12/30/2013 Email!

From: Camille Weller [mailto:camille.weller@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2013 9:42 AM
To: Melissa Wheatley
Subject: merry christmas and a happy new year!!!!

 

Well family, wasnt that just the best christmas ever!! It was for me! it was so good to see all your smiling cute faces and to get to talk! i love every minute of it! I realized when you asked me what adventures i was having i couldnt really think of any because im used to peru now! But truly everyday is an adventure..i live in a different country and speak spanish! haha but i hope that you did see how happy i am and how much i love this experience and opportunity i have to be here serving the lord!  Well this week was amazing!! Christmas eve or Noche Bueno was AMAZING first we had lunch(pizza hut, YUM) and then had a gift exchange with all the elders, then we took around cute gift bags full of church materials to our investigators and people we know around town, that was fun! then we had a little lesson or family home evening with the family we live with and then had a nice turkey dinner at about 11 at night! then it was firework time!! At midnight EVERYONE does fireworks.. and i mean everyone.. and its the big ones we ususally do a mile away from where we sit.. but they do them in the streets!! It was soo exciting and cool to see it!! and they say that new years is even worse so were excited for that!! Then CHristmas day was the best because i got to see all your faces!! THen we got to go caroling in the plaza de armas with all the missionaries from Arequipa, which was awesome because a whole crowd of people gathered around us and sang the songs with us!  It was the best christmas i could have imagined away from home. Friday was my nine month mark....CRAZY i cant believe how fast time flies by... and i cant wait to see what the nine months ahead have in store. These past months have been some of the hardest, most rewarding, most amazing and spiritual ive ever had. I love my mission with all my heart. If i could give any advice to anyone it would be to serve a mission if your still able and if not, do missionary work!! help the missionaries, share your testimony outside of testimony meeting, and just go about doing good!! THere is nothing more rewarding then helping others become closer to our savior jesus christ!

Well one more thing i wanted to share is luke chapter 6, it is amazing and i think we could all put in practice all the teachings!! I invite all of you to read it and also to think of how you could apply it in your life! Well i hope you all had a good year and that the next is a million times better!! Set goals and achieve them!!!!(: 

I love you all and if anyone has questions for me or wants to know something that im not sharing let me know, just write me an email with your questions!! I hope all is well, your all in my prayers!!! 

LOVE,

Hermana Weller (:

one happy sister missionary in peru :)

12/23/2013 Email to Mama!

I d ont usually share our personal emails but She does miss me like I miss her....It was good to hear, so I wanted to share what she emailed me after I told her how much I was missing her:

okay sounds perfect(; i know i should write you and tell you that everythings all good and bubbly and that i dont miss you guys at all but thats a lie... this week was hard for me and my companion.. we both miss our families so much. i miss you all so much and am greatfull we get to see eachother wednesday.. but sometimes i just want to call my mommy and talk to her or run all the way home. i know im supposed to be  here and im doing the right thing but it doesnt make it any easier to be away from all of you for the holidays for the first time in my life.... wow we both suck at this whole mission  be strong thing(; hahahha love you mom. 

12/23/2013 Email

From: Camille Weller [mailto:camille.weller@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2013 9:43 AM
To: Melissa Wheatley;

Subject: FELIZ NAVIDAD(:

 

hola mi familia!!!! no puedo creer que podemos hablar el miercoles!!!! estoy tan animada!!!!!(:

Well let me tell you about my week(: monday we got to go sit in the serpost(post office place) here alllllllllllll day for our packages, but hey it was worth it!!! i got the big one from mom(: i love you mom. and the dear elder one from yvonne!! thank you!!! (: then we ate at mcdonalds again...(: Tuesday we had our mission chrsitmas dinner with a third of the mission and we did our skit that was hilllararriiioouuussss when i get home i will show you the videeooo(: it was soo much fun and we got fed an amazing turkey dinner with stuffing and watermelon and a bunch of yummy stuff!!

This week was really amazing. We have been working hard and have 3 people who are progressing sooo good!!! they all have baptismal dates for january and we are so excited for them!!! Friday we had a talent show with our ward and it was sooo funny. mostly because it was just like one we would have in the states, the primary sang songs, the relief society did a nice little dance and the youth did a funny skit, it was great!! Well as far as this week goes weve got plans up the wazzooo!! for christmas eve (noche bueno as they call it here) were going to have a big dinner at about 10 at night and then we have hot chocolate and panaton(fruit cake) and then at midnight everyone does fireworks!! then on christmas were just going to visit some families of the ward annddd of course talk to our families!!!(: I am loving the christmas spirit and even though there isnt snow i still feel like its christmas time here!!!(:

The Best part is that i get to be out sharing my testimony of the lord jesus christ during this christmas season to celebrate his birth. I love my savior with all my heart. i know he lives, and loves us, and i know that he is always willing to help us. He is the Son of God and paid the price so that each one of us can return to the presence of our heavenly father. The church is true. This is the church of Jesus Christ, and i look forward to spending this christmas telling people of these truths <3 

i hope each and everyone of you, wherever you may be, has a very merry christmas and that you each take a moment to thank your heavenly father for sending his son to this earth!!!

MERRYYYYY CHRRISSSTTMAAAASSSS !!!!! (: 

 

Con mucho amor y respeto!! FELIZ NAVIDAD!!! (:

Hermana Weller(:

12/16/2013 Email

From: Camille Weller [mailto:camille.weller@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Monday, December 16, 2013 9:36 AM
To: Melissa Wheatley

 

Mi quierida familia y amigos(:

First off i just want to say i love all of you and hope you are all having the best christmas season ever! (:

Well monday was super fun we went to the plaza de armas which is one of the big tourists sites and got to look in all the suvenier shops and such! it was a ton of fun, plus we got to eat at mcdonalds!!! yes... mcdonalds!!! This area is heaven....(: Then we had a noche de hogar(family home evening) with laskmy and her family, her mom is doing super good(the one that were hoping will get baptized this month) we all set goals and she told us her goal is to read the book of mormon! Such a big change from before when she didnt want to give permision for her daughter to get baptized, the gospel is true and Heavenly father can soften anyones heart when its the right time(:

Tuesday we had district meeting and i had to give the hour and a half lesson... i was a little nervous but it all went well! i had each person write why they chose to serve a mission, why they chose to stay on their mission, and what they want to do before they end their mission. It was different than the normal lessons we had but we had a really spiritual meeting and i think they liked it(: Then we had lunch with the bishop and his wife who are amaaazzinnnngg!! Thier both return missionaries and talked to us about how much missions will help you get through trials in life. loveeeed it. then that night we had english class and only one person came... hey better luck next week(:

Wednesday we had our monthly meeting with the zone leaders so they can give us the scoop on what happened at the mission leaders council they had. We found out we will be getting 2 hours to email now, the second hour is so that we can keep in touch with our converts better in the mission, which is awesome!! Also our weekly goal numbers got lowered and we are changing the mission to focus more on the people and not on the numbers! also we have a new goal each month. Its called recatados and its when a person is in active for 3 months and comes back, they have to come to church 2 times, get the missionary lessons, and an interview with the bishop.  Its been amazing to see the work growing with less actives here!! were loving it because usually when we visit a less active we find people who arent members! 

thursday we had weekly planning and they told us that we needed to come up with a skit or song for the christmas dinner we have tuesday(tomorrow) so we came up with a great idea for a game show skit... any ways lets just say were the only sisters and we had to do everthing this week for it so its ready... but it will be awesome!! ill send pics after we actually do it! (:

Saturday we got to go to the mission office and help Hermana Zobrist put together folders, it was a ton of fun and having our area be where the president lives definately has its benefits!! plus we got to go to lunch at a pasta place and i ate THE bESt lasagna ive ever had.. yummm!!(: 

The sad thing is that they told us that elder herrera(one of my best friends while i was in moquegua) has to go home imediately because they found out there is something wrong with his spinal cord and needs surgery as soon as possible. So sad. It was an eye opener for both of us that we need to be greatfull for every day we have in the mission because you never know what can happen. 

Sunday was awesome. WE had investigators at church and we finally got a mission leader called!! yyaahhoooo(: it was a good day!! 

So a little more about my area, most of it is middle class, not too fancy but not super poor, and then theres one street thats in our area (where the president lives) that is supppeerrr niicceee. There are like three 5 star hotels on that road and a ton of huge houses.. sometimes i feel like im in beverly hills... haha seriously. Its not really dangerous but at this time of year there are a lot of drunks in the streets... at all times of the day.. and being two greengas doesnt really help us. haha but we havent had any problems, just some stuff yelled at us that we dont understand(: We also have a new rule because we are two north americans together to be at home at 8. So you have nothing to worry about(: The rain is supposed to start any day now.. and everyone always tells us that its more like waterfalls and rivers than like rain.. so were pretty stoked(: haha 

Well thats about all i have for you this week!! still love my companion and my area i feel so blessed to be here and to be working with the people we have!! THe church is true and i know that the Lord knows who he wants in his church!! I love this work and my Savior and hope that all of you are doing missionary work at home!!

SE que la iglesia de jesucristo de los santos de los ultimos dias es la iglesia de jesucristo y es verdadero. Jesucristo vive y nos ama. Siempre esta listo para ayudarnos en cualquier cosa que necesitamos. Tambien se que la expiacion es real. Y si usamos cada dia vamos a ser mas felizes y recibir mas benditiones. 

 

love you all!!! MERRYYY CHRISTMASSSSSS(:

Hermana Weller<3

12/9/2013 Pics!!

Service Project with the new Zone!!! 

Were the only hermanas, wierd!!

Laskmys Baptism!!! 

Cutest little girl ever!!! 

Rain!!!(: 

Our cute paper Christmas tree!!(: 

Our desk area!! 

beds(: 

This is the before picture...what a change right??(:

 

December 9th Email

From: Camille Weller [mailto:camille.weller@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2013 9:42 AM
To: Melissa Wheatley;
Subject: FAMILY!! and FRIENDS!!(:

 

okay first things first,,,, happy Birthday to SAM, TAMMY and my sissy NIKKI(: love you all tons and tons and hope you had or have the best birthday ever you old farts!! (:

Well im just going to start off by saying i think i got transfered to heaven... we live in the cutest house with the patriarch and his wife and his wife ( hna lucy) is our penchenista who is amazing!!! i love love love her. we have hot water for showers... is that real?? (: and i have the BEST companion in the whole world!!! Hermana Jacobson is seriously my twin. We get along so well and i swear everyday is the funniest, most spiritual, happiest day of my life. We have so much in common and even have a bunch of stuff thats the same that we brought from the states haha Shes 20 too and has her man waiting for her at home! Shes from Centerville and has 5 months in the mission! anyways its the best. i know this sounds wierd but this was the first week i truly felt like i was really a missionary. i think something just clicked and i realized how precious this time is i have here and especially the time i have been blessed with too be in this area with my comp!!! 

Last monday we went to the mall... yes the MALL real stores do still exist people!! (: you could say i was the happiest camper in campersville. dont worry i didnt buy anything!

Well our area is super great, i love the ward and just everything about it!! Its going to get really rainy here soon, they say it usually gets up to your knees in the streets,,, AWESOME!! im stoked... i just need to invest in some rain boots... haha 

we had our first baptism on saturday.. hermanita Laskmy, She  is the cutest thing and wanted to be baptized so bad but her mom wouldnt give permission. we went wednesday and not only got her moms permission but her mom has a date and came to church sunday!!! So awesome!! Also We watched the christmas devotional which was amazing!! All the lights and the temple made me miss home but it made me realize something... i may not be able to be home to spend christmas with all of you or buy you all the presents i would like too but i am giving the greatest gift i could.. my time and dedication to the lord. We as missionaries are giving up christmas with our families to give other families the chance to be together forever and to have the happiness and joy we all have as members of the church!! i miss you all and hope your enjoying the snow and christmas time at home!! 

LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Hermana Weller!!!(:

12/2/13 More Pictures!

Love my Maria!!

Decorations!!

looks like Moquegua left its mark(;

Saying goodbye in the terminal!!

my new house and new companion!! Hna Jacobson!!

12/2/2013 Pictures

 

Thanksgiving Dinner! 

Greengos...gordos y felizes(: 

yeah..I did. 

Baptism of the couple!! Maria y Luis! 

Saying Goodbye to my Bff:( 

Maria Y Luis and their family! 

The Wedding!! 

Love my Maria!!

12/2/2013 Transfer Email!

From: Camille Weller [mailto:camille.weller@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Monday, December 02, 2013 12:47 PM
To: Melissa Wheatley;

Subject: GRAFFIICCOOSS(:

 HEELOOO (:

What a week!!! I cant believe its december already!! where does the time go?? Well lets get to business here(:

Thursday we had thanksgiving dinner as a zone and even got to have pie!! but my favorite part was that we all went around and said what we were thankfull for, at first the elders were all being babies and didnt want to do it but then they ended up being the ones who cried haha gotta love those elders. I felt like i was at home, i missed you all like crazy and hope you all had a good turkey day!! ohh and we didnt eat turkey... we ate chicken.. SURPRISE (: haha im never eating rice, chicken or potatoes when i get home, let that be known(:

Well we found out on wednesday that Hna Diaz would be leaving to mexico saturday night. It was super sad because she had to leave before the wedding and had done so much for it but hey thats life. They gave me the option to go with her that day or to wait until sunday to go to Arequipa, so i knew i was getting transfered i just didnt know where. We were so busy all week with doing pretty much everything for the wedding and trying to say goodbye and get packed, i dont think i slept at all!! haha But the good thing is that everything went perfect. Maria and Luis got married and baptized on saturday and it was probably one of the best, most stressfull and spiritual day of my mission thus far but it was worth it!! The ward was great and i think the wedding seriously couldnt have gone better.. the church is true(;

 Their family is so amazing and have their sights set on the temple in one year!!! I seriously dont think there could be a better last week in an area than the one i had. I am leaivng  my first area of 6 months very content and happy. I got to say goodbye to everyone and Even though it was so hard to say goodbye especially to my zone, our converts and to the familia Nina i know that ill see them all again one day!! I just have to pray for all of them and keep working hard!!(: 

Well im now in Selva Alegre in  the area called Graficos and im with Hna Jacobson!! SHES A GREENGA(: im stoked!! Its going to be an adventure together here! our area is in Arequipa and the mission home is in our area so we get to visit the mission president and his wife often and help them out when we can, how cool is that?? We live with the stake patriarch and his wife and were going to pension there too!! The area here seems soooo nice and modern, im excited for that!! It rained when i got here and they say that the rain here at this time is crazy!! but i love the rain and was hoping i would come here so its all good!!!! i just might have to buy me some boots(: 

Well my dears, i love you all and i hope everyone is happy and doing good!!! Get ready for Christmas and have a good week!! ill have more details about everything here next week!! (:

MUCHO AMOR Y RESPETO!!!

 

Hermana Weller (: