What the Fish? (July 20th)

Dear Pres. McGinn, 

This week has really been a week of revelation and help for me. When we had our zone meeting on Tuesday, I was really thinking in how we could better our finding eforts, as well as have more investigators progressing. It has always been a challenge to find married families here, and eve more so ones that are willing to be baptized. But as I thought about the council given on Saturday by you, the assistants, the zone leaders, and opther missionaries, I realized something. We have a specific area, companionship, and calling for a reason. If God gave us everything already solutioned or us, there woiuld be no challenges, there would be no overcoming, andmy companion nor I would learn what we have lerned at this point in the mission. So, I have made the resolution to not only accept the resources God has given me, but use them to their full potential, really amplify and aument what has already been given to me. I am seeing our investigators, our less actives, and converts in a new light. I know that we really are going to have success when we focus on the work this way, and I thank you for helping me to learn and understand that. I really feel like this week is going to be amazing, full of even more miracles and success. Thank you for the dedication and love you and Sister McGinn give everyday. I promise to work as hard as I can this week to make ya"ll(I am from Texas after all) proud! 

SINCERELY, 

Hermana Addington
This week really has strengthened my testimony, in regards to looking for and finding solutions. I was reading in the Book of Mormon, in Ether 2, and thought about the way that the lord solutioned the brother of Jareds problem. It wasnt with some huge miracle that happened instantly, but with small little hints here and there, and his own questions as well, so that he himself could show his faith and be blessed by the Lord. aT FIRST, HE SAYS, IN CH. 2:24-25 that he himself creates the winds and difficulties, challenges, and then, asks him what solution the brother of jared needs to give. and then eventually he shows himself to the brother of jared after he shows his faith. That is my short but sweet message today, show you faith=receive a miracle, a blessing. I know each and everyone of yall can do that today and everyday this week and I am so proud of yall for it!
Sorry there wasnt enough time to write today, but enjoy the pics of Marcona! It was stinking goregous.
P.S. Amy I am coming home on September 9th, rmeember that. Ask mama and Dad, they should have all the plans received by the mission office. I am so excited to see YOU!
Love,
Shermana Fish Addington

My Testimony of the Book of Mormon (July 13)

This week we had a concilio with the zone, which basically is when all the missionaries get together and talk about what was learned in the Lima leaders conference. It was the first week president McGinn was here with his wife in Lima, and couldnt get to his office. Lima is super huge, and he was begginning to get lost. So, he decided to pray, asking for help. As he finishes praying, he sees the route in his head, and arrives safely in the office. It was his miracle. He then invited us to think about our miracles, saying that it isnt always something huge or extraordinary, but really just a time where we notice Gods hands in our work. I thought alot about the little miracles I see everyday. Like one less active with cancer, Jose Carillo, giving testimony that God loves him. Also, all of our investigators and most of our less actives reading the book of mormon, and one of them, Roseli, showing up at church on Sunday. And all the support we receive from the member here. The fact that Jennifer wrote me back today is a little miracle. 
I know that there are always going to be days where we may not feel in tip top shape, or we are painfully aware of the mistakes we make, our imperfections. Or it just seems like the efforts we make may not all be paying off. But if we can look back on the day and think or say that we have helped just one person. If I can say that I have helped an investigator, less active, convert, member, or other missionary, I will be happy. I see that as a miracle. That we are even here in this world, and we have the privelege to read the Book of Mormon, when it was lost for so many years and there were so many people that never had the opportunity to read it. I finished it for the 2nd time in English today, and I can say with all certainty that it is my favorite book. The most important book in the entire world, and I need to share it with everyone I know and feel should hear about it. It is a tool that not only serves me as a missionary, but will serve me as a return miaaionary, as a future wife and mother. It helpes me to become all that I am, all that God wants me to be. 
I am so happy that my family and friends have really embraced this sacred book, and that we have the privelege to share it with tons of other people. Me and Hma. Gardner were chatting about that in our intercambio together, how our testimonies have changed, and it really is amazing. We have cambios(transfers) next week, and we both will be left in charge of our areas in Nasca and Vista Alegre, showing our new companions how everything is. I have the confidence that although it will be hard, God has this all in the bag. 
I love every word that yall have sent me, and IU am sorry if there is not time to write more funny stuff, but I promise all the jokes will come when I am come! 
AMY CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW JOB! congrats to everyone on their little successes, little miracles. Look for them everyday, they are there, I promise;)
Sincerely, 
Shermana Addington
Read in 1 Nefi 3:7

Tight Like Unto a Dish (July 6)

Dear President McGinn, 
This week I have learned th importance of starting over and working harder. During these past couple of weeks, me and Hma, Tuquerrez have been struggling to find new investigators that can progress. We are extending baptismal invitations inevery lesson and really working to find less actives and recent converts from our ward list, but they still were not coming to church. But a miracle has happened, which is that almost every single one of them is reading the Book of Mormon. Roseli, the only investigator in church yeaterday, has called us every single day to tell us what she read and to ask questions, as well as our other less actives we are rescuing. Roseli still hasnt accepted a baptismal date yet, but she is growing in her testimony everyday, as well as the others. I have faith that either today or tomorrow she will accept a baptismal date, but I ask you to just pray for her, as well as all out other less actives and recent converts. I know that the Lord is at the helm of this work and we reall cannot do anything without his humble servants helping us. Have a great week, and say hi to Sister McGinn for me! 
Sincerely, 
Hermana Addington
This was the second letter that I sent to President McGinn. We had our first mulitzone with him on Thursday, and although it was completely different than mettings with President Douglas, I really feel like I learned alot. He and his wife really are somehtin. He is from Canada, she is from Los Angeles, and they met at the Y. Then, they moved back to Canada, then lived in Maryland, and came here. They talked about the experiences they had with the apostles and seventies, and gave testimony about the divinity of this work. It reall gives me confidence that the Lord really runs this work, and every change he makes in his church and in our lives is for a purpose. He wil never change, is always at the healm, but wants us to be molded and shaped until we are perfect in his sight. Sister McGinn read Ether 2:23 and 24 with us, promising us that God will always lift us after we fall, and she is our biggest fan. I feel like that is our job as missionaries and just children of God in general, congradulate people in their efforts, even more than just their successes.
I am with Hma, Gardner right now while Hma. Tuquerres and Mendez are learning a bunch from President McGinn in Lima, and I am loving having time with her. Although I miss Hma. Tuquerres, Hma. Gardner is teaching me so much. She has 6 months in the mission, but is wise beyond her years. We together are going to take care of our areas and find a bajillion families to baptize in these next 3 days!
I know that there are a bunch of challenges that we are going through currently, both in the mission as well as in school and work. But somehting Ether ch. 1, 2, and 3 taught me today is that God already knows how to solve our problems. What he wants from us is an offering, like what the Brother of Jared did with his rocks to find light for his ship. God touched them in an anwser to his faithful prayer, and them saw him face to face. I feel like our offerings are time, patience, and just good hard work. I am working on that currently, but I know that God responds to my prayers, he wants to bles me, and will when I show my faith. I know he will do the same with giving Amy a good job, Mama and Dad guidance for their family, Meg and Abby help  in their jobs and studies as well, and everyone else whatever it is that they need.

I love everyone! Have a great week, and read in the Book of Mormon! Jennifer, if you are reading this right now, I want to invite you to read the Book and Mormon and pray if it is true. I promise that when you do, you will feel a spirit and assurance like never before that these things are true. God has a solution for everyone, and a plan for us to live with Him after this life. Grandma Tackett will find comfort if you read with her. Although she forgets sometimes, hearing the words of Christ will help her to have the spirit.
 I love everyone! Read Ether 12:41 and share it with all your friends and family

Drown in Waffles and Love (June 16th)

This week had alot of really great beginnings and ends. And just to have yall know, its gonns be a little diffficult to concentrate right now because the lil girl right next to me in this internet is listening to marenge  music for kids. I dont understand Peru. 
Well, to start off, Hma. Tuquerres received the best new ever: This past Saturday her parents got baptized! During the whole week, we were sharing this news in lessons and pretty much with everyone we met. She was so happy, we included them in every single one of our prayers, and now almost her whole family are members of the church. Just missing her older sister. And, on the same day of their baptism, our amazing and real convert Agusto attended the temple for the first time to do baptisms for the dead. 
This experience just strengthened my faith so much, that really our objective is to be together as families and never separated. I was thinking alot about the blessing that I have had to be born in the covenant and have a sealed family, but also about all the aunts and uncles and grandparents that have yet to be sealed to me. They have seeped into my dreams at night, where I am teaching them as a misisonary about the things I teach everyday to families here- the bom, faith, repentance, the commandments. I can imagine myself inviting them to be baptized. My companion told me she does the same thing in her dreams, and that its just evidence that the mission has done its job- we have gotten to the point where we are applying this in our lives and with our families. I makes me so happy to know that I will be with my parents and sister forever, but thats still not enough. I have a strong feeling that when I get back I need to teah all of them. But I wont be alone! We really do need to chat with all the missionaries in thir areas so that we can give them the opportunity to know the gospel. It may be a little difficult at first, but bigger conversions have happened before, like in Alma 22 and Helaman 3. And especially Alma 36. If that could happen with people inicuo, (evil and rebellious) it can happen with our aunts and uncles and grandparents. I think I wanna begin with Andrea and Jennifer, they would be the closest to accepting the gospel. They are still living the in our old block, Everglade right? Let me know next time, okay? 
I just feel the need to get stuff going. Every single time we have someone in our branch accompany us or present their family, I get so happy they are extending this invitation of love to them, and it makes me want to do the same thing. We are having alot of changes here- this week we begin a new transfer, we are getting a new mission president in July, (sob), we have new missionaries here in Nasca, and we alot have a new branch and district presidency. And last but not least, the Trujillo Peru temple dedication this Sunday! It makes me a little overwhelmed, but more than anything excited. As they say int Doctrine and Covenants, "Yo apresurare mi obra en mi tiempo." 
i AM SO HAPPY THAT EVERYONE HAD AN AMAZING WEEK, AND i HAVE TO SIGN OFF RIGHT NOW, BUT i love everyone! Read Alma 32 and 26 today, you will feel better. 
Love, 
Shermana Addington

Oh esta, todo bien (Oh, it is all well) (June 29)

This week as a week of alot of endings, but many beginnings. Me and Hma, Tuquerres headed off to Ica Wednesday to have the last multizone and despidir (say goodbye) to the Douglas family. It was something so great to hear Presidents last words as a mission president, and also fro Hma. Douglas and Chris. They really, apart from so many things, have shown me what it is be a family that perseveres until the end. They have experienced so many hardships in their life that wouldn't be that different than other families. But they have used the Book of Mormon and the temple as their strength.

 Hma. Douglas got up to share her last testimony, written all by herself in Spanish, not translated by anyone. It wasn't long, but it was a triumph for her. That is something else I will remember from them, he key to being resilient. Encouraging your efforts even more than your success, and not seeing things as failure, but more as a way to change and improve. 

Then the Fowler's got up and shared their testimonies. We had just sung the hymn "Come Come Ye Saints." In Spanish the title is, "Oh esta todo bien", more or less, "all is well." Elder Fowler told us that his great great grandfather wrote that hymn as a pioneer. After having a nightmare that his wife had a miscarriage, he ran to find her. When he realized that she was fine, and later on delivered a healthy baby, he was so happy ha held a party in his home with all his friends. and wrote the hymn. The part at the end, "all is well", is what Elder Fowler thinks every time he has a trial. 

When Joseph Smith was given instruction about the brass plates, and overcome with tons of responsibility, his mother asked him how he was. His response " All is well, mother. I feel very well.(Mo siento bastante bien.) After the storm, there is always a calm. After a fight, there is always a moment to reflect and repent. After everything has been said and done, if we trust in God and his understanding Love, everything will be handled the way he desires it to be, and all will be well. 

I have felt that type of calm energy come over me this week. In all the work we are doing here, me and Hma., Tuquerres were a little overwhelmed the other day. We  only have one investigator with a baptismal date, Jose Carlos, who still hasn't attended church. Also, our less active didn't attend yesterday. Just one, who we don't eve n know if shes less active or not. But I know that God is just giving us a little trial, to see where our faith and works are. 

Then, after all I can do, he will say,
"All is well." That's my only fear, failing God. But if I and we all do everything in our power to not only keep his commandments, but keep making covenants, and helping others to make and keep them as well. we will never  fail Him. 

Its like it says in the last chapter or Enos. I have no time to look it up, but its amazing to read about his loyalty.
Stay loyal, stay true, and keep it real and blue.

I love EVERYONE! Have a great week!
Hermana Addington

The last multizone that we had, and a service project with Hma. Clinsy and her fidgety but adorable children. 

El Dorado (June 22)

The Harry Potter of Peru (June 22)

This is a painting of this famous Nascan chick named Maris Reich, who supposedly discovered the Nasca lines. The one her going to Cusco is my favorite because if you look closely, its bsically a painting of Harry Potter.
And the rest are the gals from our rama/branch. Me and My comie, Hma. Mendez, and Hma., Gardner from Holiday, Utah.