Week #15 Nov. 19, 2018

Week #15 Nov. 19, 2018

Ahhh im so jealous that you guys are in mexico!!! It looks so nice there!!! Tell everyone that i love them all and miss them all tons. 

So one thing that ive really seen this week that has helped me alot is to just find the small things in my day that helped me and that im grateful for. Lots of days are super crappy, but in the middle of those days you will find the small things that made it alittle easier. 

You begin to feel the joy in teaching people and stop thinking about yourself and feel the desire to help others. Ive seen both the good and sad when it comes to the work. Ive seen people except it and have the desire to be baptized. Ive seen the hardness of some hearts here and how satan seriously has a hold on some people. 

Ive felt the power of the priesthood and seen how important it really is. Ive felt the sadness, when someone who once did have the desire to be baptized suddenly rejects that desire and gives in to doubt. Its super sad. But ive felt the happiness when someone gets baptized and you can see the light in their eyes. 

I know that Heavenly Father gives us difficult trials so that we can grow from them and become stronger. One thing that i learned this week is to have trust in the lord, cause hes putting a lot of trust in us to be here and trust us with his work. Trust in the lord, cause he knows that you will do the right thing.

We have district meeting every week and zone conference every change. And yea our president comes to them. We have multi zone conferences so we travel to cusco stay in a hotel and then go to the conference the next day. WE had a genreal authority at our conference, elder montoya it was awesome. 

Dear Dad!

Im happy and healthy, dont worry. Im doing good. my comp told me that i might be a trainer next change so thats scary haha. It has been super hot that past couple days. like really hot. haha i reallky miss the snow honestly. i wish it was winter, but ill just have to wait for that time to see it again. i love ya dad and miss ya!! tell seth to freakin email me please!!!

Haha mom your the best. I love you. 

Some thing interesting that i heard was our pension was talking to us this morning about the fire in california. I told her my cousin was involved and lost all this stuff. She was wondering why there were so many fires in california. MOm whenever i read yours or dads emails it about brings me to tears every time! I love it here, but at the same time is is stupid hard to get up everyday and do the same thing and some days we have good days, but others are super difficult and the people dont want to hear anything.. Its hard but you see the little blessings every day. 

we have two people that want to be baptized so that is a huge blessing. one of them we have been working with for a long time, and the other lives in cusco, but visits his grandma in pitumarca and wants to be baptized. What a huge miracle and blessing for us. both are super smart and we are hopeing that they will continue to follow the teachings of jesus christ and follow his example. 

How is everyone doing, how is jane, and seth. I miss those guys alot!! Tell them i love them. How are you mom, how is everything! I love you and miss you all the time.. Loves yo tons momma. I will send some pics today!!!

Week #14 Nov. 12, 2018

Week #14 Nov. 12, 2018

So this week was way weird. I got fried on p day last week. And then it felt like the next 2 days were straight up heck, cause i felt like my comp hated me. then Like tuesday night i received a call from the zone leader saying that i was going to cusco. i thought i was in trouble cause they didnt tell me why, but it was just to get my citizenship card and finish all that stuff up. 

But before i left me and my comp were proselyting and we had no success till our last house. And we met this kid named elvis who was super smart and wanted to learn more. Answer to prayers right there. Then as we were leaving to go to the bus station. I just said to elder ochoa, hey man, im sorry for being a hard comp and for not being as smart with the lessons and stuff. And then i left for cusco, elder ochoa didnt come with sadly. 

So i was with another gringo in my group and man it was so much fun in cusco. we got to the terminal and went to the house of the office elders, and they live in a super deluxe apartment. It was the best place i had seen since I got here. Me and elder pickett just talked for most the night. the next morning we left for the migrations place and waiting forever pretty much. but after, they let us go and buy lunch, so we went to a mall, and it was beautiful, ive never been in a place so much like america!! 

We ate popeyes fried chicken for lunch and it was awesome. then after we went to this place that riminded me of walmart and bought food for the ride home. 

Then we had exchanges this week and i was with elder sosa when elder ochoa was in pitumarca with elder barrios. Elder sosa is from Piura which is northern peru and super hot. He has the same time as me, so ya know two super young missionaries. I realized that i have a really good comp cause he was alittle immature i think. Then yesterday we had stake conference and it was fun. We had lots of new people yesterday. Feliciano is an old catholic guy who was super fun to talk with. and then jimmy who is 17 and super ready for the gospel i think. 

My spanish is getting alitlle better i think. I am gettign better at understanding and listening to the people. Teaching people not lessons. So that has been a super good blessing. My cursive is getting good, i write in my journal in cursive every night hah. This week we are goping to cusco for zone confgerence !!! Should be super fun!!!

Oh and when i was waiting at the migracion, they made a mistake and somehow i was left in this waithing room alone, just me and this guy. In my mind i was saying talk to that guy. But i chickened out, then he speaks to me in spanish, so we are talking alittle, but then part way through, he says, do you speak english, my spanish is very poor. So we talked in english

, his name was frederick from france and he was super cool. we talked about god and jesus christ and the holy ghost is was dope. 

I got to leave now, but i love you mom!!!

Week #13 Nov. 5, 2018

Week #13

Well So Man these past few days have been really crazy. On friday, it was day of the dead, and everyone was making sweet bread and with their families. Our pensions family came over and we got to know them alittle bit. they were fun to talk to. She only has one son who lives at home. So its just her, her husband, her son Nico, and there dog who is super funny. But our day was super uneventful cause we had a district meeting, then we went back and did all our studying. We had a freaking amazing lunch cause day of the dead ya know, it was cuyi al horno, which is guinea pig to the oven literally. And holy cow, it was so good and we had chicken and stuffed peppers! It was amazing and after, i was so full. 

Unfortunately, it started to rain and thunder hard. And so we stayed in for the rest of the night. cause people dont normally want to talk in the rain, and my comp doesnt want any of us to get sick. But we got lots of sweet bread from members and alot of different people! so theres a plus !! 

on saturday, this day started out a little freaky, We were driving to Pitumarca, which is like an hour away. As we are driving we pass like a crime scene, lots of cops and lots of people gathered around to see. As we drove by i saw a dead guy face down in the dirt. I was like whoa, thats not normal. And yea after i saw a van, like the ones we drive to pitumarca, that had gone off the road and crashed into a river bank. So that also freaked me out. 

Pitumarca wasnt very good that day. We had lots of citas planned but all fell through. But we met with one lady and she only spoke quechua so only the girl we work with could talk to her. So we just watched her as they talked and she was making a pancho. It was interesting to watch. 

We started our fast, and by the time we ended it i was expecting  some grand miracle to happen but nothing did. I felt so defeated inside, but then after!! I fasted personally for the language and to find someone that we could teach that day. And as we were finding, i realized that i just wanted to do all the door contacting and try to get more citas with more people! So boom that was an answer to my prayers from fasting. and then we had another cita to end the night, and it was with this girl that we always try to meet with but never can. So we went and we taught a first lesson with her and her husband!!! They were so accepting and wanted to hear alittle more!! 

It was the perfect way to end the day. I was so happy and so was elder Ochoa!! Today we were supposed to have this awesome pday with the zone. So we went to the church, and played soccer for a long time. then we were supposed to make this awesome lunch!! So we all gave our money to some elders and they left to buy stuff. then they came back with steaks to cook!! But also with charcoal. And we tried to get something to cook, but i still havent eaten lunch yet. Im super hungry right now haha. 

Our daily schedule is get up, get ready, breakfast, study for a couple hours, go proselyting till 8 and then eat dinner at 8_30, and get ready for bed after. Pretty simple and repetitive 

I usually eat lots of bread, eggs, rice, beans, chicken, vegetables, and fruit. everyonce in a while i eat some weird fruit but its usually pretty good. the food isnt bad at all, Lots of quinoa, and weird beverages, like a sweet rice milk, or quinoa drink. usually its all warm too. But its all pretty good..

Our pension cooks for us every day, and cleans our clothes like every 2 weeks so its not bad. Its a blessing for sure haha.

yep we live in a small room at the back of her house. Like our room is a room with all the stuff in it, beds and desks and all. And also a bathroom right next to our room.

 

Sicuani Is not a pretty looking town. everyday in the afternoon, it rains and thunders like crazy, its starts out sunny and then dumps later. its a city surrounded by mountains, big ones,but filled with dirt mud, dogs, poop, and dead things, literally. But the people here are always super friendly. 

when i first got here i was shocked to see what a dump it was, but now i am loving the area and its fun to find new places to find people and to see people we know in the streets. I love it in Sicuani, Its different, I dont have a warm shower here, and its not warm here usually hah, but its a great place. 

I love you mom and miss you tons!!! If you still have the package, could you put a spanish hymn book in it if you can find one. If you can thank you!! 

Love you mom, i am doing great, and I am getting better and better at the language, I think haha. But Im working on it. Pray for me!! Cause I pray for you guys every day. Love you lots!!!!

Su Hijo, Elder Clawson

Week #12 Nov. 1, 2018

Week #12

Haha so man this week was long and alittle difficult but also a huge blessing. Some funny things, this morning when we were cleaning our room, our pension her husband and her son (who reminds me a lot of uncle eric) were getting things ready to make some cuyi al horno which is guineau pig roasted on a stick in an oven. We heard them start to freak out alittle so we went out to see what was up. I thought one of her guin eau pigs got out an d went into the water pipes but turns out it was a big rat. SO we helped find it and it jumps out of these pipes and they trap it and literally beat it to death with a broom then another one jumps out and their dog kimbo kills it. It was so funny to watch and these rats were huge and nasty. 

And we played soccer today so that was fun. 

And then i saw a super drunk guy who had passed out on the street, but our bus just drove around him like nothin was there. 

When we were in pitumarca this week, we met with a 18 year old kid who we hadnt taught in awhile and  he just straight up said, I felt the difference when i went to your church and i think i want to be baptized, I didnt fully understand at first but then it hit and man it was crazy! Totally like in the Best two years. Then we talked to two more girls that want to be baptized and asked them to talk to their father for permission cause i think he doesnt like the missionaries. 

We gave a blessing of health to a brother of a member and that was super good and interesting to witness. 

Day of the dead is actually the 2 of november and it was pretty crazy in the bigger part of the city. But in our area nots o much. Lots of  bread and sweet bread. and cuyi also. The people here think that  Halloween is a Satanic holiday where people dress up as monsters- Ive had to tell them its just a fun time for kids to dress up and get candy from others- I only saw a couple of kids doing it sadly. I think my comp was a littel sad to hear that he was staying in Vallecito, so this week was pretty rough. But it had its ups and its downs.

“The mission is a strange experience. It's a trial test.

Missions throw at you the worst, yet teach you the best.

They told me this would be the best period of my life, but I guess they didn't explain it all too clear.

I came out looking for a bed of roses, I just didn't expect all the thorns I've found out here. 

I've never been so happy. 

I've never been so depressed. 

I've never felt so forsaken. 

I've never felt so blessed.

I've never been so discouraged.

I've never been so full of hope. 

I feel like I can go on forever. 

I think I've come to the end of my rope.

I've never had it so easy. 

I've never had it so tough. 

Things have never gone so smoothly. Things have never been so rough.

I've never traveled through more valleys. 

I've never ascended so many peaks. I've never met so many great people. I've never met so many freaks. 

I've never had so many ups. 

I've never had so many downs. 

I've never worn so many smiles. 

I've never worn so many frowns. 

I've never been so lonely. 

I've never had so many friends. 

Man, I hope this is all over soon. Gosh, I hope this never ends.”

This was a poem James shared with Jake.  One of James' friends sent it to him 30 years ago in Taiwan.  

woow that peom is so true. I loved that- THanks for that pops. This week was a little tough. I wasnt in the changes at all and i think my comp was alittle sad about that so he kind of just took it all out on me in the work and in his attitude a bit. He wasnt too happy almost all the days. and i woke up everyday this week just ready to come home-- but always by the end of the day, i felt better, even it it had been a super crappy day. we had a lot of those- the language is difficult and i cant really communicate with my comp but its ok. I just expect myself to  be a pro at the language and the teaching right now but im surrounded by missionaries who are getting ready to go home and i see that i know absolutaly nothing. I need to have more patience with myself- and i feel alone alot but whenever i pray i feel better and know that god is with me always- Its ridiculously hard, but its worth it. I love you dad and miss you tons- i cant wait to here from you again-

Elder Clawson.

Week #11 Oct. 22, 2018

Week #11

I'm sorry about my grammar, the computers here are different and i serioulsy try my best, but i have to write super fast all the time. 

Foods good, rice with beans and a little meat. Fruit all the time, same with bread. Buts its all good. 

We had a baptism like my 2nd week here and that was awesome. But non of our other investigators, or persons, are really progressing. 

this week has been a slow week cause we were gone in Cusco for 2 days for zone conference. I dont think ill go to Machu Picchu for a while. my comp has been here for 18 months and still hasnt gone yet. Life is cool. Just trying to understand and learn the language and teach people everday, but everyonce in a while ill have a day where I just say something totally bombin in the lesson and after i just feel so good about it. AAAHHAH I pray for those moments all the time. 

This week a lot of my prayers were answered. About people, language, my comp, on sunday i got alittle sick and i prayed about that also. And seriously all of them were answered. 

Something funny about this place, all the people here, including the latino missionaries, love anime and Naruto or Yugiyo. And its super weird cause i havent seen that stuff since watching the YUGIYO stuff with you and emma as kids. its hilarious. and everyone is into computer games also. Its sad to see all these like teens just wasting their lifes away with these games when they could be out hangin with friends or girls. But thats their choice. 

Dude I love ya lots and miss ya. If you see the rest of the fam, tell seth and jane to email me!!!!

Love ya man, Elder clawson

Hey dad thank you for the letter!!! mY COMP went to 3 years of school before he left so when he returns he is going to return and do another 2 years of industrial engineering. He wants to work in canada. 

the teaching is fine here. its super cold some days and then really sunny and hot other days. But this whole week it has been lightniong and rain, like imagine the tetons when we are at jackson. now imagine you were right on top of the tetons and in the lightning and rain. Thats what its like cause we are serioulsy surrounded by mountains. and also really high up. 

Not alot of crazy people, but everyonce in a while you will see a drunk guy that notices your white and just thinks that im rich and askes me for money. Usually when that happens i just talk to them in english cause they cant understand it.  

My spanish is coming along slowly, im getting a little better at understanding and i can talk a litte better. I can talk gospel really well, but like street talk or conversations are a little more difficult. Even with little kids. tell tanner I said Hi and miss him lots. Tell seth to freaking send me an email cause I miss that guy!!!! and jane also!! 

At zone conference in Cusco.  Reuniting with his MTC companion and friends.  

We had a multizone conference this week and we all went to cusco. I saw my old comp elder boyle and we hugged and talked alot. Hes an awesome missionary.  I love ya dad and miss ya lots. If you got any tips about mission life, give it to me. Our P days are pretty boring the past few days, we buy some nesecities and then watch movies like all day. Movies are great but i want to see some different stuff, or play soccer. But whatever goes goes, im good with it all.

Love ya Dad.

This is Jake's pensionista.  Or the mother of the family Jake and his companion live with.  She is holding dinner for Jake!!

Week #10 Oct. 15, 2018

Week #10

Wow so this week was a little weird but really good. So i Cant remember a whole lot, but it was super good. 

On wednesday I had m first exchange, and that was super different. I went with the zone leader elder duron from Tucson Arizona. Hes a super hilarious guy. It was nice to have a whole day with him and speak alot of english. I miss speaking english but i can slowly see my spanish Improving. We did a lot of stuff, lots of contracting in the streets. 

Its funn cause elder duron would pick a streeet and say reall loud, who needs to hear the message of jesus today!! And we found lots of people!!! then after that we had our companionship inventory.  recently me and elder ochoa had been struggling alitte bit. So in our inventoury he asked, what can we improve on, and ya know having gained up the courage to speak, i said, I feel like you dont like me, whats the deal with that? but it verry simplifiedd spanish. thats how it went in my head. But man, he said that he did like me, but he just knew that i was young and wanted to act like a teenager. He said that he has very little patience for that but he is working on it. My comp is 22 and finishing his misison in like 6 months. So we had a serious talk, mostly just me listening to him and man in the end we were both bawling our eyes out. It made me want to become more like him cause man i seriouls got put with the best companion ever, its flipping hard, but he is the greatest example for me. 

Then we had conference and that was awesome. The saturday sssion was all in Spanish for me, so that was a little difficult but i loved it alot. Sunday was way better, all in english, me and the 2 other gringos were in the secretaries office all three of us in a tiny room surrounding a computer watching conference. it was weird and it made me miss home, but it was really good too. 

today we just bought stuff and watched movies. YES i know what you are thinking, why is he watching movies on his mission. haha i thought that too at first, but our presidente has movies that are appropiate for us to watch. We watched WRECK IT RALPH today. it was awesomme. tomorrow we are goinhg to Cusco to a meeting so it should be cool.

Love ou all and hope everone is doing awesome!!!

Elder Clawson

Week #9 Oct. 8, 2018

Week #9, Oct. 8, 2018

Dad!! thank you so much for your letter!! So just a heads up, we couldmt watch conference this saturday and sunday cause we had elections here for some kind of regional leadership, no one could leave their houses on sunday, unless you needed to vote. But what!!! Are you serious about the 2 hour church cause i know you have made tons of jokes about that!! You better not be messing with me cause im gonna be talking to everyone about that!!! 

My Companion is Elder Ochoa, 22 years old From Huanuco Perú. He went to school for 3 years before his mission, he is the only child, and has been a member his whole life. He has 17 or 18 months in the mission. thank you so much for the advice cause that is seriously what i needed. 

I cant speak very well, especially to my companion even. And alot of the time we are just quiet but I try to think of things to ask him about help or language or about his life too. 

Dad I didnt to put this in the group email cause man i dont know how i feel about it, but our mission president is super cool and i love him lots, he lets us watch approved disney movies on P days. I dont know how that sounds to you but to me it is kinda weird. Like today we watched SING,and also Wreck it Ralph. Both are good movies, but its just wierd. What do you think about this? Dad I love you tons and feel exactly how you felt in the mission. But I hope I can learn quick, lots of prayers for help and the spirit. Tell me all the advice you have please!! 

Love ya DAD!

Elder Clawson

The streets of Sicuani, Peru