Cardiology and the Holy Ghost

 Buenas días, cómo están qué tal? Last night as a mission we listened to the devotional talk by Elder Dale G. Renlund where he listed off 14 parallels between cardiology and revelation from the Holy Ghost. I learned about revelation and how I can better strengthen myself to receive it. From 2 Peter 1:5-8 we learn of attributes necessary to have the knowledge of the Lord. Listen to and apply these parallels and I know you will benefit from them greatly. 

Now I'm talking about something that happened yesterday because I don't really remember the rest of the week before that. We stay plenty busy working with the missionaries and coordinating the Facebook page which has seen a lot of success this past week. We helped the Elders in charge of content record some video and we have some awesome plans coming up such as a interview with a psychologist where we'll talk about how to combat stress, and English classes which I'm pumped for. Some lesson experiences that come to mind were with Ámbar and Luis who are in a rough spot and are willing to come into Christ. Also our little man Anthony is learning more and more and is just about ready for the font. 

Great week, always adjusting and understanding more about Perú. Chao Chao mani

Meetings

It has been a week about meetings here in Perú. My testimony of the organization and order of Christ's church has grown even more. This past week we had interviews with President. We cleaned up the church and prepped the zone so that everything would go smoothly. 

I received some needed guidance and everyone's interviews went great. Leadership council was Wednesday and we learned about trust, communication, and connection. Our presence is crucial to how we can teach and how others can receive us. We practiced and improved our approaches and I left feeling prepared. We studied 1 Corinthians 14:19-20, "Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men."

On Friday we had a multi-zone conference where we recalled the message from President Nelson about 'Let God Prevail'. His Son Jesus Christ is at the center and everything we do must be revolved and focused on Him. Mosiah 26:17 talks about establishing the church; what are we doing to establish the church where we are right now? Love, share, and invite with faith of action and power.

We had some amazing lessons with our little friend Anthony throughout the week. We met up on Saturday to talk about the plan of happiness and it was his 9th birthday too. His parents are great and accepting to us, his baptism is coming up soon. We also had another zone invasion activity in the area of some elders. It was exciting and we got a run of people back in contact with their missionaries. Days are packed and we're pretty busy, it's awesome. Chow mein everyone!

Working the Zone - Los Tres

 Another quick and solid week working hard here in Paita. Lots of miracles occurred and wish I would have done a better job of recording them like always. Almost everyone in the mission left this past week to Trujillo to go through the temple for the first time. It was great to feel their enlightened spirits when they returned and it made me really miss the temple. The song "I Love to See the Temple" has been pounding in my head and I can't wait to go inside again someday. While they were gone, me and two other Elders held down the whole zone which was tons of fun and super busy. Unfortunately they were both ill and we were traveling to medical appointments a lot but nonetheless we are blessed to have the necessary technology. 

We had a few productive meetings with the stake president and mission president talking about progression forms for those we're teaching. The leadership in our wards can access this information and better help us with the needs of the person. Coming into the zone I noticed the missionaries have not been filling out their area books online with the necessary points so the members are not caught up. We've been working with the companionships one by one on how to better utilize this tool. Lesson is that logging this information is important because this is a church of organization.

Sunday was filled with miracles. I had the opportunity to give a talk in zoom church about grace and I couldn't have had a better topic to speak about. I shared some points from Brad Wilcox's "Grave is Sufficient" talk and I invite to read it a couple times over. Some inactive members were able to hear it and we have lessons set with them later this week. 

We blessed the sacrament like we always do for our friend Anita and she directed us to the boonies where her inactive friend Felicita lived. We shared a quick message after the ordinance and we will teach her nonmember kids later this week too. On the way out from her neighborhood we caught the only mototaxi within sight. His name is Juan Carlos and he's elect. Life as a missionary is something else, thankful for the struggles because that makes these miracles so much better. 

Chao todos!!

Paita

 Things are leveling out here in Paita. I don't have too much to report on this past week other than a few people we're working with and about the great lesson from Ven Sigueme. We had a few meeting this past week with all the North Americans and our experiences with Facebook, what can be applied. I some about the importance of connected to the people in our areas more personally by customizing the pages accordingly. 

Reaching out on a more personal level with patience and experiences will go a long way with those you come in contact with. A few people we are teaching that have shown desires to change through baptism are Ámbar and Francisca. One found through a member referral and the other from the FB page. They have locked in on the first discussions points and we will be focusing more on the great apostasy this coming week. Technology is great and we are using it to our advantage down here. 

In D&C 46:8 I learned about how I must SEEK and REMEMBER the gifts God has given me. Why is it so important to remember them? I believe there is something I'm supposed to do or someone I am supposed to help, so this week I'll be busy seeking. Chao todos

FB Obra en Peru

Life is different down here and the experiences are unforgettable. We could talk about and compare cultural differences all day. The gospel brings people together and makes sense to everyone someway or another. This past week we were on the phone talking a lot to investigators and members. A lot of the time the connection is poor and that doesn't make it any easier to understand what they're saying. Again I am thankful for the spirit in helping me to know what needs to be said. The more I trust Him the less stressed I feel, as simple as that. 

Early in the week we helped a lady move some things to a new house. We contacted her through the Facebook page and were able give her a Book and share some messages. She's in a rough spot and is in need of the light of Christ, that's my job as a missionary. Through our various meetings this past week we discussed the FB pages and what we could improve. We have various spreadsheets and other tools keeping things extremely organized and effective, a testimony to the work. We work a lot in our chapel in the low part of town next to the ocean and have to take a moto taxi up a huge steep hill. Almost every night this past week we were coming home late late. There's still a curfew here and I'm white so that's been fun hustling around trying not to be seen. 

Tons more happened but I'll have to tell you the details later. Times are flying and soon things are going to change again. Take care and study Come, Follow Me because it's awesome and you will have the power of God, that you need, through the week. Chao