Missionary Training Center - Provo

Words can't explain what we feel.  No matter what the subject, words are inadequate.  Whether its love for another person, or love for an idea, words all fail us.  Such is the case for this weeks work.  Within five days, ordinary people visualize a world where hearts don't fail and focus rains continually.  It's the cure for mental deterioration!  Grasp truth and never let go.  While we all think we know alot, our minds are only partially working until we really put them to work.


Fifty people talked, prayed, listened and watched as teaching and feelings were shared.  An Apostle of God encouraged us to do our very best then he told us to open our hearts and our mouths.  Along side us were 2200 young men who also had committed to give of themselves for two years for good.  Whether those we meet accept what we say or not, they will know we care.  When thoughts come from your heart, there is no debate.

Now with one week more of Temple training before we fly, the feelings and focus are better than ever.  Love for our families reigns over every other love.  But love for good people everywhere is oh so big.  Maybe we can make a difference if in only a small way.  Its still well worth the effort.  We invite people to Come Unto Christ, then we share what we know and encourage them to pray to know for themselves.  Then we ask them to read the truths revealed by prophets, both ancient and modern then ask God if its feels right.  God won't ever forget you because you are his child.  Parents love there children endlessly. 

 There's a moral to most pictures.  This one can be many things but understanding seems the closest.  We may think we're a big shot to the rest of the world but to a friend, we're on level ground.  So, don't be big, don't be little, be medium.

I'd like to hear your caption.  Click below and leave something profound.  The cat and the dog.  (el gato y el perro.)   Be gentle with each other. 

OK, where is Peru, as if you didn't already know,  Go to New York City and make a right.  EST means standard, no daylight to it.  I figure its about 4,000 miles give or take a hector or two.  Lima is on the coast with not much rain and temperatures between 60 and 70 this time of year.  Its coming into Spring now. Year 'round, there is not much rain that falls there.  12 degrees south of the Equator.  Please pass a banana and a mango for my smoothie. 

Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima Metropolitan Area. With a population fast approaching 9 million, Lima is the fifth largest city in Latin America, behind Mexico City, São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Lima is home to one of the largest financial hubs in Latin America. It has been defined as a beta world city by GaWC international ranking.

Lima was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, as la Ciudad de los Reyes, or "the City of Kings". It became the capital and most important city in the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru. Following the Peruvian War of Independence, it became the capital of the Republic of Peru. Today, around one-third of the Peruvian population lives in the metropolitan area.

Lima is home to the oldest higher learning institution in the New World. The National University of San Marcos, founded on May 12, 1551 during Spanish colonial regime, is the oldest continuously functioning university in the Americas.

Eleven (11) is our Lucky Number

       Our days of wondering when we will leave are over.  We're now acceptable to the Peruvians with visas in hand, having arrived on - you guessed it - Oct 11, 2011.  With less than a week left, we'll be in the Mission Training Center on Monday next, that's October 17th.  Following our training there, we fly to Lima on Friday Oct 28, 2011 to begin our work. 

        Since we have an advance team on the ground in Lima we have been ever so fortunate to learn of our apartment being secured and ready for our arrival.  We'll be living about 2 miles from the Lima Temple in an area known as La Molina.  The apartment is on the 7th floor.  There is plenty of space fully furnished including soft goods like pillows, blankets, plus pots and pans, chairs, tables and a bed.  

         Within the next sixteen days minus ten in training etc, we decide what we can't live without for the next two years.  In Peru, our weeks are five days in the Temple and two days on our own. Each day working is either early (6am - 2:30pm) or later (1pm - 9:30pm).  Our assignments on each shift continue for a couple of weeks then we change.  Either assignment is good.  We like the variety of assignments as we assist worthy members who attend.  The Temple is open Tuesday through Saturday.  Sunday and Monday are our weekend.  We'll wear casual clothes when we're not attending Sunday meetings or in the Temple.  Our time will then be ours to learn Peru.

         Work in the Temple means that our clothing is all white,  suits for the hombres and dresses for the mujeres.  Because we are all one family in our devotion to our Savior, we generally refer to men as 'brother' (hermano) and to women as 'sister' (hermana).  Everyone working together for good things, no distinctions or distractions, makes life simpler.  Having so many in our family makes us feel like we belong and are useful.   Having a singular focus of devotion to God brings ultimate joy.  Life may never be without challenges but the growth in all aspects of living will be exceptional as we work together.  

Our first visit to Lima was May of 2007.  We traveled first to Lima directly through Atlanta then on to the Cusco region (Machu Picchu) for a week.  Cusco is East and South on hours by air in the midst of the Andes. Meeting the people, sampling the food and experiencing the ancient culture made us anxious to learn more.  We learned about the need for couples to work in the Temple back then.  Our thoughts were very positive. In life, anything is possible if you put your heart into it.  Now we are locked in and going.  Seasons won't vary much nor will with length of days.  Time zone adjustment isn't much either since we'll be on EST.  No daylight savings time when you're on the Equator or just a little south of it.  Ciao for now.  (ciao por ahora) 

Visa waiting

Expectations are seldom reality or so many have reported.  Being an eternal optimist, I've found it best to hope but be realistic.  So, in the process of service through a mission, we are subjected to the process by which we are called, assigned, trained and ultimately arrive at our assigned destination.  This may mean a smooth process or something a little more patience building.  Ours, it appears, is the patience building kind for the moment.  Our Visa has not appeared back in our hands as of today but we are hopeful it will arrive soon. 

Our scheduled entry date into the MTC was to have been Monday, the 19th of September.  We have been assigned a new MTC entry date of October 17th.  However, in the event our Visa arrives within the next few days, we 'could' be on our way to Peru by the end of September.  This could mean that our stay at the MTC could be abbreviated or eliminated.  The possibilities are endless.  We know the issuance of our Visa is completely in the hands of the Peruvian Consulate in Lima, and those in the Missionary Travel Department are checking the progress regularly through local contacts in Lima.

Our language skills improve weekly as we are tutored by the patient teachers at the Mission Training Center in Provo.   It is vital for us to remain focused no matter what the obstacle. Our first priority is to our family, of course, and we are diligently working to help where we can. Situations do arise where we need more direction.  Self determination is wonderful but nothing exceeds our faith in our Savior.  His eternal love will guard us.  Our faith is grounded in Him above our confidence in ourselves.  We must trust the Spirit to guide us. 

Inca women visiting in the square in Cusco. 

The tender eyes of innocence. 

Languages in Peru are generally centered in Spanish but local language in Quechuan (catch oo wan) also prevails in the mountainous interior such as in Cusco.  Here is a sample: 

          Niway piwanmi purinki, ñoga nisqayki pin kanki. - (Quechuan)

Tell me who you walk with, and I’ll tell you what kind of person you are.

 Díme con quién andas, te diré quién eres. (espanol)

Whether we will learn any of their tongue depends on our need and time.  We hope to be proficient in Spanish first.  Primeras cosas primero.  (first things first). 

We know there is much to be done.  Our determination is strong.  Our faith in God is eternal.  We love our family and know we are doing what is needed at this season in our lives.  Thanks for your prayers on our behalf.  We need one another, we prepare now that the future will be strong for everyone.  

Farewell - Sept 11, 2011

Rachel Newell a soon to be famous soccer star and Hanne Simmons her grandmother.  

Dana Cannon, Bob Reed, Gary Cannon, Virgil Spencer, Cheryl Spencer, Dawn Wright, Mike Wright and Rex Dahl.  Background to the right is brother Bill Simmons.  There is more history in this group than I could write in a week.  

Grandsons of the Wrights

Bob Cunningham our chef and others behind .  

Including Hanne and Rachel here is little Hanne, Marilyn Simmons, Craig Carrigan, Sarah Carrigan, MaryEtta Parkinson and Jared Newell.  

MaryEtta Parkinson and Jared Newell. 

Sunday was a good day.  Friends and family all gathered with Claudia and I as we spoke in Sacrament meeting then enjoyed lunch at our house.  Many of those who came live within a reasonable distance but some traveled from Montana to be here.  Another gift we have is good friends and faithful family who are there to share those special times.  Our thanks to all who came and shared. 

How they looked when we left.

Feb 2011 Luke's Blessing

Nancy Jayne at their home

Pondering Nancy !

Luke's ready smile.

Claudia and Rachel at her Baptism in Alexandria, VA

Max and Rachel...

Leaders of tomorrow

Mike, Max and Jeff

Parker, Claudia, Max and Lizzy

Evening concert on the steps of the Capital in DC

Parting picture with the VA kids. 

Jake and his Dad - Tim

Group hug with Peggy

Sunday morning in Helena

Montana beauty as we left for home.

Two weeks on the road or in the air as we visited all of children and their families.  Washington DC coordinated with the baptism of Rachel.  We had great times with Beth's family as well as many of the cousins in the Cranford side.  Caroline, Rachel and Lizzy with Parker, Austin and Luke played to the limits.  BBQ eats and take out kept us fed well.  Beth and Jeff worked all night so we could play and eat during the day time.  Such a good time we had.  Claudia and I had a tough time leaving all of them for two years.  We will have access to everyone over the internet though.  Good thing!   We'd just a little more than connected to these wonderful people in our hearts.  We don't want to become invisible in any way.

Serving In Peru

Pres. Hinckley gave great advice.