The Adventures of Colby Hazard

I Miss MyKel!

2011-10-16T18:29:00.002-06:00

Hello fans,

This has been a great week for the newest Hazard family around. The only bad part about this week is that MyKel left me for the weekend to go to Utah. Her little cousin got baptized and she got to spend time with Grandma Laura (who Laura MyKel was named after). Grandma Laura is having surgery on her hip this week, so she will be in our prayers. On Friday night, Troy, Krista, Monica and I all went to ice caves! It was a lot of fun. There were a lot of big puddles that Troy blasted through in his Jeep, and we almost got stuck once. That's when Troy informed us that he wasn't in 4-wheel drive. I have sad news for all ice-cave fans...It is now filled with graffiti! I don't know why people would go and ruin such a beautiful and fun place with spray paint. And it wasn't even cool graffiti, it is really ugly. Anyways, we still had a fun time and it was nice to spend time with my brother and 2 cousins. On the way home we stopped at the sand dunes and made a fire with wood that we found by the North Fork of the Teton River. Troy also showed me how to make a toilet bomb, which was pretty cool.

Yesterday Greg invited me to go golfing. The last time I went golfing was just over 3 years ago, at the end of my mission, at the highest golf course in the world! It was very well maintained, but it was still a lot of fun. So Troy, Courtney, Greg and I all went golfing at the Heise golf course. It was really a fun course. We played 9 holes, and I did better than I can ever remember doing in the past. I always remember golf being a very frustrating game for me, just like bowling. I don't think I've ever thrown a golf club yet, but I know I've wanted to. Yesterday was different. Most of the balls I hit went in the general direction that I was trying to hit them, and I ended the day not wanting to throw my club in the bushes.

After golf, Greg rushed me to the plasma center, where I was just on time. I earned my $30 while reading a book for my Oceanography class entitled "In the Heart of the Sea." It is a pretty good book so far and I think I will enjoy it. The remainder of the night was spent studying Physics and Calculus II all by my lonesome in our apartment. Although it was less lonely than it could have been, due to the fact that before she left, MyKel placed sticky star notes all over the apartment with little sweet messages on them for me. She really is a sweetheart and is always doing sweet things like that for me. She also baked me a ton of cookies and left them for me to eat :).

Today I was set apart at church as first counselor in the Elder's Quorum. This calling came as a shock to me, especially since I didn't even know that we were getting a new Elder's quorum president or anything. I am quite nervous, but the president and second counselor are really great guys. I think this will be good for me to get out of my comfort zone and go to work. I am going to do my best and I know that the Lord will help me if I am faithful and seek His guidance.

I can't wait to see MyKel tonight! She is the best wife ever! We are giving talks next week on patience, so we will let you know how it goes. Stay tuned...

2009-04-01T13:16:00.002-06:00

Well, Finals are next week. I am doing pretty well in school this semester. I went camping with Greg and his Boy Scouts last Friday night. Lots of fun. I also ate at Big Judds. Those burgers are huge. Not much else going on I guess. The weather is out of control here. Rexburg has some serious mood swings.

Its me!

2009-02-23T15:49:00.002-07:00

Well, my brother Tyson created this blog for me. I have never done anything to it but I will try to put some stuff on it once in a while I guess. Man, this is a lot more complicated than I thought. I hope I can figure it out.

final week

2008-09-09T09:16:00.002-06:00

09 septembre 2008

Hola,

Well, it has been another good week. I couldnt write yesterday because we went to a place called Huallay and we got back later than expected. It is an hour away and we went to a place called ¨Bosque de Piedras¨. It was a lot of fun. There are a ton of rocks and a lot of them have shapes of animals, etc. I like the cobra and the snail. It was nice.

We were pretty busy last week. Apart from the normal missionary work, I was in internet a bit registering for my second block classes. There arent many classes, but I was found enough to be able to take the required 14 credits for the scholarship. I think an interesting one will be fencing.

The Lord continues guiding us to new people to teach, usually through the faithful members of the church. Daisy was baptized 9 days ago, and she has already been sharing the gospel with 4 of her friends, whom we are currently teaching. New members in the church can be powerful instruments in the Lords hands because they are on fire with their new and exciting way of life. We can all learn a lot from them. I have.

Well, this may be the last email I write as a missionary. All I can say is that the mission is the greatest experience of my life. I am so thankful for the mission and I will never regret a single second I spent here in Peru. It is something unexplainable. It has brought me more joy and happiness than I have ever before experienced. I know this is the Lords church. He lives and loves us. At the beginning of my mission, I ran into a few doubts. I no longer have doubts. I know that this is the true gospel. I only have a few questions, but not doubts.

Mom and Dad. Bring sleeping bags and peanut butter. Also, dont forget the checking card. I bought glasses last week and I will pay when you come. I would also like to buy a guitar if possible. It is a lot cheaper here. Everyone is excited to see you guys. Ill be at the airport on Wednesday at 7:05pm waiting for you guys.

I love you,
Elder Colby Hazard
3 Juan 1:13 and 14

[Cerro y Daisy]

2008-09-01T09:29:00.005-06:00

32 agosto 2008
Hola,

It has been another great week here in Cerro. The Lord is guiding us and we are having a lot of success.

Yesterday a young woman named Daisy was baptized. She is 16 and will be a great help to the church. It was a nice baptism and 2 of her friends also came, so we will be teaching them this week also.

This week the Lord led us to a great young man named Deyvis. The Lord has prepared him and I see him going on a mission. Yesterday he came to church and he also went to the baptism in the afternoon. He is a street contact. He still doesnt really know any members, but he is getting to know them a little. Church was pretty crazy yesterday. There were a lot of interesting lessons.

On Thursday we received heaters from the mission. It was a historical day for the missionaries of Cerro de Pasco. After many years of cold, we now have the comfort of heaters in our rooms. It is nice.

Every one has been flying kites this week. There is a lot of wind. I bought a kite also, but I dont know if Ill have time to fly it today. Last week we went to visit a house and they were unloading some dried grass stuff from a big truck to cook with their stove. We thought they were just going to unload a bit and then we would be able to teach them. There was a lot of discussion going on and after a little time they decided to just buy the whole truck load. So we ended up carrying it all into their house for about an hour. It almost filled up the whole entire room!

It was a good week. We are seeing a lot of miracles. A few weeks ago I sent a letter to everyone from my mission. Today was a happy day because I received more letters than I have ever received. Mom and dad, everyone here is excited to meet you. But most of the rest of the people dont know, so it will be a surprise.

Love,
Elder Hazard
Alma 31 verses 37 and 38

Elder Gavarret

2008-08-18T08:47:00.007-06:00

Hola,

It has been a great week. We just had our district meeting and we practiced for a skit that we are going to do in the talent show on Friday. Hopefully it turns out well.

Last Monday we didnt do much. On Wednesday afternoon we travelled to Huanuco for zone conference. We got there at like 6pm. I think it was the anniversary of the city because Everyone was out and it was like a big party. We slept in the room of some Elders in Huanuco. One was new . He didnt understand anything we said and it helped me see how far I have come and how the Lord has blessed me.

On Thursday was the conference. It was great. Elder Gavarret (of the 1st quorum of the 70) was there. It went really well and we learned a lot of things that will really help us if we put in practice. After the conference, we made the 2.5 hour drive back to Cerro de Pasco. It was a good conference.

On Saturday we taught an English class in the night. It went well, but nobody brought investigators so we may not keep teaching.

Yesterday was a great Sunday. We were very busy all day and we are working hard to help several people come unto Christ by being baptized. Many investigators came to church yesterday and it was a day at church. We took a taxi to church with sister Justina because she cant walk. She really likes to go to the church because she feels at peace there.

I know that this is the Lords work. He is in charge. He knows who is ready to receive the gospel. We just have to follow His instructions.

I hope you can see this picture I sent. It is of Elder Poma and I after a zone activity in Cerro de Pasco. It was a lot of fun. Oh yeah, on Saturday we did it again, but this time we shined peoples shoes for free. It was good. We taught the people as we shined their shoes. I also saw my Pensionista from Junin. SHe was there and she saw me and we were able to talk a bit. She is Demia Astete. Mom and dad, I hope you learn a little spanish so you can talk to the people here.

Tyson, could you please reopen my email account. It is colbyhazard@yahoo.com. It probably needs a new password, so you can just make one up and tell it to me when I get home. Thanks.

I love you all,
Elder Hazard

D and C 104 verse 82

Elder Clarke

2008-08-11T08:57:00.004-06:00

11 August 2008
Hello,

It has been a great week. We have been pretty busy. Last Monday Elder Poma and I went to the top of a big hill and took pictures with a lamb. I hope they turn out good.

On Wednesday Elder Poma left for La Merced. I stayed with a division named Freddy. He is a good guy and will leave on his mission soon. This transfer they closed an area called Carhuamayo, so the area is now ours. On Wednesday Freddy and I went to get to know the place a bit. It is over an hour away in bus. I dont think we will be returning much.

Elder Clark was supposed to get here on Wednesday at like 5pm, but he never showed up. Turns out they had to stay the night in La Oroya for some reason, but he got here on Thursday at about 5:30pm. He is a good Elder. He came from La Merced. Elder Poma is now in his old area, and Elder Clarke is in the area of Elder Poma. That is interesting. Elder Clarke is from San Diego, California. We are working hard together, and we have already seen many miracles here. He is the second comp. that I have have from the states, so it is interesting. We still havent spoken in English, because it is a rule to speak spanish here, and because we feel awkward when we speak english. It is weird.

Yesterday was a great Sunday. A young man named Isaac brought 6 of his friends to church with him. They all started going to early morning seminary last week and they wanted to come to church on Sunday also. He also brought his brother and sister. In total, 11 investigators came to church yesterday! It was a miracle. I know the Lord has many blessings in store for us this transfer. I am going to work hard.

This week we started teaching a lady named Justina. She has had cancer and has major health problems. We met her the first time on Tuesday. We gave her a blessing and she said that she is not taking pills anymore. Her leg is swollen so she cant walk much. On Sunday we went to her house in taxi and she was able to go to church. While in the church, she said she couldnt feel any pain in her leg. She has a lot of faith, and I love her.

A young many named Filodelfio also came to church. I couldnt remember who he was for a long time. Finally, I remembered that we taught him once at his door about 2 weeks ago. He is like 20. So that was a miracle also.

There are many people the Lord has led us to this week. But I really hope we can find a family also. That is the desire of my heart.

My companion is trying to get used to the cold. We are getting along well. Did I tell you guys that I ate Alpaca a few weeks ago? It is pretty good, and it is good for you.

Before I forget- mom and dad, my check card expired in June. I hope you can get it reactivated. I would like to buy some stuff with you guys when you come down. Could you please go to the bank and see what you can do. Thanks.

I am glad you got your tickets. This week is conference in Huanuco, so I will try to get everything sorted out, and I will send you a few telephone numbers next week. okay.

Well, the Lord truly loves all of his children and watches over them. He knows us by name, even the people in the most remote places in the world. He sees everything, and knows how many hairs I have on my head. I love being a missionary.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard

2 Nephi 2:27

Kevin Olazo

2008-08-04T09:18:00.002-06:00

04 August 2008

Hola,

Welcome to August. It is a new month and lots of new things are going to happen. I feel that it is going to be a great month and that the Lord is going to bless us a lot this transfer, since it is my last one. Today we found out the transfers. My companion, Elder Poma, is going to La Merced. The jungle! He is very happy. He was here in Cerro de Pasco for 6 months! He is a good missionary and we learned a lot together. I am staying here and my new companion will be Elder Clark. He is from the United States! So he will be my second companion from the USA in all of my mission. It will be interesting.

On Saturday was the baptism of a great guy named Kevin. He is 18 and he has a strong testimony of the gospel. He is already planning to go on a mission and I think he is going to become a strong leader here in Cerro de Pasco. He is very mature for his age. He is also helping a friend decide to be baptized. He is Edder. Edder has been going to church for like 2 months and just cant decide to be baptized. But he went to the baptism of Kevin. We talked to him yesterday and he decided to be baptized on Tuesday. We are praying for him. Today will be his interview.

Well, this week was a bit better. This week we did divisions and I went with Elder Cachi. It was a good day and we put a baptism date with someone for the 17 of August. I think that if we love the people, they will feel it and they will want to follow and do what we say. Jesus loves us so much. That is why we all want to follow him and do what He says. This week I read the Ensign from July. Dallin H. Oaks said "Testimony is to know and to feel, conversion is to do and to become." I like that. It is true. There are a lot of members in the church that have testimonies. But the converted ones keep on going to church and improving their lives. They worry for those who are week and they pray for them. The growth of our conversion is a process that is at times hard to notice. Just as we grow Physically, at time we dont notice how much we have grown.

Well, I hope you are all well. Troy, hope your leg gets better soon. I hope you remember your goal. You have to help someone come into the church before I get home. Share your testimony this week. I know there is someone ready for the gospel. Maybe it is Sierra´s friend. Well, thanks for your love and support. I love you all very much.

Love,
Elder Hazard

Alma 7:23-24

Highest golf in the world

2008-07-28T09:04:00.002-06:00

28 Julio 2008

Helloha,

It has been kind of a rough week, but we continue to work hard.

Last Monday, we went to private place and played bowling. There were 2 lanes and you had to set up the pins manually. After your turn, you had to go and set up the pins for the next person. It was lots of fun. I think it was funner than regular bowling. Afterwards, we went to a golf course and played golf on the highest golf course in the world, at over 4000 meters. It was pretty fun. It is a neat course, and I like the setup. But it is not golf season right now, so the grass was dead and they didnt even have the flags out or anything because nobody is playing.

This week we walked a lot, but most of the appointments we had werent home. So we just kept on going and trying to let the Lord guide us in the work. Yesterday was also a rough day. We were going back to our room when I felt that we should go and talk to a guy that was about 50 yards behind us. We went to talk to him and it turns out that he has family that are members. He is very friendly and we made an appointment with him. It was a special experience and I know that the Lord led us to him.

It is important for us to act on the impressions that we recieve. The more we do it, the more we will see that the Lord really loves us and that He knows everything. When we finish praying, we should ask the Lord what He wants us to do, and we will feel words and feelings come into our heart and mind from the Lord, Guiding us and giving us direccion. Joseph Smith received many instruccions from the Lord by praying in this way, and I have found that we can recieve instructions in the same way for our own lives. Just let His words tell you what your standing is before Him and how you can do better. He will also tell or remind us of things that we need to do the next day. Prayer is such a blessing.

Well, it is vacation time here for 2 weeks. (winter break). Many people have gone out of town and there werent many people at church yesterday. Many investigators are also out of town, so we hope they come back soon. I think this week is the family reunion is Colorado. Hope you all having lots of fun. I am grateful for family and I know we can be together forever. If we don’t create Hazardville in this life, we will do it in the next life. Each family with its mansion.

Today we all recieved a Book of Mormon in the Quetchua Language. I am going to try to learn some. It looks pretty complicated. There are a lot of people here that speak Quetchua.

Well, hope you are all well. I love you all very much. I know that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and I love Him.

Love,
Elder Hazard, Colby

D and C 97:7-8

President Leyva

2008-07-21T08:46:00.002-06:00

21 julio 2008

Aloha,

Well, we are here in Cerro de Pasco. It has been a pretty good week. I have learned a lot this week.

Last Monday we went to Huanuco. We went to some old indian ruins that date back to about 2000 years BC. It was very interesting. The guide also said
that they did sacrifices up until about the time that Christ came to earth. He said that after that, they changed a lot and they didnt do sacrifices anymore. Afterwards, we gave him a book of Mormon and it was interesting. Then, we played soccer. It was lots of fun.

In the night, we had our interviews with our new mission president-President Leyva. He is a great guy. The interview went well and he is a very nice guy. In the interview, he told me a lot of stories about his own mission and lots of other things. It was nice to finally meet him.

On Tuesday was Conference. We learned a lot. President Leyva came with his wife and 3 kids. They are all younger than me. We learned a lot. President Leyva said that about 7 years ago, he was working in Huanuco and he felt the impression that he was going to return someday. In that time, he told his wife about his impression, but later forgot about it. Then when he recieved his calling to be mission president, he realized that he was going to return to those places where he had been so long ago, and the impression that he felt was fulfilled.

We learned a lot in the conference. We finished at about 3:00pm. Then, we ate at a chinese restaurant. Then we went back to the cold of Cerro de Pasco. This week was good. The Lord has led us to many new people.

On Saturday, we had a zone activity. We went to a park dressed as the Bible and The Book of Mormon, made out of big boxes. We took turns putting on the box and walking around talking to people. Those not dressed up made appointments with all the people that wanted to learn more. It was a lot of fun and we met a lot of nice people.

Yesterday was a good Sabbath day. I learned a lot and felt the spirit. In the afternoon, we went to teach a girl named Nataly. As we were starting the Plan of Salvation, Natalys friend showed up with 2 sister missionarys from her church "House of Prayer." We just continued teaching. then, they
started to ask many questions and we werent getting anywhere, so I told them we had to go and that I just wanted to bear my testimony. The room was filled with the Holy Ghost as I bore my testimony, and I believe that there were angels there. We finished with a prayer and left. I hope they accept our invitation to pray.

Well, I hope you are all doing well. Have a great family reunion.

I love you all,
Elder Colby Hazard

D and C 84:88 and D and C 88:22-26

Estoy en Huanuco

2008-07-14T08:52:00.001-06:00

14 July 2008

Hello people,

Well, it has been a good week. Right now we are in Huanuco. It is about 2 hours from Cerro de Pasco, down, down, down. They say it is always the perfect temperature here, and I believe it. It feels like it is about 72 degrees right now. It was a nice drive. It is nice to escape from the cold a little bit. We are here because tomorrow is zone conference with our zone and the zone of Huanuco. Today we are going to play soccer and have our interviews also with our new mission president, President Leyva. He is from Trujillo, Peru. I am excited to meet him.

On Wednesday it snowed a little bit. It was pretty. It has been really cold lately, and it is always cloudy. Everyone says it is weird because during these months it usually always sunny. We are meeting lots of new people.

On friday we taught a guy named Kevin. On Sunday he pulled me aside to tell me about how he received the answer to his prayer. He testified to me that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. He said that as he prayed, an unsdescribable feeling of peace came over him and he felt that our message was true. I received my own answer in the same way. I prayed and asked God, and the Holy Spirit gave me an answer.

Well, we continue to work hard each day. I continue to learn a lot. Yesterday I read this on the bulliten in the church: "Hope sees the invisible, feels the untouchable, and achieves the impossible." I like it.

Well, I hope you are all doing good. Keep doing the simple things-that is what make the difference. Thank you for your love and prayers.

Love,
Elder Hazard
Mosiah 16:9, 15

a good week

2008-07-07T08:51:00.001-06:00

07 July 2008

Hello people,

It has been a good week here in Cerro de Pasco. I am getting to know the members and the people and they are very nice. I am also getting to know the
dogs. The dogs are pretty mean here. I am not sure why. It must be because of the cold. And there are a ton of dogs here.

Well, we are now eating breakfast in our room. Today I ate oatmeal with a banana and bread with jam. It was good. Last Monday I bought an electric hot water boiler. It is totally awesome. It brings water to a boil in like 3 minutes or less. I also bought a hot water bag. It is a red rubber bag and you boil water and fill it. Then, you put it in your bed and you are warm all night. It is pretty awesome.

Well, as of July 1st, we have a new mission president. He is President Leyva. He is from Trujillo, Peru. I dont know him yet, but he sounds great and he is very excited to get to work.

On Tuesday, we went to a ladys house and we put windows in for her. It was a lot easier than I thought, but it was also pretty unprofessional. I hope her windows dont fall out!

This week we have been visiting a lot of families and doing family night. It is a lot of fun and the people are friendly here.

On Saturday we did a ward activity. About 20 members showed up and we all split up into pairs. We all went to a different part of our area to visit less actives and to look for new people to teach. I got to go with the second councelor, President Marcelo. He is a great guy. He is going to go on a mission with his wife in 5 years, when she retires. In the part where we went, we didnt know anybody so we started to knock on doors. Most of the people didn’t have time or didnt want to listen to us, but we also met lots of great people and taught lots of lessons. When it was almost time to go, we saw a family carrying furniture up a hill to their house, so we decided to help them. The husband was doing about everything by himself, and when we offered to help, he was quite happy. We helped him get everything set in his house with his furniture. When we finished, he couldnt stop saying thank you and he bought us a big soda. We taught him and his wife, their 2 daughters, and his brother in law. They are very nice and we are going to visit them today. It was a great ward activity and we received like 20 references and got 11 new investigators. It was fun.

Yesterday was a good day at church. Last week it started at 8am, but now it starts at 10am. so it is a little better I think. It was a good testimony meeting. At 5pm, we had a baptism and another ward also had a baptism, so we did them together. There were like 50 people so that was great.

Well, my hands are pretty cold right now. I am going to finish. I know that the Lord loves us more than we can imagine. Each one of us are children of God. I think that is something we should always remember. We are children of God. We are part of His plan. Everyone needs to know and feel that God loves them. We all need to help each other, as brothers and sisters, to come unto Christ. His gospel is the only solution for this world.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard

Romans 8 verse 16 and 17

Columna de Pasco

2008-06-30T08:49:00.003-06:00

30 June 2008

Hola,

Well, it has been a good week. On Tuesday, I said goodbye to everyone in Concepcion. I think it was probably the best 6 months of my life until now. Lots of great people that I will really miss.

On Wednesday morning, I went to Huancayo and took the bus with several other
missionaries. All went to Lima except me. In La Oroya, I got off the bus and then I travelled with another Elder(Elder Howell) until we got to CERRO DE PASCO. We got off the bus and waited for about an hour and nobody showed up. Finally we asked around and found out where the church was. We went to the church and there was someone there. Finally, we made it to our rooms.

My new companion is Elder Poma. He is from La Paz, Bolivia. He is a good missionary and we are already working hard together. I can see that there is a lot of work to be done in this area. I think we can accomplish many unaccomplished things here. It is very, very cold here. In our room, I can see my breath. It would be different if the houses were heated, but it is just as cold inside as it is outside.

Cerro de Pasco is known for its mines. In the middle of it, there is a huge pit. It reminds me of the huge mine in Butte, Montana. But I think the mine here is bigger.

I am getting to know a lot of the members and investigators. They are friendly and I am sure they will be giving us a lot of references soon. There is a lot more success in missionary work when the members give references. The chapel is nice. Yesterday about 100 people went to church, but it is still a branch. I am not really sure why. I think we need a few more priesthood holders that are paying tithing. So I hope it will be a ward soon.

Well, even though it is cold, I continue to work hard. When I am obedient to the rules, I feel good and happy. I know that the reason I am here is to follow the example of my Saviour Jesus Christ. I know he lives and that He loves me. I can feel of His love in my life. I think that is the greatest feeling we can have in life. And it is even better when we can feel that He is pleased with us.

Love,
Elder Hazard

D and C 63:47

¡¡¡Feliz Cumpleaños!!!

2008-06-16T09:01:00.002-06:00

16 June 2008

Aloha,

Well, we are here in Huancayo. It has been a pretty good week. Today we are going to visit a lake in Jauja. It should be fun.

On Saturday was my birthday. It went pretty well. The pensionista bought me a cake. Then, I took it to the activity at church that night to share it with everyone. It was pretty good. I had a good birthday. I opened the letter that Kystalee and Nancy sent me for my birthday, And yesterday, Elmer gave me his Weinersnitchel (the restaurant) jacket. I dont know where he got it, but it is pretty cool because it says "Americas favorite Hot Dog" on the back. I guess I can use it when I get home.

Last Monday we went to a place called "La Colombina" and we played soccer and we ate a lamb. When we got there, there was a whole lamb cooking over the fire. It was pretty good.

On Friday, we went to Hualhuas to teach a new convert named Fernando. When we got to his house, he said "I just talked with my friend and I told him we are going to go to his house." So we went directly to the house of his friend and we taught him and he wants to be baptized and he has a baptism date for the 29th. He is a great guy named David. On Sunday he came to church and he liked it a lot. He has been to other churches also but he says they are not like this one. Fernando is a great guy and he has a strong testimony. We never even taught him about missionary work yet and he is already sharing the gospel with his friends because he wants them to be part of the church also. On Sunday, Fernando received the Aaronic Priesthood and he is ready and willing to help. He is like 60.

Yesterday my companion and I got to give talks in Sacrament meeting. I talked about the new converts and how we can help them stay active in the church. Like President Hinckley taught, they need 1. A friend. 2. A responsibility 3.to be noursished by the good word of God. I can understand why new people might feel uncomfortable in the church. I remember when we used to go to church in other places and I always felt a bit uncomfortable and I usually didnt want to go to the classes because I didnt know anybody. That is how the new people feel. We should help them feel comfortable by getting to know them a bit and inviting them to go to the classes with us. It is not very hard and I know we can all do it.

Oh ya. There is a lady here named Liliana. On Saturday, she had a baby. So her baby and I have the same birthday. Her mom wanted Liliana to name her baby with my name, but the baby´s name is Joel.

Oh ya. On Tuesday, we had divisions again and I went to Jauja with Elder Turner. We were able to teach a lot of people and we met a young man named Andy that went to church on Sunday. It was a pretty good day.

Sierra, Elder Lima got your letter and he says thanks. He says he will write back soon. This week nobody got letters. We havent even got the Liahona from May yet. But I hope it comes next week because I want to read the conference talks.

Well, I know that the church is true. I know that Jesus Christ is our Saviour. I feel closer to him more now than ever.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard

D&C 51:17
Jacob 4:8

last conference with President Lindstrom

2008-06-09T09:35:00.004-06:00

09 June 2008
HI,
It has been a good week. We have been busy.

Last Monday our whole zone went to a place in Huancayo and we all bought the same tie and they sewed "Mantaro" on the back of it for us. We also bought one for President Lindstrom. It was nice.

On Tuesday we did divisions. Elder Ccahuanianco came to our area. In the night we had our weekly class and it was on the plan of Salvation. It was a good class. 15 people showed up. But my throat was a little sore so I didnt talk much.

On Wednesday we had our interviews with President Lindstrom in the afternoon. It was the last interview we will have with him, so his wife also took part in the interviews with him. It was a touching experience. Then, his wife went out and I had my interview to renew my temple recommend, which was also a special experience.

President Lindstrom also brought good news. He said that Sister Gladys Martinez Sanchez was confirmed in the temple that very day (4th of June). She is the lady that was baptized and died before her confirmation. But thanks to temple work, she was able to be confirmed and I know that everything is fine.

The Lord is just and merciful. All people will have the opportunity to except or reject the gospel of Jesus Christ, whether in this life or the next. The Plan of Salvation is perfect.

On Thursday was zone conference. It was our last conference with President Lindstrom. It was very special and I think everyone cried. We learned a lot, but more important, we all felt the spirit and grew.

I liked the presentation of Elder Klaus. We learned about how to increase our faith by Obedience and scripture study. We learned that we must obey always, just like Nephi:

-even when we dont know why (Moses 5:5-6).

-even without the ability to do it (Moses 6:27, 31 and 7:13).

-even if it requires sacrifice (Genesis 22:2-3, 8-12).

-even when everyone else says other things (Mosiah 17:9-10).

President Lindstrom also shared many great things. I liked something he asked us. If Jesus were to enter into a house for the first time, what would he teach. He taught us that among other things, he would invite us to be baptized. When Christ came to America, the first thing He taught was about baptism. Forms of the word are used 13 times in 3 Nephi 11 and he invites the people to do it 3 times. I know that Jesus wants everyone to be baptized, and that is why He always invites everyone to do it.

Well, out of time. Hope your all well. Yes, Sierra, I get all of your letters. Thank you. Elder Lima also got your letter.

Love,
Elder Hazard
Mom and Dad, if you have questions, call president Lindstrom:
0197514689

Sussy and Emilio

2008-05-26T09:25:00.000-06:00

26 Mayo 2008

Hola,

It has been another good week. We are here in Huancayo. It is getting colder still, but when the sun comes out, it really burns! The Lord is blessing us and I believe I have progressed this week.

Last Monday, we all went as a zone to a Lake called Lake Ñahuanpuquio. The funny thing is that we never saw it. We went to a place and ate fresh trout. I learned an interesting way to take the bones out of the fish without losing any of the meat. In the little fish hatchery, we reached into the water and we were trying to get the fish out, but we couldnt even catch one. We ate fish and it was really good. Then we played soccer. It was fun.

This week we have been teaching lots of people. There is a lady here named Sussy and her voice is just like Aunt Natalie´s. Every time I here her talked I remember Natalie and then I miss her a bit. She ever looks like Natalie a little bit. On Saturday she was baptized and it was nice, except that the water was a little cold, but not too bad.

Yesterday, Emilio was baptized. He has 8 kids and many of them were telling him not to be baptized and trying to talk him out of it, but he was faithful. In his baptism, 4 of his kids came and we taught a bit about priesthood authority and the need to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost after being baptized in water. It was a special day and in his testimony he said "today I completed a commandment that the Lord commanded me." He is excited to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost next Sunday.

On Sunday there was like over 60 people at church. Concepcion is really progressing and I hope they will have a chapel here soon.

So anyways hope you all are well. I know that the Lord loves us and that I am involved now in the most important work I will ever do.

Love you all,
Elder Colby Hazard

D&C 42:29

the true church

2008-05-19T08:58:00.000-06:00

19 mayo 2008

Hello,

Well, I sent a photo. I hope it worked. It is of me and Elder Gutierrez. We are at the top of the statue of the virgin in Concepcion. It is interesting to me that almost all of the people here have cell phones, flat screen TVs, DVD players and other fun things. And then they wonder why they dont have any money for other necessary things. Anyways, we are here in Huancayo. After internet, we are going to a lake to eat and play soccer. It should be nice. It is sunny out. Not a cloud in the sky.

This past week we were led to a lot of new people. The members are starting to give more references, which is always great. Yesterday was great because a sister in the ward brought two men older men to church with her. We are going to visit them tomorrow. They liked the church. A lot of the new people that come to church here always say "In this church, the people have faith." They can feel something different because...it is different. THis is not just another church. It is the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It contains everything we need to be happy in this life and have Eternal Life.

On Friday, we went to San jeronimo. When we were in a store, we met a lady and she said her dad was sick in bed. So we offered to visit her and we went to her house. Her dad is 93 and he was sitting up and making weird noises and I think he was oblivious to our presence. We explained the priesthood health blessing to her and gave him a blessing. After the blessing, he stood up and said "good afternoon, gentlemen" and he was very happy and smiling. It was a special experience.

I think sometimes we can get so caught up in other things that we can forget the simpleness and clarity of the gospel. Do we have faith? Are we excercising it? What do we need to repent of? Is there something we are hiding? How am I keeping the covenants that I made at baptism? Or in the temple? Is the Holy Ghost guiding my life? These are the important things that we need to do. We need to live the gospel. I know there are many things that I need to do better in. This week I am going to do better.

I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ, and I am thankful to be part of it.

I love you all,
Elder Colby Hazard

D & C 39:5-6 and 9-13

Happy Mothers Day

2008-05-12T09:12:00.000-06:00

12 Mayo 2008

Happy Mothers Day everybody,

Today we find out the transfers. I am nervous. I am not sure what will happen. It was great to talk to the family yesterday. Sounds like you are all doing great. I hope you understood my spanglish. I was just thinking that it is nice nice to talk to the family, but it is different to be there with them. It is like being with God. I know that if we are faithful, we will be able to live with Him forever. He will be our neighbor. And we will have such great joy. Joy that we cant even comprend during this life. I want to live with God again and with my family and with all the people that are reading this email. I know we can all do it.

Yesterday was a good day. A young woman named Silvia got baptized. It was special because her brother, Elmer, baptized her. And he was baptized in February.

This week was good. On Wednesday we met a couple. There names are Emilio and Rodriga. They are like 70. they are the parents of a recent convert. They go to another church. In the first visit, they accepted to be baptized. But in the next visit, Emilio told us that he had already been baptized. With the spirit, we taught him about the importance of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost after baptism in the water, and we read in Acts 19 about how some people who had been baptized had to be baptized again and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Then he was saying that he wanted more time and we explained to him that to be baptized, we need faith and we have to repent. Then we read in Acts 2 about how 3 thousand people got baptized in one day after hearing a talk by Peter. On Sunday he came to church and he liked it and he said he is going to go every Sunday. He said in the church they explain everything clearly.

Well, we just found out the transfers. I am staying here in Concepcion! I am happy. This will be my fourth transfer here. There is a lot of work to do here, so we are going to keep working hard. I know that the Lord wants me here. Elder Lima will also continue being my companion.

Well, talk to you later.
Love,
Elder Colby Hazard

Jesus Rivera (Jauja)

2008-05-05T08:58:00.000-06:00

05 may 2008

Hello,

Today is May. I know that May is going to be a good month. We just had our district meeting and it went well. I believe we are progressing. Things are going pretty well. The problem is that not many of our investigators went to church yesterday. I think keeping the sabbath day holy is a problem here, but we are working on it.

Last Monday we ate chicken in Huancayo. I bought some more cool beanie hats.

On Tuesday we went to another area in the district to do a baptismal interview. Elder Lima and I got to the church in Jauja, and they didnt have the investigator with them. They said she wasnt home and hadnt been able to find her. So I asked them if there was anyone else that could possibly be baptized, and they said maybe maybe brother Jesus. (Jesus is a common name here). So we went to his house and his wife and 3 of his kids are active members. We had a prayer and then taught him a bit about baptism and about families. I explained to him that we are here on the mission to help people come unto Christ by being baptized. And then we invited him to be baptized and he said "si". Then we said "tomorrow" and he said "if you come and baptize me Ill do it" and I said "what time should I come". He said at 2:00. Then we had the interview and he is ready. He wants to go to the temple because he said he wants to be with his family forever. So on Wednesday we went to Jauja again and Jesus was baptized. It was truly a miracle. It was a very special experience and I know that there are people in this mission that need me and that is why the Lord sent me here. On Thursday was zone conference and it was great. We learned about the Holy Ghost.

Yesterday was a great testimony meeting. I will write about it another time. Well, hope you are all well. Tyson: Elder Lima says thanks for the letter. Keep on living the gospel. Oh, I am going to do the pre-call this week on Friday or Saturday. It is 2-3 minutes. then we will do the real call on Sunday for 40 minutes or less. Thank you for all.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard
2 Nephi 4:16

Asuncion

2008-04-28T08:53:00.000-06:00

28 abril 2008

Hello,

It has been a great week. Today I got a letter from Cambria. It was pretty exciting. I am going to be an uncle. I also got another email from Troy. Troy- I cant read your letters. You have to send them to dad and he can forward your emails. Thank you.

Last Monday we went to a place called Ingenio and we ate fish. Then we took pictures. It is a pretty place. Then we went in a taxi to the huge virgin statue in our area. It is 25 meters high. The taxi driver said that he lived in Bakerfield for like 3 years. And he is going to go to Bakersfield on May 15th to live. He is very friendly. I gave him our address and he said he is going to call and go to the house and he is going to go to church also. I think he ripped out his radiator when he was driving up the huge hill to the virgin. When we arrived it sounded like the engine was on fire. But he is so nice he just said "Wow. I think my radiator broke" and he started taking pictures.

It has been a pretty hectic week. Lots of travelling. There is a great guy here named Asuncion. He is 78 years old. He was determined to be baptized and willing to do everything we taught him. Every time we teach him a commandment and invite him to keep it, he says "what else can I do? Im already committed. I have to complete." He always wears a cowboy hat and he said he lived in Ecuador for 5 years working on a ranch. He has 10 kids and the youngest is like 25. He is a great guy and he has a lot of faith. Yesterday was his baptism and he is committed to endure to the end. He has truly been preapared by the Lord and the Lord led us to him.

I know that the Lord has many people prepared to receive the restored gospel. Our duty is to call everyone, and to harvest those who are chosen. Thus, many are called, and few are chosen. We invite all people to come unto Christ, and the chosen few will come unto him. The field really is white, ready to harvest. The Lord will guide us to the people who will accept him. We dont know who they are. Maybe it is your neighbor, or your teacher, or your boss. Or maybe the bully, or maybe the person who always gets teased. It can be anyone. But if we dont invite them to come unto Christ, you can almost be positive that they never will. And who´s fault will it be? Ours. Let us open our mouths and share the glorious message of the gospel. The Lord has promised to help us know what to say. We just have to trust in him. Dont be surprised when you are rejected or when the dont accept. I repeat, many are called, few are chosen. But when the people come unto Christ, it is an undescribeable joy. That is why the mission is so great. If you want to have a great day, share the gospel with someone. Feeling down? Share your testimony! feeling happy? Help someone else feel the same! Let us be valient with love. It is fun.

Well, I love you all very much. I hope you are all doing well. My companion says he likes starbursts and his favorite scripture is 3 Nephi 12:16 and he says hola. Oh, mom went to New York??? Thanks for all the love and support you guys give me. And your prayers are being answered.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard
D & C 33:6-11

Lo Maximo

2008-04-21T09:03:00.000-06:00

21 abril 2008

Hello,

It has been a good week here in Peru. Right now we are in Huancayo and all of our zone is using internet. I woke up with a sore throat, but I will be better soon.

Last Monday we all ate "Philly Cheese Steaks" It was pretty good. I also bought 2 crazy beanie hats that will be great to go snowboarding.

We have a ton of investigators and the Lord is truly guiding us to many people that He has been preparing. We have been trying to pray with more faith. In the morning, we ask the Lord to guide us to someone during the day that is ready to receive the gospel. We also promise to the Lord that we will share the gospel with this person and invite him or her to be baptized. Every day we have prayed and then acted, the Lord has answered our prayer and we have been guided to people who are truly prepared to receive the gospel. It is amazing.

On Saturday night we went to a fireside in Huancayo. It was about how to be self-sufficient. What we should work in, how to study, etc. About the Perpetual fund. It wasnt for the missionaries, but we went to greet people and to find new people to teach. It was very interesting and it made me think. And a guy came that was president of this mission in 1987, 88, and 89. He spoke a bit and it was really very interesting. To have a good work, we should consider 3 things: What am I good at, What do I like, and what does the market require. I guess Ill have to think about that after the mission. For now, I am teaching and preaching the gospel every day and I think the mission is the best training I could ever receive for life. It is like the best school there is to prepare us for the world, and I am definitely not wasting my time by going on a mission.

Yesterday was a good Sunday. I felt peace during the day. Oh ya, my companion (Elder Lima) sent you guys a letter today. It is in English and he worked hard on it. So you better all write him when it gets to the house, Because he hasnt been receiving any letters or emails, so he is really sad. You can write in English or in spanish.

Well, hope you are all well, enduring to the end.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard

1 Nephi 14:12- this is true

Passing of Gladys Martinez Sanchez

2008-04-14T09:19:00.000-06:00

14 April 2008

Hello everyone,

It has been a good week. The Lord has led us to many new people and we have been blessed in many unexpected ways. Yesterday many people came to church and our house chapel was full. It has been getting a bit colder but during the day the sun is burning and it is hot.

Yesterday was a very special day. I think it was one of the best sacrament meetings I have been to. Beginning with 3 small children, many people bore powerful and touching testimonies. One recent convert said a few things I never knew. Her name is Roxana Castro. One day Elder Gutierrez and I went and knocked on her door. She saw us from the second story window and got really mad. She yelled at her sister and said "Who told them to come here?" and her sister said "I did". Roxana went down stairs to tell us that she didnt want to talk to us or see us, but she said that when she opened the door and saw the loving faces of Elder Gutierrez and I, she felt something and could only say "come in." We taught her a few things and invited her to be baptized. She accepted and said she would pray. In her testimony she said she had never even imagined or dreamed about being baptized, but in 10 minutes, that all changed. I had never heard that story. It was truly a miracle that she got baptized.

On March 30, Gladys Martinez Sanchez was baptized. She had been very sick for over a month, but was set on being baptized, and she did it. On the 6th, she couldnt be confirmed because of general conference. On wednesday night, at 8:45pm, she passed away. It was something I didnt expect. The Bishop called at night and told us. It was sad news. I cried a lot. On thursday morning, I read "Sunday will Come" by Elder Joseph B. Worthlin. It is a beautiful talk and I recommend it to all who have lost a loved one. I know that she is happy and resting from her pain and sickness. She was firm and determined to live the commandments, and I know that she died clean. I am more sad for her 2 kids of 12 and 10 years old. I love them very much. Well, out of time. Love you all.
Elder Colby Hazard

Mosiah 16:6-9

Elder Lima

2008-04-07T08:55:00.000-06:00

07 April 2008

Hello everybody,

It has been another great week. We are here in Huancayo. The weather is sunny. Yesterday it was hot, but in the afternoon there was a hailstorm and it kind of hurt. The rest of the day was cloudy and I didnt have a sweater. But I stayed warm by walking fast. ha ha.

My companion, Elder Gutierrez, left on Wednesday. He was very sad and he cried a ton. He really wanted to stay here, but he had to leave for purposes of the Lord. He is now in Junin enjoying the cold. M

After he left, I went back to our area with Elmer, a member here. We visited lots of people together and he is excited to go on a mission. On Thursday, we went to Huancayo again to pick up my new companion.

My new companion is Elder Lima, but he is not from Lima. He is from Arequipa, which is in southern Peru. It has a huge volcano called Misti. He just came from the Peru MTC and is excited to go to work. The Lord is blessing us greatly. Today is his birthday and he is turning 23.

General Conference was super! I learned a lot. We got to go to all the sessions except for the afternoon session on Sunday. It was great. I liked all the sessions. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet and that he has been called and prepared by the Lord. I felt the spirit during the conference and I also loved listening to the Mormon Tabernacle choir. They sound like angels.

Yesterday we were looking for someone named Efrain. Turns out that his address didnt exist, so we started knocking on the doors in the area to see if anybody knew him. Nobody did. The last door we knocked on, A young man opened the door and said "come in come in." I thought he knew us so I said "are you Efrain?" He said no. But he was excited to see us. It was like he was waiting for us. His name is Luis. We also met his mom and she is very nice. We taught them a little and we are going to go back on Wednesday. It was an interesting experience. So the Lord works in mysterious ways sometimes to bring us to people that are prepared to hear the gospel.

I know that this is the true church, directed and guided by Jesus Christ. I dont have any doubts, and my testimonio of this only grows as each day passes. The Lord has been merciful to all of us, and He deserves all of our respect, love, and adoration. We should do our best each day to show how greatful we are through our words, thoughts, and deeds. I love my Lord, Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and that He loves us. I am trying to follow Him.

I love you all,
Elder Colby Hazard
Mosiah 2:22-25 and 4:19-21

Mom- Thank you for the line of authority!!! I love you!

Cambios!

2008-03-31T09:12:00.000-06:00

31 march 2008

Hello everbody,

It has been a great week here in Concepcion. We just had our district meeting. Today we find out the transfers!!! Who goes and who stays! I am pretty nervous. I love this area. It is so great. I think one of my favorite areas. I only have 2 transfers here, but I think I might leave. I am pretty nervous, but ready to work wherever I go.

Today I got 2 letters from 2 members in Pichanaki. I am very happy because they said a girl named Katya got baptized. I remember when I was there, the first time we taught her she said she didnt believe in God. I always felt the spirit very strong when we taught her. But after a short time she didnt want to listen to the gospel anymore, and she always hid from us and said she didnt want to listen. So we stopped visiting her, but we didnt stop praying for her. And today I found out she got baptized! (you might remember me writing about her mom: Maria Soto).

Last week for P-day our whole zone played handball which was super fun. Then we watched "Balto". It was really good. We also had a good family night with a family and we learned about charity.

Well... We just found out the transfers!!! I am staying here in Concepcion!!! My companion is leaving to Junin!!! That is where I was before! And my new companion is coming straight from the CCM, so I dont know anything about him. I am happy that I am staying. The transfers were pretty crazy today. Lots of unexpected things happened.

Yesterday a woman named Gladys got baptized. It was a miracle because she has been super sick for like 3 weeks. But she had her mind made up and really wanted to be baptized. The doctors still arent sure what is wrong with her, but I think she is getting a little better. We also saw many other miracles this week. Thank you for your prayers.

One day my companion and I were reading the Liahona and I started to cry and he started to laugh and then I started to laugh and then we were both laughing for like 3 minutes. I love my companion and I will miss him.

Well out of time. I hope you are all doing well. I love you all very much and I know that April is going to be an amazing month.

Love,
Elder Hazard

2 Nephi 28:21/ 24-31

el amor

2008-03-24T09:01:00.000-06:00

24 march 2008

Hello,

It has been a great week here in Concepcion. We were able to teach a lot of lessons and we had a lot of help from the members. I believe that I came closer to Christ this week and I felt of His love a lot, especially yesterday. The Liahona from March is excellent and I am learning a lot about Jesus Christ.

Last Monday we went to Huancayo and I bought some cool stuff. They sell the coolest stuff here. It is tempting to buy everything you see, but I have to discipline myself. Then we went back and I got to see the kayaking video. It was awesome. My companion was like "thats not dangerous, is it? It doesnt look very dangerous." So I just told him its not dangerous and that we are going to take him with us when we go to Nicaragua. He, he.

The rest of the week was great. We had a lot of sad moments but also a lot of happy moments and overall I had a great week and learned a lot. On Friday night we watched "The Testaments" as a ward and it was awesome and when we finished everyone was crying a lot.

On Saturday night we were finishing our day and the spirit told me to contact a lady with her 2 little daughters. We found out she is a single mom and we invited them to church. On Sunday the 2 little girls (8 and 12) showed up early and stayed the three hours. We have an appointment on Tuesday so that will be exciting.

Yesterday was a great day. We did divisions with members and I went to San Jeronimo to go to the meetings. It was good. Last night we taught a girl named Lila. She was raised in an orphanage and wants to come unto Christ.

This week I have been trying to have more love and charity for all people. We should pray to have charity everday and then do good works for all people and we will be able to have more love. I know that Christ loves us completely, so we should also love all people just as he loves us. There is no excuse for us not to love someone.

Well I hope you are all doing well. Keep reading your scriptures. Oh, and we need a lot of miracles here this week.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard

El Amor

2008-03-17T09:27:00.000-06:00

17 marzo 2008

Greetings, Earthlings,

Things are going well here in Huancayo. We just got done playing trompos. It has been a great week and we were led to a ton of new investigators. It is fun and part of our calling to teach all people and invite them to come unto Christ. Many will not change, but many are called and few are chosen.

Last Monday I was sick. Our zone went to play kickball and dodgeball. I just watched because I wasnt feeling so good. But I think they had lots of fun. Then we all went to eat hamburgers and cow hearts. I just ate a little bit because I was sick, but it was really good. At 7:30pm, my companion and I went to have our interviews with President Lindstrom. It was a special interview and I learned a lot of things that will help me for my whole life. The interviews with President Lindstrom are the best. I always look forward to it, as do most of the missionaries.

On Tuesday was the zone conference. It was totally awesome. I learned a lot. President Lindstrom taught about service and why we serve. Some serve 1. to be rewarded/recognized of the world. Others 2. to have friends 3. for fear of being punished 4. they feel obligated or faithful to someon 5. to receive eternal life. But some serve 6. because they love the people and want them to have peace, happiness, and eternal life. And that is the best reason. We should serve people because we love them and want them to be happy. Jesus was perfect. He served all people with perfect love. He didnt have to suffer for His own sins because He didnt have any. But He chose to suffer our for our sins because of His perfect love for us. It is a more excellent way of serving. I want to be more like Jesus and I am trying to love the people with all my heart. We should worry for others, pray for others, and help them when they need it, even when they dont ask for help. It is something I am trying to do better in.

Many times people ask why the women dont receive the priesthood. President Lindstrom thinks we receive the priesthood to help us learn how to serve. The priesthood is to serve and help people receive salvation. We cant do ordenances to ourself. Women already know how to serve because they are moms and they serve a lot.

On Thursday I went to the area of Elder Vargas to do divisions. It went well and the food was really good.

I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He loves us very much. Let us all follow Him and do His will so that we can be happy and live with Him again.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard

1 Corinthians 13:2-3
Matt. 26:51-53

zoo

2008-03-10T08:48:00.000-06:00

10 March 2008

Dear peoples,

Things are going well here in Peru. The Lord loves us, everyone.

Last week our district went to eat at a place called Chicken Burger. It was pretty good. My companion was talking and he opened up a botlle of soda and it sprayed all over everyone. It was pretty crazy. Then we went to a zoo. It was a good time. We saw bears, a lion, cougars, jaguars, leopards, monkeys, and lots of other animals. The monkeys were the most exciting. They sure have a lot of energy.

The week went by really fast. We taught lots of people. We also taught a girl named Lila for the first time. She felt touched and in the closing prayer, she said "please help me to become a member of this church." It was a special lesson. And yesterday she came to church.

Yesterday was a good Sunday. I got to give a talk in sacrament meeting and I think it turned out okay. A young man named Jorge that we are teaching went to church yesterday and then went with us the rest of the day. He is a good guy.

Today we got the Liahonas from March. I was flipping through it and it looks totally awesome. I cant wait to read it. I feel a bit sick today. I think I might thow up, but I hope not.

I know that Jesus Christ is the Saviour and Redeemer of all mankind. Through Him, all that is unfair in life can be fixed.

I love you all,
Elder Colby Hazard

Revelation 21:3-7

Mission continues

2008-03-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

3 March 2008

Buenos dias,

It has been another good week. I felt the love of the Lord a ton this week. I felt the spirit a lot. I just really felt like a child of God this week, and it felt really good. It was like he was just hugging me all week long. I am very grateful that we have God as our father. He really is a perfect Father.

Last Monday, we went to the huge statue of a virgen. It overlooks our whole area and it is the biggest virgin in all of Peru and I think in all of South America. It is huge. 25 meters. and it has stairs inside and we went to the very top. It is a beautiful view from the top. Brother Roberto went with us. He is a great guy. We eat all our meals in his house. His daughter, Ashley, is already planning on going to BYU. She is 7.

On Tuesday, we had a class in the church for all of the Recent converts of the last 2 years. The members were also invited and 3 no membes also went. It went well so we are going to do it every Tuesday. We are teaching the mission lessons, because all the new converts have to receive the lesson a second time after being baptized and confirmed.

The rest of the week, we worked hard. Lots of new people to teach every week. Some accept, most are interested, but dont want to change. Sometimes it can be a little frustrating, but we just keep working and continue being happy.

A couple of days ago, I read about the conversion of King Lamoni. Then I started looking for all the conversion stories in the Book of Mormon. It was awesome. I wrote down the person that changed, the scripure, and who taught the person that changed (the missionary(s)). It was lots of fun.

I want to be a great missionary like all of the amazing examples in the Book of Mormon, like Alma, Ammon and his brothers, Samuel, Nefi ad Lehi, etc. The were powerful most of the people that changed because of their teachings and examples never fell away. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It is so amazing and it is helping me a lot lately.
Hope you are all well.

Logan and Rachel- Congratulations on your new baby!!! Family, today I received the package that you guys sent me. THANK YOU!!! I love you all very much. Keep on being great and get better!

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard
1 Nephi 2:16
Alma 23:5-6

the mission

2008-02-25T06:49:00.000-07:00

25 febrero 2008

Hola,

It has been another week in the mission. The time just flew by this week. I dont remember anything. A lot of things have happened this week and it was a little stressful, but everything turned well. The Lord continues to guide us to people who have been prepared to receive the gospel.

Last P-Day was the transfers. Elder Gutierrez and I are staying together. He is a good companion and I am glad we are staying together. He is from Nicaragua.

On Thursday, we had a ¨Missionary Night.¨ It was lots of fun. We watced ¨Finding Faith in Christ.¨ Then, we learned about faith. Then we played games. It was pretty fun and lot of people showed up.

On Saturday morning, we went to a place called Hualhuas looking for a young man. We went walking really far and never found him. To return, we walked a long ways and were in the middle of nowhere. It was absolutely beautiful. The only bad part is that there was a lot of mud. In the afternoon, Elmer and Roxana were baptized. It was a beautiful baptismal service and the spirit was very strong. I thing it was one of the best baptisms I have ever been to. Lots of people came. 6 were not members of the church and at the end they all wanted to prepare to be baptized.

Well, the work continues. My job as a missionary is to invite all people to come unto Christ. I am trying to do it. The Lord loves us all very much, even when we make mistakes. It doesnt matter if we fall down, what matters is how fast we get back up again. We have to press forward.

Love,
Elder Hazard
Matt. 13:24-30

Oh esta, todo bien

2008-02-18T06:34:00.000-07:00

18 febrero 2008

Heloha,

We are in Huancayo right now. We just had our district meeting and it went well. Today we are going to find out the transfers. I doubt I will go anywhere because this is my first transfer here in Concepcion. I love this area. It is so beautiful and the Lord is blessing us so much. This week the Lord has guided us to many people to teach and to help. This Saturday we are hoping that 2 couples are going to get married. I feel so blessed to be here at this time. It is so obvious that the Lord has sent me to this specific place. Many people are changing and I know that the Lord called me here for a reason and I feel so happy and blessed to be here.

Last Monday, we went to a place called Ingenio. It is very pretty. There is an ancient fish hatchery that has little waterfalls and stuff. We went with the family that feeds us everyday. Mom, I am getting all the Peruvian recipes that I can get. Peru has goooood food. I ate a fried trout with garlic in Ingenio. I think it was the best fish I have ever eaten. On Tuesday, we went as a district to cut grass for the cows again. It was fun. Beautiful country. And they have a well that they still use to get water. It is like 25 feet deep. Then, I went with Elder Johnson to his area to do divisions. It was a good day and I got to meet lots of people.

On Wednesday, I went back to our area. The whole week was great. Just teaching wonderful people and being guided by the Lord to people that need the gospel. The mission is so great. It feels good to just forget about yourself and worry about other people all the time. I think thats why the Lord is perfect. He is never thinking about Himself. He only thinks about us, and has never had time to sin because He is so busy trying to help us.

Yesterday a man named Michael was baptized. He is 18 and he wants to go on a mission. It was a great baptism and we all felt the spirit. He is from a place called Apata. We are teaching a lot of people and we have a lot of work to do every day.

Well, I hope you are all doing great. Kystalee- Congratulations on getting in to BYU-Hawaii. That is awesome. I wish I could go also. Maybe someday I will get to go to Hawaii also. So there is now a temple in Rexburg. That is so great. Now we can go everyday when we are in Idaho!

I know that this church is true. I know that God lives and that I am working for Him during this time. He loves all of His children and wants them to live the gospel of His son, Jesus Christ, so that they can live with Him again. Of these things I am a witness.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard

Matt. 20:25-28
Matt. 25:31-40

A good week

2008-02-11T07:07:00.000-07:00

11 Febrero 2008

Hola,

It has been another good week here in Concepcion. The Lord has been guiding us to a lot of new people to teach and we are being very blessed.

On Monday I bought a sweater and a beanie hat in Huancayo. There is a place here where they sell tons of awesome stuff from Peru. Peru is so awesome. When we got back to our area, we cleaned the room up really good. The rest of the week went well. Teaching lots of people and inviting them to come unto Christ.

On Thursday, we went to an old investigator´s house. I didnt know her, but she was in the area book. So we went and taught her. The missionaries had been teaching her like 6 months before. She told us that she had had a lot of doubts about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, but a little while ago she had prayed and received a strong answer from the Lord. We invited her to be baptized and she said yes. She prayed that night to confirm her desire to be baptized, and the Lord blessed her with peace and joy. She is excited for her baptism. Her name is Roxana.

On Saturday we went to the worldwide leadership training meeting. It was really good. They talked a lot about the family. The church of Jesus Christ is here to help the families. When a family lives the gospel of Jesus Christ, they will have a happy home. I know that families can be together forever. That is what I want, an eternal family.

Yesterday was a great Sabbath Day. They told me i was going to give a talk when we got to church. So, I got to give a talk. The whole meeting was great and I think everyone felt the spirit. I am excited to be learning about Joseph Smith in the class. Of the 11 kids of Joseph and Emma, 6 died. That would be hard. But Joseph Smith never got discouraged, and continued faithful to the last day of his life. A great example to me.

At times it can be difficult to organize the time here. We have a ton of little places that we are visiting to teach people. But the mission is a great adventure, full of surprises, miracles, and wonderful people. At times I wish I could be a missionary all my life. All is going well here. I love you all very much. I know that this church is true. I know that everything we teach here in the mission is true. I can feel it.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Mosiah 16:9 / all of chapter 16

PS- Happy Valentines day on the 14^th

New companion- Elder Gutierrez

2008-02-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

4 February 2008

Hola,

It has been a pretty crazy week here in the mission. On Monday, we went as a zone to a place in my area to make Pacha manka. We are going to make it when I get home. You have to cook it in the ground. It is really good. We also played volleyball and trompos. When we were eating the Pacha manka, it started to rain really hard and it rained harder and harder. We all got soaking wet and it was really cold. But now it will be a P-day that we will never forget. Lots of lightning and thunder also.

On Tuesday, we went to Huamanhuaka and taught a family. There are a ton of artichokes here that the people grow and sell. It is very pretty here.

On Wednesday, we had zone conference. It was awesome. I learned a lot. President Lindstrom talked about all the prophets that he has had during his life. Then he talked a lot about President Hinckley and he also shared some amazing experiences from his own mission. Then he taught about prayer. It was a great conference.

On Thursday morning we had our interviews with President Lindstrom. It went well and he taught me a lot. He said to always read the scriptures with a notebook or journal close by. When we receive impressions from the spirit while reading, we should write them down. He said the impressions he receives while reading the scriptures usually dont have anything to do with what he is reading. the spirit tells him things about his family, a certain missionary, and upcoming talk, and many other things. He writes it all down, then does it.

On Friday, the leaders called at 6:00am and said my companion- Elder Salazar, had to be in Huancayo at 9:30am because he had an emergency transfer. He is now in Lima. A man named Saul was my companion for the day.

On Saturday, Saul and I went to see the funeral of Gordon B. Hinckley in the stake center at 1:00pm. It was really special and I think everyone cried a bit. I admire Gordon B. Hinckley and I know that he was a true prophet and that he is happy to see his family again and keep on working where he is. Then, we went to pick up my new companion. He is Elder Gutierrez and he is great. He is from Nicaragua.

Yesterday was a great Sunday. Learned a lot and I felt a lot of peace. It was good.

Ahhhhh! I cant believe Im going to be an Uncle. Natalie-Happy Birthday!!! Hope you are all well.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard
D and C 24:12
and 42:45

Another good week

2008-01-28T07:18:00.000-07:00

28 January 2008

Hello,

We are in Concepcion right now. Our whole zone is here. We just had our district meeting and then we are all going to go to a pretty place in the countryside to eat Pacha Manka. It is really good and they cook it underground. I am also learning to play a game here called Trompos. It is like a top that you throw with string. It is pretty crazy.

Last Monday was great. We played tag football and we ate these huge sandwiches that were like 2 feet long. It took like 45 minutes to finish it and I was stuffed.

We continue teaching many people and the Lord is guiding us to many new people to teach. Lots of people are hearing the gospel every day. We also get to contact on the buses here. It is pretty exciting. Something I havent been able to do since I was in Lima when I started the mission. The mission is good. It is weird how the time passes. It all seems like a dream, and I know it will be even more so after the mission. Sometimes it feels like I am not changing very much, but then when I look back, I can see that I really am changing and growing everyday. I have little time left in the mission and I need to make everyday count the best I can.

Yesterday we went to the stake center and all the leaders in the stake were there. We (the missionaries), did an example of a ward council. I got to be the bishop and I stuffed my shirt with a coat to look more like a bishop. I really didnt know what I was doing, but everything turned out well and I thing the people learned how a ward councel is supposed to be like.

Well, I hope you are all doing well. the whole bobcat thing sounds pretty crazy. Hermano Roberto says hello.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Mosiah 3:20-21

Cutting grass in Huamanhuaka

2008-01-21T15:04:00.000-07:00

21 january 2008

Hello folks,

It has been a good week here in Peru . The people here are so good.
We are in Huancayo right now in internet. Afterwards, we are going to play tag football with another zone here. I havent played football yet in the mission, so it should be fun.

We have been teaching a lot of people and the Lord has blessed us with a lot of investigators. On Tuesday, we went to a place called Huamanhuaka to do service for a great family. They live out in the fields and they have lots of dairy cows. We cut grass that they grow for the cows with a (reaper??). The big hook thing. It was pretty exciting. They say one cow gives about 17 liters of milk everyday and they milk all the cows twice a day and sell the milk everyday. On Sunday, they all came to church for the first time. It was great. Very pretty country.

On Saturday, we were walking to a house and I saw a house and I felt that we had to knock on the door. I didnt say anything, but when we were returning, we knocked on the door and a great guy came out and he let us in and we taught the whole first lesson. He is a great guy. He also has 2 little kids and hopefully we can teach his wife nest time also. A little later, we were walking and my companion said ¨we have to talk with that guy¨ so we talked to him. He is 16 and a great guy. He said he already was baptized in an evangelist church, but after we taught him he realized that he was not baptized by someone that has authority from God. The Lord is guiding us to many new people to teach.

On Thursday we had ¨missionary night¨ and lots of people came. It was fun. We saw the restoration and taught some stuff, then we all played a game called ¨ocho locos¨ and ¨animals¨. Lots of fun.

Yesterday was my first time to go to church here and it was pretty awesome. In Concepcion , there was about 25 people. Then we went to Hualhuas. I presided and directed the sacrament meeting. It was pretty exciting. My companion and I also gave the talks. There was about 8 people. It reminded me of when the church was formed with 6 members, and I talked about it in my talk. I

I know this church is true.
I love you all.
Elder Colby Hazard

Pichanaki=Paradise

2008-01-07T06:22:00.000-07:00

7 january 2007

Hello,

Right now we are in La Merced.  The whole zone is here.  We just had our district
meeting.  I got the package that has pictures from the wedding and lots of letters.  
Thank you!!!  Everyone looks great and I am excited to meet Cambria and her family. 
This is the first letter I have gotten from the USA in 3 months.  But that is fine.

The work continues in Pichanaki.  There is a lot of work to do everyday and there is
no time to relax.  Always busy.  It makes the time fly by like a peregrine falcon.  
Ha ha.

Yesterday we had a very spiritual fast and testimony meeting.  I also got to bear my
testimony and I really felt the spirit.  It went well until near the end when I
started to cry.  It was bad because when I cry I cant say anything.  I try to but
nothing comes out.  I was a little sad because I knew that I might not be seeing a
lot of them again for a very long time.  Afterwards, I got to give the gospel
priciples class, which was fun.  There was a lot of people at church.  It was great.

Today we find out the transfers!!  I am a bit nervous because I have been in
Pichanaki for over 5 months and it feels like my home.  The people are so wonderful
in Pichananaki and if I go I will miss them a lot.  I have grown a lot here and I
love these people with all my heart.

I have been studying a lot about the apostasy a lot this week and it is obvious that
there was a great falling a way from the truth.  Many plain and precious truths were
lost for many centuries, and they have now been restored.  A lot of times we teach
people and they act like they already know everything we are saying.  I am pretty
sure they have never heard it before, but I think they understand because it simply
makes sense.  The things we teach are logical.  God is not a grand mystery that
nobody can uderstand.  He is simply our father and he loves us and wants us to be
happy.  I think sometimes we try to complicate things too much.  There are a lot of
things that I dont understand, but I know that God is our Father and He loves.  
Maybe we dont know him perfectly, but the importand part is that He knows us
perfectly and knows how to help us, we just have to let him.  He loves all of us.

Love,

Elder Colby Hazard

D & C 101:32-36
Alma 30:44
Hebrews 12:9

New Years Eve

2007-12-31T15:26:00.000-07:00

31 December 2007

Hello,

So it is the day before 2008. We are here as a district in Pichanaki. We just had our district meeting. We will probably just play a little foosball today and I dont know what else. We woke up to the sound of rain and it looks like it will rain most of the day. We are getting into the rainy season here.

It was great to talk to the family on Christmas!!! sounds like you are all doing well, and it was wonderful to here your voices. I must sound pretty funny with my peruvian english. Sierra says I sound like Pedro. That is pretty funny.

That is pretty crazy that everyone took off to Mexico on Christmas. I sure hope the big truck makes it. I think that truck runs more on prayers than on gasoline.

This week we have been working as usual. We had p day on Tuesday and got to dress up like natives and they painted our faces with little berry things. It was pretty fun. It really was a great Christmas. I think the biggest difference was being in the heat. It was kind of weird being so hot on Christmas.

Yesterday we had a wonderful surprise. President Lindstrom showed up for church with his family!!! It was so exciting to have him here and he spoke a few words. His son just got married. It is his first child to get married. His son and new wife came also. They didnt understand anything.

I know that this is the Lords work. His vision is so much greater than ours. I am trying to be more like him and put my life in Harmony with His teachings. The object of our life is to repent. So lets all do it and make a great 2008!!

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard

Alma 34:32 to 34

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!

2007-12-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

25 December 2007

Dear everyone,

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!! We are in La Merced right now having our P-Day. Last night we sang lots of Christmas carols. My voice hurts a little. Last Thursday was also the Christmas Conference. It was wonderful. For Christmas, I got a huge tube of AquaFresh super whitening toothpaste! And a fruitcake. The fruit cake is really good here. Well, I dont have time right now. We are leaving to go to a native village to get dressed up like Lamanites. I am going to call today at 6 california time. Yeah!!

Merry Christmas!!!
Love,
Elder Colby Hazard

the Pre-Call

2007-12-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

17 diciembre 2007

Hello everyone,

It has been a good week.  Tons of rain.  yesterday it was raining a ton
and a lot of people didnt come to church, so it was sad.  The primary
did the christmas program in sacrament meeting and it was very good.
 One of the best I have seen.  On Friday we were in Tarma for our
interviews with President Lindstrom.  It was a good week, and I am feeling the
christmas spirit.

I am going to call this Sunday at about 6:00pm california time.  So
please be ready and waiting at 6 when I call.  And it is only the precall.
 It has to be only 3 minutes, so I wll just talk to dad.

Hey mom, if you havent sent a package, what I would ask for is my line
of authority.  Also, a missionary journal.  Like the one you gave me
before the mission.  It is like a dark red/brown color and it says
¨missionary journal¨ on the front.  Under the words I think it has like a
little earth or something.  Also, the kayaking video that Tyson and
Donny made.  I think that is all.  Ah!  Out of time!

Love,
Elder Hazard

Luke 2

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

2007-12-10T07:11:00.000-07:00

10 diciembre 2007

Merry Christmas!

Things are going well here in Peru.  We are staying in Pichanaki today
and we just got done having a great district meeting with the other 2
Elders in our district that are in Satipo.  Last Monday after internet,
we hiked up a mountain.  It was pretty fun and we saw some great views
of Satipo, the land of bountiful.  After internet today, we are going
to go fishing.  We are allowed to go fishing in the mission as long as
we arent in the water.  I hope there are fish.  It rained 2 days ago and
I think the water is going to be a little muddy still.

This week we taught a lot of people.  On Saturday we had a baptism
planned for Rudy Vargas for 11am.  But it was raining hard, and it is funny
because when it rains here, nobody leaves the house.  So it is kind of
a long story, but Rudy Vargas finally got baptized at about 2pm.   It
was a beautiful baptism and I really felt the spirit.  It was a special
day.  Rudy is a great guy.  He is 24 and the friend of a recent
convert.

Yesterday at church there was a ton of people again and all the benches
were full.  It was a great day at church.  Today we got up early and
we cooked pancakes.  It was fun and they were good.

My testimony is growing every day and I am learning a lot, both by
study and by faith. I love you all very much.  that is an amazing story
about Zack Jacobson.

Love,
Elder Colby hazard

1 Timothy 6:10
2 timothy 3:12, 4:3 and 4
2 Nephi 2:6 to 9

Another change in Pichanaki!!!

2007-12-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

3 diciembre 2007

Buenos dias,

It has been a great week.  On Monday we found out the transfers...I´m
staying here in Pichanaki!!!  I am happy because I like Pichanaki.  So
I guess this will be my first Christmas in the Jungle.  This will be my
4th transfer here in Pichanaki.  (one transfer is about 6 weeks).  My
companion, Elder Salazar, is also staying here with me.  He is a great
missionary.

On Monday after internet we went to 2 waterfalls called Bayoz and Velo
de la novia.  It was my second time to go.  They are beautiful
waterfalls and I am glad that the lord made such a beautiful earth for us to
live on.

The work continues.  We are teaching lots of people and inviting them
to be baptized.  We taught a ton of lessons this week and the Lord is
truly blessing us.  The hearts of many people are being touched and we
are being guided to many new people by the Lord.  There was a lot of
people at church on Sunday (yesterday) and I was very happy.  The church
asistence was a little low in November, but we are starting December
well.  I think almost every bench was full and I was really happy.  Fast
and testimony meeting was great and I really felt the spirit.  These
people have testimonies!!  Just like we do.  People all over the world
testified yesterday of the same truths.  That God is our Father.  That
Christ lives and loves us, and that he is our Saviour.  That Joseph Smith
was a prophet of God, called in these last days to restore the truth.
 That the Book of Mormon is true.  And that this church is the only true
and living church of Jesus Christ in all the earth.  It is His church,
not a church of man.

I also know that these things are true, and I am so happy to have them
in my life.  I want everyone to hear this message so they can have the
blessings that I have.

Mucho Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

2 Thess. 2:1-3
3 Nefi 28:3-7

Cambios

2007-11-26T06:20:00.000-07:00

26 Noviembre 2007

Hi,

It has been another great week here in paradise.  Right now we are in
Pichanaki.  We just had our district meeting and after we finish with
internet we are going to go to 2 waterfalls called ¨Bayoz¨ and ¨Velo
de la Novia.¨  We went there the last transfer also, but it is a good
place.  The rest of the zone is also going.  We are also going to find
out the transfers.  I might be leaving Pichanaki.  Sad.  So we will find
out later today.  I didnt get an email today, so I hope you are all
okay.  Hope you had a great week in Idaho and Utah.

There is a recent convert here named Maria Soto.  She has 4 kids.  I
have seen a big change in her.  we met her like 3 months ago.  We taught
her a lot and she didnt understand very much.  We taught her just as
you would teach a small child, and she more or less understood.  She
recognized the spirit and gained her own small testimony.  Then, when she
got baptized and was confirmed, something amazing happened.  She
understood.  Now she can teach the lessons herself and when we teach her, we
dont have to teach her like a little child because she understands.  Now
she likes to share her testimony and she tells everyone that the
baptism and the confirmation help us learn better.  She invites the people
to be baptized and recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost so that they can
learn and understand better.  It really is a miracle.  You can see a
huge difference from before and after receiving the gift of the Holy
Ghost, which is the greatest teacher.

This week we have met some new great people to teach.  You can see how
the Lord has prepared them and how they have been looking for something
they didnt know they were missing.  On friday we had a branch
activity.  We played Jeopardy using church questions and topics.  It was fun
and we learned a lot.

My testimony has been growing everyday and I know that this church is
true.

Love,
Elder colby Sage Hazard

Philippians 2:3 to 11
D and C 50:17 to 20

Conferencia en Huancayo

2007-11-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

19 Noviembre 2007

Hola,

TYSON IS MARRIED! AHH! I cant believe it. That is so weird. Sounds like it was a great weeding and that everything turned out well.

The work continues here in Pichanaki. It has been another great week here. We saw some big miracles here this week, especially the baptism of Shirley Alcantara. It is kind of a long story, so I´ll have to tell you about it on another occasion.

On Friday we went to Huancayo. It is beautiful, about 5 hours from here. We had a multi zone conference and Elder Hooker came. He is the 1 counselor in the area. It was so AWESOME! well, I am out of time. Hola all in the Rexburg Hazard House!!! The gospel is true!

Love,
Elder Hazard

interviews in Tarma

2007-11-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

12 Noviembre 2007

Halo,

It has been a good week.  Write now we are in Satipo and we just had
our district meeting with Elder Klaus and Elder Klews.  They are great
missionaries and today we practied teaching.  It was fun and I learned
a
lot.  After we finish internet we are going to go to a little zoo and
see some ferocious jungle many man eating animal beasts.  Last P Day
we
played soccer as a zone and it was lots of fun, but I think Im losing
my soccer skills.  I cant believe Tyson is getting married.  but that
is
good.  1 Cor. 11:11.

On Thursday we went to La Merced and spent the night.  Then on Friday
morning we got up at 4:30 and travelled to Tarma to have our
interviews
with President Lindstrom.  It is always great to talk with President
Lindstrom.  He is truly called of God to work here in this part of the
vineyard.  From there, we went back to Pichanaki and got back to work.

Things are going good in Pichanaki.  We are teaching a ton of people
and some of them are progressing.  The members are great here and are
good examples to me.  I am happy I am a missionary.  It is something I
will never regret.  I am recieving many blessings.  I finished Ether
this
week and it is a pretty sad ending.  It is truly by the wicked that
the
wicked are punished.  (Mormon 4:5).  I am learning a lot.  Well, I
have to go.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

2 Cor. 4:16-18
5:7

Another week in the jungle

2007-11-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

5 Noviembre 2007

Hola,

So it has been another week. It was kind of a stressful week, but in the end everything turned out okay. We are in La Merced right now. Sometime when we go to La Merced it makes me think of Merced , California and the adventures I had there. He, He. All of our zone just got done having a couple of meetings. It went well and I learned a lot. About half the zone is new to this zone so I am meeting lots of missionaries. I got the big tube thing today with the shirt from the Family reunion and the poster. Thank you for the earplugs!!! I didnt sleep hardly any last night because of the noise. And thank you for the stamps!!!

So I got an email from Cambria . But tell her that she has to send the emails to dad first and then he has to forward it to me. I am happy that Tyson is getting married and I am glad to have a sister in law. Wow that is so weird. I think I have told my companion that Tyson is getting married like 50 times. ha, ha.

So this week we have been teaching a lot of great people and we have also been led to a lot of new people to teach. But at the same time a lot of our previous plans didnt fall through as we had hoped. But I know that everything will turn out fine if we allow the Lord to work through us.

Yesterday in church I got to give the name to and bless a baby for a young couple that are investigators. It was a very special experience. I felt something really special for this baby and I know that he is going to grow up to do great things. I know that the Lord loves little children and he wants every one of them to return to live with Him someday. It was a special experience for me. Then it was testimony meeting, which was great. It was a great Sunday yesterday.

I hope you all had a great halloween. They dont dress up or anything here, but everyone goes to visit the gravestones of family members and friends that have passed away. So, I have to go now. Hope your all well.

Love,
Elder Hazard

Ether 12:37-39

Que en el mundo?!?!

2007-10-29T09:39:00.000-06:00

29 October 2007

Helo,

Tyson is getting married?!  That is News!  Well, I am happy he is
getting married.  It doesnt surprise me that Tyson would ask her to get
married in 3 weeks.  That is weird and crazy (=Tyson).  Ha.  Well, she
sounds like a great girl.  What is her name?

So things are going great here in Pichanaki.  Things are not all
turning out as planned, but the important part is that we are working hard
and doing our best every day.  My new companion is a great missionary and
we get along well.  I am learning a lot from him.  Yesterday for lunch
we ate duck.  Like 2 weeks ago we ate guinea pig.  It is good, but i
think i prefer chicken.

On Saturday we picked a ton of avacados, mangos, oranges and coconuts
that grow on the property of the church.  It was a lot of fun.  Then we
sold all of it to the market.  The money is to pay for baptisms because
it cost money to get there.  It is like 5 minutes in a moto taxi.  It
also costs to go to the river because we do it at a recreation place.
 So anyways, it was a lot of fun.

We have been teaching a lot of new people this week and planting a lot
of seeds.  So I hope we have a big harvest in the future.  The spirit
is felt everyday, and it is a marvolous thing.  The Lord loves us and
blesses us when we do our best.

Sounds like all is well in Los United.  I cant believe it is already
league finals.  I thought they were still in the middle of the CC season.
 Looks like Troy has improved a lot throughout the season.  Just wait
til next year.

This week I am studying in Ether.  I like the symbolism of life and the
journey to the promised land in Ether 6:5-12.  The Lord gives us
trials and hardships, but those are what get us to the promised land.  I
imagine verse 12 is very similar to how it will be when we get to heaven.
 I know God loves us.  He is our father.  Just do what He asks and you
will be happy and have peace.  Well, hope you are all well.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Ether 7:13

New Companion

2007-10-22T16:18:00.000-06:00

22 October 2007

Halo,

It has been a great week. We found out the changes last Monday. Elder Guevara left on Wednesday morning to go to Lima. He was my companion for 2 changes. He is a great missionary and dedicated to this great and marvolous work. Elder Klaus spent Miercoles and Jueves with me in Pichanaki, and I learned a lot from him. My companion got here on Friday morning. His name is Elder Salazar and he is from La Paz, Bolivia. He is a great Elder and I am learning a lot from him. We are working hard together and the Lord led us to a ton of new people this whole week.

On Monday we receved a reference from Utah! A guy in Utah is getting baptized this Saturday and he sent us the reference because he wants us to teach his wife and 4 kids. They are a great family. The oldest is 22 and the youngest is like 12. 3 Boys, 1 girl. I have been praying a lot for a family that will accept the gospel, and I hope this is the one. We have taught them twice. They are great, but still need to pray to know the truth about this message.

We just got done with our district meeting and we learned a lot. We learned about teaching with the spirit. We have to help the people feel the spirit. We cant force people to feel it or make them change, but we can create an environment where the spirit can touch their hearts and they can accept invitations to repent and be baptized. If we cant feel the spirit while teaching, we should think and try to figure out what is missing.

Yesterday there was no church meetings because Peru did a nation-wide census. Everyone had to stay in there house until the afternoon. It was wonderful to see empty streets and closed stores on the Sabbath Day, the way it should be. But that didnt last forever.

Our district is 4 Elders. Another Elder also just got here-Elder Klews. He came straight from the MTC. He doesnt understand hardly anything, and it reminds me of how I was when I entered the mission field-completely lost. I am so grateful for the mission and all the things I am learning here. The Lord blesses us when have desires to do his work, and if we are humble, he molds us. I know this is Christ´s church. He lives and He loves us. we are nothing without Him. Now we just have to continually remember it.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard

D and C 52:4, 136:33

PS- You cant send me stamps through Pouch. But pictures are fine.

good days

2007-10-15T08:35:00.000-06:00

15 Octubre 2007

hola,

It was another good week here in Pichanaki.  We are working hard
everyday trying to help our brothers and sisters come unto Christ.

Well, before I forget or run out of time, I was wondering if you guys
got my letter (family) with the picture in our room.  It says I need
stamps!  So if you could send me stamps, it would be nice.  A one year
supply (he, he), and it also says you can send the kayaking video if you
want.

On Monday we had service day, which went well.  Tuesday was P-Day.  Our
whole zone went to 2 beautiful and big waterfalls.  One is "Bayoz" and
the other is "Velo de la Novia".  It was a good time, but I forgot my
camera!  The rest of the week we taught a lot of lessons and visited a
lot of people.  I am really impressed with some of the recent converts
who are really progressing.  Smith, who got baptized about 2 months
ago, had his interview yesterday to be the branch mission leader.  He also
brought a friend to church.   There are a lot of recent converts in
the church on Sundays, which is great.

Yesterday a lot of investigators came to church.  And one of them
brought a friend.  On Saturday night we had a special experience.  An
investigator named Luis is really having trouble breaking his addiction to
alchohol.  After the lesson, I gave him a blessing to help him get over
this problem.  The spirit was very strong during the whole visit.

Right now we are in La Merced.  Right after we use internet, we are
going to find out the missionary transfers.  I am nervous.  I like my area
and it would be difficult to leave.

I got the cross country pictures today.  Troys looking strong.  Tyson,
Your running cross country?  I think I know the girl on the bottom left
in the picture.  Her name is Leslie or Laura I think and she has a
twin.  She is from Wyoming.  She was at cross country camp at BYU.

Well, hope you are all well.  Keep living the gospel.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Ezekial 33:13-16
Romans 2:13

La Conferencia General

2007-10-09T15:27:00.000-06:00

9 October 2007

Aloha,

It has been a good week. It sounds like you guys got my email last week. I thought it didnt work, but I hope it did. I just got done reading 6 emails all from family. I really am blessed. I feel really blessed because my companion gets an email like once every 2 months. Same with letters. Also I am realizing that I read very slow. I think I am learning more, but sometimes it bothers me because I want to read all the books we can and I dont have time.

Yesterday was service day in the whole world I think. So we got to do service all day. We ended up getting to know and teach a great family during the day also. At 6, we went out to teach again and we taught the daughter of a recent convert. She told us she didnt believe in God. We taught her about God and how he loves us. The spirit was very strong and we told her to pray and seek Gods love, and she would find it. It reminded me of when I taught the Lady on the bus in Lima who didnt beleive in God, which was also a very special experience for me.

Well, almost out of time. General conference was so awesome. I loved it all and I have set goals to get better. I know Jesus Christ leads this church.

Love,
Elder Hazard

El Tirol

2007-10-01T21:52:00.000-06:00

1 Octubre 2007

Greetings all,

It has been a good week. We are in San Ramon right now with our zone. We had a good disrtict meeting and zone meeting this morning and I learned a lot. Today we got the October Liahona (Ensign) and I am excited to read it. After our meetings, our whole zone went to a waterfall called "El Tirol." It is about 15 minutes in moto and then a 20 minute walk. It is a beautiful waterfall, but I didnt get any pictures because my camera ran out of film yesterday. Everything went well, and there is one part on the trail where you can swing from the tree vines like Tarzan.

Well, this week went well. Lots of things happened, but right now I cant seem to remember anything. Yesterday a girl got baptized. She has had a lot of struggles, but finally made it to the waters of baptism and will be a great help to the branch. The goal here is to become a ward by March of next year-6 months. I know we can do it if we all work together.

Oh ya. On Thursday we had divisions. I went to Satipo with Elder Klaus and we worked hard. In the morning we walked like 45 minutes to a house all alone in a big orange farm. We taught a good family and hopefully they continue progressing. We also taught lots of other people and in the afternoon it rained hard. I learned a lot from Elder Klaus during my 24 hour visit to Satipo.

So I am having a great time finishing up the book of Acts. Paul was an amazing missionary and there are a ton of cool stories that I am really enjoying. His testimony of Christ was so big that he wanted to share it with everbody, even when he knew he would be hurt or killed for it. He had no fear. We are also teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to many people, and it brings me great joy. The gospel is like a candy bar. It is so good you want to share it with everyone. But the gospel is even better, because everytime you share it you get 2 more. Well, sounds like you are all well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

Love,
Elder Hazard

good week

2007-09-24T21:14:00.000-06:00

24 September 2007

Hello everyone,

It has been another great week. The Lord is blessing us a ton and I am enjoying my time here. Yesterday was a great day at church. I got to confirm sister Yolanda and it was the first time I have ever confirmed anyone, so it was pretty exciting. The spirit was very strong during the whole meeting. After church, we all headed over to the river for the baptism of sister Maria Soto. She is a great lady. She kept saying she wasnt ready and wanted to wait, but about a week and a half ago she made the decision to be baptized. Her daughter, Kathy, never wanted to listen to us before. But she came to the baptism and felt the spirit and we invited her to be baptized and she said yes. Sister Maria Soto gave a short testimony after her baptism and said that she hopes all of her kids get baptized (4) and that she was setting the example for them by being baptized. But we have only talked to Kathy so far. It was a very special baptism.

Right now we are in Satipo. We went to a few waterfalls today. Very pretty and green. Well, dad I was thinking of another scripture I could send for my plaque and I want it to be John 11:35...¨Jesus wept¨. Jesus cries for many reasons, but it is always because he loves us. I like to think of the time he cried in 3 Nephi 17:20 to 22 where he cries because he is so happy. Most of all, this scripture reminds me of you, dad, because you always shared it. Well, out of time. I hope you all are well. I love you all very much.

Elder Colby Hazard
D and C 24:12

zone conference-San Ramon

2007-09-18T20:58:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, 18 September 2007

Hola,

It has been another great week here in Picanaki. Yesterday we had our zone conference in San Ramon, so that is why we are having P-Day today.

So there has been a lot of activity going on here in Pichanaki. It is kind of hard to explain the whole situation, but thousands of people were going to lose their houses on Friday. Luckily, nothing happened. You can ask me about it after the mission. But they say something is going to happen in the next few weeks, but I hope not. But everything is fine where we live, so dont worry.

We have been teaching a lot of people, and on Sunday, Frank, Eduardo, and Yolanda entered the waters of baptism! Frank is 17. His mom kept telling us she wasnt going to go to the baptism because she didnt have time, but then she showed up for about the last 10 minutes and the spirit touched her. We are now starting to teach her and Franks 3 brothers and dad. Yolanda and her son, Eduardo, are both great. This family of 4 are now all members and are excited to be able to go to the temple together.

On Sunday, we left to go to San Ramon for the zone conerence with our zone (La Merced) and the zone Tarma. The conference was on Monday. It was great. I learned a lot of things. One thing President Lindstrom has said is that every sin starts with pride. I think pride is a big problem for me and for pretty much everyone, and I have been trying to be more humble. We really arent anything without the Lord. We wouldnt even be here without him. We couldnt move a single finger if it werent for Him. Another thing I liked is when they said we arent here to be successful, we are here to do the Lords will with all our heart, might, mind, and strength.

So today we went and gathered avacados at the church to sell, and then we went to a waterfall. It was a lot of fun. So I am out of time already. hope you are all well.

Love,

Elder Colby Hazard
3 Nefi 13:32-33

Bendiciones

2007-09-10T09:08:00.000-06:00

10 Septiembre 2007

Hello everybody,

It has been another great week. On Monday we found out the missionary changes Monday and Elder Guevara and I are staying here together in Pichanaki. So that is great because Elder Guevara is a great companion and we are having a lot of success together. This will be my second companion I will have had for more than one change.

On Monday after internet, our whole zone went together in a small van about an hour away. The dirt road goes up and up along a beautiful clear river. Then we stopped and we all had to cross the river in a box cable thing 3 at a time. A guy would take 3 people accross and then come back, pulling the cable with his hands. Then we all hiked about 20 minutes to a humongous and beautiful waterfall. It is really big and it sprays out a lot of mist, so we got a little wet. Then, we all hiked back and he took us all accross the river again. He was pretty tired. So it was a great day. The Lord has created so many beautiful things here on the earth, just for us. I am glad He didnt make an ugly earth for us to live on.

The rest of the week was also great. We are teaching a lot of people and have a lot of people that are preparing to get baptized. We had a lot of investigators at church yesterday and I was really happy. Most of the people that are preparing to get baptized and that have been getting baptized are references from members and investigators. It is important that the members help in the mission work and help us find people to teach, because usually these people are much more likely to come to church and accept the gospel.

Well, I think I am finding that sometimes the Lord blesses us with powerful spiritual experiences just to help us carry on. For example a couple of days ago during personal study, the spirit was so strong it felt like it was pouring out of my fingertips. I started thinking why the Lord was blessing me with this wonderful experience: I wasnt doing anything differently as I always do, but I think the Lord blesses us with tender mercies at times just so we carry on and remember how blessed we are and that when we are feeling these things, the Lord is pleased with us. And so it is at times when we are teaching also. And when we have spiritual experiences, we should always write them down in our journal.

Mom, sounds like you had a great experience in the LA temple. I never knew about any of the stuff you said. That is awesome. And Krystalee is in Idaho! I know she will have a great time, especially when it gets cold, ha! Krystalee, you will like the country and swing dancing they have every week-it is fun. Oh, and you can practice your kayaking skills in the pool every week also.

Well, we are in Satipo right now with the other 2 Elders in our District. I think we are going to go to a waterfall today. Everything is going well here in the mission. Keep living the gospel and everything will be fine.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard

D and C 84:88
109:55-57
110:3-4

Cambio 1-Pichanaki

2007-09-03T15:18:00.000-06:00

3 September 2007

Hello all,

We are in San Ramon right with the whole zone. We just had our district meeting and it went well. After we use internet, we are going to find out the missionarie changes. I think that my companion, Elder Guevara, is going to leave to Cerro de Pasco(cold). But we will see.

I just got done reading all the emails from this week and last week, and it sounds like you all are doing really well. The kayaking video sounds awesome and I cant wait to see it. Before I forget- the favorite scripture that I sent is 1 Nefi 16:16. But the truth is that I really dont think I have a fovorite scripture. So put 1 Nefi 16:16 on my plaque. I like this scripture. I like to talk about the Holy Ghost a lot because it tells us everything we need to do. When the investigators realize that they can have a friend that gives them peace, direction, and understanding in their lives, they have more desires to get baptized and receive this special gift. Who wouldnt? And mom, I still cant find any earplugs. We went to a hunting shop and... nothing.

So anyways, it has been a great week. The Lord has been / is blessing us with a ton of people to teach. We have a lot of people that want to get baptized, and they all have very different problems and challenges that they are facing. But I know that if we do our part, We are going to see a ton of miracles this month. I really feel that September is going to be a month of miracles, and I am excited.

Well, I think I told you this already, but last week in the first stake conference of La Merced, we learned a lot of things. One part I liked is when Elder Nash said that to leave your house without having family prayer is like leaving your house without putting your sweater on in the winter in Utah. YOu can die! Well, what I liked most is how he uses a ton of personal experiences to teach. So I have been trying to think of the many experiences in my life to use them while teaching.

Well, out of time. I hope you are all well and enjoying life. Keep living the gospel. It is true.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Alma 12:24

New Stake: La Merced!

2007-08-27T17:20:00.000-06:00

27 August 2007

Hooola,

Hey, I dont know what is happening with this computor, but after 42 minutes I have read one email and nothing else. So I have like 3 minutes to write.

It has been a great week. We are working hard. On Saturday and yesterday (sunday) we had the first stake conference ever in La Merced. It was a district before, but it has just been organized into a stake. President Nash of the 70 came and recieved revelation to choose the stake president. So when you see "new stakes" in the church news or the Liahona, I was there! We heard a lot of great talks and the spirit was very strong throughout the entire conference.

Something interesting on the mission is that whenever someone gives us a wrong address, when we go to the house there is almost always someone that is ready to hear the gospel. So it is interesting how the Lord works in misterious ways. That happened this week.

A lot of branches are wards now, but here in Pichanaki, we still have some work to do to become a ward. But I can see it in the near future. Well, I hope your all doing well. Ill have to read all the emails next week. I know this is the Lords church, and that the leaders in this church are chosen of God, nobody else.

Love,
Elder COlby Sage Hazard

1 Corin. 9:24- a great cross country quote for this year!
Exodus 17:12 (8-12)- Why the leaders have counselors

(Only One Jaren)

2007-08-20T15:58:00.000-06:00

20 August 2007

Hello everybody,

Well, things are going good here. We are in La Merced right now. We just had our district meeting, and we are going to have another activity as a zone. We are about 1.5 hours from our area in Pichanaki. On the way here a little kid threw up in the car and then has dad almost threw up also. I asked the taxi driver if that happens a lot, and he said someone throws up in his car everyday (they have baggies). So the road is pretty windy, but he drives pretty fast also.

This week was good. On Wednesday was the earthquake. We were teaching a lesson when the room started to move back and forth, like sitting on a boat with slow rolling waves. It lasted for like a minute. It was kind of fun where we were, but in other parts it was really bad and I think like a thousand people died, so remember them in your prayers.

On Thursday we had divisions. I went to Satipo with Elder Wood and Elder Quinteros came to our area. In Satipo it was hot, but then it started to rain a ton and we got drenched. It rained like the rest of the day, and when we woke up on Friday it was raining. But we taught a lot of great people and had a good time. Elder Wood reminds me a lot of Jaren-He has like 15 girls waiting for him, he has a crazy smile, and he laughs like Jaren. They even kind of look alike. It was funny to be with him, but remember, there´s only one Jaren. (ha ha).

We have been finding a lot of great people to teach in our area. The Lord is directing us to a lot of people and they are coming to church also! It is a miracle. The Lord truly answers our prayers and helps the people in their changes. Yesterday 2 young men got baptized. Eduardo, 14, is a great guy and really smart. He is one of those guys that doesnt study much and aces all the tests. He knows that this church is true. He had been to a lot of churches before, but said he never felt right in them. Smith, 18, is also great and really wants to change his life. His dad, Gaston, was baptized when he was a young man, but stopped going to church for many years. But like 2 months ago he decided to start coming back to church and now we are teaching his wife and his 2 kids, Smith and Eduardo. Smith was named after Joseph Smith. Brother Gaston wanted to name him Joseph Smith, but his wife let him choose Joseph or Smith, and he chose Smith. After the baptism, they got to share their testimonies, and Smith said that his goal is to become a missionary. I am very happy.

One of the problems here is that nobody is married, and it is pretty expensive to get married here. We are teaching a lot of people and trying to help them so they can get married and live this important commandment. Well, all is going well.

Thats great that Tyson is going to BYU-Idaho. Sounds like you guys are all doing good. Keep up the good work.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Helaman 9:40-41

Satipo

2007-08-13T19:29:00.000-06:00

13 August 2007

Hola everybody,

Well, we are in Satipo right now. It is the other area in our district, about an hour from our area in Pichanaki. This morning we had our district meeting and then we went and did a service project for a couple of hours. We had to move a bunch of wood from one place to another. We saw a few huge spiders and lots of frogs and little lizards and bugs. It was a good service project. Then we went and ate lunch and now we are in internet.

It has been a great week. On Tuesday after internet, our whole zone went on a hike to a waterfall. A local member was our guide. It was a beautiful hike in the jungle. Everything went well. When we started to hike up the creek, it got pretty crazy and I think somebody could have gotten hurt. But everything went well, and we after an hour or 2, we got to the waterfall. THe bad part is that I forgot my tennis shoes and I did the whole hike in my missionary shoes and they got full of sand, but now they are okay.

Well, we have been finding a lot of people that have been prepared by the Lord. We pray every day that He will guide to the people that are ready to hear the gospel, and our prayers our answered. This is a great branch and the people are very helpful. Oh yeah, I finally got the package today. Oh, one from my family and one from the Sagers. Thank you!!! I am going to share with my companion.

Well, the spirit is very strong. I can feel it everytime we teach, and it makes me feel so good. The people that we teach are lost without the gospel. They are hungering for something, and they dont what it is until we feed it to them. I am so greate ful for the privelege I have to share this message of joy and peace and truth. Well, I feel kind of bad for my companion. He hasnt been getting any letters and he didnt get any email today.

I cant believe Haley is married. That is pretty crazy. Haley, if you read this email, congratulations! I hope you live happily ever after! Sounds like all is well back home. I am glad the truch starts now. Well, I guess that is all for now. I am changing and learning a ton on the mission.

Con mucho amor,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Helaman 3:29-30, 35, 4:15

COnferencia

2007-08-07T15:08:00.000-06:00

7 Agosto 2007

Hello everyone,

Well, things are going great here in my new area. It was a good week and we are teaching a lot of people. On Sunday we had a baptism!!! The people are baptized in the Pichanaki River. It is very pretty. We had the baptism at like a Big camp by the river. It looks like a place where we would have a family reunion.

After the baptism on Sunday, we left to go La Merced. In La Merced, we met up with all the other missionaries in our zone, and then we all took a van like 2.5 hours to Tarma to have our zone conference with the zone Tarma, the zone I just came from. that night we had our interviews with President Lindstrom, and then we slept in a hotel. The next day we had the conference. It was great. The conferences just seem to be getting better every time. I felt the spirit a lot and I learned a ton of things. I love the conferences.

Well, I dont have much time to write today, so I am trying to write fast. There is not enough computors for every one so I wasnt to let Elder Hawkins have a turn. After the Conference we ate, then we went back to La Merced, and we did contacts and then went to bed.

Today is Tuesday and we are having our P day today. We just had our District meeting which was great. After internet, I think we are going to hike to a waterfall. Well, the Lord is truly blessing us in the mission work and there really are miracles every day. I finished the book of Alma this week and I learned a lot. I like Alma 60. Moroni is all about action. If we want to happiness, peace, and eternal life, we have to get up and do something. See Alma 60:11, 20-21, 23. In verse 15, it is like our thoughts. It all starts at the "head". verse 13 is a good description of why sometimes good people die. I also like 34. Moroni says he has to obey the commandmants because of the covenents he has made. He talks like there is no choice. There is no decision. He has to obey because he is binded by his covenants. We have all made covenants also, so we should be the same way.

Well, it sounds like all is well. Sounds like a great family reunion, and quite the adventure on the backpack trip. I got the invitation to the family reunion today from tyson, and I got the birthday package! I havent seen it yet, but the zone leaders say it is in their room. Well, dad, The "house chapel" is not where we live, it is like a block away. It is actually really big. There are about 60 people assisting each week, which is more than we had in Junin, where there is a chapel. But the church has property here, so hopefully they start building soon. there is a lot of excitement here because this district is going to become a stake on the 26 of this month!!! We are very excited. Also my companion, Elder Guvara, is from Chiclayo, which is northern Peru. He is funny and I think he would be a good business man. Well, Elder Hawkins got a computor so that is why I wrote more.

Well, I found out from an Elder during the conference that the husband of my pensionista in Lima is now the Bishop! I also found out about some people that got baptized, and I got really happy. Well, I have to go now. I hope you are all bien!

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

D and C 84:80, 90:18

El "Infierno Verde"

2007-07-30T20:03:00.000-06:00

30 Julio 2007

Hello people,

Well, it has been a good week. I said good buy to all the people in Junin. I think I will miss all the little old people that say "Hola Gringuito!" One Wednesday I left Junin at about 10:30 and headed off for Pichanaki, also known as the Infierno Verde, or "Green Hell," because it is green and it is hot. I came from one of the coldest areas in the mission to one of the hottest, from a refrigerator to an oven. But my companion tells me that ever since I got here it has been cool. It is funny because lots of people have been saying "it is freezing!" and we are sleeping in our room with just a sheet.

Well, the people here are very friendly and I am getting to know the area. It is a branch here also and we meet in a "house chapel", but it is big, almost as big as our chapel in Junin. This is a district here but this month it will be changing to a stake! The church has property here to build a chapel, but we dont know when they are going to do it.

We are teaching a lot of people here and yesterday I got to give a talk in sacrament meeting and I taught english on Saturday night. It was pretty fun. The food here is good here also. We eat fruit every meal. At lunch we eat a big helping of something heavy, and for breakfast and dinner we eat pure fruit, especially pineapple. It is really good.

Today for P day we had the district meeting here (4 of us) then we climbed a mountain. It took about an hour and a half and lots of great views. On the way down we went a faster way and it was kind of steep, but it was fun and we all got down fine. We picked some oranges on the way and ate them. When we got back here we ate chinese food and now we are in internet.

Well, I am glad to be here and I am feeling the spirit a lot. I love teaching the gospel. Sometimes the people dont want to listen but we teach them anyways and it is interesting to see how they change and by the time we leave we are their friends. It is the spirit talking to them and telling them that we are saying something important. Well, sounds like you all are doing great and you had a great family reunion. I will talk to you next week.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

John 14:15

PS mom- If you can would you please send me some earplugs-like the ones to go shooting. There is a ton of noise here and I cant sleep.

Cambios

2007-07-23T16:11:00.000-06:00

23 July 2007

Hola,

Well, today is P-day. Right now we are in Tarma with the rest of the zone. We had our district meeting here and now we are using internet (ha). We just found out the changes and I AM GOING TO THE JUNGLE!!! My new companion will be Elder Guevarra. He is from Peru, but I dont know anything else about him. I have been to the jungle twice now to a place called "La Merced", but my area will be about 2 hours further into the jungle from La Merced. I am pretty excited because all the missionaries want to go to the jungle, but not all get the oppurtunity.

Well, I will miss Junin. In Junin the people are very friendly and it felt like we were really starting to get things moving along. I will never forget the people and the time I spent in Junin. I really learned a lot of things. I was there for 4 months yesterday. I think I am leaving on Wednesday. It will be weird to go from a place so cold to a place so hot.

After internet we are all going to play soccer!!

Well, this week was a great week. On Thursday we had divisions. I got to go to San Pedro de Cajas. It is an awesome place. Tons of donkeys, sheep, pigs, cows, horses, etc, and they grow a ton of potatoes there. I was with Elder Carpio. We taught lots of people and, to me, it is a really pretty place with mountains all around. While there, we went to visit a recent convert named Betsy. When she came out to the door, I tried to introduce myself and she said she already knew me. I couldnt figure out how she knew me until the end of the lesson when I remembered talking to her on a bus over 3 months ago on the way to San Pedro. When I remembered, I was like "Oh! your the one I taught the 13 articles of faith to on the bus!" And she said uh-hu. When I taught her she wasnt a member yet. Now I found out she got baptized like 3 weeks ago. So that was a great experience for me. This really is the Lords work.

Well, another great thing happened this week. There is a 14 year old here named Danilo. The missionaries have been teaching him for over 6 months and he has always wanted to get baptized, but his dad always said NO. So on Saturday we were on our way to our room and we saw the dad and we were like "We have been teaching Danilo and we are trying to help him be baptized next Saturday or Sunday." The dad said "Thats fine. But I dont think Ill be here next weekend. Why not tomorrow?" We were very surprised at his response. We said okay. So we called the zone leaders and they came and interviewed Danilo and then on Sunday I got to baptize him! Well, I feel so blessed. We havent had a baptism here in almost 4 months, and the Lord blessed us with a baptism right before I was to go to the jungle. It is one of those "tender mercies". The baptism went very well and the spirit was very strong. Almost the whole branch came, which was the most people Ive ever seen at a baptism so far. Danilos parents and grandparents also came, which was a miracle in itself. It is plain to see that the Lord answers our prayers. This family is really changing.

Well, I feel very blessed to have been able to serve in Junin. I know that there are many more experiences to come in the mission, and I am glad I am a missionary. I know that this church is true and that if we want to change, we can. We just have to do our part, and the Lord does the rest.

Sounds like you guys all had a great time on the Rogue River. I Have always wanted to do the Rogue River. It sounds great. Well, I hope all is well. Share the gospel with someone this week! Its fun!

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

1 Nephi 1:20

Maca Festival

2007-07-16T16:03:00.000-06:00

16 July 2007

Greetings all,

Well, it has been another good week. I didnt get an email today so I figure you guys are probably travelling home from Utah or something. Last Monday, Elder Cahuana and I went to a monument called Chacamarca. Peru won a big bttle here and won a lot of freedom on 6 August 1824. It is a pretty cool place. Out in the middle of nowhere. We didnt see anyone the whole time except for 3 cowboys branding some cows. We took a bus to the dirt road that goes to Chaca marca, and from there it is about a 20 minute walk. On the way back, we walked almost the whole way until a taxi came and we took it for 5 minutesback to Junin.

Well, this week has been the "Maca Festival." The maca is pretty famous here in Junin. It looks like a turnip or a beet, but Im not sure exactly what it is. Its really good for you, but it is kind of gross. I bet dad would like it. So anyways, there were a lot of drunk people and we even had a few minor problems. YOu can ask me after the mission. The whole thing made me pretty sad and it made me feel so bad for all the people that dont have the gospel in their lives. This world needs us so bad. This world is lost without the gospel, that is why the people look for happiness in things that dont bring happiness. They dont know where to look or what to do.

So theres good news also. Sister Olinda finally accepted a baptism date! The missionaries have been teaching her since before I came, but she always said "I am going to wait to get baptized." She knows the gospel is true and she finally feels she is ready to be baptized. We are also teaching her husband now, which is a miracle, because when I got here he pretty much hated the missionaries and didnt want to have anything to do with us. Now, we have taught him 2 lessons and he is beginning to realize that the things we teach really are important. So we are pretty excited.

I was thinking this week about how Rooster always called me and all of us when we had a birthday. It nevered seemed like that big of a deal. But this week I was thinking about how great that is and I am thinking we are going to get a list of all the peoples birthdays in the ward and when someone has a birthday, we can go and give them a quick message. It is by small and simple things that great things are brought to pass (Alma 37:6-7; D and C 64:33). There are a lot ton of less actives in this branch, and I think if they all came it would be a ward.

Well, this week I started the war chapters in the Book of Mormon. They are so awesome. I always reminds me of Hinckey, especially when I was reading about Moroni. There is so much symbolism and comparison with our day. Everything in the Book of Mormon was written for us, for our day. That helps me look for comparison in our day. With every scripture, we can ask "why is that scripture in here? What does that have to do with me?"

Well, I am almost out of time. I hope you all are doing well, and that you are remembering to do all the little things that really make a big difference.

I love you all,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Alma 43:43-51 -last days/our days, need more than armor, cause of the gospel, families, importance of prayer, etc.
Alma 42:27

Milagros

2007-07-09T16:17:00.000-06:00

9 Julio 2007

Hello everyone,

Wow, I just realized it is July. That is pretty weird. Today I got a letter from Tyson. He wrote the letter while sitting under a bridge that crosses the Payette River. He was eating a power bar and was surrounded by about 6 cows, all watching him write. Doesnt surprise me. I also got a letter from one of my missionary friends. He is now in the Jungle in a place called Tingo Maria, and they baptize people in the river there.

I just read your emails about the car accident. I hope Donny and Tyson are okay and that we never get in another car accident. They climb so many mountains and kayak so many rivers, and the worst thing that happens to them is in a car. I glad they are worthy to hold the priesthood and I know that this is a real power that God has given us for the well being of His children. It is truly a miracle (milagro) that they are still alive.

It has been a great week here in Peru. On Tuesday I got really sick to my stomach and I think my stomach was more crazy then it has ever been in my whole life. But we called sister Lindstrom and I took some pills that work really good. That is a miracle also. On Wednesday, President Lindstrom came to our area!!! That has never happened to me before, so it was pretty exciting. His wife and 2 of his sons were also with him. We had our interviews with him in our little church, which went really well. Then, they all came to our room to do the dreaded "Room Inspection!" Luckily, our room was pretty clean and I think we got an "A". Then, they continued their journey to go to the Jungle for the Conference.

About 2 hours after our interviews in the morning with President Lindstrom, Elder Cahuana and I left with our Pensionista to go to the jungle!!! We met up with all the other missionaries in our zone in Tarma, then continued our Journey to "San Ramon". We dropped off all our stuff in the Hotel "Chanchamayo", then we went to the church for some instruction from President Lindstrom and the assistants. It was really good. Then, Elder Cahauansa and I had permission to visit some converts in this area, where Elder Cahauna started his mission about 17 months ago. It was pretty exciting. That night, I slept well with 1 blanket. I was nice.

On Thursday, we had the conference and it was great. For me, I think it was one of the best yet. I felt the spirit really strong throughout the entire conference. President Lindstrom has truly been called of god to be here in this mission, and it is obvious that he recieves a ton of inspiration. Everything he does is guided by the Holy Ghost. After the conference, we all took taxis to "La Merced", about 10 minutes away, to wait for a bus to go back to Tarma. We waited for about 4 hours, and... nothing. So we sent the Pensionistas home in a Taxi and then we all stayed in a Hotel across the street.

The next day, we got back here to Junin at about noon. Well, I am almost out of time. Saturday night we had a great English class. Yesterday in church I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and then I taught the Gospel Priciples class on the scriptures. It was lots of fun. A guy came to church yesterday that has been working on a ranch in Utah. He got baptized in march while he was in Utah! Today we have an appointment with his family, so hopefully it goes well. This moring during breakfast we also taught a lady that teaches first grade in Pheonix, AR. She is here for summer break, and she grew up here, but has been in the states for about 10 years. Interesting.

Well, I know that today there are miracles. I have seen so many in my life. Sometime the hardest part is just recognizing them. Well, goota go.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Mormon 9:20

cow-patties

2007-06-25T16:17:00.000-06:00

25 June 2007

Ho-o-o-o-o-la!

Well, it has been a pretty good week. We have been working hard trying to find lots of new people to teach, and we found a great family and a few other people also. I bought one of those peter-pan flute things on Monday. I have been taking it to breakfast with me and I can play a few little tunes on it now. We have a big one at our house, but I never tried to play it before. It reminds me of the 2 Andes cds that we have. That music is here to, but there is more of a weird music here. It is interesting. You have to here it to understand.

This week we have been visiting a ton of less actives and families in the branch. And we had over 5 people that were inactive before come to church yesterday. It was pretty exciting. When people reactivate in the church, it is basically like a baptism. What good is a baptism if we dont endure to the end. We are also working with the men that are missionary age, trying to get them to go on a mission. And now there are a couple seriously thinking about it. One, named Juan, was basically less-active. He came to church about 2 times a month, and when he came he came late and left after sacrament. We taught him a couple times this week really encouraged the mission, and yesterday he showed up a half hour before church starts. He prepared the sacrament, blessed it, and stayed for all the meetings. And he was shaking everyones hand in the branch and talking to them. It was like a whole different person. It made me really happy and I know he will be going on a mission. He is 23.

Well, on Saturday we did a service activity for an inactive family, the Peña family. And yesterday, they came to church!!! On Saturday we went to their house like at 10:30. Then we walked for over an hour out of town until we got to a big cow pasture with lots of cows. We went through the barbed wire fence and then the mom took all of these huge sacks out and we began filling them up with dried cow poop!!! We picked up cow patties for like 1.5 hours and filled up 7 humongous sacks. Then we all sat down and waited for a taxi to come on the side of the dirt road. We waited for almost 2 hours and the mom kept saying "dont worry, a car is about to come." Finally, Elder Cahuana and I decided to walk the hour back to Junin. We each took a sack on our shoulders and walked to the ladys house and told her kids that were at the house to send a taxi to get her mom. So anyways, it was a good day. I wish I had my camera. It was really pretty where we went.

Church was great. I taught a lesson on Charity and it was pretty exciting. After church we had some good lessons and I felt the spirit really strong. Things are going pretty good here in Junin.

Sounds like you guys are all doing great and had a great time on the Green River. Tell Donny and Ty they can build a house for me if they want. Or they can build a whole bunch and make Hazardville. Rachel is pregnant!!! That will be grandpa and grandpas first great grandkid!!! Pretty exciting. Well, you guys sent a lot of news. There is a lot happening these days. That is good. Well, I hope you are all well. Oh, mom, I still never got to see General Conference, but dont worry , I have the Liahona! (Ensign). Well, keep up the good work everyone.

I love you all!
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Alma 29:1-2, 9
2 Nephi 33:3 (true charity)

Elder Cahuana

2007-06-18T15:46:00.000-06:00

18 Junio 2007

Hello Everyone!

Well, it has been a pretty good week. Elder Rueda spent a lot of time visiting people this week and telling them good bye. He did a lot of crying while sharing his final messages with the people. On Thursday, we went to La Oroya and Elder Rueda left to go to Huancayo with another Elder. Me and 6 other missionaries waited for our companions to arrive from Lima. They were supposed to arrive at like 1:00 on Thursday. We waited and waited and waited. We found out there was a strike by the miners and all the cars and buses were stopped. We waited until about 7:00 that night, then went to sleep in the room of the Elders that live in La Oroya. A lot of stuff happened this day and it was a pretty crazy day. Oh ya, it was my birthday!!! So I spent all day sitting out in the sun waiting for my companion who never came! It was a good birthday. There is no better place to turn 21 than in the mission field! It was also flag day. I hope you guys flew the flag! Here in Peru, flag day is on the 7th of June.

The next morning (Friday), we went to eat breakfast and the pensionista had prepared a huge cake. It was super good. Turns out the 15th is Elder Dent´s birthday- the elder in La Oroya!!! So it was good. Then we all went back to the waiting place and waited all morning. The bus finally arrived at about 1:00pm. We ate lunch, then took a bus back to JUNIN!!!

My new companions name is Elder Cahuana. He is from Arequipa, Peru. Arequipa is the 2nd biggest city in Peru after Lima. He comes from a family of 9, all members. They all joined the church about 7 years ago. Elder Cahuana served in the army of Peru for 2 years. He is 24. He is a good guy and he wants to get a lot done here in Junin. Things are going good.

Yesterday in church after the sacrament, the branch president got up to announce the speakers and said: Our first speaker will be Elder Hazard. That was a surprise to me! But I got up and the Holy Ghost helped me give a talk on the Book of Mormon. I love that book!!

We just got done with our district meeting and today we practice answering questions that people from other churches often ask. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot. The district leader, Elder Hulit, would ask questions and we had to answer with the bible. Then, we would all share our insights on each question. Elder Hulit is a twin. His brother is in the Guayaquil South Mission--where Tyson served!!! Isnt that crazy!!! 2 sets of brothers, the same 2 missions.

Well, today I think we might go to the Laguna again. Not sure. Anyways, hope you guys are on the river right now having a great time!!! I love you all very much!!! Hey if you didnt send a package yet, send me Reese´s!!!

I love you all,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

D and C 136:31-32

Cambios!

2007-06-11T15:54:00.000-06:00

11 Junio 2007

Hello everybody,

Well, things are going pretty good. Today we found out the changes for the missionaries. Elder Rueda (my companion) is leaving on Thursday morning to go to Lima. He has been here in Junin for 6 months, which is pretty long. He is pretty excited, but I know he will miss Junin. My new companion is coming from Lima and his name is Elder Cahuana. Another Latin companion!

Well, this week has been pretty good. We have found a few new people to teach. On Monday, we found out that our house got sold! So we had to move out to a different place. We figured it would be best to do it as soon as possible, so we found a place to live and moved in that same day! It was a lot of work. We had to take everything about a quarter mile to our new house and then trudge it all up to the 4th floor to our new little room. It is a small but cozy little room, about the size of our room in Weldon. Since it is on the fourth floor, small, and with a big window, it is not as cold as our last place, which is nice. And it is a nice view!

Right now we are in Tarma with all of the zone. We just got done having our District meeting and are across the street from the plaza with a humongous Catholic church.

Yesterday we had District conference (it is like stake conference but it is a distict here, not a stake) in La Oroya. A lot of members from Junin came, but we didnt have any investigators. President Lindstrom and his wife both were there and gave great talks. Sister Lindstroms brother and his son also came from Utah and are visiting in Peru for a couple of weeks. The son just got off his mission in Guatamala, so that was cool to talk to him.

On Thursday night I finished the Book of Mormon!!! It was a little english one that we all received in the CCM. We were told to read all of it and mark all the references of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. It is amazing to see how red the pages are now!!! I know that this book is true and it has helped me in every aspect of my life and I know that if we read it with the spirit of prayer, it can solve any problem that we could ever have. I love the book of Mormon and I dont know what I would do without it. It is truly evidence that this is the true church here on the earth. I am also reading it in spanish and today I read Alma 17. It is an awesome chapter.

Well, I guess I will finish up this email. Sounds like you guys are all doing great. Have fun on the Green River! I am sure it will be great. I hope the waters a little higher this time. Dad, who is the Moix family. That is where ginger is. Sounds like you guys got a lot of work done at the house. Well, make sure you all are reading the Book of Mormon every day, and dont forget to read it everday on the Green River. It is more important than rafting!

I love you all,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Moroni 8:3, 10:3-5
Alma 17:9-12

Dont forget to send 2 cent stamps ASAP!!!

de la oroya

2007-06-04T16:54:00.000-06:00

4 Junio 2007

Hola everyone,

Sounds like everyone is super busy. Things are always busy right when school gets out. Sounds like you are all having lots of fun on the river. The big truck made it up to big meadow? That is great! Well, we are in La Oroya right now. We came here after the district meeting to get our monthly money out of the bank. It is nice here. It is a complete mining town and a huge business. We are about an hour from Junin.

I had a great conversation with a 7th day Adventist on the way here. He liked the message and I got his address so the missionaries are going to visit him and his family when he returns to his home in Cerro de Pasco.

Well, things are going as usual here. We are working hard and looking for new investigators. We taught a girl on Saturday and she is very receptive. I am still teaching english classes every Saturday, and I was thinking it would be fun to teach spanish. Well, I dont have much time to write today.

Testimony meeting was great yesterday. I think that is one of my favorite times of each month. The spirit is always really strong, especially since we are all fasting.

The other day we were walking and a dust-devil came up and we got caught right in the middle of it! It was pretty crazy. I always wondered what it would be like. So that was cool.

Well, I just want to bear my testimony that God lives. He is our father and he loves us. I know that Jesus died for us and that he now lives and is trying to help us in every way he can. I know that the Book of Mormon is the purest book on earth and I love this book. I know that joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. I love you all very much. Live the gospel!!!

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Helaman 3:35
D and C 93:27-28

Hola

2007-06-02T17:02:00.000-06:00

2 July 2007

Hola everyone,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYSON!!! I was going to write you a letter, but you are living in Idaho somewhere. So anyways, I hope you had a great birthday. I dont think I have ever realized you are 3 years older than me. I just turned 21. I always thought you were like 2 years older than me or something. Anyways, Feliz Cumpleaños.

Last Monday we played volleyball with the whole zone. It was pretty fun. Right now we are in La Oroya again because today we got money out of the bank today. For some reason, we did not get very much. We didnt get any money to pay our pensionista or the lady that washes our clothes.

On Wednesday we are going to the JUNGLE!!! For the zone conference. Our pensionista is going to go with us for some instruccion from Sister Lindstrom. I am pretty excited. It is amazing that about 3 hours from here, it is sweating hot. This mission is so diverse! So I think we will get the rest of our money out of the bank when we go to the jungle.

This week has been pretty good. We are always looking for more people to teach. I know we have a lot of work to do here in Junin.

On Friday we walked way out to the middle of nowhere to visit a house. We had to cross 3 cow pastures to get there. The Judge of Junin lives here and it was a nice lesson. He is a good guy and very excited to hear the gospel. On the way back, this guy started yelling at us and he was pretty mad. When he finally took a breath we told him we were missionaries and then he spent the next 5 minutes apologizing.

Well sounds like you are all doing great. Have to go!!!

Love,
Elder Hazard

1 Timothy 4:12

The Jungle!

2007-05-28T09:11:00.000-06:00

28 Mayo 2007

Hello everyone!

Well, it has been another great week in the mission. After I wrote lastMonday, my companion and I went to the church and played some basketballfor a while and then we played soccer. It was pretty fun. It can getpretty hot here when it is sunny, but it is a different kind of hot, andit makes you itch for some reason, and I think it is impossible to sweathere.

Martes was pretty good. We worked as usual and actually taught a lot oflessons this day. A lot of times here we eat a soup that has like creamof wheat in it. I told the pensionista that I like to eat the cream ofwheat by itself for breakfast. So on Wednesday we got to eat cream ofwheat for breakfast! It was really good. With humongous raisens.

Well, this week was zone conference!!! We went to the jungle!!! OnThursday we left at about 3:00 to go to Tarma. I bought a cool Adidasbag to go to the conference because I didnt have anything to bring mystuff in. In Tarma, we met up with the other Elders from our zone andtook the bus 2 hours to "San Ramon". Then we went to the church and hadour interviews with President Lindstrom. All went well, and for dinnerwe ate fried chicken and potatoes, which was really good. Then we sleptin a nice motel where the owners are members of the church. It was niceto be in the heat.

Friday we had the conference. It was really good and I learned a lot,especially from President Lindstrom. Since the other zone called LaMerced was there, I got to see a lot of friends from the mission,including 2 that left on the mission the same time as me. They fed usthis really good fruit salad and all the fruit was grown locally. Ithink it was the best fruit salad of my life. The conference ended atabout 2 or 3. Then, our zone went to "La Merced" about 15 minutes awayto catch the bus to go back to Tarma. There was no bus and by the timea bus showed up it was about 6:00. It was a beautiful ride until it gotdark. Tons of vegetation. And the mountains go like straight up fromthe road, like cliffs. Yet they are covered in vegetation. Also, lotof fast rivers. It is very beautiful and I have never seen anythinglike it in my life. My first time in the Jungle!!!

We got back to Tarma and slept in Tarma. Saturday, we came back toJunin in the Morning and worked the rest of the day. We taught a greatlady who said she wants to know which of all the churches is the truechurch. A person that we contacted also came to church by himself. Ithink that is the first time that has happened. Usually we have toteach the people first.

Well, I have to go now. It has been a great week. This week will beeven better! I love you all very much. Congratulations Krystalee!!!And Donny and Tyson I think are just getting crazier. I hope the truchmakes it to Big Meadow.

Love,
Elder Hazard

Helaman 5:12

La Mision

2007-05-21T16:15:00.000-06:00

21 Mayo 2007

Hello everybody!

Well, another week in the mission has gone by in the wink of an eye. The time really seems to fly, I dont know why. He he. Anyways, things are still going good here. We have our district meetings on Monday instead of Thurday now. We just got done having our district meeting. 2 missionaries came from Tarma and brought us water, phamplets, Book(s) of Mormon(s), letters, and the Liahona from May (the general conference addresses!). Although we still never got the Liahona from April. Elder Crosby, my last companion, also finally sent me my address book, Book of Mormon case, and baptism pants that I left in Lima over 2 months ago!! Now I can write to people again! I havent had my address book since I got here in Junin.

Well, the mission work can be hard sometimes, but we are doing our best. We taught a lot of people this week and we have been teaching members to invite their friends to church. We give them a pamphlet and tell them it is for someone very special. We should pray everyday for an opportunity to share the gospel with someone. I did this in high school for sometime and I can testify that it works. Sometimes it might only be one or two sentences, but the Lord will give us the opportunity if we ask for it. Then we have to act on it! Well, we have received a lot of references from the members this week, so hopefully we will have a lot of new great people to teach this week.

Krystalee, I got your postcard from Hawaii today! Sounds like you had a pretty great time. Yoúll have to take me someday and show me around the island. Íll pay half. Hopefully you get into BYU hawaii someday. Donny, I just found out from grandma that your birthday is on Saturday. I knew it was in May, I just couldńt remember when. Anyways, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! You are a great brother and I am very glad and grateful to have a brother like you.

Every Saturday night at 7:00, I get to teach English. It is pretty fun. In the last class, we learned how to bear testimony in English. We included the 5 things that every testimony should include, as explained by Elder Utdorf in the Fall general conference of 2006. At the end of the class, everyone had the opportunity to share their testimony. It went something like this. ̈"I know that God lives. I know that Christ lives and that he is our Saviour. I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Gordon B. Hinckley is a living prophet." Well, it also included some other stuff, but I am out of time. I love you all very much and I hope all is well.

Love,
Elder COlby Sage Hazard

Ether 2:24-25
6:5-10

1/3

2007-05-14T08:55:00.000-06:00

14 Mayo 2007

Hi everybody,

Well, I got to talk to the family last night!!! It was great to here the voices of the people I love the most.

I realized yesterday as I was walking that I have been in the mission for exactly 8 months. That is so weird! That is exactly 1/3 of the mission. The time sure flies. It seems like I just got here to Junin a couple of days ago.

Well, I got like 6 emails today! I think that is a record! Thanks for writing everyone! Now I dont have so much time to write. I cant believe Allison is 18. That reminds me of a few weeks ago when I honestly couldnt remember how old I was. I kept asking myself if I was 19 or 20 and finally used the dates to figure it out and then I remembered that I am 20. Sounds like Donny and Ty had quite the adventure. Sounds pretty crazy. I am glad they are still alive. I cant believe Tyson ran silver creek at that flow. That is some serious stuff.
Well, sounds like everyone is doing great. I will start trying to write more paper letters this week. Thanks for your love, support, and prayers.

This week has been pretty good. The Lord sent someone to us who is very excited about the gospel and is already starting to prepare to serve a mission. He will get baptized at the end of the month. His name is Romel and he is 22. He was in the army for 2 years but says he wishes he was in the mission for 2 years and then he would serve in the army after. We should have 2 baptisms this week for an older couple, Jorge and Celsa. They travel a lot but I dont think they are going out of town this week.

The Lord is really blessing us everyday and it is so obvious that he loves us and wants us to progress. All we have to do is trust that when we do it the Lord's way, we are doing it the right way. He will take care of the rest. What could possibly be better than the Lord's way? Unfortunetly, a lot of people dont seem to understand the concept.

Well, it has been pretty nice weather lately. Scattered clouds. We are trying to find a lot of new people to teach lately, but we havent found a lot. Saturday I was looking for the January Ensign in a box and I found a 1987 Liahona. It had an awesome article by Thomas S Monson about David and Goliath and conquering our personal Goliaths. It was pretty awesome. I also recently finished "Our Heritage" and It helped me see the importance of this work. Well, I have to go. I love you all very much.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

1 Samuel 17

El Junino

2007-05-07T15:26:00.000-06:00

7 Mayo 2007

Hola everyone,

Well, I wrote a long email last week, and then when I sent it it said "error" or something, and then it all got erased. I didnt have time to write anything more, so that is why you didnt get an email last week.

Well, it has been a pretty good 2 weeks. We are working as usual here in Junin. Last week I asked the pensionista and her family when the good season is here in Junin. They said there is no good season!! It is always cold! But it has been getting a little nicer lately. It is getting colder, but it isnt raining everday like before.

Well, the weeks all just seem to blend together and I cant really remember a lot of things. 2 days ago we were at a house and a dog ran up behind me and bit my leg. Its a good thing I was wearing 3 pairs of pants or I think it could have been pretty bad. I only got scratched a bit and it is more like a bruise, but it was pretty scary!!!

Well, all this week there was a big festival thing. I am not really sure what they are celebrating, and I dont know if they do either. But there has been a lot of iniquity and a lot of drunk people, so our numbers werent as good as usual.

We are teaching a lot of people and trying to help them prepare for the covenant of baptism. We have been finding a lot of good people here lately and the Lord is always blessing us. I just got the letter you guys wrote when you were at the Hyers house watching conference. Hopefully we get to watch the rest of conference soon, but if not, I will get to read all the talks in the Ensign!!! That was awesome about what sister Hyer said about her kids praying for a baby brother. Miracles exist! I have seen a lot of miracles already in the mission, and I am sure to see many more.

Haley is getting married?! And she is in Europe!? That is crazy. What is she doing in Europe? Sounds like Krystalee and Donny had a great time in Hawaii. Of course, Donny and Tyson are kayaking once again. They need to write me and tell me about the trip and all the best creeks.

Oh! On Monday we found out the missionary changes, which are every 6 weeks. Elder Rueda is staying here in Junin with me! That means at the end of this change, he will have 6 months here in Junin, which is kind of a lot. Only 2 missionaries in our zone got changed. So everything is pretty much the same. This is the first time I have had a companion for more than one change.

Well, the mission really is great. It doesnt always seem great, but looking back, I can never seem to remember having a bad day. I am learning so much here in the mission and trying to apply the things that I learn in my life. I hope you all are doing good and living the gospel. Make sure to repent of your sins every day so that you can become a better person. I love you all very much and pray for you every day.

I am going to call for mothers day on Saturday night or Sunday. I will call you guys. I might buy a phone card this time, so I will tell you guys when I call.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

3 Nephi 27:8

Sunny days

2007-04-23T08:47:00.000-06:00

23 abril 2007

Hola everyone,

Well, it has been another good week here in Junin. It has been a lot nicer weather lately. In the morning it is nice and clear and sunny until about 11 or 12. Then the clouds come. But it is better than being cloudy and rainy all day.

Well, on Monday we got permission to go to a member family and they made Pacha-Mancha. They dig a big pit and put coals at the bottom. Then, they do like layers of rocks with food in between- potatoes, chicken, lamb, more potatoes, and whatever else you want. Then they cover everything with sheets and stuff and then with like 3 feet of dirt and it cooks for like in hour. It is super good. After we ate, it made us super tired and so we went back to the room and slept for a while, then went out to work at 6.

Tuesday was a great day- teaching the gospel and trying to help people come unto Christ. Wednesday, Elder Hulet, the District leader came here with Elder Rueda, and I went with Elder Benites to his area in San Pedro de Cajas (Saint Peter of Boxes). It is very pretty, and it was a very nice day. I even took off my sweater and was walking around in a white shirt and tie- for the first time since I came to Junin!!! It is a bit warmer in San Pedro. It was a good day and we taught lots of people and we got to give 2 blessings, where the spirit was very strong. That night, I slept in San Pedro. The next day, Elder Rueda and Elder Hulet came and then we had our weekly District meeting. It was really good. Then, Elder Rueda and I headed back for Junin. On the way we saw some Vicuñas. The rest of the day we worked as usual.

Friday was a great day. We worked all day as usual. Then, at 6:30, we went to the church for the "Show de Talentos"- Talent Show. The first half hour, hardly anyone showed up, so we were pretty sad and decided to just put on a video for the people to watch. By the time it was 7:45 or 8:00, there was a lot of people there, so we decided to start the tlent show. It was great- probably one of the best I have ever been to. I was laughing the whole time because it was so funny. I dont know why, but I think I was about the only one laughing most of the time. But I think everyone had a great time. One lady had a big minnie mouse costume and danced like crazy. Elder Rueda and I had to feed each other blind folded. It was not our idea, and totally unexpected. The relief society dressed up like old ladies and danced to lots of different types of music. And lots more. Overall, it was good, and we had about 8 investigators show up, which was great.

Saturday was pretty good. A lot of our appointments were not home, so we taught some people in the streets. On Sunday (yesterday), we had church! We got to bless the sacrament and I got to give a talk on Unity. You always have to be ready to give a talk here, because if something goes wrong, they always turn to the elders. After church, we ate, then taught a lesson that was about a 20 minute walk away, on the outskirts of Junin. Then, we walked back to the church for the weekly correlation meeting with the branch president. It was pretty good. For dinner I finally had soup with a chicken foot in it, the soup mom and dad were talking about.

Well, I have to go now. I know that this is the work of the Lord and There are a ton of blessings in the mission. I know that Christ loves us and that he is our Saviour and redeemer. He lives now, and is working harder than all of us everyday to bring the gospel to the world. Follow his example. I love you all very much.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Ezekial 34:12
Isaiah 60:19-20

Tarma

2007-04-16T08:33:00.000-06:00

16 Abril 2007

Hello Everyone,

Well, it was another great week here in Junin.

On Monday, P-day, we went took a taxi on a dirt road about half hour to a humongous laguna. It is huge! We took lots of pictures, but later onit started to rain and there was no taxis to get back to Junin because we were out in the middle of nowhere. There was a guy out in the laguna paddling around in a blue kayak. So that was kind of cool and weird atthe same time. Unexpected. It is really pretty. Well, eventually a taxi came and took us back to Junin. We ate dinner and as we were walking back to the house, i DROPPEd my camera and part of the film came out and got a little wet. the camera is fine, but I hope the pictures turn out okay. If not, I will have to go back again another P-day.

On Tuesday, we worked until about 4. Then, we took a taxi to go to Tarma which is about an hour away. We went for the Zone conference. On the way we taught this great lady in the car and she lives in Junin! It was my first time to go to Tarma and it is a very pretty drive-down and down and down into the warmth. We got dropped off in the central plaza where there is a humongous catholic church. It is very pretty and I hope I can go inside sometime. We ate dinner at a small place for 3 soles, which is less than a dollar, and I got full too. On the way back from dinner, The zone of "La Merced" showed up from the Jungle. Later we went out with members from the church and visited some less active members. It was lots of fun. We slept in the room with the missionaries from Tarma.

Wednesday was the conference. It was totally awesome and lasted until about 3. La Merced had their interviews, and so we didnt have time for ours. We had to spend the night again.

Thursday in the morning we had our interviews with the President and it went well. At about 11:30 we left. Elder Rueda and I got to ride in the car with President Lindstrom. He has a temperature thing in the car and when we got to Junin it was 35 degrees and hailing. Back to the cold. He also told me that Junin is at 4,180 Meters, which is higher than I thought.

Well, I am out of time. Tarma was great and it has been a good week.We are serving the Lord in the greatest type of service we can do. I love being on the mission and I am learning a lot. Hope all is well. I love you all. Make a great day for yourself.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard.

3 Nephi 7:15-21

PS. Dad- can you add this email to the list to forward my emails to
please: snettgen@myldsmail.net

Happy Easter!

2007-04-09T16:07:00.000-06:00

9 Abril 2007

Hola everybody!

How was your easter? Mine was pretty good. They dońt really do much for easter here, except the past 3 nights a big group of catholics walked around singing, reciting, etc. They carried a cross and statue around too. We had General conference yesterday and Saturday the 7th. We only got to go to the Priesthood session and the sunday morning session, which was kind of sad. But those 2 sessions were pretty awesome. I learned a lot. But my favorite part is always just being able to see and listen to the voice of living prophets and apostles. My testimonio is always strengthened of a living prophet and apostles each time I go to conference. We had to take a bus about an hour to get there. Dad- I dońt think we will have much trouble getting around here. The towns are distinct and far apart, and there are only like 3 roads that go to all the places we would want to go. It is really pretty here. Mom- I have bought a couple beanies and a super thick pair of socks to sleep in (definitely hand made). And some alpaca gloves, so I am okay. I am going to buy an alpaca sweater soon also. Lots of Alpaca, llamas, sheep, cows, and a wild animal called Vaquiña(?) here. But it is illegal to kill them. They say their fur is super soft and warm.

Well, this week was pretty good. We had a great district meeting on Thursday that really had a big affect on my companion and I, and since then we have been very obedient to all the rules. We are already seeing the blessings that come from obedience to the rules.

Mom, please send my Priesthood line of authority!!! Also, are you guys printing off all of my emails and putting them in a binder. I think that is a really good idea. Just print them off each week and so you can put them all in order.

Well, it has been sunny a couple times this week, so that was nice. On the bus yesterday I started teaching a guy in the isle next to me and this other guy moved up from the back of the bus to listen. I taught them both the whole time on the bus and it was really good. The spirit told me to talk to him. I was nervous, and when we started talking, he still didnt seem very interested. But then when the other guy moved up from the back of the bus, I realized why the spirit told me to talk to him. Neither of them live in Junin.

Last Monday, we went to La Aroya (same place as conference) to get our money from the bank. On the bus a little kid saw me and was like "Dad, Look! A gringo" The little kid stared at me for like the next 5 minutes, and suddenly he started crying. When he got done crying, he kept doing peeks at me from behind seats. The dad thought it was pretty funny.

Well, I guess that is all for now. We are doing missionary work! I am trying to talk with the contacts we have and make appointments, because we need more people to teach. I know the Lord works in mysterious ways. I hope you are all doing good and living the gospel. I love you all very much!

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

3 Nephi 5:13
Matt. 10:37-38
3 Nephi 7:7-8; 15-21

???

2007-04-02T14:59:00.000-06:00

2 April 2007

Hello Everyone!

This week was pretty good. It was been wet and rainy and cold all week, and it hailed twice, but I like it here. I am glad that we bought that big umbrella at the missionary mall. I thought I brought that waterproof jacket thing, but I cant find it anywhere. No mom, there is no heater of any kind in our room. I am the warmest when we are out walking a lot. I am sending some pictures today so hopefully you get them pretty soon.

Yesterday we had fast and testimony meeting and, as usual, the spirit was strong. We also had 2 confirmations. I prepared the Sunday school class, but when we started I found out someone else also prepared the class, so we both taught it. It was a good class. We did not have general conference yet because there is no satelite I think. It is this weekend, the 7 and 8.

There is a return missionary here who wants to learn how to play baseball. You cant buy bats here so he looked up the dimensions on the internet and made his own. I dont know where he found these dimensions, but this thing is humongous!!! It is really funny. It is a nice bat, it is just huge.

Well, we have a few great people that we are teaching, but a lot of people arent doing there commitments to read, pray, etc. It makes me really sad when the people dont complete, but we are working hard to help them realize the blessings that come from living the gospel.

Sounds like Tyson is doing awesome in Jeruselem. That was a great article in the newspaper. I want to go to Jeruselem one day...with Tyson!! Thats great that Jenny is coming to our house. That will be weird if both Tyson and Donny are married when I get back!

Well, we have been doing missionary work all week. I always tell everyone that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest blessing in my life and in the life of my family. I am glad that everyone is smiling in our family picture because I always say "look at my family. Look how happy we are. It is because we have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our life and we practice it." I know that is true. The gospel really is the greatest blessing we have, and if we share it with others, we get more blessings! Well, I hope you all are good. Keep living the gospel.

Love
Elder Hazard

Matt. 16:13-19

Junin!

2007-03-26T10:01:00.000-06:00

26 March 2007

ello Everyone,

Well, I just got here in Junin on Thursday afternoon. It was about a 7 hour bus ride to get over the Andes Mountains. Up and up and up. These mountains are huge! When I got off the bus, I met my new companion, Elder Rueda, and then we took a taxi about 45 minutes to Junin. It is really pretty here. The drive here in the taxi kind of reminds me of Idaho-green open spaces with hills and mountains in the distance. We are about 3,500 meters above sea level. Could someone please tell me how high that is in feet? It is not too high I dont think, but I can feel the altitude. It is pretty cold here. We are not the highest, but they say this is the coldest area because it is out in the field. (By the way, the highest zone/stake in the world is in our mission!) Well, it is cold. It might be okay if we had a heater in the room, but it is just as cold inside as it is outside. And they say we are just finishing summer. They say it will just be getting colder and colder!

Well, my new companion is Elder Rueda. He is from Piura, Peru, the same as my other companion, Elder Viera. He is a good guy and pretty funny. He is a convert to the church of about 3-4 years. He has already been here in Junin for 3 months.

Here in Junin the spanish is a little different, but I am getting used to it. Lots of people speak Quetchua here also. There are lots of sheep here, and yesterday we saw a whole bunch of llamas and alpacas! Last night we ate lamb for dinner. For lunch we had ceviche, but it was cooked so we can eat it. It is fish, usually raw. It is really good. On Sunday we also had a baptism for 2 sisters. It was a great baptismal service. It is a branch here-not a ward. The chapel is pretty, with grass all around it and a court for soccer. I am guessing there are about 5,000 people here in Junin. On Thursday when we have the district meeting, I am going to buy some warm clothes because I dont have very many right now.

Well, I guess that is all for now. We dońt have a lot of people to work with right now, but we are going to work hard and find some new investigators. The people here seem pretty nice, but I dont know how receptive they will be to the gospel.

I cańt believe Tyson is like friends with Elder Holland! That is crazy. He came here like 2 months ago, now he is in Jeruselem. The life of an apostal. Well, I hope all is well. Happy Birthday Krystalee. Cant remember if I already said that or not. Well, keep living the gospel. If you want more faith, be obedient.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

Moroni 9:61
Nefi 2:3

New Area: Junin!

2007-03-19T08:24:00.000-06:00

Hey Everybody!

Well, we didn´t get to use internet last week because the computer place we went to didn´t work, so we went to another place and that place didn´t work either. So we didn´t use internet. Now we are at a new place and it seems to be working so hopefully it doesnt stop working like last time.

Everything is going good here in Las Lomas. We have a lot of people to teach and we always have a full schedule everyday. Last Sunday was Stake Conference. A lot of our investigators came, so that was pretty exciting. President Lindstrom and his wife spoke, along with the President of the temple and his wife, and the stake president and a return missionary of 3 days from Chile. Needless to say, it was a great conference and we heard a lot of great talks. President Lindstrom also came here the day before to have interviews with all the missionaries in our zone. It was good. President Lindstrom is a man called of God and is very in tune with the spirit.

Well, I don´t know if I already told you, but we are teaching this girl who is prepared to here the gospel. And the Lord directed us to her house. We were looking for someone that we had contacted and we couldnt find the house. I don´t know how but we ended up knocking on a door. This lady came to the door and she didnt seem very interested in the gospel. She kept saying she was busy, but we just kept talking to her about the gospel. After a little while a girl came to the door and she was really interested in the message. Now she is getting baptized on Saturday. At the beginning of April she is going to Cuba to study for 7 years, so I think she will be one of the people that really helps the church in Cuba.

Our ward mission leader, Hermano Raul, is a great guy. He has been off his mission from Columbia for quite a while, but he is still like a missionary, always visiting people and helping us out. He is going to run a Marathon on Saturday and another one on the 17 of April. He always has a bottle of Prunes and he drinks all the prune juice. Then, he fills up the jar and drinks it again. He says it is good for you and it helps him for his training. He runs every day in the morning. The other day we saw him running in the afternoon. He had a big backpack on and he was pushing a wheelbarrow while running. He is pretty funny.

Well, our new changes just got in and Elder Gallo is reading them out loud. He said I am leaving to go to Junin and my new companion will be Elder Rueda. It is in the Zone of Tarma. I dont really know much about it, but my companion is telling me it is in the middle of nowhere. And it is cold. And it is not in Lima. Well, I am pretty excited, but I am going to miss the people here in Las Lomas. I have been living with them for over 4 months, and I love the people like they are my own family. It is kind of weird the love that I feel for them. I think when we serve people we come to love them.

Well, I have to go now. On Tuesday, I had exactly 6 months in the mission. That is pretty weird. Well, I hope you are all doing good. I know that it is by helping others that we help ourselves. Try it. Oh, Elder Crosby says hi.

Love,
Elder Hazard

Mosiah 2:22

Mission: Impossilbe

2007-03-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

5 Marzo 2007

Hello Everyone,

Well, it has been another great week in the mission. We have a lot of people that we are teaching and we find more great people to teach everyday. Everyday in the mission is great and sometimes I feel so happy I almost start crying. Our Father in Heaven really does bless us so much and I receive many blessings from Him everyday in the mission.

Well, last P-Day we didnt do much. But it was a good day. That night we had a Family night with 3 families to teach them how to have family night. It was pretty fun and we played the game "animals". It is pretty fun.

On Tuesday we we had a Zone activity called "Mission Impossible". We all met at a church and received our mission. Then, we all went out with other companions for like 1.5 hours. We had to do 50 contacts, 5 baptismal challenges, 1 service, and sing 2 hymns to people. It was pretty fun and we completed everything. Afterwards we all ate ice-cream. It was good.

On Wednesday, we taught a lot of people and we had a good day of teaching the gospel. We have really found a lot of great families and are working hard to help them progress in this new way of life.

On Thursday morning we had our weekly district meeting which was pretty good. Then we had zone meeting and one of the assistants to the president was there- Elder Green. He helped us set some goals and gave a good lesson. After that, I went with Elder Gallo (the zone leader) to his area and the other zone leader (elder Munoz) went to our area. Elder Green was also with us. It was a good day and I learned a lot from Elder Green and Elder Gallo, who are great missionaries. We spent the night there and it was a good day.

Well, I have to go now. Friday and Saturday were also great. Saturday night I got sick and spent the whole night throwing up. Yesterday (Sunday) was good and I was so happy when we had 8 of our investigators show up at church. I went up to bear my testimony, but I was so happy I started to cry and I didn´t talk very much.

Today I feel a lot better. Everything is going great and I am doing good. I need Mercys address in the mtc! Can you please send it to me in the next email. Well, I love you all very much.

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

John 14:15/ 21

Tongue Roll, Please

2007-02-26T09:35:00.000-07:00

26 Feb. 2007

Well, hello again everyone. I know I just wrote on Friday, but here were are again back to normal. The last few days have been pretty good. On Saturday we had a good day and, as always, we taught lots of people. That´s the good thing about being here in Peru, there are always plenty of people to teach. The people here are really nice and they like to hear the message of the gospel, but sometimes they just dont realize how amazing and how important this message really is. We also had our weekly english class. Elder Crosby taught this week with his southern Mississippi accent. It was pretty good. It is funny when he talks in both English and Spanish. He is still working on the tongue roll because he still can´t do it, which can be a little bit of a problem at times I think.

On Sunday (yesterday), we had a good day at church. Some of our investigators came to church, which was great, and they all really liked it. After church, we had a baptismal service for a 12 year old girl named Beatriz. It went went really well and she already participates in all the activities at church and she really likes it. She is smart for her age. Her mom also wants to get baptized, but has to get married first. A couple investigators also came to the service and really liked it. There was a lot of people at the baptism, I think the most there has ever been. So that was good.

After the Baptism we ate a little bit then we walked a lot. A lot of our appointments were not home for some reason, but we still taught some lessons in the streets and got some new investigators. I think yesterday was the last day of Carnival, so I guess I made it the whole time without getting wet- except for yesterday in a drive-by shooting when I got shot by a water pistol in the face. I saw lots of other people get wet, but I never saw any paint or anything like that.

Well, I think we are going to go bowling today. We wanted to go to a museum, but most of them are closed on Monday I guess. I really want to visit some of the museums and stuff here. It is fun to learn about the culture and stuff here.

Troy and Sierra sound like superstars. I can´t believe Troy already has his Life! That is weird. Hopefully he can finish it up soon and get his eagle, or maybe I will be able to help him with his eagle project when I get home! wow, Krystalee and Sierra are going to the Lds prom! that is awesome. I went to the LDS Prom twice and I liked them a lot better than the High School Prom. I think they were decorated just as good or better also. Well, that is pretty exciting. I hope you are all doing good. Make a great day!

Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard
Alma 53:18, 20-21
56:44-48, 55-56
57:19-22, 26-27
58:39-40
(Be a Stripling Warrior!)

alo

2007-02-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!
Well, sorry I didnt write on Monday. We didnt have p-day. We have p-day today because this morning we went to the temple! The temple is so awesome and today it was really good. I love to go to the temple because it feels like heaven. Well, Elder Crosby and I are working hard in Las Lomas. There is a young family that has 2 little kids and the wife got baptized like in september and she has been praying ever since for her husband to take the missionary lessons also. Well, last week he told us he wanted to change his life and we taught a lesson and his attitude reminds me of the king in Alma 22:15 (15-18). The problem is that he works in a bar. He doesn´t drink, but he has to taste the liquor to make sure it is good. He has had this job for 11 years, and he is going to give it up now so he can join the church. He is a great guy and a good example to me. Lots of people work on Sunday here, so we always have to promise them that if they will come to church on Sunday, the Lord will make give them more than they had before, which I know is true.Well, yesterday we had a multi-zone conference and it was really fun. I got to see some of my friends that were in the CCM with me. Elder Zusunaga of the 70 also came. We heard talks from his wife and President and sister Lindstrom. Then, Elder Zusunaga talked to us for like 2 hours. It was awesome. He is a super guy and very powerful. He really understands what the mission is all about and he shared some amazing stories from is own mission. He joined the church when he was 23 and served in mission lima north. His wife joined the church when she was 19 and she is amazing also. It seems like all the general authorities and stuff say that their missions changed everything, so I am trying to change my life here as well. One missionary yesterday said that we will find out if we were good missionaries or not after our missions when we go home. I think that is true. Well, I have to go now. Thanks for all the letters!!! I love you all and I hope you are all doing good. I pray for all of you everyday.
Love,
Elder Hazard
Alma 43:47

My third companion!!!

2007-02-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hello!
This week was good. On Tuesday morning, Elder Viera went home to Piura, Peru. He plans on returning in a few weeks to visit some of his families. Then he plans on getting married to a girl that has been waiting for him. He starts school at BYU in April where his family lives in Utah. He was a good companion and he taught me a lot. The main thing I learned from him is to relax and have fun and be happy. This really is a meesage of happiness so we should show that we are happy. He would always say ¨Relax, eficaz¨ and ¨no piensas...hazlo!¨ Elder Schaefermeyer also went home. He is from Utah and he was a great missionary. I learned a lot from him, my zone leader. On Tuesday morning after they left, I went with Elder Gallo to his area all day because we couldnt get people to go on splits with us for the day. We had a good day and I like going there because his pensionista cooks super good. The next day, Wednesday, we went to pick up my new companion like 30 minutes away. My new companion is Elder Crosby. He is from Mississippi. He has a pretty heavy accent in both english and spanish. He is pretty quiet and he likes to fish and ride 4 wheelers. He has been on his mission for 15 months, and I guess he has been sick for a lot of it. Well, this week we worked hard and we taught some good lessons. Yesterday, Sunday, we got to speak in Sacrament meeting. I talked about missionary work and how the members can share the gospel and help the missionaries. I think my spanish is getting better because I talked for about 15-20 minutes without even realizing it until the bishop handed me a note. I think I like giving talks. Well, today is P day. I think we are all going to play volleyball or soccer, but I just realized I forgot my tennis shoes! So I don´t know what I will do. Last week we all had a big waterfight with like 500 water balloons. It was super fun. It is carnival right now, so there are lots fo people getting each other wet in the streets and stuff, especially on sundays. I havent gotten wet, but they got elder viera one time. It lasts for like a month I think. In some places people do bad things, but here it is fine. I think they should have carnaval in the United States also! We have also been teaching English classes! on Saturdays. It is pretty fun. Last time we taught how to pray in English. Well, everything is pretty good. I know that missionary work is important, and it is important for all of us. We all need to share this gospel with our friends and family. Pray to have missionary experiences every morning, and it will happen! The Lord will help you, and you will be blessed for it. If we really have a testimony, we will have desires to share it with others. Well, I hope everyone is good. Tyson went to Egypt? That is awesome! Troy, that kind of stinks that you don´t get to go to Pismo, but its not all that great anyways. And you get to do something even better- you get to renew sacred covenants with your Father in heaven. We have something better than any beach- we have the gospel! Well, hope all is well. I love you all!
Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard
Alma 36:24-27
Mosiah 28:1-5
Alma 29:1-2

Buena Semana

2007-02-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

5 Feb. 2007
Heloha!

Well, it was another great week here in Peru. Every week just seems toget better. This week was awesome because everyone just seemed willingand ready to listen to our message. It felt like we were working justas hard as usual, but the Lord truly blessed us this week. It helps us remember that this is His work, and not ours. He prepares the way. We just have to trust in Him, and he will trust in us. Monday was a good P-Day. After internet, Elders Viera, Scheafermeyer, Gallo, and I went to a place called Polvos Azules. It is like a mall, but everything is pretty cheap. Elder Viera and Elder Scheafermeyer are going home tomorrow, (6 Feb) so I am getting a new companion this week. All I know so far is his name is Elder Crosby and he is from Mississippi. Anyways, in Polvos Azules, Elder Scheafermeyer bought a computer chip for hiscamera, and I got a good cd case for my cds because the one I have is falling apart. Afterwards, we went to a place to eat Columbian food, but it was closed for some reason, so we went to a Mexican restaurant instead. It was really good, a little over 3 dollars for everything. Other missionaries came with us also. I was the only missionary their who has less than 14 months in the mission. Well, that was fun. At 6:00 we went to work and our great week started. A sister from the ward helped us and she had lots of references. Tuesday was even better, and we met a lot of great new investigators. Everyday was good, and Elder Viera said these are the best numbers he has had in all of his mission. A great way to end the mission, huh? This week we have 23 new investigators, so I hope we can live up to the work that the Lord is giving us. The Lord truly is guiding us. And to end the week, we had 3 baptisms yesterday! It was great. A mom and 2 kids who are 18 and 14.The dad also wants to be baptized, but he is having trouble making it to church. Yesterday I got to teach the new member class again. I can tell that my spanish is getting a little better everyday, thanks to the gift of tongues. Well, I have to go. Love,
Elder Hazard
Helaman 14:30-31
2 nefi 2:27

Living Apostles

2007-01-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
Well, this was a great week! We had lots of stuff going on this week. On Monday, for P-Day, we went to a big catholic monostary and it was really cool. Lots of cool paintings and statues and stuff. Very interesting. And in the basement, it was full of bones of dead people. Real bones! It was kind of gross. It reminded me of Indiana Jones or something. We also went to this other place where they talked about how the people here got tortured or killed if they didnt want to be catholic. That was a long time ago. It was sad. It was a good day and I learned a lot.
On Tuesday we had zone conference with another zone. It was a great conference and we learned a lot. We also had our interviews with President Lindstrom and all the missionaries who are going home, including my companion, got to bear their testimonies. They have all grown and change a lot on their missions, and their testimonies of this church and the gospel are firm and stronger than ever.
On Wednesday, we had missionary exchanges. Elder Flores, who is fresh out of the CCM, came with me to my area. We worked hard and had lots of great contacts. I got to be Senior companion for a day and it was good to see that I can do it. It was a good day.

On Thursday we had our weekly district meeting and we ate cake because we celebrated all the birthdays for the month. The rest of the day we worked as usual- lots of walking and teaching. It is great. It is finally starting to get hot now. It is pretty humid too. Lots of sweating, but it is good for you.
On Friday, one of the 12 apostles came!!! Elder Jeffrey R. Holland came and spoke to all the missionaries who are in Lima- like 1,000 of us. He gave an amazing talk. He said lots of amazing stuff. He talked about how his mission changed his life forever and everthing he is now came from his mission. He said we had better change on our mission and become the best we can be. My favorite part was at the end when he testified of Jesus Christ. It was so powerful that there was no way that you could possibly doubt that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ. I felt the spirit very strong during the entire meeting. He speaks with amazing power and authority from God, and you can see in his eyes that he knows Jesus Christ. He is also really funny and told some great stories.
On Saturday, we went to a Wedding. We went with Sandro and Marioli, 2 of our investigators, and they got married. They are great and they are preparing to be baptized. It was like an hour away and it was a really pretty place. There was lots of other missionaries there also with their couples to get married. It was a good day. On the bus this day, I met the first person here who said they don´t believe in God. She was really nice. She is a school teacher. I told her how I know that there is a God because I can feel His presence in my life. Then I taught her how to pray and promised her that if she would pray she would feel God´s love for her. When she left she was really happy and excited. It felt good to help her.
Yesterday we did missionary work and we had a great day at church. We helped this lady carry a bunch of stuff to her house, which just happened to be at the very top of this huge hill (again). We had to make 2 trips. She is really nice and we are going to teach her. Well, everything is going good here is Las Lomas. My companion has 7 days left. I hope you guys are all doing good. Sorry to hear about grandma Rumbaugh. Good thing we have the plan of Salvation. Thanks for all the support and prayers. I love you all!
Love,
Elder Colby Hazard
Helaman 5:18-19
Ephesions 2:20

Peru

2007-01-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

Dear everybody,
This was a good week. We are still teaching lots of people and being a missionary is still great. Yesterday church was good. I gave a talk on the Book of Mormon and its importance. I also taught the new members and investigator class. It was about our eternal family and this one lady asked some pretty deep questions, so it turned into a heavy duty doctrine class, but it was really good. Elder Viera had to help me out a little bit. We have some great investigators and we are working with people trying to help them come to a knowledge of the truth. On Tuesday we had a service project. There was 2 huge stacks of bricks and we had to put them in sacks and carry them up this trail to a house on the mountain. It was tough work and it was pretty hot also. One lady was there helping us. She reminds me of grandma Hazard because she was carrying the bricks up the mountain just like the 20 year old missionaries. She was like 50. Well, this Saturday we are going to have an english class at the church, so I hope it goes well. I hope all of you guys are doing good. This week some ladies were asking us if we were happy. They couldn´t believe that we were happy because they said that nobody is really happy. We taught them some stuff. It was a good discussion. Remember if you want to be happy, live the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am happy. I hope you guys are all being happy also.
Love,
Elder Hazard
Alma 29:1-2
Mosiah 2:41

Puchichi

2007-01-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

Hello Everbody!
Well, The past few days have been pretty awesome. Yesterday at church
the chapel was completely full with people, so that was really good.
The people in our area are all really nice and we are finding lots of
great people and families to teach. Today is Preparation day. We are
going to play soccer today, so I am excited. Yesterday I had tacos for
the first time in Peru. They were pretty good, but interesting.
Instead of a tortilla we used a Pancake!!! No, they dont eat very many
tacos here. It is definitely not mexican food here in Peru, but it is
good.
Yesterday this lady had some bags and she was carrying them up a big
hill to go to her house, so I asked if we could help her and she ended
up living like almost at the very top! It was a great view. Lima is
huge!!! The mountains here are weird because there is no plants
anywhere, not on piece of grass, nada. If these mountains had plants on
them, it would be beautiful. Today my companion has 20 days left on
mission, and it is funny because I have 20 months left. It is weird
that he is going home. I cant imagine going home yet. Last week I got
lesson 1 certified with elder Viera and on Thursday we hope to pass
lesson 2 and 3. We have to certify lessons to show that we know them.
I think it is just to help us learn them better, like studying to take a
test. It makes you work harder. To pass a lesson, you have to teach
the lesson good with all the commitments and good questions, and
afterwards you have to have 6 scriptures memorized from the lesson and
tell them to the zone leader. Everyday Elder Viera and I practice
teaching the lessons to a big picture of his girlfriends face with big
sunglasses. I always feel like I taught a good lesson afterwards
because she has a big smile on her face! Well, 2 families that we were
hoping to baptize this month are traveling, so we will work with them
when they get back. It is summer vacation here right now, so now is
when a lot of people are traveling because there is no school. Oh, on
Friday I ate a Whopper!!! It was soo good. It reminded me of Texas
because I always eat a lot of Whoppers there at Grandpas house where
they are a dollar!!! Yesterday we taught a girl that knows the bible
like the back of her hand, but we taught a good lesson and we felt the
spirit. It made her think. The church of Jesus Christ must have a
prophet and 12 apostles, which is what our church has, and I know that
Gordon B. Hinckley is a true prophet. She is going to pray to know if
the church of Jesus Christ has been restored, and I know that if she
prays with faith, she will receive her answer, as I have. By the holy
ghost, we can know the truth of all things. I love being a missionary
because we dont have to convince people to join the church. The Holy
spirit does all the work. We only have to invite them to find out for
themselves if our message is true, and then we just have to hope that
they read and pray. Well, everything is going good here in the mission.
I hope all is well with everyone. Thanks for all the letters, prayers,
and support!
Love,
Elder Colby Sage Hazard

1 timothy 4:12

Elder Holland Coming

2007-01-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody,
Well, it was another great week. We just got done going to the temple and, as always, it was a great experience. The sun is shining pretty bright today, but it is not as hot as Bakersfield! Yesterday we had missionary exchanges. I was with one of the new zone leaders, Elder Gallo. He is a good missionary. We had some great lessons yesterday and Elder Viera and I are really having some great contacts here in Las Lomas. Almost everyone we talk to wants to learn more about the gospel and gives us their address. We are also teaching some good families. Yesterday we also had our weekly district meeting and zone meeting and they announced that one of the 12 Apostles is coming!!! Jeffrey R. Holland!!! I am really excited because he is really into the missionary work in the church. Oh, I didn´t write on Monday because we didn´t have P-Day. When we go to the temple we don´t have P-day. But we have P-Day again on Monday so it is kind of weird having another Preparation Day in 3 days. Wow! I can´t believe Tyson is in Jeruselem. It sounds like he is having fun. That is awesome. I want to go to Jeruselem one day. Well, I don´t know what else to write. Everything is going good here. We are teaching lots of people. Elder Viera is going home on February 5 and I think he is kind of excited, but he is still working hard and teaching me all the ¨secrets¨ of being a good missionary. I got some pictures developed and they all came out really good. I am going to try to send some home soon so you can see. Elder Vieras family lives in Utah and his grandpa is rich. His grandpa has some houses here in Peru and Elder Viera said when we come down here we can live in the houses in Piura. He says Piura has the best beaches in the world, so I will have to find out some day. They are paving some of the roads here in Las Lomas, so it will be good for the shoes of the missionarys. It is super dusty here and if you don´t dust in your house for like 1 or 2 days, you can see the dust on everything! (we don´t dust very often.) Well, it sounds like you guys are all doing pretty good. Thanks for all the letters!!! And grandma Sager, Thanks for the Package!!! It was sooo gooood. Well, I will write again next Monday.
Love,
Elder Colby Hazard
2 Nefi 9:49
D and C 31:3

¡¡¡Feliz Nuevo Año!!!

2007-01-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

Hola todos,
2007! I can´t believe it! Last night we celebrated...by sleeping!!! Well, we tried to sleep, but we could´t sleep very well because of all the fireworks and they burn big dolls here for new years. They make like scarecrows of people and fill them with straw and fireworks. Well, on Wednesday, I had my first missionary change. I am still in the same area, but I have a new companion- Elder Viera. He is totally awesome and very obedient and he is teaching me a lot. He is from Piura, Peru- in the north, but his parents live in Provo, Utah, and his 2 younger brothers also. He lives their every year when he is not studying because he studied in Peru. He wants to live in peru when he grows up because he likes it better than Utah! He knows english pretty good. Elder Claros went to La Merced, in the Jungle. He was excited. Well, Elder Viera and I had some great contacts this week and we have been teaching some new investigadors. Yesterday we had a great lesson with a family and the mom said she saw the missionaries in a dream and they had big white fruit and all the other trees and people and little regular fruits, like lemons and apples. So that was interesting. This is Elder Vieras last change and area, which means he is going home is 5 weeks! I am his last companion in the mission, so he has a lot of experience in the mission and I told him to teach me everything he knows. He has been a zone leader for like the past 11 months, so he he happy to be district leader now because there is less hassle. Well, everything is going good here. It was great to talk to you guys (my family) on Monday. Sounds like all is going well. I could of told you that Sierra was going to hurt her wrist snowboarding! This week we are getting one of those things that heats up the water when you take a shower. I am kind of disappointed because I thought that I was going to be taking cold showers for 2 years, but I guess that a lot of the missionaries have these things. But I guess warm water is good too. Well, I guess that is all for now. We are doing missionary work. It is great. Elder Viera tells me that we have a lot of work to do in our area, so we are working hard. My spanish is doing a lot better. It is not perfect, but I can undersand almost everything unless they talk quiet, weird, or they mumble. I like to be a missionary because it is great to see people change their lives and start doing the things that Jesus Christ taught. Not everyday is great, but it is always great to know that you are serving the Lord. Happy Birthday Sierra!!! and everyone else that has birthdays this week!!! I love you all!!!
Love,
Elder Hazard
Alma 17:2-3
Ether 12:27

multizone conference

2006-12-18T17:48:00.001-07:00

Hello,
sounds like you guys are doing great. Sounds like the basketball team is doing awesome. Great job Sierra! and Dad! I couldn´t get that picture to come up, I will try again later. Mercy got her mission call!?! I am excited! That is awesome! And she is going to learn spanish! Well, I am doing good. On Friday I had my first multi- zone conference. Basically all the missionaries in te east part of lima were there, like a hundred of us. and President Lindstrom and his wife. We had a baptism and like 10 talks, and President and sister lindstrom spoke. We had a really good lunch and we all got a really cool stocking that says Lima East on it with lots of candy and an apple. We also got a really nice card from the prophet and his counselors. After lunch, we had a testimony meeting and all the missionaries that are going home bore their testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel and about their missions. I almost started crying! I can´t even imagine going home now. I don´t know how they didnt cry. I love Peru! After all this, we all went to Metro-like a Super Wal-Mart, and sang Christmas Charols. It was really good. Then we talked to people about the gospel. It was a good day, and I got to see some of the missionaries that were in the CCM with me. It was good to know that they are still struggling with their spanish also. Everyone in my zone already knows spanish- I am the only new guy in the zone. Well, this week we taught a great family with 3 teenage sons! Hopefully they all join the and then the boys will go on mission. Oh, I think it is funny that the french fries at mcdonalds here are called McPapas. Anyways, We taught a lot of people this week, and like 10 of our investigators came to church on Sunday, so that was good. This week I memorized Articles of faith 1-9 in spanish. I am going to finish in the next couple days. I just carry around index cards with scriptures on them and it makes it really easy to memorize scriptures. For Christmas we are going to have a potluck and watch a missionary Christmas movie, I don´t remember what it is called. Our pensionista family put up their little christmas tree and they have a few decorations. I am excited for christmas and everyday Elder Claros listen to awesome christmas music by the Mormon Taburnacle choir. My companion has some of the best church cds I have ever heard in my life, I don´t know where he gets them. They are awesome. Well, I know that the Lord is with us and is the main force in the missionary work. I know He is in charge and knows exactly what is going on because I can feel His presence in all that we do. Thanks everyone for your letters, prayers, love, and support. Dad, can you send me stamps if you haven´t already. Mercy, congratulations!!! Make sure you are preparing now. I wish I would have practiced spanish and Preach my gospel more before I left for my mission. Memorize a few scriptures in spanish! I am super happay! Mom, can you try and send me my Priesthood line of authority. And I am going to call for Christmas the 24, 25, or 26. In the next email, tell me when you want me to call. (I should have told you that last week). Anyways, you are going to be home for Christmas, so it should be fine. My first call is 2-3 minutes to give you the number to call, then you guys have to call me. So get a calling card of whatever you need to do. We can talk for less than 40 minutes-that is the rule. Well, I have to go.
I love you all!
Elder Colby Hazard
D and C 131:6 11:12-132
nephi 4:15-16
1 Corinthians 2:3-4, 9-14

Peru

2006-12-11T17:43:00.000-07:00

Hola,
This was a good week. This week I did my first bus contacts. You basically get on the bus and tell everyone the the church of Jesus Christ has been restored and that there is a prophet and 12 apostles in the earth again. Then you invite them all to church and tell them where it is. It is a little scary, but fun. This week we went with the sister missionaries to this guys house that talks really loud. He is really funny and nice. His living room walls are like made out of speakers, and they are all at least 3 feet tall, stacked to the ceiling. He had like 50! I was thinking that just one of those would be sweet to have for my electric guitar. We taught him why his baptism in a different church in a river wasnt valid for God because it wasnt done by the proper authority, which only the church of Jesus Christ has. Yesterday the Bishop called us at like 7:30 am and asked us to give talks in sacrament meeting. Church starts at 8. Elder Claros went and gathered some of our investigators. I gave a talk on the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think I did okay. A girl this week asked if I had any kids. I said no and then asked how old she thought I looked. She said 28! I hope I dont look that old! I must be losing more hair than I thought! Well I think I felt the spirit the strongest this week during our District meeting when I shared the Joseph Smith story. I thought my clothes were going to catch on fire because I felt the spirit so strong testifying to me that Joseph Smith was a prophet. Then I told the the importance of teaching with the spirit because that is what converts people. It was a good meeting. Well, my McDonalds experience was good. It was good to taste american food again, even though the hamburgers have their Peruvian twist. They are good. I got frys, a small drink and a burger for 7.50 soles, which is like $2.35. Have you guys played Listos Kai yet? We also play other fun games here, and I teach some of the kids how to play tic-tac-toe- the one with your hands where you pull them at the end. (I learned it from Krystalee and Sierra). This week we were teaching a girl outside her door and suddenly we heard a thump. We turned around and there was a kid on the ground with is bike. He got hit by a car! The driver stopped and got out and stuff, but the kid was okay. I think he might have lost a tooth. Well, the mission is going good and I am learning a lot everyday. Wednesday will be my 3 month mark in the mission and Friday I will have one month in the field. That is weird. I hope you guys are all doing good. I got the emails dad. I can only write to one email address, so I am going to change it to your email at the high school. I have to get permission first, so next week it should be to your address at school. Sounds like you guys are all doing good! Donny has a girlfriend! That is great! Pesident Lindstrom told me about the BYU-Utah game. Sounds awesome. Remind me to wacht it when I get home. Well, I have to go.
Love,
Elder Colby Hazard
Alma 26:37
Matthew 10:19-20 (I think)

Hello

2006-12-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,
I know I wrote an email on Friday, but today is P day again, so I am writing again. Saturay was good. I can´t really remember what happened, but I know it was good because everyday is good so far in the mission. Alma 43:2 sums it up pretty good. Yesterday, we had an awesome sacrament meeting, and I was really happy and the spirit was really strong. We also had a baptismal service for a girl named Joselyn. It was really good. The spirit was strong and she is a great girl, like 13. Last night we went to the Christmas Devotional by the First Presidency and it was awesome to see the Prophet speak. The Mormon Taburnacle Choir was awesome- like angels. We brought a family with us. They are great, but I have never seen the dad before. I don´t think he wants to hear about the gospel. Today Elder Claros and I are going to eat at McDonalds. I am excited. It is the first time I will eat at a restaurant or fast food place in Peru. We are also going to play volleyball. I want to hike up the mountains or visit the big statue of Mary on top of a big hill in our area, but Elder Claros says he is tired. We shall see. Well, I hope you guys check your email soon. I am going to write a letter today and tell you to check your email. I hope you guys are all doing good. Today I was reading in Alma 43 and I was thinking all we have to do is protect ourselves with armor, but then I got to verse 44 and I thought how are we supposed to win if satan breaks through our armor. This means we not only have to protect our selves, but we have to know how to block and fight back with the sword. The sword is the spirit. Also we need to pray for help, and God will give it to us if we are doing our best. see verse 50. and 1 nephi 15:11. Well I only have my spanish scriptures with me, so I can´t remember where the other scriptures are. Dad, don´t forget to send me some stamps, because I am borrowing them. Well, I guess that is all for now. I am beginning to feel like a real Peruvian now almost I think.
Well, tell Happy I said Hola.
Love,
Elder Hazard
P.S., If anyone sends a package, make sure it is small and only use USPS!!!!

Hola

2006-12-01T22:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,

Looks like you didn´t check your email last week. I haven´t written a letter for a while because I wrote an email last week and this week we had P day on friday (today). We had p day today because we went to the temple today! It was really awesome and the spirit was really strong. It was my first time in Spanish. I understood a lot of it and it was cool. I think it helped me pay attention and think more. Afterwards, we all went bowling (our zone). It was really fun. We were in the really nice part of town today, a lot different then where I am. Dad, I got your letter this week. That´s cool that you guys visited where I went, but there are a lot of Pizza Huts so it might not have been the same one! So Donny has parasites? Thats... bad. I hope I dont get them. I cant belive you get up at 4:30 to coach basketball. That is crazy. For breakfast we eat an avacado with bread. It is really good. Just put a little salt on it.

Someone through a rock at me last week when we were waiting for a taxi. It hit me in the ribs and it kind of hurt, but we didn´t see who did it. I was excited to get persecuted for preaching the gospel! I have flees and I itch all the time. They are like little mosquito bites. Well, weve had 9 baptisms so far. The work is going great and I feel the spirit really strong every time I testify, especially about Joseph Smith. It is awesome to see people hear the gospel and how they light up, the sad thing is that they don´t always act on their feelings. My spanish is getting a little better every day. We did splits this week with the zone leaders. I went with elder Rioja to his area. His Pensionista is a super good cook. She made the best guacamole I have ever had and some other stuff. One house we went to had a tiny dog like as long as my scriptures that was full grown. I almost sat on it. It´s name is Rambo.

Yesterday we all went to a church near the temple to have training from the assistants to the president, and we also had interviews with President Lindstrom. He is really awesome. The temple is about 40 minutes from my area. We taught a great lesson this week with 3 investigators. We taught lesson one and we were explaining how they can know the truth through prayer and the feelings of the Holy ghost. We were saying that you wont have a big vision or dream or see an angel, but the Holy ghost will testify to you in your heart. but then the member who was with us jumped in. She has been a member for like 2 months, and she said the day before her baptism, she still wasnt sure about everything, and then she had a dream. She said she saw angels everywhere blowing trumpets, and then she saw Jesus Christ from his feet up to his neck, but not his face. With the prints in his hands and feet and everything! Well, I thought that was a cool story. She is really active in the church and a really great person. A lot happens everyday and all the days just seem to blend into one. Well, I have to go. Hope you check your email! Dad, can you send me stamps please. I need the reagular first class stamps so I can write letters! Thank you. I hope you are all doing good and reading your scriptures every day and praying.

Love,
Elder Colby Hazard
Pray!

3 Nefi 18:20
Alma 37:36-37
Mosiah 27:14
James 1:5-6

My first baptism!

2006-11-20T17:31:00.000-07:00

20 nov. 2006
Dear family,

I arrived in the real world on wednesday night. My companion is Elder Claros. He is from Santa Cruz, Bolivia and he is really funny and an awesome missionary. Our house is pretty good. We get to take cold showers everyday! On Wednesday, we left the ccm at like 7:30 am and went to the mission office and had meetings and stuff and learned about our mission and the rules and stuff. President Lindstrom is awesome. He interviewed all of us. Then we went to where he live in a really nice place on the 20th floor of big building. His wife made sloppy joes for us. They were super good! Then she gave us the health lesson. Then we went back the the office and President Lindstrom told us who our companions are and where we are going. There was 14 of us. I am in Lima, the Zone is Canto Grande and my area is las Lomas. I am the only new missionary in the zone. Our District has 6, Hermanas puma and mamani, Elders vincent and Romero, and elder claros and I. President Lindstrom told me I am lucky to have Elder Claros as a companion because he is really spiritual and he is a baptising machine, and he is! I arrived at our house at like 8:45 and we basically just dropped off my bags and then walked back out the door and visited 3 houses. Then we went back and I unpacked and went to bed. It was a long day. We have already taught lots of lessons and on Saturday, I got to baptize Edgar! He is 14. He asked me that day, so I had to memorize the prayer. The baptismal service was on Saturday. We baptized his sister and his cousin and another older man. It went really well and Elder Claros and I sang ¨A child´s Prayer¨.

Well, a lot of the time I really don´t know what is going on, but I am learning a little more spanish each day. Elder Claros always invites people to be baptized during the first lesson. He is a really good teacher and very spiritual and a really hard worker. We don´t really live in the city, it is in the outskirts and our area goes up into the ¨hills¨. There are tons of dogs here, and I don´t like it when they bark at us because I am scared of dogs from when I got attacked when I was little. We have to pick up rocks like were are going to throw them, and they usually back off. Our house is connected to another house where a family lives and the lady cooks all our meals and does our laundry. The food is pretty good, I just have to get used to it I think. Yesterday there was no church because of the elections I guess. They have elections here every 5 years. This Sunday we are planning on 7 more baptisms. Elder Claros averages like 10 a month I think! Yesterday was a long but good day. I did some contacts on the bus and on the street. It was really fun. I was totally wiped out, and today we had an appointment for 6 am, but we accidentally slept until 6:15, then we got up and ran all the way to her house. It was a great lesson. Well, today is my first P-day in the mission field. We just studied today, then we went to the Hermanas house and we all came into the city together to use the computers with the rest of the zone.

I don´t really know how to describe how it is here, but it is a lot different than the United States. Some of the houses are like as big as my room. The people here are very nice. We are going to play soccer now.

Well, I hope you are all doing good. Hope League Finals was good. Happy Birthday Grandma Hazard! The work is really going forward here in Peru. I don´t know what else I should write. If you want to know anything specific than you can ask me. Thanks for all the letters! I know that mission work is very important because we have the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the earth again, and it blesses people all over the world. Hope you are doing good.

Love,
Elder Hazard
D and C 97:8

- Dad, can you forward this to everyone. Don´t give people my email address please, but they can email you and then you can forward it to me. Everyone else, sorry you can´t email me. It is the rule. But you can write me letters! and you can email my dad and he will forward it to me.

For Pictures and Packages:
Elder Hazard
Peru Lima East Mission
374 Los Sauces Torre Roja
Piso 04 Oficina 402
Lima 27 Peru

For Letters:
Elder Hazard
Peru Lima East Mission
PO Box 30150
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150
USA