Rain in Lima?!

Hola Familia and Buenos Dias from Perú!!! 

Hehehe

This week was good, crazy, and lots of things happened! 

Monday: For p-day, we went to Lima Central and took a tour of the National Futbol Stadium!! We were the first zone of missionaries to ever take a tour of it, and it was awesome!!!!! hahaha. It was huge and beautiful and so cool!! Then we went to this giant market called Polvos Azules which has a bunch of really cool things for really cheap! It was awesome!! Hahaha. 

We went to the plaza de arms, which is where the cool buildings and stuff are where we went last time and had some free time to shop and everything. It was great! but I got SO sunburnt... ouch... hahahaha. I am definitely needing to wear sunscrean! hahaha. 

Tuesday: I had eaten a really bad hamburger the night before so I was pretty sick all Monday night and into Tuesday... BUT.... We went to an investigators house and she STILL hadn´t prayed about Joseph Smith or the Book of Mormon. so we watched the Restoration video with her. Wow. The spirit was so strong! I could tell she could feel it too because she was all quiet and even touched her heart a couple of times. ahhh. So cool. It was so awesome and we could bear testimony of it and she commited to pray and ask! 

Wednesday: We had a special Missionary  Broadcast that was spread across the world! It was sooooo cool and so good! It was a mixture of talks and videos of a missionary discussion with some of the general authorities! So good! and it was fun to see everyone from the old zone too since we all met together! 

I got a super awesome letter from the Stake too about all the missionaries in our stake who are serving missions!! So cool! I loved seeing where everyone was! 

Thursday: Just a normal day... bUT It RAINED!!!!! IN LIMA!!!! AHHHH!!! IT was sooo cool! The sky was all cloudy and we didn´t think too much about it since we heard it never rains in Lima, but IT DID!!!! I loved it!! All the people, however, immediately went into their houses so there wasn´t a lot of contacting that happened that day... Hahaha. 

Friday: We had a special training with President Erickson! He talked about the Godhead and used a bunch of scriptures! He is awesome! So smart and such a good teacher! elder Nielsen, the assistant, did a training about the 4th Missionary (this SUPER awesome Missionary talk that every missionary or missionary-in.training should read) and I felt SUPER motivated after! We had a work visit with the Sister Training Leaders after that. I was with Hermana Eliason in her area. It was cool! we went to go visit this lady who is blind-- She had had a bad accident and lost her sight. but her husband is blind too and they are massage therapists! Hahaha. So cool! at the end of the lesson she asked me what color my eyes were since I told her I was from California. It was cool. I have never been asked that question before. It was cool and I told her they were brown and Chinese! she loved that! hehe

Saturday: We finished the work visit. That night we went to go visit the family of one of our recent converts. We were talking to the dad about what was keeping him from being baptized and he told us that he wasn´t ready and also that he works on Sunday and that´s one of the busiest days (he drives a taxi). I promised him that if he went to church on Sunday and didn´t work, he would have enough money to provide for his family. it was cool and I could tell he felt it! 

Sunday: We had our stake conference! It was awesome! 

Unfortunately, we are having a few problems with our baptism dates. 

Luis is being a little rebellious and is struggling... we are working a lot with him

Javier, we found out yesterday has a girlfriend he´s living with-- WHAt?! we asked him and he never mentioned or said ANYTHiNG about it or her... eek. 

We left with a member named Pëdro.. He´s awesome!!! 

Welp, Familia!! That ´s my week. I hope your week has been awesome!!! i love you and miss you guys like crazy but i am LoViNG the work!! I hope you have an awesome week! 

Hugs and Kisses from Perú!!! 

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

-- 

Love, 

Hermana Andrus

Summertime

Hola Familia!! 

HOLY COW.... it is getting SO hot here! It´s weird thinking that it´s cold in the states and that it could be so hot here!!! Ahhh... Hahahaa. The thing is, the sun itself isn´t so burning hot, but it is so humid so it always feels like I am sweating and I´m constantly using folletos (pamphlets) to fan myself! Hahaha. 

This week was crazy busy, and there´s lots to write, so hold tight! 

Monday: For P-Day, we did a Carnaval, which is basically a waterballoon fight! It was lots of fun and in the end, it ended up we just all poured buckets of water on each other! hahaha. Then, w ewatched Up-- so trunkie, but I love that movie! 

Tuesday: We had a multi-zone conference with President Erickson! We talked a lot about the plan of Salvation and did some practices, which were AWESOME and helped so much! They fed us sloppy joes and KIWI´s for lunch! Yum! Hahaha. That evening we had a work visit with Elder Parra (our Zone Leader-- from CAlifronia too, but he came knowing Spanish! hahaha) It was good, but we found out we have to teach our investigators a lot of lesson 1 again to really build their testimony. But it was good and I really felt like I learned a lot! 

Wednesday: We had our zone meeting and my district leader, Elder Pitcher, gave this really good training all about how there is the Plan of Salvation and then there´s the Plan of the Mission. And just like how our short time here on earth affects our life after this earth, our  short time here in the mission determines how the rest of our lives will be! It was so good and I felt SO motivated!! I really don´t want to just wish away my mission! Hahaha. So I decided to stop counting how many days I have in my journal. And it has helped! A Lot!! hahaha. 

Thursday: We had lunch with the Familia Sanches. The dad of the family is this super sweet little old man, valentine, who LOVES missionary work and loves the Lord so much! it was aweomse! So delicious! He has dentures, but apparently this new pair he has was made badly, so he was without dentures!! Hahahaha. UIt was so funny! He is a crack-up and we love him! They fed us this delicious salad that made me REALLY miss veggies!! hahah. Never thought I would say that ,did you mom?! Hahaha. 

That evening we were able to find JAVIER! One of our baptismal dates who we hadn´t been able to find for a couple of days! woot! 

Friday: we had a Lamanita in the morning with the Sister Training Leaders, which basically means that they come and chekc up on us! It was good!

Next, we went to go visit the kids of Miriam (our baptism for this week) Luis, and Dora Rosa. We went with our District Leader and our Zone Leader. Dora was being all shy and hiding behind a notebook, and our districty leader was just like... "Can you give me your notebook?" she gave it to him and he said " we want you to pay lots of attention. This is really important stuff we´re talking about and we want your full attention." it was SO cool and she listened for the rest of the lesson! Haha.

Fior lunch, we ate with this super sweet old lady who has THE BIGGEST GLASSES I HAVE EVER SEEN!!! HAhahaha. She is awesome and she loved to tell us goofy little jokes. 

That night, we were ata members house and one of their daughters is deaf. She taught me some Spanish Sign Language!! It was so cool! I showed her some of the sign language I knew and she loved it! Hahaha. So cool! 

Saturday: We had the BAPTISM of Miriam!! It was so sweet and there was a lot of support there! She seemed so happy! 

We went to her house later to teach her kids and they were really animated and seemed excited for their own baptisms! 

Sunday: My companion and I were assigned to give the talks! Hahaha. I talked about the Atonement. I think it went pretty well! haha. 

Our bishop here is awesome!! He is pretty young, but really knows how to bring unity to the ward! He´s a cool guy! 

For lunch, we went to eat with this family who lives WAY up a bunch of stairs. We were waiting for the food and talking to the husband. There is some missionary slang that when you start your mission, you are "born" and when you finish your mission you "die". Well... we were talking to this one guy about some of the other missionaries he knows and I was like, "oh yeah, that Hermana.... died" thinking in my brain that she finished her mission. But he didn´t know the missionary slang and his face.... He was so suprised and my companion was like, "no no no ....." and we were CRACKING UP after that.... Hahaha. It was pretty funny and he was laughing in the end! Hahahaha. 

That afternoon we went to go find Javier for an appointment we had with him. But as we were approaching his street... we saw he was partying and drinking with hsi family... When he saw us, he hid in a moto. One of his family members was like... "oh... he´s not here... He´s still at work" and I just said. "yeah.... we just saw him. We´ll just pass by another day..." ;( So sad. 

But a little while later, we met up with Pedro, the son of our Ward Mission Leader who is a RM, and that was fun! We even hiked up a bunch of stairs with 78 year old Hermano Valentin. 

This week was so good and so fun and so much work! I am feeling really comfortable in my area and we are working well together and we feel like the spirit is guiding us in our lessons! Perú is awesome and beautiful and the people are awesome!!! 

I hope you guys have a great week!!! I love you and miss you!!!!!! 

XOXOXOOXOXOxoxoxoxooxOXOXOXOxoxoxoXOXOXOXOOXOXOX

-- 

Love, 

Hermana Andrus

6 months!

Holy Canoli Familia!!! 

Hola!! 

I cannot believe how fast this week seemed to fly by! In fact, it flew by so fast, I forgot to make my little list of things that happened throughout the week that I wanted to share with you... Hehe. So bear with me as I try to remember the week and sorry it´s short and a little scatter-brained! Just know that I am working hard and loving it here! 

For P-Day last week, we played capture the flag as a zone in this park by the stake center. It was pretty fun! Afterwards, we decided to buy pizza from Pizza Raul (the best pizza place here) and Hermana Baker (another Hermana from the Zone) and I were in charge of getting them! So we walked there, bought them, and walked back with 18 pizzas. HAhaha. It was awesome! We also watched Toy Story 2, which I loved! It was fun to watch it and remember all the good times watching it with my sisters! :) 

This week we worked REALLY hard and completed and even exceeded some of our goals, which made us really happy! (33 lessons, 75 contacts, and 21 referrals) Lots of walking and it is SO hot here, but I am really loving the work and the people and my area and my companion! She is awesome! A super good worker and she LOVES music, so we get along really well! Hahaha. We sing hymns sometimes for language study and harmonize and we are always helping each other with the languages. 

Sorry this letter is so short, but we really just worked a lot this week! 

This week, we have a baptism of one of the daughters of our recent convert. She is awesome and so prepared and we´re so excited for her baptism! It should be great! 

I promise I will do better this next week with my letter writing and picture taking! 

Hehehehe. 

Lots of Love from Perú!! 

XXXOxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOx

-- 

Love, 

Hermana Andrus

Transfers! Area #2 Caraballo zone

Hola my Familia!! 

Wow... This week is PACKED, so sit tight! There´s a lot to share. 

First off... I am no longer in Canto Rey..... :( Not going to lie, it was really hard to leave, but more about that in my weekly report! Hehehe

Monday: After Internet, they quickly announced the changes, and I was one of them. It was so weird to think that my time in Canto Rey is over! I loved it there and there are so many amazing families that I love!! 

We had one final lunch with Hermano Miguel in one of the restaurants we loved to eat in and then started the goodbye´s. I said goodbye to the Familia Lavado first, and they were super sad I was leaving, especially right before their baptism.. but.. so is life! I said goodbye to Andrea and the Familia Sanchez too... both were so hard to say goodbye. The Familia Sanchez have been like a family to me here. We went and did a final Noche de Hogar at Coco´s house and they did a little goodbye celebration for me including brownie/cake thing. 

That night, I stayed up really late packing. It was so weird to think about how fast time has flown. I still remember my first night in that room, so nervous and scared, not knowing that some of the best times were ahead. At 1:30 I just decided to go to bed and finish in the morning

Goodbyes

New year New companion

Tuesday: I woke up and finished packing and writing letters of goodbye and then the Elders and Miguel and Francois came over and helped to take my suitcases down to the street. I said one little final goodbye to my room and the guys and then left Canto Rey... It was bitter sweet. I was super nervous to leave, but also excited for this next part of my mission. 

We got to the offices and started the changes! 

I am now in the Zona Carabayllo, over in the other side of the mission. My companion´s name is Hermana Nuñez from Argentina! She is AWESOME!! She is super musically talented and even brought a mini harp with her. Hahaha. She´s cool and we get along really well! 

When we got to our room, I unpacked a little bit and then went to our lunch. We met the Relief Society Presidnet and I went to introduce myself. I reached for my Plaque and IT WAS GONE!!! Ahhhhhh....... It had fallen off it´s little snap-y thing! ahhh. And our lunch fell through.... so it was a little bit of a rough start my first day... However, as we were eating lunch in a menú, I realized that my plaque had just fallen into my shirt and wasn´t lost forever... Hahaha. Whew... 

We went around a taught a few lessons--. this area is totally different than my last area... a little bigger and a little more hilly. But we ended the night with a Noche de Hogar with one of our investigators named Ever. There is this couple in our ward and the guy is from South Africa and his wife is from Perú and they met over the internet. But they are awesome and we had the Noche de Hogar in sus casa. It was super fun! we played a little game with the scriptures! 

Wednesday: We met our new zone! Everyone seems pretty cool! Our district leaders name is Elder Pitcher and he´s from Idaho and reminds me of Brother Nuttal. he is super nice and goofy in the best ways! There are 2 other Hermanas in our district too, so that´s a different change! 

Thursday: I met our Ward Mission Leader- His name is Max and he seems like a cool guy. He is a little older and is missing a leg, so he has a lot of character! hehe

That night, we went to visit a menos activo, but he was sick, so we talked to his wife, but she is DEAF.. Ok... not totally deaf, but she couldn´t hear us unless we were yelling. My companion doesn´t yell, so I just talked to her using my loud voice. My companion was cracking up, and the lady was so sweet but pretty confused... Hahahaha. It was funny

When we got back to our room, we planned and then decided to decorate our planners. Little did we know that it would be a huge proccess, and so we were awake to celebrate New Years! (woops... hehe) Starting about 5 minutes to New Years, the fireworks started to go off!! Not as crazy as Christmas but wow, the Peruvians know how to celebrate! hahaha.  We had bought little New Years Hats, so we put them on and took pictures! It was great! 

Friday: I had a work visit with the Hermanas Capacitadores. I went with Hermana Hailstone to her area! It was so fun! I remember meeting her my first day-- she was training and she helped me a lot! It was fun to be with her teaching and that night we ordered pizza and had it delivered to our house! hahaha. It came a little late (like 45 minutes later than expected) but totally worth it! haha

Saturday: After we finished the work visit and lunch, we went up this big hill with like a million stairs to visit a reference of this family who was apparently less-active. So we hiked all up there and wihle we were teaaching, we found out that they weren´t really less active... Bahahaha. But it was cool to see the view anyways!

We met some crazy ladies on our way down the hill too, which was pretty fun. Haha

Sunday: President Erickson came to our ward, just to check up on things. It was cool to have him there and in Gospel Principles. He is seriosuly so smart and his comments were awesome! I learned a lot! 

I also got to see HERMANA SOSA!!! My old companion! She recently moved here with her family (super long story) but she´s living in the other ward that meets in the same chapel as we do. It was awesome! She looks good and it´ll be fun to see her while I´m here! 

Sorry this email is crazy, but I feel like there´s so much to tell and not enough time to tell it. But I am LOVING my new area and seeing my progression as a missionary in this new area! The people are awesome and I am loving it here! I miss my Canto Rey, but it is good to have the change! 

Speaking of Change.... The WEATHER is SO HOT here.... It´s crazy! It get´s hotter in California, but with the Humidity, I always feel a little sticky and sweaty! Crazy, but I have a nice farmers tan and foot tan... hehee

I hope all is well with you guys! I love you guys so much and hope that your week is awesome! 

College for Maya, vacation time for you guys! 

I love you so much and miss you guys like crazy cakes! Don´t forget to read your scriptures and say your prayers! I love you! Have a FANTASTIC WEEK!!! 

Love Love love

Hermana Kira Andrus!! 

Happy new year

First christmas in Peru

Dearest Family!!! 

I LOVED SEEING YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACES AND HEARING YOUR SWEET VOICES CHRISTMAS DAY!!!! You seriously are the best and I LOVE LOVE LOVE you guys!!!!

Here´s my week! Because although it was Christmas, there were still a million things to do here in Canto Rey! 

Monday: We worked on Monday in preparation for the Christmas Eve celebration with the mission and it was Royer (our awesome pre-missionary friend)´s last day here in Canto Rey. He was leaving to go back to his house in Cusco to prepare for his mission.  It was quite sad, but we had a little gift exchange and he will be coming back in Febuary right before he leaves and promised to visit me! HAhaha. 

Tuesday: we worked well. And I ATE ORMIGAS!!!! I´m not sure how to spell it in Spanish, but in English, it means ANTS!!!! Ahhhhh!! It´s a huge thing in the Selva (Jungle) here and the Tomanguillo Family´s dad just got back from the Selva and brought them! Ahhh! You toast them and take off the legs and stuff, but wow... It was... WEIRD!! When you bit into it, it squished with juices... Ew. Hahaha. I don´t know if I would like to eat them just for a snack again, but it was an experince and I´m glad I tried it! Hahahaha. 

My companion called her family that evening for the precall, and while I was waiting, this guy came out of one of the phone booths and asked me if I was from Japan and started to talk to me in Japanese.. Hahaha. When I told him I was from the states but born in China, he talked to me in English, but tried to convince me that I was from Japan... Hahaha. Weird.

I also talked to the guy who owns the locotorio (the place where you can make international phone calls and all) and talked to him about the Church. He was totally atheist, but it was nice to talk to him. 

That night, we bought Norky´s (a little expensive-- but my favorite...) and I bought some for Hermano Miguel becuase hius birthday was the next day! 

Wednesday: I CALLED HOME for my PRECALL!!! Seriously, the highlight of my day was hearing mom pick up the phone!!! Ahhh! Heheehe

Our ward had a chocolatada that  night, which is basically a little Christmas celebration where the different organizations (primary, YW, Relief Society) do a little song thing. It was quite cute! 

In my room that night, I did a little ode to Star Wars and put my hair in Princess Lea buns-- Just for fun... Hahahaha 

Thursday: We woke up early and went to the Mission Offices to celebrate CHRISTMAS EVE!!! It was fun!! There was a dodgeball tournament and we ate a bunch of hamburgers and hotdogs and sodas and had a little sketch show! The sketches were goofy but super funny! 

ÇOur president made a video about the mission and we completed our goal for the year of 1,600 baptisms for 2015! We were so excited!!! It was fun to see all the CCM peeps again too. I love them! 

We spent Christmas Eve with the Tomanguillo Family and ate Panetone and Hot Chocolate. They are awesome! We stopped by the Familia Lavado´s house and they fed us a bit of Lamb (yum) and Chicha Morada (this drink made from purple corn) 

Friday: At midnight on Thursday night, World War 3 Started in the form of Fireworks! Hahahah. Seriosuly, we went to bed at 10:20, and woke up at 12 to fireworks going off like crazy! Huge, huge, loud fireworks!! Ones that would be totally illegal for normal citizens to have in the US, but it was awesome! we watched for like, 10 minutes and then went back to sleep! ahaha

In the morning, I OPENED MY STOCKING!! woot woot! Everything was awesome!! I loved everything! And we ate the Stephen´s peppermint hot coco! Yum! 

We went to the Familia Abanto´s house to call our famlies!! Unfortunately, the laptop nor tablet were working, so we had to all take turns on the fmaily computer. I was last to have more time (sorry you had to wait 2 hours for me, family... Heheh. Love you) but it was so worth it!!!! Seriosuly. I loved seeing you guys! You rock! and look the same as wehen I left, which is awesome! you haven´t changed too much! Hahaha. 

After we hung up (a little bit of tears) but then Hermano Miguel. who is a clown for one of his jobs, painted us like clowns!! Hahaha. It was crazy!!! We made a little Christmas video for him to send out to all his missionary friends too. 

The rest of the evening was nice, we taught some lessons and finished the night with the Familia Sanchez helping them clean their house a little. Haha. They redecorated. 

Saturday: We worked all day in preparation for the baptism of the Lavado kids... But..... There mom couldn´t make it and didn´t want to miss it and she felt they weren´t ready... It was so sad and frustrating. She felt like they were worse at fighting and all that. Strange. But they are GOING to be baptized this Saturday! Woot! 

Sunday: Normal Church :) 

Welp... Today, we find out who has changes and everyone is pretty sure I am leaving the Good Old Canto Rey... I am not sure totally, but I feel ready for whatever happens. I really have loved my time here. It is crazy how time has flown! We know who leaves after Internet time and the changes will be tomorrow! So you won´t know for a bit if I´m still in Canto Rey or not. But know that I am well and that I´m trusting in the Lord. He knows me and knows what I need. 

I loved thiking about Christmas in a different light this year. I thought about how the Savior started his beginning as a baby and grew to be the SAvior of the world. I thought about how we all start as babies and grow and better ourselves every day to become more LIKE the Savior. Amazing. Such humble beginnings. 

My dear family, I love you so much and even though this Chritmas was a different one with me here in Perú, I could only think of happy memories of the many fun and amazing Christmas´ that we´ve had in the past and the great hope and wonder of the Christmas´that are going to happen too. 

Stephens hot coco! Thanks mom!

Thanks for making my Christmas the best! I love you guys so much!! 

Love Love Love Love Love

XXXOXOXOXOXOXOOOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXXXOXOXO

Your Favorite Sister Missionary! 

Hermana Kira Andrus!!! 

-- 

Love, 

Hermana Andrus

Christmas eve

Hermano miguel spoils us!

Me and my mtc comp

Our Zone

Christmas time is here!

Dearest Family!! 

Holy Canoli... this week seemed to fly by! Seriously! Not too much happened this week... mostly just excited to see your beautiful faces in... 4 DAYS!!!! WOOT WOOT!!! Seriosuly.. I could not be more excited. Ahhh... 

Monday: was my 5 months! For P-day, we watched this movie called Metagol (THe movie about the foosball players that come to life) It was pretty cute! And we ate Pizza Raul-- Yum. Also... When we called in the morning, 

Tuesday: I had a work visit with hermana Ebert! She´s awesome! We taught a lot of lessons, and she´s a super good teacher! 

Here Panetonne is a HUGE thing... especially around Christmas. I don´t really like the kind with the candied fruit pieces in it, but I saw one that had chocolate pieces instead! So I bought it!! --- It wasn´t very good either... hahaha. Oh well... we fed it to our ward mission leader and to the Elders, and they really enjoyed it. Hahha. 

Wednesday: We had service for the Familia Abanto in the morning-- organizing all this cool OAKLEY polos.. haha

We ate cremolada after, which is basically ice cream, but better. 

Thursday: Our zone does basketball in the morning, and we went! It was SO much fun! 

That afternoon, we went with one of our recent converts to visit one of her references... Unfortunately, the reference lived a good 10 minutes walk... and not in our area... Hahaha. But it was a good lesson and we´re going to pass the information on to the missionaries in the santa fe ward. Hehe

Friday: We had a lesson in the morning with the Familia Lavado, this family that is going to be baptized this Saturday! Well--- The 3 kids! Haha. But they´re awesome and have so many good questions. 

That night as we were contacting, we met this couple from San Francisco! Such a cool little piece of home! 

We ended the night with hamburgers... Ahh... There´s this one shop here that sells the best hamburgers ever! Seriously! hahaha

Saturday: Elder Herrera had a work visit with Elder Rodriguez, our zone leader. After lunch, we went to get cremolada and had a gospel discussion with him! he is so smart and knows so much about the gospel! IT was so cool! 

We also reconnected with THALIA!!! She had a change of work and so she couldn´t meet with us, but she finally had some time free and we could meet with her! She still has the desires to be baptized and she came to church on ssunday too!! Ahhh! She has a goal to be baptized in January! 

That night we had our "ultimo cena" with our good friend Royer. he´s expecting his mission call, and going home for the holidays and to prepare. IT was bittersweet because we know he has so many good things ahead, but sad becuase he won´t be here in Canto Rey. He´s the best and is going to be an awesome missionary. 

yesterday was good-. Just normal! 

The work is good here in Peru and we have our christmas celebration with our mission the 24th so we´re all working today and then on the 25th.... I GET TO SKYPE!!! Woot woot!! I have seriously been so excited for so long! Hahaha. 

We get to do a pre-cal which I think we´ll do wednesday, so mom... Keep your phone ready! It should be in the morning or early afternoon.!! Eek!! So excited! 

Sorry there isn´t too much to write and no pictures this week.. But i am good and well and time seems to be flying by! I hope that your guys´week is great! I can´t wait to see you Friday!! 

Love Love Love!!! 

Hermana Andrus!! 

XOXOXOXoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Saturday: 

-- 

Love, 

Hermana Andrus

5 months

Holy Canoli!!! I cannot believe that today is my 5 month mark!! Ahhh! time is a weird weird thing in the mission, let me tell you. 

This week was full! But AWESOME!!!

Monday: We worked becuase we were going to the temple this week! It was good! Weird to work on a Monday and not a lot of people were home.. but good, nontheless, it was for a good cause!! Haha 

Tuesday: We had a zone meeting and the asistants to the president were there... We had practices in our district meeting, and in there was Elder Rodriguez- Zone leader, Elder Page- District Leader, and Elder Crespo- Old zone leader, now assistant to the president. Talk about pressure!! But it was good! They gave us a lot of feedback and I know they're there to help.. not to judge :) Haha. 

Wednesday: We had service in the morning for the Familia Tomanguillo... Wow... That was tough stuff! They're doing some renovations on their roof, so we hauld huge bricks and buckets and buckets of sand to their roof-- 3 stories... Hahaha. It was a good workout. The only downside was that there was NO WATER when we were finished.... Hahahaha... San Juan Lurigancho (the District I live in) Sometimes shuts off the water for days.. So we spent the rest of the day a little bit stinky... Hahahaha. 

I spent the afternoon on a division in Family History! It was a cool experience. The people were so excited to build their family history tree! 

Thursday: we woke up SUPER EARLY to GO TO THE TEMPLE!!! Woot woot! we went with Hermano Miguel and Royer. The temple's about an hour away via train and bus. We got there and did 2 sessions! We also met this girl who is preparing for her mission! She's originally from Perú, but moved to Massachussets with her family about 5 years ago. She has her mission call to Ogden, Utah!! Hahahah! Small world! And I met her cousin, who just finished his mission in Salt Lake! I think he might know Henry? Anyways... it was so cool to talk to them. We took lots of pictures and bought lots of cool stuff. It was a great day.

When we got back to Canto Rey, We taught a lesson with Elder Page-- on of his references.  She was AWESOME! She has a son in the prison, and she loves him so much and wants the best for him, of course. Hermano Miguel shared this quote that was so beautiful about moms. I can't remember it right now... but it was beautiful and made me think of how much moms love their kids! Thanks mom for everything you do for me!! 

Friday: We have this new family that we've recently started teaching-- the Familia Lavado. The dad is a menos activo for MUCHOS MUCHOS anos, and he was SO enthusiastic for us to teach his kids. They are awesome! They have so many good questions, and we took them to go see a baptism. Unfortunately, we missed the actual ordinace... haha. but we got to show them the baptismal font and they seemed interested and happy. 

That night, we had a noche misional, and we watched EPHRAIMS RESCUE!! IT was so good! So funny and sweet. It reminded me of the bracelet you sent and how much Maya loved that movie! Haha. Good times. 

Saturday: We visited the Familia Lavado with our district leader and zone leader and they commited to be baptized! Cool moment! I also practiced with the primary kids for their primary program (I played the piano) 

Sunday: Our ward had their Primary Program. IT was so cute and sweet. The people here are so amazing. They make everything so special and so sweet. They bought matching ties and hairbows in the primary colors for all the kids. I played the piano, and they sang so loud and proud! So fun! 

That night, we had an awesome lesson with a reference. Her daughter and daughter-in-law listened too and were really interested! 

We ended the night with the Familia Sanchez for a Noche de Hogar (Family Home Evening). I used the puzzle you sent in the package, mom, and shared a lesson about remembering Christ during this time of the year. 

Oh, I got the Christmas package, stuffed the stocking with everything, and hung it on the towel rack! Hahaha. You da bestest mom! 

This week seemed to fly, and only about a week until Christmas and then the end of this change.  It seriously has been some of the hardest and most beautiful and most amazing and most fulfiulling 5 months here in Perú. I can't believe how time is flying! The people are amazing, the food is fantastic, the church is true! 

I hope you guys have a great week! I love you and miss you!!! 

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

-- 

Love, 

Hermana Andrus

Another week in peru

Hola FAMILIA!!!! 

Wowza... what a week! this week as really seemed to fly by.. Seriously, I know I say that every week, but it`s true!! hahaha. 

How`s everything in California?? I miss you guys like crazy! 

Here`s my week for ya! 

Monday: For P-day, we (the Hermanas) cooked Tequeños, which are these apetizer-type things-- Wantons with hotdog and cheese in the middle, deep fried, and served with guacamole... Yum! and we watched MULAN!! It was so fun to see it and made me think of all the good times watching it when we were kiddos. 

That day was the 5 month mark of my companion, so we celebrated with hamburgers that night! 

Tuesday: We had a really good zone meeting. Our zone leaders are awesome! Elder Toth from Washington and Elder Rodriguez from Chile! We made some goals for this month, and I`m feeling confident we can complete them!! 

That night as we were walking to go visit one of our recent converts, we saw this lady strugging with a bunch of huge bags.  We offered to help her. They were SO heavy and there were like 10 of them, but we helped her out. She was so grateful and asked how much she had to pay. We told her we didn`t want payment, but only for her to go to church on Sunday! Unfortunately she doesn`t live in our area, but I hope at the least we layed the foundation for her to one day know the gospel a little bit more.  To reward ourselves though, we bought Norky`s--- ahjhh... my favorite. Hahaha

Wednesday: We had service in the morning for the Familia Abanto! They are awesome (it`s Hno. Coco who I`ve mentioned before who has all the roosters and the t-shirt company) We packaged shirts in bags and put tags on stuff. It was good and fun! That afternoon/evening, we took Royer with us to our appointments.  He`s this awesome guy who is preparing for his mission! He has already sent in his papers and he likes to go out with the misioneros to prepare! He`s awesome! 

Thursday: we had a special meeting with President Erickson and the Zone Canto Chico. He gave an awesome training about the Atonement and how we really need to share how important it is in our lives and really stress that to everyone.  Without the Atonement, there is no possible way we can be saved because we`re imperfect people.  But thanks to Jesus Christ and His Sacrifice, we`re never alone and we always have a way to be made clean again.  It was so good! 

That afternoon something pretty funny happened.  There`s this purple olive thing here called ace tuna (lots of the people call it the gringo killer because all of the gringo`s hate it). Well... Elder Page absolutely hates them... So we bought a few and went to his house.  When he came down, I told him we had a treat for him but he had to promise to eat it.  He said it depended on what it was.  But i got him to promise to eat it and then presented the ace tuna... Hahaha. He wouldn`t eat it and made me eat one. Finally he put one in his mouth but refused to eat it.  What a stinker. The next day we went over to their house again to celebrate Elder Herrera`s 1 month mark in the mission with cake.  But we told Elder Page we had something but he had to promise to eat it.  Haha. He was so skeptical, but in the end, it was better than Ace Tuna.. Haha 

That afternoo, Hno. Francois came over to fix a bunch of little things in our house for our room inspection the next day. That night we stayed up pretty late cleaning our room and stuff for the inspection. 

Friday: we had our room inspection in the morning and it went well... however, the Elders said Hermana Erickson told them their room was cleaner than ours (they were up until like 1am cleaning... hahaha) 

I had my interview with President Erickson! It was really good! He is a super wise guy and has a lot of faith in me and my companion and our area. 

That night, Royer came with us again and we met this awesome lady who was really curious about missionary work and wanted a Book of Mormon.  Luckily, we had one for her! Her family is super Catholic, but we have plans to meet with her again soon! 

Saturday; In the morning the Sister training Leaders came to help us with our weekly planning, which was nice. They were just there to support and answer any questions we had.  That afternoon, we had a work visit with Elder Page and Elder Rodriguez. WE visited a family whoose dad is a menos activo-- he was super animated and really wanted his kids to "hear the word of God" We taught them for a bit and they promised to come to church! 

Next, we visited our menos activo Benjamin-- the sweet old guy we encountered one day looking for someone else.  We had given him "homework" in the Book of Mormon and when we asked him if he read it, he said No. We asked him why, and he said because the Bible is the word of God. I asked him if he had a Testimonuy of the Book of Mormon and he siad No... WHAT???!! He has been a member for years and a member of the bishopric! It`s a little mind--boggling for me... So now we`re working with him on his testimony. But I have faith he`ll find it! 

That night, we took our investigator Oscar to a baptism.  He is AWESOME! Not sure if I already told you guys about him, but we met him one night when my companion wanted fruit salad and his restaurant was the only one that had it. He approached us and asked us about our religion and listened. We have been teaching him, and he`s awesome! Anyways, we took him to the baptism. It was the first one he`d ever seen in his life and he seemed to enjoy it! We`re going to visit him today!! 

Sunday: Lots of meeting and then lessons. We took one of recent converts-- Maria to the First Presidncy`s Christmas Devotional that was being broadcast in the Stake Center. The music was SO beautiful..The messages were sweet too.  It was her first time seeing something like that since she wasn`t able to go to General Conference.  Such a cool experience.  It`s weird because they do a voice-over with the Spanish Translation so we don`t get to hear the voices of the Apostles or speakers.  Thats a little weird, but the spirit and the message are still there.

This week has been good! I`ve been so exhausted coming to my room at night but also very satified--- and not only becuase we usually buy hamburgers or chaufa or norky`s-- hehehe. 

The weather is starting to get hotter here and it doesn`t quite feel like Christmas... but... I GET TO SEE YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACES IN like 2 WEEKS!! EEK!!!!! 

I love you guys lots and hope your days are happy and your weeks are good! I love you guys and miss you so! 

Have a FANTASTIC WEEK!!!!

Hugs and Kisses from Perù!! 

Love love love,

Hermana Kira Andrus!! 

P.S. sorry there aren`t more pictures... there wasn`t too much to send and the video of Elder Page and the Ace Tuna is too big to send via email... Guess you`ll just have to wait to see it when I get home! Hehehe. Love you!! 

-- 

Love, 

Hermana Andrus

Thanksgiving? what's that?!

Hola Familia!!!

Holy Cow... This week really seemed to FLY by.... I can`t believe that we`re at the end of November!!! AHHHH!!!! 

Monday: For P-Day we went to the Institute Building, ate food, and watched Monster`s University! So Fun! 

Tuesday: On our way to lunch after our Zone Meeting... WE SAW LLMAS!!! It cost 5 soles to take a picture with it, but it was totally worth it... However... It TRIED TO EAT MY HAIR!!! Remember that story, mom? Hehehehe. But it was fun and cute! We also got approved to go to the TEMPLE on December 10th!! woopie!! That was a good day! and it ended with a work visit from the Hermanas Capacitadores.. Hermana Valdez came with me in Canto Rey! It was lots of fun! She is a great teacher, and I learned a lot! 

Wednesday: We had a service project in the morning for this family who was moving. We helped them move all their stuff downstairs and I mostly watched their daughter Valery. She was so cute! It was lots of fun! 

That afternoon, we hiked up a huge hill to visit one of our members.  He was baptized in the Selva (Jungle) and he lives SUPER high up.  Also... there`s a penal in our area (prison) and when we hiked up, you could see the penal! It was kinda cool! My comp was a little scared, but I just thought it was cool! Haha. On the way down, we stopped and I bought a SNICKERS!!! It was kinda expensice (2.50 soles) but TOTALLY WORTH IT!! It`s funny to see american candy here, and a nice treat! 

We ended that night eating pizza! Yum... 

Thursday: In the morning after we played basketball with our district, we were walking home and saw the famous tamale man.. There is a man who every morning walks along the streets selling Tamales from this little cart. But the funny and famous part is his voice.  It sounds like he is desperate! Hahaha. and he`s always saying... "TAMALES.... RRRRICO TAMALES, CALIENTITO!!!!" It`s pretty funny. We always get a kick out of hearing him, and so of course we had to buy some tamales! They were rico and calientito! Good advertizing! Hahah. We had a work visit with Elder Page that afternoon and we visited one of our investigators-- OSCAR.. He is awesome! We met him when we went to go buy fruit salad one night. He owns a restaurant and was really interested in the gospel.  We taught him about the Plan of Salvation, and he asked so many good questions and also totally understood that the Fall was part of God`s plan. He`s awesome!  

Oh yeah... Thursday was Thanksgiving!! But... they don`t celebrate it here, so it felt like just a normal day.  I actually forgot until the evening. Elder Page and I just said "Happy Thanksgiving" and talked a little bit about how we really couldn`t even believe it was Thanksgiving.  Haha. That was our Thanksgiving celebration.. Hehe. 

Friday: Nothing too interesting happened... 

Saturday: We had a pre-interview with our investigator with a baptismal date Thalia.... Unfortuntely... She didn`t feel prepared and Elder Page told us we`d postpone the date until maybe this Saturday or later :(( 

Sunday: We went and visited one of our recent converts, Olga. She cooked up these potatoes and served it with goat cheese. It was good... but I was so stuffed from lunch that I couldn`t eat a lot. But she kept saying "if you don`t like it... You won`t be invited back again..... eek. So I ate a bunch. She also made up this weird turnip.type puree thing to drink. Yum... HAha. 

We had a family home evening with the Familia Sanchez-- Every Sunday :) and we talked about prayer and ate lots of milk-based desserts... (hehe... sorry companion... Haha... Just kidding, it wasn`t too bad). 

Overall, this week was good! It went by too fast, and I can`t believe it`s less than a month until I get to see your beautiful faces!! 

Hope everything`s well for you guys! I`ve been thinking about you lots! Love you lots! Have a great week!! 

xoxoxoxox. 

Kira

-- 

Love, 

Hermana Andrus

New Changes

Dearest Family!!! 

This week has gone been crazy!! it feels like it`s been an eternity since I`ve heard from you guys! So many things have happened, and at the same time, I don`t have much to write about... hehehe 

My last day with Hermana Sosa was good! Well... she had the last dinner with President Erickson and I was on divisions again. Hahaa. 

Tuesday: We woke up super early and finished cleaning and packing her things and then went to the mission offices for the changes!! It was exciting and a little bit scary!! Hahaha. 

My new companion is named Hermana Cielo! She is from Perù, Piura and is 27 years old! Hahah. She has the same exact time as me (she has 2 weeks more.... Since the Latina`s are only in the CCM for 2 weeks, when she went in the field, I entered the CCM) But we are co-companions, which is kind of nice.  We feel a little nervous since neither of us has much experience, but we are finding our way! 

Wednesday: We met with the new zone! We have a new zone leader named Elder Rodriguez, he`s from Chile and SUPER cool! And he speaks almost perfect English! Haha. He and Elder Toth are awesome and work really well together.  Elder Calle had changes (So sad.... :(...) But Elder Page has a newbie! His name is Elder Herrera! He is from Piura too, and fresh from the CCM! HAha. I have a feeling that this change is going to be one of lots of learning, but also lots of good! 

Thursday and Friday: Just lots of work!! Getting to know how the other one teaches and also figuring out the area! 

Saturday: There was a REALLY cool activity for the Relief Society (Sociedad de Socorro) throughout the whole stake! It was a showcase of talents and a dance festival!! I made the sign for our ward, and the showcase was awesome!! There were so many cool things to see and each ward had a different traditional dance of Perù to present!! Unfortunately, my camera died before I could get too many cool things, but it was SO COOL!! Perù has such a cool, rich culture! The dances were so fun! And everyone was wearing traditional peruvian clothes! So cool! Haha. 

Sunday: Normal Sunday here. We had a family home evening with the Familia Sanchez, which was nice and I sang/harmonized with Angela, which was so fun!!

Unfortunately, I left my camera at their house.... so no pictures this week... Hehe. Woops... But I promise that I will send them next week!!! 

We have been working all lot with our investigator with a baptismal date: Thalia... She is so prepared and we just are struggling to find time to meet with her since she works during the day and studies in the nights! But we`re being hopeful! 

Also, remember Andrea (my investigator--she`s awesome!!!) Welll..... now our goal is her fmily!! They are awesome and seem to really love us!! Keep your fingers crossed for them! they come from really catholic families, so we`re working with them to understand the gospel! they`re awesome and I love them!! 

Overall, this week was SO long... full of many changes and lots of things to adapt to.... I`ve found I`m really a person who loves the routine, and so changes are rough.. but I`m keeping a positive attitude and working on making this change awesome!! 

I hope all is well with you guys! It`s crazy that this week is Thanksgiving... to be honest, I completely forgot... Hahaha. They don`t celebrate it here, so eat some extra stuffing for me! Yum...!!! Hahaha 

Love you guys lots...! Sorry there`s not a whole lot to tell! But know that I`m thinking of you lots! And hey... only like, a month until we get to see each other!!! YAHOOOO!!!! :)) 

Love love love you lots! All the way from Perù! 

XOXOXOXOXOXOXXOOXOXOXOXOXOxoxoxoxox

Hermana Andrus!! 

-- 

Love, 

Hermana Andrus

Changes

Dearest Family!! 

Wowee.... another week has gone by! This one was really long for me, but at the same time... I can`t believe we`re at the end of another transfer!! 

How are things at home?? I love you guys and miss you! The homesickness is getting easier, which is good! Haha 

Here`s my week! 

Monday: we worked since we were having Mundial (the mission-wide soccer tournament) It was normal and good. Lot`s of walking, as usual... Hehe

Tuesday: We woke up early and went to Independencia for MUNDIAL!! It was so fun!! I got to see Hermana Pugmire from the CCM and Elders Williams, Stoker, Dillion, Kilts, and McClain from the CCM too! It was fun to catch up with them and hear about their experiences in the field! Hermana Pugmire and I had our differences in the CCM, but I love that we now have so much love for each other!! The Mundial itself was cool! Our zone made it to the finals!! So cool! We didn`t win, which was sad... But it was fun! 

EVERYONE got SOOOO sunburnt!! Hahahaha. And even now, people are still pèeling and everyone`s nose is getting a new set of skin... Hahaha. 

Wednesday: We woke up early again and went to the mission offices for my companion`s language test. All the latinos at the end of their mission go to take a test for a program I think, Pathway. So I went along and just got to study. Haha. That afternoon, we visited our investigator THALIA!!! She`s AWESOME!! so prepared! She has a baptism date for the 28th of this month, so we`re working lots with her to get her prepared.  

That night... I GOT MY PACKAGE!!! WOOOTTT WOOOTTT!!! Thank you so much!! It was perfect!! I loved it!! And the little zebra donkey was made in china and there was a tag that had Forworth Texas on it!! Reminded me of Blake!! It seriously was perfect!! Thank you so much!! I love you guys!! 

Thursday: We went to the offices AGAIN because my companion had her final interview with President- We worked the rest of the day and that night, Hna. Jeni and her husband brought us Norky`s. Yum.... seriously delicious. 

Friday: We went to the offices AGAIN to drop my companion off for an autosufficency training. I had a division and we went back to my area, studied a bit and then met the Hermanas from Family History.  We ate lunch together (Seafood... yum!) and then went to pick up my next division.  Her name was Florencia, and apparently she goes out with the Sister Missionaries in the Canto Chico zone all the time.. That was an experience!! She is a little crazy and hard for me to understand.  It felt like I was teaching alone, but I taught 7 lessons! Woot! Hahaha. It was a long day... 

Saturday: we went to the offices AGAIN... ok... just kidding... hehehe, But it was my 4 MONTH mark!! Crazy how time is flying!!! Hahaha. That night, we had a noche blanca and 13 people were baptized!! none of them were our investigators... but we`re working with the dad of Andrea (one of our recent converts) and he came and saw the baptisms!! So cool!! That night... I finished my first journal!! My goal of writing every night is still going!! hahaa

Sunday: My compi went to Wiese to go say goodbye to her ward there, so I was on divisions all day! IT was good! Tiring... But that night, we went to her house for a Noche de Hogar (FHE) which was fun!! 

Overall... this week has been good! Lots of work and I`m quite nervous for the changes.  My companion was TRUNKIE!!! But its ok... She`s finishing.. I still have LOTS to do here! Haha. Tomorrow is the tranfer meeting and so I`ll get my new companion then!! I will let you know how it`s going!! Hahaha. 

I love you guys! So much! I hope this week is successfull for you guys and that you remember your scripture study and prayer!! 

Love you Love you Love you!!!! 

Your Favorite Sister Missionary!! 

-- 

Love, 

Hermana Andrus