7-21-14 Welcome to the JUNGLE!!!!!! (La merced. Area: Villa Rica) Look it up.

Whoever told me the jungle is hot is a LIAR. Thats right, I am in the
jungle.  Green, Coconut trees, coffee plants,Green EVERYWHERE, rain
(everyday) parrots, monkeys, wooden houses, the whole shabang. Its
BEAUTIFUL. And cold. So coooold. I dont even understand. Everyone told
me, “villa rica is so cool, but so hot. Get ready!” Like I said…
Liars. Haha

We had the baptism of Geral in Micaela (huanuco) Tuesday night and had
cambios Wed morning. It was wonderful!!! Shes so cute: I have tons of
pics, but like I said… maybe someday.

So some cool facts:

We live above a coffee roasting business. So our house ALWAYS smells
like coffee. Yum.

The internet is slower than ALL get out. And it gives your cards
viruses… so as for now. No pictures :(

The roads are FULL of desaguas. If you dont know what that is… well,
its poop water. So everywhere smells like… well, you can imagine. ;)

Our pension (breakfast, lunch and dinner) is an italian restaurant.
REAL YUM. I'm going to get so fat! But! I convinced my comp to go
running with me 3 times a week, we went this morning and I loved it!!
Hopefully we can do it more because then I might not actually come
home 300 pounds.

There is a Little girl here named Renesme. Thats right. From Twilight. Hahaha

My comp is Hermana Mecias from California. Thats right, ENGLISH! And
fluent spanish. It's the BEST. Also, she is the sister I went on splits
in Cerro and sent a photo home a LONG time ago, shes GREAT.

SO the wooden houses here remind me SO much of like the fake wooden
houses in pirates ride and other rides at disneyland. Like theyre
going to fall apart any second. But theyre SO cool. And some of them
even smell like the pirates ride…

Does anyone know an Elder Layton from Gilbert? ( think the Smelsers
do!) Well, he's in my ward with us! Actually, all four of us are
Americans. Its chistoso.

You guys should write  me with DEARELDER.COM they actually DO come!!!
(and I havent had any letters in months and months!) :)

Well. I am just getting to know the area and the members and
everything, so I dont have much to report in that aspect. I am so
ready and excited to work HARD here because there are a lot of
problems here. I just know that this area is going to help me grow a
LOT spiritually, emotionally and physically (hopefully not my size
though)

I love being a missionary. Forever and Always. :) There is NOTHING
like the joy that comes from teaching others about the Gospel of our
Lord and Savoir and inviting them to live it. I love serving a mission
at the same time as a lot of my friends too. I get to see their
examples and growth. I really do have the best friends ever. :) I love
you all!!!! I hope everyone has an awesome, faith filled week.
Internet is sooo slow, so I am going to try and send this now, sorry
if it's short!!


Love, 
Hermana Whitlock

7-14-14 Faith!

Holita familita! Well, not really much I can think of this week. We have been pretty sick and taking it a little bit easier, but I feel a LOT better today and I am going to work SO hard this week!! haha

A few things I remember: 

-We were in a trio this week with Hermana Durfee. She is the BEST. I hope one day we're comps. but it was super fun, and also hard to try and teach with three, and I remember my beginning days with Hermana Abbott and Rhoten (before I spoke any spanish) and how much FUN it was, but how hard it was to teach. I am grateful normally, we only have one comp ;)

Trio for 3 days!!

- Well. Coolest thing EVER. I don't know if I told you guys yet but Grecia is pregnant? Well anyway. We were all having a relief society activity and everyone was going around and seeing if they knew our names. When Elder Murillo asked what my name was, everyone was trying to say Whitlock, but it NEVER comes out right, haha and Grecia yelled, "Madelyn!!" hahaha I was so embarrassed, but I think she was more. Because you know, people aren't supposed to really know our names. But the happy part about this story is that the paper we wrote our names on, her husband found and said, " whats this for? is this our future babies name, id like it to be" and so they BOTH are set on if they have a girl, naming it "Ana Madelyn" I've been praying every night since for a girl. ;) .....but really.

-So something that is VERY normal here is men peeing. Anywhere and everywhere. Just like all the wild dogs. It's really fun to see. But what's funner to see, is a woman doing so. (this is sarcasm, I hate it) But we saw it. With the Elders. It was terrible. And super funny. Poor guys. Poor us! I don't want to see that. 

-We made Tacos this week, as you saw in the pics. REAL LIVE TACOS. I only got one, but who cares. Best food I have had my whole mission. And now I know how to make homemade tortillas and all :)

TACOS!!!! So good. I am so jealous of Sydney ;)

- We have a baptism tomorrow!!!! Her name is Geral and she is AWESOME!!! We changed it to be right before cambios because heck, if I don't leave here... I will be VERY surprised. Only got 8 months in Huanuco... haha

- We have two more baptisms next Wed if everything goes well!!! Cielo (8yrs) and Willian (16yrs) please pray for them!!

- Anyone ever heard of "esto es guierra"? its all anyone watches here. Bueno, when mundial isn't on. Anyway, We played some of the games with some neighbor kids this week!! It was super fun, and now I am ready to try out for the show. ;) (everyone go look it up please)

Playing este es guierra con our friends :)

-Alamania WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know I am going against the whole South America rooting for them, but everyone knows I am obsessed with Germany. VERY HAPPY ABOUT THIS. :D

- HERE'S the faith Quote I promised last week:

"Faith, to BE faith, must center around something that is NOT known. Faith, to BE faith, must go beyond that for which there is confirming evidence. Faith, to BE faith, must go into the unknown. Faith, to BE faith, must walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness." I really thought before my mission I had faith. And I did, but it was so small. I am learning daily what REAL faith is. It's trust to do or say or be something without knowing exactly why. Feeling scared, but doing it anyway, because it's right. Choosing the right, following impressions, obeying the commandments, etc, even if it is hard and especially WHEN it is hard. I don't even understand faith fully yet, but I just love reading this quote over and over and thinking about what faith REALLY is. You guys should email me and tell me what you think faith is and an experience you've had with it :)

This week, examine your faith, and resolve to trust the Lord just a little more. I will be doing it too. :) I love you all. I know this is the work of my Father in Heaven and I wouldn't WANT to be anywhere else in the WORLD. (except maybe in China with my ENTIRE family. Brats) 

:) all of my love, 

Herma Whitlock

ps. write me.

LOVE

Out of my perfume :( (don't worry though, Rachel sent me more!)

Sick for dayyyssssss

Familia palomino :)

WHERE IS EVERYONE?? (in their houses, watching mundial.This is the busiest street)

Someone wrote glasses and a mustache on this poor dog... hahaha

Just cuz I am totally still freaking out that this happened. :)

My district

My Zone!

7-7-14 Remember Whose you are.

Our mission has a year!!! And as of yesterday, I have 8 months! WHAT. I didn't even remember 'till my comp and I were in the house journaling and she asked me how it feels to be 8 months old. I don't like it. In one month, I will be half way done. Ew! 

HEY! Everyone wish my awesome older brother Daniel HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! He's the best.

We had Entrovistas con presidente. I LOVE THAT MAN. Seriously. He is SO amazing, hilarious and REALLY helps you see your value and worth in the eyes of Heavenly Father. Also, I am pretty sure I am leaving this area and my comp. I have 4 1/2 months here and cambios are next week. I am REALLY scared, just because I know I'll cry and I HATE crying. But this place is my home. And my comp is literally Like a sister. I can't wait for you ALL to meet her. It's funny because my first cambio here I couldn't WAIT to leave. There was nothing keeping me here. No success, gossip in the ward, hard companion, etc. My how things have changed. I also am changing a LOT and KNOW I won't let feelings like that happen again, no matter where I am or what companion I have. 

I had two really cool stories, but I am (like always) out of time.. I will explain them, but they might be absent of feeling, and correct grammar. hehe.SORRY!!!

One. We have not been finding ANY new investigators this week. So Saturday when we started our fast, we prayed to SPECIFICALLY be lead to someone NEEDING this gospel. Within 2 hours, we met someone who had told her cousin she wanted to participate in the Mormon church. After a VERY spirit filled lesson, I felt like I should tell her she was an answer to our prayers because Heavenly Father NEEDS her in His true church. It was SUCH a cool experience. She has a very hard life, but if she chooses to live this gospel, everything will change :). We also met another man very willing to listen! And finally, we had a lesson with a return missionary menos activo por 12 anos!!! It was one of the most powerful lessons I have had on my mission. I felt the spirit working through me and literally sending words into my brain and out of my mouth! I don't remember much that was said (what I do remember I wrote in my journal) but my comp said she felt SO good in the lesson and told me I didn't mess up a single word and she felt the spirit testifying of what I said. It was such a testimony builder that when God needs us to tell his children something, He WILL HELP US!

Two. The other experience starts with a LONG story I don't have time to write. But, to end the story, the man that was talking to us asked us, "What type of God do you believe in?" I pondered this all last night as I was falling asleep. 

The God I believe in is one of miracles. I believe in a God who has all power, all knowledge and ALL love. I believe in a God who can move mountains, bring back the dead and change even the most hard of hearts. I believe in a God who can control the heavens and the seas, yet listens to a broken-hearted mother's pleas and the prayers of children. MY God is a God of MIRACLES. 

I know I need to work on having SO much more faith. Because I believe in a God such as this, literally NOTHING is impossible with him. If we can remember this, we ourselves can work miracles through him. This week, I am going to just choose to have Faith. :) You all can choose too. This week, I will just have FAITH. Faith can move mountains. 

Coming next week: A SUPER awesome quote I found on faith that I don't have time to write. :)

I love you all and pray for you everyday. 

Hermana Whitlock

What type of God do YOU believe in?

Picarone dough

mi pension :)

Ward activity!

Making picarones for servicio!! Look it up

Red white and blue!!!

Our "american food" for 4th of July

My favorite little girl ever

More of Luciana, EVERYONE thinks we are sisters. I wish. haha

6-30-14 HEY! I love you. Guess what else? Heavenly father does.

So a BUNCH of random thoughts and not a lot of time to write. Here goes. 

Basically just a bunch of quotes I love haha. My week was pretty normal, lots of lessons and learning. Also, we had several people come to church Sunday which is ALWAYS the hardest thing but also the most rewarding. We have Cambios in two weeks and I am pretty scared because I have a lot of time here, but I don't want to leave until Grecia is Baptized!! But I know it's all in the Lord's hands. 

-I love this quote I read the other day, "we are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient because we can SEE."

We as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, KNOW our divine potential and our purpose here on the earth. We know that this time is SO short compared to the eternities if we but obey here. Because we have an eternal perspective, we WANT to be obedient. I am obedient because I can SEE what Heavenly Father has in store for me. 

- Another Quote: "HE chose us to follow Him, and to bring others with us." It is not enough for us to just believe in Jesus Christ. We must FOLLOW him and bring our loved ones with us. Through our example and love for others, we will bring others unto Christ. And our own personal Joy will be SO Much greater when we are able to see all of the lives our example has blessed and changed.

-LUKE 1:37 FOR WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE. Go ahead and just think about that. Just think!

-This week. Monday to Sunday I had the mile tracker on my mom sent. We walked 35 miles in 6 days. Normal. (say that in spanish)

-"The most powerful being in the universe is the father of your spirit. HE KNOWS YOU. He loves you with a perfect love. He wants you to know that YOU MATTER TO HIM. Including those who are thinking, "Well. Not me."

I love this. It doesnt matter who you are, what mistakes you have made, where you are at in your life, what kind of faith you have, GOD KNOWS YOU AND LOVES YOU. You are HIS child. Picture your mom or dad. Think of the unmeasurable ammount of love they have for you. Or. Picture your children and the unbelievable amount of love you have for them. Now, times that by ten, no, 100 thousand. Then times it some more. That is how much Heavenly Father loves YOU. We simply cannot comprehend. But, we can have a sure knowledge that he is looking out for us and that EVERY single thing that happens in our lives, was made by a design lovingly prepared for us. But of course, there are natural consequences as well. 

Now our responsibility is to choose the right. Simple, no? We have within us the power to be happy, to love and to bless others. WE can choose to be obedient to Gods commandments. He will never force us to do the right thing, but because he loves us SO Much, he will lead us and guide us to do the right if we will but live our lives in a way to be worthy of his help. 

- I want to work with handicapped or homeless people after my mission. I have always wanted to, but this week just helped solidify this desire. I have two quick experiences because I am totally out of time. One: There are a lot of completely homeless people here. Like, eat out of the trash, don't have clothes, homeless. We passed a man such as this and I just wanted to hug him. SO hard. I didn't really understand why at first. But then I realized, that's what God's love does to us!! It makes us love others too. Instead (because we cant hug men) We gave him our pack of oreos. I tried to talk to him but he wouldnt respond. But I wasn't annoyed or sad because the thought popped into my head that I could be the first person that has acknowledged him, let alone talked to him in YEARS, maybe his whole life. The other one: A lady came up to me randomly and just hugged me. I asked her a few questions and realized she couldnt speak, so I asked her to write it out, this is what she wrote. I then told her that she was always welcomed to visit us and that she is loved. she hugged me again and walked away. I think she could recognize us as servants of God and it was a super sweet experience. Well I wanted to write more but I am OUT of time!!! Love you all!!!! Have a wonderful week. 

Hermana Whitlock

Juanes!!! to celebrate San Juan

MY pet monkey friend chucho (he doesn't trust me yet to hold him.... were working on it)

Future missionaries :)

Cleaning the chapel!

We gave talks this Sunday!! Super awesome. I talked about Allison Lovell in my talk. So shout out to that babe.

6-23-14 Let it go!!!

So I don't have too much I can think of to say today.

Random thoughts I guess... :)

We found an antiguo the other day and we have been teaching him this week. He is GREAT. He wants to know how he can serve a mission. Something really awesome and touching he told us this last lesson was that before he talked to us, he didn't believe in religion or want to talk about it or have any interest in it. It annoyed him and he thought it was useless. Then he met us. He started reading the Book of Mormon and now. He believes. He knows God exists and he wants to be baptized in his true church. He just kept thanking us over and over!!! I love that the gospel does this to people. Of ALL ages!! His name is Louis and he is 18 by the way. :)

Tambien, Grecia Rofner is FANTASTIC. I just want to let you all know what she said to us this week (without going into detail about her circumstances, they are just really really hard right now) "I am just going to over every commandment and endure, pray and work. I am going to rely on the Lord and HIS timing, and do HIS will." I love her. All I could tell her was that I don't know the future, but that it will be for her good and that God loves her so much and is on her side throughout all of this. 

I just feel SOOO blessed to be one of the missionaries with all of these wonderful, faithful people who help my faith grow daily. 

Family Rofner!!!! (well, some of them)

This Sunday we had 10 different investigators committed to coming to church, and when the time came, and after going to every single house and walking about 2 miles in 20 minutes, no one came. We were pretty sad at first, but within minutes, I was laughing. I don't actually know why, I think my comps annoyance made me laugh... haha but soon she was too. And we were able to see the victories of Sunday. BOTH our new converts were there early, Bryan in shirt and tie passing sacrament, and maria received a calling!!! So that was happy. :) We just have to keep working hard and be okay with failure. Because if we ARE being obedient and doing what the Lord wants, it's not real failure. Everything is in the LORD'S timing. I am trying very hard to learn that every day. And to just ¨LET IT GO!!!¨ ;)

Psalms 100: ¨Serve the Lord with gladness... his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth.¨ I LOVE THIS. When we are serving the Lord, we should do so happily, otherwise, there really isn't much point. We won't learn or be able to feel God's love for us. And I also love that it says his truth endureth. Ain't that the truth! His ways, God's ways, will NEVER EVER change or be found false. we can have complete security and trust in his promises and blessings to us. There is a scripture that says our prayers have entered his ears with a PROMISE that they will be fulfilled. We just need to learn the Christlike attribute, patience. One of my least favorite things, I am learning so much of ;) 

Also whos from grinch are called quienes. Idk why that's so dang funny to me. Anyway. I am out of time, LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

Saturday night movie night.. chowfa and papas fritas! (This is closest to food from home haha)

Hermana Whitlock

Package I got from Rach!!!! 6-23-14

Just more and more puppies.... oh ps. I dyed my hairs 6-23-14

I went on divisions in my old area with Hermana Durfee!!! Old area is great and Hermana Durfee is amazing!!!!

We both dyed our hairs : ) 

Maria. recent convert and future missionary.

I made a rockman with the family (cuz we don't got snow in these parts)