September 8, 2014

Hey guys,

So it sounds like you guys had a pretty fun week. If I was there you would have only had to do the brakes once.

First off, my shower head didn't get fixed so they are still ice cold. This week has kind of been chilly here. It has ''rained'' here almost every day. Although I can't call it rain because it is just really heavy mist, similar to snow flurries that cover the ground. I have worn a sweater almost everyday. I did loan my sweater to Elder Ruiz for a day because all of his were in the wash, don't ask me why he didn't do them seperately.

I bought my stove this week. I bought the stove, a frying pan, spatula, and two forks for less than 50 soles. It was probably 20 to 25 American dollars for all of it. It was all really inexpensive but seems like it should hold up.

Having a native companion is definately tough. His culture and mine definately butt heads sometimes. He never cleans the dishes after using them which drives me crazy. I am always doing it. Also, everything he says is kind of commanding. Since I am new, he acts like I am kind of stupid sometimes, it really bugs me. Today he freaked out at me for not knowing how to fill out the paper after four weeks. But it is hard to know how to do it when he just takes it and does it and doesn't say anything or show me how to do it. I kind of chastised him and told him he has to teach me and not just show me.

I had my first baptism in the mission field. Elder Ruiz baptized Juan Carlos and I baptized Janeth and Isabel. I realize I love the people of Peru so much. I experienced a ton of joy when I realized I was starting the salvation of someones soul. I could feel the spirit really strong. I realized this is what serving a mission is all about. It made me feel really good and made me want to teach a lot more and work harder so I can experience more joy. The sad part is Hermana Gloria was not babtized. She got in the water, I said the blessing, and as I went to put her under she struggled and through her arms out so it wasn't legitimate. Elder Ruiz then tried and the same thing happened. We tried for probably 30 minutes in the freezing water but she would never go under. We are going to try and baptize her in the stake center where the water will be hot.

Yesterday in church we confirmed those three members of the church and gave them the Holy Ghost. Afterwards in Gospel Principles, Juan Carlos had a seizure. He has epilipsy. It was really scary. He fell foward out of his chair and scraped his head. I didn't quite know what to do. It is a good thing there were a lot of members there who could help. They were telling people what to do and I felt pretty useless because when it comes to medical terms in Spanish I have know clue what is going on. We ended up carrying him to a members car and drove him to emergencia. Elder Ruiz and I then went and got his mom to go to emergencia with us. He came out after a while and was alright but looked pretty out of it.

Since I got to go to emergencia, we didn't go inside but I still got to see it. I realize I could go there and be alright if I had to but I would prefer not to go.

Tuesday was Elder Escobedo's birthday. He is a kid from Utah who is my ZL and the in the other companionship in my ward. Since he is in my ward, we went and ate with him and the members. I got Lomo Saltado and Papa Rellena. My two favorites. Papa Rellena is basically mashed potatoes that are stuffed with meat and other stuff. It is then quickly baked so it looks like potatoes in the shape of a football. It is really good. We also got cake at each house. I was stuffed by the end of the day.

Mitch's week sounds pretty crazy. I love hearing about my friends and how they are doing. I haven't heard much about Kaden and have heard nothing about Colby. How are they doing? I wore my tie yesterday because it was fast Sunday.

 Love you and keep me updated,
 Elder Karter Isaacson