December 10, 2012

Hello,

WOOT CANCER FREE!! I'm so happy to hear that, congratulations Jocelyn and fam! Nothing like a miracle to help strengthen your testimony. Thanks to all those prayers, fasting, care and sacrifice my loved ones everywhere. J I hope you continue feeling better Jocelyn.

Sorry I'm writing so late, my companion and I had to travel to Chiclayo today, so we didn't have time in the morning to write, so after a little more than 6 hours on a bus we are finally here. It feels a little weird to be here after so long, Chilcayo is a little more modern and has its own Chiclayo vibe lol, but tomorrow we are traveling back to Jaen. A little tiring but we`re fineJ

This week was a little all over the place, but thankfully everything worked out. We had Pres Risso, Hna, Risso, Elder Camargo and his wife in Jaen for a special conference. It was great, we were all able to learn a lot and see how we can improve as a zone. Presidente Risso talked and highlighted the Doctrine of Christ, the gospel principles themselves, and how our purpose as missionaries is directly related to helping people live those principles. Elder Camargo spoke to us about a bunch of different things, like the importance of teaching the pure doctrine when we teach the commandments. The ¨What¨ informs, and the ¨Why¨ inspires. Instead of focusing on HOW we keep the Sabbath day holy,  we need to focus on the WHY. Why we really have this commandment, this Day for us to worship and devote out time in strengthening our relationship with our Father in Heaven. Or WHY we have the Law of Chastity, and the importance of using the power to create life how God wants. When we focus on the WHY, and teach the pure doctrine, the HOW will make a lot more sense. Those were some of the points that have had me thinking these past couple days, I think it can really help us reflect as members too. 

Sorry its a little short today, we dont have much time!

Well, I'm very very happy that you guys are doing well. I know that you are receiving too many blessings to count, and that the Lord is watching over you.(Cancer free? Perfect evidence) And that promise helps me know that you are all well, and helps me focus on what I'm doing. I appreciate your prayers, love, and support, I feel them everyday, and I hope you feel mine. Love ya tons! 

Elder Lonsdale.

PS, Elder Uriarte says Hi,

and remind me to tell you about the food mom lol

November 26, 2012

Hey family,

I'm very happy that everything that happened this week was executed with success! Sounds like it was a good time. I can imagine that all of dads workmates were surprised, after seeing a handsome, professional, serious, successful, nice guy rock out like an 80s rock star with long hair. Yup, Hes MY dad.  J

We had an interesting week, but some ups and sideways and ending with a very unexpected twist…(I'll get to that one later). But we learned how astutely frustrating the adversary can be. Its funny how some things just HAPPEN to come up so they can't meet with us, or how this person just had to stop by the house with a really important piece of business right when we are there trying to teach something that we think this investigator needs. Frustrating, yes. But it teaches us a little more patience, and that's always good right?

This week our eternigator, William, finally made it, and isn't an investigator anymore! It was a very beautiful service with those members that have been with him, cheering him on for a long time. And see that he had a good support system helping US feel more comfortable and secure that he is going to be in good hands, and we know that it was really good for HIM to see that he was going to be taken care of, with the help of these members. I always think that baptisms of these people who have been investigating the church for a long time are a little bit funny, because after all that time, waiting, worrying, when they finally do it there is this ¨Well that wasn't that hard……¨feeling that you can see in their eyes, and as their conversion increases with the evident blessings of the Holy Ghost, that feeling turns more into a ¨Now I get it….¨ And seeing their testimony grow more makes you happy. And Happiness is a HUGE Blessing.

Well, this week we have transfers. And the big surprise was that I am being transferred. But not too far, I'm getting transferred to Jaen, the ¨big city¨, about an hour away. Elder Allred, a good missionary friend and somebody I look up to just went home, finishing his mission, so as part of the transfers I am taking his place in Jaén, with my new companion Elder Uriarte, from Bolivia. Yes it was unexpected, after being in my other areas for about six months, leaving Bagua Grande so soon feels weird, but I know that Jaén will be a great experience. I´ll have to cook for myself for the first time mom!! Are you proud of me!? Well, breakfast and dinner……sometimes :P After saying goodbye and taking pictures with members,as we were eating dinner one of the boys in the family was taking pictures with my camera, and trying to erase what he had taken, (due to the English camera) accidentally deleted all the pictures, 580, that I had since my last area……yeah…..a little bit of a hard attack, but thankfully we were able to recover a lot. HUGE blessing again haha-

Hey! The package arrived last week, thanks so much! I loved the letters and the church magazines, and the pension family loved the pop rocks and the fizz candy. (We ( I mean the pension kids) thought it would be funny to feed some poprocks to a blind dog…..and we(they) we right) Anyways… But the temple issue was amazing! It came just in time for our planning of a lesson with Cesar and His family about temples, awesome timing mom J.  And…Tanner Strauss and Dallin Low´s papers are in?! Holy wow, that's crazy. That's awesome, we need more! Send them on over here to Peru. But it doesn't really matter, in the end the whole WORLD needs the gospel. Let me know where they are off to when you know please, that would be great.

Well family I love you tons!

November 19, 2012

Hello there,

Firstly, thanks for all the emails, I really have the coolest family out there. J But really, its true. 

Well this week was a little rough around the edges but my companion and I came out of it learning a bunch, about missionary work, our investigators, and how we can improve as missionaries.(Tons to improve there ), I'll spare you the boring details haha, but just know that  But we made some personal goals and companionship ones to help us make those changes come to pass. That’s why we have goals right? I remember mom and dad trying to teach me about making and carrying out goals. I didn’t really understand what you guys were saying about making the goal and the steps to achieve it until I came out here. You have a goal, ok, big deal,  what are you going to do to achieve that goal? When are you going to do it? Things like that. I can't say that I am an amazing goal maker now, but I can say that I understand it a little better. Its kinda important to know about if you are going to help people make goals that will change their lives. GOALS=essential to achieve potential. Got it.

Sunday was the 4 year anniversary from the death of Cesar’s son. He had asked us if there was anything we could do in the church or at his house for the anniversary.(Very common in the Peruvian culture due to the strong catholic influence.) So we asked the branch president if there was abything we could do, and he suggested that we dedicate the grave. So we had the opportunity to do the ordinance with him and his family in the cemetery yesterday. It was a really powerful experience. It was my first time, and It helped me understand a little more about the plan of salvation, and what God really has in store for us in this life and the next. We could all feel the spirit, and we know that it really helped Cesar in his personal progress, and we are so grateful for that.

Elder Barrios and I are really enjoying our time working together. Elder Barrios is from Guatemala and they had a strong earthquake near his house recently( don’t know if you heard…) But thankfully his family is alright, a little bit of damage to the house but they are alright. Prayers for the people in Guatemala would always help J .    

Off the topic, Laura mentioned that it was getting close to Christmas in her letter, and it reminded me how me and my comp were so excited that we decided that on November 1 we were going to start listening to the Christmas music that we had. November first rolled around, we threw in the Christmas music…….and about after 10 minutes, we decided to never listen to Christmas music again haha. It was like this jazzy Christmas music that talked about snow and hot chocolate and family, so we decided to wait on that haha.

Ive heard that its getting a little chilly there, muwahahaha. I got a nice burn today, just so you guys know lol. During the week, I don’t burn, just pday when we are playing in the sun all day. But when dad said that the garage was all cleared out for the Porche, He ALMOST had me, I knew that you guys got the new mazda, but for a second I was like, ¨wait…….it can´t be¨ youre so funny dad. But you cant fool me, I know that youd be too excited to not tell me about it J . But good luck with the band gig!

November 12, 2012

Hola Familia mia

This week flew by pretty darn fast. We had some cool experiences with some progressing investigators that help us know that we are actually helping people, even when it doesn't seem like it. No effort is wasted, nothing is in vain like they say, but sometimes we get a little reminder when an old investigator comes to church or when somebody says that they have really thought about something we have said a long time ago. One thing they taught us in the MTC (very helpful place) is that the Lord has been working with these people long before we knock on their door or invite them to learn more. Through the experiences they have had so far in their life the lord has prepared them for what we have to share with them. One thing I came to realize is that sometimes us knocking on their door is one of those experiences that will prepare them for a future messenger, missionary, or member. Its all part of the Plan right?...yup.

We have two investigators that have baptismal dates soon, and we are really hoping that everything will turn out well. One of the eternal investigators  William, ("eternigators") (haha so clever) told us that the time has come to take the steps into the water. We were like …´really?.....YEAH! ok!¨ so we are hoping he wont lose the nerve lol. And  another investigator we are working with is named Cesar. He and his family lost their nine year old son almost four years ago, and the first time we talked we could see how those wounds were still unhealed and sore. But it was really a testimony builder for me how we were able to begin to tell him without a doubt where his son is right now, and how he will be able to see his little boy again someday, and be with him forever. Seeing Cesar pray, read, come to church, stop drinking etc, has been really amazing. we have been able to see how his life  has found more purpose and hope to keep going, with a goal. And the whole topic of work for the dead, like you mentioned dad is so important, and is a huge evidence that we have a heavenly father who loves ALL his children and has made it possible for ALL to be saved. Wow, what privileging knowledge we have. And what should we do with this knowledge you may ask?......SHARE IT J

Our little neighbor found a chameleon the other day. That was pretty fun. We may have seemed a little childlike trying to see if it would change into ridiculous colors and all but it made for some funny pictures.

Thanks for the pictures guys, And that’s crazy to hear about all the increase in missionary applications and new missionaries. Those mormons will being taking over the world soon…… but really the talk of missionary changes is popular here, so thanks for the updates . And that come follow me program sounds amazing! I really hope it makes it here, I´ll be waiting to check that out.

Well, I hope everything goes well with painting haha, Don’t get high on the fumes.

I love you all so much, thanks for the amazing amount of love and support, keep the faith!

Elder Lonsdale

November 5, 2012

av

I'm glad to hear that everything went well with the temple dedication. It sounds like it was an amazing experience. How cool it would have been to be able to help ¨build¨the temple and be able to call it öur¨ temple like you guys say. Hmm…I want a temple….We´ll see, maybe one day J

Well this week was a whirlwind of cool experiences and hidden blessings. We had a big FHE with a bunch of members and a few investigators, that was a blast. We were able to help the investigators feel a little more at home and comfortable with the members, AND we were able to help the branch be a little more united (But they they didnt know about our secret combinations to unify them  a little bit more) (So we think we are pretty clever lol) But it was great, with some games afterward. Its pretty interesting to see, how no matter where you are in the world, the same party games are fun and people react in a similar way to what happens in the game wherever you are.. 

(did that make sense? Pardon my bad language the English) Games like, do you love your nieghbor, pictionary, all that jazz…. But back to our secret plans. Our mission president told us that we need to do all we can to help the branch and keep it moving forward, so in every activity we´ve had we´ve tried to do missionary work and branch strengthing at the same time. Its a little branch but has a lot of heart and some really great members. Now we just have to work with the leaders and members to help them keep the Lord´s kingdom roll forward here in Bagua so that one day soon we can have a capilla. Im sure all this work with little branches is going to help me out someday in the future, because I'm learning lots while trying to help/motivate these great members help the Lord in His work. The Mission is an MTC for life right? Right.

Where was I? Oh yeah, waaaay back there with the whirlwind of this past week. Well, yesterday our investigators Sixto and his 8 year old daughter we baptized in the Utcubamba river. It was such a beautiful experience. Me and my companion have really come to love this little family, and helping them walk in the Saviour's footsteps was really something. We even love the mom who is in support of her family becoming members but not wanting to leave behind some things. We were able to have a bunch of members there too (Secret combinations at work, Strengthening members lol) so that was great. We were very blessed that everything worked out alright even when there were some difficulties along the way. All in all, a day to remember.Ill try to send photos,....someday haha.

Me and my companion woke up today and saw that it was raining buckets. So, being p.day, we threw on some shorts and shirts and headed out into the rain to do some puddle jumping. Right now there is a shortage of water in bagua so many people were gathering water in buckets from the drain pìpes, so we were able to do some service at the same time. We had fun, got wet, and helped some people with water buckets.

Thank you so much for the letter with the quotes and drawings, I wasn't expecting them and they came right when they were needed. You guys are the best, I'm so blessed to have such a strong family. I know I can't do much but im trying to repay God for the amazingly large about of blessings I have received in my life thanks to the gospel.

I love you all,

Elder Lonsdale

October 29, 2012

Hey family of mine,

Yes, I apologize profusely for the letter last week. It was a very slow computer and trying to send pictures became difficult and it was a bit of a mess. Im sorry…I will do better I promise. J.

Things here are going swell. Helping my companion get used to the area and the investigators is always interesting. I think I have introduced him to like 100 different people in the past two weeks. The time after changes you always hear the whole `Wait, and the other missionary? What happened to the other guy?` It can be fun to joke around with the people and make up funny stories,…but all in good taste of course. 

Elder Barrios is my new companion. He is from Guatemala (Next place to visit haha) He is this little short stout happy Latino. We have a blast. He has 7 months and served a half of that time in guatemala due to visa problems. So he brings some insight and ideas from another mission that help us out sometimes. But things are good. We are happy and get along well.

This week was a…..good week. Yes I can say ¨good¨. That doesn't mean it was very easy, or full of amazing experiences, but it was good. We had a couple of days in there where we were on fire, and we had lessons here, new investigators there, contacts over here, and referrals over yonder. Those days are great, because you come home wiped and dead, knowing that its because you worked hard and helped a bunch of people. But then we had some other days where almost every appointment fell through…and you feel like you must have a skunk on your head becasue nobody wants to talk to you. Those days we just had to shrug our shoulders and keep going. Those days we still came home whipped and tired, but its not a very satisfying feeling. We just had to say that there is always tomorrow! (easier said than done…but possible)

We are working with some really great people right now, investigators, less actives, and branch leaders.  I often reflect on the HUGELY amazing blessing it has been to be able to come and meet and know so many different, new and interesting people. And How they have become part of my life. Honestly it is still weird to me how you guys most likely will never meet these people who have been apart of my life this little while…. And how they will never meet you, I try not to think about it, like I said, it makes me feel….weird haha, if that makes any sense.  But we have some investigators that have some very good questions that have helped me reflect personally on my own testimony. Investigators can ask inspired questions too. And when they do, it not only gives us the chance to invite the spirit with our own testimony, but reflect as missionaries, members, children of God. Well, I wish I had a great example right now for you.,,,that would make this little rant worth it….but alas.. maybe next time haha.

The other day we had an interesting experience…i wish i could give you more details, but i´ll sum it up…..we were visiting some less actives, as we aproached their house, we found their grandpa who lives in the fields in the high parts, seated on the porch, a little drunk, and a little anti mormon. We began a conversation, and he had a lot to say about how we are liars and that god only has one true church… and we were like ¨yeah…your'e right¨ lol. But as the conversation went on he got angry really fast, it kinda took us by surprise. ( we are seated in front of him) And he very quickly pulled off his belt and gave me a very swift whip with his leather belt across the lap haha. Yelling and telling us to never come back. We decided it was a good idea to leave after that haha. But it was a good little axperience, a little physical violence to remind you that you are doing the right thing haha.

Well, I hopemy little update is alright. I hope everything is going well with you guys. Enjoy the NEWLY DEDICATED TEMPLE!! Wow, awesome. J

I love you all so much, you are in my prayers!

Elder Lonsdale

October 22, 2012

Hello family.

Wow, 100,000 people? That is amazing, and impressive. The house of the Lord sure attracts his children. It snowed over there? wow, thats weird, it rained here. thats kinda the same ight? llol Im surprised that daniel has become a little bully(dont tell him but I had to laugh when I heard the story) I feel like hurting people who try to change my identity too. What a neat experience it has been for you guys with the temple, one to always remember I'm sure. Doing interviews dad, doing tours mom. Interviews can be really spiritual experiences. And Im sure doing the tours mom was a growing experience liike you said. Im glad to hear that you guys are doing great....[Editor's note:  the letter just ended here.  Computer problems.  Sigh.]