Elder Collins

Well its come. I cant believe it. I dont know if Ill ever be able to describe what ive done here. Peru is incredible and a one of a kind place and I wouldnt be able to describe it well enough either. Ive spent more than half my mission in the hot and sweaty parts of the amazon jungle and the other part in one of the busiest craziest and one of the most contaminated cities in the world. I have sweated through my shirt everyday. The weather is either hot or really hot but there arent hot showers. Ive slept under mosquitos nets but somehow ive still gotten eatin alive. Ive walked holes through my shoes three different times up the mountains and in the rain, and my socks dont match anymore. I have eatin rice and chicken and chicken and rice everyday, Ive eatin heart, stomach, liver and feet, monkey turtle alligator, ants and tree grubs. I came weighing 186 and at one point got down to 170...the bathroom was my best friend. Ive gotten stomach infections and dengae once. Ive been called gringo more than Elder and i dont know how many times ive heard "wuts ur naem?" 

  I got here and the Lord saw it fit that he needed to humble me from right off the bat. I struggled and i cried. He cut me down so that he could build me up. I got to know him more than ever in those moments. I always believed in God but thats when i got to know he was my Loving Heavenly Father. I made a promise to him that if he helped get over the hard part i would give him all i got and be the best missionary in this mission. Through the atonement i was able to change. Christ is my Savior. He did live 2000 years ago and he did walk into the garden of gethsemane and there all alone feeling more alone than i ever could have he suffered and bled from every pore so that he could fufill the great plan of salvation. And ive had the honor to represent him. How great has my calling been?!  No one else could do it, only him.  I wouldnt trade any of this time here for the world. This is my mission this is my home. I love Peru and the Peruvians. I really dont think anyone on this earth can understand what ive gone though. This has been the hardest thing ive ever done in my life but has been the best thing ive done for my life. Its been filled with adventures, ups and downs, and the privilege to get to know many people and to teach and baptize families. Im just happier now. Im more grateful for everything that i have. Ive seen wickedness and ive seen joy. I always knew that the church was true but now i understand, its just clicked, my eyes have been opened. Thank you for all of your love and support, prayers and thoughts. I needed them more than you know. I dont know how I can describe this experience but for now, lets just call it, THE BEST TWO YEARS. 

Elder Crump

Hey, how is everyone doing?  I hope great!  So mom officially you´re trunky! haha I bet you and Becky are waiting in the airport! haha 

 

So my birthday went great! Haha, it started first out like this, so the day before some of the zone leaders here invited me out to lunch!  We went to this Place called Rustica, and I got BBQ RIBS.  I had never felt so American!  Haha, so that was fun!  Then the next day on my birthday we went to the store and Elder Stringham bought me Pancake Mix, so we made pancakes!  They were so good!  So the rest of the day was pretty normal.  I got a little package from Reg, and the assistants just got back from their trip and brought me back a gift.  The whole day consisted the zone leaders calling and saying happy birthday! haha  So then we went to lunch! The relief socitey president invited us, and on our way we came across a Monkey.... He was the pet of this guy, and he was on a leash.  So of course, we went over to say hi to him, and the monkey was named Pepe.  Boy, was he crazy! He was so excited to see us!  He jumped all over us, and I was trying to take an inoocent picture with him, and he puts his tongue in my ear and gives me a wet willey! Haha, I never thought that I would say that! Haha, its was gross, but funny!  Haha, so then we get to the house and, she made me a cake as well with the lunch!  After that, we came back to the offices and got more work done, but then at night we had another appointment to have dinner with a family.  When we get there, they also had a big cake waiting for me! haha This family Is so great! They always treat us so good!  The mom told me that my gift is coming.  Her husband is out in the Jungle Hunting, and he is going to bring me back my gift....haha I'm a little nervous to what he's going to bring back! So then after all that, we get back to our house.  We were all just sitting there talking, then all of the sudden just get attacked by like 12 eggs!  I didn't even see it coming!  Really, they destroyed me all singing happy birthday! haha oh man it was a great day!  Our house still has egg on the wall, but it was fun!

So this past week has been so amazing!  Joel is so ready for this Saturday! He came to church and tonight is having his final interview!  He really has come a long way, but is so ready to make this change!  

Also, we have another who will be getting baptized! So when Elder Carter went to Pucallpa, and came back on my birthday, he was sitting next to this guy who had a lot of questions.  They started talking, and we found out that he lives right in front of the mission offfices!  So it's right in my area!  We we went and talked to him, and he began reading the Book of Mormon, and right away he loved it.  So we came back the next day, and asked me when can I get baptized?  He came to church that first Sunday, and if he comes this Sunday, he will be set for the beginning of October!  So now we will have 2 more baptisms right before I leave!  His name is Juan, and he is awesome! About 2 years ago he got divorced from his wife, and just always felt so lost!  He loved church and wants to be the example.  So my last baptism will be my last weekend before I come home! 

 

So mom, to answer some of your questions:  I am going to leave most of my clothes here.  There are many future missionaries that don't have like anthing here so I'll be giving it to them!  For example, I gave away my suit!  It was getting old and a little beat up, but we took it to this lady.  She stitched it up and cleaned it, and I gave it to a guy from my ward that was leaving on the mission.  It fit him perfectly! His family was so happy, because they hadn't found his a suit that fit him, or that was in their price range!  But don't worry mom, I will be coming home in a suit.  I got a way good deal, and I bought a new suit, a pair of shoes, a new shirt, a new tie all for 100 dollars.  They had this deal going on, that I couldn't pass up! Clothes shopping sounds great, just if you could have some garments when I get home will be great!

 

That is so crazy that Myles is in the Philippines!  How is he doing? He's gonna be awesome!!

 

So yeah, Wilson is getting married! She was his girlfriend before he left.  She wrote him his whole mission, but they only dated for like 3 weeks before he left! haha, way to go Wilson!

Brooke went on a mission? What the?  Wow, its crazy how many misisonaries there are!!  Hey, tell Brig that I say hi! Tell him when I get home were totally gonna hit up the golf course, if its not too cold!  Tell him to set up the tee time!

Thank you for talking to UVU, what do I need to do with all that?

Well family and friends, I do love you all!  This next week is going to be wierd, the last one but we´ll finish it strong, with 2 more baptisms!! I'm stoked!  You guys are the best! I love you!

All my Love,

 

ELDER NICOLAS COLLINS CRUMP

Elder Collins

Hey family hows it going?... Well mom i have some big news. Ive been praying for a while to know what i should do and finally the answer came. Ive decided to extend my mission one change. Ill be coming home in Nov. now. I didnt know if i should do it or not but i found a family yesterday that i just think i need to be here to help them. I know its kind of last notice and im sure you will be sad but i feel like its the right thing to do.....Nah just kidding. Haha! Bet you just fell out of your seat didnt you? Really though i cant believe that its down to 2 weeks!! thats nuts! It still doesnt feel like they will let me go home. 

  Well this week was awesome! It sure did go by really fast too! So everything went well with the wedding of the Sinti family. At first we were not receiving any help at all but then the right before the branch decided to kick it in. They got married and baptized the same day. Also we had another baptism of Erick Flores. He was a reference who just wanted to get baptized and change his life. He learned really quickly and attended for the past few weeks. We didnt know if his baptism was going to be this week or the next but it was this last week. One funny thing about him is I contacted him like 2 months ago and he pretty much told me to get lost and that he did not like anything about religion. He told us the day before his baptism that he had remembered he did that but didnt realize it was me haha. When I told him it was me he was embarrassed and said that was his alcoholic life. He has not had a drink since then. He really has had a huge change of heart. Hno. Ronald too!! He doesnt want to drink at all anymore. We gave them along with the branch some church clothes to come in, they usually just came in shorts and a t shirt. They looked soo good all dressed up walking to church as a family. They both looked just flat out happier. I started teaching them when I first got here and the truth is I didnt think they would get baptized so thats why we left them because they never attended but the Lord put them in our path again when they needed the gospel and were ready to act this time.

 I know the atonement can change anyone. Its a gospel of transformation because Heavenly Father sees us how we are and what we can become. Only through him can people change their hearts. Im soo grateful for the experiences that ive had so far in the mission and for all the people Heavenly Father has put into my path. I dont know if ill have more baptisms or not I do have one possibility but if not im grateful for all the blessings ive received. It will be so hard to have to say good by to this place and the people ive met. I cant believe how fast the time has gone. I remember my first day like it was yesterday. Everything has just flown by. Im grateful for all of you and for all your prayers. I sometimes joke saying only good things happen because my family prays so much for me and not because of our own efforts. I love you all! LOVE THE ELDER COLLINS (THE ORIGINAL)

Elder Collins

Alright...ill admit it...im coming home. 

  Hey family hows it going? Super pumped that your all just already in the airport waiting for me.haha. When all of the titles of the emails you get say 3 weeks left it does something to you. Well this week was just splendid. At the first of the week we did some work visits with the Elders in Nueva Cajamarca. I was with a new Elder who doesnt even have a month named E. Villar, he´s, well special. E. Crump can testify to that. He has a couple of screws loose. He wanted the explanation of everything we couldnt do as missionaries. He kept saying wow im so excited to be finishing like you. haha only 23 and a half months to go! haha We had a problem with him too because he did not want to give me his USB that had a bunch of Rock and Metal music on it. He kept trying to lie and what not. We had to talk to him for about an hour before he finally gave in and gave it to me. Silly boy trix are for kids.

    Well this weekend President and sister Gomez were here. We had our zone conference. It was pretty good and they even sang happy birthday to me and bought me some cake. Well at the end of the conference i was the last one to bear my testimony ( i think my zone planned that on purpose) I got up all normal and said "well I was reading my journal from my first conference i feel just as excited and eager to learn as i did the first conference as i feel now at my last conference" and when i said that it hit me so hard. I just started crying. I couldnt hold it in. I dont think that it really hit me before because i always just shake it off and go to work. Wow two years! Well one cool thing too is that i got to ride in the back of presidents car. That was the first time i have been in a car like that for a long time! NICE. The assistants slept with us this weekend. We had a good time and they are both funny guys but they are freakishly obedient. Like im known for being obedient but they were just too much. Two gringos together will do that. There was like a mini General conference this week in Peru so we all went to the stake center to watch a broadcast from E. Scott and E. Bednar. It was really good. So good news!! The Sinti Family are going to be getting married and baptized this saturday! They have attended church solid for like 4 weeks in a row and hno. Ronald hasnt drank for a couple of weeks and thats more than his whole life. They are starting to make friends in the branch to and are excited. We also might have  another baptism of a guy named Erick. He is a way cool reference we got who is just super eager to learn. Looks like im just wrapping up my last couple of baptisms before i leave! haha. Well thats pretty much what happened this week. Love Reg

Elder Crump

Well First off, Christian got baptized!!  It was such an amazing service.  Seriously, like I said when we first found him, I was astonished with his responses to the questions.  He was just so well prepared.  But as we know, satan just likes to butt in and kind of slowed the process down when he got into the fight with his mom.  But through time he learned to forgive her, and she learned to forgive him.  So through this repentance process, it only made them closer.  Seeing him in church with his shirt and tie, and even getting up to bear his testimony, was amazing.  During the service, the mom gave the opening prayer and just began to cry.  She really said such a sincere prayer, of how happy she is, that finally after so long her son is accepting the gospel.  It really set the tone of the spirit.  This next week he will recieve the Priestood, and the bishop is looking for his calling. 

So to talk a little more about the title of the email!  The fear has been conquered.  So this past Monday, we all went to Quistacocha again, with all the missionaries here in Iquitos, Presidente and Hermana Gómez.  It was so nice to finally have a P day!  So right when we get there, guess who we find....Charita....Who is this?  Oh yes, it's the big snake that everyone takes pictures with!!  Wow, she was so ugly!  Seriously, but I did it.  I conquered my fear, I held her! Haha, man it doesn't sound too crazy, but she was big, and heavy! Haha, but anyway, I was a little nervous at first to touch her, but once she was on my shoulders, she was just so calm.   I just wanted to give her a big kiss! Haha.  Anyway, bucketlist moment...I held a Big snake!

So this week has been great.  We have been going like crazy to get all the people we are teaching ready!  Oh boy, do I have a story for you guys.  So the other day, we were teaching Joel, and just the lesson before we found him, and he just looked super sad.  He had a bad day and just seemed kind of mad at everything.  When we asked him, he just said that I'm missing something.  Every time I'm here, Im happy with you guys, but out there...(The world) It just isn't the same...So BOOM, we followed the impressions of the spirit, and taught about the Book of Mormon.  The night before we felt as if something was wrong with him or missing, and we had planned on doinig it so It all worked out! He had so many questions, but he loved every minute of it.  In that 30 minutes we had with him, his whole expression had changed.  He left feeling the spirit, smiling and laughing.  And the best part is he is noticing the power of the Holy Ghost.  So we left him a chapter about Baptism to read, 2 Nephi 31, because he had some doubts about it.  He loves to read, so we knew he would do it.  So we came back in two days later, and he told us that he read it, and said that he has some questions about baptism.  He knew that baptism is important, but didn't know why it was necesary.  We we opened up to that very same chapter and read with him.  He really enjoyed it, with the scriptures all the questions were answered.  And then he asked the money question, but I'm a good person, can I just be a good person without getting baptized?  And then my comp swoops in with this amazing example, and right there he just is sitting there in silence, with the spirit so strong.  So then I asked him, if he thinks that its right for him? And he says yes.  So then I invited him, and I asked him to prepared to be baptized on the21st of September. And he just started to laugh, haha, like really hard.  At first, I was like oh great, he is going to be like no its too soon, but I still held my ground waiting for a response.  He says, I'm sorry, Im not laughing at you guys, I just feel happy.
I don't know why, right when you said the 21st, it just felt right.  Yes, I will be baptized on the 21st, that's the date for me!  Now, I was just in amazment!  Right there, he received his answer!  Really, It was so incredible!!  He is so excited.  The best part is, he was a reference form a member in our ward.  She is always with us, when we teach him, and it truly make the difference!  

Wow, I'm just loving working here!  The time is zipping by, and its scary, but now is not the time to think about it,  just keep working!  I can't wait to meet my new replacement.  I still have no idea who it is, but he is coming on Monday! Its gonna be a lot of work to do, but I'm excited!

So, I'm so happy for Jordan, really that is going to be so great for her!  She is going to be such a great missionary!

So my comp is great!  We really work well together!  He really is a great missionary, who has such a big heart! He is in charge of the money, and all the supplies that we need.  He also is in charge of the sick missionaries.  So he works with Hermana Gómez in that.  He is coming along, there is still so much to learn, but in time and practice he will get it!

Well, I'm glad BYU is doing good!  I can't wait to go to a game, I have been dying to go!  When is the last home game dad?  Save me a spot!:)

So Brig got home, wow that's wierd, how is he?  Tell him I say hi, and I'm still waiting on his response to my email! Haha.  That's sweet about Devon and Taylor! They both are going to rock it!! I'm proud of them!

Well family and friends, I do love you all!  Ha sido 2 años, pero muy pronto vamos estar juntos de neuevo.  Les amo mucho, cuídense, y no te preocupas mamá todo estará bien.

All my Love,

ELDER NICOLAS COLLINS CRUMP

Elder Collins

That will do pig, that will do.

   Well hey family hows everyone doing? How was your week. Im sure you all celebrated my birthday without me, thats cool i wont cry that much. Well this week was just fantastic! We went to iquitos on tuesday afternoon and almost missed our flight (dont tell crump) because i didnt double check to see when our flight was! But it was all good. The conference was pretty good. I feel like i have a lot more zone leader friends then i did before. There are a lot more new ones. It was officially my last zone leader conference too. When we were putting the goals up for sep. We all got into a interesting conversation about what we should do. It was pretty much the older zone leaders (including me) vs the newer ones and the sister leaders. It was a headache arguing about what the goal should be for the next month for like an hour and a half. I just felt like there were too many people voicing their opinions with lack of experience. But it was a good overall. There was some pretty good trainings this time too. Pres. was even longer than his wifes this time haha. I stayed with an Elder named Withulhume. He is a way funny guy we had a fun time together. I said goodbye to couple of leaders that im not going to be seeing again.On thursday before i went back crump told me to come into the office, he bought a big slice of cake for me! What a guy! And it was a training that day too for another zone so he saved us a pizza to share too! When i said goodbye to him i was like alright well see you next month thinking about the next conference then i realized that the next time i come back too see him we will be going home!!!! Wow it hit me soo hard! I think thats the first time. Kind of sad. My birthday was pretty good. The family below us took us out to lunch and bought me a cake too! That was really nice of them! At night me and elder mossman and our pension ( did i tell ya we got one now?!) made huge rodeo burgers! It was soo good! And thats pretty much how my birthday went. I opened your package in the morning too. Thanks i like that idea a lot, also thanks to Debby and Grandma Chase for their packages too!!! On saturday i did something way cool! So there is a family in another area who got baptized when i first got here but i did there baptism interviews so they love me, well there nephew got baptized this saturday and i was the one who got to do it...in a river!!! haha it was so cool. There is only two areas in the whole mission where its allowed and i was able to do it. Ive always wanted to! Well thats about its. Les amo mucho Elder Reg

Elder Crump

Hey family, so I'm writing this letter early, because I bet you could of guessed, we don't have p day today...haha I'm used to it.  We have a zone conference today, and its gonna start at about 8:30 a.m.  So yesterday we have the Zone leaders conference, and I got to see Reg!!  Its good to see him, I wished him a happy birthday, but tomorrow I'll give him an official call on his birthday!...Well, so I started to write this letter in the morning, but the conference started, and i had to go, but here I am, and now its not too bright and early.  So like I said, it was good to see Reg.  Today I called him into the offices before he left, and I had a piece of a cake waiting for him.  So i bought some Catholic candles because that's like all they have here and we sang happy birthday.  It turned out to be great!  Its weird, because the next time I see him, we will be heading home...wow.  

So the conference we had today was super great.  Really powerful.  So in the end of every conference, we are given time to bear our testimonies, and all of the people that are finishing with me get up, man it was rough.  So of course everyone was just staring at me and the spirit was literally just pushing me to go, so I did and it was hard.  During the mission, I really have never had a problem with bearing my testimony, but to know that it is going to be my last one with all the elders and sisters, it was hard.  It really has been such and amazing experience.  But what gave me more excitement, was is that I still have one month left.  There is so much to do.  So many people to teach, marry, and baptize.  We have all the people, they are progressing, they just need to make the commitment, and follow through! I know that we will finish this month with success!  I'm excited to keep working hard until the end.  Right now is the time to prove myself to the Lord.  Have I lived up to my potential as a missionary?  If not, I better start doing it, and if so I better keep going and go above and beyond! 

This week has been a great one.  We are getting everything ready for all the upcoming conferences, and I am just getting everything prepared for my replacement.  I still don't know who it is.  I have some Ideas, but we´ll see.  I have some say in who it will be, but in the end I told President that it is his decision, because in the end he won't be my personal secretary, but yours. Haha, he laughed and he knows that he has got some thinking to do.  

So mom to answer you questions.  Yes mom, I like your 3rd option.. Lets just wait till I get home, and we´ll put the money to a new phone, and we can eat cake then as well!

Wow I'm so excited for Jordan.   Hmmm, lets see, I think that she is going to either Peru Iquitos or Paris France. Those are my guesses!  That will be great for her! She will love it!

Wow, I hope everything is ok with Alex.. I didn't think it was that serious!  I saw the picture, and I bet his mom flipped out!  I hope all is well, and he doesn't have to go home!

So let me just tell you guys that this month, like I said before, will be a very successful month.   We have many families that we are teaching, as well as this 20 year old guy named Joel.  His friend gave us the reference, and he really wants to know if this is all true.  He says if he can know Joseph Smith was a Prophet, he will the know the truth to it all.  He knows he needs to pray, and he knows that God will respond.  When we first met him, he didn't believe in him, but he prayed and he said that he could describe the feelings he felt, and he knew that someone was listening.  So when he gets his answer, I'll let you guys know.  As well as the new families that we are teaching, they too just need to pray to know the truth.  This last couple of weeks, we really have been focusing on the apostasy.  We had our conference with Elder Callister and taught about that, and said that the investigators will NEVER progress or make the changes if they don't understand the apostasy.  They need to know that it happened.  They need to know why.  And with that, they will be ready to hear of the restoration, and will be able to accept it and pray to know the truth.  So many times in my mission, I really never understood why the people don't fully make the commitment.  They feel the spirit, and they believe that the restoration is true, but then they kind of just go back to their old life.  Well all the churches are good, just like this one,  so they don't fully commit, and then become eternal investigators.  But when we teach about the apostasy and really help them to understand that Christ organized one church, but it fell, then begins the repentance process, where they start to make the changes.  Where they can't deny the feelings of the spirit.  It really has been such a blessing to apply all we learn into our teachings and our everyday lives.  I know without a doubt that the blessings will come through and we will finish strong.

Family, Friends I love you guys so much! Its so great to hear from you guys! I am so blessed to have all of you in my life.  I cant wait to hear form you all, and I hope that all is great!

Ps mom i'm still getting your letters! The trip sounds great I cant wait!!

All my love,

ELDER NICOLAS COLLINS CRUMP

Elder Collins

Puchicana!! 

   Hola familia como fue esta semana. Espero que todo esta bien y que la torta helada que compro por mi cumpliaño va durar un mes... Well i just wanted to write the first line in another language like myles does. This week was great! I have my new companion. His name is Elder Becerra, he is from Piura Peru. My 4th peruvian comp. I heard he is awesome so i was hoping to get him as my last comp. And you know what its true he is awesome! Im really happy and greatful that he will be my last comp. He is really chill and just calm. He only has 11 months in the mission. Poor guy i will be the second missionary that he will send home. He seems to always be happy and doesnt like to talk to much unlike my last comp who wouldnt shut his trapper. He came on tuesday night but didint get here til 11:30pm! I was waiting in the transport office since 9pm! We got home pretty late. There is also another new kid in the zone and the truth is he is a wierdo! Well this is only my 3rd time having to show the area. The truth is i dont like doing that because it always makes you think that you dont have enough investigadores. Im really happy this week we had a baptism! Ronaldo Peña. He is the Brother of Darvin one of the boys i baptized like two months ago. With this baptism i completed my goals i set at the first part of my mission!!!! Im really grateful that Heavenly Father has given me soo many opportunities to learn and grow and to get to know so many of his children. I was really happy about that but also sad because i realized its coming to an end. This week we are going to Iquitos! whoo! Its like taking a vacation haha. It will probably be my last zone leader conference i dont know if they will let me go my last week in octubre. We get back like at 9ish on thursday and friday is my birthday and then on saturday im completing 23 months!!! what a trunky week haha. We are still teaching the Sinti family. The dad Ronald has a drinking problem. The mom is really upset with him because he drank one glass of beer and tried to justify it saying he didnt get drunk and Jesus drank wine haha. Its frustrating but i still have some people to baptize here before i can leave. I want to pass my goals i made! Well thats about it. Thanks for the video that was awesome! But i saw like 2 little blonde girls that werent in the family before.....???? Well i love you have a great week love reg!!

Elder Crump

So first off, sorry for giving you that teaser in the last email, but hey I mean who doesn't love it when a movie ends and it leaves you hanging!  Haha, well so the changes have been done, and some were pretty crazy, but the most crazy was.....I have a new companion!  Yep, Elder Carter is no longer the Financial Secretary...But he isn't leaving the offices...He just got called to be the new Assistant! Haha, I was flipping out!  I'm excited for him, but sad because I really wanted to finish with him!  Plus that means he will probably be in the offices for like another 6 to 9 months!  And just this past month he completed 6 months in the offices! Haha, well like I said, I have a new companion! His name is Elder Lozano.  He is from Lima, and he is so awesome! He was a zone leader, and we have been friends for a while. He speaks perfect English.  Seriously, he is great, I'm excited to work with him, even if it will only be for a transfer.

So as you guessed, they sent out Elder Uribe, who was the other assistant, and he went to go train a new zone leader in another zone!  It's crazy because everything changed, it's gonna be super different.  Now I am the one who has been in the offices the longest!  Almost 10 months. since I got here! WOW, time has flown by!  Anyway, it will be good for the mission.  Elder Carter is an amazing missionary, very humble, very obedient, and very focused in his purpose!  He will really help the mission to progress!

So I'm glad you guys had a great time in Powell, I bet it was a nice relaxing trip!  But hey, EVERYONE better be ready to go down next year, because it has been TOO long since we were all together!  So start planning!  Trevor, Kenzie, Corrine, Bradford, Shay, Bren, Hudson, Norah, and Mia! haha

So we just got back from Moyobamba....and all I can say is wow! Really Reg is living in paradise! It is so green up there!  Just the drive from Tarapoto to Moyobamba was amazing!  So many mountains and trees.  Seriously, i felt like I was in the movie Jurassic Park!  My training that I did with all the Zones was about the Baptism Records.  How to fill them out, and why they are important.  About a year ago, they did a training on all this, where the Secretaries went to all the jungle with the assistants to do the training, but that was over a year ago.  All those Elders, who learned how to do it, finished their missions and the others who are still here like me, apparently aren't teaching the new missionaries how to do it.  So we have been having a lot of problems and a lot of mistakes.  So I proposed the Idea to go train all the zones again and the President Loved the Idea, so we went!  It really has been helping, and ever since we got back the Baptism records are being completed correctly!  It really makes the process go faster, and makes it possible for their converts to be able to go to the temple.  But the sad thing is, if there is an error or the name is spelled wrong, the Record doesn't work, and the baptism like doesn't count.  It was super sad, because I shared a story about how from our mission a family had gotten baptized over 3 years, and during these three years they worked hard to save all their money to go to the temple.  Finally, after all that hard work, they finally made it to the temple.  When they got there, they found out that 2 of their 5 children were not in the records as members.  Their record wasn't done right.  Because of that, the whole family couldn't go to the temple to be sealed, 2 would be left out.  So the family got their stuff and went home.  The 2 children had to get re baptized and they had to wait a whole 3 more years to be able to go to the temple.  In the end, they all made it, but how sad is that.  All because of one mistake, or someones lack of verification, this family had to WAIT to be an Eternal Family.  It ended up being a good training.  I think everyone learned how important it is to fill out the Record properly.  We go through so much hard work to find, teach, marry, baptize and then confirm people.  And in the end, it doesn't even count, because we didn't do our part...I can't imagine how sad I would be if one of my converts couldn't go to the temple, because of me. Hopefully everyone caught on to what I was trying to say.

So this week has been good, we are trying to get back into our area.  The good news is the members were visiting some of our investigators, and just last night we just invited another family to get baptized!  Wow, seriously this family is so great.  Their names are John and Melissa.  They were a reference from the ward, and they really just want to make all the changes that are needed.  We talked about how we can turn this house that they are living in, into a home.  Because yes there is a big difference.  A house is something material, something we live in, but a home is were we are with our families, where the spirit is, and it's the one place in this world that we can feel safe from all that goes on in the world.  Melissa looked as if she wanted to cry!  And then John just blew my mind with his answers.  We talked about repentance, and he said that a man cannot repent with just his lips, because tomorrow he will go back and commit the same sin.  He told me that he needs to change, but with his actions.  He needs to come to church, read the scriptures, and pray,  And through that process, I can truly show God that I want to be forgiven, and better yet I deserve to be forgiven...WOW, I was speechless! Tomorrow, we have a lesson with them.  Were gonna set the date for the wedding and baptism!

We received word that Maria's business fell through, and that is why she is stuck there.  She is trying get it all fixed up before she comes back.  We are told that she will be back on the 9th of Sept.  So help me, I will marry and baptize this family before I come home! They are so ready, this is their time, she just needs to come back!!

Well family and friends, it's great to hear from you all! I love you guys!  Thanks mom for reminding me, but there is still 5 weeks and 4 days!! Don't be cutting me short, yet! :) Haha, this last transfer is going to be great! We will have success, and I will be able to leave my area, better than I found it!

So this week, its now been 4 weeks that we have had without P day... there has just been so much to do. We have been traveling, training and working with the missionaries, there just wasn't time.  Hopefully, this next week we will be able to take a day off to relax.

P.S. I was super sad that I couldn't go out and work with Reg.  We got sent on work visits with missionaries in the other areas. We went to Rioja, and then the next day to Nueva Cajamarca.  Wow, Moyobamba is so pretty! Nueva cajamarca is definitely the prettiest! It's the only area where you get to baptize in the river!  Anyway, overall it was a good trip!

I love you guys.  Hope you have a great week!

All my Love,

ELDER NICOLAS COLLINS CRUMP

P.S.S

So this trip, I found out that one of my Converts from Tarrapoto, Jorge Pisfil, who was the single dad that we baptized, moved to Moyobamba and got married.  In the priesthood meeting that I was attending, he became an Elder!!!  I have never been so happy, there he was in a shirt and tie sitting in church with his family! Wow, it was great!!  Best trip ever!