Hey Everyone!

Well, all has been going great down here. Well, we were a bit down that our investigator that was going to get baptised had family issues and won't get to Huaraz again until July. So that was a bit of a let down. But we know that we'll find someone else. We had two new families in church yesterday, so that was really cool. Though, we have to make sure that one of them is married (though not likely here in Peru...). If not, we'll see if we can get a wedding set up! That's always hard to do, but if she really wants to come to Christ, she'll be willing. I truly hope so...

As for some fun things that have been going on, well... we got to spend the whole P-Day cleaning the room... That was fun... But we've started playing ping pong in the district as well, which is really funny. I really should have played more, I can't hold my own at all. I'll get it though. I never did have much coordination at 6:00 AM, though... I'm not too big on getting up early. Though I can't complain much, because it's entertaining and I like being with the whole district.

But I've been a bit sad looking at the end of the exchange coming up. It's almost definite that I'll be leaving. I've been here for 6 months, and has been one of my favorite areas without a doubt. I enjoy the ward, weather, landscape, and everything. Kinda sad to leave it all. I'll miss these people. Though I've got a couple weeks left, so I can't miss them yet! And I'll find wonderful people no matter where I go, so I'm not too worried. It's just scary to think that my next area will very possibly be my last. I'll be there for 6 months more, and that's it... Wow... Time flies when you're havin' fun.

Anyway, hope all is well back home and that everyone is in good health! I love you all and am always praying for you guys!

Take Care!

Elder Seth Prestwich

Baptims in the Rain!

Hey Everyone!

Well, it's been pouring down here in Huaraz! I'm rather greatful for my boots, because the rain is destroying my shoes. I sure hope they can make it another half a year. But I figure they should. They might not look so pretty (and have several holes), but they'll be useable. That's the key. Though, I can't complain. I kinda enjoy the rain, after all. Even if I'm walking, soaked, I'm thankful for the chance I have to serve the Lord.

But as for missionary work, Luis and Pablo got baptised!! They were both old investigators that I was teaching in the first months that I was here. Luis is 14 and didn't have permission from his parents to get baptised, but showed up at church one day with the baptismal fourm in hand with his parent's signiture. Pablo is an old investigator that we were teaching that had to separate himself from his pair. He was living with her for 20 years, but had a wife before... and never went through the pain of devorcing himself. So he had to separate himself (or get married) to get baptised. He chose to go back to his other family and fix everything he'd done. It took several months to put everything straight. But he came back here to continue working and was able to be baptised. He's had a huge change in his life and his happiness. Both of them had a really amazing change as they converted to the Christ and His Gospel.

Other than that, we have one more possible baptism that has to come back from her vacations in Lima. She was super excited to get baptised, but she didn't have the chance to get baptised before leaving. She's been going to church in Lima for the months that she's been there. But she's waiting to get back so she can join her ward again and come to the waters of baptism. We're just waiting patiently (more or less) for her to get back.

The relief society also did an amazing activity. They did a competition betweed all the wards in the steak to do a presentation of two homemade sweets. They all had really nice presentations and the best deserts in the wards. And they wanted us (with the zone leaders) to be the judges. We couldn't say no. I mean, I really love sweets. A lot. And it was one of my favorite activities yet. Though my ward didn't win, unfortunately. They got 3rd place. And weren't exactly too happy with us.

Hope all is well and that everyone is in good health!

Elder Seth Prestwich

Hello from Peru!!

Hey Everyone!

Things have been going pretty well down here! Last week was a little slow, but we had a huge miracle happen this week that really made up for it! One of my old investigators, Luis, that I was teaching 3 months ago showed up to church this week with permission from his parents to get baptised (he has 14 years, so he can't get baptised without consent from his parents)! His parents told us that they wouldn't give permission before, but he really came through. He comes to church all by himself every week. That doesn't sound like much, but he actually travels an hour each way just to come to chruch. It's amazing to see that kind of faith in someone so young. I don't think I would've been able to do that by myself each week at his age. In fact, I know I wouldn't have done it. So it was a huge miracle for him to show up with signed permission from his parents! So he's gonna get baptised this Saturday! We're so excited for him, and it really touched my heart to see the faith that he has and how much effort he's put in to be able to be baptised. The Lord really humbles me with the faith of these people.

So I'm quite happy and humbled by the miracles that the Lord works in my life and for how directly he answers each humble prayer. It's really been a huge life changer for me, and has taught me what's most important in life. But the mission has honestly been a high point in my life. Maybe not the easist time, but a time of great growth and progress. And the lesson that always comes to my mind first, is that the Lord truly and honeslty loves me and knows me personally. And that He has a personal hand in my life. I truly love Him first, before all else. And that keeps me here every day.

I love you all and hope that all is going well! Don't forget to let the Lord work little miracles in your lives each day. Be sure to keep a sharp eye out for the littlest, most personal blessings that come each day!

Take care!

Elder Seth Prestwich

The Sky is Falling!

Well, all has been going well here in Huaraz. We were a little disappointed about how the week turned out. We ended up only having one person in church this week, so that was sad. We'll be doing our best to help be get there this week. But we know that the people who are ready to accept the Gospel are out there. We just need to find them.

As for funny things that have happened. I've just been listening to everyone getting tests back home. Sounds like the house might have to go gluten free. It's funny thinking about just how much stuff I've learned to eat down here. While in the house, they aren't even eating normal things like bread, I've gotten used to eating guinea pig and drinking purple corn juice.

And I got the Valentine's Day package today! It -almost- made it in time. But I tripped out when I saw the bottle caps. I've missed root beer a ton, so it was awesome to open them up and enjoy a tiny taste of root beer again. Though it's packed full of deliscious candy, so thanks a ton! I was having a bit of a sugar craving as of late.

But all is going great down here. I'm still enjoying the pouring rain here in Huaraz. It's a whole nother mission down here. It's quite the difference from the burning heat in Trujillo. But I'm enjoying being part of a district full of now missionaries and trainers. We're 5 companionships in the district and my companion and I are the only ones who aren't training or being trained. So it's fun to be woking with a district like this. It's quite different than any other I've been in.

But all is well, I hope eveyone is in good health!

Take care! Love you all!

Elder Seth Prestwich