October 6, 2014
This week has been a pretty good one. Being in a trio was really crazy. But fun. On Monday we went to this park where we can dress up. We had a lot of people following us around wanting to take pictures of us. It was kind of funny. On Tuesday we had a leadership council meeting. I loved it. We talked about how to be the new type of missionary that Elder Uceda talked about. I felt rejuvenated for the week. Then that night we went to the president’s house and ate really good food and talked. I just love talking to president and his wife.
When I got back, some of the sisters that I am over had to move out of their house. They still did not have a contract for another apartment so they moved all their stuff in my house. I spent the day going out with them and finalizing their apartment contract. It was exhausting but we were so happy that they finally found a good place with a good pensionista. Crazy!I also left and did divisions with another companionship. We talked lots and I helped them resolve a few problems that they have. Anyway, I was basically in my area for 2 days this week. I think my companion was probably a little stressed out. But we made it work.
I went on splits with a girl that wants to go on a mission. We went out contacting. We were not having a whole lot of success and she turned to me and said, “I know why we are not having success. We didn’t pray before we started contacting”... It was so true. We prayed and then found a guy that looked like he was a member. He had a really good spirit about him. I learned a lot from that situation. I learned that sometimes we are going about doing good but we forget our purpose, or we forget to ask the lord to help us.
I am excited to watch conference this next Saturday. I heard that it was great. This week we have transfers. I am pretty sure that my companion and I will change. I think I will probably stay here in Huancayo for another month and a half. But we will see =)
I love you mommy!!!!!
October 13, 2014
Wow I cannot believe that Isabella was born! It seemed like yesterday when I found out that Kjirsten was pregnant! Time is flying by really fast. How is Morgan doing with the fact that she is a big sister? My pensionista has a granddaughter that is about 4 months old. I keep thinking about how Isabella will be about the same age when I get home.
This week has been a crazy one! We found out about transfers on Tuesday night. Monday we got together with the zone and made Completos (they are like hobo sandwiches with avocado tomatoes and hotdogs, it is a chileno thing) Hermana Duarte was really nervous about the changes. I was pretty calm. I feel like I have learned to love and embrace change. Anyway, Tuesday night we got together with the zone and the zone leaders made the announcements. My companion was sent to Primavera in Huanuco.. My old area that I opened. I was soooo excited for her. She will be with my old pensionista and ward... and she will be able to teach my converts. Seriously I was so excited for her and my converts. She didn’t really want to leave.. she told me that she was scared to leave her mom(her trainer... me haha) and grow up. I told her she will be just fine and to work hard. She is a silly girl, I love her. So it looks like I will be staying here in El Tambo for 6 months! In November I will complete 6 months here. It is kind of a hard area but I am here for something right? I LOVE MY NEW COMPANION! Her name is Hermana Araya. She is from Argentina. She has 9 months in the mission and just got called to be a sister leader. So I AM WITH A SISTER LEADER! I am so excited. I feel like I have a huge load lifted off my back. So I am training her on what we do as sister leaders. We are also making new plans for our ward. We have got together with the Relief society president and are going to train people on how to do visiting teaching and we are going to be companions with people who do not have assignments. We are hoping to get the visits up this month and the next. We are also going to start teaching in YW. It is great because we can get our recent convert Anabela to help us. We don’t have a whole lot of investigators that are progressing but we are just trying to get our ward up and running. We are now going to be in charge of 6 different companionships of sisters...It will be an adventure! The good thing is that we are together.
Right now in Peru this month is the month of the Senor de los Milagros. They have this long procession where they adore some saint. The cool thing is that they sell cotton candy along the procession. So my companion and I bought some. The people here are very catholic.
Anyway, Life is going great. I am happy. I feel like this transfer will be one of the better ones =) I just need to keep working and keep loving the area. Thanks for all of your love and support! As I watched General Conference this weekend I thought about how lucky I am to have parents that taught me about the gospel. Thank you mommy! I love you!
I LOVE YOU!
Hermana Jones
October 20, 2014
I cannot believe that I have 4 short months until I go home. I received my first trunky letter from the office talking about when I will go home. It kind of makes me sad thinking about it. But I am trying to keep working so I don’t think too much. haha
This week has been a pretty good one. I love being with another Hermana Leader because I can talk things out with her. Before, I had to keep a lot of things to myself. I feel like I can share the load. We have a lot more sisters that we are over this time. We make lots of phone calls and errands. But I like it because it keeps me busy.
My companion has about 9 months in the mission. I love it because she has different teaching methods that I have learned from. I am teaching her how to act like you know what you are doing... when you really have no idea. She asked me once how I know what to do and I told her that I don’t, I just act like I do and everything works out. It’s a talent I learned from my mom =)
We are working a lot with our recent converts Anabela is so strong! She is working on her personal progress and her family history. She should be getting a church calling too.
Roberto is struggling a bit. He started classes that are on Sundays... I am a little worried about him, But we keep visiting him and we are making plans with the ward so that he can stay active.
We had a family home evening lesson with Rocio and her Husband (they are not married) and we brought one of our strong families in the ward. It was awesome seeing how much the members help the family progress. Even the little kids asked them if they were going to come to church. And they came! Their whole family! It has helped so much to have members helping out.
We have started to share areas with the elders. So now we are going to have a huge area. I am excited to see new streets and buildings. Sometimes it is hard being in an area for 6 months. I feel like I have knocked just about every door haha But we have lots more to work with now.
I am so happy to be here serving a mission. I have learned so much. I still have a lot more to learn in just a few short months. I just hope that I can do all I need to before I leave! I am sooo excited to be here in Peru with you! It is going to be an adventure.
Love you so much!!
Hermana Jones
October 27, 2014
This week has been a busy one. We had interviews with president on Monday, divisions on Wednesday, and Thursday. So we were running around a lot this week. I LOVE having a companion that is a hermana Leader as well. I got to stay in my area so that was nice. Our area is kind of struggling right now. We are looking for new investigators and working with less actives.
Rocio (one of the investigators that we have had since I started here) is doing so good. These past few Sundays, her whole family has come to church. Her "husband" (they are not married yet) is very interested in the church. He says that it just makes sense. We are working hard so that they can get married. Rocio works and is trying to find someone to take care of her son. We explained the blessings that we have received from having stay at home moms. She is going to talk to her husband about it. I hope that she decides to stay at home so that she can be with her family.
My converts are doing well. Anabela is so awesome. She will turn 18 this week. She gave a talk on Sunday, she is such an example to everyone she meets. Roberto is doing pretty good. He has been reading his BOM a lot. I hope he keeps going strong.
I LOVE MY COMPANION. She is the best. We spend the whole day talking about everything. She has such a strong testimony and she loves everyone she meets. She is a great missionary.
This week we will have our meeting with the leaders in the mission. I am excited to see all of my missionary friends.
I love being a missionary. I was thinking the other day how weird it will be to introduce myself by my first name, in English.. WEIRD. haha I know that there is nothing better that I could be doing.
Love Hermana jones