This week has been an adventure! To start ... this is so
hard. I have heard so many people say that but I never understood how hard it
would really be. But the best part of being here is that it is also the most
incredible thing I have ever done!! It is such an incredible way to strengthen
your testimony because you literally have to rely on your Heavenly Father for
everything. And that is why it is so worth it! I have seen so many small
miracles that have strengthened my testimony and helped me come closer to my
Heavenly Father. I just love it!!
To start, my trainer is Hermana Fernandez. She is very
sweet and has so much patience with my lack of knowing the language. I know she
is probably so frustrated with me, every second of every day, but I am trying
so hard to learn the language so I can help her! She is from Chile and makes
the most amazing food. My president is one of the sweetest people! His name is
President Rowley and he and his wife are so loving and incredible leaders. They
remind me of Mom and Dad ... like almost exactly. They are so wonderful! P.S.
Mom, so the skirt I was wearing in the picture with them is not mine ... it is
the President's wife. Hahaha! So the story goes like this ... I spilled on my
skirt and had to change. Surprise, surprise ... I am the same old Allyse! Had
to explain that little side note.
So I am serving in the Piura Central District. Everyone
says it is the best district to start in! It is full of dirt roads, people who
find joy in everything, a beautiful chapel and hardworking ward, tall
apartments, a hot sun, and chicken and rice! I LOVE IT HERE! The people are
incredible!!! I want to share a quick story that really meant the world to me
this week. One of our investigators, a 14 year old boy (his mom is a member but
the dad isn't) is really struggling with reading the Book of Mormon and overall
having a desire to become a member. But this past week, when my comp and I were
teaching a lesson, we started talking about temples. He asked what they look
like and I took out this pack I have of a bunch of beautiful temples in Utah,
California, Florida, etc. He was mesmerized!! He saw the picture of the San
Diego temple and I told him that it is one of my favorite temple and that it
looks like a castle! He wanted to hold it, and seriously could not stop
starting at it. I said that it is his if he wants it and he was so excited!! I
said (in Spanish) this can be your goal! We have a date for him to be baptized
on 22 de Noviembre and he is just so excited to work on the goal to go to the
temple! I know I talk about temples a lot, but we seriously do not realize how much
of a blessing they are!!! A 14 year old boy cannot wait to finally have a
chance to go the temple someday and we have a few just 10 minutes from our
house!! The temple is such a blessing and I felt so blessed to see that these
last few weeks!
Also, you are probably wondering how my first week has gone
with preaching the gospel! Well ... it has been great!! The only thing I ever
can do in our lessons is share my testimony, but the people are so sweet and
understanding! Also, the ward is so great!! And we have a beautiful chapel
right near our apartment! Sacrament Meeting was such a fun experience too! We
have no microphone, so the speakers have to talk loud so everyone can hear!
Many of our less actives and investigators came to church this Sunday so
that was SO GREAT!!!
Overall, I just feel so blessed to be a missionary! This is
SO HARD, but SO worth it! I really want to share so much more with you but I
don't have a lot of time. Just know I love you all, LOVE hearing about your
life, and cannot tell you how wonderful it was to hear your voices this last
week when I was at the airport! Thank you for all of your support! It means the
world to me!!!! I can't speak Spanish but I know it will come in time!! Keep
choosing the right and continually grow your testimony! It is so important in
this crazy world.
XOXO - Hermana Shumway
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