Merry Christmas



Tree in the Mission Office

I know that it is not yet Christmas, but I figure it is better to wish everyone a Merry Christmas before instead of after the date. I really cannot not believe how fast Christmas has come this year. I feel like Christmas was just yesterday because I didn´t leave very long after Christmas to come on my mission.  For some reason that time before never seems to change and everything at home is on pause. I really do hope that everyone will have a very Merry Christmas and focus on the Savior. Something I have been trying to do is give the best gift I can to Him.  He afterall gave me the best gift I can recieve. 

This week was really cool and fun. On Monday we started playing sports with investigators and members in the ward. It was a lot of fun but really hot and the day was even cloudy and a little windy.

Tuesday we woke up at 3am to be on the bus at 4. We had a new Missionary Reunion in the Capital at 10 am. In the bus I was able to sleep a bit. Since we did leave so early there wasn´t a ton of traffic and so we were able to get there early and study in a restaurant.  I also showed my companion around a bit since she didn´t know where the mission office and other things were.  In the conference I felt the Spirit so strongly. It always feels so good when the spirit testifies directly to your soul about the truths of the gospel. We were learning more about the doctrine and gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Wednesday the Familia Interiano had their Baptismal interview that went well.  It was funny though because our dog "Elder" kept following us all day. I love how he is with us and just sits outside of the houses when we are in a lesson.  I do think he is there to protect us even though our area isn´t dangerous.  He just follows the sister missionaries, always.

Thursday we had a great lesson with one of our investigators. He is always trying to know hard facts and make the Book of Mormon and the Bible the same which they are not. Instead of trying to teach to what we thought were his needs, we just listened and responded with doctrine to the questions he asked. This was really successful and the spirit was also really strong. I love how throughout my mission I have learned to follow the spirit more closely. I still can improve a lot but I like knowing that I am not the one teaching. 



Friday we got some sad news that Hno. Interiano would be leaving for business. He wouldn´t be able to be baptised on Saturday. He was really sad about that but they will still be baptized this week. I love the enthusiam he has to help and serve.

Since we didn´t have the baptism Saturday we used the time to go on divisions and meet less actives in the branch. It was great to know them and help them out. I really want to focus on strength

Bishop Sloan =) He was the Mission President of a person here

Santa he was In the Bus Station

Part of the Interiano Family

My Agenda for this Change

A Beautiful Sunset

Santa

thening the members here so that no matter what happens they won´t falter.  This gospel blesses lives in all moments. 

That night we had a great lesson with a family. It was one of the most interesting familes I have met but it was amazing. I will definately tell their story later because it is great.

Sunday I also gave a talk in church. I didn´t know that I would speak on until Church but it went really well. I really love giving talks. I always have enjoyed this so I think I may be a little different for that. I am really excited to talk to my family this week and I really hope everyone has a great Christmas.  Feliez Navidad!!!!!!

Fire in Monjas

Every week here in Monjas just seems to get better and better. With that, everyday gets better and better as well. I think some of the biggest contributing factors are the unity I have with my companion and also with the members here. We are all working together and we are all truly seeing miracles. 

 

Last Monday we had a lesson with a teenager who we thought was a member because she always goes to church with her aunt but she is not. It turns out that both of her parents recently died and so now she is living with her aunt. We talked about eternal families and how truly families can be together forever. This is one of the greatest things in the Plan that our Heavenly Father has for us. She really loved that and is excited to learn more about how it is possible and about the gospel.  

 

Tuesday I realized how amazing my companion is and how well we really work together. I think she is the most like me than any other companion and has the desire to work really hard.  She makes up for the things I lack. We had an investigator who was sick on this day as well and President came to give her a blessing. Now she is reading the Book of Mormon and even asked us if she could be baptized again since she was baptized in a different church.  

 

Wednesday we were looking for a contact ( just a sidenote, that is really hard in Monjas because there really are no directions) and we came upon two jovenes. We started talking to them and shared a message. They were interested to learn more and so we set a time to go back later. We went back on Saturday with some youth from Jalapa.  Juan said that he read the Book of Mormon and felt so much peace. He knows it is true and wants to be baptized. He even came to church on Sunday and when I was about to knock he opened the door because he was waiting for us.  He said in the lesson as well that he was waiting for us to come back and that he feels something different when we are there. Truly he is golden and chosen.  I am so excited to see all he will do in his life. 

 

Thursday I learned some crazy things about Monjas. I knew before that the chruch has fallen apart there because of some crazy things 10 years ago but that was not the first time. There is a cycle here and there are so many less actives because they didn´t have anywhere to go for church. It won´t happen agian though. Although what the church needs the most here now is the priesthood, the Lord is blessing us to find those men who are prepared and willing to serve. 

 

One of these men is Hno. Interiano. Him and his family are going to be baptized this Saturday. We have been teaching them since we got here and they are amazing. They weren´t sure about when they would be baptized though, the plan was the end of December or later. However we had a Christmas party on Friday and he saw all that President was doing since he doesn´t have couselors. Then he told him he was going to get baptized the next weekend and be sealed in one year so that he could help him out. He wants to be baptized because he knows the chruch is true but wants to do it sooner so he can serve. That made me so happy. Serving is how we show love for the Lord. 

 

The locals had not had Pie before and they went fast

Friday we had a Christmas party. To help out I taught people to make pie and mashed potatoes. We made 6 pies and they were all so good.  No one had had pie before and they loved it. It was a little stressful though because everyone just came at me to get more pie. 

They helped us make Pies

I was glad when it was all gone and it didn't take very long.

 

Saturday we had an activity for Monjas that youth from another ward came to work with us. It was really great and they are all excited to go and serve in missions now. I loved working with them and we gained a new family of investigators who want to be baptized as well. Along with that we were able to serve the family Interiano and contact. Truly I love working with members and here we always do. That is the key to the success we have. Truly all being united.  

 

Friends in our Home

Sunday night as we were going to sleep, we recieved a call from Prsident Desousa. He told us that we are on fire and the stake says we are the example for all of them. They want us to share what we are doing with the other missionaries as well. I am just working hard and the Lord is blessing us. In church, we had 7 investigators but a lot weren´t there.  We know what we are here to do.  I want to help as many families as I can be together forever. That is what I want and that is what I want everyone to have as well. What a great blessing. Have a great week.

Well hello there. I am happy to write that all is well here in Monjas.  Did I ever tell you that I really love being a missionary?  If I didn´t well now I have. Truly it is so amazing to do this work and to get to know all of the people here. Truly every single person is a child of our Heavenly Father. He loves them all so much!!!!!  

Thanksgiving

 



Our new comedor and my birthday dinner. We usually don´t eat so much 

Last Monday was my birthday and I tried to serve as much as I could by making breakfast for the Branch President and his wife. I also worked a little through out the day and to celebrate we went out to dinner. The food was really good!

 



Tuesday we had a Zone Conference for Christmas. We watched a movie called Ephrims Rescue and had a great luch. In addition to the movie we also learned a lot about the Godhead and the importance of it. I love learning from the Conferences we have.  It is amazing. We got a little plate from the mission to remember where we served.  The plate is really cool and has many symbols of Guatemala on it. 



 



Working Hard

That same day we started divisions that lasted about 3 days. At that time we visited many people.  In Monjas we have learned the area but we are still working on getting to know the people. The area has no directions, otherwise known in the states as addresses. That Wednesday I went to visit an investigator and she told us she didn´t want to be baptized. I talked about faith and how I felt before and after I was baptized as well.  She still didn´t want to and we left. Then the member who was with us told us that she wanted to be baptized that Saturday.  She was afraid to tell us but she was friends with the member we brought. That is why members are so important. We planned it all and she was baptized that Saturday which was so amazing and crazy at the same time. 

 

That day, as well we set a new fecha with a family we are teaching. They are so great and have been to church quite a bit and go to the activities but we are helping them to know why being baptized needs to be done to the proper authority.  Hopefully we can help them. That day as well went to teach this guy and after the prayer he just started in with all of his questions. He really is interested but wants to know so much right now. I listened and then spoke about how he can learn all of those things but we need to start with the basics. Milk before meat. I feel like that is something I have grown in - taking control of situations and bring them back to where we need to be.  He is excited and his wife who wasn´t interested before is interseted now as well.  :)

 



I Love Them!!

On Saturday I was wearing a dress and these two little boys asked if I was pregnant. I said yes and they asked if it was a boy or girl.  I laughed and said I didn´t know and that I wasn´t pregnant. They asked me why I was wearing a dress then. Later their mom thought I was married and had kids because of how I interacted with them.  My comp told her no and she commented that should get married and have a family that I would be a good mom.  I really do love kids-  and someday that will be great but for now, I will just serve the Lord. 



 



Sunday we had the Christmas devotional. It was so amazing and I really loved the talk by Elder Nelson. If you haven´t watched it please do. Your Christmas spirits will be lifted up and it will leave you feeling really good. I am excited for Christmas even though it doesn´t really seem that close. 

On the way to the Baptism



In Front of the Bus



The Baptism







I love watching people make covenants that can bless them for eternity 

It is a great time of year. Adios

Happy 22nd Birthday Cailey!!

Happy 22nd Birthday Cailey!!

I can´t believe that it is my birthday today. Really I am not sure how I feel about having a birthday as a missionary. I don´t like thinking about myself so I will try not to. Last week as you know I had changes and now I am in Monjas which is about 40 minutes from Jalapa 4.5 hours from the Capital.  I really love it and my companion is awesome.  We  are opening the area again and I am training.  My second daughter is Hna. Recinos and she is from El Salvador.  She went to BYU before though so she speaks English well.  I remember when we met I didn´t know she spoke English and she said, " Lets take a picture." I commented that she really had a great accent and president Stay said it was because she could speak English. 

My New Companion

 

My new area is a really small branch of usually about 25 people and we meet in a house. Our house is actually right next door so that is nice. Saying goodbye again to people in my areas was really hard. I became so close with everyone.  Also,  there were several people who were sobbing because I was leaving.  How crazy are changes, they are good but sometimes really sad.  

 

Family Aparicio

Family Molina

Greisy Modonado and Family

The day we left the relief society president made us breakfast and then we left. In the meeting I was so suprised to see I would be training and opening an area. It is also my first area "outside of the  Capital".  We left the place where we had changes at 2pm and got to our house at 7:30pm.  It was sad not to work that day but we went srtaight to work the next day. 

 

The area seems really small to me but I also feel like I am in the United States sometimes.  It is really nice and no one is ever outside.  I found out that it is because there aren´t jobs here so they go to the USA and then come back.

 

Wednesday we had a crazy lesson as we were contacting. We taught this lady who at first told us she didn´t have kids and then she opened up to us. At the end of the lesson though people came to the house and just started fighting with us. I just sat there becasue their whole argument was that Sunday isn´t the sabbath. We let them talk so we wouldn´t argue, bore our testimonies and left. We will go back to teach the other lady again though.  

 

Thursday was Thanksgiving and really we didn´t do anything for it. I made some little cards for the Elders and taught a lesson about being thankful for the things we have.  Truly I am so grateful for all that I have in my life. Especially for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and all of my family and friends.  I love them and I know that they love me. 

Thanksgiving in Guatemala

 

We also had a Noche de Hermanamiento, or a big Family Home Evening with the branch.  It felt like I was home and it was really fun. Truly this branch is a little family and I am so happy to be here and share with them. They are all working so hard. If the church is small the members are usually all really strong. 

 

The one thing that is a little weird about the area is that people are just too nice. A lot of  them aren´t interested in learning but if you ask to share something with them they invite you in. It can be hard but there are also so many people here that are really excited about the gospel. 

 

The Hermanas here also always have a dog. He follows us everywhere. Our area is super safe but it is still good to have extra protection. We named him Elder. I will have to take a picture one day. 

 

Yesterday in  church we had testimony meeting and the spirit in the little house was so strong. I even had the opportunity to share mine. I love this area and I am so excited to see the miracles take place. This is the work of the Lord and I love having the opportunity to do it. Also make sure to wish my mom a happy Birthday as well today. =) Adios

Bittersweet

The District Quetzal (lots of Girls)

Right now I feel like everything is a little crazy because there is a lot to do today.  Sorry if this email seems a little rushed as well. Really I have loved working this week and being in this area. We are working so much directly with the leaders right now and several plans we developed we are just starting to put into action. 

 

Last P-day I went to send letters and I found a lot of missionaries there that knew me but I didn´t know them. It turns out they were the new missionaries in San Juan.  I was able to find out about my recent converts which was nice.  I really love them and it is cool to hear about their progress.  

 

Tuesday, we helped some people with service and now they are new investtigators. I love how the Lord places people in our path. I also love doing service!!!  At one point in the day I helped a girl with her graduation speech that had to be in English.  She asked if in the States I was a professional teacher. I feel like I am not that good of a teacher but it is nice to hear comments and also always look for ways to improve.  

 

Wednesday, we started the day off with more service painting a house. It was a lot of fun and then we even made some Mexican Food, I missed that.  For some reason kids just all cling to me and they know that I love them so much. There were several missionaries there but they just came to me. We played and had a great time. At one point we sang ring around a rosie and they wanted to know what it was in Spanish so I made up some words: corre en un circulo, bulsas llenas de flores, coco loco todos caimos.  

 

Thurday we went to work with the Socidad Soccoro to do service. I feel like in the last week or two all of the leaders have realized how much we can do for them and really love having us here. 

 

There were a lot of tough times in this week as well though, with fechas falling and seeing some families fall apart. We are working on helping them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is amazing how many experiences I have had in my life that can help me relate to many people. I can relate to  how they feel and I have examples how the gospel helped me and things that we can do for them.  

 

That night in a lesson an investigator could play the guitar, so we started singing and it was really cool. I like singing with other people with music. It sounded so good and felt amazing. Music really brings the spirit so easily and can help us so much in life. 

 

Saturday, I had a lot of hope to get some new investigators. We tried to find a girl to go with us to one of the lessons but with no luck, We went to a house to see if his wife was there. She wasn´t so we couldn´t go in but we taught at his door and it was amazing. One of the best lessons I have had and it was really different. I am sad I won´t be able to see him progress. I felt really good after that and sang,"The Sun´ll Come Out Tomorrow". haha

 

Sunday is when I noticed most how the Lord prepares the way for his children. We had a regional stake conference with all of Guatemala where President Eyring, Elder Scott, Hna. Wixom and other general authorirties spoke. It was really good. I want to look up Elder Scott´s talk and read it. He speaks Spanish really well.

 

In the confernce a less active came to church. I guess missionaries have tried to get him to go to church for a long time and with us he went. It wasn´t us though, the Lord was preparing the way. Then we went to find a youth that didn´t go to church for the last few weeks. At the house we did some service but after we found out that the member who was with us was chased away just a few days before. Now he has plans to go back and help them more. The Lord was preparing them and allowed us to come at just the right moment to help them. Especailly because it wasn´t in our plans beforer but we felt we should go.  

 

We also started to work with the youth and RM´s in the ward.  We help them learn and strenghten the word. We are orgainizing the companionships now.   I am excited to come back and see the success it will bring as that night we found out we would be leaving and moving to a new area. It is bittersweet because we are really starting to take off here and work with everyone but it is good because I know the Lord needs me somewhere else. We will see what happens. Thanks for your support and love. 

While we were doing Service

 




This week has really been an adventure. I feel like I have good health right now but there are a lot of different things that passed that I have never experienced before. In the mission it is a mini life so we are bound to experience a little of everything.

Last Monday we went to the Central Market in zone 1. There are a lot of really cool typical things there from here. We went with the Bishop's wife and she helped us to haggle the prices. I am also good at haggling as well I discovered. I love being here - there really is so much culture.



For My Mommy

Zoo Fun

Tuesday we started out with a lot of service. We worked a lot with corn and land taking it of the stalk, pulling it out of the ground, drying the corn and then talking the kernels off of the husk. Everything was good until the black corn and then that was really hard so I ended up getting a huge blister on my thumb. Later in the day we visited with more members who asked us to visit them. We met with Grandma Cano who had a hard time in chruch a few weeks ago and it was really amazing to hear her story and learn more about her. Sometimes doing the smallest thing like listening is one of the biggest services we can do.

Wednesday there was a relief society activity which they have every week buy this week the relief society President asked us to come because there are always non members there and she wanted us to get to know them. They really are excited to know us and I am not sure if they want to learn about the gospel but little by little they will learn and progress. They do want to go and walk around the temple. The sisters are planning a visit for them so that will be a great experience.



Part of My District

Thursday we did a lot more service. A lot of our lessons fell this week so we like to go and help members when this happens and see if they have anyone for us to teach as well. We mainly serve them though our love. That is how it should be. We also made the folders for the primary program they had on Sunday. Something a little strange is that every week we find a less active who isn´t registered in the ward. This week we found 3 which was crazy. It is good to find out this information though.



My Service Clothes and My New Hat

Friday for the first time in my life I had an allegic reaction. It was really weird and I have no clue what I ate to have that happen. We also went to visit with a girl home from her mission in Arizona. She wanted to talk to us and I was worried about her. Then we found out she only wanted to give us shoes.

Saturday the other Hermanas in our district had a wedding. They said they won´t plan another one for the rest of their lives (missions). We helped them out a bit and it really was crazy. It is cool to see what the members can help us pull together though. To end the night we had a NDG with a new investigator. I am not sure where he came from but he is reallly progressing. I am going to help him and his wife who is a member form an eternal family. That is why I help the people here, so that they can have the gospel and recieve all the blessings Heavenly Father has prepared for them and us.

I am grateful for all of your support and I will write next week. Have a great week.  

Having Fun

Swimming

Hello!!!!! This week was a lot of fun.  Really the longer I am on my mission the more I feel that I am used to where I am and that I am home.  It obviously isn´t the same as being with all of those that I love but I don´t feel like a stranger or outsider here.  Last Monday we didn't have our p-day because we changed it to Tuesday so we went right to work. Really, I liked it a lot more because usually people want us to come over on Monday and we can´t. The day was full of contacting, teaching and helping people. It is a great way to start off the week right -working really hard to reach the goals we set for the week.

Monkeys at the Zoo

 

In the evening as well I was really surprised because a recent convert invited us over for a FHE and we thought it was just going to be with her. Then when we got there we saw that she invited another recent convert with her family, her daughters family who aren´t members and some other non member friends. We changed the lesson and it was amazing. One of the friends was a Jehovah´s witness as well and she really likes me. It was truly an amazing day and made me so excited for the week. The one sad part of the day was when I went to visit with one of our investigator families. They didn´t feel like learning more and I was so sad. I went home and cried and prayed. It is so hard to love someone and see them make a decision and not move forward. However, since then - something happened and now they are progressing again. =) Prayers really do get answered.



Tuesday we had our preparation day and we went to the zoo. I really loved it - it was a lot of fun. The way the animals are there is differnent than in the states but is was really fun. I like to do different things. On the way there the bus was really full like usual so I went to the back, found a bucket and sat on it. They were driving really crazy though - I almost fell many times, but it was really fun. 

Wednesday we went back to working really hard.  A goal that I had this week was to find out the goals that people have and see what I could do to help them accomplish them.  I really love it because once I find out the needs of people, I can  teach them on their needs and more.  Also, when I ask them what their needs are, they talk more than I do which is always good as well.  At one point we went to the house of a new convert. It was so cool to listen to her story and hear of her experiences.  Later that day we had a zone meeting.  Each companionship had to prepare a workshop and it was really a lot of fun. My zone really is amazing and we are working so hard.



Mayan Statues

Friday, we went into divisions with the sister training leaders. I was with Hermana Espinosa and we had a really great day. I really learned a lot by the way she contacts. She asks people if they have had the chance to be blessed with our message in their homes. It is great because we then can help them to see what a great blessing this will be to them. I also learned that in the next change I will be one of the 5 oldest Sister missionaries in the mission. That is crazy to me but it is true- most of the sisters are new. 

Saturday we ended the divisions and had an amazing English class. Every week I feel like I am better at teaching English and finding their needs as well. Our class continues to grow and there are only non members there.  It really is a great contacting activity.  Also, that day some old investigators came back and we are teaching them again. It is exciting to be there and help them.  

Sunday we contacted in the morning again and I feel like that brings a lot of blessings. The gospel principles class we had was great and we planned for members to be with all of our investigators. It was a great day. The one thing was that we started really late becasue we didn´t have a white table cloth. We were going to use white trash bags and when that was ready they finally found the cloth. It was a little crazy . I am excited for this week as well. There is so much to do and so many to help. I love this work. I love serving the Lord. Have a great week and thank you for the support. 

Honoring Covenants

I feel like this week there have been a lot of changes but they are good changes. For example last week we emailed from the Stake Center and then celebrated the birthdays from all of the people who would celebrate in November. It was a busy day but besides that nothing new happened.

 

Tuesday we had divisions with the zone leaders. It was so great to be with them and they came to our area to work with  both of us. We contacted a lot and  had many great lessons. I really look up to them and they help me a lot in all that I need to do. At one point in the day we were all together and this kid was beating up this other kid and then left him in the street. The kid who was beaten was about 5 or 4. I just left where I was to go and help him while everyone else was in the middle of a contact. I told him that he was loved and bore testimony of the Savior and that he is never alone. It was a tender moment. It was sad to see this happen especially since the kid was his brother.

 

Wednesday we had divisions with the Elders in Quetzal. It was different than the day before, because the elders were just kind of there, they watched us ,but it was still good and we have a new family that we are teaching. 

 

Service

Thursday was Halloween but not here. lol It was a good day although sad.  A lady in our area passed away and everyone was at her funeral -  a lot of the lessons fell through.  It was a great opportunity though to find service  and we were able to help out in a bread store. That was fun for me because I am really good with bread here. 

 

Friday was the  Day of the Dead so everyone was at the cemetary visiting those in the family that passed away. We knew it would be a little hard to find people at home so we planned some service activities. I was able to help make tortillas again. At first they weren't that great but then I got my groove back. It was a great thing because everyone walked by to get their tortillas and saw us helping. We talked to a lot of them and they are more comfortable with us now.

 

That day we also ate fiambre which is a food they only eat on this day. It is a salad thing but really good. I was a little nervous to eat it. Also we went to help the new Relief Society President to show her where different people live and do visits with her. It felt good to work with all of the leaders this week and help them in the plans they have. 

 

In the afternoon, we visited the Acosta family. They are really working hard to progress and get the papers so they can get married and baptized.  I was really suprised to see how they have come along. Truly, the gospel can change lives.

 

Fiambre and Pumpkin Dessert in celebration of Day of the Dead

Saturday we had a race against the Johovah´s Witnesses. We were going to talk to the Bishop and when we got to the street we saw all of the Jehovah´s Witnesses there. They started going two to a house and Bishops was the last one. I told my comp we needed to walk fast so we could get there. We did and made it 3 seconds before them. It was cool.  The Bishop almost didn´t answer because he saw them coming but then he realized it was us. I like talking to them though. They are trying to do what is right but we can help them as well to know more and strengthen the faith they have. When they knock on our door I answer it because I don´t want to do what others do to us. lol

 

Sunday was probably one of my favorite days of the whole week. I felt so accomplished and good. It started with a whole bunch of contacts in the morning on the way to church. Then in church we were able to hear all of the testimonies. Then in our Sunday School class I went to pay my fast offering and the recent convert sitting next to me wanted to do it as well but didn´t know how. Needless to say the theme of the class changed and now they know how to pay tithing and fast offerings. Then on Relief Society it was my favorite. We were given partners for the day. Just the

Working Hard - I had to put my whole body into the project- getting stronger.

n a little kid fell and everyone was concerned. There was an old lady sitting next to me and she started to cry. She wasn´t my partner but I put my arm around her. We started to talk and eventually she put her arm around me. I thought, I am honoring my covenants just like the relief society talk said. It was so great and she later told me what a great missionary I was. A lot more happened that day and I just feel like I am doing what I am here to do. Maybe there aren´t tons of people progressing right now but we are helping a lot of people and doing what we are called to do. Thanks for your love.



My Crazy Zone with those who Celebrate Birthdays in November

So this week we spent partly in the house and partly outside. My companion and I continued to switch who was sick and when we had divisions planned they all fell through. Last Monday though we went to the office to  meet with the nurse.  She gave me medicine thinking I had broncolosis again. I am not sure what it was though but it is all good. 

 

In the night time we has a NDH and it was a great lesson. Somehow in the prayer though I felt super bad like I was going to be sick and I was really dizzy. When the prayer was over I just got up to leave and then I had to sit on the floor. I felt really bad and we still didn`t have our phone so that night we didn`t call the Elders. 

 

The next day I felt much better but my comp didn`t. We mainly just stayed in the house except for when we went to get our phone from the office. There was so much rain and flooding in the streets and the lightning was really loud and close, I loved it. It was really funny though because during one really close lighting and thunder a lady screamed. The whole bus was laughing but it was good. On the way back we took a taxi. At one point I was a little worried because I didn`t know where we were going or if he was taking us to the right place. My companion was sleeping and we passed things I had never seen before even a huge bridge. It was really pretty but I didn`t want to go to some place hours away from our area. Then finally he went a way I knew. I talked to him though and he is planning to take his family to church. I really hope he went on Sunday because I know how much it can bless his life.

 



Me

Tuesday night we found out that Wednesday we had interviews with President Stay. I love interviews but there are always things we have to memorize or prepare. Something I have really noticed is that I actuallly have a great memory and I memorized the 13th article of faith in English and Spanish in 5 minutes. President is really here for a reason and I know that a big part of why I am in this mission is him. He knows exactly what to say and how to help us. He talked about spiritual eyes and ears and how they help us to see more but that others may not have them to understand. That made a lot of sense and helped me with some things. 

 

Thursday even though we weren`t fully better we went out to work. I love working a lot and it makes me feel so much better. We also met a new family this week who are actually members. They are excited to start going back to church and their kids are as well. I love  when we meet someone and we can help them to come back to church or help them to know the truth. 

 

So I think just to end this that I will tell you all about my new boyfriend I have here. He is 4 and his name is Bradford. It was so funny because him and his brother has a strength competition lifting their bikes over there head to be my boyfriend. Really he is just a little boy who likes me but he is really cute and likes to tell people, " Ella es mi novia".  Well anyway that is basically it and I will write you all next week. A

Birthday in November in our Zone

dios

Guatemala this Week

Right now I am a little sad to say that I am sick. It all started when my companion was sick a few days ago but we will get into that later. Last P-Day was really great because we got permisison to visit San Juan and San Raymundo. I loved going back and showing my previous area to my companion along with seeing a few people there. I did try to find one of my investigators but I couldn´t find them anywhere. One really cool thing is that I got some clothes from Guatemala. It isn´t from San Juan but I really like it. A recent convert gave it to me. I just love it and I didn´t think it would look good on me but I like it.

Guatemalan Dress from an Investigator 

Thank you Hna. Laura for my Ropa Tipica

Visiting in San Reymundo

 

Tuesday we met with a lot of interesting people. One of them told me about how I can get rid of my asthma. They told me to get a baby cat and raise it for 6 months only feeding it milk and bread. Then kill it and cook it in water and salt. If I eat everything my asthma will be gone. Interesting right? I might just have to try it lol.  Along with that I am so grateful to live in the USA where everyone has the opportunity to learn. If you aren´t great at learning here your parents don´t put you in school. 

 

At the end of that evening, I had a really cool experience. I was in a lesson with a family that always has a lot of questions and they like to argue a bit. I never argue back but bear my testimony. The spirit came really strongly and everyone was crying. Then after I bore my testimony there was complete silence. They didn´t have a single argument, we prayed and left. Really it was such an amazing experience.  

 

Wednesday we went to vist an investigator who only really has time to meet with us on the weekends. When we got to her house she wasn´t there but her mom was. We taught her and at the end our investigator came in. After the lesson we asked if there was anything we could do to help her but she said no and then asked if she joined the church and then didn´t come anymore if she had to pay for all of the service we did. I reassured her that we don´t do service for money. It doesn´t matter if you are a member or not. She felt better about that but it was a little funny. As we left we told her the visit that day would cost 20Q she laughed and told us if we wanted to leave it was 40Q. We joke around about that now. haha

 

Finally we were able to bring the family Aparicio to the house of a member. I know that when we do have a lesson with a member they are so much better. I want the people I teach to remember the members here that helped them more than me. 

The kids in the Family Aparicio menos 1 y plus un amigo

 

On Thurday our phone stopped working and so we have to use a pay phone right now. It isn´t that bad but we don´t call as many people. I opened it up and there were bugs inside but that is Guatemala for you. Good thing I love it here. Right now there is also always a little breeze and so a lot of people fly kites. I love seeing them in the sky. Also I just love seeing all of the fruit trees here. When I have my own house I want to be sure to have a garden and fruit trees. I always loved that growing up. 

 

Friday we had a zone meeting and I met some of the new people in my zone. We all are working hard and the new girl in my district worked with my companion from the CCM, Hna. Coats in Nicuragua. It was nice to find out how she is doing.  Speaking of companions it is official that only one of mine is in the mission and that is my companion right now. All of the other ones are in another mission or home, how weird is that. 

 

Saturday my companion woke up and went to use the bathroom and then she blacked out. Luckily I was there to catch her but she still hit her head on the wall a little bit. That day she just slept and in the night felt better. Then the next day I woke up with a fever. The good news is that I made a plan of salvation but there is so much more to do and lots of people to visit so I hope I get better soon.  

 

Spending time outside when my companion was not feeling well

I am really excited to hear from you and I will tell you more about what happened in my week next week. I feel fine aside from having a fever but it was really funny one night when my comp and I were outside to call the elders from a payphone and report the data. It was pouring and no one was answering we just laughed and made a great memory. We should get a new phone today though which will be good. 

In Guatemala we have Dogs inChurch