CHRISTMAS CALL

Derek called at one o'clock (3 pm Peru time) in the afternoon on Christmas day. Our daughter Britney and her family were here.
Alden, our last child at home, Shane and I, and our neighbor Ken were also here. We put Derek on speakerphone and called our daughter in southern Utah on the cell phone. We also recorded the call so we could listen to it again. We spoke for a little over an hour. It was wonderful to hear his voice and know that he is well. We talked about the jungle and the people in Peru. We talked about his pension and the baby monkey that they have. He told us about his experiences there. He talked about his learning of the scriptures and that he enjoys studying and wishes he had studied more at home. He bore is testimony is Spanish. It was a wonderful call and very difficult to say goodbye.

This is Derek's 6 MONTH Anniversary!!!

Twas the Week Before Christmas and Packages Arrived.....December 22, 2008

Monday we played dodge ball and basketball with all the missionaries in the zone. That was fun. We wanted to be lazy so we went home. Our pension lives right next door so we went over to watch the testaments. They have a baby monkey, so when we go to eat we get to play with it. It is so cute.















Tuesday we had a district meeting and then had a dentist appointment. They drilled two cavities and only filled one so Elder Torrejon has a hole in one of his teeth and has a hard time eating. I took out 100 soles from the ATM because we have run out of money paying for the dentist. It was easy to use the ATM. It took about 33 dollars out of my account.

Wednesday we had another work visit and I went to a different area and we taught a crazy guy that said he is like a mirror, when he prays for himself he doesn’t receive but when he prays for others they always receive. It was funny, he said that God didn’t give him gifts and then later he said that being a mirror was his gift. It was weird.

Thursday we had a dentist appointment and we don’t have to go back again. All is well. We had a work visit from one of the assistants to the president. One of our contacts we made today wanted to speak to me in English. He is from Toronto Canada and spoke very good English. It was hard for me to speak English, for some reason my brain wanted to speak in Spanish. I would start the sentence in Spanish and end it in English. After that we had a few lessons it was time to end the day so we took the assistant to the hotel and there I received my packages and letters. I felt so loved! We opened them as soon as I got home and had time.
Friday we had lunch with President Perez and everyone else received their packages. We got from the president and his wife a bag for our bathroom stuff. (like toothbrush soap and stuff like that) We also received candy from them. From your packages I decided to open the

gifts on the appropriate day

(12 days of Christmas) But as soon as I saw that one of them could be pictures I had to open it. I was right! It was pictures and I didn’t recognize the little kid in the pictures. I saw Tyson in the swimming pool but who where the others?

Saturday we had a few lessons planned and then we had a small activity at the church for Christmas, then we had a few more appointments. We watched “Joy to the World” a few times. A lot of people here think that we do not celebrate Christmas.

In church on Sunday we gave talks and the December Ensign that you sent came in handy. Thanks for sending it. That was basically my talk. I asked my companion if he understood it and he said yes. I felt pretty good until I realized that I had read most of it from the Ensign.

When I opened the two packages I felt the love rush out. I also got some dearelder letters and other stuff like the paper for voting. I got Paige’s announcement, I didn’t have a clue that she was getting married or was even close to that age. That was a big shocker!. (Paige is Derek’s cousin that is his age)

Sending love from Peru, Love Elder Hyde, talk to you Thursday

I Am Trying To Be Like Jesus December 15, 2008

We are still teaching the Gonzalez family and trying to get them married. We are teaching basically their whole street. It is fun. On this street we started teaching one lesson outside, because inside it is hotter than it is outside. The neighborhood kids started gathering around. One time this week I think we had 20 kids gathered around. Most of them are at or above the age of baptism. It felt like Jesus when he said “let the little ones come unto me”.

Christmas in Peru December 15, 2008

We have our Christmas tree. We drew it on a piece of cardboard. It is freakin awesome.

This Friday is our dinner with President Perez. The office has two packages and they should bring them that night. I am so excited to get them!! Now that we have a fridge, I can put the homemade candy in it and eat them the way I love them.

Teaching December 15, 2008

There is a guy, Luis, that we are teaching. His family sells beer and I guess he doesn’t like it so he wants to find something else to do because it is a temptation. We are teaching him and his family, he listens and is very nice. We have planned to watch the testaments with his family.
This week we have started to proselyte early in the day so we have had quite a few lessons.
On Thursday a return missionary from our ward came to our house. He is so trunky, he wanted to be back on the mission. We told him he could go out with us the next day. He didn’t show up though. It was raining hard that day. We had another work visit and I was senior companion again. It was ok, but we didn’t teach too many lessons.

Try Playing Football With a Soccer Ball Study and Learn December 15, 2008

For P day we played soccer then played football with the soccer ball. IT WAS FUN.
Tuesday we went to a different dentist for my companion and he said that he only had seven cavities. I think the other dentist just wanted money. On Saturday He had one tooth fixed and another taken out. The dentist told him to rest. We spent all day at home. I didn’t feel very good sleeping so I studied and learned. I am studying the Book of Mormon. Holy crap I wish I would have been better at studying before the mission. I have learned a lot. I read three verses in Alma 43:19-21 and learned so much, it is amazing.

Phone Call on Christmas Day... December 15, 2008

I have my calling cards, they only cost like 15 soles and will last me about an hour and a half. We have a phone in our room and I think we will spend the day in our room. What time in the afternoon do you want me to call. Should I call the cell phone or the home phone?

A NEW TEMPLE IN PERU

TRUJILLO, Peru 13 December 2008 Plans to build a new temple in Trujillo, Peru, were announced today by the First Presidency — the highest governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This will bring the total number of temples worldwide to 146 already in operation or in the planning and construction phases.
The new temple in Peru becomes the third temple in South America now in the planning and construction phases, along with ones planned for Manaus, Brazil, and Córdoba, Argentina, bringing the total number of temples in South America to 17.
“We are confident that this will be a blessing to the many faithful Saints in this and surrounding areas who have had to travel long distances to enjoy the blessings of the temple,” said the First Presidency in an announcement letter to ecclesiastical leaders.
“We commend the Saints for their devotion and faithfulness, and are thankful for the blessings that will come to them through the construction of this new temple.”
To members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, temples are the “house of the Lord,” the most sacred place on earth. Temple services bind families together forever, teach the purpose of life and explain God’s plan of salvation. Temple attendance strengthens Latter-day Saints’ commitment to living Christian principles, emphasizes personal spiritual growth and increases devotion to family.
The Trujillo Peru Temple is planned for construction on the site of an existing meetinghouse on Teodoro Valcárcel Street in Urbanización Primavera, Trujillo. It will serve more than 88,000 Latter-day Saints in the region.
Latter-day Saint missionaries began preaching in Trujillo in 1960. The first baptisms in the original Trujillo Branch — a small congregation, then part of the Andes Mission — were performed in February 1961. In 1963 the first meetinghouse was dedicated in Trujillo. The first stake in Trujillo (a stake is similar to a diocese) was eventually organized in January 1978 by Thomas S. Monson, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles — the second-highest governing body of the Church. President Monson now serves as worldwide leader of the Church.
Latter-day Saint temples differ from the tens of thousands of meetinghouses where members typically meet for Sunday worship services and midweek social activities and where visitors are always welcome. Temples are used solely for the performance of sacred ordinances and religious instruction aimed at strengthening members’ relationships with God and their fellow man. They are closed to the public after they are dedicated.

Ice Cream, Coconut, Pizza With Mango and Pineapple, Shrimp December 8, 2008

This week was a pretty good week.

Monday: We went to a nearby stadium and played soccer, It was fun and I am better than I remember being. After that we went to the zone leaders house and as a district bought 10 liters of ice cream, it was delicious.

Tuesday: We had district meeting, that we have every week. At lunch we saw some coconut trees and asked the family where we could get some. There was a lady down the street that sells them. So after lunch we went to get some. We had to retrieve them from the tree. There is a rule though that says we can’t climb trees. So we had the member that we ate with do it for us.

Wednesday: We had another work visit but this time I went to a different area. It was fun, I got to meet more people.

Thursday: The past couple weeks my comp has been having tooth problems and so he called Sister Perez and told her and she told him to go to the dentist. So we went and turns out he has 15 cavities and 2 others that really are bad. That is not the bad part. They want 750 soles to fix it. I don’t really believe that he has 15 I think they are trying to take advantage of him.
We had a FHE with a future elder. We watched “The Testaments”. He bought a pizza. To answer your question from last week, the pizza here is different, but is still good. We had a Hawaiian pizza and it had mangoes and pineapple, it was delicious.

Friday: We had a bowl of soup for lunch and while I was eating I found two big shrimp in it. It freaked me out but I ate them. It wasn’t bad but I don’t care for shrimp.
I guess the mission doesn’t want us to have pensions anymore so they are getting us fridges and microwaves and stuff like that. Today we received the fridge. It felt like an early Christmas

Saturday: I was thinking about Christmas today and got a little bummed because here it does not feel like Christmas. It doesn’t even feel like December.

Sunday: We were able to go to the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional and it was really awesome. I had the choice to watch it in Spanish or in English. I chose Spanish because I want to increase my Spanish speaking and listening skills. I think Elder Uchtdorf was talking directly to me. He said one phrase that hit me. He said something like this. “The most memorable Christmases were the ones with the most humility”. I think this is going to be one of the most humble Christmases that I will have. I will make it the best for others and by doing that it will be the best for me too. Last night was the bomb. It was awesome. I really enjoyed all the talks. I really enjoyed what I understood of President Monson’s talk, He said that Christmas is a good time to think of Jesus but we should think of him more during the year and throughout every day.
Well that was my week. love you guys tons love Elder Hyde

Miscellaneous things from Pucallpa December 1, 2008

About Pucallpa. The actual city is not jungle like but there is a river on one side of it. I think around the city is completely jungle. I am not sure of the number of people here but it is a big city. Not as big as Chicago or Salt Lake City but it is not a village. It is very hot and humid. There is Industry here and most people are mototaxistas, people that drive other people around for money.

We have a ward and the people are really nice, there are two families that invite us to family home evening and they invite investigators.

The mission pays to get us drinking water. A lot of people don’t drink water, they drink soda. That is why they don’t have teeth.

One of our family traditions is to go to “Forgotten Carols” by Michael McLean. Derek had asked what day we were going. This is his response “I know you will have a good time tonight. I will probably be listening to the Forgotten Carols on my mp3 player". Love you tons, Elder Hyde

Another Week In The Jungle December 1, 2008

Last Monday we played one round of capture the flag, then the Latinos wanted to play soccer. We played that for a while then spent the rest of the time making cds of my pictures. I will send them home after I ask around and find the best way to send it. I have some pretty cool pictures that would not burn to the cd. The videos I took will not burn also.

Here’s a cool story about the GONZALEZ family, the family that came to church. This family is prepared! This week we visited them and they listened, asked questions and know that it is true. The husband had very little work before we met them, after he came to the church his work started to pick up a bit. That is one of their blessings of going to church. Since we have been teaching them they say there is a different feeling in their house. Right now we are trying to help them get married and then they can be baptized. This family was ready to hear the gospel.

Wednesday we taught a lot of lessons. Nothing too exciting happened.

Thursday we went and visited some other elders for a while, we stopped in a gas station to get some change and we bought a mountain dew. The cost was outrageous, it was 4.5 soles, I think about two dollars. This was for a can not a bottle. It was good though. The rest of the day we walked around trying to help me get to know the area, because on Friday we have mini switches and I have to be the senior companion in the area.

Friday the mini switch or we call it here a work visit went really good. It was better than I thought it would be, we taught a few lessons that we had planned, then we found some new people to teach.

Saturday was a day of ANIMALS. I held a parrot looking bird and got a picture with it. We went to LUNCE (his pensionita?), lo and behold, they had a BABY MONKEY. After we ate I played with it for a few minutes. It was really cool, I have video of it. I was really tired that day too because I only got like three hours of sleep. I think the reason was that we have to sleep with mosquito nets. They don’t circulate air very well so it was really HOT. I have fixed the problem now and have slept better.

Sunday was a good day! The attendance in sacrament meeting here has been going down dramatically. We are not sure why. One reason may be that a lot of people have DENGAY, or are really sick. We went and visited some families and our investigators. One family gave us popcorn. I love the popcorn here. I loved the popcorn that you sent me also.

Today we are going to a stadium and playing soccer as a zone. We will probably catch up on some zzzzzzzzzzzzzs.

In The Jungle, The Mighty Jungle..........November 24,2008

I am in the jungle and loving every minute of it!! My trip to Pucallpa was good, it was not too long only about an hour. I sat next to a young woman, 17 years old. We talked almost the whole flight. I was surprised that I understood her and was able to talk to her. I got her name, address and even her phone number. So you know father, it is only a reference for other missionaries, nothing more! :) When we got off the plane it was sooooo hot. It was even worse in a suit. I think they said it was only about 89 degrees.

Elder Layton was in the same plane and he is in the same district. He even has the same pensionista.

I loved the package from home. I finished off the M&Ms and popcorn on Wednesday before I left Collique. The popcorn was excellent. I loved it. One reason we had a microwave in that area is because we didn’t have a pension. We cooked our own food. We also had a rice cooker. Towards the end of the change we found a pension and they cooked dinner for us. We still made our own breakfast. A few things that they made us were weird, like cow intestines and fish with the scales still on it. That was in Collique.

Here the Pensionista is the bomb. We have had nothing but good food. But I didn’t say it wasn’t weird. We have had alligator. It was really good, it tasted better than some of the chicken I have had here. That is the weirdest thing that I have eaten.
The Jungle is very beautiful and very, very, very hot!!!!!. It is a lot different than Collique. I am actually thankful for the cold showers. Our shower consists of a bucket of cold water. It feels so good because it is so hot in these neck of the woods. My apartment is a small little thing. We have one room to sleep, one room to study, a little tiny bathroom and a small kitchen with a sink. It is not much of a kitchen though just a sink.

My new companion is Elder Torrejan. He is from Bolivia, Santa Cruz. He is really funny. It is funny to hear him try to speak English. One night we had a salamander in our room , we caught it then in got loose in Elder Torrejan’s hand, he freaked out. The best part is that I got it all on video. It was awesome.
The language here is not much different, they just talk different it is like they are singing. It may actually be a little easier to understand.

On Saturday we contacted a family that was sitting on their porch. We taught them a lesson and invited them to church. LO and behold they showed up. It was really cool!

On P days we go to a small house that has a bunch of computers. It cost about one sol for an hour. That is about 40 cents an hour.

I love you tons,
Elder Hyde

Jungle Here I Come, Make Room for Elder Hyde November 17, 2008

I found out this morning that I am going to the jungle. The area is called Pucallpa. I hear it is beautiful. I hope I am ready. I heard it is harder to understand (language) there but I will get better fast I hope.

Monday our zone played soccer and had a lot of fun. I got my hair cut and then we cleaned our house for the rest of the day. We had inspections the next day.

On Tuesday we had interviews and the assistants talked to us for a while. It was good. We worked the rest of the day, nothing exciting happened.

Wednesday we were talking to a guy that we were contacting.
We were pretty much arguing because he was saying that all churches have something wrong with them. Elder Maldonado wanted to prove him wrong, after about 45 minutes I reached my hand up to him, said thanks for you time and started walking off. My companion had no option but to follow. Elder Maldonado said thanks for helping to get him out of that situation. After stuff like that I just feel so spiritually drained.
We talked to another young man in the Miguel family that wants to get baptized, so now that is five in this family. We will baptize two this week, well I won’t but my companion will. They are a really good family.

Thursday we went to an appointment and the lady was there, she opened the door and asked us to hold on one minute. A minute later she came back with her bible in hand. My first thought was that she was ready to bash. We taught her the first lesson and then she started asking questions. One was “Why can’t women hold the Priesthood” and another, “Where did black people come from if God created one race.”

Friday I got your package and did a lot of work. I have already eaten one bag of the M&M’s and the Swedish fish, I love the picture of Alden and I have read one of the talks. Thanks I love it. I can’t wait for the next package.

Saturday we did service again and if you want to send me some gloves I will probably use them in a future service project.

Sunday was another normal Sunday. They asked the missionaries to help pass the sacrament. It was a good week.

Funny language story….I was trying to make a contact and I wanted to say “have you talked with missionaries like us before.” But I said “Have you talked with us like us before”. My mind was working faster than my tongue.

Tell Michael Drago and Logan Child that the eagle projects sound cool. Tell them great job and congrats for me.
Tell everyone hello from me.
Sending my love from Peru to you. love Elder Hyde.
Next time I send love it will be from the jungle.

Teaching Families November 10, 2008

We are teaching the Familia Miguel. This family consists of a lot of people. The Grandpa is not a member, two of his daughters are, and right now we are working with the granddaughters. We have their dates set for November 22nd. They are really good people.
We are teaching a young man named Gabriel Alejandro, he also has a baptism date for November 22nd.

Food I Ate This Week November 10, 2008

I am trying to get used to the food. Yesterday for dinner we had Cau-Cau. What is it you probably are asking???? Cow intestines! It was not that great, but I ate as much as I could. I hove not felt the effects of it yet but I am sure it is coming. We also had fish this week, it still had the skin on it, I ate a little and it was ok, but not the best.

Children's Primary Program November 10, 2008

This Sunday was great. The primary program was this week. It was very different than what I am used to. The children had the choir robes that the choirs wear when they dance. I thought the kids were going to start dancing to "I Love to See the Temple”. In the front of the chapel there was a big picture of the kids. It was weird.

Power of the Priesthood and Hard Work November 10, 2008

Friday: We went to the church to use the bathroom and ran into a mother with her daughter in her arms. The daughter was not feeling good and she asked for a blessing. We gave her a Priesthood blessing and within five munutes the girl was playing and running around. The power of the priesthood is real. The cool part of this experience is that we had asked another man to go with us to a room where we gave the blessing, This guy was is not a member, but he was able to see the power of the priesthood that we hold. It was awesome.
Saturday we did service. We are digging trenches for water pipes. It is difficult, we are digging straight rock with a little bit of dirt in between. It is hard work, but it is good because we are helping some recent converts.

Dog Bites? Kid Bites?? November 10, 2008

Wednesday, like all days, we run into dogs in the streets. We went into a house and the little kid there is worse than some of the dogs. I have not been bitten by a dog. But this kid has bit me twice.

The Temple is amazing November 10, 2008

Last Monday was a little rushed because we worked so we could go to the temple. I went through my journal last night and wrote on a sticky note the things I wanted to share from this week.

Tuesday
The temple was amazing. Like always, I understood most of what was going on, but the guy helping me at the end kind of just mumbled so I didn’t understand to much of that. I made it through and it is a beautiful temple. They actually had carpet, it felt so good on my feet.

Teaching Young Women and Earthquakes November 3 2008

We have a few young women who have accepted baptism. Their date is going to be the 15th of November. Their names are Susan and Ibeth. We hope to talk to their parents and get them baptized also. Their aunts are members but less active. They are really a nice family.

We had another earthquake this week. We were walking and didn’t feel it, we heard it and saw everybody running out of their houses. I thought it was funny because it didn’t seem bad. Peru has earthquakes every few weeks. I have felt three earthquakes.

Holloween 2008

Halloween is different here, the kids have cheap little masks and go to the little stores that are everywhere. They don’t go house to house. They don’t go all out on the costume thing like we do.

This is Connor and Chloee, Derek's nephew and neice.

This is Tyson, Derek's other nephew.

Tuve Me Primero Bautismo------------October 25, 2008

tuve me primero bautismo------I had my first baptism.
It was weird,(interesting) we had met Milagros Grados on the street one time and I guess she was investigator pior to us meeting her. We invited her to church and stopped by her house a few times. At first it didn’t sound like she wanted to change. But come last Sunday she showed up at church and after Sunday school she said, “I want to get baptized”.
She had an interview with the bishop on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday we went over the lessons with her. She passed her interview on Friday. She was baptized Saturday then confirmed on Sunday.
Milagros Grados was my first baptism. Saturday my comp said ”Hey, your going to be doing the baptism today, get your stuff ready.” I freaked a little ‘cause I didn’t know the prayer in Spanish. Throughout the day I tried to memorize it. It went ok, I was so worried about saying her four names that I forgot how the first part of the prayer went. The other elders were there to help, so that was good.
Elder Seanz and Elder Morton had four baptisms that day too, we did them all together. It was a good week

Stupid Stealth Dogs October 24,2008

This week was a bad week for dogs. We had two encounters with them.
Yesterday my comp got bit, not bad, but I am sure it still does not feel good.

The other one happened to a little kid, we were walking with his family. This kid was walking on the wanna-be sidewalk and he walked past a dog that had puppies. The dog freaked out and put its front paws on the kid’s shoulders and bit him on the side of the face, his cheek and ear. My companion ran over and kicked the dog really hard in the stomach. The wound looked bad and was bleeding. I felt really bad and I was not sure what to do.

Some dogs are dumb and some are chilled. I have tried the no eye contact, it usually works. Some dogs we call stealth dogs. They don’t bark or anything as you go past but they sneak up on you as you walk away and attack. That is how elder Maldonado got bit. Stupid stealth dogs.

Elder Christofferson and President Costa

Elder Todd Chistofferson

Wednesday we had the opportunity to go to the CCM (Mission Training Center in Lima, Peru) and listen to Elder D Todd Christofferson. it was amazing. We actually got to listen to him, his wife, and PresidentClaudio R.M. Costa of the seventy. What was really cool was they all spoke in Spanish and I actually understood a lot of what they were saying. Now just if I could speak. I took some pretty good notes too. That experience took all day.

Iffy Chicken

Last Sunday (October 19th) I had some really iffy chicken. There was some blood in it. I don’t know if it wasn’t cooked good or what but I ate it. Monday I felt ok, not the best. Then on t Tuesday I was feeling the results of the chicken. I was on the toilet for a most of the day and was not able to go out and work. i felt really bad for not working but I could not get up and walk comfortably

My week October 20, 2008

My week has been good. For some reason we can’t get the members to help us a lot. They do help the most they can I think. We are teaching a couple of lessons each day.

I am reading “Jesus the Christ”, it is an awesome book. It is so interesting.

Our apartment is one of the nicest that I have been in so far. We have tile floors.
We have a shower head that is suppose to heat up the water, but it is broken. While I am in this apartment I will be taking cold showers. Our roof leaks when it rains. It is not really a rain though it is a mist.

They give us three big bottle of purified water that last a change. (6weeks) I buy a lot of crush pop, they don’t really sell water. When we eat at members houses I can’t ask what we are eating because I probably won’t understand what they say.

When we asked Derek how he was doing with Spanish he replied,” Mas O Menos” It’s ok, but I speak really simple and can’t really speak my mind. It is getting easier though. One time I was teaching a woman, I got the feeling she did not understand what I was saying.

Today (P Day) we are going to be playing sports at the church and having a barbeque with the other elders in our zone. I am excited.

The Weather, The Haircutand The Earthquake October 13, 2008

Sorry I didn’t email yesterday. The elders that were delayed(Elder Layton, Elder Ridge, Elder Ellison ) had to go and do some paperwork and stuff at the office.

That is awesome that Luke Hobbs is going to Guatemala City. Tell Brad Lloyd (going to Louisville Kentucky in Jan.) good luck and he is going to make a great missionary.

Kevin and Brian are the names of the young men that went to general conference with us. We go to a lot of less active member’s homes. We have a lot here. We do a lot of street contacting. We have a goal of contacting 20 people a day. We don’t really know on to many doors, maybe a few. We have district and zone meetings every Tuesday.

The weather is perfect. The weird thing is everybody asks me “A tiene frio? Do you have a cold? They are all wearing sweaters and stuff, I am in short sleeves. I just think of the snow that you guys have and I am all warm.
Funny Story

Friday we went and got a haircut. The first one in two months, yeah I felt a little apostate. I had gel in my hair and the lady didn’t put water on it. she cut it so it would still have to be a comb over. That probably doesn’t make sense so to make it a short story, one side of my hair is longer than the other. I have a crazy cool picture. It is not bad but I do have to keep the part down the side.

I felt my first earthquake. It happened last Monday. It was not bad.

We eat lunch at member’s homes and we fix our own dinner and breakfast. We mostly eat rice, chicken and bean. I have not gotten real sick, I have been a little sick from adjusting to the food but that is about it. I did eat some cow’s feet. It was weird and not very good. That day my stomach was the worst, so I didn’t eat a whole lot.

I am in Peru October 6 email

Collique Area
My first week in Peru has been AMAZING. I am in an area call COLLIQUE. It is cold in the morning when I wake up but throughout the day it is warm. The showers are freezing it will take some time to get used to.
I don’t know if it was culture shock or if I am just excited to be here, but Tuesday, my first day here, I was just amazed at everything.
My companion is Elder Maldonado and he is from Lima Peru. I think he said house is just a few blocks from the mission offices, that would be in the central mission. He does not speak any English.
I have seen a lot of the missionaries that I was in the Provo MTC with. I saw Elder Ridge and Elder Layton at a multi-zone meeting.
Surprisingly, I have eaten mostly rice, beans and chicken. The weirdest thing is the soup. They cook the chicken in the soup and don’t take it off the bones. Se when they give you the soup they give you bones and EVERYTHING! It is kinda weird tasting soup but I really like the noodles.
We are teaching a few families and a few teenagers. A couple of them went with us to conference on Sunday. They didn’t pay as much attention to conference as I had hoped. It was kinda hard for me. I will need you to send me a copy of the Ensign in English, because I had to listen in Spanish and got the most of what they said, but not all of it. It would be nice to read it.
I am grateful for all of you guys and your support. I am grateful to be here in Peru.

Oh yeah and your big hugs )_____ _____(

I Am Leaving...On a Jet Plane... September 29, 2008

Today, on my parent's 26th wedding anniversary I will be flying to Peru.

The President called last night after our meetings, about five o'clock and told me that I needed to pack and would be leaving in the morning.

So we packed and cleaned. I am sending a box home with a memory card and things that I do not need.

Derek called home from Chicago and we had a wonderful visit.

He called Chantel from Atlanta and spoke with Connor and Chloee.

He will arrive in Peru around 10:30 tonight.

September 24, 2008

The last couple of days have been slow, a lot of tracting because all of our appointments fell through. I don’t know what we are doing wrong. I know it is not what we are doing. I know that satan is trying to get us down. He is not going to get me down. I am getting along with the people here.
During our zone conference yesterday the president pointed me out to everyone and told them that I would be going to Peru. I will be excited to go to Peru. We were taught how to become better happier missionaries.

Chicago--Fun On P Day September 2008

We went to the beach and played football. It was very fun. It is a little different in the sand. We rode our bikes a long way to get there. We are very tired tonight!!!

I had a hard time getting used to riding the bike with Elder Meja because he loved to ride extremely fast. I was not used to riding fast so it took some time. Now I can keep up with my companion.

Chicago Baptism September 2008

One Of My Favorite Spiritual Experiences.
We rode our bikes seven miles to get to a baptism today. It was a good thing that we took extra clothes because it was pouring rain and we were soaked. The baptism was amazing because the spirit was so strong. We rode back seven miles again in the rain, and that was all before noon.

The familia de Jesus was on of our favorite families to visit. The fed a a great dinner. This is making really excited to get to the jungles in Peru. Now all I need is a monkey. We did not eat much with ward members. When we did it was very delicious. My favorite was a vegetable soup another was rice and meat.

My favorite meal that I fixed was a bagel sandwich. (toasted bagel with lunch meat)

Chicago Sears Tower--- September 2008

A view of the Sears Tower from our apartment.

Chicago--Knocking On Doors-- September 2008

One experience that happened to on

September 9th,

we saw a lady walk out of her house and we told her we wanted to share a message with her.

She sat down on the porch and we taught a very brief first lesson. We got her information and we will give it to the English elders. I thought it was a little strange that she just sat down and wanted to listen. We don’t get a whole lot of those.

Elder Hyde knocking on a really small door.

Chicago-- About My Companion-- September 10 2008

Elder Meja is from El Salvador. He is really funny. He has four brothers and is the only member of the church.
One good thing about my companion is that he went to the MTC to learn English. In this mission we speak both English and Spanish. Right now we only teach in Spanish, so when we get someone that wants to listen in

English we give them to the English speaking elders.

Elder Meja on P day at the Navy Pier.

Flight Plans September 26, 2008

I called the travel office today, Derek has his passport, visa and travel plans.

He is schedule to fly out of Chicago Monday September 29th.
I just realized that is our 26th wedding anniversary! What a gift!

He will arrive in Peru late Monday night.

This Week at a Glance September 24,2008

We have done a lot of tracting and street contacting. We taught a few lessons that went ok. I find that people don’t really want to listen. But I read in the scriptures that we are to give them the warning voice and do our best to bring them to Christ. The choice is theirs. My favorite scripture that talks about this is Jacob 1:19 (In the Book of Mormon). We are to magnify our callings by doing all that we can do, and that their blood will not be upon our garments in the last days. I feel that we have been doing our best.

We have a couple that really liked what we taught. They even told us that they liked it. For them it is going to be a long hard road, because they smoke and drink and work on Sunday. It probably won’t be easy but in the long run it is worth it.

Tuesday (Sept 23) We had zone conference and the missionaries that I served with before were there it was cool to see them. It was really good, we learned how to become better, happier and more successful. We were taught how to work with ward members.
We had dinner with the familia de Jesus again. It was really good, they are an awesome family, very excited about missionary work.

One thing that I would challenge Alden and Dad and anyone that can, to take the opportunity to go out with the full time missionaries, DO IT! It really helps them.
Derek sends his love to all of you.

Opposition In All Things September 17,2008

At Six o’clock we were back to work. We went and knocked on doors for a while. We came to a guy’s house and he asked us what we preached. We told him that we preached about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He stopped us right there and said “Wait you are saying the church needed to be restored? When you say restored that means that it has to be lost or messed up.” I told him about Joseph Smith and he said he did not believe that the authority or the true teaching was lost. He thought that we were saying the God’s plan was messed up when the apostles died, and so in 1820 when he had made a new plan he appeared to “John Smith” (that is what he said) to restore the gospel and try again. I tried to tell him that it was His plan from the beginning. Then he was like so he sent his only begotten Son and called 12 apostle and made them fail. I was like NO they did not fail, the people failed (I wanted to say just like you). He listened and we talked for about 40 minutes. I finally faked the phone was ringing and that we had to go. They have cell phones for more than one reason. He invited us back to read the Bible in Hebrew because he had a Hebrew dictionary. I don’t think we will be going back it ended up feeling like a waste of time. That was the end of our P day.

Navy Pier Chicago Illinios September 17, 2008

After visiting the Hancock Building we walked down the bank of Lake Michigan and took more pictures. We went to the Navy Pier, which is pier with a ferris wheel, mini golf and other rides that remind me of Circus Circus rxcept outside and without a roller coaster. There were many things to do. We ate lunch at the Navy Pier.

P Day September 17 2008

Today we went to the Hancock Building. We went to the 96th floor. (The Hanckock Building has 100 floors but is not the tallest building in Chicago) The elevator ride was really fast, it took like ten seconds. We took a lot of pictures. There was a restaurant/bar we went in and some of the other missionaries in our district were going to order food, however the waitress came over and asked for some ID to make sure were were over 21. We were like WHAT? WHY? Isn't this a restaurant? They said no this is a bar and the restaurant is on the floor below and it is closed. So today I got kick out of a bar, SWEET huh!

We love emails!! Derek's email from Sept. 17.

It's so fun to hear from our missionary. We always look forward to Wednesdays!! Here are parts of his emails.

"This week has been going good. Lots of rain and my feet are starting to feel better. Saturday we went to a baptism and we rode our bikes about seven miles in the rain. It was pouring hard. It was kinda fun though. We were soaked. I felt like we had just been baptised. Good thing we took a change of clothes. I got your package but it is all gone now, it was delicious. Thanks! Spanish is still a little difficult but I think it is coming slowly . I am trying really hard to study really hard for the hour that we have to study the language."

In last week's email Derek mentioned a man that they tracted into and the man asked them to come back. They went back to teach him and here is how it went:

"We went back and taught him about the Book of Mormon but he didn't really want to listen. He said he was tired and didn't really have a lot of time. We gave him a Book of Mormon and asked him to read Alma 42 because he lost his son and his mother recently and that chapter is about-what happens after this life. He told us to call him in a month. I think I will call him in a couple weeks and see if he has read and if he has questions. "

About his new district: "The new district is good. My comp is the only one who is foreign but the others speak as if they were foreign. I can't wait till I can speak like that, hopefully it is sometime soon."

A Week of Up's and Down's

Well, the first of this week we heard from Elder Layton's family (another elder with a Visa problem) that his Visa had come him and he'd be leaving for Peru this week. (Which he did, YEAH). So thinking Derek's might be taken care of we called the travel office to see. They said they had a list of ones that were coming in on Monday and he was not on it. They said they'd have another list on Tuesday and to call back. So we called back on Tuesday and he was on the list of Visa's being delivered that day. We were so excited. We sent Derek an email telling him that it sounded like things were getting worked out and he'd be on his way soon. To that he replied, "Wow! I am excited!! I can't wait, if I weren't in the library I would jump up and scream. Just Kidding." Wednesday we made another call to the travel office to see if the Visa made it there for sure. Well, it didn't. Out of everyone of the "list", Derek's was the only one that did not arrive. How discouraging!! They had to email the people on the Peru end of things and we have not heard. We are trying to be patient but it's getting harder and harder. We had to write Derek another email telling him that we'd spoke too soon and apologized for maybe getting his hopes up. To that he said, "That's ok, you don't need to be sorry. I am enjoying myself here for the most part and I know this is where the Lord needs me at this time. So you don't need to be sorry. I still love you a ton. You might have to send me a couple big bags of M&M's but it's okay. Love you" We're so glad Derek has more patience and understanding than us!! Please keep him in your prayers.

Derek's Email-September 10

"We are in a new area and we don't have any investigators so we do alot of contacting on the street and knocking on doors all day. But it is a good experience trying to talk to everyone. The President wants us to run every morning for 20 minutes, but I am really slow and don't like running. But that's okay, I need to learn to run from the dogs that want to eat me."

"Yesterday we were contacting and knocking on doors. At about 8:15 p.m we knocked a door and the guy answered and said," I am sorry, I don't have time right now. But I am glad you guys came here because I am going through some hard times in my life. So Saturday we are going back to teach him. I am really excited. Also, yesterday was the first time I got doors slammed in my face. It was kind of exciting. Other than that we have just been knocking doors and street contacting, giving people cards. We did teach a lesson yesterday at church. It went pretty good I thought, even though I did not understand a whole lot."

Transfer to Spanish Speaking Area

As mentioned in one of the previous posts, Derek was transferred to a Spanish-Speaking area on September 3rd. Here are some of the things he has written to us about in his letter from Sept 5.
"Wednesday was transfers like I told you in my email. I have been put in a Spanish area with a companion from El Salvador. Se llama Elder Mejia. We have bikes and so Wednesday we had to go to the store and get groceries and bring them back on the bike. It was hard but we made it. All of the food made it too.

Derek with his mission president and his wife, and his new companion.

Thursday was hard, it was raining all day and it was raining pretty hard. Yes we did go tracting. We had to ride our bikes for about half an hour in the rain to get to a meeting we had at the church. At the end of the day I was getting a headache because all of the Spanish I was trying to understand. It will come, alot of people have been telling me that it was hard for them too. So I will trust, be patient, and try my hardest to understand.

Derek's First Week in the Field

We received a letter from Derek with lots of details of his first week out in the field. This took place before his transfer. Here is some of his letter dated Sept 5.

"First I will tell you about Elder Williams. He is from Idaho, a small town I can’t remember. He has four other Siblings. The first day of tracting was good. It was funny cause we would knock on the door, someone would come to the door and Elder Williams would start in English, then the people would interrupt and say "I only know a little English". I took over and tried to speak in Spanish. I think I did pretty good, but the funny part was that Elder Williams would start talking in English again and they understood pretty good. But I enjoyed it because I got to use my Spanish. I think I told you for the first week they put me in an English speaking area, but I think I spoke more Spanish than English when we were contacting."

In this letter Derek also gave us a run down of what he did each day, here it is:

"Friday August 29 We just went tracting all day and set up a few appointments for the next day and got referrals for the elders that speak better Spanish than me. I went on exchanges with Elder Hudson who speaks Spanish and that was the day I learned that I don't know a whole lot of Spanish. WOW It just went flying over my head. I understood a little but I was confused all day.
Sunday was my first Sunday out in the field and guess what? I had to give a five minute talk on missionary work.
Monday we went tracting and had a meeting with the district. There were eight of us I think in the district.

Tuesday we got a call and they said we were being transferred, so pack and get ready to move. So Tuesday we spent packing and cleaning the apartment and the car."

Transfer Day!!

We got an email from Derek today. Sounds like he didn't have a whole lot of time. We'll look forward to that letter he promised!
"Hey! I don’t have a lot of time, I will be sending a letter home tonight telling of some great experiences I have had and lots of other good stuff. Today was transfers and it has been kind of hectic because I have been moved to a different area and have a new comp that is from El Salvador. He speaks a little English but not a whole lot. I have learned today that I really don’t know a whole lot of Spanish. Oh well, this will be a good experience-I hope."

Letter From Mission President September 2, 2008

Derek with Mission President and Sister William H. Stoddard

Here are a few excerpts from the letter that we received:
"This is to inform you that your son arrived safely in the Illinois Chicago North Mission. We hope you enjoy the enclosed picture that was taken during a meeting with your son and his trainer companion who is Elder Brian Joseph Williams. They will be serving in the Gurnee 2 area of Illinois."

"Please write to him each week and encourage him to be diligent. We suggest that all your letters be positive, upbeat and spiritual."

Derek's Address is Illinois Chicago North Mission
3295 North Arlington heights Road Ste 108
Arlington Heights IL 60004

"The motto for our mission is "I will go and do" or in Spanish "Iye' y hare." (What a coincidence, that is what we used at the top of this page without knowing) This comes from 1 Nephi 3:7 and describes a perfect combination of faith and obedience that we, as missionaries in the Illinois Chicago North Mission, hope to emulate. As your son comes to realize the importance of this great work through his dedication and service, we know that the time spent here and the experiences that he has will be a great blessing for him and will make a difference in his life for years to come."
Signed by President William H. Stoddard

1st Letter from Chicago!!! Yeah!

We got our first email from Derek in Chicago. I was going to pick out bits and pieces but I thought it's be fun for you all to be able to read the whole thing. He sounds like he's doing good and excited to be out in the field. Here it is:

"Hola from Chicago. Everything went great yesterday. We got here in Chicago about 12 p.m. and the APs picked us up and we went to the mission home. We met the president and his wife and talked and had lunch-a deep dish Chicago style pizza mmmmmmmmmm. It was really good. We then left the mission home after they put a part in my hair and took pictures. I am serving in a ward that is called the Gurnee 2nd ward. Last night we went to a members home and had spaghetti; it was good. We spent a little time there and shared a message. I shared 1st Nephi 21 14-16 that says that Christ will never forget us. My companion's name is Elder Williams. He is a cool elder, he is funny. He has only been out for a few months longer than me so we are both learning together. Right now they have me serving in an English speaking area but next week at transfers they will put me in a Spanish area, it sound like. Today they have given me some time to write you and to do some p-day stuff. But when we are done here we are going to go tracting for a while, meet some of the members, and then we have a few teaching appointments tonight, I am soooo excited, I cant wait. I hope everything there is going good there. If you send letters the best way to send them is to the mission office. I think you said you have that address, and then they will forward it to me where ever I am. I love you guys! Hope you guys are doing good. LOVE Elder Hyde. Hasta luego"

Derek's Been REASSIGNED!!

We got a call from Derek on August 22 (Last Friday). He said that he has been reassigned. Hopefully it's just for 2 weeks or so until his Visa arrives. He will serve for a few weeks in the Chicago North Mission!!! He is the only one of the Peru missionaries that will go to Chicago. He left Yesterday (August 27). Sounds like there was a senior missionary who had to bring a missionary here to Salt Lake and then he was flying back with Derek. We hope that this will be neat experience for Derek. It's easy for us sometimes to feel disappointed for him, but he will get to say he served his mission in two different parts of the world, how cool!

Delayed, Delayed, and Delayed Some More

As most of you know, there has been issues with Derek's visa getting to him. What we've been told is that Peru changed Presidents and documentation requirements for the visa's also changed. He submitted his paperwork after the requirements where changed, but before anyone was notified. We've heard several different numbers but we think he is about one of 8 missionaries having this issue. All other missionaries going to Peru left after their 3rd week in the Provo MTC. For us (his family) it has been disappointing and frustrating at times. Luckily, I think Derek has the "I will go, I will do" attitude. He seems to be able to go with the flow. Here are a pieces of his letters that talks about the delays.
July 9, 2008
"Next Wednesday we fly out, YEAH. Friday we got our flight plan. We fly out the 16th at 1:10 we go to Dallas. Leave Dallas at 6:50 to Miami, leave Miami at 11:45 p.m. and get to Peru at 4:15 in the morning. That is a lot of flying but I do get to call home I am sure. There are 9 of us flying to Peru that day."
July 16, 2008
"I don't know if you got my message on the phone Monday, I will try and call you again today. My visa is delayed so hopefully it will come and I will leave next week."
July 23, 2008
"Sorry to get your hopes up, this morning we went to the temple, and so we didn't do emails this morning. I am still here in Provo, our visas haven't come yet.. . . I am a little bummed that I am not gone yet but I am enjoying myself, I am just ready to be in Peru."
July 30, 2008
"I guess the reason we were delayed was there was a document problem or something and last Friday they got it taken care of so hopefully some time soon they will send us out. I think I will be in the CCM in Peru for the remainder of the 9 weeks."
August 20, 2008
"The temple was excellent like always, today was the last time that I will be able to go with my district. They are leaving me next week. Some are leaving Monday and some are leaving on Wednesday. They are way excited. I have not really heard a lot about my visa. I am just waiting to hear. I know that you want me to go there everyday but I don't really see the point. Sorry. Most the time we just get the same answer that we will see on the 28th."

Playing Catch Up

Hi everyone! We're tying to play catch up with Derek's Blog. We started a little late and so we're going to try and catch you up on Derek's MTC experience by taking bits and pieces of his letters from the MTC. The direct quotes from his letters will be in italics. Enjoy!

June 26, 2008 (Second day in MTC)

"We have learned a lot of Spanish but it is really hard to retain a lot. It is like trying to drink out of a fire hose that is turned on all the way. Good analogy, huh?"

July 23, 2008

"Today I got my hair cut. She asked me if short was okay and I said ya. I just didn't know short meant SHORT. It's not bad but it is shorter than it's been in a long time. Nobody cuts hair like you Mom."

August 13, 2008

"This morning we went to the temple and went through a session. It is always good to start out the day at the temple."

"It is really fun singing in Spanish, but it is kinda wierd too. I bought a childrens song book so I could sing along with my IPOD. I really like to sing, I don't know why. We go to choir every week, I really enjoy myself."

Here is the rest of Derek's MTC pictures:

(You can click on the window to see the pics bigger)

Missionaries Still Know How to Have Fun!!

Missionary work is important and serious business, but BOYS WILL BE BOYS!! Here are some pictures to prove it!!

This is one of Derek's fellow missionaries, Elder Jumper climbing the wall.

Derek explained this picture and "The Power" that comes with missionary work!

SLAM DUNK!!

New Companion--Elder Miller June 30, 2008

Derek and his new companion, Elder Miller from Texas. Elder Miller will be serving in California speaking spanish.

First Day and Letter from MTC June 25, 2008

Hola Familia,

Everything here is great. The food was good. Everybody is really friendly. Mom, guess who my companion is......it's Elder Bewsey! Cool huh. Today we met our district and our branch. Our branch presisdent seems like he will be funny and a good leader. My roommates are Elder Sweet and Elder Morton. I saw Aaron Mattson from our stake today, that was cool.

I love you guys, Elder Hyde