July 26, 2010 - Hey Wonderful Family…
I now don’t need to worry about you guys too much because I know that you are doing okay. I also know that we don’t have that much time left and I will be able to see you, hug you, and talk with you, but there is still time left to keep working…
So, not much happened this week in my life either. We just keep on working hoping for the best in every moment. We are currently teaching a really cute family. The mom and kids were at Vania’s baptism last week and now we are teaching them. The dad is a hard worker, 24/7, and when he is in his house he is sleeping, but we were able to talk to him one time for about 15 minutes. The parents aren’t married so the mom isn’t going to be able to get baptized yet, but she attends Church and listens to the lessons, and is totally supportive of her kids… The kids, however, are so ready for baptism. They are so smart and intelligent… Carlos is the oldest. He is 14-years-old and is a reader. He loves to read and is a very patient kid with his two Little twin sisters… Samantha and Ana. They are both 8-years-old and even more intelligent than Carlos it would seem. They are full of giggles and are constantly laughing and they make everyone else around them laugh as well... It is so much fun to teach the three of them with their mom because they always understand, answer questions, and participate in the lessons. We always leave from that house satisfied with the visit and we have more gull to keep working… The kids are preparing to get baptized on the 7th of August so please pray for them… Pray especially for their parents so that they can get married. This way the mom will get baptized and be the example for the dad. He’ll come around when he doesn’t have to work and study every single day… Pray for them…
So, we tried playing volleyball last week, and it was absolutely horrible. It was nothing like Pucallpa. Nobody wanted to play, nobody knew how to play, and I just felt so small compared to the rest of the world… Okay, maybe I’m overexagerating, but really it wasn’t fun at all. I’ll just have to wait until I am back in Pucallpa to enjoy an exciting game of volley… But it wasn’t a total loss of the day because the Nelson Missionary Couple prepared us all home-cooked hamburgers. I put a ton of onion on my hamburger just like I love it. They were so good. It is so fun to have a married couple in our Zone because they spoil us to death… :) But as for volley, I will just keep the talent hidden until it comes time to use it. :)
Our Ward had such a fun activity on Saturday. It started off with a Gastronomic Festival of food from all parts of Peru: jungle, coast, and sierra (mountain range). It was so much fun to try food from every part of Peru. I was super full by the end. Then there was a Ward Talent Show and who was going to miss out on that? I had to participate of course… There were so many great numbers: sketches, songs, dances, and every other talent you can think of. One guy immitated Michael Jackson and did the moonwalk. Everyone said that his feet moved like if they were to have wheels on them. The Young Women did an awesome dance to Beyonce’s song “All the Single Ladies” and the the Young Men also performed a cool dance. It was so fun. I sang a Spanich pop song called “Coleccionista de Canciones” by Camila. It was so much fun. The best part was that a good member friend of mine, Ivan, accompanied me on the guitar. We didn’t have much time to practice and the performance was a little rough but everyone loved it, the Bishop, the Stake President, the children, the girls, the guys, everyone. Ivan was so nice to help me out and he did a great job. Yesterday everyone was calling me Elder Camila and we would just laugh and laugh. It was so much fun! I felt like I was back in my place where I love to be…on stage singing my heart out for an audience that just wants to take it in… Oh, I cannot wait to be back on a stage with lights, microphones, music, costumes, props, and everything… I honestly miss it so much. But there’s not that much left.
It feels so weird being in the Mission and starting to get old. I am one of the oldest Missionaries as for the time in the Mission… I know that I can do it. I know that I can Endure to the End. Like President Mickelsen always said, “You only need two things in the Mission to have success: Hard Work and Obedience.” That is all I want to do so that the time just keeps flying by and so that my companion and I can have even more success… I love being a Missionary and I love serving the Lord. He chose the perfect place for me to be…Peru. I love it here and can’t believe that I don’t have that much time left to live with my Peruvian Family. Pray for me always. Pray for my investigators. Pray for my converts. Pray for my Mission President. And always pray for our family. I love you guys so much and miss you even more. Take care until next week and please don’t forget about me… :) I love you.
Love you forever,
Coco
Thursday, July 29, 2010
"I LOVE MY ETERNAL FAMILY!!!"
July 19, 2010 - Hey Family,
How’s life going for everyone? I’m doing pretty good. Other than being freezing cold all the time, the Mission is going fine. We had a baptism this Saturday. I had the privilege of baptizing Vania Nicole Chavez Rodriguez. Her grandma is a recent convert to the Church of ten months. I feel bad for Vania because her parents are separated. Her dad doesn’t support her in anything and her mom lives in Italy working, so she is in her grandma’s custody. She has gone through so many trials and really wanted to get baptized to have the comfort of the Holy Ghost in her life. This is another reason that I thank Heavenly Father everyday for having such a special family that will always be together and will never be able to separate. I LOVE THAT THOUGHT!!! I LOVE MY ETERNAL FAMILY!!!
I got a package this week from the Canches Family in Independencia. Estrellita sent me a little note with a Machu Picchu bag and a Peruvian beanie. (I currently have the beanie on because it’s so cold outside…) I love their family so much and can’t wait to visit them before going home… :) I’m still waiting to receive that package that you guys sent. I can’t wait to get it…
Oh by the way, the address of the Mission changed because the Offices got moved, but don’t worry, if you sent things to the old address, I will still be able to receive the packages and letters because the West Mission’s Offices are still in the same spot and they can just walk the things you sent over to the new North Mission Offices. The new address is (so that you can tell everyone and start sending stuff there (I wouldn’t send things after the end of September because I don’t know if they’ll get here in time…):
Av. Carlos Izaguirre #124
Independencia, Lima 28
Perú
It’s a small world after all… This is so funny. So, I just got in my Ward in Comas and there is a Sister that just got back from her Mission like six weeks ago. Her name is Giovanna Julcapoma. We were at the Church the other day and she asked me if I was in the Peru MTC in November 2008. And just so you know, before talking with her, I thought she looked familiar. I told her yes and she told me that she was there too. She was Sister Thaxton’s companion. I couldn’t help but laugh and think about how fast the time passes by. She served in the Peru Arequipa Mission and now she’s a returned Missionary working hard in her ward and soon I will be too… It really is a small, small world…
So everything’s going fine. Today the Missionary Couple, Elder and Sister Nelson, are going to cook American hamburgers for us in the Chapel and we are going to have a volleyball competition. Finally… a little bit of volleyball. It just isn’t the same not being in the jungle…hot weather, shorts and sandals, with volleyball, without failure, every Monday… I miss it a ton. Not that much time left. Can you believe that half of July is already over??? I can’t believe it. July’s almost over, August is Extended Family Trip to Heber and the MPLN reunion at Landon’s house, September are Birthdays and school is back in session, October is General Conference and Halloween, and then there’s nothing left… It will pass before we know it… Just keep going strong and we’ll be so surprised by the speed of time…
I love you so much and miss you even more. Keep praying for me, for my comp, for the Missionaries in my Zone, for my investigators, for my converts, and for yourselves. You deserve it. I love you family. You’re the best!!!
Love you forever!!!
Coco
How’s life going for everyone? I’m doing pretty good. Other than being freezing cold all the time, the Mission is going fine. We had a baptism this Saturday. I had the privilege of baptizing Vania Nicole Chavez Rodriguez. Her grandma is a recent convert to the Church of ten months. I feel bad for Vania because her parents are separated. Her dad doesn’t support her in anything and her mom lives in Italy working, so she is in her grandma’s custody. She has gone through so many trials and really wanted to get baptized to have the comfort of the Holy Ghost in her life. This is another reason that I thank Heavenly Father everyday for having such a special family that will always be together and will never be able to separate. I LOVE THAT THOUGHT!!! I LOVE MY ETERNAL FAMILY!!!
I got a package this week from the Canches Family in Independencia. Estrellita sent me a little note with a Machu Picchu bag and a Peruvian beanie. (I currently have the beanie on because it’s so cold outside…) I love their family so much and can’t wait to visit them before going home… :) I’m still waiting to receive that package that you guys sent. I can’t wait to get it…
Oh by the way, the address of the Mission changed because the Offices got moved, but don’t worry, if you sent things to the old address, I will still be able to receive the packages and letters because the West Mission’s Offices are still in the same spot and they can just walk the things you sent over to the new North Mission Offices. The new address is (so that you can tell everyone and start sending stuff there (I wouldn’t send things after the end of September because I don’t know if they’ll get here in time…):
Av. Carlos Izaguirre #124
Independencia, Lima 28
Perú
It’s a small world after all… This is so funny. So, I just got in my Ward in Comas and there is a Sister that just got back from her Mission like six weeks ago. Her name is Giovanna Julcapoma. We were at the Church the other day and she asked me if I was in the Peru MTC in November 2008. And just so you know, before talking with her, I thought she looked familiar. I told her yes and she told me that she was there too. She was Sister Thaxton’s companion. I couldn’t help but laugh and think about how fast the time passes by. She served in the Peru Arequipa Mission and now she’s a returned Missionary working hard in her ward and soon I will be too… It really is a small, small world…
So everything’s going fine. Today the Missionary Couple, Elder and Sister Nelson, are going to cook American hamburgers for us in the Chapel and we are going to have a volleyball competition. Finally… a little bit of volleyball. It just isn’t the same not being in the jungle…hot weather, shorts and sandals, with volleyball, without failure, every Monday… I miss it a ton. Not that much time left. Can you believe that half of July is already over??? I can’t believe it. July’s almost over, August is Extended Family Trip to Heber and the MPLN reunion at Landon’s house, September are Birthdays and school is back in session, October is General Conference and Halloween, and then there’s nothing left… It will pass before we know it… Just keep going strong and we’ll be so surprised by the speed of time…
I love you so much and miss you even more. Keep praying for me, for my comp, for the Missionaries in my Zone, for my investigators, for my converts, and for yourselves. You deserve it. I love you family. You’re the best!!!
Love you forever!!!
Coco
"It was nice to be "HOME" for a second and say a prayer..."
July 13, 2010 - “We are Family!!! I got all my sisters with me… oh yeah, We are Family!!!” Hey Fam. I’m just walking along minding my business…and enjoying the Mission…
This week was Interviews and I had the awesome opportunity of being the Zone Leader that goes with President’s Wife to inspect the Missionaries’ houses. It was so much fun to go with Sister Blunck and Elder Martelo to visit the houses and have a fun talk with Sister Blunck. She is so sweet and had so many questions about the life here in Peru. She has never been to a third-world country and is still going through a little bit of the culture shock, but loving being here. She doesn’t know Spanish, so just like any Gringo, she is having to learn the language as she goes along. We had a really fun talk about our families and everything. I also had a good talk one-on-one with the new President. He is such a nice man and has so many desires to help us out as Missionaries to become better teachers of the Gospel. I also had a Temple Recommend interview with him because mine has already expired that I got before the Mission. That tells you that I have a lot of time in the Mission doesn’t it?… Let me tell you that the Temple Recommend interview was a little different, you could say easier, being a Missionary and being here in the Mission. I honestly could say yes or no to the questions without having to doubt, and I could even share my testimony because I have come to gain such a sure testimony of this Gospel. It was a really special experience and guess what? The only person that signs the Recommend other than me is President…only one interview… It is a different experience… I am excited to keep working here in the Mission with President and Sister Blunck. :)
As you guys know, I am not a huge seafood fan, but I got served seafood this week and guess what? I absolutely loved it. To start off was a soup and in the soup was fish chunks, recently-taken-out-of-the-shell oysters, a crab’s arm (the big Sebastian pinchers…), and algae (seaweed). It was a delicious soup, and I have to say that the crab was really good. I think I am starting to like the seafood and will be eating more of it when I get home… The plate was a fried fillet of fish served with a delicious creamy orange-flavored sauce. It was delightful, delicious, and delovely. Really it was one of the best meals that I have eaten in my Mission… Strange, I know, that I was able to eat seafood, but it was really good.
WE HAD A BAPTISM THIS WEEK!!! My companion baptized Ricarda Violeta Cueva Suarez. She is about 70-years-old and her husband just got baptized two weeks ago. And her husband’s sister that lives with them (72-years-old) will be getting baptized the first week of August… We are so excited for this sweet couple because in one year’s time, they are going to be able to go to the Temple to be sealed as a Celestial and Eternal Family!!! What a blessing that will be in their life… Someday, for the example they are setting as parents and grandparents, all of their family will be members of the Church. What a special thought…
Mom, don’t worry about me. Yes, I can wait to come back to Peru, but I would love to at least come back maybe just with you if the whole family isn’t able to come down (just like Elder Rich and his Mom) but I just wanted Chase to be with us because he’ll be leaving for the Mission soon after I get back… Peru has it’s heart waiting with open arms for you guys to come down…especially Pucallpa… But yes, I would love to take a vacation to Disneyworld or New York (WICKED) or Washington D.C., etc. Let me know what you decide. Just so you know, I know that they have already boughten my flight home… Can you believe that? I don’t know if you got the itinerary yet (I don’t have it), but you should be receiving it soon…Wow, that’s another reminder of how close it is getting…
Sorry that I can’t be Link in Chase’s show. It is one of the roles that I would love to play some day… I can’t wait to start singing and dancing back up again when I get home… :)
Doug Fidler? Are you serious? I love him so much. He was my Zone Leader when I went to Iquitos more than a year ago. I’m pretty sure that I sent him a Christmas card this Christmas. I don’t know if he got it, but I sure remember him. He helped me out so much in the Mission. He helped me realize that the Mssion is possible and ispired me a ton. It makes me feel good knowing that he rembemered about me after all this time…Mom, I can receive packages really fast now that I am in Lima… Please send it asap along with a big bag of midgee marshmallows and a box of rice crispies. I would like to make some homemade rice crispy treats… We have a place to cook in my house right now… :) Any other fun treats that you would like to send me will be accepted as well. (Hint…Hint…) But please don’t send a ton. You don’t need to be spending lots of money on me. Just be prepared to spoil me when I get back home…
We went to the Temple today, which was a wonderful experience. I haven’t been to the Temple in like five months because I was in the Jungle… It was nice to be “HOME” for a second and say a prayer in the Celestial Room thanking God for the amazing Family that I have, for helping me get this far in the Mission and asking Him to keep blessing us… I love the Temple!!! After going to the Temple, the Missionary couple Elder and Sister Nelson invited us all out to eat Pizza Hut Pizza. It was super good… Our Zone had a fun day… I love you guys so much!!! Say “Hi” to the dogs for me. I miss being able to play with them and lay down in bed with them… I’m sure they miss me too right? Not too long left and I’ll be playing with them in our new home… Oh I am so super excited, but I just need to keep working hard and helping out the Missionaries in my Zone… Pray for me to have strength and to receive everything I need to help them out. I love you so much Family and miss you even more…Take care.
Love, Coco
This week was Interviews and I had the awesome opportunity of being the Zone Leader that goes with President’s Wife to inspect the Missionaries’ houses. It was so much fun to go with Sister Blunck and Elder Martelo to visit the houses and have a fun talk with Sister Blunck. She is so sweet and had so many questions about the life here in Peru. She has never been to a third-world country and is still going through a little bit of the culture shock, but loving being here. She doesn’t know Spanish, so just like any Gringo, she is having to learn the language as she goes along. We had a really fun talk about our families and everything. I also had a good talk one-on-one with the new President. He is such a nice man and has so many desires to help us out as Missionaries to become better teachers of the Gospel. I also had a Temple Recommend interview with him because mine has already expired that I got before the Mission. That tells you that I have a lot of time in the Mission doesn’t it?… Let me tell you that the Temple Recommend interview was a little different, you could say easier, being a Missionary and being here in the Mission. I honestly could say yes or no to the questions without having to doubt, and I could even share my testimony because I have come to gain such a sure testimony of this Gospel. It was a really special experience and guess what? The only person that signs the Recommend other than me is President…only one interview… It is a different experience… I am excited to keep working here in the Mission with President and Sister Blunck. :)
As you guys know, I am not a huge seafood fan, but I got served seafood this week and guess what? I absolutely loved it. To start off was a soup and in the soup was fish chunks, recently-taken-out-of-the-shell oysters, a crab’s arm (the big Sebastian pinchers…), and algae (seaweed). It was a delicious soup, and I have to say that the crab was really good. I think I am starting to like the seafood and will be eating more of it when I get home… The plate was a fried fillet of fish served with a delicious creamy orange-flavored sauce. It was delightful, delicious, and delovely. Really it was one of the best meals that I have eaten in my Mission… Strange, I know, that I was able to eat seafood, but it was really good.
WE HAD A BAPTISM THIS WEEK!!! My companion baptized Ricarda Violeta Cueva Suarez. She is about 70-years-old and her husband just got baptized two weeks ago. And her husband’s sister that lives with them (72-years-old) will be getting baptized the first week of August… We are so excited for this sweet couple because in one year’s time, they are going to be able to go to the Temple to be sealed as a Celestial and Eternal Family!!! What a blessing that will be in their life… Someday, for the example they are setting as parents and grandparents, all of their family will be members of the Church. What a special thought…
Mom, don’t worry about me. Yes, I can wait to come back to Peru, but I would love to at least come back maybe just with you if the whole family isn’t able to come down (just like Elder Rich and his Mom) but I just wanted Chase to be with us because he’ll be leaving for the Mission soon after I get back… Peru has it’s heart waiting with open arms for you guys to come down…especially Pucallpa… But yes, I would love to take a vacation to Disneyworld or New York (WICKED) or Washington D.C., etc. Let me know what you decide. Just so you know, I know that they have already boughten my flight home… Can you believe that? I don’t know if you got the itinerary yet (I don’t have it), but you should be receiving it soon…Wow, that’s another reminder of how close it is getting…
Sorry that I can’t be Link in Chase’s show. It is one of the roles that I would love to play some day… I can’t wait to start singing and dancing back up again when I get home… :)
Doug Fidler? Are you serious? I love him so much. He was my Zone Leader when I went to Iquitos more than a year ago. I’m pretty sure that I sent him a Christmas card this Christmas. I don’t know if he got it, but I sure remember him. He helped me out so much in the Mission. He helped me realize that the Mssion is possible and ispired me a ton. It makes me feel good knowing that he rembemered about me after all this time…Mom, I can receive packages really fast now that I am in Lima… Please send it asap along with a big bag of midgee marshmallows and a box of rice crispies. I would like to make some homemade rice crispy treats… We have a place to cook in my house right now… :) Any other fun treats that you would like to send me will be accepted as well. (Hint…Hint…) But please don’t send a ton. You don’t need to be spending lots of money on me. Just be prepared to spoil me when I get back home…
We went to the Temple today, which was a wonderful experience. I haven’t been to the Temple in like five months because I was in the Jungle… It was nice to be “HOME” for a second and say a prayer in the Celestial Room thanking God for the amazing Family that I have, for helping me get this far in the Mission and asking Him to keep blessing us… I love the Temple!!! After going to the Temple, the Missionary couple Elder and Sister Nelson invited us all out to eat Pizza Hut Pizza. It was super good… Our Zone had a fun day… I love you guys so much!!! Say “Hi” to the dogs for me. I miss being able to play with them and lay down in bed with them… I’m sure they miss me too right? Not too long left and I’ll be playing with them in our new home… Oh I am so super excited, but I just need to keep working hard and helping out the Missionaries in my Zone… Pray for me to have strength and to receive everything I need to help them out. I love you so much Family and miss you even more…Take care.
Love, Coco
"...which would be a wonderful gift for me!"
July 5, 2010 -
My Dearest Family,
Today’s going to be a short note home because I just barely wrote you on Wednesday…and the most exciting news was the Change of Pucallpa to Lima. It really was hard to leave Pucallpa behind, but now I just need to keep working where I am and endure to the end… :) (2 Nephi 31:20)
On Thursday we had Zone Leader Conference. It was really nice. We got to meet the new Presdient and his sweet wife. President and Sister Blunck. He speaks Spanish really well, but his wife is just barely learning, but it will come with time. They also brought one daughter with them that will be leaving to serve in the Peru Cuzco Mission starting in September. Sister Blunck is really nice, just like any Gringo Mom. (She’s kind of a mix of you Mom, mixed with Elder Rich’s Mom…) :) She is really sweet with so many desires to learn Spanish and to help the Missionaries… President Blunck is really nice as well. He read with us 2 Nephi 31 and it was like Family Scripture Study, every one of us sharing what we thought about each verse. It was really interesting to have his perspective of the Doctrine and help me increase my knowledge and understanding. He is going to be a great President for this Mission…
I have a great ward here as well. It sure isn’t anything like Pucallpa, but I do have a great Bishop and great Ward members that are going to help us out a ton in the work. I am so excited to just get to work and have the members’ help because that makes everything nice. I don’t know if it is going to be Lima from here on out, but I think it will be. I think I am going to stay in the area where I am until I finish my Mission. Why do I think that? Well, I am going to send my Companion home this Change, so I will almost definitely be staying the next Change to take care of the area and the Zone. Then I will only have one more Change after that one, and I think I will just want to stay where I am to not have to get to know another area and other members and everything…unless it is possible that I go to the Jungle for my last Change, which would be a wonderful gift for me… But I think Comas is going to be my home for a while. Keep me unpdated on the weather there…Just so you know…it’s freezing cold, and there isn’t snow…just like we don’t like it. If it’s going to be cold there better be snow… :)
Hey, could you send me some ideas of fun activities that we could do as Missionaries in our Zone? I need ideas of activities. Also, send me a list of good recent Disney and animated cartoon movies (Pixar, etc.) because we can watch one movie a Change, but I would like to know which movies are good so we don’t just watch any regular movie… Not many are fans of HSM so I can’t make them watch it… Go HSM!!!
Just so you know, my P-Day is every Monday except for the week that we go to the Temple. Here in Lima, we go to the Temple once a change. I don’t know what week or day that it will be still so it might come unexpected. Since the Temple isn’t open on Mondays, P-Day gets changed in that week so don’t worry if for some reason you don’t get an e-mail from me on Monday. I will write on the day that we go to the Temple, but if I know beforehand, I will let you know so that you won’t have to worry too much. I know you worry just because you love me. I love you so so so much…
Just keep praying for me and know that I love you all and miss you even more. July is already passing by. Can you believe it? Only 3 Fast Sundays left… I love you. Take care in all that you do…vacation, school, work, home, Church callings, worrying about your boy in Peru, everything… I love you so much. Take care until next week. LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!
Love, Coco
My Dearest Family,
Today’s going to be a short note home because I just barely wrote you on Wednesday…and the most exciting news was the Change of Pucallpa to Lima. It really was hard to leave Pucallpa behind, but now I just need to keep working where I am and endure to the end… :) (2 Nephi 31:20)
On Thursday we had Zone Leader Conference. It was really nice. We got to meet the new Presdient and his sweet wife. President and Sister Blunck. He speaks Spanish really well, but his wife is just barely learning, but it will come with time. They also brought one daughter with them that will be leaving to serve in the Peru Cuzco Mission starting in September. Sister Blunck is really nice, just like any Gringo Mom. (She’s kind of a mix of you Mom, mixed with Elder Rich’s Mom…) :) She is really sweet with so many desires to learn Spanish and to help the Missionaries… President Blunck is really nice as well. He read with us 2 Nephi 31 and it was like Family Scripture Study, every one of us sharing what we thought about each verse. It was really interesting to have his perspective of the Doctrine and help me increase my knowledge and understanding. He is going to be a great President for this Mission…
I have a great ward here as well. It sure isn’t anything like Pucallpa, but I do have a great Bishop and great Ward members that are going to help us out a ton in the work. I am so excited to just get to work and have the members’ help because that makes everything nice. I don’t know if it is going to be Lima from here on out, but I think it will be. I think I am going to stay in the area where I am until I finish my Mission. Why do I think that? Well, I am going to send my Companion home this Change, so I will almost definitely be staying the next Change to take care of the area and the Zone. Then I will only have one more Change after that one, and I think I will just want to stay where I am to not have to get to know another area and other members and everything…unless it is possible that I go to the Jungle for my last Change, which would be a wonderful gift for me… But I think Comas is going to be my home for a while. Keep me unpdated on the weather there…Just so you know…it’s freezing cold, and there isn’t snow…just like we don’t like it. If it’s going to be cold there better be snow… :)
Hey, could you send me some ideas of fun activities that we could do as Missionaries in our Zone? I need ideas of activities. Also, send me a list of good recent Disney and animated cartoon movies (Pixar, etc.) because we can watch one movie a Change, but I would like to know which movies are good so we don’t just watch any regular movie… Not many are fans of HSM so I can’t make them watch it… Go HSM!!!
Just so you know, my P-Day is every Monday except for the week that we go to the Temple. Here in Lima, we go to the Temple once a change. I don’t know what week or day that it will be still so it might come unexpected. Since the Temple isn’t open on Mondays, P-Day gets changed in that week so don’t worry if for some reason you don’t get an e-mail from me on Monday. I will write on the day that we go to the Temple, but if I know beforehand, I will let you know so that you won’t have to worry too much. I know you worry just because you love me. I love you so so so much…
Just keep praying for me and know that I love you all and miss you even more. July is already passing by. Can you believe it? Only 3 Fast Sundays left… I love you. Take care in all that you do…vacation, school, work, home, Church callings, worrying about your boy in Peru, everything… I love you so much. Take care until next week. LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!
Love, Coco
Thursday, July 1, 2010
"My heart still really aches for Pucallpa"
June 30, 2010 - Hey Celestial Family,
I am so super excited for everthing that is going on right now. I’m sorry that I had to leave you in suspense. I was busy doing Changes on Monday. You are never going to believe everything that is going on. It is all good. Sunday night, I flew into Lima and I stayed the night in the Offices, which was way fun to return back to where I lived for more than 7 months, now those Offices are of the West Mission!!! Monday were the Changes!!! I had to leave Pucallpa behind, but I will talk about that in a sec. I want to first start with my Change… I am here in Lima in the Zona called Comas! I am going to stay in the Peru Lima North Mission to finish my Mission. And guess what??? I’M A ZONE LEADER!!! I got moved up to Zone Leader, which is going to be so much fun. It is a lot more responsibility, but I am ready to take it on. President Pérez asked me in my interview last week if I was ready to take on new responsibilities. I told him that before, no, I wasn’t, but now, sí. He told me that I wasn’t going to be in the jungle, but that I was going to have a good companion. I love my Companion!!! His name is Elder Garnica and is from Tarija, Bolivia. He is so nice, a Little serious, but super funny, and we get along great!!! We want to have so much success in our Zone, in our Area, and just enjoy this Change. This Change starts today 30 June 2010 and ends 11 August 2010. And guess what? My companion is finishing this Change. He doesn’t want to get “trunky” at all so I have to help him out. No, not really. He’s not “trunky” and we are going to have a ton of success this Change. We are both Zone Leaders and with him having 23 Months and me having 20 now, we are going to have so much success…
I hit 20 Months! Can you believe it? Another month has come and gone. Oh, where does the time go. 4 Months in Pucallpa passed by like nothing.
I have to tell you guys something. On Saturday, we had a huge Ward Fiesta and we played games all day long and in the nighttime, the Ward and all of our friends threw us a going-away party… (Oh, by the way, Elder Padilla got sent to Iquitos, still as Junior Companion…) The Ward really loved us. On Sunday, the Bishopric asked my comp and I to bear our testimonies in Sacrament Meeting. He went first and then it was my turn to finish the meeting. I was totally fine bearing my testimony and sharing my love for them, but then I just had to look at Zoila Panaifo (the Mom of the Family that I baptized…) and she was in tears… (Flashback to Mission Farewell, Riverton Park Ward, 26 October 2008. I saw my Mom crying…) Totally embarassing, I burst into tears right then and there at the pulpit. By the end of the meeting, every Mom and girl, and even some of the men and good amigos were in tears… It was a great moment that I will never forget… Then in the nighttime…EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE, came to the airport to say goodbye to me… I recieved gifts and cards and hugs and handshakes and by the end of the two hours waiting in the airport to enter into security, I didn’t want to leave. They even made me sing one last time…in the airport. I of course broke out the Spanish/English High School Musical and then it was time to go through security. Hardest moment in my life… Everyone broke into tears again. I shook Zoila’s hand and gave Tedy a big hug and broke into tears… I was leaving behind a huge family in Pucallpa… I almost couldn’t stand leaving them behind… But it was time to go. I went through security and then had to wait about 15 minutes. When I left outside to walk to the staircase and climb into the plane, everyone was on the second floor looking out the glass windows waving and blowing kisses and I just kept waving my hand until the very last moment when I had to enter in the plane… I can honestly say that Pucallpa took my heart away. I cried all day Sunday finding it hard to believe that it came to an end… I left my heart in Pucallpa and I cannot wait to go back. (I know that I loved Iquitos, but I can now say that Pucallpa is by far the best place that I have been…) I have to come back. I’m sorry if this sounds like a cheesy story, but my heart still really aches for Pucallpa: the friends, the volleyball, the members, the converts, the fun experiences, and all of the amazing things that happened while I was there… I’ll be going back soon…
Well, I don’t know if you guys are in tears after that story, but my eyes are sure watery… But let’s get to some happy news. Mom, don’t worry about school, just get the grades and study good. You know the Church is true. Nobody can ever take your testimony away. It is what will give you Eternal Life with me, Dallis, Chase, and Dad... (okay, let’s not start crying again Colyn…) We are going to live together forever because of the right things that we are doing. I have no doubt that we are going to be an Eternal and Celestial Family. That thought gives me so much hope and motivation. I know it will happen…
I am enjoying really cold weather here in Lima. I went from shorts, sandals, sunglasses, sunscreen, sunshine, and rain in Pucallpa to two pairs of pajama pants, two pairs of socks, a shirt, a sweater, a scarf, a beanie, and gloves here in Lima. We don’t have air conditioning which means we don’t have heat either. I just snuggle up really good in the nighttime. The great thing is that I get to shower in hot wáter… Yes!!! And I have a really nice house that I live in… I have a flat area without big dusty hills. Yesterday, my comp and I bought Papa John’s Pizza to celebrate my 20 Months in the Mission. :) I have great members and we have good people to teach that I still don’t know, but that are preparing to get baptized… I am super excited to work here in Comas, Lima. Our Zone has seven companionships. All are Elders except for one, which is a Missionary Couple for Utah, Elder and Sister Nelson. She served a Mission in Uruguay a long time ago and knows Spanish, but her husband doesn’t. They are super nice and funny. We have four new Missionaries in the Zone. They entered in the Mission on Monday. Remember when I only had two days in the Mission. Oh, that was so long ago, and aren’t we happy to know that so much time has gone by. My goal is just to help these new and young Missionaries so that they can be even better than I am, which isn’t too hard, because I’m not the best Missionary:) I am so excited just to work and have a ton of success… Pray for me to be a good Zone Leader and to be able to receive the revelation I need to direct this Zone together with my companion Elder Garnica, with the accent on the “i”.
Family, I love you so much and I miss you even more. Just keep going strong because there’s not that much time left. Don’t worry about me. I am fine. Pres and Sis Pérez go home today I got to see them on Monday, but will not be seeing them anymore. Tomorrow is a huge meeting for all the Zone Leaders in the Mission and we are going to meet the new President. I am so excited and happy. I love you so much. Take care.
Love, Coco
I am so super excited for everthing that is going on right now. I’m sorry that I had to leave you in suspense. I was busy doing Changes on Monday. You are never going to believe everything that is going on. It is all good. Sunday night, I flew into Lima and I stayed the night in the Offices, which was way fun to return back to where I lived for more than 7 months, now those Offices are of the West Mission!!! Monday were the Changes!!! I had to leave Pucallpa behind, but I will talk about that in a sec. I want to first start with my Change… I am here in Lima in the Zona called Comas! I am going to stay in the Peru Lima North Mission to finish my Mission. And guess what??? I’M A ZONE LEADER!!! I got moved up to Zone Leader, which is going to be so much fun. It is a lot more responsibility, but I am ready to take it on. President Pérez asked me in my interview last week if I was ready to take on new responsibilities. I told him that before, no, I wasn’t, but now, sí. He told me that I wasn’t going to be in the jungle, but that I was going to have a good companion. I love my Companion!!! His name is Elder Garnica and is from Tarija, Bolivia. He is so nice, a Little serious, but super funny, and we get along great!!! We want to have so much success in our Zone, in our Area, and just enjoy this Change. This Change starts today 30 June 2010 and ends 11 August 2010. And guess what? My companion is finishing this Change. He doesn’t want to get “trunky” at all so I have to help him out. No, not really. He’s not “trunky” and we are going to have a ton of success this Change. We are both Zone Leaders and with him having 23 Months and me having 20 now, we are going to have so much success…
I hit 20 Months! Can you believe it? Another month has come and gone. Oh, where does the time go. 4 Months in Pucallpa passed by like nothing.
I have to tell you guys something. On Saturday, we had a huge Ward Fiesta and we played games all day long and in the nighttime, the Ward and all of our friends threw us a going-away party… (Oh, by the way, Elder Padilla got sent to Iquitos, still as Junior Companion…) The Ward really loved us. On Sunday, the Bishopric asked my comp and I to bear our testimonies in Sacrament Meeting. He went first and then it was my turn to finish the meeting. I was totally fine bearing my testimony and sharing my love for them, but then I just had to look at Zoila Panaifo (the Mom of the Family that I baptized…) and she was in tears… (Flashback to Mission Farewell, Riverton Park Ward, 26 October 2008. I saw my Mom crying…) Totally embarassing, I burst into tears right then and there at the pulpit. By the end of the meeting, every Mom and girl, and even some of the men and good amigos were in tears… It was a great moment that I will never forget… Then in the nighttime…EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE, came to the airport to say goodbye to me… I recieved gifts and cards and hugs and handshakes and by the end of the two hours waiting in the airport to enter into security, I didn’t want to leave. They even made me sing one last time…in the airport. I of course broke out the Spanish/English High School Musical and then it was time to go through security. Hardest moment in my life… Everyone broke into tears again. I shook Zoila’s hand and gave Tedy a big hug and broke into tears… I was leaving behind a huge family in Pucallpa… I almost couldn’t stand leaving them behind… But it was time to go. I went through security and then had to wait about 15 minutes. When I left outside to walk to the staircase and climb into the plane, everyone was on the second floor looking out the glass windows waving and blowing kisses and I just kept waving my hand until the very last moment when I had to enter in the plane… I can honestly say that Pucallpa took my heart away. I cried all day Sunday finding it hard to believe that it came to an end… I left my heart in Pucallpa and I cannot wait to go back. (I know that I loved Iquitos, but I can now say that Pucallpa is by far the best place that I have been…) I have to come back. I’m sorry if this sounds like a cheesy story, but my heart still really aches for Pucallpa: the friends, the volleyball, the members, the converts, the fun experiences, and all of the amazing things that happened while I was there… I’ll be going back soon…
Well, I don’t know if you guys are in tears after that story, but my eyes are sure watery… But let’s get to some happy news. Mom, don’t worry about school, just get the grades and study good. You know the Church is true. Nobody can ever take your testimony away. It is what will give you Eternal Life with me, Dallis, Chase, and Dad... (okay, let’s not start crying again Colyn…) We are going to live together forever because of the right things that we are doing. I have no doubt that we are going to be an Eternal and Celestial Family. That thought gives me so much hope and motivation. I know it will happen…
I am enjoying really cold weather here in Lima. I went from shorts, sandals, sunglasses, sunscreen, sunshine, and rain in Pucallpa to two pairs of pajama pants, two pairs of socks, a shirt, a sweater, a scarf, a beanie, and gloves here in Lima. We don’t have air conditioning which means we don’t have heat either. I just snuggle up really good in the nighttime. The great thing is that I get to shower in hot wáter… Yes!!! And I have a really nice house that I live in… I have a flat area without big dusty hills. Yesterday, my comp and I bought Papa John’s Pizza to celebrate my 20 Months in the Mission. :) I have great members and we have good people to teach that I still don’t know, but that are preparing to get baptized… I am super excited to work here in Comas, Lima. Our Zone has seven companionships. All are Elders except for one, which is a Missionary Couple for Utah, Elder and Sister Nelson. She served a Mission in Uruguay a long time ago and knows Spanish, but her husband doesn’t. They are super nice and funny. We have four new Missionaries in the Zone. They entered in the Mission on Monday. Remember when I only had two days in the Mission. Oh, that was so long ago, and aren’t we happy to know that so much time has gone by. My goal is just to help these new and young Missionaries so that they can be even better than I am, which isn’t too hard, because I’m not the best Missionary:) I am so excited just to work and have a ton of success… Pray for me to be a good Zone Leader and to be able to receive the revelation I need to direct this Zone together with my companion Elder Garnica, with the accent on the “i”.
Family, I love you so much and I miss you even more. Just keep going strong because there’s not that much time left. Don’t worry about me. I am fine. Pres and Sis Pérez go home today I got to see them on Monday, but will not be seeing them anymore. Tomorrow is a huge meeting for all the Zone Leaders in the Mission and we are going to meet the new President. I am so excited and happy. I love you so much. Take care.
Love, Coco
"I feel so loved!"
June 24, 2010 - Hey Super Family,
I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to write until now, but here I am. Today is the 24th of June, which here in the Jungle of Peru is a huge Holiday. Dìa de San Juan. It is a day that everyone celebrates the remembrance of John the Baptist. Remember that last year, I was in Iquitos for this Holiday. Everyone eats Juanes which are the rice balls, with olives, chicken, and boiled eggs… I am not a huge fan of Juanes, but I can eat them…
President and Sister Pèrez’ Farewell was so nice. We had the interviews Monday morning and then in the afternoon, we all went to lunch and had chicken, french fries, salad, Coca-Cola, ice-cream, and just pure good conversation. Of course, I sat next to President and Sister Pèrez because it was the last moment that I was going to be able to share with them. I love them so much, and they love me too. In my interview with President, I told him thanks for everything and I told him that my family and especially my parents were very thankful for everything that he and his sweet wife have done for me. I also thanked him for helping me progress. He told me “no” that he didn’t do anything, but that I was the one that had done everything to progress. What a humble and nice guy. He also told me my Change, but I will wait to tell you guys on Monday… You are going to be surprised… It was a super nice last interview with President Pèrez. Sister Pèrez was really nice. I had a quick conversation with her while everyone else was occupied and she thanked me for everything, for being more that just a Missionary and friend for them, but more like their son. She gave me a sweet gift from them: a white tie for the Temple. On the back it says: “Un Nivel Màs Alto” and their names. I"ll let you guys look up what it means. It is a really special gift. Sister Pèrez was super funny saying that she is super “trunky” right now, and her husband as well. She says that it is impossible to not be “trunky” when the time is almost up. She says that her family reminds her every minute how much time is left (hmmm, who does that remind me of???). She says that it is okay to be “trunky” but we just have to work until the end. ETTE. I didn’t cry, but I felt really satisfied with everything that they said. I am going to miss my Uruguayan parents. But everything is okay.
I recieved some letters and cards from converts and members. The best cards were from Gladys and Estrella Canches from Independencia. I also received a package from Bailee Paxman…DORITOS!!! I feel so loved…
Family, just know that I am super good and will be writing soon…Monday. I love you so much. Take care and be excited for the Changes!!! I LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!
Love, Coco
PS. I love that Chase and Dallis miss me… I love you so much…
I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to write until now, but here I am. Today is the 24th of June, which here in the Jungle of Peru is a huge Holiday. Dìa de San Juan. It is a day that everyone celebrates the remembrance of John the Baptist. Remember that last year, I was in Iquitos for this Holiday. Everyone eats Juanes which are the rice balls, with olives, chicken, and boiled eggs… I am not a huge fan of Juanes, but I can eat them…
President and Sister Pèrez’ Farewell was so nice. We had the interviews Monday morning and then in the afternoon, we all went to lunch and had chicken, french fries, salad, Coca-Cola, ice-cream, and just pure good conversation. Of course, I sat next to President and Sister Pèrez because it was the last moment that I was going to be able to share with them. I love them so much, and they love me too. In my interview with President, I told him thanks for everything and I told him that my family and especially my parents were very thankful for everything that he and his sweet wife have done for me. I also thanked him for helping me progress. He told me “no” that he didn’t do anything, but that I was the one that had done everything to progress. What a humble and nice guy. He also told me my Change, but I will wait to tell you guys on Monday… You are going to be surprised… It was a super nice last interview with President Pèrez. Sister Pèrez was really nice. I had a quick conversation with her while everyone else was occupied and she thanked me for everything, for being more that just a Missionary and friend for them, but more like their son. She gave me a sweet gift from them: a white tie for the Temple. On the back it says: “Un Nivel Màs Alto” and their names. I"ll let you guys look up what it means. It is a really special gift. Sister Pèrez was super funny saying that she is super “trunky” right now, and her husband as well. She says that it is impossible to not be “trunky” when the time is almost up. She says that her family reminds her every minute how much time is left (hmmm, who does that remind me of???). She says that it is okay to be “trunky” but we just have to work until the end. ETTE. I didn’t cry, but I felt really satisfied with everything that they said. I am going to miss my Uruguayan parents. But everything is okay.
I recieved some letters and cards from converts and members. The best cards were from Gladys and Estrella Canches from Independencia. I also received a package from Bailee Paxman…DORITOS!!! I feel so loved…
Family, just know that I am super good and will be writing soon…Monday. I love you so much. Take care and be excited for the Changes!!! I LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!
Love, Coco
PS. I love that Chase and Dallis miss me… I love you so much…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
