Top Ten List.... for Prospective Missionaries

After being with a lot of missionaries and watching them closely in their missionary efforts, we have come up with our top ten list of reminders that parents can do to help their son or daughter prepare before the mission.

1. Teach them that the Holy Ghost is a member of the GODHEAD and can be their constant companion. The Holy Ghost has all Knowledge, all Power, and all Wisdom. They need to be worthy and spiritually prepared to always have this gift with them. And then learn to carefully listen and follow the promptings. What else will they need?

2. Give them opportunities to discuss and talk out loud about the Gospel with you and with others. Let them testify of truth at Family Home Evenings, Father’s interviews, with mom in the kitchen, at the dinner table, church activities etc….

3. Have Family Home Evening lessons from “Preach My Gospel.” Let them prepare and give the lesson.

4. Remind them to have quiet time without music, TV, videos, games, or friends. Have them feel comfortable by being still and listening. Teach them that the Lord is always trying to communicate with them. He does this through the Scriptures.

5. Teach them how to work. They need to work like a farm boy from morning until night. They need to be self-motivated and know how to work hard. They should feel uncomfortable just sitting around.

6. Moms cut some strings. Toughen them up. Let them do things for themselves. Teach them how to iron, cook, & clean. We need men and women in the mission, not little boys and girls needing their moms. And Mothers, please don’t cry for them when they are away. They are growing spiritually and Serving and Saving others. It's exciting!

7. Teach them how to greet people with a firm handshake, and look them in the eye and smile. Teach them how to speak with adults comfortably and have a conversation by asking them questions.

8. Manners are important. Teach them how to eat correctly. Teach them how to treat others. Teach them to be kind and put others first and give service to someone everyday.

9. Help them feel our Saviors love. Create spiritual experiences in the home. Testify to them of the things that are true. And then when you write letters to them in the mission, be optimistic and uplifting and bare your testimony.

10. Teach them that they will represent Jesus Christ at all times and in all things. It is a glorious privilege. They will never be able to repay our Heavenly Father for what they are about to receive on their mission... It truly will be some of the greatest years of their life.

Missionaries on the Move... With our Expert, Elder Andersen

Elder Andersen's Turn to Write...

Changes!

Once every six weeks, the missionaries wait with anxiousness near their phones for the call from the Zone Leaders with the big news of if they are staying or going! Who their companion will be, and in what area they will serve.

The process of the changes begins long before the calls go out. President Turk, holding the Priesthood Keys to guide missionary work here in Trujillo, prays and fasts seeking revelation to put missionaries where the Lord needs them. He uses a large board called the “Change Board” with the pictures of each missionary grouped into companionships, districts, and zones.

When he has finalized his decisions, he informs the office and the planning begins. Although normally only ¼ of the mission changes areas in a normal change, when you think about their companions, those that are finishing their missions, and those that are arriving it is quite the event. The office plans up to 12 weeks in advance planning for this one day, making sure that all goes smoothly.

Here is a real example from this last change we had two weeks ago!

Elder Williams was in Chimbote winding down his two years and preparing to return home…

Elder Prebe was sitting in the CCM of Lima, just waiting to leave for the airport and to arrive in his new mission…

Elder Lopez was sitting in his room in Huaraz when the phone began to ring…

Elder Munson has been in Casma… who will his new companion be? Will he stay or go?

Hermana Bigler wanted to know what was happening with her trio of Sister Missionaries… RING!

CHANGES…

Bus tickets had been purchased, food had been planned, the phone calls were made, and everyone was informed.

Monday

Change phone calls are made and the mission is informed who stays and who goes… The carefully planned and orchestrated chaos begins.

Elder Williams climbs in his bus and heads in to Trujillo for his final interview with President. He will be picked up by a companionship to eat, shower, and prepare.

Elder Prebe just keeps waiting…

Elder Lopez has a change! He is headed to the Primavera Zone! He begins packing his bags.

Elder Munson is headed from one side of the mission to the other, from Chimbote Sur to Pacasmayo!

Hermana Bigler is staying, but both of her companions are headed out! She is left to help her new companion.

Tuesday - Finishing Missionaries head home, new ones arrive!

Elder Williams -- With his interview over, he and the 19 other missionaries leaving the mission are carefully reviewing their flight plans and packing their bags to avoid paying overweight. They have collected a lot of things these last 2 years.

Elder Prebe climbs into the bus headed away from the Lima CCM, he doesn´t know much about what lies ahead but has trust that the Lord will take good care of him.

Elder Lopez climbs into a bus for an overnight ride from Huaraz to Trujillo he will arrive early the next morning!

Elder Munson has his bags packed. He has never met his new companion Elder Martinez but knows that they will get along great!

Hermana Bigler has taken great mental notes of the progress of their investigators and is helping her two companions get ready to leave.

Elder Williams is passing through security getting ready to fly home, Elder Prebe is getting off, finding his luggage and meeting President Turk for the first time!

Wednesday – CHANGE DAY!

Elder Williams arrives home to the Salt Lake airport and is greeting by his waiting parents!

Elder Prebe is in trainings all morning… Health, letters, contacting, a message from Pres. Turk and some basic mission standards… It is a lot to take in, and all in Spanish!

Elder Lopez arrived early this morning but was greeted by a companionship who took him to their room, got him something to eat and a warm shower. He will meet his new companion at the change meeting!

Elder Munson climbs on a bus in Chimbote for 2.5 hours headed to Trujillo.

Hermana Bigler and her companions head off to the Change meeting to say goodbye and to find Hermana Cruz.

Elder Prebe in the change meeting is shown a photo of his new trainer, Elder Wright and greeted by his new Zone Leader who will help him get to his new area in Cajamarca!

Elder Lopez goes with his new companion by taxi to his new area here in Trujillo.

Elder Munson climbs on a second bus, headed out of the city to the opposite direction on his way to Pacasmayo!

Hermana Bigler heads back to her area with her new companion to set goals, plan for the change and get to work!

Elder Prebe waits… and waits… he eats some wonderful rotisserie chicken in the office waiting for his bus to Cajamarca.

On this last change day, over 100 travel plans were made. Bus and plane tickets were purchased, visa documentation for both the entering and leaving missionaries was prepared. Down to the minute plans were made for food, and rest for each of the traveling missionaries. Checklists are made and checked twice to make sure that nothing is forgotten. Direct coordination is made with the Lima CCM and the many other individuals that make food, open chapels, and provide transportation for the missionaries and visitors. It might be enough to make your head spin, but it is our life here in the mission and we love it.

Thursday

Elder Prebe finally gets to Cajamarca and meets Elder Wright, his Trainer!

Plans for the next change are already underway.

White Space... What's That?

President Turk and the Assistants are in Huaraz for a few days.

That means that I am getting a little white space.

Lucy and Alicia are off for the week.

And I am going to get a few projects finished.

White Space is important sometimes.

I have only seen 4 missionaries today and my tutor, Mabell.

Now, what to do first?

This is too much White Space.... Arghhh

Huamachuco

President Turk went to Huamachuco last week. It is a beautiful Incan city

up in the mountains that is pretty hard to get to.

The roads are not paved and very bumpy.

Look at the city square. I love these bushes that are sculpted into shapes.

Look in the middle picture below at the pig bush on the far right. Darling!

I love the Incan warrior bushes too.

I want to meet the Edward Scissorhand

who keeps these bushes trimmed.

Do you think he does Ice Sculptures on the side? Ha ha

The bushes are cute but these people are fantastic.

This is the family group that meets together for church.

There isn't even a branch here yet. But these saints are extraordinary.

They are getting bigger and stronger everyday.

When President was visiting he taught in the primary.

Well, okay he taught the whole primary.

There were only 5 or 6 children.

The missionaries and members are like pioneers.

The church has only been in this area for less than a year.

They are just getting ready to form a branch.

(Elder Castro, Elder Zavaleta, Elder Morales, Elder Hargis, Pte. Turk)

There are two new Elders there now.

Elder Castro is with Elder Aburto and Elder Hargis is with Elder Yuca.

Thank you Elders... We Love you and We Love Huamachuco!

And the work goes on...

Here we are at our home away from home... The airport.

We are saying goodbye again.

This time to our dear friend Elder Hunsaker.

His parents came to pick him up so he is

leaving a little later than his group.

He's been our right hand man since we have been here.

Not only did Elder Hunsaker leave, but Elder Garcia is now out in

Florencia de Mora as a District leader.

Elder Monson has replaced him in the office.

We will miss Elder Garcia, but he is not too far away.

Elder Monson is on the far right.

He is a great addition.

These are our office Elders now.

We had to head to get some comfort food after the airport.

We will miss you Elder Hunsaker.

But that's the story of the mission.

and the work goes on...

Three Billy Goats Gruff... Peruvian Style

I was at the airport the other day with my missionaries, and while they were in line getting their luggage checked in... my eyes always wander to the beautiful Peruvian children.

I first saw this glorious little face below and as I was taking his picture...

It was as if he said....

"No, no, please big ugly troll, don't take my picture,

I am just the little billy goat gruff. Wait for my older brother,

He is way fluffier than me"

Well, I couldn't believe it - but it was true.

Here came the older brother with cheeks to die for

and a face that was so cute I really was going to have to pinch it off.

But again it was as if this older brother said...

"Oh big scary troll, just you wait. I have an older brother

that is much more fluffy than I am. We are just little compared to him."

This was inconceivable.

Could it really be true?

Sure enough, an older brother much fluffier than the other two appeared.

So fluffy in fact, that his dimples were deeper

than the deepest canyon.

So deep, I couldn't wait to grab that face and squeeze it.

Three of the fluffiest little billy goats "Cabritos"

I have ever seen.

These children are beautiful.

They are the children of one of our pensionistas.

They came to say goodbye to some of the missionaries

that she feeds every day.

We love our Pensionistas. They are so wonderful to the missionaries.

And I love these little round, fluffy, Peruvian Faced Children!

A Day of Changes.... Constant Changes

This is a very fun and talented group... and I am telling you that

there is not a dud among them.

I have them each tell me something they love to do

so that I can remember them from the activity.

Here is the list...

Aburto - Speed boats

Allred - Cello, piano

Araneda - Soccer, Basketball

Calisaya - Rubik's cube speed demon

Canaan - All about music

Frietz - all about sports- Plays Football

Jaramillo - Plays Pool

Hermana McVey - Loves flowers, gardening and hiking

Mendieta - Conducting Music

Hermana Mendoza - Pianist

Mendoza - Guitar, Rock Climbing, English

Merkley - Throws Hammer, Shot and Discus

Prebe- Volleyball player

Rodriguez - Loves to Draw - English

Russell - Baseball Player - Boise

Sanchez - Plays guitar, Speaks English

Hermana Sanchez - Loves the Foosball table

Zetina - Basketball and Boxing

I love this picture.

All the new Elders in their new dark suits, backpacks and their new pillows.

The Assistants are sticking them in cabs

and sending them to the mission home for lunch.

Here they are getting ready to share their testimonies to the missionaries

at the change meeting. They are just about to

meet their trainers and head

to their first area.

And last a picture at the mission home.

They made it and we are thrilled.

Hello Again Hello

Now wouldn't you want to be greeted by this friendly, good looking group?

They make our new Missionaries Happy.

They work hard for those coming into the mission.

They want to make sure they feel comfortable and ready to fly.

Wow, Eighteen Missionaries... How great is this!

We gathered and loaded them up on the big blue Eagle bus.

And then we were off.

First stop, the Temple Site.

President Turk circled them around and told them

that this is why they are here in Trujillo.

Just as they will be building our new Temple brick by brick

at this very place...

You, the Missionaries will be building Testimonies

Principle by Principle

And all that you do as missionaries

will be to prepare people to come here to the Temple,

Where they can make and keep sacred Covenants

Participate in saving Ordinances,

and be Sealed Together as Families.

We bowed in prayer and President Turk plead with the Lord

that these Missionaries would be Valiant in building

up the Kingdom here in Trujillo

And he promised them that through their obedience

they would feel their Savior's Love like never before.

We all love to come to this place and we can't wait for this

glorious edifice

to be built.

We are praying that we are here when it is finished

Hurry Hurry Hurry

Hurry

Como Puedo Ser - January 2011

Goodbye my big group of Great Missionaries... The Turk's will Love you Forever!

Now, Each one of you.... really,

go be like Nephi, Abinadi,

King Benjamin

and Jesus Christ.

We expect great things from ALL of you.

& Keep in Touch!

Those leaving in this group include...

Hermanas: Blake and Gonzales

Elders: Alvarez, Butterfield, Cespedes, Christensen, Echanique, Edmunds, Gonzales, Hunsaker, Lopez, Medina, Perez, Perry, Quimi, Rodriguez, Samayoa, Velasquez, Vazquez, Williams,

Beautiful Despedida... the Farewell Meeting

This is our big group that is heading home.

Four of our Elders had parents coming to pick them up.

They were supposed to land at 6:30 in the morning.

But they got fogged in.

They spent about 11 hours in the Lima Airport

Not Fun

Especially when you have sons that you haven't

seen for two years waiting on the other end.

A few extra hours seem like forever.

(Christensens, Butterfields, Perrys and Hunsakers)

But they made it and we were so happy to meet them.

We had our big Testimony meeting at 3:00

The Chapel and cultural hall were packed with people...

People who have been taught by these Missionaries.

Some traveled for 6 hours to say goodbye.

We had a great dinner and then it was back to the Mission Home for

Family Home Evening and Dessert

We played our fun activity of

Memories of the Mission.

We had it in the back yard.

SO we showed the goodbye movie

"Como Puedo Ser"

on the back of the house.

It looked great on the wall. It was so fun to have it this big.

Here is a list of those leaving

Hermanas: Blake and Gonzales

Elders: Alvarez, Butterfield, Cespedes, Christensen, Echanique, Edmunds, Gonzales, Hunsaker, Lopez, Medina, Perez, Perry, Quimi, Rodriguez, Samayoa, Velasquez, Vazquez, Williams,

I Need Thee Every Hour

Sometimes the sweetest moments come

during the impromptu special numbers we have by the missionaries.

This is a little bit of the Hymn "I need thee Every Hour"

Elder Glasgow, Elder Gricius, and Elder Erickson

I NEED THEE OH, I NEED THEE. EVERY HOUR I NEED THEE.

OH, BLESS ME NOW MY SAVIOR I COME TO THEE.

The President's Day Out!

President Turk went out with these Elders in Viru today.

Elder Fajardo and Elder Vasquez.

And the exciting thing that is happening in Viru is ...

The new chapel that they are about to dedicate.

Look at this big Beauty behind them.

Here are a bunch of the Elders from Viru

(Blay, Fajardo, Ramirez, Brito, Mennis, Vasquez & Brother Rojas)

And look at the new sports court.

This is about the only basketball court we have seen here in Peru.

There are a few but it is definitely the only one with nets.

And here is the sweetest story...

This is Brother Rojas with the Elders. He is the ward mission leader here in Viru.

He wanted to go out and work with the Elders today because...

...It was 12 years ago today that he was baptized.

He and his family live straight down this path behind the corn field

He lives in the most humble little home.

He told President Turk that he

has Nothing in the world that is worth much

but he has Everything that truly matters.

He and his family have been sealed together in the Temple

and his sons have served missions.

He said they are the richest people in the blessings

of the Gospel and that they couldn't be happier.

"This Gospel means Everything to Us"

Brother Rojas

Going Bananas... with Elder Jones!

Elder Jones, our Financial Secretary writes this post.

As the enormous Leadership Conference was drawing near, the Financial Secretary was growing quiet with deep concern.

The Personal Secretary was flooded with lists and charts of each of the missionaries and their respective travel plans and hotel rooms. The Assistants were preparing their precise trainings and inspiring leadership talks.

But the Financial Secretary's job, responsibility or duty, if you will, seemed quite daunting. Possibly the most important part of the day... the Refreshments. This crucial decision brings the spiritual symphony to its encore status. But without an effective refreshment this symphony ends up more like a Jr. High beginners orchestra. We needed the refreshment to be inexpensive, healthy, tasty and non repetitive. We wanted a nice fruit that was naturally clean and one that we could buy in bulk. But where can you find 140 bananas that are ripe and ready to go. This is when an inside source (our taxi-man, Alfredo) let us in on the biggest kept secret in Peru. The HERMALINDA, Trujillo's largest open fruit market.

Lets take a look inside.

And here we are in the Banana Havana.

I felt a little overwhelmed with all these bananas

and didn't know what to do.

So I did what seemed natural and began banging

on my chest like Donkey Kong.

I guess I scared the banana dealers because we got 140 bananas for 17 Nuevos Soles or about 4 cents for each banana. Don't mess with the DK!

Here we are carrying the Platinos to the the mission van.

Saying "Que tal" to our friend on the way out of The Hermalinda. It was a success and needless to say when the missionaries saw the refreshments...

They went absolutely bananas.