Happy End of the World Week!!

Hey Everyone!

Well, life has been going good. This week was good, but our fecha fell through. She has several legal issues with her ex and ran off the Lima to fix it all... Satan is deffinitely messing with the work in this area. But I haven't felt discouraged. I'm certain that the problems with resolve and that she'll be able to come to Christ. 

I've been spending the week trying to refocus my mind and heart in the mission. I've found that my mind has been wandering off lately, so I'm renewing my effort to ponder the needs of my investigators and look for revelation. I've already seen a big difference. Several possible needs of one of our families came to mind one night as I was thinking about them, and when I asked them about it, we were able to find out one of their principle worries. It was amazing how a simple thought lead to great progress in the slavation of an entire family. There's defnitely a difference between working in the mission and working in the mission with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.

We had 13 investigators in church again. We feel super happy about the number of investigator and the growth in the ward. We've been rallying the people to help the less actives, and we've gone from 88-126 people (growing a little every week) in just this month. We're excited to see if we can keep growing in these two more weeks that remain. There were only 50 that were going to church when I got here, so there's an amazing difference when everyone stands up to sing in sacrament meeting. It's super cool to see the growth in such a short time.

Other than that, well, my pensionista killed my poor guinea pig, BoB Marley... He was such a nice, fat friend. But, alas, they're just another animal to eat down here. So I'm trying to recover slowly. Though, I have to admit, I'm excited to eat him for lunch today. ;)

Hope you all enjoy this week! Remember that Friday in the end of the world, so don't forget to repent. There are a lot of people yelling in the streets and handing out pamphlets here. They're all playing off the drama. Some say it'll happen for sure and others not so much. It's pretty funny, to say the least.

Love you all!
Elder Seth Prestwich

Things Are Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas... Kind of...

Hey Everyone!

This week has been great, though filled with ups and downs. But first
of all, Diana was baptised and confirmed despite a ton of difficulties
and obstacles. She really put her faith first to follow the Lord. Her
parents really worked against her baptism. Her mother is really
Catholic and her Dad is from some other Christian church, but both of
them are quite convinced that they're in the true church. But Diana
prayed and asked God to know that this Church is true. And she told
that that God said it was... They didn't like that too much. But
despite their words, Diana took a step of faith and follow the answer
that the Lord gave here. It was wonderful to see her overcome all of
the other obstacles that came her way as well. Her father (who lives
hours away in Lima) got really sick and she almost had to travel with
her mother to Lima just hours before her baptism. But she prayed with
sincerity and her mother, even though she was opposed to her choice to
get baptised, decided to leave that night instead. An incredibe change
of heart just in the moment that Diana needed it. She's going to be a
faithful convert. One who puts her trust in the arm of the Lord.

But during the week, a lot of chalenges came around. I had problems
with my companion, Diana almost had to travel during her baptimal
date, Lourdez didn't pass her interview, I ended up getting quite
sick, and more. But amongst all the rough patches, I found one thing
to stick out. If I had the spirit, everything was alright. I had a
calm assurance that all problems pass by and that my investigators
would be able to pull through the problems that they faced. In those
moments, I really understood, even more, that the Spirit drives this
work, because it drives me farther than I can go. Each day I somehow
find the physical and spiritual strength to do this work. And I
realized even more where that comes from. When I refused to let my
trials take away the Spirit, the days passed and I felt satisfied with
the work that I was doing. Even if it's not perfect, it's what the
Lord is expecting from me. It truly is an invaluable part of this
work, and not just for teaching, but in every aspect.

I can't thank the Lord enough for allowing me to have the Gift of the
Holy Ghost. It truly is one of the greatest gifts that I have in this
life. And one of the few gifts that can keep giving every day. It
truly directs my life to where I want to be. In ways greater than I
can comprehend.

I also learned that when I live with an attitude of gratitude, I have
the Spirit more constantly. It's a lesson I can't forget here in the
mission or in my life afterwards.

I also got to enjoy a deliscious plate of rabbit the other day! I
actually enjoyed that dish, oddly enough.

But I love you all and hope that you're enjoying the Christmas Season!
Don't forget the Lord or the needy!
Elder Seth Prestwich

Welcome, December!

Hey everyone!

Well, we've finally hit the last month of the year.

AND Christmas is coming up! It may not quite be the same as a missionary, but it's still a wonderful time that helps me focus even more on the Savior in my life.

But we've been having a lot of troubles with our investigators. We still have a lot of investigators that are progressing, but they're starting to lose their enthusiasm. But we're determined to help the come to Christ and be ready this month as well. Our baptimal dates might fall through, but we'll be sure not to let them go. Keep them in your prayers, please. We'll be doing a ton to keep the Spirit so we can follow the Lord's direction to help them.

But the week has gone by rather normal other than that. So I don't have much to say. Or much time. But I really hope everyone is well, and you'll all be in my prayers!

Love you all! Keep up a cheerful Christmas Spirit!
Elder Seth Prestwich

Almost... December?

Hey Everyone!

Wow, I can't believe that December is already coming up! It's really comes out of nowhere without Thanksgiving!
But this week went by well. It was SUPER long. A lot happened, but we're ready now to start another exchange here in Huaraz. Elder Fernandez and I will be working hard. We have a lot of possible baptisms this month, so we're looking forward to this month. We're gonna end the year well.

I've really been able to see the tender mercies of the Lord working with us each week as the spirit guides us and our investigators. We've received some great references from the members this week. Some people that are really prepared and sensitive to the Spirit. It'll be really great to work with them and see a conversion in their lives.
We just finished a ward conference and it was really cool to see so many people here. Even in the time that I've been here, there are a lot more members active. We had a less active family do an special number. Two of their kids played their violins really well. They're both really young (14 and 11), but they play in the symphony of Huaraz. Their mom is always making them practice, every time we go there. But they really have a talent and they enjoy performing, so it was really cool to see.

Hope everyone is well and healthy!
Take care and enjoy the end of November!
Elder Seth Prestwich

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Even though there isn't a Thanksgiving here, I'll be quite happy. It'll be a wonderful day to give thanks to God for all the wonderful things I've been given. I'll be looking for those little blessings from God on that day as well. They always come. Every holiday. So I'm not too worried about it. But I'll be working extra hard to bless the lives of others as I reflect on the wonderful gifts that God has given me all my life. Starting with the Gospel and the Atonement of Christ. Two things that I'll never be able to thank God enough for. But I hope you can all enjoy that day with your families and with some wonderful food. But don't forget to say a prayer of thanks that day.

But the work has been going pretty well down here. We had 11 investigators in church again! We had two families come, so we're really excited to work with them. They're both wonderful and we'll do all that we can so they can make it all the way to the Temple. It may be a ways off, but what we do and teach now will allow them to make it there. Other than that, the other baptismal dates are falling. We still have one more, Diana. She's 19 and is working hard to gain a personal testimony, but is quite set on being baptized the first of December. So keep her in your prayers as well!

Oh, and thanks a lot for the package that you sent! I'll be enjoying the candy on Thanksgiving as well. But it's nice to have a few sweets around, and it's fun to see how everyone else enjoys candy from the US. It's nice to share the joy a little.

And I enjoyed the comic strips as well, thanks for those. They really brightened my day.

Take care everyone and enjoy the Holidays!

Elder Seth Prestwich

Baptism of Susan!

Well, Susan was baptized this week! All turned out very well. She was super prepared. She had been going to church in another ward for a few weeks, and was already thinking about getting baptized when we got her referral. But we came to see her and she wanted to know the truth. So we helped her with that. She got excited when we showed her the Book of Mormon and she started to read it right away. It was awesome to hear how she felt when she prayed to know that it's true. She really did all that she could to prepare herself correctly. And the ward really took her in right away. She gave the opening prayer last Sunday, then was confirmed, then was sustained as the YSA Representative for the ward. All in 10 minutes or so. Pretty crazy. But she's ready and feels happy to have the chance to serve as well.

We have another baptismal date for this Saturday. Her name is Susy and she's really excited as well. She's a 15 year old girl whose a national box champion. Pretty crazy. She's never really gone to a church before and didn't know anything about God, so it was interesting to start at block 0 with her, but it's been a humble opportunity to see the Lord change and bless her life as she accepts the Gospel. Pray a lot for her so she can prepare herself this week.

We went to a really cool historical site this week in Chavin. It's one of the oldest ruins here in Peru. But the trip there was several hours, so it was pretty crazy. We all got into a giant Van (20 seater) and went cruising through mountains and cliffs. It was super cool to see all of the (almost) untouched mountains. It was all green. Very different from Trujillo. But I'll have to show everyone a ton of photos when I get back.

Thanks everyone for your support! I'll be praying for everyone!
Elder Seth Prestwich

Update

Hey Everyone!

Well, the Lord has really done miracles in this area. He really is here blessing us and all the people that we teach. We mannaged to have 11 investigators in church this last Sunday (we've normally had 3-4 every week here). And we have two more people preparing for baptism. One this Saturday and the other will be the next. Keep Susan and Susy in your prayers so they can do what they need to so that they will be prepared. But we'll be focusing on the 11 investigators that came to church and helping them a ton. We'll be sure to help them see how great the blessings they'll recieve are.

But it's been an incredible experience to be here. I really know that the message we share with everyone is true. And that it brings the happiness that everyone is looking for, even if they don't realize it. But I see God testifying to me and all that I teach that it's true. I know without a doubt that it's what will bring eternal happiness to anyone who accepts it. And not because I say it or someone else has told me, but because God Himself has told me, and I can't ever deny that. And after sharing my heartfelt testimony of that with an investigator today, I started thinking about it. But I really know that it's true and that I'm happy because if it. And that I'll never leave it or deny it. Not for anything. And I can only thank my Heavenly Father for that knowledge and assurety. But that itself makes me so happy to be here sharing these blessings all day every day. There may be a lot of difficulties here in the mission, but none of them really matter. There is no sacrifice too big to help others come unto Christ so they can  recieve Eternal Life.

But I'm still enjoying the nice green hills and mountians around here. It really puts me at ease as I work to follow Christ and help others do the same.

Love you all!

Elder Seth Prestwich