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