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

Pisco and Baptisms

All is well over here in Pisco. That's great that you all got to see each other in San Antonio. I'm jealous because I didn't get to eat Rudy's nor Taco Tote. I got nothing close to Mexican food here in Pisco, and I miss it so much. The closest thing I have to authentic Mexican food are the corn tortillas I have in the fridge, and the can of beans. A Pizza run sounds excellent. We should have one when I return home, and go visit Santa Fe.
 
Tell Omar I said congratulations on finishing medical school, and that he's finally a doctor of medicine. He achieved a feat of strength ! Also tell Jaime Jr, tio Jaime,and tia Laura and Hugo that I said hello. If I get sick over here in Peru, I think I might pass a call to his office. I haven't gotten seriously ill lately. The worst I've had was a fever and sinus infection, but tha has passed already.
 
Well the weather in Pisco is starting to cool down with cloudy skies. Yesterday the Paracas winds picked up pretty strongly and blew dust all over the place. Oh, and there was a 6.3 earthquake in Ayacucho, and my companion and I felt the small aftershock yesterday. Strongest earthquake I've experienced so far, because I could feel the ground shifting side to side. It was similar to when standing up inside of a bus, and the driver accelerates and then puts the brakes. Anyway I'm alive and well, and the mission is going well. We have 3 baptisms planned this Saturday, and I'm praying ferverently that it will all go well.  

My companion and I had two baptisms this weekend, and I can't believe it's already June. Time flies by insanely fast. I see you guys uploaded my photos from Pisco, but the weird thing is I have a lot more than the ones put on the missionsite. Did the CD arrive messed up, or did you only select a few good ones? I'm happy to hear that Omar graduated and that the family got together to see him. I can't believe he grew out a beard. Does he think he can copy my style? I guess beards are in... and that's because I started that trend. And Jaime Jr lost a bunch of weight! Last time I saw him he was about Hugo's size. So much time has passed by, it's hard to believe that my cousins are all grown up and starting the long bumpy road called life. Pretty soon I'll be on that same road too when I get back.
 
I don't know if my package has arrived yet, but I'll call the mission office and check. Oh, by the way, did you happen to get Cousin Tony's email? Or Alicia's email? I've been wanting to get a hold of them, but Tony's email got deleted somehow, and Alicia I don't remember. Tell Tony I said hello that I hope he gets better.  
The mission is going smoothly, and requires a heap of work. The baptisms we had were two boys at age 16, Paolo, and the other at 13, Yair. Their mother is an inactive member since... long ago. Their father isn't a member, but he's a Danish Argentinian who speaks English and is working for gas pipes in Mexico. The brothers love to argue and make trouble, but they're good kids. I'll send a photo when I get the chance. We almost had a pack of crazy dogs attack us until I pegged one with a rock, and the neighbor yelled at me for being an animal abuser. It wasn't even her dog. That's the thing about Pisco is that there are dogs everywhere. Stray dogs and domestic.
 
Well my time is about up, and I have to close this session. Thanks for keeping in touch and uploading the photos with Omar and Tio Jaime and Charlie. It was cool seeing a glimpse of what has happened back home. Take care and stay safe. I love you both and I'll talk to you next week like always.
 
Elder Emiliano Leon




Paracas National Reserve

Hello Mom and Dad,

Sorry for the late reply, but I'm feeling a lot better now, and my cold went away. Nowadays in Pisco there are these strong gusty winds called Paracas that come in and reap the city with dust. Well, I'm used to it now thank goodness. Today our zone went to the National Reserve of Paracas, but because I've been here the longest, it was my fourth time visiting the place. The cool thing about today is that we passed by new locations, including the Candelabro, which is that giant carving of the "Tree of Life" that you guys mentioned to me. Apparently most people go to see it from a boat, which is something we can't do. However, one of the church members takes people to Paracas in his van as his job, and he used to take the missionaries to Paracas and knew a secret passageway into the peninsula. Cool thing about being an Elder is that you somehow get these insane connections with people because they love you. Anyway he told me that he used to go into Paracas all the time when he was a kid, so he knew about the pathway that hardly anyone goes through. It was pretty sweet.

Life is going smoothly here in Pisco, as usual. By the way the mission pays and is supposed to supply us with a new showerhead that heats water. If I don't get a new one I'll go and buy one. Winter is approaching, and cold showers on the roof with no doors, with only one curtain, and at 6:30 in the morning is not the most convenient of things to do. My companion Elder Tani is doing well, and I'm still training him and showing him the ropes. He has improved, and continues to do so. Jaime and his family were happy too to talk to you two on Mother's Day, and they say hello to you guys too. Anyway, thank you Mom and Dad for sending me another package. Well it's getting late and I need to close this email soon. Love you both and take care as always. I'll write those letters for my grandparents, and until next week, I'll see you later.

Elder Emiliano Leon