Aug 27

This week has been pretty slow, We went to Ilo and received some sort of training from (my mission President) but I was really confused, He told us that we had to think outside the box to have success in the mission field. in his Spanish he said that the box is PMG and the white handbook.... weird.

Training is going good. were a little concerned because they might close our branch and our area in a couple weeks. little concerned for my converts and friends here.

Aug 19

Well, this week was pretty fulfilling.  We found four or five people who I think can progress, If only I can get them to come to church!! No baptisms this week, Sad face.

I think were going to have a Zone Conference this week, so I hope I can learn how to be a better missionary. The best way to learn is to make mistakes, I think. That's what Magic School Bus taught me. I didn't take any pictures this week.

Oh, I completed 6 months in the mission. That was really fast. The past six months I've really learned alot and gained an understanding of the atonement. Its pretty sweet to think that I have a Savior and a Redeemer. I've come to love Jesus Christ. He is my friend and my teacher.

I got to speak in two different sacrament meeting this week. The branch president decided it was funny to surprise me. haha. -_- I can now improvise in Spanish.

The switch from English to Spanish is complete. My brain works in a completely different way now. we have English classes and I cant even teach  or spell words correctly anymore. I've given up with our germanic estupidese.

Aug 12

Its not too difficult to train a new missionary, Especially since he knows how to work with the members better that I do. He just struggles with understanding all the doctrine. but we're working on that ;) Its a great learning experience for me too. I see him try to copy everything I say and do so I have to set a good example when it comes to obediencia con exactitud(obedience with exactness).

This week is pretty normal. nothing exciting. Were struggling to get people to church. as always. its time to try something different. time to pray for inspiration. I think Ill ask bishop clove for help. along with elder stamler and ruelas. and frank.

Aug. 5th

This week has been awesome. I received my greenie Wednesday and we started working hard from the start. He is awesome. He is  from Paraguay. He talks super slow compared to the Peruvians which is pretty awesome. I understand everything he says. He told me I have a pretty thick Peruvian accent. Whoops. He's 25 years old and was elders quorum president in his branch in Paraguay so he is teaching me how to work with the members and how to set a better example for him. Its like I'm being trained for a second time but this time for real. He has desires to be super obedient and he is helping me in that aspect of the work as well. I know that the mission president receives revelation from the lord en cuanto of exchanges. I have seen the evidence first hand. I thank the Lord for this opportunity to learn, grow and teach. (Ill attach a photo of us)

I am the youngest Trainer in the mission, someone must think i'm worthy of this responsibility, I feel so inadequate... is that even a word?

Elder Haskell

7.29.13

Well this week was transfers.   I am going to train a new missionary for the next three months. I have no Idea who he will be or where he is from, I'm going to Arequipa on Tuesday or Wednesday to pick him up. I've made some great friends here and, although there is a ton of dust, very little paved roads and a burning sun, I don't really want to leave. they say that this zone is the worst when it comes the weather but i cant help but love missionary work. I'm actually surprised about how happy i am considering how tired and hungry i am all the time! its so cool how the lord fills your heart with joy when you are in the service of his children.

Mom, called to serve is awesome. I'm glad you can relax a little bit and enjoy the summer, and tell dad you have an eternal perspective! :)

here is a picture of me and my companion and a random chileno

7.15.13

Also here is a picture of an Alpaca that spit on me immediate after this photo.

This week was fantastic, actually this week was horrible save for the most spiritual experience I have had on my mission thus far.

We are teaching a less active family, E..... (member) her husband, H,...... (nonmember) and little J......
H..... in the past has never accepted missionaries into his home or his restaurant but for some reason or another my companion and I have become very good friends with him and his extended family included. We are pensioned at their restaurant this month and the food is fantastic. On Tuesday we had eaten dinner together and talked about the mission and how it has changed us, nothing too deep or spiritual. Later, I went to help H...... wash dishes and clean up while my companion played with J...... and kept him occupied. While washing dishes, we started to converse about how God can help us change our character and our natural man. What followed was the literal conversion of a man. The spirit entered the kitchen and while washing dishes testified of the truthfulness of our message to the willing and humble heart of H....... As I testified of the power of the atonement and repentance,  tears began to roll from both of our eyes.

H....´s heart was changed in that very moment. I know that this gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to change the hearts of the hardest men. The converting power of the Holy Ghost is real, and while as missionaries we don't see a lot of the results of our labor, I know that there are fruits to be harvested. H..... built and confirmed my testimony of the Work.

Exchanges are in two weeks, and I want to see my new friend enter the waters of baptism more. Something our Mission president taught us, is that Christ always acted out of love. And for the first time,
I feel that i am acting out of love and less out of duty. I love my new friend. I know that the Savior Loves everyone of his children and we can be tools in his hands if we but humble ourselves. I can testify of these thing, and I do in the name of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ.