"I love it! I love it! I love it!"

February 13, 2010 -
Sweet and Special Family,
Wow. It has been such a slow week. I don’t know why. I think the emotions of leaving the Offices behind are starting to get to me. This has become my home and I am just used to everything. But it’s all going to change now. :) My "son" came this week and I have been training him. His name is Elder Wheiler and he is from Washington State. It is kind of nice to have someone taking my position because I teach him what to do, let him do it, and then I work on something else to help get things done. Next week is going to be a much busier week because we will be preparing for the Changes. I am going to be so busy teaching him everything that he has to do to prepare for the Changes. This week and the next week are going to fly by: the week of preparing for the Changes and then Change Week.
So, what part of the jungle am I going to??? I am heading off to Yurimaguas, which is like a suburb of Tarapoto. You’ll have to look it up to see where it is. It is closer to Lima than Iquitos is, but I don’t get to take a direct flight to Yurimaguas. There is a small airport there, but it is just for small airplanes that take tourists around and things like that. I have to take a flight to Tarapoto, and then I have to take about a two-hour bus ride to Yurimaguas. It really is out in the middle of nowhere in the jungle. I am so excited! It is going to be so much fun to be back in the beautiful jungle. I am going to be District Leader, which is going to be fun, but I am so nervous about leading a group of Missionaries. Because Yurimaguas is so far away from all other civilization, it will be just my District there, which is made up of only four Missionaries, and we all live together. It is going to be quite an experience. I am so excited to get out and teach and baptize like crazy. President told me to thank you Mom and Dad for raising such a good son to come to this Mission and be able to get to know him. He says that your son, (that’s me), has been able to win his and Sister Pérez’ hearts over. I will never forget the precious amount of time that I have been able to share with President Pérez and his sweet wife. They are two of the sweetest people that I have ever met on earth. I hope to always be in contact with them and their family. They are so special to me and I never will forget all the amazing things that they have done for me. It has been a wonderful experience and I know that going back into the Field is what I need to do. I am going to work so hard and these last six changes will pass like nothing. I just need to keep myself focused on the Work and just do it. All-Star Missionary Troy Bolton is coming back into action!!! I am so excited to be back in the jungle and enjoy the life that is there. It is so much livelier and the Work just seems so much easier there. I plan on having so much more fun, and having a lot more success. It is going to be a great experience. Just pray for me to have success, to avoid getting dengue from the mosquitoes, to have the Spirit with me, and to be a good District Leader. I am really nervous about this position because I have to train and help other Missionaries out, which means I need to start knowing everything without having doubts. I am studying Preach My Gospel like crazy so that I can answer any question that my Missionaries are going to have. Please pray for me. I am so nervous…excited, but even more nervous. Just please pray for me…
Today we had a really “trunky” day. We woke up and lazily got ready. I went and bought an onion, a stick of celery, a couple eggs, and cheese, put it all together, and made a good omelet in the morning. We then went on this beautiful “trunky” day to the Center of Lima. And guess what we did? We just walked around, and had a great time. It was absolutely excellent. The sun was shining, burnt Elder Steed’s neck, but not mine because I was smart enough in the morning to put on sun block just incase the sun came out. And of course, the only day we are outside in Lima, the sun comes out. It was a great day. We ended by eating at an American air-conditioned McDonald’s. It was a great day. I’m trying to get everything ready to leave the Offices. I will be leaving a suitcase behind and some boxes for when I get back. I am so excited and just trying to keep the emotions of leaving the Offices behind on the down low.
Fun news: I was reading the Church News and guess what? Brother and Sister Lindley, my Missionary Prep teachers that I went to every Sunday morning the year before my Mission, are going to be Mission President and Wife starting on July 1st in the England Leeds Mission. That is such exciting news. :) And who is the new Mission President of Peru Lima North Mission? His name is Lawrence P. Blunck. (Go to this address to look at him: http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58779/New-mission-presidents.html :) I am sure that he is going to be a great President. I will miss the great relationship I have with President and Sister Pérez. But the Mission goes on, just like life does. There are tons of things that will be happening in the Peru Lima North Mission and all the Missions in Peru in the next few months that are going to be so exciting, so be paying attention to Church News on the Internet and tune into everything you hear about Missions or Missionaries in Peru. Big things are about to take place. It is so exciting, but super Top Secret, until the news release comes out. The Church is growing like crazy down here in Peru and the Brethren are going to take advantage of this opportunity. What a blessing to be in such a great Mission and a great place to serve. Pay tons of attention to the news about the Church in Peru. It is going to take you by surprise. :) Just know that I am so happy. I love this work. I know that it is true. It is so cool to be a Missionary. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love you so much family. Keep going strong and never give up. I love you so much.
Love, Coco
P.S. Happy Valentine's Day!!! I love you guys so much. Take care.