February 22, 2016

Hola Familia,

Wow, it sounds like it was quite and interesting week. I am sad to hear that Kyle and Megan didn't win the contest. I really wanted them to win so that they could bring me back to Peru for free. I hope they find out that the other people cheated. Mom's class seems like they still haven't gotten any better after 3/4 of the year has passed. That is really cool about Colten and Taylor. They must be really lucky to have a companion from basically the same ward. That is the first time I have ever seen that happen.

I had a pretty good week. Jose Luis and Saul were both baptized. They were both really well prepared and understood the significance of what they were doing. Jose Luis has lived a rougher life and has made quite a few mistakes in his life. He was so excited to be baptized so all his sins would be washed away. The baptism service was really nice and a lot of people came. There whole family is becoming members of the church. It all started with Omar and Carla and they have introduced us to all their family. One by one they have all been getting baptized. That family is the best.

As zone leaders, we try and do at least 2 but usually 3 work visits (splits) for 24 hours each week. We trade off on every single visit. I am normally in my area just 5 days each week. It is a lot different from just being a regular missionary. We are going to the other areas so we can see how well they are doing. We judge how well they teach and we try and get to know the people they have to get baptized. We also go with them to some of the harder lessons. For example, this week I went with an elder to his area so we could convince a family to get married and get all the papers to start the process. A lot of times missionaries are scared to be straight forward and to say the things the way they are. We go to the lessons so that we can say and do those things so they can have success in their areas. It can be hard at times but it is also really fun because I have gotten to know a bunch of new people and new places. We also figured out a calling schedule. It is working a little better but is still not perfect. If we call someone and they aren't ready, it throws the whole schedule off.

The church is part of my area. I also live right by the church. If you go down the side of the church, not the side by the soccer field, you will see a metal spiral staircase. I go up that staircase and live in the fourth floor. Now you know where I live. Our area is pretty flat. We only work in about a 5 block radius because that is where all the converts are. They give us references to their neighbors and bring them to church. After everyone in those 5 blocks are baptized we will start to expand our area.

We should have a baptism this Saturday. Her name is Estela. Her brother and sister in law are both recent converts. She really wants to get baptized. She is 17 and needs her mom's permission. Her mom said no and she started to cry. Afterward her brother called their mom and talked to her. We are going to go by tonight and see how it went. Something always happens to try and stop the baptisms but nothing too big that will hold us back.

Stake conference was this week. The conference was really good but every time there is conference it is hard to get investigators to church. We ended up only having three. Estela, Fatima, and her son Reuben. We are hoping that next week goes better for us and the whole zone. It was still a successfull week for us though.

Les quiero,
Elder Isaacson