9 October 2008

Sorry about not e-mailing the last 2 days. We had a big 10 year reunion for the CCM, so they had all of the missionaries that served in peru and bolivia come to the CCM for a big reunion. So for our p-day we had to help out with that, and we didn´t have any time to e-mail. So preparation day is still on Tuesday, but we just had so much going on we didn't get time to e-mail.
You guys rented the house to the heralds! That is great, It sounds like everything is working out great. I'm not sure where your supposed to send mail but I think starting to send it to the mission is fine. We have 19 days left in the CCM, and then we will be out in the field! This last three weeks has gone by so fast, and a ton of crazy stuff has happened in the last week.
On Tuesday my amazing companion, Elder Malara left for the field. It was rough, he was such a great companion, it was really hard to see him go. I got some good pictures with him. I'll have to send them next tuesday. All of the Latino's were gone by yesterday. They are all so awesome, I'm going to miss those elders.
Oh I think it was Monday night. We were in a meeting with President Groeberg when the ground started shaking. It felt like a roller coaster at lagoon. We had an earthquake! It was so awesome. I don't remember ever feeling an earthquake before, it was way cool. It was really weird to feel the ground shaking like that. It only lasted like 5 seconds though.
What did you guys think about conference?! That was the best conference I have ever heard. I felt like every single talk was directed to either me or our family. In the Sunday evening session one of the members of the 70 talked about us prosyliting on Saturdays here at the CCM. It was awesome to hear him talk about the work that we had done visiting inactive members. I couldn't believe it. Then the very next speaker was an elder that was at the CCM just 2 weeks before, talking to us about missionary work. We all got to shake his hand, and everything. I just thought the whole thing was amazing!
Yesterday was really an awesome day. After the Latino's left we got to go on a tour of Lima. We went to an olive tree grove, and it was so interesting to see those trees, and think about the atonement of Christ. They had a big olive press, and milstones there. It was really intersting. After that we went to the ocean, and just walked around for a little bit. They had some sweet crabs, and there were a bunch of surfers too. I wanted to go swimming so bad, but it is obviously not allowed.
Then we went to the center of the catholic church in town, and a big area with tons of people in it. When we went into the catholic church I just got a bad feeling. You could tell the spirit wasn't there. It actually really made me uncomfortable. It is so different then the spirit that we feel in the temple, and it made me appreciate it so much more. We went to these little shops, and it was awesome. I went up to a lady and asked her, ¿cuantos soles por la peru camiseta? They had some sweet Peru jerseys and they only cost 20 soles, like 6.50 or so! I couldn't believe it. Then I saw the same jersey just like 5 feet away and she said she would sell it to me for 12 soles, It was awesome. So Elder Perkes and I bought these sweet Peru Jerseys for 4 bucks a piece. It is crazy because you can bargain with people if the price is to high. I almost bought a USA jersey for 5 bucks, but decided I would wait. I love this place!
Elder Perkes and I were wearing our Jerseys in the big square with tons of people, and a peruvian guy asked to get his picture with us. We talked with him, and he has been a member for 10 years. He saw are tags and wanted to get a picture with us. It was great. Then this huge group of crazy peruvian girls wanted to get pictures with us. They said hola elderes, and I asked them what they knew about the church, and they said they knew a little. I think all they wanted was pictures though, it was crazy. Don't worry though they were joking around saying abrazo (hugs), and Elder Perkes and I were very clear that there were no abrazos y no toca.
It was crazy though. I remember Aly, my Peruvian friend said that was going to happen, and now I have experienced it.
We had the ten year reunion, and It was really great to greet all of the older missionaries. I got some much practice with greeting people, I felt like a pro talking to them by the end. I would ask them what mission, and it was just great to talk in spanish. They said I spoke well to. Everyone asked if I was related to Herald B. Lee, I wasn't sure, are we? Well everything is going great, and I love you guys. I will e-mail again next Tuesday, and I really am glad to hear things are going well. Love you guys, can't wait to hear more. Thanks for everything!!

Elder Lee