Well this week was full of fun.
Monday - P-day and we played UNO all afternoon!
Tuesday - District meeting given by the Sisters.
Wednesday - Elder Godoy (Area Seventy) visits the mission.
Thursday - I get super sick with fever. Also, interchanges with Elder Gleason and
Elder Enamorado. I went to their area with Elder Gleason. Elder Enamorado came to
mine with Elder Cornejo.
Friday - we finished the exchanges and had a great day.
Saturday - activity with the elders from the CCM.
Sorry, got to go!!!
Elder Godoy chose 4 missionaries in the mission to interview! He chose me! First time a General Authority has interviewed me. It was super cool. He has really helped me out.
Elder Wilcox
We are gonna go play soccer on a turf field!
#ElderWes
Monday, September 21, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
14 September 2015 Letter
Well, this week was super sweet. I don't know how to send pictures now 'cause they are too big a resolution but I will figure it out. On p-day we went to Centro de Lima. There is this central square that is pretty sweet. You don't even feel like you are in Perú. And then you see all the Peruvians and your companion and signs in Spanish and Llama stuff. It was a really relaxing time. It took like an hour and a half to get there and like two to come back. Elder Wilson and I saw Hermana Vernon there (a sister missionary from our district in the CCM who went to Lima Norte mission) so we did some catching up. We got some cool things and took some sweet pics.
This Saturday we had Isrrael's baptism. Yes, we found out his name has two r's which was pretty strange to find out as we filled out his baptismal record with him. A member from the ward was going to baptize him, but at the last second flaked out so Elder Cornejo did it. It was a great service and hearing his testimony afterwards was so cool. On Sunday, he showed up in all church clothes - before that he went in a t-shirt and jeans. He looked super happy and like he is ready to go on a mission. All he needed was the plaque - tag thing. I think it is tag in English. We confirmed him a member and then it was official.
We also are working with 9 less-actives in total that have come back to church. We have to teach them all the lessons and they have to go to church three times and be interviewed by the bishop to be officially called reactivated. It is a statistic we have in the mission just like baptisms. If you noted, the process is very similar. So hopefully they we all be reactivated in these next few weeks.
See you all next week. Thanks for all the support, packages, and letters. It makes me super happy.
Love you guys,
Elder Wilcox
#ElderWes
This Saturday we had Isrrael's baptism. Yes, we found out his name has two r's which was pretty strange to find out as we filled out his baptismal record with him. A member from the ward was going to baptize him, but at the last second flaked out so Elder Cornejo did it. It was a great service and hearing his testimony afterwards was so cool. On Sunday, he showed up in all church clothes - before that he went in a t-shirt and jeans. He looked super happy and like he is ready to go on a mission. All he needed was the plaque - tag thing. I think it is tag in English. We confirmed him a member and then it was official.
We also are working with 9 less-actives in total that have come back to church. We have to teach them all the lessons and they have to go to church three times and be interviewed by the bishop to be officially called reactivated. It is a statistic we have in the mission just like baptisms. If you noted, the process is very similar. So hopefully they we all be reactivated in these next few weeks.
See you all next week. Thanks for all the support, packages, and letters. It makes me super happy.
Love you guys,
Elder Wilcox
#ElderWes
Monday, September 7, 2015
7 September 2015 Letter
Well, this past week was awesome. I just wanted to talk a little about a couple stories.
The first one is about the Diaz Cañari Family. One day we went to an appointment kinda far in our area and when we got there, only women were present in the home. So we went to a member's home to see if the brother could come with us. He said he was busy but directed us to a home where other members lived. He told us - go knock on that door. The brother will help you. We didn't even know that members lived there but we went over and knocked on the door. Brother Diaz, as we later found out was his name, answered the door and very reluctantly accepted our request and he changed into some church clothes and came with us. After the lesson we took out an appointment with him and his family, and went back the next week. Hermano Diaz told us that they had been inactive for over a year and that when we knocked on his door, he felt that Heavenly Father still hadn't given up on him. I told him that I knew God's hand was in all of this and it wasn't a coincidence that we had found him. He had served a mission and his wife as well was a return missionary. He said that he remembered his mission when he went to the lesson with us. Well, that all happened like 4 weeks ago, and he and his wife and two little kids have come to church for three Sundays in a row. I was so happy to see them make that decision to come back. I am grateful to the Lord for directing us to that home and that family, even though it was in a way we really didn't expect. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
We also have been working really hard with a 19 year old kid named Israel. He has accepted and is super excited for his baptism this Saturday at 5 in the afternoon. He is an amazing kid. He told us he wanted to change his life, and that his parents wanted that he change his life, so he felt this was the way to do it. He has been to church three times now and loves how he feels. He did tell us though, that if his parents found out that we were visiting him in his home, they would freak out, even though they like the results. Luckily though, he is over age and we don't need his parents' permission. He also plays semi-professional soccer and always has championships or tournaments on Sundays. He is thinking about completely dropping soccer because there are very few games during the week anyway. He also said it was probably best for his injured knee. It is amazing to see the change in Israel and the changes he is willing to make. I love seeing his testimony grow and how prepared he was by the Lord, but also the fruits of hard work, good lessons, great help from the ward and Young Single Adults, and fasting and prayer. Israel is a miracle.
I love this work. I know this Gospel is true. I know our Savior and Father live and guide us today through a living prophet. I love you all and pray for my family and friends every day.
Elder Wes Wilcox
#ElderWes
The first one is about the Diaz Cañari Family. One day we went to an appointment kinda far in our area and when we got there, only women were present in the home. So we went to a member's home to see if the brother could come with us. He said he was busy but directed us to a home where other members lived. He told us - go knock on that door. The brother will help you. We didn't even know that members lived there but we went over and knocked on the door. Brother Diaz, as we later found out was his name, answered the door and very reluctantly accepted our request and he changed into some church clothes and came with us. After the lesson we took out an appointment with him and his family, and went back the next week. Hermano Diaz told us that they had been inactive for over a year and that when we knocked on his door, he felt that Heavenly Father still hadn't given up on him. I told him that I knew God's hand was in all of this and it wasn't a coincidence that we had found him. He had served a mission and his wife as well was a return missionary. He said that he remembered his mission when he went to the lesson with us. Well, that all happened like 4 weeks ago, and he and his wife and two little kids have come to church for three Sundays in a row. I was so happy to see them make that decision to come back. I am grateful to the Lord for directing us to that home and that family, even though it was in a way we really didn't expect. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
We also have been working really hard with a 19 year old kid named Israel. He has accepted and is super excited for his baptism this Saturday at 5 in the afternoon. He is an amazing kid. He told us he wanted to change his life, and that his parents wanted that he change his life, so he felt this was the way to do it. He has been to church three times now and loves how he feels. He did tell us though, that if his parents found out that we were visiting him in his home, they would freak out, even though they like the results. Luckily though, he is over age and we don't need his parents' permission. He also plays semi-professional soccer and always has championships or tournaments on Sundays. He is thinking about completely dropping soccer because there are very few games during the week anyway. He also said it was probably best for his injured knee. It is amazing to see the change in Israel and the changes he is willing to make. I love seeing his testimony grow and how prepared he was by the Lord, but also the fruits of hard work, good lessons, great help from the ward and Young Single Adults, and fasting and prayer. Israel is a miracle.
I love this work. I know this Gospel is true. I know our Savior and Father live and guide us today through a living prophet. I love you all and pray for my family and friends every day.
Elder Wes Wilcox
#ElderWes
31 August 2015 Letter
Original message, unedited:
Hola mamá, ¿como estás? Te amo y te extraño muchísimo. Yo he estado pensando en ustedes mucho en esta semana y espero que todos estén bien y felices con el nuevo año de escuela.
Ahora me imagino que te encuentres allí en casa, solita todo el día. Quiero que nosotros, ahora que tu tienes mas tiempo libre, que podamos leer El Libro de Mormón juntos en este cambio. Mas o menos, tenemos que leer como 6 capítulos cada día. Termina el 6 de octubre! Sería super genial hacer esto contigo.
Pero, ahora con la carta semanal:
Oh! Tambien ya recibí un paquete de Tía Jenny (de Dave). Y tambien para que cuando me envien el paquete... quiero algo media extraña ... Instant oatmeal!! To show my comps and 'cause I love blueberries and cream!! And we eat in our apartment every morning!
I don't have time for a weekly letter but we saw Elder Bednar this week and he answered one of my questions. Also, Cornejito and I are still together in the good old Tierra Prometida de Ñaña!!
Elder Wilcox
Interpretation of Spanish portion above:
Hi Mom, how are you? I love and miss you so much. I've been thinking about you all a lot this week and I hope everyone is fine and happy with school having begun.
Now I imagine that you find yourself there in the house, by yourself all day. I'd like it if we, now that you have more free time, could read the Book of Mormon together during this transfer. More or less, we have to read like 6 chapters each day. The transfer ends on 6 October! It would be super cool to do this with you.
But, now on with the weekly letter:
Oh! I also received a package from Aunt Jenny (Dave's Jenny). And also, when you send me the package . . . I'd like something a little strange . . . Instant Oatmeal!
End of interpretation.
Hola mamá, ¿como estás? Te amo y te extraño muchísimo. Yo he estado pensando en ustedes mucho en esta semana y espero que todos estén bien y felices con el nuevo año de escuela.
Ahora me imagino que te encuentres allí en casa, solita todo el día. Quiero que nosotros, ahora que tu tienes mas tiempo libre, que podamos leer El Libro de Mormón juntos en este cambio. Mas o menos, tenemos que leer como 6 capítulos cada día. Termina el 6 de octubre! Sería super genial hacer esto contigo.
Pero, ahora con la carta semanal:
Oh! Tambien ya recibí un paquete de Tía Jenny (de Dave). Y tambien para que cuando me envien el paquete... quiero algo media extraña ... Instant oatmeal!! To show my comps and 'cause I love blueberries and cream!! And we eat in our apartment every morning!
I don't have time for a weekly letter but we saw Elder Bednar this week and he answered one of my questions. Also, Cornejito and I are still together in the good old Tierra Prometida de Ñaña!!
Elder Wilcox
Interpretation of Spanish portion above:
Hi Mom, how are you? I love and miss you so much. I've been thinking about you all a lot this week and I hope everyone is fine and happy with school having begun.
Now I imagine that you find yourself there in the house, by yourself all day. I'd like it if we, now that you have more free time, could read the Book of Mormon together during this transfer. More or less, we have to read like 6 chapters each day. The transfer ends on 6 October! It would be super cool to do this with you.
But, now on with the weekly letter:
Oh! I also received a package from Aunt Jenny (Dave's Jenny). And also, when you send me the package . . . I'd like something a little strange . . . Instant Oatmeal!
End of interpretation.
The Zone finding out about the cambios (transfers)
Crazy haircut
Only 20 Soles ($6.19 US)
Brianna hahaha
With Sebastian
My new nightly routine: tea and Jesus the Christ
(not so new of a routine)
Workin' out like a Peruvian!
#ElderWes
Monday, August 24, 2015
24 August 2015 Letter
We will find out about transfers today. I feel like we will both stay, not really sure why 'cause that would be strange, but it is possible. This week was a bit difficult because we didn't really have some one to accompany us to our lessons where only women were present so we missed out on a lot of appointments. It is a tough rule. We could enter and nobody would know but it is better to follow the rules, for whatever reason. The highlight of the week was the baptism of Hermana Alicia, an 18-yr-old girl, Daniela's older sister.
But first, last Monday was a blast. All the sister missionaries of the mission had P-day (preparation day) together and so that left us Elders here free to go out to Chosica and spend the day with the Elders in that other zone. It was the first time I had done a multi-zone p-day. We played soccer and american football with all the guys and it was super fun. I also got to spend that time with Elder Espinel and Elder Wilson. It was way cool to see them and talk about what had happened since the last time we talked.
The baptism all went well. Elder Cornejo was able to baptize her. Afterwards she gave a super powerful and strong testimony. The whole time I was just smiling so big and so happy. This work really does make me happy and I love seeing a strong conversion. There is nothing like it. After Alicia gave her testimony, she came up to me and asked me why I was laughing at her in her testimony!! Haha, I tried explaining to her I was just super happy and excited, but maybe she didn't get it all the way. Thats OK. I love all you guys and thanks for the prayers.
Elder Wilcox
But first, last Monday was a blast. All the sister missionaries of the mission had P-day (preparation day) together and so that left us Elders here free to go out to Chosica and spend the day with the Elders in that other zone. It was the first time I had done a multi-zone p-day. We played soccer and american football with all the guys and it was super fun. I also got to spend that time with Elder Espinel and Elder Wilson. It was way cool to see them and talk about what had happened since the last time we talked.
The baptism all went well. Elder Cornejo was able to baptize her. Afterwards she gave a super powerful and strong testimony. The whole time I was just smiling so big and so happy. This work really does make me happy and I love seeing a strong conversion. There is nothing like it. After Alicia gave her testimony, she came up to me and asked me why I was laughing at her in her testimony!! Haha, I tried explaining to her I was just super happy and excited, but maybe she didn't get it all the way. Thats OK. I love all you guys and thanks for the prayers.
Elder Wilcox
Alicia's baptism 1
Alicia's baptism 2
Alicia's baptism 3, with all the YAS (don't know,
Young Single Adults?) and the Bishop
Cold water!
Alicia's baptism 4
Being weird
with Elder Wilson
with Elder Espinel
Daughter of my pensionista with her niece
#ElderWes
Saturday, August 22, 2015
17 August 2015 Letter
So this week was super cool. We had a great week number-wise. We were able to meet and have interviews with President Boswell. We had two baptisms and a great Sunday. Today we are going up to Chosica to play soccer with that zone. I will be able to see Elder Espinel and Elder Wilson. Should be a blast. I think we are going to play soccer.
This week I have really noticed that my companion, Elder Cornejo, and I are really learning how to work together, and we are getting to know the area better. So, we are working better and more efficiently. Using your time wisely and with responsibility is something we really learn here in the mission. I am glad I am learning this stuff because before, I wasn't even a bit responsible or wise with my time. It really is a valuable lesson. President said we might be staying together another transfer, which I would love.
The baptism was also great. We baptized two primary aged kids named Arez, and Suha. They are super smart and are ready to be members. We have another baptism planed the following week, and another investigator just committed to a date for the week after that. Hopefully all will go well. I know lots of times it doesn't, but I have found it is better to have faith in and trust the people, even if we get disappointed. We develop a greater love for that person, and that is what our Father in Heaven wants and I think it is what Jesus would do.
Elder Wesley Wilcox
#ElderWes
This week I have really noticed that my companion, Elder Cornejo, and I are really learning how to work together, and we are getting to know the area better. So, we are working better and more efficiently. Using your time wisely and with responsibility is something we really learn here in the mission. I am glad I am learning this stuff because before, I wasn't even a bit responsible or wise with my time. It really is a valuable lesson. President said we might be staying together another transfer, which I would love.
The baptism was also great. We baptized two primary aged kids named Arez, and Suha. They are super smart and are ready to be members. We have another baptism planed the following week, and another investigator just committed to a date for the week after that. Hopefully all will go well. I know lots of times it doesn't, but I have found it is better to have faith in and trust the people, even if we get disappointed. We develop a greater love for that person, and that is what our Father in Heaven wants and I think it is what Jesus would do.
Elder Wesley Wilcox
Random Pic 1
Random Pic 2
Random Pic 3
Random Pic 4
Random Pic 5
Random Pic 6
Baptism 1
Baptism 2
Baptism 3
How to eat like a Peruano 1
How to eat like a Peruano 2
#ElderWes
Friday, August 14, 2015
10 August 2015 Letter
Week somthin
So this week was awesome and we had some really awesome lessons and some great times. We were able to have a great lesson with the Cajavilca family on Monday and had a strong lesson full of all the good stuff a lesson needs. We shared some great scriptures in 3 Nephi 11 and had Daniela, the girl who was just baptized, bear her testimony for us all. We invited Alicia, the older sister to be baptized and finally she said yes. Her baptism will be this coming Saturday with two others we had planned. The testimonies of new converts are so awesome. They are simple and strong. They don't know a lot, but what they do know, they know is true and it is the best.
One of the branches in my stake doesn't have a baptismal font in their building, so they came here for their baptism, and they invited an old Elder who served there to attend. The Elder came but with another Elder who was his district leader. It was Elder Espinel, my father in the mission and my dear friend. It was so awesome to meet up with him and talk about our missions and new areas, and rejoice and lament over the past successes or downfalls in good old Portada del Sol, my first area.
This week should be awesome, we have interviews with the mission president and then three baptisms the next day. Super excited for all that!
Love you guys.
Elder Wilcox
#ElderWes
So this week was awesome and we had some really awesome lessons and some great times. We were able to have a great lesson with the Cajavilca family on Monday and had a strong lesson full of all the good stuff a lesson needs. We shared some great scriptures in 3 Nephi 11 and had Daniela, the girl who was just baptized, bear her testimony for us all. We invited Alicia, the older sister to be baptized and finally she said yes. Her baptism will be this coming Saturday with two others we had planned. The testimonies of new converts are so awesome. They are simple and strong. They don't know a lot, but what they do know, they know is true and it is the best.
One of the branches in my stake doesn't have a baptismal font in their building, so they came here for their baptism, and they invited an old Elder who served there to attend. The Elder came but with another Elder who was his district leader. It was Elder Espinel, my father in the mission and my dear friend. It was so awesome to meet up with him and talk about our missions and new areas, and rejoice and lament over the past successes or downfalls in good old Portada del Sol, my first area.
This week should be awesome, we have interviews with the mission president and then three baptisms the next day. Super excited for all that!
Love you guys.
Elder Wilcox
#ElderWes
3 August 2015 Letter
Well, lots to say today, so I will get started. Even though now I have 6 months in the mission, I still feel like the least of all these missionaries. I have so much to learn. I have so much to improve. Some of these Elders and Hermanas may not even have great Spanish, but they are missionaries. They know how to answer every single question perefectly. I hope that all my study and learning will enable me to become like them. Man, I wish I would have payed attention is Seminary.
This week we had some awesome things happen but first I wanted to say something I didn't have time to address the last week. Last week I had the amazing opportunity to attend the temple again. I was so excited and even more excited when as I was waiting in a side room with my zone to go into a session, and someone walked into the room and grabbed my hand, and pulled me up out of the chair to hug me. I was so excited to see that it was good old Elder Underwood from my ward back home in Eagle. We talked for just a while, super stunned and overjoyed to see each other. It was way different than just shaking his had at a mutual back home. I had to go to my session so I said good-bye and then walked away. As I was about to enter the session-room when Elder Smith from Eagle 4th ward walked out of the Celestial room. I think he didn't recognize me at first but then we embraced, just as Elder Underwood came back and we all hugged together in the middle of the temple. It was an amazing experience, not just seeing two friends, but seeing two fellow servants in the work of our Lord. I really love those guys and tried to let them know without it being all weird 'cause we are still 3 dudes and not sister missionaries that cry for everything. But I wanted to cry and know that it was a tender mercy from the Lord to be able to see them in the house of our Lord. I wished them good-bye and good luck for two years and that finishes up that special occasion. What a blessing.
This week we found lots of people from knocking doors and also had a special Saturday. We had our first baptism of the transfer. I talked a bit about Daniela the last week but we had a great and beautiful baptismal service. Later, she gave her strong testimony and powerfully said that as she left the water she felt like an example to the rest of her family, who we are also teaching. Hopefully they will be baptized this month too.
I love this work and this gospel. I am so grateful that we aren't lost in this world. We know exactly why we are here and what we need to do. We know everything we need to know to receive all the blessing the Father has to offer us, his beloved children.
See you all next week.
Elder Wilcox
#ElderWes
This week we had some awesome things happen but first I wanted to say something I didn't have time to address the last week. Last week I had the amazing opportunity to attend the temple again. I was so excited and even more excited when as I was waiting in a side room with my zone to go into a session, and someone walked into the room and grabbed my hand, and pulled me up out of the chair to hug me. I was so excited to see that it was good old Elder Underwood from my ward back home in Eagle. We talked for just a while, super stunned and overjoyed to see each other. It was way different than just shaking his had at a mutual back home. I had to go to my session so I said good-bye and then walked away. As I was about to enter the session-room when Elder Smith from Eagle 4th ward walked out of the Celestial room. I think he didn't recognize me at first but then we embraced, just as Elder Underwood came back and we all hugged together in the middle of the temple. It was an amazing experience, not just seeing two friends, but seeing two fellow servants in the work of our Lord. I really love those guys and tried to let them know without it being all weird 'cause we are still 3 dudes and not sister missionaries that cry for everything. But I wanted to cry and know that it was a tender mercy from the Lord to be able to see them in the house of our Lord. I wished them good-bye and good luck for two years and that finishes up that special occasion. What a blessing.
This week we found lots of people from knocking doors and also had a special Saturday. We had our first baptism of the transfer. I talked a bit about Daniela the last week but we had a great and beautiful baptismal service. Later, she gave her strong testimony and powerfully said that as she left the water she felt like an example to the rest of her family, who we are also teaching. Hopefully they will be baptized this month too.
I love this work and this gospel. I am so grateful that we aren't lost in this world. We know exactly why we are here and what we need to do. We know everything we need to know to receive all the blessing the Father has to offer us, his beloved children.
See you all next week.
Elder Wilcox
Proselyting activity from Elders from the CCM.
I left for the afternoon in Huaycan with this Argentino and Chileno
Baptism of Daniela
Daniela's baptism
#ElderWes
Monday, July 27, 2015
27 July 2015 Letter
Weekly Letter - 27 Julio - 6 Months!!!!
Well this computer has some serious virus goin on up in here so there is no way I am going to send or download fotos. But I can still write!!!
Ok so here is the update. Ñaña is the best. This area is massive and we walk a ton. That is the only down-side. My comp is amazing. He is district leader and is super humble. His name is Elder Cornejo from Babahoyo, Ecuador. He is super musically talented and really humble. He is a great leader because he leads by example. I can't ask for much more in a companion. The area is super awesome too. We have a super tiny ward compared with my last area but the members are here to do work! They all know their role in missionary work. The bishop is a stud and makes sure everyone is doing their job. They just changed all the presidencies of all the organizations in the ward, so we will see what will happen. Hopefully everything we still turn out well.
We have a good amount of investigators and three with a baptismal date. One family we are working with is the Cajavilca family. They live like 20 minutes away from our main proselyting area so it's fun to get there! They are all investigators. They have two daughters. Daniela, who is 12 will be baptized this Saturday after about 2 months of investigating the church. The mom, Norma will be getting married to her boyfriend this week as well so they can be baptized in August some time. The other daughter, Alicia, is still missing something but is super close to baptism. We think the baptism of her sister will really help her make a decision, though so we are super excited for this weekend. They are a great family and they have a great story too. One day 2 months ago Elder Cornejo and the last Elder that was here were walking in the street and went to buy soda in the corner store when a woman approached them and told them she wanted to be baptized into our church and be a member because she liked our religion. She had never been taught by missionaries antes (before) but was super prepared and ready for the Gospel. This woman was Norma, the mom of the Cajavilca family. Luckily, I am here now and am honored to be able to help them enter the waters of baptism.
We are also working with another family named the Reynaldo family. They live on the very top of this giant hill we have in the area near Huascata. The parents aren't members nor are they married but three of their kids are members. They have three more that aren't members and two of them, Arez (8) and Suja(10) have a baptismal date for the 15 of August and it is fairly concrete. Their parents have already signed the permission slips and we are excited for their progression. They are a beautiful family and I love visiting them even though is is seriously impossible to hike that hill.
I have seen the blessings of working hard and will continue to work hard till the day I die. 'Cause after we resurrect we can work perfectly hard without sweating at all!
Elder Wilcox
#ElderWes
Well this computer has some serious virus goin on up in here so there is no way I am going to send or download fotos. But I can still write!!!
Ok so here is the update. Ñaña is the best. This area is massive and we walk a ton. That is the only down-side. My comp is amazing. He is district leader and is super humble. His name is Elder Cornejo from Babahoyo, Ecuador. He is super musically talented and really humble. He is a great leader because he leads by example. I can't ask for much more in a companion. The area is super awesome too. We have a super tiny ward compared with my last area but the members are here to do work! They all know their role in missionary work. The bishop is a stud and makes sure everyone is doing their job. They just changed all the presidencies of all the organizations in the ward, so we will see what will happen. Hopefully everything we still turn out well.
We have a good amount of investigators and three with a baptismal date. One family we are working with is the Cajavilca family. They live like 20 minutes away from our main proselyting area so it's fun to get there! They are all investigators. They have two daughters. Daniela, who is 12 will be baptized this Saturday after about 2 months of investigating the church. The mom, Norma will be getting married to her boyfriend this week as well so they can be baptized in August some time. The other daughter, Alicia, is still missing something but is super close to baptism. We think the baptism of her sister will really help her make a decision, though so we are super excited for this weekend. They are a great family and they have a great story too. One day 2 months ago Elder Cornejo and the last Elder that was here were walking in the street and went to buy soda in the corner store when a woman approached them and told them she wanted to be baptized into our church and be a member because she liked our religion. She had never been taught by missionaries antes (before) but was super prepared and ready for the Gospel. This woman was Norma, the mom of the Cajavilca family. Luckily, I am here now and am honored to be able to help them enter the waters of baptism.
We are also working with another family named the Reynaldo family. They live on the very top of this giant hill we have in the area near Huascata. The parents aren't members nor are they married but three of their kids are members. They have three more that aren't members and two of them, Arez (8) and Suja(10) have a baptismal date for the 15 of August and it is fairly concrete. Their parents have already signed the permission slips and we are excited for their progression. They are a beautiful family and I love visiting them even though is is seriously impossible to hike that hill.
I have seen the blessings of working hard and will continue to work hard till the day I die. 'Cause after we resurrect we can work perfectly hard without sweating at all!
Elder Wilcox
With Raul Cernades, he got home from his mission like
my second week in the ward and came out with us a lot
#ElderWes
Monday, July 20, 2015
20 July 2015 Letter
Greetings from Lima, but a new area!! Yes, I had transfers and I don't have much time to write, so I will write more next week. I have a new companion, Elder Cornejo from Ecuador, a super skinny tall dude. He is way humble and we get along great. I am so excited to spend the next five weeks working alongside him.
I am now in a place called Ñaña, in the Chaclacayo stake. I am no longer in central Lima, but in the outskirts. It is in the hills, close to a river so it is way greener. My area is literally ten times, if not more, bigger than my last one. I love it here and we have so much work to do. This week we worked super hard and already had two people commit to baptism. I love it and am excited to be here. Also, the pension is awesome and feeds us really well. It is like a 15 minute journey to get there though, so we eat breakfast in our room. Talk to you all a little more next week. Love you all.
Hugs, not drugs,
Elder Wilcox
#ElderWes
I am now in a place called Ñaña, in the Chaclacayo stake. I am no longer in central Lima, but in the outskirts. It is in the hills, close to a river so it is way greener. My area is literally ten times, if not more, bigger than my last one. I love it here and we have so much work to do. This week we worked super hard and already had two people commit to baptism. I love it and am excited to be here. Also, the pension is awesome and feeds us really well. It is like a 15 minute journey to get there though, so we eat breakfast in our room. Talk to you all a little more next week. Love you all.
Hugs, not drugs,
Elder Wilcox
Elder Hamilton, Oscar, Elder Espinel, Yo, y elder Chiroque
- los ultimos cuatro que sirvieron en barrio portada del sol.
Oscar es un miembro alli.
(the last four who served in the Portada del Sol Ward.
Oscar is a member there)
The new room. Pituco (posh)
Room
Artificial weight set
New area, Ñaña, Chaclacayo
#ElderWes
Editor's Note
Last night I posted a bunch of Wesley's updates. I failed to post his letter from 8 June 2015, but have just finished doing so now. (in case you missed it!)
Sunday, July 19, 2015
13 July 2015 Letter
Well, not too much to say this week. Just had a cool experience when we were talking to one really stubborn dude. As we talked I was explaining to him how we can say whatever to people, but we can't convince them. They have to ask God to know for themselves and the Holy Ghost, the Spirit, is who convinces them. He started to laugh and said we must not have the spirit because we weren't convincing him. Then we explained to him, Remember Jesus? How many people didn't believe him? Does that mean He didn't have the Spirit? He said, no of course not He is the Son of God, are you two comparing yourselves to him? You can't be serious!
My companion then very firmly responded - We are his representatives and He sent us here to knock on your door because He knows you and knows what you need. The man then was silent for literally ten seconds. Then he said thank you and apologized and shut the door. I was pretty shocked too at my companion's power and conviction but I then realized what he said was true.
I am a representative of Jesus Christ and I have the authority to do what I do, to call others unto repentance and baptism. I love my calling and all the blessings it brings. I know this work is true and that this church is true. In the name our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love you all and I am praying for every one of you.
Elder Wes
My companion then very firmly responded - We are his representatives and He sent us here to knock on your door because He knows you and knows what you need. The man then was silent for literally ten seconds. Then he said thank you and apologized and shut the door. I was pretty shocked too at my companion's power and conviction but I then realized what he said was true.
I am a representative of Jesus Christ and I have the authority to do what I do, to call others unto repentance and baptism. I love my calling and all the blessings it brings. I know this work is true and that this church is true. In the name our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love you all and I am praying for every one of you.
Elder Wes
6 July 2015 Letter
Hey everybody. ¿Como estan?
Well, this has been a great week. We met almost every single goal or excellence put by the mission and exceeded others. We only had nine new investigators as the goal is 10. So we fell just short of that. But we really saw the blessings of hard work and concentrating ourselves in the work as well. We also were able to receive a visit in our room from the mission president. He let us know that we needed to clean our room haha. It was kinda embarrassing but we needed a good slap in the face. He said that God is a God of order and the Spirit cannot dwell as easily in a dirty room. It needed to be a celestial apartment. That was on my birthday in the morning so he also brought me cookies. But he went to all the rooms in our zone and chastised them as well.
In a movie about our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, there is a part where he did not follow an impression of the Spirit and something sad happened as a result. I don't have time to tell the whole story. But after, he made a promise to never again ignore a prompting and to always act on it. From that moment, I made that same promise. This week I have really seen the blessings of listening to the Spirit and following those impressions. I have also been able to feel more in tune and closer to my Heavenly Father. We found a lot of new people. Nine this week. Every single one was from contacting, which is just talking to people in the street or knocking doors. We had one time where we were walking down the street at about 8:30 at night and I felt so strongly to turn around and go talk to this teenager that was sitting outside his door on his phone. We turned around and talked to him. Then his mom got home from work and talked with us too. She had been going through some really tough times especially as a single mom and having had her sister pass away recently. At the end of the lesson, they told us they wanted to come to church and get baptized. The little experiences like those are what make it all worth it. All the walking around the whole day, people rejecting us or telling us we are devil worshipers or that we aren't Christians haha. I love the mission. I will never forget these things. I learn so much every day and my testimony that this is the true church of our Savior grows every moment.
Love you guys
Elder Wes
#ElderWes
Well, this has been a great week. We met almost every single goal or excellence put by the mission and exceeded others. We only had nine new investigators as the goal is 10. So we fell just short of that. But we really saw the blessings of hard work and concentrating ourselves in the work as well. We also were able to receive a visit in our room from the mission president. He let us know that we needed to clean our room haha. It was kinda embarrassing but we needed a good slap in the face. He said that God is a God of order and the Spirit cannot dwell as easily in a dirty room. It needed to be a celestial apartment. That was on my birthday in the morning so he also brought me cookies. But he went to all the rooms in our zone and chastised them as well.
In a movie about our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, there is a part where he did not follow an impression of the Spirit and something sad happened as a result. I don't have time to tell the whole story. But after, he made a promise to never again ignore a prompting and to always act on it. From that moment, I made that same promise. This week I have really seen the blessings of listening to the Spirit and following those impressions. I have also been able to feel more in tune and closer to my Heavenly Father. We found a lot of new people. Nine this week. Every single one was from contacting, which is just talking to people in the street or knocking doors. We had one time where we were walking down the street at about 8:30 at night and I felt so strongly to turn around and go talk to this teenager that was sitting outside his door on his phone. We turned around and talked to him. Then his mom got home from work and talked with us too. She had been going through some really tough times especially as a single mom and having had her sister pass away recently. At the end of the lesson, they told us they wanted to come to church and get baptized. The little experiences like those are what make it all worth it. All the walking around the whole day, people rejecting us or telling us we are devil worshipers or that we aren't Christians haha. I love the mission. I will never forget these things. I learn so much every day and my testimony that this is the true church of our Savior grows every moment.
Love you guys
Elder Wes
My cake :)
Elder Chiroque
Alfajores de argentina!
They bought me american candy from the states!!!
Haciendo root beer floats para la familia Romero
(Making root beer floats for the Romero family)
P-day con el distrito portada del sol!!
( P-day (preparation day) with the Portada del Sol District!!)
The partay!
#ElderWes
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)