Soy tio!!!!

Soy tio!!!! I just screamed that in real life and everyone kind of glanced up from their computer screens and then just went back to what they were doing, seeing that I´m just a crazy gringo. I´m so happy about this!  I think Paxton was a fantastic choice. I read Emma´s email before any other and I thought Paxton must be her new boyfriend or something that she met of facebook, but no! It´s my sobrino!

We had a good week over here. Lots of walking. My feets have actually started bleeding, but now I´m putting Herba-santa on them, which is nice. Our investigators, the ex-everythings I talked about last week, came to church. They sat next to a member and I over heard that they said they´re going to get baptized this Saturday. Unfortunalely I´ll have to tell them that they need one more attendance and one baptism attendance, so it won´t be before the 8th that they do. But they were so prepared all their lives, that we didn´t have to do anything much. When we taught the restauracion, everything just clicked for her. Then, when we taught the Plan of Salvation, this week, she felt the Spirit so strong that she just knew, without a doubt, in that moment. That was the high of my week, along with when we were walking down the street and a bird pooped on the shoulder of my companion. That was pretty awesome.

I don´t know if you remember _____, but we finally taught his mom the restauracion last night. She had sooooo many doubts and questions. being a lawyer, I suppose that´s normal. But we got past all those crazy questions. Me and my companion were just praying so hard that she would feel the Spirit. Finally, in the end, she did. I know because she just cried out of nowhere when I talked about all the blessings of being in Christ´s church. She just has so much fear of commitment to a religion, but I´m hoping that she can get over that.

Anyways..... soy tio!!!!

Much love,

Elder Alexander

This is the pention´s house. Cotton candy and cleaning solution (not for lunch).

Did I ever mention that our backyard is a junior high school and that children are always watching everything we do?

I threw it off the roof, just to be safe.

Well, we had a great week! On the subject of listening to the Spirit, we had some great learning experiences this week. The other day we were walking down the street, when my new companion suddenly wanted to turn around and go knock some house that looked empty. I, reluctantly, agreed. When the lady answered the door, she didn't even give us a second to say who we were before inviting us inside. So we sat down with her, and she told us that she had just been praying that God guide her to the church that´s right for her. Interestingly, she´s been catholic, evangelical, and Jehovah´s witness, and visiting basically every other church that exists. But she never got baptized. Later, after teaching her the message of the restauracion, she told us that she wants to join the church. Just like that. And then we had a very similar experience about an hour later with a different door we knocked, except this man basically just invited us in to convince us that our church is evil. In the end he said in just the same way that he wants to join our church. But I don´t want you thinking that it´s always that easy. Those were our only two appointments that day. After getting doors slammed at just the sight of us, and having people tell us that we´re the devil´s servants, etc. etc, I can say that there´s a prominent contrast between when people are touched by the Spirit, and when they deny it. My companion is doing great. He´s been exhausted, understandably. I figure we´ll both be here for Christmas, which should be cool. I stopped playing tricks on him, because the doll started following me places. It might have just been my companion, but I threw it off the roof, just to be safe. It´s so hard to find time to write you this letter. It seems like I never have a free second anymore. But I will get it to you soon, along with the SD.

Much love,

Elder Alexander

I took my companion to the potato market last P-day. He literally whispered "this is so cool" about 15 times, under his breath. The last picture is of a hamburger from Cafe-cito, the best restaurant here. The shakes are the best in the world!

 

The number 403

Following up on the doll incidents, in the morning of the transfers I got up early and put the doll in my bed. I showered, and then when I came back, my companion didn`t even want to talk to me. I`m assuming that it was a great success. jajaja! Now, I`ve got a new companion. He`s strait from the MTC.  Poor guy. I forgot to tell him how to use the shower, so he took an ice-cold shower his first day. But he`s doing great. I love the guy. He already did his first baptismal invitation, although he, instead of asking the person if they would get baptized, told them that they would get baptized. Nevertheless, they accepted, so it`s okay. It`s been a little stressful at times, training while being a district leader, but I`m actually loving it. This may very well be my new favorite transfer. We`ve already had some great spiritual experiences. For example, we gave a health-blessing to the little girl who lives below us, and now she`s all better and she wants to take the lessons, along with her mother. Apparently she wasn`t supposed to get better so quickly. Also, I felt like we should visit a contact we had about 2 months ago, but I could not remember where he lived for the life of me. I prayed to be reminded, and the number 403 just came to my mind. It happened to be his house number! So, we`ve been doing pretty well, here. Our progressing investigator right now is named ____The only thing in their way to getting baptized is that their mom has two new-born twins and finds it hard to come to church on Sunday, and the father has felt the Spirit, but is hesitant, nonetheless. Thanks for all your prayers! You`re in mine as well!

Much love,

Elder Alexander 

I have no complaints!

It's starting to get rainier here, which is a downer. We've learned it's necessary to carry a coat, even when it's sunny, because the rain often comes un-announced. The other day it caught us and we walked 20 minutes in it in short-sleeved shirts. But for the most part the climate is comparable to Santa Barbara. Transfers are this Tuesday. Fingers crossed that I don't get sent to Cerro de Pasco! I'm just hoping Elder Guzman doesn't leave. There are some old abandoned dolls in our room, of which my companion has great fear, and I've been getting up early every morning and moving them slightly. This morning he freaked out. There is much potential here, and I hope to take the joke much further. I'm loving it here in Huancayo. I have no complaints! Now, lets see how many photos I can attach.

chocolate milk

To-scale Gringo-peruvian height comparison

Cow-foot jello

Fruit, Tumbo