The Walk-Off Grand Slam . . . .

Que sepa el mundo que en marcha estoy! Que voy a cumplir mi misión!! 

So a little bit on this week Percy and Gerald got baptized. I baptized the both of them and it was an incredible way to go out. I do have to say that it changed me. I'm so happy I got to be apart of that. That was definitely a walk-off grand slam.

Haha well, now that I got that out of the way I just want to let you all know that I love you so much! So pretty much I spoke a lot in my recording seeing as it's 30 minutes long. Sorry about that!! Haha, looks like you have your FHE lesson already done! Anyway, I would like to focus my email not on what happened this week but rather what has happened in these two years. Bear with me as much of it is the same as the recording. I'm doing them both just in case you don't have time to listen to the recording. 

The hardest thing I´ve ever loved to do:

I started my first 6 months in Puno, Chanu Chanu where I learned much of just how to be a missionary how to work and all that good stuff. I loved so much the ward that I was in and had no desire to leave at all.

Sadly enough I was transferred and 6 months later I was at the same point I was in Chanu Chanu, feeling like I don't want to have a change because I loved the ward so much, but this time in Cusco, Los Alamos. There I learned really how to love my companions. I went through some hard times in Los Alamos but I have to say I learned so much from that experience and it really helped me trust more in God.

Change day came and I was so pleasantly surprised to hear that I was going back to Puno!!! This time in Bellavista. In Bellavista I really learned how to solve problems. In a leadership position, I was faced with many problems from all sorts of missionaries, the key was to just trust in God and follow the Spirit. Once again hoping for another change in Puno, I got transferred to Quillbamba... This was the only transfer I actually cried because I didn't want to go that bad.

Now here I am here in Quillabamba. All I can say is that I love this place. Here I really learned how to just love everyone. Although I still need lots of help as I looked across the sacrament room, as I bore my final testimony yesterday, I was so moved as I saw so many faces of people that I love.

And that's just a little bit of these two years of my life. I would like to share two of the greatest things I learned and testimonies I gained as I was out here serving.

1. Jesus Christ is my Savior. I think when I started the mission I had a little testimony of that and I always believed it cause I was born believing it. But I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I know that He is my Savior and that He lives. I don't know where I would be in my life know if I didn't know that. It's something that has truly changed me and I am so grateful for the experiences I have had to come to know my Savior more. Testify of Him always. What an incredible experience it has been to be His representative. 

2. The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon helped me come closer to my Savior. It has changed me in so many ways I can't even explain it. With my time on the mission I have had the opportunity to read it a couple of times and the only thing I can say about it is that it's true. My testimony of the Book of Mormon has been strengthed through the experience that I had with hno Percy. As he shared his testimony in his baptism about the Book of Mormon, I was brought to tears. The book is true. I know it. I have lived it. I love it.

This family has changed my life. I love them so much!

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

So this week president Herrera sent me a subliminal message of where I am going to be transferred. Here's a picture!

This family has changed my life. I love them so much!

For ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Well, I just have to say God is a God of miracles! I do have to say this week was a pretty incredible week of seeing God's hand in this work. 

Now to be honest I was a little down this week because Kevin, our investigator that was progressing so well, failed our appts.  He kinda disappeared and now he won't be baptized the 24th of September.

The good thing is Percy is going to be baptized. It's incredible the change I have seen in Percy. He's so awesome! I am so excited for him and his family!!!!

So a huge miracle passed this week. It is explained way better in the recording but here is a summary.

So the sisters in our branch are teaching an investigator. He's the husband of a member and their daughters are also members. He had a date for the 24th of September. Well, The Sisters called us I think Wednesday or Thursday to tell us that the inv. called them to tell them that he no longer wants to meet with them, and no longer wants to be baptized. The sisters were devastated and called us not knowing what to do. We tried to help them and we just prayed. Well, long story short we got a call Saturday morning from the sisters, asking if we had the keys to the church. When I asked why they needed them they told me that this inv. was going to have his baptismal interview. Which he passed and will now be baptized on Saturday. Honestly, God is so loving. Sometimes we don't understand why we pass through difficulties, but I know that God knows. He knows best. Have faith stay strong. See you soon! 

Love you all!!

fotos

Me with Percy and his family

With part of the zone in a waterfall

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

Lawn Mowing til it Hurts!

Okay, so this week was pretty great!

So Monday to Wednesday we were in Cusco, Monday was one of the greatest P-days on my mission, it was soo funny! Cusco is always a great time!!!

Tuesday we had leadership meeting which was really good! President Herrera has some new goals for the mission which is really cool, I am excited to see what is going to happen, although I won't see much. 

Wednesday we travelled back to Quillabamba, I do have to say I love Quillabamba. It is such a great place!!! 

Thursday through Sunday we were just teaching lessons and doing good ole missionary work. We found a new investigator named Mindy who could really progress, she works with our pension's husband. 

Kevin is doing well. We only met with him once this week for time issues, but he came to church and we were happy and he is happy.

Percy is also doing well, we had a great lesson with him about faith and repentance and he is just eating it all up. I love it so much. The gospel changes lives. It really does. He is just another huge testimony to me!

We also did a service where we mowed a less active's lawn! First time in two years!!! My back actually was little sore... haha you will see why!!

Well, thanks to everyone for everything! I miss you all like crazy and am so grateful for your support!! I love you all and wish you the best!!!

The picture is me with the most updated, fashionable lawn mower in all of Quillabamba.

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

I'm guessing Zach will never complain about mowing our lawn when he comes home
after having to mow a lawn using this thing.

Wake Me Up When September Ends!

Ok, so I promise I'm not trunky!!! haha I just have been waiting like 2 years to put that title on my email! haha 

Honestly, I would prefer if you just wouldn't even let me sleep!!! The work of the Lord needs no rest, unfortunately, His missionaries do.

So I have to apologize this week I wasn't able to do a recording. Yesterday, Sunday, we had to travel to Cusco for leadership meeting!! My last one!!! (HALLELUJAH) haha, not! Actually those are one of my favorite parts of being a zone leader. Anyway, so another lame thing about this week was I was super sick almost the entire week. I spent a couple nights up all night diahrreaing, and then vomiting..... but that doesn't even matter cause we worked super hard this week and it was awesome.

So I'm gonna give you an update on Kevin, he's doing great and he's starting to mesh with the Young Men and Young Women 😏 you know we hook it up all day, every day! He's on date for the 24th of this month!!! YEES! 

Okay, so we had another great experience on Friday! So Thursday night we were supposed to go to a family home evening with the ward, they are doing like big family home evening to invite friends and everything (actually a great idea) but we didn't go because one, it was really late and we got late out of an appt, and two, I was a little sick so we didn't go (by a little sick I mean almost going in my pants) . . .ya sometimes its really gross! haha! So Friday that same family calls and says that they want to do an FHE with us. Now this family is a part member family, the husband isn't a member. So we go and we teach a small lesson and then he starts talking to us. He expresses to us some personal feelings and then says,  "Elders I want to be baptized. I wanted to wait til my birthday the 12th of October but I want to be baptized sooner." He's about to be baptized on the 24th of September!! God is a God of miracles!! I love this work so much!! I love you all and miss you so much. Thanks for all of your support!!

Okay, so on other news we were by the Plaza de Armas in Cusco and this guy is like, hey hermanitos (that's what everyone calls us) come check out my store. Here, this is Zoraida, she will help you. Then Zoraida grabs all theses ponchos and chullos and says here try them on so we definitely snapped a quick pic in there. Don't worry we also got a selfie with Zoraida!! Have a great week!!!!

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

No bags, No Problem! No toilet.... big problem!!!

So this week was a very interesting week! We spent a lot of time helping two new sisters, who opened up an area here, find a room, a pension, and get all the stuff they need, like chairs, beds, desks, a dresser. We almost have everything, they may or may not have gone like two days without chairs, but the most important part was they definitely had a room right when they got here. We literally got the room rented like 20 minutes before they got here. No big deal. 

Then the other part of the week, we spent teaching lessons as always! It was great, Kevin is doing great and I am so happy for him!! He's gonna be a great convert!! Okay, so also this week we were taking stuff over to the sisters then realized we had to go to a lesson. We didn't have our bags or anything, and seeing as we aren't one of the rich missions, rather a very humble one, we don't have a mini ipad that just fits right into our pocket or we can't just leave our bags in our car, so we went to the lesson without our bags and totally taught a great lesson!! It was awesome! We just had the sister bring  her scriptures and used those! 

And the last part of our week was spent holding in our feces (sorry for the graphic images) because our toilet broke. Seriously, the worst week for me to get sick to my stomach. Our toilet broke and we tried everything to get it fixed and finally Sunday afternoon it was fixed. But from Tuesday to Sunday we went to the church every time we had to go. The problem is the church is far from our sector so we couldn't just go whenever we wanted... so let's just say I understand the phrase "dropping a load" now... Because I really experienced that!! haha, sorry I'm so descriptive!! Love you all hope you have a great week!!

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

A little bonus:

I emailed Zach some questions that I need him to answer for his application to the University of Utah, here are his responses:

1. What are my unique interests or special talents?

 I worked for about 4 months in a chicken restaurant in Peru and learned how to manage a chicken restaurant and may possibly bring pollo a la brasa to the United States.

2. Why am I interested in attending the University of Utah? 
I want to attend the U cause it's a good school, it has good programs, and even though I am a BYU fan my parents are obligating me.

3. How will I contribute to the diverse campus community? 
Well, I personally don't litter, I can speak to both greengos and Mexicans, and I know how to say a couple phrases in quechua just in case there is a panay on campus. I am extremely attractive and would motivate everyone to look better, thus bringing the number of cute girls higher thus attracting more people to come to the U.

HE IS FOR SURE GOING TO GET INTO THE U WITH THOSE ANSWERS!!

The Last Melon . . . .

Okay so maybe it's not the last melon, but today I start my last change in the mission. My new comp is Elder Bravo, he actually went to Hillcrest and I know him, so things will be good :).

This week was good, to give it to you quick, here's the update:

We were saying bye to a lot of people for my comp. 

Kevin is doing well and he is getting fellowshipped in the branch little by little which is going well. #SuperBigFamilyNight

Julio, a referral from a member has a date now for the 24th of September :) His difficulty is coming to church :(, because he has school... #lamesauce! #MemberReferralsareGreat

The Olympics Quillabamba 2016 has taken way and the missionaries took a great part! #Goldornothing

Elder Cortijo said goodbye and that was really sad, the good thing was he sat right next to a cute young girl on his way home. He called me and told me it was his favorite trip #BuscandoLaExaltacion

Well love you all and hope you have a great week!! This was our Olympic attire!

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

Machu Picchu

So this week I am not gonna write much, it's all said in the recording, but yes as you guessed it I went to Macchu Picchu yesterday!! Oh my gosh it was incredible!! Seriously great day!!! 

This week work wise was decent, kinda a slow week but the good thing is Kevin came to church! He is progressing really well and we are excited so keep him in your prayers!! Love you all have a great week!!

Happy birthday to Josh and Heather and everyone else!!!🎂🎉🎊🎉🎊

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

Crazy Week!!

Okay, so really the week wasn't that crazy until the end of the week!!! 

So really the start of the week was good, just a normal week of working. We taught some good lessons and so yeah everything was great! 

Then Saturday comes around and we spent most of the time in the chapel getting things ready for the baptism of Beltran. Which everything went well the problem was that we didn't know how to close the drain in the chapel. Word of advice to every missionary, learn your first week in a new area how to turn on the water, the water heater, and also how to open and close the drain. That'll change your life!!

Sunday was weird cause the branch did a baptism during church.... We didn't go because we didn't want our vestidos manchados!! haha following that, remember it was fast Sunday, the entire branch started eating cake because they were told that as we take the sacrament we are ending our fast so they were okay to eat cake... #Apostasy!!!

Monday we didn't have Pday.. super sad. But we had to do so much zone stuff it almost kinda felt like one. We had to make videos and send them to the mission... sounds lame but it's really cool cause they are videos for the new missionaries to get to know the mission, so I will pretty much be a legend for a while :). Then we had zone conference and interviews with our Mission president! That was good and he taught us a really cool teaching (explained in the recording) about how we can teach better using the scriptures. It's awesome!

Then today. Today we do have p day and we went to a place called Torontoy. It's a place our pension showed us pictures of and so we wanted to go sooo bad!! Little did we know we were gonna be there like all day!! haha it was a really long hike. And we brought younglins with us, we went with our pension and her family and it was super fun but super long and really tiring. On the way down I ended up carrying their kid for like 3 KM. That doesn't sound that bad, but lets just say he's one of the chubbiest 6-year-olds I know. So it was so much. We are so dead! Nevertheless, it was great and super beautiful!! 

So that was my week I hope you all have a great week! Love you all!!

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

This is the cute boy Zach carried on the hike.

Hell's Kitchen

So our pension has a restaurant, right? That's where we eat at night? And well, we pretty much work there now. We are their waiters, their chefs, everything!! haha and things got crazy!! We may or may not have been there til 10 PM working because it was so busy and we couldn't leave!! Like crazy!!!! haha The best part is everyone just gets so confused why there is a greengo attending them! haha it's great!!

Anyway, this week was alright, we really didn't have much. We had 29 set lessons this week, which is great!! But only 7 of them pulled through... So ya, sorry, there isn't much to write this week!!

We had some good contacts, and on Monday we went to a fair so that was fun!! We found our pension there and just spent the day with her! That was fun! 

Another good thing from this week is that Beltran passed his interview and this week he gets baptized!! That makes me so happy!!! We are super happy for that!! 

And other than that, just your normal week!! Dad happy birthday Love you a ton!!!

Ya well here are some pics, of me in my restaurant and also me and my quillabambinas :) Love you all have a great week!!!

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

Happy 24th of July

So happy 24th of July to everyone!! Hope you all had a great time!!!

So this week was decent but we were out of our sector for more than half of the week which was sad... anyway here it goes. . . 

Monday we went sight seeing, that was great! Pisac is beautiful!

Tuesday I met up with my convert Gustavo! He is so great I miss that guy, we went out and had lunch! 

Wednesday we had Concilio and that was good! I really like the new vision that President Herrera has for us.

Thursday we finally came back to paradise. We taught Alvaro and also a new less active family, Juan Carlos and his kids, Mirea and Carlos they are cool!

Friday we walked and walked and walked and walked (get it like the pioneer song??)

Saturday we had a lot of lessons which was great, the best part, Beltran is still super excited for his baptism!!! 

Sunday was the 24th of July and so we celebrated!! So ya that was our Sunday!!

Okay no we actually didn't celebrate but there was also a huge celebration here in Quilabamba so no one was in their house!!

hahaha love you all have a great week!!

Pics:

Just preping myself for the Olympics :)

My comp's b day

24th of July

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

Pisac

Okay so this will probably be the worst email you ever get, I also don't have a recording, I will try and get one later today but if not sorry! Anyway here are the highlights from this week:

Marilyn is progressing really well and she is solving her own problems with the law of chastity so that's great!

Beltran is also super excited for his date for the 6th. We are pretty much just waiting for the 6th to come because they are both pretty sure baptisms. 

We also are finding some new great people and are planning on putting date with lots of people this week!

Also, right now we are in Cusco because we have Concilio so this morning we went to Pisac it was really cool here are some pics!! Love you all thanks for everything!!!

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

The Nose Breaker!!!

Well, I don't have much to write this week! We had a super solid week, and well the crazy thing was I almost broke my nose. So long story short I was blindfolded and ran into a pole, yes ran. So word of advice, don't run when your eyes are blindfolded!! haha 

Another highlight of the week is that Beltran now has a date for the 6th of August!

And this isn't a highlight but my comp is having a change, my new comp is Elder Cortijo, he's a great guy and he's from Lima! I'm super pumped to be with him! Well, I love you all and hope you have a great week!!!

Sorry I don't have a great picture of my swollen nose, but this is it!! Love you all have a great week!

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

These are some of the missionaries in Zach's mission.  His Mission President is in the middle with his wife and two daughters. (sorry it's not bigger)

OUCH!!

4th of July . . .

Happy 4th of July to everyone!!! God Bless America! 󾓦󾓦󾓦󾓦󾓦󾓦󾓦󾓦

Well to let you all know I am currently in Cusco right now, we had to travel this morning for a conference with our new mission president. So I don't really have much time! But I will throw in the highlights!

So walking in the street today this little kid ran up to me said "wow I really like your beautiful tie" felt my tie then walked off. The whole blonde hair blue eyes gets everyone here, even the boys ;)

Marilyn, our investigator who wanted to get baptized in November now has a date for the 6th of August!

Marysol totally felt the spirit when we testified to her of eternal families. She will have a date this week. 

We taught Gianella, and her babies dad, about God and really helped them feel the spirit!

We contacted a guy who was going to get baptized in Lima, lost contact with the church when he came to Quillabamba and wants to meet with us! Bad news about him, he's for another sector... Lame sauce!!!

This week, all in all, was great!! I am loving Quillabamba and I love this gospel!! Love you all have a great week and a great day in America!!!

--

Love, Elder Ludlow

Zion Prospers, Kinda. . . .

Well, this week was pretty good!

Monday was great! The waterfalls were super awesome!

Tuesday we had a really solid day! We taught Mijail a recent convert, had a solid lesson with him! He's really cool but going through some trials right now. Then we taught Alvaro, the less active. He has lots of questions and interrupts us like every second, haha I am learning lots of patience with him! Then we also taught Jesus Guevara, he's a recent convert and that was good.

Wednesday we taught Betzabe. She is an inv who is dating a less active. She's been listening to the missionaries for a while now, but has never prayed to know if it's true. If she doesn't start progressing we might have to drop her for a little, but she's really cool and we don't want that to happen.

Thursday we had zone meeting in the morning. That was good. After lunch we taught Rodrigo Valle, a less active, and also we found another less active named Gianella, pronounced Yanela, That was all good. Then we also taught Rene y Marcela, and to end the day we had a family night planned to do with Emerson and Angelica in a members house. But Emerson and Angelica failed so we just went and ended teaching this members husband, who isn't a member. Holy cow he likes to talk!!! haha like a lot!!!!

Friday we taught Jymmy (Jimmy) he a less active and he's also a really good guy. Kinda shy but we gained a lot of his trust. We also taught Alvaro again and that was a little better, He interrupted a little less so we were able to teach some more basic stuff. We are literally just going step by step with him.

Saturday we visited Beltran, he has a date for the 16th so that's good.  He is all good and everything is great. Then we also taught Marysol and shared our conversion stories with her.

Sunday we had branch council, which is sometimes just ridiculous, haha but we are gonna get them on track and have a better focus in those meetings so the work gets going a little quicker, but once we get them going Zion will be prospering!! haha 

Thanks for everything! I didn't take any pictures so here are some pictures from last week!! Love you all!! Have a great week!

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

Zach and Elder Arias, his current companion.

Zach and Elder Mann, his last companion (he was with him for 7 1/2 months). Not sure why Elder Mann is there because he stayed in Puno last transfer.  He must have traveled to the waterfalls on P-day too.

Traveling... Happy Fathers DAY!‏

So this week was pretty normal, like so normal I'm not even gonna go day by day.

First to every dad out there I hope you had a great Father's Day!!! Thanks for all of your examples!!! Especially you Richy ;). I love you so much dad thanks for everything!!!

The highlights were really this Wednesday we  traveled all afternoon to Cusco

Thursday we traveled 3 hours to this rope bridge, Q´eswachaca, with President as a part of concilio, he then gave a great teaching. Love the guy! Then 3 hours back.

Friday we traveled with President back to that was a lot better but still was 5 hours. Then we had interviews and that was so great I love President soo much! I'm gonna miss him like crazy!

Saturday and Sunday we had district conference and we were in those meetings most  of the day!!

But this week I just wanna testify to you guys how true the book of Mormon is. I have had way too many experiences with the Book of Mormon to ever deny that it's true. Read it with an open heart and you will receive personal revelation!!

Oh ya and today we went to some waterfalls, seriously this place is incredible!! Here's some pics.

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

Another Week In Paradise . . .

Well I'm still loving it here so that's always a good sign, right??

So Monday was just a normal P-day, we cut our hair, ran a couple of errands and just did some normal stuff.

Tuesday we had a lesson with Marysol, that was alright. We brought this member with us that talks soooo much!! And we already had to have a short lesson, but he just talked and talked and talked, it was like going home teaching with dad ;). But we talked about the Book of Mormon and that was good. Seriously that book is a miracle. I love it so much!!

Wednesday we taught Lizet and that was good. We talked about the Book of Mormon with her as well, really if people would just open that book and read it and pray miracles would happen!!! We also taught this investigator named Juana. She is an older lady, and well, she likes to talk, and I'm not gonna lie, I kinda dozed off while she was telling us her life story... Whoops!!! We also did a service for Marysol.

Thursday we walked the entire afternoon, no appts.

Friday I was on divisions with Elder Martin, that was good. We were in the CCM together so we are pretty good buds, we had a good day and some good lessons.

Saturday we taught Beltran again then we taught Marysol. Now with Marysol she has told us that she hasn't been wanting  to go to church cause she doesn't want to commit yet, but we invited her to church again and she said, "well this week I can't, but I do want to go to church now, so next week for sure." Oh it's so awesome!! The Spirit is incredible how it softens peoples hearts, seriously we gained a lot of confidence this week with her, super excited for what will happen with her this week!

Sunday I finally got to go to church here. That was great! Except like no one came. We only had one less active there, which made me super sad... :( but this week will be better!! We also taught Franco and Marilyn and that was a solid lesson, they should be progressing really fast really soon. Then we had all sorts of meetings and that was it.

So everything is going great here, Life is great!! I love you all, and here's a picture with my comp :) have a great week!

-- 

Love, Elder Ludlow

Zach and his new companion Elder Arias

Zach's description of the next two pictures:  

So this was a less active members hand after being bit by a spider. Sorry to scare you mom :)!

Oh I really hope Zach doesn't get bit by a spider!!!