My dearest family and friends,

     My heart is so full as I write this.  Words cannot describe the gratitude I have for my Savior and for my Father in Heaven, for their willingness to allow me to be a representative of Jesus Christ for these past 18 months.  This has been the most remarkable experience.  As I was thinking about what to write, one of my favorite hymns came to mind...

     I've been reflecting a lot on the experiences I've had leading up to receiving my mission call until today, and it has become apparent to me that I am NOT the same person I was when the Lord extended this call to me two years ago....  Looking back, I am able to truly see how much the experiences I've had on my mission have changed me for the better.

     I've had so many incredible experiences over these past 18 months and it has been the most incredible thing to be able to see how the restored gospel of Jesus Christ changes people's lives. There is no doubt in my mind, that this gospel has been restored in its fullness and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints contains the fullness of the gospel on the earth today.

     I know we have a living prophet on the earth today, who continues to receive revelation for us in these latter days, and if we look to him for guidance, we will not be lead astray.

     I cannot even describe the gratitude I have towards my Heavenly Father, for trusting me with this sacred opportunity to share these truths with everyone in the mission of Peru, Chiclayo.

     The hymn that I had come to mind was "Behold!  A Royal Army" (251)

Behold a royal army, with banner, sword, and shield.

Is marching forth to conquer on life's great battlefield.

Its ranks are filled with soldiers, united, bold, and strong,

Who follow their Commander and sing their joyful song;

Victory, victory, thru him that redeemed us!

Victory, victory, thru Jesus Christ our Lord!

Victory, victory, victory, thru Jesus Christ our Lord!

And now the foe advancing, that valiant host assails,

And yet they never falter, their courage never fails.

Their Leader calls, "Be faithful!" They pass the word along,

They see his signal flashing, and shout their joyful song;

Victory, victory, thru him that redeemed us!

Victory, victory, thru Jesus Christ our Lord!

Victory, victory, victory, thru Jesus Christ our Lord!

Oh, when the war is ended, when strife and conflicts cease,

When all are safely gathered within the vale of peace,

Before the King eternal, that vast and mighty throng

Shall praise his name forever, and this shall be their song;

Victory, victory, thru him that redeemed us!

Victory, victory, thru Jesus Christ our Lord!

Victory, victory, victory, thru Jesus Christ our Lord!

"La actitud que tenga hacia su servicio misional es un reflejo del amor que siente hacia nuestro Padre Celestial y su Hijo y el respeto que tiene por el sacerdocio."

                                                                                         Predicad Mi Evangelio

"The attitude you have towards your missionary service, is a reflection of the love that you feel toward our Heavenly Father and His Son, and the respect you have for the priesthood."

                                                                                        Preach My Gospel

Week 77: "Paola wants to be baptized! I am so happy for her!"

Lunes, 21 Septiembre 2015
     We had a stressful P-Day.  This morning we had to go to the mission office to drop off some extra curtains.  Then we went to Monsefu to buy some souvenirs.  Then we hurried home and went to Victoria's house to show her my dress design that I want her to make.  Then we ran to Esther's house to eat lunch with her and her sons.  We made a pineapple cake with her.  As it was cooking, we ran over to internet to write home.  Then we went back to Esther's to eat the cake.  It was really yummy! It is really simple to make, so I am going to make it at home. :)

Hna Dodson, Hna Lofgren, Esther

Pineapple cake!

     After that, we went to visit some people, but they weren't home, but we ended up visiting with a daughter of a Jehovah's Witness.  She was nice, but she got really intense at the end of our visit. Then we visited a less active named Virginia.  As we were waiting for her to come and join us, I started to talk to her son who was there.  He ended up staying for our whole lesson, and he told us that he wants to make some changes in his life.  He is a grown man and has lost a lot because of past decisions.  His name is Cliver, and I know that we can help him.
     Before we went home, we stopped by Tottus to buy another suitcase, because we can bring home 2 big suitcases and a carry on, and I need more space! hahaha
     We went to dinner and then went home to plan.

Martes, 22 Septiembre 2015
     As we were knocking doors, a woman was really nice and gave us some bodeques (popsicles) for free.  :)
     After lunch, we visited Jesus and Evelina.  It was a great surprise to walk into their house and find Jesus reading the Book of Mormon.  He has read to 2 Nephi Chapter 3.  He told us the whole story up until that part.  We had a great lesson about the Plan of Salvation.
     Later, we visited a reference named Carmen Silva.  We taught the Restoration, and in the end, she said that she would except our baptism invitation, as soon as she receives her answer.
     Today was a good day. :)

Miercoles, 22 Septiembre 2015
     This morning we had a district meeting.  Elder Romrell and Elder Moore got taken out of their area because they got robbed too many times....so now there are 2 Latinos serving in their area.  They are great Elders!
     After the meeting, we headed to Pomalca to have intercambios with the sisters.  Hna Lofgran stayed in Pomalca with Hna Molina and I went to Villareal with Hna Pamolino.  She and I had a GREAT day!

Hna Pamolino, Hna Dodson, Hna Lofgran, Hna Molina

     First, we taught Angel and Martha.  Angel had questions and then he expressed to us his real desire to know what church is true.  He wants to join a church and really give his whole life to it. I felt  that I could promise him, that if he would come to church on Sunday, he would receive his answer that he was looking for.  He promised that he would come.
     Second, we taught a lesson in English.  Hna Pamolino is from Peru, but she speaks English really well, and so when we met an investigator that spoke English, we decided to teach the lesson in English.  It was weird, but a cool experience.
     Third, I became super close to Hna Pamolino.  It was a great day!

Jueves, 23 Septiembre 2015
     The most amazing thing happened this morning!  As we were out visiting, I felt guided to Paola's house.  She let us right in and then she told us about her health problems.  We helped her clean her house, because the doctors told her not to give too much effort, because the strain could worsen her condition.  After we cleaned, we sat down to share a message.  I had no idea what we were going to share, because Paola has had all the lessons.  I turned to Mosiah 2:41, which talks about the happiness we receive when we keep the commandments...which led to the discussion about baptism.  We shared some scriptures that ask us why we don't just get baptized if the desire is in our hearts...if we desire to help, serve and be forgiven.  Then we invited her to baptism.  She denied it, saying that she just didn't feel prepared yet.  Then we shared the scripture in Alma 32:27, about planting the seed in our hearts, with just a little bit of faith, and that it would grow.  We invited her to baptism again, and she said yes. We asked her if she would be willing to prepare to be baptized on October 17, and she excepted and started crying.  She said that she has waited and wasted so much time denying baptism and that she has been denying herself the happiness that she could have had from being baptized.  By the end, we were all crying, because the spirit was so strong, and the love that we felt was so powerful.  We left her house so happy!  I couldn't believe it.  I am so happy for her.  She is going to be so happy!
     Then we headed to Pomalca to pick up Hna Lofgran.  On our way out, we ran into a couple of people, and it was super nice to see them again.  Then we went to lunch and studied language.
     In the afternoon, we visited some people.  The lessons were good.
     In the night, we ate dinner and went home and planned for tomorrow.

Viernes, 24 Septiembre 2015
     After weekly planning and lunch, we went out visiting.  First we went to Jesus.  All went well until we told him that once he was baptized, he would have to commit to going to church every Sunday, so that he could partake of the sacrament.  He let us know that it was going to be impossible for him to go to church every Sunday for the rest of his life....so we told him that there would be times, like when he was sick, that he wouldn't have to go, but that he should go if it is possible.  Silly old man.  haha
     In the night time, we went out visiting with a member named Eloisa.  She is in a wheel chair, so we pushed her to all our visits.  We visited an investigator named Martha.  She is really nice.  We taught her about the Restoration and she really loved it, especially when Eloisa bore her testimony about it. Elosia was spot on with everything she said.  She said exactly what she needed to say.  It was a powerful night.  Eloisa really loved going out visiting with us and testifying to the people we visited. She has only been a member for 1 1/2 years, and she has just recently moved into our ward, and to help her feel more involved, she asked to come visiting with us. :)

Sabado, 25 Septiembre 2015
     We visited Marcos again.  This time he called me "intelligent" for my comments and insights.  haha :)  He really likes the messages that we share.  He is disappointed that we are leaving soon.
     In the afternoon, we visited Paola.  We taught her about the Holy Ghost.  It was a good visit.
     In the night, we watched the Women's Conference.  We were the only North Americans there, so they let us watch it in the secretary's office on the computer...in English.  It was so good!  I learned so much!

Domingo, 26 Septiembre 2015
     This morning we went and picked up Paola to go to church, but when we got to church, it had already started and the whole building was locked so we had to wait outside until they finished passing the sacrament.  When we walked in, the chapel was filled and we saw Angel there!! Once we took our seat, the testimony meeting had started.  Every single testimony was so powerful, there was no way that anyone could have left that meeting without saying that they had felt something.  I was the second to the last person to bear my testimony, and when I looked out, I saw "my family".  This ward in Villareal has been a struggle in certain ways, but they are special people.  I felt at home being with them.  I began to cry when I looked out and saw the faces of people who were glowing...they are weighed down with troubles, but today, they were glowing.  They all looked so happy to be there in church.  It was a beautiful experience.
     After church, there was a baptism of Sergio (the son of Esther).  After the baptism, we ate chicken salad sandwiches with peaches cut up in it instead of grapes...it was really good!
     Then we went to ward council.  The bishop always jokes with me and says that "I have batteries", which means that I am always ready with a sassy come back to his jokes.  haha
     After ward council, we took a picture with the Bishopric.

Bishop: Martin
1st Counselor: Dr. Julio
2nd Counselor: Hno Abad
Secretary: Segundo

     After we took pictures, the bishop called us back into his office.  He was acting all serious, so it seemed like we had done something wrong....but then he just invited to his house for lunch next Saturday. hahahaha
     After we ate lunch, we went out visiting.  My favorite visit today was with a new family that we recently found.  The parents are Ernesto and Rina.  They had so many questions and desires to learn. I am really excited to continue to teach them.

Week 76: "So...much...food..."

Lunes, 14 Septiembre 2015
     This morning we went shopping.  At Tottus, we ran into Pres. and Hna Williams.  We talked to them for a bit and then we ran into a woman from Patapo named Maritza.  She was the woman who got hit by a moto taxi.  She was so excited to see me again.  She told me that she misses my visits.  I miss her, too.
     We ate yogurt and cereal for lunch and then we basically rested and finished a few other errands. In the night time, we met a member family that just moved into the ward.  The mom, Eloisa and her son Julio are the only members, but we shared a message with all the family.  They are really sweet people.
     After that, we visited Venesa.  We were ending our teaching when her husband walked into the house.  We started to teach him.  He is a little sassy, so we had to be a little more "attitude" with him. In the end, he invited us to come back.  His name is Carlos.  I really hope that we can help him reach his potential as a father and a husband.
     Then we ate orange cake. :)

Martes, 15 Septiembre 2015
     This morning we visited Eloisa's mother-in-law.  As we visited her (Regina), Julio came out of the kitchen and joined us.  We taught a little lesson and then Julio invited us to eat lunch with them. We tried to deny, but that didn't go over so well...so, we ate two lunches.  Two!  I was dying.
     Later in the afternoon, we started knocking doors.  We knocked one door and a man answered. We introduced ourselves, and then we heard giggling coming from inside...and the giggling sounded like it was coming from young men.  Turns out that we knocked on a door of a school and the man who answered was the teacher. Oops.  It was really funny though.
     We taught Jesus, the husband of Evelina.  It went well.  He understood everything and he is wanting to learn more.  He has good intentions to learn and apply the teachings.
     Later in the night, we taught Esther and her sons.  One of her sons, Sergio, who is 8 years old wants to be baptized, so we went over to their house, with the invitation from Esther to teach her sons about baptism.  She gave us bread and cheese.  Then we went home and ate dinner.
     We were given A LOT of food today!

Miercoles, 16 Septiembre 2015
     We had our district meeting and it was really good.  After the meeting, we headed to Las Delicias in Pomalca to do intercambios.  I stayed in Las Delicias with Hna Monson.  We had a great time.   I had a mini culture shock for a good portion of the time, because Las Delicias is really run down.  It is really different than where I am at in Chiclayo.  Chiclayo is so "worldly"...I found myself missing the small town stuff.
     Almost every person we talked to, accepted us into their house.  That was a new concept for me. Everyone is so much more humble.  We had some really great lessons.  I honestly felt so guided by the spirit in every lesson we had today.  It was a great feeling!
     In the night time, we ate arroz con leche, banana bread, cake, fruit and manzanilla. So...much....food.......

Jueves, 17 Septiembre 2015
     We worked in the morning until 12 pm.  Then we switched companions.  Oh yeah, yesterday, I ran into the Patriarch!  It was so exciting to see him.  I love him.  We also ran into Darlin and Raul Piedra. They were so cute.  They said that they missed me and Hna McGinnis...that they missed our "unity".
     Once we got back to Villareal, we went to lunch.  Then we studied language and went out visiting. We had some good lessons with some new investigators.  My favorite lesson was with Luis and Gladis.  We talked about the Word of Wisdom.  By the end of the lesson, we started to talk about different sweets that we like here in Peru and I told them that I like these cookies called Tentacion (Temptation).  Luis said, "Well my niece, Kiara, is purely sweet."  And me, thinking I was being creative said, "Well, I am made of pure 'tentacion', talking about the cookies.....but everyone started laughing so hard.  I will never live that one down.  I really need to think before I speak. hahahaha
     In the night time, we visited Julio (27) and Eloisa (50)....the recent move-ins to our ward, and their family.  We want to make it a complete member family.  We had a nice time with them.

Viernes, 18 Septeimbre 2015

"Playing with kids!"

Sabado, 19 Septiembre 2015
     This morning we taught a man named Marcos.  He is a very different man.  He used to be Athiest. He doesn't believe in "churches" and he doesn't like when we use scriptures to teach him.  Well, me knowing that the scriptures have power... I used them and he got a little annoyed at the fact that I answered all his questions with scriptures....haha...We are missionaries, we teach from the words of God...silly man.
     Well, at 1 pm, it was time for lunch.  We got invited by Hno Anaya (68 years).  He came and picked us up in his car with his daughter, Paria. (30 years)  We ended up going to a fancy restaurant in Chiclayo called Pearla de los Rosas.  We each ordered our own thing.  I ordered alfredo...and when they brought it out, NOT joking, it was about 3 packages of pasta and half a cow fried on top....hahaha  It was really good, it was just a lot of food.  And not to mention that Hno Anaya ordered us a papa a la huancuina! (creamy potato appetizer) It's the size of a softball!  By the end of lunch, I was literally dying of how full I was.  haha

"me dying after my huge lunch"

     After lunch, we went out visiting.  We visited some Seventh-Day Adventists.  They are really interesting.  The husband was trying to fight us on what our church believes, especially about service and fast offerings.  Ridiculous....
     After that, we visited Ernesto and Erene. (Irene)  We read the Family Proclamation with them. Then we went and visited a sweet family that we met when we were out contacting.  They are Ernesto and Rina.  They have three sons, all little.  They are a great family.  They are excited to learn. I am really excited to visit them more often.

Domingo, 20 Septiembre 2015
     We had church and all the classes focused on families and that they can be eternal.  It was a good day.  We taught some contacts today.....our last visit was with Luis and Gladis.  We taught the law of chastity.  It went really well.  They were really into it and they were coming up with ideas of how to stay safe and not fall for temptation.  Then the funniest thing happened.  Gladis got up and left...then she came back with food in bags   The last time that we taught her, we told her that she shouldn't buy food on Sunday, so when she entered the room, she said, "Don't worry....I didn't buy it today....I'll pay her tomorrow."  She had gone to the tienda next door, and told the woman to add it to her tab and then left....hahahaha!  I think we need to explain the Sabbath day again.  :)
     It was a good week and a good day.  We really enjoyed ourselves!

"We found a turtle outside our door!"

"The only dirt road in our area....so different than Pomalca!"

Week 75: "I gave my last testimony as a sister leader, in a leadership meeting."

Lunes, 7 Septiembre 2015
     Don't stress, but this morning I had to go to the foot doctor because my tendonitis started acting up and with that, my feet weren't fitting super great in my shoes, and that caused some issues with my toe.  There was this really weird infected skin blister, so they had to take that off.  I am fine. :)
     We decided to treat ourselves, so for lunch, we ate ice cream...haha.

Then we went to the Mercado Modelo to find me some new shoes.  I love the Modelo because there are tons of people in little shacks that sell everything!  We ended up finding some pretty cool things. When we finished shopping, we went home and organized.
     Tonight, we visited Venesa, but there were so many people in house and a lot of screaming kids, that we decided to leave and try again later.
     Then we went to Ingrit's house to have a FHE with her because her parents are in the States, so she is alone.

Martes, 8 Septiembre 2015        FELIZ 17 MESES!
     Today was the leadership meeting.  It was a really good meeting.  At 8 am, the sister training leaders had a meeting with Hna Williams.  We talked about how the Doctrine and Covenants Section 121 is a great chapter of how to be a good mom.  Then she spoke about the importance of being the wife your husband needs.
     In the meeting with the elders (zone leaders), President Williams talked about the priesthood and he shared some teachings that Elder Bednar gave to the stake presidents and bishops.  He talked about the importance of attending church in your designated ward, and quoted Elder Bednar when he said, "Never will the priesthood prosper unless the keys are aligned."
     At the end of the meeting, I gave my last testimony as a sister leader in a leadership meeting.  I bore testimony of the reality of forever families and also of the power of the priesthood and the realness of it.  It was a very special moment for me to bear my testimony.
     After the meeting, we tried to visit people, but they weren't home.  We both felt that we should stop by and see Ingrit...turns out she was really needing us.  We stayed with her for awhile.
     Once we left her house, we went to visit Ever and Gladis.  Ever is the man that has a tube in his neck to breathe through.  It is a little hard to teach him because he can't speak, but you can tell in his eyes if he understands or not.  When we got done teaching, I had the impression to ask Ever to say the closing prayer.  When I asked him, I explained that once he was finished praying in his mind, to let us know somehow.  He had the idea that we should all stand up and hold hands.  As we closed our eyes, and while Ever gave his silent prayer, I have not felt so much joy in my soul as I did tonight. Being in a prayer circle with a very special son of God, who I know was really talking with his Heavenly Father, because I felt it.  I was smiling for the entire prayer.  When the prayer ended, he shook our hands and lifted them up towards the sky. My cheeks were hurting from smiling so much. It was such a special moment to share a prayer that was so pure.  I love Ever so much, and I know that he will join the church.  I just know it...without a doubt in my heart.

Miercoles, 9 Septiembre 2015
     Today, before lunch, we started intercambios.  I went to Jose Balta with Hna Gonzolez, and Hna Paredes came to Villareal to be with Hna Lofgran.
     With Hna Gonzolez, we had a lot of good visits.  One was with a less active, and during the lesson, her parents showed up and we taught them, too.  Her father is a very intelligent man and had a lot of questions.  We were able to answer every one of his questions with a scripture.  He said that he really enjoyed our visit because he was able to be visited by sisters that know scriptures.
     For dinner, we ate pizza.

Jueves, 10 Septiembre 2015
     This morning with Hna Gonzolez, we basically knocked doors all morning...all the way up to lunch.  At 1 pm, we switched back companions.
     After lunch, we went visiting.  We went to see Arsenia and Antonio.  I seriously love them.  We also visited 2 older women who are super Catholic.  The discussion with them got really heated on their side, so we just left.  Then we went to visit Venesa.  It was a really good lesson.  She loved it and she opened up to us about a lot of stuff about her difficult situation.  She also expressed that when we are in her house, she feels something special, and that she wants to always feel it.  It was a great visit.

Viernes, 11 Septiembre 2015
     It was kinda sad to be reminded by an 81 year old woman, that today was the day that the twin towers fell.  That event really affected many people, and not just those that live in the States.
     We had a few visits.  First, we visited a less active named Janeth.  Second, we visited Virginia. We ended up helping her shell peas and talked about temples.  Third, we visited Luis and Gladis.  We talked about eternal marriage.  Luis is ready to marry, but Gladis is fine being unmarried.  It was an interesting visit.
     At dinner, we were talking with Antonio and I asked him, "If I was animal, what would I be?"  His response was, "A honeycomb."  I asked him why, and he said, "Because you are sweet."  I told him,
"Thank you, but a honeycomb is not an animal...so what animal would I be?"  Then he said, "Fine, you are a queen bee in the honeycomb."  haha  I love him.
     Today we had our last zone meeting....

Zone Latina

Sabado, 12 Septiembre 2015
     This morning we had our planning session.  After that, we went out visiting.  My favorite visit was with Venesa.  We taught her about what happens after death and then we invited her to be baptized. She denied our invitation, but she said that one day she would.  She did however say that she would come to church with us.  She is excited about all of it.
     In the night, we visited Erene and Ernesto...well, Ernesto was exercising so we just talked to Erene. (Irene)  She shared some very personal difficulties, so we shared Helaman 8:12, and she said that made her feel better.  The scriptures have power.

Domingo, 13 Septiembre 2015
     A Sunday full of miracles:
          1.  Venesa came to church with her kids
          2.  Evelina told us this week that her husband was waiting for us to come back to their house to                teach him lessons!  He has never wanted to hear lessons before!
          3.  We found some new families to teach
     What a bummer that all this had to happen at the end of the week, but at least it happened!  Such a blessing.
     Today, we hardly visited anyone, because everyone rejected us, and not even kindly. :(  It's been a rough day, but luckily, the miracles from earlier helped us feel better.

I found Clara Leyton!!

Week 74: "Obedience brings blessings....exact obedience brings miracles."

Lunes, 31 Agosto 2015
     Well to start out our P-Day, we went to Tottus to buy ingredients to make alfredo, tortillas and something sweet, for our dessert.  We ended up cooking from 11:30-2:30pm.  It was pretty ridiculous....and it didn't even turn out that good.  Once we finally finished eating at 3:30pm, we went to internet to write home.  Then we printed off pictures and went home and rested.
     In the night, we visited Jose and Gaby.  They have a pretty intense life....it is hard to know how we can help them sometimes. :(
     Then we went to dinner and went home.

Martes, 1 Septiembre 2015
     All day we had unexpected lessons.  We would be walking down the road and see a door open, so would knock on it....they would let us in and we would share a little message with them.  In the afternoon, we went into a little house/store (tienda) of a man who designs and sews clothes.  We talked with him for quite a bit and it was really interesting.  Hopefully one day he will visit us in the church, because he would be a great member.
     After lunch, we had to go to internet to take a survey that the Area Seventy wanted us to take, so they can see our progress as a mission.

Miercoles, 2 Septiembre 2015
     This morning, of course, of all the district meeting days, we were late....and President Williams was there.  We were late because every time we called a moto over for a ride...as soon as we would tell the moto where we needed to go, they would just drive away without even saying anything to us...
     The meeting was really great.  We searched as a district to find scriptures in the Book of Mormon to teach every principle of the Restoration (Lesson 1).  After the meeting, we all talked with President Williams for awhile.  We laughed and teased one another, and I told President that I was waiting for packages and that when they get to the office, that he needs to call me because they will say "candy"....but they will really be pills!  He laughed really hard and then called the office to see if a package had come in the mail for me....but nothing did yet.
     In the afternoon, we went out teaching.  We taught a few less actives, one being Evelina.  Before we left her house, she gave us papayas. :)
     Then we went and visited Gaby.  Jose wasn't there this time.  It went pretty well.  Gaby keeps telling us that she wants to be baptized, but it seems like she keeps questioning things.  Hopefully we can clear things up for her.

Jueves, 3 Septiembre 2015
     Early this morning we got a call from Paola asking us if we could go to her house at 10:30am to help her move and paint her house.  We got there and we started hauling her things from the 3rd floor to the 2nd floor...and then we started painting.  It was a process.  I got so messy!  My arms and legs got covered in paint.  haha  We worked from 10:30-1:00pm.  It was a lot of fun!
     Then we went to lunch.  After lunch, we went home and showered because we got so dirty and sweaty.  Then we went out visiting.  We picked up Paquita and her member friend to come visiting with us.  It was super intense because those two ladies have some strong beliefs...and so at every house we passed or taught in, they had something to say.  haha  We taught a woman named Carmen Mateo.  Things started clicking for her today.  :)  We left her understanding a lot more and with a desire to find and ask for her own answers.
     In the night time, we visited Anmary, Luis Wong and Gladis.  We talked about the Plan of Salvation and they really loved it.  They thought it was super interesting.
     Later, we went home for dinner (quesadillas and arroz con leche).

Viernes, 4 Septiembre 2015
     In the afternoon, we went visiting with a member named Itala.  She is 81 years old, but she doesn't seem like she is that old.  She is so funny.  She only came visiting with us for an hour, but for that entire hour, I laughed and smiled so much that you would have thought that I had just gone to a Brian Regan comedy show. :)
     Once we dropped Itala off, we went searching for more people.  When we tried to visit the fifth back up plan, Hna Lofgran just walked to the neighbor's house and knocked on the door.  A woman opened the door and let us in.  She was super interested in what we had to say.  It was a miracle...
     During the entire day, we only got into 3 houses, and 2 of them were less actives.  Hopefully tomorrow is better.

Sabado, 5 Septiembre 2015
     Not one person let us in all morning long.  Not one.  We ended up going to the pension early to help Arsenia cook lunch.
     In the afternoon, we went visiting with the Patriarch's wife, Julia Linarez.  She has family in Utah, so she is going to visit me when she is in Utah! :)   We visited 2 people with her.  First we visited Cecilia, the wife of Roberto.  Roberto was sleeping so we only visited with Cecilia.  It was a great discussion about preparation.
     Then we visited another less active named Virginia.  We talked about the 2,000 stripling warriors and the obedience they showed.  We discussed for some time that obedience brings blessings....and exact obedience brings miracles.
     After that visit, as we were walking to pick up another member to come visiting with us, we passed a family in the road and they started to speak to one another, saying, "Hey look.  It is the Sister missionary from Patapo!!"  By the time I realized that they were pointing and talking about me, they were too far away.  I didn't know them, so it was crazy that they knew me.
     Our last visit of the day was with Ernesto and Erene.  They are really good people.  They are really sad that we are leaving soon.  We didn't spend too much time there because Hna Lofgran started to feel sick, so we went home so she could rest.

Domingo, 6 Septiembre 2015
     Today at church, no one showed up, or if they did, they left after sacrament meeting.  It was pretty disappointing. :(
     After church, we had ward council, which was led by Hno Dr. Julio.  It was great!
     Then we went to lunch.  We ate at Evelina's house today.  We ate a ton of food.  She gave us soup (chupe), beef steak, rice, salad (avocados and tomatoes), orange juice and fruit salad with yogurt.  After eating all of that, I was not hungry enough to eat dinner almost 8 hours later. haha :)
     Then we went out to visit.  We visited 3 familias.  First was Gaby and Jose.  We taught about the Ten Commandments, because Gaby asked us to...to help Jose into getting his priorities straight.  The lesson got a little heated between the two of them...but don't stress, we left them on a good note. :)
     Then we visited Erene and Ernesto.  Ernesto got food poisoning, so he was sick in bed, so we just visited with Erene.  Before we left, she gave us cute little necklace purses with a nail polish in it. Sooo sweet!
     Our last visit was with Luis and Gladis.  We talked about what happens after death.  They loved it. We had good lessons today. :)

Only in Peru....
Cuy (guinea pig) for dinner,
and....

a dead duck under a rock, in the
middle of a neighborhood."

a tree I drew...
"Wisdom is a tree of Life to them that
lay hold upon her:  and happy is
everyone who retaineth her."
Proverbs 3:18