THANK YOU!! It's O-FISH-al. I have the best family ever!!

Family, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PACKAGE!!!!!!

I was so happy when I received it. Thank you a million!! This week has been great! And I couldn't be happier! 

Package!!

Last week as I told you all, we went to the Center of Lima. We were able to tour some of the churches in Lima, mostly catholic churches, and it was interesting learning some new things about different religions. 

My Zone in the Center of Lima

But my favorite part was being able to leave the mission and see something new. Also, being able to see and visit a FIRE STATION here in Perú!! I was really happy to visit with some of the "Bomberos" and tell them that my dad and brother are also Firefighters. 

FIRE TRUCK!!

 Also this week my companion and I made some new friends, we were on our way to teach one of our investigators and there was a group of girls playing volley-ball. Well my companion started playing with them, and then they invited me. They only wanted me to play because I was tall, and I could spike the ball. But afterwards we were able to share a little with them on who we were and why we were in skirts. We invited them to church and our activities, and this past Sunday 2 of them came! We were really excited when they walked in! 

My New Friends after our Volleyball Game

We also met a wonderful woman Hermana Candelaria, please keep her in your prayers. She has Cancer in her lungs and she's not doing so well. We actually met her through her son. We were walking in the street and her son, Miguel, contacted us! He asked us if we could come bless his mom. We talked with him a little and found out what was wrong and afterwards we called the Elders. We met her and she is a wonderful woman. She's only 55 years old but she looks close to 80 with how sick she is. It's really sad. Please keep her in your prayers! We trying to do everything we can for her.

Well family and friends, I love you and miss you ALL!! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving this week and eat lots of Turkey for me!! Keep the missionaries in your prayers! Have a great week!!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

It's Getting Hot!!

Good morning everyone! 

Hows is everyone doing this morning? Yes, I know I'm on earlier than normal... sorry! My zone will be traveling to the Center of Lima to tour today so we started internet an hour earlier today! I hope as always that this finds you all happy and well. Know that I'm doing wonderful even though it feels like it's a million degrees. We're heading into summer here, and I am told from everyone that this is nothing apparently. The "real summer" is January and February. AHH!! I'm going to melt! But I think somehow I'll survive... at least I hope!

Well, this week was pretty funny. My companion, Hermana Osinaga and I were asked to help with a presentation in Seminary and we were asked if we could represent the Gadianton Robbers in the Book of Mormon. So Dad and Bryce, you're not the only ones who were Gadianton Robbers. I personally think we look hilarious, nothing like Gadianton Robbers just like a bunch of girls with a lot of weird things on our faces but hey, we tried!  

Gadianton Robbers

We're Such Crazy Sisters!

Also this week we found the greatest family! Remember how last week I told you about the family that we helped in the Cerros? The family that we brought bags of cement to the top of the mountains? Well this week we went back to teach them and they are wonderful! They're family is great and we are really excited to teach them!

My Companion and I on the top of the Cerros ... Selfie!

Other than that not too much has happened this week, sorry this isn't the most exciting letter but really it's been a great week. Teaching some wonderful lessons and feeling the spirit! I love being a missionary and teaching this gospel. I love serving here in Peru, it's wonderful! I love and miss you all soooo much! Have a wonderful week!

Con MUCHO amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

Same Area, New Companion

Buenos Dias!

How is everyone this fine week? I hope as always that this finds you all well and happy. So, this week was a bit of a change for me. I had to say goodbye to Hermana Alvarez which was very hard. Monday was a night with a lot of tears and a lot of goodbyes. But I know that those transfers are for a reason and that she is needed in her new area. But I also know that I am going to miss her a lot!

Last Picture with Hermana Alvarez

Anyways, I have a new companion! Hermana Osinaga from Bolivia. She is really great, she knows a lot and I am grateful that I will have this time to be with her. This week we were up in the Cerros (the mountains) and we were trying to find new people to teach. We were near the top (which I must say it is VERY hard to climb a mountain in a skirt) and we found this family. There were building a house and we offered our help. We helped a little, and then we offered to come back on Saturday for a Service Project. They accepted, so we went back (in pants) on Saturday. The service project was to bring bags of cement from the bottom of the mountain up to the top where there house was. Well each of these bags of Cement weighed about 42.5 KG which is about 93 pounds each. They were super heavy. I must say I was very proud of myself because I didn't take only 1 but 2 bags up the mountain. By the end all of us were sweating so much. It also didn't help the fact that right now in Peru, we are in Summer. And it's really hot here, and the missionary tan lines are as great as ever.

My New Companion, Hermana Osinaga

What else, not really too much else to report. This last week at our Noche Misional we played Bingo and one of the prizes was a huge stuffed monkey. Well my little Peruvian twin, Dayanna won. She's the daughter of Family Huapaya that I've talked about a few times. When she yelled bingo she came running to the front! "I won the Monkey!" It was quite fun.

The Monkey with Familia Huapaya

Well I love and miss you all so much! Crazy to think that we're in November. Sure doesn't feel like it here. It feels like we're in the middle of June. It's so hot here! But apparently it's only going to get hotter. Woo hoo!! But I know that I'm needed here. I am so happy to be serving here in Peru and I am so grateful to be serving my Lord and Savior. Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

Last Week of Transfers!

Buenos dias a todos! 

Happy November! Wow, can't believe it's already November. Actually, want to know something kinda cool? I was reading in my journal last night, and a year ago today I was studying at BYU. And a year ago today, I had an interview with my Stake President, and a year ago today I hit the "submit" button to send in my mission papers. How crazy is that? Fast forward a year, and here I am in Peru! This year went by way fast. So, how is everyone?This week was pretty great for Hermana Alvarez and I. Not the most eventful week, but it was still great.

Hermana Alvarez and I at a Family Home Evening

I don't know if I've told you, but in my mission, while the North Americans are learning Spanish. The Latinos are learning English. Well, my companion really wants to learn English. Mainly because her Dad speaks it and she wants to talk to him in English. Anyways, we have a rule in our house, "English only in the House!" Well this week she asked me something really funny. "Hermana, what does Butthead mean?" I looked at her and laughed, "Where did you hear that?" she said, "I don't remember. You said it one time and I think I heard it on the TV. But what does it mean?" I honestly didn't know how to respond. Finally after sometime we had a definition. Now it's one of her favorite sayings, "My companion is a Butthead!"

Happy Halloween!

Well, Happy belated Halloween! Here in Peru, they celebrate Halloween differently. Actually, they don't really celebrate it at all. There aren't a million kids un the street Trick-or-treating, only a few. If any. And really, it's different. Anyways, a kid in my ward, Joseph turned 12 on the 31st, so his family threw a party. The missionaries (the Elders and us) passed by, and our Ward Mission Leader (who was the clown for the party) gave us masks. Hence the pictures with masks. 

I MUSTACHE you a question!

 Lastly, I MUSTACHE you a question, isn't my companion the best? Well yes she is. But sadly, today is the last week of tranfers. And there is about a 92% chance that she'll be transferred since she has 6 months in this area. But hey! I'm still hoping on the 8% chance that she won't and we'll have one more change together.

Well like I've said many times, I love being a missionary! It's the best. Can't believe this year is almost over. It's truly flying by! I love and miss you all! Write the missionaries... We like letters!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Predicando en Perú

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