Maddy on a Mission: 1-6-14 Take that, Satan!

HOLA!!!

Okay. This week was kind of crazy. In a good way. First off, DIEGO got baptized!!!! I love this kid so much. He is 15 and just so awesome. But it has taken him a LONG time. And getting to the baptism came with a lot of hardships. Many which I wont talk about... but one funny one was that we got to the font and everything was ready (minus people being there) and as we were talking we hear this huge slurping sound.... NO!! Someone drained the font. And it takes 45 minutes to refill... so we started the baptism 1hr. 30 min late... and no one but us, one family, and Diego's grandma came...even though we had planned for about 20 or more people... it was a little disappointing, we are working on member support! But here's something crazy. He told us the day before his baptism that he was leaving to live in lima that day... NOOOO!!! We explained the importance of his baptism and he decided to leave at 8pm after his baptism!! Yay. So we confirmed him that day too. Then yesterday at church I turn around and guess who I see walk in? That's right. It's a pretty good blessing that he is not leaving yet because he needs some good support about his baptism! But we were so happy to see him because we really love him and we were all so sad he was leaving! Satan threw a LOT of curve balls at us this last week, but he is baptized. So take that, Satan.

Also. We had an AWESOME experience with one of our favorite little girls. No one in her family wants her baptized, and they have gone so far as to not allow her to go to church anymore. Her aunt believes we worship Joseph Smith. So in our lesson, we decided to just sing I know that my redeemer lives, bare our testimonies and pray with her that their hearts would be softened. I felt the Savior's love for Shayla SO strong during that whole time. I really couldnt sing because I was so full of love (which sometimes includes tears. Thanks mom) Also, can I just say NO ONE in Peru can sing. Like at all. So we were also trying with all of our might not to laugh...it was a strange combination...hahah. But she sang so loud, and proud and terrible. But it was so wonderful. :)

Also!! We were visiting Jordan (our recent convert) by the way, he's adorable. Reminds me of William and SUPER quiet and smart. Well, we asked him if he had a good new years. And he smiled and said yes! So then we asked him what he did and he replied " Leo el libro de mormon y orar." I kid you not. I lost it. It was the cutest thing ever. I just couldnt stop giggling, which made him start giggling a LOT too, and I have never really seen him smile or laugh that much. It was great. But he was dead serious. You see why we love him, right?

Two times this week I almost got ran over. MY comp saved my life both times. But those motos really don't care to slow down or anything...haha it was pretty scary! But hey, here I am.

So for new years everything here is yellow. And I mean EVERYTHING. Even their underwear for sale in every single store, booth, tienda, etc...hahaha

So there is something about Peruvians and fireworks. They love those things! Which means all day, all night, always, there are loud (really loud) scary bangs going off... When I am home from the misison I will be able to sleep through ANYTHING!

This week almost all of our teaching was in the cerros, which consists of dirt, mud, DOGS, sometimes dead animals, and little children that follow us around and ask us if we can sing in english., its super fun :))) And the hills we hike up with cement would be SO fun to longboard down!!!

Corinthians 13 is very, very good. I would request that you all read it. :)

Something I really love is that everyone here has manners!! Even the 2 year old little boys who come up and shake our hands and say buenas dias tardes or noches. It's wonderful. I also love how everyone is so loving. We always greet (women) with a hug and kiss on the cheek. Lets all do that always, okay? :)

So something interesting this week was we finally found this awesome contact we always see on the road but whenever we go to her house she's never there!! Well, her and her daughter were both there. Outside. In a moto. So we taught a lesson (5 of us) in a tiny moto. It was SO funny. Try looking up Peruvian motos. It was so hot and loud( we were outside on the road) but she accepted a date!! And she said she never liked other churches but she really likes us because we are so nice and she can feel something with us!

Well, I had more to say, but I'm out of time!! I love you all, make sure you email and write me. But more than that. Make sure you're being an example of the believers añwaus- always. I mean. oops. love you!!!

Hermana whitlock