Another Week Come and Gone

Hey Everyone!

This week turned out alright for us. We're working hard with being able to teach more lessons. I feel like we're losing all of our investigators and that's really worrying me. We're teaching one or two lessons, but they lose interest. So I've been really trying hard to understand how to invite the Spirit more into the lessons and how to apply the doctrine better the those we teach, starting from the very first lesson. But I really hope things get better and we can find the people who are ready. I know God is preparing those people and families. I'll never stop working every day to find those people.

But we were able to help little Paola make it to baptimal waters. So we're super excited about that. Now their whole family has been baptised (well, all that are 8 and up) and woking hard to endure to the end! We'll be there helping a lot, because I've really come to love that family. Without a doubt, the Lord sent me here to find them.

As for interresting things going on, well, tomorrow we won't be leaving the room. The mission president is making us all stay in our rooms for Tuesday War. It's the best part about Carnevales here. It's a day when no one is safe from the water... and paint... and, well, just about everything. It gets bad, but there's no public transportation that day. And they say that the only people on the streets are the police trying to regulate everything. Sounds like it's gonna be insane. I'll let you know how it goes.

And my companion also had two toenails taken out. He's been out a few days, but thankfully there was a RM who went out with me those days and helped the work to keep going. Though I can't help but cringe when I look at my companion's feet. It looks funny without a toenail. At least he's walking normally now (and playing football, just 6 days later).

Well, I'm out of time, but I hope everyone is doing well!
Take Care!
Elder Seth Prestwich

Carnavales...

Well, this week went by pretty well for us. Our fecha fell through, though. We put it back up for the next week. We're just waiting for the girl's father to get back from a vacation in Arequipa. But he'll be getting back this week for sure. So we're not too worried. Other than that, we've recieved a lot of referals and we managed to find a lot of new investigators through the memebers. They really helped us out this week and we're sure that one of these refrences will be able to make it to the waters of baptism.

But we really saw a great miracle through the power of fasting this week. As we fasted, we did it for each of our investigators, but especially to find new families. We were continually praying that day hoping to find someone. But just as one of our appointments fell through, we got a call from a young man. He got baptised about a year ago and was ready to leave for the mission. He lives in another part, but his family lives here in Huaraz, in our area. And he wanted to present his whole family to us. We entered and were warmly welcomed. They saw what their son was about to do through us. And we're pumpped to go back and help that family come to Christ.

Then, that Sunday after church, we recieved refrences for two more familes! We still need to contact them, but it was amazing to see the Lord answer our prayers right away. It's really something special to see Him work directly in my life and in His work.

On other terms, Carnavales have made it to Huaraz. It's quite the interresting holliday. It's one where everyone can just dump water (sometimes paint) on whoever they want. Now that we've hit Febuary, we find ourselves watching the roof tops every single day. We've gotta watch out for the water balloons, because they're becoming more and more frequent. But it's kinda fun, not gonna lie. Makes the day interesting. Though my companion hates getting wet, so it's not quite the same for him. 

I'm also seeing a huge difference in who I am here in the mission. I had an interresting encounter with a North American in the street the other day. He wasn't too fond or my ideas, I guess. But he called me over from the other side of the street, but when I started talking to him, he began attacking me for being Mormon. He had quite different moral beliefs, so I guess he wasn't gonna let my pass by peacably. Anyway, he started insults, but it was interresting to, well, not feel anything. I didn't fell sad, nor angry. I just smiled and said that everyone has freedom of releigon and speech. But without saying anything negative, I smiled and walked away, after calming the conversation by the end. Before, I would have jumped right back at him. I would've been angry for hours after, but it was nice to see that change in me and just let it go. That calmness will probably serve me well in life. I'm always happy to see the way the Lord teaches me and helps me grow.

Hope everyone is well and that the snow comes for you guys!

Elder Seth Prestwich

All Is Well!

Hey Everyone!

Well all went well at the end of the week. We were able to help our 3 investigators make it to the waters of baptism. All three of them were quite happy Saturday and Sunday and it really made me smile to see the joy that they felt. It truly keeps me here in the mission. I'll be super happy to see them make it to the end, especially Lazaro and Adelaida, because they're already very focused on making it to the temple to be sealed together for time and all eternity. And Hna. Esperanza as well, because she's made great sacrifices to make it this far and put herself and her family in line with the teachings of Christ.

I've really enjoyed seeing these people accept the Lord and I'll always be excited to keep going through thick and thin. This is really the Lords work and I get to enjoy the closeness of His hand in my life. I really do love to see that the things that are important to me are important to him, whether they be small or large.

I also got blindsighted this week... Something happened in the district, and there was an emergency exchange, and I got called as the District Leader. It was quite a shock, since I'd only been senior companion for a couple of weeks. But things like that seem to happen in my life. I get comfortable, then everything comes at once. Though I can only accept the calling and recognize that God qualifies whom he calles. So I suppose I'll be just fine. It'll just take a little adjusting.

Hope all is well back home! We've entered the rainy season, so that should be fun here. But it really beats the Trujillo Sun, so I can't complain.

Take Care!

Elder Seth Prestwich

Takin' On Life One Week at a Time...

Well, the week's gone by pretty well. Well, it was actually really rough at first, but Saturday and Sunday made up for it. We were able to confirm and organize a baptism for the 26th. We'll have 3 investigators getting baptised, so I'll be really praying hard that nothing goes wrong and that they can all make it. We were also able to receive a ton of references from members on Saturday, so we're really excited about that. We've been working really hard to find new investigators and Saturday was a real answer to our prayers.

Other than that, we went to an amazing lake called Llanganuco last week. It was really cool to see some of the Peruvian mountains. The trip up there is always the coolest for me. We weave through cliffs, mountains, valleys, and rivers. No one else seems to care too much. They only look once we reach the tourisic area. But it's really awesome to see the landscape around here. It's really enjoyable. But the lake was awesome, it's a vibrant blue color sourrounded by green plants and sharp cliffs. There's also mountinas covered in glaciers nearby. It was really cool to be there for a moment and just breathe in the mountain air. I really missed trips up into the mountains, but being here had helped me know just how much.

 

Llanganuco

Not much more has been going on, but I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying classes (at least a little bit). I've been doing really well and I'm excited for the good missionary work that'll be coming up in these weeks!

Love you all!

Elder Seth Prestwich

16 Months... Wow... Time Flies.

Hey Everyone!

Well, this week ended with a really brutal hit. Lucia, our fecha, didn't get baptised. And she let the member that was befriending her know that she never really wanted to. That she was lying. All the way down to the hour of the baptism. We made it to her house just to find that out, and we never found her. It was painful. One of the biggest let downs in my life, I think. I mean, we're talking about salvation. It was pretty painful to hear, but the member did let me know in the interveiw that she had a problem with lying sometimes. But that was harsh. We headed back the the room and got back to work that day, and I prayed humbly for some miracle, to find someone (any investigator or new investigator). I was doing my absolute best to pay attention to the impressions of the Spirit. People came to mind, but we found no one. We looked for futures and less actives, but found no one. Even the contacts rejected the invitation to visit them.

It could've honestly been one of the worst moments in my mission. Maybe if it were earlier in my mission, it would have been. But the difference I felt came through the Spirit. Instead of rejecting Him and being upset, I humbly accepted the situation and kept my heart open. I worked hard. We may not have found anyone in that time, but somehow, I knew the Lord would bless me for leaving and trying hard that day, despite what happened. He was already comforting me as well. He let me know that those with sincere hearts will come in the near future. So I didn't worry or give up. The tender mercies of the Lord carried me forward and let me dedicate the day to Him.

I feel that those moments will define my future. And not just for here in the mission. There will be days when I feel like I've lost a lot, and that my efforts aren't bringing anything forth. But I've learned to work to the end, no matter the circumstances. It's not worth dedicating my time to my failures, but rejoice in every moment for the success that the Lord has given me. I know that's wisdom that the Lord has taught me, and it is of eternal worth for me.

Hope all goes well and that the semester starts strong for everyone!

Love,

Elder Seth Prestwich

Another Exchange Down...

Well, this week had ups and downs. Hna. Adriana was baptized and confirmed, but the other two didn't quite make it. Hno. Lacero had to go to Lima for some bad heath conditions. But he and his wife should be coming back soon as long as all goes well. But I'm extremely worried about this ward. No one is coming for the baptismal services. We've dropped down from 126 people in church to 40 in just 3 weeks. We're not getting any member refrences these weeks. Even some of the leaders aren't showing up at church. I have no idea what's going on, but it's gonna be a few rough weeks till it can turn around... I just really hope that I can help the ward going again, or it's gonna fall right back into it's old routines-- without progress.

Other than that, I've been working really hard to invite the Spirit into my daily work again. I know that, as I become senior companion, that'll help me more than anything else. I truly need that guidance if I want anything to happen in this work. Especially when it comes to finding the right new people to teach. We've had a ton of problems with that in this area, but we'll do all that we can to change that.

Though I'm excited to work hard with my new companion and see miracles in this next exchange, despite any problems that I may face.

But I've been working on long term goals as well. Looks like I put it off this year like everyone else. I always thought that you were supposed to go into the year with goals, but it's better late then never, right? It was odd thinking about the year as whole, since I'll be getting back before it finishes. Though I have some good long term missionary goals that I'll keep working on until the last day of my mission. One mainly being a greater effort to follow the Spirit and to develop the humility to listen to His impressions. I realize that nothing happens in this work without His help and guidance, so I'll be doing all that I can to learn to follow and recognize the Spirit, so I can act on those impressions.

Other than that, all has been going really well. I'm excited to have a new companion. He's gonna be fresh out of training, so it should be quite the trip.

Hope all is well and that everyone can get back into the swing of things!

Love,

Elder Seth Prestwich

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hey Everyone!

Happy new year! I really hope that everyone can enjoy a new beginnig. I also hope everyone can do well with their goals this year!

Well, this week went by really well. We had another baptism as well. We baptised a young (20 years old...) single mother, Yosi (Jossi), who was really looking for a way to change her life. She had a huge conversion when she took interest in our message. We've been teaching her family for  a while and they've all taken interest. So we're really hoping to see the rest of the family come unto Christ, following her footsteps. They're just waiting for the dad to get back from a trip so they can all be there in the baptism. But at first, we were teaching the whole family except her, because she "had other things to do." But after she started seeing a change in her family and felt a desire to find something more in her life, she started listening and really grew a desire to do a 180 in her life. So it was amazing to see the change and see the happiness that she's felt through Christ. It's amazing how deeply the Gospel can change a life.

We also have several baptisms set up for the next few weeks, so we're working hard to take care of them. This week, we have another investigator, Adriana (the cousin of Diana), with a baptismal date and an older couple, Lazero and Adelaida. Hopefully everything goes well with them and that Lazero and Adelaida can pass their interviews. But they're quite excited  to learn more and progress, so I imagine all will go well.

Other than that, I ate rabbit intestine with potatoes and grean beans (and rice, of course). That was... not my favorite dish.

I also really enjoyed talking with everyone in the family! It was really nice to hear your voices and see how're you're doing. Even if everything seems to be going normal as always. It's always one of the special moments of the year. The best Christmas gift, of course.
And thanks so much for the package! And for the package from the ward! I got it a couple days ago and really enjoy the candy and cards. It was nice to hear from all the old ward members that I know. And it looks like there are quite a few new people as well.
But I've been enjoying the candy a ton. Life is always a little easier with sugar.

Well, I hope everyone enjoys the new year and has a little fun! I'll be sleeping. One of the few people who'll be well rested for the first day of the new year, haha.
Take care!
Elder Seth Prestwich