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

Una Semana Mas

The title to this email was made by my district leader. Sometimes it is hard to always be creative but the good news is that I am always coming up with creative things to do in the work here. It is crazy to think that I have spent 6 weeks here in Ciudad Quetzal and that now I will have six more. For some reason at the beginning of the week I felt like I would be leaving here only after this one change. That made me a little sad since there is so much happening here. Then as the week went on I felt more comfortable with the change that would come. Then on Saturday, I had a feeling I wouldn´t be leaving and that I would be staying here. It is weird how I know things like this. I asked Hermana. Calero the other day if I had changes and she said that I did. Then when I had the feeling I wouldn't be leaving, I recived notice that there were no changes. Sorry this may not make sense to some of you, but I think it is cool that the spirit can testify to us as well what will happen. 

 

Last Monday I went to a huge mall in the Capital called Villa Flor. I felt like I was in the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas a little bit. It was fun to go and explore a bit.  Like always though coming back the busses are always super full.  

 

Sharing Gospel with Good Food, Fun and Spirit

Tuesday we had a zone meeting which was really nice. I really love Zona Milagro because we have really great leaders and they are really pushing us to be our best and have a great plan. I feel inspired to reach even higher and do my best when I am with them. Our Stake President even comes to our meetings with our zones and shares the best insights and gives the best advice.  After the zone meeting my companion and I rushed to Quetzal to eat, get our things and then leave for divisions with the sister training leaders. Hermana Calero is leaving to go home since she has been here 19 months. For the last division she wanted to have it with me. I loved working with her.

 

There is a man in her area that has been an investigator for about 23 years or more. I had a lesson and talked about my experiences and how we cannot just be idle with the things that we know. I also explained about when I was baptized and how I wish I wouldn´t have waited so long to make that step when I knew it was true. After that he told Hna. Caleo that he would be getting baptized in a month. She was so amazed and it felt truly amazing.

 

Wednesday we ended our divisions and I went back to my area. I am happy to report that I am seeing miracles wherever I am here in Guatemala but especially in the area that I am working in. It is so much fun to leave every morning not knowing how things will go or who I will meet.  At the end of the day while waiting for a bus, my companion and I were talking to these little kids. They asked us who we were and if we could teach them something in English. Then when the bus came they all chased it as it left saying bye and thank you.  How cute right?

 

Thurday, we started teaching a lot more new families. It was so funny in one of the lessons, because after it was over we asked one more time if anyone had and questions or needed anything. There was one little daughter who asked if she could go and live with us. I love little kids so much!  We also met with a part member family for the first time and set a date with the husband. He has read the Book of Mormon and knows that it is ture. He has not once met with misisonaries because he was always afraid of what his family would think.  It is such a great feeling to feel the spirit working through us.

 

Friday I was a little sad when I went to the Aparicio families house and they were doing some things they shouldn´t.  We ended up not having an official lesson but we talked with Jazmin the mom and she spoke about all of the ways their family is changing for the better especially with her husband. It was nice to see how even they are noticing the differences and while they are not yet ready to be baptized they are preparing for this Grande Paso.  

 

This was also the day of Elder Mendoza´s birthday so we went as a district to eat lunch at a members house. The food was really good and she had us take pictures as little people with our shoes at our knees which was funny. We even sang head, shoulders, knees and toes for her. 

 

Saturday we used the time we had for lunch to cook since we do not have a Comedor on Saturday or Sunday. I was really excited for this because I really love to cook and teach others as well. We made a tuna casserole which is my companions favorite food and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. When I have a family I want to share meals with people and invite them over to eat,

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

that would be so much fun and would be a great way to share the gospel with good food, fun and the spirit.

 

My New Planner

This Sunday was fast Sunday here and there was a lot that needed to get done. We always leave the house on Sunday at 6am to help get people ready. This week we did a lot of service and knocked on a lot of doors. Then at church the elders had an investigator family who was there. The little two year old felt weird and didnt want to go to her class. The mom was out in the hall with her so I took them into a classroom and made a special little lesson for her. She really liked that and went to the last class by herself. 

 

Later in the day we contacted two new families who are now our investigators as well. Something happened with the mom and we just clicked. They are like my best friends here which is really cool. We get along really well and I am excited to work with them more. Well That is about it for the week. I hope that you have a great week and I will right again next week. Adios!!!!

God Speaks

Right now I am soaking wet but I love it. For a week or so I thought the rain was gone but now it is back!!!! This week has really been amazing. I really do think the more that I am on my mission the more that I love it and don,t want to leave. There was something really amazing that did happen this week. If you don´t know what I am refering to it is General Conference. If you didn't get to watch it, DO IT!!!!! Your life will be so blessed.

 

Night Time in My Area

So last Monday my companion and I went to Walmart and we bought a lot of food to make cookies and good meals. I am really excited and she is excited to learn how to cook. Then on Tuesday the elders had  us make a Baptism Plan for October to give to President Stay. We had less than 24 hours to do it with a busy day. We finally fishished it and ran to the church. I think it turned out pretty well though. 

 

On Friday we had a differnet tyoe of activity with our awesome investigator family. Anderson wanted to make a note book to get ready for Conference.  I think it turned out amazingly and he even wrote a question in it about how he could feel the spirit.  

 

Anderson with his Notebook we made.  It was great!

Roses from our Yard

The General Conference was the highlight of the week and everyone in my district had investigators there. It was really awesome. I felt like the main themes were placing Christ in the Center of our lives, strengthening our selves and enduring through trials.  

 

On Sunday I hit my 8 month mark on my mission. After conference, was a busy day of visiting our investigators and teaching. It was going well but then once again all of the animals were against us. We decided to go and study after we got attacked by five dogs. They didn´t bite us but it was close. My companion and I were both on the ground and we have some bruises but it is all good. I love doing this work. Well,  have a great week!

Mosquito on our Roses - they love us!