Miraculous

Hello all!

Can't believe another week has flown by. Time sure goes faster as you get older in the mission. We were really happy with the work we did this week though! We officially have two people that will be getting baptized this coming Saturday: Rosa and Fernando. They are both great people who were truly prepared by the hand of the Lord to receive the gospel. Rosa is a single mother who was actually referred to the Church by her friend who lives in the USA. She even watched all of general conference at a time that she didn't even know the missionaries! She came to church two weeks in a row and requested baptism. Fernando is a really humble man who lives with his aunt, something that's very common here in Peru, even when they're adults. He is very simple, but has a strong testimony about the Book of Mormon. Open your mouth and share the gospel guys! You never know where it will take the people that you share it with.

Otherwise, everything is great. We are trying to lay off the American food lately and eat more Peruvian food (much cheaper). I like it, but am a bit tired of eating the same thing every day. It's been really cold this week too! I even broke out the sweater for the first time in an entire year!
My favorite dish that I have been eating a lot lately is called aji de gallina. It is basically boiled chicken and potatoes covered in a yellow gravy that is made of crushed up saltine crackers, oil, and chooped up aji, or spicy peppers. It is really spicy and totally delicious. It sounds easy to make, so I plan on learning how so I can make it for Xmas eve dinner this year! Beware! The most common job here is to either work construction, or to make a little store of food and drinks in your house. THe supermarkets are for rich people only, but that's where I can find almost all the American stuff that I buy. About 80% of Peruvians are self-employed.

Hope you enjoy the picture of the house we live in!

Love ya
Trace

Changes...And Still No Changes

Hello all!

I apologize beforehand that I have no pictures to send. Some weeks just go by without too much happening! We did have a great week though, with lots of investigators coming to church, and a bunch of new people coming out of the woodwork. We are so happy to be seeing the fruits of our labors lately. It has been hard to go so long without baptisms and whatnot, but I know that it is all in the Lord's plans. We will see what He has in store for us this change.

But changes did come, and there was no change for me! Elder Massey and I will be staying together for 4 more weeks here in Central, and then I will probably get the boot. The changes are normally 6 weeks, but this one is shorter since President Turk is leaving! We are so sad to see them leave, but we are also excited for President and Sister Marler to come. Things are changing around here.

Not too much else to say, but I will try and send pics next week. Love you guys!

Trace

A Fine Week

Hello family and friends!

First, it was so good to see some of you yesterday via Skype. I sure am glad that technology has caught up big time and that I was able to see you guys all 4 times during my mission. Can't believe it was the last call, to be honest...where has all the time gone? I guess we can't focus on the past though...gotta keep pressing forward to the future.

Anyway, we had a great week this week with TWO baptisms, ending a ridiculously long drought that we were having. I don't know if I already told you guys the story, but Elder Massey and I were simply walking down the street a few weeks ago on a slow SUnday afternoon, when we heard two little kids from a window calling out to us. That happens rather frequently here in Trujillo with two white guys walking together, but luckily my companion was sensitive to the spirit and stopped to talk to them. Their names are Josue and Karla, and turns out that their mom is a less active member from Lima, and neither of the kids had been baptized yet. Missionary miracle! The baptismal service went great, especially since the leaders of the Primary organization helped us out big time. The ward is definitely looking up.

WE also found another miracle this week...and not in terms of investigators. While looking for an investigator that Elder Richards and I used to teach, we stumbled into a little burger place that was in some Peruvian's garage, and found...wait for it...some white guy from San Antonio. Who didn't speak Spanish. Who was making delicious, cheap burgers. With American ingredients. And he had UT decorations on his wall. Can you believe it? Obviously, we bought an INCREDIBLE burger from him, and chatted for awhile about Texas. Couldn't believe that I would meet another Texan (who wasn't a missionary) all the way over here in Trujillo.

Anyways, I miss you guys! Hope everything is going well.
Trace