Mar 16~ Montanas

Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great week! Me and my comp are working hard! We have 3 baptisms for this week, Leslie (on Saturday), then F. and J. (the boyfriend/girlfriend)!  SO I'm super excited about that! 

I went to Huaytapallana again! The huge snow glacier about 2 hrs away from Huancayo.  It was way fun, but tiring!  Peru is so pretty!  Hope you all have a great week! 

Llamas and Lakers Forever

Love you all!:)

Elder Baca

Hey Mom!! Yea yesterday was great! L. is getting baptized this week, Saturday at 3!  SO im way happy! This week was honestly a blur! Everything is going by way fast! Seriously time is flying.  Working is the key! ANd hahahahaha I know my India pic!  I did it on purpose! My district meeting went really good last week.  If you want to know How and in what Way we should teach to menos activos, i suggest reading Alma 4-5! Its awesome! Hows the fam? Hows 'shaun doing? Cant believe it is that hot already wow!! Its hot here too! Next week we have changes! AHHH Idk! Its always sad getting changed and rough at first... Yep mother hope you have a splendid week! Love you so much!

Mar 9~ La Mision

Whats up everyone! Hope you are all doing good!

L. (our investigator) she told us the dream she had. It's actually not that confusing! So after praying last Saturday night, she had a dream she was dressed in white in front of a bautismal font with me, my companion, and one of the members! Cool huh? SO that was her answer! Shes getting baptized next Wednesday because her parents (who aren't members) are coming down to visit her!

This week my testimony in the Book of Mormon really grew. I've taken a new approach of how to study the scriptures! I love reading in detail and asking myself, why was this put in here? What steps did...(this person) do  to achieve this? And i just love reading the process of conversion in every Book of Mormon story there is, but more than anything i love reading with QUESTIONS. I promise you all if you study the Book of Mormon, asking the Why, What, How and When questions, or how can I apply this in my life? Or in my relationships with other people? In my callings? In studying? In really ANY thing. I promise you, you're mind will be enlightened by the Holy Ghost, and you will have a desire to apply all of these things in your life! This book was written for us! For these times! So read it!

Last Pday, we went to the Museum of Memories in Peru.  It was sweet learning about the history here in Huancayo, but more than anything about the terrorism that was going on 20-30 years ago! It was crazy and really made me grateful to be from the United States! 

Museo!

Mi districto!

(we weren't too sure why he was pointing to India...!?)

Well, I love you all! God loves you all! And knows you! DO things this week that will draw you closer to Him.

-Elder Baca

March 3~ Vi Una Columna de Luz!

Hey Everyone I hope you all had a great week! This week was amazing!

Saturday! I had the chance to baptize D.! The water was freeeeeeeezing so she didnt want to get in! She was super brave and finally got in, so I had to baptize her quick! But she came up from the water like gasping for air because it was so cold! It was still an amazing experience! She bore her testimony for like 10 mins after her baptism about being clean and the Gospel!

Also I would really love to share an awesome experience that one of my investigators had yesterday! So, we are teaching this 18 year old girl named L.!  She is super Catholic and this whole time we have been teaching her she has been praying to make a decision to either stay in the Catholic Church of join the Church of Jesus Christ and be baptized. So she has just been really confused and hadn't received an answer from God on what to do. She has read the Book of Mormon, has prayed to know if the church is true and this book ... and nothing. So Friday and saturday she told me she just felt so extremely confused and depressed on what to do, and felt more confused than ever. So Saturday she prayed before going to sleep one more time, to know if the church is true. So Saturday night, she told me, she had a very, weird, vivid dream that she didn't understand at all, and was even more confused when she woke up Sunday morning. So she came to church, and yesterday was fast and testimony meeting, and the testimony meeting we had was so powerful, all the members testimonies were so pure and powerful. After the testimony meeting, we confirmed D., and then the Sacrament Meeting ended. The Spirit was so strong and the whole time I was just praying that L. was feeling this. After Sacrament meeting ended, I looked over to L., and she was balling. She was crying so much and was hugging her aunt (a member), so I went up and talked to her! She just looked at me crying and told me, "I feel it! I know this is true!" And later on she told me she totally understands her dream now and she knows that this is what she needs to do!  And for the rest of church she was so extremely happy, and just telling everyone what happened in church, and she even got up in Relief Society (women's organization) and bore her testimony in front of everyone. She will be baptized the 14th of March, and she knows without a doubt now that this church is true, because she has received an answer from God through the Holy Ghost. 

I just want you all to know, that I know this church is true. I know  that Joseph Smith really saw God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ, and that this is His church. I know that God answers prayers in his own due time. But he always answers. I know God loves each and everyone of us, and knows us perfectly. I know all these things because I feel it, and have received a spirtual witness from God that I know this is all true. And especially when I see people like L., that receive answers to her prayers in such a strong powerful way it just builds my testimony that all of this is true!  Love you all!

Elder Baca

Hey mom!! Love you! Sorry im having some super issues with my computer! Amazing story huh! Every single prayer I have done for the past 4 days was about her! And me and my comp fasted for her and wow, seriously the biggest testimony builder ever.  We are going to a terrosist musuem!! Hey I gtg now! Im so sorry! I read all the emails! but everything i keep typing just erases! ANd its already been an hour! Im so sorry i feel so bad but to type the big email took like 45 mins because it kept erasing!! Love you guys so much always know that!

Feb 23~ When Lightning Strikes!

Eating 50 cent hamburgers and fries

With Elder Leonard (friends from the CCM)

Hey Everyone!

So this week flew by again! We had a great week!  D. is getting baptized this Saturday and we have like 5 baptisms programmed for March, so I am way excited! We are working way hard! 

SO something crazy this week. Here in Huancayo we always get a bunch of random lightning storms! So I was on divisions with Elder Herron from my District and the lightning started and we were walking... and lightning struck about a block in front of us! So sketch!!!! It was the loudest thing ever!!! 

And also funny story this week. So in one of the areas in my District, they have this overweight  investigator that is like hiding from the Police, idk why...... but we went to visit him and he has this huge lock on the outside of his door! So we got the impression that no one was home!  But we peaked through the window and we saw him laying on his bed! SO I yelled his name and was like, We are the missionaries! We want to visit you!  And he didnt move....and then I yelled Hermano!! We see your feet!! And when I said that, he slowly moved his feet out of our sight and slowly put them under his covers!! hahahahahah I was dying for about 10 mins!! Idk how he ever got out of his house or if hes still locked in there??

Anyways, something I realized on my mission. There are two things people need to experience to really change, or be converted spiritually . The first the power of the Atonement, and the second, the power of the Holy Ghost (a witness from God). The message we take to the world as missionaries is that Jesus Christ lives, and only through his Atonement and His gospel we can be changed. Any type of sorrow, challenge, problem, or sin we have, can only be fixed through the power of the Atonement. The feelings we receive from the Holy Ghost as we are healed by the our Savior Jesus Christ is a spiritual witness that we are changing, or have changed. I have felt this personally in my life and know without a doubt that my Savior lives, and loves us. But the question is What can we do everyday to change or become better, to change or to better ourselves spiritually or physically? Its something we need to do everyday to become the people that God wants us to become, but it doesnt happen overnight, its a process! 

I love you all! Hope you have a fantastic week!

Love,

Elder Baca

Hey Mamacita!! Yah I'm awesome!!!!!! I was sick yesterday but doing better today!  Como estas!!! I'm feeling great!! Loving the life as a missionary without a doubt!!!!!! BEST ADVICE THAT I RECEIVED was from dad when he told me to get lost in the work!! I feel the same way as these elders it's crazy! Thats awesome you guys had that panel!  - okay answers!

1. Our ward has about 100 people that assist. Ward council is awesome! We are getting a new Bishop this week bc the old one moved

2. D., she lives below us, is the godchild of our pension

3. And idk what happened to her! She's been like that her whole life I think! She needs a cane 24/7! Hma Estella! and her daughter is good! They went to Lima this week! H. is my best friend! It's going to be sad when I leave!

4. My distirct- I have Elder Torres (Honduras) Elder Herron(Reno NV) Hma Silvester (Texas) and Hma Lopez (mexico city)

Feb 16~ Temporal and Spiritual Things

Me and Elder Hilton in middle!

Wow!! This week volo!! (flew) It was the week of changes!

Started off the week with a multi-Pday in Huancayo! It was awesome seeing all the missionaries from Huancayo and seeing some of my old companions, Elder Hilton!  We went to this giant park and just played soccer all day!

Something funny this week, we went to go visit a less active member that has some health issues( he's a big guy).  He lived in the states for 10 years, and now is back in Peru. He's about 65 and half the time he walks around naked and when we have lessons with him he just talks the whole time. He lives alone and likes to tell white lies...so he told me he has 2 girls that come over to his house to make him meals all the times... he calls them his two "friends" (there's another word he used, we cant publish!), idk i think I laughed for about 10 mins. Then I saw him Valentines night walking in the middle of the street again going to visit his "friends" hahahah!

So my companion and I are staying together this change but now I'm training and District Leader! SO that means i am in charge of a certain amount of missionaries in my District! Whooh! 

Spiritual thought of the week that I loved from Mosiah 2:41 (Book of Mormon, page 151)- says that we will be blessed in temporal things as well as spiritual things, and we will be so blessed and happy, but only if we keep the commandments! SO- Keep the Commandments!

Love you all!

Elder Baca

MOTHER!

Answer me a quick question, why does Moroni have a trumpet??  (on top of most temples-it symbolizes the spreading of the gospel and the Second Coming, Matthew 24:31)

Thanks! I have to give training every week! 

Happy there's no such thing as President's Day here in Peru!!!

AHH Happy Valentines Day!!!! WOW !! FANCY FANCY!!!! Sounds like fun! Miss those dinners!!  You guys are so lucky, 4 day weekend! I cant believe gma and gramps are leaving so soon seriously!! It'll be an awesome experience!! NONE OF MY INVESTIGATORS came to church but we do have a baptism in 2 weeks of a little girl named D.  Japanese for I love you!! hahahah! But yea hoping this week is way better! Some times people just don't want to keep with their commitments and its way frustrating.

Wow Ethan is throwing some heat! Just watched all the vids dad sent me! KEEP IT UP!! 

Here in Huancayo its way hot in the day and pours at night, but so pretty! SO GREEN!! Wow times already up!!  i love you mom!!! Hope you all have a wonderful week! Love you all!

Elder BACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Feb 9~ The Huancayo Times

Holaaaaaa! 

Whats up whats up! Hope everyone had another awesome week of life!

This week was awesome for Elder O. and I! We had 7 people that came to church yesterday and a lot of people that havent been to church in a while! One of the Guys that came to church was JUGGLING in the middle of the street to make money, and about 2 weeks ago we stopped to talk to him, (he has some problems so we weren't able to understand) but we gave him an invitation and he came to church yesterday all dressed up and everything! Also our investigators that are progressing the best are F. and J.! They are bf and gf and are 22yrs old! Their entire family are members of the church, and they have come to church a lot! But the thing that made me the happiest is that they both know the Book of Mormon is true!  And J's little brother who we are teaching yesterday told us he wants to go on a mish!  Also, we have this kid named C., he lives up north but has been to church twice and is progressing super well. He's 15. They have baptismal dates for the 7th! 

Also in my area, there are random streets that have a bunch of dogs, normally my companion has his giant umbrella and fights them off and I start just chucking rocks at them. But yesterday we were walking down this dog invested street and all these dogs starting charging at us....but they we all like little shitzoos...so one of them went to bite me in the ankle and I straight up drop kicked it in the face and it did about 5 backflips. And then they all sprinted back inside to their houses hahaaha it was hilarous!

Ya but anyways, hope you all have a great week. I know that Jesus Christ lives, it's the message we need to take to the World.

Elder Baca

Mom!!!!!!!!! calling in !! mom! rogerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I'm doing good,  today we have a multi-zone Pday and are going to some place to play soccer! Te PROMETO that Ill send pics next week!  So its rainy season, but a nice chilly rain!! But Im keeping warm! I love it!  Everyone is doing good.  Yah he's doing better! He's from Chile and is 26!!  I'll have some more updates next week hopefully!  We are fasting like every week as a zone. There just isn't baptisms in the zone!!  But I'm starting to see the fruits of the fast!   And exactly-we cant just change people! They NEED TO DO IT!  But I've learned I can take a person step by step and show them how to change! It's the best!  JD! ? Hows your training going?!  Learning some patience I bet!  And wow sweet story from the Ridleys! Thanks for sharing that with me! And I love that quote, awesome!  WHAT SARAH GOT MARRIED! WEIRD!! 

MY FIRST LOVE WAS MY MOTHER!! :) And yes!! It's called Dia de Valentino! Im going to teach the Law of Chasity to everyone Thursday and Friday and Sat.! hahahah that was a joke

Feb 2~ 8 Months

Que tal !! 

Wow cant believe I'm already hitting the 8 month mark, so crazy how fast time is going! So this week we found some new investigators, and lots of them have problems. One of them, doesn't have any money because her husband was assassinated about 2 months ago. We talked with her and then the next day she had to disoccupy her house and moved. Another lady and her family we taught this week are awesome. Her name is M. and has 3 kids, one of them is 12 yrs old and a basketball freak! He loves the Bulls and the Lakers, so when he found out I like the Lakers too, and I live by their stadium he was freaking out!  She also has another kid that is special needs, he was in and out of a coma for almost 2 YEARS, but survived, so crazy. SO the lady has a lot of faith, and really wants God's help right now, but without a doubt she knows God exists. It was an amazing experience being able to teach her this week, helping her out with all her problems. 

One of the things I love about the mission is the ability to help anyone, with any type of problem or challenge, being able to help them realize that really God loves them and wants to help. And through Jesus Christ, His gospel and his Atonement, we can really overcome any problem or challenge. Every day I'm out here I really grow in my faith and testimony, that the message we have as missionaries is without a doubt, true. And that it really can help anyone!

Love you all hope you all have a fantastic week! AND go to the GYM! I can smell the Pizza and Hamburger grease from here! 

Love,

Elder Ryan Baca

(Ryan's response to finally getting a copy of his patriarchal blessing)

Mom,

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS I'M ABOUT TO CRY SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IM SERIOUSLY SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS !! HOW DID YOU GET IT?!

Awesome!!! --I read it (Jacob 5) about 5 times and the last time I was like WHOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I understand! hahaha