Happy Independence Day!

Well, we've hit July. Crazy.

Hope everyone enjoys the 4th! I'll have to make a little flag to hang around the room or off my backpack. I'd like to show a little pride for my country.

Other than that, all's been going normally. People are coming to Christ, I'm in good health, so no complaints. My companion is learning a ton. I often forget that he's a new missionary, so that's a good sign. He's getting a lot better.

But I guess it would have been cool to have a week that was a little more eventful, but it kinda went by. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Though we did get to go to the stadium and go play soccer. That turned out pretty fun. It was full sized and we played 11-11. Even with that many people, we got worn out super fast. Lots of running. But quite enjoyable. I'm just hoping that I'll learn to play well some day.

Hope everyone's healthy and well!

Elder Seth Prestwich

President Turk is Off...

Hey Everyone!

Well, this was quite the eventful week!

First off, Juliana was baptized! She's 35 years old and is married, but doesn't have kids. She's a chemical engineer and is studying a second major. But it was really great to help her come to Christ as well. We found her in a time that she'd been looking for a specific purpose in her life. She'd felt a bit lost. Other than her husband, she wasn't sure exactly what more there was to life. So her friend explaind a little about the Plan of Salvation. Something simple. She liked it, and then her friend brought her to church. A simple invitation, but Juliana loved being in church. After the first day there, she told us that everything seemed familiar, as if she'd already known that it was right. It didn't take her long to gain her personal testimony and feel closer to Christ. She came to love the Book of Mormon and the message of the Plan of Salvation. She even felt a strong spirit from learning the commandments. So she made it to the waters of baptism last Saturday and left the water quite suprised at the feeling of the Spirit. Even if it scared her really bad to be submerged in water.

After that, we met together as a mission in Trujillo for the missionary broadcast to the world. It was really inspired and I dearly hope that the ward will be excited to apply it with us. It'll do miracles in the lives of many of they do. Then President Turk, our mission president, gave his farewell testimony along with his wife. They'll be in the US again bytomorrow. We'll be giving a warm welcome to the new president this week. It'll be interesting to see the changes in the mission with a new president and the addition of the new programs (epecially using internet in the mornings!) from the Prophet and the Apostols.

But I'm doing wonderful and seeing the work move forward! I now have 3 months left to work till I drop. I really hope to help as many people as possible in these months. There's a lot of people who are close, so it should be great!

Take care!

Elder Seth Prestwich

Wow, Sounds Like a Lot Happened...

Hey everyone!

Well, sounds like there was a lot going on back home. I'll be praying for all those families that lost their homes in the fire. I really hope that they can recuperate quickly.

But on the good side, I'm doing great down here. We just finished yet another transfer and I'm working hard. The baptisms are coming around, so I'm supper happy about that. I'm always thankful for the chance to help people, especially find their way to Christ. I wouldn't trade this time for anything, as hard as it may be. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do when it finishes... So I figure I'll just not think about it. I'll just work day by day for now.

Hope everyone is enjoying Summer and the new games. And that Father's Day went by well. And I hope that things can get a bit better back home.

You'll all be in my prayers!
Thanks for everything!

Elder Seth Prestwich

The Beach!

Well, we just had a fun little time at the beach in my area. We took a small 20 minute comvi (shuttlebus type thing that's public transportation) ride there and had a ton of fun. We explored several caves and played volleyball and soccer. Quite a good day.

But even better than that were Esteban and Estefany's baptisms! They both got baptised on different days this week, but it was really amazing. They both felt the Spirit quite a bit. Estefany is an 11 year old girl, and the last who needed to be baptised in the family, she's Junior's (just got baptised a few weeks ago) sister. She was SUPER afraid of going under water (first time in her life), but she came into the font bodly and had a HUGE smile as she came out. One, because she felt the Spirit really strongly, and the other I'm sure is that she didn't drown, like she thought she would.

Esteban's experience was great as well, and a bit funny at the same time. He's been fighting to progress, but finally made it to the waters of baptism. And as he came up out of the water. He clentched his chest and asked "What is this feeling?!"

I laughed, "That, my friend is the Spirit."

"It's INCREDIBLE!"

We were talking after and he commented that he'd never felt so clean or happy. He had a whole lot taken off of his chest. I loved to hear that. I know it'll be an experience that will help him keep faithful until the end of his life.

And on top of all that, Junior had the chance to go to the Temple! He went with the ward and had an amazing time. He came back super happy. And then, the very next day, he prepared and passed the sacrament for the first time. I felt quite proud of him as he passed the sacrament to me. It gave me quite the smile.

So things are going quite great down here. We're hoping to get a couple married and ready to get baptised in these weeks as well. I'll let you know how it goes!

Take care everyone!

Elder Seth Prestwich

Wow... It's June...

Hey Everyone!

Time is sailing by. It's already June and we're starting off the month great. We have a baptism this week and several more should come in this month. We've got high goals and expectations here in San Luis. I really hope we can keep it up.

My companion is really trying to get used to missionary life. It's quite the change, and he's one that worries about everyone. So I'm trying to help him stay calm and not get down when things don't work out. And to not worry so much! But things are still going great and he's learning super fast.

As for interesting things... Well, I ate pidgeon with spaghetti. That was a bit strange. But it really doesn't have any meat at all, so it was kinda lame. I guess they cook it mostly to give flavor to the sauce.

I also figured out the date that I'll be coming home, and that'll be the 23rd of September. So my mission will be 9 days longer than a year! Guess I got lucky.

Well, I hope everyone is doing great back home and that the Summer is full of fun activities!

Love you all!

Elder Seth Prestwich

This is My New Companion, Elder Tarzan!

Hey Everyone!

Phew, do I have my work cut out for me. Looks like I'll have the next three months of my mission to train. My companion's name is Elder Rodriguez, but he's from the Peruvian Jungle. Let me tell you, the Jungle is a whole different culture. But he's super awesome. He's friendly and excited about being a missionary. He's come pretty prepared, though. I'm impressed. Though he feel inadequate at time, he's really doing great and already improving. But I really enjoy being with him. The jungle culture is super friendly.

Other than that, we have three more baptisms coming up for next week (the 8th). I really hope that they can make it. They're Bruno (19 year old boy who's entire extended family is member) and the twins, Kelly and Yulisa (18 years old, their older sister, who's basically their mother, is a recent convert). They're all doing pretty good, but still need a little help to strenghten their testimonies and friendship in the ward. But they're doing great and one can progress a ton in a short amount of time (if they're willing).

I've been doing pretty great, though. I love the Work that the Lord has given me. I'm doing my best to enjoy this time and take advantage of the opportunity that I have to be here. I'm just doing my best and giving it my all, hoping that I'm doing the Lord's will.

Hope all is well! Enjoy Summer Vacation!

Elder Seth Prestwich

For Every End There's a Beginning

Hey Everyone!

Well, first of all, Junior was baptized this week! He's a great kid who's family was less active. But we managed to get the family active and now They're coming every week. We were supper happy about that. There's been a huge change in their home. They definitely seem a lot happier these days. That's what I came here for.

We've helped them put the goal (along with the bishop) to make it to the Temple. 

They're also gonna divide my area in two. I'll be losing half of my investigators (some really good ones, including one with a baptismal date), which is a stab to the heart. But other than that, it'll be alright. The new missionaries will take good care of them. It'll be odd working in half the area, but it's still huge, so it'll be alright. The ward should be able to grow pretty fast.

On top of that, I'm gonna be training! Looks like I'll be bearing a son in my old age (they always call the trainers "fathers"). Who knew? It'll be a huge change this transfer (and I'm not even leaving to a different area!), but it should be pretty fun.

But looks like I'll be destined to be here in San Luis until the end of my mission (since I'll be training). It's odd thinking that I only have 3 transfers left. Doesn't feel like it...

Hope all is well!

Elder Seth Prestwich