La Obra -

 I thought adjusting back to mission life in Peru would take a while but this past week still flew by. Doesn't feel like I ever left, the people are awesome and the environment of everything is just so different and interesting. Right now I am writing this as the zone and I walk the road from Paita to the Yacila beach. It's early enough so I won't get absolutely baked, yes I put on sunscreen mom. 

The week here in Puerto Paita went great as we're working with a lot of references from the Facebook page. We work hard creating content and organizing what we can according to the limitations still in place here. Unfortunately while recording in the streets I lost my bag with my wallet and various documents. I set my bag down for a second as we changed locations and as I ran back after remembering it, it was gone. Everything's all worked out, cards cancelled and new documentation is on the way. Things like this happen and I'm sure the other guy needed the money more than me. A positive part of it all is that we put a post up on the page hoping someone might know where it is and tons of people have seen it. This goes to show how kind and helpful the people here are. We have been calling tons and I just keep introducing myself and listening to their reaction to the whole "from America" thing. 

One guy we're working with is named Juan, he has been going through some very hard times with work and family. He has met with us multiple times at the church building (literally 10 seconds from the beach) and he shows great interest to learn. I asked him if he'd like to be a part of the church one day and he said yeah. Church services are still virtual but it's cool to see the dedication to participate. We had the opportunity to give the sacrament to those who needed help and there's no better experience than that. We have tons of meetings all day and though I may take forever, I'll take it as a testimony to the organization and validity down to every point. A quote shared was from Master Oogway "El pasado es historia, el futuro es un misterio, y el hoy es un obsequio, por eso se llama presente."

Assigned - Paita Perú

 Saludos a todos! So I already wrote this email but it's gone and I'm going to try to write it again. Things are as crazy as can be and it's awesome. I am currently writing this from a small stake center on the coast of the Pacific in Paita Perú. Last week I wrapped things up in the states and said goodbye to the great people of Tennessee. I learned a lot there and it has been so interesting to see the broad differences between missionary work and life in general between the two so far. 

I left early Thursday morning for Atlanta where I met up with some other guys heading to Peru. It was great to compare differences as well as two of them served in New York City and Hawaii. We were lucky to get to Lima early enough to sleep for a bit before splitting and joining another group who came later. Me and one other arrived to the small airport in Piura and were put with the local zone leaders. Things are still very shut down here and we can't go out. 

The answer to this in the U.S. was Facebook finding a lot of the time but we don't that here. So we call and call some more. What we thought was going to be a 3 week stay until transfers turned into 3 days without any warning. Here I am now, couple minutes from the beach, playing soccer with the Peruvian missionaries in the blazing sun. 

I am excited for whatever comes next and I have faith the work will get down one way or another. I'm missing a ton of details but nonetheless things are good. Chao

Heading Back to Peru this Morning

 

Knoxville this morning. Peru this evening. Face shield required to enter.

Last Days in Tennessee

 How the weeks continue to fly by I don't know, and so much happened this past week too! Before transfers we visited almost every member in the ward so Elder Larsen could say his goodbyes, he's going to miss this place for sure. It was great to see everyone at transfers but also sad as many of those who have been in my past districts went home. We got a couple new guys into the Farragut ward as we went back to Pellissippi and they are settling in great with all the member meals and such. They took our car for that day so I really got the mission experience working on bikes. I absolutely loved it as we trekked across the whole area visiting with people and sharing lessons. It is quite the different feel as we worked hard physically to get to someone and share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, pretty cool stuff, although my bottom would not agree.

We had the opportunity to serve some members through some yard work which was a blast as the Tennessee rains poured down. The member was surprised how fast we were to jump on his call to help him out but we had some time and got to it.

Along with member work we were invited to play some ultimate frisbee with some members and their non-member friends from work. Little did I know I would be defending an All-American sprinter from BYU Sister McClerkin. I mean we still won but my ankles hurt. That same day we were invited by someone who we've been messaging on Facebook to play some pickleball. An easy old person sport right? Wrong, I got destroyed by 80 year old Ruth. The guy who invited us was a professional and taught me the ways, I understand pickleball is legit game now, don't underestimate the elderly at the local rec.

I ended my week getting the single dose vaccine and overcoming the side affects as best I could. Just some headaches, soreness, and chest pain but nothing too crazy. I'm looking forward to this week as I prepare for Perú and say my goodbyes to the vehicles and hot showers. Truly thankful for my time here, quite the experience. Chao! 

General Conference Weekend

 Change incoming! I'm headed back to Perú on April 15. These changes, and all changes, aren't supposed to be easy. I have come to understand and know for a surety they are opportunities given to us by God to grow and become what He would have us be. I am so thankful for the time I have had in the southern states and for the chance I have to learn more in Perú once again.

As for how this past week went in the field, we had many dinner appointments with members and invited everyone to watch General Conference. We had various lessons and had the wonderful focus of prophets throughout the week. Our institute lesson for the week taught me the story of the Tree of Life in chapter 8 of 1 Nephi from a new perspective. Oftentimes we see depictions of this vision from a far away view. I would like to see a painting showing the perspective from beneath the branches. As covenant keepers and partakers of the fruit, we become our own trees of life. An interesting note to add is what Nephi's reply is when God asks him what the vision means, he simply utters that the tree is the love of God.

I had the opportunity to meet as a part of the stake correlation where we discussed the needs in depth of those we are teaching and serving. It was special to me to see the eagerness again in the eyes of those leading the church in this area. We discussed ideas such as how missionaries are to serve the members, not the other way around. We should always be giving more than receiving.

General Conference was amazing as expected and I learned so much about our Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement. I especially loved Elder Bednar's invitation at the close to learn, live, and love gospel truths. I hope to study and remember the many gospel principles I learned from Christofferson about covenant paths, Rasband on miracles, and Chi Hong(Sam) Wong about foundations. It is a testament to me seeing the worldwide church and its ability to share and inspire all. I could go on about what I learned but that's just what the Spirit spoke to me, what'd He say to you? Chao