Week #35 - Cajamarca

HAPPY FATHER´S DAY!!!!

Feliz día del Padre to the best Dad in the whole world. My Dad is everything, and has been their every step of my life. He´s taught me the importance of goal setting and hard work in sports, in school. and helps me push myself beyond my limits. And I am so grateful for all that he has taught me up until now, because on the mission I am truly able to use what he´s taught me and understand why he did. Give your dad a huge hug, tell him how much you love him, and honor him by obeying him.

This week was a little crazy, we traveled at 12am this last Saturday with all the missionaries in our zone, 6 hours away to Trujillo, to hear Elder Gary E. Stevenson speak! It was an amazing experience. I´ll never forget how it felt to shake his hand and look into his eyes. We talked a lot about Preach my Gospel, and also got to listen to his wife speak. Elder Stevenson reemphasized the importance of  ¨searching for the elect¨. He explained that when he was a mission president in Japan, it wasn´t the most beautiful place. There were tons of factories and building and people, and even his wife said that she did not like it at all, at first. Here in Perú, it may not be the prettiest pace in the world. There´s dust, tons of wild dogs, it´s hot and sometimes it´s super cold. BUT they explained to us that your mission, wherever it is, is always the most beautiful place because this is the place where so many will come to the knowledge of their Redeemer. It was also an amazing experience, because two missions combined for the conference, Trujillo North and Trujillo South! And I had the chance to see my two trainers, Hermana Inmunda, and Hermana Cahuapaza. Hermana Cahapaza only has 7 weeks left on her mission, and I felt so happy to see her and to be able to talk with her so much more fluently haha. It was such a blessing from God.

We also had Zone conference, and all went well with our discussion that Hermana Ortiz and I led out. We talked about Chapter ten in Preach my Gospel, Teaching Skills.

The family Zabrano Chilón has been going through super hard challenges these past few weeks leading up to the baptism of their two daughters Lilly and Jolita. Their baptism was supposed to be this past Friday, but Lilly was still not doing good with her health and their other two daughters ended up having to go to the hospital too for their health, so Jolita and Lilly couldn´t have their interviews. Sometimes it´s so frustrating that these things happen, but I´m learning to just trust in the Lord and His timing instead of my own. I´m learning so much patience, and faith and love through this whole process on the mission, and know that I´ll benefit a ton from it after!

We finally taught Manuel this week, a 16 year-old who´s attended church 3 times after today, all three hours, and is reading a Book of Mormon one of the members gave him! Because of his classes at school and his schedule, it´s been hard to find him, but we finally were able to meet up at 8pm this last Tuesday and it went great.  He loves young men’s class and participates a ton. We extended a baptismal invitation and he said of course, then proceeded to ask a ton of questions that were kind of random haha. We know he´s going to progress, but we´re going to do all we can to help him put complete confidence and trust in the Lord, and understand the doctrine so that he can truly know that it´s true. 

Well, we have intercambios today again and have to travel to Pacasmayo...we’re pretty much dead from travelling so much this weekend, and it´s not gonna stop!! We are also starting week 6, which means changes will be coming this next week if there are any. I have 3 cambios, 4 months in Cajamarca! 

I hope you all have a great week. I know our Savior lives and loves every single one of us. Don´t let discouragement weaken your faith. Work hard, have patience and you´ll see results. Trust in the Lord´s timing, and you´ll find so much peace and happiness.

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Hermana Doney