We are in Peru!                        April 30, 2017

The first few days, Carter and I said that to each other quite often. Sometimes I would say it emphasizing different words:

We ARE in Peru! We are IN Peru! We are in PERU!

We had been here only 5 days when we had to pack our bags again to ride across town for the Mission Presidents seminar, held in downtown Lima over a 3 day period. I am sitting by Carter in the back of the room. I have headphones on to hear the English translation.

Here’s part of a journal entry:

“That was fun!

That’s exactly what I said while walking into our hotel room tonight. We had an amazing day at the Mission President’s Seminar.  It is Friday, April 28, 2017, 8:45 pm. We had been sitting at a table with all 4 of the Venezuelan mission presidents and their wives. Just like our son Jordan can sniff out a Korean anywhere, Carter can find a Venezolano, and we had 8 of them all to ourselves for about an hour. We had a great time telling about our families, where we were from, showing pictures and Carter exchanging contact information so they can reach each other for medical purposes. As part of his duties, he is responsible for the 4 Venezuelan missions. He served his mission in Venezuela and loves anything and anyone from Venezuela. Much of the day consisted of instruction from the area presidency, Elder Falabella, Elder Godoy, Elder Montoya and too much food! The night ended with dinner at the Venezuelan table and a group of Peruvian dancers.

Venezuelan Mission Presidents

This Mission President’s Seminar takes place every 6 months and the Area Medical Advisers are always invited too. We need to connect with the mission presidents and especially their wives who are responsible for the medical care of the missionaries in their mission. If anyone has a missionary serving in the South America Northwest area which consists of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru or Bolivia, your missionary is in good hands. These mission president couples work non stop almost and I was glad to know they get a break from their duties every 6 months. They work hard taking care of their missionaries. The area presidency gave some inspiring instruction and teaching. I felt that I was surrounded by very good people. I found myself saying, ” I believe that,” and “these are good people”  quite often.

We are now listening to the testimonies of the departing mission presidents and their wives. There’s a sweet spirit here. This is His work. I know that. I feel blessed to be here with these mighty servants of God.”

We love it here in Peru already. It’s humid and we walk everywhere in it. We don’t have central air conditioning, but I love the whole experience. I promised myself that I would love whatever is here for us. The area office where we work is air conditioned. What a blessing! We got lost walking to a grocery story yesterday afternoon, but we were rescued just in time when a fellow missionary couple called to see if we wanted to go to the same store with them.

Our air conditioned office with the Asays

This past Wednesday, the travel office took us to get our Peruvian ID cards. They picked us up at 6:45 am and we got done at about 12:30. We stood in lines the whole time, but Carter found some Venezuelans and we had some great conversations with them. I say “we”….. I understood a lot but didn’t say much. I can smile in Spanish!! We got a dental exam, got fingerprinted and will get our ID cards next week. We won’t have to carry our passports around once we get those ID’s.

We ate in our first Chifa, which is Peruvian Chinese food. There’s lots of Chifas here. The food looked like American Chinese food but didn’t have much flavor. I added some of their “aji” hot sauce and it was better.  I loved the experience though! There used to be a lot of Chinese people here in Peru, but I don’t remember how they got here.

Before dropping us back off at our house, the travel guys helped me get a Peruvian sim card so my phone would work here. I now have a working phone with a new number. Carter was issued a mission phone a few days after we arrived. If you want to contact me, use Facebook Messenger or email.

I got my first Peruvian haircut later that afternoon. Lets just say that 2 centimeters is a lot more than 1 centimeter. I held up my fingers measuring 1/4 inch. She said, “One centimeter?” I nodded yes. Before she started really cutting she said “Two centimeters?” I nodded yes. It couldn’t be that much more , right? It’s short! But my hair grows fast. I think I will ask some of the other missionary sisters to get a recommendation for my next hair cut. I still loved the experience. Carter got a great haircut!

Today is Ashton’s birthday. He is 25. I miss him… when I miss him, I miss the rest of my family. I bought some raspberries and read a few chapters in my book, with a fan close, last night in his honor. Candace’s family is having a birthday party for Ashton at 4:30 today and we are Skyping in. She is home base now for our family. Thank goodness someone has a stable household within our family. The rest of us are all over the place, but that’s OK. We are all doing what we need to be doing.

Con Amor….. Faye

Missionary Medical Trainees

I’m going to give a “travelogue” summary of what has happened the past week (4/16-22/17): On Monday, we started our training on how to be area medical advisers (AMAs). The Church’s program on how to document the care we provide to the missionaries is quite robust; it allows other providers of medical care to see what other providers have recommended to the same missionary…so there should be good continuity. It even allows non-medical people (like mission president’s wives, who oversee the health of the missionaries on a day-to-day basis) to document what is going on…and medical people can then read those notes.

We also learned how to find local doctors/clinics/hospitals that previous AMA’s have checked out. I was surfing on that site and even found some notes my brother, Ralph, entered in 2012 about a couple of clinics in Latvia! Cool!

We learned how to work with mission presidents to help them fulfill their responsibilities, recognizing that they have the priesthood keys and we act simply as advisers.

Elder and Sister Schwitzer (a retired ER physician and former colleague of Mike LeSueur when they both lived in Colorado Springs)[i] spoke briefly to us about the Brethren’s vision for of medical missionary work…very inspiring! It was a confirmation that the Church is led by prophesy and revelation.

Elder Weatherford T. Clayton[ii] also spoke to us. He is also a member of the Seventy and a retired physician.

At lunch on Monday, we at with our “First Contact,” a retired doctor from Utah who had previously served as AMA. If there’s a medical question I need some guidance on, I can call him. There is a cadre of medical specialists who are on call 24/7 whenever we have questions about medical conditions we are coordinating.

We also met our “In-Field Representative,” a non-medical, retired man who is a former mission president. He helps facilitate communication between the mission president, AMA, and the Brethren. Whenever a missionary comes home for medical or emotional reasons (about 6% of the missionaries who serve), a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles[iii] always has the final decision.

We had a presentation on how to teach the missionaries to be safe. It was very enlightening to hear some of the causes of missionary injuries. Elder Schwitzer reminded us that some of these missionaries are “only 6 years out of Primary[iv],” so we can’t be too surprised when they sometimes make impulsive and foolish decisions. We learned about disease prevention.

We learned about common orthopedic, dental, eye and mental health complaints.

We learned about how to coordinate payment of care the missionaries received.

They shared with us some of the ways other couples have magnified their callings as AMA’s throughout the world…in addition to their “official” responsibilities (helping orphanages, teaching English, etc). Some of those are very inspirational; I jotted down some ideas of what we might do while we’re in Peru.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, we had dinner with some old and new friends; what a blessing so many people have been in our lives!

On Thursday evening, we ate dinner in the hotel and started preparing for our trip. We caught a shuttle to the SLC airport Friday morning; our driver was from Peru! We had two extra suitcases, which cost us $200 each! Each one weighed 50#, so that’s $4/pound. However, I think it was worth it, because if we pay someone else to bring things down, it will cost us $8/pound. Things went smoothly in the airport. We sat by a nice young lady from Atlanta who now lives in Reno, but is engaged to someone who lives in Atlanta, so will be moving home. She flies home every two weeks. Things went smoothly in Atlanta airport, also. We were on a 767, which has 2 seats on each side and 3 in the middle. They fed us a nice meal at the beginning of the 3.5-hour flight and a snack at the end. I watched Moana. I had watched it previously, but didn’t understand a lot of the dialog; I watched it with subtitles this time and got a lot more out of it. I think that’s going to be essential for me, given my hearing loss! I also watched a TV show about a lady who travels to exotic places. This time she traveled to Iquitos, Peru, the largest city not reachable by road; it’s only reached by plane or boat (up the Amazon River). It was started by European “rubber barons” when rubber trees first started being harvested in the late 1800’s/early 1900s for all the automobiles that needed tires. At that time, the Europeans didn’t want their laundry washed with the dirty Amazon water, so they sent their dirty laundry back to Europe! Wow! There are some very ornate buildings from that era built by those Europeans; there was A LOT of money from that industry at that time! Eventually, the rubber industry was moved to Malaysia, where it was more practical/accessible than having to travel up the Amazon; after that, Iquitos was no longer the “rubber capital” of the world.

I also read a booklet about Cuzco and Machu Picchu, part of a travel guide to Peru. I did some sudoku. We landed at about 11:30. We went through customs and immigration smoothly. The other AMA here (and his wife) picked us up at the airport. We returned in a van/taxi; we live on the other side of Lima, so it took about an hour to get home. There was bumper-to-bumper traffic over parts of our trip, even at midnight!

[i] https://www.lds.org/church/leader/gregory-a-schwitzer?lang=eng

[ii] https://www.lds.org/church/leader/weatherford-t-clayton?lang=eng

[iii] https://www.lds.org/church/leaders/quorum-of-the-twelve-apostles?lang=eng

[iv] https://www.lds.org/topics/primary?lang=eng&old=true

MTC District and teacher…it’s wonderful to have new friends!

In another class, we learned how to use our iPhones to share the gospel…by tagging scriptures, pictures, videos and sharing them with others.

On Wednesday, we taught the couple we had been assigned on Monday to get to know. We felt like we should talk to them about God’s love (and showed them a video about a woman who was guided to the missionaries and joined the Church) and about families (we invited them to read from the Family Proclamation[i] and acknowledge how the Lord had helped them to strengthen their family).

The other couple then taught us. They invited us to read and discuss a lesson from The Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley: “Losing Ourselves in the Service of Others.”[ii] We did that and it was a powerful experience. I pray for the Lord’s help in doing that during my mission…and for the rest of my life. It’s not a coincidence that that is the same thing that another friend invited me to do several months ago.

The next day, we taught the other couple again. We followed up on our invitation from the day before and then felt impressed to invite them to continue to read in The Book of Mormon. Not coincidentally, they had already made a goal to invite their family to read The Book of Mormon with them while they were on their mission. Wow! How humbling to be an instrument in the Lord’s hand in being a second witness to the promptings He had already sent them!

On Friday, we practiced getting to know and teaching two volunteers who were local members of the Church and who were facing challenges in their lives. We felt like we should talk about God’s love for them and the peace that comes only from God. The Holy Spirit was present; it was a wonderful experience!

Friday afternoon, a couple in their 80’s talked about how they and their family have been blessed as they have served multiple senior missions. What an inspiration! I want to be like them!

Saturday, a childhood friend (and his wife) who live in Utah picked us up at the MTC and took us to breakfast at an amazing restaurant in Salt Lake City (SLC). Then we met up with another high school buddy (and wife). We had a nice visit. Our friends then dropped us off at our hotel in SLC. That evening, we attended part of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Easter Concert. We sat by the mother of one of the choir members; she had given us tickets when we came to the “stand-by” line. I had a nice visit with her before the concert. The choir and orchestra were amazing!

Today, another couple drove us back to the MTC for sacrament meeting. Then we attended an Easter Devotional where Dallin H. Oaks[iii] (another living apostle) and his wife, Kristin, spoke about Christ. They spoke about “The Living Christ,”[iv] a proclamation from the living apostles of what we believe about Jesus Christ. They also testified of Christ’s resurrection, which makes our resurrection possible. How foundational that doctrine is! What hope that gives me! I am grateful beyond expression for Christ, who gave us that great gift! I’m grateful for the certainty that I will see Ashton again and that he will not suffer from the mental illness which took his mortal life!

[i] https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation?lang=eng&old=true

[ii] https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-gordon-b-hinckley/chapter-14-losing-ourselves-in-the-service-of-others?lang=eng

[iii] https://www.lds.org/church/leader/dallin-h-oaks?lang=eng

[iv] http://jesuschrist.lds.org/testimonies-of-him/articles/the-living-christ-the-testimony-of-the-apostles-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=eng&_r=1

This is a long post, so I’ll break it into two posts: one today and another tomorrow: This week in the Provo, Utah Mission Training Center (MTC) has been amazing! We learned a lot, felt the Spirit and made some very good friends.

We arrived in Salt Lake City Saturday afternoon, April 8. Faye’s uncle picked us up at the airport. We went to a local restaurant, where we had a nice visit with him and his wife; his brother and wife and Faye’s parents. Faye’s parents were possibly the oldest missionaries in the MTC last week; Faye and I were possibly the youngest senior missionaries this week. Faye’s parents left for their mission in San Diego Monday morning. We enjoyed telling others that Sylvia and Faye were in the MTC (for a day and a half) at the same time!

Sunday evening, we attended a devotional where Pres. & Sis. Martino (MTC president and wife)[i] spoke. They told about their conversions as teens, his mission as a young man to Italy, their children’s missions and their service as mission president and wife in the Philippines. One of their sons passed away from a brief illness shortly after he returned home from his mission. They spoke of the comfort they felt with this family tragedy. They showed a picture of a tree with many branches that represented all their family (present and future) who have/will benefit from the blessings of the gospel because of the efforts of the missionaries who taught them in their youth. They also had flowers under the tree that represented non-family members who have come into the Church because of their efforts.

Monday morning, we officially started our orientation to the MTC. We had a devotional in the afternoon where the MTC mission presidency and wives spoke to us. We all stood and introduced ourselves and told where we were from, where we would serve and our assignment. Tears were shed by many when it was mentioned what we all left behind to serve our missions.

We then had training with the whole group on our Purpose as missionaries: “Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them to receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”[ii]

We were divided into districts of four couples, where we would have small-group instruction for the rest of the week. It was amazing to get to know them and feel like they are good friends already.

We were also assigned to get to know another couple. We were to look for how we could invite them to come unto Christ. We have A LOT in common! He likes to cycle. She likes to quilt (like Faye). They have four kids and 6 grandchildren. They will also be Area Medical Advisors, but in South Africa. We told them about Ashton’s suicide; they were very supportive.

MTC friends at our first devotional

For Family Home Evening, we watched a talk by Elder Bednar[iii] (a living apostle), who spoke on “The Character of Christ.” He pointed out that Christ consistently looked outward when the “natural man” tendency is to look inward. For example, when he was on the cross, he looked outward to the thieves and told one of them that he would be with Christ in paradise. He also looked outward and made sure John looked after His mother, Mary. Elder Bednar encouraged us to study the character of Christ and determine what we would individually do to become more like Him…with His help.

During one of the discussions, I was enlightened by the definition of “Repentance”[iv] in the Bible Dictionary: “The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world.” That really gives me a different perspective on what it means to repent and to invite others to repent. Repentance suddenly becomes a positive, joyful experience!

In another discussion, we learned about “Christ in Our Teaching.” We initially took turns inviting our spouse to attend church with us. Then we watched a video about Christ’s Atonement and then invited again. What a difference that brought to the invitation! Christ should be the center of my life, my worship, my teachings and my invitations.

In another discussion, we assessed ourselves in various Christ-like attributes. I thought about areas where I have strengths and weaknesses. I made specific goals to improve and have felt the Lord’s hand guiding me in this process. I have faith that, through Christ’s grace and my humility, my weakness can become strong. Then the teacher gave us an assignment to tell our spouse what positive attribute/strength we noticed in them. Faye and I walked around our building as we shared our thoughts about each other’s strengths. Wow! This mission so far has been the best marriage enrichment activity I could have hoped for!

One of our teachers (they are all returned missionaries and students at Brigham Young University) encouraged us to realize what an influence we can have on the young missionaries, many of whom have come from broken or troubled homes. Many of them don’t know what a stable marriage looks like. That was thought-provoking; I pray that Faye and I can model a good marriage for these impressionable young missionaries. I appreciate the senior couples who served with and loved our sons…especially Ashton; several of those who served with Ashton have reached out to us since his death.

In another class, we discussed the “Role of The Book of Mormon.” I believe with all my heart the promise from Joseph Smith (from the Introduction to The Book of Mormon), when he says, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”[v] The Book of Mormon has brought me nearer to God than any other book…bar none. Being nearer to God (the happiest Being in the universe) has brought me immeasurable happiness and has provided protection against temptation and misery.

Written by Carter. I’ll post the rest of my thoughts tomorrow.

[i] https://www.lds.org/church/news/first-presidency-calls-7-new-mtc-presidents-for-2017?lang=eng

[ii] https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/what-is-my-purpose-as-a-missionary?lang=eng

[iii] https://www.lds.org/church/leader/david-a-bednar?lang=eng

[iv] https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/repentance.html?lang=eng&letter=R

[v] https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/introduction?lang=eng

April 9, 2017

I wish I could tell you everything… Every sweet thought, every little blessing I’ve experienced in the short time I’ve been here. I will do my best.. We arrived on Saturday afternoon, April 8, 2017.

The Mission Training Center has been a place where others go. Our 3 boys came here. Many nieces and nephews have walked these halls. Other missionary couples that I know have trained here, but I am here now! Carter and I keep saying to each other, “We are at the MTC!” Crazy! What’s more… We are at the MTC with my parents! They left a week earlier than us and will leave on Monday. It is so sweet to be here with them for a day and half. We are taking pictures! They were there to meet us when we checked in and received our name tags. They have shown us where to go and what to do. My parents have always been the ones in my life to show me the way. Why not now? It is so very appropriate.

I am in my boot here. My foot is about 80 – 90% healed and I still need to wear it for 2 more weeks. I am very used to wearing it and it doesn’t slow me down much at all. We have become friends. It is now comfortable and a part of me. In our Sunday School lesson this morning, they talked about the Tender Mercies of the Lord. The healing of my foot is a great Tender Mercy for me. I call it one of my little miracles. I want to include it here because so many reading this letter home have prayed for my foot. I really needed a miracle for it to heal and I have received it. The doctor told me this Jones fracture does not heal well or sometimes not at all. Many have to have surgery. The blood supply is not good to that area. But, my fracture HAS been healing. I am so grateful….so very grateful. Again, thanks to everyone who prayed and fasted with our family for this Tender Mercy.

We begin our orientation and training on Monday. It’s nice to have this Sabbath to spend with my parents and rest up from all of our mission preparations and traveling.

We are in a district with young Elders and Sisters who are from many different countries and speak many different languages. We had a testimony meeting with them this morning. Mom and I sat together in the back, teary, with tissues in hand, as so many bore faith filled testimonies of struggles and blessings. One of the sisters quoted in Mormon 5: 23 from the Book of Mormon:

“Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?”

I thought of our children and grandchildren we left back home and the struggles they face that we can’t physically help them with while we are gone. It brought me great hope knowing that they too are in the hands of God and they will be blessed, strengthened and watched over.

Ashton walked these same halls we are walking. He sat in these same classrooms and ate in the very same cafeteria we will eat in this evening. He told me after his mission that he loved the MTC. He loved the training, singing in the choir and everything about the MTC. It was the favorite part of his mission. He was here for 12 weeks learning the Fijian language.

Ash! We’re here! I’m looking forward to experiencing a week of something you loved.

Written by Faye