Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Jamie's Letter April 2, 2012

Hello!!
Yeah, so one month. Except the zone leaders were bugging me today, telling me that I would stay for another half of a transfer. Somehow, I don't think they're telling the truth...fortunately, President is coming this week, and I'll get to talk to him and make sure sure sure that I'm coming home in a month! I don't know what I would do if they asked me to stay longer...I want to serve 18 months-no more, no less. (I feel it's like asking to stay in a calling like RS President after they've told you your going to be released...) But I'm here, working hard, hoping to be able to help our investigators still.

Things with me and Hna Rocha are going well. My Spanish has definitely improved. She's cute, and she's a typical sister missionary. She actually asked me to help her out with her clothes and everything, and help her to know how to dress better. A lot of the clothes that she came with are handme downs that really just don't fit her that well. And she's lost quite a bit of weight since coming on the mission too. So we've had a little bit of fun playing "what not to wear" (except I'm WAY nicer than Stacey and Clinton). And because she's almost my size, I can hand her down some of my clothes that I don't want to take back with me. And then I teach her how to wear them. She also asked me to do her makeup for the conference. It's been fun.
Besides all of the What Not to Wear business, we've also been really busy in the work of the Lord. We're starting to really see our investigators progressing. Pantera came to General Conference yesterday, and he liked it. The only thing that really bugged him was all of the people getting up, walking in, walking out, talking, and not really paying attention. We watched it at the stake center, and well, the members of the church aren't perfect, and how he's a military man, he's very big on discipline. But I'm really hoping and praying that he will be baptized before I leave. He's been big on counter terrorism here in Peru in the past, and it's actually kind of scary. But he says he wants to change, and I've really been noticing a change in him since he's started coming to church.

We also are working with a recent convert (Manuel) and his girlfriend (Estefanny) to get them married. She's pregnant, and she's going to give birth at the end of April (hopefully before I come home). She just barely turned 18 like 2 weeks ago, and now we want to help them get married and keep living the law of chastity! Yupi! We've been teaching her for a while...she's catholic, but I think she's seeing about the truthfulness of the gospel. She also came to conference yesterday with Manuel, and I think she enjoyed it. We've got a FHE with them tonight, so we'll see even more what their thoughts were.

I really did love conference. I think the talk that hit me the most was Eld Scott's talk, about receiving revelation. I think that's become such a huge part of my life, and will continue to be, especially as I continue to make huge life decisions. It's definitely one that I will have to go back and read again (in English). I really liked Pres Uchtdorf's talk too, about not gossiping, and to just "stop it." That's something that I've tried to NOT do in the mission, because really, I have learned that you can just love everyone. That everyone has something to love about them. So to talk bad about them, it just makes things so hard for everyone else. Especially in the mission, because of all of the transfers and all of the different companions, everyone knows everything if you let them. But as always, I can do better about it. I also loved the MTC choir. It made me remember the times that I had in the MTC, and really what a special time that was for me. There is such a spirit in the MTC that there isn't anywhere else. As I look back, I realized that I felt the Spirit testifying to me SO many times that this is the truth. It was really incredible. I also heard that David Archuleta was in the choir! Chile! Wow! That's cool. I heard he was going on a mission. Eld Despain said he saw him, but I wasn't looking specifically for him. I'll have to go back and see if I can find Elder Archuleta. :)

So I think it might be a good idea to make a doctors appointment for me. My back is still bugging me some. I told they zone leaders and they told me that they'd talk to the doctor, and they told me to take something called naxoproxeno (I'm sure it's similar in ingles) and do some exercises...well, I'm not sure what's wrong. I don't think it's anything serious. It just bugs me. And it would be good to make sure I don't have any diseases or anything, although I have been quite blessed here in the mission.
And you can drive with me. That's fine. (That was kind of a random thought, but hey, it's good to think about). Just don't yell at me, k? Contention is of the devil ;) (Pres Uchtdorf for you there!)

As far as easter goes, I don't know that we really have any plans. Try to not to follow all of the processions that the Catholics do??? Maybe? The ward I don't think has planned anything either. I feel like the ward here is a bunch of Sunday members. Sunday we go to church. The rest of the week, we live our lives normally. They're converted to the church, like Eld....Hallstrom? said? Saturday morning. It was a good talk too! Anyways, I want to help them get excited about the gospel again, and becoming converted to the Gospel, but I really have no idea how. I'll keep praying and everything to know how. (Did you like how Pres Packer talked about Peru!? I loved it!)

Oh PS-I've heard rumors that next week we might be going to Gocta, the 3rd largest waterfall in the world. So if I don't write next Monday, don't worry. I'll write on Tuesday. But I'm not sure yet. It might be in two weeks. I'll let you know next week!

Well, I think I'll call this a letter. We really are so blessed to have the Gospel in our lives. It's amazing too to see how it can really change lives! It's changed my life too. And it's all because of the Atonement of Christ. Which I love. Even though I don't understand even the hundreth part of it. Well, I think I better call this a letter. But don't worry, I'll write another one next week! And the week after that and the week after that....but I don't know about the week after that. We'll see! I love you all so much! Take care!
Hermana Williams

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