Dave's Wonderful Week

I've got a wonderful week to write you about, and a terrible keyboard. I can promise you'll be seeing spelling errors.

Ok. So starting off with Thursday:

This week Elder Slade and I accompanied Lupe R. to the temple so that she could be endowed. It was incredible. She saw us just before entering into the temple doors. I figured she would say "Elders, It's so good to see you"! or "Oh! It's been so long"!.....instead she just clasped my hand and whispered "Thank you....Thank you so much. I can't wait to see what other blessings God has in store for me". The joy we felt was something unique, a very special spirit dominated us most of that day.

 Of course that was an incredible experience, but the real blessing came afterwards as we ate lunch.

As we talked with her and the other ward members that came with her, we talked about the baptisms the ward had seen since we left. As they began to list off names I realized that many of them were investigators that we had found, or that we had prayed for, hoping one day that they would progress. They talked about those whom we had baptized and their current activity in the church. Touching upon one convert they said: "She hadn't been to church in about 8 months, but then, just like that, she came back about 3 weeks ago".

3 weeks ago I had sent her a letter, telling her that if she ever found herself straying from the church she should think about her baptism, about the covenants she made, and about the spirit she felt. I promised her that greater blessings awaited her in that chapel than anywhere else on earth.

I learned 2 great lessons this week. 1- No missionary effort goes to waste 2. A letter of support to a convert is a lot more important than we may think it is.

So that was awesome! And.....well thinking about it that's most everything!

We've been knocking doors a lot lately. It's not that bad actually, so we'll see what the rest of today has in store! Tomorrow's the real p-day. We'll be going to the water fountain park....eh...I've seen it before so it shouldn't be that exciting!

I love you all!!!

Looking forward to another week of work,

Elder Winn

So. Here's what happened.

Sunday afternoon we're on our way to lunch with the zone leaders (about 2:00) and they get a message from Sister Larson, saying that Elder Castillo and I will be going to the mission home from 5:00 to 6:30, and they just wanted to give the ZL's a heads up. I thought they faked the message, so they ended up calling Sister Larson (then we believed them, although we still didn't know why we were going).

About an hour later the assistants call, letting us know that we will be eating dinner with the president and his family, them, and another companionship and that we needed to be at the offices at 5:00.

After much excitement and confusion we arrived.

They live in a very nice apartment on the 19th floor. The elevator opened right up to their house. We talked for a bit as Sister Larson finished cooking and the kids finished setting the table. Elder Jarvies and his companion were the other guests. It was the perfect Sunday dinner, Just like Aunt Jan makes. Plus they had blueberries, raspberries and kiwi, which I haven't eaten in at least 2 years, and really, really, really good rolls.

And at some point in the dinner I gave President Larson the "Hey, why did you guys do all of this for us" look. To which he responded:

"Well, we missed Elder Perkin's (the assistant's) birthday a few days ago, and we wanted to greet the new Elders (Elder Castillo, and Elder Quispe, Jarvies companion). But mostly, we wanted to thank you two (Elder Jarvies and I). You've graciously stepped down from a leadership position and have stepped into some very difficult sectors, in some cases with difficult companions and have never complained. So, thank you. Enjoy!

Wow. It was amazing.

Also Lupe R. from Rimac will be getting endowed this week. Thursday I'll be going to the temple with Elder Slade.

I bought awesome stuff today.

I'm quite happy.

Well, Unfortunately I don't have a lot of time, but here's a quick re-cap of this week.

-We've found about 15 new investigators these past few weeks, it's been cool, but kind of disappointed, not many of them are married and they cohabitate, which is a big problem here, and they few that remain are a bit unmotivated.

-I got word from the assistants that Lupe R. (from Rimac) will be going to the temple this Thursday and Elder Slade and I will have the privilege of going with her!!!!

-I went on Interchanges to "la Chalaca". It was a Peruvian slum. It was awesome. I was there for about 3 working hours and we found 4 new investigators. What!?

Those were pretty much the highlights. We had a stake conference and the president of the Lima, Peru temple spoke. He's Italian and was hilarious!!!

I've got to go....and I feel bad for not writing much..

Oh dear, how will we ever live up to this???

BLOG

June 13, 2016

Happy Birthday Mother Dearest, I thought I'd write something special.

(No subject)

This week we met several new investigators. Although none of them are married, and they all live together so....It will be pretty hard for them to progress.... We're striving to see miracles so...the work goes on!

Well, nothing much happened this week workwise, so I'd like to take the opportunity to share some reflections I've made lately.

I'd like to share what I learned in my personal study today:

Proverbs 22: 15:

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

The rod of correction sounds quite painful.

Hahaha, on a more serious note, I did find one scripture that stood out amongst all those approving child discipline.

Proverbs 17:6

"Children’s children are a crown to the aged,
    and parents are the pride of their children"

While I don't have grandchildren, I can affirm that I am proud of my parents, for twenty long years they have done everything within their power to make sure I could have the brightest future possible. I have had two years to remember all the lessons they taught, all the love they shared, and all the sacrifices they made.

Even while not physically present, I feel their love every day while I'm out here. It's in the sacrifices made to pay for my service. It's in the testimony I bear whenever I speak of eternal families, or the power of sealing ordinances. But most of all it's in the love that I am able to freely give to this people, having been able to feel so much from two loving parents.

My parents have been near-perfect examples to me (hahaha, whether they believe it or not). Never have I met two people more dedicated to providing a loving atmosphere for their children. Never have I met anyone as hard working as my Father, nor anyone with an intellect and determination as fierce as Mother's.

What moves me more than anything else is the knowledge that through hard hard work, and much determination they have attained heights known to few men.

Mother and Father epitomize the words:

"The Heights by great men reached and kept

were not obtained by sudden flight

but they, while their companions slept,

were toiling upward through the night."

All that I am, and all that I have done I owe to both my earthly and heavenly parents.

I testify that God lives and loves us. We are His children, and as such we have a divine potential. Let us strive to make our parents proud, just as we are proud of them.

I'm doing really well. I'm as happy as can be, and I hope all of you are as well!

Love,

Elder Winn

P.S.
ALSO I GOT TO MEET ELDER RASBAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'LL make sure to include my notes in next weeks letter! What an amazing man

 Dave learned to make a mean omelet

 Dave's new hair cut

 Working during a power outage

 His companion cleaned his desk

He might need to bring him home!!

Hey everyone!

I hope you are all doing well!

Well, I'll start off by letting you all know that I'll be staying here with Elder Castillo!!!

And that's the last update you'll be getting from me about my companions!

In case you missed something here's the list:

MTC- Elder McPhie

In Field- Elder Glassford (finished October 2014)

Elder Villarruel, Santa Fe, Argentina (finished November 2015)

Elder Merino, Piura, Peru, (finished February 2015)

Elder Slade Murray, Utah (Currently serving in La Libertad)

Elder Ango Chanchamayo, Peru (finished November 2015)

Elder Aroni Cuzco, Peru, (finished October 2015)

Elder Ramirez Tarija, Bolivia, (finished December 2015)

Elder Diaz Cali, Colombia, (Currently training in Limatambo)

Elder Tonga Highland, Utah, (finished March 2016)

Elder Villarroel Mendoza, Argentina, (currently serving in Limatambo

Elder Castillo, San Luis, Argentina.

So it’s been a blast!!! I can honestly say I've learned more from my companions than I ever could have in any class, any fireside, or any other way. You'll spend more time with them in a day than you will with anyone else.

Each one of them is a son of the Living God who knows and loves them perfectly. In spite of their imperfections, I have always strived to see them as He would. It's been amazing.

And, as for the work side of things.....everything’s going great! We've got a family of 4 all with a baptismal date for the 3rd of July! Which would be even cooler if I knew their names!!! Hahaha Elder Castillo was on an interchange when he found them, so I haven't actually met them yet! Although while on that interchange I also had the privilege of meeting Henry Anton. While we only spoke for about 10 minutes in his house, we taught a really powerful lesson on faith! He's looking forward to church on Sunday and a visit this Tuesday!!!

Sorry I can't send pictures!!! This internet cafe is lame!!!

I love you guys!!! I'm really happy and I'm doing great!!!

-Elder Winn

P.S. As always P-day was playing soccer for a couple of hours!!!