END of Changes and BAPTISMS

Dearest Darling Family! 

This week has seriously flown by so fast and it`s the end of changes! Again!! hahaha. I am staying here in Buenos Aires, and with Hermana Garibay!! Hahaha. I am looking forward to the next change, we have a lot ahead and we`re excited! 

This week was really busy but unfortunately I don`t have too much to report. 

Monday: For P-day we went with the elders from our district to eat lunch and then went to the stake center with the zone and watched the end of Big Hero 6 and Hotel Transylvania 2! It was a cute, kinda weird movie! hgahaha. 

The rest of the week was really full of work and preparing our investigator Sandra and her son Rafael for their baptisms! It was down to the last minute, but she was baptized and SO so SO happy afterwards, it was such a sweet sweet baptism!  Her husband, Edwin couldn`t baptize them since he doesn`t have the priesthood, but he came and is ALWAYS so supportive! 

Besides that family, we are just working really hard and looking forward to this next week with the MARRIAGE and BAPTISM of the Familia Huaytan!!! Lots of work to do here, but I am LOVING it! 

I`ve been thinking about you guys a lot this week! Hugs and kisses for all the family in Utah and safe travels!!! I love you!!!! 

Elder Andrus, I am so excited for you! You will be awesome! I sent a little letter and I`d love to hear all your adventures!!! 

Love love love, 

Hermana Kira Andrus 

Early Mornings, Elder Rasband (11 months)

BUENOS DIAS FAMILIA!!!! 

Holy Canoli, this week was, I think, the LONGESSST week of my mission!! hahaahaha. Many many early mornings and things to do! 

Monday: We had P-day and went to Plaza Norte to eat CHILI`s-- yum. However, to get back to our area took like, over 2 hours with all the traffic! hahaha 

Tuesday: We had the last training from Presidente Erickson... It is so crazy that at the end of the month, we will have a new Presidente! Crazy.. They told us also about the new presidente who is coming, Presidente Godfrey and they seem awesome too! I am looking forward to working with him as well even though I will miss presidente Erickson. 

Wednesday; SO MUCH FOOD.... Literally everywhere we went there was food and in the end of the night I was so stuffed and an Hermana gave us dinner... Needless to say, I was a little bit sick that night... 

BUT! As we were walking home, I saw FRANCOIS!! He was my Ward Mission Leader in Canto Rey (my first ward!) It was so cool to see him! He was driving his moto in our area! Hahaha. We talked and got caught up and all. IT was crazy to think that my first area is so close to this new area! hahaha. 

Thursday: we had a lesson with a less active that could only meet with us at 7 in the morning...!! So we got up early and went and taught him. 

We are marrying a family this month and here you need something called a PARTIDA.. It`s like a birth certificate. Well, the familia Huaytan was having troubles finding theirs, and we went to stop by after the appointment at 7 to see if everything was ok. Ana, the woman, was really upset and didn`t want to go and get her Partida... But we cheered her up and helped her with stuff around her house so that she could go and get it... AND SHE GOT IT! Now we`re just waiting to see if they accepted their papers to be married or no! 

Frday: We woke up at 2:40AM to get ready because we had a special conference with ELDER RASABAND of the Quorum of the 12!! 

We got all dressed up and went to meet the zone at the stake center. There, we waited for an hour for the bus (it was a little late) and went to the Lima West Mission for the conference. Once everyone was seated, they called every line up and we got to SHAKE HIS HAND!!!! It was awesome. So cool. His wife was there too, as well as a member of the area Seventy, Elder Montoya. We got to shake their hands and then got to hear them speak. Wow. It was so powerful. One of my favorite events in my whole mission. He talked about how our calls are assigned and how we are specifically called to our mission for LOTS of reasons. It really strengthened my testimony. It was so awesome!!! 

That night, we had so many lessons and I was EXHAUSTED, but still floating on air from the conference too :) 

Saturday: In the morning we went to the offices for an appointment and in the evening, there was a Talent Show for the Relief Society in the stake! It was cute! Each ward had a dance and a skit and it turned out REALLY well! 

I also bought some of the shoes they sell here called LLankis (I think that`s how you spell it... it`s pronuonced Yan-keys) Hehehe. They`re shoes made out of TIRES!!! (llantas) They normally use them for dance, but I bought a pair to wear around the house (picture attached-- me in my llankis with ECCO-- this drink that lots of the peopel drink here... kind of like Kimbo or Pero... hehe) 

Sunday: I gave a talk in Sacrament Metting and that evening we had lots of time to look for some new people. 

I loved this week, it was super long, but one of the most memorable and beautiful weeks of my whole mission! I loved listening to the trainings and conferences of both my mission President and an Apostle of the Lord. I know that these men are called of God and they bring the message of his truth and light to us. It was so cool to be able to hear the testimony of Elder Rasband`s wife as well. She did it in Spanish (she read it from a little slip of paper) but it wa

s so powerful. She doesn`t know one drop of Spanish, but I felt the truth and the Spirit in her words!

I can`t believe how fast the time is flying and tomorrow I will be completing 11 months in PERÙ!!!! I can`t believe it! Time flies and I am enjoying every minute!!! 

I hope your week is awesome and know that I love you guys and am always praying for you!!! I love you!! 

Con MUCHO amor....,,,

Hermana Kira Andrus 

XOXOXOXOXoxoxoxXOXOXOXOXOxoxoxoxoxOXOXOXOX

I got to meet a MONKEY!! His name is Juanito!

        

The picture of me on the roof with my pepsi I had to send for my UNCLE KELLY!!! :) Love you guys

The Proposal!

Buenos Dias Mi Querida Familia!!!!!! 

This week was SO SO SO full of good experiences and learning experiences and funny experiences and spiritual experiences! 

Monday: We played games as a zone! Each district prepared a game and then we all came together and played! Our district did a game where you seperate in 2 teams. Theres a cup for each team a little far away and each person in the team has to put a lime in between their knees and waddle towards the cup and put the lime into the cup... without using their hands! hahaha. It was HILARIOUS and everyone loved it! And actually pretty hard! hahaha. 

That evening, we left and went RING SHOPPING with our investigator-- Eden..He`s the dad of the Familia Huaytan who we are working with to get married and baptized the 24th of this month!! He was looking really carefully and kept looking! But we finally found one that he liked! we got to keep them in our house until the proposal so hermana Ana wouldn`t find them... so of course we tried them on and took pics and all.... hehehehehehe. TRUNKY! Hahaha. Naw... It was sweet! hahaha. 

Tuesday:We taught lots of lessons and had a long day! 

Wednesday: THE PROPOSAL!!! EEK!! We left in the morning to go and buy flowers in the market and we called hermano Eden and he met us in the park and we went in to the house while he waited a few minutes and then he came in with the flowers and the ring! She said yes (of course!!) It was so sweet!! She gave us HUGE hugs and just told us "thank you thank you thank you!!!"·  They are the best! They gave us lunch and then we had to go to our REAL lunch... eek! lots of food here! Don`t worry, we`re not going hungry! hahaha. 

One thing that kind of hit us was later that night we went by to visit them again and when we mentioned baptism, Hermana Ana was saying that is was so fast. We realized that we had been focusing a LOT on their marriage (so they could complete with the law of chastity) and forgot a bit about the reason-- so they could get baptized. But we talked with them and the next day, we studied a LOT to know what to say to help them. 

Thursday: We had the monthly planning meeting with the Wiese zone! It was good and our mission is looking good! hahaha. It was a little weird because it`s the last month for Presidente Erickson. He is a great mission president and so wise and so in tune with the spirit. I know him and his wife really love us. We received his training about being better gospel teachers and using the scriptures in our teaching. It was really good!! 

For lunch that day, we had Juanes!!!

That evening we had some good lessons and then we taught the NOCHE de HOGAR in the church that night. It was a little unexpected (the people who were in charge forgot) but we gave a little lesson and then went to the church next door and bought popcorn for everyone! hahahaha. 

Friday: ahhhh.. what a day! hahaha. We had our weekly planning in the morning, went to lunch and then language study and then went out to teach! we had a lesson with our other investigator with a baptismal date-- Sandra! She is sweet and her kids love us! hahaha. 

Later in the evening, we went to go take one of our recent converts to the stake center for family history. Here in Lima, we travel mostly in MOTO`s, which are like motorcycles with little carriages on the back for us to sit and all. We were trying to get a moto and I finally hailed one down. I said "HOLA!" he looked at me funny, mummured something and then SPED AWAY! bahahaha. we got a good kick out of that. Then when we finally got one and were at the stake center, I couldn`t get out because the door was stuck!!! bahahaha. I guess I am just unlucky with the Moto`s hehehe. 

That night, we taught the Familia Huaytan. We talked to them about baptism and why we`re baptized. WE talkde about the promises we make with our Heavenly Father and the things he promises us in return when we accept to be baptized and then continue living to receive the blessings. I could really feel the spirit and they accepted the date to be baptized on the 25th! Now, we are just working on their papers so they can get married!!!!! :) Blessings and miracles for us! 

Saturday: was a bit of a crazy day. This sunday we have the "segunda vuelta" of elections. We had the elections in May, but becuase it was so close, they had a second voting. here in peru, voting is obligatory because if it wasn`t, no one would vote... hahaha. So we had a special activity in the night-- to watch The Testaments. We had to coordinate a lot of people to get over there, but in the end it was good! the Familia Huaytan came and we had to do a bit of paperwork for their wedding too! 

Sunday: was really good! We taught a lot and got to meet a LOT of new people! we still donp`t know who the new president of peru is, but there were a lot of people out in the street! ghaha

The familia Lopez gave us this "SOPA DE LA PIEDRA" a soup where you have hot soup and then you put a really hot rock in and it sizzles! 

This week we are blessed with the opportunity to hear from Elder Rasband-- the apostle. He is coming to Lima and we`re having a conference with him on Friday!!! I am looking forward to it!!! 

I hope that your week goes by well!!! I love you guys and miss you guys so much and I keep you guys so close in my prayers and in my heart! 

LOVE LOVE LOVE; 

Hermana Kira Andrus 

xoxoxoxoxoxoxOXOXOXOXOXOxoxoxoxoxooxOXOXOXOXOXOX

the cute little guy is in our ward and he LOVES all things art related. He created thses dresses out of plastic bags!! So creative! his name is James! 

We ate a soup of stones!! Where you have soup and put hot stones in it and it sizzles! hahaha. 

These are called juanes... They are from the selva (jungle) and are stuffed with rice and chicken and wrapped in a banana leaf!! hahaha 

YUM! 

-- 

Love, 

Hermana Andrus

There's no such thing as a Diet on the mission...

Hola Querido Familia! 

This week in Perù was a busy, long one! I am doing well and feeling good and sleep REALLY well at night! Hahaha. I am loving peru more and more every day and the people are the best! Here`s this week`s adventures! 

Monday: We had a Free P-day because the Zone Leaders were going to the temple. We went to go eat CEVICHE... de Pulpp (octopus) It was REALLY good! Hahaha. I am beginning to love ceviche... ahh! hahaha. We spent the rest of the day in our room sleeping a bit until we went out and taught in the evening. 

Tuesday: We started the day with Exercise

! Ca you believe it?! Hahaha. And a diet... Ahhh.. We have some goals to lose weight! Haha

Wednesday: Was a day full of Food----- Yes... our diet was broken in 1 day... bahahaha. The peruvian food is just so good! Hahaha. We had service in the morning with the Familia Huaytan. They are our family who are going to be married and baptized (hopefully) in June! They are awesome. They work setting up beautiful tents for birthdays and weddings and stuff like that (it`s really big here) and so we helped them to fold the fabric they use (talk about arm workout.. yards and yards of fabric to fold! haha) and they fed us some lunch... But then we had to go to our ACTUAL lunch... ahh.. .so much food and an hermana who likes to see that we`ve eaten EVERYTHING... ya fue nuestro dieta! hashaha. That afternoon, we were up in the hill visiting one of our recent converts who is 11. We were at his house and all we could hear was really loud music and he was SINGING! heehe... well... rapping. He had a school project for the anniversary of his school and was practicing his rap.. hehehe. 

Thursday: We had a work visit with the Hermanas Capactitadores! I went to Mariscal with Hermana Samudio, from Paraguay! She is awesome and we had a blast! Not to mention we got free pollo broaster for dinner! hehehe. 

Friday: was work work work! we had 9 lessons and took lots of people to family history! hahaha. It was a long, but great day! 

Saturday and Sunday were good! President came to our ward to visit and everyone was excited! crazy to think we`ll be changing presidents pretty soon. I will really miss him! he`'s aweosme and super wise.

We had a work visit with our district leader Sunday night. 

WElp... Time flies in internet and I am out of time! But!! I hope that your week is awesome! I love you and I`m thinking of you always!!! Have a fantastic week!!!! 

Love love,

Hermana Kira Andrus

Winter is (FINALLY) Coming to Perù!

Hola mi querida FAMILIA!!! 

This week was another good one and JAM PACKED with things to do! and .... The WEATHER IS GETTING COLDER!!! hahaha. The only downside to that, is that our water heater thing (called Therma here) DOESN`T WORK.. ahhh... so we've been showering in freezing popsicle water these past few weeks... They`re working on fixing ours or getting us a new one...! hahaha. 

For P-day this week we went to Plaza Norte and... you guessed it! Ate at CHILI`s! hahaha. It was good though, and afterwards we did some shopping! And we saw this really funny sign... I attached a picture.. hehee. 

That night, we had a Noche de Hogar with the FAMILIA HUAYTAN (it`s like... Why-tan) They`re this family we've been teaching lately that are preparing for MARRIAGE and BAPTISM!! They`re awesome. The dad is Edèn (like the garden) and his wife is Ana. They have 2 kids-- Karen and Daniel! Hermano Edèn es Lo MAXIMO. He reads the pamphlets like, cover to cover. Even the little print! He is really awesome and preparing well! 

Tuesday and Wednesday were just full of WORK! 

Thursday we had a MULTI-ZONA!! Presidente came and we had an awesome training about how we need to receive revelation, but also our investigators need it too. It was awesome and I got to see some friends who are in other zones (Elder Page! and Elder Williams from the CCM!) 

That evening, we had a noche misional and I taught the lesson about FAMILIES!!! We talked about honoring our parents and respecting them and also about telling them how much we appreciate them! (sidenote... I LOVE YOU MOM! YOU`RE THE BEST! hehe) 

 And that night....  I ate my first anticuchos... (I have no idea how to spell it.....) But... it`s COW HEART on a stick! hahahaha. IT was actually super yummy, except for that my companion was making heart-beat noises as I was eating it! ghaahaha. 

Friday: We helped the Sociedad de Socorro (Relief Society) with an activity for the visiting teachers. It was fun! They are sweet ladies in this ward! 

Saturday: was a day FULL of appointments! We worked our tails off and had 8 lessons! Ah! 

Sunday was the most interesting day of the week..... hahahahaha. I had a problem with some earwax in my ear (Thanks for sending me with the drops mom! You da bestest!) so I couldn't hear when I was playing the piano.. .Then, in the meeting, I almost fell out of my chair and everyone had to look over.. eeks. Haaha. But then... there was a little girl who wanted to play the piano in the middle of the message, so I went over and shut the piano top, and she started screaming at the top of her lungs and was trying to hit me. Hahaha. To top off the sacrament meeting, I was playing the piano and someone opened the door to outside which is right by the piano. So right before the closing prayer, I went to shut the door and the whole door handle fell off!!! ahh.. IT was definitely the most eventful sacrament meeting ever! hehehe. However, I LOVE LOVE LOVE perù and this area and serving the Lord. I can`t believe how fast the time is flying and how much I am learning every day. I`m so grateful for the chance I have to be a servant in the Lord`s hands every day... Even when the sacrament meetings are eventful! hehehe. 

I love you guys!!! Have a great week!!! 

Love love,