Finishing Up January

family.

It's wonderful to be alive!

This week we attended a leadership training in Chiclayo on Thursday and Friday. I learned loads of good stuff as usual. President Chipman wants us missionaries to have a better doctrinal foundation. He wants us to start up the "CCM Peru Piura" (basically a second MTC) in which we will read all of Preach My Gospel before April starts. We will also make new lesson plans for every lesson and have ready 6 scriptures for every principle of every lesson (which turns out to be almost 200 scriptures). I'm pretty excited for that since it has a lot to do with my goals for 2011.

In the training we were introduced to a fictitious family and the whole second day of the capacitacion was devoted to helping them resolve their problems and progress towards accepting a baptismal date. I liked the idea. President Chipman taught us something that I really liked. He said that it's crucial to know that the plan of salvation isn't just a "lesson of circles." It's about overcoming death. It's about Christ defying physical and spiritual death and forever breaking the chains of hell. And then giving us a way out. That's what I preach every day! It's called the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today we played soccer in the morning. It started out normal temperature but by the end the sun was pretty intense. We were at a chapel that has a drinking fountain in it, and as I drunk my thirst continued and I wanted to drink more! That's how I'm just barely starting to feel about the word of God. I want more and more of it. I'm ashamed that it took me so long, but the important thing is that I'm really starting to realize the importance of the scriptures. I'm trying my best to make them part of me. I loved the January Liahona and I've already read basically all of it. There's an article by Elder Jay Jensen (the other Elder Jensen ha ha) in which he says that we will come to know that Christ exists as we read, study, and cite--NOT PARAPHRASE-- the scriptures. Interesting. A very straightforward statement.

Victor attended church for the third time which is pretty exciting. He also went to a JAS (YSA) meeting. He's a great guy and I'm glad that he's finding friends in the ward. We haven't been able to speak to Felipe and Olga all week because whenever we come to their house they're not home. I'm a little worred about them. Nilton is doing well and is planning on getting married on February 16th. We're also teaching a brother named German. His wife and sons are members and we're trying to figure out why he hasn't been baptized yet, since he attends church regularly. We taught him yesterday for the second time and he expressed his concerns that he's scared to get baptized and then "fail God" afterwards by falling into temptation. We left him some homework--to pray every day to know when he should be baptized. We have an appointment with him on Friday.

Well, that's about it. There's probably a ton of things I could say but I love you all and I think you're all very neat.

elder bassett.

Feliz Navidad!

family,

So it was wonderful to talk to you all on Saturday. It really reminded me that you all still exist and you're more than just emails. Every one of you told me something I needed to hear. It was great. I don't know what I would do without such a super family helping me out. I love you all so much.

Thanks for the package as well, Mom! It turned out stellar because I live with three other elders, two gringos and a short little guy from Lima. So I ended up being able to give a shirt to everyone (picture evidence included). We had a pretty fun Christmas. On Christmas Eve we met up with the four other elders and two sisters of Jaén and the Pensionisto (yep, he's a guy) dressed up as Santa Claus and sang us some cool Peruvian villancicos (christmas carols) then we played a really fun game where we drew a random name of another missionary and drew a picture of them in five minutes. Then we went around and guessed who was who. After that we drew each other as an animal, a movie character, a random object, a weapon, etc. Everyone always guessed who was me really easily because they always drew me as something long and skinny (giraffe, pink panther, ridiculously tall tree, and a spear). It was funny. After that we played a white elephant gift. There was no ugly cabin painting, but I ended up winning a sweatband/visor combination (called a beach bonnet) and a japanese mulan-style fan from Hermana Barlow (Sandy Utah) so that was definitely a good gift. Speaking of gifts, we found a rad store last p-day which is basically the "D.I." of Jaén. I bought a few sick ties for about $1.80. I was pretty proud of myself. Oh and on Christmas Day we made macaroni and cheese.

On Thursday we sang a musical number with Elder Shelley and Elder Espinoza in the ward talent show; we sang "Angels We Have Heard On High" in spanish and english. That was pretty fun. Elder Zaugg and I sing in a lot of houses because he's basically my first companion who can carry a tune (no offense previous companions). I still love singing as much as ever--Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

A couple weeks ago we stopped to talk to an old man who always sits on the side of the road. His name is Juan. I love that guy! He's not too interested in the gospel since he goes to the Jehovah's Witnesses but we always stop by to visit him. He calls us his "gringo nephews." So I started calling him "Uncle Juan." We met his niece who owns a hair cutting place down the street. We went to visit her even though she didn't show much interest and there we met her daughter Gina. Gina is studying law and seems really really interested. I love how sometimes the first person we contact doesn't really progress, but we end up finding someone else who leads to someone else and through this "person chain" we find someone who actually ends up showing a lot of promise. God is over all.

Well, that's about it. I love you all so much and testify once again that I have hope for a better world, a world made possible through Christ. Sometimes the world we live in isn't the greatest, but there's a much better world waiting for those who are willing to work for it. Like Mom said, I know Christ lives and that because of Him we can live forever.

elder bassett.

Another Transfer

family.

Hey guys! I hope everyone is doing great. I got transferred this week to Jaén Centro in the Zona Jaén. First we went from Piura to Chiclayo (3 hours), then from Chiclayo to Jaén (6 more hours of pretty much the North Ogden Pass). My new companion is Elder Zaugg from Idaho Falls, Peru. Just kidding, he's from Idaho Falls, Idaho. He has one transfer more than me in the mission (about 14 months) and he's a really cool guy. We're having a lot of fun.

Jaén is a cool place; it's in what's called "ceja de selva" (jungle's eyebrow) meaning that it's not quite jungle yet. It's surrounded by mountains a lot like good old H-ville. In fact, this morning we climbed up one of the mountains to get a good view of the city. Then a random pickup truck passed by and gave us a ride back down. It was sweet. There's 18 missionaries in Zona Jaén but only 8 live in Jaén city. The rest live at least an hour and up to 3 hours away in Bagua Grande, Bagua Chica, San Ignacio, and Chachapoyas. We live in the same room as Elder Espinoza from La Victoria, Lima, Peru and Elder Shelley who's also from Idaho (I'm outnumbered). They're really cool guys as well.

I'm adjusting to a new area, new companion, new investigators, and new responsibilities. This week we've been able to meet a couple of really cool investigators and I know that if they read the Book of Mormon they'll be able to become converted. I can't tell you how many people we meet that have this kind of attitude:

"So, did you read chapter 34 of Alma in the Book of Mormon we left you?"

"No, that book doesn't really convince me."

"Why?"

"Because the people in there have weird names. I like the Bible better."

"Did you even read the book?"

"No... It just doesn't convince me."

They're just not into reading. But if they read it, they'll know. I've been trying to really strengthen my testimony of the Book of Mormon so that I can better help people to understand its importance. It's a work in progress. I really do know that book is true.

Well I'm loving my new area. It's really hot here and it's already rained a couple of times. I'm learning a lot and really trying hard to improve my personal prayers. I've been thinking a lot about what faith really is and my viewpoint of the world and of myself is really starting to change. It's a pretty inexplicable thing. Well my time is running a little short. I love you all so very much. Take care and read your scriptures. And pray.

elder bassett.

Good-Things-to-Come

Click on the words above to see the wonderful video Garret is talking about. Love it.

A Warrior for the Lord in Peru

family.

So today we found out our transfers. Elder Abregú is headed to Urrunaga, another area in Chiclayo. And after basically a whole year in Chiclayo....... I'm headed to Piura. My new area is called Capullanas (that's Kah-poo-yAH-nahs for you gringos) and it appears that my new companion's name is Elder Diaz. I'm really excited for a chance to "start over" in a sense and give the Lord more of me than before. I sure pray that He will bless me with the capacity to fulfill my new assignment.

General Conference, although a week late, was nevertheless spectacular. I had the privilege of watching all five sessions and received a lot of great messages straight from the Holy Ghost; his influence is becoming more and more real to me. I especially liked the example of the "four-color pen" by President Uchtdorf. The pen never complains or refuses to switch from red ink to black or insists on only being used for "important documents." We are tools in the Lord's hands. Nothing more. We should be happy with doing whatever he would have us do. Elder Holland also spoke a little bit about that... Some people are "leaders," others are "helpers". We've just got to be willing to do His will. I'll work on that.

In the Sunday morning session, a sister in the ward brought an investigator who is a pentecostal christian or something. Anyway, during the closing prayer she started praying out loud. In english. She didn't say much, but that really weirded me out... Still not sure what that was all about exactly. Well, there's a first time for everything.

Yesterday was my companion's birthday; some ward members came over to Hermana Lourdes' house and we played games, sang songs, and ate cake. Peruvians are so funny. They really like having the person who loses be "punished." The bishop's wife lost, so they made her run outside and scream "el chancho del vecino se ha muerto!" (the neighbor's pig is dead). The best part: she actually did it. ha ha! The people here are so great. They can have fun doing whatever. Sometimes being easily entertained is a good thing. We shouldn't need fancy toys or technology to have a good time. And as with all Mormons throughout the world-- Alchohol wasn't necessary to have a good time either!

I'm just trying to figure out what I can do to magnify my calling. I sure have high hopes for this transfer. Mom, thanks for referring to "good things to come." I watched the video on lds.org and wow it was great. I've needed that message several times out here.

Well, I love you guys a lot! (so the guy who owns the internet just gave me a tie with wheat stalks on it... yes!) I'll let you guys know how my first week goes.

elder bassett.

When September Ends

family.

It's hard to write a week's-worth of news when it feels like only a day or two has gone by.

We're still working with Paolo and Talula. Talula's other son was killed a few months ago. We left Paolo a Book of Mormon and he said he'd read it. Everybody says they'll read it, but extremely few people actually do it. We came back a couple of days later and he said he was on page 54 and that it's really interesting. So that's pretty much two thumbs way up. Rarely have I seen an investigator who is so interested in the Book of Mormon.

A common sight in the dusty streets is a group of kids playing marbles; my companion likes to play with them sometimes. This week he played with a couple of chibolos in La Pradera and lost every marble he has. So I don't think he'll be playing anymore.

I can't believe I've never said this before, but Sister Riojas, our pensionista, makes really good lasagna. Don't worry, Dad, it's no competition to yours, but it's pretty delicious. She's also made us pizza and alfredo noodles. And pancakes. I'm guessing I'm not going to have another area in which the pensionista knows how to cook so many different types of food. She's great and looks out for us a lot. Her grandson is named Moroni.

The people who were renting the room next to ours moved out and Hermana Lourdes decided to make a built-in bathroom. We're helping out a little and I think we're going to move into the other room in a few days when it's all finished up. One thing I love about the Peruvians is their ingenuity and practicality (is that a word?). They're good at building things with what they have.

The combis (vans) here are crazy. It's the main form of transportation and I think it's now a normal thing for me to be in a van smaller than our Suburban with like 25 people in it. Sometimes they have to take detours and start driving on the side of the road... It can get pretty bumpy sometimes. The other day we were in the combi with a bunch of kids going to school. The road was closed so the guy just goes off the side of the road and it's so bumpy and there's kids flying around everywhere. Luckily the windows were closed or we might've lost someone.

President Chipman showed me a scripture in John 17:21 (I think that's where it's at) where Jesus pleads to the Father that He and His followers can be unified. Why? So people will recognize them for who they are and believe their message. That's why it's so important that I be unified with my companion. Maybe that's also why it's so hard to accomplish that unity sometimes-- because Satan knows that all he has to do to get us to fail is to take away our unity.

I love you guys a ton. Thanks for the awesome pictures. You're all growing up! My love for each one of you has grown since I've realized how great you really are.

elder bassett.

Missionary BIRTHDAY!

Elder Abregu "shoving the cake" in Elder Bassett's face!

Ward members gather for Elder Bassett's special day!!

family.

Jiulianna was baptized on Saturday. It was a special experience. In the middle of the baptismal service, a dog somehow got in the room and started running around. Only in Peru. Aside from that, it was great. She has great desires to go forward with faith and is learning to appreciate the Book of Mormon. I think her sister Angela is pretty close as well. We'll see.

Thanks everyone for wishing me a happy birthday. It was a great day. To answer Dad's question, the tradition is that the birthday person takes a bite out of the cake and someone always shoves their face in. I'm pretty sure I still have frosting up my nose. But no worries, they gave me that piece.

Some members of the ward found out it was my birthday and gave me a party. I also went and visited a couple of members. They are so generous and give all that they can. I ate a ton, which is always good. I felt a lot of love. It was kind of a strange feeling to have someone do something for me after constantly thinking of others, but it made me happy.

Ally, thanks for welcoming me into the "twenty-somethings" group of the family. I realized for the first time today that our family no longer has "kids", only teenagers and old people. The fact that I've gone from the teenagers to the old people is a little hard to swallow. I'm in denial.

I love you guys a ton. Thanks for the prayers.

elder bassett.