Pure Love of Christ (July 6, 2015)

Hello family!
What was a great email. It sounds like you guys had a very full week. I hope the 4th of July was fun! Here in Peru it was just another day. However, I did sing the Star Spangled Banner to myself haha.

So for the past two weeks a group of kids from the US have been here in the ward. They are here as an EFY group. Its been really fun because they have attended church here in the ward and have had the chance to get to know the members. They have also done Noche de Hogar with us Monday nights in the members homes. I have had to translate a little as well so that has been a real test to my Spanish. But it's been fun. There is a girl here with the EFY group that is the cousin of Caleb Clark. It was fun to make a connection with someone back home. SO I sent a few things with one of the girls from EFY to give to you guys. She is going to have her family stop by when they are driving home from the airport and give to you. I wrote down your telephone numbers and I believe she will be calling you the end of this week. The kids go home Thursday just so you know. 

I learned a very big lesson this week about the love of Christ. Here in our area there is one hill that is a little more dangerous. We never go there at night just to be cautious. There is a man that is ALWAYS outside when we pass and always greets us. I will be honest I was never very friendly with him because he scared me a little. However, this past week Hna Torrico stopped to talk with them. His name is F and his wifes name is A. They have 4 kids. For his job, he stays outside and watches the cars for people who live in this area. (Its like a big cul de sac with hills). Because of this he is always outside with his wife. They are very humble people. We began to teach them about the importance of prayer and F began to cry. He has dealt with problems with drugs, drinking, and much more. However, he told us he has always felt the love of our Heavenly Father. His wife is wonderful as well. She told us she has listened to a lot of people talk about God, but no one explains it like us. After the lesson they told us they wanted to go to church with us on Sunday. 

Sunday was a crazy day. Hna Torrico had permission this day to visit one of her old areas. So Gipsi once again was my companion. Hna Torrico left at 5 in the morning. Gipsi was so sweet to sacrifice her Sunday (very early). Every Sunday before church, we pick up our investigators to help them attend. There were a ton of people to pick up yesterday! We picked up three young women, F, A, and their two young boys. They all live in the same area so it wasn't too much of a hassle, but I felt like a mother hen as they all followed me to the chapel. Once we got there, there were three more young men that we are teaching who had come with their friend. 10 investigators! I was really nervous at first because Hna Torrico was gone and I had to help all of them find their classes and feel comfortable. But even though I was a little nervous, I was so happy. My testimony of church attendance grows each Sunday. The ward really took in all the investigators and it was beautiful to see them feel welcome. The bishop told me ¨Hna Vernon, Dios esta feliz con su trabajo¨. It was beautiful to see the fruits of the work that Hna Torrico and I had done this week. Hna Torrico got back around 5 pm Sunday and we continued working hard until the end of the day. 

So we are teaching a girl named T. She is 14 years old. She has a date to be baptized this week. After the first lesson we had with her a few weeks back, she asked us when she could be baptized. haha I love this response. She has felt the truth of the gospel and wants to be baptized. It's not because it's something her parents want, or something her friends are doing. Its because she KNOWS the importance of this convenant with God. 

Thank you for the package! I love my scarfs and sweater. Haha I feel a little more like me again. Also thanks for the snacks. Gipsi had never tried peanut butter so that was really fun. She went through the temple on Friday! I am going to miss her a ton. She will be my companion again on Friday when Hna Torrico has a training for all the missionaries that are leaving. 

We also did splits this week with the Sister Trainer Leaders. I went with Hna Toscano to her area. She was Hna Beattys first companion. She is a wonderful missionary. I learned a lot with her. I am so thankful for the leaders that president Erickson gives us to help us grow as missionaries. It was also fun to be in a different area for a day. It made me realize how wonderful Independencia is. I love the people here so much. I'm thankful that I know I will be here for one more transfer at least when Hna Torrico leaves. Independencia is super close to the mission office. It's a very strong stake as well. The people are very humble, but because of this I think they are a little more willing to listen. 

The spanish is coming. Its still nowhere near fluent, but I am studying each day and talking a lot. I know with time and hard work I will continue to improve. 

I love you all so much! I hope you are able to get the few things I sent you. Thanks for updating me on Shawna. I will keep her in my prayers for sure. 

There are really hard days in the mission, but there are always beautiful days as well. I am very thankful to be in the service of our Heavenly Father. 

Hna Vernon

Lunch with the Stake President