From Peru

Elder Hostetler Update

The following photos arrived yesterday. They were addressed to:

"Shauna Hotstuff"

Each of these photos is "So Andrew" You can almost hear what was being said at the time of each photo being taken.

Above is Elder Hostetler, President Mora, and Elder Giles. Andrew absolutely loves President Mora and we hope the feeling is mutual. On the back of this photo, he stated that he and Elder Giles were acting as the "President's Bodyguards"Written on the back..... "This is how we roll in the office"
Note the aviator sunglasses. I am certain these are in honor of Ron, aka Papa Smurf.
Andrew spent the last few months as an office Elder. While he was "rolling" in the office, he learned a lot and regained some of his strength and health. He is now "rolling" out in the field.
If this is not "So Andrew"...nothing is. He is always at the center of a good time. More importantly, he is always making sure everyone around him is having a good time.

On the back, he wrote, "During the riots, we have to stay in and enjoy ourselves. When there are riots it is not safe for us to go out." (Riots is not a word that a mother of a missionary cares to hear or read in association with her son's missionary service!!!)

This photo also reminded me of a night about 4 years ago....
Andrew was working at Albertsons and would bring home the meat that expired at midnight for his grilling adventures. (He concocted some mean marinades for those steaks.)

One night around 3 am, I woke up and thought I smelled someone grilling steaks...In a split second I knew the aroma was real! Andrew was out on the patio grilling steaks for the crowd of friends who were playing football in our pool...yes, I said 3 am.

The reality is, I miss this kid...even the middle of the night adventures (sometimes) I am also extremely proud of him.
This week, another reality hit..... Andrew returns in 3 MONTHS!!!! (Yes, Jeffrey, I know that means you and Alison get married in 3 MONTHS!!!!)

From Peru

Elder Hostetler Update

Elder Stone and Elder Hostetler

Peru-Trujillo Mission 2006-2008

From a letter I received yesterday....

"....Elder Stone is like a brother to me, Elder Stone is a great guy. I have almost been with him my whole mission. What an example he is. Out of the seven Elders in my group, five of us are Zone Leaders. The Church is true, mom." Love, AHoss

Service Project: Christmas In Peru

Yes, You Can Help ChangeThe World...

See below...

Project: Christmas In Peru

Anyone who knows me, is aware that I love to serve others. I know with all my heart that I receive more than I ever give... I am energized and lifted up when serving at any level. I look for ways to serve every day. I realize that many times, I do not even consider what I do as service, it is just the way I live. With this as the center of my life, It is heartwarming to hear my son, Andrew, living this same attitude...Read more....

My son , Elder Andrew Hostetler, has given me the names of 10 (maybe more) Missionaries in his Mission who will not/do not receive any mail their entire 2 years of service. Most of these Missionaries are serving from Central or South America. They come from very humble circumstances, making great sacrifices to serve.

As a Christmas gift to Andrew and a Christmas Service Project, our family is making sure each Missionary has at least one Care Package mailed directly to him---that he has his own mail with his own package--not something shared with him from another person's Care Package.

Andrew has requested that the Missionaries never know he was involved with this surprise.

I have asked the members of my local Church (Ward) and my family and friends to participate. I have a specific list of items to include in the package, along with shipping and packing instructions.

Last year, I sent 4 filled Christmas stockings, 1 for Andrew and 3 for the South American Missionaries he was living with for Christmas. They cried when they opened their stockings saying it was the best Christmas they had ever had. I fill the stockings with ties, socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Candy Canes, etc.Very basic items.

With the above in mind.... You can help in a few ways...

• Contact me for a name of a Missionary to prepare a Care Package and a list of suggested items to include. (packages need to be mailed by November 30)
• Donate $$ to help with shipping costs
• Contact the LDS Mission President in your local area and find out which Missionaries he has serving who will not receive Christmas Packages.
• If you know a Missionary serving in a foreign country, find out about the Missionaries in that area who will not receive a Christmas Package from home, and send double.

The response has already been wonderful. During this Season of Thanksgiving, I am Thankful for every opportunity to serve and literally change the world, one act at a time. I know with all my heart that service changes the world. Wthout service, my life would be dark and empty.

Whether you participate in a Service Project like this or another... make sure your Christmas plans include making someone's life brighter...hence changing the world.

Peru and Andrew

The Earthquake....

My phone is ringing and my e-mail box is full of questions and concerns regarding the safety of my son, Andrew. Thank You.

Watching the news before bed last night, I thought I was just checking to see where Tropical Storm Dean was headed. Immediately, the Tropical Storm report became secondary and un-important when I heard of the EARTHQUAKE in Peru--yes PERU, where my SON is living and serving as a missionary!

Andrew is the the Trujillo, Peru area, which is in the far North West of the country. With this in mind, I am thinking (hoping) that he was not affected by the Earthquake 90 miles South East of Lima, Peru yesterday.

All of Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, and a few other countries were under a Tsunami Warning yesterday. With Andrew living on the coast, I am hoping he was moved to safety during that Warning. I am hoping he was merely moved inland and not closer the the Earthquake site.

When I hear any news, I will post. At this point I am hoping that "No News Is Good News" applies here. Honestly, I feel he is fine and my concern should be for the people of Peru who were affected directly.

For now, keep the people of Peru in your prayers and thoughts. I know they will need great support to move on from this disaster.