Way to go Einstein!

A favorite comedian Brian Regan does a comedy bit about

Albert Einstein...

He says... I don't think we are honoring this guy properly

For instance, when somebody forgets where they park their car...

and their friend says

"Way to go Einstein"

Each and every missionary comes with their own set of 

gifts and talents.

I pray that each one learns from each other.

And that they never compare themselves to each other.

And That they love and accept each other with 

all their strengths and weaknesses.

Missions are a great exercise for marriage.

Girls, do not marry anyone that has not served

the Lord for two years.

The benefits of serving a mission

are more than we could ever count.

The number is in the bazillions!

I love Albert Einstein sayings.

His one liners are motivating to me.

Here are some of my favorites.

I have added the word mission to a couple of them.

(Primavera zones random photos from todays interviews)

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, 

it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

“Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.” 

“Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.” 

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. 

The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

“Mission Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” 

“Try not to become a missionary of success. Rather become a missionary of value.”

“You never fail until you stop trying.” 

“The best way to cheer yourself is to cheer somebody else up.” 

“What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right.” 

“Love is a better master than duty.”

Thank you Albert... And by the way, I am loving Einstein's hair more and more

after fighting my hair war here... I am probably going to have to go Albert on everyone.

He's my new hair hero!

Primavera Zone includes:

Zone Leaders:  Elder Frietz and Elder Pillajo

Hermanas:  Montes, Sandstrom, Apaza and Lujan

Elders: Johnson, Castillo, Martinez, Felt, Fullmer, Jaramillo,

Kellogg and Vilchez

One Month Check Up!

What a confident group we were with today.

All of our new ones and their trainers were in for their 

one month check up.

They are all thriving and doing well.

We will not have to give them any inoculations.

In fact, the gringos... Nystrom, Smith and Fullmer are doing

very well with their spanish skills.

They don't feel like they are doing well, but trust me,

they are fantastic for one month in the field.

Elder Ureta the only new latino is already giving the 

commission in English.

Better than their Language skills are all of their attitudes.

They are really positive and happy.

We can't ask for anything more than this from our 

young ones.  And a big shout out to their successful trainers.

We Love Our Trainers!

All we need to do is just stay our of everyones way

so we don't mess up anything.

Gracias Elderes!

New Assistant to the President

Our new Assistant has been called and now is in 

heavy duty training.

Elder Wright will be training Elder Mecham for the next two weeks

before Elder Wright finishes his mission.

This is always a bitter sweet time.

We are thrilled with the new but very concerned

about letting the old go.

We can do it... We have done it before and before that and before that and well

you would think we would be getting great at it by now... but we aren't

I feel like Elder Mecham is already a part of the family.

Remember...

I think he looks like my nephew Grant.

They absolutely have the same personality... Perfect!

It will feel like I have a sweet piece of home right here with me always.

Grant Gurr... Look who is in the office... YOU!

Some of our Stars in Esperanza

We love these Elders in Esperanza...

Our Zone Leaders are

Elder Contreras and Elder Gamboa

Elder Llatance and Elder Miranda

Elder Aguilar and Elder Camerana

Elder Hererra and Elder Oroxom

Elder España and Elder Chun

Elder Tierra and Elder Rodriguez

Elder Soto and Elder Hererra

Elder Mano and Elder Huaman

We all had a great time.... nothing new

but everything is different with each group coming in...

if you know what I mean.

I somehow missed a picture of 

Elder Martinez and Elder Palma

I will insert it here soon!

I love to take a few pieces of wrapped candy and throw them in the air

one at a time.

All of the sudden

it's like it's raining 100 dollar bills.

They go a little crazy.

Never a dull moment.

FLY!

Memories....

The little wonder boys, my grandsons Griff and Tillman, 

were at the cemetery 

with their parents this week for Memorial Day.

It is such a beautiful tradition to pay honor to those who have served 

our Country, those that have paved the way for each of us

and those that have sacrificed everything for the Gospel.

It's our Family...   

Making memories with those that have passed on before us.

How great it is to listen to and tell stories of those 

that loved us and still love us... 

They are very near to each of us.

Their work on the other side is their family.

Our work on this earth is our Family...

We are a continuous chain that pulls and helps each other.

That is why the Priesthood Ordinances are so important to each of us.

What is bound on earth is bound in heaven.

The sealing ordinances tie us together in ways that we won't 

understand fully in this life.

But they are a blessing to us beyond belief.

President Turk has been talking about his siblings during this round of 

Zone Conferences.

You see, he is the oldest of three children in his family

but his younger sister and brother have already passed on 

to the other side of the veil.

Misty, his sister passed away from cancer at the age of 25.

His brother Randy died at the age of 38.

His brother had a difficult life out of the church dealing with 

physical addictions that he could not get passed.

He used to say to President Turk,  if I could just save someone

from a burning building or dive in and rescue someone from drowning

then my whole life would all be worth something.

President Turk told his sweet brother Randy that he didn't need 

to save someone to make his life worthy... 

You see, our Savior, Jesus Christ 

already has given His life for us so that we can 

make our lives whole and well and worthy

through His sacrifice and love.

We can receive all that He has for us

if we will turn to Him,

Repent and follow Him.

He can make so much more out of our lives than anything

we can do with them.

He makes our lives WHOLE.

This feeling can't be bought.  It is found

through living the Gospel of Jesus Christ 

and it is Priceless.

Keep Flying Huaraz Zone...

The scenery is breathtaking up in the mountains of Huaraz.

Here are the Assistants in a roadside photo

up in the white mountains of Perú.

I am so thankful for the Assistants taking over my job on this road trip.

They gave my talks and did my training.

They had the musical numbers.

They played fun games.

They gave out prizes.

They took pictures.

They didn't miss a beat.

Good to Know

The Zone Leaders, Elder Brito and Elder Hurley are working well with 

the Priesthood Leaders in Huaraz.  They are fantastic Leaders to their Zone.

Theses Hermanas are consistent high achievers.

They know how to work hard and see results.

Here we have the young and the old in the mission.

Elder Castillo is young and strong.

Elder Terry is old and wise.

They are a powerful companionship.

Elder Hoyos is a new District leader 

and Elder Young is a very fast learner.

They are very synchronized in their teaching. 

Elder Vanden Bosch and Elder Minaya are in Caraz, the furthest from us.

But they are a huge strength to the new young Bishop in their area.

We love their leadership.

Elder Armstrong is a new strong District Leader and 

Elder Cruz teaches from the heart.

He is young but very tender and warm in his teachings.

They work in Yungay which hopefully will become a branch soon.

Elder Beazer and Elder Contreras work in Huarupampa.

They work really well together. Elder Contreras is dedicated to details.

They graph all their indicators so they can see their progress.

Elder Massey is training Elder Ureta.  They will be traveling in this week for 

the new ones and their trainers meeting.  We will see them on Wednesday.

President says that humility is their middle name.

They are following promptings and seeing results.

Huaraz...  We are Proud of You!

Keep on Soaring!

President is in Huaraz...

The President and I are on Splits.

He is in Huaraz having interviews and a Zone Conference.

This is a great group of missionaries.

Elders:  Armstrong, Terry, Urete, Beazer, Brito, Castillo, Contreras,

Cruz, Hoyos, Hurley, Massey, Minaya, Vanden Bosch, Young

Hermanas:  Oliveros and Pillco

Zone Leaders:  Brito and Hurley

I am in Trujillo working with the office Elders and taking turns in the clinic.

I love when the President tells me stories that he either reads in the letters each week

or they tell him stories in the interviews to tell me.

Here are a few that I remember...

One of our Elders who is leaving us very soon 

received the letter with his release date on it.

But the release date was typed in wrong 

and it said that he would be released in December...

seven months later than when he was supposed to leave.

He wrote back to the President

and told him that he was honored to stay the extra time

but could we please let his family know

 that his mission has been extended.

There was never a question if he would stay.

He was happy to do so and didn't skip a beat.

I am sure that his family is thrilled that it was a typo.

But this is the kind of missionaries we get to work with 

every single day.

Diligent, Obedient, Spiritual...

They know what is truly important.

They would give everything and anything if they were asked.

Another one of my favorite stories...

One of our missionaries father passed away when he was ten years old.

He has had many dreams when his father has

appeared to him to tell him that it was time to serve a mission,

and to remind him that he is in the right place and more. 

I put this story on my blog awhile back.  

But his most recent was the other night

when his father was in his dream and told him 

to read Alma 7:22-23.

He said that he was looking it up in his Book of Mormon

and he was shuffling through the pages and couldn't

find it.... he was panicking

and this woke him up...

He ran to his Book of Mormon

and looked up the scripture.

It was exactly what he needed at this time.

This is what it says...

 22 And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received.

 23 And now I would that ye should be ^ahumble, and be^bsubmissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

THIS IS SO INCREDIBLE TO ME...

I love these tender mercies!

And another sweet story...

A couple of our Elders were just leaving the home of one of their appointments that didn't show up.  They were frustrated but not going to let that stop them from finding others. They started to walk down the main road.  They passed a young man working construction going up and down a ladder to the second floor.  They said hello but didn't want to bother him as he was working.  They walked down the street a ways and one of the Elders stopped and said we need to go back to that man.  He had a strong impression and was not going to ignore it.  They went back and introduced themselves.  He was very happy they returned.  This man had also felt something when they passed him and he was wondering what they had that was so special. Now... this man and his sweet family are taking the lessons.  They have felt the spirit and are making progress towards a whole family baptism.  

The Lord will guide and direct us but we have to listen and follow the promptings immediately.  It would be very easy to explain away those feelings but if we are going to make a difference and be an instrument...

We Follow the Promptings Immediately.

These stories happen every day around here by the dozens. 

 I am just going to start posting a few more of them.

Multi Zone II

We did it again...

another big multi zone conference back to back.

This conference had some of our Hermanas with us today.

If you have heard some of the old stereotypes of Sister missionaries..

Please know that they are all wrong and long gone.

These Hermanas are powerful women of God.

They are making a huge difference here in our mission.

We absolutely love them.

Please everyone, Smile and look forward...

Let's make this Painless.

This photo includes Central, Palermo, Laureles, Porvenir and Casa Grande Zones.

Let's Hear It For the Boys!

Here is one of my favorite photos...

We are definitely in

The Happiest Place on Earth.

I LOVE THESE MISSIONARIES!

We had a multi-zone conference today.

It is such a privilege to serve along side each one of them.

Tomorrow we will have the rest of the Trujillo Zones

in for another multi zone conference with a bunch of the Hermanas too.

I want to give a big shout out to our Clean Up Committee.

They were awesome today.

Thank you.

 
Elder Reyes and Elder Fajardo

 
 Elder Merida and Elders Calderone and Balás

Elders Ipi and Perez

After a full day of a multi zone conference training,

We weren't finished yet...

We had all the Otuzco and Huamachuco Elders

stay in for their interviews later this afternoon.

So .... A very long day

but very rewarding.

Elder Quispe and Elder Ordoñez

received the prize for the most unbelievable

Area Book

It was a beautiful thing to behold.

Thank you Elders.

This book is critical for the work to move forward smoothly

and accurately in each one of the areas.

Okay... Okay

here are the winners of the foosball tourney.

Elder Lorenzo and Elder Nelson

Congrats.

Tomorrow is another jam packed day...

My Idahoans... Is That A Word?

IDAHO...  Watch out, they have returned in all their glory.

Elder Facer and Elder Hargis spoke in their wards yesterday

and Elder Pickett spoke the week before.

 Elder Munson also spoke yesterday in Boise.

He is not pictured here.

The Idahoans have spoken!

Elder Glasgow, Elder Andersen, and Elder McGrath were able to be 

in Idaho Falls yesterday to hear the reports.

Great to see you all looking so good!

Thanks for the photo.

Otuzco

Otuzco has a new House Chapel.

It is beautiful inside.

President Turk called a new Branch Presidency today.

President Guzmon has been the President for over 10 years.

He has been a fantastic leader to these members here.

They love him. But it was time for a change.

And now President Moya on the left, 

is the new President with his new presidency.

The narrow streets and the colors in Otuzco

remind me of a mini Cajamarca.

Remember...  Cajamarca was split off of our mission to the Chiclayo Mission.

It wouldn't be Peru without a few donkeys crossing the road.

You'd think you would see a lot more llamas here 

but NO... they are rarely seen.

But at times you can walk out of church and be in the 

middle of a heard of cows.

Now this is exciting to me.

I want to spank them on the rear and get them running 

like the bulls in Pamplona Spain.

This gives you a little window into my personality.

These roads are tricky to drive on.

They are one lane roads.

Not many cars here now... mostly moto taxis.

Otuzco is a very fun place to visit...

there are many faithful saints.

The Church is growing like crazy here.

Our missionaries love this area.

It takes about an hour and a half to drive to Otuzco...

from the mission home.

A couple of hours by bus.