I am thankful to have born in a family that knows the gospel. Thank you for a roof over my head, and having been born in a country with roads, that it is safe to drink the water, and that the bathrooms and somewhat clean.

I am thankful for my savior that died for a sinner like me, for a perfect gospel. I am greatful that I live next to the temple, and do not have to travel hours and hours to do the work of God.

I am thankful for the opportunity to pray to my Heavenly Father that loves me more than I can imagine, so much that he gave me the chance to read and learn how to live the restored gospel from the B

ook of Mormon.

I am thankful for college football, even though the Utes lost, they are still cool, I am also thankful for a Dad that lets me know how my favorite team is doing.

I am thankful and proud to be an American. 

But more I am thankful to be able to say that I am a son of a living God.

November 16, 2015

This week is just jam packed with a lot of great stuff that happened. Where to start...

Well first this Tuesday we had interviews with president Williams, his wife, and the assistants. Weird right, the assistants, but it was a blast to travel to Chiclayo. On the way there was a fun experience.. jaja, Combis are always just so interesting, just the type of things you see and hear when you are jammed into a tight 10 man mini bus with about 30 people in it. Well on to the story we got on the bus and we had great seats, the best you could get in the combi. As we headed out to Chiclayo the combi was getting fuller and yet fuller. At one stop some old lady and girls got on, so I did the right thing and gave up my seat. As we kept going it just became worse and more packed. At the end of the trip I was riding backwards, on a tiny seat, this is worse than standing... It just felt like a ride in lagoon so it was enjoyable... The cobrador tried to knock the price down for me because he watched me get moved from what is like a first class to the worst... I basically told the guy no.. And that I enjoyed giving up the seats... The guy was shocked and insisted again... But i am stubborn so he had no chance... I just felt good.. You cannot pay for those types of feeling.

Wednesday was Elder Darrington's B day.. It is always hard to celebrate the birthday away from home, but I tried to make it a good day with him... We were really blessed though because this day all of our appointments stayed strong, and we ended up finding 3 new investigators. At night the members surprised my comp with a nice cake.. This members here are the best.

We had a work visit.. I went to an area called Pucala which is just a branch. It was fun just getting to know new people, the members here are so strong.. I really feel like a bum as a member compared to the sacrifice


these people make. I went with elder lozano, a colombian, that is basically a stud. I brought my soccer ball and we played in the morning to get some exercise in. It was also the birthday of the daughter of their penscion, so I took the liberty of the Peruvian traditions and smashed an egg on her head. The birthday traditions here are so fun.

The best thing is we have a baptismal date for Jojo or Kevin Joel Guillermo Huaman. He will be baptized in 2 weeks on the 28th of November. I am super happy. He will be the first of many here in this area. 

Wow, another change has flown by in the mission... Joy overcomed my soul when they said I did not have changes.. Thank goodness. 

Elder Mecham.

Happy Friday the 13th from Peru
 This last Sunday I played for sacrament meeting... That was a fun and great experience

November 9, 2015

OH, I half way there, O o, living on a prayer, Take my hand we will make it I swear,

oh oh living on a prayer

To be honest I really cannot believe I have been on the mission for a year... I have learned many things, yet I have so much more I need to learn. 

The thing most important is that we need to love everything... Our circumstances, blessings, trials, family, friends, enemies, work, and most importantly God. Really we cannot do anything without His help. All of our blessing come from him, all of our talents, progress, everything. I really know that the Savior guiding this church, God knows how to do his work, and he works in small and simple ways.. I can say by small simple things we are made strong. I love the spanish saying of OLA... Orar Leer Asistir... Really it is that simple just prayer, read the scriptures, and go to church. We must do it with full intent of heart, and a willingness to change and push ourselves. I know the Book of Mormon is the best book. By not reading and feasting upon its advices we shut ourselves from pure wisdom and answers that we need.

The week was amazing, we had zone conference, where they taught that we need to invite everyone to baptism the first lesson, and the second lesson we must put a date... If they do not accept, we need to drop the investigators and move to the ones that God has prepared. It is actually really hard, because I see every person I meet standing all in white... not baptisaml white but temple white as an eternal family. This week many people came to church. 3 investigators just came on their own accords, God works in mysterious ways.

I know that this is God s work... Christ lives... 

Well I will be able to say I have fought the good fight, like Paul,, one more year,, what a blessing.

Bring it..... The time is now,,,

see yous in a year,, hahahah

Elder Mecham

Ha in the picture i put a filter on.. I am really not that red

November 2, 2015

Lets just say moving is never that fun, and work visits are always different.

This week after the district meeting we had a work visit with the elders from Pucala. Work visits are always different, because after time adjusting to a comp and how they teach, they switch it up to see what else we can do to improve the area. I stayed in La Cria  and Elder Darrington went over to Pucala. I stayed with Elder Wilson our district leader. To start the change meeting we stayed after the district meeting and he did a baptismal interview. It was fun because I had the opportunity to talk and meet with the elders from Patapo. Me being bored, started just sweeping the church and talking to them at the same time. It was a lot of fun.. Their investigator got baptized too so that is always good. Afterwards we returned and ate. It was really funny because Elder Wilson ate a bunch of food... I guess he just loves to eat.

The things I learned from Elder Wilson were that we always need to be contacting or introducing ourselves to people,  and to just invite everyone to baptism. The guy has 20 months in the mission and you can tell he is getting antsy to come home, but the guy works super hard so that is a great combination.

It was nice getting back with my companion though... It is just weird to be separated... A whole Yin yang thing... 

Guillermo went to Lima and the cool thing is that he called us to see if we wanted anything. He is such a cool guy. I just had him pick up a hard cover book of Mormon in English. Now I am going through and marking it up... It just feels good to be able to start with a clean slate and just devour the good word of God. The other cool thing was it only costed a dollar... What a great price for something that is priceless and life changing.

Scriptures That had an impact on my life and week

Isaiah 41:10

John 14 : 27

2 Timothy 1 7-9

And basically 3 Nephi 12

Read them... They will bring peace into your lives. I promise you.

The area is going well... The members are bringing people to church, which is amazing.. All, I can say is God knows how to do his work.

Happy Halloween.... I am so glad I only miss one halloween, because in Peru they do not do anything....

I love you all

Elder Joshua Leo Mecham

.........Send my love to all... I mean all the ward.. the fam... the neighbors...

 

last weeks service