How do you make God laugh? Tell him your plans.

What a beautiful week this was! 

Really, it was awesome!  I also learned a lot this week. First of all, I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Especially for my companion, Hermana Alvarez. This week was a lot better than the last. We were a lot happier, my companion is healthy and we had a wonderful week!

I Have Finally Seen Llamas Here in Peru!

First off, a big huge welcome to the newest member of the Canto Rey Ward. 

JHORDAN VILLAVERDE!! 

The New and Clean, Jhordan!

I don't know if you all remember, but I told you a little about Jhordan before. He's one of Jose's (who was baptized a month ago) best friends. Well, the original plan, or let me rephrase that. Our (my companion and I) plan was the "perfect story plan". Jose would baptize his friend and everything would just be perfect. Well, this plan was supposed to take place last week. Last week while we were at the church waiting for Jhordan we recieved a call from him saying that he wasn't going to get baptized. He didn't feel ready. I'll be honest, my companion and I were really sad about it. That night when we were back home we were talking about what happened. What went wrong, or what we did wrong. We finally realized that we planned this entire baptism, one without Jhordan. But most importantly, without asking Him, Our Heavenly Father on what we should do. Once we figured that out we talked with Jhordan. We apologized and decided that we would move more slowly. Well, we were in a lesson with him on this last Tuesday and Hermana Alvarez had a prompting to ask Jhordan if he would be baptized on Saturday. I looked at her really surprised. "What?" Jhordan went quiet for a moment then said, "Yeah... I'm ready." Well this past Saturday, we were able to have a wonderful baptism. But more importantly, I learned a very important lesson. "If you want to make God laugh, make a plan.... without Him!" 

Jhordan's Baptism
Hermana Karratti, Jhordan Villaverda, Hermana Alvarez

Also last Monday, I had American Food!! Woo!! About an hour or 2 away from my zone, actually right where the mission offices are, there is a mall. A pretty big mall. And inside there is a Chili's. Anyways, the mission has extra money or whatever, so they offered every zone in my mission a free lunch at a restaurant of our choice. My zone chose to eat at Chili's. And it was soo good! I've missed American food.

Chili's!

Anyways, this week is Halloween! Woo! It's almost November! Woo! I've been a missionary for more than 7 months! Woo! I love being a missionary! Woo! It's the last week of transfers! Wo... wait that's not a woo. I don't want my companion to go. Let's just hope that we could maybe have one more transfer together. Now, that would be amazing! But really, I am so lucky to have this girl be my companion. I have learned a lot from her and I am really grateful for her decision to serve a mission. I miss you all and love you all! Keep the missionaries in your prayers. Have a wonderful week!!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Peru

I ATE BUGSY!

Good morning everyone! 

How's everyone this fine day? This week for Hermana Alvarez and I was both great and not so great. I've finally eaten Guinea Pig, my companion and I were yet again as dorky as ever, and sadly poor Hermana Alvarez was having some bad health problems... poor girl!

First off, yes it's true. After 7 months of serving here in Peru, I have finally eaten Guinea Pig or Cuy in Spanish, and surprisingly, it was really really good! Yes it is a little weird trying to eat around the little paws and the whole fact that there isn't a whole lot of meat. But ,now I'm a Peruvian because I've eaten Cuy! And I really like it... it's delicious! 

The Head of the Guinea Pig

The Little Paw

Well, in my ward, Hermana Alvarez and I have earned new names. Hermana Loca and Hermana Crazy. Mainly because we are both completely NUTS! A family in our ward this week bought us some soccer jerseys from Colombia and my companion was so happy! We took a million and one pictures with them, and every day is just a party. I love this companion of mine. 

COLOMBIA!!!!
Hermana Loca and Hermana Crazy (you decide who is who)

Lastly, please oh please keep my companion in your prayers. This past week was very tough on her, and it even included a few trips to the hospital. She's doing a little better. But not quite 100% quite yet... poor girl. I can't give a lot of details, but this week she wasn't able to leave the house a lot and she couldn't really move a lot. Her body really took a hit but thanks to many prayers and love, she is slowly getting better.

My Crazily Awesome Companion
Good Times with Hermana Alvarez

Well, I love and miss you all. Sorry not really much to report this week. I spent a lot of time this week in the hospital with my companion so, there isn't really any big news to tell. I am grateful for this time that I'm here in Peru. I know this church is true and I love it!

Have a wonderful week!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Peru

I’m Basically a Soccer Champ!

What a week! A very long week too.

A lot happened, but at the same time it feels like nothing happened. Last Monday we had our mission wide soccer tournament, Wednesday my companion and I changed houses, and I guess we liked our house so much that we didn't leave our house until Sunday. Yep I'll tell ya... what a week! 

So last Monday (wow it seems like it was a month ago) we had our "Mundial" the mission wide futbol tournament. It was a lot of fun. I even saw Hermana Espinoza who just hit her year mark this week. That was great! Also we played futbol. Which I can saw after almost 7 months of trying to play it... I still suck! I don't think I'll ever be good at it. But oh well, I still have 11 months to practice. Other than that it was really nice seeing the other missionaries. Mom, Elder Harrison Miller sends his love to the family. It's so weird talking to him and calling him Elder Miller, not Harrison. We both laughed at how weird it was to see someone from home. Anyways, the other St. George Morningside Stake missionary sends his love!

My Zone Last Week at the Mission Wide Futbol Tournament

Wednesday my Zone had a service project. They helped Hermana Alvarez and I move. We didn't move very far from our old house, but our new house is very nice. And the whole entire apartment has a roof! We're both happy about that. 

Our New Humble Abode

Well on Wednesday night my companion and I decided that we didn't like the outside anymore so we were going to stay inside for the rest of the week. Ha no I'm kidding... Hermana Alvarez started feeling really sick on Wednesday night, we went back to the apartment and she went right to bed. Thursday, the Elders came over to give my companion a blessing and I was just assigned to be her doctor so to speak. Thursday night, I got sick. When the doctor stopped by, they told us that we had what seemed like the flu. What a great weekend it was for us! NOT! But one thing that really surprised me was the support that we received from our ward. We had members come and bring us food, the Elders passed by frequently, we had no more than 30 minutes without someone stopping by to check on us. Even though it wasn't fun being sick, it was really nice witnessing the ward come together to help us. My companion and I are feeling a lot better now, still not 100% quite yet, but we're able to leave the house and work. 

My Cute Companion and I

I am really looking forward to this coming weekend. We have a baptism! Jhordan, the best friend of Jose will be getting baptized this week. Jose is very excited to baptize his best friend, and Jhordan is very excited to have Jose baptize him. I'm soo excited for the whole thing!!!

Probably my Favorite Restaurant in my Area.  It's Pretty Much the Greatest!

Well, I love you all and I hope as always that this finds you all well and happy. I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to serve a mission here in Perú. It's amazing! I am so thankful that we were able to watch General Conference, well for you all last week, and for me yesterday. It was a fantastic conference. I love you and miss you al! Thank you for your love and prayers! Have a wonderful week!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

Hola St. James Ward

¿Como estan?

I hope this finds everyone well and happy. I am doing fantastic here in Peru. Just ..."teaching and preaching and working as missionaries do..." Can you believe it's been almost 7 months? Time surely does fly.Especially when you're having fun!

My companion, Hermana Alvarez who is from Colombia, sends her love. We are doing wonderful here. Last week we had a baptism with a young man, José, who's 16 years old. He even wants to serve a mission! I told him that he should get called to the St. George, Utah mission. How funny would that be? 

Hermana Karratti (left), Jose (center), Hermana Alvarez (right)

We also have some baptisms coming up at the end of this month. It's all really exciting. I love being a missionary!! In my Ward that I am currently serving in, I am known as Hermana Piano. I play the hymns every week, and I am always asked to play for every activity. (Thank you Sister Terry!) I am also asked quite frequently to teach piano, and English. 

Missionaries get to try Many Different Foods!!

Anyways, during these 7 months of serving my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I have learned to rely on Him. He is there with his hands reaching out for us. All we need to do is take his hand. He loves us, He loves YOU! I know this to be true. I know that this church is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Read it and you can know for yourself. I hope and pray everything is well with all of you. Pray for the missionaries! And please write! We love letters.

May God bless you all.

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Preachin' in Perú

¡BIENVENIDOS JOSE!

So, Jose was baptized! Woo Hoo!! 

Ah, Saturday was such a wonderful day. It was just beautiful. A really perfect day for a baptism. Hermana Alvarez (yes, I'm still with Hermana Alvarez. YAY!) and I were talking about how great it's been with Jose. Starting off as just a contact in the street, to now being a new member. He's really changed since the first time we met him, and having the opportunity to watch him take this next step in his life was awesome. On Friday night while we were teaching him, he asked us about the Priesthood. We explained it a little more, then my companion said, "If you want, you can baptize your best friend, Jhordan, because he accepted a date for the 18th of October." I wish so badly that you all could have seen his face when we told him this. He had the biggest smile on his face, and he was so happy! He said, "This church is great!" En serio, how amazing is this? THIS IS WHY I'M HERE IN PERU!!!! 

Hermana Alvarez and I with Jose

All in all, this week was a little difficult, but I don't really remember much of it. Mostly I remember how wonderful Saturday was. Most upsetting part about this upcoming week is that I won't be able to see General Conference this weekend. Darn! Here in Peru, elections are on the 4th and 5th, and it's a law that everyone has to vote or you pay a huge fine. Also, to ensure that everyone votes, ALL churches will be closed. Us as missionaries are supposed to treat it as a normal day. It'll be weird, that's for sure. My Stake that I'm serving in, will be watching Conference on the 11th and 12th. So, don't tell me about Conference next week... please! 

My Peruvian Twin
Dayana and her little brother Cristhian

Well, I am now past my 6 months! My companion was pretty funny on Thursday. She told me, "I know you're not a greenie anymore, but you'll always be a GRINGA!" She's pretty great I have to say. That night. I walked out of the bathroom, and on my desk was a little cake, Snickers (don't know where she found them), M&M's, and the cake had a 6 candle on the top. She sang, "Feliz 6 Meses!" lit a match to light the candle on the cake. She is seriously the coolest cat!!

My 6 Months Cake

Anyways, I love being a missionary and I am so happy to be serving here in Canto Rey. And I am also so happy to have another transfer with Hermana Alvarez. She's awesome!! 

My Companion and I being the Dorks that we are.
Playing on a Members Bike.

I know I'm needed here in Peru and I know without a doubt that this is the true and restored church. I love and miss you all dearly. Keep the missionaries in your prayers!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Peru

6 Months!

Time flies, that’s all I can say. It flies!

Today ends yet another transfer, and to be honest I’m a little nervous. My companion, Hermana Alvarez, has over 4 months in this area, and she thinks that she might be getting transferred today. No!! I don’t want her to leave!  She is seriously the best and I am so lucky, But, I guess we’ll have to see what happens later. Well, this week was pretty darn good! We had a ward talent show (which was a HUGE success), Jose our investigator has his baptism this Saturday, I was in a trio, and I got a PACKAGE WITH GOLDFISH!!!!

 This past Friday we had a Ward Talent Show, and it was awesome! 

Show de Talentos

The 4 missionaries in my ward with Miguel our ward mission leader performed a skit. If you search on YouTube “Missionary Car Ride” you’ll see the skit that we kinda copied. It was a lot of fun! I guess when I get home everyone can see the video. Other than that there were a lot of other skits. My companion and I were also in a band! Lifelong dream achieved! I can now happily say that I was in a band, and I even sang in this said band. Hey Bryant, I sang one of your favorite songs, “Introducing Me!” 

Also, super exciting...WE HAVE A BAPTISM THIS WEEK!!! One of our investigators, Jose is seriously golden! His baptism is this up coming Saturday and our entire ward is excited. This week he came running into the lesson with his Permission Slip. "My mom said yes!" We are so excited. Really I cannot wait until Saturday.

So, this past Wednesday my companion had to go to Immigrations (I hope I spelt that right) and so I was in a trio for the day. It was actually really good! We studied and taught a few lessons. I honestly like being with just one companion better than having 2. One is a lot easier. But at lunch we were playing with Play-Dough with a little boy and it was fun. I attached a picture of it!

My Trio!

MOM! I GOT THE PACKAGE!!! And since I seriously ate all of the goldfish in like 20 minutes. I kept the wrapper and made it into my planner cover. I get to see Goldfish everyday! Hey everyone, if you love me, send Goldfish! They don't have here in Peru and I miss them dearly. But really Mom, thank you so much for the package. I loved it, and all the post-cards. It made this missionary really happy! Thanks a ton!

MY PACKAGE!!

Lastly, this week my companion and I watched Roosters Fight! It is super duper popular here. And there are competitions for it with trophies and all. One of our recent converts, Coco (the one we had a birthday party with) has over 400 roosters that he raises and trains. We were meeting with him and he gave us an address to meet him at with his family. We went over and he was at this place where there was roosters... FIGHTING! Weirdest thing I have every seen in my life. Not a huge fan, but afterwards my companion and I went down to the ring to take a few pictures. Hope you enjoy!

My Companion and I in the Rooster Ring

Anyways, it's crazy that I'm almost at 6 months. Time is flying and I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to serve here in Peru. I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and I know this church is true. I love and miss you all!! 

Con mucho amor,

Herma'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Peru

This Week was Wonderful! Really it Was!

I just love being a missionary and serving here in Perú.

This week was my companions birthday, we committed someone to baptism, we didn’t have any electricity (okay, that was the bad part), and being called an ELDER!  

So, Hermana Alvarez is 20! Woo! This past Friday was a beautiful day! First of all it was the first day in almost 2 weeks where there was sun! It’s been over-cast, raining, and freezing for these past 2 weeks. But finally, we have sun! And it’s starting to get hot here. Oh no… Anyways, my companions birthday! So, every Friday night we have a “noche misional” in the church. This past Friday we had a BINGO night, which was VERY successful by the way. Afterwards we went to a members house and had a little party. Cake, friends, and great memories. Again, one last time… FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS HERMANA ALVAREZ!!!

Birthday Party for Hermana Alvarez

Birthday Cake!!

Well 2 weeks ago, my companion and I contacted 2 teenage boys on the street, they had their guitars on their backs and we just decided to talk to them. We invited them to the English class on Wednesday and didn't think too much about it afterwards. Well, Wednesday comes, and guess who was at the door waiting for us to start our class? Those same 2 boys with their guitars. Well after the class we started teaching them, Josè and Jhordan, and now they are progressing really well! Jose, who is 16, accepted a date to be baptized! Woo! But we are waiting for his mom to give him permission. She said that when can see a change him him she will sign. But really he is great! We give him sections to read in the Book of Mormon and we meet with him the next day, and he has finished the sections and wanting a new chapter to read. We are really excited for Jose! Actually, excited for both of them!

My Band!!
Jose and Jhordan with a few other members.  I sing and they play.

Anyways, the only bad part of this week was being without electricity... And that also mean, cold cold water! Here, all water is cold. If you want it heated, it's done electrically. If you want a hot shower, you turn on the water, then you flip a switch and it heats the water. Well, for some reason, last Monday night when we came home. we didn't have any light. Nor did we have light for the rest of the week! Not fun having a cold shower... But, it sure does wake you up in the mornings! But don't worry, we now have light and hot water. So Hermana Alvarez and I are very happy about that!

Lastly, apparently I'm an Elder!  Last Tuesday we had a multi-zone conference. And I was given a certificate for completing my first 12 weeks in the field. There's a training for the new missionaries, and once you've completed you recieve a certificate! Well, I finished... but one of my brothers gets my certificate since it says, "ELDER KARRATTI" When President handed it to me, I looked at the certificate, laughed and said. "Presidente, soy una hermana." He looked at it, grabbed it back, rolled his eyes, and started laughing. Everyone else started laughing, as well. And for the rest of the conference I was referred to as "Elder Karratti".

Elder Karratti

Again, I love being a missionary and it's crazy that I am almost to my 6 months mark! Time sure flies when you're having fun! I know this church is true and I know I'm needed here! I love you all and miss you dearly! Pray for the missionaries! We need it!!

Love you all!!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú