Sup

¿Que paso? It sounds like everything is great in Zion, and Babylon is 
getting farther from the truth. Great, can´t wait. These are exciting 
times my brethren and sister(en). They truly are the last days in 
which everything is being restored and fulfilled. I'm kinda exciting 
for the future and look forward to the world becoming more wicked (is 
that a bad thing?), because that means Christ´s coming in glory is 
closer. Ok, that kinda sounded like the beginning of a general 
conference talk. Let me start over. Hello familia, glad to hear 
everything´s ok back at home. Peru is pretty great! It´s been a week 
since the new elders came in. My new companion is from honduras and 
his name is Elder Hernandez. He is so nervous all the time. He´s like 
a little puppy or the little baby lemer off of Madagascar with the big 
eyes. He´s only just started talking more. Out of 12 people in his 
family, he´s the only member and was baptized 6 years ago. However, in 
our first teaching lesson, he taught with such power, humility, the 
spirit, and let me talk half the time. I haven´t realized my 
improvements in Spanish until this group came in. I understand almost 
everything they are saying, but still have trouble remembering every 
conjugation for every verb. Most of my sentences are like; por 
ejemplo, Yo ummm necesité uhh ir al bano i mean baño. And don´t get me 
started on subjunctives. But teaching the gospel is actually pretty 
easy for some reason. I do enjoy teaching. But people keep telling me 
that they could see me as a seminary teacher or that i looked like 
theirs. Great.. no comment. One thing is for sure, this is where I´m 
suppossed to be. My favorite part about the MTC is the studying. I´ve 
always wanted to study hard about interesting things like religion. I 
would compare my mind to the mind of Barbara Streisand off of that one 
Jewish movie/musical where all she wanted to do was be a boy so she 
could study in the Jewish schools. The only difference is that I am a 
man and I´m not Jewish. I have now finished the Pearl of Great Price 
twice, the Bible Dictionary, and am half way through Jesus the Christ 
and the New testament. It´s fun. Well, I thought I had more things to 
talk about. But I guess the week flew by so fast that I forgot to 
write stuff down. Yep, Chow. - Elder Walker. 

Zone Conference

This week has been crazy, hard, fun, and full of miracles!!!!!  We had zone conference for the last two days straight with President.  Zone Conference is like medicine for the missionaries.  President tells the greatest stories and him and his wife have the most touching testimonies you´ll ever hear. 

 

THANK YOU sooooo much everyone for ALL the BIRTHDAY WISHES!!!!!!!!!!  so sweet!!!!!  Mom, Dad thanks for the package, loved it!   Aunt Jen...love you!!!!  Glad to hear you´re doing so well.  Tell the fam I say hi.  Let´s just say I´ve only been in this area for 3 weeks and I was SPOILED for my 23rd birthday.  Yes 23 I´m getting old!  Estoy viaja.  My companions spoiled me and sang in the morning.  All day i was suprised as to every visit we went to it was another suprise party.  jajaja.  These members and investigators are so loving!!!!  I was showered with 3 cakes throughout the day, new jewerly, makeup, a brand nice nice nice spankin pair of mission boots for the winter, perfume, meals and texts all day.  Wow i feel loved here already.  Even people from my old area were calling.  People here either absolutely love or don´t want any thing to do with the missionaries.

 

Craig....jajaja...I hear ya when it comes to understanding.  Whatever you do smile when they smile and when they don´t, just have a neutral face, just in case someone has just died or something...yep i say that by experience.  I remember when I first got here I would just sit there and smile and shake my head like I knew what they were talking about half the time....learned pretty quick that you can´t do that.  My trainer taught me the neutral face.

 

It feels like south america in this area.  Especially since we haven´t had hot water in the piso all week.  It stinks especially since it´s cold outside.  I guess you havén´t served a mission until you go through experiences like this.  I hop in and out like a leap frog,,,one companion´s got 5 pots on the stove boiling every morning...oh and did I mention there is 5 of us in a piso???  jajaja...haha

 

We have so many fechas and their ALLL from Dominican Republic.  We had struggled to find people to teach in our area for a while because everyone we contacted was always in the Elders area.  jaja.  Now we´ve been showered with many blessed individuals whom God has put in our path.  We live in Barcelona so sometimes it´s harder to find people in our area to teach as a lot of our contacts start the first person we see when we leave piso.  Being with two cute companions, one a cute blonde, the other a gorgeous Armanian, we get a lot of whistles...GUAPA...guapa...at first it made me nervous being here in the ghetto....now I just smile and wave and soak it all in.

 

I´ve never worked harder my whole mission, the language is still hard at times, I have a frezzing cold shower every morning, no dryer, no time for myself, but this is the happiest I´ve ever been!

 

I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ has a healing power for us all.  The gospel is just so simple and so clear.  If we just take the time to read and learn of the Book of Mormon with the bible, it has a converting power that prepares the people more than us as missionaries can for baptism.  As we keep our baptism covenants with God we will be blessed and happy,eternally happy.  Love you all!!!  

 

su hija

Happy Valentine's Day-Celebrated in July in Brazil

Dear family,

What a week! we worked our hardest. We spent most of our time running from one appointment to the next. Lots of success! On monday we had a rather special experience with a less active woman and her family. This woman has been less active for 30 years and her daughter, Renata, and grandson, Mateus, were never baptized. We received them as a referral from the ward. After the first lesson, the daughter and grandson were wanting to know more. I can't help but imagine that they were prepared for this moment. They had plenty of contact with the church and Renata has already been taught by missionaries and was almost baptized. Now she is more ready than ever. She had many doubts about the plan of salvation which were explained using the most simple of techniques. We had little pieces to form a map of the plan of salvation, the kind you use with children. It is incredible that when we teach so simply that even a child could understand, the spirit teaches the rest. Renata understood and accepted the baptismal invite for next Sunday. She was the first to show up at church this Sunday and the Relief Society received her very well. Nothing made me more happy.

Another miracle would have to be the professional magician we are teaching. That's right he's a magician. He took my watch without me even knowing after the lesson. (of course we asked for a little show). He was an ordinary contact on the street. We get talking with him and he asks where the church is. We asked if we could teach his family and him another day. He accepted and revealed that he was baptized in the church when he was 10 years old. Tha family is amazing and way interested in getting to know the church. The father/magician (Elielton) has many doubts about religion and it is obvious that he has forgotten many truths of the gospel. All of his doubts could be answered through the message of the restoration of the gospel.

I love you all. The church is true and is led by a living prophet. The book of mormon stands as its evidence. 

Com amor,

Elder Walker

(Cameron)

Greetings

MTC Provo District

Climbing the walls at the MTC

I know geography!

CCM in Provo

Companion at the CCM in Provo

District at CCM in Peru

Peru Temple

Search, Ponder and Pray

Where's Craig

Welcome to my email. First off, happy birthday Marissa! I hope you 
will be exitoso y have divertido during your birthday. Yesterday was a 
sad day because our Latinos left to go to their missions. However, I 
do like the peacefulness of about 20 people here. Also, I am now what 
they call an advanced north american, even though I don´t feel like my 
Spanish has improved that much. We´ll be getting new missionaries 
toady and tomorrow. There´ll be only 80 people in this MTC, which is 
quite small compared to 2500 in Provo. Last Saturday, we went tracting 
in the city. Wow! What a wake up call and a great experience. Overall, 
my companion and I made 8 contacts who were interested(?) and wanted 
to know more. However, only one of those actually let us in the door 
to teach. We taught part of the first lesson and she wanted us to come 
back. I guess I should say that my companion really taught her. Most 
of the time I tried to understand what was going on. Occasionally, she 
would ask me a question and in my broken Spanish, I would answer. Then 
I bore my testimony of course. After that house, we met a member and 
went into his house. We gave a blessing to his dying wife and his son 
who looked like he got beat up. If I had to describe the overall 
experience, I would have to say humbling. It was humbling to see all 
the poverty of the people. However, they were content and happy with 
what they had. It was also humbling to realize how little I teach and 
how much the spirit is involved with everything! It is necessary to 
always obtain the spirit. Maybe that is why pray everywhere we go with 
everything we do. I think I have bruises on my knees from kneeling and 
it is awesome!  Well, my time is up again, sorry for being so slow, 
good luck with everything, and good luck to Mitt Romney jaja. - Elder 
Walker 

Fountain of Peace

Working 24/7

I don't know any famous brazilian singers

Dear Family,

Oh man, what a week. I feel like I am working 24/7. I work non-stop and can't remember a bit of what happened.

A highlight of the week was Marcos. We are running into a few barriers. We've finally identified his major problems. First, faith. He wants the cold facts. He wants proof of everything which unfortunately will never happen. Second, Commandments. Mostly tithing and chastity. He says the bible says nothing about chastity other than adultery which he understands to be cheating on your wife. He questioned the source of the commandment, but in the end he agreed that it's the right thing. He also says he might never be baptized if he has to promise to give 10%. Third, he wants to know everything. He really researches everything. We showed up to his house on Saturday and he asked us about Doctrine and Covenants and History of the Church because he wanted to read those. Little by little we are helping him with all his doubts, but he has some good doubts that aren't easily settled. We had the pleasure of taking our wheel-chaired lawyer to church on Sunday. He appeared to enjoy the classes. In Priesthood we talked about goals and our eternal potential which is something that really hit him. He behaved himself well in the classes like he said he would because both Elder Nascimento and I know that he could easily confound and confuse the instructor of these classes if he wanted to with all his questioning and reason. There's a reason he's a lawyer. Overall, we feel he is searching something and feels something in the messages. He questions the commandments but deep down he feels and knows they are right. He's had quite the past and I feel like he feels empty inside and wants that to change. Every changes in their own time.

Another great part of the week was Daiala and Luana. It is kinda funny how we found them. One sunday morning we walked by their front door and I heard from inside the house, 'those are the mormons, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints, they don't like black people." Then I thought to myself someday I will stop at that house to teach them. They seemed to know quite a bit at the church. Well we ran into that woman who said that on the street. She's really cool. She has two daughters Daiala and Luana who are the elects. She also has a son named Walker which is shy she stopped to talk with me. They all enjoy the missionaries, but Luana and Daiala are looking to change their lives and help their kids find a better life than the one they have. They are so humble and willing to try anything to help. Daiala has been to several churches looking for something, but still hasn't found that church that connects with her. We marked their baptisms for the 19th.

Love you all and wish the best for you. 

Com amor,

Elder Walker

Playing Mom

These 2 last weeks have been crazy as I´ve played mom.  Not one but both of my companions got sick almost all week.  I´m lucky I still haven´t caught a thing.  After studies I made them soup, did all the mile high dishes, mopped, cleaned out piso junk that I´m sure had been there since the 80´s, took down the christmas decor and ofcourse as you know me cleaned and redecorated.  It was disgusting but I got the job done!  The fridge when I got there smelled like a dead rat so I cleaned it out head to toe.  I ended up with 5 big trash bags of junk, trash, and rotten food. 

 

Contacts here have to be done 10X faster than in my last area because everyone is always in a rush here in Barc.  It´s seriously like a Spaniard NYC.  We take the metro everywhere we go and pass out cards left and right like the Newzies, there´s music in the metro, etc.  Being a missionary here I feel like a Newzie in NYC on strike in the ghetto.  Graffeti everywhere, men whistling, I mean just some crazy stuff here in the suburbs of Barcelona.  Speaking solement Español in this companionship has been the best but the hardest thing I´ve ever had to do.  I´ve learned to be patient that´s for sure.  I´m just glad I have a friend in this trio to help me out when I get stuck in the language barrier.  I´ve learned more Spanish in 2 weeks than in 2 months.  It´s wonderful, but hard for certain...other reasons.  We´re also in Cataluya area which means everything is in Catalan not Spanish.  Totally different language here in Barc. the Catalans want to be their own nation here it´s crazy.  so looks like I might have to learn a little bit of Catalan while here. 

 

We meet soooo many Bolivians here I feel like that´s all I contact.  So Craig I just got a reference the other day here ya go:

Jhonny Terrazas c/Los andes sona transito N 927 Cochabamba Bolivia.  telefono: 45902577

 

oh and mom katie palmer just wrote me and she wants to be added to the email list.  Thanks for the christmas letter mom, loved it!  Also thank you to everybody who sent a christmas letter and card to me.  Thank you so much for your support!  It is greatly appreciated!

 

I also was able to go to Madrid again this week to pick up my card, so fun!  We thought we were supposed to be there Monday but it was Wednesday.  So we woke up at 4 in the morning for nothing last week, got there at the train station and the guy was like um...these tickets say for Wednesday...miscommunication with the office.  haha.  We went back to bed. 

 

This week has been busy and full of miracles.  One of my favorite miracles of the week was Victor.  We were on our way to a eating cita with a family who are members.  Well right before we got there I ran ahead to go contact a young adult.  I started talking to him and he popped out the head phones until I just asked, "Well what are you doing right now, would you like to come with us?"  He said sure, dropped his stuff off I at his house and along he came.  He was so open and prepared to hear the gospel.   Just the sweetest kid ever!  So sincere and so sweet.  He was born and raised in Barcelona. The lesson went so incredibly well, especially since it was my companions and I first or second lesson together.  We couldn´t even finish the baptismal question before he exclaimed, "¡sí, sí, sí!"  Then we realized that he is just barely in the Elders area. haha.  That´s okay though, still a miracle!

Well, love you all!  I know this is the work of the Lord.  ¡Cuidase!

 

su hija

ps can´t believe I´m going to be 23 ahhhhh!!!!!!  I´m soooooo old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--

Hermana Caminadora, Spain Barcelona Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Hey from Craig

CR-I always ask you questions but you never answer.  What is a typical 
day like?  wake up, eat, class, eat, class, gym, class, go to bed. 
Week?  Overall, pretty fun. What does the classroom look like and 
dorm?  The classroom and dorms look like any normal dorms. I don´t 
think we´re supposed to take pictures in the buildings.... but we´ll 
see. Do you do the temple session in English? The session was in 
Spanish, but we were those people that used the headphones and took 
forever to get them working. Then the second half was in Spanish. Any 
funny, hard, scary experiences?  Probably, but not enough time to 
share. Have you tracked yet? We are actually going tracting on 
Saturday with our Latin Companions. What is the food like?  All of it 
is made fresh, Peru is known for their food and it is way better than 
the Provo MTC food which produces the food for a mass consumption. 
Weather?  Hot, humid, but sometimes has a nice breeze. When we play 
soccer, I am drenched; probably lost some pounds. Any animals?  Birds. 
haha. How do the Peruvians dress?  A lot of them have American brand 
clothing. Most of the time it looks like America. Have you used 
anything we sent yet?  Almost everything. Be more specific, it was 
kinda vague. Do you see those from your USA group?  Yes, everyone has 
1 latino and 1 north american companion. Also, my class is composed of 
all the North American beginners. Do you know how to use your camera? 
haha yes. What frustrates you?  This one guys in my district and room 
who only talks about himself. He´s done everything, been everywhere, 
and knows everything. I´ve learned more about him than I have learned 
spanish. It´s annoying. What brings joy? The Spirit/gospel. How is the 
companionship going? Elder Wilson and Elder Zuniga are great 
companions. Have you played the piano? yes. Any calling? No. Did you 
get the letter I mailed? Yes, working on it. It is very hard to write 
letters because I´m busy all the time, but I´m trying. (in my email, 
can you space this out mom to look less crowded thanks (and also 
delete this (whoa, triple parenthesis))). Ok, now that I have 9 
minutes left, I´ll try to write my exam, I mean letter. Y Si,Yo nació 
en un granero. So I just finished the BoM yesterday. The ending is 
very sad. Moroni was the only one left, how lonely. Also, in the book 
of Ether, Ether/ Coriantomr were also the only one left. It´s hard for 
me to see that people can get that wicked that they would kill 
everyone out of their hatred towards them. Also, on the spiritual 
side, I believe that the law of progression is a universal law. God 
puts us in situations where we can learn and progress. Sometimes they 
are pleasant, other times they are hard, but either way, progression 
is made. This is true for my experience with a mission so far. I got 
out to the Provo MTC and met some great people. Right as I was getting 
comfortable (which might of meant me getting lazy) I went to the Peru 
MTC. A different change in the atomsphere led to learning. It was also 
a culture shock meaning that I understood nothing. Right as I am 
starting to get used to my situation, I will become an ´´advanced´´ 
english person. Then the field, it´s great, no. On another note, I 
just got back from a day out in the city. Ate some food, bought a tie, 
and placed my first BoM with my companion. I have learned while being 
here that Most latinos can´t sing (and half of the North Americans). 
Sacrament/devotions are quite a sound. You know how much I love tone 
deafness. Well, goodbye - Elder Walker