Onlyl thing constant in life is change

After 4 1/2 months in San Borja. I have transfers. This area has grown to be my favorite and the hardest it will be to leave. Favorite area, strongest converts, great members, favorite companion.... Yeah, hopefully I don't cry.

Nonetheless a long time ago when I had 6 months in the mission I had a strong impression I would finish my mission in a zone called "Chosica"... Well that is where I am going. and I will continue to have posterity as I train a new missionary.

I have learned. "We never look back, longing to go back. No matter how good or bad those times were. Faith is always in the future."

These next two weeks will be crazy. First, conference is my favorite weekend of the whole year. especially in April. Second, next week is the elections here for a new president, so everyone is going crazy with that. 

Yestday I fasted, and I couldn't think of anything else but to thank god for all he has done. Fasting is a great way to recieve blessings quick, but it is also a great way to show god how thankful we are for him. Any other missionary could have came here and taught and baptized the people I have, but he let me. He saved me. and has poured blessings over me and my family.

The mission is the best decision I have made in my life.

Pictures

2. Cooki is my favorite dog is peru.

3. But Daddy is cool too.

4. Causa and Chicha. Peruvian food. You can't beat it.

6. David was baptized a long time ago and went inactive. Just like every other peruvian. He fed us this week to thank us for finding him. I love this family.

 

 

The Temple is ALWAYS the goal

This week I've expeirnced something I never have before. 

Contact someone, teach them all the lessons, Baptism them, and enter into the temple and participate in Baptisms for the dead. two missionaries, and one very chose investigator. 

On Thursday we went to the temple with Freya. We had to sacrefice some things to get her membership number and interviewed for her temple reccomendation so fast, but it all worked out. and 4 days after she was confirmed a member we went to the temple! She had never seen the temple here in Lima before, it kind of blew my mind but it was awesome, out of all the people I have seen enter in the temple for the first time, she was the most relaxed, we did a good job explaining everything before, but still, did better than I did what I first went in. haha

I don't know why the lord let two sinners like Elder Aguirre and I batpize a chosen daughter of god, but I am so thankful he has, it has been one of the biggest blessings of my mission. 

I love this time of the year, it's not so hot, and easter conference in the best weekend in the year. 

Pictures1. First time she ever saw a temple, went in.

2. She's just awesome.

3. Elder Brown was in my district in the MTC but went to another mission, it was good to see him.

4. Great Way to ruin a beutiful car.

5. I tied up the cat. haha

6. Lima Central

7. River Rimac, Dirtiest River I have ever seen. 

8. We Like Pizza

Aprender de nuestros errores y ser mejores

Another week down in San Borja. We confirmed Freya, it still doesn't click in my head she is a member, but one day! She is doing good, hopefully this week we can start teaching her sister.

Oh I recieved revelation. I now know how missionary work progresses.

This is what happpens.

A girl is born into the covenant, she is baptized when she is 8 years old. At the ages 16 to 22 she fades away, goes to parties and meets a boy who is not a member. And he becomes her boyfriend. Well since the girl was born into the covenant, even though she isn't keeping the commandments, the dream of a temple marriage never leaves her mind. After dating the boy for a year or so, she brings up temple marriage, and calls the missionaries. He is baptized for her, and if they are lucky, they get sealed in the temple. If they are not lucky, well it's complicated.

How did I come to know this? We are teaching three Boyfriends who's girlfriends are members. Three. and every single one of them have asked us about the temple. Haha. Así son mujeres. Así son. 

We had a training from Elder Robbins this week. General authorities love coming to peru. Why? Well It is the Utah of South America. Pretty soon there will be a 3rd temple. He talked about a lot of things, but weirdly, most about families. I was confused if I was a full time missionary, or a returned, but what he said I liked.

The mission, is probably the hardest university to get into, and to graduate. It is also the best university in the world, where you will learn most. You won't learn about Math or science, but you will learn things about the heart and soul. 

If it true, maybe there is a future for me. haha

I have pictures this week!

1. Such a convert, President had to come.

2. I write good, my companion draws good. Good things happen.

3. This is peruvian heaven.

4. Members love us so much.  I didn't even eat trix cereal is the US!

5. We had a good activity aswell.

6. Working so hard fell asleep in his chair... haha

 

 

I Stnad All Amazed

I don´t even know what to say.

Sunday as we baptized Freya, I don´t know why god let 2 sinners like Elder Aguirre and I teach, and baptize a girl who has commited less sins than us without being a member of the church. I know the atonement is real.

Wednesday we visited Freya, we thought she was still without a real answer that the church is true. We did the interview questions. When I asked her, ¨Are you ready to make this covenant with god?¨ The spirit fled the room and she said yes, then I asked why. Her answer struck my heart, ¨More than anything, The Book¨ 

The best and only real converts in the church are those who know the Book of Mormon is true.

Yesterday in Sacrament meeting, before her baptism Freya stood up, and bore her testimony, as an investigator she bore her witness that the church is true. I have never seen that in my life.

In this mission you can find a lot of chosen people, but you don´t find Freyas.

Last thing, tell her parents, and she told them good. Yesterday the whole family came to the baptism, the only thing she ever wanted from the start.

At her baptism also came our President Boswell, his wife, parents and kids. Also an ex Mission President and current 70. The most powerful baptism I have ever been too. 

I stand all amazed of how powerful the gospel is and the effect it has in our lives.That it allowed me, Daniel to baptize someone in the name of Jesus Christ and that person is now free from sin, and from the past..

If the gospel isn´t working for you the way it is for Freya, I invtite you to call the missionaries and ask them to teach you the lessons. There is power in simple things. You will learn as you simplify more.

Sacrafice brings forth blessings. 

Pictures.

I have more but this computer lab is a joke. Just know that it was awesome, and I know there is no better thing I could be doing in my life.

1. Her her family.

2. Give a Colombian, a Gringo, and the holy ghost 40 days and this is what happens

 

 

What can 40 days do to you?

After this week, I don´t know who you are or what you do. Go ahead and tell me the church isn´t true, and we will see what happens.

About 40 days ago we baptized a THIRTEEN year old girl here in Peru named Yadhira. Her dad lives in Flordia, and she went to spend summer break with him, after 40 years of drinking, women, working, divorce and a whole lot of other things I don´t know. Her dad accepted the gospel, and was baptized yesterday. In about 40 days. I sent the reference from here when Yadhira left. the missionaries there the SAME day went and visited him, they got there before Yadhira did. That is missionary work in 2016! Whether you are 13 and live in Peru or 40 and live in the US. The church is true and it can work for you.

Not good enough? About 40 days ago we met Freya. It is incredible what 40 days has done for her. We were teaching her this week and we knew something was missing, she accepted everything, I am pretty sure she has read the BOM more than a lot of members, the Word of Wisdom, chastity, Tithing, Sabbath day, but the heat in her heart wasn´t there. After a lesson with her in the morning we left and ate, as we were praying to leave to start our day Elder Aguirre shot up and said, I received revelation and we need to go back to Freya. 

So we went back, not knowing what to say, unable to teach a lesson or go into her house. But the spirit came, tears fell from her cheeks as she explained what really had been bothering her. We have since responded to the need and now have met her mom, and sister. She is nervous to be baptized, but like it says in D&C 6¨36. Look unto me in every thought. Doubt not, Fear not.

42 days is 1 transfer for missionaries. In 40 days Moses received the commandments, 40 days Jesus fasted and overcame Satan. 40 days he ministered after his resurrection. in 40 days a father changed his life, in 40 days Freya was converted. in 40 days anyones life can change. I know it is true. I don´t care if you are 13, 18, or 40. You can change your life in 40 days. Trust in god. Put the gospel to the test and it won´t fail you.

I love you all.

I would love to send some pictures but this computer is a joke.

The Power of a Smile

Two weeks ago we recieved a reference from a member in the USA, she wanted us to visit her dad here, so we went. His name is Ronald. He is 83 years old. He was adventista for 30 years but stopped going 6 months ago because he accepted the church was missing spiritual things. He still teaches bible classes and is the author of three books.

We talked about the Book of Mormon and read 3 Nephi 11 with him, he is SO humble and SMART, when he smiles It makes me happy because he is such a happy old man. 

Yesterday he came to church! By himself, he walked in with his same big smile and I told him, I am the happiest person in the world because you came! You laughed and said, ¨I am happy too so don´t think you´re the only happy man here.¨ 83 years old and accepting the gospel. Genial.

Freya is doing great, We wanted to get to know her parents but well, sometimes the daddy doesn´t want to talk to the two boys who are trying to baptize his daughter. Nonetheless she continues to read, and when she prays I can´t even explain it.

Have you ever been with someone as they pray to god for the FIRST time? and they just PLEAD for him? There is nothing in my mission I love more than that.I have never felt the spirit in a way as I do when she prays, I can´t help but smile. Yesterday at church we introducced her to Ronald, and he gave her the same smile he gave me, and it just hit me! Whether you are 83 or 18 the gospel works! It works as long as your heart is willing. Later Freya asked how we meant Ronald, I expained it was a lot like how we found her. This girl is converted.

So I have to say, that I know the gospel can work for you. All my mission I have wondered if the gospel would work for some people I know, and sometimes I doubted, but now I know. It works for everyone.

I have sweet pictures, but this computer doesn´t want to work with me.

Have a great week!

Do good things.

I love you all

Somehow I'll, make a missionary out of you

Three great things that happened this week.

Went to the Bistecca. A fancy buffet here in Peru.

Recieved sweet packages from home

Taught Freya with President Boswell

1. My good friend once told me there is no such thing as a good buffet. That just isnt true. for P day last week a member took Elder Aguirre and I. I ate Sushi, Cow Heart, a cazone, and a big oatmeal cookie. Excellent!

2. I am still not totally forgoten and people love me. Excellent!

3. President Boswell called me and wanted to go visit some people. So we took him to the most chosen person I have meant in my mission. Freya. We have taught her a few times, but she got sick and like women do when they get sick, shut down and block out everything from the world. But we hung in there. Taught her the Sabotth day, I asked her if she had ever heard of it, she responded no. This girl is 10x smarter than I am, but has never heard anything about the gospel. It blows my mind. She learns quick, President Boswell bore powerful testimony, she came to church, Then we ate lunch together. Boom.

But! there is always a but.

A returned missionary acompanied us a few times, when we visited her, and is studying the same career as her, It was a good connection. We ate lunch with him and his family, shortly after he changed and got ready to go to work. She asked me about the Sabotth day. The trust he had gained was immeditly broken. The one commandment he chose to break, may have changed everything.

I dont care who you are, or where you are at. But Young single adults especially, Dont think breaking a few commandments is okay, and dont think that you are too busy to study the gospel. Your actions will determine your destiony, and some things simply cant be redone.

And thats the gospel truth!

Yee! yee! 

Pictures

1.Man Crush Monday. My man Nephi and Moroni.

2. I love the green grass and big trees. Whohhoo for one more in San Borja!

3. Anticucho. Cow heart, used to feed it to dogs, now I eat it. and I loveee it!

4. Giant Oatmeal cookie

5. Never thought I would eat like this in Peru. haha

6. Christmas came!

7. Members love us!