NORI GOT BAPTIZED!

Okee doke, best week in the mish by far. I can't even explain my feelings. I LOVE being a missionary. 

N's baptism was the best day ever. I was stressing hard core for a little bit, because I organized everything for this baptism. Then I thought, wow I wonder how my mom must feel, because she is always doing everything for other people, she does a ton for me. So I just thought, I'm preparing to be a mom, haha. 

I'll be honest, it was a lil bit messy, because the baptism was supposed to start at 10, and N didn't get there till after 10:30 (peruvian time, you know how it is...haha)

And then the Hermana giving the baptism talk had to leave early, and we didn't have a knife for the cake, and just a lot of lil stressful things. haha. 

But, as N went down into the water, with just the biggest smile on her face, all of my little stresses just left, and I felt so much peace. As she was baptized and came back out of the water, my heart was just filled with love, and I think I felt the love that Heavenly Father must feel for Nori. It was SO SO strong, and I know that this is the right path, for ALL people. No matter your age or color or background, the gospel can change YOUR life for the better. I know it. 

I honestly just think I am going to have diarrhea for the rest or my mission. Normal. When I poop normal, that'll be the day, and WILL happen someday. 

So for my mom and my health, I was on a prescription the first time, and then that ended. Got really sick again after that, and went to the lab again. Parasites round 2. Same thing again. It wasn't like a different thing, it was the exact same. Okay, but it's so weird because usually I feel normal. Now I am totally fine. I was on a prescription again, that I took for two weeks every eight hours. I think that wiped it out, but I've honestly just accepted the fact that diarrhea will be the way for a good long while. And that's okay. I am willing to pay that price, because I LOVE MY mission. 

Started teaching B, he is a modern day Joseph Smith, really looking for the truth. He told us her attended the adventist church for a while, said the preacher was really nice, invited Brian into his home for dinner, and Brian said he felt good. But he told us, it was just confusing, because he didn't feel in agreeance with a few of the things they were teaching. He told us that in the church (our church) he felt good, but was still just so confused about the adventist church too, and old us that he was actually baptized catholic as a child. Anyways, I told him, "B, I can tell you as many times as I want that this gospel and this church are true, but you know what? You have to learn that for yourself." All matters of our faith are between us and the Lord. I challenged him to pray to know the truth, and he said he definitely would, and I promised him that he would receive an answer. Heavenly Father wants his children to know the truth. 

And you know what? I didn't leave my home and everything I love at home, take a year off of school and work, to come to Peru, and lie to people. I didn't come here to lie to the people, No, what an absolute waste of time that would be. (Even though Peru es tan bonita) I came here, because I know that what I teach everyday IS TRUE. That God loves us so much that he provided us with the gospel, a foundation for our families, and for our faith. That he provided us a way for him to return back to Him some day, because you know what? I'm sure he misses us. 

Anyways, I asked B, "B, if you pray and you find that this really IS the true church, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ, and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood power of God?" And he said YES. WE set a date for the 27th of August. And I can't wait to hear his answer. The recent convert that came with us to this lesson was just so confident, and she said, "I'll be there at your baptism Brian!" Like, she already knew the answer that he will receive. Because the gospel is TRUE. 

Anyways, best week ever. Love you all forever. Keep on keepin on, and don't be afraid to share what gives YOU the greatest joy in your life with others. LOVE YOU

Cinco meses, how did THAT happen?

Ah, hello familia dearest!

On Tuesday, I went to the lab again, had another good round of throwing up, so I still have my parasites, and it honestly just isn't that fair. I'm like, okay lil friends, move on, I'm sure there are other people who would like to lose weight or get the full Quillabamba experience, but they are my most loyal pals. And had the good ole poop in a cup opportunity again, gotta love that. For these last two weeks, I was only allowed to eat rice and chicken whenever I ate. Nothing else. Every single meal, and I literally never want to see a plate of rice with a lil slab or chicken again in my life. The diet was rough, but the medication is strong, and I honestly am feeling a lot better, so I think that my pals might be gone for good. (Hallelujah.)

I've never told you about one of our investigators,M, the cutest Machiyanga 13 year old girl. She's from a native community, like the people who live in the jungle and are still practicing all their traditions (really makes me think of the Lamanitas) but now she had been living with some members here in Quilla. This week, we set a date for her for the 3 of september. I help her with her english homework, and she is just so cute. 

 Also, I saw my first baptism this week! B, one of the elder's investigators was baptized on saturday. He asked me to give the talk on baptism and that made me feel so so special, so I gave the talk on baptism. It was such a special day, and I felt so much love in my heart as B came up out of the water. Even though the neighbors of the capilla were having a party, and "bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do" in english (what in the world, haha) was blaring, and the windows of the capilla don't do much, the spirit could be felt SO strongly. T and J came to the baptism to see how it was, and afterwards we were walking home with them, and I asked T, "What'd you think of the baptism?" and he said, "I'll be honest. I'm a little envious that it wasn't me that was getting baptized." They are so ready. The wedding is coming along, and we are so so excited. Honestly, SO glad it isn't my wedding because it's a lil stressful. We're really trying to get the branch to help out, and there are people who are starting to step up, YAY. I love my branch. There's a lot that's a lil tricky, and we're about to see lots of changes, but I can honestly say that each person here has taken a lil of my heart. They are my family. 

September 30th (their wedding) is going to be a special day, but an even more special day will be in a year, when they are sealed in the temple for time and ALL eternity. I know that we can be with our families for all eternity when we are sealed in the temple. The priesthood has been restored upon the earth, and families can be together forever through that power. It's way cool. 

Anyways, I'm "too blessed to (ever) be stressed" anymore. My life is a huge wonderful blessing to me, and I LOVE being Hermana Clark. 

 

My Distrona, literally the BEST! 

LOVE YOU ALL-. 

Read the story of Peter when he tries to walk on water with Christ. 

"I have needed the rescue of the Savior and his hand SO many times. I need Him now, (more than ever before), as do each of you. I have felt confident at times, leaping over the side of the boat, figuratively speaking, into unfamiliar places (my mission), only to realize that I could not (and can not) do it alone. 

-Elder Ronald R. Rasband of the 12 apostles. (with emphasis added by Hermana Clark ;) 

Cleaned the chapel this week in prep for the baptisms, super fun, super funny, a few things that made my stomach a lil weak, but all's well, haha

Wedding Bells :) :)

The mish is a rollercoaster, ahh. It's so SO good, and so SO hard, and I just love it more than anything. 

On Monday, we went to the fair, and t hat was so fun. The natives, they're called machiyangas, came into town to sell all their cool native things, and I literally wanted to buy EVERYTHING, but then I realized that I have to have money to live after the mish, so I calmed down a bit. But AHH, it was so cool. Gosh, it's so easy for me to buy stuff here, because the dollar is worth more, like 3.4  soles, or algo así. If someone is like "un sole, mamí", I'm literally like, "30 cents?! Yeah, I'll take it, gracias!" But, I've learned to be more careful with my money, learning lots  here, Mom. hehe

On Tuesday, I straightened one of our menos activos hair, and she borrowed one of my dresses for this special event she had at her school. She looked so gorgeous, and it made me so happy. 

On Tuesday, we met with T and J and watched the Restoration vid. Once again, I just felt so strongly that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God. He is such a stud, literally one of my heroes. 

After the movie, we talked for a while about it, and then I asked them, "Have you prayed to know if this is the true church restored upon the earth?" and T said to me, "Honestly, I haven't. Just because from the very first time you all came, I felt  so strongly in my heart that this was the path I need to take, that what you all have taught me is true, and that I need to be baptized" . That was so powerful. So then we told them, okay we want to set a date for your wedding, because if we don't have a solid goal, nothing is going to happen . We gave them til Friday, and prayed with them all together on our knees, for guidance in the Lord's will with their marriage. They prayed after that many times together. They were originally talking January for their wedding,which yeah,  is cool, but SO far away. 

Anyways, we got  there Friday, and T told us he had a dream, in which he knew so clearly that they needed to be married. They told us, "We've decided to be married on the 30th of September." OF SEPTEMBER. IN TWO MONTHS. I was so excited that I cried. They then asked, "And we'd like to be baptized on the 1st of October." Whenever I think of this moment, I just can't stop smiling. Such a happy moment for us all. 

So, call me the wedding planner, because before they set a  date, we said, "We will do anything to help you with this wedding", and now we've got a date so soon, and you know, we gotta keep our word. I AM SO EXCITED. I l ove weddings,  and I can't wait to plan it. I honestly don't know how to plan a wedding, so any advice  (aka mom, grammy, nat, les, all my aunts, gma, etc) would be SOSOSO appreciated, wow. There is just so much to do! Ah, my heart is so excited! 

Also, our investigator Nori is going to arrive at her date for the 13th of Agosto, so we will see a baptism SO soon, and I am just so excited for N. We have worked so hard with her to help her change her life, and she has such a STRONG desire to be baptized. She is the cutest thing. 

We did an activity where we went out with the members, and contacted people, like just talked to lots of people about the gospel. I was paired with a girl named Ana, and she was so shy.

She was afraid to open her mouth and tell people about the gospel, and that day we  learned a lot together. By the end of it, she brought me with her to visit one of her friends to share the gospel with, and it was awesome. I have learned  so much about this. As she told me, "I don't know, I'm just afraid that they'll tell me no." But you know what I've learned? Why be scared when you are sharing the most important message in the entire world? It isn't  an obligation, it is an invitation for all people. The invitation is to follow Christ. And you know what? People are going to say no. We always have the choice. But, His arm is always outstretched. ALWAYS.  I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the church that Jesus Christ established when he  was on the earth. When he called 12 apostles, and gave them priesthood power. I know that the power of the  priesthood is once again upon the earth, and because our Heavenly Father loves us, He has called a prophet, Thomas S Monson, to lead  and guide us. And I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of His children. His plan is perfect. 

Love you all a million, and am praying always! Thank you for your prayers, I feel them here as a missionary. 

LOVE!

PS shoutout to my lil brother C-Clark. Love you buddy

Quick update

Hello all, my life is so wonderful. 

Quick update: bullet points. 

J wants to be baptized so bad, so bad that T&J might live in different houses now until they are married. They both want it so bad. What got them was the temple. They want to go. Now they have a pic of the temple i their house. Aren't they so cute? They are unreal. I LOVE THEM.

Had a date set for N for July 30th, but that fell through ,  because she won't have 3 times in the chapel before then. I was really bummed, but you know what? I want to baptize converts, not less-actives. We have about 870 people in our branch, and about 55 that attend regularly. My converts will be REAL converts as much as I can help it. 

Still teaching A piano, all the other girls have slowly stopped to take lessons, but this little girl is a determined one. I feel so happy to teach her. She's like another little sister I never had. 

I taught the gospel principles class this week! What in the world, THAT is the gift of toungues! I taught about el dia de reposo, and it was really good. I felt a lot of responsibility, because that's a real problem here. That and tithing. Anyways, I think it went well.Anyways. out of time, but love you all LOADS! 

The gospel is true. I wouldn't be able to do this if it wasn't! So grateful for all the prayers, and support. 

Ahhh A, how cute is she! We finally got Estrellita DOWN. This was the celebratory pic I took of her. How proud does she look? I love her with every ounce of my heart.

Go-karts P day

Hermanas go-kart on P day

J L(a menos-activo we teach) climbed this Coconut tree and gave us a Coconut.

Oatmeal facials 

P day Go-Karts

UN CAMBIO MAS, WOOHOO!

I'm stayin' in Quilla, HALLELUJAH. We had cambios today, and I was so relieved when I saw the news that I am staying in my new second fave city in the world. (Valleyford is first, duh) I feel so blessed that Heavenly Father is giving me a little time to finish the things I've started. I am praying to see the baptism of T & J, or at least, their wedding. Working super hard with those angels. This week, we taught them about the law of chastity. I've learned to teach the law of chastity super clear, without shame, and THAT'S when people understand. Anyways, it was funny. At first, I was thinking, how can I phrase this in a less blunt way, but hey, sometime's we have to be blunt. Aveces la verdad duele. 

They are still so wonderful, and I love to see their tangible progress. Reading the Book of Mormon. Praying as a family. Coming to church every single sunday. They are THE BEST. 

This week, my comp counted my mosquito bites, and on JUST my legs, I have 67. No, I'm not lying. It is the saddest thing ever, and it is the trial of MY LIFE to not itch them. My legs are super feo. But, hey no worries, this isn't even mosquito season, so I'm in for a good fight with the bugs, and guess what? I am not going down. 

We teach an English class every Saturday, and I realized just how much the people really can't understand English. I saw me 12 weeks ago. I would ask them, "Hey, what does ____ mean" in English, and they'd smile at me and nod their head and say, "Si". This is ME my first week in Quilla, I'd just take a guess, and usually I could get away with the "smile and Si", haha. It is so fun to teach the class, I feel very inadequate to do it, but hey! I'm always doing thi9ngs I feel inadequate to do here, so that's helpin me grow. 

Oh you know what was the best? One night this week, me and my comp were sitting and talking after planning, and I was trying to figure out how to work my new voice recorder, THAT I LOVE, and I pressed a button, and on came Jackson's voice!!! What in the world, I. freaked. out. and was SO happy to hear my little brother's voice. And then, Elles! And then, Cole! Oh my goodness, that was the best surprise in the world. II love you all so much. 

The church is true. If you have doubts, get down on your knees, and pray. He will let you know, and he LOVES YOU!

Chao sweetest familia!

Hermana Clark with her cotton fruit

At The Falls

La Pension and Her grandson 

Love you to the Moon and back!;)

I have little time!

 Hello hello, here I am. I am sorry that I didn't get to send you the weekly letter yesterday, but we were given a little bit of time today to give the "weekly update" to the fam. 

Yesterday was good. We spent it in cusco, and I got to see Hna Dennison. That was awesome. My stomach has gotten pretty accustomed to the drive now, and this time I didn't throw up. Wahoo!

This week, we had fast sunday, and oh my goodness, it was such a cool experience because the  night or two before, we were over at T and J's house, and they invited us over for dinner on Saturday night, but then we explained to them that we would be fasting, so we wouldn't be able to eat. They were like, "woah, what's fasting?" and we explained to them how we don't eat for two meals (here on the mish we do dinner on saturday and then breakfast on sunday) and how we start with a prayer and a purpose, and we are blessed with an increased amount of understanding, and we can feel the spirit  more present in our lives. They were totally on board, and immediately T said, "Can we fast with you?" what, CLARO PUES you can fast with us, are you joking? I'll be honest, fasting has never been my favorite thing, but I just did it reluctantly because I knew I was supposed to. Anyways, as we fasted, that sunday in the chapel, I felt the spirit so strong, stronger than I ever have felt it in the capilla. Usually Sunday's can be kind of stressful, and they really work my mind, trying to really learn from all the speakers and the lessons while they are in Spanish. But this week, I felt so much peace, and I even got up to bear my testimony. The spirit was the best, and then we had gospel principles with T and J, and we talked about spiritual gifts. Which brings me to a question that I would love to receive an answer from: what do you think YOUR gifts are? (thanks Dads for always responding to my questions, you the bomb) One gift I have really experienced here is the gift of tongues, and as we talked about the gift tongues, or after we read the paragraph  about it in the book in gospel principles, tony told the elders, "When I read this, I think of hermanita clark". He talked about how what a miracle it is that I ca converse with him the way I do, just like any of his other friends, after only  4 months in Peru. And holy moly, that is so true. I know that it is our Heavenly Father working through me. I love spanish, and it is really really coming, I am by no means perfect, but I just look back and think, just like T, what a miracle. 

I help people with English all the time. All of the kids have an English class in HS, just like we have spanish, so I help them with their HW all the time. It's so darned interesting and they literally can't understand me when I talk in English and I just can't believe it, because it's a language so familiar to me. (mom, can you spell check this letter and all my letters? My spelling has gotten really bad). The most fun is to translate songs that are in english for them. I LOVE to do that. 

One last experience I want to share. This week, we went to go visit M. I've talked about her before, super timid and has basically suffered all her life, it's been a hard one for her. Well, for the first time, she invited us into her house to teach her, because usually we just teach her on the curb  where she sells her bags of matte/juice. We went into her house, and started talking. She cried to us again about how she feels SO alone, and so afraid, and it just broke my heart. As we were teaching, her husband got home from work, and he just gave her a head nod as she came in. I am positive that M doesn't have a friend to go to lunch with, or a family member who loves her to call on the phone, and then I knew that she didn't have a husband who came home from lunch and kissed her and asked her how her day was. My heart just broke so many times for her. But, her husband minded his business, and we continued talking. 

Then, her brother got home from work. He came in, and saw us teaching, and I just didn't get the best vibe from him. As we were teaching, we called her over, and told her in a loud whisper, pretty aggressively, "They are lying. Why are you listening to them? It is a lie, God doesn't love you", and that shocked me, but she just shrugged it off, and came back. 

As I started to read her Alma 7:11-12, "And He shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions...of every kind...", her brother came up to me, as I was sitting with M on the concrete ground, and told me, "I want you to leave my house right now. You all lie. Your religion is a lie". We got up with out hesitation, and he shouted some choice words as we left, and my heart just ached for M, as we walked back out into the streets. I wanted to cry, and had no words, but my heart brought me to those solo words that I shared with M from the verse. I have felt more than ever, the atonement of Jesus Christ. Elder Holland said that in the mission, you may have to bear just a little bit of that cross that the Savior carried up to Calvary. I have felt that. And I have felt more than ever a gratitude for Jesus Christ, who experienced all the hard experiences we have day to day, all the heart ache, and all the disappointment, and he did it because he loves us. When my heart aches for the situations I just can't control, I can't even imagine the heart ache our Savior must feel for us.  He loves us. 

Thank you for all the letters and the prayers! Which reminds me, I got my package. Oh, you all are the best, everything was so practical, I LOVED IT. Thank you. Which reminds me, hey did you get MY package? What did you think of the chifles? (plantain chips) Did the flower make it fine?

I truly do love you all to the moon and back (Oh wait no, heck of a lot more than that.) ;) you are in my thoughts and prayers always. And seriously again, thank you for the package. LOVE YOU.  

Me and my pal E

 b bbnngnghbbghghfgggnngnnvnvhnjhmbmjmnmmbmfgbghhfjnjnjjnjnjjnnhfnnvnbnbnvbnhgnngbhn

Me and my Pal Estefano

With American Cuisine.....Happy 4th!

Hermanas with T, J and C 

 

Selfie with Hermana Celan and J

J and C birthday party!

Red Plantanos

T and C at C's Birthday Party

Had a nasty cold this week!

I'm a literal "loca" -crazy

I have just become the most spontaneous person here in Peru. I think I was pretty spontaneous before the mish too, but this week, one night I just thought, I'm gonna cut my hair, because my ends are super bad, and I had heard about Hermanas doing that before, so I got out my kid scissors that I paid 2 soles for, which is less than a dollar, and just started snipping. Well, after the first strand, I knew I made a mistake, because I cut off like 4 inches with the first strand. So then I just thought, well that's okay, I'll just do a lil layering action, different lengths all around! And that was an even bigger mistake. My companion sat in the bathroom and just watched me cut it, didn’t say a word the whole time, and at the end, you should've have seen the look on her face. My hair was a disaster, and I wanted to cry. We both decided that I should go and get my hair cut by someone who KNOWS HOW to cut hair on Pday, and I went to church on Sunday with my disaster hair, and then today I went to this place called Sofia Spa, haha. I told the lady just cut it all the same, like right here, and I showed her how short to cut it. After she cut the first strand, she was like, “like, right here? This short?” and it was SO short. I literally shrugged it off so fast, and said, “yeah, that’s perfect!”. And now, here is my hair. 

And it’s so different, I know. And my aunt Nataley is gonna kill me, but hey. If this would’ve happened 4 months ago, I probably would cried and cried, or lost my patience, but hey, I have done of the following thus far. I really like my hair, my pension told me I look, “mas niña”, hehe. And hey, it’s fun. Never in my life again am I going to cut my hair, now I know!  The mish is so awesome like that.

I also finished the Book of Mormon this week for the first time in the mission, and that was such a good feeling. The minute I finished, I started over again. I love that book so so much, and I know with all my heart that it is true. It was written a long long time ago FOR us specifically. I learn about Nephi, and how he is such a stud of a brother in his family, or about the 2000 of Helaman’s stripling warriors, who went to battle to defend their families and their freedoms and their religion, or about Abinadi, who was burned at the stake for what he believed, and I really honestly learn so much about MY life. How can I be a better member of MY family like Nephi? How can I trust in my Heavenly Father more, and leave everything behind to defend what it is right, like the 2000? How can I be more like Abinadi, one of the most chevere missionaries in the history of ever? The BOM is the BOM(b), that’s why it’s called the BOM.

When we were driving home from Cusco this week, I saw these panay women, like basically the stereotypical woman that all of you in the US would think of when you think of Peru; the really colorful fabric, and like 3 skirts, the hat, and the huge load on their back. ( just google image “Traditional Peruvian Woman”, I’m sure it’s there, haha). Anyways, I saw them in the middle of the mountains, in the middle of nowhere, with their packs of cabras (goats) or alpacas, and I was just thinking, what if I were a panay and this was all that I knew? My goats, my tiny rickity house in the LITERAL middle of nowhere, hours away from ANY other civilization? There are just so many people in the world that we aren’t even aware of, and it blows.my.mind. I am so darned grateful to be in Peri. As we were in Cusco, there were LOADS of tourists, I mean, TONS, and there’s always tons, and I just kind of smiled to myself as I saw them all hustlin’ and bustlin’, because I LIVE here, and I’ve lived here for 4 months. What in the world, it’s crazy.

I LOVE MY MISSION. I love the gospel. And it is true, as true as anything could ever be.

Thank you for all the love and the prayers. I need and feel them always, even thousands of miles away.

LOVE YOU ALL.

Wendy is the FUNNIEST I have ever met in my life. I always laugh until my cheeks AND my stomach hurt with her. She's such a tomboy, and I love her SO much! 

Makeover by J!

                                                                                         Hemana Wattles and me in 

                                                  Cusco. She finished her mission                              this week!