March Letters

March 26, 2012
       Hello family and friends. Well, this week we have had a lot of good times. First off, we had a baptism this weekend: Julio Cesar Hernandez Castañeda. He is 18 years old. He is really cool and
progressed really fast in the gospel. He accepted baptism and worked really hard for it and was really ready to do it. We are now working with his family and other people that he knows and wants to be in the Church. We think that we are going to be able to baptize a few of his famliy members. But we will see. It's amazing because this is the first baptism that the branch has had this year. So the whole branch was happy and there to support him. We are happy for what happened this weekend.

       This last week was transfers in the mission. We received 3 new elders this week. Elder Rosi from Argentina, Elder Aguirre from Nicaragua, and Elder Rivera from Ecuador. So now in the zone we have
Elders and Sisters from 9 different countries. It's cool because we have the opportunity to get to know different countries with their different cultures, and to hear their different accents in Spanish. It's wierd
because they use words here in Peru that mean really bad things in other countries. And there are bad words here in Peru that mean normal things in their own countries. It's pretty funny to get to know
those things.

       Well we also have had some really funny stories. On the baptism day there was a huge rainstorm. There was a lot of thunder and lightning. It got to the point where they cut the electricity. The bad thing was that they cut the lights right as we were starting the baptismal service. So we ran outside to buy some candles (Come heck or high water we were going to throw this kid into the water!). By the time we got back, the lights came back on. We were a little bit mad. We did the service and then the lights went out again. I am almost certain that the Lord had something to do with that. Afterward we found out that we were the only block in all of Moyobamba that had electricity. So that was pretty cool.

Well things are going really well here in the jungle. I will let you all know what's up next weeek.

                                                                                      Love you all,
                                                                                      Elder Clouse
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March 19, 2012
       Hello family and friends. Well things are going really well for me here in Moyobamba. This week we have been working really hard. This Saturday we have a baptism for Julio. He is 18 years old and was a referral from some girls in my branch. He has progressed really fast and already has a strong testimony of the Gospel. He says that he wants to serve a mission. We are very excited. Also we have 4 other adult men and a single mom with 2 children who want to be baptized. This last transfer has been very succesful. It has shown me how patience, diligence, and a lot of prayer can work miracles. We are very happy and blessed to have such great people that we are teaching.

       The other elders and sisters are really working hard too. The zone has the most baptismal dates in over 3 years. We are very proud of what the elders and sisters are doing. Especially overcoming all of the problems that our area has.

       Well, yesterday we only had church attendance at 67 people. That's over 40 people less than last week. It worried us a little bit, so we went to visit the people who didn't come. I was so surprised with how many people that were sick. I have never given so many blessings in all of my life. But that's why we're here as missionaries: to bless the people in need.

       Well, yesterday I had a baptismal interview. I interviewed a lady who has not been able to walk in over 3 years. She has some disease that has made her legs weak. After the interview she was talking about how much faith she has. Then one of the elders said, "If you have enough faith, you can walk right now." She said that she did have faith. She stood up and took the first 4 steps in over 3 years. If we all had a little bit more faith, what could we do? It was a miracle.

       Well, transfers are here again. I will see if I have a change or not. I will let you know if I do. I love you all and hope you are doing very well.
                                                                                       Love you all,
                                                                                       Elder Clouse

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March 12, 2012
       Hello family and friends. How are things going? Well, this week we had a huge week with a lot of stuff. So I will tell you a little bit about each day.

       Monday I slept.

       Tuesday I went to Lima. And yes...I went to Chili's. I got to Lima and went directly to Chili's. It was the best thing in the world. I really needed that. This time in Lima I slept in the apartment of the offices. It's always cool to be there and to talk with all of the people in the office. We get to know the mission a little bit better, so it's cool.

       Wednesday was the zone leader's council. It lasted longer this time. We heard a whole lot of different talks and trainings from President and Sister Blunck. Also, we ate pizza. It was heaven. We also had to talk about what we need to work on in the mission. But we are doing well. That night we flew back to Tarapoto.

       Thursday I stayed in Tarapoto waiting for my zone to get there. We did divisions with the zone learders there and what we saw there was very cool. They have many families that are progressing and I saw a
great change in the way to teach the gospel. Then when my zone got there we went to dinner, and then we went and slept.

       Friday was the zone conference for the 3 zones: Moyobamba, Tarapoto, and Yurimagwas. I had to do a practice with President in front of everyone with my companion. It was hard but was a really good learning experience. Then we went home. Saturday and Sunday were normal work days.

       Today (Monday) we went to see caves that they have here in Moyobamba. We hired a tour guide and he helped us through. It was cool.

       Well I have run out of time today. Everything is going well and the work is moving on.
                                                                                     
                                                                                                        I love you all,
                                                                                                        Elder Clouse
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March 5, 2012
       Hello everybody. How are things going after a long weekend? Things are going well here in Moyobamba. The work here is coming along. We are progressing with a few people here as we continue to rise in church attendance and investigators in the church. Yesterday we had
115 church attendance, which is the highest that the branch has had in a very long time. So far, since I have been here the attendance has risen by 35 people. So we can see the fruits of our labors. We just now need to help a few people get dunked in the water. But it will come. I have faith. We are really working hard with the members and we are seeing some great results. SO we are happy.

       Well many people are probably asking how in the world I am dealing with everything. Well, don't worry...I have experienced the atonement of Jesus Christ working with me. It has been working with me for about 10 months now. I don't have any worries or doubts or fears. With the gospel there isn't any need for that. We know what's going on when we experience a death. So we just need to be happy and continue on with our lives. Mom loves us dearly and that is what she would want us to do. I haven't felt any fear or doubt in doing missionary work. I have been working just as hard as ever. I am doing great.

       Well this week is vacation week. Tomorrow I will be going to Lima to the Zone Leaders Conference. I always love traveling. But this week my vacations are a little longer. The entire zone is going to Tarapoto for a zone conference. So when I fly back to Tarapoto from Lima, I wil be staying in Tarapoto until Friday. It should be really cool. On Thursday I will just stay in Tarapoto waiting for my zone to get there. So I don't know if I will work or what's up. We will see.

       Well, other than that I am doing really well. Well, it's time for a funny story. On Thursday I tried to call the assistants because we couldn't get a hold of President Blunck. Well from there I called what I thought to be the phone number for the assistants. But when someone answered the phone I didn't recognize the voice. It sounded like Elder Mar, the assistant, because this man had a deep voice. But this man talked very seriously. I started talking normal telling him what was wrong, but this man sounded confused. Then I asked, "I am talking with Elder Mar, right?????" Then the man replied, "No, you are talking to President Cabrera from the mission Peru Cusco." I made one mistake on the number and I called a different mission president. I quickly asked for forgiveness and told him, "Goodnight." My companion started busting out laughing. I have never been so embarassed in all of my life. I am sure he called President Blunck and I am going to get an earful of laughter and correction. But we will see.

       Well things are going good for me here. I love you all and will talk to my family tonight.

                                                                                                     Love you all,
                                                                                                     Elder Clouse