Hello All

Hey guys!

I've definitely missed you all this week, just because I suppose it hasn't been the easiest one in the world to endure. I will apologize in advance for the lack of pictures, but I was so busy this week that I couldn't take any. I will definitely start improving on that front.

This week I had a companion change, thanks to the fact that my local companion went home because his time was up, and another elder in the mission received an emergency change to my area. I have no idea how much time he will be here, but hopefully it isn't long. The new missionary that I'm supposed to train still hasn't come...I'm pretty sure he's from USA but not sure.

We have been looking for a lot of new people to teach lately. We have one young woman who is supposed to get baptized this Saturday, but has been having some serious doubts about the law of tithing. It is tough for the people here in Peru, because they have almost nothing. They just don't understand all the blessings that come through faithful tithe paying!

I'm finally used to the food and all...just gotta make sure I don't get fat!  I have definitely gained a pound or two. I basically feel like a Peruvian to be honest. I am totally used to the language and speak very little English.

Hope you guys are doing well. I will be working hard to have a better week this week. Stay close to the gospel no matter what, even though sometimes it will be hard. I know this work is true and that the Lord loves us all. I miss you and think about you every day.

Much love
Trace

Raining Baptisms!

Family!

We really our happy here, because we are finding ALL of the people in Alto Moche who are ready to be baptized. This week, a great man named Cesar was baptized by our bishop after we taught him all the lessons! He has definitely had his struggles with everything, but he has repented, made it through, and now is a member of the church! We are so excited for him...now to get him a calling! In the picture you can see my local companion, "Elder" Castro. He is an awesome dude, though he doesn't talk to much. I guess I got used to Elder Acuña talking alllll the time. Haha.

It is starting to heat up again in Peru. The hottest months of the year are November, December, and January, so we are just prepping I suppose. Can't believe I'll have a year in just one more month. I've realized that the mission really is just a blink of an eye in the eternal scale of things. For that, we need to keep working hard and ALWAYS doing our best! You feel a lot more happy when you do that anyway.

Hope everyone is doing well and staying safe! I miss you all more than you know.

Love
Trace

Still Kickin'

Hello all!

I just want to apologize first, because I didn't take one single photo this week. Expect double next week!

It has been another week at the grindstone here in Alto Moche. I am currently with Elder Castro, a young man from a part of Trujillo called Palermo. He is a great little dude (and I mean little), with a lot of energy and a big heart. He already knows a lot of stuff in regards to missionary work, so it has been quite fun to teach him and help him get better. However, it can be a bit difficult at times, just because all of our efforts fall on my shoulders, simply because I am in charge here. I feel like I kinda understand what it feels like to be a new parent! Always in charge of someone else and their well-being...it gets tiring!

We are still teaching a lot of young people here in the area. It is actually great because all of the young men and women that we are baptizing are bringing their friends to church and helping them come into the gospel. It is exciting!

Hope you guys are all doing well. Sorry my group letters are starting to kinda be boring, but the mission becomes a routine at a certain point after a lot of experience. Just know that we are working hard and are waiting for my real kid to arrive! Love you all.

Trace

PS Thanks a million to Christy for the Bucees nuggets. It's nice to have a taste of Texas in Alto Moche, Peru. You're awesome!

Baptism

I'm A Missionary Father!

Hello all!

Yes, I received some shocking news today...but don't worry I'm not REALLY a father (though in terms of mission slang, I am). I was all packed and ready to go last night, thinking that FOR SURE I would be leaving Alto Moche this change, but not so! My leaders called me and informed me that I will be staying to train a brand new missionary! (In the mission, they call the trainers "Dads" and the new missionaries "Sons"...so I will be having my first son in the mission). I am pretty excited, though a bit apprehensive to be staying here all the way until December! Oh well, we will definitely have a fun time and learn a lot together.

I actually won't get to meet him for a few more weeks because he is not Peruvian (I don't know where he's from), and apparently is having some trouble getting a Visa to enter the country, so I will be with a local missionary, in other words, a priest or elder from Trujillo who is preparing for a mission and is going to come with me and be my stand-in companion. Needless to say, it will be an interesting next 6 weeks.

To answer the question on food - chips and salsa DO NOT EXSIT HERE!(can you believe that I've gone 10 months without eating chips and salsa and I'm not dead yet?!) so if you can figure out any way to send me some I would die of happiness. By the way, the Combos pretzel things were definitely the MVP of this package. So delicious...send more please!

Hope you guys enjoy the picture! We had a baptism this Saturday of a great young man named Milton. His mom came to the service and said that she wants to get baptized too! The Lord is really blessing us here in Alto Moche. Keep us in your prayers!

Love you all.
Trace