December 5, 2016 - Week 3 in Peru!

This week has been great. We got our hot water back! It only stops working for some minutes if ever. We have been realy blessed here to have hot water!

On monday right after emailing, we were crossing the highway (La Marina is the name) and I dropped my waterbottle, as cars were coming. I had the split second decision to grab or not grab it, and i grabbed it, and didn't get hit. I guess it was kinda close-ish though. After, my companion said something like "You want to die?" Haha I can't have any more close calls with traffic. It's crazy here.

We had a couple more cockroaches, but then we think we found the source. There were 3 in my companion's chest of drawers! We killed them all, and haven't had any more. So they could've all been from there! Those annoying cucarachas haha. Before we found the 3, one of them fell from the ceiling and hit my arm this week, and freaked me out. Now I always search the ceiling when we get into our apartment.

I've been getting more used to contacting people this week. It's been hard for me to just start talking, but my companion helped me practice and I now just need to trust in the spirit and trust in myself and talk! It'll come!

The temple trip was awesome! I had it translated to English, but nobody else did. That's alright. I need it for now haha. It was a cool temple. The meals there are pretty cheap too! 6 soles ($2) for soup, rice, meat, and a drink and a gelatin like dessert! Lots of food. They really do like food here. I hope I don't outgrow my pants haha. After the temple, the other elders (Chahuara, Paz, and de Arce) got haircuts, but I'll be getting one this week. Didn't need it then.

We also did service this past thursday! We went to a center for kids with disabilities, and sang christmas hymns in Spanish and then I helped clean a mural on the outside walls of the center, as well as cleaned the toys and windows. Service is always great. Little kids are awesome too!

There was one lesson this week with someone named Mario, and it was really spiritual, but I couldn't understand much of what he was saying. It got me frustrated a bit inside since he had cried a little, and I felt the spirit, and really wanted to say things, but had no idea how to respond. It was the only time I've been a little mad for not knowing spanish. It's hard when people ask sincere questions, and you just have to say "I don't understand." That's ok though. I'll learn!

Saturday was great. Elder Chahuara and Paz had a baptism! Elder Chahuara leaves Dec. 28th for home, so it was his last baptism. He said the mission is awesome, and he was sad for having to leave. I lead the music at the baptism. Hope to be the one baptizing others soon!

Fast Sunday was great. Fasting is different here, since they fast during dinner on Saturday and Breakfast on Sunday, so it ends up being about 24 hours. Little harder, but it's worth it. Even though I was tired after my fast, I felt the spirit, and I'm very thankful for the opportunity to fast and have the spirit with me!

On Sunday, Hermano Luis, one of our investigators, came to church on sunday! It was great to see him there. He only stayed for 2 hours though, and left before we could catch him. Hope next week he stays the full three hours! He's progressing well!

We also got to watch the devotional from the first presidency on Sunday! It was in spanish, but I understood most of it! Enough to take some notes! I loved the part where we were told that the christmas attitude and the spirit of christmas can be felt all year, not just at christmas time. The spirit of God doesn't only exist during service or during times of happiness, it exists at all times.

So many people here are so receptive to the gospel. Church attendance is the hard part. We pray for investigators to attend church lots. People are so kind here in Peru, and so many people have a belief in God and Jesus Christ. It's interesting though: When people don't go to any church in general, they seem to be more open to the idea of coming to ours. It's harder when someone is devote catholic or other religions. Everyone, even if they have other beliefs, are really nice and listen to our messages most of the time. We only really get "rejected" when we are contacting. I love the people here in Peru! So nice to talk to.

I hope to keep having success each and every day, and to become more used to contacting people too! I am very thankful for the abundance of feelings of the spirit during my time here in Peru. Without the spirit, I'm just saying words, but with the spirit, I really feel like I can change lives.

Continue doing service! If you havent already, visit mormon.org and look at the calendar! Use social media for good! Share the gospel! Serve others in any way possible! This christmas season, have a good spirit always! Try to love everyone! Always have a positive attitude. Know that through Jesus Christ,we can overcome all our trials and challenges in life! I'm so grateful for this, because this mission I'm serving isn't easy, but with the help of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, I can make it through with more ease, and change lievs along the way!

With the spirit, all of you can help in this work of missionaries! Be a missionary to your friends and in your ward! Always be a good example, and strive to help others!

Estoy muy agradecido por este misión que estoy sirviendo. Estoy agradecido por el Espíritu Santo en mí vida, y yo se que es posible para superar todos los desafíos tenemos. Estoy feliz para servir una misión para mí Señor, y me gusta la obra misional. Yo se que este iglesia de Jesucristo es verdadero.

Hope you all are doing well! Peru is great! Love hearing from you all!

-- Elder Bruner