Week in Review Jan 12, 2015 - Jan 17, 2015

Click to enlarge. The two areas that Elder Holmes is serving
in, Satipo and Mazamari, Peru. See blue arrows. I put enough
major cities in the screen shot that you will be
able to look up on Google Maps for a better view.

Hey there! First off, no packages yet and the Internet is HORRIBLE, so sorry if it the message is garbled, and incomplete, I will try to make it better next week... [I have Elder Holmes keeping me up to date on his packages since we have sent him very specific items that he has requested. There are 3 packages still waiting to arrive to him, just the latest being sent last week. But the first of the 3 being sent just after Thanksgiving.... love international mailings.]

SO.  A BUNCH happened in the last week. We had emergency transfers, **I'm still in Satipo, but I live in a different house**  So, I am now with Elder Inkley from California which lives close to Disneyland... [For those that don't know, Elder Holmes family lives about 90 minutes from Disneyland, if traffic is good. lol So that is great to have someone else from his hometown with him. No native companion either.] Funny note about the transfers... I think there is only about 8 missionaries out of all the 220 that are from California, and 4 of them are in here in our Ward in Satipo.  Yup.  We all know where each others houses are and it is great!  2 Sisters from California, and us 2... In our Total district *also all the missionaries from our ward* we are 5 North Americans, and 1 Latino form Argentina.  So yea, its great here!  hahahhaa...

No Jaguars or Piranhas yet. Fruit we have Mangoes huge, avocados that are huge, All different types of Bananas *look them up* and we also have coconuts... wooo!! [We asked him about these.]

As far as water goes, we do NOT have hot water, and we don't even have water at this point.... we are collecting rainwater and using that to shower and clean and flush the toilet manually.  :)  I remember waking up in the middle of the night because it was raining super hard So I put out all of our containers that we have so we could catch all the water that came down. [We also asked him about his water situation because we had heard from friends different ways that they get hot water. I wasn't expecting his answer, but anyone that says, 'it's not a big deal to become an Eagle Scout or even to participate in scouting....' I would think again. He even uses a sleeping bag to sleep in. And he has several types of water filters with him, including the ones they gave him at the missionary training center. He will be fine. Another note: We looked up online and this week alone, the weather in Satipo, Peru, is rain, rain and more rain, every single day with the average high in the 80's and about 1/2 to 1 inch of rain daily. I guess that is why the jungle is so green.]

Also, we have a 3 day party that is RIGHT NEXT to our room.  2 days ago there was fireworks DIRECTLY above without a clearance our house... Yup, that scared the crap out of me..... So many drunk people,. we counted on one day 1600 beer bottles!  2 more days to go!  I will fill you in on the next week!

12 January 2015

Woah, Today was loaded!  P-Day in the Jungle means a trip to one of the many waterfalls. [If you type in 'waterfalls in Satipo, Peru' in Google Images, there are so so many beautiful waterfalls. Amazing pictures.] Don't ask me what it is because our guide got a bit lost.  But whatever, it was great, we ate wild mangoes, and our path was blazed by a machete. Don't worry, I took a bunch of photos, but it might be a while before I can send them! Tonight was a different story though.  We received a call that my companion Elder Mamani is being transferred to Chilca in Huancayo, and I am receiving a new companion Elder Inkley and we will be doing this transfer tomorrow.  This is not a normal transfer as I am sure that you know, so this will be interesting... We also will be receiving two sister missionaries which are the first ones here in Satipo for over 10 years. Woah!  Time to pack, because we are also changing my Pension, and where I live... This should be a fun few days...

13 January 2015

Today we had our Emergency transfers, said goodbye to Elder Mamani, turned into a trio with Elder Malave, and Elder Rassmussen until My Companion got here around 5 PM. Welcome to Elder Inkley, who is from California too... So awesome!

14 January 2015

We moved out of our old room today and into our new room.  Our New room does not have water **Side note it still doesn't have water, and it hasn't had water since at least 3 weeks ago, so we collect rain water, because this house does not have a storage tank for water like all the other houses do...**** Anyways, yup,. we have killed a few fun jungle bugs in our room, and more or less we are adapting and getting ready for what is to come in the next few weeks... [Jungle Bugs?? Love that. The biggest bug we have had in our home in the mountains, was a Wolf Spider. Look it up. It was on the wall in Elder Holmes wall and they ONLY way I could kill it was using the vacuum hose. It was that BIG. Don't look under your bed tonight. lol]

15 January 2015

We went to Mazamari today which was fun because neither I or my companion new much about the area, so we brought a member from our ward and bought him lunch and paid for his passage fair so we could not get lost today... Pretty good day, and we had a mini miracle with that. I wanted to get a map printed out of the city so we went and found the Town Hall type government center and tried and tried and nobody wanted to help us even if we wanted to pay for it... We eventually ran into a member there who we don't even know, and she filled out all the information that we needed, and got us free copies of the city map, even printed out on a plotter machine for a large huge copy for our room.  Really nice, because we technically have 2 areas, so the faster we can learn them, the better....

16 January 2015

Weekly planning, Baptism preparation for one of our investigators, and by the way I am baptizing him tomorrow, so I have a bunch of photos, and super sorry for the shorthanded email this week, but I am trying to send everything in it right now.... I fixed the font so now it will drain water, because before it wouldn't... Long story there too.... Once we filled the [Baptismal] font, it was filled with yellowish green water because the day before it rained here in the jungle and when it rains heavy duty they turn off the water, so the water we got today was nice and lovely... haha.




17 January 2015
[Update 2/2/2015; received pictures of his first baptism.] 

We had a baptism Today!  Woo hoo!!  It was my first baptism, and my 3rd convert here in the mission and I didn't screw it up!  Woo hoo! I did however write the name on my finger because he has like 5 names.... But all the other stuff was fine , even in Spanish.  Woo hoo! We are now teaching his parents, and have some optimistic hopes for them as well!

Elder Holmes
Satipo, Peru

If you look really close, the water is a bit yellow/green. They collected it from rain water.

Week in Review Jan 5, 2015 - Jan 11, 2015

Hey There! Week 2 in the Jungle!

Forewarning, I have already been to 2 Internet because the Internet is SUPER Slow.  So, for now... This is the main email for all to all... [And no pictures, still. Bummer, but we understand. It must be like dial-up Internet for him.]

Hey there from the Jungle!  Thanks for adding that fun Info Mom about Indiana Jones and the Name Satipo, if you could that would be some fun information to add to the blog! [I already posted that in the last post, but if you missed it, CLICK HERE.]  Things are going well here, it rains pretty often as it is winter here, but it is also very hot at times.  

Also, worthy of mention is that I technically have TWO Proselyting areas as part of my Assignment with Elder Mamani (From Chile) here in Satipo.  We work in Satipo for 5 days of the week, and on the other 2 days we are in an area about 40 minutes from here (A whole other city) named Masamarte (That is how it sounds) [I looked it up and it is actually spelled Mazamari, Peru. It's about southeast of his other area of Satipo, Peru.]  and work with members over there who have a Casa Capilla which is a House Chapel.  About 26 members over there....

Oh, I wanted to correct a few misconceptions that you might have about Mission Peru Huancayo.  

-Mission Home is not at 14,000 Feet that is in Cerro de Pasco.  The mission is in Huancayo. 

-The temple prep class I was scheduled to teach never actually came, so I never actually taught that. Yet...

-Companions will not always be from Peru. More than half of the missionaries in Mission Peru Huancayo are North Americans, and it is very likely that during my mission I will be paired with another North American as well...

5 January 2014

P-day!  Woo hoo!  Not much to report, we had a plan to go to a waterfall as there is a bunch here in Satipo area alone, but it rained pretty good today, so we were unable to go.  So, as an alternative, we played Monopoly, Peruvian Version.  Yup,. it was actually pretty fun! [If you take the time and type in Google Maps or images for Satipo, there are beautiful waterfalls everywhere.]

6 January 2014

Had the opportunity today to visit a member who is less active because she has a health disability which does not enable her move her arms or legs, let alone leave the house... So we had the opportunity to meet with her, give needed help and assistance when she needs it, and just had a good time to be with her.  It was nice.

We also had Correlation meeting with our Bishop today, which was nice to get some of the priorities for our new area out on the drawing board and figure out what we are to do next as missionaries...

7 January 2014  

Well, today every single one of our appointments fell, none of them were in their houses.  Great.  This evening we had our Ward Council Meeting which is always interesting to see how it works well with other wards or how things work overall....

Also today, we traveled to the Area called the Black River and gave 2 blessings of Health to a family over there.. Love being able to use this to help others with the power of God for us today...

8 January 2014

Today we were in Masamarte, our other area... Yes, we have two Areas, and I will try to explain that on another day, but for now it sufficieth me to say that we have two proselyting areas and each are huge.  

In the Evening I gave an English Class and created a English to Spanish to English Reference sheet with the basics of Pronunciation and works and sentence creation, etc... At the bottom is reference guides from Google Translate, and also a link to my blog so they can practice their Spanish. If you have time, please add the translate widget to my blog so they can practice it in both languages.  Thanks! [Already done when the blog was created.]

9 January 2014  

Weekly Planning today! 

Taught 2 Investigator lessons today which both of them were super awesome, one of which wants us to teach her and her family because she notices that the Mormons here are examples to her family of how we should be as a people with our characteristics, moral standards... etc... right?  So, we are teaching them, and they are very very receptive to what we have to say... It is a great family.

10 January 2014

Zone Conference today!  Not a bunch of missionaries in this Zone, but yea, it was nice to get together, meet the other missionaries here, and have some mini training sessions for things of the missionaries.

In the evening we taught a Missionary Preparation Class from Preach my Gospel for prospective missionaries.  This is now an ongoing class every Saturday, as well as our English Classes for the community every Thursday.

11 January 2014

So, today we had splits to cover more ground since one missionary needs to be in our area of Satipo, and the other missionary in Masamarte.  So, I was in Satipo today, and we had the opportunity to give the sacrament and a small talk and musical time with the sister in our ward who cannot leave her house because of her health.  It was a wonderful experience....Sometimes there are just some things that you just cannot explain with words, and this is one of them...

Elder Holmes

Satipo-Masamarte [Mazamari, take the time to look them up on Google, very beautiful but also very humble and rural areas.]

Peru

Week in Review Dec 29, 2014 - Jan 4, 2015

Satipo, Peru (From Google Images)

Hello family, friends, and whoever else reads this!

So, As I have been saying I knew there was a transfer of missionaries coming up, but was pretty darn sure that it was my companion that was getting transfered... Well... I was wrong.  I got transfered!  But like I said, I wasn't going to be crying about this one... [The funny thing is his mom, that would be ME, was telling him, even in his last letter, that he was going to be transfered and it was going to be in the Jungle. Mom's just know. lol]

Welcome to the Jungle, We have fun and Games! I am now in Satipo, Peru - Jungle Territory! [Just a fun side note when I did some digging around. In Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones goes into a ancient booby-trapped temple to get the golden idol. It is in Peru. And his guides name is Satipo. Google search it for more info. But I thought that was some fun trivia. I will need to send that to Andrew. If you search in Google Images Satipo, Peru, there are some beautiful pictures of that part of the country.]  I guess paradise has its disadvantages though, the Internet here is beyond painful, and I do not believe that at this current Internet location I will be able to send photos... It is that slow.  So, text will have to do while I am here.  I am just glad that I was able to Skype BEFORE I got here!

So, the day before transfers my old companion and I were visiting all the families basically saying that Elder Chapeton se va.  That he was out of there.  I didn't really say any goodbyes because I was sure that I was staying!  I was wrong!  Come about 8:30am and we get the call that Elder Holmes is going to Satipo, Peru where he will meet his new companion Elder Mamani (From Chile), and travel during the New Year. Woo hoo!  I know it might not be glamorous to start off the new year this way, but I love it! Traveling to the Jungle, In Peru, where I will spend the next Entire Year in this country?  Awesome right!?!?!?!

Basically a bit about my companion. His name is Elder Mamani, he is from Chile, and is just a few years older than I am. Sometimes I think he gets trunky, but If he wasn't a bit, I would be worried too... he only has like 3 transfers left... He is also my District Leader, so I am learning form that as well... Hey.. President Henderson... So far both of My companions have been District Leaders, and my current companion has been here for a long time too.... What are you thinking? Hehehehehe....

Anyways, the Pension [His cook, in case your forgot. lol] here is great, and my companion had the desire to make me laugh by telling the Pension (Hna. Julia) Pronounced Who-lia that I was complaining that I was hungry in the street today... Something I know NOT TO say around the Peruvians because they will feed you without mercy.  So, off my Pension went to work.  You are now speaking to one of the 3 North Americans in Satipo, that is eating more because my pension thinks I am always hungry. I'm going to get so fat here.

A side note for that... I have learned that by experience here in Peru to eat at the same pace as the others at your table, so you don't have to get seconds of a specific part of the dish (which in reality they just double everything again, which is why I am afraid, it is good food, but I cannot always handle that much MORE food!).. Anyways... I was eating at the same pace as my companion Elder Mamani right?  So, the Pension looks at me and tells me "Ud come su comida como un gato!!"  Basically, she told me I eat like a cat... so from that point on, I sped up... Another Bad decision, that coupled with the fact that my companion joked saying I am always hungry....I am eating SO MUCH now.... Exercises here I come!

It's a good time for me to be here in the Jungle because it is *winter time* here so there is a bunch of rain, and less of the sun that beats down on you like an African drum.  It's Hot.  Bugs and insects, there are a bunch of different kinds yes, but no real mosquito's that are bugging me, and I am totally ok with that!

All in all it is good here, we are opening a new Area called Satipo 3 which is a division of the City of Satipo which was originally only 4 missionaries with free reigns to visit all of the city. Now, we are divided as 6 missionaries with each group and their own area to work more efficiently.  There is one Ward for all of this, and one Family Group which we visit via Moto taxi 2 times a week because of its distance from our house.

I received letters from Home, Dear Elders, the Washburn's Letter, and the Bishoprics the other week. Still haven't received the packages with retainer [Andrew put in a request for his retainer, go figure....] or others that you have mentioned. I will keep you updated on that.

So, I'm in the Jungle, it is humid and hot at times, but right now it is pretty darn beautiful. Don't have the ability at the moment to send photos, but I can view them if you send them.

Love you all!

Elder Holmes
Satipo, Peru

Week in Review Dec 22, 2014 - Dec 28, 2014

On their way to the Young Single Adult
Christmas party

December 22nd 2014

Ok, so today was a pretty quiet P-day, but a p-day nonetheless.  Played soccer, emailed home, the norms.  We do however had a secret Santa activity we are part of this week as an attempt to reactivate some people.  So, today we also went shopping for these gifts.. A limit of 7 soles, but we will see who will actually follow that.  I bought a desk decoration of some local historical well.... and it can hold your pens as well.  Stuffed some North American Candy inside and called it good.  In the evening we (us 2 missionaries and the president of the Elders Quorum) went from house to house singing Christmas Hymns, sharing the story of Christmas, and inviting for the activity tomorrow night in our ward building.  Was a great and wonderful way to end the day.

December 23rd 2014

Panettone Bread/Cake

Ward Christmas activity!  Woo hoo!  More hot chocolate!  Woo hoo!  More Panettone [A type of sweet bread loaf originally from Milan. It is prepared for Christmas and New Year in parts of South Amercia. This also looks very much the same as a Norwegian Christmas Bread that our family has eaten over the years. I have actually seen this at Target and our local grocery store, where you can buy the bread in a box mix. Not sure if the American version is even close to what Elder Holmes has been eating.].... well... ya... The ward activity was a hit. Videos and photos from the past years activities here in San Luis, then a time for some talks on Christmas, and the importance of Christs birth for us.  Then came the festivities.  A clown.  I won't lie, Peruvian clowns are even more scary than the U.S. Ones.... But everyone seemed to like it.   Then came the Panettone.  I swear, that stuff multiplies like the Sermon on the Mount when Christ broke the break for the 7000. Panettone Everywhere!  Always.  I'm over it already.

December 24th 2014

View from Elder Holmes apartment on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve!  What is normally in my evening of the 24th a family night, pot roast, or the like with a reading of Luke 2 and twas the night before Christmas was replaced with dinner as a Zone with Pizza from... Pizza Hut!  3 slices of Pepperoni Pizza... All for me!  Then we played signs as a large group with is always fun, then off Elder Chapeton and I went to our other dinner appointment!  Had some very well prepared food , Panettone, and fruits from Family Santiago who is the family that invited us over.  But once the time for our curfew was up, Bam... off we went!  We went to our room later with 2 other Missionaries from Ambo who is Elder Pizzarro

and Elder Pincock.  Once we finished what we needed to do, we went up to our roof and was able to see all of Huanuco and all the fireworks which I kid you not was constantly about every 6 or 7 houses all night past 12. Grabbed some awesome video and a few photos, sorry I cannot show it until 2016, but just know that I have it! I finished the night by reading in English and Spanish Luke 2 and remember that tomorrow is the day we remember the Birth of Jesus Christ which led to his eternal role to become the savior of our sins and create a path for us to follow to receive our eternal life.

December 25th 2014

Can you see the Panettones? lol

Christmas!  What and where do I start?  Well, at the very least, today was a great day!  My companion called home today (That in itself was a blessing for him, because there was in the past some issues with him talking to his family because he left for a mission and his family is not members and did NOT want him to go...) 

Had breakfast and lunch with Family Jara, Turkey was delicious, a pretty tranquil day.  In the evening we had our Gift Exchange with the Young Single Adults which I gave my gift, and in return I received a new tie (I love it) and a shirt for P-day.  Lets just say that nobody followed the 7 sol limit.  Oh yea, we also received about 3 or more Panettones today.  Will it ever end?

December 26th 2014

Well, I believe this was our last weekly planning session as this companionship, and all was well!  Things are a lot better between us now, so we should be parting on happy terms... hahaha... After that and Lunch back at the pension, we had a Baptismal interview ( my companion is the district leader, and conducts the interviews for our area) and he passed! Woo hoo!  And guess what... After that I received a Packet form home!  Thanks Grandma Janet!  

The Chocolates were great,, and I still have a few left..Also received my letters from Craig and Bonnie, thank you both, I just love receiving letters to read later again! hahaha....After that, It just got better  because was able to call home via Skype.  Woo hoo!  As I am sure my family can attest, we were all so excited to have this 1 hour opportunity to talk. [That was the best call for our family. Make sure to check out the 1 minute video that Elder Holmes left on his Facebook page. Now to wait until Mother's Day, May 10th, 2015.] 

Man, I am doing so good our here ( I think) with being away from my family, but on days like today, you feel really trunky when you actually see and talk live with your family. Totally different. Also, today marks my 4 months since I left home on August 26th, 2014, so here is to 3 more calls home in the next 20 months!

December 27th 2014

Back to the Grind today!  Normal day, not much to report....

December 28th 2014

Church today, and last day of Church here starting at 8 am, for the rest of 2015 we will be starting at 10 am which means we will have more people who actually show up!  Woo hoo!  Ward council was great today, maybe because everybody actually went home with some "homework" to do....

Also had an opportunity to have divisions today and try to teach and learn with a different person who is actually our Elders Quorum President in our ward....

All in all, I had a good time during this week of Christmas.  Duh, I missed my family, but I'm doing good here, and I am glad that wherever I go I know that I'm taken care of, and that I have people back at home (family and friends) who care about me... hahaha. or at the very least send me emails that make me feel like they do.  Hahaha... :D

Happy New Year!! See you in 2016. Here is a great video, Because of Him, a great reminder for the new year. I hope you enjoy it!

Elder Holmes
Huanuco Peru,
Last Email from 2014

Week in Review Dec 15, 2014 - Dec 21, 2014

Woah, it's Christmas this week....

Well, because of the time and convenience, I am writing this email post in a plain *here's what happened* kind of format.

Remember last week when I said I was going to go crazy with my credit card a t the New Totus?  Well, as I am sure you noticed, there was 0 activity on my card. Even when I told them that I have used it in Peru before, and it was a Visa that they recognized, they were calling in a manager, it was a mess, all just to find out if they could use it or not.  So to avoid the trouble, I noticed during the confusion that they also accept U.S. $ and so I actually thought ahead and brought a bit, and was able to use it .. Woo hoo!  Who knew that would be easier than using my universal credit card? [I guess we ever see any Visa commercials and they say that it can be used anywhere. I will laugh. Good thing he has some cash, U.S. money no less.]

So, this might not sound like a perfect missionary thing to say, but I want to have it in my blog for future missionaries to read. We've all heard that there will be companions that you either don't like, or do not get along with, etc.. I knew that day would come, but I was hoping it wouldn't come until had more time in the field.  Never allow yourself to become discouraged, even if you have the extreme difficulties with your companions. I am not talking about language barriers, we are past that, *enough that it isn't an issue* but it is the cultural differences, habits that others are accustomed to in their proper places, that you might not be.

But the hardest thing to overcome or to persevere though is patience with them, and with yourself.  There may be things that they pick at that are super dumb, but just stick through it, and always remember that you can at the very least attempt to resolve the issues in companionship inventory which has been a very big help in our companionship. I will admit publicly though, transfers are on Dec 31st, and I won't be crying at this switch up.

Also, we had a stake Relief Society activity where we sang as a ward mini choir *and won I might add* and they noticed my voice was deeper than all of theirs, so they utilized me , ahh... I know... I don't have the best voice, but it appears so much better here!!!

We've encountered 2 new investigators while searching for mentors in the ward, and we can say now that the both are committed to baptism|!  Doesn't mean a whole lot at this point, but they are super receptive and have invited us back...

It is these kind of experiences that make the time I have feel so much shorter and brings a different type of happiness into your life, when you have the opportunity to teach and affect another's life... For eternity.

Elder's Holmes, Whitaker, (not sure) and Elder Bell

So, the highlight of this week was our P-day on Monday, then our Multi Zone conference on Tuesday.  5 zones, all met in Huanuco for our Christmas Devotional.  From special Christmas videos to watch, to pizza, fettuccine, Ice Cream, and even a gift from President Henderson, and his wife. It was a good day.  I have attached photos of what we received as s well as a photo of all the missionaries that are in the field for Christmas.  I was a nice day to just have, relax, have a fun missionary gift exchange  with a limit of 5 soles, listen to Christmas music, and sing Christmas hymns... I think we sang all the ones in the Spanish hymnbook!

Gift from President and Sister Henderson

After these festivities we had our skits from each zone. I won't like, aside from the zone leaders skit, I think ours was the best. The 12 days of Christmas, but for things in the mission. .We had everybody rolling the whole time, and they song that Elder John arranged, and I assisted in singing came out great.  One day I will be able to show a video, but that wont be for a long time,,,, sorry!  After lunch we went out to a real field with grass and played soccer on a large field, and not a basketball concrete court!  I got to run, and play, and wait... I sound like a dog describing freedom... anyways... it was a great day, especially with all the others.  Our team was basically gringos, vs. Latinos, but we actually held our own with a big help from Elder Pincock!

I think this is so cool. It is like a Missionary Yearbook
Elder Holmes is on the Center Panel, 5th row from top, 1st position

I'm looking forward to Skyping this week! [We get to hear from our Elder on Friday. We are so excited.]  I try not to think about it , but yeah, we all know I do... I will only have to go through this Christmas Madness 1 more time!

One more thing I HAVE To mention. So, my companion has a friend from his home ward in Lima, Peru, who is serving as a missionary in Brazil.  I also have a really good friend who is serving in Brazil who is also from my homeward.  Get this.  Both I and my companions friends knew this, but thought nothing of it.  Yup, they are both companions in Peru,  and I didn't know it until my companion was printing photos at the Kodak store and I saw Hannah Avarell!  What?  How is she here in Peru on the computer!~ Crazy huh? [This is just a crack up. Hannah is in our ward and serving in Brazil for her mission. Andrew and Hannah have known each other since 1998 and graduated high school together. How fun is that?? I shared this story with Hannah's mom, she loved it and will be telling Hannah when they Skype with her this week. Doesn't the world get just a bit smaller when this happens.]

All in all things are great here in the mission.  Learning a bunch, and not only things of the mission, but things of working with others as well.  It is my hope as a Representative of Jesus Christ that you all take some time this Holiday Season to remember what we are here to do, and who we have to give thanks for all.  Read Luke 2 with your family this holiday season, and watch the awesome video about Christ on Christmas.Mormon.org or in Spanish if you like at Navidad.Mormon.org

Elder Holmes
Huanuco, Peru

Week in Review Dec 8, 2014 - Dec 14, 2014

Mom's Favorite Picture of the Week. Not a bad selfie.

So far the entry in my journal and emails this week is just going to be a plain regular letter style entry because of time and sending photos.  This last week has been very busy for us as missionaries.  Our ward is very small, partly because of the area, but also because of the less actives, so this week we printed a list of all the 390 members organized by street (Whoever inputs the info into MLS, [Computer software that the ward clerks use to keep track of membership, ordinances etc] I think here it is the missionaries, have no clue what they are doing) and visited about every house.  You would've surprised how many moved to Lima, or the address is rap.  So with all this we had 45 new contacts, and about 5 of them are promising!

This week we also tried having family home evenings with families as well as a meeting with the Young Single Adults.  For both of these meetings the only people who showed up were those who live in the house we were having the meeting!  And so with that, this is the life of a missionary, and we continue.  This week and next week are kinda slow because of finals in the universities.  Basically everyone is in a school or college and nobody is at home.

12 Days of Christmas - Mission Version

On Thursday we practiced as a zone our skit we have on Tuesday (Tomorrow) for our Multi Zone Christmas conference.  I attached a photo, but you will have to translate it.  Elder John (our Zone Leader) and I are singing it while the others act it out. And we are acting in a bit of it to.  It is to the Tune of the 12 Days of Christmas, but for Missionaries in Huancayo.  It totally fits our lifestyle, and it is totally perfect!

This last Monday for P-day we went to Kotush again, but also to play soccer and Ultimate Frisbee using a football because of the wind.  It was a pretty darn good day. I also bought like a 15 Oreo's which helped a bit too.

Image taken from Google Images

They just opened within the last few days a new Tottus here ( it is basically a mini Target) and all the missionaries are freaking out and excited, so it is our P-day activity for all, to go to Tottus, and use our credit cards, and buy everything. [As a funny note, mom checked his credit card and he behaved, no spending. He must have had cash. lol] Woo hoo!

***I opened my Christmas package from Grandma and Grandpa, thank you soo so much!  Love the stocking!  And the beef Jerky, and all of it!  My Companion is a happy camper too!!!

Handmade (Knitted) Christmas stocking
from his grandmother. Notice 'Lego Guy'.

All in all, we are doing good here.  I would be lying if I didn't want some change at the next transfer the day before new years, but we shall see...

Looking forward to calling home sometime during Christmas week!  Hope we can get all that figured out too!

Love you all, and hope you all enjoy your Christmas Holiday Season!  If you have 3 minutes, I encourage you all to watch the video on http://christmas.lds.org to remember for a bit what the True Spirit of Christmas is all about!



Thats all I have for this week,

Elder Holmes
Huanuco, San Luis, Peru

A few more pictures--

Week in Review Dec 1, 2014 - Dec 7, 2014

'The Lego Guy' performing a little service....

Hello All!  I hope that you are still enjoying my emails and the small pieces of information I am able to send home!  I am still doing great here in Peru, [Andrew told me he had trouble sending pictures and that we may get some next week.] more and more I am feeling accustomed to how things are here.... I will tell you, being in the States, California, and living in Peru in South America... The Culture is totally different, the food, everything... That is probably one of the hardest things I have had to overcome here... And that includes the Language.  So, thank you and enjoy!

Dec 1st, 2014

Whoa, its December!  Looking back, yes things were quick at times, but at others the time was very slow. It can testify that overall time is moving faster because I am understanding much, much more.  I won't lie, there are difficulties in my companionship at times, but let's be honest, is anyone perfect?  I don't think so, and I am very grateful for the companionship inventory we have every week where we discuss each others strong points and then after discuss what each other can better in their characteristics, attitude, habits, and whatever basically is a deterrent for our companionship that makes it difficult for us to work fully together.

These are usually on Fridays, but you can have them whenever you feel is necessary.  Anyways, onto the fun stuff.

Today is P-Day and we had the opportunity, Elder Gonzales, and his companion, Elder Whitaker, and Elder Chapeton, and I to go to Kotosh, a national historical site which is basically centered around a mini temple structure which contains a bust of crossed arms and hands. Around the temple was also other smaller interesting things, and all in all, it was a good day.  I think I remember learning about this in AP World History but I'm not sure. It is to bad the real one is in Lima, and we only saw the replica.  I also bought some trinkets, and am beginning a small collection of things for my family, but have a fear it won't make it home.

So far... now... we wait.

Dec 2nd, 2014

Ok, I promised I would take you through a normal day of a missionary.  Aside form the fact we were on divisions *my companion, Elder Chapeton is a district leader and was visiting another area, so I had another companion* but everything else is normal.  So here we go...

6 Wake Up, Exercise, shower, get dressed, prepare for day
7-8 Breakfast at our Pension [Remember, he has a cook]
8-9 Personal Study Time
9-10 Companion Study Time
10-11 Divisions [In the states we call them 'split's'. It is where missionary companionships change up companions for a day.]
11-12 Contacting and we found a potential investigator
12-1 Language Study
1-2 Lunch at our Pension
2-3 New Missionaries Training
3 Investigator Lessons
4 Little Service and Less Active Family Lesson about Temple Covenants
5 Family Teaching Lessons to strengthen the family
6:20 Less Active Member lesson about Repentance and Need to go to church to continue
7:15 Verify Appointment for tomorrow
7:20 Family Home Evening and Blessing of Health
8-9 Dinner with our Pension
9-9:30 Planning for tomorrow with my companion
9:30-10:30 Preparation time for tomorrow, Write, Read, Clean, etc...
10:30 Lights out and sleep!

December 3rd, 2014

100 Days as a Missionary!  No celebration or anything, but it is fun to say that It has been 100 days since I entered the Missionary Training Center in Lima Peru!

December 4th, 2014

Woo hoo!  I just got a letter!  Actually, 11 letters... Dear Elder.. Yea!  And yes, there are all from home and all say from Jill Holmes, and yes everyone teased that it is from Mom, but really.... Who cares?  I have some reading material for a while!  Some of these letters are from September, but I think the letters have found their way to me. [I finally realized that Andrew can't always print the emails we send him. So I decided to use www.dearelder.com to send pouch mail to him. Totally free and easy. I just take the email I send him on Sunday's and then copy/paste that email to Dear Elder and then he gets a paper copy in a few weeks. Not trip to the post office either. Score!!] Also, we have had some more lessons today after District meeting, one of which was 3 long hours!  I wish I could say that they are progressing, but it is difficult when they only believe in 4 books in the Bible... First, we need them to believe all the Bible, then we can continue... I'm pretty sure he is a pastor, so we will see how this goes...

December 5th, 2014

Weekly Planning and normal day, not much to report.

December 6th, 2014

Today we had our district service project at a house in our Area San Luis.  I have sent 5 photos home of us and would like most of them in the blog since they have other elders too.  Since it is all concrete, the *Paint* we made was more of a base layer to make it possible to paint at a later date.  Bunch of fun, and a bunch of mess when you bring a bunch of missionaries together with water and paint... Hahahaha.. Later in the day we had district attach which is when all the missionaries in our district and area work all focused in one area for a bit. I will tell you, it was fun to be in a different area, even for a bit.

Elder's Holmes and Whitaker

Elder Holmes and his companion Elder Chapeton

December 7th, 2014

Well, no Church today because we had another round of elections.  So, basically today was a normal day except for an *emergency meeting* with our Bishops and all missionaries in the stake center.  Basically they are worried about how the members are doing and would like us to restore the attendance to what it was. so, for San Luis, we are to in the next 3 months bring the numbers from approx 80 to 120.  This will be fun....

Elder Holmes
San Luis - Huanuco, Peru