#47

So funny story. I walk into ward Council on Saturday (at 6:30 in the morning I might add. That is why I look like.... well that.) and we had a ward council with Obispo Dueñas. All was normal and then we ended. After we ended, Obispo Dueñas asked us if we could stay for a moment, so we did because we are at the bishop's service obviously. He looks at me and says "hermana Rust, where are you from?" I told him Las Vegas. He looks at me again and says "I knew it. the resemblance is definitely there. Do you know Brandon Rust?" and boy did that take me by surprise. AHah but it turns out that Obispo Dueñas served in Piura with Brandon and that they were never companions but in the same district and that Brandon always said with his lips sticking out "Yo soy de Las Vegas" and yeah. So now this guy is my bishop. Small world! That's me and him.

 This is a picture of Brandon and Elder Duenas from the Peru, Piura Mission - 2004

Well first things first mother, I am not a zone leader. Haha because that would be apostasy. I am an Hermana Leader. And now that I know what that actually is, I can explain a little bit more. Zone leaders are in charge of all the missionaries in the zone. Duh. Simple enough. Now what I do is that I am in charge of 5 companionships of sisters that aren't particularly in my zone. And I'm basically just at their beck and call. (Or is that beckon call? I don't know.) So 2 of the companionships live in my zone, the other 3 are in different parts of the mission. For example, Hermana Baker and Hermana Lozano. They are also Hermana Leaders, but in Abancay. But we are their hermana Leaders. And then there are 2 more companionships in Puerto, which is like 10 hours away from Cusco. And Abancay is 5. So one time every transfer, we go on divisions with these sisters to see how they are, train them, and help them with what they need. They either travel to Cusco, or we travel to where ever they are. So that's my main role. To just help the sisters who are under my watch. Also I finally get to participate in CONCILIO! Hahah I haven't done it yet, but I've always wanted to because its a reunion between all the zone leaders, the Hermana leaders, the assistants, and President Harbertson. And what I imagine they do is that they discuss the needs of the mission and put together a game plan. Concilio in all lasts like,,, well what I've heard 6 hours. So that should be fun. I have just always wanted to go because it seems like a great opportunity to learn. And now I'm in Cusco so I don't even have to travel to Cusco to have the meetings. It's cool.

So yeah that's basically what I do in a nut shell. And I haven't actually done any of it yet because I've only had the assignment for 6 days. But this week is when we start visiting the sisters so we'll see how it goes. I don't know my area AT ALL still because like I said, 6 days, so I'm a little nervous for that because on Friday we will be doing divisions with the Hermanas from Tullumayo in our ward and I have to learn the sector like... yesterday.. So yeah. Little nervous. 

So yeah I'm a sister Leader in Ttio. And they have an even extra special assignment to pick up and drop off all the sisters that travel to and from Cusco in the terminal. And because it takes +8 hours to travel from anywhere in our mission, there are usually a lot of sisters staying in our house. Which is really fun, but sometimes a headache. My first official act as Hermana Leader in Ttio was to drop off Hermana Seaton (by the way she was in Andahuaylas with me but got transferred to Puno. Little jealous. I want to go back to Puno) at the terminal so she could catch her bus. Well I have no idea how to get to the terminal right? Because never served in Cusco. So I told the taxista to take us to the terminal, but when they see gringa, they automatically think "Well she's a gringa, she doesn't know what terminal means. So I'll take her to the airport instead." and it's like NO!! I know what a terminal is and I know that it is not the same thing as an aeropuerto and I don't want to go to the aeropuerto, I want to go to the TERMINAL! But Yeah he didn't get that so he took us to the airport and when we arrived, I very kindly... almost shouted at him that I told him to take us to the terminal terrestre. Not the airport. To which he responded with a blank look in his eyes "oh... you didn't say airport?" No sir I did not. Can you please take us to the terminal terrestre? And I'm still only going to pay you 5 soles. Thank you.

So he took us to the terminal right when Hermana Seaton's bus was leaving and everyone was freaking out "Where's Hermana Rust with Hermana Seaton??" And my Companion didn't know where I was either because I was without a cell phone and it was just a mess. But after all was said and done, Hermana Seaton boarded her bus and went on her way in the luxury that Tranzsela offers. Tranzsela is a reaaaallly nice bus... impresa.. I don't know how to say impresa. But yeah. That was my first day as Hermana Leader and it freaked me out. But since then, it's been tranquilo and all should be mas o menos normal from this day out. Until the next transfers that is.

Another thing that I do is that I have to help plan the Zone Conferences. We meet with the Elders (fun fact, Elder Pearce who was my Zone leader in Puno for 4 transfers is here in the zone Cusco with me. So zone leader once again.) and we plan and discuss what we should do for an activity that has to last 2 hours. I'm not... creative in this department so I drew a blank, but me and my companion have discussed a little bit and now we have a cool idea and we hope that everyone else thinks it's cool and not super lame. The conference is this Wednesday so we're kinda past the point of no return. I'll let you know how that goes next week. 

Honestly, I've always thought it would be cool to be an Hermana Leader. Not because of like power or anything, because we really don't have any, but because it would be a different kind of mission. I love getting to know the other Hermanas and seeing how I can help them, being like their older sister even if they are 3 or 4 years older than me. And now I get to do that. But it's also been really... stressful these past couple days. And I know that it's going to be a big responsibility. And sometimes (All the time...) I feel like i just really am not cut out for it. And I want to be cut out for it, i want to do well, but there's that little voice in the back of my mind that tells me I'm going to fail like I almost did with Hermana Seaton and the bus. But I know that I shouldn't listen because I've only had this assignment for a week. But I don't know. It's hard. Some advice from annnnnyone in the whole world that would like to comment would be very welcome on my part. And I don't know, Cusco just feels weird to me. It's HUGE! And a city. Like suuuper modern. Way more modern than Moapa. And I guess I just got used to little country side towns like Talavera. But I guess theres always a getting used to where you are process. And I know that at the end of it all, I'm going to love Cusco and the ward I'm in, (It's called los Alamos) and the people that are here. Just patience I guess. And we all know how much I love patience. Hahah Well this is my life now. And I'm going to love it one way or another!

I guess I should talk about my companion a little bit. Her name is Hna Borja. She's from Quito Ecuador. She's reaaaally short, has 20 years, and really likes alarms. We seriously have alarms for everything. She has a pink clock that lights up and she really likes to push the button that makes it light up. Haha she's cute. We're getting to know each other still so a little bit tense, but I think everything will work out in the end. 

 So yeah that was my week and I love you and please pray for me. I've got a lot of vices that are going to make this calling a little hard for me if I don't get rid of them now. So that's what i need. Love you and miss you and hey I'll talk to you soon! 

Hermana Rust

#46 Baptisms and Goodbyes

Well it's transfers time! And I'm hitting the road. It's been a nice 2 transfers here in Talavera, but it's time for me to take on the big apple, or the big ombligo as they say here. I'm off to CUSCO! And not just that, but I'm going as an Hermana Capacitadora! And no that does not mean that I'm training. It means that I am the Hermana equivalent of a zone leader. So new responsibility and new place and new companion, but I feel really good about it! And I've always wanted to serve in Cusco! But that means leaving my Condesita :( But she's going to train! So we're going together traveling! Whoo! But she's going to return to Talavera and yo me quedo in Cusco! Ahhh I can't believe it! I'm sad, but happy. It's going to be good. So next week you'll be hearing from me from CUSCO!  So yeah Transfers. It's nuts.

Well this week we had our baptism! And it went almost perfectly, aside from a couple clothing malfunctions (you should NOT put Velcro on baptismal clothing. Zippers are a lot more seguro. Take it from me) But Karina was a trooper and her son looked a little bit like Elvis Presley, but it was GREAT! WE had a good group of 30 or so which is awesome! And at the end, Both Karina and Daniel bore their testimonies. Soooo powerful! Because Hermana Karina got up there and just told us indirectly about the struggle it really was to get to that point of her baptism. And she really did pass through a lot. But then she said "I know the church isn't for cowards. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for strong people. And now I know that I am strong." And you could feel her conviction in her words. Soooo cool!

 And then ahhhh Daniel got up and he's only 11 years old. And the second he opened his mouth, he started crying. And he just told us about his own person struggle and fight to arrive at his own conversion and baptism. And let me tell you, he might just be a kid, but he KNOWS the gospel is true. He told us that before, he didn't want to get baptized, but then he felt bad. He felt lost. And he just wanted to feel something good. And so he prayed, and he said that por fin, he felt something. He received his answer. And now he has a firm testimony in the gospel. that kid is going to do amazing things. 

So that was the baptism. It was probably one of the easiest I personally have had, granted I wasn't there during the whole process of being taught and all, so I don't have a lot of.. say I guess. But it was really beautiful and I'm glad that I was able to stay in Talavera to see. 

Well that's all I've got for you today. Mom, I finally got my shoes!!! Love them! and I was pleasantly surprised to get a personal art gallery by none other than the Molly Dolly. LOOOOVE the Macchu Piccu Picture! And next week, I'll be right there! Thanks Molls and Pie and Goo and Der Der! Love you all! 

So I¡m gonna end here and leave some baptism pictures. Have a splendid week and until the next! Hasta lo pronto!

Hermana Rust

 Just a handful of the participants. 

 The two victims... uh whoops I mean.....converts... 

Dress credit goes to my Hija, Hermana Rodriguez, me regalò

#45 And on that farm he HAD four ducks...

Well dad, you'd be proud of me. Because I think I am finally a Rust and that I can finally go to Rust camp and live to tell the tale because I have lived to tell the tale of the four ducks. And a hen.

We are going to have a baptism this week! Her name is Karin and you guys know absolutely nothing about her because... Well I still don't know her that well. You see, she was about to get baptized in November. Then didn't pass her interview (wasn't quiiiite ready yet) and then went to Lima for 4 months. And all I heard about her was that her name is Karina and that we needed to baptize her. Weeelll while she was in Lima, she went to the temple. And got totally converted! How great is that?! Temple power is real. So she came back about a month ago and then we met with her twice and told her Karina you've gotten your answer and you've just gotta do it. And she said Ok! So she's getting baptized this week. Her and her son! Whooo! But this past week she's been passing through some difficulties with her job and her son and it's been hard for her because the devil is the worst and wants to make it hard for her, but we've stepped in and said "No no no! Not today!" So we've been going to her house like everyday to serve her in whatever thing she needs. And it just so happens that Friday, she needed us to kill 4 ducks. And a hen.

Now we all know that I jump at the thought of blood and stripped membranes and phlegm (that g might be unnecessary...) but little Holly has grown up and been Peruvianized and I just rolled up my sleeves and went to work.

Well you see, I didn't actually do the killing. I just held it by it's wings while Hna Karina sliced the head off with a dull knife. But still got blood on my hands, figuratively and literally. I was the advocate in a duck murder! And I didn't pass out! Poor Sister Conde on the other hand was a little less than comfortable with the whole thing, especially when we finished killing one and then we put it down and it started hopping after us without a head... think that kinda scarred her. Oh also when the hen kept clucking... without a beak. And head. That one got to me a little more. But I don't know, I get stepping on that baby chick all those years ago really desensitized me. I didn't even blink. And then after that, we "Peeled" them, or rather, we de-feathered them. And let me tell you that's harder than it looks! I wish I had brought my tweezers, or maybe some hot wax because those suckers would just not come out! And then I even helped a little bit to cut it open and clean out the innards.

 Guys, WHO AM I?! Seriously after it happened its like... I don't even know who I am anymore. The mission changes you in more ways than I expected I guess. So a couple weeks ago it was the guinea pig, this week, the ducks. I think next week I'll take on a pig.

So yeah, the focus more than anything this week was helping out Karina. And now she's feeling good and we're feeling good and one more person is making covenants with God! Could anything else be better? No would be the answer to that.

Well Those were kind of the highlights of the week. And of my life. 

Try to top that my friends. Try to top that. 

Well I'm gonna leave it at that and I hope everyone is well and happy and I love you alllll! Remember the church is true and God is good. 

Hermana Rust 

That's me, peeling a duck. 

 And that's my DISTRONA!! 

Today for Pday we went to a place called Pacucha! Absolutely GORGEOUS!

 Still Pacucha. And jumping. 

 Look! I'm a real missionary! There's a whole in my shoe!

 This is the cute grandpa we are teaching. I LOVE HIM!! 

#44

Well first things first. I bought a camera! It was a horribly long process however and I definitely feel the opposition from Satan for not wanting me to document my mission. But ha I won so take that opposition! So now I will be sending a lot more pictures. They might be selfies... but that's just how it is!

Second thing. No, I have not gotten the shoes yet. Transfers are in 2 weeks, so I'll probably get them then. There's not much travel between Cusco and Talavera so... when the ZL's go to concilio, they usually bring back the goods. But I'm sure I'll have them soon.

Holy CONFERENCE!!!
I loved alllll the talks so much. There were ones that touched me more than others and some that were sent straight from God to me, but all very good. I love conference so much. But it's not really that big of a... thing, here. Like everyone came for the Sunday morning session but didn't show up for the other 3 sessions and it just made me really sad. Because like... Elder Rasband talked about I believe, it's such a privilege to be able to sustain our leaders and Prophet. When I was younger, it was the part I paid the least attention to, but now its just so... fulfilling, to know that there is a chosen Prophet of God on the earth and that I love him, support him, and sustain him. So cool.
But yeah I'm sure you all have your own favorite moments and I have about 10 pages worth, but this morning I was looking over my notes and Elder Gong's caught my eye again. And one thing he said that just kind of made me stop and think was "Life must be understood backward, but lived forward". And how frustratingly true is that?! Like seriously. I think that this line really defines my mission. Because if every moment I am thinking "Why did we teach this person" or "Why did this happen" or "Why did this appointment fall through" and its just a lot of confusion and frustration because it seems like everything is flying from my control and I can't do a thing about it. But if we go back to that patience thing I learned last week, we realized that we just kind of have to live through it, and then after all is said and done, we gain a glimpse of understanding. Sometimes it's not complete, and sometimes doesn't make complete sense, but we can trust that after all, all will work together for our good. Love that phrase. So that was one of the 30392017 thoughts I had during the conference and Just wanted to share that with you
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Oh also I love how hip Elder Holland is. Didn't even know that picture was a thing.
And one more thing, my favorite part of it all was probably when Elder Rasband was talking about Peter all seriously and then paused and then said ".... Pretty Bold!" hahah we were all laughing at that part and I don't even know why probably because I haven't heard English in a really long time so... everything is amusing
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 I wanted to write this week about my interview with President Harbertson. It was really interesting to me and I just want to share with you what he shared with me.
 
So he came to our house and we talked for about 15 minutes. And the first thing we talked about was how hard it was for me to adjust to Talavera and leave Puno. And he gave me some counsel to not let where I am keep me from being happy. Rather, I should let what I am doing make my life full of happiness. But then he asked me a question. He asked me what my biggest fear was. And I thought for a moment. And then I came to the conclusion that my biggest fear is not living up to the expectations of my family and the ones I have set for myself. And when I said that I was a little surprised. Because you and dad NEVER pushed me beyond my limitations. And that's a good thing. You never made me feel bad for who I am and always helped me become better. And you never compared me to any other siblings. So then why would that be my fear right.   That's another thing we learned in the conference, that my faith depends on me. No one else. Satan tries to conform us to something that we are not. Even someone that we are not. He tries to convince us that if one person falls, everyone will. I trusted more in my weakness than in my strength. And as I have reflected this this week, I have felt comfort. Comfort that if I try, Like elder Holland says, we get credit for trying, then I will be alright.  So that was my fear. But now I think it's more of a strength. Remember how God takes weak things and makes them strong, well in the course of my mission, God has turned this weakness into a strength. I know who I am and I know what I can be. I just need him to get there. And I won't fall.

Well this week should be good and I thank you for your prayers.
Love Hermana Rust

We are the Hermanas from the Andahuaylas Distrona. 

There's Hermana Fernandez, she's from Cochebamba, then my compi, then me, and then Hermana Seaton. She's from Oregon. 

 This is my beautiful little Talavera. It's seriously gorgeous here! 

 This is Cintia. She's the little sister of Maribel who lives with us in our house. Everyone here, well at least all of my companions have thought that it is absolutely insane how big my lips are and I finally found someone who has large lips as well. So we took this picture to commemorate. She's 12.

And this is an Ozzy Osborn look alike without the blue circular glasses. 

                 also its what I would look like with black hair in case you were wondering.