Monday, September 26, 2016

Hey!!
M got baptized!! Her daughter is a member and she had been going to church off and on for a few years, but never wanted to be baptized beforehand. She only speaks Quechua but understands a lot of Spanish, so we find ways to understand each other haha. Not very many ward member came to her baptism, but it was still great.
All the hermanas in our zone also received permission to go out to eat and then watch the General Women's Conference together, which was super fun. In my personal study these past 2 transfers, I have been focusing on 2 things: charity and the doctrine of Christ. So, I pretty much got my mind blown during the conference :)
My companion and I also received a lot of help from members in our ward, this past week, and it makes such a difference. Multiple members not only gave us references (which almost never happens), but accompanied us when we went and visited them. We have multiple new investigators who are much more likely to progress and come to Church. The difference when missionaries and members work together is very evident, and I'm very grateful.
Thank you for all the love and support! I love being here in the mission, and I'm grateful that I have a family that has done so much to help me get here.
When I arrived, President Hansen promised me that if I was obedient, I would experience more joy than I had ever felt before my mission. And it is so, so true.  This is the work of the Lord, and I love it.
Hna. Rupp





Monday, September 19, 2016

Hey guys!!
I don't have a whole lot to report this week, but it was good!
When we got to Church Sunday, we only had 1 investigator and 1 less active who came, and I couldn't help but feel discouraged. I started to pray because I didn't know what more to do to help people come, and I'm trying to do the best I can. However, about 10 minutes later, a family showed up. Not all of them came, but the mother- who has never wanted to come to Church beforehand- was there, and I think she will be the key in helping her family progress. I felt so blessed and grateful in that moment, and I know that the Lord does His part when we strive to do ours.
Sorry, I don't have a lot more to say this week, and I also didn't take very many pictures haha, but the next one will be better :)
This week was have a baptism. She only speaks Quechua, but her daughter is a member, and she's very ready for her baptism. I'm excited! I'll let you know how it goes!
Have an awesome week. I love you all!!
Hna. Rupp


Family photo: I now have a little sister in the mission! my trainer is training for the 2nd time, and they're both in my zone!
I don't know why we thought this second picture was so funny



Tuesday, September 13, 2016

September 12

This week was pretty tiring, but I also saw a lot of tender mercies. 
My companion and I flew to Cochabamba Wednesday for Leadership Council, which is always very spiritual. My President spoke a lot about the pride, which pretty much hit the nail on the head for me haha (is that an expression? I can't remember now). When we got back we went to help look for a house for 2 more hermanas that are coming to our zone, which took longer than we expected, so we didn't have a whole lot of time to work in our area. 
My companion and I were a little stressed about the people we hadn't been able to visit, but I know they'll be alright. For example, there is one family that we found last week, and they are so prepared. Last night we had an appointment, and the mother told us that for the past few months she has had a lot of religious doubts, and that she felt that what we had taught was helping her answer them. The family accepted a baptismal date, and I know that they will each receive and answer to their prayers because they are very sincere.
We also have another woman that we teach, and recently her 12 year old grandson has been joining us in the lessons, but, to be honest, I think we were putting a little more emphasis on the grandma than on him. 
When we asked her if she had prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was true, she short of shrugged it off and told us that she hadn't been able to. However, her grandson looked at us and gave a firm yes. A little surprised, I asked him how he felt when he had prayed, and he told me, "Clean. Very pure." I was touched by his sincerity and reminded of the promise that every person with real intention can and will receive an answer to their prayers. I love you guys!!
Hermana Rupp

My comp and I called our pensionista Saturday and told her we wouldn't make it to lunch, just so we could go see the parade thay had over the weekend. This computer won't let me send the videos I took of the dances, which is a real bummer because they're pretty cool. My comp and I were literally right next to them. But, I guess you can seem them in 5 months haha












Monday, September 5, 2016

Heyooo.
This was a solid week. Well, we have to postpone our baptism planned for this week so our investigator's children can come, which was disappointing, but she'll be baptized soon so I guess that's the most important. 
We were on our way to an appointment, and we passed by a football field where they were just finishing up a tournament. They were in the middle of the award ceremony and there was a group of people, so we stopped to take a look. And the prize they were giving out was awesome haha. They gave a sheep to the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd place teams, and to the champions, they gave a bull. A BULL. What the heck are a group of teenagers gonna do with a bull haha? Sell it, I suppose because I doubt they know how to do anything else with it. My comp and I were cracking up. 
This past weekend and the next one there is also a festival for the virgen Guadalupe. Friday and Saturday area gonna be crazy because everyone is going to be dancing in the parade for her, or watching. And drinking. Should be interesting. They started a little bit yesterday so my comp and I took some pictures as we passed by. Their dances are pretty cool.
I hope you have an awesome week. I love you!!
Hna. Rupp

My comp and I were messing around with some headphones we have in our house haha. DJ RUPP

The picture of the little boy with his bike is probably one of my favorite pictures I've taken here. 









Saturday, September 3, 2016

August 29

Hey!!
This was a great week. Our investigator was baptized!! She wasn't very sure about her baptismal date at first, but the week beforehand her attitude changed completely. She's had a rough past and now lives her with her aunt and uncle, and I love seeing the change in her.
I also had my interview with President Hansen, which is always great. I also feel even more motivated to work hard after speaking with him.
Other than that, we just worked and worked. My companion and I have a lot of fun, especially when we're contacting, because people just say the funniest stuff. There's one cholita whos was on her way to the chicherĂ­a to drink the night away, but I think we talked her out of it haha.
Sometimes, however, it makes me a little sad. When we speak with someone in the street, it could be the first, and last, time that they hear of the gospel. And I've come to realize that it is not something that I should take lightly. I think my companion and I are improving in being very direct with our contacts, and bearing testimony whenever we can.
I'm not sure what it is about time in the internet cafe, but I always have a lot to say, and the moment I start to write I seem to forget all of it haha. Sorry 'bout it. This was my best attempt at a detailed, heartfelt, and spiritual letter :)
I love you guys! Have a great week!
Hermana Rupp

August 22

Family!
This week I have learned to rely even more on the Spirit. There were multiple lessons in which we started and I didn't really know what to say. However, as I began to pray for the company of the Holy Ghost- and I'm sure my companion was doing same- they ended up being very powerful. I think that one of the most rewarding parts of the mission is that the Lord allows you to feel some of the love that he feels towards each one of His children. It will be my goal to feel that same love for others when I return home.
I'm sort of drawing a blank on all that has happened this week (but don't worry, we worked hard), so I'll share something that has been on my mind a lot recently :) 
I have been studying humility this week, and the thought came to me that it's only a matter of comparison. Pride comes from comparing yourself with others and taking pleasure in the fact that you doing something better than them (at least from your perspective), whereas humility is comparing yourself with you Savior and Redeemer, and realizing that you have a long way to go. Now, I'm not saying that to be humble is to have low self esteem because you can not ever arrive to the perfection that is Jesus Christ, but rather realizing that this should be your goal, and that you depend on the Lord completely in order to achieve it. And when you recognize and remember this dependence, you then grow in a way you never could have otherwise.
Thanks for everything, and I love you a lot!
Hna. Rupp
P.S. I did not take one photo this week, so van a discuplar. And even if I had, I'm not sure I'd send them haha, because I shower, put my hair in a bun, and start to study. There's no time in the mission to worry what you look like :)