Well feliz navidad!

It was awesome to talk to everyone. Hope you all had an awesome christmas! It was definitely an experience here haha. Never gonna forget it. Also the missionary work is getting alot better in our area. people are coming to church and we have quite a few with baptismal dates. its really cool. the mission is alot more fun when you are having success.
so ya  heres my letter to president leyva :

Hola presidente Leyva : ¡Feliz Navidad! Todo esta lo maximo en manchay! En verdad estamos viendo las bendiciones del señor bastante ahorita. Especialmente las bendiciones de ayuno. Hicimos un ayuno 2 semanas atrás y este semana hemos visto bastantes bendiciones. Tuvimos el bautismo de un hermana Betsabe. Ella tiene un testimonio tan fuerte y va a ser un buena miembra. Tambien hemos encontrado 3 personas que estan listos para ser bautizado este 31. En verdad ellos son milagros y gracias a la bendicion de ayuno hemos podido ayudarles. Tambien anoche encontramos un familia inactiva y ellos quieren regresar a la iglesia. Tambien ellos tienen 3 hijos que van a ser bautizados el 15 de enero. La obra esta mejorando bastante en manchay y estoy muy agradecido para ser un parte de ella. Estoy tan agradecido por este tiempo que tengo como un misionero y espero que puedo ayudar la obra a mejorar siempre.
Elder Paolacci

(translated with google translate - not the best translation - but we get the jist)
Hello President Leyva: Merry Christmas! Everything is the ultimate in Manchay! Indeed we are seeing the blessings of the Lord enough right now. Especially the blessings of fasting. We did a fasting 2 weeks ago and this week we have seen many blessings. We had the baptism of a sister Bathsheba. She has a very strong testimony will be a good member. We have also found 3 people who are ready to be christened this 31. Indeed they are miracles and through the blessing of fasting we could help. Also inactive last night found a family and they want to return to the church. Also they have 3 children who will be baptized on January 15. The work is improving a lot in Manchay and I am grateful to be a part of it. I'm so grateful for this time I have as a missionary and I hope I can help the work to always improve.
Elder Paolacci


So ya we had the baptism of Betsabe on christmas morning! it was amazing. after every baptism here we invite the person who got baptized to give there testimony. usually its kinda of short because no one knows what they are doing, but when Betsabe gave hers the spirit was so very strong. it was amazing. shes gonna be a great member. I love to see the gospel in action and blessing peoples lives.

So this weekend we have 3 baptisms, anthony, gregory, and carolina. They are all awesome and im way excited for them and once again it is absolutely amazing the change in peoples lives for the better when they embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So just some funny things that are going down here. Apparently everyone wears yellow flip flops on new years eve? so im kinda scared for that and have no idea what to expect. they are selling them on every street corner. we are gonna buy some fireworks today so we can include ourselves tommorow night in their little fireworks show.

On a sad note im pretty sure im gonna be hitting the road come tuesday. atleast thats where all the signs are pointing. so we will see what happens. i really dont wanna leave, i have truly come to love manchay and all of the people here and we are touching so many lives and having so much sucess, but i dont have much of a choice. So it is a waiting game. I should know on Monday when I write maybe.

So ya everything is great here. i love it. i found out we can do skype in our mission too (how convienient that they tell us after christmas). so we shall be talking face to face mothers day (so teach malorie to say uncle dylan by then)

oh ya and thanks to everyone that sent me stuff! i loved it all! you guys are awesome.

i hope you all have a nice week. give karleigh a hug for me. i am sedning her a letter now.

tell everyone to write me letters! you gotta promise me you all will keep praying and keep reading your scriptures

Love, Elder Paolacci

Hola

HOLLLAAA!!

Well i appreciate the sports updates as always. Crazy stuff is going down. Vince Carter ?! wahhh! Pretty cool. too bad hes kinda old. and stinks to hear about my man aaron. why would anyone want to hurt him?!

So ya heres my letter to president leyva

Todo esta mejorando en manchay. Hemos encontrado nuevos quien estan dispuestos para progresar. Tuvimos 3 jovencitas que vinieron a la capilla este domingo y yo estaba tan feliz. Este fue la primera vez este mes con un investigador en la capilla. Ultimo martes estabamos compartiendo experiencias sobre milagros en la mision. Porque yo no tengo mucho tiempo en el campo yo exprese que yo se que vamos a ver milagros en manchay. Sabemos que el señor siempre esta probando nuestro paciencia. Hicimos un ayuno este dia y estamos viendo gran consequencias por este. Ahorita estamos enseñando un familia de tres mujeres. Ellas estan bien preparadas para nosotros. Yo se que ellas son un bendicion de ayuno y mi testimonio de ayuno ha aumentado mucho.
Estoy amando y disfrutando y aprendiendo mucho por este tiempo que tengo en Manchay, y yo se que vamos a tener exito muy pronto.

Elder Paolacci

Everything is going well in Manchay. We found new investigators who are ready to progress. We had 3 girls who came to church on Sunday and we were so happy. This was the first time this month with an investigator at church. Last Tuesday we were sharing experiences about miracles in the mission. Because I have not much time in the field I express that I know we will see miracles in Manchay. We know that the Lord is always testing our patience. We fasted that day and we are seeing great blessing for our fast. Right now we are teaching a family of three women. They are well prepared and are eager to hear the gospel. I know they are a blessing of our fasting and with this fasting my testimony has been greatly increased.


I'm loving and enjoying and learning a lot during this time that I have in Manchay, and I know we will see much sucess very soon.
Merry Christmas - Elder paolacci

Well mom its really sad hearing about marge. i know you were really close with her. But you do have the benefit of knowing youll see her again. Also i dont know if she was a member but this gives you the chance in 1 year to do her temple work. Just know that this isnt the end and that you'll be blessed for helping her so much.

So this week was good. We had our christmas conference! Got to see elder capps again and speak some english, haha that was nice. We did some sketches and ate some really good food. We had an amazing time.

So ya mom president leyva said elder bell ended up going home. So if you can do your magic and try to get me some updates on him that would be great, talk to his mom or something. His name is isaac bell. (So I heard from Elder Bell's Mom last week and she said he was moving in with the office Elders - so I think he is still in Peru)

So we had 3 investigators come to church finally! It was so uplfting seriously. They are so great. They are all young woman and the young women in the ward are being great with them. They will probably be baptized new years eve!

WOOOHHOOOO CONGRATS PAPI ON DOING THE LIGHTS - I knew you could do it.

So tommorow i will be getting my christmas package! woohoo! im so excited, im gonna try my hardest to wait till saturday but i wont make any promises haha.

So once i get my new camera im gonna try and take a picture of the houses on the mountains of manchay. Alot of people have put up christmas lights and its pretty cool to see. Also people are starting to put up their christmas trees so its really starting to feel more like christmas. Still cant really shake the 100 degree christmas time feeling but its ok. Haha looks like elder rider is gonna have a white christmas! Not like ive had one so its ok - I dont know the difference.

So ya i did end up getting marissas letter, tell her to send another, and another, and another. ill start working on writting her one today. tell everyone thank you so much for sending notes and letters. i love hearing from home.

Well that seems to be all folks. tell the boys sicki nunu. tell karleigh to get better, make sure she has had a blessing. I have seen the blessings of the power of the priesthood - dad give her a blessing if you havent already.

Love you all, sorry to hear about tobias, but its ok you have maggie, and dogs without fleas. What a blessing !!!

so how are things reading the Book John ? It really helps you to reflect and get in the true spirit of Christmas by really getting to know our Savior.

so I want you all to have a merry merry christmas ok! Its gonna be rough away from home but i only get 2 in the mission so im gonna make the best of it.

Keep praying, keep reading those scriptures, keep playing the piano, keep being the best you can be and most of all just love each other. I wish I was there with all of you, but I am so happy to be doing this work and to be here in Peru.

Talk to you soon - literally hahahaha
Elder Paolacci

Pictures From Manchay

HOOOOOLLLLLAAAAA!!!!!

HOOOOOLLLLLAAA!!!!

well it's officially the Christmas season. it's starting to seem more and more like Christmas here. it's really cool seeing the little shacks up on the mountains with their little strands of Christmas lights. Whenever I get my new camera I will be taking some pics! So ya I hope you guys are all having an awesome Christmas season. This really is the best time of the year. President Leyva challenged us to read the book of John before Christmas to get our mind on what's really important. I am thinking that it would be really cool if you guys could do it too.

Things are still a little rough here in Manchay, we have a lot of good investigators, really good people, but they never go to church! That's kind of an obstacle as far as progressing to baptism goes. It's really discouraging because we cant have baptisms without them going to church. We are trying lots of ways to get them to go but still no dice. here's my letter to the president

Hola presidente Leyva :
Ya pues la obra es dura ahorita en manchay. Estamos trabajando muy duro para ayudar la gente pero todavia no estan iendo a la capilla.
Hemos tratado bastantes cosas, empezar con otras nuevos, pedir los miembros a recogerles, pero todavia nada. Estamos un poquito confundido porque nuestros investigadores parecan tan animado para ser bautizados pero no estan haciendo su parte. Estamos esforzando para encontrar las dudas o problemas que tengan pero no sabemos donde estamos equivicando. Todavia estoy animado para trabajar, todavia puedo ver como este evangelio esta cambiando las vidas de las personas en nuestra area, y yo se que ahorita este es solamente un prueba que necesito vencer. Si no lo hago estoy quitando la oportunidad que la gente tiene para aceptar este mensaje. En verdad estoy muy agradecido por este tiempo que tengo, y prometo que siempre voy a dar mi mejor.
Tenga un buen Navidad!
Elder Paolacci
(translation
Hello President Leyva:
The work is tough right now in Manchay. We are working very hard to help people but they are not going to church.
We have tried several things, starting with other new members and asking members to pick them up, but still nothing. We're a little confused because our investigators seem so excited to be baptized but are not doing their part. We are striving to find the answers or problems with but do not know where we are going wrong. I am still encouraged to work hard , I can truly see how this gospel is changing the lives of people in our area, and I know right now this is only proof I need to overcome the obstacles we are facing. If not then I would be taking away the opportunity that people have to accept this message. I'm really grateful for this time I have, and I promise that I will always work hard and give my best.
Have a good Christmas! Elder Paolacci


So we have been opening up an area within our area called San Judas. Its even poorer than Manchay but the people are awesome. But its like a half hour from the capilla (chapel) so we aren't too sure how many of them are going to start coming. The area there is really cool too. It feels like we are in provincial (the cool part of Peru) when we are there. you would never think we were in lima. I think we are going to go there today and try to find some more nuevos.

Hmm so we found a pretty sweet room/house thingy that we are trying to switch to. We really need to change our room because there is a major flee problem. But ya the place is like twice the size of the room we have now and its got a pretty cool view of manchay (ohhhhhh so pretty haha).

So tomorrow I SHOULD be getting my packages so I'm pretty excited for that. I'm going to try my hardest to wait till Christmas to open them. But don't hate me if I peek :)

So ya always ask people if they want to send me a note or something. You can always post something on facebook, ya idk.

Tell Logan to stop hurting himself. And tell the boys I'm crying inside about Aaron Rodgers. I'm glad Karleigh is getting better, tell her I have been praying for her every night. Tell the boys to do the Christmas lights! No slacking on the Christmas lights - they gotta learn someday, so why not now! Have Coleton and his friends put them up. Tell them to be creative and send me a picture.

So Thursday is our multi zone Christmas Party, so I am really excited for that. We are doing little skits so that should be a trip. I'm going to record them and put the videos I have made on a cd and send them to you guys. I also get to see Elder Capps. That will be awesome.

Umm so something kinda really super sad. We were passing by the CCM the other day and I was talking to one of my old teachers and she told me that Elder Bell got some virus and went into a coma. She said it's super rare, only like 1 in 100,000 people ever get it. But the good news is that he is out of the woods and getting better and he'll be able to hit the field again. Just letting you guys know so you can pray for him. Please keep him in your prayers. He's one of my best friends now and I really hope he gets better.

So ya I love all you guys! You have fun this Christmas season for me , and I promise I'll work hard for you guys! Read your scriptures, says your prayers, be nice to each other and know that i love you!
Adios Elder Paolacci
p.s. yes they have lights at the Peru temple

Well Hello There

Well hello there!


So this week was goodish. Only two of our investigators showed up to sacrament. Its kinda rough when we work so hard, they have accepted the gospel and no one decides to show up to church. That is kind of a really important part of the gospel, you know attending church. We have a bunch of baptisms lined up for this month, but they have to go to church at least 3 times before getting baptized. Some of them are sleepers and just lazy, but they love the gospel already. Oh and ya i figured i would start attaching my letter to the president to you guys. its in Spanish but you guys can figure it out.

Hola presidente Leyva : Este semana ha sido un poquito dificil. Hemos sido trabajando tan duro y nuestras investigadores nunca vienen a la iglesia. Siempre dicen que van a venir y todos han aceptado un fecha bautismal, pero todavia nunca vienen. Yo se que este significa que ellos tienen dudas todavia y vamos a trabajar nuestro mejor este semana para ayudarles. Este domingo tuvimos las confirmaciones de clara y irwin. Ellos son buenos y van a ser buenos miembros. Tenemos muchos investigadores que tienen la opourtunidad para tener su bautismos este mes, y necesitamos esforzar el mejor que podemos para ayudarles a asistir a la capilla. Elder Vizcarra me esta ayudando mucho con mis lecciones y pienso que estoy mejorando mucho. Entonces otra de eso todo esta perfecto en manchay! Hasta proxima semana!
Elder Paolacci

(Best Spanish to English translation I can come up with - Jason and Trent might do a much better job: Hello President Leyva: This week has been a little difficult. We have been working so hard and our investigators didn't come to church. They always say they're coming and they have all accepted a baptismal date, but still have not come. I know this means they still may have doubts and we will work our best this week to help them in any way we can. This Sunday we had the confirmations of Clara and Irwin. They are good people and they will be good members. We have many investigators who have the chance to have their baptisms this month, and we need to help them the best we can to help them attend church. Elder Vizcarra is helping me a lot with my Spanish and I think I'm improving. Once again everything is perfect in Manchay! Until next week! Elder Paolacci)

So I'm glad to see that asu beat u of a. Totally mixed emotions in different parts of the world as missionaries read their emails this morning. Me Happy. Coy Mad. sounds like it was quite the thriller haha. And the packers won of course.

Well I'm sure you guys are getting all excited about Christmas! I am too. its kinda weird here tho. Its hottttttt in December, and that should mean something coming from an Arizona boy. But its cool, there are some families who have put up like 1 or 2 strand of Christmas lights. its kinda funny, but they cant really afford more so its all good. OHHHH so i should be calling the 14th! Its the pre call to get everything straightened out for Christmas day! So ya ill be calling your phone mom, have no idea when so be ready!

GET BETTER KARLEIGH!!!!!! STOP KISSING DAVID!!!!! everyone knows that's how you get mono. I'm pretty sure i know how she got it from kyle. simple, kyle kissed David and David kissed karleigh. ive learned alot about health down here. pretty much an expert.

Coleton and Logan keep up the sports updates! make it about all sports, everything that happened, if you do them every week ill bring something awesome home for you guys! (haha 20 months woohoo). Also congrats coleton on your singing debut and becoming the next zac efron haha. CHISTE! (Joke) Im proud of you, your choir group sounds way fun. And to Logan, keep tearing it up in football and baseball! you guys are awesome.

And tell everyone I LOVE getting letters and packages - they totally make my week and help me from getting homesick. Keep sending pictures. I love watching Malorie get big. Make me a video of her. Teach her to say Uncle Dylan first.

Hmm so quick little story. this week we went to a place called La Chakra. Its been a mystery to me these last two months because Elder Johns always said it was in our area and theres trees! (its a rare encounter for me). So we took a trip to La Chakra and it is way sick.

I felt for the first time that I was in the Peru I have been imagining! I will be sending some pictures, its pretty cool.

Um so quick question, if you could in your next package, no rush, could you send my gray slacks, some more of those ties for my to give away, ask aleise to send directions on how to solve the rubix cube haha i won one in a claw game and I am trying to show the kids here and i cant quite remember! and send some more of your magic cold meds if you can. But no rush!

So the highlight of the week....drumroll please .... I HELD A MONKEY!!!!!!! My mission has been fulfilled! I'm coming home soon. Haha no not really about coming home, but totally serious about the monkey, it was way cool, a family in our ward has two and its the coolest thing ever. I'm bringing one home.

So ya hope you guys are having an awesome holiday season! Have fun for me! Miss you guys and feel free to write me. its seriously the highlight of my week when I get ANYTHING from back home! Hey and make sure you tell cory to email me but only through your email. I am can only open email from mom's email address.

pics are coming soon. I'm doing awesome, I'm working super hard,we are having success. I love my mission and I love you guys! Chow!

Elder Paolacci