Dec. 21, 2013 Merry Christmas (Multizona Navidena)

So we had our annual Multizona Navideña (christmas zone conference) which was pretty fun. We exchanged very comfortably priced gifts, watched the movie Facing the Giants, which we've seen which is that one about the football team that learns to trust in God and they play better for it. And there were some musical numbers too, which turned out pretty good believe it or not. Our mission is filling up more and more with sister missionaries, so we really do have some good singers. Also, we elders from the office (the secretaries and the AP´s) sang a couple christmas hymns in parts, which was fun. I still have my big bass voice! And everyone else in the office can actually sing a part, so it turned out good. We practiced for a total of 25 minutes before going to bed the night before, after finishing all the arrangements and travels and craziness of transfers. Everything went smooth.
Today we were stopped in the city plaza, about 5 times before walking one block. I am truly amazed at the widespread interest there is for the church. It was shock you how many times we run into Mormons when we go places like the center of Lima where there´s a lot of people. Every once and a while we get a taxi driver who´s a member, and members always come up to us on the street. 
So today, this four college kids came up to us and asked if we could do an interview with them in english for their english class, (which has happened to me like 4 times already) and we happily obliged. So the one girl films me and the guy talk for a minute or two in english, and he did pretty well. So she turns to film my companion talk with the other kid, and I naturally started talking about the gospel with the kid I had just been interviewed by. So then, the girl who was in the middle of filming, heard me talking about the Book of Mormon, and motioned rather frantically for her friend to take the camera that was recording, so she could give me her full attention and listen, as if she didn´t want to miss even a single word. So they asked what the difference is between the mormon church and the catholic (they are catholics) and I, like always, tried to be kind and not remind about ALL the wonderful truths that we have that the Catholic church conveniently misses, all in one second but tried to give a quick overview. I talked about the book of mormon, and how Christ came here to the Americas. Which, realluy is always a great tool. You come here to peru, and tell them that Christ came here, and they will never argue or deny it. Their eyes just light up and they ask for more. It´s quite a fulfilling experience to be the guy who gets to tell them that for the first time, and its amazing what a believe people they can be. 
And well, she ate it up. Turns out she´s been really interested and wants to know more, (she herself told us she is very interested) and she happily held on to that book of mormon when we said she could have it. Unfortunately she´s from the Central mission, but it´s all the same really. :) I was very happy, because I saw in her a very strong future member, possibly YSA representative, possibly future missionary, who knows. I literally saw that as a possibly path her life could take, and know I just hope that this is her time, and the God will work with her circumstances so that it can all work out and she can find her way back to the House of Israel. i was reminded of what a wonderful feeling you can get from a really good contact. 

I know this Church is true. I know that I am nothing without my fathers guiding hand. i know that I need my savior Jesus christ. I know that I will simply NEVER reach my Full Potential, if i can´t lean on his atonement for second chances, and I thank him for that. Please remember to always read your book of mormon. In that book , is where you´ll find these pure truths in more abundance, and clarity, then anywhere else, I promise. Don't even try to mess, it´s true.

Feliz Navidad, y mucho amor para con todos! Les amo mucho!

Elder Hartvigsen

also: a letter to mom

Wow Mom. You guys sure are busy. It´s really funny because when you get out here,  things really change. I honestly think about it, and the things I miss, or maybe get small moments of homesickness about, are things like snowboarding with dad and chase and cole, or going to football games with them, or family vacations, (and of course writing music). But that´s it. I don´t for one second miss having my own cell phone and texting and stuff. There is now longing in me for that, like there is for other things. There is no longing for any other material thing, except maybe for a grand piano or beautiful guitar (which is probably more connected to the experience I have while using them, and not the object itself) and that is very interesting to me. I know that those things don't matter, and while I maybe thought i would miss my iPad, or my phone, or my computer, I simply don't. It´s a strange thing. Chase will probably find out about that when he gets out there. Those things really don't matter, so when you talked about being stressed about buying gifts, and about me maybe feeling bad for not receiving anything, I just grinned.