Rice and Chicken or Chicken and Rice??

Whats up everyone!

This week was great! I had some really cool opportunities, and learned a ton. First off, as the district leader, I had the opportunity to give a blessing and participate in others. We had two people who had really bad colds, and one kid who was having a super hard time being away from home. After everyone recieved a blessing they all began to feel better, and everyone was able to continue working hard. The spirit was so strong during those blessings and it was seriously so amazing. I just want to testify that the priesthood is the literal power of God, restored on the earth. We are so blessed to have the priesthood, and at times I think we take it for granted but it really is such an amazing gift and blessing. Today, we recieved new elders and hermanas in the CCM, I wil be sure to put my arm around them and help them out becasue that first week was definitely rough. It is sad, though, because all of the Latino elders that came in with us, left yesterday and are now out in the field. They were the nicest guys ever, and were so incredibly humble, loving, and faithful. They will all be great missionaries, and I'm super jealous they are already out there. 

Fransisco, the fake investigator that we have been teaching, committed to baptism this week! it was awesome. However, we need to continue working with him because he has a problem with smoking, and is having a hard time quitting. Spanish is coming along, poco a poco (little by little). I just need to continue studying hard, and losing myself in this great work. I pray for the gift of toungues, every night, hoping that I will continually progress with my spanish so that I can help my investigators out. Being a missionary is the greatest blessing in the world, I love the constant companionship that I have with the Holy Ghost. Ive never felt the spirit so strongly. At times, days are really hard, and I get frustrated, and doubtful and down on myself, but at times like these, I pray for guidance and support, and I remember all of you at home who are praying for me. Thanks for all the love and support. In Ether 12 verse 6 it says something a long the lines of you dont receive an answewr until after the trial of your faith. I have had many trials, but I know if I humbly perservere them, that I will be blessed and rewarded. My district and companion are so amazing, we are all in the same boat, and all get along so well, and are always able to joke with one another and comfort eachother when we are having a rough time. Same food for every meal, rice and chicken, its pretty funny. We all say 9 times out of ten we are having rice and chicken, the other time we are having chicken and rice. The church is true, and although I miss you all more than I could ever explain, I know that this is where I need to be, and I know that my Heavenly father has prepared many people in Iquitos for me specifically to help. Im so excited to get out in the field. Just four more quick weeks. Also, Im super excited because president Bednar is coming to speak to us this afternoon, and its going to be awesome, He always tell the brutal truth to missionaries, and Im super excited for the spirit that will be felt at that meeting. I miss, and love you all!

Elder Droubay

                                                          Me and Elder Castillo

                                                          Austin and Elder Zagarra

                                   

                                                  Austin and his Companion Elder Greene

1st Official Email & 1st Week at the CCM

Buenos Tardes,

This week has been a week filled with some super high highs, and some pretty low lows. I miss you all and I hope everything is going well. We arrived at the CCM last wednesday at 3 in the morning. It was a super long trip, and the next day we were all exhausted. I have never felt the spirit this strongly. It is pretty awesome. The CCM is kind of weird. It is all gated in with huge fences so that no one can come in and no one can come out. Its kind of funny, everyone here makes jokes calling it the high security prison. The City of Lima is cool. All of the houses are so close together, and the drivers are crazy ( the pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way.) I love being a missionary, but it is the hardest thing I have every done so far. All of the teachers speak spanish and there are very few teachers and instructors that speak english. I feel like Im moving forward very slowly with the language, however, I am getting better and starting to pick things up. I can now say a prayer, give a small testimony, and greet people, and do my best to teach lessons to fake investigators. All of us newcomers have been able to help eachother out and have been able to relate to one anothers stresses and issues in the mission field. I just need to continue pressing forward with faith. And so do all of you. Always choose faith over fear. Trust in god, he loves you and is there for you. We had a devotional last night. A peruvian member of the qourum of the seventy spoke to us, and it was translated to english. I really like what he said. He said "Work as if everything depends on you, Pray as if everything depends on God." This quote is what I feel I really need to focus on. I just need to work hard and do my best to obtain as much knowledge as possible, and then god will do the rest. The Holy Ghost is the real teacher. We are just there to provide the information. 

After arriving to the CCM, I was made the district leader of my district. They are all awesome. Both the Elders and Hermanas. They all have such strong testimonies, and all of them have the spirit with them. I was truly blessed with a great district. My Companions name is Elder Greene from Queen Creek Arizona. He is a Goofball and has so much energy. I have to keep him on task a lot of the time, but he is awesome, and I love him. We also have Elder Yates from Sandy Utah ( he is the greatest kid ever. So nice.) Elder Holt from Arizona, Elder Fiame from Lehi, Utah, Elder Horton from Syracuse, Utah. We have an awesome district and have fun and are all able to relate to each other. It has been fun week, but I have also had a super diffcult time. I will keep getting better and working my hardest to be the best I can. The food is super plain. We have rice and chicken every day for lunch and dinner, and eggs and toast in the morning. But its food, and I appreciate it. Its not nearly as good as yours mom. 

I love you all and miss you all like crazy. I hope you are all doing well. I'm praying for all of you and hope you guys can keep me in your prayers as well. Trust in the Lord and work hard. He loves you and wants what is best for you. Thanks for all of the love and support, I love you guys! I love being a missionary. It is hard but worth it. I love the spirit that I feel each day. Even when I doubt myself and my abilities and feel like I am not good enough, I know that the lord loves me and is looking out for me. He is there for you too. You just have to let him into your life. 

Much Love,

Elder Droubay

                                                                           Elder Droubay and Elder Greene

                                                                       Our Awesome District

                                                                       My official name badge

                                                                        A crowded bus