2-10-14 OHHHH Peru

So this week. Was AWESOME. In a different way than normal. I had a really hard time this week. Understanding ANYONE, being able to speak, feeling a little homesick and just regular sick. Tuesday and Wed Hermana Rhoten was in Huancayo for Capacitacion, and I was with a member. I was awakened to the fact of how LITTLE spanish I know yet, but also, how much I really have learned. Our first day was great!! I did all of the lessons and asked the member for input. We got 2 new investigators that day too!! Day 2... not as much. I was sick, sad, and I couldn't understand anything. I struggled in every lesson and the member had to take over a lot. I was feeling really down and I just kept praying over and over for Heavenly Father's help. But I didn't feel like I was getting it. Near the end of the day,. we passed on the road an old investigator! She asked us to come by again, and we talked for a little (spirit uplifter) then as we were leaving, a lady across the street waved and smiled at me. So I thought "why not?" she told me that she had seen Hermana Rhoten and I several times, but has been too afraid to approach us. She said she is looking for the right way, peace, happiness and truth. HEY! I CAN DO THAT!! I am a missionary of Jesus Christ! But I was SO scared. I had been doing bad all day. Well, our cita ended up being FANTASTIC. I understood her enough to answer all of her questions, she was so positive and ready. She accepted baptism for this month, and she said " how much does it cost to go to church and your activities. I WANT to come." Oh Jenny. :) We have taught her every day since. And Sunday SHE CAME TO CHURCH! Which is a huge blessing because we have been struggling getting investigators to church. ALSO. We have been praying as a companionship for families. Jenny introduced us to her kids this week and we are teaching them now too. And 2 other families we found this week. God is SO good. I feel so blessed that he is letting me be a part of his successes here in Peru.

However. Every now and again- we mess up as missionaries. (story time) We were teaching this lady with her husband (for the first time! One of our new families) and he had told us how he was in jail and he heard the word of God. Now he REALLY wants to be baptized with his wife. She has been reading the Book of Mormon a lot, and he asked for one!! (Good right) Well. After we explained how to pray, my comp asked me to say the closing prayer. So I started. And so did he. Twice as loud. I had to stop (maybe it was because I was giggling) but don't worry. He kept going. For 10 minutes. And in his prayer he thanked God for sending us and giving him this book of hymns that he can sing everyday now (That's the Book of Mormon he's talking about). We said goodbye, walked out, looked at each other and said "MISSIONARY FAIL". This man thinks the Book of Mormon is songs.... hahahaha. Don't worry, we explained it to him the next day when he also came to church. :)

Que Mas... Oh!! Also when we taught his wife 2 days before, we had explained prayer to her and asked her to pray. She began (silently) and continued for a good 15 minutes. It took every ounce of power not to giggle. I am learning, painfully slowly, how to control it. Other times, I cant. Like when we were asked to sing hymns at a funeral (Funerals here are in a persons home, with candles and the casket. For 1-3 days. It does not smell nice at ALL... and people just sit there and cry) Well, a member decided she wanted to sing with us (very sweet, but remember what I said about their singing?!) We got through a few hymns alright, but then we got to one she didn't know at ALL! And she went for it. I started laughing quite a bit. But I didn't want anyone to notice... so I was trying to cough or cover my face, it wasn't really working. But then, my companion leaned over to me and said "keep singing, they think you're crying". It turned out they all thought I was just grieving with them (only none of them were crying) so they were all very concerned for me.... hahaha. I LOVE PERUVIANS!!!

Also, its the month of carnival ( water balloons, talco, drunk men, etc) Well, yesterday I was getting whistled and called gringa over and over by this man in a bar. We walked past, and after a few seconds, I feel this super hard smack! In my back...and then water all over me. I turned around and he did the little kiss thing they do here... a few minutes later. A big group of teenage boys started following us and yelling  "I love you" over and over. Then, they threw talco all over me!!! (its baby powder) All I know, is they have a weird way of showing love here.. ;) My comp also got soaked by a big bucket of water thrown from a truck, I jumped out of the way, but she wasn't as lucky. These streets are tricky right now!! haha And they do this tradition were they plant a tree in the middle of the cement or asphalt road (no wonder there are so many potholes here haha) and everyone dances around it, drinks and parties. The tree's branches are covered with clothes, baskets, etc... and when it falls down, they get the stuff! Like a pinata for adults. It's really funny to be walking down the streets and just see a tree in the middle of Peru :)

Also, I must have looked really pretty this week (side note: I DIDN'T) because I was told that I was "the love of a mans days", another man said he "would give his life for me" and another one said "I must'v fallen from heaven" and a few other rado ones this week... hahaha so very interesting.  

So there is a quote from Elder Holland that says something like "No wicked man could write it, and no good man would. Unless he was commanded by GOD and it were true" (talking about the Book of Mormon) How VERY True this is!!! I believe it is the worlds best book, not only because its a great story, but because of the comfort and peace we can find within it. Because of the blessings we receive by reading it and living it, and because of the promises Heavenly Father has given to his children. I would invite you all to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. It WILL bless your life. It has SO much on my mission already, and I have only been here 3 months! (as of last week :))

Well, I love you ALL! With all of my little heart. I hope you all have a great, busy, fulfilling week!!! WRITE ME! Remember: thank Heavenly Father for all of your blessings, he will give you more. :)

Con amor, Hermana Whitlock

This is my bed :) And my picture Abbie drew :))

Sometimes we take off our makeup, put our hair up, and wear our hoods on Saturday nights when there are lots of drinking me, so they don't notice us... doesn't really work. hahaha

Today is a rainy day!!! (and I have no other pics for the week so here you go:) haha

One of the trees they plant in the middle of the road

One of the trees they plant in the middle of the road