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

Buenos Dias a Todos!

Wow! This week went by so fast! it's hard to remember everything that happened.

Thinking back on this week, all I can really remember is a clown, a pig head, finding new investigators, and just teaching with the spirit. Other than these, I don't really remember much else. If I do remember later, I'll be sure to mention it.

This upcoming week is Hermana Alvarez's birthday! Same day as Brandon's. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAND!! Last week was a recent convert, Hermano Coco's, birthday. Our Mission Leader has a business, he's a clown! He does birthday parties and other fiestas. He also works for Hermano Coco in his shirt printing business. So, on Friday we had a "Noche de Hogar" (FHE) in their house, but really it was a birthday party for Hermano Coco. It was fun! Sadly I wasn't able to celebrate the party with Hna. Alvarez since we were on a work visit with the Sister Training Leaders. My comp. was in another area while I was here with Hna. Molina from Ecuador. She's a really good leader. But I'll just say I was really happy to have my companion back afterwards. 

Birthday Party for Hermano Coco

So, more weird food! Check eating a pig head off my bucket list. Yesterday for lunch I had a pig head! Apparently the family that we ate with has a tradition; last person to enter the room gets the head. Guess who was the last? Me. Weird experience having a pig head stare at you while eating lunch. But! It was actually really good. I might just have to walk in last once more. 

My Pig Head ... Smile Porky!!

Well, on Saturday it was both super hard, and super great! All of our lessons that we had planned fell through. It was about 6pm and we hadn't taught a lesson. Our mission leader, Miguel, was with us and he offered a prayer asking where we could go to teach. We all received the feeling that we should go down this street that we usually never walk down. We stopped to talk to this woman and her daughter in their little shop. They were really interested! The came to church yesterday, and when we went back for another lesson yesterday, their whole family was there waiting for us! Golden Investigators!! They're married (which is VERY rare here), and they have 3 little girls. I am so excited for this family!

 

Our Gospel Doctrine Class.  We're slowly getting bigger!

Anyway, I love this new area, and I love the members here. They are always willing to help. Just to name a few for example. Miguel (our unofficial Mission Leader). He was baptized in March, and has the strongest testimony of anyone I've met. He has pretty much devoted his life to missionary work. He always wants to accompany us in the lessons, and we are so lucky to have him! Another family that I absolutely love is the Huapayas. He's the 2nd counselor in the bishopric and she's in the Young Women’s. They have 3 children who are so great. I told their son, Christian, that my brother has a Master’s Degree in Video Games. And then he told his parents, "I'm moving to Utah to study Video Games!" I love this family!!

Familia Huapaya

I couldn't be happier to be a missionary. It's the greatest calling ever! Know that I love you all and miss you very much. Also know, that I know this church is true! God does answer prayers and He wants us to be happy. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. READ IT! It can and will change your life. I love my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and I am so blessed to be serving here in Perú. I love you all! Have a wonderful week!!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Preachin' in Perú

I’m the Brownie Master!

Can I just say that I LOVE being a missionary?

Really, it's the greatest thing I've ever done. I love serving, I love teaching, I love meeting new people. It's just the bomb.com (ask your mom) This past week was really good for Hermana Alvarez and I. Visiting the Center of Lima, teaching English, making more brownies, and just being goofs!

So last Monday, my Zone went to the Center of Lima, and it was really fun! We toured churches, famous museums and just explored. 

My Zone this past Monday in the Center of Lima

We went on this one tour which took us to the top of a mountain which over looks all of Lima. This said mountain of course had a gigantic cross on the top which lights up at night. It's called "Cruz del Cerro San Cristobal" it was really interesting! Our favorite part was taking pictures at the top looking over all of Lima. Lima is HUGE! I only serve in a tiny part of it. Holy Cow it's big! But anyways, it was fun being tourists for a day.

My Companion and I with Hermano Miguel
(a member from our ward who came with us to Lima Central)

This past week, my District was trying to think of ideas on how to get more references and have more investigators. Then we thought of doing english classes. So Elder Wagstaff and I teach an English class every week in the chapel. We even had one of our investigators bring her 5 year old cousin, and she honestly knew more than everyone else in the class! I wrote "Estoy feliz" on the board and she yelled out, "I am happy!" How a 5 year old knows so much English, I don't know. 

So the lessons are going pretty well. We have a family that we're teaching that is really progressing. Elena with her 3 daughters. Fiorella (19), Antuanè (16), and Ariatna (8). We only started with Antuane but then we met her family and they wanted to listen, as well. Lately though, Antuane hasn't been wanting to listen to us, it's kinda sad but we're not giving up! Fiorella, her older sister is really progressing. She loves reading in the Book of Mormon, and she even accepted a baptismal date for the 27th of this month! We are all really looking forward to it!

Anyways, I don't know why, but this ward LOVES brownies. Everyone is always asking me if I'll make brownies. So yesterday, a family in my ward, the Huapayas, had us over for lunch and while Hermano Huapaya made lunch. I made the brownies. He's a chef for a big restaurant here so the food was really yummy! And to top it off we had brownies at the end. So, it was really delicious! Ha! Practically everyone in my ward wants me to make them brownies. 

Lastly, this week Hermana Alvarez and I have been such goofs! As you can see from some of the photos I've attached, we just go crazy sometimes! With our sunglasses, to being swag masters. We are just nuts! I love my companion.

My Companion and I ... The Dorks!

Well, I love you all and I miss you a ton! Know that you're all in my prayers and that I think of you all often. Pray for the missionaries... we need it!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Preachin' in Perú

5 MONTHS!!!

Can you believe it? I've been a missionary for 5 whole months! That's so crazy!

My companion was so cute this morning, when I got out of the shower she had put a bunch of candies on my bed with a cute sign that said "Feliz 5 Meses!" She is so great!!

Hermana Alvarez and I ... Beautiful, right?

First off, Hermana Espinoza (my old companion) and I had our baptism last Saturday! I was really lucky to be able to go back to my last area for the baptism. When I walked in, Milagros ran up to me and gave me a huge hug! Ahh it was so great! I'm soo happy about the whole experience. Everything went smoothly and everyone was so happy. Really I could talk about the baptism this entire email. Ha I kept thinking the whole time "This is why I'm here!!"

My Baptism with Milagros

Anyways, this week has been grand! Monday was P-day, and my zone was yet again playing soccer. So while we were playing I got hit by the ball... HARD! It wasn't the greatest experience. Anyways, the rest of Monday and into Tuesday I was having a hard time breathing correctly. I didn't really sleep that much on Monday. So on Tuesday during District Meeting my District Leader asked me if I would like a blessing. Elder Wagstaff (who's new in the mission, this is his 2nd week) offered to give it. Seriously, it was an AMAZING blessing! The spirit was so strong. And now I am having no problems and everything’s fine. I am so thankful for the priesthood. It is truly the power of God.

My District at Lunch the other day

My Little Crab Friend that was in my Lunch!  So Yummy!!

Well, I am really excited for P-day today! President Erickson has granted us Permission to visit the Central of Lima (out of the mission) where all the history of Peru is. Museums, Art Galleries and many other fun things! I'll be sure to take pictures and send them all to you next week!

I am so happy to be here in Perú and I am beyond thankful to be serving my Heavenly Father. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I love and miss you all!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Preachin' in Perú

Hola from Canto Rey!!

First of all, I want to congratulate the future...HERMANA JOCELYN HARDING! I'm so excited for you Joce! Tennessee is getting one heck of a missionary! I cannot wait to be speaking Spanish with my best buddy!

Secondly, I'm in a new area! Kinda weird, but great at the same time. Monday after writing our families we found out who had changes. I was one of the 3 in my Zone who were having changes. So Monday was hard going around and saying goodbye to all the members and investigators. I sure miss them! I attached a few pictures of some of the members from my last area. Alejandro is almost 3 years old and calls me his "novia" so saying goodbye to him was really hard! 

Anyways, Tuesday I found out where I was going and who my new companion was. So now I'd like to introduce my new companiom, Hermana Alvarez from Columbia. She's wonderful! This is actually her 3rd mission; she had to return home 2 times because she has knee problems. Her first 2 missions were in Columbia, and her 3rd mission is here in Perú. Really, she is great and we have tons of fun together. She loves music, so we have fun jamming out to our Disney music and church music. I'm even starting to learn Disney songs in Spanish! How cool is that? Well.about my new area: it's about an hour south of my old area, and it's totally different! Hermana Alvarez and I are opening this area, as well. 2nd time opening an area! It's a lot bigger and a whole lot more people. But a whole lot less church attendance. Yesterday we had 83 people in Sacrament Meeting, and we were told we have over 400 members in the ward. Oh boy! Busy busy busy! But I'm happy to be here. Ward: Canto Rey, Stake: Canto Grande, Area: San Juan de Lurigancho. So very different but all apart of the mission!

My New Companion, Hermana Alvarez from Columbia

On Friday we were at a less active's house and she asked me if I knew how to make brownies. Apparently she bought brownie mix but didn't know how to make them since all the instructions were in English! So I helped her make Betty Crocker Brownies. They were sooo good! I didn't realize how much I missed them. We even ate them with Vanilla Ice Cream. Oh it was delicious! 

Brownies and Ice Cream ... YUM!!

So, basically this week has just been trying to find members to teach and getting used to my new area and trying to found out where we are. I love my new area but I sure miss my old one. But! I'm really excited!  Since my mission is pretty small, I was granted permission to go back this Saturday for my investigators baptisms! One of the Hermanas asked if I could be there and I was told I could. I am so excited for this special day!

Well, I love you all and I think about you too. Pray for the missionaries, Please!  We need it. And also write us! We like letters... PLEASE!!

I love you all!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Preachin' in Perú

A Very HUMBLING Week!

Oh what a great morning this is! Kind of a little crazy too.

Today we find out who will be transferred and honestly, I don't want my companion or I to go. This past week with my comp. has seriously been the best week in my entire mission. We have a baptism this Saturday, we had an amazing service project, and we've taught some great lessons! I have the best companion ever!!

The Greatest Companion Ever!

So coming up WE HAVE A BAPTISM! I don't know who's more excited... Me or her! Milagros (the girl we've been teaching) is just awesome! This past week she had her first interview with our District leader, and before we were talking with her about the questions that he would be asking, and try to go over a few things that we haven't taught yet. And really, she knows everything! Before the interview we wanted to talk a little about the Word of Wisdom, because we hadn't had the opportunity to teacher her about it quite yet. We started talking and then she said, "Oh I know all about that! I don't smoke, drink, or do any of those things I don't like it." It was great! Now every time we have a lesson, she tells us how excited she is for her baptism! 

Joce, I got your Package!!
THANK YOU!  YOU'RE THE BEST!!

This past Saturday we had a service project. And seriously, it was one of the most humbling experiences ever. We went to one of the Elders in my Zones area, and we were told we would be destroying a house. We went up to the top of the Cerros and there was a house, well actually it was just a room. Built out of scraps of wood, and there was 5 people living in this tiny room. Their floor was dirt, and there were bugs everywhere! It was kinda scary! Their youngest daughter couldn't walk and it was just heart breaking. Well we dissembled their house and the ward is building a new one. It was really humbling how much I have and how much I take for granted. 

Proselytizing in the Mall (Hehe)

Anyways, this week was wonderful and I couldn't be more happy to be here serving in Peru. People are amazing here and I just love being a missionary! 

I hope this finds you all well! I love and miss you all!!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Preachin' in Perú

One Week Until Transfers!!

Buenos dias!

So, one more week left in this transfer, wow that's crazy how fast time is going. Hermana Espinoza and I were talking the other day about how when we started together I had just over a month, and she had 7. Now I'm past 4 months and my companion hits 10 months this week. Oh how fast time flies! Anyways, how is everyone this week? How was the family reunion? I must say, I am pretty bummed I missed it. My first time missing a family reunion!

This week for me has been really good actually! Happily nothing was stolen from me! On Monday (Día de Independencia) my companion and I had a FHE with a family and my companion made Honduranian food. It was sooo good! My comp. is basically a magician in the kitchen. She makes our breakfast everyday and it's so delicious. 

Hermana Doginoza!

Tuesday was just a day of teaching. Well, trying to teach. Our numbers this week were VERY low. Mainly because Independence Day here in Perú is basically Independence WEEK! Practically everything is closed and everyone is gone at parties or visiting family. So we had a lot fewer lessons. But, the few lessons that we had, were amazing! The girl I talked about last week whose best friend is a member accepted baptism for the 16th of this month! We were talking out of a lesson with her and she was talking about how she wants to serve a mission with her best friend. I told her how I want my best friend, Jocelyn, to come to this mission. And we all started talking about missions. Then my comp. said, "Wait, we need to get you baptized first!" We're really excited for her baptism!

A Fun Family in My Ward!  I Love being a Missionary!!

Wednesday we had a service project and we were building stairs. And after the project we were walking back to our apartment and a family passed us. The all told us how different we looked with pants on. Then, their son asked my comp. "You have 2 legs?" We all started laughing. Yes missionaries are real people! 

So yes, this week was great! It's crazy that this transfer is almost over. I don't want to leave this area and neither does my companion! Ahh the struggles!

Cute Sister Missionaries in Peru
We were walking through the park and my companion wanted a picture together.

Anyways, I love you all and I hope this letter brings you joy and happiness! I know that I'm here for a reason, and I couldn't be more happy to be teaching this wonderful gospel to these people. They make me so happy! I know without a doubt that this church is true! It's wonderful!!

I love you all!!

Con mucho amor,

Herm'ANNA' Karratti

Preachin' in Perú