Hola de Tahuantinsuyo

Good Morning everyone! How are you all this morning? 

I'm wonderful, absolutely wonderful! Well, I'm now writing you from me new area, my 4th area in the mission, Tahuantinsuyo. I'm here with Hermana Luis, my FIRST PERUVIAN COMPANION!! Finally! And, something interesting about Hermana Luis, we entered the CCM (Peru MTC) together, so I've known her my entire mission. It's crazy! Hermana Luis and I are here in Tahuantinsuyo as Sister Training Leaders, and it's a brand new experience. We help the Hermanas in 3 Zones. We have 9 Companionships that we work with! But it’s actually really interesting and I'm learning a lot. 

My Companion, Hermana Luis and I

All of us were in the CCM together,
Now, we are all Sister Training Leaders in my Mission.  Love them All!!

Well, this week was filled with a lot of getting to know new people and getting used to my new area. Funny part about this area, it was the last area that my mom, Hermana Espinoza, served in. All the members say, "the mom left, and in comes the daughter." But I really like this Ward and the area that I'm serving in. It's a lot cleaner than my last, but I'm still going to miss Los Angeles a lot. 

One of our Lunches this Week.... IT WAS SOO GOOD!

But, something cool about this area, I'm learning Spanish Sign Language!! One of our converts in our area is deaf, and is mute. So, to be able to teach him or have him participate in those lessons, we have to use sign. And, in order for us to help him, he teaches us sign. It’s soo cool! I'm learning a lot, and I only have one week here. I can even give a prayer in Sign Language. Kinda cool. 

"I looked at my Shoe and what did I see..."

13 Months!  What?

Anyways, nothing else has really happened. I'm really grateful for this assignment and being able to work in this area. I love my companion, she is so great! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers! You're the greatest!!

Love you and miss you alll!!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

Transfer Day!!!

Muy buenos dias a todos!

As always, I hope and pray that this finds you all well and happy. Bueno, this week has been quite a bittersweet adventure. Many great and spiritual experiences but also a few sad... On Monday, my zone went to Chili's again, can I just say how much I LOVE that restaurant? Every time we go, I feel like I'm in the U.S., and the food is just soo tasty! So, that was great, but afterwards I had to say goodbye to my Mom, Hermana Espinoza, who is ending her mission. That was sad. 

My Mom with My Sister... She trained her as well.

Hermana Espinoza wanted to be Tall

Oh you know... just me being the Dork that I am

Yet again... I'm the Weird Child

A lot of my friends in the mission are ending, and it's such a weird feeling! But it became even weirder on Tuesday. Every Tuesday night it's Ward Council in my Ward, and my companion and I were sitting down and one of our Zone Leaders was calling my name, "Hermana Karratti look what came today!" In his hands were what the mission calls 'Trunky Papers.' It’s a paper that a missionary fills out when their close to ending their mission. Well, I started laughing because I thought they were his, since he ends in 3 months. But, then he turned the paper around and guess who’s name was on it? MINE!! I stopped laughing, but then the other Elders started laughing at my reaction. NO!! It's a super weird feeling being one of the older people in the mission.

TRUNKY PAPERS.... NO!

Wednesday was a lot of fun! In the morning we had a service project with Hermana Teresa. I think I've mentioned her before, she's a 97 year old woman who lives alone with 9 cats! She's our Peruvian lady. Well, Hermana Teresa LOVES the missionaries and on Sunday, she asked if we could come and help her with her home. When we all arrived, the Elders started handing out masks, because her house smelled so bad! With 9 cats in a tiny house, and an old woman who can't walk very well, there was a lot to be done. We spent all morning cleaning, mopping, scrubbing and we finally finished at about 1 pm. 

Service Project

To finish the service project, my companion and I bought a cake. Hermana Teresa's birthday is Oct.15th, but none of us will be here for it. So, we chose to celebrate her 1/2 birthday since it was the 15th of April. When we brought out the cake, she started crying, it was really sweet!!

Happy Birthday Hermana Teresa!

Thursday and Friday were pretty normal days, nothing too special. Saturday, however, was a really funny day. We were teaching Paulino y Francisca and I don't know if I mentioned this, but Paulino is about 82 years old and Francisca is around 76. They take everything VERY seriously, sometimes a little too serious. Well, we were teaching them about the temple and baptisms for the dead and they were a little confused. So, we told them, "It's okay, poco a poco, which means little by little. I then gave them this example, "How do you eat an elephant?" They both looked at me very confused, and Francisca said, "I can't" I told her she could, and she was even more surprised. I finally told them, it's one bite at a time. Hermano Paulino sat in silence for awhile, then he asked, "How is it possible to take a bite out of an elephant?" Then, Francisca joined in, "How can I even cook an elephant?" Then, Paulino said, "So, in the temple there are people eating elephants?" My companion and I were dying from laughing so hard! It was hilarious! So, after the whole elephant fiasco we kept teaching. But now, it's just a joke between Hermana Valdez and I, "How is it possible to take a bite out of an elephant?"

Well, that was my week in a nutshell. As you can read by the subject line, today is Transfer day. After Internet we will find out who has a change or who stays... I'm hoping I don't have a change. I want another transfer with Hermana Valdez. She's the greatest!! But, we will have to see what the Lord has in store for me. I love this work and I love being his servant. This past week I did a lot of studying about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and if there is anything I know, it is that God accepts us for who we are, today, and not for our past mistakes. The Atonement is so wonderful. We can be free from sin. Completely free. What a wonderful blessing that is in all of our lives. I love my Lord and Savior and I know that this is his Church and his Gospel. I love and miss you all, and I hope you ALL have a wonderful week!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú 

Good Morning Family and Friends!

How is everyone this fine morning?

I hope and pray that this finds you all well and happy, because I sure am!  True, this week wasn’t the most eventful week, but it was a great one.  I guess I’ll just go day by day to make it that much easier.

My Cute Companion and I

So Tuesday, my companion and I received a call from our Zone Leaders saying that I had a package!  WOO-HOOO!  We picked up the package, I ripped it open and guess what?  It smelled like my house inside!  I’m serious!  So, my companion took a picture of me “smelling” my house.  Thank you sooo much for the package!  I gave my companion an AirHead and she went nuts.  “I love these, they’re soo good!”  She even freaked out more when I told her that they were like 50 cents each.  So, enjoy the photo with our painted tongues.  Also on Tuesday, we had lunch with some members.  During our lunch, their nephew, Antuan, was giving me love notes.  We were laughing about the whole thing.  It was even funnier when he brought a stuffed bear that started singing love songs.  What a crazy kid!

My Package!!

AirHead Tongues!!

Antuan... Yet another one of Hermana Karratti's Boyfriends

Thursday we had room checks and interviews with Presidente and Hermana Erickson. In my interview with President, he asked me if I would like a blessing from him. I, of course agreed, and he gave me one of the most powerful blessings that I have ever received. During the blessing he told me that my Heavenly Father is really happy and pleased with the work that I have done during my mission and that he will bless me greatly. I felt such at peace during that blessing. I love Priesthood blessings! Friday my companion worked our tales off! We taught 9 lessons in one day. I really couldn't be happier having Hermana Valdez as my companion! She is the greatest ever!!!!

Well, I want you all to know that I know without a doubt in my mind that the Church is true and that we all have a loving Heavenly Father who loves all of us! I am so beyond grateful to be one of his servants at this time and I couldn't be happier with the amazing blessings that I have received. This is His work and his glory. I love and miss you all! 

Have a wonderful week!!!

Con mucho amor

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

Sorry! I’m Late!!

Good Afternoon everyone!

I hope and pray this finds you all well and happy!  I am so sorry I didn’t write this morning.  My companion and I had some things to do and we couldn’t go to the Internet this morning.  Please forgive me!  But hey, better late than never, right?

YUM!!
My Mom always told me I had to eat everything I was served... unless it was moving.
I'm almost sure that this crab moved!  Uhh?

Well, this week was General Conference! Wasn't it just amazing?? As we were watching Conference, all the missionaries in my zone kept saying, "Que Trunky!!" because there was a lot of talking about families and in my Zone we have a lot of missionaries who will be ending soon. We all have less than 5 months left so yes, it was a little trunky! But, it was also amazing to have 2 of the talks in Spanish! Woo! But really, I absolutely loved General Conference this past weekend. I love hearing from our wonderful leaders. 

Go to the Mattresses!
We couldn't get the keys to the chapel, so our Zone Meeting was held in our old apartment with mattresses as seats.

This past week was good, we've been working hard with our new converts, and they are doing wonderful! We even got a few referrals from Pilar y Martin and this family, yes FAMILY, is great. We've only taught them once, but it was a really powerful lesson. Especially when Hermano Martin bore his testimony. His wife was crying at the end, because she had never heard him bear his testimony but the Spirit was so sweet during the lesson. I am really excited for Hermano Martin and Hermana Pilar and their family. They are really progressing and it's wonderful! I couldn't be happier!

Ooops...  Belated Wedding Pic
I forgot to share this last week, but I ran into Hermana Alvarez and Hermano Miguel at the Wedding.
Miguel just finished a year as a member!

Well, I am so happy to be here serving and I can't believe how fast time is going. This next week is the last week of the transfer. Time is flying by way too quickly! But, I'll take the time I have and enjoy it the best I can. I hope and pray you all had a wonderful Easter/Conference weekend, and you all have an amazing week!

Love and miss you all!!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

1 Week…. 5 Baptisms!!

First of all, I would like to Welcome the newest members of the Los Angeles Ward…

Familia Basauri Leyva!   

Familia Basauri Leyva

It was such an amazing week this week. We were able to see Hermano Martin y Hermana Pilar get married and then afterwards we were able to see their entire family get baptized Saturday afternoon.  It was AMAZING!!!!!!  Everyone in our Zone keeps congratulating my companion and I because in 1 month, Hermana Valdez and I had 8 baptisms.  Hermana Valdez is an amazingly wonderful missionary and I couldn’t be happier to work with such an awesome missionary.  Also, Hermana Valdez sends her love to everyone!

The Happy Couple!

After the Matrimonio Masivo

This week I was truly grateful for the help of our Relief Society in our Ward. Last Sunday, my companion and I were talking with our Relief Society President, asking for advice on a little reception that we could put together for Martin y Pilar and she told us, leave it to me. She planned everything! And on Friday night, we were able to have not only a little reception but a HUGE reception where everyone in our Ward came. It was amazing! Everyone danced, and I just took a million pictures. Sorry, I can't attach all of the pictures. I guess you'll have to wait until I return. Sorry!

My Cute Companion!  I Love this Girl!!!

I know I say this every week but it couldn't be more true. I LOVE being a missionary. This past year of my life has been the greatest year of my life and I couldn't be more grateful to my Heavenly Father for this opportunity that I have. I love this gospel more than anything and I KNOW that this is the only true Church of God.

Family History!
My "Mom" in the Mission (my trainer) and my "Daughter" (my trainee)

Quiero terminar con mi testimonio... Quiero testificar que yo se que la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias es la única iglesia verdadera sobre la faz de la tierra y gracias a un joven llamado Jose Smith tenemos la iglesia restaurada aqui en la tierra. Yo se sin duda en mi corazon que el Libro de Mormon es la palabra de Dios y como dice en la introducción contiene la plenitud del evangelio eterno. Quiero testificar que yo se que Jesucristo vive y el es mi salvador y redentor. El murió por cada uno de nosotros y el nos ama inmensamente! Se que Dios es nuestro amoroso Padre Celestial y esto es su obra. Estoy tan agradecida a mi Padre Celestial por darme la oportunidad de servirle e invitar a mis hermanos y hermanas a regresar a su redil. Dejo esto en el sagrado nombre de mi Salvador y mi Redentor, Jesucristo, Amen.  

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

1 AÑO!!!!!!

Buenos Dias a todos!

Wow, can you believe it?  I have been a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for on whole year!  And, it’s been the greatest year of my life and I couldn’t be happier!  I LOVE being a missionary!!

Weekly Planning Session with Hermana Karratti and Hermana Valdez
But first... Let's take a Selfie!

THE CRAZY COMPS!!

Well, this past week was truly a hectic week, but a week full, not only full, jam-packed with miracles! Like I said last week, my companion and I are helping some of our investigators prepare for their wedding and their baptism. 5 baptisms! Woo!! So this week we've been running around like crazy getting everything ready. Because, to get married in Peru, it's very complicated and that's why many couples just don't. When a couple wants to "tie the knot" there are a million and one documents to fill, blood tests, and a lot of money. Usually this whole process takes months! But thanks to the miracles of our loving Heavenly Father, we were able to complete it all in 3 days. Last Saturday (14th of March) we received a call from our Zone Leaders telling us that the documents for Hermana Pilar hadn't arrived yet, and they wouldn't be able to be married on the 27th. Hermana Valdez and I were in tears! We knew how important this wedding was for Martin y Pilar. So, after ending the call, my comp and I said a prayer and we both felt that there was still a chance. So, we began calling everyone we knew asking for help. Because Hermana Pilars documents were in Trujillo which is about 6-7 hours away from Lima and we needed them in Lima by Monday morning. So all Saturday night we called and finally by Sunday we found a way to get the documents to Lima. MIRACLE!! My comp and I were thrilled! So, Monday, after internet, we received a call from one of the Elders in the Mission Office saying that the documents had arrived and that we needed to go to the center of Luma to pick them up and complete the other documents. So, we left. My companion and I, Hermana Pilar and our Zone Leaders. When we arrived, everything seemed to be going well. We were at the offices with what we thought were all the paper-work but when we went up to the lady to hand everything in, there were some parts missing. Again, my comp and I were told that the couple couldn't get married. We left the office and right as we walked out, the Elder who had called us earlier came running up to us, "I forgot to give you these papers. Sorry!”  In his hands were the papers that we had been missing. MIRACLE! From there we ran over to another office to certify them and when we had returned to the previous office it was 4:05 pm and they were closed. We were all sitting outside not knowing what we should do. We were told if we didn't hand everything in by Monday there went our chance. My comp started offering a prayer and when she finished the same lady who had helped us walked out. She looked a bit shocked, "Do you need something?" We explained to her that we had all the paper-work, certified, and everything but since the offices were closed we didn't know what we could do. She asked to see what we had, and then she told us, "If you are here tomorrow at 8 am with all these papers, I'll help you and we'll get this couple married." MIRACLE!!! Tuesday we were able to finish all the paper work and now we will have a wedding on Friday!! And on Saturday, their baptism! God loves his missionaries!!

My Companion and I in a Moto Taxi

I couldn't be more happy to be a missionary working in his service. I know this church is true and I couldn't be happier to be serving. I love and miss you all!

Have a wonderful week!!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

Busy Busy Week!

First of all, I want to apologize for last week.

It was so rushed and I feel bad for that… Please forgive me!  But, this last week was certainly a handful, but I honestly couldn’t be happier!  Last night while I was writing in my journal, I remembered something crazy!  One year ago today, I was giving my farewell talk in church.  Crazy to see how much has happened in one short year.  This coming week I’ll finish 1 year as a missionary!  Time is flying way too fast.

SELFIE ... My Cute Companion and I

Well, this last week wasn't a week of a lot of picture taking, again I'm sorry, But I'll explain why. We've been teaching a family Martin y Pilar and they want to be baptized! WOO! But, they're not married. Well, it's very common here in Peru. Many families aren't married, they just live together. They have a family, kids, but aren't married. Well, the mission helps a lot! Almost every month we have a "Matrimonio Masivo" which is a huge wedding where a bunch of couples can get married at the same time and it's a lot cheaper than a normal wedding. Well, we're helping Martin y Pilar prepare for this on the 27th of March. So, this week my companion and I have been running around like crazy trying to get everything in order. But, it's all good! If everything goes through like we hope and pray, they will be baptized the day after, the 28th of March! Them and their family. There are 5 of them. Hermana Valdez and I are soo excited for them! Please keep them in your prayers! 

KARRATTI KICK!!
Two Elders in my District, Hermana Valdez and Me

Last thing, to make last week even more eventful and jam-packed, my companion had immigration's. So, I went to another area to work for the day. And this is the best part... guess where I went? I was able to work in Carabayllo! My first area!  I was so happy. I was able to see a few of the members. Everyone was surprised at my language and how much better it's gotten. But, I was so happy to see them again and be in that area.

New Living Quarters
Feels like a Sauna Inside!  So Hot!

Mainly that has been our entire week! Pretty crazy! But we're both happy and healthy. I couldn't be happier to be working and serving my Lord and Savior. I hope this finds you all well and happy! Have a wonderful week and know you're always in my thoughts and prayers! 

Love and miss you ALL!!!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

New Transfer

BEST WEEK EVER!!!!

This past weekend was seriously the BEST!  My comp and I were able to see 3 of our investigators get baptized this past weekend!  It was so amazing and I couldn’t be happier working in the Lord’s work.

 

My Cute Daughter, Hermana Valdez

Luciana Key Robles Aroujo our little girl was baptized this past Friday and it was an amazing service! Her father who had been a less active was able to recieve the Priesthood so that he could baptize his daughter. The baptism coudn't have been anymore special! It was Lucianas 9th birthday so it made the night even more special. Luciana reminds me a lot of my niece, Kendra and everytime I'm with her I just think of my niece. Luciana always tells me that when I go back home I'm going to find her in my suitcase. She's the cutest! 

Luciana!!

Luciana, her father Luis, and the Missionaries

Saturday was another one of the greatest! Paulino y Francisca were baptized. Hermana Francisca was moer excited to recieve the Holy Ghost than to be baptized. During the whole service she was asking about the Holy Ghost. But yesterday she was running into church so that she could sit on the first row to recieve the Holy Ghost. SUCH A CUTIE!!!! I was so happy. 

Paulino y Francisca

Sorry this letter is so short this week. I was too busy this week chatting with my Mom. But everything is going great in the work and I couldn't be happier! I love the work and I love serving! I hope everyone has a wonderful week!!!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

Looking Forward to Another Great Week!!!

Good Morning to everyone! 

I hope and pray that this finds you all well and happy! This week was great, but this upcoming week! Hard work really pays off! My companion, Hermana Valdez and I have been working so hard! And we're very excited for this week because we will be having 3 baptisms! WOO-HOO!! We're so excited! First of all we'll have Luciana who will be getting baptized on her birthday this Friday. Her family have been less-active for years but thanks to her willingness to be baptized, they have re-activated in the church and we're so happy. And on Saturday, we'll have Paulino and Francisca, our little "abuelitos" they're the cutest couple and they have such a desire to be closer to God.

Lunch with Hermana Stephanie ... She's Wonderful!
My companion, Hermana Valdez, is in sunglasses due to a bug bite and her eye was swollen.  Poor girl!

SUNGLASSES!!

Well, I'll have so much to tell you next week, but this past week was also great! My Ward had a HUGE Talent Show this past Friday which was awesome! We even had Hermano Miguel (my ward mission leader from Canto Rey) come and help out! It was the greatest. On Friday, my companion and I were setting up the chairs for the activity and we received a text from Hermano Miguel saying that he couldn't come, he said that he was on the other side of Lima and it would take hours to be there. Needless to say we were all very sad because we had told everyone that they're would be a show and a clown and all the members were very excited. My companion and I were in shock.... What do we do? Well, 2 minutes later we receive a call from Hermano Miguel apologizing, saying that he feels terrible for not being able to come. I told him it's okay, we'll find a solution. He said, forgive me Hermana Karratti. We ended the call, and my companion and I walked out front of the church, we opened the gate so that members could start walking in, and guess who walked up... Hermano Miguel! I was shocked! He said, "Hermana, with everything that you've done for me, there is no way I wouldn't do this for you." I was so happy! Hermano Miguel truly is the greatest. I wish you all could meet him, because he is one of a kind!

Talent Show with Hermano Miguel!

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful week! Keep the missionaries in your prayers. I love and miss you all soo much!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

11 Months!

11 Months as a Full-Time Missionary.
Really, the greatest 11 months of my life.  I have grown so much, and my testimony of the truth has grown, as well.  I couldn't be happier!

Mac & Cheese ... THANKS MOMMY!!!!!

Our House Pet ... NO!
Due to the Summer, all the bugs are coming in!
We found this Friday night when we walked in our house ... almost as big as my nametag!

Well, this week was very crazy! Don't know how to really explain it. But it was crazy. My favorite part of this crazy week was hiking up the biggest mountain (Cerro) in our area. My companion and I had lunch with the Relief Society President on Saturday and the she lives at the top, tip top of the Cerro. I asked the other Elders in our ward how to get to her house. And they just laughed... then they said, "You need to hike!" They told me how to get their and my companion and I were just in shock! 783 steps until the top of the Cerro. So we started, when we finally reached the top we felt so proud of ourselves! We started shouting and clapping. WOO-HOO!!! But at the top, it's so pretty. You can see everything! So we ate lunch, then afterwards... the 783 steps down. But it was great. I love climbing the Cerros. I feel so great afterwards! 

On Top of the Cerro!

Also, my companion and I are helping 3 more of our investigators prepare for baptism. Paulino and Francisca our little abuelitos. They're so cute! And also, we're helping our little Luciana whose family are less actives. All 3 of them will be baptized on the 7th of March and Hermana Valdez and I are very very pleased. My daughter, Hermana Valdez, is such a hard worker! And I couldn't be happier to work with her. 

My Companion and I after Climbing the Mountain.
30 Minutes of Climbing!  WOO-HOO!

I hope this finds you all well and happy! I love and miss you all! Have a wonderful week. 

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

Week of Treats!

This week was wonderful, and full of cakes, cookies, and goodies!

Everyday at lunch this week, members gave us some pastel or something for my birthday and WOW!!  It was a great week!  On Thursday, my Zone even gave me a cake and sang to me!  But, thanks to the wonderful Elders in my Zone, half of the cake went on my face… I went to take the “bite” out of the cake (a tradition here) and the Elders pushed the cake on my face.  Tasted really good!  One of the American Elders said, “Hey look, Mrs. Doubtfire!”  Only the American Missionaries laughed, but, it was pretty funny.

Happy Birthday Hermana Karratti aka Mrs. Doubtfire!

Also, MILAGROS WAS BAPTIZED!!!!! It was such a wonderful service. I don't know if I mentioned this, but her boyfriend is a Return Missionary and he was able to baptize her. It was wonderful. But this past week wasn't all butterflies and flowers for her. It was actually really difficult. Like I said before her father is a Preacher for the Adventist church and yes, he was fine with us teaching Milagros. But, when she went up to him to tell him that she was going to be baptized, he wasn't very happy with her decision. Actually, in better terms, he was furious! He almost threw her out of the house. While she was telling us all of this we were in shock, but she told us something really special. I wasn't worried about what my father thought, or what my father did. I know that this church is true, and I know that God was with me. I didn't have any reason to fear. I was truly amazed! On Saturday, we were able to watch her make this sacred covenant with our Heavenly Father and I was so honored to be apart of it. After she was confirmed yesterday, she came up to Hermana Valdez and I telling us that she now wants to serve a mission! Yay!!!!

Milagros at her Baptism

Also, this last week we had Zone Conference with our Mission President, President Erickson and Hermana Erickson, and it was great! We learned a lot and even ate pulled-pork sandwiches! First time I've eaten that in 11 months.... Yum!

My Zone with President and Hermana Erickson
#specialhermana #sittingnexttopresidentandhermanaerickson
Jajaja oh hashtags

The Only Sisters in My Zone
(left to right) Hermana Valdez (mi hija), Hermana Karratti (yo),
Hermana McRae (hija de Hermana Paez), Hermana Paez (mama...she's training, as well)

Well, I couldn't be happier to be a missionary and I love it more than words can say! I hope this finds you all well and happy. Pray for the missionaries, we need it! Have a wonderful week, I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

Hola St. James Ward!!

I cannot believe how fast time is flying. I March I'll complete 1 year as a missionary. Time is truly flying by! Everything is wonderful down here in sunny Peru, we're in the middle of summer and boy is it hot! A lot hotter than St. George, believe it or not. But it doesn't matter about the weather, what really matters is the missionary work! I love being a missionary. Right now, I have the opportunity to train. My daughter "hija" is from Ecuador and we have been working so hard! We've been working with not 1, not 2 but 4 investigators prepare for their baptism. One of the investigators is Milagros and she will be having her baptism the 14th of February, and we're very excited! It's been hard to teach her, because her dad is a preacher of another church. But Milagros didn't know what to do. Because she knew that what she was learning was correct, but she was scared as to what her father would say. Normally, all the lessons are in a members house but she doesn't want her father to know that she's listening to the missionaries. But, last week we decided that we needed to teach her in her house to try to get to know her father. So, we went there and we introduced ourselves to him and he told us, "I have such respect for you because you came to my house and you want to do this right. If my daughter wants to go down this path, I'll allow it." When we said that, all of our mouths just dropped. Especially Milagros. We went on to teach her, and as we finished we decided to invite her to baptism. We did and we originally planned for the 21st of February, but when we said that date, she asked, "Can we do it sooner?" The sooner the better! We're very excited!

Missionary work is the best kind of work, I love what I do! I eat, sleep, breathe missionary work. A few weeks ago the area that I'm serving in had Stake Conference and wow was it great! All of the talks were about missionary work, and "every member a missionary" and it was a beautiful conference. Missionary work is for ALL of us. We as children of our loving Heavenly Father have the grand opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with our brothers and sisters here on Earth. How amazing is that! Just like Nephi said, "... GO and DO..." I know that Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that we are members of the true church of God. The Book of Mormon truly holds all the answers of the soul and if we truly study and with a sincere heart and a contrite spirit we can learn.

I love and miss you all!

Con mucho amor,
Herm'ANNA' Karratti
Predicando en Perú

One Year Older and Wiser, too!

First, I want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes!

Yesterday was a great day.  I even had a few surprises; members from my old wards came to visit me!  My companion and I were walking up to church yesterday, and I saw Hermano Miguel (my old Mission Leader) standing there with Jhordan and Jose (two of my converts).  I was so happy!  They came to visit, and during the last hour I had two Young Women from my first ward come to visit.  It made my day!  Yes, I wasn’t with my family, but I have my Peruvian Family here with me!

Jose, Jhordan, and Hermano Miguel visiting for My Birthday

Rut y Katy
Young Women from my first ward visiting for my birthday

ARE YOU FRICK?? Also, I want to wish my little (well not so little brother) GOOD LUCK AT STATE!!!! Bryant will be having State Finals this weekend and not only that but he will be going into his 100 Breast ranked FIRST IN STATE as a Freshman! This missionary is SOOO proud of her brother! Go kick some butt Birthday Boy! Love you!

GOOD LUCK, BUBBAS!!!

My Baby Brother, Bryant... Ready for State!

Well, this week went by so quickly! But, I couldn't be happier with how the work is going. Hermana Valdez and I are very busy right now, because not only are we helping Milagros with her baptism this coming weekend, but, we're also helping 3 other investigators prepare for their baptism. 4 baptisms within 4 weeks! Needless to say Hermana Valdez and I are really happy. This next week the 21st we'll have 2 baptisms. Hermana Francisca and Hermana Paulino. Their our little "abuelitos" they're 80 years old and the cutest couple I've ever seen. We're so excited for their baptism!!! The work is going along wonderfully and I couldn't be happier to be apart of it. 

Sorry, not too much to report this week, I hope this finds you all well and happy! Happy Valentine’s Day this week! I love and miss you all soo much. May God bless and protect you all.

Con todo mi amor,
Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú