In our Orbit

Hola familia! 

So.... I guess I don't have much to say because we talked three days ago, but honestly this Christmas was so good. I loved talking to you guys and seeing your faces. It's crazy what six months can do to you- I'm not the only one who looks different ;) 

This week with all of the christmas activities I finally was able to get into the Spirit. We had a ward Christmas party with games, a nice video and a bunch of food (paneton, mas paneton, jello with paneton... Paneton is a fruitcake type bread in Latin America that Savannah does NOT love) We had huge success with having a lot of investigators and menos activos that came. We also did a little Christmas exchange in the zone. I was sad about not being able to participate in the big family christmas exchange but what we did was almost as good. About two weeks ago we drew names and then all traded and ate brownies. I gave Elder Kimball a basketball and received a really cute scarf. Then, of course, all of the festivities as the whole Mision Peru Lima Norte with the skits, games (volley, dodgeball, futbol...) movie and seeing everyone from the CCM and other districts/zones. AND TALKING TO YOU GUYS! En serio, fue muy divertido a verles (seriously, it was so fun to see you!). I can't believe that this year is coming to an end. And I can't believe we're already at cambios again! Someone told me that the mission is like the three grados de gloria (degrees of glory). The first six months is like the reino telestial (telestial kingdom), the next six are like the reino terrestre (terrestrial kingdom), and the final six are like the reino celestial (celestial kingdom). The time is picking up and I am feeling more confident and happy in our role as missionaries. 

This week I was reading an article about how God placed the star that led the shepherds to Christ's birth in orbit thousands of years before His coming and how God places us in "orbit" with other people in order to lead and help them. I got to thinking how the people placed in my orbit have affected me personally (especially after talking with the family) and how we all are affecting others lives. It may be with talking with friends, serving in a church calling, saying "no", accepting a responsibility, being an example, doing a secret service or offering a smile. With the new year rolling around, I hope that each of you can remember in your personal goals to look around your orbit and see how the goals you set can and will affect those around you. I hope your New Year is a good one! Thanks for all you do,

Hermana Stone

With Hma Kingston and Hma Adams

His Hand is Stretched Out Still

Familia!! 

Yay okay I guess I'm a little excited to talk this week. One thing about Christmas that I love here is that almost every house has a huge nativity scene complete with several little glass figurines. The best part is that almost all of them are peruvian, o sea, (that is) they all have little peruvian hats and braids and traditional clothing. Nothing like a little national pride eh? 

I was able to buy a new camera this week and I learned my lesson about backing up my pictures. I'm just glad that I still have my journal and a good memory :) This week for P day we accidentally got locked inside the church. Some people were locked inside the building, some of locked in the basketball court area, and two sisters outside the gate. The man doing the yardwork locked everything up and took the keys with him (which is why I was forced to decorate the sugar cookie through the window!) Elder Cowger's mom sent him a mix and we made them as a district.

 This week was really good. We were able to have another visita de trabajo with one of our zone leaders and although they always stress me out before hand, I always learn so much. He told us that we need to trust ourselves more, rely more in our own words which are brought to us by the spirit. Several times during the visit I wanted to stay quiet for him to answer the difficult questions or to teach something that I thought that he could teach better than me. He said to repent and trust in the Spirit of the Lord. We have the same right to the Spirit that he has with our callings as missionaries and just because his calling is a little different than mine, doesn't change the power by which we teach. I got to thinking a little about the role of the Spirit in our lives. I have always been one to freak out while making decisions and it is often easier to wait for someone else or a situation to make the decision for me. However, we as missionaries, and baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ, have the RIGHT to the companionship of the Holy Ghost. We have the RIGHT to his guidance in our decisions, in teaching, in parenting, in serving. We just have to be worthy of Him and looking for the subtle promptings that will always come. Although I have felt that I am not seeing BIG success or changes in the people we are teaching, I started recognizing how the Spirit is working small changes in the lives and hearts of these people. It may be one man to see that there is a difference between rezar and orar (to repeat prayers and to express our feelings and desires) and to make the changes to pray correctly. It may be a less active start to go to church again and give us references. It might be someone who is learning how to apply Christlike attributes such as patience to deal with their family in a loving, not violent, manner. Just as it says in 2 Nephi 28:30 "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, 'We have enough', from them shall be taken away even that which they have." God is working miracles line upon line and teaching me little by little how to recognize His hand. I know that he is aware of each of us and that "His hand is stretched out still". I hope that in this special time of year each of you can stretch out your hand to someone and remember not only that Christ came, but also WHY He did. I know that he is our Savior and that He is literally with us every step of the way. Until Friday......

Hermana Stone

PS something funny this week was while we were doing estudio del idioma (language study).The instructions said "Use el pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo en la clausula que empieza con siy el condicional compuerto (I can't translate this- even with the help of Google translate!)" I started laughing so hard because neither of us had any idea what that's supposed to mean. 

Lost and Found

Familia,

Yeah, as you know there aren't any pictures this week because my camera was stolen with all of the pictures I have so far from my mission. It was kind of upsetting (okay, super upsetting) because I can't ever send very many due to how slow the computers are. When that happened I was really frustrated that I lost all of these memories. Afterwards I was praying that the Lord could give me understanding and the Spirit to teach. Not thirty minutes after we were in a lesson with Jose. He is an investigator that we've been teaching for a while. He wants to get baptized but can't because he isn't married and is living with his "wife". We've talked to them several times about marriage and his wife doesn't want to marry him because she doesn't love him. He also lost his job about 6 months ago and was diagnosed with Tuberculosis 8 months ago leaving him without energy or strength. After talking to him I felt really stupid for being so upset about a camera, something so temporal. Yeah, it's too bad that I don't have all of my pictures but I have a family that loves me, a body that is healthy and strong, and my convenios con el Señor (covenants with God). And who knows, whoever has my camera now might be able to sell it to feed his family and enjoy all of the embarrassing photos we have ;) This last p day we went to Canta! It is an area outside of mission boundaries and absolutely beautiful! Everything was green and we spent the day exploring by the river, playing ultimate frisbee and taking in the view from the car because it was a pretty long drive. I literally felt my heart fill up with happiness to see NATURE. I miss it haha We went with zona santa isabel and all ate dinner together in my old area Los Angeles in the Polleria Parades. (Where we always went for fries) We had servicio in Trapiche again this week. The elders were splitting wood (they broke almost every ax) and helping clean the stalls of the chanchos and we (the hermanas) swept the patio (it was all dirt but it was meant to smooth it out or something) and helping cook lunch for everyone. We learned how to make aji de gallina, causa, and lomo saltado. AND IT TASTED SO GOOD.

 This week we had revisiones de cuarto and entrevistas with presidente. Revisiones de cuarto is when Hermana Erickson (mission President's wife) comes to see if everything is clean and working okay. The good thing about that is she always brings a treat from america (Milkyways!) and now our thermo is fixed and have hot water again POR FIN (FINALLY!)! They also fixed our fan because everything is about to get really hot. My entrevista (interview) with presidente was good. It's always nice to talk to him. The Spirit is so strong and I know that he is called of God and has the keys to receive revelation for us here. We had a baptism that was supposed to take place Saturday that fell through. Her name is Yenilda and is 23 years old and was faced with many problems, including lack of support from her family who are active members.  She has a new baptismal date for the first weekend in January. This week we were also able to have a visita de trabajo with Elder Parra, one of our zone leaders. I was really nervous to teach with him because I felt like he might judge my teaching or something but ended up gaining confidence learning a ton from him, mainly how to love the people and ask questions that are truly inspired by the Lord. He was able to find out their needs and apply the gospel to them individually. One goal that he left for us is "nunca despreciar la importancia del Evangelio". To remember that no matter what these peoples backgrounds are or problems are, what they need is the gospel. Be persistent. Be patient. Love them. And testify that there is NOTHING more important than applying this to their lives and repenting. I am really grateful for this last week that was a little bit hard, but despite all of these things I was able to learn a lot and feel that God loves me and these people. I hope you guys are enjoying this Christmas season. Do something for someone TODAY!

Love always,

Sav

A visit to "Great Aunt Rose"

Familia! A Su!! 

The provo temple looks so beautiful! Tell Sadie and Maddie good job with their basketball games and Footlocker! I'm glad dad has someone to be proud of as far as the sports go. haha This week I was able to have several interesting experiences- Everything from service projects splitting huge trees of wood and helping clean the stalls of chanchos (pigs) (some of them were longer than I am tall and weigh at least 6 times as much) to a visita de trabajo en Tungasuka with the Hermana Capacitadoras to being condemned by a man who told me to come back when I've read the whole Bible and am more "prepared". People are so interesting. We are having a hard time entering into the people's houses. We are being lied to a lot "I'm just visiting" "I'm busy" "I'm about to leave" "I've got to watch the baby" and more. I was starting to fall into the trap of self pity and frustration when I read the talk in the General Womens conference by Elder Uchdorf about a visit to great aunt Rose. Despite things not turning out how this woman expected or hoped for, she was able to make a difference in the lives of so many by choosing to see the beauty and miracles that occur every day. It said "Seems to me that the best things, like homemade bread or orange marmalade, take PATIENCE and WORK." I guess if it takes patience to make bread, it's going to take a little bit of patience to find and teach God's chosen children. I got to thinking about how we are to "harvest" the viña de Dios. However, it is impossible to harvest something that isn't first planted, watered, cared for, and waited on. I can't just expect to arrive and harvest without first going through several steps. In Hechos 5:41-42 (Acts 5:41-42) it says: "Y ellos partieron de delonte del concilio GOZOSOS  de haber sido tenidos por dignos de padecer por causa del Nombre. Y todos los dias...por las casas no cesaban de enseñar y predicar a Jesucristo". (41 So they departed from the presence of the council, REJOICING that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His[a] name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.")These apostles suffered bastante (alot) but were joyful to be taken as worthy to suffer for the name of Christ then continued teaching. I am so grateful for the example of so many faithful servants of the Lord who give me just the slap in the face I need thousands of years later. I want to invite you each to be patient, go to work, and be happy to suffer and share. We promised to do so when we were baptized and as part of the Sacrament, when we renew our covenants,it isn't just renewing in the sense of being able to be cleaned of our sins from the week and receive strength for the upcoming week, but also renewing our promise to serve others, take upon us the name of Christ and keep the commandments. Always remember the power of our covenants with God. He is just waiting to bless us, it's our responsibility to be worthy of it. I hope you have a good week! 

Love,

Hermana Stone

I split this by myself!

Because I wasn't there for family pictures...

Lantern Ready?

Familia! What the.... I didn't even know that Taryn is pregnant!! But tell her congrats haha To clear up a few things from my last email (sorry I am always suuuuper scatterbrained when it's internet time) Elder Reschke was my District leader but got transferred. My new District leader is Elder Rivas (from Equador) and my zone leaders are still Elder Parra (California) and Elder Pastenes (Chile). I am still in San Felipe and I love Hermana Gaona. She is my third Mexican companion like I mentioned last week and we have a good time haha siempre estamos bromeando (always joking) and laughing. We're in the same house (with Hermana Yuri) and everything is going well! For Thanksgiving (dia de gracias) we didn't do anything because it doesn't exist here. Also, I'm not convinced that there is other kinds of meat available besides chicken (a joke but medio-serious) Hermana Gaona and I did cook "pie de queso" though to celebrate. It is a mexican pie that is with cream cheese, condensed milk, eggs, vanilla, and a crust of cookies and butter. It tasted like cheesecake and was SO. GOOD. We also got to try a drink from Equador that we made with our district- palta con leche! It's avocado with milk and sugar in a blender and it sounds weird but it's so good! Like an avocado smoothie. Toshi, Yuri's oldest son, had his 7th birthday and Krystal, her sister in law made an incredible cake based on "animal planet" that also tasted good. They told us that they feel like we're part of the family. It's nice to have one away from home :) 

We were able to do a big service project in Collique this week filling and hauling sand bags up a cerro. It was a lot of hard work and we looked a little like the scene from the Prince of Egypt when the slaves were hauling things to build the pyramids, but it honestly feels so good to make a difference and to help people. We were sweaty and sunburned and our legs and arms were basically useless for the rest of the day, but the eyes of the family that lived there were all the thanks we wanted. We also were able to do another "mini" service project sanding the paint off of old fire extinguisher canisters. The man said that the powder inside is only SLIGHTLY toxic. haha pray for me ;) 

This week I was able to reflect a lot on my own testimony. I was thinking about how often I can feel the spirit in the lessons and throughout the day and was disappointed by the lack of it. I didn't really know what to do- I'm teaching, bearing testimony, praying, being obedient. Why wasn't I feeling it more often? Then, like an answer from the heavens, I was told in conversation during a lunch that we need to CREATE spiritual experiences. This hit me hard. Later that day I was reading back on some notes from a capacitacion and read a quote from one of the elders in my zone that said "no existe bendiciones casuales"(casual blessings don't exist?). I realized that I was waiting for these things to happen instead of creating the right circumstances to allow the Spirit to testify. I changed something in my prayers and am trying to really love the people and to not let frustration or impatience deny the Spirit. In Mateo (Matthew) is the famous story of the 10 virgins. As I was studying this story I realized that all ten of these women WENT to the event, but only half of them were ready. I felt like this applies to us. We may GO to church, BE on a mission, but are we really prepared? Do we really have our lanterns ready? Are we creating spiritual experiences that can't be borrowed or bought? 

I love seeing the pictures and smiles on your faces. Try to think of something to talk about on Christmas because I'm telling you everything about my life via email.... haha Stay sweet and eat some food that I miss. Your favorite Hermana,

STONE

Servicio

OLA (Not Hola!)

FAMILIAAAAA!

This week, like so many in the mission, was crazy! After internet last week we met up to announce cambios and Hermana Gomez se fue. Fourth transfer, fourth companion. Normal. We all went to lunch como zona afterwards to talk and laugh and then watched a movie together. (It was puss in boots. I thought it was funny until I realized that I might just be thinking that because I haven't seen a "real" movie in 5 months).  Tuesday we all met up for cambios and my new companion is Hermana Gaona! She is also from Mexico (estado de mexico) and is super cool. So far I have gotten along really well with the Mexicans! We "purified" the house and the Area book, both of which were big jobs. There were clothes, shoes, papers, registros, and crap from the Elders who were here almost 2 years ago!  

I discovered my new addiction, fried yucca with a special crema that tastes like the sauce at Red Robin. One of the Menos activos we're working with owns a restaurant and it looks like we'll be having a lot of lessons around dinner time ;) We were trying to follow up with a family that went to church with us last week and were met with a bunch of excuses. It breaks my heart to have people experience something so wonderful, and then fall into the temptation of their natural man. Laziness, excuses with work, etc. We left their apartment and ended up teaching a lady in a room dedicated to her hamsters (seriously 12 cages) It was an interesting experience. We are working with some good families and trying to get them to COMMIT to doing the small things (What we call OLA- orar, leer, y asistir) OLA is the secret to conversion. I hope each of you will evaluate your OLA and if you're one of the people that have fallen into the trap of "not having enough time", read in the bathroom. Listen to your scriptures while making dinner. While driving to work. One of the people we live with (the mom of Hno Yoyi) teaches seminary every morning at 6 am, has a job, cares for her parents and kids and grandkids, is a teacher in Relief Society and is always really busy. But she wakes up at 3:30 am to study her scriptures. Make the sacrifice and I promise that it'll be worth it! I guess the only other new thing for me is that I bought a new deoderant that I'm allergic too. Dang it Peru haha I have a nasty rash in my armpits but hey, at least I have an excuse now for not shaving ;) Keep up the good work and give everyone a hug for me!

Hermana Sav

Old District

Siempre Sassy

MUNDIAL!

Familia! 

Wow I can't believe how beautiful the river trail is! I feel so weird that it's November. I seriously forget what time of year it is- my only reference is my daily planner. You guys look great and super happy which makes me happy. This week I thought of you and your diet. We are teaching someone with a problem with Coffee and I made him a deal that if he gives up coffee, I will give up soda. It has been hard because everyone and their dog offers us a coke or IncaCola at the end of each lesson and I've started to just carry around my water bottle. *tear* haha 

The highlight of this week was my first ever MUNDIAL. This is the "World Cup" of futbol for the Mision Peru Lima Norte. We all gathered at some fields in Independencia and had several games leading up to the championship. My zone came in third place and it was so fun and pretty intense. Our zone was definitely the best cheerers however. Between me and Elder Pastenes (one of the zone leaders) we made up and led everyone in some pretty fun cheers. One of them was "Arroz, frijol, queremos un GOAL!" We also did "Dame un P (P!) Dame un P (P!) Dame uno mas P (!) Que dicen? SAN FELIPE SAN FELIPE SAN FELIPE!" We were all jumping and cheering and laughing and it was super fun. I got fried on my neck (I used sunscreen on my whole body except my neck because I forgot). Point is, I'm going to DIE in summer. haha It was also fun to see everyone from my other zone again, Hermana Valbuena (she dies this cambio!) and my friends from the CCM. Hermana Haro bought me a mini cactus for my birthdaythat she was finally able to give me! Do you guys still have the cactus I bought for you to care for?  We will all meet up again on Christmas day. 

The hermano who made us arroz con leche also owns a cevicheria. We're not allowed to eat ceviche but he made us a plate of conchas de albanico, langostinos y pulpo (shells , shrimp and octopus).. I thought I was going to die with the octupus but with enough aji it was actually delicious. I can seriously eat almost anything now. 

We've been playing basketball at 6 am lately with part of our zone. It has been fun to play (embarrass myself) even if it means sacrificing an hour of sleep. This week we were able to find a lot of great new people to teach. We learned about the importance of asking for references in finding nuevos and wow, what a difference. It is so helpful because the people automatically trust you a little more, because their friend recommended us. It also helps them have a friend in the ward, someone they can relate to (you know, better than two twenty year old extranjeros) and someone to go to with doubts or concerns. We put it in practice this week and asked everyone for references. I challenge each of you to take a look at your friends, neighbors, and family and look for someone to share the gospel with. You shouldn't be afraid to share it- these people are our brothers and sisters who literally can not be saved without this gospel. Think of your sister or daughter or some family member lost in the city. Are you going to ask everyone in the streets if they've seen her? Are you going to look till you're darn right exhausted in order to find her and save her? It's the same for those around us. Put forth the effort with joy! We have cambios today and I seriously don't know what's going to happen. I know that whatever happens will be for the best. I am really enjoying the mission, not in the way that some people might think. It has been really cool to see people in a different light. To weep for them. To laugh with them. To tell them something that they've never heard before that will change their life forever. It has been interesting to learn how to work with a companion. To see how similar and how DIFFERENT you can be. To try your patience, with others and yourself. To spend time STUDYING the scriptures. I know that this gospel is true. Before my mission I think I only had an idea but now I am sure of it. I have a lot to learn and am far from perfect, but I know that the Lord is pleased with what I'm doing which is the most important thing. Keep up the good work. Be missionaries now! 

Love you tons,

Hermana Stone

bye hermana valbuena. Good luck with real life in Colombia!

expect a lot of mundial photos whoo hoo!!

Zona San Felipe!

The Red Sea

lunch at our favorite place in town, El Ruedo

Met up with Kaylee Kingston at Mundial!

Get Your Feet WET!

Familia! 

First of all thank you for sharing the talk from Elder Scott with me about the Holy Ghost. I love how he said that we need to act and if it is right, we will be confirmed. If it is wrong, He will tell us before it is too late. This week I was reading the story of when the people had to cross the water and it didn't part until their feet were wet. This is a great reminder to trust that the Lord trusts you. 

Thanks for keeping me updated on the news from home. Give grandma a big hug for me! I also love what you said about getting answers from the scriptures. This morning I was studying in Preach my Gospel about how we can recognize the Spirit. I challenge each of you to go online and read the chapter on recognizing the Spirit as well as DyC chapters 8 and 9. This week we had a special capacitacion with Presidente Erickson. I want everyone to know that I know that we are assigned to our mission not only for the place or people, but moreso for the President in which we work under. He is a man inspired by God and I learned so much. The topic was Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon in the function of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Among all of the powerful things we learned about him, backed up with scripture in Doctrina y Convenios, the book of mormon, and the Bible, was the role of the Book of mormon in the Final Judgement. We learned that this book will be what divides the people. Those who choose to accept it (and learn and act upon it) will receive a crown of glory whereas those who reject it will be condemned. I love how the scriptures are so direct. There really is no other way we can be saved and receive this "crown of glory" with eternal life without the restored gospel, without the restored priesthood to perform the saving ordinances of baptism and confirmation of the Holy Ghost. When people make fun of the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith, Presidente told us to DEFENDELO. Don't be shy about it. He told us that if we declare these things, and they choose to reject our message (His message) we will stand as witnesses against them at the bar of God. However, if we are timid or unclear, the culpa will fall upon our heads. I know that God has sent us here as missionaries, but also each of us as members, to declare the truth with a voice of a trumpet. I want to invite each of you to reflect on the moment when you KNEW that Joseph Smith was a prophet. When you KNEW that the Book of Mormon is true- and DEFENDELO. If you aren't completely sure right now of these things, study the Book of Mormon and pray directly for an answer and I promise God will answer in one way or another. 

We have a lot of great people that we are working with, all of which have problems (laziness, need to get married, have crazy inlaws...) The crazy inlaws part was funny because everyone always talks about crazy inlaws but these inlaws were so mad that we were coming that they ordered a sacerdote (priest) to their house to try and set them straight from all of the "mindwashing the Mormons are doing". I hate how people won't even listen one time to see that all of their ideas about us (that we're all rich, worship Joseph Smith, don't believe in God or the Bible... etc) are COMPLETELY WRONG. We are finally starting to see success in this area and are working hard to help these people make covenants with their Father in Heaven. I'm thankful for all of the support and love you guys send me. I pray for you every day. Love always,

Hermana Piedra

LADY LADY LADY XOXOXOXO

Toshi and Tadashi, the kids of Yuri and Yoyi (who we live with) They are ANGELS in a cute annoying way haha

Worlds best arroz con leche by Wilson Cumpa-a recent "rescatado" He's been inactive for 20 years and just got his temple reccommend for this week

zone leaders (yes, they're all hipsters)

Ears to Hear, and Eyes to See

Familia! 

Wow those homemade donuts look amazing. There is a food called "picarones" that is basically donuts but with a honey glaze they put on it. There are two ladies on the corner of my area who sell them and are our friends because we stop a little too frequently. How embarrassing haha but we get a discount! All of the kids looked great for halloween too! In the morning I bought a bunch of hard candies that I handed out to kids while we were proselyting and teaching. Hermana Adams and I also dressed up as Ana and Elsa from Frozen which was really fun! We spent Halloween teaching like normal but in the night met up with the Lidres de zona and the other Elders whose area borders ours in the house of Yuri for pizza and soda and stories! 

My birthday was also good! We had service (painted another house and helped move sand bags) and 4 different people brought us cake! At the end of the day we went to Yuri and Yoyi's house (we live with them but in a seperate entrance) and all the lights were out. We walked in and their entire family jumped out "feliz cumpleaños!" There were balloons, a sign, a torta de galletas con manjar (YUMMMMM) and a big family hug. It was so sweet of them and I felt really loved. Hermana Gomez woke me up singing a special Mexican birthday song and gave me a peruvian backpack. (smiley emoji) My birthday package was also the best! Thank you so much for the new clothes, TORTILLAS (gomez is excited for this too) and the new BIC pens haha 

This week we saw two people get robbed, one of which was assaulted too. We aren't allowed to carry much money. My investigators are good. We have several people we are working with who are progressing but also have a lot of problems. Permission from parents, needs to get married, is addicted to alcohol, etc. We are working hard and praying harder. I hope we can start seeing some fruits of our labor! This week I had an interesting experience. I am obviously feeling the Spirit during the day but was having a hard time recognizing it. I would pray for guidance of where we should go, what we should say, who we should focus our time on, and feeling like I wasn't getting any answers. I was so frustrated that a name didn't pop into my head, that there wasn't a "burning in my bosom" or someone pass in front of me when I was praying for these things. I have been studying a lot about the Holy Ghost this week in the scriptures and Preach my Gospel and realized that the whole time God has been leading us and protecting us   Y ocurrió que cuando oyeron esta voz, y percibieron que no era una voz de trueno, ni una voz de un gran ruido tumultuoso, mas he aquí, era una voz apacible de perfecta suavidad, cual si hubiese sido un susurro, y penetraba hasta el alma misma; (google translate: And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, or a voice of great tumultous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and penetrated to the very soul)

I know that God is always with us, we just need to be looking and listening a little more carefully. Have ears to hear and eyes to see. I love you guys and pray for you every day. Love always,

Sav

Painting another house. Word got out that the gringas do service for free

Halloween as Anna and Elsa

missionary poker (or paying over 600 soles of american food)

moto taxi "Dios esta con nosotros"

Princesses with Pass Along Cards!

Familia! 

Wow the new Provo City Center temple looks so beautiful!! It was also fun to see the picture of Elder Miranda at his homecoming! Your week sounded like a lot of fun and I'm glad that dad is doing laundry haha it's good for him. As you know, we live with the laundry people. I shouldn't say "laundry people" because really they're like my family here! But usually help them do the laundry for servicio every Wednesday.  Imagine washing, drying, ironing, folding, and delivering the dirty laundry of over 150 elders and hermanas? It's actually really fun. Also Yuri y Yuyi (who we live with) made us special laundry bags with our names on them! We all gather around working and talking and singing (church songs of course). 

For this last P day we met up with zona Santa Isabel again! It almost feels like I wasn't transferred because I get to see all of my friends pretty frequently! All of the Mexican missionaries prepared guacamole, Aji, and tacos for everyone and IT WAS SO DELICIOUS. It was also fun to just sit around and talk with everyone and of course enjoy mexican food and Coke. I like that now  haha. This week we ate cow stomach and chicken heart soup. I am becoming more clever to say the least! 

This week in our reunion de zona (we have zone meeting and district meeting every Tuesday) we talked about the story in the Bible about the people selling things around the temple and how they knew what they were doing was wrong. We related it to how we, as representatives of Jesus Christ, have the authority to tell these people that they are sinning. This part of being a missionary is a little bit hard. I like telling people all of the hope and good stuff but it is a little hard sometimes to tell someone that yes, drinking is bad. That yes, you need to get married or else you're breaking the law of chastity. That yes, the Sabbath day needs to be observed as a commandment of God. The point is, God has sent us not only to declare the good news, but to use a voice of a trumpet to declare repentance! I am working on the whole "voz de trumpeta" thing because sometimes I feel dumb as a twenty year old gringa telling people how to live their life but then I realized that it's not me at all, but God. I had several experiences this week where I felt like an instrument in His hands. I could see these people as He sees them, desire for them what He desires of them, and tell them what He would say. I felt the spirit testify to me that God can't decend to reprimand His children in order to help them to take the steps necessary to return to Him, and for this, He sends missionaries (or church leaders, parents, friends). Be the instrument He wants you to be. 

This week we had a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses knock our door. We answered (without our name tags) and listened to their spill. They thought that we were living together and pulled out their bible telling us that marriage is between a man and woman and that we're in pecado. We politely explained to them that we agree, are missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and when asked if we study the bible, we explained the function of the Bible junto with the Book of Mormon to contain the fullness of the gospel. I wish you could've seen their face when I tried to offer them a Book of Mormon! This week was also a huge festival for El Señor de los Milagros for the Catholic church. Everyone was wearing their purple clothing and it made contacting a little hard but it was interesting to see everyone with their clothing, santos, and traditions. And all of the decorations were really beautiful. I don't have much time but I love you guys and am excited to open your package!

Love always,

Hermana Stone

They asked for our autograph because we looked like princesses. We wrote our names on a passalong card haha

All of the Mexicans from zona San Felipe and zona Santa Isabel cooking tacos for our two zones, over 50 people. I have never eaten a better taco (heart eye emoji)

This week there was a HUGE festival for Senor de los milagros. IT was a little hard to contact

parque enfrente de nuestro casa