the baptism of brother Garcia

elder Franco, brother Garcia, Elder Hyde

Hello family,

Well this week was a good week for us we were able to get a lot of things done and we were able to have a baptism as well. This baptism was probably my favorite up until now. He is an amazing guy and just needed a miracle to be baptized. So I decided that I would pray and that I would fast for him to know what to do and well he was able to come to the church, even though he was in a fight with his boss and was suffering because he wanted to come but he couldn't. Well he was able to get off work because he needed to have a medical exam. He came and stayed all three hours and then made a bunch of friends with all of the YSA and they invited him to come play soccer and to come to the activities and to be able to have these experiences that helped him overcome the difficulties (his parents were not very happy that he was doing it and they were saying that he would be rejected and all the fun things like that). We went to his house about 2 days befor his baptism and asked how he felt and what was happening and he said that all this was happening and I was waiting for the "we need to give it more time" excuse but, he just looked at us and said," yeah,I don't care what they say or do." I know that this is the true church and that this is where I need to be. Like I said, he is fantastic and now is super good friends with everyone and is having a super good time. Love this work like crazy and love all of the fun crazy experiences that we have. I know that this Church is true and that all the things that we ask in faith after all that we can do will come to pass (if they are right). I just want you all to give all that you have and then ask God in faith for the help you need and it will all be ok I love you guys so much!!!! 

Con Amor,

Elder Hyde

my baseball boy will be returning home a soccer man

Real Madrid soccer
jersey

zone conference

President and sister Stauffer with the Puente Piedra Zone

11/27/2017email:
well I am doing good I am a lot less stressed I am just letting things go as they go and just giving it all that I have. I am sleeping less thinking about all my investigators. I usually fall asleep around 12 and wake up at 6 or 6:30 now, I think that I function better on less sleep dont know why but I do. My week was good we had a baptism this week and it was probably my favorite baptism up until now. This guy is fantastic and it was a miracle that he was able to be baptized. We have to have the people come to church 3 times to be able to baptize them, and there is a young man who only had one attendance and he has no time works from 7am-9pm and we had no idea what to do because he wants to participate in the church and to have a better relationship with God but his work was always in the way. Well this past sunday 8 days ago he got released from work and so he could come to church, but that means he only had 2 attendances well then we get a text from the zone leaders saying that the face to face with the apostles counted as an attendance so we hauled him to that at 7 in the night. Then with all the friends that he had made they took him to play soccer and to all their activities and he loved it and they helped him progress even more. Until this saturday he was able to be baptized and confirmed (other miracle that he could come). So I am very happy and ready to have more experiences like this one. Me and Elder franco are doing better I am developing patience even though it is just like gracie now that when he has something in mind he just wont leave you alone until it happens, but sadly I am pretty sure it is worse. He wanted to go 20 min out of our area just to buy a spray to have the house smelling good and he probably said the name of the store like 50 times in a matter of 2 hours, but I am getting there.

here kitty, kitty

Elder Hyde and Elder Franco (of ElSalvador)

This is what my companion made me buy the other day because he didnt like to sit on just the bowl he says that it is unsanitary. I have not had one of these in eleven months so....

another new picture

Elder Hyde overlooking Puente Piedra ("stony bridge").

new companion

Garrett got a new companion this week.    Meet Elder Franco from El Salvador.   He has been out in the field for 7 months and transferred from the Los Olivos zone.    Garrett describes him as really clean, quiet,  and extremely shy.

another random picture in our email

so this week Elder Hyde sent us a random picture of a cemetary?maybe?- not sure what the significance of this picture is because (of course)   there was no further information given.  

tortuga grande

so Elder Hyde emailed us this picture today,of course,with no explanation

so, I quickly sent him a reply and asked, "is that tonight's dinner?".

Elder Hyde responded, "no, but I did eat the family guinea pig Thursday".  

Dearly beloved families and friends,

Well I will try to give out as much information as I can I had to write a lot to President Stauffer this week.

 I want to start this letter off with letting you guys know how much I love each and every one of you and how thankful that I am for writing and helping me to become a better person, missionary, and man. I have had a lot of ups and downs this last transfer it has been hard watching people come so close to baptism and then just not want to take the step. I know that a mission was never easy and never will be, because it is the work of God but I also know that ''todo vale la pena'' ((it's all worth it) Spanish phrases are so great). Today I want to talk a little bit more about joy and about how we can have a joy more complete (I hope I havent talked about this already I can't remember very well). There is a scripture that has had significant meaning for me these last couple weeks that I wanted to share with you, it is found in Alma 26:30. It says that we have been through struggles and through all sorts of trials just to be the means of MAYBE bringing one soul to God, and now that we have had the opportunity to bring thousands of our brotheren to the Gospel our joy is complete. I find it really interesting that it doesn't say that we will have more joy or that we will feel a little more joy, but that it says that because they have brought more souls unto repentance and that becouse they have been able to help others that now they have a more complete joy. I know that when we help others that we can have an even greater chance to have joy and more importantly we can have a higher joy then that that we have now. I am still searching for that joy that only the penitent and humble seeker can find (Alma 27: something) but I have had even more joy at helping others to come unto Christ and have a repentance of their souls. I hope that this helps you all to open your minds even more that we have the responsibility of helping others to come unto Christ, but that in doing so he gives us the promise that we will have a greater joy and a joy more complete. I am so sorry for not writing a lot in my big letter this week like I said I have a lot running through my mind right now but I sure hope that you all will keep searching for this joy and this happiness that only the gospel can and will bring you. I seriously love you guys so much you all are some of my favorite people to talk to. Hope that all goes well for you this week love you!!!!

-Elder Hyde

temple experience

zapallala district- zone puente piedra

Elder Nielsen and Elder Hyde

Well it was another good week for me, a lot happened in a very short amount of time. I had a very spiritual experience that helped me know that God is still there and is listening to my prayers. I want to be the very best Elder that Elder Hyde could possibly be. I didn't come here to waste two years of my life in a foreign country just to be a tourist, or to learn a different language, or any other reason. I know that In the past I havent exactly been the most spiritual person, or at least I didn't reach my potential. I had a little experience before coming to Perú that helped me gain a little bit more of a testimony, I will share that one in a different time. I have had many since that have helped me grow piece by piece and grow a little closer to my Savior each day, but this week I had something quite strange happen. I wanted to be even more clean, even more pure, even more worthy as an Elder to be serving in the place of our Redeemer as his representative in Perú. This past Wednesday I was praying in the night for forgiveness with all the energy that I had for not being the best Elder that I could be, I asked if he could help me in my weaknesses and trials, and then I asked if he would help me to know that I was forgiven and that I was still worthy. When I finished my prayers I opened the sheets to hop in bed when the phone rang. It was Elder Nielsen with news that tomorrow(thursday). It has to be one of the fastest responses that I have ever recieved in my life. I hadn't been to the temple in 10 months and then out of the blue we get a text that we are going, and I dont think that it is a coincidence. The next day we went to the temple where I had another spiritual experience but a little bit more personal sorry, and then we bought all the necessities hymn book, garments, pictures, and all that fun stuff. Then we came back and I think that God gave me a little bit of a trial of my faith because my companion has been sick and it finally got to me late Thursday and friday and Saturday as well, I was in bed coughing with migrains and with pain in my chest and stomach etc and nasty sneezes and all that to the point where I couldnt leave my house. So after my big spiritual experiences I had to sit in the house and wait and suffer a little bit. I think that it is to see if it really is my desire to change and to be better or if I am just saying words to get on his goood side, but it is all good because I mean what I say and I say what I meant. I know that God always is there to give us an extra push and to forgive us fast. (Moroni 6:8) That is the point is to mess up as many times as it takes to get where we need but to repent fast to get us back on track to have the blessings of God again in our life. That is what I am striving to get and to obtain. To be just a little nearer to God each day and to grow to love becoming closer and closer. I know that if we make that our goal and our song that we will not only be happier but we can and will have all the blessings of God with us. That is what I hope and wish for each and everyone of you. I love you all so much please take care and keep growing and stretching. 

Con amor,

Elder Hyde

mission conference with Elder Oaks

Another week down. I have no idea where this week went, it seems like it is thursday or somewhere around there. I think this week just cruised by because we had so many things to do and so little time to do it. This week we had a visit from Elder Oaks in person. He is the third apostle that I have been able to shake hands with, and of course it was amazing and life changing. We went to his meeting and we learned a little bit more about how we can help others to find their way in the world. He talked a lot about ''real intent'' and that the reason that some people dont receive answers is not because they dont want to know, but a lot of the times it is because they wont act on the answer that our heavenly father is so willing to give. And I have thought about this a lot, and was wondering if that is the reason why so many of us feel lost, confused, or even depressed when we dont receive an answer. We as missionaries are always looking and trying to help our investigators to receive an answer for themselves and many of the times we think that if we pray hard enough, if we preach hard enough, and we give them everything that they need that they will be converts. I learned this week that that is not the case. Many times in my mission I have felt depressed like I didnt have the testimony, or that I couldnt talk perfect, or that I wasn´t sufficiently worthy or something, but I now know that sometimes after all that we  have done sometimes people just dont want to change. They dont receive the answer that they should/could because they are not willing to make the changes necessary to have these things revealed to them. I hope and pray that all of you are willing to make the changes and follow the promptings that your heavenly father gives you, because if you aren't ready or willing he cant and wont give you more information. I loved being able to hear from an apostle of God and being able to hear his voice, I now know with certainty that I have the best mission president in the world and especially here in Lima. All the mission presidents gave talks and they were all ok, but President Stauffer spoke last out of the presidents and he blew them out of the water hands down no contest. We also got to go to the beach and do a service project for the people of Perúand it was a great success, and no one got hurt.

We found a dead dolphin and an Israelite man who was fishing like the apostle peter and he had a great huge white beard it was great. It was a jam-packed week for us because we had ''rain'' (you cant call it rain it is more like there is water in the air and it just makes everything wet, I have no idea how to explain it it is just something you have to see for yourselves) and my companion was sick and we just seemed to be running from appointment to appointment the whole week. Not a bad week, nor a frustrating one, just a stress-filled week. I am glad that it is over, and glad for the success that we were able to have! I love you guys so much and love that we can still have a great relationship even though we are so far away! Love all of you so much hope that everything goes super fantabulistico for each one of you!!!!

-Elder Hyde

also got some questions answered....in a response from my email(doesn't happen that often):

(9/18/17)

Yes they are progressing, and we had 5 insacs this week it was a pretty good week! Um we had three baptisms a stellar activity that gave us a bunch of references and 10 news that we worked our butts off for. All is good for right now. And today was the first warm day that we have had in quite some time. Love you too mom 

(9/25/17)more questions answered this week:

That is fantastic! My week was good. The investigators from the activity are doing well and they are progressing really well as well. We had 8 people come to church so that was great. In my mission I feel better more pure, more ready, and more prepared to handle problems and difficulties that come my way, quick to jump back to good, and to help others to do the same. At the same time quick to love and to help others to feel the love of Christ as well. Nothing is really new for us other than that. 

Puente Piedra

This is Garrett's new tracting area   The big hill behind the buildings....

Puente Piedra with Elder Moyano

Hello family well I am back again to help you to understand my life a little more and enlarge your understanding. Well my area is great and my companion,Elder Moyano, is good as well.

 He is very strict and is trying to tell me how to do everything like I dont know so that has been a little frustrating but I know that his heart is in the right place so I am learning to deal with it as best I can. I live in the City Puente Piedra it is on the other side of Ventanilla and it is pretty fantastic, My penisionista is good and she is a really nice lady. I love my new area it is fantastic. Me and my companion are getting along good so far, we always have a lot of good things happen to us, I have been able to show him a little bit more about how we can work together and not always just have it be the Elder Moyano show. But really I am loving it here, 

I have Elder Wells in my district right now so that will be fun as well, my district is a little different than I am used to but I am sure that we will get along just fine. Ummm relatively the same lots of walking and a lot of convis (mini buses) to help us to get to and from our mountain. I know that I am going to love it here and that we will be able to have a lot of success. My district leader and Zone leaders are the best I am learning so much from them and I am really seeing the work progress already. I hope this helps a little bit still dont know too much but it really is a good area. I also got my camera so I will send some photos to help. Love you guys a lot and hope that you will send me all your questions so that I can help and to answer all your doubts, haha. Hope all is well Love you guys like crazy.

Elder Hyde

Ariza come, Ariza go

Hello again family,                                      July 3, 2017

Alright well I realized that I was slacking a little bit on my messages so I am starting on this a little earlier and writing a little shorter messages to get to the point that I needed. Alright well I am a little torn still but not as bad. Elder Alvarado had to go home Thursday due to his back and coccyx but I am feeling that that is probably best for him. But it was still really sad for me to let him go. But then I got my new companion Elder Ariza de Bogota Colombia and well we got right at it and went to work and we got more work done in three days than I had in the last 3 weeks so that was a huge stress reliever. He is a good elder with a little bit of pride but he wants to work and well I am not about to take that away from him haha. I am going to take him through all of the hills of profam and work him harder than he has ever been worked in his life, because I have three weeks stored up and ready to take out on him. But other than that everything is back to normal and I am just up and at it to go and find these chosen people and bring them to the fountain of life. I feel like I have been such a slack these last couple weeks and I want to make it up to you guys but I have no Idea how to do it. But please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you guys any questions, suggestions, or things that you need from me. I dont want you guys to stop writing me becuase you think I am busy or stuff like that, I want you guys to ask all the questions in the world and make it impossible for me to respond to all of you, but to try my best and then just keep loving the best that I can. But as of now I dont have to many things to share with you guys but I want to hear from your experiences as well.​

                                                            July 31, 2017

Alright well I finally got moved from the ¨Tierra Prometida¨ (Pachacutec) to the other ¨Tierra Prometida¨ (Puente Piedra Zapallal 2A). And well you all know that usually when you move areas you also change companions... So I am now with my new companion Elder Moyano and he is from Argentina. As far as I can tell he is a great missionary and he is willing to work hard so we will have to see. I recieved the notice that I was changing this morning at 6 am. Right now I am a little weirded out to be in my new area and to be in a place that is in no way the area that I know. First of all I am walking on asphalt and sidewalk and not sand. I dont know what to do with myself, when I first got here I started having shin splints because I wasnt used to walking on something solid. Second off I finally have a pensionista again and dont have to take as good of care of my money to make sure that I have something to eat at the end of the month haha. I dont know too much about my situation yet but I know that I am going to make the best out of it and that it is going to be the experience of a lifetime. I am super super excited to be here and for everything that I will be able to experience here. I am super excited to work in a different area and to be able to help this area and everyone that needs it.  I hope that I will be able to share a little more next week and help you guys to understand about my situation a little more. I also hope that you guys will continue to share your experiences with me I love you guys a lot please keep trying to do my challenge it helps me out a little as well and takes less time for me to find talks to read and more time to write you all. Loveyou all so much 

Elder Hyde

play hard, work harder

these missionaries obviously get into their p-day soccer matches!!   Luckily they clean up real nice too when it is time to get back to work

Elder Alvarado's baptism

Yes we had a wonderful baptism this last wednesday( Gracie's birthday) and we are getting along too well its insane, the sad part is that I think hes going to have to go home he had an accident when he had 13 years old and he was never operated and it still bothers him to the point where he cries every day and its heart wrenching to me. But I still love him to death. I will try to explain better haha.

new companion, but remaining in Pachacutec- Cedros 3

Hello hermosa Familia,

Well Here I am still out in pachacutec. I dont know if you guys knew but this is a little weird to still be in my first area. Because elder Garcia has my same time and he has had 4 different areas and 3 different zones so well that shows you I am still one of a kind. Umm well the other changes that happened this week is that I got a new companion. And not just any type of new companion I got the newest of the news. So that means that my parents are now grandparents and that my grandparents are now great grandparents. Anyways so I have moved up in the world a little bit. I am now Senior Companion and training my newbie Elder Alvarado de Cucuta (coo coo tah), Columbia ((culum-bia) in case you didnt know). And we are a riot. The best of friends still and everything is great. We are working hard but in a little different of a way. He had an accident when he was 13 years old where he was hit by a truck on his bike and he was never operated on or anything like that so he still has pain especially in the cold (and it is freezing here in case ya didn't know that either and not to mention we take cold showers every morning) and every time that he walks for long distances his leg hurts him also. So that has been a challenge for me because we walk a lot, and well we dont really walk we hike up every freaking hill that we can find out here in Peru. But I am doing my best to teach him what I know and have learned and to help him to find his own happiness out here as well. But it is an all different kind of mission right now. And I am starting to see that really helping other people on their missions is also a huge part of your mission as well. But I am a happy father learning about how I can help adn guide my youngin to his happiness and help him to find joy out here also. And I was so close to having a baptism for him his very first week out here in the field but he will have one this Wednesday so that will be fun for him. Ummm other than that not a whole lot is changing I am still a hard worker but trying too do it just a little more efficiently to protect my companions back from exploding and so I am having to do a completely different kind of work with him but I love him to death. And well I didnt have a usb output so I couldnt put photos up but next week for sure. Love all of you lguys so much until next week.

Yup I have a new companion Elder Alvarado, I am stuck here in Pachacutec for another 6 weeks at least, still have investigators here, and they all still love me haha. WOW a week full of memories no? Well it sounds like I missed a lot of everything up there in Utah. How were all the parties and everything? I cant believe that people are getting older while I am out here that still doesnt sound fair to me. I kind of forgot what month it is because it is so freaking cold in the mornings, I am sleeping in jeans and me jacket, and then taking my cold shower in the mornings how wonderful haha. But yeah everything is good I will shoot off another message with a lot more this week haha but love you so much mom thanks for all you do

Alright well this week has been super fun filled with learning experiences and so so so many difficulties. I am absolutely completely sure that this week was as Elder Jeffery R. Holland says my trip a little ways into the Garden of Gethsemane. I am always as President Stauffer says With Fire but this week was a lot of hard. Well this week I found out that my companion had an accident at 13 years old and he never had surgery and he has had problems with it ever since. But he wanted to serve a mission so bad that he didnt say anything about it in the mission papers and he got sent to the worst possible place to work. where it is cold all mountains and a lot and I mean a lot of work here. So I have been trying to take care of him the best that I can and to do all that I could to still do the work that I need to but also have time to take him home when he is in tears because of the pains of his legs. And this week I have struggled so much with trying to find new people to teach and to help them to progress and to do everything to be ready to be baptized and so we are super struggling. And well President Stauffer has a lot of trust in me now and I am super grateful to have it. But he told me before that this is not going to be easy for you and it is going to test you a lot, and I can testify of his words. This week was so hard, and I could go on and on about all the little things that happened to test my faith but we are just going to say that I made it and that I am still strong and with my buen animo. But the sad thing is that he might be going home because of the pain that he is feeling and so I am a little depressed about that. But really what breaks my heart more is that he is giving everything that he has to be here to try to give God what he has, he wants to be here so bad and he wants to serve wtih all that he has and I just want to take him in front of other missionaries and in front of others that are preparing to serve and just show them all that he is willing to give and that they should give a little part because of those who cant. Ok well I am out of time I will expound later. But just know that I love you all so much. and that I know why he has come and it was to help me with this perspective to serve with everything. And I hope that you all feel the same. Love you so much until next week.

Con gran amor,

Elder hyde

best Mother's day gift EVER

CCM elders reunited in Pachacutec

Garrettt, Elder Pond, and Elder Garcia are back together in the Pachacutec zone.   they were quite the trio in the CCM.   I know Garrett considers them two of his dearest friends.   We are thrilled about this reunion  and are anxious to see the work they will accomplish together in their zone.   LOOK OUT PACHACUTEC THESE THREE AMIGOS PLAN TO INTRODUCE ALL OF YOU TO THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

finally an update

Alright well this letter is going to be short and I am going to appologize in advance because I am trying to figure out the best way about how to talk with my family on sunday and quite frankly we are in quite the mess hahaha. as usual no, oh well but this week was good it is starting to get really cold I have started to wear a sweater because it is right next to the beach and we are on hills or mountains. but all is good I was sick with the flu and we will just leave it that I got to spend a lot of time with my favorite white toilet bowl. And I was doing my damage from both ends. WOO HOO! But all is good now and back to work as usual. I got to do a lot of studying as well and I was reading about the 2000 stripling warriors and their many victories and the kind of leader that captain moroni was and the many things that they overcame. But as always it was because of the planning and preperations that they did before hand. And I jsut want to testify of the power that we can and will have when we prepare our minds and our forces in their weakest spots and if we prepare where we know the enemy is going to try to attack us God will strengthen us and provide us with the divine help that we need but we need to do our part. SO LETS GO AND DO OUR PART AND CONQUER OUR ENEMIES YEAH? LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

sweet little investigator

2nd companion

So this week started with my companion exchange. I am now with my new companion Elder Vaquero and he is a stud. Im pretty sure my mission president is looking out for me and trully wants the best for me. But anyways my new companion is from Iquitos Peru and he loves to do the things we need to do. He is a little more different than elder Sanabria but I love him just the same. And we are definitely going to get a lot of good things done. But that Is pretty much what sums him up a good missionary doing good things and helping a lot of people out. I also know that you guys love looking at the instagram and seeing all of these fun Photos. It was pretty cool this week because we had almost all of our Zone baptize this week, and this is what we like to call noche de blanco or a white night. It was really fun to help and really fun to be a part of. I know all of the questions that will come later, so have you had any baptisms or any converts how many etc. And this is why I think technology is a curse for me right now. I will answer all of your questions honestly because I want to have the spirit in order to bless these peoples lives and help all of them understand why we are here and the purpose for this life. But I also want to be humble, and I have already learned a lot about humility here as I have explained earlier but pride is one thing that is really really ugly to me people love to talk about themselves and pump themselves up and appear great and that is not something I want in the slightest. You all know that I hate those type of people. But I will tell you a few things. I have had a baptism with elder sanabria yes it was beautiful and very great to be a part of and share these wonderful feelings, yes I did get to baptize and yes it was in spanish. And there may or may not be others but in reality I have no desire to tell you a number or names. I  am in south america of course and obviously we baptize a lot here. But please dont make me tell you numbers or other things that would make me brag. I love you guys but I want to just focus on helping the next person not saying that I have helped sufficiently because I have baptized so many souls. Sorry guys I know you want to know and maybe I will share an occasional photo just to lift your spirits but right now I just want to be doing all things good. Im sorry for being weird and very selfish with this but I feel it is for the best. Sorry I have changed so much and am doing things a little different but I feel it is for the best. Trying to represnt Christ and be one of His followers isnt exactly normal. We are a different and better breed. All of us need to do our best to represent Christ in all situations and do all that we can to show our love for the savior and to be a little different, but obviously the better different no? You all are so good to me thank you for writing me and helping me feel good like always. I love all of you so much and want the best for every single one of you. And thats why I am here helping here to maybe help you guys recieve these blessings that they say a family recieves when a missionary is away. Hope you all do the best Things for your families and continue being strong in the work. Love you more than you know. 

This is Garrett's second companion companion, Elder Vaquero.

Pachacutec

garrett's first zone and tracting area.

changes in the mission

Hello my wonderful, marvelous, and amazing family,

Well,  This week was the craziest so far- a lot of things changed... and a lot of things didn't. This week was my very first transfer., and pretty much the craziest things happened. So, first off they splitt the   Ventanilla zone into pachacutec and ventanilla. I am in the zone pachacutec.  I  am still with elder Sanabria. but, that is really the only thing that stayed the same. My district changed. we lost elder Poma and Elder Harris, And then we got an additional companionship in our district. None the less, because we are a new zon,e we needed  zone leaders as well. And so They moved and are in our district as well. But this week we had a crazy game of soccer( in which i blew out the side of my shoes muy trist), and then we had an awesome water balloon fight   that was so much fun as well

. We are just enjoying this life to the maximum. Now we moved areas, but our house stayed the same. But, elder mamani, and elder thayne moved in to the house so we are four elders in one house. And then, Elder Linares and Elder Mora are moving into the house too (Because of the rent of the other house) so, we are going to have 6 elders in one house....

 talk about- no sleep ever. Elder Linares and Elder Mora are the zone leader.s And they are lo maximo.  they have helped me so much already. But then, as if you didn't think that was crazy enough- Elder Sanabria was called to be our District Leader, which, then put a lot of responsibility on me as well. So,I have been taking the initiative on a lot of things. that (normally), a new elder wouldn't have to do. which is both good and bad. Because a lot of the things I write are just a little off or i don't know what i'm doing exactly, But, it is improving along with my Spanish. i kinda wish I could show you my learnings. But, basically i'm training to be a trainer. and learning of the things that are happening in our mission at an early age. haha. But, everything was good other than we kind of needed to hit the refresh on the area of Profam, (my new area kind of) because elder sanabria is learning how  to be a district leader- (and with lots of meetings) our work is progressing slow. Bu,t we are still able to get the work done that needs to be.-  and still have our bits of fun... to keep us sane. My soccer skills are improving each week ,and our district still dominates all the older men who wish they could still move, and play like they used to. haha. But, it is fun because we play with our investigators, members, and anyone else who wants to play.- bu,t We are dang good.   haha.  

This week we also decided to work on our wrestling again.... in the which i went undefeated- (obviously) against all of my opponents- including Eder Sanabria, and Elder Mamani at the same time... haha (ooh and elder Linares- (who actually kind of knows how to wrestl)e so,I kind of have a big head after this week to say the least. But all in al,l we are just having the time of our lives ....converting, playing soccer, and eating pollo a la brazo y chaufa. (which is pretty much the best thing on the planet). We have to try everything that we can to eat. And i tookRrees'idea of the soda labels in my journal. And right now i have quite the collection already. But, this new district is amazing and they have taught me a lot. already. and it has only been a week. I am loving Peru and giving it my all.... what more could you expect from Elder Hyde? No, but really- me and Elder Sanabria in his words, were ¡"Vamos a destruir profam" ! So, this week we are going to go and tract and convert like craz.y I'll update you all later. but, right now i got some work to do! Love you all keep doing your best.

Con mucho Amor,

Elder Hyde

garrett's first birthday away from home

challenge accepted, challenge Destroyed

the history:

on the today before Garrett left for his mission, we had a special family Home evening with extended family (grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles).   We asked everyone to 1. share a fun memory of Garrett., 2. Give him a piece of advice for his mission, or 3. tell something they admired about him.   It was super fun and lots of wonderful things were said.   Garrett's cousin, Quincey chose to give Garrett a challenge on his mission  "I challenge you to ride a llama while you are in Peru."   "And if you don't take a picture, Then it didn't happen."

we received this picture in our latest email:

and here

is what elder Hyde said about it-

But on a much happier note here is elder hyde with proof that he is fulfilling his promises. We found this little beauty in our area he was all decorated and looking like he hated his life. so what did we to try to bless one more soul so we gave him an apple and a bit of bread. Then we decided to make him hate life again by having fat old me sit on his back and go for a little ride and take a picture. Oh well im sure he will get over it. Also it is very true that llamas spit and they spit a lot. This one had a little bit of a spitting fit when i sat on his back. but hey I said i would ride a llama so i was gonna ride that llama!

Another great week

hello- I am through another wee​k of peru, and still doing great! Again, sorry for last week's letter I tried everything that I could to get it back, and there was no way. I am going to try to do my best to tell you everything I can- but, again,I got a screwy keyboard.... that the space bar only works half the time, and the same with the back space. Big news for peru: we got rain,,, and how sweet it was, haha. But, my week was great! we had a lot of fun, running around. my area is pachecutec (if you want to get really specific with my boundaries) and all the other part is the city of ventanilla, (which is my zone). but our area is actually two regular missions. haha before it was cedros 1,2 and 3 but cedros,my church, more or less is down to two. soElder sanabria and i  have double the area to cover. but, we take it with pride and say that we are the best district, (because we are). our reason being- that there is only four- when usually there are6-8. but, this week was fun- because- we went all over the other area..... and had quite a bit of success. our mission president promised us this week: that if we open our mouths that god will put people in our way -so that they could find us, or we could find them. so,I took it to heart. and tried at nearly every opportunity. so, my first experience was Tuesday, we got off the bus that day and i started talking to a man, who was walking in our direction, and he was happy to reply... and then, we got talking about the gospel- and then walked right up to his door- where, all of a  sudden, 3 more came- out so we taught our lesson to the four people as we were clear out in the middle of no where. then a couple days later we went back and there were two more people at the door to teach .so, just from opening our mouths,  we have 6 new investigators from one simple hello. Then later on that week we had another fun experience, that was fun for me. we knocked on a door, and were talking to a man for a solid 7 min and trying to ask if we could teach.  He was very reluctant, and kind of snide about it. but we asked if he would ask his wife if we could. so, he left, and while he was gone, i asked Elder Sanabria- what he thought- and he said: that it was not gonna work out, and i asked "why?". he said: "because this happens a lot" and then i replied kind of jokingly, but serious too, and I said, "where is your faith, Elder?, and he said, "I have it,, but, I have seen this before. And I said, "well i have faith, and just watch: these people are going to accept the gospel." so. i said my quick little prayer but, not even a little prayer., more so,,,,,, just, "please help them god". well a little later he came back with his wife and asked if we would come in. we taught a fantastic lesson and everything went smooth- and they happily accepted the date for baptism. so after we left, of course, I had to pester Elder Sanabria about it., and tease and joke about it. and he was a little dumbfounded., and said," that that does not happen often, if at all ". So, just goes to show you- even if you have a little, very little, faith- even if it is kind of joking, that God can touch the hearts of his children. Alright, now on to the best- most crazy- part of our week. So, after all of our hard work, came sunday.( now, 'normally' sundays are quite normal).... it is relaxed, we don't have to teach, or do much ,till about 3 but, it was stake conference this week in ventanilla, which is about 30 min away. well, we began at about 730 to gather our investigators for church. (and we rented a bus for them). well with stake conference at 10:00  this sounds early enough right? well,-  you and me were both wrong.     we gathered all of our 16 investigators, 7 children accompanying, also a recent convert, and a membe,r in our bus,  And we left for ventanilla around 10:10 ,with a 30 min ride left, well, thankfully, nothing starts completely on time- so, we were only 20 min late. but, when we got there we walked directly to the front, where the investigators were sitting, because they were asked to, by president stauffer, Because, He promised: who ever came, would be baptized, haha. so, we got there, and all the other elders were sitting there in the front, because there was room,  well, Elder Sanabria and Iwent in, and asked all of them to move, and they all look confused,but they did it.,  then we marched our (26 or so people) into the chapel,  and sat them on the benches., taking up the first 2 and a half rows,  haha. there was no room for us to sit. so, we, and the other missionaries sat outside. where. we listened to our president and the stake president speak., and it was so good. so, later our president came up after the session and congratulated us. because, there has never been 16 investigators in one meeting, let alone- a stake conference 30 min away- so ,it is a little nice, ( not going to lie), seeing some our hard work pay off. Then we rode back with all of them, plus, elder poma, and elder harri,s and their investigators.  and all the missionaries stood on the way there and back. and my shoulders (not lying) hit the roof when i stand but, you still would not have a found a happier camper around. And that smile has pushed me, and will push me, through the rest of this week- haha. 

With love,

elder Hyde

first apartment

This is the apartment garrett is sharing with five other elders the Ventenilla/pachacutec area.really not clear where he is.

Field update

Hello Hello another week to go, 

Well this week was fairly different and full of firsts. This week I went through my first earthquake, very small, and I thought- very fun.we were in our apartment, and all I did was look at Elder Sanabria as it happened, to see what he would do. and he just looked at me with a smile on his face: waiting for me to panic, etc. Haha!-  little does he know: I live for that excitement.    I also had my first baptism fall through, My first lesson that I kind of understood, my first conversation with someone that lasted longer than three seconds, my first encounter with the stomach flu,  the first time I have had pizza in like three months, my very first companion exchange, my first time being offered alcohol,  my first door slammed in my face, my first time riding in a motor taxi, and first time trying the street-food (of sorts), which included:  corn and cheese ice cream, their bread, and some other snacks, my first fast and testimony meeting, in which- I had to bear my poor testimony in Spanish haha, and last, but not least, my first family accepting my invitation to be baptized, So I felt I had a quite eventful week, I have tried to be much more accepting of people, and starting up conversations with everyone i meet. and turns out that Elder Sanabria and I make a pretty dang good team. i think it is mostly because I am a gringo and people are way more reluctant to listen to thethings that I say, but are anxious to hear a little spoken English at the same time. most of the people i pass by say "hello" or "hi ","how are you?", and then I respond with a little bit of English. and thenI try to  start the conversation. in which later, Elder Sanabria jumps in and either translates for me or continues the conversation. So this week Elder Harris told me that we had a tremendous week. that on average to have 7 people with fechas (or baptsimal dates) was good. and 2-3 in sacrament meeting is goodalso. wel,l we put up 19 people with fechas  and had 7 people in sacrament meeting.  haha. So, we did really good. Elder Harris sounded quite suprised with our numbers and our success. So that was super nice to hear. Secondly, my spanish is becoming better and better. And what i have come to learn is this mission is souley based on your attitude, along with the rest of your life. This week I found that God works in very mysterious ways,  and uses our afflictions to help us. This week i think i came down with some type of flu that basically knocked me off my feet, and made me wish i could take a nap.,  But Elder Sanabria demanded we push forward. and reluctantly, and kind of spitefully, I did. for the first two hours, I kept telling elder sanabria that my insides were exploding, and my legs were going to fall off,  and that I was pretty sure I was dying. But every investigator or person we were about to pass, I would put on a smile (that was fake), But, I always feel like a smile to these people is rare. we continued to knock doors with little success, and i continued to murmur. Then i decided to have a little change of heart as i remembered- thanks to Elder Sanabria- that Jesus Christ's atonement was not easy either and this, right now, is my own personal atonement. So the next hours we proceeded with smiles, the whole time,and much less murmuring on my part. we then had much more success... in which we had what we cal,l "miracles" (which is when we find the parents are baptized and tthe children are of age, and are willing to be baptized. And then also, because of my aching legs, we saw a bus that would take us home., and normally we would run to catch it but for some reason I felt like we shouldn't i dont know if that was my legs, or the spirit talking-  haha. but we didn't then, on the next bus- which took somewhere around 15 min. and it was getting close to the time we were supposed to be back- almost regretting not taking the other bus another bus showed, and the man who takes the money got talking to us and sai,d that he met elders a long time ago and has not seen them since. But,  he is willing and ready to take the lessons, and wants to be baptized. Therefore, it is proven- like it says in alma 26- I believe that if we bear our afflictions with patience, and with good attitude, we will be blessed. Entonces (so) always, always, remember that sometimes our life isn't easy and will not be easy because the Savior's life was not easy either, and His atonement is crazy, powerful, and is a great example of patience and endurance. I love the idea of aunt kaci and Raleigh on starting at Mosiah,  because that means that you arrive to the alma chapters that much quicker. They are the next best answer of enduring with patience, and with all hope in mind. They were as alma says: 

 put through their own hell and they were in the depths of despair ,but afterwards,  they bore all manner of afflictions with patience.,  and by their examples they baptized "miles" of people as it says.

Love you all.  stay true to the gospel.  i know it is the only thing that brings me true happiness right now, except of course-the occasional ice cream sandwich,  and Inka kola which always brings a little longer pleasure in life down here. Remember patience, and that Elder Hyde believes you can be strong, and with the Savior, even stronger than you can imagine.

Espero que ustedes tengan una buena semana

con mucho amor,

Elder Hyde

OUT in the field

Hello Family, 

Well it was a crazy week. we left the CCM (Peru M T C ), finally, and went out into the field it was about an hour and a half bus ride to my area, where we went with president stauffer to teach in the park right next to the area chapel. Then, we had our meetings- where we talked with everyone in our mission- and learned about them. then, found out who our companions were.

 Hopefully you saw the photo of elder Sinabria.

He is a latino from Brazil and has been on his mission for just over a year. He is a very dedicated worker, fun to be around, knows the gospel through and through, is a good soccer player (who would have guessed that that would be his favorite sport) and lastly, is   kind of a lot of hard to understand. haha. But i learned quite quickly that this language is very different from English (again,who could have guessed)but, I pick up on it quite well. they have a lot of odd phrases they use. that don't make sense. for example,  "tiene sentido", which means "does it have sense ",roughly. but elder Sinabria says I speak pretty good as far as how many words I speak. but, my sentences don't always make complete sense, cause  they don't have phrases like us. (I know you all are thinking- "well duh elder Hyde" everybody else knew that, why didnt you? and all I gotta say to that is: " Yo sé que debía entender pero estoy" un poco lento, lo siento por mis faltas!) But, you have to think completely different. it is almost as if i threw out all my English, and am like a little kid again.
 Anyways, this week was crazy as far as trying to listen to all the lessons going on.   all  the crazy traffic, all of the crazy people, street vendor,s dog,s etc. But I will try to explain as much as i can. Well, first off after the meeting with my entire zone, we left to our areas. Elder Pond is in my area, but a different district. But, I still see him every once in a while- so that is good. But, we drove for forever and they were talking in Spanish. And i was tired, so, I fell asleep in the back of the car.    sounds like I have not changed much, yet. then we arrived at our appartment, which is the nicest in our area, as far as what Elder Sinabria says. it is pretty nice. We don't have a pensionista exactly. she is not our maid but, we stay in part of the house she owns, and she cooks us lunch. and that is about it. Then we went to the church and we met the other elders in our district. which is Elder Poma, also from Brazil and ElderHarris, who is from Beaver, Utah. so that was kind of fun. He is a good elder and has helped me to understand my companion more and more. Then we went back home and went to sleep.
 The next day, we went proselyting. and i got more familiar with the area and everything inside of it. this city is huge, different, still beautiful,( in its own little way), but different. We got a lot of new investigators and we taught a lot about the first lesson.-and just got to know people. The next day, we had a district and zone meeting. so, I got to see everybody and talk and try to learn names it is in the area of  ventanilla in lima. it is a pretty big area. but, the crazy part is the bus rides getting there. They are about 25 minutes in a bus all the way down.- in sand., with speedbumps every 50 yards or so. the buses are really small, And, when I don't have a seat, and have to stand, my shoulders hit the ceiling. so, I have to crouch for thirty minutes on the way to a city.   And it feels like we try to hit every nook and cranny there is on the road "ugh". Anyways, there is a family that we have been teaching.
And we were able to bring them to church with us, which was way fun. Now, a little bit about church.
 We had to go pick up the family so, we were about 20 min late to Sacrament meeting. and, I  kid you not, within the first thirty seconds of walking into the room, I heard my name over the pulpit. andI was asked to go to the front,... and talk for 5 min. about Where I was from, my mission, and bear my testimony! so, talk about baptism by fire. I think it went fine. but, it was still a little nerve wracking. Then, inthe meeting we had babies crying and running all over the place, cell phones going off, And, we had a fire alarm go off during the sacrament so that was really interesting- as well- But, all in al,l it was quite spiritually uplifting. the bishop is a really nice man. and the people there are really nice also. then, in priesthood all the elders were asked to give talks... which I was unaware of. so, I was helping out with the lesson also, and bearing my testimony.  so, I had quite the experience yesterday. After that we had noche de hogar or family home evening with 17 people in one house, including our investigating family, So that was crazy also. We played Black Magic with the family. so, it was like i had the spirit. haha.   if you don't know what that game is- ask Grant.
 Also, today was my first p day with everyone and because it was after a transfer it was a zone p day so that was quite fun we played soccer, andI destroyed. i am apparenttly one of the fastest here.    i can't shoot very well. still, but,  I  can take the ball away, and pass and run really good haha. Also, I had my first encounter with a dog. I got bit on the heal it didn't draw blood or anything.but, you better believe,I carried a rock with me for the rest of the day. haha.
 don't worry about me though. it was just kind of funny because we hadtalked about if i had been bitten, the night before, and I said "no" haha. anyways that was my week in a nutshell. but, there is always more to tell- it is hard with only an hour to talk about everything. I hope  I answered all of your questions. if not, I   will try to answer more next week., sorry again. love you all a lot. hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Love you.

until next week -

Elder hyde