Can We Serve You?

(4/21/13 - 4/28/13)

 

Hola!!!

 

I am so happy right now. I think it is because I am in Guatemala serving the Lord. I really love being a missionary. I have been serving in the field now for as long as I was in the CCM. I think out of everything that I get to do in my mission , the thing I love the most is to do service for people. It is the best way to start talking to them and also it is a way we can show love for them. We are here to help bring people unto Christ and what better way to do that than through example.

 

This week was so great! On Monday, I went and played basketball with the young women in the ward. A lot of them did not know the rules but it was still a lot of fun. Then in the evening we had FHE with a family in the branch. It was about the importance of scriptures and so I planned an activity that would help them liken the scriptures unto themselves and really learn to love the scriptures. There really is so much in them that can help us in our life. Reading the scriptures is a great way to receive revelation and learn of the things that we need to do. I Especially enjoy reading and sharing the book of Mormon because it was written for our day and contains the fullness of the gospel.

 

Tuesday was a very busy day because it was my trainers birthday. She turned 23 years old. We started out the day going to a members house to do service. when we got there she didnt have anything for us to do but she had a nice breakfast for us. I still found ways to serve her especially by listening to her. she is my favorite person in Guatemala. She is 72 years old and lives alone. She has been a convert for 9 years.  Even though she lives the fartherst from the church she is always the first one there and is always serving others. As I left her house she said goodbye to my companions and then gave me a huge hug and told me she loved me. I really do love her too. When I am older I want to be as strong  a member as she is.  The rest of the day members had a lot of nice treats for my companion. Everyone here really is so caring.

 

Wednesday, we started what I like to call my favorite form of contacting. We came to a house and asked if we could serve them in some way. We helped by doing laundry and then swept their floor in their house which is outside. I am not sure how much good it did but I felt good doing it. The rest of the week I would look for more opportunities to serve and help poeple. It is a lot easier for me to talk to them when I am also doing something to help them. This week we did service of carrying wood, laundery, cleaning, bagging rocks, getting water from a well etc. Service is just so much fun. Oh another service I do is help  in the bakery. I made a deal that I would work there for free and all he had to do is give me a little bit of food everyday. That is in the house we go to for food everyday anyway.

 

Friday, we had a reunion with the new misisonaries from my group. I loved seeing Elder Farr who was the other Norte that came in with me. Both of us have been learning Spanish very fast.  We think it is a blessing because we went straight to the CCM and not to the MTC in Provo. We had less time to focus on Spanish but Heavenly Father really is blessing us. At the reunion I also loved seeing all of my friends I had made there. The Hermanas commented on how much happier I seemed because the last time I saw them was in my first week here.  On the bus on the way back to our area all of the missionaries in my zone got on the same bus. There were 8 of us and we all lined the bus from the front to the back. It was really cool.   People here wear a lot of interesting shirts. I am not sure where they get them but most of the time they do not know what they say. For example I saw a man on the bus with a shirt that said Future Throphy Wife. It makes me smile though.

 

We were also riding in a little bus that day and talking to the people there. They found out I had only been in Guatemala for a short time and wondered how I knew spanish. My companion said it was by the spirit. "By the Spirit !!!" The people were really impresssed by that. It is true though, without the spirit I do not think I would be able to speak spanish the way I do. That day as well we were planning and we heard a crash. There was an accident right outside our house. The people were okay but I am not really sure how safe Tuk Tuk`s are now.

 

Oh so one thing that is exciting is that our shower stopped working this week. No water comes out so everyday I have been showering with cold water. It is not my favorite thing but I am hoping our shower will be fixed soon. I try to exercise really hard so that the cold water feels nice. By the way I can touch my toes  which is something I haven`t done since High School my freshman year. It is amazing what a little exercise will do.  Tomorrow we have cambios(changes) and my trainer is leaving. I am not sure who will be in my area but tomorrow I will know. Also I found out that when different people, missionaries and members talk about me they say that I am really sincere. I am really glad to hear that they think that because I try to be.  Well I hope you all have a great week. Thank you for you love and support. ¡Adios!

Opposition in All Things

(April 15 - April 21)

 

Another week has come and gone and now I have the wonderful opportunity to write you again!!! This week really has been interesting because there has been a lot of good and some not so good that has happened.  To start- last P-Day we went to a members house and played pool. I was suprised at how well I did and how much I enjoyed that.  My companions had not really played before, but we had fun. Playing pool reminds me a lot of my freshman year at BYU. It was a popular game and so while I played I sangthe BYU fight song in my head.  At first I didn`t think I would be able to remember it.

 

Zone Conference

Something I have mentioned before that is very exciting is that my companions are learning English. The things they say sometimes are so funny and really random. I know that in Spanish I make mistakes like they do so it is nice to know that I am not the only one. I try to help them as much as I can though and they seem to be learning. Along with helping them in our house, some members of the ward have asked if every Saturday I will go and help to teach them English. One of the members in the branch who is a little less active is going to help as well. He lived in the United States for a while. This will be a great way to help reactivate him as well and get him involved. I am excited to help them with the English language. When you teach others English it is nice becuase you get to practice Spanish as well while explaining..

 

Like many other weeks some of my favorite experiences happen on the bus. This week I was sitting on the bus and no one was next to me so I decided to read the Confernce Ensign. As I did, a little girl in the seat in front of me stood and started talking about the pictures in the magazine. I showed them all to her and was able to teach her about the lemple and the prophet. She wanted to see more pictures so I took out the pamphlets I have and taught her very basically the lessons and talked about Jesus Christ. She was so happy to talk to me and loved all of the pictures. I then asked her if she liked to sing. She did and started singing to me. I taught her "I am a Child of God" and " Families Can Be Together Forever". It was a nice experience, the little girl was only 5 but I love sharing the gospel truths with everyone. It was also great practice to talk to a little girl and explain things simply. That is how people learn best.  

 

On Wednesday we had Zone Conference where our Zone gets together and President Stay comes. There are a lot of workshops and practice teaching. I love all of the missionaries in my zone. We learned a lot about how to improve as missionaries. Especailly about having love for our companions. One of my favorite things was that while the meeting was in Spanish, the latino missionaries had to offer the prayers and talks in English. Their talks were about their conversions to the gospel. Those are some of my favorite stories. The gospel really does change lives and it helps people so much. For lunch it was catered by the chefs from the CCM. I made some great friends with the chefs so it was nice to talk to them again. The Chefs  told me that there are 86 Nortes in the CCM right now and most of them are girls. That is insane!! At the end of Zone Conference we recieved letters and I was very happy to get some from, my mom, Elise, Tavia, Lori and Jared. I love getting letters. ;)

All of us at Zone Conference

 

This week with my companions it was my turn to plan. It is fun to be in charge but I like to have everyone contribute to what we are going to do. We had divisions one of the days and I was paired with a girl in the branch. Her brother was the one that just left on a mission and she wants to serve a mission one day too. We taught different members and helped to strengthen them along with getting references. Members are the best help for missionary work- if only more would understand that. 

 

My partner from the Branch that I did Divisions with.



In a lesson with some members that are not sealed in the temple we were so excited to help them prepare for an eternal marriage and had a lesson all planned out. As we began teaching however we realized that one of them did not believe in life after death. Then he said he didn`t know if God or Chirst was real. It was a little confusing but we are going to teach him all of the lessons and help him to gain a testimony of these things. 

 

So the sad parts of this week is that the work was a little hard. It seemed that all of our appointments fell though. The saddest thing is that our precious little family does not want to meet with us anymore. I do not know why. It is a little hard to see people go. You get so attached to them as you teach them and you love them so much. I will still do all I can to help them though. I know that the work may be a little slow right now but I will continue to do all that I can and I know that the Lord will bless me. This is his work after all. Oh and a few days this week it rained. I LOVE rain. Well have a great week. Thank you for all of you love and support.

Arrrrr!!!1  We are Pirates

Love for the One

(April 8 - April 14)

It is strange to think that a whole week has gone by already but a lot has happened. Something that is really cool is that I recoginize new words and phrases that I learn everyday. Most people don`t notice, this change, but I can recognize it. Also, I can understand more and more of what people are saying here. I think I can accomplish my goal of being totally fluent by Mother`s Day. haha By then I won`t be able to remember English.  No that is not true, but I really am picking up the language fast and the members always comment on how much faster I am learning Spanish. I enjoy speaking it because I can help people more and understand what they need. Understanding brings a lot more heartache for me because I love them all so much and I want to take all of their problems away. I know that I can`t do that but I can teach the gospel and that in the long run is even better. =)

 

My goal this last week was to focus more on helping my trainer and serving her in any way that I can. She has had a really hard past. I feel like since I have been focusing on her she is a lot happier and the spirit in our lessons is a lot stronger. My title this week is Love for the One because I have a lot of love for all of the people here but I try to focus on each person individually and showing them that I love them and the love the Savior has for them as well. 

 

Me and My Trainer

Last P-Day we went to the mall. It was really interesting because it was very different from the malls in the states. Then for FHE (Family Home Evening) we went to a less active families home. It always amazes me to see how happy and excited members get when they talk about the gospel and take out their scriptures to read them, but then they don`t go to church or do those things other times. They love the gospel but they don`t live it. In their families they have a lot of problems and it is hard because I know that if they lived the gospel in their home those problems would be resolved. This gospel is designed to help and strengthen us. I know that it is the gospel of Jesus Christ and it really can make our lives so much bettter. I truly want the whole world to know this. Eventually I will accomplish my goal but for right now I will help one person and one family at a time.  

 

Wednesday we had a zone meeting. It really is great to be with the missionaries in the zone and learn more about how to help our investigators. The leaders in my area and zone are really great and they really care and look out for me. I am really grateful for that. We were given some new rules to only contact within 25min walking distance from the chapel. We also have to contact 5 males over 18 everyday. I think that is reallly great because we need more priesthood here. The priesthood is so important. 

 

A lot of my investigators are doing really great, and they want to get baptized, but they need to be married. That is a little complicated as some do not have ID`s and others are married to other people. Things will work out though. The baptism we had for the 26th of this month will most likely not happen. The husband of L is not the nicest man and we need his permission. The good thing is that she has a really strong testimony and wants this for her and her family. I do not know when she will be baptized but I am happy that she has chosen to live the gospel in her life. 

 

We finally contacted and taught a family we have been trying to teach for a few weeks now. They have a little baby who is adorable. I love watching them in the lessons and seeing their faces when they gain a testimony or feel the spirit. Especially when the husband realized that through Jesus Christ he could be cleansed and have his pains and afflictions taken away as well. It is amazing to watch people change and seeing them want more and more of the truth that we share with them.  

 

Little wild puppies by the side of the road. There are lots of wild puppies here.

This week to visit a member we had to walk up this mountain. I was not sure how far we had to go up but every 10 minutes I would check my watch and we still weren`t there. Eventually we got to the top and there was a house  but then we needed to walk down the other side of the mountain. I am not sure how long we walked for but it was over an hour. She is a great member, but her family is not members and it is really hard on her. Later in the week she invited us over for luch and when we were finished she told us we needed to eat more. The food was great but I was already so full. I ate it all though. I don`t think I have ever been so full in my life.

 

I realized this week that you can have a lot of fun on your mission. We were waiting on a bus that wouldn`t leave for 30 minutes so we decided to get some ice cream. When we did, I saw some kids playing basketball. I decicided we should play with them and make contact so I talked with my companions. It was so much fun to play and have fun. At the end we talked to them about the church and they are going to come and play with us there this week. It was a great day and I just felt so good to be out with the people and have fun with them. 

 

In church on Sunday, which is my favorite because it was fast sunday, we had a musical number.  I love to sing and am fortunate that I get to sing about a million times a day here. Isn`t that great? One mom in the church just had a son leave on a mission. She was really sad and it kind of made me feel better that our families miss us as  much as we miss them on the mission. I love that I am understanding the languge more as it enable me to be able to speak more and get to really know the members.  It is just so great! Well I have to go but thank you for everything and have a great week!!! Con mucho amor, Hna Gurule

General Conference

Wow!! Another week has passed already. It is really strange because the weeks go by so slowly yet P-Days seems to come pretty fast. On our P-days I am not really sure what we can do. We were only allowed to play sports that first time but since then we have not been able to.  Last p-day we emailed

Sister's Conference

and then went back to our area and wrote letters and shopped for the week. My companions are starting to learn a little more English.  It is a rule for all Missionaries to learn English if they do not know it so I get to help teach them. It is fun to see them learn. Mainly we just read but I don't think they really understand it.

 

So an interesting thing that has been happening to me since I have been out in the field is that I have some really crazy dreams every night.  If you are my friend you have been in my dreams. I am always a missionary in them and I teach the gospel but you are all there as well in different circumstances to visit me or for me visiting you. It is strange but I am used to it now. I just thought everyone should know that they are in my dreams and I think about you all.

 

This week in personal study I have really learned a lot. I really love personal study and it is a time for me to gain personal revelation and learn how to help my investigators. As I was reading in Exodus this week I came across Moses asking God, "Who am I" He is just a man that was called to do the work of the Lord. I am just a girl that was called to do the same thing and help bring people unto Him and Christ. A lot of times we wonder, who am I to do these things? Why wasn`t someone else called to this work?  The reason is becuase we are the one's He needs. He knows our potential and no other person can do what we do.  It was comforting to read that a prophet has some of the same thoughts as I do at times. I realized, we just need to serve the Lord and do all he asks of us. I am his daughter and I am set apart to do this work for him. I love it!!! Because of that I have a goal to have no fear and to talk to more people in the street. It doesn't matter if I don`t think my Spanish is good enough. It is good enough to teach them about the gospel, bear testimony and invte them to follow and come unto Christ.

 

I had a great experience in a lesson this week as well. When I was investigating the Church I had a testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Church but not of Joseph Smith. I know that sounds weird but it is true. This week though as we taught the restoration I felt the spirit so strongly testify that it was true. I knew that it was before but I love how when we I teach the gospel of Jesus Christ I gain an even stronger testimony of these things and a witnesss that they are true. It is one of the best feelings to know that this is the Lord's work.

 

In great news I also finally recieved my journal this week. I left it in the CCM. Now I am workiing on copying all of my journal entries. It is nice because I get to reread them and see how far I have come in just three weeks. Just for a note, I have been in Guate for two months now. Crazy right!!! 

 

So I hope that all of you had the opportunity to watch General Conference this weekend. It was amazing and I learned so much. In the mission, General Conference is sort of like the Superbowl. We all love it and it is truly a great weekend. If you have not watched it yet I would encourage you to do so. I really liked the Sunday morning session.General Conference focused a lot on missionary work and the family. Heavenly Father is preparing his children. Something funny is that one of my favorite talks was about marriage. I took notes that I can use in the future ;).  

 

Well there is a lot happening here but the biggest trial is the Baptism with our investigator on the 26th. We need her husbands permisison for her to be baptized but they don`t live together. This is really hard on her and her family. She has a testimony of the gospel and wants to get baptized. Make sure to pray that everything can work out for her and her family.

 

I guess to end this email this week, I will say that in Guate things are pretty different. I laugh everyday because people are just so open about everything. Especially couples. They just go in the street and are very close. They are everywehre. Along with that it is not weird here for a mom to breastfeed with out a cover or in public. It is interesting but just the way of life. I love it. I am so lucky to be in San Juan becuase  the weather is perfect and the people are so nice. It may be a little poor but I think that it is the best area in Guate. Anyway I love you  all and thank you for your support. I got letters this week from Kelsey, Grandpa, Jared and Shawn. Thankyou for the letters I will respond to them soon. 

 

Hna. Cailey Gurule

Trust in the Lord

Once again it is P-Day and I have the opportunity to write about my experiences here in Guatemala.  Last week I forgot to mention a few things so I will talk about those first. One thing that we do is before each lesson we sing a hymn. The people here really like music and it helps to invite the spirit. I guess it is a good thing that I like to sing as well.  Another thing is that whenever I go to a house people offer us coffee. The thing is that they are members and it is not really coffee, it is Morcafe, some tortilla coffee thing or whatever. I am always worried about drinking it though but they are fine. I actually like those drinks.

 

Last P-Day after emailing we just worte letters and played a little basketball. We also went to a chicken fast food place for lunch. It was like a restaurant sort of like Denny`s. All of the fast food restaurants are sit down it is really different. They  put the food on a real plate and everything. After p-day was over, we went and had family home evening with a family. The family is amazing and we taught about tithing. I planned an activiity with candy that the whole family seemed to enjoy. Sweets from the states have more sugar than the sweets they have here. After the lesson was over I wanted to take a picture with the family and it was cute because all of the kids wanted to stand next to me.  

 

The next day was probably the best on my mission so far. We woke up and left the house early to go contact with a member. We taught three lessons and in all of them the spirit was really strong. It was funny becuse in the first lesson I thought the people had lost a child and I bore testimony about how families can be together forever. I also talked about my little sister who passed away. At the end I found out that they just had a baby. To my defence the lesson was still good - my companion told me they had but I guess she didnt understand my question.  The next lesson was with an olderly couple who, when we sang the opening hymn, had some tears in their eyes. I becgan to teach and right as I did she started preaching to us. I didn`t understand what she said. That was good because I was able to listen to the spirit.  After a while I thinkcompanions were done and I took out the book of Mormon. I taught about it and bore testimony about how I knew this book was true. The people decided they wanted to read it. I was super surprised but a testimony and the Book of Mormon are very powerful. The final lesson was in this house with 5 girls. As we taught them the spirit was so strong. They were prepared for what we shared and in the end the mom prayed and thanked God for sending her angels with His word. It was pretty cool if I do say so.

 

I have come to realize on my misison that I am not good at making tortillas. If you want me to make some when I get home they will either be really fat or not round at all. More importanly though I have such a strong testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He really did take upon Himself our sin, pains , afflictions- everything. As we learn to rely on Him we become strengthened and have more faith to do His will. We  become a lot more humble and ready to heed to a prompting of the Spirit.

 

On Wednesday we had a Hermana Confernce in the Capital. It was a lot of fun to be with all the sisters in the mission and see the friends I had made in the CCM. I also had the opportunity to talk to other Nortes. One of my favorite things there was seeing the Brinton`s. They are the health people that cover all of Central America. They are they Aunt and Uncle of the Judd`s in Las Vegas. 

 

Me

So Thursday and the rest of the week was a little harder because almost all of our appointments fell through. Strangely enough I didn`t feel bad about that and I was really happy to be in Guatemala and doing this work. Even though we did not teach any of the lessons we had planned, we did teach this one family and we are going to have Family Home Evening with them later tonight. They are really loving and have such a clean house. It is interesting that I say that because they have dirt floors but it is clean dirt I am not sure how they do it. . I make a point to eat everything that people give me. Last week I was scared to eat the food but this week I feel more comfortable with the types and variety.

 

Part of the week my companions were sick so we had to stay in the house. I was a little sad because I like to be out working but I also got a lot done and had a good day studying and cleaning.  This week was also Semana Santa the Holy week here so buses were really expensive and there were not that many. 

 



Congratulations to my friend Michael and his Fiance Tia on their engagement.
This is Michael and I at my Farewell

Yesterday was Easter so I hope you all had a great day. I gave a talk in church about the atonement and people told me they liked it and understood. That made me happy.  Next week is General Conference, to everyone who reads this, WATCH IT!!!!!

I love how every 6 months we get to hear from the prophet of God. If you do not know how to watch it go to Mormon.org and it will tell you. It is on the TV on the internet, radio, etc.

 

Well I am just about out of time. I love you all very much and I miss you more. Have a great week!!!

 

Love, Hermana Cailey Gurule