Hey Hey Hey!
Well, this past week went a bit better for us than the last week did. We were able to do pretty well as far as teaching goes before Thursday night when we left for Chiclayo for the zone conference. That was definitely the highlight of the week – it was my last conference and it was a good, good, GOOD one. Fun fact, Elder Gavarett of the Seventy and area presidency was there – and he was at my very first zone conference as well. So, here is the fun fact, it was Elder Yupanqui’s last conference, my first conference – and now my last conference, and Elder Elias first conference – all with Elder Gavarett. Woo hoo! Anyway, it was a pretty amazing conference, to say the least – all four talks were excellent, from President and Hermana Chipman, and Elder and Hermana Gavarett. Actually, I especially liked Hermana Gavarett’s talk about how as missionaries what it means when we “accept” our mission calls – to submit ourselves completely to the Lord’s will. It was really a great final conference. I bore my testimony with the other missionaries who will be going home next month, a nice tradition here. It was a pretty weird feeling – especially as I looked back 20 months ago I was listening to guys going home sharing their testimonies and thinking to myself: “Wow, that could never be me. No way I will get it all together like that.” Oh, what a mission does to a young whipper snapper…those first few months are definitely interesting. I can say that they were probably the most difficult of my life, but once I got adjusted things just took off. The mission has been just absolutely awesome.
We had a few busing problems because of the zone conference. Nothing like spending two nights in a row on a bus. So the all night bus ride was fun and we were tired during the conference. There was a moment when my companion started falling asleep, leaned forward a bit and drooled ALL OVER the floor. I laughed at him. That night we had to travel, too but we had to go on separate buses because there weren’t enough seats so instead of leaving at 7:00 pm with the other elders, my comp and I left at 11:00 pm, and unfortunately on a bus that didn’t go straight to Chacha, but stopped in another town about an hour and a half away. We arrived early Saturday morning (a town I have never been in) and had to find a car to take us to Chacha. We did it without much difficulty. Good thing I have been able to figure out how this country works. So we were pretty tired all day Saturday, too and ended up visiting a lady and her sister, two grandma ladies. Sadly, one of them is blind. We were sitting and talking with the blind sister waiting for her sister and husband…and well, my comp took advantage of the situation and laid down on the couch and fell asleep for about 10 minutes until the other lady came as I continued visiting with the blind sister. I woke him up real quick before anyone arrived. I envied him. Really, we were so, so tired.
We had a decent day at church, having two investigators there, which…..is quite the improvement from the last couple weeks. There was a serious lack of people though, overall. There was some kind of holiday this past weekend and a lot were gone. But my comp and I taught the Gospel Principles class and it went pretty well. Lucero is started to pick things up a bit. Here is some really interesting news – we were able to get her to select her baptism date, and she said July 18th. That will be my last day here in Chachapoyas and I told her: “My parents will be here that day! HEY, MY DAD COULD BAPTIZE YOU!!” Lucero really lit up when I said that, and got pretty excited. So…we are gonna work really hard to make that happen, sure will be a great way to say goodbye to Chacha. She is doing very well, and I think we will be able to help her take that final great step.
I have really loved being a missionary, and I am so excited for three more weeks to work. Chacha is a difficult area, but we are working hard. We have a branch conference this week with President Chipman so we will be preparing for that. That should be awesome! Dad, that “Chuck” thing from last week was pretty funny. Who’s Chuck? (Am I supposed to know him?) Elder Yupanqui said I look more like “Jim” from “The Office.” (Ha) I like that one. A special thank you to Uncle Dave and Sister Taylor for writing me this past week. You guys are awesome. I wish I could reply, but I am really pressed for time today. But, I am so grateful for family and friends who have loved and supported me during this past two years. It is an amazing thing to feel the love and prayers of so many. I love this Church, which has the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love the Book of Mormon, and I love my Salvador, Jesus Christ, with whom I have become so much closer to with during this mission time. Have a great week everyone! Love you all and thank you for your support!
Elder "Rockin’ Robin" Royal
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