A Poem by Elder McClelland

Elder McClelland, from Texas, wrote this poem as he sat thinking about the temple.  What a wonderful expression of his purpose as a missionary.

Peru Trujillo

Walking down the beach

I stop to teach

a family of four

comes to the door.

We explain what`s right

about God`s hope and light.

We begin to pray

to know the right way.

They start to ask

what`s God`s great task.

So we teach God`s plan

that yes it`s the eternal life of man.

We`ve gotten to the date

and they`ve stopped the wait.

All dressed in white.

O how great a sight!

Their sins are washed away

on this very sweet day.

They received the Holy Ghost

and now they`re headed to the coast.

The goal is made

now that the foundation is laid.

They are temple bound

where only eternal families are found.

Elder McClelland and his companion, Elder Winterton, with the Yarleque Family on their special day.

Slide show for Elder And Sister Smith, Mision Trujillo will miss you!

Elder and Sister Smith have been a part of the Trujillo Mission Family during the last 18 months

there family arrived on Monday night to see their mission area and 

go for a little side trip to Machu Picchu before returning home.

The Smiths have been valiant missionaries in the Viru District, and a great blessing to us all. 

Smith family, thanks for sharing your parents with us.

Here is a little slide show with a few memories of the Smith's.

One more night in the mission home...
Smith Family, here they come.

Their Last Week

Because of the temple dedication, we had this group of missionaries an extra week.  The kept themselves busy, they visited those from the temple open house that had requested visits, they gave specialized trainings to companionships throughout the mission, and they worked in the office with Sister Vaughan and Sister Angell.  

Elder Swaney, Elder Solorzano, Elder Cuevas, Elder Pearce, Elder Harris, Elder Retemal, Elder Bates, Elder Winterton, Elder Zacarias, Elder Brown, Sister Guevara, Sister Huayton, Heremana Wisa, Hermana Degracia and Hermana Sarat.

Elder Cuevas and his mom!

Elder Condori, Elder Spencer and Elder Solorzano.

Cuevas and Swaney families.

Elder Harris

Elder Bates and Elder Swaney

Elder Alvaro and Solorzano with Elder Herrera,.

Pablo Cortez with Elder Tarazona.

Heramana Degracia and Hermana Huayton enjoy the Cultural Celebration Practice.

The highlight of their week was attending the Cultural Celebration
and Dedication of the Trujillo Temple
and attending the first public session.

The Trujillo Temple Dedication

The Dedication of the Trujillo Temple was lovely.

It was wonderful to be in the temple once again with so many wonderful 

members of the Church.

 We were reminded of the importance of the temple in our lives,

and our roll to invite all to receive these sacred saving ordinances,

Baptism, the Endowment and Instructions, and the Sealing of Families for all Eternity.

 President Uchtdorf gave the Dedicatory Prayer in the 1st session.

Between sessions he walked among the members, shaking hands and sharing his love.

 Friends greeted friends between sessions.

 Elder Bednar also walked around the temple grounds and greeted guests. 

 We found a few of our returned missionaries on the grounds with their friends.

 James and Whitney Fenn with Kurt and I.  How glorious to have spent the last two years

watching the temple be built and sharing this experience with them. 

 Hugging good friends, it was so nice to talk with our dear friends, Elder Waddell and his lovely wife Carol, also from the San Diego area.

How wonderful to gather at the temple with some of our past missionaires.

Jose Rodriguez, Mariela Paiva, Pablo Cortez, Brian Chempen, Me, Angelo Chacon, 

Cristian Zavaleta, Wade Dority and José Oyarzo.

Now the temple is dedicated, the doors open now for the work of the Lord.

serine, peaceful, 

The House of the Lord.

From Hugs to Hugs …the Volk's

 Of course, in Peru there are hugs, hugs for hello, 

hugs to say we love you and hugs of greeting after long absences.

Jenny and Conor arrived with the Aiden and Elli and we couldn't stop hugging for days.

Elli celebrated her 7th birthday (a bit late) here in Peru

with the family and missionaries.

Everyone loved Grandpa's waffles.

A visit to the temple, included introducing Jen and Conor to our
Peruvian family as well.  We had such a lovely time together.

We visited the ruins of Arco Iris, 

Mom translating for Jen.  

Doing pretty good with her Spanish.

 Conor, Elli and Aiden on top of the Huaca Ruin. 

Elli loves Llamas as much as grandma does, so we spent time with llamas.

 Conor and Dad playing a little duet on the piano.

Elli's favorite juice, homemade maracuyá

(passionfruit)

 A welcome by the Casa Grande Zone. 

And playing with new friends at the beach activity with President Marler.

 Yep, he made a goal during the game.

 and Elli dug a hole with the Elder's almost to China.

 We all loved our trip to Huamachuco and the ruins at Marcahuamachuco.

 We found herds of llamas and took time to play with each and every one of them. 

 We played along the river banks and people watched.  Maybe we were the watchees!

 Plaza de Armas in Huamachuco.

Aiden and Elli pose with a couple of "old friends"
mummies from the nearby ruins.

 Marcahuamachuco Ruins, date from 200 before Christ to 1100 after Christ.

 Sister Marler and Conor herding llamas for a photo shoot by President Marler

 Just hanging out with their friends.

 P-day basket ball game with the Office Elder's.

Jen especially enjoyed watching the practice of the Marinera
for the Cultural Celebration. 

 We even had time to paint a few pictures.  

There was time to relax, shop, go to Hermanlinda, Mayorista,

Avenida España and take afternoon naps.

…but all too soon it was time to leave.

 Elder Haacke, Elder Heward, Elder Brown and Elder Romero now have new life long friends, and promised to plan a reunion with Elli and Aiden when they get home.

 We took a few final pictures.

Not exactly sure where the crown came from, but as always, Elder Brown
is a good sport.

 ..and finally a few more hugs.  These have to last awhile.