Today is Independence day here in Peru, so we will have to see how that goes.
Alright, I'm excited to answer your questions. And save them in some place, because I may not remember in 5 months. The hardest thing that I have done on my mission would have to be... it could be a few different things, like, it what way? well, learning the language was a big one for me. It was very hard for me, but I speak well now. With lots of practice and study. The piano went well yesterday. Though I accidentally picked a song that the ward didnt know, so they didnt sing. I dont have extra time to practice, just during the prelude music is when I practice. Its a lot of sight reading and luck.
My companion is a hard hard worker, and I love it. We are currently trying to help the ward lift itself up. Its a very difficult, very small ward. We had 73 people in the church yesterday. Very small. There are lots of less actives in the ward, and we need to rescue them. We are in process of doing a Rescue Plan so that the members go to houses that are assigned to them to visit the people there. We are going to try and to that this coming Sunday. This ward has lots of potential, and I hope that we can help them reach their potential.
Well, I think thats about it for this week. I love you all very much, and wish you a good week.
Oh yeah, Hna Jenny didnt understand what you were talking about when you sent the message that I was turning 21 on the 22. She was confused, my birhtday is on the 21 or the 22? I started laughing, because I could see where she got off. Just because she doesnt understand english, and google translator didnt help much either. Hahaha. It was really funny. But she got the message that my birthday was on the 22. I had a great birthday last week! At 6:30 am, all of the sisters in my zone (4 companionships total) came to the apartment to wish me a happy birhtday. My companion had that all planned. Many people wished me happy birthday, Hna Jenny came, we ate, took pictures. We also had 6 lessons that day, which was awesome! I am now 21, and feel a little old. Hahaha. The year 20 was a blast, and I think the year 21 is going to be another marking point in my life.
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
Monday, July 28, 2014
7/21/14
Thank you for the Birthday Wishes! The piano playing was pretty good, I decided to sit out for one of the songs because I really had no idea how to play it, and didnt want to make the singing worse. I repented of that while they were singing, and vowed to not sit out on the piano, and at LEAST play the top hand, a few of the notes at least. Because the singing was AWFUL. It was so sad. Very very sad, and bad. I will be playing for everything now. Hahaha.
Me and my companion share the same food likes. She is very sweet, and sometimes im sweet, so that is something in common, she loves animals, is not afraid of them. Desires to serve God and work extremely hard. A mutual desire to help the people here. Im sure there are more, I just cant think of them right now.
My leaders are great, I do get along with them quite well. They normally leave us alone, which I am fine with. Sometimes they come with us to do visits, which doesnt bother me either, because they just want to see how they can help us. Today, we are going to be making TACOS and watching a movie, im not sure which one yet. We are making tacos because we want to, and we have 2 real life mexicans in out zone (sisters) who are going to help us make real mexican tacos peruvian style (because Im sure there are some ingredients that we dont have here). So im excited to eat tacos.
The Peruvian Festival sounds awesome. I LOVE Picarones. I will be honest, the first few times, I was not too impressed with the sauce either, but you have to get used to its sweet/bitter taste, and it is delicious! I did know that the main ingredients were squash, but im still not sure how... I will have to figure out how to make them. But that makes me happy that they were able to make those in Utah, that means there is hope for me to make them there too! (I have recipes, but I am not familiar with all of the ingredients in español, I will have to look and translate some of the things). Are they going to do the peruvian festival again next year do you know? That is funny about the drunk. Drunks can be pretty funny sometimes.
Wow! How time flies. I feel like we just started July, but now we are about to enter August. Im turning 21 (I feel so OLD!!!). I can definitely say that the defining year of my life that I have had until now, has been the year 20 of my life. That is where I changed, grew, and still growing right now. And I will never take that back, I dont even wish to take it back.
I love you so much mom, and hope that you have a great week.
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather Whatcott
Me and my companion share the same food likes. She is very sweet, and sometimes im sweet, so that is something in common, she loves animals, is not afraid of them. Desires to serve God and work extremely hard. A mutual desire to help the people here. Im sure there are more, I just cant think of them right now.
My leaders are great, I do get along with them quite well. They normally leave us alone, which I am fine with. Sometimes they come with us to do visits, which doesnt bother me either, because they just want to see how they can help us. Today, we are going to be making TACOS and watching a movie, im not sure which one yet. We are making tacos because we want to, and we have 2 real life mexicans in out zone (sisters) who are going to help us make real mexican tacos peruvian style (because Im sure there are some ingredients that we dont have here). So im excited to eat tacos.
The Peruvian Festival sounds awesome. I LOVE Picarones. I will be honest, the first few times, I was not too impressed with the sauce either, but you have to get used to its sweet/bitter taste, and it is delicious! I did know that the main ingredients were squash, but im still not sure how... I will have to figure out how to make them. But that makes me happy that they were able to make those in Utah, that means there is hope for me to make them there too! (I have recipes, but I am not familiar with all of the ingredients in español, I will have to look and translate some of the things). Are they going to do the peruvian festival again next year do you know? That is funny about the drunk. Drunks can be pretty funny sometimes.
Wow! How time flies. I feel like we just started July, but now we are about to enter August. Im turning 21 (I feel so OLD!!!). I can definitely say that the defining year of my life that I have had until now, has been the year 20 of my life. That is where I changed, grew, and still growing right now. And I will never take that back, I dont even wish to take it back.
I love you so much mom, and hope that you have a great week.
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather Whatcott
7/14/14
I am doing quite well here actually! I love my companion, and adjusting well to her and my new area. My area is very small. Very very small, but its good. Yesterday I had the opportunity to play the piano in sacrament meeting. First off, the member discovered that I play, and there is nobody in the ward that plays. Second, the way that they sing in sacrament meeting is TERRIBLE, it does not bring much of a spirit into the meeting. It was extremely bumpy playing the hymns, but I got through it without COMPLETELY slaughtering the hymns. And it was a little better than the congregation just singing. Its the worst that I have heard yet... so I think I have found myself a second calling. Hahaha. I just hope that my fingers can get used to playing again, and that I will improve. Because I think I can count on one hand how many times I have touched a piano since I have come to Peru. But I am glad to be able to help and serve the ward in this way.
Yes, it is extremely cold down here, but I am doing just fine. The cold really does just hurt the bones. Its the humidity that kills. There is no heating in the apartments (neither air conditioning) but for me its bearable. At least we have hot water. They take better care of the sisters than the elders (not by much but they do) so we are blessed to have hot water. I did buy a long sleeve shirt that is really comfortable and warm, and I absolutely LOVE it.
A Peruvian Independence Day festival in Utah? That sounds awesome! I wish I could go! Yes, independence day is the 28 of July. Now that I think of it, Independence Day here might be a really bad procyliting day... I am sure they celebrate with a lot of beer. But I will definitely let you know how they celebrate. Tell me what they do there if you do go.
Way to go Alex! I am so proud of you! Doing things that I was not able to do. He was always so good in school. Very smart kid.
I will take pictures of my Apartment of where I am now, its actually really nice. Or maybe that is me turning into a peruvian... uh oh. Hahaha.
Remember to always do your visiting teaching and home teaching, it really does help the members to know that they are thought of outside of the church.
Joshua 1:9
This part was sent to Heather's dad:
The new area is going. I do like to have transfers sometimes, because sometimes, if you have been in an area for awhile, it gets rough and frustrating. But with a new area you can see new ideas, new ways to help. And use the knowledge that you gained in other areas in your new area.
My head is filled with spanish right now. I almost feel tired, and spanish is flooding my head. So if I manage to go off in Spanglish, at least you will understand. Hahaha.
My new companion is awesome. I love her so much. She is so sweet and caring. She was a little serious when I got here, but I got her laughing, and she said she really enjoys that. That with her other companion they didnt really talk much, menos laughing. I am very content with my companion. I feel like she will help bring back out the sweet side in me, that I think I once had. Hahaha
Sounds like the boys are all off doing something fun and adventurous. Including you.
For p-days, im not sure. last week we went to a mall area that was fun, and we watched other missionaries play soccer (I just didnt want to play, because it was cold, and the elders sometimes play a little rough). Today we are going to have p-day libre, where we can go and do what we want. Mostly because we have room checks from presidents wife this week. Our room is basically clean, just needs a little light cleaning with the broom, mop, and we´re good! But the elders have to do a little more scrubbing I think....
So today we are going to go and buy food. We are in charge of our own food for breakfast and dinner everyday, and we eat with the members for lunch. I am just about completely out of food, and need to buy more. We are also going to pass a little more time in the market, see what there is to see (because you can find some pretty cool and cheap stuff there) and maybe take a nap in the apartment when we get back. It should be a relaxing day. I think I might buy some ice cream. I still have more ganas a comer helados en invierno que verano. When did you come back from your mission? in what month? I am really nervous that the climate is going to hit me hard. Yes, that it is dry, but I am going from 90 degree weather to 30 degree weather. AH!!!! I will be coming prepared.... hahaha.
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
Yes, it is extremely cold down here, but I am doing just fine. The cold really does just hurt the bones. Its the humidity that kills. There is no heating in the apartments (neither air conditioning) but for me its bearable. At least we have hot water. They take better care of the sisters than the elders (not by much but they do) so we are blessed to have hot water. I did buy a long sleeve shirt that is really comfortable and warm, and I absolutely LOVE it.
A Peruvian Independence Day festival in Utah? That sounds awesome! I wish I could go! Yes, independence day is the 28 of July. Now that I think of it, Independence Day here might be a really bad procyliting day... I am sure they celebrate with a lot of beer. But I will definitely let you know how they celebrate. Tell me what they do there if you do go.
Way to go Alex! I am so proud of you! Doing things that I was not able to do. He was always so good in school. Very smart kid.
I will take pictures of my Apartment of where I am now, its actually really nice. Or maybe that is me turning into a peruvian... uh oh. Hahaha.
Remember to always do your visiting teaching and home teaching, it really does help the members to know that they are thought of outside of the church.
Joshua 1:9
This part was sent to Heather's dad:
The new area is going. I do like to have transfers sometimes, because sometimes, if you have been in an area for awhile, it gets rough and frustrating. But with a new area you can see new ideas, new ways to help. And use the knowledge that you gained in other areas in your new area.
My head is filled with spanish right now. I almost feel tired, and spanish is flooding my head. So if I manage to go off in Spanglish, at least you will understand. Hahaha.
My new companion is awesome. I love her so much. She is so sweet and caring. She was a little serious when I got here, but I got her laughing, and she said she really enjoys that. That with her other companion they didnt really talk much, menos laughing. I am very content with my companion. I feel like she will help bring back out the sweet side in me, that I think I once had. Hahaha
Sounds like the boys are all off doing something fun and adventurous. Including you.
For p-days, im not sure. last week we went to a mall area that was fun, and we watched other missionaries play soccer (I just didnt want to play, because it was cold, and the elders sometimes play a little rough). Today we are going to have p-day libre, where we can go and do what we want. Mostly because we have room checks from presidents wife this week. Our room is basically clean, just needs a little light cleaning with the broom, mop, and we´re good! But the elders have to do a little more scrubbing I think....
So today we are going to go and buy food. We are in charge of our own food for breakfast and dinner everyday, and we eat with the members for lunch. I am just about completely out of food, and need to buy more. We are also going to pass a little more time in the market, see what there is to see (because you can find some pretty cool and cheap stuff there) and maybe take a nap in the apartment when we get back. It should be a relaxing day. I think I might buy some ice cream. I still have more ganas a comer helados en invierno que verano. When did you come back from your mission? in what month? I am really nervous that the climate is going to hit me hard. Yes, that it is dry, but I am going from 90 degree weather to 30 degree weather. AH!!!! I will be coming prepared.... hahaha.
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
7/7/14
Well, I am now in the Stake of Comas, in the ward of Libertadores. I am about 15 minutes (maximum) from my old area. Right next door you could say. My new companion is GREAT I love her so much, her name is Hermana S. She just recently finished her 12 weeks in the field. She is from Piura, Peru, but her family is currently living in Trujillo, Peru. She is 21 years old, and will turn 22 in October I believe. She is very calm, and very sweet. I dont think she laughed very much with her previous companion, but Im fixing that. Hahaha. My last companion and I laughed ALL THE TIME. And its good to laugh and enjoy yourself too. I am greatly enjoying myself here, and getting a little wigged out at how close I am to finish. I almost dont want to go back...
Oh, we did have a baptism this past week in my old area that I was able to go to, I will try and send pictures next week If I cant send it right now.
I am doing quite well here. I get lots of compliments on my spanish, and that I pronounce the words really well. I am happy about that, but then I get a little frustrated when some people dont understand me. But thats ok.
I think we are going to eat at Chiles today. It will be my first time eating there while I have been here, and the 2nd time in my life. Haha. I am excited. Food that I like and want!
I have 4 transfers left, and that is including this one. I cant believe where the time has gone. I do know that the mission has definitely changed my life, dramatically. And in a very good way. And now I have lots of friends in lots of different countries as well, which is even more awesome!
Have an awesome week, I love you so much. Hugs and kisses to all, especially you mom!
Love Always and Forever, 5 fast sundays pending...
Hermana Heather
Oh, we did have a baptism this past week in my old area that I was able to go to, I will try and send pictures next week If I cant send it right now.
I am doing quite well here. I get lots of compliments on my spanish, and that I pronounce the words really well. I am happy about that, but then I get a little frustrated when some people dont understand me. But thats ok.
I think we are going to eat at Chiles today. It will be my first time eating there while I have been here, and the 2nd time in my life. Haha. I am excited. Food that I like and want!
I have 4 transfers left, and that is including this one. I cant believe where the time has gone. I do know that the mission has definitely changed my life, dramatically. And in a very good way. And now I have lots of friends in lots of different countries as well, which is even more awesome!
Have an awesome week, I love you so much. Hugs and kisses to all, especially you mom!
Love Always and Forever, 5 fast sundays pending...
Hermana Heather
6/29/14
As the heat rises up there, we are cooling off quite a bit. And with the humidity, a little more so. A lot of the time you dont even realize the world cup is going on, but I am trying to keep up with it today. USA is going to play today! I forgot against who, but I hope we win! Did you watch the game with Brazil and Chile? It was so intense! Did you know that Brazil has one of the BEST goalies in the world? He is huge too! We have been successful in the baptism part, but not so much in the marriage department. There are a few more issues that we have run into with the documents of the couple that we are helping, but we are closer than we were a month ago, so we are progressing. At least like a turtle, but they say he won the race, right?
People STILL treat me and call me GRINGA. It gets a little annoying, but I have learned just to laugh it off. At least I know Im pretty and that my eyes are BEAUTIFUL. Hahaha. Maybe my ego has grown a little bit here... lol. It may or may not be transfer week for me. I have no Idea what is going to happen, because whatever thing could happen here. We are usually with our companions for 2 transfers, meaning about 4 transfers in one area. I have been in this area for 3 transfers, and 2 transfers with my companion. So I think it is more like flipping a coin here. When we do transfers, we meet as a zone to learn who is getting transfered, and then the next day (tuesday) the people who are getting transfers (and their companions) go to the mission office, and thats where they tell us where we are going, and with who. I dont really think there is a mission home here. There is a church that has the offices to the mission there, here in our mission. The mission president and his wife live outside of the mission, a little far away.
We had a conference with Dallin H Oaks. It was AWESOME. His wife is awesome, he is funny, and it is so cool and awesome to meet general authorities. I learned a lot, and loved loved loved it.
I am doing well here, im still going here. I am absolutely broke right now, and in desperate need to take money out of my account, but it is so hard to find time to do it. But now that I am desperate, I think that I will have to make time to do it. And if we have transfers, we are going to need money to get to the mission offices. Hahaha.
Have an awesome week!
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
People STILL treat me and call me GRINGA. It gets a little annoying, but I have learned just to laugh it off. At least I know Im pretty and that my eyes are BEAUTIFUL. Hahaha. Maybe my ego has grown a little bit here... lol. It may or may not be transfer week for me. I have no Idea what is going to happen, because whatever thing could happen here. We are usually with our companions for 2 transfers, meaning about 4 transfers in one area. I have been in this area for 3 transfers, and 2 transfers with my companion. So I think it is more like flipping a coin here. When we do transfers, we meet as a zone to learn who is getting transfered, and then the next day (tuesday) the people who are getting transfers (and their companions) go to the mission office, and thats where they tell us where we are going, and with who. I dont really think there is a mission home here. There is a church that has the offices to the mission there, here in our mission. The mission president and his wife live outside of the mission, a little far away.
We had a conference with Dallin H Oaks. It was AWESOME. His wife is awesome, he is funny, and it is so cool and awesome to meet general authorities. I learned a lot, and loved loved loved it.
I am doing well here, im still going here. I am absolutely broke right now, and in desperate need to take money out of my account, but it is so hard to find time to do it. But now that I am desperate, I think that I will have to make time to do it. And if we have transfers, we are going to need money to get to the mission offices. Hahaha.
Have an awesome week!
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
6/23/14
Im doing well here, im not dead yet! But I only have 6 months to live... hahaha :) Thats what we call it. When you go home from the mission, you die. I just hope that I dont have a sad death. Meaning that I just stop working. I may or may not have seen the last part of the the game with USA and Portugal... THE LAST 5 SECONDS OF OVERTIME!!! We werent very happy...I could just imagine you screaming, and everyone else as well.
My tummy is doing alright this week, as long as I make sure to eat. I am pretty sure that I eat as much as I did as when I first started. Which is a LOT. You would die if you saw how much food we eat. Yesterday, the sister mounded a round plate full of rice, and then a little bit of other things. I wanted to die. I didnt finish it. Lately I tend not to finish if it is a lot, because it hurts me. The thing is, you have to be careful when you do that, because they get offended here if you dont eat everything that they give you. Im just grateful that Im not in the jungle, because I hear that they serve more, and if you dont eat it all, they never invite you to their house again...
This week we are going to see two baptisms, and a possible wedding with a possible two more baptisms! That would be 4 in total. Pray that the papers are all ok, and that we can get them in and get this baptism wrapped up nice and tight.
I have completed a year! Wow, how time flies. I remember so many things like they were yesterday. I remember how slow the time started out. I imagine it as a train, starting out slow, and then it slowly works up until it reaches full spead. I will be home before we know it.
Love you all!
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
My tummy is doing alright this week, as long as I make sure to eat. I am pretty sure that I eat as much as I did as when I first started. Which is a LOT. You would die if you saw how much food we eat. Yesterday, the sister mounded a round plate full of rice, and then a little bit of other things. I wanted to die. I didnt finish it. Lately I tend not to finish if it is a lot, because it hurts me. The thing is, you have to be careful when you do that, because they get offended here if you dont eat everything that they give you. Im just grateful that Im not in the jungle, because I hear that they serve more, and if you dont eat it all, they never invite you to their house again...
This week we are going to see two baptisms, and a possible wedding with a possible two more baptisms! That would be 4 in total. Pray that the papers are all ok, and that we can get them in and get this baptism wrapped up nice and tight.
I have completed a year! Wow, how time flies. I remember so many things like they were yesterday. I remember how slow the time started out. I imagine it as a train, starting out slow, and then it slowly works up until it reaches full spead. I will be home before we know it.
Love you all!
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
6/16/14
I am close to my one year anniversary, how strange! I even gave a talk on Fathers Day! That was kind of interesting. Transfers will be coming up the first week of july. the 1st of July. Im really not sure if i am going or if i am staying.
Something fun that happened a few weeks ago that I forgot to mention, is that my camera got stolen out of my backpack when we were in the bus. I was so sad, because I hadnt copied the pictures to anywhere. I dont care so much about the camera as the pictures. So I am back to pops camera, which I think I fixed the dying battery problem as well.... hahaha. But I am glad that I had sent you all pictures of a lot of things. I tried to send you a few everytime I took some. So that was a little downer for me, but im ok.
I am doing well here. I think I may getting a little sick, but I am doing everything that I can to not get worse. To prevent it from getting worse. I will be completing a year, and I am thinking much about where I was, and where I am now. I would have never guessed that that is where I am now, so different, but so well. I am grateful for this experience that I have had, and that I am having. Thank you for everyone who has and is supporting me. It has helped me a lot. 6 months to go! 4 transfers left... now that is short.
Thank you, I love you all!
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
Something fun that happened a few weeks ago that I forgot to mention, is that my camera got stolen out of my backpack when we were in the bus. I was so sad, because I hadnt copied the pictures to anywhere. I dont care so much about the camera as the pictures. So I am back to pops camera, which I think I fixed the dying battery problem as well.... hahaha. But I am glad that I had sent you all pictures of a lot of things. I tried to send you a few everytime I took some. So that was a little downer for me, but im ok.
I am doing well here. I think I may getting a little sick, but I am doing everything that I can to not get worse. To prevent it from getting worse. I will be completing a year, and I am thinking much about where I was, and where I am now. I would have never guessed that that is where I am now, so different, but so well. I am grateful for this experience that I have had, and that I am having. Thank you for everyone who has and is supporting me. It has helped me a lot. 6 months to go! 4 transfers left... now that is short.
Thank you, I love you all!
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Heather
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