Hola Familia!

How are you guys? Sounds like you had a busy week back in California. You are so right about visiting the cabin Mom. You have no idea how many times I have just dreamed of going up to the cabin with the family and hiking, and laying by the pool and reading books for the weekend. Ah. How things have changed huh? We will have to take a little get away to Stonehaven when I get back. I died laughing about the soap in the dishwasher situation. Summer WOULD record that. I'm so proud. Someone has to be the family documentor now that I'm gone. Haha.

This week was a crazy roller coaster! I'm sure everyone is wondering how the chocolate fast is going. I´m going to get to that...don´t you worry.

Wednesday was probably the best day of my whole mission so far. It was incredible! The day started out really rough and I was just really sad, and couldn't figure out why. I was on my knees for a good 15 minutes during my personal study cause I was just feeling so insufficient and like I wasn't doing anything to help my companion because the language was so tough. I was praying for experiences to be humbled so I could better understand missionary work, and was pleading for some sort of sign of what my purpose was, and why I was having such a tough time.

Well...I can promise you all that the Lord answers prayers in the ways we never expect. For our companion study on Wednesday morning Hermana Chavez decided to read with me a talk called the "Consecrated Missionary". I´m sure you have heard of it. If you haven't....everyone should read it. That talk changed my life. And we only had time to study the first page. I realized what my problems were, and fixed them immediately. The rest of the day was amazing! We went and visited a woman named Santuza who has been meeting with missionaries on and off for 2 years.  After we shared our message we felt that she needed to pray with us...so the three of us knelt down...in the middle of her hair-cutting store, and she prayed.  When the prayer was over we were all in tears and she told us she wanted to be BAPTIZED! We were so excited! When we left her store we started screaming. Then...we thought it would be a good idea to get some chocolate to celebrate....oh no.

Wednesday night we went and visited our investigator Ramiro. He is hilarious. Remember the one is like Kristian? Well...normally when we teach him he sits in silence and nods every now and then...but Hermana Chavez said she felt prompted to have me teach and she would just come in every now and then and bear her testimony. And it definitely was a prompting from the Lord because whoever taught that night was NOT me. My Spanish was nearly perfect, and I had so many things come to my mind that I never had an issue of what I needed to say. As soon as I started talking he wouldn't shut up. He had tons of questions and when we gave him a Book of Mormon he was stoked about it. We left that appointment screaming too. It was such a great day. THEN....are you ready for what happened next? I broke my foot! hahaha. just kidding...that wasn't funny. But I tripped, ...THAT was funny. And my companion did too...and I couldn't stop laughing. It was horrible cause she kept saying how terrible the pain was and I was just laughing at her.

Okay...next thing. We walked back to our apartment and guess who was there? My companion from the MTC Hermana Schoppmann...! HAHAHA She's our new companion. My poor Hermana Chavez has been out for 4 months and shes training two North Americans.  She's the greatest person ever though. We have honestly become best friends...I love her so much. I told her she needs to marry Chandler so we can be real sisters...she's not really sure about that. But we just sit in bed and sing and laugh together. It has been really tough having another companion...especially because I'm being trained and Hermana Schoppmann knows no Spanish...and we have kind of had to start over with the training instead of moving forward...but I asked to be humbled and the Lord is delivering. Haha.

Last thing...Friday morning we got a phone call from Santuza saying she didn't want to be baptized anymore. After she called she dropped off the face of planet and we spent the rest of the day walking around trying to find her. (Classic stalker missionaries) Then we were so depressed that we bought chocolate. She didn't end up getting baptized because her husband didn't want her too. It was rough. But...we are going to meet with her again this week and try and see what we can do to help her have a stronger desire to read the Book of Mormon because she told us that she wasn't reading it, and we are almost sure that's why she didn't have the faith to get baptized.

I am having the time of my life. And I think I still have a parasite.

I bought a new backpack for 12 soles...and It's my favorite thing in the world. Also...even though it looks like I have a double chin in the picture I sent you I don't...I promise I haven't gained THAT much weight.

Also...I know I´m maturing cause guess who loves to do the dishes now. ME! I also love hand washing clothes...as you can tell from my excitement in the picture of me hanging up my companions sheets on the clothes line. Haha

My spanish is coming poco a poco...but the Patriarch said I'm getting better and I understand most people now. WOO! Love you all!

Talk to you next week!
Sorry this email is so long!
Hermana Carli

Well...this week was tough. But...I could say that about every week so it wasn't much different than what I have already experienced. :)

First off...SHOUT OUT TO KATE!!!! I cried when I read she's off to Nashville TN!!! She is going to be such a rock-star. I have no doubt!

Next, Happy birthday to Colton!! I can't believe that tomorrow he will be 12!  Wow. Passing the sacrament next Sunday...what I would give to be there to see that! Ha.

So on Monday night we went and had FHE with my favorite family in the ward. She is the Young Woman's President,she is from Columbia and 21 years old.  Her husband who met her on his mission, is the Elders Quorum President and he is 23. Crazy young right? They are so awesome. After the lesson they made us a smoothie...
Let me tell you what I THINK was in the smoothie...
Onions,
Carrots,
Mangoes,
Hot Water,
Banana,
Milk.

I almost threw up. It was so disgusting. Ha. Also...I think I have a parasite....which is fine because of my chocolate addiction. I was feeling sick on Thursday so the white elders in my zone gave me a blessing. In the blessing my zone leader said, "As you strictly follow the Word of Wisdom you will have good health". That's when I decided that 27 candy bars in 6 days was too many. I'm on a chocolate fast right now. I'm dying. Hahaha Who knew I liked chocolate so much!

I got another blessing this week from the Patriarch. He felt that I needed a blessing to receive the gift of tongues....and YES I DO. The Spanish is tough. What a tender mercy that I live with the Patriarch huh? I count that as a huge blessing everyday.

We have this one investigator named Ramiro who reminds me SO much of Kristian...He looks like him, dresses like him, and acts like him. He is 17, and he is awesome. We asked him to pray after a lesson last week and he whispered this super short prayer...and then said Amen really loud so we knew he was done. I told him "If I can pray in Spanish...YOU can pray in Spanish!" At least that's what I tried to say...Haha.
On Saturday we were fasting for him to get baptized this week, and on Saturday night we went to visit, and he wasn't home but his Aunt said that they were praying over lunch earlier that week and he asked if he could pray! WOO! Fasting brings miracles...especially if you had been there for the first prayer.
This weekend we had a ward activity. It was SO HILARIOUS! I wish I could have taken pictures and videos of the whole thing. I ate a small dinner expecting food....BUT...for food we had one bag of this little Peruvian hard candies. HAHA. The whole activity was like a combined mutual activity...without food. My companion sweet  Hermana Chavez gave a small spiritual thought about the priesthood, and I said the prayer (in Spanish...thanks for asking, it went horribly. hahaha) and then they played games the whole time. They had a race where you jump in the bags... (...what is that called?) and kids (and adults) were falling on their faces like nobody's business. I haven't laughed as hard as I did that night in 2 months. It was hysterical! We also listened to Katy Perry at the activity...(The bishop was in charge of music. HA!) I love our ward. They are so awesome! Also....I'm the new ward pianist...apparently...that's what my companion told me yesterday. I sat down to play for a little bit before church because we were there early, and next thing I know the bishop comes up and thanks me for being the ward pianist. Haha.

Also...lastly. We went to visit a recent convert for her birthday and she gave us cake...and it was the best cake I have ever had in my life. No sarcasm. It was INCREDIBLE! I almost cried when I ate it. I cry about everything now. Haha. Also...the lady asked if I liked Peru and I told her I do, and then she asked if I wanted to marry a Peruvian...but I didn't understand her so I said yes. And then my companion looks over and asked me who...so that was awkward cause now she thinks I'm secretly in love with someone in our zone and won't tell her who. Ha
Anyway...I love you all and miss you all so much! Can you believe this week is 2 months?! I can. Haha. Time is starting to speed up...and I think I am starting to understand the work better.

The picture I sent you is one of me on our street outside our...house.  I gotta love it.
I love the people of Peru so much...and I am learning so much!
Don't forget about me!
Hermana Carli

Hey family!

It was so nice to talk to you guys yesterday. Sorry I was such a disaster at the end there. Haha.

After I hung up the skype call I decided that I needed to just get to work so my companion and I left the members house we were skyping at and went out and contacted. From 6-8pm we contacted 49 people and taught 3 lessons. Haha. It was awesome! I was just talking and trying to say everything I saw in Spanish. My companion was laughing so hard because I had been so sad like...30 minutes before.

Also...We were teaching a lesson to a lady who is getting baptized on Saturday last night and her grandson came in and gave me a kiss (which is totally normal here) but obviously against mission rules. I didn't know what to say so I just made this really weird noise like...Wait...don't do that. But he didn't understand my spanglish noise. Of course my companion starts dying laughing again. Then she looked at me and told me to bare my testimony. She didnt tell me WHAT to bare it on so I just started talking and it was probably the best testimony I have given in Spanish since I got on my mission. It was such a great feeling. I dont know if what I said made any sense to her...but to me it did, and it felt so good to know what I was saying for a minute. Haha.

Also...I know I told you guys this yesterday, but for all my blog followers that aren't part of the family (Cami, Christie, Kate and Grandma) HA....guys...this week I ate COW STOMACH. I'm so proud of myself...and Cam aren't you proud? Remember when you used to have to practically force me to eat hot dogs?...Yeah...I would kill for one of your hot dogs right now. Haha.

Ps. Major camping trip when I get home. I'm super into that kind of thing now...and Kate...you woudn't believe how many dogs are here. I spend most of my day trying to find ways to run away from them without being obvious to the Peruvians that I hate dogs cause they all love the animals that just roam the streets here. And...our pet mouse that wanders around in the morning is no longer an issue cause I packed EARPLUGS...they SAVE my life.

OH....shout out to Elise on her mission call to BOLIVIA! We are gonna be neighbors again (Aves 330...good times) and Ryan Mcfadyen to GUATEMALA!! I love all these Spanish speaking missionaries! If I had advice I would give it to you, but I dont...so...GOOD LUCK! Bahahaha.

Thank you so much for everyone who sends me encouraging words every week. I love you all SO much and miss you all!

I have a ton of pictures to send, and the computer isnt letting me. Expect like...20 next week. Haha.

Love you all!

Lima!

My Room

Arequipa

Since I keep having to start all over again I feel like every one of my letters is titled Week 1. That's not comforting at all. Haha.

Well...WOW. This last 24 hours has been pretty crazy. Im glad I was warned that the first two weeks are miserable and you want to leave because I have definitely been having a tough time.

Yesterday morning our flight left at 7. There were 22 of us that left the MTC for Arequipa. 6 Americans, and the rest latinos. You would think since the latinos SPEAK the language at the airport that they would be a help to us but they weren't at all and they BARELY made the flight. All 16 came running onto the plane minutes before they closed the doors. It was kind of hilarious cause they were just taking their sweet time and all the North Americans were stressing to the MAX.

When we landed, our mission president, and his wife and all the elders that work in the office were there to greet us...which was really nice. We all got on a big bus and got a tour of Arequipa. It was awesome.

They took us to the mission home, and for the rest of the day we were being trained. They fed us an awesome meal (that was literally too much for DAD to eat) and then trained us more. There are 2 elders that left today for home so they were there too being interviewed and stuff, so that was cool. One of them was from Texas.

My companion is the most adorable little Latina in the entire world. She speaks like...4 English words so I just cry when I cant understand her...I don't really want to expound on that one. Its been a rough morning so far. Haha.

Also...remember how I hate camping? Yeah so...that's basically what I'm doing here. Thank you Chandler for warning me...oh wait...just kidding. WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME. Besides the fact that they don't have a concept of time here...they also don't have any concept of temperature. My companion told me the showers were REALLY hot. I didn't even wash my body because it was so cold. I even had her come help me...and she turned it on, felt it and told me it was really hot...it wasn't.

Also...I'm pretty much sleeping in a closet. For breakfast I couldn't eat cause I felt sick so the lady who cooks for us (who can ONLY say banana in english and that's about it) made me a hot smoothie...actually...i have no idea what it was. Ill probably be sick later.

We live in a room at the Patriarchs house which is so nice...but they don't have houses here...they just have rooms...outside. hahaha. This is all so hilarious when I really think about it. Also...this morning when my companion and I had companionship study...I THINK she said that we are teaching a lady named Nancy tonight. Were going to the Bishops house later to meet him...so that will be good. But I seriously cant speak any Spanish. I feel like such an idiot.

Long story short...I am kind of freaking out. Hopefully I make it out of this alive.

Speaking of that....I read about Chandler and started sobbing in this...place that we are emailing in. The guy next to me is from Arizona...but he is pretty awkward so he was just staring at me. I am SO glad Chandler is okay. Wow. What a blessing!

I thought I was doing so well cause I only cried in the CCM once in Lima during Bednar...and today...Im a disaster.

One thing that was good is that this morning during my personal study I finished the Book of Mormon. It was so wonderful to finish! I started it in January, and then REALLY started reading in the MTC. I am SO grateful for the Book of Mormon. Especially here. It is SUCH a strength to me...and brings me so much peace. Which I really need...especially here now when I don't know what i'm doing at all and I cant even ask what to do so I just awkwardly stand around until my companion does something and then I just follow her around.

Well...please pray for me. I'm having a really tough time right now adjusting and what not. I will be calling on Sunday 3pm Peru time...so 1pm California time...ish. Around there...just a heads up.

Love you guys, and miss you SO much!!

Hermana Carli Stone

Ps. My pictures are:

1) Me, Hermana Kahle and an Elder from our Provo district who got his visa at the airport...it was pretty hysterical speaking no Spanish.

2) Arequipa

3) All the missionaries who came from the CCM in Arequipa during our tour.

PPS. I called the mission presidents son Sunday yesterday. His name is Diego...NOT Domingo....I made a great first impression. HAHAHA

Hi family and friends!

This week was another great one! I just love my mission so much. Still trying to adjust...I've been pretty sick this week as my stomach tries to adjust to all this food, but learned that it's not about me so i just need to push through it and think of others.

First of all...Bednar! It was seriously incredible to hear from him! There are only 100 missionaries here at the CCM so we got to shake his hand after. He talked for a little bit, but most of the time was spent talking about teaching with the spirit and then towards the end he did a question and answer and it was awesome. My companion asked "How can we completely forget ourselves and think of others?" He had his wife talk about serving as a mother, and I was bawling in the first row... (Oh yeah...I sat in the front row so they were smiling at me whenever I started crying) hahaha. FINALLY MY TEARS ARE GETTING ME SOMEWHERE.  Towards the end he asked all the missionaries, "How has the way we've talked today been more effective teaching you than if I were to just stand here and speak for 4 hours?" (Yes...It was really 4 hours. We were all starving by the end. Ha) I had a thought come into my mind...so I raised my hand, and when I stood up...the thought I was thinking didn't come out, but I started talking about how much teaching with the spirit can help teach your investigators and when I sat down realized that whatever I said was way better than what I was thinking. Ha. Plus...Elder Bendar said, "Great insight Sister Stone...that's wonderful" So...I'll never forget that. haha.

For tonight's devotional I got some elders and sisters to sing the song "If any of you lack wisdom" that we sang in an upstage fireside.  It sounds so good. So we'll be doing that for our musical number at the devotional tonight. Sometimes people will come find me during free time and just ask me to play the piano so they can hear music...and of course I am super excited to do that! I'm so glad I brought all that music Mom!

One big thing that has happened this week was that we had a chocolate fountain at dinner!!! It was SO good. Todos Norte Americanos were SO excited. We were dipping bread, peanuts, oranges...pretty much everything you can imagine. We started getting a little carried away when we got the mugs from breakfast and filled them up and started DRINKING the chocolate. It's quite the delicacy here. Hahaha. The cook stood up and said, "Norte Americanos...no mas chocolate." HAHA. It was so good though.

Today is P day so we get to go to the temple in about an hour. I'm so excited! I've been making a list of temples I want to visit before I die, and today I get to cross one off. It's going to be so cool...especially because the end of the session is in Spanish. It'll be interesting.

Last P day we went out onto the street and got the shop, and walk around...it was so cool. We bought tons of super unhealthy cheap candy, and we eat all day during class and our teachers always ask for some. It's so funny. PLUS. Oh my goodness...the churros here are unreal. They are basically fried bread with carmel in the middle...you get them from the street vendors and they're equivalent to like..50 cents in the US. We talk about them in class and drool thinking about them. Ha.

OH! I forgot to tell you the biggest thing. So...they called all the Norte Americanos leaving next week, and told us that we're actually leaving on Sunday morning early instead of Wednesday because Bednar is still in town and he is having a conference with all the mission presidents in the area, and they need to get us to our missions before they presidents leave for the conference. Can you believe that? I leave the CCM in 5 days. We're all freaking out...and can't really focus anymore. haha.

Another thing that is pretty funny is that one of my teachers Hermano Espanosa is JOEY from friends. Like...exactly...but Latino. haha. It's so awesome. It's gotten to the point where I can't talk to him without laughing...which is probably why he thinks I'm so happy all the time. He looks, talks, and acts exactly like him. And also...while I'm on the topic of friends...does anyone remember the episode where Rachel and Phoebe go running together and Phoebe runs super weird so Rachel tries to get out of running with her? Well...my old companion Hermana Schoppmann runs EXACTLY like that. It's SO cute. I miss her so much! No one else from our district in Provo has gotten Visa's yet...and since we're leaving so soon, it probably wouldn't be worth it if they did get them to send them to la CCM.

Something cool that happened this week was that Hermana Harmon and I asked if we could get blessings from the Elders in our district before we left for our missions so they gave us blessings on Sunday night. They decided that they all want them after ours so I'm glad I said something. The Elder that I asked to give my blessing did such an incredible job. It was awesome. He said things in the blessing that I've been thinking about but never said to my district, and I was just so amazed at how in tune with the spirit he was. I wrote down some things that I liked from the blessing as soon as it was done so I could remember them. One thing that I'll just share with you that he said was this. He said, "Carli, these next 18 months will be some of the most difficult in your life, but will bring you so much joy.  When you look back on your mission, you will always remember it as a wonderful time and decision that you made. Because of your mission you will gain experiences that you will share with your children, and those experiences will strengthen THEIR testimonies!" It was so cool...especially because I've felt in the last few weeks that this mission is NOT for me...or even for the people that I teach, but is for my children...and without ever saying anything to anyone about that he just confirmed that to me. It was so cool. I love the Priesthood so much. Thanks for being worthy to give blessings Chandler, Dad and Marcus because women appreciate it so much. As soon as we said we wanted blessings the Elders stood up, put their coats on and it was like they were new men.

I'm so grateful for the things I've learned here already. I can't believe how fast time is going...and it will only get faster.

Sounds like things are going good at home. Jealous that Chandler got to go to Vegas. That was one of my favorite memories ever! I've actually been thinking a ton about that this week remembering that you would be there! You'll have to take me along again for mommy daughter time when I get home! :)

The Elders and Hermanas here are so awesome. We all get along so well! I love every one of them...except one that made fun of me the other day...but I prayed for Charity and to just love him, and the next day it was all okay and he was nice to me again. Haha. 

I think I'm losing my sense of humor cause in class I tried to make a witty comment and it took a good 2 minutes to get out in English and then everyone sat there in silence as I laughed at myself and one elder said, "Was that a joke? Whatever that was, it just took my brain to a place it's never been before" hahaha. Oh no...the spanish is throwing me off.

BTW...I'm still bad at Spanish. I wrote Chandler a letter and the end was in Spanish...and when I went to re-read it I realized that it made almost no sense. Haha...Oh well.

Love you all!

Go ahead and start writing me letters to my mission...I'll be there before you know it!

Talk to you soon! xoxoxo

Hermana Carli Stone

First time Proselyting!

Hola Familia!

Can you believe I'm actually in Peru? It seems pretty surreal still. haha. This week has been pretty crazy. It's insane how different the Peru and the Provo MTCs are.  The Provo MTC is super organized...like...over the top almost, and here they have no concept of time, and they just kind of do what they want, when they want. It's pretty funny.

First of all...THANK YOU to Cassy and Dan and their boys for the package full of love that I got the DAY before I left. I finished all the candy on Sunday when I shared it during devotional with all the Northe Americanos. They were like animals around the candy from the United States. haha.

So Saturday was probably the most crazy day so far.  We went proselyting...left the MTC and walked around teaching people in the Lima, East mission. I had my companion with me...and then we had a latina. Thank Heavens! Hermana Torrealva. She's a convert...speaks barely any English and has the biggest heart ever. I sat next to her on the bus both ways and tried to help her with English...and we just were speaking spanglish and people were laughing...and of course I was signing too...which doesn't help her at all. She really is amazing, and she was on FIRE. We got 16 contacts, taught 2 lessons, and gave out 2 books of mormon. Most companionships passed out 1 book of mormon and got 4 or 5 contacts. haha. Proselyting was HARD though. I did not expect it to be the way it was. I was shocked about how poor the people are...and still how happy they were. The kids would just be playing in the street with a piece of paper and be happy. It was so sweet. Hermana Torrealva kept asking me to bare my testimony...and my spanish was so terrible that when I would finish...she was repeat it back to the person in her spanish. It was pretty funny.

My companion Hermana Harmon is awesome. I seriously love her. She came from the Provo MTC which is such a blessing because the missionaries here are so different. They're kind of lazy actually. I think it's the culture. So...Hermana Harmon and I always go outside to study cause during personal study they just talk the whole time. It's sad, but I love that I have her and we get along really well. AND...the other day we were talking about boys and she has a missionary that is out right now in Farmington New Mexico...she pulled out of picture and guess who was her boyfriends trainer? Yep...Trevor Schmidt. We laughed about that for a while. She said he LOVED Trevor.

Yesterday during physical activity we got our whole district to play soccer and it was so fun! A bunch of the guys in our district played growing up, and two of the sisters...so we had a blast. It was so hot...but we were so tired of sitting in class all day that we were running like crazy. The red head jokes started yesterday when one of the Elders passed me the ball and yelled, "RED!" to get my attention....now all the elders call me Hermana Roho. haha. i knew that would happen eventually.

On Sunday they asked if I would do a special musical number in church, and thank heavens for my music binder I was prepared...sort of. I played and sang I need thee every hour (in English of course) and apparently everyone liked it so that was good. I've gotten quite the confidence booster since I got here. on sunday after church the elders started calling me Hermana sexy voice. HAHA. (that would never fly in provo...but here...it's not even a big deal) I realized that in Provo, you learn the Gospel, and in Peru you learn the language. I feel pretty special to be able to have BOTH. I've been pretty happy here, and I am SO grateful for the Lord's help cause I know I couldn't do this alone.

We also wanted to do a musical number for the latinas because they are only here for 2 weeks, and we lose this group today and get a "new batch of brownies" on Thursday...funny huh? Last night they asked if I had any music for a big group...YEAH I DO. We sang the EFY medley to them in English and they all cheered at the end. It was so sweet. I am so grateful that I never quit piano cause I have been playing a ton, and I love it! Sunday night before our devotional a bunch of people just gathered around the piano as I played and listened...it was so fun...plus MAJOR confidence booster that they all think I'm so good. I love it. Haha.

Yesterday my FAVORITE teacher (literally the sweetest man you will ever meet...who has a lisp and is SO difficult to understand) came up to me and said, "Que usted siempre feliz? Siempre sonrise...que?" Which basically means...You're always so happy, and always smiling? Why? hahaha. I just sat there and laughed...trying to figure out what the say in Spanish cause the poor guy doesn't speak hardly any English. He tries so hard though. It's so sweet. I finally said..."because I know Jesus loves me, and because you are the best teacher" haha he turned bright red. it was hilarious.

Anyway...Elder Bednar is HERE at the MTC as I'm emailing you right now. We haven't seen him yet..but he's speaking to us from 9:30-12:30. Amazing huh? We're all so excited! Two general authorities in one week. WOO! Also...the food here is incredible!! It makes everyone sick...which is not fun...ha, but I haven't had one thing that I don't like yet. Today is my Pday obviously...but only for the next 2 weeks. I leave this MTC 2 weeks from today. Isn't that insane? I've been out for a whole month! We get to leave the MTC on pday and go shopping and stuff, and usually go to the temple too, but since Bednar is coming we don't have time...which is totally fine. Ha. Leaving the MTC and going out to the "real world" here was so amazing. The people don't speak Spanish though...that's for sure. Haha. My Spanish is actually coming along pretty well...I taught a lesson last night and didn't even really use my notes...I was trying to let the spirit tell me what the say and I had a lot of thoughts come into my mind...putting them into Spanish is the tough part.

Anyway...I love you all SO much!

The mail system here is pretty crazy so don't worry about sending hand written letters until I get to Arequipa cause i don't know if i'll get them. I will get dear elders though if they are sent to this MTC. Thanks for all our your emails, and your love! I miss you a lot and think and pray for each of you. Choose the right!

Xoxo

Hermana Carli Stone


If you want to know who Elder David A. Bednar is click on his name below!
Elder Bednar 

 

Safe in Peru!

Hey there family!

I made it to Peru!! Can you believe it? Our flights yesterday were long, but I sat next to Hermana Kahle on both flights, and the flight from Atlanta to Lima wasn't very full, and it was a huge plane. And...that was pretty cool.
On the flight you can watch movies, and it was free...so me, Hermana Kahle, and Hermana Dahl all watched Pride and Predjudice. Haha. So, that was fun! When we landed we didn't think it was actually real so we were all just laughing and saying "GUYS! We're in Peru!" Ha. Getting through the immigration and customs was so much easier than we thought. We all had these huge bags and were trying to carry them around and communicate with people. Then we got picked up by this random guy (who we still aren't sure if it was the MTC guy, or if he just wanted the money...but he said "Si...CCM...Si...misionaras..." but we all felt pretty safe. Haha) We drove through Lima at midnight and you would think it was 5 in the afternoon...there were people EVERYWHERE. It was hilarious!
When we got to the CCM (about an hour drive) he just let us out, and then guy who met us at the gate didn't speak any English...so...he gave us papers with some instructions and pretty much just left us there. And my room assignment was different than the other sisters, so I was super stressed that I wouldn't be able to find it, and just decided to sleep in their room. We were SO tired, so I'm pretty sure I slept...but I was pretty scared. It makes me sad that I have to start all over again here cause the beginning was really hard for me at the Provo MTC, and now I have to do that again. 


When we woke up this morning (at 6...even though we didn't get to bed until 1:30) we went down to breakfast and ate with our Zone leaders. The breakfast was these weird eggs, and bread, yogurt. I didn't even much though...I wasn't very hungry. Haha.
Then they took me to my class cause I'm not with the other 3 sisters that I flew with from Peru.  My companion seems nice. She's from Idaho, and also came from the MTC in Provo last week though. There are two more sisters in our district, and they came straight here from home.
Our language class this morning was outside and it was so nice outside.  La CCM is really pretty, but outside of the CCM we haven't really seen yet.
I found out this morning that....wait for it....DAVID BEDNAR is coming on Tuesday for a question and answer and spending the day here with all the missionaries. Man...I got so lucky! I'm so excited for that.

I just need to get through the first few days cause it's been pretty tough trying to adjust. Plus everyone has told me that I'll be getting sick in the next few days as my stomach adjusts to the food, and obviously that's not something I want to hear so I've been getting kind of nervous.
I'm excited to be here, and see the changes. It's a lot more laid back which I think is really cool...maybe sometimes a little too laid back for me though. I like a little structure. My teachers are awesome..One is trying to learn English, and the other is a girl and she speaks little English.
Anyway...I'm gonna go now, but just wanted to let you guys know I'm here, and safe...and that I can do this!
Adios!
Love you!
                                       -Hermana Carli Stone-