El Altooooo

Hello all

Another week of the usual: finding, teaching, walking, eating strange Peruvian things, and having a lot of fun. I don't have any new pictures from this week, so I just sent one that I took of the giant central plaza in Trujillo, and one of me with one of my good buddies in the zone, Elder May (that one is still from last week when we climbed the giant sand dune).

We have had a lot of success this week! With some extra effort, we were able to find some families where all of the members aren't baptized (we call them PF's in the mission) and other very good and ready investigators that we didn't even know we had. It is amazing what the Lord will give you if you just try a little harder. We were also able to go to a very cool multi-zone conference with a bunch of other missionaries where we got to hear an awesome talk by President Turk on repentance and also got to eat...wait for it...PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA! It was amazing. I don't think I have ever eaten that much pizza before in my life. It was absolutely delicious. I was sad when it was over.

Other than that, everything is great! Hopefully everyone is doing great at home. Shout out to Garett and Tanya who will be having a very fun week on the ranch this week! Wish I was there to see you guys and enjoy in the summer fun! However, I am enjoying the wind and sand of Peru. Take care all.

Trace

Still Working...Never stop...

Hello!

We are still working hard here. It really feels like it never stops. However, the work is good, and I feel good. It is nice. Pictures!! These came from our experience today for P Day. We literally hiked up a gigantic sandy hill (and I mean HUGE) to go see this lighthouse that ended up having barbed wire all the way around it. How's that for irony? It was still fun though, and I got some nice pictures of me on giant rocks again.

Not too much news going on here. We have been working really hard in the area, mostly because the people before me here did'nt do much. There has been a lot of different things to sort out. We also had interviews this week, so I actually made the blog. That also meant that we got to eat CHICKEN!!! It was so delicious...and free! I love chicken with aji (spicy sauce). That will be just about the only thing that I miss from Peruano cuisine.

Thanks so much to Tanya and Garrett for the package!! The Cheez its are my favorite. The individual bags was a great idea too! Thank you!!

Keep working hard everyone! Always keep us in your prayers, because we need it.

Love
Trace

Miss you all!

Dear Family

Wow! It was so great to talk to you guys. Thanks for filling me in on everything, even though Skype was a bit difficult to communicate through! It was awesome to see you all. Sorry that my English was terrible. I can't believe that it has suffered that much! Oh well, I guess that is the price of learning a different language right?

Anyway, everyone looked great! I am so glad you are all having so much fun and growing up so fast! Things here are fine. I am still getting used to the new area and trying to get everything in order. Our room and pensionista is way better than it was in Huarmey, so I am rather happy. We don't have too many great investigators right now, but I will definitely keep you updated! Since we teach all day every day, we should start improving! We really are working hard.

Thought you would enjoy these two pictures. The first is with me and my first convert and his grandson when I said goodbye to them in Huarmey. He is a great guy and I will miss him a lot! The other is my view from my room here. In the distance you can see the beach! Pretty cool eh?

I love you guys a ton! Thanks so much to Ben and Becky for the AMAZING packages they sent. Also, I thought I already updated her on this, but Kayleigh, I did get your little 6 month package! I wrote all about it in the letter I sent you :) Love you all!

Trace

All New All Over Again

Hello family!

I am here in the new Alto Moche! It is a fun little area, and I must say that it was really nice for a change. I am actually writing you from Trujillo itself, because we come here every P day. It is super fun to see the city for the first time. I was really out in the boonies there in Huarmey. Anyway, Alto Moche is quite literally a giant hill made entirely of sand 20 minutes south of Trujillo. I am not kidding. There are no streets, just sand. It is nice and soft to walk on, but let me tell you, your feet are tired by the end of the day.

My new comp is named Elder Zapana. He was born and raised in Peru until the age of 14, when he moved to Utah with his family. So, he is fluent in both English and Spanish! It is super fun to talk Spanglish all day. I think we will work well together.

The ward is also very big and very helpful! This is a nice change from the rather dysfunctional branch that was in Huarmey. We have a bishop and members who love the work. I am excited to be here, especially since the 2nd area is usually where you spend the most time. I will most likely be here for 6 months or more! Crazy!

So sorry, but in the change of everything, I forgot my camera cord! I will definitely send pictures next week!
Also, I received your "gas station" package!!!  IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! I loved especially the Cheetos and the flavored nuts.  Thanks so much.

Love ya,
Trace