My Nutella is Almost Gone!

1/16/17 Another week, another email, more stories. This week had its ups and downs but I'd say it was in general an improvement... for one my health is pretty much back to normal and im loving it, no more urgent bathroom visits, crippling stomach aches, or other fun jungle stuff :) In general our work is looking better, and I am really coming to realize that I have no influence on the people here. The spirit is the only way the work progresses and as a result of this we have 3 more families to teach, a new ward mission leader and we officially rescued someone. The best part is that it should only get better! In one of our visits we found an old lady who is less active, she has no power, no water, no FOOD and her house is falling apart, so we ended up buying her food and cooking it for her, and yes I know we shouldn't openly give like that but it really was kinda an immediate thing. The language is coming along well and iIcan understand pretty much most things that are being said. I'm coming to realize confidence is huge in all this and for anyone who knows me well knows I lack confidence. Well Elder its time to learn haha. All together it was a good week, however my snacks have almost officially run out, and to be honest im feeling alittle bit frantic... I NEED MORE NUTELLA! scriptures this week, mosiah 12-17. the words of Abinadi were sharp but powerful! Love you all so much, have a great week!

Don't Monkey Around!

1/23/17 Finally we are having what I've been waiting for! SUCCESS! Oh my goodness ive waited so long to say that... but yeah, finally we are seeing progress with our investigators. The key? pretty much just doing a ton of contacting... until now my comp has been set on working through members and referrals, my being the minor of both of us my words didn't really affect him at all, so we basically just wasted time with less actives for a while (oh boy did that kill me). After a couple training sessions during the zone conference, something clicked and were finally working efficiently! We now have 6 new families to teach and the owner of the house we live in wants to be baptized! So awesome, but this success in truth really wasn't us at all, we got a lot of help from the Lord, and because of that we are seeing success. Honestly this work isn't possible without his help, Without him I'm just a dumb tall white freak walking around the jungle of Peru... If you want some good scriptures to read, i highly recommend the stories of Alma and Amulek, they are such powerful testifiers of Jesus Christ. Specifically Alma 26, 32, and 34. Thanks to Everyone for all the love and support and i hope you all have a wonderful week!

Burning Puppets and a Baptism!

1/2/17: Oh boy... this has been a very long week... first, let me say that yes I am working again and very happy about it. Second, no i did not write a daily recap in my journal so you'll have to deal with the big ugly paragraph. And lastly! the work is still slow... GAHHH. i guess i have a kinda good excuse but I really don't care. i just want to start changing lives. Kinda disappointing when you get called to one of the world's highest baptizing mission and you have 1 in almost 2 months. but you know what? That's just motivation baby... this next week is gonna be crazy! The next email wont be so dismal and boring I promise, so get ready to hear about some insane numbers! Btw new years was cool, didn't sleep much because of all the fireworks but it was still cool. new years here is pretty much as big as the fourth of July, so the people go kinda crazy. a strange tradition they have here is burning big puppets made of old shirts and cloth. don't ask why, I couldn't tell ya. Also sorry about the length of this one... honestly there wasnt much to write about. at least you get pictures!

1/9/17: Oh boy has this week been an improvement, interesting thing is that the improvement wasn't in the work... 

It was all about the attitude! So i feel much better, working isn't a problem and my Spanish is kinda getting there. 

But best of all was the PACKAGE. It was like God knew exactly what I needed! (oh wait, He always does) It was the 

saving grace I was looking for... and then I got constipated and my comp wont let me eat anything hahaha... fun. 

oh well i was just happy to get the package (felt like Christmas). the work is still slow but that's ok... because we 

have several people who look very promising and so even though now it sucks, the future looks bright! That's about

 it for this week... for scriptures i recommend DC 121:6-9 and 2 Nephi 4:29. both helped me a ton these past weeks.

 love you all, don't forget that there's someone else who loves you more than you can comprehend. Until next time

-Elder Grover

btw the family picture is the family of our baptism (he's wearing the red and white striped shirt)

Also thank you to all who sent me letters, super thoughtful of you! love ya!