pretty great. Hehe. Okay, I really gotta go! I
really miss you a lot! Didn't get mail this week, but maybe this week... I
honestly don't even know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, bye!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Elder Hemsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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