Week 25 - "Wait what...for reals?" Feb 22 - Feb 28 (Cajamarca)

If you haven't noticed in the many photos that Jonah has sent there are some common themes.  He likes to make silly faces and he likes to jump.  We have enjoyed all of the pictures of the scenery around Cajamarca and are a bit jealous of the green landscapes as winter is finally coming to a close.  Always positive his emails are infectious and give our week a wonderful lift.  

So this week was insane. So insane that I forgot to say hi to everyone. Hi! Everyone! So yeah, it was just jammed packed with insanity, and cool stuff, and some of the happiest stuff in my life that's ever happened to me :) It was a good week.

So first off, we didn't know if we would be able to go to Trujillo with our Alma Rescue....until the day before. And we couldn't. It was a super bummer, but they still got to go! They traveled Thursday night to Trujillo, sleeping on the bus, got endowned at 7 in the morning, and then got sealed at 12 in the afternoon. It's something that I don't really know how to describe. What we were able to do with this couple is just incredible. They are now insured an eternity together, mano en mano :) They are an incredible couple, and have so much to look forward to together in the next infinity years :) I can't believe that Elder Rios and I have had this incredible opportunity to just be a part of this blessing that they have. SO COOLLLL :) 

Any way, so on Thursday, we had an unexpected surprise come our way. So we've been teaching Hermano Hugo a little more, but more with his wife and son. Right now, his wife (Melissa) is like way super pregnant and is ready to give birth for the 1st of March (tomorrow lol). But we were talking a little bit before our lesson with her and her son, and she straight out told us ``I'm ready to get baptized. This Saturday''. We were all like ''wait what...for reals?''. It was just a huge schock, but a really good shock. Like really REALLY good :) She was just talking to her husband the night before, and they really talked out the whole situation..and she was assured that it was a blessing that couldn't wait any longer, no matter the circumstances. So we planned everything out super quick, got her interviewed, and then we had a baptismal service on Saturday! And Hermano Hugo, who has the priesthood, baptized her!!!!! It was so awesome!! The two of them are just the sweetest couple ever, and they have their goal in mind. They understand that baptism never was the end goal. They understand that they shouldn't just stop in their tracks and get less blessing than they deserve. They are already in the process of planning their trip to Trujillo, one year from now! They're gonna get sealed!! It's gonna be the coolest thing ever, and we are just so pumped for them. I love their family so much jaja. And Marcelo is planning on being baptized this Saturday, or maybe the next one, just a little timid with going underwater jaja, but he still has the desire. 

This work is the bomb! It's just the greatest feeling in the world to be a part of the blessings people can have. To be the messengers of the good word :) There is literally nothing like being a missionary. If you are contemplating going a mission..quit with the contemplating already and just go! Dude it's way sick :) You only have one chance to do it like this, so you better take it. I love you all so much! ¡Tenga una espectacular semana!

Oh yeah real quick, so Saturday was basically the most insane day of my life. We woke up, showered, ate breakfast, and studied. We got a phone call to go do some service, so we left at 9:40. But when we were leaving, the key got jammed in the door, and we couldn't get it out. We tried for like an hour, which included removing our bathroom window, jumping through it (it's tiny and I'm not lol), and using a spare key to open it from the inside. Nothing worked. We finally called a guy and he came, broke the door down, and replaced the lock. We left to the service, moving someone into a new house, at 11:15 got there at 12. One of the Elder's was lifting something heavy, his foot slipped, and the thing fell and cracked his head open. He just got out of the hospital last night, and is doing fine now jaja. We start doing the service, but everyone else had to leave to go and teach people, but we stayed. We were the only two Elders there to help a family of 6 move in to their house...that was up on a huge hill so we had to pack everything on our backs and load it up to the house. We got back to our room at 3 from the service, at lunch, showered, and went to our baptism. It was just insane....lyyyy awesome!! :) YEah, that's it. Peace out lol 

We went to the cross again! 

Baños...our area. Just like home :)

Me and the kid lol

lol jumping pictures

slightly better jaja

more jumping..with a cross

Don't really know what this is..think I'm flying or something?

baptism!

baptism again!!

Primary Class

Got my x-mas gift from the ward!! On Feb. 17!! yah!

one at a time ladies ;)

Week 24 - " Duuuuudeee..." Feb 15 - Feb 21 (Cajamarca)

Last week Jonah built a house.  That's right, with the help of 4 missionaries and 12 members of his ward they built a house in 4 hours!  With some simple materials consisting of wood for the beams and walls and corrugated tin they built a house for a family in need.  He said that it is extremely sad and the conditions for many families are desperate.  He is just glad that they can do something to help.  Jonah says that they have opportunities for service on a daily basis. Here is a bit more about his week. 

So this last week was pretty wild. A lot of stuff went down..and we really got a lot of stuff done. And we have some of the best dang news ever!! Unless I already said it....I don't remember very well. But we have a couple that's going to get sealed in the temple this week!! We've been working super duper hard with them, one was a less-active for about 15 years. But just this last week, he had an interview and was an Alma Rescatada!! Equal to a baptism!! And the two of them also had their temple interviews and are heading out with the ward this Thursday to get sealed!! Super way cool :) He just received the Melquesidec Priesthood this Sunday, and it's been way cool seeing him pass the sacrament. By the way..they're both in their 80's, and just the cutest couple you've ever seen. Unless you've seen my parents and/or grandparents :) But yeah anyway, they're off to Trujillo this Thursday night (still don't know if we can go with them or not, but we'll let you know next week jaja). But yeah, this last week, Elder Rios and I had the way sweet opportunity to go to Trujillo for a new missionary training thing. It was sooooo sweet!! We traveled there on Tuesday afternoon, and then slept the night in the Zone Leaders house over there. Then we went to the Temple the next morning!!!! At 6 in the morning....jaja it was pretty early. But then we had this way cool training with Pres. Marler, his wife, and the Asistentes. We learned a whole bunch, and are ready to apply literally everything jaja.

But yeah anyway, as far as the missionary work goes..we have 2 baptisms planned for the 5th of March! Two 8 year olds, one is the son of Hermano Hugo, and the other the cousin of my first baptsim :) They have progressed a ton..and we might see more baptisms due to their help. The cousin of my first baptism (Erick) is the first to be baptized in his family, and the others are now interested in the church because of it. We will see what we can do to help them all grow closer to Christ, and maybe eventually head out to the Temple to get sealed :) Love this work! We're brining families together forever..something that I took for granted at home.. If your family is sealed in the temple, thank God everyday for that blessing. If your family is not, work towards it! :) Love you all bunches! Stay chill

Trujillo Temple!

Trujillo Temple!

Trujillo Temple!

Familia Chavez Flores, Hermana Faustina had her b-day :)

Accompanying Sister South at Cajamarca Fireside

Piano Solo at Cajamarca Fireside

At a training meeting in Trujillo

With missionaries and President and Sister Marler in Trujillo

Road to Trujillo

Rice fields :)

More of the Roads..

More Road jaja

Straight Thuggin..also I bought a leather hat. It's way cool :)

 

Week 23 - "Disculpe este tecla no pasa nada" Feb 8 - Feb 14 (Cajamarca)

A little more info regarding Carnaval from the previous post. Jonah said that they had to stay in their apartment most of the week. He got caught up on some sleep, did some reading and played Monopoly. He is glad to be out working again. A few other items.  He has acquired a taste for Inca Cola and manzanilla (a few Peruvian drinks. Sorry no pictures this week, so I will add a few. 

Jaja, We'll see how this email goes, my keyboard is super crap. But yeah! Hey!! How is everybody?? How was Valentine's Day? It was super great here, but maybe for different reasons than the norm jaja. This past week has been so fantastic, and I kinda forgot to tell you guys some stuff last week. So on this last Saturday, we had our interviews!! And they were just so fantastic. I love having one on one time with the President. He is seriously so awesome. I swear he's gonna be an apostle. I have learned so much from him, and will continue to learn more and more every day. We talked a little bit about the Jaredites when they were travelling. We talked about the impossiblity of everything that happened with them. We know about the rocks that lit up and everything, but the most impossible out of everything, was the fact of the travel. In boats with no sails, rudders, only the wind and the waves to guide them, all 8 of their boats safely landed on the same beach, at the same time, almost 1 year later. That is not an act of chance. That is an act of God. I hadn't even realized that until he mentioned it to me...so I invite all of you to take another look at the book of Ether. And for those of you that don't have a Book of Mormon, ask my mom :) So yeah the interviews were super great. But then the next day, we had a stakewide fireside!!! It was so fantastic. Everything was about Jesus Christ and that he is our Savior. And there were a bunch of musical numbers, and videos, and talks, and testimonies. And we know that when there are musical numbers, I have to play. Every time lol. So I got to play 1 solo, accompany 3 other groups, and then play for the choir! Super stressful jaja..Also I got like all of the music 3 days before hand. But it all turned out okay again! And Hermano Hugo also got to bear his testimony in front of everybody, and it was just super powerful, and a great conversion story. And because of it, his son now has a baptismal date for this next Saturday! And he gets to baptize him!!! So we'll see how all of that goes :) Well....that was basically the week. Lots of walking, teaching, but then those two great things on the last couple days. Still digging the mish :) Love all of you so much!! Also HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!! EN ALGUNOS DÍAS!!!!!! cuz i cant write you later jaja. Love ya bunches :)

Week 22 "hello erbody" - February 1 - February 7 - (Cajamarca)

This past week I sent Jonah some Spanish tongue twisters so he could practice some pronunciation and have fun with kids.  Here are a couple to try: ¿Cuántos cuentos cuentas cuando cuentas cuentos?  and Yo no compro coco, porque como poco coco como, poco coco compro.  So have fun with that.  Jonah has been experiencing Carnavales and as he says in his letter Cajamarca is the designated Peruvian capital of Carnival.  I think he will be glad that this is finally over.  Here is the latest update:

Helloooo!! So this past week that we had was pretty great! ¡¡¡¡¡We had an Alma Rescatada!!!!! And in our mission, they're equal to baptisms, which means pretty good stuff. Her name is Katherine and she's just great. She was baptized 4 years ago, but then went inactive after 2 years, but now is progressing rapidly in the church. She just received a calling as a Primary teacher (Valiant 9) and is gonna kill it :) One of my favorite things to do is to teach less actives. It's just so great. They always have this super sweet spirit, and have already felt and known the truth..they just need to re-recognize it :) So this past week, we actually have had two P-Days, just because of the delay with emailing. We went to Baños first, which was pretty cool, but a little too touristy for me jaja. But just yesterday, we went to this way cool place with 2 waterfalls! And they were just so stinkin pretty :) I've got a lot of pictures to send this week, so don't worry Mom jaja. Also, as some of you may know, a thing called ´´Carnaval´´ exists here in South America. And Cajamarca, is the capital of Carnaval jaja (at least in Peru). AND IT WAS INSANE!!! Basically what happens, is there is a massive, free-for-all water battle for about 2 weeks, every afternoon. And when I say free-for-all, I really mean it. It's crazy locaso. You just get pelted by waterballoons from the rooftops, and people riding in the back of trucks dump buckets of water on you. But this last Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.....they switch the water out for paint jaja. So basically what happened, is we had to stay inside our rooms, because we're either in white shirt and ties, or our suits jaja. Also, half the people are drunk and stumbling around in the streets, which can get a little sketchy jaja. But yeah, we had to stay in our rooms basically the whole day on Saturday, got to go to church on Sunday, and then we were oustide of Cajamarca on Monday (the waterfalls). I was hoping to pintar y mojar un pocito, pero no lo sucedió lol. So that was basically what happened this last week..staying in rooms, getting pelted with waterballoons, and an Alma Rescatada! Wuju :) Oh yeah, one other cosita, my brain has been going kinda wack these past couple of weeks, because sometimes I try to talk in English, and Spanish comes out. Or if I'm explaining soemthing in English to other gringos, I say words in Spanish a lot jaja. It's really cool, but it hurts your brain at the same time. It'll be so cool to be completely fluent in the future (de cual estoy esperando puedo lorgrar jaja). ALrighty-righty, love you all bunches!! Keep on keep onning ) ¡Viva Perú!

Ok - so lot's of photos here.  Some were taken at Banos del Inca.   The other pictures are at a nearby waterfall.

Week 21 "police police police police police police police" - January 25 - January 31 - (Cajamarca)

Sounds like another amazing week for Jonah.  It sounds like he doesn't even have time to eat, which I doubt.  He was asking for a recipe for pancakes.  We are going to try and make a Peruvian dish - Papa a la Huancaina. 

Jaja, if you're wondering why the title is just police 7 times, it's because this is an actual coherent sentence in English. And that's why every Latino in the mission hates English so much jaja. So this week has been just jammed packed with a ton of teaching. We have been working super dang hard, and I haven't had any time to take many pictures (sorry mama). But we've been working way killer hard to teach as many people as possible. Basically we don't even have time to eat lol. But it's been really great, and I've been sleeping super well, despite my rock-hard bed jaja. We had some really cool experiences this past week, where a lot of people have just completely opened up to us. Sometimes basically random strangers. But we've been really successful with finding the needs of every person and really doing everything that we can possible to help them with the gospel. That's been something that I've learned..the gospel is literally the answer to everything that we do in this life. Not just for missionaries, but for every person on the planet. We were talking with this one lady, someone that we had literally just met, and she told us every problem that she had in the whole world. She's had it super duper rough, and it was tough to just listen to all of it. But she was like crying and sobbing, and told us that she never cries in front of anybody. We basically tried to comfort her the best we could, but not just with our words, but with the scriptures too. And it really helped! This last Sunday, she came to church, and we're hoping that she can make friends in the church, and eventually be baptized in the future.

Also, this week we got attacked by a freakin huge bear thing. Pretty sure it was actually a dog, but it was the size of a small bear lol. It was 8:30 at night, and this big thing jumped out of the bushes and started chasing us. It was absolutely flippin terrifying. We were just sprinting down the road, trying not to poop ourselves, and then Elder Rios (5 foot 1ish), turned around, yelled, and chased it back into the bushes where it came from. It was stinkin hilarious! X) Glad he's my comp, or else I would have died lol.

Well that was basically our week, just straight work and bear hunting. I love you all so much! Stay beautiful..in the words of Elder Hunt (in our district). Chau Chau! ¡Viva Perú!

So this is some kind of fruit thingy. Idk. I just picked it and ate it. It was super good though!

Also, it's pretty gross how you have to eat it lol