Missionary Work with Elders

President Marler joined the Elders as they taught investigators in Chimbote and Trujillo, in the Porvenir and Central Zones.  President Marler commented, "I am so very proud to walk with and teach with these wonderful elders.  The people of Peru are kind and gentle and I love them"

Elder Almonacid and Elder Bramble with a friend in Chimbote

Elder Castillo joined Elders Rotolo & Elder DeLaCruz for a photo op!

Elder Randall and Elder Arias had a wonderful week...
a day with President Marler and...

Elder Massey & Elder Mollo with Hermana Karolay and Elder Randall and Elder Arias with the Ortiz Family.

Families Baptized on Saturday

We had the great privilege to attend some baptisms on Saturday.  What a marvelous time it is to see members gather to welcome families into the Church of Jesus Christ.  

The Baptism of the Ortiz Family and Hermana Karolay was lovely.  Here family and friends gather before the baptism.

In Porvenir, the Reyes family was baptized by Elder Guyman and Elder Rodriguez.  It is such a blessing to have families enter the waters of baptism together.

Everyone was so very happy...

D&C 18:15

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people and, and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"

Missionary Work with the Hermana's

We started our week in Chimbote.  Hermana Marler went with Hermana Sermorile & Hermansa Martinez.  What a magnificent day.  We taught four lessons, and met the most wonderful people.  

First Moto Taxi Ride...oh yes this is one fun adventure!

Hermana Semorile

Hermana Semorile demonstrating: hanging on for dear life!

Hermana Martinez

I do have one regret, I wish I had a picture of the Lara family in Chimbote...they are a wonderful couple, the age of my parents.  Hermano Leo built boats for a living, like my dad.  I felt at home in their home, such a beautiful spirit there.  I can't wait to go back and see them.

Hermano Leo, when will I be coming back to Chimbote? 

first view of Huanchaco, these are straw fishing boats

Went visiting Young Women with the Young Women's President

Hermana Smith and Hermana Palacio demonstrate the path to walk from one part of Huanchaco to the other.

Hermana Smith and Hermana Palacio with Hermana Marler

Woo Hoo another Moto Taxi ride!

Then off to Primavera...here you see Hermana Balcaza, Skirvin and Ivie with one of the lambs in the neighborhood         

Hermana Marler loved being out with the Sisters.  This is what missionary service is about, bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who do not have the opportunity to know the Savior and His great atoning sacrifice for us.  

Why we love Viru

Viru is a little Pueblo just south of Trujillo.  It is a cute, quaint town with such a lovely feeling.  President Marler and I enjoyed church in Viru our second Sunday in Peru.  The people in the branch were the most kind, loving people and we couldn't wait to return.

We needed to travel to Chimbote for a training, and on the way home, we decided to stop in Viru and enjoy another day there.  We met with the Missionaries in the morning...and they are the best!  Elder Cerpa and Elder Jimenez are the Zone Leaders and they lead their zone with such strength and spirituality.

We met President Blass at the Plaza de Armas and there was a festival today, so I took a few pictures for everyone to enjoy.  Each school had prepared foods from the various regions of the Viru area.  They were displayed beautifully and ready for judging.

Elder Smith enjoyed one of the displays a little too much, how was that roasted lizard?

Roasted Lizard in a fruit sauce

This is Cuy (Guinia Pig for the North Americans) it is a delicacy here, especially in a few of the regions.  I hear it tastes like...chicken.  I think I like the display the best with the two cut and Kurt voted for the tooth shot!

Here are some of the children dressed in native costumes, aren't they beautiful!

What a lovely day, what a beautiful community.

A beautiful fruit display

Just a cute picture of happy children in Viru

Live grubs..

Elder Bravo has a birthday- Zona Central Plays hard, works hard

The final zone conference was held on Monday with the Zona Central.  This is a zone that works hard and plays hard as well.  We had a great time together at the Mission Office.  The Employment Office is next door to our office, so we are getting to know and work with the wonderful folks that help in training, job placement and educational pursuits.  They are wonderful folks and a joy to be with.

Elder Hoyos realizes that if you do two at once, your team can win in no time

You would think they won a soccer game with all this enthusiasm, and not carry M&Ms on straws while running around the room!

I have to whistle with how many marshmellows in my mouth? Hermana Romero is having too much fun.

Hermana Rojas can't whistle, an easy win for Hermana Worlton.

A lovely musical number by the Missionaries

Hermana Childer lead a wonderful choir

Happy Birthday Elder Bravo!  

Elder Bravo Celebrated his birthday with style

Guest Blogger- Hermana Skirvin's Mom

The Skirvin family have a very unique situation...4 missionaries serving missions in 4 different countries...  One of their triplets, Hermana Skirvin serves in Misión Trujillo!  I thought it might be nice to hear from Sister Skirvin.

The 3 Hermana Skirvins at the MTC

Many people have asked what it is like having 4 missionaries out at the same time. This has been the first time I have been able to take time with my response. As many parents know, helping a missionary get ready for a mission can be a bit of a whirlwind. We had just sent my oldest, Garrett, to Toronto, Canada, when the announcement came that the ages had changed and girls could go at 19. Since Garrett is older by 6 months to my triplets, Monica, Marissa, and Mallory, the announcement made quite a stir. Within a month, all the girls asked their dad for a blessing, after reading their patriarchal blessings together. The answer? Serve a mission. The were called to Concepcion, 
Chile, Resistencia, Argentina, and Trujilo, Peru, respectively. As a family we have tried to teach the gospel to our children and teach them to live a good life. That no longer seems enough. Now, we need to prepare and keep up with our 4 missionaries. I must admit that I write one letter to all and then send each missionary their own additional letter. Every monday is devoted to reading and rereading their letters. Their personalities shine between the lines of each letter. When they are on line, my husband and I rush to the computer, just to send and extra note. Luckily, they are not all in the same time zone! 

 Brother, Elder Skirvin in Canada (on the right)

As they have been preparing for their mission, and are now serving, the brightest blessings we have received are within our family. We have 3 more teenagers, who's testimonies have become stronger. I know for myself, I am not  even a little shy to tell others I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My daughter Suzy is sharing the gospel with her non member friends, Eli is making good choices and has been a real inspiration to others, and Wes, as the youngest is growing up knowing that missionary work and sharing the gospel is just how we live. My husband has become closer to Heavenly Father and lives by the inspiration he receives for his work and his personal life. I know that all this is pretty normal for other families. But for our family, I feel like we have taken the next step, or my son might say we have "leveled up". We want to keep up with our missionaries, so we have made the temple a priority for our children and ourselves. We have made financial and sacrifices as well as other sacrifices, but that is just one of many steps to living a consecrated life, isn't it? 

Received their calls on the same day!

The joy in my heart, when I hear Garrett, Monica, Marissa, and Mallory share their testimony of the gospel with me, is beyond any sacrifice I could possibly make. They will struggle some days. They will feel like flying some days. And as each day passes I pray that the gospel of Jesus Christ will sink into their soul and glow. I know the Gospel is true. I am grateful to Heavenly Father for my children, for keeping the triplets and Suzy and Eli safe until we could find them. I just can't imagine my life without them. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent." The words of the Savior in John 17, are a perfect example of parenthood. "And I have declared unto them they name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."

A great day at the MTC!

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Thanks Sister Skirvin, we love you, and we love your daughter...she is wonderful...

A Talent Show, a Wedding and a Baptism

Tonight we had a wonderful evening.  First we attended a Talent Show for the Porvenir Stake.  It was great.  There were vocal soloists of all ages, Peruvian dancing, missionary skits, other dance numbers, President Marler and I sang, and the evening ended with President Marler Speaking on the Book of Mormon.   I love the costumes of the Peruvian Dancer, it was terrific. 

getting ready for the next skit...Porvenir Zone

We then went to a Marriage at the Church in Las Laureles, 3 families were married and then one family was baptized.  It was so wonderful to be at a baptism where an entire family comes unto Christ.

Elder Hernandez and Elder Quispe were so filled with joy watching this wonderful family be baptized.

Palermo & Porvenir- another great day

Another day of training, what a great way to spend a day.  We have only one day left, this Thursday and we will have met with each zone and each of our 190 missionaries.

Elder Guyman, Elder Balas, Elder Rodriguez, Elder Garcia

We are amazed at the maturity and strength of the Elders and Sisters that are serving in the Perú Trujillo Mission.  It is such a pleasure to be with them and to feel of their spirit.

Each day is exciting and new, new faces, new smiles, new hopes, and sometimes a few nervous moments.

Elder Meza and Elder Soto providing training to missionaries in the Porvenir Zone

 It is nice to have an Elder or Sister walk through the door and be able to recognize them, to know that they are our friends from a past when we lived with our Father in Heaven.  Our spirits recognize one another and we know we are here for a great purpose.