December 8, 2014

Hola,

It sounds like I am a lot safer here in Peru than I was in Utah. A lockdown at Fremont!!!! I thought that would never happen. How crazy is that. First a bomb threat at Roy a few years ago, and now a kid brings a gun to school at Fremont. What is the matter with Weber School District. I am sure I am safer here because I haven't even seen a gun yet.

Harrison, El Pobrecito (The poor kid), I don't think my ZL is going to try and kill himself. At least he was able to help out by getting the knife away from the kid. I will try and write him and cheer him up today.

I got one of the two Christmas packages, the one with the frisbee and Kaylee's gift. I still haven't opened the wrapped packages because I am going to wait until Christmas. On the 24th, the mission is going to get together and play games and have a bbq. I have heard it is more like the 4th of July than Christmas. Christmas here is kind of weird to me. I have seen a few trees but it is just weird without snow. It is also weird not hearing Christmas music or the stores going mad for the holidays. I have also heard that during the week of Christmas, we can't really work because the streets are full of drunk people.

As for your questions, The ward is about 500 members, but only about 150 are active. We do a ton a less active work here, but it is like this through all the mission. The ward council has really stepped it up this month and are helping us out a ton. I don't think I can narrow it down to the one most important thing I have learned on my mission, but I have a few. The Gospel is true. It is amazing to see the spirit work in the lives of the people here. Working hard is hard, but it has its rewards in the long run. Never give up and stay concentrated. I struggle with that one a little bit, staying concentrated. I need to stop letting myself daydream while I study and thinking about going home. I still have a lot of time before that happens.

This week was kind of a rough one. I have come down with a cough that has made me exhausted. I am starting to feel better though. Don't worry. We didn't have any investigators at church yesterday but we had some less actives which is good because we work with them a ton.

Yesterday was Elder Bustamante's birthday. We got two cakes and were given lunch and dinner.

Thanks for all your love and support,
Elder Karter.