Hermana Carli Stone's Mission: Free hand knitted sweater vests..

Wow. This week flew by. I don`t even know what to write. We went to Arequipa on Tuesday and Wednesday for a zone meeting. President Zobrist showed up at the end and talked about Ether 12:4. It was SO cool.

My companion and I went to the mission office after our meeting and got to spend a little time talking with President, and receiving some awesome advice. Love that man so much!

We got back and Thursday night had our first mutual activity (which turned out to be a HUGE HIT!) We planned a service race, and one kid showed up…so we turned on a Mormon message about the Law of Chastity instead.

On Friday we had a ward BBQ…all jokes aside, this one really was a huge success. We ended up using 20 hot dogs, and 40 hamburgers. Posting a sign that says “Free food” really brought the crowds. We spent about 3 hours making French fries and hanging out with the moms of Chivay in the kitchen.

Saturday morning some members from Arequipa came up and brought 7 garbage bags of hand knitted clothing for the kids up here…another successful activity. It turned out wonderfully…plus, who doesn`t love a free hand knitted sweater vest…am I right?

Church on Sunday was great. We had 35 people show up. That`s the most that we`ve had the entire time we`ve been here in Chivay. Our primary class was hoppin' with 9 kids!

Also, I`m really nailin it with the Spanish… This week I told a woman we sleep in a truck instead of a bunk bed. And later I asked why the youth here always go to the Biblioteca and get drunk…discoteca is dance club…biblioteca is library. Watch out for those library parties you guys!

This week I read an amazing talk by President Utchdorf called “Lift Where You Stand” from October 2010 in the priesthood session of conference. He talks a lot about service in the church, and the building up of the kingdom of God, which has become such a special place in my heart these last 15 months. He says, “Every calling provides an opportunity to serve, and to grow…whatever your calling, I urge you to see it as an opportunity not only to strengthen and bless others, but also to become what Heavenly Father wants you to become.” No matter what your calling in the church, you are capable of more than you think. God calls us to succeed, never to fail.

Love you all! Have a good week!