Week #63 The wedding!

Me and my balloon groom.

Angela was the cutest Bride!!

Wedding Day

Lima Central

March 30, 2015,

Hola Familia,

Wow this week was really fun and crazy.We had a lot of things going on! Wednesday I spent the day with hermana consultores working on family history. Thenon Friday we traveled to lima central to sign wedding papers, and that night we held a “white out” (baptism where everyone wears white). Saturday we had the wedding in the district offices, and Sunday we held a big family home. Honestly, it was such a busy week, I can’t believe how fast it went. We worked super hard, besides all the events mentioned above, we taught almost 40 lessons this week and made over 100 contacts. It was a very successfull week. Hermana Luna and I are SOO happy.

Something that I really had put into practice this week is a little concept I learned in my leadership class in high school called “flipping the switch”. As missionaries we do not have time to rest. We are ALWAYS working. This week with some huge things going on we really had to be on top of everything.Unfortunately I came down with a bad cold/flu. Literally every morning I woke up just wanting to stay curled up in my bed and do nothing because my body just felt awful. Every morning I had to find a way to “flip the switch” and get out of bed and carryout all of my work, even though it was hard and I was sick. I could have been a burden to my companion I could have comlained the whole day and done nothing but attitude is every thing. If we do things with a good attitude our perspective changes and we can lift those around us. The best part is that we can choose our atitude. We can choose to be sad and depressed or we can choose to be happy and positive. This Sunday was fast and testimony meeting. I bore my testimony about how the gospel of Christ makes us happy and that it can transform who we are. I think one of the biggest examples of some one who has changed from the gospel of Christ is my ward mission leader. He comes from a super tough background he basically doesnt have a family. He has struggled with a lot of things and the gospel has completly changed his life around; he is an inspiration to everyone who comes into contact with him. This week he completed one year as a member. It was areally exciting day! He was baptised last year and after his baptism he read the Book of Mormon in 5 days and his progression has just conintued on from there. He knows the scriptures better than most members... better than many misisionaries. He has baptised TONS of people and it is a miracle before my eyes to see how Jesus Christ can change the life of somelike Miguel. 

                         

The wedding this week was wonderful! We got everything ready and it was super smooth. Normally weddings have tons of complications but honestly the only hitch in this wedding, were the bride and groom getting married.. We Got up at 5:00am to help A get her hair and makeup and her dress ready.  She was the cutest little bride ever. We got to the district offices and took lots of pictures and then they were officially married. I am so happy for them.  

See you all in the summer!

Hermana Huish

Week #61 Transferred to Canto Rey

The week in pictures:

Right before transfers

 My palate is expanding on the mission. A few weeks ago I was served boiled chicken blood at a home and given crackers to dip in the blood. It wasn't easy, but I actually ate it. A mission is a little like survivor.

 Missionaries don't just teach the gospel, we do a lot of other things. For example, I have also become quite a wedding planner. A couple we are teaching is preparing to get married so this week I was trying to help the bride find a dress

Saying goodbye to some wonderful families in Santa Isabelle

Transfers

My new area is called Canto Rey. 

The night before transfers, I stayed up all night packing my suitcases and getting ready to go to my new area. When I got to the district offices I saw an old friend named Miguel Angel at the door. He used to come on appointments with me and Hrm. Pintado in Begonias. We Joked around saying that I would be assigned to his ward and guess what???? I am back in my home! I am back in San Juan de Lurigancho In Miguel Angels ward My new area is called Canto Rey. I couldn't believe It!  After it was announced everyone thought it was funny because I ran up to Miguel angel to tell him that I would be serving in his ward! It was the gift of prophecy! haha.

My first week here was super duper busy!!!! We are living in basically a little cave that is very small and HOT but I am sure I will get use to it. My new ward is tiny, only about 70 people but we have several great investigatores. This week we had the baptism of a 19 year old girl named K. We taught her early every morning this past week so that she would be prepared. We also have a couple V and A who we are teaching, they are sooo sweet.! A is like a little soft mouse and she has soo much faith. We inscribed them this week to be married and things are going great.

Another cool thing about this ward is that we teach a guitar class! I barley know how to play but it has been an awesome activity and I am getting better. But honestly the best part of this ward is Miguel Angel. He is our ward mission leader and he basically lives the life of a missionary. He is a recent convert and was baptized just last year but his testimony and conversion story is the BEST!  He knows more about the church then me and my companion put together. Every day this week he came with us on appointments and he really makes the work a lot of fun, which is the best part! We are always laughing and making jokes. Its awesome. I don't have much time left in the mission and I am  pretty sure this will be my last area so I hope to make it my BEST! 

Love  you all!

See you soon!

Hermana Huish

Week # 60 Fields of Flowers

 I baked "betty crocker" cupcakes with my friends in Santa Isabella this week. Anything from the US is a hit in Lima.

We worked at a sunflower field this week. You have to be happy when you are surrounded rows and rows of beautiful sunflowers, and you get to ride a tractor.

This week I answered a few questions about serving a mission. I hope this is helpful to anyone who is thinking of serving. 

1. Can you tell a difference when you are teaching with the spirit?

Of course there is a huge difference when we teach with the spirit. In D&C 42 it says “And the spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith and if ye recieve not the Spirit ye shall not teach.” I testify of this spcripture. The spirit is absolutely the key to the conversion. If the investigatores dont feel the spirit there is in no way that they will accept our message. Missionaries can feel when they are teaching with the spirit and when they are not. It is so important to be able to channel the spirit into the lesson with questions and adapting the lesson to the needs of the invesigator. 

2. How many times a week are you rejected and how do you deal with it?

To give you a little bit of a clue of how many times we are rejected here is a picture of my agenda on a bad day. Circles mean they were set appointments, the X’s through the time means we were rejected, and the check means that we were accepted and we taught something. This is an example of an extreme day when nobody accepted us . Not all days are like this but it is true in the missionyou are rejected A LOT. If we are turned away right up front, i dont feel that bad. Normally we just laugh it off and keep going. However, when we have a recent convert, or less active, or an investigator that we have been teaching for a whie and they reject us it really hurts becuase these people have knowledge and basic understanding of the gospel principals. Even though it is really hard for missionaries to accept rejection we have to realize and remmeber that every person has their free agency. As missionaries if we taught with the spirit and did all that we possibly could and they still decide to reject the gospel we cant do anything more, and we have to move on. Rejection for me has been really hard but the longer I am out the better I have learned to deal with it. 

3. What were your biggest concerns as you began serving a mission?

Our personal concerns change throughout the mission. At the begining of my mission my biggest concerns were mainly about adapting to a new culture. Don’t get me worng I was really excited to be in a new country. But honestly I was really nervous to be somewhere where I didnt speak the langauge, and I had no knowledge of the customs. The first few months out were all about adapting to the Peruvian culture as well as the missionary life in general. No music, no tv,and all of the rules were a big adjustment.  After a few I adapted to the mission lifestyle and my concerns changed. I was no longer focused on myself but more concerned for the people that I was teaching.

 I can remember in the CCM discussing our fears.We went around a circle talking about our biggest concerns and one elder said that his biggest fear was having fears. This really made an impact on every one. God doesnt want us to be worried or fearful. Doubt and fear come from satan. We are here to do the Lords work and if we have fears we arent trusting that God will help us along this journey. In D&C 6. 33 it says “Fear not to do good, my sons for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. Therefore, fear not, little flock, do good, let earth and hell combine against you for if ye are build upon my rock they cannot prevail.”  If anyone has fears before entering the mission field I invite them to get rid of their fears, put your confidence in God and trust that he will help you through whatever trial you encounter. You don’t ever need to be worried. That applies to life in general, not only for the mission field. Fear is something so natural but really it is a weakness that we need to overcome with faith in God. 

4. What talents and abilities do you have that have been helpful as you preach the gospel.

The biggest resource any missionary possess is a testimony. If your desires and testimony are in a good place you are set to serve a mission but if you are thinking about other things, if you desire to be doing soemthing else or if you dont have a strong testimony about a gospel principal people will notice. The other day we were teaching an investigator,  W. He had recieved lessons years before but never felt the testimony of the elders. When we taught the lesson of the restoration of the Gospel he was left speechless. He commented to us that he believed. In previous lessons he wasnt convinced but our convition and our testionies helped him understand the restoration of the gospel.  If you can, FIND YOUR TESTIMONY before you come out. That will be a big help!!

week #59 Fruits of the work

HELLLO! 
 I have been a little frustrated in my area recently because it was not yielding many "frutos" or results. I started to doubt myself as a missionary and the work it self. But, I have learned that I need to look at the big picture and focus on improving what is in my control. As I turn inward and evaluate my own deficiencies the path to perfection and improvement becomes clearer. God’s plan is for us to learn from our mistakes. So this week I took a big long look at my debilities and what personal issues I have that may be holding back our work. As funny as it seems, the attribute I kept coming back to was patience. The last several months I have been completely caught up in the time. In the mission we never have enough time to accomplish all that we need to do. I have been too concerned about getting through the lessons and teaching the doctrine of the scriptures that I forgot to listen to the doubts and needs of the investigatores. I was just “teaching” lessons instead of letting the spirit truly testify that what we are saying is true. This lack of patience is one reason our investegatores are not progressing.  Thank goodness for my companion, Hna Espinoza, she has been helping me to listen and teach according to the doubts and concerns of the investigatores. We can ask them questions about what they have learned and if they really feel and believe what they are teaching. It takes patience to stop a lesson and ask instead of just pushing through the material but in the end it is more effective.  As I have learned to take a step back and LISTEN miraculously, we have started to see more progress with our investigatores and our less actives. People have desires to come to church instead excuses. It was a really nice change to witness. So my message this week if you are dealing with a problem is to take a look at your own weaknesses and what you might be contributing to the issue. If we cant recognize our own weaknesses we are going to suffer from them forever. Self analysis and repentance, and change all equal forward progress.  Going through this process we will see a difference in our lives,  we will become humble, and we will come closer to Christ as we develop his attributes and characteristic. In the end we will be just plain happier!!

A very spiritual experience that we had this week was with a reference named K.  She is moving in to an apartment with a recent convert G. We served K  by helping her with all of her suitcases as she moved them to her apartment on the 5th floor.  She was very grateful. Just as we were going to share a message with her she realized that she lost her wallet. We all  ran back to the park was earlier in the day and her wallet was still there! In Lima, that is a miracle that no one took her wallet.  We helped K realize that this was a blessing from God. We explained to her that when we obey God he blesses us. In that moment the spirit testified to K that what we were saying was true and she started to cry. This past Sunday she came to church and I know that she will continue to progress and come closer to God. 

Another great experience that we had was with our investigatore W. He works in the police department and has a lot of knowledge of different religions. He has investigated everything from Jehovas whitness, to Muslim and from Mormons to the Catholics. But he explained that he hasn't been converted to any. When we came to his door and began teaching him, he started to believe. He works in crime investigation so has the ability to read people very easily. Thank goodness I believe everything that I am teaching him. I know he could tell if I didn't. I feel good that I know that the church is true that I am completely convinced that this is true.  I am also thankful for the testimony that I have so that I can share and help others obtain that same testimony.

I am definitely beginning to see a difference in our lessons and I am starting to feel the spirit more. I just had to take a step back, evaluate what was holding us back and then change so that our area could progress and we could have many "frutos".

Thanks for everything
Hermana Huish 

Week #58 Work=Blessings

Mama Luchi is our angel who helps us with laundry and cooking

WAHOO! G was baptized this week!  G was in the process of receiving the missionary lessons and has wanted to be baptized for a long time  but he went on a month long  trip to his home in Chiclyu. The good news is that he came back and received the remaining lessons, then was baptized Saturday. I have really come to love my area of Santa Isabel all of the members, our converts, and the people. Even though this area is really difficult I love it and have learned that life is truly what we make it. Something that I read this week about the law of harvest  in Thessalonians really struck me, it says "this we commanded you that if any would not work, neither should he eat."  Its a law so simple. We have to work to receive rewards. We have to work to get results. Nothing in this life comes easy and we have to just keep working and pushing through. 

Another realization that I had this week is that we cant obligate people to do anything. For example, if someone doesn't want to come to church they aren't going to come. We cant force people to do things even if they are right. We also can't make decisions for other people. If someone is misbehaving or making poor choices, we cant force them to change. The only thing we can do is try to INSPIRE them to change. We have the power to promise blessings, testify and do all that we can so that people can make good decisions. Ultimately however its up to every individual to find a path . The other day we started teaching a man named  G. He is 40, lives alone and spends every weekend drinking. Its a really sad life that he is living. We cant force him to stop but we can for sure help him realize the consequences that he has received and the blessings that he can yet receive. Really as missionaries people sometimes call us angels to help them through their addictions and problems. One of our purposes  here is to inspire people to live better lives and to make good choices. I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to serve a mission, to help spread the word of God and help people find happier and better lives. 

Have a great week!

See you this summer, 

Hermana Huish

Week #57 Unity

My valentine Cody who lives downstairs

The Young women in my ward are AWESOME!

Hola Fmilia,

This week we discussed unity, specifically that our zone needs to be united as well as our companionship's. Since we are all without our family and friend networks, unity in the mission is necessary for acceptance, advice and comfort.  Our zone and district essentially become our family support system.

 We have had some positive experiences this week with the families that we are teaching. G and M are going to get married!! M is a less active and his wife hasn't been able to get baptized because they are not married yet. The good news is that they have prayed about it and said "YES TO THE DRESS" wahoo! I know it will be a great experience for the both of them and for their children. We held family home evening with them every week for a month and they have been saying their family prayers.

Family prayers can not be underestimated; they create unity and help every member come closer to one another and to God. Families like this inspire me to be obedient and keep working. When I first left on the mission my reason for serving was so that other families could have the happiness and Joy that comes from the gospel. I Know that we can have this joy as we live the gospel and teachings of jesus christ. I know that this gospel blesses individuals, families, and generations. 

Hermana Huish

Week #56 This mission is changing me...

Lima Central

A little shopping on pday, do you think the hat is too much?

Hellloooo family,

Wow I don't honestly know where to begin, this week was full of amazing experiences.

I have been in the mission for almost 13 months and I can tell that I have changed a lot. It is so interesting how the longer I serve, the closer I become to Christ and the farther away from the "real world" I get.  I hope this doesn't sound self righteous but truly I am so focused on following Christ and God and all of the commandments he has given us that I cry when the people that I have come to love don't come to church or make bad decisions. On the other hand, I was jumping with joy this week when our recent converts went to the temple.  I know that we are happier when we follow God and his commandments, It is so plain to me that sometimes it is hard to be patient with others who are still figuring this out. I need to keep reminding myself that just a few years ago all the things I now have a frim testimony of were not so obvious to me. I know I feel this way because I have spent so much time in the mission and I have been so close to God that I understand the blessings and joy we receive when we put God first. Its hard to impart that understanding to someone else, especially when they are living in the real world and not the mission bubble. They don't understand that when we put God first he will provide for us. As a missionary there is a lot of pressure to always do what is right and always be obedient. I have a strong testimony that when we are obedient we receive countless blessings. 

This week we had a work visit with the sister leaders. I was able to reunite for a day with my old companion,Hermana Pintado, in her area. Wow I really miss Hermana Pintado but am really thankful that she is here in my zone. We had really amazing lessons all day. It was just like the good old days in Begonias Canto Chico. In every lesson the spirit was tangible and  strong. We invited two of her investigatores to be baptized this month and the both said yes! It was such sweet experience and I am thankful I was able to be part of it. 

Another great experience this week was with a new investigator that we found. W has investigated a lot of different religions and he had a ton of questions for us. During the lesson he began firing out questions one after another, but the questions he had really weren't necessary and honestly they were  questions that we don't have answers to. My companion basically told him to be quiet and listen to the message that we had for him. He was a little bit surprised by her boldness but he sat still and started to listen. As we shared the message of the restoration with him the spirit  testified that it was true. At the end of the lesson W said,  "Wow it all makes sense.". He shared with us that he has listened to the missionaries in the past and that they gave him a Book of Mormon even but he never understood because he was so focused on the questions that couldn't be answered. He was so thankful for our visit. We committed him to pray about Joseph Smith to know that he was a true prophet. I pray every day that he will be able to receive and answer.

L, is another investigator we are working with. L is here every weekend staying with his aunt but he isn't here during the week. He began attending church about a month ago and we started to teach him the lessons. This past week we taught him all of the major commandments and he promised to give up coffee if I gave up coca cola and if my companion did her exercises every morning. hahaha We agreed to the deal!  He started reading the Book of Mormon and he prayed to see it it was true. he told us that he had a dream and that he does believe. We invited him to be baptised this month and he accepted wahoo! 

 Our recent converts K and T  have been literally AMAZING this week! They are now one of the strongest families in the ward. T goes on apointments with the missionaries they plan activities and are always looking for ways to help. This week was really special because they were able to go to the temple! And they were able to enter. 

Another fun little experience, we have had a hard time connecting with the members and the leaders of the ward.  So, this past week we decided to make little cards for all the members of ward council. The cards have a picture of us, and a scripture, and a little note that thanks them for all of the work that they have done. After handing out these cards every one has been wanting to help us! Everyday this week we left with a member. Its been amazing and the members can be so powerful with their testimonies and really help all the people that we are teaching feel more comfortable. Its been wonderful!

Well that was my week. Ill keep you updated for the next week on how everybody is doing! I want to thank everyone who has sent me letters or packages it really makes a huge difference to know that we aren't forgotten back home! GRACIAS!

mucho Amor

Hermana Huish