DIA DE PERU, WATERMELON SEASON, AND OTHER GREAT STUFF

Hey Shumway Fam,

McKay – So happy to hear that EFY was the greatest!!! Send me pics if you have time! I just absolutely love you champ!!! Man I just love you all! This week I thought a lot about how lucky I am to have my family and for all that you do! Thanks for the support guys! Hope your week was just GREAT! And the SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL – Mom and Dad that is so cool you are going! 

So here are some Gee Whiz Facts for you all:

1. It is Watermelon Season here in sweet ol´ Chulucanas. Meaning … WE EAT IT ALL THE TIME. And it is so fresh and delicious!

2. HAPPY DIA DE PERU!! Peru completed, oh man I forgot ... A LOT of years of Independencia this week! It was fun to see all of the flags, a few firework shows that began as we walked back to our apartment after a day of work, and wearing my PERU PIN (it´s super cool if you have this pin on your shirt for the week), and overall it was just a great week! TE AMO PERU!!!

3. Um. I guess a cool fact is I learned don´t know squat about Soccer/Futbol. But everyone here is incredible at playing. My goal is to learn that sport someday. Hopefully I can come home playing like a pro - anything is possible right?

4. Elder Bednar is going to come speak to us in a few weeks! I can´t wait!! We are all going to travel to Chiclayo - a town close to Piura to hear him!

This week was a little bit different than other weeks. A family member of my comp passed away, and man I just want you all to know that she is so strong. She is from a city in our mission (it´s called Paita) and so we got permission to go and be with her family for the ceremony. It was a treasure getting to know all of her family. They aren´t members, and it broke my heart seeing how they just didn´t know if they would see her family member again. We are so blessed to have the gospel and the Plan of Salvation. And even more blessed that we know that this life on earth is just a little part of an even bigger plan of our Heavenly Father. We have the incredible opportunity to see our loved ones again. It opened my eyes to how blessed we really are. Also, I got to participate in the walking ceremony. It is a tradition here to walk from your house to the cemetery - following the car carrying the casket. I got sunburned from the walk, but loved being able to participate in this ceremony. My comp is doing okay right now and I just love her to pieces. She is a strong little fighter!

This week Leandro, our investigator, came to church again! And he is reading his new Book of Mormon! Already has reached Chapter 3, and he just received it! He is praying to know if it is true, and told us that he has felt more peace and joy in these last few weeks, then he had ever felt before. He is trying to work out his family problems, but told us that if nothing seems to work out, he is doing this for his daughter (who is 4 years old). He wants to be an example for her. Honestly, he is just such a blessing and keeps progressing!

Miguel, another investigator, has a lot of questions for us right now. He is also just starting the lessons and received his Book of Mormon the last lesson, but man, it can be tricky at times with him. He is so willing to learn, but the last lesson we taught about Joseph Smith and he has A LOT of questions. After attempting to explain a little bit more about Joseph Smith and the prophets, I decided that all I could do is bear my testimony. And that´s what I did! I told him that we may not have all the answers, but there is someone who does! His Heavenly Father! I told him that I know without a doubt that prayer is real, and that his Heavenly Father will answer his prayers. We are trying to help him strengthen his testimony in God, but I am praying he receives an answer. He feels it´s true, but it is just hard because his family is really catholic! We have another lesson with him this week. 

Also, you remember that Talent night we had! Well - we invited a dancing group to perform, and we are now teaching a family of one of the dancers! We amazingly ran in to him and his Dad the other day as we left a lesson and he told us he would love to learn more about the church! We have a lesson with them this week!

Overall, it was a good week! We are working hard, knocking doors, and finding new investigators! And getting to know new areas too! Our area is soooooooo big! LIKE HUGE! But it just means more people to teach, right?

I love this work! I love each and every one of you!

Keep doing what’s right, and have the most incredible week!

Always in my prayers,

XOXO Hermana Shumway

This week we celebrated Independence Day for Peru! I wore a little pin that everyone wears during the week that says, "Te amo Peru" ... and there were flags everywhere!

A beautiful sunset ... every night they are just incredible

My pencionista Hmna. Monica

Watermelon season is here ... they are so fresh and delicious

We eat these every day and they are so great!

Me and my pal Dilan

Traveling in the bus for P-Day

My compii is just adorable

Having some fun playing cards ... Uno ... with my zone

Eating empenadas ... they are ssooooo yummy!!!

A WEEK OF MIRACLES

(EMAIL SENT JULY 27, 2015)

Family,

Sounds like you are all just doing superb! McKay - have the greatest time at EFY! Such an incredible time to strengthen your testimony and to feel the spirit. Those weeks meant a lot to me when I was your age! Make the best of it! And Mom and Dad - you two are just doing the most incredible job with your work. Mom - I will make sure to say an extra few prayers for you and your meeting! I just know you are going to do an incredible job. Dad - Sounds like everything is going great at work! Love you two to pieces!

Also, our Mission Presidents wife Sister Rasmussen has a mission blog page. I think it is called The Piura Life. Or something like that. You should check it out and see if there is anything interesting about the mission on it!

You know how I mentioned how my comp was sick last week. Well little Hermanita CHUMway has been sick these last few days. Looks like I might have a stomach infection and I think I just ate something bad! Looking at the positive side - I have been super blessed my whole mission and I am never sick … and the GRINGOS are ALWAYS sick. The great thing is I remembered all of the sick day tips you taught me mom … I have been eating saltine crackers, and drinking lots of water. Hahaha – it’s an adventure every week here in PIURA. 

So I titled this email A WEEK OF MIRACLES, and can I just say that it truly has been just that. This week, and last week, my comp and I have not been feeling too great, and that is rough for me because I just want to go, go, go, and teach and share this incredible message, and we have not been able to do that as much these last few weeks. I prayed and prayed that we wouldn’t lose chances of finding investigators, and that Heavenly Father would help us. And I want you all to know that he truly answers prayers. It all started when we left to an appointment Monday night. We were walking down the street and a moto taxi slowly pulled up next to us. I grabbed my bag, thinking we might get robbed (oh Sister Shumway...), and then realized that I should just offer him an image of Jesus Christ just to play it safe. As I was doing that I realized that it was the husband of the one of the members of our branch. His name is Leandro. He told us he needed to share something with us to get some help, and has been searching all day for us. We invited him into a member’s house and we got talking about all that had happened. He had passed through a lot of family problems in the last few days and decided that he needs to change, and realized that the gospel is the only thing that can help him now. I literally couldn’t even believe it. He never wanted to listen to us before, and after a few things happened, he now has such a desire to change. We have taught him 3 lessons since that day and he has accepted a baptismal invitation, and he came to church this last Sunday! It was a miracle.

Our other two investigators came from a reference from missionaries in another area and the other from a member. And every single one of them are incredible and have passed through family problems and want to change their lives around. 

I don’t even know if I explained that well enough, but I just want you all to know that when we pray to our Heavenly Father, he truly answers prayers. I have seen the Lord hand in this work so much this week, and it was when we most needed it. These 3 new investigators are truly such a blessing!

Also, our Talent Night was a hit!! About 60 members came - less-actives, members, and investigators! It was incredible. Many members danced because that is one thing they are known for (and man they sure are good at it), including the primary. It was just too cute. I took a few pics and videos! Even us missionaries presented a sketch. It was really embarrassing, but pretty hilarious and I realized I CANNOT ACT IN SPANISH! But we made the members laugh so that was great.

We had a busy week and we are excited to get going a little bit faster this next week when we are feeling better! But overall, everything is going incredibly well here in Chulucanas. I love the branch, members, and this area. At times I just can’t believe that I am here in Peru as a missionary. It still hits me at times how amazing this chance is. 

I wanted to share a picture of Abinadi (honestly, I have no idea how to spell his name in English, sorry!), that hangs in front of my study desk. I love this pic - BLESSED FOR THE EXAMPLE. I am beginning to read his story in the Book of Mormon again and I just love and am so extremely grateful for his example. At times we have so much fear to be different then the world, and to stand up for what we believe, but then we can just think of Abinadi. He truly was an example, and had NO FEAR.

We have such a powerful, and needed message in this world. Share it with everyone you know, and live what you believe. BE AN EXAMPLE.

Thank you for all of your support, have an incredible week, and I love you all!

Hermana Shumway

Abinadi picture

Photo of our district ... best shot we could get with the rascals in the back. Oh elders.

We had a one day transfer with our sister leaders and look where I got picked to go??? My old area PIURA CENTRAL! Woohoo! Got to stop by and visit Hna. Reina – Family Cordova

I ate these delicious hamburgers that are in the front of our room with this Argentina Guy that was one of my best pals in Piura Central. His burgers are the BEST!!!

Our sweet little chapel where we have sacrament meeting

Branch Talent Night

Look at these darling little girls ... I love them!

WHAT A WEEK ... AN ADVENTURE TO REMEMBER

(EMAIL SENT JULY 20 , 2015)

FAMILIA,

Primary Teachers!! That is the best calling in the world! Those little kids are sure lucky to have you two as their teachers! 

Okay so I have to let you know about the Gee Whiz Facts of the Week. They are just too great!

1. Five days without water. 5 DAYS!!! Just imagine that for a sec ... and I hope you understand how nuts that is. We ended showering with a little soup sized bowl of our drinking water (our invention after four days of not showering) ... but it seriously just got to be hilarious after awhile. And it was all throughout Chulucanas. Hahaha - I have never been more grateful to have a cold shower in my life when it finally started working again.

2. We spent half of the week in the Clinic. My sweet comp has had a lot of health problems. We ended traveling back and forth to Piura (one hour bus ride) about three times. But have no fear she is doing a lot better now!

3. First Interview with President Rasmussen was this week - I just love them so much! Sister Rasmussen is a sweetheart and I think she added you and I as friends on Facebook Mom! They are both just so hilarious and super spunky. 

Overall, it was a good week! We challenged one of our new investigators to baptism. Her name is Aniy and we contacted her in the street my first week here. She is an angel, and is about 40 years old and lives alone. One of her sons is a member of the church, and she hasn't heard a lot from him about the church, but is excited to learn more. Our last lesson (2nd Lesson with her) she was asking us a lot about baptism, and told us that if she feels its true, she is very willing to be baptized. We set a date - 30 de Agosto - and she is set on it! Now we just have 9 more investigators to go with a baptismal date! We can do it!

Also, we have been knocking a lot of doors lately. Our area is HUGE and we are trying to get to know it all. Side note - I don't think sunblock works here because I seem to be sunburned everyday (but don't worry, just a little bit). We have found new investigators and even families! At times in can be hard because a bunch of people tell us no, but I have learned to just smile and try the next door, and the next, and the next. When I first got in the mission it broke my heart when the people told us no, but now I just think, "I just planted a seed!" and we keep on going! It's amazing what the mission teaches you!

In the morning I was reading a quote from Cheryl Esplin in the last General Conference and I wanted to share it with you all: "Many of us have been baptized and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, whose role is to reveal and to teach the truth of all things. With the privilege of that gift comes the responsibility to seek truth, to live the truth we know, and to share and defend the truth."

I love that! As members of the church, we have the responsibility to Seek Truth, Live the Truth, and Share and Defend the Truth. My new phrase for this week! Seek. Live. Share. Defend. All that I believe. 

I love you all and hope you all have an incredible week! I have to go but thank you for everything you all do! This gospel really is so incredible.

Hermana Shumway

I took a little pic so you can see what my new area looks like. Check out the motos and the flag of Peru – I love this place!

MY DREAM CAME TRUE ... I GOT TO BE A TRANSLATOR!

(EMAIL SENT JULY 6, 2015)

Hola Familia! 

Alrighty, so I loved your pics from 4th of JULY!!! Looks like you guys had a blast, and love that you went with sweet Lizzie. Tell the McCleskey clan HEY from Sister CHUMway! And Aunt Shareen and her adorable family!!! And Grandpa and Grandma. Talk about a good looking group of people!!

This week started out with a bang! My first day in this area, we got called by our zone leaders that we were invited to help with a service project with AMERICAN doctors that were donating glasses to a pueblo that live in the mountains. OKAY ... I just about died!! I have always wanted to do something like that! So we headed out early in the morning and met up in town hall in a tiny town in the mountains. A huge line of people waited outside as we entered, and we received our tasks and got to work! So many glasses were donated and I helped translate for the group. I sent a few pics to show me at work but it was literally a DREAM. I need to do something like this when I get back! I don´t know how the missionaries got lucky enough to help out, but it was so incredible seeing how happy the people were to get glasses. This project included children and adults. It was just the best!

Okay, so the first things about Chulucanas is... my area is HUGE!! Oh man it´s big. But it is so cute. The town for some reason reminds me of the town on the Hidden Valley Ranch bottles - but I just feel like we are cute little group of people that are hidden from all the troubles in the world. And we are surrounded by EL CAMPO. A bunch of fields where they grow mangoes and limes. We are about one hour out of Piura so we have to travel to all of our meetings in Piura in a bus, packed with people. It's an adventure. 

Our pencionista is the cutest. She is a new pencionista and is young and super energetic. WE LOVE HER! Her son Dylan is my new best friend! He is about 6 years old, loves teaching me how to make crafts, draw transformers, and reminds me of my sweet little Ashton boys! He pretty much talks to me our entire lunch about superheroes and anything that comes to his mind. Hahaha - It is so great!

We don't belong to a ward, but have a branch. It is just a cute little chapel, and this last Fast Sunday only about 30 members came to church. And ... I BORE MY TESTIMONY IN SPANISH!!! That was a huge step for me because I have always been scared that the people wouldn't understand me fully, but this last Sunday I went for it!! Maybe only about 30 people were listening, but hey, I did it! Ha!

I don't really remember who are our investigators, and who were the less actives that we taught this week and their names (yup, still trying to get to know the area!) but I all I can say is we are teaching a lot of investigators right now. The only things is when I went though our area book for the first time I saw that no one, of the 10 investigators we had, has a baptismal date! I have learned in my mission that we can teach a bunch of people during the week, but if we never challenge them to baptism, we will never see progress. SO ... this next week, I talked with my comp and we are challenging everyone of our investigators to baptism, and placing a date! It's like Parker taught me from his Preach my Gospel from his mission ... we have gotta "JUST DO IT". So we are going for it! 

I love my area, my comp, and feel blessed to be here! The only sad news is they might shut our area down. They told us this last week. This means that they will take out the missionaries and the members here will have to travel to Piura for their church meetings. But, I am determined to do all I can so that that doesn't happen. I KNOW that there are people in this area that are ready to hear the gospel and that we CAN find them! It is going to be a little tricky, take some work, but I know we can do it! 

Side fact, my shower water in the morning was like a warm-cold (usually is just cold-cold). It freaked me out a little. Hahaha - I haven't had a warm shower in 10 months! Just thought that was a cool fact to share. 

Overall we are doing great! Oh another great fact - GRABIEL is getting baptized this week!!! I hope we get permission to go, but if not, I am absolutely thrilled for him! I just barely missed his baptism, but I feel so blessed knowing that we found him, and that I could see all of his progress. This work is just incredible, and it is all worth it when you get to see the people you love enter the waters of baptism! 

I know this is the work of our Heavenly Father! We can't do it without him! I KNOW, I absolutely do, that this church is true. We have something so incredible in our lives, and we should share it with the whole world!

I LOVE YOU ALL ... have an incredible week!!

Love everyone, serve every day, and trust in your Heavenly Father.

XOXO, Hermanita CHUMway

P.S. Elder Russell is my Zone Leader! Cool right?!! This is his last transfer. 

My wish came true ... I got to be a translator!

Me with two of the sweet little girls that got new glasses

The group of Americans who came and the missionaries

The missionaries!

Having fun – my pal Elder Ayala was there (he was one of the Wise Men during our Christmas celebration! Love that champ!!!

Our zone Meeting – sorry the pic is horrible

My pal Dylan ... our pencionista's son

Food we ate on P-day – it was ssooooo good!

MEETING THE NEW PRESIDENT, LOVING MY AREA, AND WORKING HARD

(EMAIL SENT JULY 13, 2015)

Shumway Familia!

Our New President has arrived!! President Rasmussen and his adorable wife Sister Rasmussen! We had just a short meeting with them but we love them already! Sister Rasmussen reminds me so much of Mom, is super outgoing and is just so loving! We are thrilled to have her and President Rasmussen here! 

Sweet Dylan had his birthday! We stopped by to take a few pics and can I just say that I love that champ! He turned 6 years old!

So this last week I realized that we don't have any youth in our branch. Not a single one. They all went inactive a few months back and haven't returned since. So I am trying to brainstorm ideas of how we can get these youth active again! We have a Night of Talents in two weeks and hope they come. I have decided that I want to work on getting them back to church! New goal for this transfer!!!

This week wasn't the easiest in our area. We feel like our less actives aren't progressing, and neither are the investigators. We thought it would help to have divisions, I go with one member and my comp with the other, to cover more appointments, but we had two days where NO ONE was home. It was rough! And we can't seem to find many of our investigators. Most of them are on vacations, or working. So my goal to CHALLENGE EVERYONE to baptism didn't happen. But no worries ... since no one was home we ended up contacting in the street a lot! We have set time to contact them this following week! 

The truth is ... it was just one of those weeks when we feel like we haven't seen success from our efforts. But I know that we are working hard and that's all we can do! I know that if we keep being obedient and trust in our Heavenly Father, we´ll see results. Even if it is by just contacting people in the street, and hoping that they will let us in there house when we stop by.

Sad news ... Grabiel didn't get baptized. He got scared last minute and told the missionaries he just couldn't do it. It was a major bummer but they are going to keep at it.

It rains a lot in my area ... so that's great! This week may not have been the best but we can always look at the bright side of things right?! Ha - I know this next week will be better!

I have to go, but I just want you to know that I know that trials come to make us stronger! I have learned that a lot in my mission! I love this work, and we are going to keep at it this next week ... challenging everyone we meet to baptism! 

Love you all!!

XOXO Hermana Shumway

Meeting our new Mission President and his wife – President and Sister Rasmussen. They're just great!

AND I FOUND MY TRAINER ... Sister Fernandez

 

I just love her ... and now she’s training another gringa

Just chillin’ waiting for my compii ... this is what a typical backyard looks like

Two members who have been helping us with the divisions Hna. Adria and Hna. Alisia - my comp and I split up and go with a member to the appointments!

Dylan’s birthday

He is just a doll

Killin’ it with our Spiderman poses – come at us Spidey!

SAYING GOODBYE TO PEOPLE I LOVE AND SAYING HELLO TO CHULUCANAS!

Shumway Clan,

Happy 4th of JULY!!! Have a super great week celebrating AMERICA!! Always an exciting time!

Also ... TAYLOR CAMP AND FISO ARE HOME!!! No way! I head that Jacob Wadsworth and Jameson are home too! That's so crazy that everyone is coming home from their missions now. Tell them all hello from me!

So the big news is I GOT TRANSFERRED! It definitely was a rough week this week, filled with many tears and saying goodbye to all of the incredible people of Algarrobos. I LOVE THAT AREA SO MUCH! Definitely hope to return again someday to see my best pal Hno. Fidel and all of the incredible people that are now apart of my Peru Family.

This past week went really great with our investigators. Family Alcalde continues to progress!! Hno. Jhon, the Dad, is so accepting of everything we teach. It just all makes sense to him! He and Hna. Maria are still set on their marriage and their baptism is scheduled for the end of July! It was really hard saying goodbye to this family. I love them so much and they literally have grown to be my second family. But I might be able to go to their baptism and marriage! We'll see! 

Hno. Grabiel has had another rough week. He told us he isn't sure if he wants to be baptized anymore. It's crazy how everything changed so quickly with him. But he hasn't been keeping his commitments lately, and we think that may be one of the problems. Praying, reading his Book of Mormon, and coming to Church are going to help strengthen his testimony and help him know if the message is true. So we are focusing on getting him back into that routine! He knows it is true, but just can't make up his mind right now. But ... Percy and his wife ARE progressing! They are sharing it with their family too! Maybe this is what Grabiel needs right now! We just have to trust in the plan of our Heavenly Father for him!

SO ... you are probably all wondering where are you at right now Hermana Shumway??? My new area is Chulucanas. It is an area near the mountains that has a lot of farms, forest-jungly looking areas and I love it already!! Literally there are people driving their old beat down cars, a market of people selling their food in the streets (that's where I bought my food for the week), a mountain that surrounds us, and donkeys walking in the street. That really isn't that great of a description but it is the greatest!! I will send more pics next week. And we walk on the street now. Not gonna lie, I definitely miss trudging around in the sand and dirt of Algarrobos, but it's nice walking on a sidewalk now. 

Oh and my new comp is Hna. Juarez! SHE IS AN ANGEL. She was in the MTC with Christa in Lima ... such a SMALL WORLD! And we have been buddies for a while and now we are COMPS!! Woot woot! Love her!

Our new President comes this week ... President Rasmussen! We have a meeting with him next week and will get to know him and his wife. I will send you all the deets next week!!

Man ... I am out of time and have to go!! I PROMISE I will send more deets next week!

Sorry for the short email!!! 

LOVE YOU ALL!

Hermana Shumway

Wearing our twinner classy glasses ... saying goodbye to my pal Hmno. Fidel ... SO HARD!!!

This is how we usually find him ... having a great day in his chair

Our last Sunday together ... with him wearing the white shirt I gave him

One last pic with Grabiel

This is Familia Seguin ... they are incredible!

I have come to love these families so much

Part of my heart will always be in Algarobbos

Me with Claudia, Felipe (leaving in September to serve in the Colombia Bogota Mission) and our sweet pencionista Hmna. Yolanda

ME: "Claudia ... let's take a funny pic ... 1... 2 ... 3"
CLAUDIA: "... "
ME: "Oooohhh look ... this one's a keeper!" Hahaha

My sweet little friend Luana ... she can't talk very well and always called me "Mumway"

Another pic with Luana, a cousin, and Harold (he makes A-M-A-Z-I-N-G bracelets)

Final goodbyes with Jimmy and my little pal Wilder

This is my best little pal Ximena holding a picture I gave her so she could remember me ... she is the cutie that I gave my little Minnie Mouse to (she was heartbroken when she found out I was leaving) ... I LOVE HER SO MUCH!

La Familia Castro ... they are so great!

Saying goodbye to my sweet comp Hmna. Ore ... I will miss her!

My new comp Hmna. Juarez! She is the cutest and we have been buddies for forever!

My new piso ... I love this area already

Walking down one of the streets in my new area Chulucanas