There is sunshine in my soul! (and in Cusco, what in the world?)

Okay, an absolutely wonderful week, and today Mr. Sun decided to pay Cusco a visit. That was very kind of him, and SO well needed. 

A few cool experiences this week. First being, we had been planning Noche Blanca, or "White Night", for a while, a baptism of a lot of people. We combined the two zones, and all the missionaries set a date with their investigators for the 28th of January. (we unfortunately don't have anyone quite ready for baptism, so that was a bummer, but I have faith that we will soon in the future!) 

Me and my comp made a cute picture frame for taking pictures that said, "Mi Bautismo" and everyone loved it, it was so fun! 

After that, all of the people getting baptized and the missionaries that were baptizing them all took a pic together, and as I took a picture of them all, my heart was so full, and filled with the spirit. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and so many were dressed in white. I felt such a joy in my heart that so many were going to have the blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ in their life, and the spirit as their guide over the course of their lives.

 A lot of times I take so much for granted. I have been a member of this church for 20 years n

ow (whew, long time) and so many recent converts tell me how lucky I have been. I have come to realize that all that I have and all that I cherish in life is thanks to the blessing of the gospel present in my life. I want all those that I love, (and even those that I have never met) to know that the gospel is true! That the same church that Christ established during his ministry has been restored upon the earth. 

Sometimes I get down in the dumps, and I just feel so SO done. Like, right before the noche blanca, we ran up to Alto Qosco to pick up some of our investigators so that they could see the baptisms and feel the spirit, and it is a huge hill from the bottom (can't wait to show you someday) and my legs were burnin' and I was breathing so hard, and we finally get there, and knock on 4 different houses

of our investigators and all of our investigators that had promised to come didn't answer their doors - I thought, "ARE YOU KIDDING?" because we had trekked up that hill just and only for them. I was a little frustrated, I can't lie. 

Then, I was just feeling down.. And we went to the baptism, and I was so full of the Spirit,and felt really grateful, but after everything, Satan beat me up because I didn't have a baptism, and nothing was really going my way. 

We were walking in the streets on Sunday night and my comp said, "Hermana Clark, I would love a hamburger right now" and I couldn't disagree, that sounded SO good. I thought wow, how cool would it be to have hamburgers for dinner? (haha, sounds ridiculous)

After a long night, and a lot of discouragement, we went to the house of my pension, and I was just worn out, and ready to eat a bowl of soup just like every night. 

I walk in, and in on the dinner table are 4 hamburgers, 2 for my compi and 2 for me. And my jaw just dropped, can you believe it? 

Heavenly Father loves his children so much. THIS I KNOW. He has just shown me His love in such big ways, and such clear ways that I know that it is Him working in my life, and not just coincidence. We had NEVER had hamburgers for dinner, it was just the craziest thing to me. 

The things that are important to us are important to Him, because He loves us. (Just like my mom always says) 

I love Him so much and feel so grateful for His miracles. 

And I love you all as well! I am always praying for you. 

Today Presidente asked me about my siblings and if I miss them? I thought of them, those 3 best friends of mine, and I said, " I do, I really really do". He told me, without even knowing anything about them, "Hermana Clark, you have very good siblings, Heavenly Father sure has blessed you." And I know with my whole heart that He so has, He has blessed me beyond words. 

Also, another thing. President talked to me in my last interview about sports. haha, and he asked me if I liked tennis, I told him that I LOVE tennis, and have some really good night tennis experience with some of my best buds from home. (hehe) He was like, Hermana Clark, I want to play you in tennis! So the day finally came (today) and we went, and holy wow, President has quite a few tennis tricks up his sleeve. and you won't believe it, but I BEAT PRESIDENTE IN TENNIS TODAY. (after lots of attempts, haha)

 He told me that I am the first to beat him, so that was a definite David and Goliath moment, hahaha. President is so good at tennis, who knew?? It was so fun and I felt so cool, playing tennis with my mission President on a P-day morning. THE BEST. 

Okay, I love you all! Keep on keepin on. 

Oh está, todo bien, 

Hermana Clark

Went to quillabamba to work with the sisters there, (we're their hermana leaders) and we swung by the capilla because it's in their sector. 

Carmen, a mototaxist that always called out to me as she drove by, "AMIGA CLARK!" haha love that, she's a sweet soul, and when she saw me there, she was like, "HERMANA CLARK??!" and turned around her moto. She said, "I knew it was you, there aren't that many girls who are as tall as you in this city!"

Hermana Riveros was with me in quillabamba before, she's one of my pals. (also, we HAD to buy cremoladas from MISKY, my favorite place ice cream place in quilla. 

I worked with Hermana Ovando, and it was such a joy! She's from my group from the CCM, so it was extra special.

Me and mi capilla, oh I miss it so!

Big City Life

Hello hello world! 

How is everyone? I heard that Donald Trump is Mr. President now, wow that's fun.

' Imma city girl now (tryin' to be)

We thought this window was pretty, so we took a few pics that would be insta-worthy. ;) 

At the top of the Inca

Went and said hello to our pal the Inca. 

Cusco has been really good, I am really starting to love it. There are people in this town from all over the world, and it's actually kind of magical. So many touristy things to do. 

 Went on divisiones with Hna Rosas here in Cusco. (That's one thing we get to do a lot of as hermana leaders)

 Worked with Hna Firth, one of my comps from the trio in Quilla. LOVE HER.  

My sector is outside all of the pretty city part and where all of the tourists are, and even though it is a little ugly to the natural eye (or a lot ugly), there is always little beauty to be found in Vista Alegre. (Cheerful view, I just think that's so cute)

Also, we traveled to Abancay to work on divisiones with the sisters there. Abancay is beautiful, not near as beautiful as Quilla, but getting there. I would LOVE LOVE to to serve there someday, it reminded me a little bit of quillabamba, same little town feel. 

diy mud boots, just call me Martha Stewart. 

We worked in divisiones with the sisters in a sector called chasqui and then another sector called San Jeronimo, and then when traveled to Abancay, and it was beautiful! 

Nothing much happened this week, just lots of traveling.

 

Traveled to Abancay in a fancy bus. (Nothing like the 5 hour ride to Quillabamba from cusco in a combi. Ugh, not fun)

I love Romans 8:28. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Have you seen that in your life? So many times I have felt like life is just rough on the mission, but I have come to learn that when those times come, and when I am keeping up the faith, that there are miracles just waiting around the corner!

Also, do you know how cool repentance is? That has to be one of the most beautiful gifts God has given us. Something that my mom told me all the time before the mission is that "men change every day", and my testimony of that has only grown stronger here on my mission. 

Repentance is not just being clean of our sins, but going back and making changes in our lives for the better. I can't just expect the atonement to change me without a lil' effort on my end.

C.S. Lewis says, "Repentance involves being put back on the right road. A wrong sum can be put right, but only by going back til you find the error and working it afresh from that point, never by simply going on. Sin does not develop into good". 

But, isn't it good news that God always gives us a re-test? We always get to go back and check our errors, and we can turn in our test again and get a 100% if we only give our part and our faith. Love that! 

And repentance isn't just for big sins or mistakes, or even our little sins or mistakes, but all of us have weaknesses, and we can repent of those too, and He promises, (I read this THIS week in my Book of Mormon reading) that "he will make weak things become strong unto (us)". That's a promise, folks. 

Me at my fave ice cream place. (Dad, we are going someday, it is the best.)

Love you all so much! Praying for you always!

Oh está, todo bien, 

Hermana Clark 

January 16 2017 Picture post this week

My first concilio with Presidente with all the zone leaders and hermana leaders from the mission.

  

 I reunited with my mamá, Hna Celán. She's ending this transfer, crazy stuff

We helped a sister that was pretty sick this week, here's us in the hospital in Peru. Poor thing, but she's made a really good recovery.

 Finally, highlight of the week. HNA ASANG CAME TO TOWN. I love her so stinkin much, and miss her every single day. I relized this week that she is SO my daughter,, 

  I know my mom thinks it's weird when I call her that, but she has seriously taken on some of my misssionary traits and habits and it's really cool to see.

 (sometimes it kind of weirds me out too when I catch something, but she is just so darned cute that it makes me feel special.)

                                My sector, up in Alto Qosco. 

 It is raining ALWAYS in this city. 

always super muddy here from the rain.

I love banana anything in Peru. Seriously, it is my fave fruit.

The best lunch EVER. Rocoto relleno, Dad, you would LOVE THIS. So good, I'm makin' it when I get home. :)

Yellow watermelon. I think I sent you a pic in quillabamba too of yellow watermelon, but here it is in cusco.

Dear Cole

Hey, my best pal, my little brother, 

I thought a lot of you this week. One time I thought of you was when we were walking outside in the streets, and a little grandma called out to us, "Hermanitas, come see my cows! Come see my cows!", so we went with her, and she was a lil loca, and we go inside her house, and there is no way that we are finding a cow here, because it was so small. She leads us through the door of another room of her house, and there are like 65 guinea pigs running around on the floor, tiny ones, long ones, chubby ones, and she says, "Aren't the cows beautiful?". Wait what. Those are cuy. 

I also thought of you when every day it is freezing cold. Remember that day when were standing by "the heater" in front of the church, and you taught me how to beatbox in the freezing cold? hahaha

 And how I'm actually better than you? (okay, no that's a lie) You are the funniest kid ever, and I love you Cole Clark. 

Guess what? This week we found a new family that is gold, and they have two little kids named Jaren and Zoe (like, Jaren Iltz? haha) And guess what? He loves cereal, JUST LIKE YOU. It was a really cool experience to find them, a real miracle. We found their mom, Joanna, at a bus stop, and the spirit told me, "Talk to her", so we talked to her, and she told us that her husband is a member of the church, but he hasn't gone to church for like 10 years. She told us, I want to change my life, I want my children to grow up in a good church. Come visit us, PLEASE Hermanas." and we visited her and her husband on thursday, and she told us, "Hermanas, I've already decided. I want to be baptized." Wait, what. I LOVE experiences like those. She asked us, "What can I do to be baptized", what in the world. 

AH, FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS KINGCOLE_BRAH!

Okay, since you are turning 14, here are 14 reasons why I love COLE CLARK. 

1. He's my best bud. 

2. He always rode around with me in my car, and DJ-ed. 

3. He's kingcole_brah. 

4. And he's still rockin clarkhouse_jamsesh. (At least I sure hope so)

5. He is real life Troy Bolton, but WAY cooler. (His head is always in the game, no matter what)

6. He balls so hard, and is such a stud athlete. 

7. He never causes problems, and never got in trouble as a kid. (except for when he didn't want to eat his dinner, and only candy and cereal forever)

8. He cried because, "no one even cared that he lost his first tooth". 

9. He asked Mom to style his hair like a meerkat when he was little. 

10. He's always down for a trampoline sleepover. 

11. He is everyone's friend. 

12. All the girls leave heart face emoji comments on his insta. ALWAYS. 

13. He isn't afraid to share his talents. 

14. He taught me how to beatbox in the freezing cold in front of the church, haha. Already said that, but it always makes me laugh. 

Oh shoot, on a roll, I'm just gonna keep on going. 

15. He always writes me the sweetest letters, in college and then in the mission, and they just mean the world to me and I will treasure them forever. 

16. He has the BEST taste in music. 

17. He sings better than an angel. 

18. He sang to me in my skype call, and made me cry like a baby. 

19. We shared a room for a month during my senior year of high school, and always had deep talks. One thing I remember in particular is when he gave me lots of analogies of "what our heart is like" hahaha. 

20. He wore a cool red/pink hat for whole winter straight. 

21. He taught himself how to play piano. That is some serious talent. 

22. We dug a hole to China at the beach in Cali almost exactly a year ago. 

23. He beats me in everything: pool, pinball, fooseball, PING PONG, basketball, he even beat once in wrestling. What the heck. 

24. He always has a nice word to say, and makes everyone feel special. 

25. He is so sensitive to the spirit, and has a light in his eyes. He wants to do what is right, and is so special. 

26. He's my best bud. 

I love you so much Coley. I remember when we went to visit you in the hospital for the first time, and Dad handed you to me, and you were so tiny and precious. I thought, "How can he be MY little brother", and I didn't know you that well, but I loved you from the very start. I took a picture of you to show and tell that week in kindergarten, and was so proud of my baby brother, and nothing has changed since then. You are a light so bright in my life,Cole, and I am always missin' you, but we will see each other so soon. 

I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, 

Love, Hermana Clark

Filled with emotions

Thank you to everyone who wrote me a birthday letter. That package was the best gift ever, words from all the people I love most. Thank you for being so thoughtful, and for loving me, even thousands of miles away. 

I am so blessed to have a family that supports me in everything, and for friends who bring me closer to Christ. 

Just like the friends that carried their friend, the man who couldn't walk to Christ to be healed, my friends and family bring me right to the feet of Christ, and let him make something better of me. I feel so so blessed. 

I love you all with all my heart, and wish you the best best week!

Love, Hermana Clark

feliz ano HUEVO

Oh my goodness, crazy week. 

Gonna tackle this letter point by point. 

1. I left Quillabamba and it broke my heart. I cried and cried, it was so hard, leaving my family in the airport all over again. We have to go back to Quilla! 

My convert Brian and his family. The best seriously. They did this little presentation the day I went to say goodbye, how I was a part of their heart, and how their hearts are breaking that I'm leaving. It was so so sweet and heartfelt

Con laura y kenneth, I love them. Laura is the sweetest. 

Cake face in Quilla

2. On Tuesday, we arrived to Cusco, and I got thrown into my new sector, with my new compi, and new calling. It is busy busy in this here city, and we do a lot. We share a district with the assistants, and two elders that work in the office. I am learning a lot about this mission, and the people in it. Who knew that mission gossip exists? I had no idea, in my little paradise for 6 transfers 5 hours away.

Hermana Alburqueque, Hermana Asang, and Hermana Pillco (Hermana Asang's new comp) woke me up at 12 am in the morning on my birthday to sing to me. 

They already went back to quilla, I miss hna asang.

Here is a pic of my new comp-

me and my new comp in cusco, Hermana Alburqueque 

Me with my descendencia, my "daughter" and now my "grandaughter" because hna asang is training. 

In Cusco, 

3. We went to the hotel, where I arrived to the mission! All the new missionaries stay there for the night, and we stay with them, just like my hermana leaders stayed with me my first day. Brought back some memories, it is so cool to be serving in this sector. 

4. My sector is called "Vista Alegre", google translate that, how cute!

5. Sent off all the missionaries to their new sectors for transfers, that's one of our jobs here. It made me cry like a baby to send Hermana Firth to Abancay, even though I'll see her this week for Concilio. We had 3 transfers in Quilla together. 

6. I'm working in a ward for the first time here, and not a branch, and that has been crazy different. I feel a little inutil a veces because in Quilla, I did a lot of cool stuff, but the members are a lot more responsible here, and they fulfill their callings for the most part. This is almost what a ward would be like in the states, I think. I learned a lot in gospel principles this week. 

7. We had a baptism on Saturday (my birthday) and it was really sweet. I had only taught her once, which was weird, because all my other converts I have taught since the very beginning, since the contact of reference received. But it was a sweet baptism. 

8. I turned into an old maid this week, I can't believe I'm 20, what the heck, but it was a wonderful birthday. My hair was soaked with egg and flour, and I got a faceful of cake, and I was so happy the whole time. The Peruvians are LOCOS on your birthday, and it's so funny. I will have to teach you some of the traditions when I get home. muahaha.

Crazy Peruvian Birthday traditions- as you can see Quillabamba cake face was nothing compared to this!

When I dropped Hna Firth off at the airport. 

9. We have the cutest investigator, her name is Rube, and she has 6 children. We taught about tithing and fasting and her little boy whose 5 accompanied us. His name is Edu (eh-doo) and is autistic. Oh my goodness, he stole my whole heart, not even kidding. As we taught, I thought of the song, "Because I have been given much" and I sang the first verse to hermana Rue and Edu. As I sang, he was so attentive, and watched me with a huge smile the whole time. It made my heart melt, and I cried as I spoke of the importance of giving unto others as He has given unto us. (And I know that that doesn't sound like much, because everyone knows that I'm a crier, but I don't cry that often on the mish. Well, at least until I had to leave Quillabamba, but that's a different kind of tears) The spirit was so strong, and I love that family so much already. 

10. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Set goals, that's one thing my fam always does for family night in January, and it's a real good idea. Also, I can't believe that it's 2017 already, so many things are happening this year, and I can't wait to see what's in store. 

I love you all so much, and feel so grateful for all my happenings in 2016. One of the best years of my life, I have to say. 

I love this town. I live here, is that crazy or what?

Thank you for supporting me always.

 

i love you, i love you, I LOVE YOU!  

Also, my recorder got a virus, and won't record or go on the computer anymore. So no more audios, boooo. :( But it'll be okay, because it'll be so cool when I get to talk to you in May. wahoo!

A weird tradition. Everyone here for año nuevo wears yellow underwear, and I don't know why. haha. Everyone is out in the streets selling yellow underwear. It's good luck, I guesss. Cool.