Courage is Needed

Hi everyone,

I got my Christmas package and my calendar!! They were both awesome!! Thanks so much for the Christmas package; it was perfect!! The pjs and Chelsea jersey! Like wow perfect! I didn't really want anything, but it made me so happy to get those things. 

About the week a lot has happened here as well. We had interviews with president. After the interviews, we did divisions with one of the assistants, and then I did divisions with Elder Kidd on Saturday. Elder Molina is a 21 year old from Bolivia and the first member and missionary in his family. He has 9 months in the mission. We are struggling. I love what you wrote last week. I love the heck out of my comp and I have no idea what it would be like to be in his situation or to come for the backround that he comes from. But I love him, and I have to have the courage to tell him what’s up sometimes. That was president’s advice, I need more courage. CS Lewis said, "Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point." (Elder Lynn G. Robbin’s talk “Which Way do You Face?”—I love it—read it). But that is what i have learned and I don't want to talk bad about my comp at all. So I’m struggling, but I just keep swimming in the wise words of Dory.

Love, 

Elder Walker

Cocanut!

Jungle Life

Dear Family and Friends,

In two of those pictures were my zone leaders, Elder Kidd and Elder Larson. They are awesome. We ate every meal with Larson and Kidd every day for 3 months and with Elder Kidd 4 and a half months. Elder Kidd has been my Zone leader my entire mission, and he was transferred to La Merced with me. He will die here in 3 months. Pretty cool! I love him.

I found out I was getting transferred Tuesday night, and then I left Wednesday morning. It happened fast. 

So Elder Kidd and I drove from Cerro to Tarma and then to La Merced. It was about a 4 hour drive not too long, but we stopped in Tarma for a while. It was fun. Our driver because we switched taxis at Tarma to La Merced was crazy. Strait up he was going like 120 kilometers per hour and taking the windy, twisty turns like a Nascar driver. I was telling Elder Kidd how we were going to crash, and he was like I hope so that’d be a cool story. Then, we were doing a u turn and we were actually the one time we were going slow. We were on the inside, and we were drifting into the other lane when there was a car in the other lane. Then, in slow motion we hit that car in the other lane. haha So we got in a car crash, but it was super lame and everyone was all right. Seriously don’t freak out or anything; it was actually disappointing how non dramatic it was. But still Elder Kidd and I got our wish. After that we had to take a bus the rest of the way to La Merced though because our taxi driver didn't want to drive us with the damage to his car. But it was just a busted headlight. It was nothing. So there’s my story.

La Merced is the exact opposite of Cerro though. I feel like I'm not even in the same country, and I cant believe that I'm in the same mission: jungle green everywhere, breathtaking views, waterfalls, and rope bridges. I drive through rivers and I feel like Im in an Indiana Jones movie. (Actually I heard that part of one of the Indiana Jones movies was filmed here.) I just wish I could be on vacation here. Because of the heat I am tired and want to sleep all of the time, but all of the oxygen in my brain feels good! Ohh. I have to send you a picture of the church here though; it’s gorgeous. All’s good. Not too much of a problem with the bugs yet and my body’s adjusted fine to being at a normal altitude. 

The food is great (awesome pensionista), and my apartment is sweet, too. It’s big and nice (3 big rooms) even if it doesn’t have hot water. haha. 

Love you,

Elder Walker

New Companion, Elder Molina

Goodbye to Elder Thatcher--I guess golfers are pretty strong.

Zone leaders, Elder Larson and Elder Kidd. Elder Kidd came to La Merced with me to be my zone leader again! Elder Kidd and I are dressed for the hot jungle weather :)

Me, Larson, Kidd holding Thatcher

The Lesson of One More

Hello all,

This week was hard. One of the hardest here on my mission, but still nothing compared to some of the first few in the field. What made it hard was the sicknesses (home and physical) and obviously Christmas. But Christmas really wasn’t that bad because like I said it wasn’t really Christmas: it was a Thursday that I got to talk to my family. 

Talking was good. Actually it was fun. Too short, but cool to see everyone. It was extremely strange to be on the other side of the camera especially when talking with Chloe because we just switched sides since Mother’s Day. It was hard at the end to say goodbye, but overall good. 

Harder was the next day. Due to the fact that my companion was sick with a stomach infection, I was confined in my room all day to drown in thoughts of home: of the Arizona game (but seriously so mad I missed that Arizona game) of iPhones and of everything I miss. It sucked. It was worse for Elder Thatcher, but terrible for me.

Moving on though, it gave me time to read. I read all of the talks I have. I also reread the letter you sent to me, Mom. Such an awesome letter thanks again. 

Afterwards I was thinking about basketball though. Then, about Jonas. And about a practice we had.

It was a Friday night JV practice in the Aux Gym sophomore year. This practice we had to run all day. We did agility defensive slides. Then a minute of H-e-double hockey sticks and then more agility and defensive slides. We had done all of this, and then did 10 suicides in 10 minutes. After this everyone was dying on the line exhausted, panting, and lying on the ground, grateful practice was over. I remember clearly Jonas standing up and walking over to us. I was bitter and mad because I didn't understand why it was necessary for us to have had to run so much that practice. 

Then, Jonas in his quiet, calm, and annoying at the same time voice that pierces into your soul asked the team, "Can you do one more? Do you got one more in you?" 

There was a low grumbling from the team and silence. He repeated the question. We replied, "Yes Coach,” quietly. He asked again, and then we screamed, “Yes Coach! We ran another sprint. 

We finished. Even more dead tired and Jonas asked us again if we could do one more. And we did. He asked and we proceeded to do about 5 more sprints. People were falling over. Muscles were cramping. After another sprint he asked again, "Can you do one more?" 

"Yes Coach." we replied. Then Jonas smiled and said that we were done for the day and to shoot free-throws. 

I thought of this story that day after Christmas while sitting alone and missing home. It is a life skill I will always have. And I realized how I have used this experience throughout my mission and how I continue to use it. Even when I’m dead tired, throwing up in the bushes. I can always go one more. One more door. One more street. One more lesson. One more week. One more transfer. One more year. It’s important for every missionary to learn that lesson—the lesson of one more. 

Have a great week. I love you all.

Elder Walker

PS I still didn't get my Christmas package :(

Llamas!

My Christmas present from President and Sister Henderson.

White Christmas

Hi,

Hahahahaahahhaahahhahahahahahaha. Chloe brought a boy home! Ohhh my gosh I wish I could have been there to see how Dad handled that. I bet it was so funny!!!! So where did he sleep? But what is up with him deciding between Chloe and some missionary girl? Well, freaking duhhhhh Chloe is the obvious choice! Like we talked about before we left, Chloe has made it super hard for all of us to find someone cuz she set a super high standard!! Like Camron said, and that was pre-mission Chloe! I can’t imagine now. Is he mentally challenged?

It has been a crazy week starting with a great couple of days in Huanuco. We had great food and fun there. I had the chance to stay in Elder Thatcher's old area with his awesome pension, and that was fun too. I also got to talk to Elder Cook while there, and he is a great guy and actually grew up in Boulder City. 

Huanuco was fun. Then we got back to Cerro and figured out that our investagator with a date for that Saturday had a few problems, and we had to postpone her date until she could get an interview. It was hard and frustrating, especially because she was getting married on that Saturday as well, and really wanted to get baptized. That Saturday she got married and then in an unforeseen turn of events had a interview with President Maravi after her baptism. And in even more unforeseen fashion the interview went great, and she was able to be baptized that very same day. I was pretty awesome! The mission is full of ups and downs, but I have seen from this expirence that I just have to keep working hard and put my trust in God.  

I'm a little worried about Christmas, but as President Henderson told us in his letter today there are two ways to pass Navidad. The first is to just think of home and remember all of the things that I am missing. The second way is to remember the commitment we have made Jesus Christ and to serve others. That is what I am trying to do. Remember my commitment and remember all of the things my family and I have been given and share those gifts with the people here in Peru. But still it is hard. To be honest I don't even want to talk to you guys for Christmas. I just don't think i will like it. Talking to Marc should be fun though. 

All is good. I love you all. Still laughing trying to imagine Dad watching Chloe with the boy. Haha.

Talk to you soon!!!
Elder Walker

Patricia's Baptism

Quick Note

Hi, 

Not much time today because of the conference. I’m not sure there are really any Christmas traditions here. I don't really hear Christmas music or see trees. There are some lights around, but not many at all. Speaking of which do we have lights up this year, Dad? Haha. And our tree? I don’t know if it’s like this in all of Peru, but think it is just Cerro de Pasco. There are random daces in the streets sometimes celebrating various Catholic holidays, but i don't really understand it. Apparently everyone here goes to the plaza and sings on Christmas Day, but that’s all I've heard. And they eat turkey. 

More next time.

Love, 

Elder Walker

PS President said yes, I can talk to Marc on Christmas!

Workin' as Missionaries Do

 Hello,

This week was good, but it was hard to work for a couple of reasons. Primarily Elder Thatcher got sick twice during the week. Also the elections this week slowed down the work because everyone was traveling and not in their houses. Regardless, we hard a good week with some good lessons. We have one investigator, who is progressing great and has a baptismal date for this Saturday. I’m looking forward to that and also to Huanuco this coming week.

So yeah Elder Thatcher got sick twice the first time was really bad. It was Wednesday night and he threw up like 3 times. He kept me up too, which was really unthoughtful of him. haha. But yeah that happened. Because of the elections, there was no church yesterday. So stupid, but yeah it was the final election only between two guys. Funny story yesterday we were talking to some random guy on the street who just voted and he asked us if we voted too. We said no and then he preceded to tell us how he just voted, but he had to choose between one candidate who was corrupt and another candidate who was more corrupt. haha and he said he didn't know what to do so he just chose one so funny.

More stuff: our new pension is AWESOME. She asks us what we like and what we want for meals. It's amazing. Patricia has a baptism date for this Saturday but I think we are moving it to Sunday because the ward is going to the temple on Saturday, and they get back on Sunday. Also, I’m excited that we are going to Huanuco this coming P day for a zone conference, and I get to eat lasagna! I should get to email you though so don't worry.

Lots of love,

Elder Walker

Me trying to be a photographer.

Tim Tebowing it

My area is basically everything to the right of the lake.

Chosen Frozen shirt, and yes, I'm freezing! I don't know why I thought it was warm enough to hike without a jacket. haha.

I'm on top of the world!

Studs

Another week in Cerro

Hello!

Two things. What did Marcus say this week? Is he done with training who’s his comp? Is he still in the same area? Also I need his address because I'm going to send him something for Christmas/birthday. Marcus’s pics from last week of his Thanksgiving dinner he made were sweet! I miss American food. Miss that guy.

I have no idea what to say about this week. I guess I will start out with my Thanksgiving. We had no lessons. haha. Yeah we had no lessons on Thanksgiving, and no lessons sucks because the day takes twice as long. And when that day makes you think of home because it’s a holiday, it’s even longer. Yeah no fun! But that night we went out to eat with Elder Kidd and Elder Larson, our zone leaders (they are in our district too and we eat every meal with them because we share the same pension.)  We went to a cool restaurant, and then we bought desserts. That was fun, and I ate so much that day that I was sick the next day. So the day after Thanksgiving was that much fun either. But hey, enough complaining! I survived, and I'm feeling good now. There is always something to be thankful for.

HEY, good news we are changing pensions for lunch and dinner so we will see how the new one is today. But yeah no more caldo de gallina every night!!!! Dang those pies in Marcus’s pics look soo good. I’m jealous. 

We had a family come to church, but then they left after the first hour so it doesn't even count, but then we had another investigator come who stayed. That was cool. She is Patricia, and she has a baptism date and a wedding date for the 13th of Dec. I’m feeling hopeful about her and her fiancé, who is already a member.

Elder Thatcher is adjusting fine. Actually really good if you compare that to his record. He told me he was super sick for his first 4 weeks in the mish with an infected bug bite and dental problems. He's good, though, and just walks kinda slow because he’s still getting used to the altitude, which is annoying sometimes. But I have to be patient and remember that I used to get winded, too. Elizabeth is making me angry. We haven’t taught her for 2 weeks because she went to Lima again and every appointment has fallen through. But we will see. We just need to talk to her. 

I love you all,

Elder Walker