Making Covenants

Wow, I am so excited that it is Monday and I finally have the opportunity to write!  A lot has happened this week. It began by me finishing my first diary. I have others but I never finished them.  I am trying to keep a good record of my mission. 

Last Monday, we ended our P-day early by going to the house of an investigator we contacted. It turns out that she just wanted us to live in her house with her.  While we were there, though, she introduced us to some of her family who lives close by and they seem really promising. They look like a family in the Church.

Tuesday was normally the day for changes in the Mission, but we did not have any so we didn't go. It was different not to be there for changes and it was the frist time I have not been in all of my mission.  Since we did not go, it gave us more time to focus on the work. We had missed work the week before since Hna. Duarte was sick most of the time. One great thing is that I got to bear my testimony to Julio about the atonement. I love testifying of the truth. He had a kind of rough past but now he is clean and can start again new. It is amazing how powerful it is and also every week we have have the same thing by partaking of the sacrament. 

Wednesday we had a lesson with Hna. Laura. She wants to be baptized, but planning the lessons are always a little difficult. While we were with her, she shared with us that when she didn't have lessons with us she was thinking of going to another church. The day she was going to go, we called and she went with us instead. She testifies to people that she knows the Church is true. That is a good thing to strengthen a testimony. She also talked about the influence we are making in the life of her family. It is amazing what the gospel can do. 

After the meeting with her, we went to visit Nestor. We have a plan to meet with him everyday and read from the Book of Mormon. This is so important and powerful in gaining a testimony and knowing the truth. We also had a zone meeting and met the new missionaries. There is actually only one and he is from Utah. It seems like he is adjusting well, though. 

Thursday, Julio had his baptismal interview. He was well prepared and was excited to know that he could be baptized on Saturday.  After the interview, we went to the capital for a doctors appointment for my companion. We were there early so we were able to go to the distribution center which is right next to the temple. I was so excited to be so close. You could feel the Spirit radiating from the building. I hope we can go to the temple soon to do ordinances. 

While in the office, I noticed that the doctor had a great view of the temple. At one point, I had to go to the other room and when I was there I was looking out the window at the temple. I saw the reflection of my nametag with the temple and it was really cool. Too bad I didn't have my camera! Before we left, Hna. Jensen, the nurse, bought us sandwiches for dinner and then in the car Hno. Jensen had pizza for us. It was a great dinner for missionaries!  We went to the toughest part of the mission that night and tried to find a bus. They were all overflowing with people. Then when we went to call a cab, one came that was not as full so we were able to get home at 9. Perfect timing.

Friday, the day began with a service project: cleaning a mountain side and chopping down trees, grass, and plants. It was a lot of fun.  I love to serve and work hard. It makes me feel so good!  Later that day we had a meeting with President Iquic.  He has been the President of the branch for 9 years and sadly he was released on Sunday. Change is good though and can always help us.  

Saturday was a very exciting day... Julio was baptized!  There were many different activities in the church at the same time as the baptism, so the church was full of people who were able to come.  Our other investigators Nestor and Laura were there as well.  It was a great day and a great end to the week. On Sunday, we had the branch conference.

After the branch conference, my companion was sick again so we spent the day in the house.   I was able to utilize the time studying which was needed. I love learning more and gaining knowledge about the gospel. I am excited to see what happens this week! Thanks for your love and support!

You Speak English?

Hello!!! Right now I am in the stake center  in Guatemala writing this email to you. There is a lot going on here in San Juan. First of all, I would like to say that I do not have changes so I will at least be here for another 6 weeks. We may however get another companionship of Hermanas in our district.

This week has been good. Last Monday we went to the office really early because my companion needed to go to immigration. When she was there I went with some other missionaries to a mall. Then we went back to the stake center to email but found out we had to go to our area to do it. My companion was really sick that day and for the whole week. I would get off the bus and start walking and realize she wasnt with me. I would go looking for her and I found her leaned over it was sad.

Tuesday we went and taught Julio in San Juan. His baptism is this Saturday if everything goes well. He is my very first convert in the mission. It is fun to see the changes he is making in his life. To end the day Tuesday, we were in the church but realized we couldn't leave because we couldn't lock it. We called everyone and no one answered. Finally we got ahold of some keys but my companion and I along with the elders had to cancel a few lessons.

Wednesday to Friday we were in the house all day because my companion couldn't leave. We did go to the doctor, but she needs to see a different one. At least now she is feeling a little better. It was good to accomplish some things in the house but I was going a little stir crazy and I like to work. Something weird as well is that my temperature was 96 degrees but I felt totally normal.

The day that we went to the office I met a man who was there. He only had one eye.  I was very glad we were able to talk to him. He has such a strong testimony and bore testimony that if we are exactly obedient, we will see blessings all around us. He also told me of a vision President Kimball had of Guatemala. He saw 3 temples here in this small country. What is great is that I can help to make that a reality.

Saturday I had a really funny experience. We saw some high shcoolers visiting from the USA. I was talking to them in Spanish with my companion and they were struggling a bit. Finally my companion said I could talk to them in English. They looked at me amazed and said,"You can speak English?!?" I said yes and told them I am from Vegas. They didn't think I was American I guess.

Yesterday I was happy because Julio came to church again and he didn't even need us there. He went to his classes, talked to people and seemed to really fit in and be comfortable. How great!!! To end the evening there was a choir concert in the stake center and we went with Nestor and Laura. They seemed to like it.

It was different this week because we were in the house all week but it was still great. Have a great week everyone. Thank you for your love and support!

Work, Work, Work

Wow, this week has been really interesting. It has been filled with many different feelings and experiences.  Fist of all, it was full of different conferences and meetings.  Aside from all that time however, we worked really hard and had a lot of different lessons. I love teaching and helping people. 

On Monday, I was on a bus and this guy sitting across the asile and I started talking. It was good to contact in the morning. He told me that I have really beautiful Spanish which was a compliment because I try really hard to be able to learn the language.  Our p-days were changed again to start at 11. We cannot do sports anymore or activities with the zone but I am sure we will be able to accomplish more. 

Fotos de la Conferencia de Zona

Tuesday was another new missionary reunion but for my companion this time. It was good to learn what things I could be doing better as a trainer. I even applied them in this week and things have been going well. My companion and I are teaching more in unity and have a stronger relationship. We also had another meeting with the president of the branch and he is really trying to work with us and know who our investigators are. It is still a big process to get the ward and others involved but it is moving forward. 

Wednesday, we had zone meeting. One of the ativities I liked most was when we told our companions 10 things we liked about them and one thing they could do better. My companion started talking and then started to cry as she told me the things. I learned a lot about myself and the strong qualities I have. Then we heard why everyone was there serving missions; it was very emotional. I love hearing others' testimonies though. Most of my zone are converts and the only member or active member in our families.

After the meeting, we went to work. We were given a list of less actives from President Iquic to contact. As we did, we saw a lady cutting a plant and asked if she needed help. She said for us to be careful because the plant was prickly. We just went to work and it was my first time using a machette. Once I cut the first branch, however, it fell and touched my arm. Then it started to burn like crazy. This plant is probably my least favorite in the world. My comp and I worked until all the work was done but we were in pain aned had hives or something all over us.  At least now I know how to work with Chi chi caste.

Thurday we did more work and went to San Raymundo to meet with our progressing investigator. He is doing well. We taught about the Word of Wisdom and he does not have a problem with any of it. It makes me happy as well to see how much he trusts us.

Later in the day we were walking down a dirt hill and my companion fell, not once, but twice. The second time the elders even happened to be passing by so it was really funny.

Friday we went to Cruz Blanca to visit less actives. That is only the second time we have gone this transfer. Once again we met another member and she let us go in and teach her family. It was probably the dirtiest house I have been in. It was sad. I am glad that through the gospel these people can be so blessed.  

Saturday we did service for Hermana Laura. She is meeting with us agian and has a goal to be baptized. Her husband says she can do whatever she wants. It is exciting. She has a lot of problems in her life but that is why we have the atonement and it can help her so much.

This week I was really good as well with working harder when appointments fell thorough. It is so good to wotk and be the hands of the Lord. 

Sunday was really great. Julio finally came to church for the first time and loved it. He made a lot of friends with other people his age in the young adult class. Also the person we have been trying to go to lessons with came back from working in Shela.  They are going to be great friends. Then to end the night, we watched The Restoration with Nestor in the church. I still have not found his need, but I will not give up. I love this work.  Have a great week!

Looking to the Heavens

Monday 7.8.2013

This week was really great! I feel like the work is starting to move forward here. It is a slow process but the important thing is that it is progressing. Last week I mentioned that I lost my keys and so we had to replace the lock to our house. The guy who came to change it was really nice and even lowered the price the more he talked with us, so I gave him some mangos to take to his family. We now have three copies of every key. 

For P-day, we played sports like we do every Monday now it seems. I am really improving on my soccer skills. We also had pizza for lunch. I really liked the cheese that was on it. I miss cheese a lot here. 

Tuesday, the Zone Leaders came to our area to work with us. We were spending the day in San Raymundo so they got to travel with us. They are not huge fans of how big our area is but they did mention they liked the buses in our area with their music and TVs. I am not a fan of the TVs on the buses because of what is played on them; it is not the best.  The day was really productive though and I feel like we did not waste one second. I truly love to work with different missionaries and learn from them. Elder Torres was relating reading the scriptures and praying to texting and calling a friend and  going to church was like visiting them. I liked that.

In the evening we had a meeting with the President of the branch for the first time in three months. It was really great and we finally got to share some of the ideas we have to strengthen the area and the members. Right now we are focusing on the less actives and inactives in the area. There are about 400 members in my area and only about 100-120 go to church regularly.  

To end the night, we had a Family Home Evening with the Chachach family. We go to their home every week and have a lot of commitments to complete. They are a part-member family. Some are active and others are not but I love how they are starting to really read their scriptures, pray and do missionary work.

Wednesday, we had a reunion as well with the ward mission leader. That was the first time he had ever met with the missionaries in the 1.5 years he has been the ward mission leader. The stake president has really been working with his leaders lately. I love it and I am excited to see what we can do as we start to work together. I also learned from everyone here that there are only 5 continents. Who knew... that is what they learn in school.

Thursday was the Fourth of July and my first out of the States. I made sure to wear red, white, and blue however. Even Elder Tau had a tie with the flag on it. That day we went to San Raymundo and watched Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration with our investigator with a baptismal date. He really liked the movie and is progressing rapidly.

Saturday, when we went back for another lesson he told us he wanted to watch the video again. It cleared up a lot of questions he had. Then he started asking questions about who was the next prophet. We talked a lot and he said that he knows Joseph Smith is a prophet and he believes the Book of Mormon is true. I think that is the first time I have heard someone say that on my mission. I was so happy!

We showed him mormon.org and lds.org. We even told him about the chat function and he tried it out. He told the missionaries on there about his baptism date for the 27th. I really hope I will still be here for that.

Sunday we had the plan to have about 5 investigators and 5 less actives in the church. We even had divisions to bring them all and members helping out. Unfortunately the bus to San Raymundo never left. Our investigator said he would come solo but then got a call from his mom and had to go to the hospital in the Capital. Everyone else couldn’t come either so it was kind of sad. Next week I hope things will go better. 

My companion and I did have a bonding activity last night though. We laid under the stars and talked about gospel things along with our families. It felt so nice to take a little time to relax and also it wasn't raining so we could see the stars. I love pondering things that are important to me. 

Well,  have a great week and I will write you next week.

Medio-Dia: The Fair in San Juan

Sometimes I wonder where I am here in San Juan. They always have something going on. I think one of the biggest Celebrations of the year is the fair that they have here. Last Monday was the Medio Dia- it lasts for a month. Before we went back to San Juan last P-day however, we went to a mega paca. It is a store where everything is dontaions mostly coming from the church . They have a lot of items from BYU. That is surprising to see but also cool. My companion needed to get a blanket and at the Mega Paca they sell things very reasonably. 

 

After the Mega Paca we played sports with the elders in my zone. I actually played Ping Pong.  It was the first time I had played in a while but it was really great. I did pretty good and was able to win many games with a lot of the elders, but I still need to improve a lot. After Ping Pong we went back to San Juan to check out the fair a bit. We first went to our house to put our things away and there was a Concert right outside. This guy who was singing started trying to talk to me in English. I just went inside. As we came out he did the same thing so I decided to talk to him. It was for all the people to hear. I went and grabbed the microphone which I do not think he was expecting and introduced our selves and explained why we were there. I then taught a little and gave my testimony. I think all of San Juan was there haha. I love being a missionary. 

 

Tuesday morning we started the day by doing service. We cleaned a members white plasic house. It took about 3 hours and we only cleaned one room. We will make a time every couple of weeks to finish the project. After the service project, we had a lesson with the 15 year old son . He told us that he couldn`t feel the spirit or recieve an answer to his prayeers because he was Catholic. That made  me a little sad to know he did not feel a connection, but later in the week I gave him a list of scriptures to read about the spirit. He wasn`t keeping his commitments recently so I was suprised when the next day we passed by and he told us he read them all.

 

Lately we have been meeting with an investigator who I think is golden. It is difficult because with the rainy season he has to work every Sunday but he understands everything so well and knows that it is true. I am pretty sure that next week he will be able to come to church  even though he lives an hour away.  I have a plan to go to San Raymundo and go to church with him. 

 

Thursday, we had a Zone Conference with 3 other zones. I always love the conferences because  we learn so much and the work in the area seems to improve after every one.  President Stay talked a  lot about if we want to be a missionary from Zarahemla( less active, need to repent) or from Gideon( learn doctrine, progressing).  I know that I want to always be progressing and doing my best so that I can recieve revelation and help as many people as I can. In the Zone Conferences we also have food from the CCM. This time it was Lasagna. I forgot how good Lasagna was. 

 

That night contacting we found a lot of interested families and one of them had a daughter named Kaily. That was the first time I heard my name in a while. It  was cool. As we were contacting though, I was able to see that the people did not want to listen and saying they were another religion. I was able to teach a little in the contact and watched the change in their faces. They were hearing something that made sense to them.  I love that so much. This is the TRUTH!!!!!

 

Gift from a Member

 

Friday we had more lessons in San Raymundo, and while we were there one of the members asked if we could take a puppy to another member. We said we could. It was my favorite puppy that she has, Princesa. It was great to do the service for her and see the joy of the sister that recieved the dog. She is a single sister that lives alone. 

Gift to a Member

 

Sunday was probably the unluckiest day of my life. The good thing though is that we had 3 investigators in the church. It started with us leaving the house at 7 and going to our investigators to bring them to church. They only live about 5 minutes from the church by bus but they always need time to get ready. We waited for an hour and were late, missing Sacrament. It was a great day at Chruch.  Then while walking home from church I stepped in a puddle. When we got home, I realized I lost the keys to our house and we couldn`t get in. Thinking they were at the house of our investigator we went there. The bus decided to go a different way and brought us to a place 30 minutes away. Then coming back the bus cost more for some reason. The keys were not in their house and the key person could only come on Monday. There were other unlucky things that happened as well but I save those for later. The elders told us it is better if we stay in our house. I think I was laughing a lot as of course we would not stay there. The good news is we now know our neighbors as we were able to use their house to enter ours. I think they will start taking the lessons. How great is that!

 

Well that is basically my week. Being a misisonary is really great but sometimes very different.  Things happen daily that would not happen if I were not a missionary.  People either love to talk to or try to avoid you and then can't wait to hear more.  Have a great week and thank you for your love and support.

 

Hna. Gurule