Every once and a while we find someone perfect.

Pentionista family! The husband is also the President of the Branch.

Things are smelling good here in Peru's armpit. Really, though. We may have even set a record for number of new investigators in one week. Im learning how to enjoy knocking on doors. Epecially because half the people here are completely nuts. We get a lot of doors slammed in our faces. And some we get shut politely in our faces. But every once and a while we find someone perfect. That family I mentioned last week, we've taught three times now, and they came to church! They are progressing impossibly beautifully. Also, yesterday, we found this girl, and she told us that the same joy she feels in her heart when she reads the Bible, she feels when we speak to her. Then she told us she wants to serve a mission for our church. But she cant because she has a baby. Nevertheless, we set a baptismal date for her. I really love this work so much. You can really see the difference the joy the gospel of Christ brings into peoples lives in this slightly depressed town.

So so fancy...

Friday Market

Here, all the churches aside from the Catholic, preach against us. Literally half the people think were the "devils children". That's funny you say that about the shower. I got shocked for the first time this morning. But it really wasnt that bad at all. Just surprising, is all. We spend the night in Cerro every Monday, and we also do a lot of divisions in other areas to keep things interesting here. My health is great. I just get headaches sometimes, or stop to breathe for a little. But my body is almost accustomed at this point. My companion is great. He is just super direct with people and sometimes he scares them. I figure that's why he assigned me as his companion, the least scary person in the world. But we make a good team for the most part. I hope everything is well at home and it's not so cold! I love you all!

Much love,

Elder Alexander

Greetings from the highest city in the world!

 Greetings from the highest city in the world! It´s not fun to breath here! But we have oxygen tanks, so don´t you worry. 

I took the place of Elder Cook here, and he left for Huanuco, where its nice and warm. So, I´m going to assume you´ve already read Elder Cook´s blog and heard all the terrible things about my new area, Carhuamayo. I have also, from every missionary I´ve talked with. Nevertheless, I love it here quite a bit. 

Sheep in the street?

We´ve been working super hard and walking a ton. My companion, is from Costa Rica and I can´t understand the way he talks. But we´ve seen many beautiful miracles already. I wish I could tell you all, but here´s at least one. This weekend we knocked a ridiculous amount of doors and talked with a ridiculous amount of people in the streets, and we had absolutely zero success. Not a single one would recieve us. Yesterday, late in the afternoon, we finally, exhausted, got down on our knees and asked God for just one person, in great sincerity. Just someone who would listen to what we had to say. We then left the room, praying in our hearts for the Lord to guide us. We walked for less than one minute, when a young girl standing in a doorway gretted us with a big smile. We, of course, introduced ourselves and shook her hand and her smile didn´t fade. Insider hr house, her whole family stood, smiling at us. They invited us in and told us that they always see us walking around and they had questions for us. We sat down with them and the wife asked us frankly how she could know which of all the churches was true, because she was exhausted of the confusion. We taught the restauracion with great Spirit, and she told us that she believes it´s true. So we invited them to pray and ask God, and they seem excited to do so. The Spirit was so strong, and I was so happy, I forgot my umbrella by my chair. I should probably go get it tomorrow. I just want you to know that I´m more happy here than I´ve ever been in my life, recently. Thanks for all your prayers. The Lord really has been taking great care of me in numerous ways. :)

Much love,

Elder Alexander

My last email from San Ramon

This is it, my lovelies. My last email from San Ramon. I don´t know where I´m going, but all the zone leader will tell me is that it´s cold. I´m not excited about leaving this place, and all my great new friends, but in the words of a great band, "white bird must fly, or she will die." I´m excited for the new adventure! My companion reminds me a little of Elijah. He always sings the same part of the same songs over and over again, and not even correctly, because he doesn´t understand English at all. Makes me miss that señorito. That scripture in Plasms you sent me last week was beautiful. It was actually perfect for someone else, and I had the opportunity to share it, so thanks! 

Ward activity! (I got pied in the face. You can see the video when I send the card.)

The English class is actually going great. Last time, I made the class say "Hello, my name is poopy." But I spelled it "Pupi" and they thought it was a name. But the one thing everyone remembers is "I´m sick", and now everyone´s always yelling that they´re sick at me in English. My health is a lot better, and I´m starting to sleep much better at night. I´m taking something called Valeriana. Let me know if it´s going to kill me or not. I´m thinking of buying a knife, because I´m tired of eating chicken and beef with just a fork. Can missionaries carry knives? All is great here, and I love you all so much! 

Much love,

Elder Alexander

"My heart swelled with gratitude to have this beautiful opportunity."

Today, I intend to write people! Its just really difficult because the internet is super slow, and I like to attach pictures as well, but today, I'll keep this short. I got a package with cookies! I shared them with the district and they said thank you and they love you. Man, they were delicious. Also, the Dum dums are perfect! The kids think they're super hip! Thank you so much, Mom! And Elijah, for the chocolates! We had a pretty relaxed week. In comparison to others. But in a good way. We baptized a wonderful young girl in a swimming pool, because there was no water in San Ramon, in the dark, because there was no light, but the Spirit was very strong. And she bore her testimony with such conviction that my heart swelled with gratitude to have this beautiful opportunity to witness these changes and discoveries in the lives of others.

I had forgotten about the Donner pass experience. Thanks for reminding me. The Lord really does take care of our family. 

Oh, and I sent the letter this morning!

And I don't know what from Trader Joe's... chocolate, if possible?

Oh! You know those fruit leathers? Those are good.

How crazy that Trader Joe's is in Boise!

That's like a gringo in Peru!

Stay strong, my loved ones!

Much love,

Elder Alexander