November 2nd, 2015

Fam and Friends,

Hola. I hope you all had a great Halloween! It is currently El Dia de los Muertos here in Peru, which is basically just a memorial day on steroids (seriously it lasts two days and the people sleep in the cemetary).  Anyway we had a pretty great week last week. Here are the things worth mentioning: 

The first event can best be described through one of my journal haikus (credit for this idea goes to Marquie because journaling is the worst and haikus make it easier.)    Saw a naked man/ taking a nap in the shade/ I want that; so bad. Hahaha. The struggle is real some days.

Second, one of our investigators dog, Michael, died this week.  She was really upset about and in reality so was I.  Michael was one of the few dogs with fur and only a 30% chance of having rabies.  The investigator also happens to be the same lady who wore the Hannah Montana and Gypsy Heart shirt. Needless to say both of our gypsy hearts were broken by the death of Michael. 

I keep forgetting to mention that my area is literally the heart of Apostasy. There is a different church every two feet. The one I like the least is the Evangelios. I have had to talk about polygamy TWICE with Evangelios (dont ask me why I had to explain it considering I can't speak Spanish.) Anyway, they are usually not my fav people to talk to. We also have the Nazeranos who literally pay everyone to participate in their religion so it's kind of hard to compete with that sometimes.  Of course we have the Catholics who I actually love.  Mostly because every time we ask a Catholic if they participate in a religion they say 'No I'm Catholic' (?). Haha, regardless they are always nice and willing to listen.  The last two are actually my favorite.  La Luz del Mundo and La Casa de Oracion.  These people know how to party.  Mostly it consists of them singing horrendously as loud as they can through a speaker that can be heard everywhere.  They always look like they are having a great time though so more power to 'em. 

All in all this week was fantastic until Sunday.  We taught so many great lessons where I know the spirit was present, and I genuinely thought our investigators were excited to come to church.  Sunday came though and not a single one came:(  I was so sad.  Mostly because I had prayed so hard that Heavenly Father would bless them with so much if they came to church.  It was hard to watch those potential blessings slip away.  However, once again it reminded me of the Atonement.  I hardly know most of these people and I know so many things could be fixed in their lives if they would keep them commandments.  Jesus Christ knows us and our needs perfectly. Which means he knows exactly what we need and how keeping the commandments could help us so much.  My sadness over people I barely know is nothing compared to the despair of Christ over the people he knows perfectly. Every day I am motivated to become better.  That is such a blessing to me; to have so much purpose in life.  

Before I end I need to give a quick shoutout to the following:

 -Halene Bam Draper because I have had to sew some of my pants and it was awful and I feel like I never gave you the appreciation you deserve for sewing everything for me. 

-Dayna J (obviously) because literally everything reminds me of how great you are and deserve more appreciation.

-Charles Wade because I know you were a stellar missionary and sometimes I feel like I am turning into you.

-Halee Kate Harding because I hear 'Voy a Vivir' 100x a day and it reminds me of you every time.

Anyway, love you all and have a great week!

Elder Meier's entire zone playing soccer on P-day.

 

Elder Meier & his District mourning the death of Elder Rodriquez (in other words,he's going home).

  

  

This is how Jace watched conference- in the church kitchen.