I love General Conference!

Hola everyone!

This week was a much better week! We have an investigator, and for the lack of time I won't explain much.  Her name is Sharon, she is 18 and she is just as interested as my 1st investigator. She has kept every single commitment we have left her. It's cool! 

We have taught so many lessons on prophets and general conference! I am so so so excited! It's fun to teach it everyday because I literally feel my testimony growing every time. I know that Thomas S. Monson has been called of God and that he receieves revelation and that we are going to hear exactly what we need to hear to survive the spiritual storms that are going on in the world. I can promise each of you that you will receive answers to questions and doubts if you pray and spiritually prepare to hear the words of The Lord´s servants. 

I cried when they told us about Elder Scott. 

The Women's Broadcast was so so so so good. I love being a member of the Church. I love listening and learning about the Gospel. I invite EVERYONE to watch all 4 sessions of general conference this weekend. You WILL be blessed. 

3 nephi 6:14:  "And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord."  

What do you think it means when it says ¨for they were converted to the ¨true faith"?  What is the true faith?

We were asked to think about spiritual experiences we have had with general conference and I pondered a lot. I thought of the family memories, yum yums, laughter, blankets. I thought of the times we have been to the Conference Center. I thought of the spirit I always feel so strongly with the music. I thought of how I feel the moment the prophet walks into the room. I am so grateful that watching conference has been a habit of mine all my life, and it will always be that way.

¨He will bless you if you put your trust in Him¨ 

I love you all,

Hermana Pilling

Clair's Sunday lunch of steak and noodles.  Yum...??

Peruvian Pancakes and Scripture Stories

Hi Everyone,

Last monday we made ¨Peruvian pancakes¨ which are really just crepes and they are delicious. I learned how to flip a crepe just with the pan. You know what I mean right? Then we went to the Peruvian version of the Calgary Stampede hahaha.  It was lame though. We can't go on the rides either so that was just torture for me since you know how much I love rides!

Ever since our multi-zone meeting when President said we need to be anxiously engaged and involved in our meetings, our district meetings have been so much more meaningful for me! I don't care what other missionaries, like the zone leaders, will think about my silly questions or my grammar mistakes and I just try my best to get the most out of every meeting we have. This week we talked about using the scriptures and it was really fun. I have learned so much about the scripture stories and where certain scriptures are and the doctrine and meaning behind scriptures. I love the scriptures so much and I am learning how to study and get the most out of their powerful and inspired words.

I'm sure you have heard about the earthquake in Chile. Don't worry, my companion´s family is okay. She is from the south and the earthquake was in the north but it is still sad. It was a pretty strong one. I will have you know that the earthquake in Chile in 2010 was in her city. Hermana Avila lived through it and from the little stories she shares with me it sounds like it was awful. She is my hero and I love her.

In our talent show this is what we did. As you can see in the pic my head is there and from behind I am moving the hands and my companion is moving my feet and we danced to some music with the elders and our mission leader. It was SO FUN. I love seeing members laugh and enjoy themselves. 

We did service this week! After the talent show, Hermana said we were her little angles and that we helped her so much. I love looking for service. It is something that my companion has really taught me. She is always aware and has so much love and is willing to help EVERYONE.

I am re-reading my journal right? And I am reading in March and I was thinking a lot about that time in my mission when I was still in 9 de Octubre. Over the course of these 15 months I have noticed that daily scripture study, not just reading, and sincere personal prayers help us become more Christlike. It is through these simple things that we learn about Christ, our perfect example, and learn about our own personal weaknesses to be able to grow more like Him. I am constantly thinking of Him and more aware of His example. I often find myself thinking, ¨What would Jesus do?¨

Well, I love you all and I am so grateful for the atonement and for my Saviour. It is only through His sacrifice and His grace that I am able to overcome my weaknesses and start fresh every week. What would I do without my Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ?

Love,

Hermana Pilling

Jaen Week

This week... what happened this week... Well, firstly I realized I didn't explain why it was a week of blessings, but we had so many lessons and so many new investigators and so many contacts and so much fun. It was great!

This week was a really great week too! The 10th til the 27th of September is ¨Jaén week¨ even though it is more than a week. People come from the little mountain towns and they just come to party. Why do they do so? To celebrate 2 saints.... there are so many catholics! We like to spend time in the plaza De Armas to contact and get to know people, but we haven't been doing that just because we don't want some crazy guy to try to beat us up or something. I don't know. So ya, that is going on right now. 

This week we had an FHE with a part member family. The daughter, Marite, is 27 and is leaving for her mission in Bolivia in 2 months and the mom, Olga, is less active and not married to Fernando, who is not a member. So we watched ¨To This End Was I Born¨, a video about Christ and his life and talked about his influence in our lives and then Fernando prayed. It was his first time ever. You are probably thinking that I am going to say it was some magical spiritual experience. It was just straight up funny. We all ended laughing. I'll explain.  Monday was Marite´s 1 year mark since she got baptized so in her Dad´s prayer he said ¨we are so grateful to be here to celebrate Marite´s 1 year in her.... career as a mormon¨.  Oh it was so funny. Maybe it was more funny in spanish. But it was funny. It made me think that our ¨career¨ as members of the church is not easy.  To have accomplished 1 year as being a faithful member of the church in this crazy world really is a huge accomplishment! 

We also visited Mily and Robert again, well twice. We challenged them to get married the 26th of September and they said they would think about it. Then we went back and Robert had done some talking with some friends and family friends who he admired and everyone said no. You need to be with a girl 10 years before you know if you really want to be married to her. WHAT? What is happening to the world? They have a son. They have a house. They have been together 6 years. I'm pretty sure they know if they want to be together or not. So we used the scriptures and the help of our awesome member who was with us and we helped them remember WHY marriage is important. We will see what happens this week. Diego, their 5 year old, says the prayers and they are adorable. 

My companion and I came up with a game. I give my companion a word, a noun, and she has to use that word in the contact, then she gives me a word and we keep going like that. It is so fun! And it is actually helping us have better contacts because we have to get to know them a little bit before we randomly say the word birthday or shoe or pineapple. I absolutely love my companion and my ward and my leaders and my investigators and my family. Thank you for everything!!!

Love,

Hermana Pilling

Week of Blessings

First of all, happy September! 1 week down and I cannot believe it. There are no such things as seasons here and it kills me and makes the time go by so much faster.

Secondly, we had our district meeting and we talked about what we learned from Elder Bednar and how we can apply it. Then we had intercambios and I had the amazing opportunity to teach with the one and only Hermana Waite again. I LOVED being by her side and talking about our families. She is going to be home in 1 month so we talked about how she feels about that and just everything. It was fun teaching together and it felt just like the good old days. She has been a huge help and example for me to just love the mission no matter what and to be diligent 100 percent of the time. (Saturday I only have 100 days left). We were together here in my area and we found so many new investigators! It was just a great 24 hours. It would be cool to teach again with each of my companions. Hermana Waite made comments about how I have changed- better spanish, more confidence, stronger spiritually, etc. Its funny because I feel like I haven't changed at all. It's the little things we don't even notice that make us better every day. 

We had a lesson with Mily and Robert this week that was pretty cool. Every word that came out of my mouth was directed by the spirit, I swear. They were telling us about their doubts with the Book of Mormon. It drives me crazy when people say they don't believe it because it's something new... WELL OF COURSE IT'S NEW AND ITS FOREIGN. So I was inspired with an example. I asked them what faith means. They answered and we talked about that. Then I asked why they believe everything I say about Canada. They said well we trust you and we talked about how that is faith. They have never met a Canadian before. Anyways, then we moved into the Book of Mormon and how it can simply be true, even though the Book of Mormon is new to them and that it is the word of God, just that they have never ¨met¨ the Book of Mormon. They were thinking really hard and we continued talking about it and left them with 3 Nephi 11 to read, one of my favorite. At the end of the lesson Robert prayed. They had a tough day because of some news they received concerning his work and they were both very worried. He prayed and it was so sincere and so powerful and just asked God not to abandon him and to lead him and help him find the right path. He paused often and I felt God´s love SO strongly. I have prayed ever since then that they feel the same love and spirit and that they are doing better. It was such an amazing experience. He said amen and his wife, my comp and I just all looked at each other smiling. It was so so cool. 

Random thoughts...

My companion eats really fast. 

We made lunch together with our pensionista on Sunday it was DELICIOUS. We made homemade ice-cream- guanabana flavour. 

I love inviting people to be baptized. 

I love the spirit. I love prayer. I love the church. I love testifying. I love you all and I love the sun. I am trying to enjoy it because I know it won't exist when I am home. 

Love you all,

Hermana Pilling

Mission Conference with Elder Bednar

This week was a little rough, but it ended so great!  I don't know what happened this week. Tuesday was so so hard and so hot and my comp and I were a little down in the dumps but we helped each other keep going.  Wednesday came around and things went even worse. The 3 times that members came out with us, no one was home. We were pretty much depressed. Thursday during comp study we were not so excited to go out and preach so I suggested we take time to pray. So we prayed. I haven't prayed for so long in about 8 months now. I was on my knees for a while and finally an impression came to my head. We needed to fast! So Thursday to Friday we fasted. Having done that, Thursday was still awful, but we were okay. We had goals to talk to every woman on the street, because I WILL NOT talk to peruvian men, and there weren't any women. We asked ourselves what we did wrong. We have been so obedient and worked so hard and I just came to the conclusion that it was a trial of our faith. Even though it was a HARD WEEK, Friday and Saturday were fantastic.  

First of all, it is true that my spanish has improved being with a latina and I have forgotten some english. I love spanish so much!

Secondly, I sweat a lot. It was a really really hot week again. 

Third, well ya you know it was awful all week and we really struggled, but we fasted right before the conference and that was cool. I think this experience is what finally gave me my firm testimony of the power of fasting. 

Friday morning we had our weekly planning session then packed up and at 1:00 the bus left and we were on the road! I feel like it's normal to travel to Chiclayo but really I won't do it for a long time now. It's just a pretty drive but, being on the top level of the bus everything moves a lot and I still feel like I am swaying with the twists and turns of the Andes mountains. We got to Chiclayo at 7:30 ish and my comp and I stayed in Remigio Silva, an area in my first zone and we drove right passed my pension and my room and everything in 9 de octubre. It was so sad. Saturday morning we studied for an hour and then we had to go back to the office to drop off our stuff (because we are travellers) and then head to the institute building for the conference. Hermana Wood is training a cute girl from Utah, Hermana Kelly. And Hermana Monson, from my group, is training Hermana Smith (the friend of Whitney Pogue). I finally got to meet her and she is so cute. We were all able to chat for like.... 15 minutes then we all went out as a mission to take a picture. It is the ONLY time we will all be together as a mission. It was pretty cool. Then we had a little meeting before the conference. We sang about 4 hymns, an elder sang a gorgeous song in spanish, Hermana Hebdona and Hermana Waite sang "Sweet Hour of Prayer" in spanish and 3 missionaries shared their testimonies. Then Elder Bednar walked in, but not just Elder Bednar. Elder Bednar and his wife, Elder Soarres and his wife, Elder Godoy and his wife, Brother Stevenson, the presiding bishop, and his wife, and their translators. We literally had a little general conference in Peru. It was sweet. Each couple shared the #1 piece of advice they had for missionaries and then Elder and Sister Bednar took over. He first asked us to share what we learned from the 3 talks we had been studying, then he asked us what we had learned so far in the conference and then we had question and answer time. 

This is what I learned in THE FASTEST 3 hours of my life:

• The 3rd companion in my companionship HAS to be the spirit.  I need to use this special time as a missionary to really learn how to recognize the spirit because I need to follow Him my whole entire life.
• I will have a special respect, a special relationship, with my mission president my whole entire life. 
• I got baptized and made a covenant to stand as a witness of Christ at all times and in all things and in all places. I was set apart June 30 to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I need to take EVERY opportunity to testify of Him and in doing so I will be more converted. 
• Faith is everything. It has to do with the past, the present and the future (see Seek Learning By Faith by Elder Bednar).
• Conversion and testimony are different but they go together. They go hand in hand and are both necessary for the storms of life in these latter days.

What does it mean that God did not give Adam and Eve contradictory commandments? (I asked him that) (the answer is in Moses 3:17 in the Pearl of Great Price). He answered my question so clearly then he said, "Do you understand?" I said, "Yes I do thank you." Then he said, "Are you sure?" I said "Yes." He said, "Okay, I love you and want to make sure you aren't left with the slightest bit of confusion." So ya. Elder Bednar loves me. hahaha

Then Elder Bednar gave an apostolic promise. He said we need to continue as we commenced and we CANNOT stand still. If we do so the Lord will strengthen us and accompany us along the way. 

as Elder Bednar testified at the end I felt the spirit so strong. He didn't just say I testify the Lord lives, he testified of every part of the gospel and I will NEVER forget the feeling I had. 

I am so blessed to have been here in Peru Chiclayo for this special conference and I am so so grateful for the answers I received. I know that each Apostle and the Prophet are called of God. Christ leads and guides this church.

Love you all!

Hermana Pilling

The Power of a Companion

Hey everyone!  I hope all is well at home.  I had a good week, even though I wasn't with my companion for a lot of it.  Almost 1/2 our transfer together we haven't been able to work because Hermana Avila was in Lima, she and I were sick, now she is sick, we went to Chiclayo. So it's been a rough start here in opening the area. We contact a lot and we ask EVERYONE for references. The less actives are hard to find in their houses but we are doing our very very best. We really do love the area. I like feeling the heat but I don't like feeling the sweat run down my face like tears. That is just gross. But I am getting used to it I guess. 

Happy birthday again to my 16 year old brother last Monday! I thought about him til I went to sleep!

Tuesday after our district meeting we had exchanges.  I went to Morro solar with Hermana Hebdon who was with me in my last area when we did everything together. It was fun being her comp for the day! I learned again of the importance and power behind the scriptures. 

Then Wednesday Hermana Avila left for Chiclayo because she had to do her visa paper stuff in Lima. I went to Miraflores with Hermana Daza, she is from Columbia. I loved being with her too! I learned from her too and the way she teaches. One thing a member said who was accompanying us is that I don't just want to be there throughout my life. I want to LIVE my LIFE. And really LOVE every second of it. Which I feel like I already do.

Thursday we were back in my area, Sister Daza and I. We had a good day with lots of lessons. I really realized that all sister missionaries are great and I can teach with anyone but that no missionary is as great as your own companion. I really really missed Hermana Avila. Even though Hermana Daza was great and fun too. Just not the same as my dear Chilean daugther. hahaha 

Friday we went back to Miraflores. We planned in the morning alone which was weird and oh so boring. At about 5 my daughter finally came home! HALLELUJAH! hahaha It was just a relief. That night we had a ward activity. Robert and Mily came and we watched The Testaments. If you haven't seen it, perfect FHE. I cried. It was exactly what I needed to see that day. I know that Jesus came to America  and I KNOW that He will come again. He is the Prince of Peace and my loving Saviour. I can't wait to touch his hands and feet. 

Saturday we were able to teach Juana! The oldie we found at the beginning of time. She cried in her prayer and just said she feels full of joy when she listens to our lessons or reads the Book of Mormon. We got so excited to invite her to baptism and then she said her daughter is about to have her baby and Juana is going to go to Chiclayo to help out in the house for THREE MONTHS, so we didn't invite her. ugh. one day. Patience is needed. 

We have an investigator named Isela. She actually has come to church for 6 weeks now but she lived on the other side of town out of our area. Then she moved into the Elders´ area. Then she separated form her boyfriend and the elders can't teach her so we get to! She didn't even have a Book of Mormon yet so we were able to give her her book and invite her to baptism. She said yes! And then I was prompted to invte with a date but i didnt have a calender at all and i didnt know what to say so i closed my eyes and used my magic powers and said will you be baptized the 19th of September? The spirit was so strong and she said I can't say yes for sure yet. We asked why and she said she doesn't want to fail God. We reminded her of how she feels when she prays. She told us she really knows it is the true church. It's funny how fear throws everyone off. We are going to keep helping her prepare and everything. I know she will be ready! She has a cute little 4 year old daughter. I just love Peruvians!

Well it looks like my time is up.

Friday we travel to Chicayo and Saturday from 11-2 we will be with Elder Bednar. I can't wait to share it all with you!

I am happy as can be and don't EVER want to leave Peru.... but maybe I will leave in less than 4 moths to be home for Christmas.... :) :D

Love,

Hermana Pilling

Marriage, faith, and guinea pig...

Nothing too exciting to share with you this week.  But here's an update.

Tuesday: we are teaching a couple named Robert and Mily. They aren't married and it's a sin. hahaha We talked about that most of the time. We said to them that this is a sin, God isn't happy, and they're breaking commandments, (obviously with more love than that) and they just laughed and then I said, okay, that´s enough. I read in Alma 39 verse 5 and they both shut right up. hahahah I love the power of the scriptures. I was able to testify after and they both said they would talk about it. Later that week we went back and they had talked about it. She is a little hesitant but they both want to get married for the right reasons, for their 4 year old son, to not live in sin, to move forward with life, etc. I love them a lot.

Wednesday we travelled. We were in a really nice bus with air conditioning. HALLELUJAH and we got there at like 7:30. The assistants said Hermana Avila and I were going to stay in SAN FELIPE, my old area and I was so exited. So Hermana Wood came and hugged me and started crying. It's been hard for her. It was nice to spend time with her and to see my pensionista again. Hermana Wood said that in her interview she told president it wasn't fair to take me from her and then give her her current companion. Her current comp is great, I know her. but she isn't me :) and she is the exact opposite of Hermana Wood. Sometimes companions are hard, but this is the mission.  I hope I helped her stay motivated. 

Thursday we had the multizone conference. President talked about faith and how we all now have the goal for one baptism every month. I'm scared, but that means I don't have faith. God is on the other side working away, preparing the hearts of these little guys and if I have the faith, He will push the prepared investigators our way and straight to the baptismal font. We studied the 3 Elder Bednar talks together and then Hermana Williams talked about beware of pride. It was a great conference.

There is no time left.  Sorry! I love you all and appreciate your prayers and support.

Love, 

Hermana Williams

P.S. I ate guinea pig

It rained and got so dark!

Yes, this is an avocado and yes, I'm smiling because I love avocado now.

This is a gross drink down here.  I don't like it at all!

A rice field we passed on our journey to Chiclayo

Classic Peruvian homes