Sister Jessie's Mission

These are our roommates....the one right next to me is the girl Amanda knows

This is our entire district with our teacher...Hermano Huita...who planned to meet us while we were out!

Sister Flora is on the right and Sister Smith is on the left....we are going to Arequipa together!

a little sneak peak of the sunsets in Peru...this is the view outside my window

Family!

 

Happy Valentines week! I love you all soo much! This week has been really good! Our district is now the "advanced group" here at the CCM...wow...I don't feel advanced at all but as I look back at my first week....I've realized how real the gift of tongues is, if I work hard. But I have found that working hard doesn't always mean sticking my head in language books but drawing closer to Heavenly Father in my personal study---allows my Spanish to flourish. However, I am talking as if i know a lot....it really don't. I realized when I went proselytizing this week that our teachers talk extremely slow (making me feel super accomplished when I understand). But outside the CCM walls...I have no idea what they are saying but it is all good...as long as they can feel my unbelievable love for them---that is all is needed. The language will come!

 

Lets see....the food is my weakness right now....oh that rice, its dangerous. But after my teacher who went to Lima South on her mission said she gained 45 pounds. Oh man. I hope that isn't my destiny haha. But hey if it is...that poundage is evidence that I loved these people so much...right? However, for the past few days I have been substituting rice for the giant bananas and mangoes which are unreal----but I am not worried right now because physical activity is allowing me to work it off. But it is funny...ever since the Latino elders found out I play basketball they come find me everyday and say "basket..today...si?" haha I love it. Its not only a physical relief but a comic relief...watching those Latinos dribble a basketball but I am sure they feel the same way when I try to play soccer....

 

On Saturday, we went proselytize out in Lima North---I actually went to the same exact place I went before which is rare people have been saying. But I thought is was super neat because I was able  to recognize specific people from the last time and they actually remembered me which was a surprise. I was paired with a Latina from Argentina...she was super sweet but shy---which forced me to talk a lot more. I'm not sure how much of it made sense but the people are soo loving here and they just smile and nod. Our assignment was to go around and visit the less-active members in the area----we visited 3 but one of these was a family that actually met before. They own a small little shop...and they live in the storage area in the back of it. As we cam e in we were greeted with kisses on the cheek and loving hugs from the kids. Right when we asked them if we could share a message with them...they immediately closed up shop (which would never happen in the USA) and sat down to listen intently. In their small shop with cloth ceilings...we began with a prayer and proceeded to ask them why they haven't been going to church. After a lot of excuses...I was prompted to ask them how they felt on their baptism day. As they each spoke...they became extremely emotional. Even though I couldn't understand a lot, the spirit there was tangible. After a minute of silence...my companion asked...Do you want to go to the temple and be with your family forever? They confidently said yes! There was a reason I was prompted to attend the temple often because Heavenly father knew that this family needed to hear my "Spanglish" testimony of it. This was a super special experience for me... and I realized that the difference between traditional missionary work and the work of salvations is leading these people to the temple.

 

After we came home to the CCM... we had free time for like 30 min. So our district decided to lay down on the grass watching the sunset---they are unreal here---and talk about our experiences which was amazing. But because it was getting dark one of our teachers came and acted like he was telling a ghost story in a scary voice...but it was actually the Joseph Smith story ahah. Our teachers are hilarious...but...they know how to whip us into shape when it is time to get to business!

 

Today we weren't able to go to the temple again but we just decided to do a bunch of contacting in our Spanglish. Our companionship gave a pamphlet to a police officer who said he "has always loved Jesus"....and afterwards he wanted us to sign it ahah. He was such a sweet man.

 

This week has been great! And the things Heavenly Father has allowed me to see and experience has been unbelievable...more than I could have ever imagined. I am going out into the field in two weeks which scares me a little bit but I know that the Lord is my side in this work. He is laboring right beside me in this work. I just want you all to know how much I love you! I wouldn't been here if it wasn't for your influence and your prayers. Our family gives me strength every step of the way. I pray for your each specifically every night! I love you and miss you all so much! Just remember to keep smiling!

 

Love, Jess