Transfers - YUCK! President Uchtdorf - AMAZING! Carla's Baptism - PERFECT!

June 29, 2015

This was a quick one liner that he wrote to me before he wrote his "long" letter.  I am so very thankful that he was able to have Elder Alen.  It is so much fun to be a missionary when you love your companion as a friend!

I HATE transfers!!!  I don't get one more change with Elder Alen!!!!!:(

Elders Alen and George

This is his "long" letter.  I devour every word every week.  I love this young man and will be eternally grateful that Father chose me to be his "Mommy"!!!

I hate transfers!!!!!!  Really though I don't know what it is but I will be receiving my 6th companion and this is only my 7th transfer in the field field.  That gives me time for my training and then after my two changes with my trainer one companion every change!!!  It is a little disheartening but everything passes for a reason!!  I am going to have like 15 companions at this rate hahahaha!!  That is a lot!!!  Everybody says that if you had lots of companions you were either a really good missionary or a really bad missionary well let's all hope that I am the good missionary right!! ;)

This week was a little crazy.  Whenever you have a baptism your week is a little crazy.  You have to run around all week making sure that everybody is going to be there and that everything is all in place.  Everything is a little more disorganized here so we have a little more work than missionaries in the great old USA!!!!!!  I love the USA by the way!!!! :)

Okay, so basically Tuesday we walked around like......people walking lots!!  We went to the president of every organization in the ward to try to get as many people to the baptism as we could.  There wasn't anybody in their house so we didn't get to teach one lesson.  Those days are a little discouraging but I don't let it get to me!!!  But there was a little miracle in the lives of Elder Alen and Elder George.  Last Monday we were told that we wouldn't be allowed to be in the same building as
President Uchtdorf.  HOW DUMB!!!  We had to go to our building and watch it through satilite transmition.  POOP!!!!!  But we have a lot of very touristy sites in our area and we had been joking that he would be in our area and that we would see him.  Funny joke, no?  Well our little joke turned to reality!!!!!!  We were walking to one of our appointments when we had to cross the Plaza de Armas!!!

Plaza de Armas Cuzco Peru  (compliment of  the internet)

 IT was packed!!  (You can look up pictures on the internet of the Plaza de Armas in Cuzco.)  And as we turned the corner, there he was he said "ELDERS!!!  How are you?"  I talked with him for about 1 minute while my companion stood there in shock!!  IT WAS SOOOOOOO AMAZING!!!!!!  Just a little side note for those not of our faith.  President Uchtdorf is the second counselor to President Monson who is the prophet.  For us it is like meeting Peter, James, or John, apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  So for our Elder George this was a great experience.

Wednesday was the same as Tuesday!!  Lots of walking - you guys should see my legs, talk about defined muscles!!!  HAHAHA but really it is the truth!!

Thursday was a good day.  We were able to find a few new investigators and that is always really good.  Sometimes it is really hard to find new people to teach in this mission but when you work hard the Lord blesses you with people to teach!!  Her name is Jenet and she has two kids.  Sometimes you can't talk about husbands here because for the most part they are drunks and leave their wives for someone else and so that is kind of  a touchy subject here.  All I know is that there is no father in the home.  Okay that is always really sad for me!!  Anywasy (There it is!!  ANYWASY!! Haha!) I think that she will progress and that she will be a faithful member of the church!

We will fast forward to Saturday because that was the best day of the week!!  We were at the church most of the day cleaning and getting everything ready!  We had our baptism at 6 in the afternoon and everything was PERFECT!!!

Elder George, his sweet Carla, and Elder Alen

There was proabably 30 or 40 people there and they were all there to support Carla.  She was soo happy.  We had been heating up the water for about 2 hours and my companion said, "It's good Elder George."  So I went and turned it off.  I baptized Carla and I went into the water first!!!  It was freezing cold!!!  Poor little Carla!!  But she said, "I don't care Elder George lets do this!"  Afterwards her dad bore his testimony.  He isn't a member - it was really sweet.  I think that he will get baptized too.  After that was the party of the Relief Society.  It was really fun.  They didn't have any string to hang up the piñata so they asked Elder George to stand on a chair and hold it!!!  I will send pictures next week.  They are some funny pictures!!!

The human pinata holder!

Well there is my week!!!!  Love you all and hope that you all had a good week!!!!!


Elder George

Sickness and Priesthood Blessings, Temple Dedication, and President Uchtdorf IS IN CUSCO!!!!!

June 22, 2015

Elders George, Alen (the shortest  one in front),
three other elders, and some people who this elder loves!!

Hello, hello, hello!!!  Well here goes our last week before the changes.  Weird stuff!  The changes really do go by so, so, so, fast.  Six weeks has me a little confused and all but what can I do about it, NOTHING!!!  Well, I will just keep working and not let the time get to my head.  Really though it is weird stuff - time!!

This week I got really, really, sick.  Probably more sick than I have ever been in my entire life!!  Monday I was a little sick to my stomach but that is normal and I didn't really give it much attention.  However, Tuesday and Wednesday were really rough for me.  My whole body hurt and I couldn't really move.  The zone leaders came over to our house on Wednesday and told me that if I didn't get better then I would have to go to the doctor on Thursday.  That is something that I really don´t want- - to be in a hospital outside of the USA.  The hospitals are different and kind of gross.  So I had to get better!!!!!!

Elders George and Alen and to be honest I don't know who - - someone
Elder George loves.♥

There was no option.  Then I thought of a priesthood blessing.  We called our word mission leader and he came right over.  My little companion gave me one of the best blessing for health that I have ever received in my whole life.  I was better in no time and we were able to work that night.  I have a strong testimony of the power of the priesthood and the power of God here on earth!!

Thursday we had interviews with President and that is always a really fun experience.  President Harbertson is someone that I believe was put into my life for a reason.  I have learned so very much from him and I know that I will continue to learn more from him through the coming year!  We had a really awesome lesson with one of our less actives.  She has been less active/active.  She will come every now and again but is not even close to active.  Her name is Jenny.  I really like sharing the message of the restoration with less actives.  I like it because they know.  They know that it is true, sometimes they just need help remembering.  She said "Elders, I know that it is true.  I just am not doing what I should."  Hopefully we can help her come back to what she knows is the truth.

Elders Alen and George and once again someone I am sure
Elder George loves!

Friday we couldn't really work too hard because I had to do a bunch of stuff for the district and was running around all day like a headless chicken trying to get everything done.  That is a really good image, huh?  Elder George headless HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Saturday we taught our family!!  Rocky, Dina and their kids.  Dina is a member that is coming back to the church and Rocky isn't a member.  He just doesn't understand why we need to come to church!!  We are praying for and working with him a lot.  All your prayers would be greatly appreciated.  Because they work, I know prayers work.  This Saturday we are having the baptism of their daughter, Carla.  She is so cute.  The other week her family couldn't come to church and we walked in to find little Carla in the chapel, 30 minutes early, all by herself.  I asked her what she was doing and she look back at me and said "You think that I am going to miss a Sunday before or after my baptism? NO!!!!"  Oh how I love Carla!!

Five elders and a Peruvian they love.  I (Gabe's mom) smile
because they have Elder Alen on a chair in the back!

Sunday was the dedication of the temple in Trujillo.  It was a really awesome and spiritual day.  We went to all 3 sessions and were able hear Elder Bednar and Preident Uchtdorf!!  How lucky we are!! Guess what else??  We a have a conference TODAY with PRESIDENT UCHTDORF!!!!!!!!  He is in CUSCO!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  Elder George is pretty HAPPY!!!!!! :)

Well there you have the week of Elder George!!

Love you all take care and be safe!!!

Our Elder George is truly blessed to be in Peru.  I do not know the names

of anyone in this picture with the exception of  Elder Gabriel George and

Elder Alen.  But I do know that as this mom kneels in prayer of  gratitude she 

will thank Father for each of these people and all the others her son is

blessed to associate with during this time he has been given to become a

missionary for our Savior Jesus Christ.

Love Elder George

A Pretty Awesome Week!!

June 15, 2015

Well, I am so glad to be on internet writing you all again.  Some weeks you just need some "alone" time.  Well, you are not alone, but you can feel alone for your one hour.

The Lord really, really, knows how much you can take.  He knows what you can take and what you can handle.  After a few experiences from last week I just really needed a good, good, week.  So Monday we had a really relaxing day.  We didn't really leave the room and we just chilled.

Tuesday we had a day full of appointments.  Most of them fell through but we just picked our heads up and kept walking.  We got in contact with one of the references that we had gotten earlier this past week.  He is soooo prepared.  His name is Rafiel.  He is seriously sooo prepared. We had one appointment with him and then passed him to the sisters because they are teaching his partner.  The sisters that we share a sector with, are teaching him now.  I will get to that story.  

Anyways, I will first tell you about the sisters in the district.  Their names are Sister Burgos and Sister Wight.  I have been with Sister Burgos since my first sector, she was in Puno for 9 months and then we got changes, and now I am her district leader.  She is a awesome missionary and finishes up this next change.  I will be sad when she is not here.  She helps our ward a lot.  Sister Wight, wow, what can I say about her.  She is from my group, we came into the mission at the same time.  SHE IS CRAZY!!  Not a bad crazy but she is crazy.  I don´t get why a lot of Elders have problems with sisters.  In all realty they are more valiant than us Elders.  It is a choice for them, but as Elders, it is a commandment for us.

Wednesday, well Wednesday was about the same as Tuesday, haha.  Had a lot of appointments the fell through.  We taught a family where the dad is not a member and neither is his daughter who is 9 years old.  I love that family.  They live in a one room house for the 5 of them and they really are a huge example of all the attributes of Christ.  Carla, the 9 year old, has a date for the 27th of this month to be baptized.  During this same appointment we got the signature form her dad and she is going to be baptized.  

Thursday we had our appointment with RAFIEL!!!  He is so awesome.  His friend gave him a Book of Mormon and one of the first things that he says is "I have been reading that book my friend gave me."  Wow, at first I was in shock and had to remind myself to let the spirit teach.  He looked down and looked back up and said "I know it is true."  I almost started crying.  That may have been on of the most spiritual experiences of my life.

Nothing more happened until Sunday.   We had an appointment with a family that had heard the missionaries before and they were awesome.  We hope to be able to keep working with them and helping them progress in the gospel.

That was about my week.  I know that this is the church of Jesus Christ.  He is my Savior.  

Much Love

Love Elder George                  

Drunks and Children - - Heart Wrenching!

June 8, 2015

What a week it has been for Elder George!!  Seriously guys just wait!!!

So sometimes there is just not enough hours in the days to get everything done that you need to get done.  I am sure that you all understand that.  But really, sometimes I just need a day with like 2,934,871,234 (yes, I inserted the commas - just so I could determine the actual number) hours so that I can get everything done that I want to get done and need to get done.  Speaking of that, I haven´t even thought about what I am going to teach my little district tonight, so there is that!  If you could all send a prayer my way for my lesson I would greatly appreciate that!!;)

So here is my story for the week - prepare yourself with a box of tissues.  We were walking in the street like any normal day laughing and talking.  My comp is a short little Peruano and is scared of anything that weighs more than him.  There are a lot of fat drunks here.  We were walking down a street and were about to turn the corner when we heard someone screaming around the corner.  The very corner we needed to turn on.  We needed to walk down that street, but my companion said we better not.  I had a strong feeling that we needed to walk down that street.  I was a little scared also.  Peru is different than the United States.  But I remembered all the stories from President Monson and knew that I had to walk down that street.  As I turned that corner I saw what we had heard.  There was a big drunk was yelling at his 3 young kids.  The oldest was a little girl and she was standing in front of her two little siblings - she was probably 5 years old.  As we walked in his direction, we would have usually crossed the street, but I knew that I needed to walk up behind him.  Right as I was about 2 feet behind him he raised his hand to slap the little girl.  I don´t know what happened, but before I knew it I had his hand in mine and he was stumbling to catch his footing.  As he turned around I could smell the beer on his breath.  He just turned around and looked at me (his hand still in mine).  I quickly told the little girl to run home with her brother and sister.  She just looked up at me with her little brown eyes and said, "We don't have a home." All I could do was cry.  Tears welled up in my eyes as she looked at me and said that.  I talked to her dad, as he was quite angry with me.  The situation calmed down and we were able to go on our way.  There were some people that took care of the kids and we went on to our appointment.

I have thought a lot about that moment and am so thankful to be writing you this day  I want you all to know that as we follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost we are protected.  I am grateful for the life that I have and all the prayers in my behalf while I have been here in the mission!!

Love Elder George

I Am So Happy To Be Here In Peru!

June 1, 2015

Hey there family and friends!  Today has been a rough day.  We had troubles in the internet cafe and I couldn't write earlier today.  But here I am alive and working really, really, hard.

This week I worked harder than I have in my whole mission.  I felt like I had kind of lost my will and energy to work the past two weeks and so this week I told myself that I was going to work harder this week than I ever have in my life.  And I did!!  That is the best feeling in the world, you know that?  When you set a goal and you accomplish your goal, it really is the best.  I really had this desire.  I wanted to work really hard and, we did, we worked really, really, hard.  I am soooo tired!!  I have never been so tried in my whole life.  But it is the best feeling in the whole world.

Today I have been thinking about what I was going to teach about in District meeting.   I am going to  talk about the Holy Ghost - how important he really is in our lives.  I talked with a recent convert about how important the Spirit is in our lives.  It really is so cool how a recent convert understands the importance, sometimes more than people who have been  members their whole lives.  They sometimes understand better than us because they have gone years without him as a gift.  He is vital in our spiritual progression.   Without Him, we CANNOT return and live with our families and Heavenly Father again.

This week was really good.  We found a few new people to teach and that is always really very  exciting.  I love this work, and I love my Savior.  I am so happy to be here in Peru.  It is cool to look back on the person that I used to be and see how I have changed.  It is weird that time here goes by so quickly.  I will have one year before I know it.  How crazy my first 9 months have been, but I wouldn't have it any other way love you all!!!

Take care and stay safe!!

Elder George