CALLED TO SERVE - PERU LIMA CENTRAL MISSION - JULY 2014 ~ JULY 2016

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

October 26, 2015 Letter...

IT'S MY DREAM TO SEE GARTH LIVE, THAT MAN IS MY HERO. MY FAVORITE ARTIST OF ALL TIME. And I'm not joking either. That man is an animal and I miss his music. Please take a lot of pics. I wanna see him live one day...really is a huge dream of mine. Christmas package is gonna be coooool. Thanks mom. Diego got his mission call, good guy. Good to hear the bros are laxing hard. Cam is a baller, haha. Ahhh, I love Sister Ada and Brother Jay. It's sad that I might not see them again. But I'm really happy you guys have been able to make a difference in their lives. That's the most important thing. Thank you mom for the Christlike love that you show to all.

This week we had a baptism! Enrique... a stud got baptized and his baptism was great. He is happy and we are happy and the Lord is blessing us out here:) really we are giving it 100 percent. Every single night I am soooo tired, but full of the spirit and of gratitude for the blessings the Lord gives us. I love the Lord´s work. There are no greater blessings that one can receive then when he is giving all his time to the Lord. It's not always easy being here to be honest, every day people in the street look at me and laugh because I'm from the US and give me crap every day, but it's worth it. (I don't think you know it, but white dudes here in Lima are like aliens, haha) This week had its difficulties, but I'm grateful that I was able to find peace and comfort in the Book of Mormon and losing myself in the Lords will.

I love you guys and hope all is well. 

Elder Cluff :)

Monday, October 19, 2015

October 19, 2015 Letter...

Tell Dad I wish him a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY and that I love him very much. Good to hear dad has weekends off... the man does derserve it. He is almost done there anyways. French toast and hashbrowns... yum. Goosebumps... that's awesome. And Cabela's... sounds like a good bday. I love dad.

And lately we´ve been working our tails off... we are going to have baptisms this week :) my comp is good.. I gotta push him to work and be motivated, but he is getting a lot better. That would be awesome if I saw the Schwarz fam here, haha.

And that whole thing with the dog bite suit is awesome! I know the Lord does bless us with tender mercies :) I see them every single day out here. When we are obedient and follow the Lord´s guidance, the Lord will show us his tender mercies and we will be so blessed. Honestly, I love the gospel. I love the Lord. Obedience is the key.

How is Kula´s wound doing?

And YEAH.. I think there is a whole bunch of Nashville Tribute Albums... I want you to verify for me... honestly if there are a lot, I think there is like a Joseph Smith Nashville Tribute also, then could you either send them to me with the Christmas package on USB or CD? Mormon Christian Country brings the spirit like no other and I kid you not, there is a CD I have here that's like a pioneer country album.. with the song ¨Like Comin' Home¨ on it.. and wow. I highly recommend downloading that for you and dad. Amazing... please do it.

And I have honestly been waiting for that CD Madeline sent me, but it still hasn't gotten here! So I'm a little confused. But I'm sure it's here, the office just has to go get it. When did she send it? I really want it.

And yeah, Jake Irving is a stud.

Today we went and played ¨middle school PE games¨ in this big field haha as a zone and it was a good time. We played dodge ball, then played like Sharks and Minnows and all that stuff. I felt like I was two, but I had such a blast. I'm burnt as John though and I praying that I don't have skin cancer because apparently, it's like super easy to get it here?? Anyways..

This week we just gave it our all... talked with like 65 people this week teaching them the gospel... and we had a lot of spiritual lessons. This one family, the family Morales, is a family who is passing through some difficulties, because recently their son died, and they're asking, "Why us, why us, we don't know why, where is he, what is he doing, we don't know." We explained to them the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement.. wow. Amazing. I'm so grateful for the opportunity that I have to teach families here about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is the center of the Plan of Salvation and the thing that makes the Plan of Salvation even possible. Thanks to the Savior, we will see our loved ones again, and if we are obedient and live the gospel, we'll live with them forever in an endless state of happiness. We explained these things to them and they were brought to tears and just wow! We tied the Atonement into baptism and they accepted a baptismal date for the next month. Just amazing. We had a lot of great experiences this week. Keep praying for us... :) The prayers are always felt. Pray for Adrianna in especial. Pray that she will have the desires to be baptized this week :)

Anyways, love you guys a lot.

Elder Cluff

October 12, 2015 Letter...

Haha, the McEwan's are too great. I love them. Good to see you guys are getting your hang out time in. And maybe they´ll see Packer and McKay while they´re there, hahaha. That would be too great. She is going to be the photographer... haha. Awesome.

I'll be riding dad´s motorcycle a lot when I get home, FYI. And dad told me about is patriotism speech.. that makes me happy. I love dad and I love the amazing example he has given us. What a stud :) How is Bishop Rasmussen? I think of bishop every time I look at Elder Rasband, haha. Idk why. Ya I'll send pics today cuz I think I'll have time. Peru is good, all is well. And yes we will be Skyping here very soon :) and Christmas package.. I'll start thinking now. It's almost here.. crazy.

But yeah, not much happened this week, as always. Super chill. Haha... It was a little stressing to be honest because of some of my responsibilities, but everything is good and I'm grateful for all the opportunities the Lord gives me to serve with the other Elders. I really feel like I'm beginning to understand here.. I feel like the gospel has taken a whole new meaning as I have served here in my mission. I´ll be honest, it hasn't been easy. It's taken me a long time to understand a lot of things, but as I have strove to be exactly obedient things always work out, and I can feel that the Lord´s spirit is present and guides me. As I have been guided by the spirit, I have learned SO many things. Plain and precious truths. I have been touched so many times by the spirit. I look forward every morning to reading my Book of Mormon, because in those moments, I'm able to receive impressions and whisperings and teachings from the spirit that always help me to become better, and what I can do to bless the lives of others. This week I have been studying a lot about grace. Grace is the divine assistance and endowment of strength by which we grow from the flawed and limited beings we are now into exalted beings of "Truth and light, until [we are] glorified in truth and [know] all things." (Elder Uchtdorf). Grace is what helps us to become more like Christ. We can receive Christ´s grace, or his enabling and strengthening power, thanks to his Atonement. I feel like in the church, sometimes, we spend too much time focused on the saving part of the Atonement; how we will be able to be saved one day because of Christ´s suffering, but we sometimes forget about the other part, the part of the Atonement that helps us in the here and NOW, that gives us help and strength to become better and eventually return to his presence. His grace is essential to make it through this life. As Elder Uchtdorf explained last conference, we are flawed and limited beings. Grace helps us change that. Grace helps us separate ourselves from the natural man and become saints. We received grace, because it's a gift. When we search for it, pray for it, and when we are obedient and keep the commandments the Lord can bless us through the Holy Ghost. I wanna keep going, but I'm short on time and there are a million scriptures that I have but I'm not going to list them. I challenge you guys to study more about grace :) 

This week we also had a baptism! His named is Brandon, and we taught him only 3 times before he was baptized. He received his testimony after the first lesson and wanted to be baptized. What a stud. He is only 14 years old, but has one of the strongest faiths I have ever seen. :)

Love you guys a lot! 

Elder Cluff

 Brandon's Baptism

Fernando's Baptism

Friday, October 9, 2015

October 5, 2015 Letter...

Yes. I got to see every single second of conference, and better yet, in English. I have to say this has been the most edifying conference I have ever seen. I absolutely loved it. I love the new Apostles. They are perfectly qualified for the positions the Lord has put them in. Every single talk this conference was SPOT ON. There wasn't a talk that I didn't enjoy. Wow. And Ponderizing hahaha.. I love that. What a solid talk! I challenge you guys to start doing that in the home! I'm starting it, too! Elder Bednar.. what a stud. You have no idea how much respect I have for that man. He is one of my great heroes and role models. And wow.. Elder Holland... when he spoke.. I cried. I will be honest... it made me think of YOU mom. I love you so much mother. I'm grateful for the unconditional love you have given me, even when I have been a punk in the past. You really are my hero. :) Honestly what a perfect conference. And hey, please keep me updated with President Monson, he didn't look well towards the end of his talk, and I don't know how many more conferences we`ll be able to listen to him.

I got so much out of this conference. I cant wait to read them and go over them again. They focused a lot this conference on the importance of being obedient and keeping the commandments. The importance of doing that, so we can have the constant guidance of the Holy Ghost. The course of becoming true disciples so one day we can be exalted. I loved every piece of it. We are all in this journey to return home to live with our Father in Heaven and we need to decide now if we are going to submit ourselves to His will and follow Him. I'm so grateful for our living prophets, men of a secure and firm understanding of the gospel, that can lead us, and guide us, and give us direction. I have never felt such an inner peace and love and confirmation of these men as I have this conference. I know that this is the truth.

And my comp is Peruvian from Moquegua, southern Peru. He is talkative, but a solid dude. :)

And dad, I can't wait for you guys to finish the BOM as a family. That's an awesome goal. Also, good luck with all the CPA stuff! I know you`ll kill it. And running detection dogs would be awesome. I hope to see Kula in beast mode when I get home.

And mom, keep working too so you can get your license. I know you`ll be able to get it done. :)

I love you guys! Have a great week! :)

Elder Cluff




Sunday, October 4, 2015

September 28, 2015 Letter...

Lawn mower repairs.. first world problems. But that's good that everything is working in tip top shape :) and I love Brigham.. I hope he knows that and I love hearing he has a strong testimony. Keep helping him so it grows and grows and grows. Keep it up with him, I can't wait to help him a little more when I get home. He is a stud. And a new Cluff family! Awesome :) My cousin Elder Schade, his mom is a Cluff, and he comes from the Moses Jr. Cluff line is the new mission assissant. Super stud :) I love you though and I love your letters.. I love them simple and I really do enjoy hearing about what's going on at home and everything!

Our investigators are doing well. We had one baptizm last week, and guy named Fernando. He is a stud and his baptism was the best. A really, really spiritual experience for everyone. When we met him like a month a go, the first day we met him, we invited him to be baptized for the 26th of sept, and he accepted, and it completed and we are completely stoked here that the Lord has blessed us in such a big way. He has gained a strong testimony of the gospel and that's honestly my joy. I had the opportunity to baptize him, too. It was perfect:) We have 3 others for the next 2 weeks are so that will get baptized. They were going to be baptized in Sept., but there were some difficulties we had to get figured out, but we did it and now they are ready to get baptized :) it's gonna be an amazing month. We are pumped.:) I'm pumped. I'm feeling really, really good lately. The Lord has shed so much of his Spirit over me and I can really say the greatest happiness and joy comes from when we are obedient with exactness to the Lord. Honestly... it's the only true way to find peace and joy in this life :) Even though we didn't complete with our goals in the month of September, we will be able to do it in October and even beat it at the same time :) All is well. I love you guys a lot.

I'm going to try to send pics! Love you guys :)

PS.. my homey Elder Larson, lifting buddy in the mission finished his mission the other day, and I got all of his big weights... like 250 more pounds of weights :) hahaha transfers are gonna blow. But ya I'm ready. And my comps name is Elder Coayla.. he is from Peru :) hahah good kid :) I'll send pics! If not this week then next!

Elder Cluff

September 21, 2015 Letter...

Maammmmaaa. I love you, it is good to hear from you. And I would be lying if I said I didn't take that pic for dad hahahaha. Glad he got a kick out of it, haha. Isoseles shooting stance.. haha I miss that man. 

I'm glad Skyler is getting work done. He is my hero. I love him.

And yeah, for now the missionaries are safe here in Peru :) don't worry about it maaammaa. We are always safe :)

Grandma and Grandpa are the best.. I'm so glad they are retired and just having a blast living their lives and visiting family.. I just hope they stay super safe on the road.

And Tanner Lloyd received his call!? That's the greatest news I have ever heard. I'm pumped. What a stud. And Ebe's.. I'm gonna send him a letter. I love that guy, too. Good bros.

I love you mom and thanks for your words. You are the greatest. I really think about you a lot and hope everyone is treating you well and I hope you are just happy because that's all I care about :)

This week was very tiring, to be honest. We had to search for a lot of new people to get going for the month of October. But we are giving it our all to get these 5 baptisms this week. Please keep praying for the names I sent you, because we need to get it done :) I know the Lord is gonna bless us though, I have seen it in my mission over and over again and I have a very strong testimony of his power to help us and answer prayers. I know he is real. I know he exists. I know he lives, And I know this is His work. Carolina, Enrique (13), and Adriana (11) are a family that I just love. They are so great. Carolina is the mom, and she is such a sweetheart. Like I see her parenting, and I'm impressed. I really, really, really pray that this week that can complete with their goal, because they are going to be the best converts ever. Fernando is a young adult that lives with his mom and brothers and sisters. Like half of his family are members and he is ready to be baptized. He knows what we are teaching is true, he is reading, praying and coming to church, he is ready :) Evelyn is a single mom who has kids from 18 to 2. She is great. The only thing is that she doesn't want to change her catholic traditions. She is scared of her family and what they´ll think more than anything. Her mom hates members of the church for some reason. So we are praying really hard for her so she can get it done. Keep these names in your prayers and I know that we will be able to get it done and complete what the Lord has given us. :)

Anyways, I will be getting a new comp tomorrow because my comp will be leaving because he has a lot of time here. I'll keep you updated with who it is :) I love you guys and don't forget to continue reading your Books of Mormon. That books is changing my life every single day. :)

Love you all :)

Elder Cluff