Taking it one week at a time!

Hey!!!

After last week’s email, things got pretty rough. I was super depressed and thought that I had made up my mind to go home. At one point in the day, I was pretty sad about Cricket, I think I must have teared up a bit. Well, my companion asked what was wrong, so I told him about Cricket. All he had to say was "You are crying over a dog?" Then he proceeded to laugh. That was the last straw. I called the president and went to the office the next day. We talked for a good two hours. He told me that he could help. He talked with my companion and things have been better since. We still have our troubles, but he is trying a little harder. This week was better, but I have still had my struggles. 

I had the opportunity to go on exchanges two nights this week. One was with elder Davila, and the other was with elder Snyder. Elder Snyder is from the states, so I was able to speak English with him and that helped a ton. Also, I got my hands on a English Liahona, so I’ve been reading that non- stop.  I think I have read it 4 times!  It helps to read the words of Apostles. I keep reading one titled, "The Cost and Blessings of Discipleship." It’s by Jeffery R. Holland. I love it because talks about the struggles that we all face in our lives and on our missions. In Mathew 23:37-38, talks about the city Jerusalem and how it stoned prophets, and they didn’t listen to the word.  Elder Holland goes on to say...

 "And there in lies a message for every young man and woman in this church. You may wonder if it is worth it to take a courageous moral stand in high school or to go on a mission only to have your most cherished beliefs reviled or to strive against much in society that sometimes ridicules a life of religious devotion. Yes, it is worth it, because the alternative is to have our "Houses" left unto us "desolate"- Desolate individuals, desolate families, desolate neighborhoods, and desolate nations."

This hit me hard. I still want to go home. Every day I wake up and feel like crap. But then I hear the words of JRH "Yes, it is worth it." I might not be able to complete two years in this sad country, but I remind myself that every week is a success. I know people will think different of me, if I go home and I will disappoint a lot of people. But I know I am giving it my best. One of my closest missionary friends told me that if I can’t do it and if I go home early - it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Because I had the desire to serve. I have figured out that all I have to do is take it one week at a time. It’s not easy. Never was - never will be. But I’m here doing all I can to stay out.

I have turned to the scriptures for help. I was reading in 3rd Nephi chapter 17. This is when Christ visits the Nephites after his resurrection. He sits down and teaches the people, then afterwards he tells them to go home and pray about it because it is time for him to return to heaven. The people begin to cry and sob because they do not want him to go. So Jesus says "Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you." He then tells them to bring all the sick to him. He heals all their sick. Then he says, bring all your little children to me and let me bless them. So all the children gather around him and he blesses them. Then he says let us pray. So everyone knelt down and this is what they said. 

"And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father.  And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak..."

What a great example. It was time for him to go, but he stayed and helped. I want to go home so bad, but I am willing to follow the example of the Savior and take it one more week at a time. I love you all at home so much and I thank everybody that has sent me emails and letters. I want to thank the young women because I read those letters every day to keep me going! I love you guys so much and I hope everyone is safe! Miss you and love you tons!

Elder Mohlman

P.S. I'm eating CUY for my birthday!!!!

Another hard week for our family!

(This last post we had to tell Spencer about the death of our dog Cricket!  Cricket was our family dog for about 4 years, he was a tiny little schnauzer.  He was taking a walk with our new Puppy Molly to the mailbox with Tanner, Cooper, and Parker.   The dogs were attacked by a Pitbull and to save the life of his Sister, Molly- Cricket jumped down and became the bait for the Pitbull and it was over.  All three kids had to witness their dog dying.  It was pretty traumatic and sad.  I don't know if we should withhold sad information from our missionaries while they are out.  But this news, caused a huge ripple in Spencer's positive attitude, which is understandable)

Holy crap! I am sobbing. I literally can't stop crying. I was such a jerk to that dog. I miss him so much.I never thought I would take it so hard. I'm sorry that Tanner and Parker had to see that. I wish I was there to hug all of you. This is getting to be unbearably hard. My companion is really rude, and I don't get along with him. My best friend is having trouble, my family is suffering. This is really, really hard. I have a new respect for missionaries. I want you guys at home to make it a goal to befriend the missionaries. Let me tell you what I need more than anything is to have friends. It sucks. I get laughed at constantly, yelled at in Spanish, and half the time I have no clue what is going on. I just want some friends. I know one really cool missionary, but I only see him 2 times a week. So please help the missionaries, you could be the difference that keeps them out in the field. Also play games with them. Nothing means more to a missionary than when a family wants to play games. It feels like you are part of the family. I have only done it once, but it meant the world to me. I love you mom.

Having a hard time!

(I have debated if I should post Spencer's last few emails, because he is struggling a lot.  I've decided I can not paint a romanticized picture of being a Missionary.  It's hard and difficult and they will want to come home.  It is through the struggling and hardships that we truly become to know God and His purpose and plan for us.  So here is the email from July 7th. )

Hello!! This week was absolutely draining. I have wanted to hop on a plane home everyday. Its been really hard moving in with somebody that doesn't speak English. We live in a little one bedroom apartment above somebody's house. It's kinda crazy to think I will be living in this room for the next 3 months!!! Its going to be tough!  Well anyway, I will answer some of your questions. 

First off,  we don't have to cook or do laundry! Haha!  There is a lady called a Pensionista that does it all. We call her Mama Jenny. 

So as far as church service goes it was kinda depressing. I couldn't understand a single word they said in Sacrament meeting! But other than that it was pretty good. It's different, but the same. They sing the same hymns and have the same classes, but they have different mannerisms. Like if a baby is crying they don't take it out. they just let it cry. All the little kids run wild. People get up and leave all the time. I didn't realize how nice it is back at our ward!! 

So food. I have eaten some pretty disgusting things. Chickens feet, intestines mixed in rice, and eggs that have been sitting out for days. Here they take food really seriously. If you don't eat something -its disrespectful. It's really hard, you just have to think of something else. Also I only eat one meal a day, lunch. They literally serve a mountain of rice, with chicken. Its absolutely crazy!

 In terms of people I have talked to... Well in the first week I have 6 baptisms in the next month. Its pretty crazy how many people want to hear the gospel down here. My companion is Elder Chavez. He is from Trujio Peru. He is a really good guy, he is just really hard to understand. That is another reason why its so hard to stay here. I have a really hard time communicating with the person I am with 24/7. This is easily the hardest thing I have ever done. I struggle everyday to keep a positive attitude. I struggle everyday, deciding weather or not I should stay out. I read the letters that you sent as well as the letters others sent me everyday. They really help! I really do like it out here, but it is really really hard. It's hard to see I'm out here for a purpose, but when I do see it- it becomes easier.

On a better note!  There are tones of dogs here so the fact that you guys just got a puppy isn't as depressing. I have found 3 puppies this week! They are all so cute! Also the food down here is super cheap. Paltas or avocados are 50 centimos for a kg! We eat a lot of avocados. Then Pina or pinapple is 50 centimos for one, they are huge and really rico or tasty! On the bus today the radio was playing 80s rock it was pretty awesome! There are a lot of things I miss from home. Grass yards, fields, stoplights, houses, sidewalks, family home evening, and of course my family. Sometimes I wonder how people do this. Its is really a testimony shaker. I guess you just have to push through it. I love you guys so much and miss you all like crazy! Tell Vince he needs to email me! I hope you guys are doing well Love you all so much!!!!!

Love, Elder Mohlman

3:00am to Arequipa & no ozone layer!

Wow!!! So day one was absolutely crazy! We woke up at 3:00am and flew to Arequipa! It is such a nice place! We got to see the site where they are building the temple, and many more landmarks! We went to the mission home and I got my companion for the next 3 months his name is Elder Chavez. We live in a tiny room above a members house. I really like the downtown part of Arequipa it is super nice and really old. One thing that is really interesting down here is there is no ozone layer... So basically I better keep the sunscreen on! I think that I will really like this place! I can't email for very long today so sorry this is short. But Monday's are P-days. I will email you again then! I also got all your letters the day I left!! Thanks so much to everyone that sent me one.  They have really helped me! Well, I love you guys so much and hope you all are well!  I will be able to write you letters now that I can send them! Also for future reverence... if you send packages send them via USPS, and plaster it with the Catholic Jesus like on the cross, or the Virgin Mary. They won't touch it! Well I hope you guys are doing good, because I am! Miss you tons!

Love, Elder Mohlman

 

 

Competitions for Ugly Ties and Bryce McQuivey's Mini- Dobbleganger

Hello Everyone!!!!

 So this week was a long one! But the good news is that I only have one more week of being cooped up here! So this past week, my companion gave me a haircut, we had another earthquake, and I have only one more week. I have really struggled this week in terms of homesickness, I found that the only thing that helps is talking about it, and playing soccer! Speaking of soccer I am actually starting to get pretty good! Soccer is one of the only times of the day that I look forward to! So here at the MTC the North American’s have a tradition. It starts when we are 2 weeks in. The Elders in the "Class" above us put on a series of challenges, and we are competing for a tie. Now this tie is no ordinary tie, it is the most ugly tie you will ever see! The person who wins the tie has to wear it in every picture with the president and his wife. There are challenges like writing raps and seeing how many paper towel balls you can make into a urinal. Two weeks ago my district competed in these tie games, and I didn't get the tie, but I won the pocket square. The pocket square is super ugly and super hard to get into the picture Yesterday we took pictures and the pocket square fulfilled its purpose! Now we are putting on the challenges for the group below us. It sound pretty dumb, but it takes our minds off the stress!

Here is the tie in all its ugliness along with the pocket square!

This week I defiantly found out that I miss the small things from home, like family prayer and reading to Tanner. It’s pretty crazy to think I won’t be able to do those things for another 2 years! I really miss home and the comforts of it! I am really glad to be out here in Perú. I know that when I get out of the MTC, I will be able to see the blessings of teaching people. I have one more week here, I fly out on Tuesday morning. I will get my new companion, and the next two years will fly past!

Cooper: Happy birthday bud! I miss you so much!!! I hope you have an awesome day!!!!!

I miss you all so much! Today was a wacky day, having to email at 7am in the morning and all, but I have 99 more weeks here for you guys to email me! I love you guys so much and hope you have a great week!

Love Elder Mohlman

 

Here are the zone leaders! The one on my right is literally a shorter version of Bryce Mcquivey! He likes all the same stuff! The only difference is that he is 22!

This is what happens when you fall asleep in class! This is one of my companions!

This is where I went tracking last week!

Lima Peru Temple  - where "Families can be Forever!"

Puppies, Oro, and He loves the people!

 Yes, they do have Gatorade here!

This Elder is from Wellsville, he remembers our cousin Kyle.  Isaac do you know who he is?

So this week was another hard one! The language is coming along alright. I can comfortably give a lesson to someone outside the walls. This week I went proselyting to the "ghetto" of Lima. It is a really poor really violent part of the city. My companion and I taught 4 lessons to less active members about why it is important to come to church. My companion was a little better at Spanish than me, but I held my own. The place where we went is in a district called Las Magnolias. It is literally a giant side of a mountain that is covered in houses. Every one of the houses is a different color.

The first family we taught didn’t really want to listen to us, but the second family did. We knocked on the "door" if you could call it that, and a little boy came running out and hugged us. He showed us into the house where his mom started beaming. She came running from the back of the room yelling "mucho bendicónes" she then grabbed a rag and wiped down all the seats for us, and made us sit it their best chairs. She then sent her son to go get us some Oro (which is basically an off brand of Inca Kola). This family did not have enough money to do that but they were so happy to see us that they sacrificed. We taught the family the lesson which was basically for the husband, then we left with bellies full of Oro. The people here are so great! I love the culture and the sights. While I was out proselyting we were walking to a house and we saw a little litter of puppies, they were so cute! I am so jealous that you guys got a puppy, hopefully I can see some pictures.  

(This our new puppy, we sent pictures but they didn't go through -  welcome little yellow lab - Molly Mohlman )

 So tonight we get new missionaries. The last group left this morning. I am pretty excited because that means only 2 more weeks here in the MTC. I am very thankful for the MTC, but I feel like my Spanish has plateaued. It is super hard to be cooped up all day, but it’s part of the plan. 

I have found that my escape is reading the scriptures. I have found so many great scriptures that have helped me to keep going. I have been reading a lot in the bible, and I have found a lot of really cool verses. One of my favorite is Hewbrews 11:6. It helps me to keep going because I know that Dios will reward those that have faith in him. 

 Yo se que Jesucristo es mi harmano. Yo se que Dios es muy amoroso. Yo se que Thomas S. Monson es un propheta de dios. You say ques la iglesia de jesucristo es verdadera. I have found the truth while here in the MTC, I know I will find more. 

I really liked something that Elder Bednar said, "A mission is the only way for a person to show their unconditional love to God." Its a super good quote that I try to say to myself every day. 

Another one is by Thomas S. Monson, "You have an eternity to prepare for it, an eternity to look back on it, but only two years to live it." I want all of you back home to know that a mission is one of the best decisions I have made. I know I have a purpose and that I am here for a reason. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel the love of Christ. I love it here. And with 23 months left I will be home in no time. I love you all and you are always in my prayers whether they are in Spanish or English. I hope you are all doing great!

Love Elder Mohlman

An Earthquake in the Shower!

So this week was kind of disappointing... First off we lost a ton of really good elders because it was time for them to go out and preach. It’s super sad to lose the good ones.  I also lost my original companion due to sickness, he had to be sent home. So now I am in a trio with Elder Jenkins, and Elder Devenberg. Elder Jenkins is from California and he has an Olympic trial set up for when he gets home. It is for swimming. Elder Devenberg played soccer for a college in Utah called Westminster. I like them both! 

 So on last Monday I had just finished exercising outside and I went inside with my companions. They both hopped in the shower right away and I sat down and read some scriptures for a bit. When I was done I grabbed my stuff and hopped in the shower. So both my companions were out of the shower when I got in.  I was minding my own business when all of a sudden I hear this really loud noise like 10 airplanes flying over our compound. I thought it was strange, so I stopped the shower to listen some more. Then out of nowhere the whole building shook! The next thing I hear is my companion yelling at me to get out. So I freaked out! I was putting on my clothes as I was running out of the bathroom! I ran outside and my clothes were soaked. It was pretty funny! Turns out it was a 5.4 earthquake about 37km from the MTC.  It was pretty cool! I guess they happen a lot down here.

So Parker got bit by a dog huh? That’s no good, tell him I love him! There are more dogs down here than I have ever seen, and none have snarled at me or even got close to wanting to hurt me. I saw 2 schnauzers running with a chow just the other day. It’s weird to see some of the dogs better off than some of the people. I got sick this week. The first thing they do here is take you strait to a hospital, which by the way is no better than a free clinic back home. The doctor was a super cool guy that made the hospital seem a little more trustworthy. They ran some tests and found out it was only a cold. But one of the tests was really weird. The doctor asked me which side of my nose I could breathe better out of. Then he proceeded to take a 9 inch cotton swab all the way to the back of my throat! I took one of my companions with me and he just laughed!

I don’t remember if I told you this, but where the MTC is in a place called La Molina. You could Google it and see what a nice place it really is.   Here is a picture of me outside the MTC and the flags!

More MTC buddies!

Today I went to a store called Totus, so if a transaction comes up on my account don’t fret! I can’t tell you how much I miss you guys at home. There is nothing I want more than to go home and see you guys, but there is also nothing I want more than to share the love of Christ. This mission is really really really hard, but I wouldn't trade the experiences I have made while here for anything in the world. I actually gave my roommate a blessing the other night, and it left us all teary-eyed. We are all so close and we consider each other family. I haven’t got any of the letters yet, so they must take a while. I wouldn't send any more here. I have been reading the scriptures a ton, I have something like 120 verses marked with tabs! I have also read all the way to Mosiah. My goal is to finish by the time I leave. I love every one of you back home. Every time I’m on a computer I check the weather in Woodland! I hope all is well!

Until next week!

-Elder Mohlman