February 16, 2015 Letter...

He came to my church hahaha... too wild.. and ya I gave him a hug.. super sweet:) I was so surprised and he was like.. hey, I don't know you and you don't know me but I'm your cousin... haha super smooth. Such a cool experience :) His parents live in our mission, a zone called Condivilla! Super close to where I am.

And yeah, BYU games sadly are more fun than Jazz games.. that's the darn truth. Especially when you have friends playing :)

Yes, christmas presents.. love them. Still super stoked. 

And you finally met Mom #2 ... that's what I'm talking about.. it's about time!!! Tell her I said happy late b-day and that I hope she had a super duper b-day. F'real I'm glad you guys finally met. And yeah, the pic on Dropbox.. me gusta.

The Valentine's gift was great too.. THANK YOU. The blender bottle, candy (Hugs and Rips, exactly what I wanted) and everything else!!! And a special thank you for the little advent calender thing. I really do love it :) Thanks for putting time into it and doing something like that. Carrie is the freakin' greatest too for sending the scriptures.. you guys rock! Love ya mama!

This week was sloooowwwww because, yeah, it's always slow after a baptism, but we pushed through and we're hoping things get better this week. We had interviews this week and they were great. President is a stud and Hermana Borg is too darn sweet. I can't stand it. Transfers are next week and I'm about 100% sure I'm leaving.. it's super rare to be in a sector for more than 4 transfers and that's exactly what I have. I don't know where I'll be going and who I'll be with, but I'm excited to leave to be honest, I really want to experimentar something different, meet different people, and work in a different area. It's always good to change things up. Change is good :) and I adjust pretty well to change. So yeah, I'm excited for that. The work here in the ward Leoncio Prado (look it up on Facebook I think it has pics of me) Barrio Leoncio Prado it's called I think, is going good. I love the Bishop of the ward and I've learned so much from him and his family. I'm gonna miss so many of the members and investigators I've worked with here, but it's time to go. I've been thinking a lot about conversion lately... a little bit of Alma, the sons of Mosiah, and Paul (Saul)... how they were all working in iniquity to destroy the church of God, but angels of the Lord (the Lord is Saul's case) appeared to them to convince them of their evil-doings. They were all converted after these experiences, and became some of the most powerful missionaries/prophet/apostle that the world has ever seen. I have been thinking though a lot lately... how their conversions were a little bit different from how ours might be. We might not see angels, we might not see visions, but our conversions will come. The gift most precious in this life, perhaps more valuable than seeing an angel, is the gift of the holy ghost. If we are diligently seeking a testimony, if we are doing our part to find that, showing the Lord we really want to know, we will acquire a testimony; we will acquire what we seek. The Lord has promised he that diligently seeks a testimony will find it. If we don't have testimony's now, we need to diligently seek one. The holy ghost will work in our minds and in our hearts. Especially for my little brothers, who are about to go on missions; acquire a testimony. Read the BOM, ask God specifically if it's true. Don't give up until you receive confirmations. Like Alma said in the book of Alma 5:46 - 

   46 "Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me."

Answers will come. But we've got to put in our part to receive them, Like Alma, we need to fast, we need to pray, and the Lord will respond through his holy spirit. We have potentials greater than we know, we need to first acquire a knowledge and testimony of this work, then fulfill our potential as sons and daughters of God, as his workers in his work of salvation.

Love you guys,

Elder Cluff

February 9, 2014 Letter...

"The winter that wasn't".. lol.. Alpine.. Holy frijoles! I got the package from Christmas FINALLY! I had to go pick it up.. lol.. in the center of Lima, but it's cool because I have it. And oh my heavens.. greatest Christmas ever! The Missionary Reference Book?! How did you know I wanted that? Did I tell you? I'm so pumped.. thank you! And how did you know I wanted a BYU shirt like that, hahaha? I'm not saying these things to make you feel good, I'm serious, but these things are exactly what I wanted! And best of all, was the picture of mountains of Alpine... are you kidding me? That was sooo dope. Thank you mama! I love you. All of it was perfect. I'm serious, you are the greatest. Tell Grandma Jensen thanks for the tie, too, because it's beautiful and I haven't had time to read the letters, but I will soon. 

And yesssss... for the address... I'll be sure to get that for you. If I can't, just send it to the office.. it's always safe with the zone leaders and comes every Wednesday without fail. You can always trust in that. But I'll see if I can get the bishop's address.. the funny thing is I love right by the bishop... lol. Might as well just come to my house... (apostasy). But sweet ya... I'm super excited.. another package :) and ya I'll keep him in mind so we can do more packages and so I can send some too! And get  things I need :)

And happy almost b-day mama and happy late b-day Zack! Love you guys :) Dad's at Julie's.. stud.. hope he's killin it. Is he still with UHP, haha?

And I knew they would be sealed. I'm so happy for them :) that's really good news. Love them; tell them that for me. 

Yes, I got the garment bottoms, thank you mama :) and Skyler is a stud.. super glad to hear he's killing it. Super, super happpy. That guy is my hero :) I love him. Ah, I miss him, but I'm so glad he's doing well.

Transfers are this 24th.. there is some talk from my zone leaders of what will happen with me, but I'm not gonna say anything because I don't know if it will happen.. but it's interesting, haha, lets just say that. 

So hey, I'll be sending pics soon, but yes! We had two baptisms on Saturday and they were awesome... this week my mentality absolutely changed.. I've been thinking a lot about a talk we studied a month or two back in a zone meeting called Dureza Mental by M. Russel Ballard.. that talks about our mentality as missionaries, what we want to accomplish, and where we want to see our investigators. Oh, so amazing this talk. The reality of it is, if you're not baptizing, there are no excuses. The work is hard, but when you put your faith in the Lord, you will baptize. You will find people to baptize. You will change the lives of the people. You will help them receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ so they can return to His presence once again and live with their families for forever. When people say their sectors our hard, and have no one to teach or baptize, that is a lame excuse. Especially here. There are people. But it's our job to find them! I'm not perfect by any means, I have a lot to learn, but really, just remembering that I have a purpose out here to accomplish is everything. I love this work; I love this gospel; I'm so blessed to be able to work here and teach here. These investigators, Alex and Maribel, are proof that the Lord prepares people and puts them in our path. The way we found them was hilarious... literally we were walking and we met Alex in the middle of the road, in the most random way possible. The Lord really does watch out for us.. I'm feeling myself slowly turning into a machine and I love it. Now that I can speak and understand the language, the fun is just beginning! Anyways, love you guys!

(Link to the talk. Copy and paste and Google Translate if you can't understand the Spanish, lol)

http://es.scribd.com/doc/250917966/Dureza-Mental#scribd

Elder Cluff

February 2, 2015 Letter...

Familia.... hi!

Guess what? I think I might need braces again.. no probably not, but I know I will need to take the permanent retainer on top off to fix one tooth a bit with the removable retainer. We´ll see. Anyways, Zack´s a stud and be sure to tell him I love him. Clothes and mass gainer for his b-day... hahaha, legend..... buy him Pro Mass Gainer (Optimum Nutrition), the big bag, from All Star Health, in chocolate flavor. Also tell him he needs to POUND the food. I'm not kidding.. he´ll never grow if he doesn´t eat. And he gets his license soon? Stud. Tell him to hot rod with chicks every day. (Am I allowed to say that)?

And hahaha, keep up the talking and the greatest friendship up with Carrie... she is too smooth. Their whole family are pure legends. You gotta meet them in person, haha. Believe it or not, carrie is greater in person.

And Brock Smith ... he is already home!?!?! What the heck. That went by supppppeeerrr fast. What a stud. Glad to hear he´s home :) and don´t worry, we´ll be coming back to Peru one day, I can promise you that.

AND MY PACKAGE GOT THERE?!?!!? Are you kidding? I'm pumped. I´ve been praying it would come, and look.. it came. The power of prayer.

And I saw the pics of the house on Drop Box and wow, it looks super, super good. I like how the couch is moved from the window, and it opens up that space and looks good. I'm serious, the house looks great. Next, you need to put the counter top on. Too bad I'm not there to get it done or it would be done by now haha.

Anyways, I love you so much, this week we are having baptissssmmmssss Saturday :) we are excited! I´ll be sure to send pics.. the hermana named Maribel.. who is so amazing, who has such a strong and powerful testimony, despite the challenges in her life, she knows that true happiness and peace comes from the gospel. All the help we need in this life comes from the Savior. Her testimony of that, is so beautiful... so amazing. We have visited her every day for the past week and we will continue until she is baptized this week... I have learned so much from her. A single mom of 4 (11 year old Alex, 6 year old Valeska, 4 year old Jacob, and 1.5 year old Soy), but so happy, so powerful, all due to the time that she encountered the Book of Mormon and the read about the restored gospel. We are seeing a lot of prayers being answered, and I feel the power of everyone's prayers. Always keep them coming. I love you guys and I´ll keep you updated on how this Saturday goes. 

Elder Cluff

January 26, 2015 Letter...

That story I asked you for.. yes it's probably recorded on FamilySearch, but I don't know who told it so I can't find it. I still want it, either the story or who told it! I'll let you guys know. But probably both. Anyways, I hate hearing that everyone is sick... :( that's never fun. Especially here in the field.. it's the worst thing of all time. I hope everyone gets better! Remember to ask dad for a blessing :)

And awesome.. I'll be in touch with Elder Chatwin, too! He is a stud.. (and a distant cousin, his mom is Cluff) so yeah we're gonna get that package figured out. Haha, keep praying that it will turn up :) it'll all work out!

And Kula and dad found a new trainer? That's a sweet story! Ah, I'm excited!!! I can't wait to see that dog when I get back.. such a stud. I bet dad's super pumped, too... haha, too cool. Definitely keep me updated on this. 

And yeah Zack's gonna kill it at driving.. he'll have fun. Tell him to be safe.

So this week were were super blessed. We were walking in the street, and this little boy sees us and he is like, "Are you guys the Mormons?" Usually the kids like to screw with us, so we're like, "Yeah... why?" Not really expecting anything, and he is like "Yeah, my mom used to talk to the missionaries before we moved and we went to your church, too." And we're like... "What, yeah... okay what's your name and where do you live?" So we got his info, and went and visited him the next day. We met his mom named Maribel, and she had received the missionaries from the Peru Lima East mission, and had a baptismal date and was all ready and everything, but moved so she couldn't be baptized. Anyways we're like... What? This is nuts. The Lord put this person in our way, so prepared and everything, and we were so pumped. We talked with her a bit, and she has a really cool story as to how she came to know the Book of Mormon is true. Anyways, she also gave us a referral of her sister, so we went and visited her and invited them all to church. This Sunday we had both families come. Maribel and her 4 kids, her sister Diana and her 3 kids, and her mom. It was a super special experience. We are super excited. Maribel and her oldest son will be baptized this first week or so of February, and her sister and mom, we are still working with, but they'll be baptized, too. We are so blessed that the Lord has given us so many prepared people. I'm firmly convinced that coincidences don't exist. But that everything happens for a reason; that we were walking in the street in the perfect moment so Maribel's son could see us and recognize us as missionaries. It was an answer to her prayers, and ours. The Lord answers prayers. We just need to be consistent and diligent. We need to first complete with our part, and he'll do his. He always has and he always will. The work is going good here and we're doing all we can to make the date of Feb. 7th a "White Night." I'll keep everyone updated. Keep your prayers coming, every one is heard, and every one helps. Love you guys. Tell the boys I love each one of them personally. Tell them to keep reading their scriptures and saying their prayers, because it will help them in more ways than they know right now. 

Love, 

Elder Cluff

  Happy 2nd Birthday Franco!

Mean streets of Rimac, Peru!

January 19, 2014, Letter...

Ahhh... that's crazy Dallin's home... I hope he's doing good now tho! I'll be praying for him. And that's great to hear Brigham gave a talk hahaha.. what a stud. Glad to hear he did a good job. And mama look at that.. working in the nursery.. that's gonna be.. interesting... haha have fun. That's too great. You rock mama.

Ya I didn't get transferred or get a new comp. Still here in Rimac.. I'm about 100% sure I'll get transferred the next change, but as always we'll see. We get a new president in July! His name is President Larson, and he is from Idaho, and has kids, and an elder in the mission! So that will be super interesting... gonna be fun:)

And yeah, Carrie the Mom #2 (Coon McEwan) is too legit. You gotta go hang out with her. You two would be purreeee trouble. And they live in Highland.. by... mountain ridge a bit ... That's crazy that Zack gets his license in like two weeks.... he's gotta get a handle on that driving thing, haha. But that's super awesome to hear he's in Mr. Nelson's.. that man changed my life. Really changed my life. Super solid guy.

HAHAHA and a .22 sniper competition? Are you kidding? That's great hahaha. I wish I could have been there to see. Hahaha and everyone's getting guns and gonna compete every Saturday.. the same ol' dad with big ideas that I love. haha good guy.

This week was good. We're working really hard with our investigator Walter. He has such a strong testimony of this gospel, and we have only known him for a week and a half (he has only known missionaries for a week and a half). He has the strongest desires to be baptized, but first we have to work over one little problem which is that he co-habitates. He wants to get married because he understands and wants to live the law of chastidy, but his partner has zero desire to get married, listen to our message, or anything like that. So we are trying to work through all these problems so he can be baptized as soon as possible. Please pray that all will work out. We are praying and working super hard so that the heart of his partner can be softened so he can make covenants with the Lord. I know that whatever needs to happen will happen. The Lord put this man in our path for a this reason, to help him make covenants with the Lord that will lead to his eternal life. We are doing everything we can to help him reach this goal.

Also Gian and Adela will possibly be married this week. We are still working super duper hard with them, and it has been the biggest stress and pain, but I feel that we're almost there. There still exists about every complication that can, but little by little we are working through them. Today they came up with the money to be married, and also they were able to get there papers. These were two of the biggest challenges, but now we have them. So yes, we are excited. After this, we need to work through all the red tape with the city to get them married. But we are all working together to get things done. Pray that this can happen, so Adela can finally be baptized.

Love you guys, this gospel is true. It truly blesses lives. I'm so blessed to be able to serve the Lord. It's not easy, but it's worth it.

Elder Caden Cluff

Pics from Christmas 2014...Peru Style

Merry Christmas, from Elder Caden Cluff, Elder Jake Irving and Elder Bradley Clark! (LPHS Alumni)

Christmas Pyrotechnics

January 12, 2014 Letter...

Wow, I watched the video of me talking... I was SO awkward hahahahaha. Funny. Know that I'm normal and not really like that. hahahaha. crazy stuff. 

Transfers this week, but I'm about 100 percent sure I'm staying.. again. lol. And ya not kidding go to lunch with Carrie. I call her my second mom. You guys would be best friends I'm not kidding. She is super solid. GO MOMS. 

Tell Zack to take super good care of the car. I think when I get home I wanna buy a sick cheap car from the 80's that looks like a Volkswagen Amazon L5. (I saw one the other day and loved it). Put new speakers and all that good stuff in it. 

And such a blessing this new job with Dave Grant mom.. I'm not kidding. He is a stud. I'm so happy to hear you're happy, keeping working hard, and it will pay off mom:) I'm glad to see you guys are being blessed:)

Is Christian planning on serving? I'm glad to hear they're good.

Okay this week was awesome. Seriously. The work, has been super slow here, we haven't had that much luck. We have found tons of people to teach, but all of them are nothing more than a few lessons, and nothing more. It's super hard to find prepared people. What me and my comp have been doing is praying specifically to find prepared people. People who are prepared to receive this message and accept this gospel as the truth and as the only truth. This last Sunday, we received a reference from a girl in our ward of a man she met that wanted to learn a little more about the gospel. Anyways we thought, ya cool let's go visit him. So we passed by his house on Friday and talked a bit with him and we found out his daughter is a member, and was married in the temple. This man Walter, the reference, told us that he was able to go to the temple to see them when they came out of the temple. We were super excited to hear this. Anyways, he also said he had a Book of Mormon, and had been reading it.. WHAT? Are you serious? We were stunned. So we were like, ya can you come to church this Sunday, its at 8:00 a.m., and we're gonna come at 7:30 so be ready. So we came at 7:30 on Sunday, and he was dressed in his Sunday best ready for church. Which was a first, no investigator that I have had has dressed in their Sunday best for church. Anyways, we took him to church and he was pumped. He told us, ya I have been to church like 3 times... and we were like wait.. this is too good to be true, when were you baptized? Then he was like.. what? I haven't been baptized yet. And we're sitting here thinking.. how is that? This dude is SUPER prepared... how is he not a member? We walked into the church and he recognized the painting of Moroni and he remembered who he was. So solid. After church we put a baptismal date on him for this 24th of January. And he accepted. So get this, we met this guy Jan. 9th, and he'll be baptized Jan. 24th. He has never talked to missionaries before or anything. Wild right? This has been a huge answer to our prayers. I know that the Lord has prepared people for us to find, we just need to be in tune with the Spirit to find them. This is the Lord's work and he directs it. Please pray that this hermano Walter, that he can be ready and stick with his baptismal date for the 24th of January. Pray that everything will work out. Love you guys and I know this gospel is true with all of my heart:)

Stay safe, and have fun:)

I'll keep you updated.

Elder Cluff