ELDER CANYON ATWOOD

Well what's up Texas and the rests of America?  First congrats to my cuz Trayden who got his mission call to Tahiti. Well first off I'm glad I'm not learning that language cuz well heaven knows there´s no way I could.  Things here in Peru are pretty good. I really love it here and right now Trayden I can promise you that if you dedicate yourself to the work you will love it too.  Well I write for my friends John,  Brandon, and my Brother River.   Guys what can I say,  I miss y'all like crazy but I love the mission and I love what it has done for me.   I know that I wouldn't be doing you guys any favors if I went home, but heck I don't want to go home.   It's awesome here and there's only a couple of things I would change: 1) the dry dirt to green plants, 2) the dogs,  I hate the dogs by the way do we still have timber? , 3) the open breastfeeding and that's just because it just gets straight up weird.  Other than that I love it. Well first I want to talk about two cool experiences. Well my first day with my new comp Elder Condori  we went to his house too drop some stuff off then he asked if I could say a prayer before we go to work.   So I offered a prayer asking God to guide us to the people that are ready to be baptized.   We left out of the house and 30 seconds later some school girl about 14 years old yells, " Hermanos".  She says hi I'm Milagros and my aunt is a member of your church and my cousin is on a mission and I want to be baptized what do I need to do . I was like wow Lord what took you so long? haha.   That was truly amazing!   We taught her twice and she is great but the 3rd time she wasn't there, apparently she was working so that may be it. Well the other one happened this morning.   Here in Peru and as a missionary everyone tells me about there spiritual dreams.   Everyone always tells me about them and asks what about yours.  I haven't had any but this Sunday I was fasting and praying that God would give me a greater witness that I may know that Jesus is my savior and that the Book of Mormon is true. Well as Alma the younger said to his son Helaman,  I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know of these things. Well last night about 5 minutes before the alarm went off two numbers kept popping into my head, 110,5 105,10 .  So I went to the only book that had that many chapters, D&C and read them. I freaking jumped out of my bed to read them and I was just freaking shocked.  I wrote it down in my journal immediately.  I don't know what y'all will think but for me that was pretty cool so I am just pumped for the day.   I learned that God really does answer prayers .  I haven't just been praying and fasting for this for 1 day it's been like months but it was well worth it.  Then Lord tries patience guys especially mine with the companions that he has given me and the stuff that's happened.   It is not one of my virtues but hopefully it can be. Well I am kinda getting mad at my zone leaders.  They said speak only spanish .   I am the only gringo in my district and the only time I speak english is P day. I told them that I will only speak english p days and they got mad. Well it wouldn't have been a problem if one wasn't lazy and if the other didn't talk english this morning . I really don't like hipocracy oh well . Other than that they just gave us a freaking 2 hour lamanita. Which is like they come to your house in the morning and make sure that you are awake studying and all. Well we were but the new zl wanted to do a practice lesson and read in the Book of mormon and all. The lamanita is normaly only 30 minutes if that.   I wouldn't mind it except it takes out from my study time.   I wanted to at least finish my personal study but my comp wouldn't let me . It s kinda been a problem I'm going to have to set him down and talk to him because there are 2 study times that I absolubtely need to have: personal and language.  Lately he just wants to reach the goal for lessons and we have been lacking time for language. Oh well,  hes a nice guy but just well no companionship sees eye to eye or very few. My favorite comp Elder Rios got on my nerves some times so it's normal. Well I love it here!!!  A bit of advice for my friends, brothers, family,  and those preparing for a mission. Read the Book of Mormon it truly is a Marvel.   Say your prayers and when you pray don't hide anything from God, it's impossible, put everything on the table with God . Tell him everything about your day your life struggles,  temptations, and let us never forget to thank our Father in Heaven.  One more thing: laugh, smile, and don't take things to seriously.   Life is meant to be enjoyed not just endured as Gorden B Hickley said. Laughing is a disease and it's contagious.  If you laugh you will feel happy and make others happy and happy people are always the best to be around .  Alright I got to go but love you all. 

Elder Atwood