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!!!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
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?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, December 8, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
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
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.
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.
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