Last week was a nice change of pace to do something, but it was a LONG journey to Ecuador. I think I could get used to plane rides to be honest. I was a lot calmer than normal...I think. It was rather fun. I remember a year ago, I said I was not going to get on another airplane until I go home, because I dont like them (maybe I was referring more to the plane ride from california to peru) but it was a LONG ride, a VERY LONG ride.
Lets see, this week I realized a few things about myself. So a few weeks ago my district leader asked me if I felt like I was becoming more like Christ. I said, "sure, why not? I dont know." But this week, I started thinking about the things I have been learning, about being diligent, even when times are rough, to have faith, because there is nothing else you can do about things, to trust completely in God, and to have pacience. Not with other people necesarily, but with yourself. To not get irritated when things dont go your way. Because that is what patience is, to be able to support what comes, and not get easily mad, or frustrated. I have learned how to control those feelings, and that I feel better when I have patience. Though sometimes, lets be honest, I dont want to be patient.
See the good in everything, enjoy every day that you have, because you live it only once. And if you make a mistake: learn from it, but dont let it get you down, because there is nothing that you can do about it but move on.
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
Monday, July 28, 2014
6/2/14
Well, it has been a WEEK. Yesterday, about 15 of us illegals took a little trip to Ecuador. To leave the country, and then go back in. It was really fun. We took a plane to Tumbes, and then crossed in a bus. Got everything done, entered Peru again without a problem, and then spent some time goofing around and shopping. It was really hot and humid there in Tumbes, and there was GREEN. Lots of GREEN! we enjoyed ourselves immensely. So that is why I was not able to write yesterday. But I supposed you all might be used to me not writing a whole lot on mondays anyways now a days...
Something really cool happened last week. I wont be able to tell the whole story because it is long, and lots of description is required. So we were having our little chat with the investigator who wasnt taking out time seriously, and we were getting close to finishing, when a young man approached us (we were teaching on the porch) and asked if there was an open church nearby, that he needed to talk to someone. We were around the corner of the church, and we said that we represent the church around the corner. He didnt know, he just wanted a direction to look for a church. We asked for 5 seconds to finish our conversation with the investigator. After, we went to talk with the young man, called Jacob (that name is not common here) and we asked how could we help him. He said that his story is long, and if we had time. We decided to stat for a members house because it was late at night and cold. But we normally dont do that either. We started up, and he started to tell us things. That his heart was in turmoil, and had been for a long time. Said that he has tried to commit suicide many times, but not successful, for many reasons. Said that he had been praying, praying to find someone, to know God. And that if he didnt, that same night, would really end his life. (that part he told us the next day). We learned (when we were in the house of the member) that he lives in the street, he doesnt have a home, doesnt have family. His parents passed away years ago, and he has NO IDEA where any of his siblings are. He was put in an orphanage when he was 6 years old, and when he was 15 he left. He was robbed of everything he owned about 2-3 weeks ago. He came walking from a province up north, and doesnt sleep during the night, just walks. The next day when we went to visit him, he said that during the night, he gave everything to God, all of the pain in his heart and soul to God. He looked more peaceful. He was able to experience the atonement of Jesus Christ. The member where we had taken him to teach, let him sleep in their house, and are helping him find work. He is spending a lot of time with the brother of the member, and the family loves him. He has a family here now, and he is going to be baptized the 21 of June.
Thats a little miracle that we are living here in Peru right now. One day I will be able to tell you more and more extensively about this young man. Oh, I forgot to tell you, his birthday was this past tuesday, the day after we met him.
I am still changing. I guess I could say that I am a miracle as well. I am learning how to put all of my trust in the Lord, and that everything will work out. I would like to share a few scriptures, for the family. The first is in D&C 123:17. And the other is in D&C 58:1-4. These are scriptures that an elder shared with me yesterday, and it is something that is helping me a lot at this time, and I am sure that it can help you guys as well. Remember to put your trust in God, he has a plan for each and everyone one of you. Although you may not see the blessings now, or it appears that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, put your hand in Gods, and he will lead you through the darkness.
I cant believe there are only 6 fast sundays left... wow. Time flies, its true. Sometimes I want it to go by faster, but sometimes I want it to go by slower, but im content at the speed we are going.
Thank you for all of your support, I appreciate it a lot, it is well needed here!
Love you so very much!
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
Something really cool happened last week. I wont be able to tell the whole story because it is long, and lots of description is required. So we were having our little chat with the investigator who wasnt taking out time seriously, and we were getting close to finishing, when a young man approached us (we were teaching on the porch) and asked if there was an open church nearby, that he needed to talk to someone. We were around the corner of the church, and we said that we represent the church around the corner. He didnt know, he just wanted a direction to look for a church. We asked for 5 seconds to finish our conversation with the investigator. After, we went to talk with the young man, called Jacob (that name is not common here) and we asked how could we help him. He said that his story is long, and if we had time. We decided to stat for a members house because it was late at night and cold. But we normally dont do that either. We started up, and he started to tell us things. That his heart was in turmoil, and had been for a long time. Said that he has tried to commit suicide many times, but not successful, for many reasons. Said that he had been praying, praying to find someone, to know God. And that if he didnt, that same night, would really end his life. (that part he told us the next day). We learned (when we were in the house of the member) that he lives in the street, he doesnt have a home, doesnt have family. His parents passed away years ago, and he has NO IDEA where any of his siblings are. He was put in an orphanage when he was 6 years old, and when he was 15 he left. He was robbed of everything he owned about 2-3 weeks ago. He came walking from a province up north, and doesnt sleep during the night, just walks. The next day when we went to visit him, he said that during the night, he gave everything to God, all of the pain in his heart and soul to God. He looked more peaceful. He was able to experience the atonement of Jesus Christ. The member where we had taken him to teach, let him sleep in their house, and are helping him find work. He is spending a lot of time with the brother of the member, and the family loves him. He has a family here now, and he is going to be baptized the 21 of June.
Thats a little miracle that we are living here in Peru right now. One day I will be able to tell you more and more extensively about this young man. Oh, I forgot to tell you, his birthday was this past tuesday, the day after we met him.
I am still changing. I guess I could say that I am a miracle as well. I am learning how to put all of my trust in the Lord, and that everything will work out. I would like to share a few scriptures, for the family. The first is in D&C 123:17. And the other is in D&C 58:1-4. These are scriptures that an elder shared with me yesterday, and it is something that is helping me a lot at this time, and I am sure that it can help you guys as well. Remember to put your trust in God, he has a plan for each and everyone one of you. Although you may not see the blessings now, or it appears that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, put your hand in Gods, and he will lead you through the darkness.
I cant believe there are only 6 fast sundays left... wow. Time flies, its true. Sometimes I want it to go by faster, but sometimes I want it to go by slower, but im content at the speed we are going.
Thank you for all of your support, I appreciate it a lot, it is well needed here!
Love you so very much!
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
5/26/14
Happy Memorial Day Mom! and family!
Last week was awful. Lets be honest. 17 lessons (when normal we have at LEAST more than 20 per week, an investigador just LOVES to waste our time, didnt show up to his baptism interview thursday, we got him out of his house friday to do it, with the baptism prepped for him, and he decided he didnt want to come out of his house. He is always lying to us (the past week) and keeps asking for money. A returned missionary who served in this area (she returned to live here in peru) said the same thing happened with her and her companion, and also other companionships. The EXACT same thing. So me and my companion arent going to let this happen again to others, and we are going to have a little "chat" with him when we find him.... So im tired, ready for my p-day, and to at least relax a little bit.
We dont need mosquito nettings around our beds, I think that is more for Iquitos. I have taken one picture of a little critter, but just a cocroach and her egg, Before I sprayed raid on them....hehehe
Im hanging in here, and trying to focus as best as I can, but im getting closer to the year mark everyday! You wouldnt believe how much the mission has changed me, how different I am. I feel confident in myself, so confident, and I am learning so much about the gospel.
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
Last week was awful. Lets be honest. 17 lessons (when normal we have at LEAST more than 20 per week, an investigador just LOVES to waste our time, didnt show up to his baptism interview thursday, we got him out of his house friday to do it, with the baptism prepped for him, and he decided he didnt want to come out of his house. He is always lying to us (the past week) and keeps asking for money. A returned missionary who served in this area (she returned to live here in peru) said the same thing happened with her and her companion, and also other companionships. The EXACT same thing. So me and my companion arent going to let this happen again to others, and we are going to have a little "chat" with him when we find him.... So im tired, ready for my p-day, and to at least relax a little bit.
We dont need mosquito nettings around our beds, I think that is more for Iquitos. I have taken one picture of a little critter, but just a cocroach and her egg, Before I sprayed raid on them....hehehe
Im hanging in here, and trying to focus as best as I can, but im getting closer to the year mark everyday! You wouldnt believe how much the mission has changed me, how different I am. I feel confident in myself, so confident, and I am learning so much about the gospel.
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
5/12/14
I am still alive, and a little bit stressed out with everything that is happening, and just in general. We havent really had a day in the past three weeks to just kick up our feet and relax, so I need to find a way to help myself out in this one. The soccer tournament last week was fun, I think. We went there after the hospital, but just to chat with our friends. Hey, I found an old friend from jr high/high school there! She has been in the field for 6 weeks, and is from lehi! her name is Whitney T. It was so weird to see her, but I recognized her immediately, and her me as well. It was really neat.
No more spraining of the ankles! Sometimes, I tweak it a little, but Im very careful with how I am stepping in general.
We have a baptism coming up this week, for a man who is about 50 years old, and trying to find money to have surgury on his eye, because he cant see at all in one eye. He was listening to the missionaries a few years ago, but never got baptized. But he is now! And we are starting to teach is son too, who is about 18 years old.
Hna Pin is doing well, she is absolutely CRAZY now that she is basically better. She is always cracking herself up, and I tend to laugh with her. I have seen her testimony grow a lot in the past 6 weeks. She was in a dark place for awhile, with things that had happened in her house. She completed 6 months in the mission today! And yesterday, I completed 11 months in the mission! I cant believe where the time has gone, and how much I have learned. And I still have 6 months to keep learning.
I am grateful for the mission, and the change is has put into my life. I have learned so much about life, and about God. God loves each and every one of us, and gives us trials not to punish us, but to help us progress. Because that is our purpose in life, to progress and learn, and be like God.
I love each and every one of you, and hope that you all have a fabulous week.
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
No more spraining of the ankles! Sometimes, I tweak it a little, but Im very careful with how I am stepping in general.
We have a baptism coming up this week, for a man who is about 50 years old, and trying to find money to have surgury on his eye, because he cant see at all in one eye. He was listening to the missionaries a few years ago, but never got baptized. But he is now! And we are starting to teach is son too, who is about 18 years old.
Hna Pin is doing well, she is absolutely CRAZY now that she is basically better. She is always cracking herself up, and I tend to laugh with her. I have seen her testimony grow a lot in the past 6 weeks. She was in a dark place for awhile, with things that had happened in her house. She completed 6 months in the mission today! And yesterday, I completed 11 months in the mission! I cant believe where the time has gone, and how much I have learned. And I still have 6 months to keep learning.
I am grateful for the mission, and the change is has put into my life. I have learned so much about life, and about God. God loves each and every one of us, and gives us trials not to punish us, but to help us progress. Because that is our purpose in life, to progress and learn, and be like God.
I love each and every one of you, and hope that you all have a fabulous week.
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
5/5/14
Finally I am able to write you. It has been a hard week. One of my companions has been really sick, so we finally were able to get her to the hospital. She didnt stay over night, but she is doing a LITTLE bit better. They said she has an infection in her intestines, but we wont know how bad it is or anything until next week, when the final results come in. I did get my package, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!! I saw the cookies first, and got super excited. My companion Hna O* was SO HAPPY to have an english hymn book. Thank you bunches and bunches.
Ive used the dazer once or twice. But where we are the dogs arent really aggressive. There are a few that will follow us around our area, just wanting to be petted, they are so funny. and BIG. One I tried to hide from a few weeks ago, and when he found me, he JUMPED at me, so happy to see me. I saw all four of his feet in the air and screamed, half laughing, and was able to move out of the way before he plastered me to the ground. But that sounds like a scary experience that happened.
Im doing ok, my stomach has been hurting me a little more than normal the past few days, and sometimes it causes my throat to feel like it is burning, and then after a bit it goes away. I am almost convinced that all of the medical problems that I feel my body is going through, will all disappear when I come home. But if it doesnt, maybe it will be fun and we will find out what is happening in my poor stomach! Hahahahahaha.
I love you so very much, and sorry about the delay.
Love Always,
Hermana Heather
Ive used the dazer once or twice. But where we are the dogs arent really aggressive. There are a few that will follow us around our area, just wanting to be petted, they are so funny. and BIG. One I tried to hide from a few weeks ago, and when he found me, he JUMPED at me, so happy to see me. I saw all four of his feet in the air and screamed, half laughing, and was able to move out of the way before he plastered me to the ground. But that sounds like a scary experience that happened.
Im doing ok, my stomach has been hurting me a little more than normal the past few days, and sometimes it causes my throat to feel like it is burning, and then after a bit it goes away. I am almost convinced that all of the medical problems that I feel my body is going through, will all disappear when I come home. But if it doesnt, maybe it will be fun and we will find out what is happening in my poor stomach! Hahahahahaha.
I love you so very much, and sorry about the delay.
Love Always,
Hermana Heather
4/14/14
I am still here in the same area, with my companion Hna Osinaga still, AND a third companion, Hna Pin! Shes from Ecuador, guayaquil. Apparently she is only going to be with us for two or three weeks, until her companion comes? We have no idea whats going on, and didnt know that we would have her until last tuesday at about noon, when the offices called us and told us that we had to go pick her up right then, and sorry for the late notice. Hna Pin has been in the mission for about 5 months, more or less. She is fun. She is very short, but dont be decieved by that, she is dangerous... hahaha. She did motocross before the mission, thats CRAZY! but really cool.
Yeah, Im tall and a little big compared to other people here.... im considered tall. Its weird.
One thing that i am learning a little bit here is how to eat, more or less. I dont know if I am dropping weight so fast because of the way I am eating, or if its another source. But we eat breakfast (normal) a BIG lunch, and then just something small, if anything, at dinner. I shouldnt tell you what we eat, because its BAD. Pure, Carbs. Almost a least. That is something I will DEFINITELY be changing in my eating when I get back.
Im doing well besides. We started meeting with an investigator who has a REALLY BAD drinking problem, and had him sober for about 3-4 days, meeting with him twice a day. He disappeared though, and we havent been able to find him for about two, three days. We want to help him, but its hard when he falls back into drinking.
Well, I think that is it for today. Oh! We are going to go to the temple this week, finally!! I have been trying to go for the past six months, but something always happens. I might use my card in the distribution center. We are going on wedneday. Or I might try and take it out before. So between today and wednesday I might be taking out money, just so you know. If I dont, dont you worry about it.
Love Always,
Hermana Heather
Yeah, Im tall and a little big compared to other people here.... im considered tall. Its weird.
One thing that i am learning a little bit here is how to eat, more or less. I dont know if I am dropping weight so fast because of the way I am eating, or if its another source. But we eat breakfast (normal) a BIG lunch, and then just something small, if anything, at dinner. I shouldnt tell you what we eat, because its BAD. Pure, Carbs. Almost a least. That is something I will DEFINITELY be changing in my eating when I get back.
Im doing well besides. We started meeting with an investigator who has a REALLY BAD drinking problem, and had him sober for about 3-4 days, meeting with him twice a day. He disappeared though, and we havent been able to find him for about two, three days. We want to help him, but its hard when he falls back into drinking.
Well, I think that is it for today. Oh! We are going to go to the temple this week, finally!! I have been trying to go for the past six months, but something always happens. I might use my card in the distribution center. We are going on wedneday. Or I might try and take it out before. So between today and wednesday I might be taking out money, just so you know. If I dont, dont you worry about it.
Love Always,
Hermana Heather
4/7/14
We not only attended the wedding, we helped set up and arrange the wedding. I did the bouquet, very stylish. I dont think I want to plan my own wedding. We didnt do a whole lot, but I felt a little stressed out, hahaha. I am still with my same companion. And I hope I will be with her for the next 6 weeks too. Transfers are this week, so we will have to see how things go. With all the missionaries from venezuela, and then new people coming in, anything could happen. Normally we have about 2 transfers together, or three months (same amount of time), I just hope it happens for this transfer. In the wedding, two of the sisters in the pictures, on the two ends, the two north americans, were the sisters who started teaching the family a few months ago, and the had permission to go to the wedding. I am enjoying the mission, and starting to get a LITTLE anxiety about coming home, and starting my life, but im not thinking a whole lot about it, just batting ideas around in my head in what i want to do when I get back. But I dont feel ready to ask God about what I should do yet. Im just going to keep focusing on my mission, and when the time is closer, I will ask then.
We enjoyed conference this weekend in the church. A little trunkie with this, because I was remembering what we do at home, and we dont get dressed up and go to church these days. Hahaha. And I miss going to grandma and grandpas house after. Thats ok though, im only in peru on a mission for a short time. We are downloading the conference so that we can watch/listen to it in the house :)
Yey! Thank you mom for the package, it will be well recieved :) Im sure it will get to me quickly enough, they dont like to keep the packages in the office for very long.
Well, we almost had a baptism yesterday, but something happened to where it is now rescheduled for next sunday, so pray that it comes! Its for Victoria Palacios. And pray that Hna Karen (who got married this week) will accept a baptism date for this month. She is having some doubts, and doesnt want to ask God DIRECTLY that she should be baptized. It will be a fight. And also that the birth certificates for an older couple we are teaching comes quickly, so we can get them married and baptized.
I loved the parts in conference about obedience, and that knowingly disobeying God means you love satan more than God. Remember, the "power of general conference happens when conference is over" I think president Monson said this in the last conference. and its true. The power is when we apply what we have learned.
I love you so much mom!! Talk to you next week!!
Hermana Heather
We enjoyed conference this weekend in the church. A little trunkie with this, because I was remembering what we do at home, and we dont get dressed up and go to church these days. Hahaha. And I miss going to grandma and grandpas house after. Thats ok though, im only in peru on a mission for a short time. We are downloading the conference so that we can watch/listen to it in the house :)
Yey! Thank you mom for the package, it will be well recieved :) Im sure it will get to me quickly enough, they dont like to keep the packages in the office for very long.
Well, we almost had a baptism yesterday, but something happened to where it is now rescheduled for next sunday, so pray that it comes! Its for Victoria Palacios. And pray that Hna Karen (who got married this week) will accept a baptism date for this month. She is having some doubts, and doesnt want to ask God DIRECTLY that she should be baptized. It will be a fight. And also that the birth certificates for an older couple we are teaching comes quickly, so we can get them married and baptized.
I loved the parts in conference about obedience, and that knowingly disobeying God means you love satan more than God. Remember, the "power of general conference happens when conference is over" I think president Monson said this in the last conference. and its true. The power is when we apply what we have learned.
I love you so much mom!! Talk to you next week!!
Hermana Heather
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