Surprise visit from Roberto's parents

So for my questions. Ive been dying to ask................
1. How did you like your surprise visit from Robertos parents!! That is so cool. I cant believe they drove all the way from Lima just to check on you. Juana told Joylynn that she was going to do that sometime, I cant believe she really did. I bet you were so surprised. They called Joylynn and Roberto to report that they had found you and you were healthy and very nice. They said you were polite and friendly and your spanish was very good. Tell me more!!!!!!!!! (Roberto is Chance's uncle. He is from Peru. His parents live in Lima.)
    So I am in the middle of a "change plan" (that is when I coordinate all the changes in the mission, aka "how eveyone is getting to where they are supposed to be" which is the hardest part of my entire job, and I get a call from a Zone Leader. He tells me "there are two people here in my church building and they say they are your family.... do you have an uncle..... Roberto?" I laugh and say yes, because I thought it was Roberto and Joylynn. Turns out, it was his parents. So President says I can talk to them, and thay they would have to come to the church building that I was in. They came, and by some miracle of the 8 planets and wind resistence, I was even able to have lunch with them! Ha ha ha ha. Roberto looks exactly like his parents.... I guess that makes sense. Ha ha ha ha. His parents are super nice. And..... I gave them the package that I had been waiting to send to you. You are going to love it.... But there are some VERY VERY VERY Valuabe things in it.... I really hope that nothing bad happens to it, or I am out a TON. Roberto's dad is coming May 9 to Utah. he tells me. So be on the look out for him. It is cool to know that I have family here. President thought it was hilarious that somehow a White missionary had family here that was willing to travel 8 hours in bus from Lima to Trujillo just to meet me. They sacrificed a lot to be there. I wish I was abelt to have spent moretime with them. But I couldn't quite explain that I had to keep working because I was a missionary. They wanted to take me to Lima with them. Ha ha ha. I had to tell them "maybe another day," but I think they left happy.

 2. How much money do you get from the church on your church debit card each month? Dad is teaching the young men how to live on a mission budget and our missionaries here get $110 per month. I was curious how that is different from here.
    I get 750 soles a month. That's like 250 dollars. Now, that includes all food, laundry, housing, and personal/transportation here in Perú. But we are one of the least expensinve mission on the earth, I have heard. I am sure my advice on Money is useless to those who serve stateside. Ha ha ha.


 3. Did you end up doing anything special for Easter?
     Nope. Ha ha ha. I am telling you, holidays don't count as a missionary.

I really don't have a lot of time this week.... I only Skype home once more after this next time on Mothers day. Also, only one more general conference...... that is SO weird.


I went to Casa Grande yesterday again. And going back today in a few hours to see a baptism.

Sorry.... Power went out in Perú for a while. Guess I'll finish this letter now... Ha ha ha.

 

 

Thanks for the pictures:

Dad is terrifying.

Courtney is too pretty for her own good.

Mom doesn't look older than 28

It's odd to see everyone growing up and progressing without me... I feel like I am outside of the family house looking in through a window. I see everyone getting taller, and in Dallon's case, buffer, and I just think, "Time is flying SO fast."
 

I don't know much else to say.... I also, as true to my form, have no pictures to send home.....

I have been far too busy to write poems lately..... even on my P-days. Things never slow down here. I just get more and more and more to get done. it's crazy.... I really cannot imagine a more stressful job for a 20 year old to have. I love it.
 

Hey Sadie, drop me a line sometime.
 

You too, Linzi.
 

I was thinking about Jared Handley today in the bathroom. He was in my dream last night. We were playing music in the basement. Where is he now? What is he doing? Is he alive? Ha ha ha ha.
 

I love you all. I really wish we had just a little longer to write home. My letters home must STINK.... Ha ha ha. Sorry for always writing the same thing home. I used to wonder how the older missionaries could be done with internet time in 20 minutes and call it a day...... but in some way, I kind of get it now.... there is just so much to say, and not enought time to say it.... Plus, I could never answer every person.... so it's better to just not pick. Ha ha ha. I love to hear from people, and it is always appreciated. But I really have a short window for writing back. I would need days to get it done every week. So until 2015, I hope my lame letters somehow get the job done. Brayden's letters home are so superior to mine! Ha ha ha. But that's just our personalities, too, I think........ Ha ha. Hi Elder Fivas.
 

Okay.... I guess I will sign off... I love you all, especially mom, and hope you all have a good week. Everything is good down here. Waiting for an earthquake! They just had one in Chimbote. The south of my mission. Be cool if I get to be in one here in Trujillo.

Love-
Elder Boekweg

Working Hard

Wow... what a week. I worked SO hard. Never got to bed before 12, because we were out running around Trujillo with mission business and airport problems until 11:30 every night. I am so tired, but I don't feel it. Maybe it will catch up with me and I will sleep for 6 weeks straight as my first transfer at home again. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. I love being this busy. I am addicted to slaving myself away. It is cool to be able to work so hard for the mission. It is an answer to my prayers. Looks like I have 6 more weeks here in the office. That makes 6 transfers and 9 months here in total. It's been a good run. I am hoping I get sent to the mountain area of the mission next.... we'll see, eh? I am a bit worn out of the city and dirty beach. The air here is not clean. Ha ha ha.

 

Perú is so cool.

I guess I get to Skype home again in just a few weeks. I'll still be in the office, just barely, so everything should be easy just like last time.

Remind me to tell you about the cancelled Argentinian flight story when you skype me. And the Chileans. I am convinced that I have the most stressful job that any 20 year old in the whole world can have.... ha ha ha ha ha. Ironic, right?

Grandma Boekweg's story this week was super cool. I know the feeling....... Sometimes it's terrifying to think that we could botch somebody's first impression of the church. Yet somehow, God helps us, and we always come through when it's needed.

Grandpa Thorpe. He's cool.

Can I ask for a special letter to be sent to me from Tim Crump, Easton, and all the others who are preists? I want to talk to them about missions. Just have them tell me how things are in their lives.

Questions:

1. Did you get your package? I have not received yours yet. Hopefully soon.

   No I didn't. And.... I actually haven't sent yours yet... I am looking patiently for one very cool thing to put in it...... sorry.

2. Will you have special Easter plans?

     Nope. Ha ha ha. To be honest, holidays don't really exist in the mission field. I don't even notice them.

3. When is your baptism?
    Next Saturday. I'll send pictures.

 

I love you all, I am out of time this week!

-Elder Boekweg

 

 

Chance and his first MTC companions Elder Leavitt and Elder Cunningham, celebrating their 1 year mark!!

Visited Casa Grande

Well....... I guess the 2nd verse is sung. I can't believe how short a year feels from this end of it.

 

Questions first:

1. Did you get our package?

    no

2. Is Elder Leavitt a relative of Governor Leavitt?

    Elder Leavitt's dad's cousin is governer Leavitt. Elder Leavitt knows him well, he says. Like an Uncle.

3. What was your favorite talk in conference?

    Elder Boyd K Packer's testimony was incredible. Apostles don't usually word it like he did. This may have been his last one, eh? I love that guy. As for a "talk" I would have to pick Elder Uchtdorf's "sleeping during the revolution" talk.

4. Would you like me to send you a copy of the conference issue in English?

    I think I can get one in English here.

5. How is the Sister Missionary taking over medical coming along? When will you give her the medical responsibilities?

    She has already taken over the health responsibilities of the sisters..... but, as fate would have it, she herself got sick this week, and so I have still been helping sister's with their health. Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

I went back to Casa Grande this week. Visited my old family. I love them so much. Then I got to drive back to Trujillo with President talking about doctrine of the priesthood. I wish I knew half as much as President Marler. I wonder how a man even gets so smart. I will miss opportunities like that when I leave the office.

Did a training for my ward with Elder Zavaleta about how to have a good ward counsel meeting. The obra de salvación requires every ward to become efficient in that process.

Courtney-  I love you and focus on school. Just DO IT (Nike). Make your priorities right. Homework before friends. It is hard, but it has to be done. You learn those valuable skills in high school, and they are a pattern for the rest of your life.

Dad I really miss your humor. Listen to "wish you were here" for me today.

I love you and I hope you have a good week.

-Elder Boekweg

 

 

 

Helping Hands

Lets go over the questions first:

1. Are you getting better? What did you have?

    Yeah I'm good. I think it was another round of bronchitis.

 

2. How was the earthquake and tsunami- did it affect you at all?

    We had an 8 inch Tsunami here in Trujillo, Perú. Ha ha ha. Slept right through it.

 

3. Where will you  be watching conference?

     Don't know..... probably the stake center. I will be honest, though...... watching it in Spanish is just not as cool. Voiced over is so lame compared to their real voices..... but oh well.

 

 

4. How did you like the llamas? We loved their outfits! Did they spit at you?

    No. Ha ha ha. But it was the first llama I have seen in my PERÚ mission in a year. Funny, right?

My Dearest April,

 

I’m writing to you from the war,

I’m exhausted,

But these people still need me more,

I don’t understand,

Much of the world over here,

But I’m trying,

To get over all of my fears,

 

And my dearest April,

I’m dying without you in my arms,

And I get so tired, call me a liar, I burn in the fires I set for you,

And I’m running dry,

Killing the time,

But I can’t seem to find, a better way,

My dearest April…

 

-Elder Boekweg

 

Ha ha ha ha ha ha. I told myself I would right that home when the time came..... and here it has come. Wow. That was a pretty quick year. I remember standing in the Provo temple grounds and being scared out of my mind. Ha ha ha. Can't believe I haven't been with you all in that long. Mostly, I am just excited that Uncle can't say his "Long time no see, and ever longer time and still won't see," -thing. Because now it's not true. HA HA HA! 

 

I cannot believe that Courtney just went to prom....... my little sister who was missing teeth for like 25 years...... she can't be that old already..... That is so nuts.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINZI KELSEY! Enjoy the big ol' 21! WOO WOO!

Mom..... your birthday present will arrive late.....ha ha ha. But it will be worth it!

I love Betty Castagno's letters. They always make me way happy. I love her. I wish she would send me more!

The Lord lives and is directing this work. I bear my testimony that he is at the head of all if this. We are only His hands. I testify that He is good. He loves us more than we could ever know. He is patient. He is loving. He is understanding. He is happy. And it is my privilege every day to tell people that they can be as happy as He is. I wish more people would take it upon themselves to dig deeper into the Gospel, because only there can we as children of God find the happiness we all crave. It's simple.

Not much time this week. I love you all!

Especially mom!

-Elder Boekweg

 

 Chance and Elder Leavitt organized the Helping Hands service project in Trujillo.

 

 

 

 Chance driving the "Trash Bike"

Elder Leavitt and Chance are companions

My Dearest April

Mama,

I have a really cool story this week. But first, the questions....

1. Is this a sister already on the mission or is someone being called who has a nursing background?

    She is already here. Hermana Calle from Bolivia. She was a doctor there with her own clinic and everything. She is 20 years old.

2. Who will be her companion? Wont they have to call 2 sisters into the mission office?

    I don't know.......

3. If you leave in 1 more transfer when will you start training the Elder who will take your place?

    Probably right before June starts

4. Do you know Elder Winterton? Crazy story........Sitting at the Temple today, I was waiting for Court and Dallon. This girl sitting next to me started talking to me and she asked me if I had kids. I told her my son was 20 and on a mission in Peru. She got this shocked look on her face and said which mission. I said Trujillo and she said "my brother served in Trujillo 6 yrs ago and now my good friend is there". Elder Winterton. I told her I would ask you about him.

    Yep. He's got the deepest voive I've ever heard. He sang at the Christmas program. The Lord's Prayer.

5. So you're right I don't know much about what you do. I know you do visas and travel and medical but that's pretty general. You mentioned once you call other countries. Like what countries? How often? Do you call Provo? What do you have to do with visas? Do you deal with health insurance? Have you ever had to call a parent cuz someone was way sick or hurt?

    I do the travel, the health, the legal work, and the personal affairs of the President. It keeps me BUSY. I will probably just have to explain it on Mother's day or something. It would take forever. And a hour of internet time just isn't that long....

6. So you said there is no fall there. Is it starting to be less hot there now?

    Yeah. It's chilling down just a bit. It's super humid still.

7. You didn't say how the milk was? Glad you loved the oreos!  

    Milk was great! Ha ha ha. Everyone was jealous. Thank you!

8. Are you writing your friends? Tyler sent a pic last week of him holding a handful of hair he shaved off HIS OWN HEAD! So cool.

    That's cool about Tyler. He has the coolest mission I have ever heard of.....

9. Would you like me to send you your friends letters each week?

    Sure. It's always nice to get mail. THe more the merrier

10. When do we get some pics and more poems? You haven't sent pics in months.

    Right now....

So this week took me far, far away from the earth I knew...... I went to Otuxco Perú. THe maountain village in the Andes Mountains outside of Trujillo. It RAINED like I have never seen before. I couldn't believe how green and foggy and wet everything was. I saw llamas. I saw cobblestone streets. It really is a different life up there. It was cold! The first time I have been soaked to the bone and cold in a year! I think I caught bronchitus again. Or pneumonia...... I don't know...... Oh well. I sent pictures of it all. We taught some lessons up there and had a great time. Elder Matt Dority from Logan Utah (Who says Aunt Joy was his Enlgish teach in 8th grade) is standing next to the plastic baptismal font that they use up there because there isn't a real one. The church rents out a small restaurant on Sunday to have their meetings. The picture with all the stairs is to show you just how hard it was raining. I wish you all couldn have  seen it. It may have been the single coolest experience of my entire life. The Andes Mountains are SWEET.

 

Catholics build the coolest buildings sometimes.... there is a catheadril in Otuzco that is HUGE. Very old, also. I wished with all my heart that dad could have been there to see the mountains and the stonework. The Andes make the Rockies look like Child's play....... ha ha ha. Moss grows on every roof and even on the power lines. It was such a crazy place. Waterfalls and wild llamas. Insanity.

 

I have been wanted to tell grandpa Boekweg that I am serving with a couple from California, and the wife says she went to high school with him. She saw my nametag and said, "I knew a David Boekweg in high school. Is he your relative?" I think she said she went to West high..... Her name is Rosetta, but I don't know her maiden last name. She served a youth mission in El Salvador and Guatemala back in the day.

 

Let's see......

 

Things are back to normal after our sweet mountain adventure. I can't wait to tell uncle about all this stuff in person. I can just hear him, "WHAT BRO!?" Ha ha ha. Eileen will just drop her jaw and chuckle. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. I love them.

 

Enjoy the pictures. It could be another 3 months until you get new ones. Ha ha ha ha ha. I am such a punk. Sister Taylor taught me well.......

 

Happy birthday DEEDRE! I hope you are planning on some REALLY nasty health stories when I get home, because as the world's official "least qualified doctor" I have been in some really interesting situations with health. I don't know how you do it............ people's bodies are gross.

 

Dad, Don't forget to look for my truck. Ha ha ha. Sweet beard, man.

 

I love you mom. Good luck with everything. I hope you sing My Dearest April (here is a link to Chances song) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct7qCQmfGiU&feature=youtu.be

when April 1st hits this week. Ha ha ha. I can't believe it's already been that long..... holy cow. And RJ has 10 weeks!? I feel like he just barely left! Time flies......

love,

Elder Boekweg



Chance can cook?

1. What's with the new ties? You said you don't do a tie swap there.

I got a few new ones. They are cheap here.

2. Do you use karo syrup in your peanut butter popcorn? The sauce looked a little different. Is it double honey?

No..... I just think I'm making it wrong..... Ha ha ha ha. But they like it anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Did My Dearest April work for Sister Marler the way I sent it? Also what is it for? (Chance wrote and recorded My Dearest April before his mission last year.)

She loves that song. I sang it for everyone, and she wanted to hear the real thing.

4. Did you get your St. Patty's day package? How did you like the milk :) Better than evaporated!

Oh my gosh....... Double stuffed Oreos are wonderful. They are so lame here... Ha ha ha ha ha. Thank you so much.....Thank you Handleys, "I" loved it.

5. When will it be starting fall there? We had our first day of spring yesterday.

Fall doesn't exist here.... It just goes from hot summer to less hot summer.

6. Do you think you will transfer next time?

No. Personal Secretaries normally stay 6 changes. This is my 5th.

7. How tall is Elder Leavitt? (Chances Companion) Way taller than you haha.

He is 6 "3" I think.

8. When do you get your iPhone? That will be funny.

I actually will not get an IPhone anymore...... but something way weirder...... I will soon be training somebody to take the medical responsibilities from me.... I will be left with Visas and flights and salidas definitivas and things. I really do have enough work for 2 people. The weird part is that the person I am training.......... is a Sister...... ha ha ha ha. She received her calling from the 1st presidency to be a mission nurse. I will be the only Elder to ever be able to say that he had a daughter on the mission. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hah a ha hah a. Uncle will die over that one. My mission is so weird......

9. Do you need anything besides Strawberry Protein? Shoes, shirts, personal hygiene products?

Nope. But the latins like to "share" everything, y'know....... so I have run out fast........ It's just simply part of the culture here.

10. Have you been sight seeing lately? Anything cool?

Nope...... Ha ha ha ha. It's been total work for at least 3 weeks now. Between doing everything that Lima asks me to do for the missionaries without documentation, and the sick people, I have worked every single day for almost a month straight. Including Pday and Sunday. I am telling you.......... I don't think jobs like this exist in the states.... I put in at least 16 hours every single day without ever taking a day off. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. By the end of every day, I am so tired that I can hardly see straight. We work through lunch and dinner usually. We work until 11:30pm sometimes. I honestly don't remember the last time I slept more that 6 hours in one night. It's absolutely insane........ and the funniest part is that I never have any idea what I am doing. I don't understand my job at all....... ha ha ha ha. Peruvian legal work makes no sense to me whatsoever. And medical makes even less......

I think we are going to have a baptism in our area soon. We have been working with a lady found the church a few years ago, but now feels ready to join it. She is an investigator of gold.... the hard part for us is finding time to teach her.... ha ha ha. Ironic.

I don't know what to write..... Ha ha ha ha. This last week was the hardest week of my whole mission. I just worked myself into the ground..... the hardest part is that nobody understands..... When the bishop asks why you weren't at ward council, or when sick elders ask why it took you so long to get to the clinic, or when Lima asks why something isn't done, it is hard to be patient. Sometimes I want to blitz on people and tell them why they are so wrong to be upset. But like I said a few letters ago, absolutely nobody understood Christ. I feel like I am beginning to understand just how alone He was in this life. Leadership is lonliness. And yet, God somehow never leaves you alone. And it's nice to know at the end of every single day, that even though people make fun of you and say you don't work hard, that there is somebody who understands and sees everything that everyone else cannot. The Savior understands it all. And someday, it will all be made right. I have found that usually when we are upset, it is because we don't understand something. There is a variable at play that we don't comprehend. So seek to understand people before making judgements. Not many people have mastered that.

I will be going to the clinic again after I am done typing this letter. Ha ha ha.

Tell Linzi that she's awesome. Sorry I am vague. I look forward to her buying me a flight to Europe to go see her when I get home.... Ha ha ha ha ha.

Sounds like the ward and the family are passing through some hard times right now..... I love them.

 

Is Roberto's shirt too small?

KAYLEE HOPPER..........

I don't know how much you know about my job..... what would you like me to tell you about it?

I love you all. Send me more tangible pictures. I love them.

Love you mom,

-Elder Boekweg

 

 

 

SMALL

One man said to another more small,

“The world’s not really that big at all,

You’ll find through life, you’ll come to see,

The man and place you’re meant to be,”

Walk Forward

1. Amy Bate wondered if you got her letter?
     I loved Amy Bate's storybook. She is SO stinkin' creative. HA HA HAH A HA. And the one drying his bum............... I died laughing.
2. How is it being with Elder Leavitt again?
    It's a blast.  I love him like my own brother.
3. Did you meet Elder Frankhauser?
    Yes. He is cool. I gave him a training on Wednesday after they all arrived. "don't eat lettuce, pork, strawberries, ceviche, or crude water".
4. Were you able to write Hayden?
    Yes. Enough said.... I love Hayden. I am sad with him.

I thought about the Gomez family this week. They are so cool. I wish I heard more about them. I sure do think the world of them. Sometimes, I see these missionaries here from places like Arequipa or Huánuco Perú, who are serving in their home country, and I can't help but wonder if Medardo wasn't somewhat the same. En la Ciudad de México. El hombre de Piedras Negras. There are quite a few Mexican Elders here also. I feel like they are kind of on "my team" like we sort of came from the same place..... We are both from the north, maybe? I don't know. But they talk really cool.

I wish I had enough time to write everyone back........ But I can't......... we have an hour.......
I just got told that I will be the first and only missionary to have an iPhone in our mission..... This is so ironic. The only guy who hates technology ends up running around as the only guy with an iphone in Perú....... what on earth? I can hear Uncle's laughter from here.....

I love you guys. Can't believe it's already been a year.

Should I keep sending poems home, or are they just getting weird? I kind of feel like they are.... ha ha ha.

I send home my love to everyone. Sorry my letters home are so lame. I'd send home pictures, but you all already know what airports look like. Ha ha ha. Just ask me more questions.... or request pictures of something...... I don't know.... I have never been a good facebooker. I don't even know where to start.......

I also wish that I had enough time to write home about all the things that happen in a week. I just can't. there's not enough time. I'll just tell you all everything when I get home. Ha ha ha. Oh my gosh....... I am just like my father....... ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. I just hope I never go bald. With a head like mine, I couldn't afford to lose my hair..... EVER.

I need more strawberry protein. I love it. You should see the size of my triceps. They are approaching Tyler Kelsey status. Linzi Kelsey.............. do whatever feels right......... I'm winking right now. Ha ha ha. I also got your birthday package. Thank you so much! Those are my very favorite things to get.... Tangible pictures and letters!

KAYLEE HOPPER!!!!!!!!!!!! You already know...............

Advice for this week.......

"If you want to walk forward, walk forward."



Until next week, I love you all

- Elder Boringkweg


These pictures are from Sister Marler NOT Chance :)



 

Office Elders

 

 

 

If you will notice the blonde head just behind Elder Leavitt.....Yep, those are Chances hands on the guitar. Too funny!