whoiamazon: Semana 56 in 9 de Octubre (February 16th, 2015)

I think it´s safe that I've gotten to the point in my mission that my trainer warned me about, when I've been gone so long that I think everyone has forgotten about me and I spend the majority of my internet time on lds.org looking at the ward directory or my genealogy tree. haha but thanks for writing me mom and dad, I can always count on you guys! But this week we went to the family history center downtown with one of our converts to help her get started on her genealogy, and the hermanas let me log into my family history account. I was doing some exploring on mom's line and it's gotten tracked back SO far! MOM!!! Do you realize that through your dad's line we are direct descendants of Charlemagne the emperor of the Roman Empire?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Check out the photo attached below, I was following the line of your dad, through Horace Bollings skinner and he's got some crazy lines of Royal blood and that line is up to some B.C. years. Family History is that COOLEST! I have been able to feel the spirit of Elijah so strong in my mission, especially knowing that I can't do much about it here, but I can't wait to work on genealogy with you guys now that you're professionals in your callings!

Anyway, I know in the jungle of south america we've got like an 8 month lag behind you guys, but we just watched Meet the Mormons this morning! It was so so good---even watching it in spanish. Made me so happy to be a member of the church and have the gospel which has brought so much happiness to my lives and the millions of others. All of the missionaries in Iquitos got together this morning to watch it and I got to see hermana Tinta, which made me happy. I can't believe she already is almost at 6 months! She is the cutest, I will always have a special place in my heart for her and she is still in Punchana and is doing so so great!

Hermana Hernandez and I had a great week this week. We have been having a great experience teaching our investigator Henry and his mom Lucith. We had no idea but his mom was baptized a member of the church when she was 17. We had been teaching them both and they are both coming to church now and super excited. I love teaching people and seeing them progress, and the coolest part is inviting them to act for themselves, praying that they will follow through with the committments and seeing them truly receive answers to their prayers. Lucith commented on the changes she has seen in her son, about his history with alcohol and the differences she's seen since he started meeting with us. It's a testimony that the gospel changes lives and we're excited to see the progress of Henry and Lucith. They've got a few neighbors who are members and they are a great support as well.

I've spent a long time reflecting and pondering about what it means to be a successful missionary and if I'm gonna come home from this whole thing looking back and feeling good about what I've done. The conclusion I've come to is that the only true indicator of a successful mission is the level of conversion to the Lord that you achieve and your obedience in following through. I'm determined to achieve success and I pray for it every day!

On sunday, while you were all celebrating Grandma's birthday, it was a holiday known here in the Selva as Carnaval. It gets a little bit, well a lot bit, crazy so all the missionaries in Iquitos had to stay indoors alllllll daySunday. It consists of people getting drunk, painting eachother and lots and lots of water fights. I won't lie, it was a long time to stay inside with little to do, but we took full advantage of it and slept like a straight up princess for the first time in 15 months. BEST SUNDAY NAP OF MY LIFE!!!! Then we went up to the roof and watched the craziness outside for a bit. As part of the the festivities every street colaborates to make and Umbisha (or something like that...) with is basically a three story high pole with a bunch of crap tied to it. And then they dance around it seven times and knock it down and rip all the stuff off and have more water fights. I really don't understand this holiday at all but it's fine.

But please wish Grandma a happy 80th birthday from me! Loved the pictures and it is so weird seeing everyone looks so big. Makes me feel old.

Well, that's all for this week!

Love you guys!

Hermana Benyo