Lima , Peru Temple Visit

Hey Mom and Dad,

Thanks for the letter. Our whole zone went to the temple this last Thursday, and it was a good visit. I haven't been to the temple in about a year and a half, so it was a good refreshing taste. I actually could understand all of what was being said inside in Spanish, so I didn't need headphones for translating.

Well, this past week has been difficult. After we visited the temple and prayed for help on our mission, apparently God decided to have fun with us because every single appointment we had made failed. After we tried appointments, we visited some of the inactive members, and they weren't home. So after failed attempt after failed attempt, Elder Hesselgesser and I decided to go contacting and doorknocking to pump ourselves up. It just so happens that the first house we contacted were deaf people. We had to speak really slow, and think of ideas to show the Book of Mormon in ways we thought weren't possible. Luckily, there was someone who wasn't deaf to listen and translate. She wasn't interested, but I had fun with that experience even though her Catholic grandma busted out the rage.

One of our investigators ended up leaving for 2 weeks, so her date to be baptized was pretty much cancelled. Well, there's always the next 8 months to work things out. I did the best I could, we'll just have to be patient.

I'm happy to hear that your school is doing great and progressing. If Sebastian has an email, can you give it to me? oh dang, that reminds me that I haven't sent any new photos. You have to understand that I've been really busy. I promise that I will get those photos on CD. You will have new photos before this change ends.

Tell Jack I got his email that I appreciated it a lot. I was happy to know what has happened to our home teaching families. Mom, Dad, do your home teaching and visiting. Here in Pamplona, we have a problem with recent converts not going to church and going inactive because nobody visits them. I read Bruce R. McConkie's talk called "Just an Elder," and it really is an important part of the church. As a missionary it pains me to see recently baptized members lose that light they had in their eyes.

Well, my time is about up. Thanks for letting me know what's going down in Oceanside. I miss the Mexican food, let me tell you. Tell Abuelito Hector, Luis, and Abuelita Chole that I can't wait to return and speak to them in Spanish. Love you all, and please continue our geneaology. Hasta luego.

Elder Emiliano León

Lima

Hey Mom and Dad,

We had elections yesterday for los alcades en el Perú. That meant no church on Sunday, no proselyting, and no leaving the room. We were cooped inside for the whole day, and Peru experienced an entire day without the Restored Gospel being taught. Crazy stuff, and the rule about not leaving home was straight from the Area.

So that meant we didn't get to see the General Conference. We will be seeing it next weekend. Patience, like always. I have to thank you both for putting the names in the temple prayer list. Leslie and her mom are getting better, like they say in Monty Python. We have two boys that Elder Martinez and I are working on to get baptized. Juan Flores, who is 15 years old, and Giorgino, who is 13. Juan wasn't able to get baptized in September because his mom didn't allow him to, but we have no way to get in contact with her since she lives in a completely different city. Giorgino wants to get baptized, we just need to teach his whole family together, and get in contact with his father. They're really good kids, and they'll help the young men progress.

The missionary work here in Pamplona is great. Maybe not as great as I thought, but for what we have, it's good. My testimony has grown on the mission, being a district leader, I get to interview people for their baptisms. I've heard some intense and amazing stories. I'm almost certain that coincidences don't exist, because they're practically small miracles that occur every day if you have the Spirit with you.

Well my time is about up. Thanks for writing me and filling me in on what has happened in the General Conference. Now I have a preview of what to expect. I'll do my best to send photos. Take care and say hi to everyone back home for me.