Miracles in Families

This week we had so much rain. I have decided that Frijanes is the rainiest place in all of Guatemala. The members there have told us that as well and when we really get into the rainy season it starts to rain at 8am and ends at 11pm. That is a lot of rain if you ask me. Because of that it has been a little hard to leave with members but this week we will try to visit with them in the morning and do our studies in the afternoon. Aside from all the rain and a few challenges, this week was absolutely amazing!!!!  

Where we buy our Vegetables

Frijanes

Last Monday with our zone we all decided to make breakfast burritos. It was crazy but really fun and along with that we also played ping pong. Ping Pong was fun, I guess I am not the greatest but I played pretty well. 

That night as we were contacting I just felt that I could feel who was really prepared for the gospel and who was not. It was amazing and we have some really promising new investigators. This is the week of the miracles with our investigators and their families. 

First of all, we have Carmen . She is a single women that lives with her children and their family. She has been learning about the gospel for about 2.5 months. This week something changed and she went from being a little unsure to setting a date  to be baptized. She is so loving. Also last night we went to her house and watched a movie with her family. During the film everyone was really into it and her kids were like, ^Mom look, did Jesus Christ really do that? It was really cool to see their interest as well and hopefully we can start teaching them as well. 

The other investigators that we have seen the greatest change in is the Vasquez family. They  really have a strong desire to be baptized but the mom needs to get married first. It was a little crazy because the dad always leaves when we come. Yesterday we had a little bit of a miracle though. We found out that they didn't have money for food. I decided we could make pancakes with them because if we offered food they wouldn't take it. It was a lot of fun and when we came the husband didn't leave. He talked to us and he wants The Book of Mormon discs to take to work . We gave some to his wife on Saturday when we went to the Temple with recent converts. He had been listening and really loves them. Something happened to soften his heart and I really hope we can teach him as well now.

My Agemda

Visiting the Temple

As I said earlier, we went to the Temple on Saturday. To go we had to wake up at 3 and left the house at four to be there at 5. I loved being there and working in the Baptistry. It was a great blessing to see those baptized for those who had passed away. Really it strengthens my testimony. It was also cool to see several families there who are not yet sealed. I know that they will be one day and that brings me so much joy. I love the gospel and all the blessings we can receive in it. 

Have a great week. 

Because of Him

I am not really sure why but this week seemed to go on forever. to me that was surprising because usually when we work hard it goes by faster. This week I felt we were constantly doing something but it was a lot slower. There was a lot that went on however and many miracles that we witnessed. 

First of all last Monday my companion had some converts come from a different area to celebrate her birthday. It was fun because we went out to eat. That day it poured like crazy and when we went back to the stake center all of the Elders and sisters were drenched. I am so grateful for the people who came because we were able to be in their car. 

Where we went to eat yesterday

Protection from the Rain

Tuesday since we had a little extra time in the morning I had the idea that my companion and I could set new goals and focus on the areas we could be better at in our companionship. I am excited for these weeks that are coming up. I am seeing an even bigger change in myself as well. That makes me happy because I really want to be truly selfless and while I am still far from that I am making progress.  

That day we really worked hard and in the night before we went into our house a lady contacted us. She met with missionaries four years ago but when she was going to go to church she moved and never saw the Elders again. she was so excited to see us and we are excited to teach her.  

 

Frijanes

On Wednesday some investigators out of the blue told me that they were talking and will be really sad when I leave. I am not sure why everyone is talking about that recently. Truly I feel that I have a lot of time here. I really do love the people here and it is nice to know they care about me too. Something I realized as well is that as a missionary I don/t have fear. It is kind of crazy but really I just put all of my trust in the Lord. 

Thursday we had a zone planning meeting and it was good to get input of other missionaries. Then the next day we went to visit people in areas we don/t really go. Everywhere we went that day, people gave us food. It was nice and really funny. 

Playing Mafia

The sad thing was that in one of the lessons an investigator told me that no one in this world can truly be happy. I however testify that we can be. With the gospel of Jesus Christ we are given great knowledge and hope that truly makes us happy. I know that because of Christ we can be happy, feel loved and have hope for the future. 

Finally during the weekend we taught lessons focusing on the blessing we have from a living prophet. We are truly blessed to have a living prophet today. I know that he speaks to and receives revelation directly from God. 

Well, I have to go. Sorry I couldn't write about everything but I will continue working hard. Thank you for your love and support. 

Moustache Cat

Also watch this video it is really good.  https://www.lds.org/youth/video/because-of-him?lang=eng  copy and paste the link.

Happy Mother's Day

Truly it is amazing how fast every week goes by.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here and serve the Lord.  My zone has also grown really close and the funny thing is that we have all grown to really love Mafia and play it on Monday.  We celebrated the birthday of an Elder on Monday.  It was fun because we went to Wendy's and they even gave him a free pie.

I am really grateful for the members in our area and how they have Family Home Evenings open to all of our investigators. This gives the investigators the opportunity to see more of how their family can be with the gospel. I also like it because the investigators are always really nervous about how their kids act and focus a lot on that. With other members there they see that their kids are the same and don't worry about it as much so they can focus more on what we are teaching.  

Ropa Tipica

This week we started teaching more families of investigators we already have. It is really great and I am really excited for it because they will all be gaining a testimony of the truth together. I have a great testimony about the family and how it can be eternal. I know that is part of the plan Heavenly Father has for us His children. 

Wednesday we had a zone council as well. I am always glad to have zone councils and to learn more about how I can be a better missionary. One of the things we really focused on was how we can help people to have spiritual experiences.  Everyone needs to receive their own revelation and to do that we need to help invite the spirit and give them this opportunity.  

Finally as well this week we went to las casitas. I used to go there all the time when I came into the area but lately we haven't been able to go. I enjoyed visiting members there and also getting to know their friends. One sister introduced us to a family that had been meeting with missionaries many years ago but now they want to start again. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father really does continually prepare his children for the gospel.  

Friday it was my companions birthday and also the day we had planned to make pie. I love baking but it can also be stressful if you have to make a lot. In doing that though I also get to teach others how to make new things and learn new skills. 

Saturday was Mothers Day here in Guatemala and also the day I was able to talk to my parents. It was really funny because they kept asking about things I would do when I am home. Truly I feel like I just came out on the mission so there is no need to think about that but it is sad to think there are only two months until I come home. 

After the call we went to the church for the activity and all of our investigators were there. At first we were only going to be there for a short time then leave for lessons but since everyone was there we wouldn't have anyone to teach. The time was better spent building relationships with the members and investigators. When the activity was over I was so exhausted but then we had to keep working.  

Sunday the Bishops wife was worried that I would have changes. I didn't but she told me that when I do leave I will leave her sobbing. I love the people here so much. I hope that I can continue to love and serve them even more and truly help them to have many spiritual experiences.  

Cueva De Negro

Hello!!!!!

I feel really happy and tired at the same time today. I woke up at 5 and studied so that at 7 we could leave and go to the Cueva de Negro which is a tourist sight. The story goes that in Fraijanes, there was a black man who used to eat people. He has a cave where he would roast them. Today as a district we went there to explore and it was a lot of fun. One thing was that we had to pass through a river. My companion was scared and our feet got a little wet - but we were fine. 

Last Monday was a lot of fun. Everyone in the Zone got together and had a meal and then played sports. It was a lot of fun to be together and get to know each other better. That night was also great when we got together with  a NDH.  I feel like the members are really good about having Family Home Evening and inviting their friends. 

We had a really great lesson on Tuesday with Christian who came to church the week before. He seems really receptive to the gospel and I kind of feel like he is in the same type of situation as I was. He also has a family that is there to help him that will be a great blessing. In teaching him I feel like I am getting to know the members in the ward more. 

One day this week it was kind of cool because we were teaching one of our investigators and then when we finished another came. We decided to just teach them where we were which helped because we didn't even have to move.  

Wednesday it rained a lot. We were going to help some sisters in the ward and we came just in time to help the Bishops wife cook. She likes how I chop onions so I chopped them for her. I really miss being able to cook. 

Later that day we went to visit a recent convert and taught about faith. I really love teaching kids because we can play games and they are so ready to learn and participate in everything. My companion and I also got really wet that day.  Later in a lesson one of our investigators told us she wants to be baptized in a week, so we are going to do everything we can to help her with that. 

A few days later we were in a lesson and it happened to be with a pastor of  a church. He told us that they are saved by an apostol and not Christ. All was well in the lesson but they really weren't interested in leaving. When we tried to leave they kept trying to talk to us and convert us. 

Saturday we had a baby shower for a recent convert which was really great.  In the morning we did service in a paca with an investigators mom. They really opened up to us more which is awesome. Then on Sunday there were 12 investigators in church. I think that is crazy but awesome. I will work even harder this week and just give all of the time I have. Thank you for your support. I am excited to talk to my family on Mother`s Day.  Adios

Divisions = Success

This Monday came around faster than any other it seems. I am not sure why this week has been going by so fast but I loved it. When the weeks fly I know that I am working hard and we always have the most success.  

We had interviews with President and Sister Stay this week and they were some of the last ones we will have with them since they leave at the end of June. It is crazy to think how soon that will come. I love having them as the Mission President. I have learned so much and have grown in so many ways with them. Sister Stay is just so loving and radiates that love and the Spirit with her always. President Stay always helps me to reflect and focus on what I can do to become better. During the interview I could see my self in my first interview talking about my family and now in this one I did the same. I guess with me I just want them to have all the blessings I do and I want to know how I can help them even more.

Tuesday I had an amazing day when we went and visited with several investigators. I felt that I was really in tune with the spirit and was able to help them know that our Heavenly Father knows and loves them. It was a really cool feeling and I have a desire to have all of the lessons like that. I usually feel like I am guided by the spirit at times but I just felt it more that day. 

After interviews on Wednesday we had divisions with the sisters in San Jose Pinula. It was really great and I was able to be with Hna. Rodriguez who is from Utah. I learned a lot about using the folletos to have short but powerful lessons. At one point we were in the street contacting because they don't have really any investigators so we tried to find more. As we were contacting we kept saying "oh they want the gospel" then they would ignore us. Right after this one rejection, this man saw us and was like, "are you Mormon Missionaries" we said yes and started talking to him. He is less active but wants to come back to activity. It was cool. 

Thursday we ended the divisions and I went home to Fijanes. That day flew by as well and then before I knew it, it was Friday.

Friday I had something really crazy happen. We went to a members house for dinner and she gave us some food and then went to give us a drink. She placed something on the table and I asked what it was. She told us coffee and I didn't think it looked like morcaff so I asked what kind. She told us regular coffee. It was crazy and we said we couldn't drink it. She tried to convince us to just have it once a year but I said I was good.  She is a little old so I think that was why. She was really nice though. She also has a daughter who isn't a member and lives with her. As we left we gave her a hug and she started to cry. I am not sure why but we just hugged her. I want to help all that are distressed and heavily laden. There really is hope.  

With all of that I realize that I am really accustomed to being a missionary. I am not always sure what I will do afterward because there is so much to do here and so many people to serve. I know that I can continue that later on though.  

The rest of the week was amazing and the members were helping us a lot,  even with divisions which are some of the best things ever. We get so much more done in a shorter amount of time. Well,

have a great week and know that I love you. Thank you for your love and prayers.

Easter Week

Fun Decorating Eggs

I always love this time of year like I love Christmas time. People focus a lot more on the Savior. Here in Guatemala they celebrate Semana Santa. To start off the week miracles happened here in the mission. We were given  a cell phone so now it is a little easier to coordinate things and work with the members. To be honest it is really weird to have one again.  That same day we had a NDH with one of our new families that we are teaching and they loved it. We learned about the Word of Wisdom and the importance of our bodies. This is exactly what they needed. 

Tuesday was a great day with many lessons. It is interesting to see the progress of several of the families we are teaching and the changes they have made in their lives. There is one family that has been going to church for months, always assist, serve, pay tithing and everything but they aren't baptized because they say they are a different religion. 

That day we met with this one family that I really want to teach.  I saw the family and the kids I just knew that I could help them and that I could do it by teaching the gospel.  That is one of the great things about the gospel it helps us in our progress with all things. 

Wednesday we started working with some more less active members who also live with many people who are not members. Those families want to learn more about the gospel which is amazing. I love when people have the desire to learn and truly follow their Savior. I am just here to help them with that and show the way.  

With one of our other investigators I have seen how much more she understands now when she studies the scriptures. Those who have the eyes to see hear. Along with that I learned that Carlos who was baptized in Monjas went to a Mini Mission Week in Guate last week. He is really excited about the gospel and is helping so many people learn about it as well.  

Friday there were no buses and we had to go up to the Puerta which is about a 30 minute walk for missionaries.  The people ended up not being there but we saw them later and they wanted to meet with us. Lets just say we walked a lot on Friday but it was a lot of fun and we had a great day. All the families that were home were together and we found many new people to teach. That night we met with our Bishop Leader's mom and family. Only the parents aren`t members. I asked her what she wanted to give her kids and family in life. She said love and the best things she could. I told her that we wanted her to have these things also because we love her and the most precious thing we can give or share is the gospel. That is the truth, that is why I want my family to have the knowledge of the gospel. 

Saturday was also amazing. At one point in the day we went to find someone. The directions lead us to another direction. Earlier when we were following the directions,  we passed a house and I felt like we should talk to the people but we didn't. Saturday I felt the same and I went to knock on their door. It was actually the house we were looking for with a different address. The person we were looking for wasn't there but the whole family wants us to come back. I don't know what will happen but I am excited. 

That day one of our investigators was moving houses and we helped them to move into this little tiny room. The dad died so they didn't have the money to keep paying there. It was sad but good that we could help. 

Saturday during lunch we decorated Easter eggs I showed them how to do it- they did not know how. They don't have Easter here. On Sunday, we had an egg hunt which was really fun. I always love doing things like that. 

Sunday there were  other miracles as well. I am not sure if you remember the time I felt we made a mistake trying to pray with a family. Well 2 months later on their own they came to church. I was amazed to see them but so happy. That day as well, a family told us they would be getting married and baptized . I love when we have days like that. 

I am excited to see what will happen this week . Have a great week!!!! 

Experiencing Miracles

Semana Santa has come again here to Guatemala. Last year this week was really crazy but I feel like in the area I am in now that it will be a lot calmer. I am so happy about all of the miracles that happened this week. 

Early on we had a council with the zone where we wrote new goals about what we need to be doing. Last month the mission had the highest number or Baptisms in the history of the mission and this month we are still working hard but not having as much success. Every area needs something different so we made different gauges to see how we can best help our area and see more fruit there. I am excited to apply our ideas and watch as Heavenly Father truly does his work. 

We have also been working more with less actives  They are really coming to know that we are there for them and get so excited for our visits. We are constantly serving them. On Sunday one family said they wouldn't go but we went to their house in the morning and the daughters actually did divisions with us to bring people to church. Then we were surprised to see the oldest brother in church. Little by little they will learn and gain a testimony. The one daughter actually stayed with us most of the day and wanted to help us and feed us. haha

Wednesday I was with this one lady who had family members who were members but she is not. She told about when her daughter was married and she couldn't go inside. It was sad for me to hear that and I started crying. She was totally fine but I could just imagine how that would feel and how it will feel for me when that day will come. I will want more than anything for my family to be there.  

Thursday we started meeting with a lady that met with Missionaries before but now she feels like it is her time for the gospel. I think so too. She is excited to learn and really give her children the best that she can.   We had another miracle with the Vasquez family. They stopped drinking after our first visit or the wife did. She wants to be an example for her daughters. She said she is not a very good person but she is changing everyday in amazing ways.

Friday was also a great day and experience. We went to visit Carmen and asked about how she was doing praying about whether or not the Book of Mormon is true. Before she had trouble with that but this week she had been praying. She said that she hadn't received an

answer though. We prayed with her and she said the prayer. the spirit was so strong. We sat up and she started crying. She told us how she felt the spirit so strongly and she knew it was true. I love when people receive their answer  because I always think about when I received mine. There is no denying when it happens.

One cool thing is that I finished reading Doctrine and Covenants this week. I really love that book and I think it is one of my favorites. It is so powerful and talks a lot about missionary work. 

We are also gaining a lot of new friendships with people. We serve them and then they are asking us to teach them. We gladly accept. Well that is about it but have a great week and thank you for all of the support you give me.