tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73784825606895669192024-03-12T20:37:03.121-07:00Hermana Jones - Peru Lima West MissionAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-55522751533455746392014-11-10T13:47:00.003-08:002014-11-10T13:47:54.129-08:00Super grateful!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well it was good week, like always!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Things are going well here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Lara Family came to church for the first time and LOVED
IT. So they are progressing well and we are bummed because the 30th of
this month we have stake conference and the 7th of December there are elections
again which means no church. So that's another two weeks that we can't schedule
baptisms again which will slow down the work a bit. But they have their date to
get baptized the 13th of December and we are praying that everything works out
with them. Pray for them! ALso we are still workign with Araceli and
hoping that she can get baptized this weekend! She is ready and everything but
Satan is working on her so we just need to work harder! <o:p></o:p></div>
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This week we went to Lima for the monthly leadership
council. My favorite part was the training that Sister Archibald did on
Obedience. It helped me learn and realize that commandments aren't just
rules that our Heavenly Father gives us, they are guidelines that if we follow,
we will become like our Father in Heaven. It's like if we really want to
become a good swimmer for example, and we had the chance to spend a day with
MIchael Phelps, I would ask all the advice he has and try to imitate all he
does in swimming and see how I could become as good as him. Well we say
we want to become like Christ, and so we have all these commandments that will
help us become like Him, so why don't we follow them sometimes? It's a
bummer. So that whole training made me look at Obedience
differently. I'm so grateful that I was born into a very obedient family
and have learned this from birth. I hope I can continue in this legacy
and keeping ALL of the commandments!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week I think we are going to go to Lima again because I
have a little going away party thing. We are going to go to the temple,
all those that are leaving, and going to eat and do fun things. I only have
about 3 more days of proselyting then because my area is far from Lima.
So I'm goin gto do my best to take advantage of these days I have! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Not sure if I'll be writing you next week or not. I'll be in
an autosufficiency training or something. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm super humbled and super grateful for this opportunity
I've had. I'm not going to try and express my feelings here... so I'll just
quote Ammon and say, "I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."<o:p></o:p></div>
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THe church is true!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love you so much!<br />
See you next week!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hermana Jones :)<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-36882926685164884312014-11-04T07:52:00.002-08:002014-11-04T07:52:03.006-08:00Happy Halloween<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola familia!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lots of things happened this week, so it went by pretty
fast! But things are going well and we're happy here in Barranca!<br />
We did a work visit up in Huaraz, and I'm glad that I never have to make that
trip again because it is long and uncomfortable. Basically just scaling
mountains for a couple of hours. But it was beautiful as ever and the
hermanas there are doing great.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week was also Hermana Fuentes' birthday! I need to stop
having companions that have their birthdays because they always give us WAY too
much food! Haha but it was a good day. Then it was halloween so we
dressed up as each other and switched our nametags. I know, we are just so
creative! <o:p></o:p></div>
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the work is going well and we are getting frustrated with
these families we have because they just don't do what they are supposed to!
Haha but thus is missionary work. We just keep working and praying and
are doing everythign we can to help them. We did receive an awesome referral
this week of a family of 5 that is very humble. They live in a super huge
nice house to care for it when the people are gone, but they don't live IN the
house, they live in this little dumpy side house. And the houseowner
hardly pays them and doesn't let them use their pool or go on their lawn or
anything unless they are cleaning it. Lame. But this family is really
great and we only got to teach them once this week but they loved it and are
excited to learn more and go to church and such. They are the Lara family, so
pray for them! They're great. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This week we were walking on the street and saw a kid with a
monkey! He said he brought it from the jungle where his mom lives. So we
played with it and took pictures. It made a super annoying screeching
sound and it was eating french fries. That was a fun experience! We took
pictures.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Life is good here, the work is moving on. in fact, it
is hastening! Be part of it!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The church is true, love you bunches!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-38065042324576776252014-10-27T13:30:00.002-07:002014-10-27T13:30:22.422-07:00Another Monday?<div class="MsoNormal">
Is it Monday again?? Crazy!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Good week!!! I don't have much to write.... hm....<o:p></o:p></div>
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We had to travel a bit this week because we went to a
leadership training with President which was awesome, and it was fun to see
other friends from the mission. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It was interesting because President actually talked a lot
about money in the training. He was suggesting that the church isn't
building more temples because now there are so many missionaries, that all the
funding goes to missionary work. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Something interesting he pointed out is that each mission
spends so much money on all of the costs put together for all the missionaries
and services and such, that they figured out that the church pays about 12,000
dollars for every person we baptize. Talk about worth of souls! haha.
Well President wants to lower that cost. There are two ways we can do
it. We can spend less money or we can baptize more people!! haha So we
are going to baptize more people. Then we have to make sure they stay in
the church because if they don't, that's 12,000 dollars wasted! Anyway, it was
an interesting point of view to look at things. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Alberto Family is going to get married this week so we
are excited for that and for them! They still aren't goign to baptize because
we want to make sure they are fully repented and ready for baptism.
Marriage doesn't exactly mean full repentance... haha but they are great and we
are confident that they will get baptized within these couple of weeks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Life is going well here in the mission and I'm loving it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for everthing, have a great week!!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for all the love and support!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hermana Jones<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-75544868004793759912014-10-06T19:56:00.003-07:002014-10-06T19:56:45.925-07:00Churchless week<div class="MsoNormal">
Woops, sent the letter again without writing anything. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We had a good week here in Barranca, it was pretty strange
because yesterday were the elections and according to the law, you can't have
any meetings on election day. So there was no church for us and I felt so weird
all Sunday. It was the first Sunday that I haven't gone to church in
years! Also it was a bummer because we couldn't see conference, but will be
seeing it this week. So this week now you can tell me your opinions/what you
liked and such of conference. I'm excited to see it! Word on the street is that
they didn't announce any temples and they are "Alma 54-ing it" O sea,
we just need to strengthen what we have already got. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Nevertheless, it was a pretty good week, just strange.
So many people were travelign because you have to go to your own city to vote
if you never changed your address (Which is a TON of people) so like half of
the population went to other cities and a ton came here that were originally
from here as well. So we did a lot of contacting and finding new
investigators because our current ones weren't home! <o:p></o:p></div>
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A lot of finding = a lot of rejection! It was a little
frustrating just hearing everyone's lame excuses why they can't listen to us
but it definitely helped me grow in my testimony of the Savior. I love these
people so much and want them to be saved, but they just flat out reject
us. But that's what the Savior went through as well. Just gotta keep
workign with Faith! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Today starts my last transfer! We haven't found out yet
about the changes but I'm 99.99% sure that I'll be finishing out here with
hermana Fuentes. I'm excited to sprint out to the end! <o:p></o:p></div>
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The weather is finally warming up and everyone is happy.
Life is good. The work is going well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I can't upload pics today so next week for sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Have a great week!<br />
Love you bunches! <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-41816642358236805122014-10-05T17:42:00.000-07:002014-10-05T17:42:01.116-07:00Week of Adventures!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola Familia, <o:p></o:p></div>
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This week flew by because we went up to Huaraz to do a work
visit which was pretty cool! Huaraz is far and there are 3 companionships of
sisters there so we stayed from Monday until Wednesday and it was productive
and it is summertime there so it was nice to see the sun feel dry air- not so
humid. Hna Agle, my trainer/mom goes home next week so it was sad to have to
say goodbye to her, but I'll get to see her again in January. :)<o:p></o:p></div>
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We got back and got to work for a couple of days and then
had a zone training with Pres. and Sister Archibald and the assitants which was
AWESOME. I'm pretty sure Pres. Archibald would be an awesome coach
because he is so motivating. He was talking about the importance of what
we are doign adn how important it is to hasten the work and have an attitude of
urgency because there isn't much time! I felt like I could go walk on water
after that. It was great. So we got back to work and had a great week!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week I saved a dog off a roof. When we were running in
the morning a kid and his grandpa were trying to climb a ladder and take their
dog off the roof, but they couldn't do it so I tried but the dog looked like it
was goign to bite me so I got up there with the kid, and a lady gave us a bag
and the kid put it in the bag and it started going crazy and I threw the bag
down to the grandpa and all was well! It was a fun adventure/service
activity. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Rodriguez family is progressing and we found out this
week that Lucero, the 22 year old daughter has to go away to study for 2 months
so she won't be able to get baptized until December, so we talked to Pres.
Archibald and he said it would be better to baptize her this weekend than
wait. So we went over there on Friday night and talked to her about it
and at first she didn't want to get baptized on saturday because she had lots
of doubts and such and didn't feel ready, but we were talking to her and helping
her and it finally came down to the fact that she had doubts about Joseph
Smith. So we invited her to kneel and pray right then and there. So we
all kneeled and she prayed and asked if Joseph Smith was a prophet. The
Spirit was so strong and we all stayed kneeling after to listen to the spirit
and we got up and she explained to us that she had felt the Spirit so we told
her that that was her answer and she agreed and agreed to get baptized the next
day. So on saturday she got baptized and her whole family came and it was
great and she gave her testimony after about how she knew it was the right
decision. There isn't heated water in the fonts here so it was pretty
cold the water but she said as she entered in the water while being baptized,
she didn't even feel cold, or afterwards either. She is super awesome and
it was a great example for her family. They are still going to get
baptzied in October, because they have to go to church a couple more times
still. Everything is going well with them. Our challenge now is finding
more families because a lot of fallen and have stopped progressing so that is
what we are going to focus on this week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh yeah, I am going to send you the most fulfilling picture!
Our itty bitty branch has had 28 baptisms in these last 4 months between two
companionships, which is awesome! Not only that but they are all families that
are still active and going strong. Anway, most of them went to the temple
and did baptisms on saturday and so they took a picture together and when I saw
it it made me tear up a bit. It's so great to see the progression towards
the altar! the work is hastening! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for all the love and prayers. Have a great week! The
church is true!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-69806203686224128962014-09-22T15:19:00.002-07:002014-09-22T15:19:31.676-07:00Hola<div class="MsoNormal">
So things are going well here in good ol Peru! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We definitely had a week of ups and downs but things are
going well and progressing. Not much has been happening but here are a couple of
updates:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Rodriguez family is progressing well, I don't know if I
already mentioned them, but it is Alejandro and Sonia and their two daughters
Lucero and Araceli. The daughters are our ages, and the family actually
lives in the area of the Elders, but the daughters are kinda flirty so they
gave the family to us and we are teaching them now, and working so they can get
baptized in October! <o:p></o:p></div>
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We had a cool little miracle with them this week. We
visited them on saturday and they told us they weren't going to be able to go
to church on sunday because Alejandro had to study for a big test at
work. Well we talked to them about sabbath day and eventually they agreed
to go to sacrament meeting. We left but still weren't pleased because we
have this new rule that they have to attend ALL THREE HOURS three times to be
able to get baptized so if they didn't go on sunday, we were going to have to
move their bapt. date. So we left worried but had said all we could and
were just praying that they would stay three hours and we would be blessed for
being obedient to the new rule. we weren't sure how it was going to work
out but we figure the Lord would help us out! <o:p></o:p></div>
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So on Sunday they all came as promised, and after sacrament
meeting we went to talk to them and casually asked, "so are you going to
go to the classes?" and then without hesitation the stubborn dad just
said, "yeah." and then went to class. We didn't ask questions
or anything we just went along with it and we aren't sure how the Lord did
that, but it worked and they are stil on track to get baptized! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I received some great news this week that my 2nd baptism,
Maria Hambudge, who got baptized last August, got endowed! I was so happy to
hear that. It's one thing to baptize a person but it's another to know
that they are progressing and enduring to the end! There has been a lot of
focus on retention here because it wasn't done very well in the past, so there
are a ton of inactives. So we are very careful in making sure that they
are going to stay strong. I am excited to see the progression of everyone
else as well and I think that would just make my joy complete to see them
making it to the temple. :)<o:p></o:p></div>
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This saturday our branch is going to the temple, and so all
of our converts here, the pimentel family and the Cuenca family are going to go
and do baptisms. The twins in the Pimentel fmaily just turned 12 last
week so they got the priesthood on Sunday and are going to be able to go.
They were originally going to go this past weekend to the temple, but we brought
up that situation with the twins so the branch changed the temple date for
them. So cool! So I am excited for them all to go :) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Last monday we played volleyball, and it was sad. All
athletic ability that I ever attained is now gone. I've turned into a
tall awkward gringa full and slowed down by all the rice and potatoes. But it's
okay because I've never been happier than being in the full time service of the
Lord. :)<o:p></o:p></div>
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The church is true!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
love you bunches. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-40547555665686397082014-09-15T10:57:00.001-07:002014-09-15T10:57:23.900-07:00Life is Good1<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola,<o:p></o:p></div>
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We had a good week and things are picking up a lot here.
We are starting to see a lot of fruits of our efforts and things are
going well!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The entire Rodriguez family FINALLY came to church! The two
daughters, Lucero and Araceli, who are 20 and 22 have been coming for weeks and
are great, but the parents have been more difficult to get to come. But
they came yesterday and it was great. The Relief Society teacher didn't
come so the president asked me to give the lesson about temples and sealing. So
I taught on the spot but it turned out really well and was perfect for the
family because I focused a lot on how it is Impossible to enter into Exaltacion
without sealing in the temple. They were pretty worried because their
Catholic marriage isn't cutting it. So they enjoyed the lesson and we
went by afterwards and taught more about it and they are definitely warming up
to the idea of getting baptized so they can get sealed as a family. <o:p></o:p></div>
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These next few weeks will be interesting because we found
out that on October 5th they have elections here. Well apparently they
always have elections on saturdays, and when there are elections, it's illegal
to have any sort of public reunion or gathering because it is law that all go
vote. So we aren't allowed to have church that day. Which means we can't
watch general conference that weekend! Sad. :( So we have to wait until the
next weekend. Don't tell me about anything cool they talk about until I
see it! haha. That also means that we can't have baptisms those two weeks
because they have to get confirmed in sacrament meeting. So we have to
plan a lot better now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have been reading Jesus the Christ a lot because I really
want to finish it before I finish my mission. I love it! I was reading
about lots of the parables and I love the explanations and insights that
Talmage gives. Not going to lie, I didn't really understand a lot of those
parables before haha. But I especially loved when he was describing the
parable (I don't remember the name) but when the man goes and knocks on his
neighbor's door in the middle of the night asking for bread for a traveler, and
the neighbor doesn't want to get up and give it to him , but in the end he does
it. I love that becuse I was thinking about my life and how much Heavenly
Father loves us, that he really wants to give us all these "gifts" so
we just need to keep knocking and when we keep knocking and keep asking humbly,
he will give them to us when we have proven our Faith. So keep having
faith! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Good week, thanks for all the love and prayers! Life is good
here and I love being in the service of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Helaman 3:35.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Love you bunches!<br />
Hermana Jones <o:p></o:p></div>
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p.s. I did a work visit with Hermana Stirling and she had
ranch dressing and we made wraps and it was heavenly. I forgot that ranch
existed! <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-49672931276513607002014-09-08T19:17:00.003-07:002014-09-08T19:17:43.557-07:00chanchos<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola mi familia!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Good week this week, not much to write!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went to Lima and had our monthly leadership training
which was awesome. They put in a couple of new rules for baptizing in
this area. The investigators have to attend church three times, and they have
to go to church all three hours three times before getting baptized.
Also, they have to pay some sort of offering or donation before they can
get baptized. It will make things a bit trickier but I can definitely see
the wisdom in these rules, making sure that the converts remain active and
faithful members of the church. We'll see what type of good results it
brings!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We found lots of awesome families this week that are MARRIED
so that was awesome. We'll see what happens with them! stay tuned.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Pimentel family invited us to help them out a bit in a
field by their house where their uncle raises pigs. So we went and it was
definitely the grossest experience I've ever had haha. Let me just say,
we saw the BIGGEST pigs I have ever seen in my life! I haven't really seen too
many pigs but I HAVE seen Charlotte's Web and these pigs were like 50 times
bigger than Wilbur. I'll try and send a picture but I don't think you'll be
able to tell how big it is. There was one that was like over three feet tall
when on all fours. crazy! It convinced me to never raise pigs, even though I
don't think that ever would have been a possibility. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Jose Pablo passed the sacrament yesterday in his cute little
white shirt and tie. That is so satisfying to see! All the converts here
are progressing really well and we are working to find more prepared families.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for all the love and prayers! Love you! The church is
true! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-25275605662173300092014-09-05T09:36:00.002-07:002014-09-05T09:36:59.280-07:00crazy week<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola familia!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Tuesday night Sister Archibald called me and told me the
news that Grandpa had passed away. Thanks for letting me know beforehand
that he wasn't doing well, so it wasn't super shocking. I hope everyone is
doing okay, especially Grandma. It sounds like everyone had a pleasant time
together for the weekend and How great is it to be members of the true
church! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was pretty crazy and I was only in my area for a
day and a half! Here's a rundown:<br />
On Monday hermana Leyva had to pack everything because she went to Lima for a
couple of days before her flight left. Tuesday morning she went to the
transfer meeting but I stayed in my area with another hermana and we got the
news of who our new companions are going to be. Mine is now Hermana
FUENTES. She is from Colombia and has 7th months in the mission.
She is awesome and we are excited to work together! We are now sister
training leaders together. So she got here on Tuesday night, and we worked all
day Wednesday which was great because we found some awesome families!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On thursday we had a big leadership training meeting with
all the Zone leaders, district leaders, and sister training leaders. It
was basically a priesthood meeting but we were invited as well so I enjoyed it haha.
President talked a lot about just being an example to others because
there is no point in being a leader in the mission if we aren't having success
because then people won't be looking up to us. It was a great meeting and
then we rode back to Lima with Pres. and the Assistants because on Friday we
were going to the temple!<br />
So Hermana Leyva and I went went to President's house on Thursday night which
was AMAZING! Funny thing: About a year ago I stayed a night at the mission home
when I arrived to Peru and my thoughts were; "This is a nice house. It
seems pretty clean and updated." but now, after a year being in Peru, my
thoughts were this, "THIS IS THE NICEST HOUSE EVER! There is carpet! And
hot water!" I was tempted to sleep on the ground because there was carpet.
But I opted for the extremely comfortable bed instead. I was
literally in Heaven. And Hna. Archibald made us grilled cheese and ice cream
and we just sat on the couch chatting with them until midnight. It was the
best. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We got up early on Friday and went to the temple and then
went to Chilis to eat lunch. I was in heaven there as well while eating chips
and salsa. I had missed chips and salsa so much! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Temple was beautiful. I'm so excited to be able to
go to the temple as frequently as I want when I get home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On saturday we stayed in Lima because Bishop Davies came and
did a conference with our mission, with Elder Uceda as well. Hermana
leyva and I sang in the choir which was great. After that we went right
to the airport to drop off hermana Leyva which was really sad, but now she's at
home safe and happy. :)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We returned to Barranca late on saturday night and had a
great day yesterday as well! We are trying super hard to reach the goal of
baptizing families weekly. We have foudn some great families this week and are
excited to see what happens. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my favorite experiences this week was when Neil, our
recent convert, was able to give the priesthood to his son, Jose Pablo who got
baptized last week. I honestly didn't know before that Priests could give
the priesthood! So he read the prayer to ordain him, and then he gave him a
blessing that was so beautiful, the just came from the Spirit! It was very
spiritual and it sounded like he ahd been giving blessings for years. That
family is so great!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well Sorry for the long rant of information, but it was a
pretty crazy week. Life is awesome and I'm so happy being here in the
service of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever I think of Grandpa I think of an extremely hard
worker, so I decided to just work harder than ever before to finish things up
here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you all and thanks for all the love and prayers! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-86501974991846051442014-08-25T10:05:00.002-07:002014-08-25T10:05:08.713-07:00Hermana Leyva dies<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well Hermana Leyva got extended a few days so she will be
here until this saturday, but we have transfers tomorrow so I think I'll be
getting my new companion tomorrow, not really sure. This week was super sad
because it was her last week! Hermana Leyva is the best. Not sure what
I'm going to do without her, I guess I'll just keep working. But it's
okay because I'll be seeing her at BYU. :)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we had a crazy week because we had to travel down to Lima
for the going away party thing they do for the missionaries that leave.
They go to the temple, eat at a fancy restaurant, have a little training
and I don't really know what else but it sounded pretty fun! Well unfortunately
I didn't get to participate, instead I went to the area of the companion of
another sister that was going home and worked in her area haha. It was
still good though. They finished at like midnight so we went and stayed
with hermanas and then traveled up to Barranca with President adn Sister
Archibald because they were going up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In these last few months President has been saying that if a
Zone reaches their monthly baptism goal, he will buy them pizza and teach them
deep doctrine. Well the month of July our zone met our goal! the first
zone to meet their goal in almost a year. So as promised, he came up and
we all ate pizza and he taught us deep doctrine for like 5 hours. It was
awesome. Plus we got to be in the car with him for three hours going up so I
got all my questions out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Friday we visited Jose Pablo, Neil's son, because we had
wanted him to get baptized on saturday but we were gone for a couple of days
and couldn't visit him. We asked if he had been reading and said a little
bit, but said he had prayed and said, "I felt like something in my chest
that I can't really describe, it was just like a happiness." and before we
could say anything he said, "so I would like to get baptized tomorrow if that's
okay. " Uh, yeah, that's okay! He had already had all the lessons and it
was a tender mercy for Hermana Leyva to have her last baptism. That whole
family is a miracle and now they are complete. We found out that Cecilia got
baptized 33 years ago, and the Lord led us to her house now less active married
to a non member and with a son. We were able to search and find her
church records and now her son and baptized. What a miracle! They are
awesome. Somethign I didn't know, Priests can give the priesthood to
deacons. So we are going to have Neil give the priesthood to his son.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is good. I'll update you next week on my
companion and everything. Have a great week, love you! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-29346055111562230872014-08-18T13:55:00.003-07:002014-08-18T13:55:25.996-07:00Busy Week<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola hola! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was pretty busy and crazy and basically had no
sleep!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We started off the week by traveling up to Caraz, a small
area super far to visit the hermanas there. So that took up Monday and Tuesday
and we got home at about 3am on wednesday, got to sleep a couple of hours, and
then had a great training with Pres. Archibald. It was a multi.zone and
the reason is because last month Elder Oaks came to train mission presidents
and he asked all the presidents to train their missioanries better on the
Trinity. So that's what he did, and it was amazing. If you ever
want to really learn about a Gospel topic, get Pres. Archibald to teach you
after his 30 years of CES service. He had a whole training planned out
but somehow it just turned into a deep doctrine question and answer session
which was fun haha. That went until like 6pm so we only had a couple of
hours of proseliting but it was great. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then on Thursday was Hermana Leyva's birthday! and she was
sick, poor thing. Fever, nausea, and everything. But I think she
still enjoyed her birthday! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We finally got to work well on friday and saturday and
yesterday which was good, but it was pretty disappointing because the Huaman
family had a bunch of issues and now the dad doesn't want to get bapitzed.
Well, we aren't going to baptize his family without him so we are going
to see what else we can do to help them this week and make sure they get
baptized. Pray for them! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also Jose Pablo, Neil's son should be getting baptized this
week as well so pray for him too! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we are going to be going to the going away party
in Lima for the missionaries that are leaving. I think I'm going to be able to
go to the temple and eat with them! Interesting fact: These next three
transfers in total there are about 80 missionaries elaving and 100 coming,
that's a huge change! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Funny story: yesterday we got home and tried going to the
bathroom, but we couldn't open the door! The doorknob turned, but it wouldn't
open. So we tried taking it off and fixing it and such and we could not
fix it. We even tried running into the door really hard, and kicking it
like a police man but with no luck. It was stressful because we really
had to go to the bathroom haha. Well nothign happened and our landlord
isn't here this week. Then, we went back and tried it and it opened, like
nothing had ever been wrong. It was pretty ridiculous but i'm glad we
could open it! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I have been studying a lot about VIRTUE. You
know those people that you meet that are just genuinely good people? Well I
guess I just never realized before that that is what virtue is. Just
being completely pure in thoughts and actions that not even a bad or mean or
angry thought ever crosses your mind. Even when no one is watching you or
is around. I don't know how that didn't click to me before but it is
something that I am definitely going to be working one more. Elaine S
Dalton would be so proud of me! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for all the love and prayers, life is good and the
church is TRUE!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-25382910020848478542014-08-18T13:54:00.001-07:002014-08-18T13:54:01.074-07:00Otra semama ya?<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay so I don't have much to say today because I can't
believe it's already been another week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The work is going well here, the Huaman Family all came to
church yesterday and loved it, turns out that the dad, Andres, is friends with
Martin, who got baptized like 3 weeks ago. So that's perfect! They are on
date to get baptized the 23rd of this month. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week Martin also received the priesthood and that
entire Pimentel family is progressing a lot. We are working really hard to make
sure they stay in the church and can go to the temple in a year. They are going
to be such awesome leaders in the church. The branch is really excited
because it's been a while since there has been baptisms here so they are
helping a lot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today we are going to travel up to Huaraz to do a work visit
so that will be fun and long! the part we are going to is very pretty so I'll
be sure to take lots of pictures.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week they had a talent show at church and so Hna Leyva
and I sang together and I played the piano. It was pretty funny because I
don't consider myself a very good singer but here I look really good so that
was fun haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are trying to work hard and make these last couple of
weeks count for my companion! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like I said, not much to report but life is good. I hope all
is well with the new house/city/ward! Happy birthday to Jake and Jessica this
week! Love you! The church is true!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-32490207138520054942014-08-05T11:54:00.002-07:002014-08-05T11:54:52.041-07:00crazy week<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The reason I'm writing late is because we got up early and
had Zone Pday going to a place called Caral in our zone, which are ancient
ruins. They are the most ancient ruins discovered in the Americas, and
the second most ancient in the world. We're talking 5000 years ago.
It was so cool! I took lots of pictures. We couldn't touch anything
but it was fun to see and take pictures and speculate about Jaredites,
haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So this week was pretty crazy and we only got like 3 1/2
days of proselyting, but it was still a good week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So this week we had to move apartments because there was a
single man living in our old building so we had to find a new apartment and
found one that is perfect! It's beautiful, but the only problem is that it's
like 60 degrees because the main window faces the ocean (beautiful) but has a
cold breeze. And the window doesn't really shut well haha. But it's
awesome. So, Mom, it looks like we both spent some time packing this
week! Along with Dad and Matt and Jessica and everybody. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we got all moved in and then the next day we traveled to
Lima for the mission leadership council which was awesome! President read to us
and discussed with us a talk called "The unwritten order of things"
given by Pres. Packer at a BYU devotional I think. It was aweome and he talked
a lot about becoming better leaders and being "quick to observe."
Then the asistants did a training on the commandments and they asked Hna Leyva
and I to do a demonstration on teaching Tithing which was nerve wracking front
of Pres. and all the leaders, but it turned out well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right now we are teaching the Huaman family which is an
awesome family that is VERY humble. They all came to church again which
was great and they have their bap. date for the 23rd so we are working with them
for that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than that I can't think of much that happened but life
is good and I'm happy. My companion goes home in three weeks, crazy!
Luckily she's awesome and keeps working and we are excited to see what else
there is to come here!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for everything! Love you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-74319654260324825432014-07-28T19:53:00.002-07:002014-07-28T19:53:56.939-07:00Feliz dias patrias!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola hola!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Peru independence day! Today and tomorrow are
holiday's of Peru's independence AKA there are lot of parties and no one is
going to let us in their house and lots of virgin parades in the streets. Fun
times! But I learned the Peru National Hymn and today have my little Peruvian
pin so I feel like a real Peruvian. Today our district is going to celebrate by
making mexican food, (don't ask me why) but yeah so stay tuned for how these
couple of days go!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was great and life is good and I'm just super
happy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neil got baptized this week! Woo! We were a little worried
because he had some doubts and didn't want to stop drinking coffee but we had a
good powerful lesson with him and he decided to get baptized and got baptized
and confirmed! His son however, still doesn't want to but we are working with
him and praying for him. It was pretty cool how we found them last month.
We just knocked their door and turns out that Cecilia, the wife of Neil,
got baptized when she was about 15 but had moved and such and the church
couldn't ever find her but now we did and are working with their family so they
can ALL get baptized and sealed! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we had to travel to Lima again which is always
interesting in the 4 hours on a bus with some type of action or horror movie
playing haha but we went because I had to do some final paperwork and... drum
roll please.... after a year and a half from when I submitted my papers and a
year in Peru, I'm legal! Woo! My visa went through and I even have a little
card with my picture on it. I'm excited. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We got word that Elder Anderson of the 12 is coming to Peru
and giving a conference to just our mission in the end of August, so that's
exciting! Bad news, we're so far from Lima that we probably won't be able to go
down. We are praying and thinking of different options so that we can,
I'm not going to lose the Faith! :)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sad to hear that the Jones family is leaving Joplin after a
solid decade, but it'll be good to move on to new things. Good luck with
the move! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is good and the church is true. Have a great week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, Hermana Jones <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-11513461865533145522014-07-28T19:50:00.002-07:002014-07-28T19:50:42.147-07:00Hola<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola familia,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So this week was super duper awesome because..... The rest
of the Pimentel family got baptized! So that family is basically like a family
of 8 but it's really two families of 4, so 1 family of four got baptized last
week and this week the other family of 4!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we did a visit down in Huaral, a couple of hours
away so we were gone on monday and tuesday and were nervous because we wanted
to get them baptized but we weren't in our area so we tried teaching them
wednesday and couldn't find them and then thursday we couldn't find them either
and we finally did on Friday. We had a big ol lesson planned and went and
taught it and the Spirit opened their hearts and they decided to get baptized
and DID! It was amazing. We had been praying so much trying to figure out
what to do and it was so cool to see how much the Lord trusts in us to give us
revelation and we were able to figure out their needs and they got baptized.
Life is good with them! We were visiting with all 8 of them last night
and it was so satisfying to know that they were all baptized and they brought
out a cake to celebrate and right before we started to cut it, Martin said, we
should probably say a prayer to bless it first! It was something small but just
so pleasing to see the change that has ocurred in their entire family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So our district has been getting really excited and we
really want to start baptizing lots of families because that is really the best
way to go so now we are having a contest to see who can find the biggest family
haha. Of course it is not the type of competition where we want others to
fail but we are supporting each other and it motivates us. We were always
calling in the district to say, We found a family of 10! or oh, now we have to
find a family of 12! but its awesome because it is working and this week we
found 2 families of 10! The Lord is blessing this area so much!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well other than I that I can't think of what else happened
this week but life is good! The church is true!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you bunches! oh and I'm glad you had a super duper
awesome vacation this week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-5239422863952096662014-07-28T19:42:00.002-07:002014-07-28T19:42:05.565-07:00Good Week<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola hola!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay this week was great because four of the Pimentel Family
got baptized! Carlos, Baudilia, and the twins, Patrick and Rusell. It was
an awesome baptism because the Elders in our branch also baptized a family of 4
so that was great and President Archibald made the long trip up to see it! He
is very picky about how baptisms should be so we had a planning meeting which
took like 3 hours and made it all perfect and it worked and President said it
was "awesome!" And it was. We were all so happy for them!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About 5 minutes before it ended, Cinithia walked in with her
kids, (The part of the family that was supposed to get baptized but didnt.)
It was a sad week for that because I had to learn how to respect people's
agency. Despite how happy we were for the four that DID get baptized, we
still were sad for the four that DIDN'T. However, we are still working
with them and they came to church yesterday so we aren't losing the Faith and
know they will get there! And now Carlos, their dad, can baptize them because
he has the Aaronic Priesthood. :)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is good here in Barranca, I love it here. It is
so tranquilo and great. It got super cold this week and there is a cold
wind from the ocean so I pulled out my coat and tights. But I think I'm
just whimpy because it's like in the 60s I think or maybe the 50s but I'm
freezing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Barranca I've eaten so many fun things! In my other areas
I didn't eat anything weirder than chicken feet or heart, but now I've added to
the list: duck, duck neck, duck heart, cow heart, octopus, snail, stingray,
fish eye, and Guinea pig! It's been a fun time. I need to take more
pictures of the things I eat but I don't want to offend the people by taking a
picture of their food and make them think I'm making fun of it haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This morning I was reading in Alma when he talks about
experiencing a might change in heart and he asks, "have ye been
spiritually born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances?"
and I was thinking about how our Spirits look the same as our bodies.
President was talking once about how when we grow spiritually, we
physically can see the difference and people actually look better, if that
makes sense. So I related that to this scripture and it clicked to me
that when we are trying to change and become better, we are literally "Receiving
his image in our countenances" and our countenances change. I
noticed that a ton with the Pimentel family this week. Yesterday, Carlos
went to the choir practice! Just imagine, a big rough lookign guy that rides a
motorcycle and has tattoos, singing in church choir! I was noticing how much
his coutnenance has changed in these couple weeks, and that can only be
explained by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The church is true! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you bunches,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-79046574113603458312014-07-28T19:33:00.002-07:002014-07-28T19:34:02.891-07:00Just call me Spider-hermana<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Buenos Dias!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Happy fourth of July this week!
It sounds like you had a fun little fiesta at home! We had a fun little fiesta
here too. Luckily I have an awesome companion that likes the US and knows I
love it so she learned the National Anthem and we woke up on Friday and I put
my flag on the curtain string and raised it up while singing the national
anthem. It was beautiful! The flag kept falling so we had to do it like 6 times
haha but it was great. Then later that day we made real American mashed
potatoes and root beer and brought them to lunch and it was delicious. Our
pensionista's husband put up red and blue balloons haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
So that was a great part of the
week. The rest of the week, well let's just say that Satan has been
attacking our area and our investigators, so it was rough. Please keep
praying for the Pimentel family! Four of them are set for their baptism but the
other four are having a TON of doubts out of nowhere and now don'twant to get
baptized. We are doing everything we can and praying lots for them, so
hopefully all turns out well! Also the other families, Cuenca family and Haro
Family are having lots of doubts that only are coming from Satan so yeah, we've
been battling pretty hard! Good thing we have the Lord on our side and even
though Satan thinks he's succeeding, The Lord will always win! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we also went to Lima for the mission leadership
council which was awesome. A few months ago one of the 70 was here
talking and he was saying that we are called to our missions not necessarily
because this is the exact area we need to be in, but for our mission presidents
and the companions we need. Well that is so true because just hearing
President Archibald is very inspiring and I can tell that it was inspired that
he is my mission president. I learn so much from him and Sister Archibald so I
love every opportunity we have to be trained by them or just to chat with them
about life and the Gospel. I learned a ton a he gave a training on God.
Literally, the first article of Faith, he just talked about God the Father and
it was so awesome to hear all of his insight on knowledge that I took for
granted. My perspective on our Heavenly Father has changed and I think
about Him differently now. That has changed my thought process this week
and has made me want to serve Him even better and more faithfully. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Also this week we were informed
that the end of August Elder Anderson will be coming and talking to us! Yay!
Our mission is in charge of putting a choir together so I signed up and they
choose from the list but my area is far from Lima so I probably won't but I'm
keeping my fingers crossed. :)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
But really, thanks for
everything and all the love and prayers. I'm so grateful to be here in
the service of the Lord and I know the church is true! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Hermana Jones<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-33208627927123257812014-07-01T06:36:00.002-07:002014-07-01T06:36:42.320-07:00Back in the promised land<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola hola!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay so I'm here back in the promised land of Barranca.
Huaraz was nice and pretty but FREEZING and the climate here is literally
perfect. I'm never hot and I'm never cold. Also it's the promised land
because the people here are amazing. Also its the promised land because there
are tons of fresh fruits that people give us all the time. Is it bad if
you eat too many oranges? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Big news. The Pimentel Family all officially agreed to get
baptized on July 12th! It is Carlos and his wife Baudilia, and their daughter
Cinthia with her husband Martin, and then four kids, Patrick and Russell who
are twins, age 11, Mishelle, age 10, and Martincito, age 9. They are excited
and we called Pres. Archibald and he is going to make the four hour drive and
come up to be here. We are so happy for them and are just so amazed by
all the miracles we are seeing and especially have seen with this family. Let
me just say that praying and fasting totally work! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also the Cuenca Family came to church and they are preparing
for baptism on the 19th and also the Haro Family came but they still have to
get married to be able to get baptized. Keep praying for them please! :)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm not sure what else to include here because this week was
just awesome and wizzed by!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I bought a Peruvian hammock in Huaraz and we hung it on our
bunk bed. It's pretty awesome. I'll send a picture.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is awesome here and I am growing in my testimony every
single day. The church is so true and God lives and hears and answers our
prayers! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you bunches, have a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-50858651064104117032014-06-23T19:16:00.002-07:002014-06-23T19:16:42.155-07:00Hello Hello<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello hello!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I'm writing this from the provincia of Huaraz, 10,000
feet above sea level! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Huaraz is the zone farthest north from the mission home and
Hermana Leyva and I are in charge of visiting here so we came up here to visit
the other hermanas and wow it is so different than Lima!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
We got up early and took a 4
hour taxi ride up here through the twisty turny scary roads of the Andes
Mountains and made it without throwing up! The only side effect is that I feel
like I can't breathe and it just feels like a ton of pressure on my head. We
have been walking around today and are already tired! It's so different but SO
GORGEOUS. the skies are so incredibly blue and there are snowy mountains
in the distance and I'm excited to see stars tonight. Also it's super
cold. I think i'm goign to freeze when the sun goes down.!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well this week was super awesome in our area. I
seriously never know what to write or tell because the weeks just fly by.
Good news! The Pimentel family ALL came to church yesterday and they are
getting more and more excited for their baptism! So they are all set on the
date for July 12th, all 8 of them! We are going to be praying and fasting a lot
for them, so make sure to keep them in your prayers!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another miracle, last week we met a little family of three
that is awesome. They all came to church yesterday as well and we visited
them again and the mom told us that she remembered that she got baptized about
30 years ago but hasn't been to church since and is so excited to return and
now her husband and son are going on July 19th! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ANOTHER miracle: also this last week we contacted a man in
the street that said he was married. (If they aren't officially married we
usually don't visit them.) So we went back and found out that he has his wife
and they have 5 kids, all above the age of 8. Well at the end of the lesson
we found out that they aren't actually married so we were super sad! It's so
hard to marry people here and usually they just aren't excited to do it.
Well we talked to them and found out that they actually DO want to get
married, but he doesn't have his birth certificate. It is in the town where he
was born, and here you can't just get on a computer and find it or anything,
you ahve to actually go there and get a copy. Well just guess where he
was born.... Huaraz!!! And where are we right now doing a work visit?
Huaraz!!!!! It was so perfect! When he said that we were like, hey! We're going
there next week! So he gave us his information and this morning we picked it up
and we are praying that they can get married quickly and get baptized this
month as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is awesome and I love being in the service of the Lord
and seeing miracles every day. Thanks for all the love and prayers!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The church is true! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-24419460173831311302014-06-23T18:25:00.003-07:002014-06-23T18:25:18.771-07:00Doin the work<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola Hola!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Father's day!!!!! And Happy Birthday Matt!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Father's day isn't nearly as big of a holiday here as
Mother's day, but I still remembered. Mostly because it is an excuse to
drink and not work, so it was a fun weekend! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last Pday was sweet because we went to the beach! The beach
here is awesome and not too crowded so we played soccer to celebrate the World
cup starting. (People here are pretty bitter that Peru is NEVER in the world
cup haha.) I'll attach some action shots of our zone soccer!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I had to go to an Immigrations office in Lima, so
I had to leave early on Tuesday and got back on Wednesday. Luckily we
were able to do divisions and Hna Leyva stayed here and worked so we weren't
just leaving our area. It's so weird being away from Lima and annoying to
travel but I hope I'm done with the legal stuff until I leave the country.
After I got back we kept working and had a great week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Pimentel Family is awesome and almost all are
progressing. 5 of them came to church yesterday but not all so we are
going to make sure they can all get baptized together here in July. Also,
Omar came to church again and he is awesome because he is somebody that
actually does what he says he is going to do. We'll set a lesson for the park
at 6 and he is there early! I've never met somebody like that here! It is
great. He has his date for this 28th of June. Pray for him and for
the Pimentel family! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday was a funny day, because there were a lot of drunk
people "celebrating Father's day" so we just had funny experiences.
Anyway so it was the end of the day and we had to stop by the branch
president's house to ask him something so we stopped by and the Elders were
there eating and we saw them through the window and they were saying to us,
"no!" like "don't come in!" so we knocked and that was a
mistake because they invited us in and were eating dinner (They eat dinner at 9
at night here) which means they are socially obligated to have us eat with
them. We were already full and know that He is a fisherman so it was
surely going to be seafood, and we knew we made a mistake going there haha. They
gave us rice and fish. And snail and octopus. So that was a good experience...
And then while we were eating a lamb walked in and was walking around and it
was just the weirdest and funniest experience to top off the weirdest and
funniest day. This is the best mission ever!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
President Archibald had a training this week with Elder Oaks
so we are excited to hear what he had to say and how we can help the work move
forward! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for all the love and prayers and have a great
week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-42151736420461367782014-06-12T19:35:00.000-07:002014-06-12T19:35:01.694-07:00Surprise, Surprise from Barranca<div class="MsoNormal">
Howdy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So a million things happened this week!! Tons of
surprises. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember last week when I said that I was pretty sure I
wasn't getting transferred? Well yeah I was totally wrong! So we finished
internet and our ZLs called us and said that I was getting transferred so I
needed to pack but I didn't believe them because they always joke about that
but it was true so I went and packed and we had a couple of lessons and I said
my goodbyes so some people and it was super sad! I absolutely loved Puente
Piedra so it was sad to leave and to leave Hna Alonso but I was excited to see
what was going to happen. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well we got to the transfers on Tuesday with all of my stuff
and they started naming off the transfers and everything and Hermana Agle, my
trainer here, who was a sister training leader in Barranca got sent up way
north to Huaraz to train again and then I got sent here to Barranca to be a
sister training leader in this north part of the mission. in
"Nortechico" as they call it, which means north of the city of Lima
and it is so different! It is beatiful! We are in Barranca which is about 4
hours north of Lima and it is right on the coast. My area, Limoncillo, is
literally on the coast and so we have the beach and I can see the ocean from
most of the parts of the area. The air is clear, there isn't as much
dust, not as many dogs, there are fields of sugar cane, and life is good!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My companion now is Hermana Leyva, and she makes this area
awesome as well! She is super duper and I already love her. We actually
feel like we already know each other because we have basically had all the same
companions haha. She is from Peru, Trujillo which is up North but we have
a ton in common because she speaks English and studied at BYU for three years.
Her dad was the mission president of the Lima East mission a couple
years back. She is great and we are already great friends and are loving
working here together. She goes home in two transfers, so in August. We
set lots of awesome goals together and are excited to get the work done here.
Everybody says that the work is harder here up North but we're just not
going to believe them and work anyway. There aren't a ton of members here, we
work in a branch and Barranca isn't a stake yet, it's a district. So our
job is to strengthen the branch and make it bigger! We're excited.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we also had our mission leadership council which
was great because President talked about how we really need to become
"Buscadores", or "Finders." Finding in missionary work is
what people normally like the least so once they find people, they just teach
them and then baptize them but then they have to start all over finding and it
becomes a cycle of not too much success. Well if we really want to
baptize weekly, we ahve to be FINDING weekly and just have the strong desire to
always open our mouths and preach the Gospel. So this week we have been
keeping that in mind and our new motto is, "No hay limites" or,
"No boundaries" in missionary work. Everytime we think
something might be weird or uncomfortable or inconvenient we just remember
that. For example, the other day we walked by a school and there was a car
parked with a family inside waiting for their child. we decided to knock
on the window and make them roll it down to talk to us and we got an
appointment from them! NO hay limites. This way the Lord can trust us more and
put people in our path in weird ways and we can find them. So now we are
finders in missionary work and are already seeing a ton of miracles here.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is good and I love my area and my companion and
missionary work!<br />
The church is so true and the Lord's hand is in this work!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No hay limites.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-67467585604697716392014-06-05T09:55:00.003-07:002014-06-05T09:55:08.722-07:00Life in the stone bridge<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola mi familia!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay well it seems like I was just writing yesterday because
this week flew by and I don't think I have any fun stories of going to Ecuador
or anything. It was just a good normal week in the work of the Lord!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our investigator, Copertino is still progressing towards his
baptism on the 14th. He came to church yesterday and loved it again and is
excited for his baptism.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our other awesome investigator, Roger, wasn't able to go to
church yesterday because he was sick :( so that was sad but we are going to
visit him and we will just have to push back his date another week and pray
that everything goes well. He is being a little colder to us so just pray that
everythign goes well with him!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we did a work visit with some sisters so I went to
another area with sister Margetts, from South Jordan UT. She is finishing
up her training here so she is pretty new in the mission but she is so sweet
and we had a great 24 hours together. She also was going to BYU before
the mission so I'm adding her to the list of people I can hang out with when I
get back! -I'm pretty sure all of my friends are getting married.... haha.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tomorrow are transfers again here in the mission but I think
Hermana Alonso and I are going to stick around here for atleast another
transfer. They haven't told us yet but later today they will. We already
have 3 transfers here together but we love each other and work well so
hopefully President doesn't find it prudent to split us up! Well I guess it's
really the Lord's call, but we'll see. :) I definitely don't want to leave the
dusty land of Puente Piedra!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This morning I finished the Book of Mormon in Spanish for
the 2nd time! It just gets better every time. I love how we are given the
invitiation to read it and ponder it and pray and find out for ourselves if it
is true. There are so many people that bash the Book of Mormon but they
can't say anything against a sincere testimony of somebody that has truly read
and prayed about the Book of Mormon, and received the witness that it is true.
I've received that witness many times and my testimony is strengthened
every time I read that great book. It's so true!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for everything and I love you bunches! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-8323207095617529872014-05-22T20:07:00.003-07:002014-05-22T20:07:15.610-07:00Tour DE Ecuador...and Peru<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola familia!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OKay, so you may be wondering why I'm sending this email on
a wednesday instead of Monday. Let me just explain, these past two days
have literally been the craziest ever! I'll try and fit everything in here and
help you understand how awesome these days have been.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week an Elder from the offices called me and said I
needed to be at the offices at 8am on Monday to go to the migrations office and
to bring money and clothes in case we got back late and I had to stay the night
in the offices. Well people do that all the time so it's normal but at 10 on
sunday night, another sister called me and asked what I was packing to go to
Ecuador. I was quiet and asked, "ecuador? what do you mean
ecuador?" and she said, "oh, you didn't know? We're going to ecuador
tomorrow." <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What?? Like the country??? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So yeah, I'm not sure how that detail got left out, but
about 15 of us had to go to ECUADOR!! Basically we are the ones that are here
without visas and our time went up and we were illegal so we had to fly to
Tumbes, the city closest to Ecuador, and take a bus to leave the coutnry and
then come back so they could give us six more months legal here. I was so
shocked! But that is what happened. We left and flew to Tumbes, up by the
border and it was an adventure!<br />
We got off the plane and it was incredibly hot and humid. We all got in a bus
and drove to Ecuador, waited in a line, entered the country, then turned around
and waited in a line to get back into Peru and they give us six more months!
Woo! So we finished all of that at about 3pm and our flight back wasn't until
9pm. SO the driver took us to the center of Tumbes and we just walked around
and took pictures and ate and it was great! Tumbes is so cool and green and has
a million mosquitos! So we finished up and went back to the airport and it
started pouring so our flight got delayed but then we finally made it back to
Lima at about 12 at night! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We drove to the offices and were getting ready to go to bed,
at this point it was about 1:30 am, when an Elder called us and told Hermana
Alonso and I that the next morning we had to be ready at 6:30 because President
was going to take us to the temple for being the comp of the month. Yay! So we
slept a good three hours, got ready and went to the temple. We did a session,
my first session in Spanish! And my first time seeing the new movie! (It's
awesome!) and it was so refreshing to be able to go after almost a year! I
loved it. So then President drove us around central Lima to see all the fancy
places and we went and ate at Tony Roma's on the beach! IT was so delicious and
I was in heaven. We went back and after about 30 hours being out of our
area, we finally made it back to our area at about 5pm last night.
What!!! THat was the most eventful to days of my mission haha. It
was incredible and I can't believe I went to Tumbes, Ecuador, and The center of
Lima. I took a million pictures and it was paradise. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We got back and were worried because we had been away from
our area for so long, that gives Satan a ton of time to work. Luckily we were
able to get to teaching again last night and everything is good so far.
Oh, and I'm extremely tired.... haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now every week that I don't go to another country is going
to seem boring haha. But they were good experiences. I absolutely LOVED
going to the temple and being able to just sit and clear my mind for a bit and
remember the covenants that I've made. There is a constant mission stress
here, worrying about all the people we meet and such, but It was great to be
able to sit and just enjoy the Spirit. To just think about what I've done here
and what I still need to do in these six months. I was able to reflect a lot
and feel the Spirit testify to me that the work I'm involved in is true, and
that I need to keep on keepin on here in the Lord's vineyard. The church is so
true!!!!<br />
This weekend we are excited for Pamela to get baptized, pray that everything
goes well for her! She's awesome.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for all the love and prayers, I hope everything is
going well back home! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hermana Jones <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-16818794517049335552014-05-01T20:30:00.003-07:002014-05-01T20:30:15.196-07:00Una Semana Loca<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola hola!<br />
<br />
Congrats to Lynelle for graduating BYU! I don't know if you'll still be
sticking around Provo or what but that's great and I hope you feel accomplished
from graduating from one of the top 80(or so?) universities in America! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
okay so we had an interesting week and this is why.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last monday we had transfers, and how they do them here is
that they call our leaders on Monday and tell us to pack up and go to the
meeting on Tuesday. We don't know where we are going, they just tell us to show
up with our stuff. Well Monday came and they said that Hermana Alonso and I
were staying together so we didn't have to pack or anything. Woo! We were super
excited because we DID NOT want to leave. It was great and we went and
celebrated by eating Lomo Saltado, my favorite peruvian dish. (picture
attached.) We enjoyed our Monday and all was well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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WELL, we woke up on Tuesday to a text message sent at
11:30pm from the assistant to president telling us to come to the transfer
meeting, without our suitcases... what? we were confused. But we went and it
was fun to be able to see all of the other sisters that were getting
transferred and we took pictures and such. So what they do is that
everybody goes into the room together and there is a slideshow and the
assistant announces, "In the area of _____ we have Hermana ____ with
Hermana _____" adn then our pictures and names pop up on the screen and we
find each other and hug and such. Well before the meeting I shook
President Archibald's hand and asked, "why are we here?" and he
laughed and said, "that's one of the three questions of the soul right?
Where did I come from, why am I here, and where am I going?" haha so he
thought he was pretty funny and didn't answer me. Well the slideshow started
and it came to our area and said, "In Puente Piedra 2, Hermana Jones and
Hermana Alonso, as sister training leaders!" And our pictures popped up
and so we jumped up and hugged and were super excited! So now Hermana Alonso
and I are sister training leaders together! Yay! <o:p></o:p></div>
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What is a STL you may ask? Okay so basically since they
changed the mission age there are a ton more sisters and Zone leaders and
district leaders can't go on exchanges with the sisters obviously so what we do
is we still work normally here and have our area and investigators but at least
once a week we travel to another area and do exchanges with other sisters to
help them in their area or with whatever they need. It's kinda like zone
leaders for sisters but not because we don't have the priesthood and still work
under all of the other leaders. A cool part is that we get to go to the mission
council meeting every month and get awesome trainings from President. I'm
excited!! We have a lot more pressure now and are going to be a lot busier but
it will be awesome to be able to work more and help others in the work as well,
and I can't imagine how much I am going to learn from all of this as
well! <o:p></o:p></div>
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So basically this week has flown by because we are getting
ourselves oriented with all that and also we had a fun service activity! We
painted the upstairs of the house of the Sanchez Family with our district. We
blasted our EFY music and all got to know the family well and the paint
actually turned out really well! (Sometimes missionaries don't do the most
quality work.... but hey! It's free) but no it looked really good and they were
grateful. All of the houses here are made of concrete so I don't know if
that is easier or harder to paint than dry wall but it worked out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The weather is getting cooler (in the 70s!) and our animo is
getting bigger. Life is good here in Puente Piedra and we are excited to
see what is to come in these next couple of months that we will be
together! <o:p></o:p></div>
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So at the beginning of my
mission I set the goal to read Jesus the Christ on my mission, and then I never
obtained the book and here it is only in Spanish. But hey, I might as well
start now and see what I can read in 7 months. Mom, is there an extra laying
around the house somewhere and if so, could you send it to me in the next
couple of weeks? They only have it in Spanish here.... If not, that will just
be a goal to accomplish after my mission. :)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for all the love and prayers and I hope all continues
to go well for the Jones Family! (and friends)<br />
<br />
Hermana Jones <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7378482560689566919.post-64975422684959364062014-05-01T20:28:00.004-07:002014-05-01T20:28:37.951-07:00La Semana Santa<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola hola!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Congrats to Matt and Jessica for getting married! And
welcome to the family, Jessica! From Mom's little note it sounded like all went
well and well, they ended up sealed so that's the important part. Send me some
pictures one of these days so I can see! <o:p></o:p></div>
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So now only two of us in the family lack our ticket to the
Celestial Kingdom. We'll get there! <o:p></o:p></div>
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This week went well and it was one of the most interesting
Easter's I have experienced!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So here they celebrate the entire week up until Friday.
They all burn incense and stuff like that and then thursday and friday
everybody got the day off work and school and such. Friday they only eat
Fish and nobody did anything all day except there were virgin mary parades in
the streets that people went out to participate in. It was interesting to
see the culture/religious differences of Easter. Everybody here celebrates the
death of Jesus Christ. While we are grateful for the fact that He died for our
sins, in the church we prefer to celebrate his resurrection and the fact that
He now lives! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Friday was a holiday for that reason but then everybody had
to work on saturday and sunday, as if his crucifixion was the only thing Christ
did. Anyway, we had lots of good lessons about Christ explaining the
garden of Gethsemani, (which most people don't know about) and the
resurrection. It was a good week and we had a lot of great lessons, but
everybody claimed to be die hard catholics despite they hadn't gone to church
in forever...haha. Anyway this week will be better because they will be back in
the rhythm of life and we can teach more about the Restored Gospel! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Yesterday I was actually asked to give a talk in church so I
decided to focus on the resurrection and it went great. While there are a
lot of members of the church here, most of them are recent converts so were
born into the Catholic church and carry on those traditions. I explained the
significance of the resurrection and the reason why we don't use crosses in the
church (Thanks for that quote by Pres. Hinckley, Dad!). It went well and when I
said, "you may notice there aren't any crosses in any building or
temple", a lot of people looked around surprised as if they had never
realized that before. It was pretty funny. It went well!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, it was a great week and life is good here! Today
they are going to inform us if we get transferred or not, and I'm hoping I'll
get to stay here for another transfer with Hermana Alonso! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Have a great week and Love you bunches! The church is
true! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157467705994526684noreply@blogger.com0