Earthquake!

Hello family!! I send my love from the wonderful country of Peru! Thank you for the wonderful update on all that is happening at home. Ok so to answer questions about conference. We got to watch all the sessions which was really nice. It's a little different here and everyone in the Stake comes to the capilla (chapel) to watch. Obviously, it's all in Spanish and there is a translators voice over whomever is speaking. So I will admit, I missed hearing the prophets voice, but it was exciting to watch conference and see how much I could understand. Haha and you might wonder how much I could understand... well I could understand the overall message of each talk, but I definitely missed parts. So I would love the talks in English if possible. How amazing that the apostles focused so much on the family! Not a day goes by that I am not reasurred that my mission truly is a mission focused on families. It's truly amazing. Also, it was really exciting when they had two of the speakers speak in Spanish on Sunday. When that was announced everyone in the capilla sat up a little straighter. The people in Peru really do have so much faith. After conference one of the girls in the ward was asking me if I had been to conference in the conference building. When I told her yes she was so shocked and wanted to hear all about it. It's easy to take for granted what we have around us (there was a conference talk on this) and being here has taught me how blessed I am. 

OK the earthquake. Haha mom when it happened you were the first person I thought of. I knew you would worry, but all is fine! We were in the middle of our companionship study when it happened. Hermana Erickson has had all the missionaries prepare a mochilla (backpack) with food and water just in case there is ever a serious earthquake. So when it hit, we grabbed the backpack and stood in the doorframe like we have been told. It only lasted a few seconds and it really wasn't that bad. But it definitely was scary!! Hahah honestly I am having experiences here that I never thought I would have. 

So the Spanish. I am to the point where I am understand quite a bit. Which is a big blessing. Speaking is taking more time, but I am starting to become more comfortable. We had interviews this week with pres. Erickson. I asked him about this, and he said (like you guys) we simply need to open our mouths. We as missionaries are set apart from the world, and with that, we are given the gift of the Spirit to help guide our words. When I remember this it's easier for me to open my gringo mouth. The help of the Lord is very clear in helping me learn. 

So you have asked about my laundry. Every Tuesday we take our laundry and drop it off at the capital (chapel). Someone ( I dont know who) picks it up, washes it for us, and we get it back on Thursday. It's actually really nice and they do a wonderful job. The only downside is hauling our laundry sack full of clothes through the city. But hey, it's better than washing it ourselves. 

I received the package! Thank you! Oh it was so great. Don't worry I am not eating all the candy at once. I shared the cadburry eggs with some of the elders in my zone. They are from Peru so it was their first time trying it. Haha it was so funny to watch. The absolutely loved them. Thank you for the shirt mom! it fits great and I love it. 

I talked to Hermana Erickson about my health (stomach issues) and she got me on some medication. It has helped and my stomach is feeling much better. So no need to fret! I am adjusting to the food and actually really starting to enjoy it. It's still rice every meal and a lot of that purple corn drink. But it's better here in Peru than the stuff I tried before I left. 

So we have three baptisms on Saturday! E, D, and E. They are all very ready. Would you guys pray for them this week? Even in the short time I have been here it's amazing to see them accept our Savior. 

I love you guys! Thank you for your prayers and your love. Each day is getting a little easier. With the help of our Savior, all things are possible. 

Much love

Hermana Vernon 

These are two other Hermanas in our district. One is from Colombia, the other from Michigan.

This week Hermana Guzman taught the young women how to make empanadas from Bolivia. This is in the capilla. Yes, we used a ping pong table.

There is a mall really close to our area where we go on p days. This is what fast food looks like in Peru. It's called lomo saltado.