I MADE IT

hey guys! i have like four minutes but i'm here and i'm safe!! so the plane ride was long but good, the food was actually awesome. i'm with the latinas! i'm like the only one in our group of 20 from north america who's staying in the CCM [Centro de Capacitacion Misional] for two weeks. i roomed and woke up with the latinas this morning at like 6:15 (not 6:30!!!! they're crazy here) while the rest of the americans got to sleep in...bummer but okay. we got to the CCM late, i was asleep by like 2:30am. i'm so happy to be speaking so much spanish! lots of them talk a little too fast but i can talk to the hermanas for the most part.

i hope you're all so safe and happy! being a missionary is crazy. i could already feel the spirit differently on the plane, it felt like i was being watched over the whole time. i read "our search for happiness" and slept a little on the flight. THIS IS CRAZY I'M A MISSIONARY. i think the eggs we had for breakfast made me a little sick...also the milk was super sour, like expired forever ago. but we had almost exactly the same bread and butter and jam we did when i was here last summer!

we drove down the streets i knew from HEFY [Humanitarian Experience For Youth]. :))) i saw the plaza norte which was the big mall we always went to, it already feels like home! it's finally starting to feel real, i love being here! i saw my BYU friend, brad king, in the airport and was on the same flight to atlanta, and he told me the first day in the CCM sucks, but i was like whatever to that i'm going to make it good. and i did, and it's awesome so far!! more good things to come. :)

stay happy, i love you all! i'm praying constantly down here already it's crazy, you should try it. literally fell asleep praying, it's awesome.

hermana wood

Faith in Jesus Christ

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counseled us on what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ:

“To gain unshakable faith in Jesus Christ is to flood your life with brilliant light. You are no longer alone to struggle with challenges you know you cannot resolve or control yourself, for He said, ‘If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me’ (Moroni 7:33)."

This is the scripture Amber chose for her missionary plaque, which will hang in the foyer of our ward building for the next 18 months. It describes perfectly why she is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; she has "unshakable faith" in the Savior and wants to share the "brilliant light" of the restored Gospel with others.

Her purpose as a missionary is to "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end" (Preach My Gospel).

As I type this, she is flying; her journey has begun. But, the pain of this morning's tender departure is already beginning to be replaced by excitement for the adventure that awaits her in Perú. She reports to the Missionary Training Center in Lima first thing tomorrow morning!

Hermana Wood is on her way!

Call for Letters!

We recently learned that it takes 6-10 days for letters to arrive at the Peruvian MTC (or CCM, Centro de Capacitacion Misional). Since Amber will only be in Lima for 2 weeks of training, it would be good to pre-mail letters NOW. Here's the mailing address:

Sister Amber Michelle Wood
Peru Iquitos Mission
Peru Missionary Training Center
Centro de Capacitacion Misional
Av. Melgarejo 159, La Molina
Lima 12
PERU

Note: No packages are accepted at any MTC other than the Provo MTC. Only letters can be received at the address above.

Thanks, in advance, for your love and support! We know your letters will mean the world to her!