March 19, 2012

Happy Birthday Dad and Krista! Wooot. (whoa, I sound like elder Gelwix haha) I hope you guys have an awesome birthday. Dad, finally hit 48 huh? and Krista! The big 1-2, you're so old :) just kidding

I'm glad to hear that I was able to help out in primary mom, we were able to help out again this week, and part of me feels like that's where I belong lol

Hey thanks so much for the package! I loved the pictures and tie. I got to share the candy with our pension family, they loved the pop rocks. I wish I had it on video haha. Me and some other missionaries really enjoyed the calender, and we had some good laughs at some of the pictures. I actually got the package right after I told you I hadn't received it last week. So yeah it took just a little over two weeks which is pretty good, I think. I have just learned to expect that everything by mail takes years, and if it gets to its destination in less time than that..., all the better!

That's crazy about the Education Act, wow, Satan really is winning a lot of people´s hearts. But like you said mom, all of that is pretty inevitable, but that doesn't mean we cant do all we can to show what we believe, and what we know. So do whatever you can mom, burn cars, break windows, hold up big signs, or if you want, you can write them peacefully, that's ok too.

Well we found out about transfers here, and the verdict is....that I'm going to stay here in Urrunaga a little longer, which I'm totally fine with! There are so many awesome people here and so much promise. I love being a missionary here in Peru, its really an amazing experience. I love you guys, take care and have a good week!

Elder Lonsdale

March 12, 2012

Our mission president likes to stress the importance of¨the ¨seeds¨ we plant as missionaries, and how down the road, the people we teach that don't end up accepting the gospel now, or don't want to make those life changes, down the road are more likely to be in a position to bring the gospel into their lives.

Right now we are teaching our friend Ricardo. He is the bishop's uncle and is a perfect example of the seed that was planted by missionaries before. He was living in Lima before, and that's where he first met the missionaries, but because of work and a strong alcoholic addiction, he wasn't in a place where he felt he could accept the gospel. His wife ended up leaving him because of this addiction and his life was falling into quite a few pieces, when the bishop invited him to come live with him and his family for awhile, to help with his addiction and to get his life back in order. Living with the bishop, in a home full of love, support, and the gospel, has been the best thing ever for him. We have been working with Ricardo since he came and he has really turned his life around. He hasn't given into temptation since he came, and now he doesn't even have the desire to drink. He has been more involved in the church than some members, its amazing. He kept telling us that he knew baptism was essential and he wanted to be baptized but not yet, he would say, not yet. Yesterday we had a good chat with him and he told us that he wants to be baptized before the end of this month. We are so happy for him. That seed and the members in his life were so important. Don't ever forget the power of those seeds we can share with the people we talk to everyday, members and missionaries alike.

Yesterday we were invited into primary to help teach a little class of 5 and 6 year-olds how they can talk to their friends about Jesus. Oh Primary. I felt right at home haha

ALSO, thanks for sending that package, I haven't received it yet but i´ll let you know when it comes. But can I ask you a favour? after conference could you please send a Liahona, or something with the conference talks, in English, I want to make sure I don't miss anything, if you know what I mean :)

Have you ever had liquid raw fish soup? Because I think that's what i had this past week. Yup. not much to say about that haha.

Well I love you guys, keep being an awesome family!

Elder Lonsdale

March 5, 2012

Oh WOW. The wedding looks like it was BEAUTIFUL. I'm so glad it all turned out great. :) I'm so happy for them. I loved being there in cardboard cut-out form, that was a lot of fun. lol. Thanks for all the photos, I have such good looking sisters,......... and not to mention brother in laws.

Yesterday we had 15 investigators at church, that was great. Church attendance is one of those important steps to baptism and repentance, and seeing them take that step is such a good feeling.

Yesterday we had a lesson with a young less active family we have been working with, and it has been really rewarding helping them come back to church and seeing them make those decisions and changes in their life to get back on track in the gospel. We have been talking about temples and their importance, and the eternal blessings we can receive through the ordinances in it, and have made a goal for their family to achieve that celestial family. Seeing the Spirit touch their hearts and testify that the temple is where they need to go, really helps my testimony. You can see that fire and desire in their eyes to get there. I shared the fact that my sister was married the day before, in the temple and whenever I tell anybody here that she was married right there in the temple, close to our house, they just sigh in awe of the beauty of that blessing. And what a blessing it would be to have children in the Covenant. It really makes you stop and look at the blessings you have......

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, but awhile back me and my companion were robbed haha. We were in another area doing a knocking doors activity with our zone, broad daylight, when we were attacked, tied up, and gagged, held at gunpoint and stripped of our clothes and belongings and!...... ok ok, maybe not quite,. It was actually a civilized dealing. They (3 guys about our age, maybe a bit older,) jogged up behind us, searched us, taking our watches, taking about 3 dollars from me, and less than a dollar from my companion. The one frisking me decided to take off my backpack and start carrying it off with him after his buddies. I told him to just leave it, and that it had nothing and saying "Hey I need my backpack!". He asked "Why?" and I told him "Because I need my Bible!" and after seeing that it was just filled with books, he dropped it and took off. Pretty neat experience. I don't think it will be the last time haha. They didn't have a weapon that we know of, but we didn't resist. we also heard there was a big drug problem in that area after, and so we think it was just a good Idea to let it happen haha.

Things are going great here in our area, I´ll send some pictures sometime soon :)

Thanks for the pictures from the wedding. It sounds like it was an amazing experience. I love you guys, Have a great week!

Elder Lonsdale

February 27, 2012

AHA! So it´s your guys' fault!

You said you were praying for our investigators to be able to attend church? Mystery solved. Thanks to you guys, we had 17 investigators at church yesterday haha. It was AWESOME. A little crazy at times though, running around finding them classes and friends. Members are SO important, and don't ever forget it!

Well this is the big week! I pray everything will work out for you guys, through the craziness and the excitement. Just know that I will be thinking and praying about you guys! I will be there in spirit,(and in cardboard cut out form) ;)

Good luck! let me know how it goes, and don't forget pictures haha

Love you guys!

Elder Lonsdale

February 20, 2012

Hey family, sounds like you guys are having fun in Montana!

I hope its ok if I only send a short message and some pictures today, I feel it is necessary to have a little chat with my new bro in law if thats ok haha.

Good luck with all the wedding stuff, keep sane and enjoy your vay cay :)

Elder Lonsdale