SWEET is the peace the gospel brings

Pic of me and my fave gringas. (Hnas Firth, Bingham (from my group) and Allred)

First of all, Hna Firth had her birthday in Cusco with us, because we had Concilio. That was the bomb, because I got to egg her real good. (a lil bit of payback, because she egged me for my birthday too) She's ending this transfer, and she said, "If I find this pic on your blog when I get home, so help me" PLEASE put it on the blog mom. hahaha

Me and my groupies. Such good pals.

I had the best week. I'm serious. 

So full of love. So filled with the Spirit. It was the best. 

Lots of miracles. Started on Monday night when we went to go visit a recent convert, Hermana Pirra. We have to travel to Alto Qosco to visit her, and we usually have to catch a bus, because it's a good ways up there. As we started out to the the bus stop, I thought, "gosh, I wonder when the chaski (the name of the bus) will pass" because usually we wait for like 20 minutes at least. And right as we stepped out onto the sidewalk, I felt the impression to look up, and there was the chaski almost flying by. I threw my arm out like a maniac to stop it, and it braked and we were able to get right on! 

Then we get on the bus, me and my comp were able to make 3 easy contacts during the bus ride! 3!! 

I didn't have a pen, and I was desperately looking for one to take down this mom with 3 children's info and in the bottom of my bag was ONE PEN. Miracle, I'm serious. 

I had also loaned my one jacket to a sister who needed it that day, and so I went jacketless that night in cold Cusco, and that night I didn't even feel cold. Heavenly Father showed his love to me in so many ways all at once. I count them miracles. 

This was the best experience for me. As the hermana leaders, we go and do splits with the hermanas that serve in quilla, and it. was. the. best. And it wasn't even weird for me. People asked me how I felt about being back and I said, "at home". Love that little pueblito. 

Got to visit Vanessa, and my favorite pequeñita locita Avril. Love them. 

Then ran into serious one of my fave people EVER Laura in the streets. I cried, and couldn't stop smiling. 

Also, we got to teach a lesson at Brian's house, because now his dad is taking the discussions. Brian is the BOMB! 

Ran into my practically family, Mamita Ildania and her husband Luis, my pension family when I got there. Wow, CRIED about that. I adore them, and they have such a special place in my heart.

One of my hobbies here is negotiating taxies. That is to say, when we have to go somewhere and we can't take the bus, or we have to haul the luggage of a missionary, we flag down a taxi, open the door, and they tell you how much it is to go to the place you want, how much it costs. Then, you try to lower the price. And lemme tell you, I am GOOOOD at it. It is one of my hidden talents, I'd say, haha. At first, my comp didn't want to let me do the talking, because I'm a "gringa" and she's Peruana, and they charge white people like crazy. But then, she started to realize that I could lower the price even more. Today a man wanted to charge us 10 soles to go into town from Satsayhuaman, and I lowered it to 5! That was a good one, I took a bow! 

 I'm willing to teach anyone when I get home. haha, no kidding, but it's something I enjoy, and there's a definite tactic. haha, just a lil part of my life to tell ya. 

Satsayhuaman, THE BEST. I had such a lovely day, I'm serious. 

Let me tell you, that subject line is true. The gospel has brought me more happiness than I can say, and I always say things like that, but I felt the real sweet peace that the gospel brings this week, and I want to feel that way forever. And we can. I am 100% willing to do whatever it takes to do so. 

Love you all! Keep on keepin' on, and remember how much a little Peruvian missionary loves you! Thank you for your support in all that I do. I'll continue to pray for you all SIEMPRE. 

Lotsa love, 

Hermana Clark

only a picture post this week

Me and Hna Celan before she left. ( I miss her)

Me and Hna Wagner met a member of the church from Holland that spoke english in our fave ice cream place! 

We get to spend a night with the nuevitas in the hotel their first night. That's one of the special things about this assignment that I love

AND we get to eat Papa John's pizza with them, and that was SOOO good. Fun times

also, lomo saltado (my fave) with quinoa (not my favorite, but I like it more every single time. :) 

Also, here I am with Edu, my favorite pal here in Peru. He just melts my heart and when ever I see him, I have a big smile on my face and so does he; he always breaks into smile when he sees me, and it makes my heart melt, like I said before. 

 I've been teaching Lucero english, and she has such a great desire to learn. She wrote in her notebook, on the title page "English" and then Profesora: Clark. SO CUTE. 

#blessed for being "made in America" 

my favorite girls

Hermana Valdebenito and I right after stake conference, she's from Chile, but she looks like she's from the states, right? And she looks a lil like Kylee Wagner for me. I really like her, she's super sweet. 

Ran into Italo from Quillabamba! That was a crazy sweet moment, I seriously love his family in Quilla, and so that was a sweet surprise.-

The beginning of the pictures of our adventure to Ollantayambo, other really popular touristy ruins here! It was BEAUTIFUL. 

 Expectation vs. reality. haha, trying to take a cool pic, and a stray dog steps in. Houston, we are in Peru. 

Las cuatro misioneras. 

Me and my comp

Me with Hermana Johnson, her and her husband are the senior missionaries here, and she is SO sweet. Learning really good spanish, she's been working hard. I love chatting with her in English

went a did service with the elders that we share the ward with, they're super cool. 

and the first people to arrive at our missionary work activity in the church, wahoo!

I've been here for a whole transfer, and it has been wonderful!

 Okay first of all, the world wide missionary broadcast hasn’t really changed much for us, except that we have a lot less key indicators. (For goals every week) Presidente has asked us to wait on any schedule changes, and he is going to let us know what our mission is going to do, so that hasn’t affected us at all. 

This week was a good one. Hermana Celan came to Cusco because she is finishing her mission, and gets on the plane tomorrow to Argentina. (CRAZY stuff) I’ll send you a pic next week, I forgot my adapter to my camera. It was really good to see her right before she left, and also some of my other good buds in the mish end today and tomorrow. 

Also, we had a testimony meeting in English this week in our zone, because the last class, the Johnsons (a missionary couple) taught us how to bear our testimonies in English, so fun!  All the Latinos prepared their testimonies in English, and oh my goodness, the spirit was strong. It was so cool, and they shared simple truths, like, “I know Joseph Smith was a prophet” and “I know the Book of Mormon is true” and “I know that my Heavenly Father loves me”, but those simple truths of the gospel are what every testimony should be, what we believe to be true. 

And it’s so important to share that light you have been given! Elder Oaks said, 

“What could be more joyful than to share the truths of eternity with Heavenly Father’s children?”

And ain't that the truth. I LOVE THE JOY THE GOSPEL BRINGS. 

Okay, today we were in the bus, and this family was next to me, they are from Tibet (China, I think?) and they could speak a little English,but not Spanish. The mom was from Holland. First of all,that kind of trips me up to talk to people in English in public. I feel like I talk so slow and simple-  but they asked me, “why is it so important to you that people change their beliefs and be Mormon?”. And I was like, “I’m not here to change people’s beliefs. I’m here to help them know their Savior more. I’m here to help them INCREASE their faith and let them know of the wonderful plan of happiness that God has for them. That’s why I’m here”. And the mom was like, “That is good, that is really really good.” It was an interesting experience, but can’t wait to share the gospel in English at home too. (even though the wording is SO funky)

Okay, I love you all, and pray for you always. Cuidense!

Went to Sacsayhuaman, but then I was a silly goose just like always, and forgot my paper that gets me in free. Sooo, all I know if that Saasayhuaman is beautiful from the outside, but next week we're gonna go check it out on the inside. Oh Hermana Clark..

I am always SO thrilled to have watermelon in the mish. It makes me think of Grammy's house and summertime, and 4th of july, but all separate. haha idk why. And those are 3 of my favorite things!