Andes, Prep-Day and Theatre

Hey Mom and Dad,
I finally got the pop tarts requested, and I've been munching on them non-stop. Well, this begins week 5 of 6 on my last change on the mission. Really though, time has flown by incredibly fast. Things are going smoothly here in Ayacucho, but sadly we cancelled our P-Day activity of taking group photos at every single one of the thirty three catholic churches in Ayacucho. I was told that it was postponed until July. Bummer. Together with Elder McEuen, us four missionaries were able to teach 41 lessons with investigators last week. Our ward mission leader owes us a treat for our hard work.

Nobody in the end this week was baptized, but we have one scheduled for this Saturday. Not much has happened this past week either as we are getting closer to the finish line. So instead, I'll send some cool photos I took while we were at Razzahuilka.


I doubt that I will have the option to fly back to Lima. Those decisions are made in the office, and I'm pretty sure that I'll be cooped up inside of a bus, but if it's only once, then I can deal with it.

Yes this is my last week on the mission and it's hard to believe.

Well, my time is about up. Really though, there isn't much else to write. If anything new and exciting occurs I'll fill you in on the news, but for now, I'll see you both later. Tell friends and family that I love them and miss them, and we'll talk to each other next week! Stay safe and take care. I love you both a lot and I can't wait to see you back home.

Ayacucho Zone

Hey Mom and Dad,

Yes, Elder Cucchi and I get along pretty well. He finishes the mission right after I do, so we have two veterans as companions. I know Elder McCeuen was a football player, but I'm not sure if he is a recent convert. I only got to know him for one week. He had to travel to Lima for some heart problems he's been having, but I called him last night and he says that he should be back by tomorrow. No, I didn't get my package yet. Knowing the office, I'll probably get a hold of it when I go back home. Elder Arellano the Peruvian did go back to Chorillos, and he was pretty stoked about it. Now, I haven't seen my twin Elder Martinez since I was in the office typing up documents, but everyone still says that we're related. All of the missionaries here are Elders. There are no sisters. Everyone here is new, so there are no missionaries who've returned to Ayacucho.

Well, like I said before, the rain stopped. Now it's just burning with the sun so close. I can't wait to go back to sea level and see the difference in oxygen levels. I can finally run without tiring out after 10 seconds. Today we plan to go to Razahuilca, which is some place in the mountains with a lake, as I've been told. The post mission feeling is starting to kick in. I'm starting to worry about what I'm gonna do when I get back, but I guess it's normal. I just gotta focus on the work.

Well, thanks for writing me back. I've been giving a real effort to serve others as a missionary, but that doesn't mean my crave for the vidya games has ended, haha. Really though, after all I've learned here on the mission, and remembering what the Papciak told me in high school, I have to go back and develop my skills in art. Anyway, my time on the mail is about up. Any updates on my facebook? Gessika was asking to see the paintings I made, but because I can't go on facebook or any other website, I wanted to know if my art was there to see. Well, I must best get going. I love you both, and tell the family that I still love them, and that I can't wait to come back and see them. Please take care, and I'll talk to you next week.

Elder Emiliano Leon

Service Project

Hey Mom and Dad,

It was great to hear from you both, and I was really happy to listen to what has been going down in Oceanside, even though nothing much has changed. This morning was chaotic non-stop action with moving the furniture into our new room, and a bunch of other small things. I am tired and I haven't eaten anything yet, and we still have to go pick up the room keys, eat lunch, buy more stuff for the new room, and play football. I feel like exploding because I'm in overload mode, but all I need now is just food and a nap, and I'll be a happy camper. Nothing new in Ayacucho as of yet. The weather is getting hotter. Anyway, my new companion is Elder Cucchi.
Anyway, 6 weeks are all that's left before I return home. I can't wait to eat some delicious Mexican food and American food. But let me tell you both, I'm going to miss Peruvian food because it's so good. Tell everyone in the ward that I said hi and I miss them. Same with our family; let them know that I miss them and that I can't wait to see them again. Anyway, we'll see what happens next week. Goodbye and I love you both. Take care.

Elder Emiliano León

Cold Water, Lunch,Natives and Baptisms

Dear Mother and Father in a far away land,

Elder Llontop is still my companion. His first name is José, and any last requests? Well, just the hard cover Book of Mormon in English with a small dedicatory for my companion. Oh, and if you can, Jesus the Christ in Spanish.

This week we again hit 30 lessons taught with members, and we had 3 baptisms. Zenaida, Aida, and Nelida were all baptized and confirmed this weekend. This makes our total baptisms for March 4. We have three more baptisms planned for the 16th of April, and we're hoping that everything will go as planned.

I forgot to tell you both, but Elder Llontop and I aren't bathing with hot water because we have no water heater. Every morning at 6:30am, we bathe with COLD water. Now, because we are in the mountains, the water is 100 times colder than Oceanside. Well, maybe not 100 times, but it's definitely uncomfortably cold, and we've been having the hardest time installing una terma para la ducha. First attempt, the water canals exploded in Ayacucho and there was no water for almost 5 days, and we lived off of bottled water. Second attempt, there was something wrong with the electricity. So as of now, we've been bathing in cold water.I love you both and we'll see each other again!

Elder Emiliano León

Cuy - Guinea Pig

Hey Mom & Dad
Sorry for not writing you guys on what's been going on here in Ayacucho. I figured since you've been craving for more photos, I'll just send photos with short updates on what has been going on.

Well, a bit on what has been going on. Here in Ayacucho, the rain continues to fall hard, and every day my shoes or my pants get wet. Yesterday as Elder Llontop and I were walking towards a cita, some crazy people threw a water balloon at me, and my pants were instantly soaked. Here in February, it's Carnaval, which means people throw water at each other.

The only thing I can think of that would be super awesome for you to send would be blueberry poptarts. Elder Arellano received pop tarts in the mail, and instantly my craving for hot pop tarts consumed me. Unfortunately, sending stuff here to the airport won't be that easy. Mejor mándalos a la oficina de la misión. That's my only request. Love you both very much and I miss home, but not too much. Take care and say hello to everyone.

Elder Emiliano León

P.S. About the man with the guinea pigs, I call his shack the Cuy Machine. He raises them to be eaten.

Beautiful

Hey Mom and Dad,

Right now I'm in Huanta, which is about 40 minutes from rest of us.
The ride had a bunch of turns and twists, and we all got a little sick
from the ride, but it passed. All of us are here for our P-Day.

So how are you liking the Peruvian food? Everyone says it's one of the
top cuisines in the world, though I'm not sure how accurate that
statement is. Either way the food is freakin amazing. How many
Peruvian restaurants did you find? I'd recommend you both try out some
Arroz con Pollo, and make sure the rice is green. Also try out some
Aji de Gallina, and if they have pan chapla, eat it. It's the most
delicious bread you can ever eat, and it's from Ayacucho. Some people
call it Jesus bread because it's similar to the unleaven bread.

The waiter from the restaurant, is he a member of the church too? Inca
Cola is delicious. At first I didn't like it, now I love it. Our
bishop's name is Jose De la Cruz Quispe, barrio Mariscal Caceres. I'll
see if I can dig up more infor on him. That's cool that Leissy posted
a message on my missionsite. I didn't baptize her, but I taught her
little brother, and she tells me that now the missionaries are
visiting her older brother and father. Before her house and family
were like, WE DONT LIKE MISSIONARIES. I guess things have changed.

That's too bad Van Dusen's health declined. You should pay him visits,
and then pray for his safety. Something the bishop here taught me was
that if we pray for something, we have better done our part. Faith
without works is dead. If we pray for someone's health, but haven't
visited them or talked to them or served them, it will be almost in
vain, because we didn't demonstrate our faith.

Well, that's all I got for now. When I get back, show me all of the
Peruvian restaurants, and I'll tell you which one is the best. I don't
recommend you try out Cuy, because supposedly only good Cuy is from
Ayacucho, and man it's delicious. The meat is a bit stringy, but good.
My time is running out so I'll talk to you both later. Take care and I
love you both. Say hi to everyone for me!

Elder Emiliano Leon

Ayacucho

Hey Mom and Dad,

Words cannot express how surprised I was that I got an emergency change to Ayacucho. Don't worry about the emergency, it's just that Elder Simmons was pretty ill from the altitude, so president had him go take my place in the office as the secretary of registros. My new companion is Elder Llontop, and he is from Chiclayo. He's another greenie, so this makes my fourth mark of training new missionaries. In realidad, Elder Simmons was his trainer, but had to leave after 3 weeks. I'm now the new trainer, which means I'm his stepfather. Oh, fun fact. I flew on a plane solo to Ayacucho. The ride was only 35 minutes long. In bus, the ride is 11 hours, so I got lucky to fly in a plane. My first lunch in Ayacucho was Cuy... in other words, GUINEA PIG. I ate a breaded and fried guinea pig for lunch, and I could see his little hands, feet, and head with rodent teeth. To my surprise, it was pretty tasty. I wouldn't mind eating cuy for a second time. People here say that you can only find good Cuy in Ayacucho.

There is only one stake for the whole department (or state) of Ayacucho, and one zone of missionaries. Elder Timothy is in Huanta, which is similar to Mala in that it's about an hour away from everyone else in the zone. Elder Allen is my zone leader, and he's in my group with Elder Timothy. We came to Peru on the same flight. To be honest, I don't know how far Macchu Picchu is from here. All I know is that I'm 9,000 feet above sea level, which is TWICE the height of the Sierra mountains when I went camping with the Guinness family. The air runs out quickly, so you can tell Brother Guinness where I'm hanging out.

People here speak Quechua, but it's not the pure form found in Cusco. Here in Ayacucho, it's like a tainted mix with Spanish, but I still have no idea what they're saying. I only know a few phrases like:

Imata Sutiki - Cual es tu nombre?
Ñoja kani - Mi nombre es
Ima Naya kashkamki - Como estas?

My companion knows more than I do, but you want to know something crazy? WViracocha means God. To the ancient Incas (look this up on Wikipedia, you'll be freakin amazed), Viracocha was their main God, whose myth has some crazy similarities. Such as forming humans and giants from the dust of rocks, and he destroyed them all with a flood. He left across the ocean to some far away land and reappeared as a beggar teaching humans a better way of life, scattering or regathering of lost tribes in the north and other far away lands. He was dressed in white and had a beard. He's a parrallel to Quetzacotl, the Aztec version of Jesus Christ.

What's even crazier is if you look at one of the ancient drawings of Viracocha, he's holding two sticks, and President Kimball said those were intepretations of the Stick of Judah and the Stick of Joseph. The stick of Joseph has two heads, and supposedly represent none other than Ephraim and Manassah.

There are beautiful landscapes in Ayacucho, and we're in raining season. One minute it's sunny, the next it's raining. My time has already ran out, but I'm assuming there are a bunch more cool myths lingering around here. There are 33 catholic churches here in the city of Ayacucho alone. I'll be sure to keep Tio Jaime y Tia Laura y Abuelito Hector in my prayers. If you would please include the names Leslie Quispe Contreras and Cesar Quispe Contreras in the temple prayer list, I would appreciate it a lot. One has cancer and the other has a brain tumor. Well, it was fun talking to you both. I'll be sure to load my camera with photos of Ayacucho, and I'll talk to you both next week!

Elder Emiliano León

Life in Office

Hey folks,

First things are first. I am horribly sorry for not wishing you a happy birthday, Dad. Really though, I was in the thick of a bunch of movement because that Monday I arrived in San Isidro, the really rich part of Lima. Tuesday the new missionaries arrived, so I was booked until 10pm. I was so tired I couldn't remember even the small things. It was quite lame.

Other than that, life is good in the office. It's not so bad as everyone else makes it to be. Imprisoned and all that. We really hardly ever go out to proselyte, except on weekends. Even then, it's not that effective at all. It's nothing like being out in the field, because in the field, you're worried about your investigators. Here you're worried about everything else, and you kind of get rusty on your preaching skills. It's normal when you're in the office from 8am to 9pm. Us office elders planned to make rotations on leaving early during the week to proselyte. Us office elders are myself, my companion Elder Granados (who is from Chimbote), Elder Schofield from CA, and Elder Almonacid from Chile.

So now that we are in the money side of Peru, the preaching is like the USA. People don't see a need for the gospel as much now that they have dough in their pockets. We're gonna have to work through the members, which is ironic since we're almost never there in our area proselyting, and the members know that. I get all kinds of phonecalls, actually. From the MTC, the church missionary department, and other missions. I'm waiting for a phonecall from the General Offices of the church. Just so you know, President Manning has some crazy ties with the First Presidency. I think it's for all mission presidents. Here's an example; we had a missionary become very ill to the point where he was hospitalized for a couple of weeks. President Manning called the First Presidency, and the whole Quroum of the Twelve Apostles, and the First Presidency prayed for the missionary in the temple. He's alright now and doing perfectly fine. I'm sure anyone who would have those men praying for you would feel secure. Another fun fact, President Manning interviewed a man for baptism who shot someone and left him for dead, and doesn't know if he is alive or dead. This baptism requires the approval of the First Presidency. It just amazes me how many people are living on the earth today without the light in their eyes and don't know where to turn for peace.

Anyway, I got to help Elder Souza with his package. I got my third package. Office phone number is the same: 222-4445. Our schedule is basically being cooped up inside all day managing the mission. Can you imagine a mission of 217 missionaries being ran by 4 twenty year-old kids? Didn't think so. My companion and I contacted a Jewish lady, so that was cool. She was interested, but didn't accept a folleto or Book of Mormon because she's real faithful to her ancestors and their faith. If I were just two seconds quicker, I would have given her a family history pamphlet or tell her how the Book of Mormon talks about the tribe of Joseph. But we'll have to wait another day.

Well my time is up and I gotta run. Don't get freaked if my letters come late, because I have almost no time now for anything, believe it or not. Love you both and wish the best. Say hi to all my family, and work on that family history! Please!

Elder Emiliano León

Miraflores

Hey Mom and Dad,

Sorry about the late reply, but ironically, although I am in front of the computer every day, I had no time to write you both an email. I was able to squeeze in one hour for today.

So you both went to Quickwok? That's cool. I didn't think Liz, AJ, or Abe would still be there. Tell them that I miss real chinese food, because over here in Peru, it's basically many different combinations of fried rice. It's really good, but it gets old when you don't have that much variety. I will definately send you recent photos of the mission, so don't worry about that. The time just does not give me space.


So we have a new Stake President? What's his name? I can't believe that I'll be reporting back to a different face. Although I am here in the office a lot, President Manning only comes in Mondays. Speaking of President Manning, us office bums and the assistants went bowling with him... in a ridiculously beautiful rich place called the Larcomar in Miraflores. Holy Moses that was a beautiful shopping mall / restaurant look out over the ocean on a cliff. After walking in relatively poor areas, I felt unworthy to set foot in such a gorgeous location... much less as a missionary.


The office elders are cool. I get along with them just fine. We started a new schedule where we rotate days to go proselyte. On Sunday we ate dinner with, I kid you not, a neurosurgeon. He showed us X-Rays of a recent patient he had to operate on, who was a 2 year old boy with a tumor a third of the size of his head... only it was inside. It turns out it was an intestine. You might be wondering what is an intestine doing inside of the head of a 2 year-old boy? When someone has cancer, the cells divide and multiply uncontrollably. So normally the cells that would be brain tissue, suddenly decide they want to be intestine tissue, and worse is that they would be in the wrong place. Crazy stuff that really you don't see every day.


I do have a favor to ask of you both. I've had quite a few families that I've met on the mission add me on Facebook, but it turns out I need to accept their "Friend Invitation" in order for them to see my photos and contact info. I was hoping that you both could enter my facebook account and accept the many friend invites that I may have received. Just go to www.facebook.com and look for "friend invites" or something similar.


Well my time is shrinking, and I must get going. Thanks for emailing me. Tell everyone (family, friends, ward members) that I said hello and that I still remember them. Oh, and Mom, Happy Birthday. I'm sorry I couldn't send you a birthday card, but I just want you to know that I do love you a lot. Even though I might forget some things, like birthdays, it doesn't change the fact that I have a great mother, and that I love you. Take care and we'll talk next week.


Elder Emiliano León

Whoa! Lima, Peru Downtown Missionary Office !

Whoooaa !,

Hey guess what? I got an exchange. Can you believe it? I can't believe it either. I didn't want to leave Pamplona because the people there are amazingly cool. I was sad to leave, but fortunately, this time I got to say goodbye to everyone I wanted. I didn't leave Pisco unstatisfied. Oh, by the way, Tessy got baptized, and was confirmed on Sunday. I am very happy for her, because now when she smiles, it isn't fake like it was the first time we met her. There's true happiness in her eyes now, and it was worth every minute of it. It was sad though to leave her, but no worries, she is in good hands with Elder Hesselgesser, and the rest of barrio Pamplona.

So you might be asking, where in the heck did Elder León get changed to? I got changed to the freakin office. I'm now working as the Secretario de Registros. Basically I'm in charge of Baptism records, Immigration, and Medicine ( the guy you call when you're sick). I'm going to be in here getting super bored, as what I've been told... and not be leaving to go proselyte as much. My companion is Elder Granados, who is the Finance Secretary. It's funny because all I've heard about the office is "Oh no! So boring! Wasting time blah!"

Well, at least we eat super good, super nice rooms, and a super nice rich area, so I won't be going up cerros all day. The mission has flown by so quickly. On New Year's Eve, in barrio Pamplona, la familia Cajahuaman lost their son, George, of 28 years. The parents are old, and their 7 children are all active in the church, but they lost their second son in an accident at work, so all of the New Year's activities were canceled, and the funeral service was held Saturday night, and they buried him on Sunday after church. It was quite sad, and alas, I must be going. Finally got to send you both a message, and I want to tell you both to take care. Love you both and I hope the best for you.Tell everyone I said hi.

Elder Emiliano León

After Christmas

Hey Mom and Dad,

Like I said the night of Christmas, Merry Christmas. It's hot over here in Peru and people are afraid of using fans because supposedly you'll die from pneumonia. It's pretty weak.

Anyway, I got an email from Elder Souza who is in the Lima Central Mission. He said he got an extension of two months to serve a mission, and is doing well. He asked me to send him a luggage because his broke down, and doesn't have the means to secure a new one. It was cool hearing from him finally.

Well, I don't have much to add for this week except for the fact that our 5 baptisms programmed for this month are starting to get shaky, but we aren't giving up on them just yet. Tessy is for sure going to be baptized this Saturday. Aldair the 8 year old boy wants to get baptized, but his mom doesn't want him to get baptized in any church (much less ours) because she thinks that like a boy he'll forget about it as he grows up like a toy. She's hanging out in Rome right now for her job. Thankfully, her 24 year old sister Leissy is helping him along going to church. Katya and Melissa told us they think January 15 is too soon for their baptism because they don't know as much. Cesar (22 years old) wants to get baptized to feel the Holy Ghost more in his life, but is having trouble going to church on Sundays.

Anyway, that's the scoop on what's been going down for Peru. Thanks for writing, and I'll get back to you both next week. Love you both, and see you later.

Elder Emiliano León

Fasting and Prayers

Hey Mother and Father,

I got the package you both sent. Cupcakes, candies, and baseball caps. I haven't opened it yet because we're going to go bowling right after the internet machine. Things are going well on the mission too. This Saturday we have a baptism programmed for a 17 year old girl named Tessy. She's really cool, and to make her story short, if there was anyone who needed a family and friends because her world was a bit ignorant of her needs, it would be Tessy, and I'm happy that she has taken a step of faith to follow Jesus Christ.

Well, I'll share a personal experience with you both. Elder Hesselgesser and I fasted for God to help us find those who can really be baptized. We fasted to give us guidance on what we can do to find His elect and bring them into the fold, and I kid you not, but 10 investigators came to church, and we didn't even go to pass by their homes to pick them up.

Yeah about the photos, I made a DVD disc of all of the photos that I have on my camera, the only problem is that the disc somehow went wack, and it doesn't read. I'll think of another way to get those photos. My comp and I learned that when one demonstrates more faith in keeping the commandments, their prayers are answered more quickly. We found that out in the Book of Mormon when the Lord was slow to answer prayers because of the wickedness of the people.

Well my time is up. Another fun story, my comp and I were teaching a family, and the baby boy of 1.5 years walks to my comp and hands him a butcher knife by the blade, and then later brings matches. His name is Leo, and he is the funniest kid in the world. He'll brake people's things, slap your face if you're sleeping, loves to be annoyed, but if you bring him a plant he starts crying becuase he's afraid of plants. Also, he's got a mullet because his Mom never cut his hair since he was born, because Leo goes crazy when they want to cut his hair. Anyway, I hope you both are doing fine. Work on losing that weight, it'll be good for you. I'll talk to you both next week.

Elder Emiliano León

Incredible Story

Hello Mom and Dad,

I have an incredible story to tell you both. Well everything is riding
smoothly in Pamplona. We could use more help from the members to teach
families and find new investigators. I remember before I left for the
mission, I wasn't too excited about sharing the gospel with other
people. Well, irony is cruel because nearly all of my areas that I've
been in the church members don't really help us out with missionary
work. A few do help us out, but they're very limited to the help they
can present because of work and school. So, Mom and Dad, I urge you to
pray for opportunities to share the gospel with the missionaries to
family or friends. It will be a blessing for you, the church, and the
missionaries. It's something I learned in the temple about sacrifice.

Well, that's about all of what's going on in Pamplona. We're preparing
a 13 year old boy for baptism this Saturday. His name is Jorgino, and
he really wants to seguir aprendiendo mas acerca de la iglesia. He has
permission from his mother who really wants to help him out, but his
father is the one we need help with. He recently gave his son
permission, but he himself is like Abuelito Hector, catholic and a bit
hard hearted. We're going to see him and talk to him for the first
time tonight. Rock n roll.

I'll tell you about an icredible story that happened here in the
mission. It all happened before I got my change from Pisco to
Pamplona. It starts with a missionary who already finished his
mission. His name is Elder Jay. I was never in the same zone as he
was, but I did get to know him for only 5 hours during a zone
conference.

Well the story goes like this: He lives in California, but
he was an adopted child from Peru and never knew his biological
family. Well, he grew up in a family who are church members, and he
got his mission call to the Peru, Lima South mission, and he was
excited. He asked President Manning for permission to look for his
parents, and it was granted. Well, fast forward the scene, and 1 week
before he finishes his mission, he still hadn't found his family.
Elder Jay, while in Chorrillos, asked his pensionista for help, and
she was able to get the data for him, and found out that his family
lives somewhere in Pamplona Alta. With permission from President
Manning he went to our zone and asked for the missionaries to find his
family. Some 5 days left before his mission ends, Elder Bearnson and
Elder Xicay found his mother and told her that her adopted son is a
missionary from the church, and that he's here and wants to meet her.
Four or three days left, Elder Jay finally got the opportunity to meet
his biological mother who gave him up for adoption about some twenty
years ago. He entered the home and saw his family all waiting for him
and asked, "I heard that my mother is somewhere here, where is she?"
So they told him that Carmen was his mother, and Elder Jay finally got
to meet her, but only for two days.

He gave his testimony with tears
in his eyes that Sunday meeting, and said that he wanted her to know
the restored gospel, but that she would decide for herself to be
baptized.

Well, Elder Bearnson and Elder Huaman ended up teaching her family,
and they got baptized yesterday Sunday morning. I interviewed Jasmine,
Jesus, Elder Jay's siblings; and Carmen, his mother. In fact, his
mother asked me to baptize her. I don't know why she asked me, but I
think it's because I told her I'm from the same state as her son. I am
convinced that our Heavenly Father answers prayers.

So, there you have it. God exists. The odds of that happening are so
slim, it's just a testimony builder. My time is up, and I have to get
going. Hope you enjoy the story.

Elder Emiliano León

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.

Back in Lima, Peru ! Pamplona Area

Hola Mom and Dad!

Well, guess what? I finally got changed from Pisco and I am now in Lima. I'm in San Gabriel with my new companion Elder Martinez from Nicaragua. I'm now district leader, which means I get to do the baptismal interview for the investigators. San Gabriel is way different than Pisco. There are a bunch of cerros, or hills. But these aren't grassy hills. They're dirt hills, and they're crazy steep. It's like if the people constructed one house on top of another.

It was sad leaving Pisco. It was inevitable, but I didn't have time to say goodbye to all of the members of Pisco Playa or write un recuerdo, because I had to leave at 5pm the same day, and pack all of my stuff. I guess now I'm gonna have to write and mail a lot of recuerdos to Pisco Playa. Plus it's a bit colder and cloudier in Lima than in Pisco.

Well, it's a new area, new Elders, new members, new ball game. I've never been a district leader, but there's always time to learn. En verdad, gracias por su ayuda por animarme. Creo que es porque yo estaba en un solo área por mucho tiempo. Ahora son nuevas personas, y solamente tengo que enfocarme en la obra. Bueno gracias por escribirme. Les amo mucho y nos vemos la proxima semana.

Elder Emiliano León

Pisco Playa

Hola Mom and Dad,

Well I'm still in Pisco as usual. I'll get to sending photos next week. Things have changed pace on the mission, and today I don't have a lot of time. My new companion is Elder Berrú and he is from Piura, Perú. Apparently there has been an update on how we do things, so this week is going to be a mass training week for all of the missionaries, or something like that. Anyway, I'll let you know more on that next week.

The weather here is still cloudy and cold. Some days it gets sunny and warm, but all of the nights are still the same... cold. My spanish is at a fairly good level and I believe I can communicate on an easier level. Now that Pisco Playa and Pisco Pueblo are now separate with regards to missionary work, it's easier to focus and help Pisco Playa. My companion and I are working hard to bring more investigators to church.

There are now 16 missionaries in Pisco, and I'm pretty sure I'll be staying here until October. We were able to bring a lady named Graciela to church this Sunday. Her two daughters were baptized in Lima, and I think that has helped her be more receptive to the gospel. We're using the help of la familia Zavala since they live nearby. Funny story coming up. I told the bishop that I wanted to play the piano for the hymns, but it just so happened that the book closed on me while playing, and I ended up pressing the wrong keys and ruining the whole movement. It's actually not so hard playing piano. Thanks to the guitar classes I took, I'm able to play, I just need to practice a lot.

Well my time is almost up. I'll be sure to get those photos coming, and write in Spanish from now on. Say hello to the familia and all, and I'll talk to you guys next week.


Elder Emiliano León

Prep Day & Almost 1 year in Pisco

Hola Mom and Dad,

You're not gonna believe what I am about to tell you, but I didn't get an exchange. In fact, I'm staying in the same area, and I am going to be training another new missionary again. If I don't get any cambio loco, then that means I'll be in Pisco until October. All of the other missionaries were laughing when they heard I was staying. We joke about how President Manning forgot that I even exist. La familia Hernandez esta felíz que no voy a salir. Tambien los miembros de la iglesia estaban soprendidos cuando escucharon que me quedaría aqui.

My companion Elder Tani will be staying in Pisco, but he will be a serving in Pisco Pueblo, and his new companion will be arriving today. I, on the other hand, am staying in Pisco Playa, and my new companion won't be arriving until Wednesday. Elder Juarez, my trainer still serves his mission. He called me the other night and told me that he will be training another missionary too. What does all of this mean? I will have two sons, and a brother on the mission. A family of missionaries.

It has been cloudy and cold lately. Daytime sometimes the sun beams down on us, but at night the cold sweeps in. I miss all of the food back home. Jaime made some burgers, but they're not as good as In n Out nor Rocky's. So my gramps thinks he can outlast injuries and illnesses by manning up and taking it. Good luck. I'm happy that he's in doctor's care now. As always, tell the family I said Hi and that I love them all. Enough to the point where I miss them. If you're going to send another package, send corn and flour tortillas, with the album REQUIEM by Gioseppi Verdi. I'm craving for tortillas. Love you both and take care!

Elder Emiliano Leon

Spirit of God

Hello Mom and Dad,

I'm fine on the mission as always. I believe I've learned to distinguish when the spirit is present and when it's not. President Manning talked about just how important it is to have the spirit present when you teach. Elder Moser, who already finished his mission, gave a cool lesson about the Holy Spirit. It's basically the same situation as if we had planted a seed, or want an egg to hatch. We cannot force the process to advance faster, but we can nurture it and change the environment so that growth will take place.

It's the same when teaching investigators. I've had moments when my companion and I were teaching with and without the spirit. It's something small and subtle that you can feel, but you can't explain.

I've been reading A Marvelous Work and Wonder, and Mom, you're right about that book. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you told me that the same book helped you become more active. I can see why, since everything it explains is so clear and concise when talking about the Restoration.

Well the next exchange is in July 18 I believe, and I'll be in Pisco until then. I will have 9 months in my area, which is pretty intense. Most missionaries are only there for 4 to 6 months. I can't believe that I already completed a year, really.

Pisco Playa finally received a new bishop since they had none since February. It's hard working with 2 wards, but it's all for the experience. Yesterday was the most intense case of Paracas winds. It's basically a sandstorm when the winds blow in from the sea and pick up all of the fine dust on the National Reserve, and all of Pisco is bathed in a golden fog... of dust. It was cool but lame at the same time, because you couldn't see what was about 25 meters in front of you, but as we walked, our shirts changed from white to cream. I would blow my nose and dust would shoot out. But no worries.

Today is absolutely normal.Yes I got my package with my book and razors, and the card arrived. I'm still here with my companion Elder Tani in the same place. I think I'm going to be here for 9 months. I already finished my first year, and it all flew by so quickly.

Anyway, here in Pisco the members ask me, "Elder León, when do you leave? How long have you been here? Aw, don't leave us!" They're really cool and help us with our references. The only difficulty is that we have two wards, so we're covering a huge area. We lose time traveling from one area to another and going to meetings. We have one baptism planned for July, and are going to try to plan two more.

News flash: Apparently my request was granted, and President Manning will be sending two more missionaries to one of the two wards my companion and I are taking care of.We've been cruising along, and are planning to have a baptism this week, if time will allow us.

I'll be completing 8 months in Pisco soon, and I'm almost 80 percent sure that I'll be leaving Pisco this time. The next change comes in July 18. If by some chance I stay here, that means I'll complete 9 months and leave at the end of August.

The other missionaries here in Pisco and the members are all telling me I should go and buy my piece of land and build my home since I haven't left.The people told me "Lo siento hermano León, pero los Estados Unidos ya no están en el mundial." Peruvians are all talking about the World Cup. Part of me wants to leave Pisco and visit other places, and a part of me wants to stay because I got accustomed to the people here.

Time is up and I gotta be closing this letter. Love you both and say hello to everyone back home. I mean it, because a hello echoes and leaves huge effects. Until next week!


Elder Emiliano Leon

Wards Pisco Playa & Pisco Pueblo

Hey Mom and Dad,

Yes I finally got my package. Had to pay 22 Nuevo Soles, but it worked out. Apparently if the package weighs to much or contains items of value, some other company detains it or checks it, and then slaps on a price. That's what the office told me, anyway. I haven't opened it yet, but it's right here next to me.

Well I'm glad to hear that the family is doing fine. Oil spill in the gulf ? Didn't hear anything about that. Obama having concerts during a crisis ? That's incredible. I did read something about contamination and Obama and water in the newspaper in Pisco, but it was only a glance. I figured that's what it was.

Anyway, I've been really busy in Pisco. I don't know if I told you two, but my companion and I are in charge of two wards. Pisco Playa and Pisco Pueblo. Our area is huge. The size is like the beachfront in Oceanside to Sprinter station on El Camino Real. The bad thing is Pisco Pueblo está mejorando, mientras Pisco Playa está bajando en progresso. Members in Playa are inactive, and my companion and I are going to have to start the reactivation process soon, but I believe it's for the better.

I'm probably going to buy a small radio and USB, so don't be surprised if there's a sudden drop in the card. Thanks for sending me the package, though. Getting a package is like receiving pie, it's so good. I can't believe that I will be completing 1 year in Pisco in 4 days. Time flies by, and well my time is running out so I better cut this letter short. I really enjoy the missionary work. At some times it's frustrating and stressful, but it's all worth it when you bring people to Christ. President Manning said there's a light in their eyes, and I think I'm starting to understand what he meant. Well I better get going. Thanks for the package, and tell everyone in Oceanside 3rd ward I said hello. Love you both.

Elder Emiliano Leon