November. 10, 2013

Dear Familia- 

So I'm actually in an area called Caraz. Apparently it's a sister city of Mesa, Arizona. I'm in the sticks. Like really, these are the MOUNTAINS of Peru. I don't think I have time to try and send pictures, but I'll give you a little update on my week. 

We left Huaraz and got to our EMPTY apartment monday night. We live with the Castillo family and they have two kids, Daysi- my new best friend 15, and Jean Paul 4. We couldn't have been put with a better family, they are fantastic and Mama Flor takes great care of us. We didn't get mattresses until tuesday, and we didn't get much furniture until Saturday, but it's all good. Our Pensionista is Hermana Juana. She has a two kids at home and one on a mission. Her son Javier is a great example of serving his mom. He's Tj's age, always willing to help us, and he kind of looks like and acts like the Peruvian version of TJ. He's a blessing for sure. H. Juana is a great cook but man...I don't know how long I'm going to be able to eat everything people feed me. She gives us mountains of food and I constantly feel sick to my stomach, my body can't handle all this stress :P. It's all good though. It's Hermana Cueva's birthday today and we're going to have Guinea Pig for dinner! I'll take a pic! 

The ward here is struggling, but we're going to figure out how to help. We've met some really kind people. I've never been called "gringa" more in my life than I have this last week haha. We've found some miracle investigators, and we're still trying to figure out the area. We've been focusing a lot on menos activos as well. This place is crazy. Mototaxis are INSANE, but they're kind of fun haha, I've seen sheep tied to the trunks of those things, and just crazy stuff like that. And since I'm in the mountains, this is cuye (guinea pig) central. I see women carrying home...not so living guinea pigs haha, it's quite the sight. 

Hermana Cueva is seriously a miracle herself. She doesn't speak English but she is EXTREMELY patient with me and is a great missionary. I feel bad that I'm not able to help her very much, but I'm trying the best that I can. 

We went to a baptism on Saturday. In this area, I think it's the only area in the mission, people are baptized in a river about 30min from where I preach. The river is overlooked by the ANDES! Yeah, giant snowcapped gorgeous mountains. It was breathtaking. I didn't have my camera, so next time we'll go and take a picture :) 

Study the ENABLING power of the Atonement. ...I don't remember who wrote it, but it was an article in an ensign from this Spring. You have no idea how much I needed to read that and it was a miracle that I was given an English ensign with that very article. I'm trying hard to give my burden to the Lord. When I pray for it, I do feel a little more strength, a little more resilliance to see the good in the world and the people I serve with, to see the miracles and to work harder with my Spanish. 

Also. If you are posting...thank you EVERYONE that emailed me this week. I can't even tell you how much it meant to me to open a full inbox. I need those testimonies, those kind words, because this is tough. 

I love you all so much. I'm grateful for your examples and your prayers. Thank you for everything. I hope you have a wonderful week. Work hard, pray hard, follow the principles of the Gospel. This is the most important thing in the world, because it's not of the world. 

<3 Hermana Carr 

PS: TJ great job with math! Jake great job during your game! BRETT, WIN IT ALL! That's so awesome! Kace, I'm glad you had so much fun! Keep working hard in school. I love you all a TON.