The Gospel is an Invaluable Gift!

1/13/18 Today we had a very interesting experience with someone who literally came to us looking for help. While re-watching the funeral for President Thomas S. Monson, someone knocked on the door to the offices to ask for help. He recently had been dumped by his girlfriend of 10 years and his job of selling burgers wasn't going to support his family of him and his 2 kids. He also had a past of almost a satanic lifestyle where he liked everything "dark" and "malicious" and now that he's hit rock bottom, he realized he's been wrong for a long time. After calling our bishop, we were able to talk to him about forgiveness for our sins and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and how we can repent to make things better. He then accepted to read the Book of Mormon, to attend church, and expressed very openly his desire to change. It was a miracle to be able to be there for him, and I was privileged that God allowed me to be there in that moment. I know that this gospel is the cure-all for anything that we are going through. Christ knows us and wants us to be happy, that's why He gave His life for our sake. I hope that we all can learn to use this gift more often so that we can feel the peace and joy that comes from sincere repentance. I love you all, sorry for not writing very much. I'll write more next week.

1/20/18 Well, I haven't been sending pictures lately, and I am sorry to inform everyone that once again I don't have any pictures to send... all we've been doing is WORKING AND WORKING. And boy what a life it is! Not too much interesting happened this week, but I will tell you about a contact that we had that was probably one of the most interesting contacts that we've had... We knocked on a door that opened very quickly and a young bearded guy walked out shook my hand said hello and invited us in in the space of about 2 seconds... we didn't get anything more than a hello out! So a bit shocked and quite apprehensively we entered his house, he pulled chairs out, shook our hands again and invited us to sit down. After sitting we finally got to introduce ourselves! And just as soon as we said our names he asked us what we do! After a brief explanation, we learned he was catholic and studying biochemistry! (someone to be studying something like that here is very rare...) We were able to get to know him a little more and shared our message, he knew almost nothing about the "Mormons" but he accepted a pamphlet and said he would read... So if the first visit wasn't crazy enough, the second was even crazier! we came back and it was the same "come into my house" in 2 second thing and he told us two things: 1. the Pope is in Peru and 2. He had read the entire pamphlet and understood EVERYTHING. He recited pretty much all of lesson one to us without looking back and reading... It was incredible! We had to explain a little more in depth to help him differentiate between the pope and a prophet of god... but he understood it all and then accepted a Book of Mormon and the baptismal invitation! I was blown away, but only time will tell if he will be able to progress and repent to get to be Baptized!!! 
All I know is that the work we do is the greatest work there is, hands down. I love it here, and it is not easy in any way. But if it were easy it really wouldn't ever be worth it. I hope you all have a great week and that things are going well. 

1/27/18 Well its been a very fast week, I feel like I was just writing yesterday! Anyways this week all of the missionaries in Iquitos had their interviews with President and we got to help him out with that, revising area books and stuff like that. Its a lot of fun but kinda hard cause we cant leave for two whole days, and to top it off we had the zone conference this week that we organized. Busy busy! But even with the little time we had we were still able to go out and have family home evening with a family who will be going to the temple this next week! Super awesome experience and even President Li came with us. It was a very special experience, because this family was a family that the President himself baptized! There was a strong spirit there and we were even able to receive a few references!
Lately I have been focusing on doing the little things right and making sure that I am ready to help when I am called (pretty much always haha) Reading every day and having fervent prayers are what keeps me going during the day, and whenever I don't get to recharge my spiritual batteries for time reasons or schedule complications it really drains me by the end of the day. I know that the simple things are what help us solve the biggest problems and that if we dedicate the time to do them, many blessings will follow. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it is the inspiration that we need to stay spiritually alive during our time on this earth. It is the only book that has the answers to the deepest of questions, and anyone who really reads it can find the answers to what they need.  

2/3/18 Well another crazy week, we had our Leadership council again here in Iquitos and boy was that full of fun stuff, 8 hours of straight meetings haha. It was a fun time, definitely a spiritual experience and I think that it helped us get our minds and hearts set on what we are here to do. the main focus was time management, plans and goals. I loved it and giving a pretty lengthy training with my companion was also a great time. I really am grateful for the help that we received, I definitely felt that it was guided, and I know that these things do not happen if it weren't the Lord's will. He has his hand in everything. Every time I see it I am humbled to know that He is our Father, and He loves us so much. It really is a miracle to be here and to have the opportunity that we do to make correct choices.
This week we have been working hard to find more people that are really being prepared, and is it an easy process? No, not at all, it never has been, but it is always worth the effort. We have found several interesting people to teach this week, a lot of them are good people, very receptive but the key will be getting them to act! As missionaries we teach faith, repentance, baptism and the receiving of the gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the end. When we find people to teach, mostly what they say is that they have faith and they believe in God and(or) Jesus Christ. But when the time comes for them to really act and start repenting, they don't do it! I know that its them using their agency but its so frustrating when someone doesn't make the right choice! We have the restored Gospel, we have basic truths that others in ancient times have tried to decipher and solve for centuries, and we teach it all to primary children!!! And when we start helping others to understand the greatness and simplicity of the gospel, they simply don't see it! They don't act to receive the blessings that they could so easily receive!!! I now understand why King Benjamin said that its so much worse for someone who knows that doesn't act than for someone who never knew... 

The Gospel is a invaluable gift, and not living it is so unfortunate that it makes you want to go crazy!!! But i know that God has a time for everything, and in his time everything will work itself out. I am so grateful to be here and for this chance to teach this Gospel. Its the Truth!!! Have a great week! and sorry again for no pics, haven't gotten the conference pics yet!

2/10/18 This week in Iquitos was FSY (basically small version of EFY) and we were invited to participate, President Li, My companion and I got to give quick talks about a few basic topics!!! it was an awesome experience and kinda crazy cause all those Kids went nuts over how tall we are haha, it was kinda embarrassing, they almost treated us like famous people... super weird! But yeah here is a pic (finally) of all of the kids, counselors and Us! Enjoy!

2/17/18 WOW, I have no idea where time goes, the days blend in to weeks and the weeks into months... Already halfway through February and last I remembered we were just starting February! Man, well its still a blast out here and they say that if its going by fast its because you're working hard! And ain't that the truth... there's always a lot to do! 

This transfer has been lightning fast, and its definitely been a bittersweet one... firstly, things are going much better in the mission... As Old missionaries are finishing up and the newer generation is coming in force, and that new lets go get it attitude is really helping us get the wheels spinning again. We've given several trainings this transfer about goal-setting and the importance of the spirit, and from what we can see, missionaries are being more obedient and diligent in their work and studies! So happy!!! but like I said, its not all sweet, the bitter definitely has been our area. We usually go out to work in the afternoons around 4 until 9, and some days we don't even get that much time to work. The limited time doesn't help us out so this whole transfer we have not seen a single baptism, but the good news is that this next week, we will have a baptism! Finally! I am so grateful for that, definitely a tender mercy, she is a single adult that was a referral from a member, and she has progressed so much since we first found her... She still does funny things like the Catholic cross thing they do when they pray and other things that don't make complete sense, but she has changed a lot and really has a desire to follow Christ. Its awesome to actually find someone who has that desire! Its been a Crazy week and i hope this next week goes by smoothly, the new missionaries will be getting here so that will be awesome and that always means pictures!! Have a great week! 

Scripture of the week: Proverbs 6:9 -we have been getting up at 6 to work out, so when someone "sleeps in" until 6:30, this is my favorite scripture to use.