10/27/2014

Hey Momma and Dad,

Mail wise, I have received nothing, but mail comes tomorrow so cross your fingers.

This week has flown by. To be honest spanish still sucks lol, but I'm speaking a lot more in the lessons and  I'm contacting like a beast. The food here has been great and I have had no issues with it at all, other than the fish that was sketchyyyy! I'm loving it, my companion is a G.

It was Edgar's birthday this week a less active and his parents have baptismal dates with us for the 29th of November so that was dope. Pictures are hard to send because it takes forever to load. This last week we went to Huanta and it was way sweet the view was unreal and crazy cool. I'm just pushing along here, gathering up all those people who believe in la apostasia and trying to bring them to the truth.

This week it rained. This is the only area that it rains in my mission. The streets were rivers, massive rivers, and my shoes are soaked constantly, but it is so awesome to see. The people here are marvelous and they are truly changing my life. I have never met so many humble, hard working, and caring individuals in my life. This week is the day of the dead/ halloween so I'll keep you posted on how crazy the parties are.

One crazy story this week: I obtained a jehovah witness bible from a family and also they had a gathering in the park. Me and my companion went and taught a bunch of people listening to the jehovah witnesses homie. It was an awesome experience. Life out here is a little hard but I'm making the best of it everyday just like my parents taught me.

I hope the family is doing well and that everyone is killling it. Im happy to hear about kade and his success and the football squad. I've been so blessed to be able to serve here. Know I'm praying for you guys always.

Spiritual experience: I've been a bit sick this week and I didn't know how I was going to be able to go out and teach. But I prayed for strength popped some excedrin and went out and the first family I saw on the street I went to and shared a little message and now we have an appointment with them today. And ever since that point I didn't feel sick at all and I could feel God liftin me up just enough so I could get through it. Read D&C 84:88! I love you all so much

Elder Adams

Note from Dana: I was able to chat with Court for minute and I asked him if he is even able to communicate with his companion since he does not speak any English and this was his reply:

"My companion does not speak english! and that language (Quechua) is freaking impossible. I know how to say "how are you" and how to say "I dont speak quecheu" hahaha."

He also said:

"No, me and him still have convos it is just a little harder, thats all. And I have gringos in my zone. Guess what they call me here. Gringonito.. or the beautiful white boy.  lolololol."

10/20/2014

Peru is freaking awesome and so is Ayacucho! This week we put in a lot of work here. We are both new to the area and so it was hard to teach people the first week but this week we got it rolling. There are so many girls here so it is hard to teach because you have to have a member. We have had 7 people commit to baptism and we have 4 weddings planned!! You can call me the wedding planner!!

We are killing it and the people are so humble. My companion is a straight genius when it comes to the gospel. We also have the most hills in our area compared with the rest of the mission so you best believe that my calves and thighs are straight bumping always. The parties here never stop and I absolutely love it. Parties around the clock. The music is sweet too. The language is still rough but I'm learning more and more everyday. I email from these sketchy internet cafes lol. And I haven't recieved any mail but hopefully I will get it tomorrow that is when we get mail. I got all the pictures that you emailed. And I'm in Peru chilling in the Andes teaching this great gospel. How could I not be happy!! I'm loving every second. The people here are crazy and I haven't see one peruvian that is above 5,9. One of our investigators goes to my ribs, it is crazy.

But the mission is great, we just work, work, work and I'm getting a little better at contacting and teaching, but it is still a little rough. One thing here is that they are all catolica and it is rough. Mom and Dad, "Our house in the middle of the street" (the song) is playing right now and I'm loving it hahaha. Everything is awesome here.

Today we are going to the big white Jesus so I'm stoked for that. I can't send pics this week cuz this computer sucks. But I hope everyone is doing well and Happy birthday to Scott, John and my homie Kade. I hope you all have the best of days. I don't know how to send mail so I'll try to figure that out. But I love you all, I hope you have a week of wonders.

Spiritual thought. This week we taught Vladimir and Anete! We were teaching and I was talking about Jose Smith and I knew I was saying everything wrong but I asked if they understood and they said yes and the spirit was unreal. It is so amazing how the Holy Ghost can speak to all no matter the language. I love you Dana and Mike and I wanted to say thanks for raising me in this gospel. Alma 56:12 is a good read for me! You are the best mom and dad!!

Love, Elder Adams

P.S. I asked him what I could send him and this was his reply:
"Reese's!!!!!! and more Reese's...but do not send medicine or else we wont get it"

10/13/2014

MOMMMMMM!!! It is so freaking crazy here! Mondays are my p days so hit me up on Mondays!

Ayacucho is absolutely nuts! It breaks my heart to see people living this way. They honestly have nothing, they live in the dirt! But the thing that amazes me is that they are always happy and never are sad, they always are partying and having a good time. They are so humble and so kind, only one person we have contacted on the street has declined to be taught.

Guess what!!!! We already got a woman to commit to baptism. Her name is Mery. We also have been teaching a bunch of other people but Deana and Cesar are the next closest, faith wise. It is so amazing but it is so hard. I can barely understand anything and I can hardly speak so I get frustrated at times but it is all about patience.

The place we are staying in is nicer than our rooms in the CCM! It is so gorgeous here, the mountains and the stars are out of this world. I can see galaxies, that's how unreal they are. Mom, I just want to tell you it is a little dangerous. This area is known for distributing a lot of cocaine but I'm safe, I got God on my side.

The members and the bishop are so great, they are amazing. Our pensionista or our cook and her family are the best. She makes the best food ever. Peruvian food is my life. Hermano Miguel is her husband and he is a boss and helps us so much. We also have someone to do our laundry which is awesome, am I right. It is difficult sometimes to talk because some people only speak Quechua which sucks because neither of us can but we do have book of Mormons in Quechua, I took a pic of one.

Now let me tell you about the public transportation: it smells, it is small, and it kind of sucks a lot. But all good here in the hood. When I'm on the bus no lie I have to tilt my head and my ear still hits the top of the bus. But I am loving it here in Peru. The people are awesome, the food is awesome and Spanish is hard, haha. I also ate cuy, or as we would say guinnea pig! It was actually pretty delicious. I am also in love with the music.They are playing 99 red balloons as I'm writing this.

But I am so grateful for this gospel and everything it has done for me. In Luke 14:12 it talks about being called to serve the poor and the broken hearted and it could not be more true for me, they have so many hardships, and it is hard to see. I ask all of you to be grateful for what you have because we have been given so much and we are so blessed to know this great truth and we are so blessed to have a family so close. I love you all with all my heart and I wish you the best this next week. PRAY FOR MY SPANISH!!!

10/8/2014

I made it to Peru and I'm going to be honest, it is ridiculous here. It is awesome other than the travel to get here and not being able to speak Spanish, haha. My companion is awesome but I don't understand him most of the time. He is from Honduras and he is 26 years old and is a boss. He only has 6 months left on his mission. 

But let me tell you about my travel. We had the 6 hour plane ride and then a 1 hour bus ride to the hotel where we slept for like 4 hours. Then we had a meeting and a time when they figure out who is going to train us and where we are going. You will never guess where I'm at right now, it is so crazy, but anyways I'm in Ayacucho which is in the Andes mountains!! I'm just chillin up here, crazy. And they speak Quechua or however you say it so I'm juggling 3 languages right now. It is so hard though, it is freaking crazy. I don't understand anyone and I had to take a 12 hour bus ride just to get here so I slept on a bus all night last night, and it kind of sucked, but I'm doing good and God is with me and I'm just pressing forward in faith. This is just a quick email. I love you all so much and wish you the best. 

Love, 

Elder Adams

He Made It!

With President and Sister Douglas

10/6/2014

Just an update to let you know that Courtland is in the air on his way to Peru.  He did email me a few lines this morning letting us know how excited and nervous he is.  He is mostly worried about his Spanish.  He should land around 8:45 tonight (a 6 hour flight).  I am not sure when we will get an actual email from him again.  Thanks for your prayers and support!

Dana :)

10/1/2014

I went to the temple today and it was so freaking awesome. I loved every second of it!! I got some cool ties. I was going to buy you stuff but I decided that it would be cooler from Peru. 

And Guess Whatttt!!!!! I got my flight plans to Peru!!! I leave Monday at 3 in the afternoon. It is so crazy that it is already here. It is a 6 hour flight, but I'm sure I will email Monday right before i go! Im so excited to get out of this place and change the lives of those in Peru. 

While driving to the temple I saw so much of Mexico City and it broke my heart to see how little they have and how I take so many things for granted. I can only imagine what Peru is going to look like! Im also so excited for General Conference it should be good and a really cool experience to be with so many other missionaries at the same time. 

Weeks have just flown past here at the CCM and me and my companion are for sure the strongest we do everything together, we get along really well. But I've made so many new friends and I have gotten to know some of the greatest people! 

This week was filled with sand volleyball and soccer! I played soccer with some Peruvians who were so good and helped me with all the different words they use in Peru (which is a lot of them). He was one of the coolest kids I have met! Also I have forgotten to tell you this mother but my p day shoes ripped the second week, but they are ducked tape and holding in there strong. 

We have had a hard time focusing because we all got our flight plans but we here in 11 c are killing it! Hermana Kaaa taught me everything Hawaiian from hula dancing, to skanking, and we always sing some reggae songs!! She is awesome. I have some sweet pics! 

For a spiritual thought I just want to tell everyone to be happy all the time and be filled with love. I know that times get rough but through faith and support you can get through anything!! Tengo Gozo En mi alma todos los dias!! I love you all so much and all of your letters!! I hope everyone has a wonderful week!! 

Love, 

Elder Adams

Excited to go to Peru!