Elder Scott Learning, Living and Sharing the Gospel in Perú: May 2017

Transfers happened last week, and Elder Scott was assigned a new companion which meant he had to say goodbye to Elder Morán. Transfers can be a great blessing and quite challenging at the same time. On one hand it's really hard to say goodbye to someone who's been your constant companion 24/7 for 3 solid months. Someone who you've knelt and prayed with every day, set goals and made plans with. Fasted and taught with, and of course leaned on through all the up's and down's of a missionary's life. When that person is as terrific as Elder Morán is, it can make saying goodbye even harder.

On the other hand, getting a new companion always brings with it the opportunity to learn and grow and teach with another person. Luckily Elder Scott was assigned a pretty amazing companion, Elder Daza, and the two of them have already hit it off, "Elder Daza is super amazing. He has such a strong spirit and will to share the gospel, and he teaches amazing lessons." Elder Scott truly believes each and every transfer and companionship are assigned by revelation, and he's humbled and grateful for the chance to serve with his newest companion who will help elevate him to become an even better missionary.

Elder Daza is from Bogota, Columbia and has been out in the field for about 6 months. I had heard some pretty great things about him from members in his last area, so I'm very happy that my son and him will have this opportunity to serve together in Moche, and glad to know that the stories I've heard are true. Hopefully I'll get some pictures of him next week that I can post, but for now here are a few from the last night with Elder Moran.

Goodbye Celebrations for Elder Moran

You'll be missed Elder Moran, but will be
such a blessing to the people in Chao.

Elder Scott got one last egging in before Elder Moran left for Chao. He found it hilarious. Hopefully Elder Moran was equally amused.

A couple more fun pictures I received this week

Hermana Ana and her husband Jose Luis
Hermana Ana has been Elder Scott's temporary
pensionista while they look for a permanent one.

Elder Scott, Elder Salazar, Elder Olsen, Elder Jensen

What a great week this one is turning out to be. On Monday handwritten letters filled with stories, spiritual upliftment, and loving advice arrived from Perú for each us back in Florida , and on Tuesday a couple hundred additional pictures were sent to us thanks to Hermana Patty who spent all day preparing them for us. What an amazing gift that was for us to see our missionary on P-days, at baptisms, with ward members, and with the missionaries he loves so much from his zone and district. I didn't want to bombard you with too many photos, but I'm not going to lie, it's tough narrowing 350 down to a handful of great ones, so bare with me and the amount that is soon to follow.

For this weeks blog update I decided to go straight to the letters that we excitedly got to open on Monday (my letter included a spare for my birthday in July!!), and decided to share some of the words written to his dad, "In Doctrine & Covenants 118 there is a promise given for the 12 apostles, but I believe highly, know is actually a better word, that this promise is for every serving Elder or Sister of the church as well. In D&C 118:3 we read, “Let the residue continue to preach from that hour, and if they will do this in all lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility and long-suffering, I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that I will provide for their families; and an effectual door shall be opened for them, from hence forth.” So the promise itself is pretty self-explanatory. The Lord will watch over and bless the family during their service as long as they continue to preach with “all lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility, and long-suffering.” I know this promise is one of truth. First off because that promise is in our actual call letters as well, and second, because I live and see that promise being fulfilled daily. It’s such a magnificent blessing from Heavenly Father. I have not a single doubt that Heavenly Father is watching over, blessing, and protecting you all even though I may be on a whole other continent. I can testify in this because even down here I’ve seen changes in all of us, bringing us, in our own ways, closer to the gospel of our Heavenly Father. This in which, is a blessing of indescribable amounts. Because the blessings that flow from this are not temporary, but for all time and eternity. So yes, undoubtedly I can say that Heavenly Father is fulfilling that very same promise constantly, and watching over you all. It is incredibly clear when you look and reflect on the many ways the hand of the Lord has been blessing you all while I’ve been down here."

A little later in his letter he focused his thoughts on the 4 missionaries serving in my church, but really his counsel applies to any missionary you might be fortunate enough to encounter. In case you don't know, missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints devote 18-24 months of their life to focus 100% on being a representative for our church which includes rigorous days of proselyting, church service, humanitarian aid and community service. Most of the missionaries are 18, 19 or in their early 20's. They literally put everything else on hold to devote those 2 years to the Lord. Missionaries don't go to the movies, watch TV, read books, or even listen to music (other than wholesome church appropriate music). Not only that, but they pay their own way to go. Sometimes they are are fortunate enough to have friends and family that help with part of the expenses, but most work really hard and save the funds needed before they depart on their mission. On top of all that, they don't communicate too often with family and friends back home. If they are lucky enough to be called to an area where internet if available, they get roughly 60 minutes once a week to email home and twice a year they call home or Skype, but if you live in an area without those luxuries, snail mail is it for you.

You may think it sounds downright crazy to serve a mission in the prime years of your life, when most kids are thinking about college, careers, and perhaps even marriage, but there's a reason behind it all, and that reason is that missionaries LOVE the gospel of Jesus Christ. They want to not only preach about it, they want to live it, and they want everyone to know about our Heavenly Father's great plan that can lead all of us back to His presence.They want others to know that families can be sealed together forever, that Priesthood power is on the earth today, that we have a living prophet, and that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. They want to serve and love and provide help where it's needed.Their desire is to emulate our Savior as much as possible which is why they are out there every day working so hard. So when you see a Mormon Missionary, please keep that in mind. A little extra love, the offer of a cold drink of water, or even a friendly hello and wave does so much to boost their spirits. These Elders and Sisters are simply amazing, and doing something I can only dream of right now.

So back to Elder Scott's letter. Here's what he had to say about the 4 incredible missionaries serving in my ward (church), "They are God's angels. Help them in every way that you can. Their work is the Lord's work. Everything you can do to assist will bring blessings unimaginable to you all. I can testify of that. They are heaven-sent angels. Watch over and protect them. President Rios (Elder Scott's mission President) was in my ward a few weeks ago and gave a magnificent talk on how Moche (the city he lives in) has been blessed with 4 angels. It was a super amazing talk and literally had people in tears by the end. Super powerful!"

I too can attest to this fact. In fact, I have yet to meet a missionary I haven't instantly loved because I know how much they love those they are serving.Thank you for your continued prayers on Elder Scott's behalf. These first 8 months have flown by quicker than I ever imagined they would, and I can tell you without a doubt that our family has been blessed immensely because of his service. I will forever be grateful to him, to our Father in Heaven for protecting His missionaries, and for our Savior who provided the way for each of us to one day return to be with them.

Time for the picture overload!

The streets of Moche