Taste of Guatemala...Last entry!

Taste of Guatemala Day 24... Hi, Well this is probably the biggest part of Guatemala Mormon’s life…Morcaff…I don’t know if I ever told you about this but in my first area this is what we drank everyday for breakfast and now in Las Flores we drink it almost every day or night because it is so cold! It is like coffee but is is made from corn (big surprise) but also oats and flour and other healthy things. Try it out! The first time I didn’t like it but now I love it! (after 18 months) so you probably won’t like it but I had to send it! Directions: a small spoonful for a liter of water boiling then strain it and drink it with lots of sugar your first time. Also, if you add milk it is great!

Taste of Guatemala Day 25 the Crowning Day!!! Well no note today…but a phone call!!! But our last gift besides the phone call was a beautiful Guatemalan table cloth, napkins and napkin holders! It was great!!! What a glorious Christmas to be able to talk to family no matter where they are! Merry Christmas!

An Eventful Week!

Wow, so this week was very eventful. Monday came and went with no word about the changes Wednesday. We were both positive that I had changes though….wrong!!! We both had changes. So Tuesday was a sad day as we said goodbye to our investigators and the members here. I was pretty sad. This area is easily my favorite area for the members, converts, and friends I have made here. It was hard saying goodbye to this area. Wednesday morning I felt like Preston when he had unexpected changes and said I feel like a baby who had candy taken away from him. I felt sad and almost depressed! Even though I knew it was coming. I hate packing FYI!!! The #1 thing that is the worst!!! Well I will cut to the chase and tell you; well where I am…I am outside the capital again in an area call Barberena with an Elder Rios. Oh and I am also a Zone Leader! Crazy Stuff! Everyone freaked out when they announced that! It was a cool moment! So I’ll explain more about that further on, but first my area…I still am not used to being outside the capital…that means 1) it is a branch here…today the attendance was 39. 2) it is hot! But right now not too bad. I’m sweating sometimes but at night it is such a nice temperature! Makes me miss home and the St. George nights or California! I love the atmosphere in this town! It is so lively and energetic! If I had to compare it to the states it would be Las Vegas…there is a block of just bars and prostitutes. That’s kinda sketchy but that is why zone leaders are here Ha! 3) The people are a lot poorer! 4) it sometimes is a lot harder for the people to understand our message or feel the spirit and 5) our house is 2 little rented rooms. It is horrible! I don’t even want to take a video it is that bad! But we are changing next week so that is what gives me hope 6) No water heater outside the capital and here the water is ice cold! Literally! I hate showering. It is now a burden to shower, when before it was like what I looked forward to! But that also will change next week  When I got here Wednesday night I was pretty bummed but now I have grown to love this area, it has a lot of potential! So as zone leader we are in charge of the Zone Cuilapa which has 22 missionaries and which covers basically all the way to the coast by Taxisco. Um I can’t think of anything else about the zone that would be interesting to tell. Oh I love having a cell phone. It is by far the best thing of being a zone leader! Hey you should call me ya? 4630 7417! Call me. Think of a couple of questions for tomorrow. I have a couple of things to say that I probably shouldn’t say here so tomorrow. So Saturday night we were in the only restaurant here called Pollo Campero cause my companion had to use the bathroom when some members walked in from California! Talk about a small world!!! Their son served in the Salt Lake Mission about a year ago. So they wanted to buy us dinner…(mom thanks to you because you bought the missionaries lunch one time). I love this church, it is so amazing. I love the principles it teaches us. It definitely what the world teaches us. We are teaching a recent convert who is going through some trials and is super sad and is angry with God, but he still has so many blessings! That is something I am so grateful for is that the church has helped me with my attitude and outlook on life. God has given and still gives us so many things that we don’t even deserve! I am so grateful to him for this church, for this opportunity to be a missionary in his work, for my family, for my health. Really everything depends on our outlook of life. One thing that I have noticed is that I have grown to be more humble to submitting to the will of the Lord (or at least I think, here we don’t really have a choice ) but with this convert we read with him “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten” by D. Todd Christofferson. But we focused on the example he used from President Hugh B. Brown. Read it! Cause it’s amazing and a great example of how sometimes we can’t see the whole picture, but God can, he knows where we’ve come from, why we are here and even better where we are going. Sometimes we want to do our own thing but he has other plans for us. We just have to be humble and submit ourselves to his will cause he knows better. Just be positive, love life, help out and give service this holiday season especially to the less fortunate or to those that just really need a hand right now. Be Happy! This church is true, I love it! I love you guys so much!!!

A Taste of Guatemala Continued....

A Taste of Guatemala Day 17...So Halls…These things are like candy here! Everyone eats them like candy and water! They are in every store and cost .25Q…These are my favorite flavors…grape and orange…

A Taste of Guatemala Day 18...Well today I am going to be super selfish and talk about myself. Apart of or A Taste of Guatemala is me! Cause I’m here now, I’ve been here for about 18 months now and I have enjoyed you guy’s support. It has pushed and motivated me to be the best missionary I can be, knowing that I have my own support group back home. Mom with your packages, and Dad with your hand written letters. These things (packages and letters are always filled with random awesome things. So I am going to ask for at least one more letter and one more package…BUT I’ve never received a hand written letter from you Mom or a package from you Dad. So that is your assignment…Mom an actual letter before I finish and Dad an actual package. (Doesn’t have to be big…) Dad can help Mom with the letter because he is basically a pro by now in letter sending and Mom can help Dad with a package cause she has it down to a science! P.S. Here are the Starburst wrappers from the last package…we really enjoyed them…llenarl los!

A Taste of Guatemala Day 19...You guys are in for a treat today. These cookies are probably my favorite thing here in Guatemala! I love them, you can try them normal or put them in the micro wave for like 10 seconds…Super Good!!! Enjoy!

A Taste of Guatemala Day 20...We are definitely in a different culture with this one…it is one thing that I haven’t gotten used to, nor will I probably ever…But here they put salt on every fruit or vegetable, apples, strawberries, pineapple, oranges!!! I don’t get it. Also, if we are waiting for the food there is always a huge bowl of salt out and they will eat just salt. Also another thing is that they put lime on everything and chile! So here they got smart and combined it all together salt, lime and Chili!!! You at least need to try it!!!

A Taste of Guatemala Day 21...Well what would be A Taste Of Guatemala without seeing their “fichas”. Their coins are really cool. On each one has something really important to Guatemala. 1 Quetzal it has the “peace signature” which what ended the war here and it was signed December 29th 1996 and on the other side has their national emblem. .50 piece has the National flower on it called “Monja Blanca” or “White nun.” .25 piece has an indian woman (because there are a lot here). .10 piece has the statues of Quirgua, which are some ruins here (I’ve been there!!!) .05 piece have a huge tree on it. I think its called the seba or something like that. But it is huge!!! There are a ton here (more in Zacapa) but they are breath takingly big. It is ridiculous how big they are.

A Taste of Guatemala Day 22... Hi Mom! I love and miss you so much! I don’t even know where to start to begin thanking you for everything. But I think I will start with a quote by James E. Faust which states “The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.” And that is so true. Your influence on me has been huge and continues to be. I think I’ve said this before but the biggest thing I am grateful for that is a strength of yours has been your continual support in whatever I am pursuing from cross country, dance, school plays, student council, college, or the mission. You have always been 100% behind me encouraging me to pursue my dreams. I am so grateful for that!!! It didn’t matter how ridiculous it was you were there for me. But above everything I am so grateful for you guys teaching me and bringing me up in the gospel. I know you have a testimony. I can also say alongside the 2000 stripling warriors that you have taught me well (Alma 56:47-48). I feel like we have both grown while I have been out on my mission and I look forward to when we can be together as a family again…I love you!

Dad you’re such a stud…no really I am so grateful to have you as my dad. All the memories we have shared you have a lot to do with me becoming who I am today. Your love, patience, gentle and sometimes not so gentle, guidance throughout my teenage years. I am so grateful that you took part and interest in my life and that we share so many memories. Usted gano, sus hijes ya estan granes y todas estan por diferente caminos hacienda diferente cosas, palabras no puedan expresar la gratitude en mi Corazon por todo lo que ustedes me han ensenado y han hecho y por ensenando me sobre el Evangelio gracias. Te amo papi pecho peludo.

A Taste of Guatemala Day 23...Um Hi…I’m famoso. I was on national TV. You see we went to go help make some humanitarian kits for the earth quake in San Marcas and there were a bunch of News people and photographers taking my photo. But I had this vest on. Wherever we give service we have to wear them, kinda trendy, right?

You Are Gonna Hate Me...Short Letter!!!

Oh hi family! You guys are going to hate me, cause I didn’t write a letter last night, every Sunday night I have to collect the stats of the week for each area in the district, it isn’t hard but sometimes just time consuming, so usually I write it in the morning, but today we are using internet in Don Justo (our stake center!!) so we left earlier and so I didn’t have time to write it.... and right now I’m not in a really writy mood either.... so I probably won’t write a lot hahaha but I loved your letters!!! Thank you they were nice and long :) I will share with you my thoughts and feeling as of late, because been awhile. I am alive and well, I cannot believe I have 18 months in the mission, in fact it scares me, I still feel new! but I love it here, I absolutely love the mission, I love all the lessons that I am learning and experiences that I am gaining also I love teaching, I love helping people change and accept Christ into their lives, and learning about the Restoration, it is amazing!!! There is nothing better than seeing someone accept the Gospel and truly turn their lives around and change. Guatemala is crazy! And it’s even crazier right now because for Christmas everyone lights off fireworks like every second! Well just know that I am doing amazing! I love the Christmas season for the spirit that it brings, I love helping people and I miss you guys. I love you all, and I promise I might do better next week in my writing... Mom does dad know that we are coming back? And how does he feel about that all?!?! Oh man mom I am so excited!!!!! Also up in Petén there is an island called Isla de las Flores or something like that, something I think would be worth seeing, also there is a zoo, that is like on a whole bunch of small islands up there that you have to travel by boat to go and see, I think that would be awesome, but would there be time for that up in Petén? Also depending on my last area if I only have one more or two more will change the things I will keep thinking about what we can do, where is your geocaches that you want to get? Well we don’t know the transfers yet, I don’t want changes but I bet I will have them, and I could see myself opening up a new area and training, which would be.... fun during the holiday season, but I wouldn’t mind it, it would be a fun experience. With Christmas would you like to Skype? I know it depends on my area but would you like too? The baptism went amazing!!! It was the first time when I wasn’t stressed out or worried, a lot of things went wrong as always, like her blouse ripped right before, so we started pretty late but she was baptized!!!! Which is always amazing, the spirit was there and she felt it which is always our goal!

We had the Christmas devotional as missionaries this week, not gonna lie it was a lot different than last years, and I felt something was missing. Last year we played all morning ate and had a devotional and watch the 17 miracles movie, but this year we just had a 2 hour devotional and then ate, it was good but just wasn’t the same.... Also we had the ward Christmas party right after the baptism which was fun! They did a bunch of acts and we ate well!!!! Ok mom a couple more small things of business, what thing would you like to do here in Guatemala, what would you like to see? I love you!!! and I read the conference talk by President Eyring, and I will think about it for you but i think it’s too late now!!! LOVE YOU...Elder Call

Taste of Guatemala Continued...

Taste of Guatemala Day 12…Welcome to this day, I hope your having an amazing week! I love you! Well for today, I don’t know if you guys have heard but there are a ton of ancient ruins here in Guatemala. They are from the Mayans, pretty cool huh!!! The best part is that here is the Book of Mormon land so these ruins are…ancient Book of Mormon cities! Anyways today you have an assignment to build these ruins. They are a representation of some ruins in Northern Guatemala…(that may or may not be true) but while you’re putting them together be thinking of the ruins here in Guatemala!!! Feliz Dia!

Taste of Guatemala Day 13...Okay…these crackers I thought were so random, but every store has them which means that everyone eats them! I thought they were only for kids but nope…They come with a packet of Jam to put on them, so be sure to eat them how they are intended!!! Provecho!!!

Taste of Guatemala Day 14...Howdy ya all!! Alrighty well today you have a great surprise! It’s a drink called Atol! It is a corn drink that is so Guatemala! (They make so many things from corn!) I doubt ya will like it. It took me a while to get used to it. But here they serve Atol ridiculously hot so hot you can’t drink it. It kinda bugs me how hot they serve it, but I love it now! I included 2 different flavors: original and vanilla. Vanilla is super good and well the other…you’ll see. Directions: boil 1 cup milk in other cup mix the powder with more milk once well mixed, add it to the boiling milk (the amount really doesn’t matter depends if you want it to be strong or not and also how many people) add sugar.

Taste of Guatemala Day 15...Alright well you guys are probably thinking why did I send you guys trash!?! Well it’s not trash, it’s water! OK well it’s trash but before it was a bag of water! The thing is, is that the majority of the purified drinking water comes in bags! Ya buy it in whatever random small street store call a “Tienda” and then just bite off the corner and start sucking. That was one of the weirdest things to get used to at first, but now its normal! Prices: in areas hot aka Zacapa: 1Q…in all other areas .50Q.

Taste of Guatemala Day 16...So what would be the taste of Guatemala without their different bills? Well Guatemala is really dirty including the bills, so I decided to only send new ones home so you guys wouldn’t be grossed out. But these are what we use here. Also they have bills of 50, 100, 200. But they are really expensive and I am really poor…so enjoy these bills!!!

Taste of Guatemala Continued...

Day 9...On the 9th day of Christmas our Chaddy sent to us...Horchata!! I think they have this in the states, but I love it so much! The real stuff is so much better but this is also really good. In Zacapa this is all we would drink but super cold!!! Directions: add to 1 liter cold milk (or water).

Day 10...On the 10th day of Christmas our Chaddy sent to us...Money!!! This was Brooke’s favorite of course…money. The Note is kind of hard to read…so this is what it says…So like 2 months ago they came out with new bills of Quetzals! So they were circulating…here is a hefty collection of some. They are interesting how they make them, before they were paper but now they are slowly changing all the bills to plastic…I sent a lot home so you guys can keep them or give them out as you wish, at work, or in your class or however you wish.

Day 11...On the 11th day of Christmas our Chaddy sent to us: The note reads…Here is another weird thing (at least for me) but I bet Dad will love them. It is like a creamy chocolate cream with different flavors. I hadn’t tried them until like a week before I made the package. I didn’t like it, it tastes good but I don’t know…it’s weird…try it! Love you guys

I love the 25 days to Christmas!!! Jan

It's Feeling A Lot Like Christmas!!!

Wow…Hi family I swear the weeks are getting faster and faster. So here is the low down…Monday we went bowling! Last time I beat everyone but this time I did horrible! But oh well it was fun. Tuesday we did divisions with San Jose Pinula. I went there with Elder C from Peru. He has 13 months and is a great missionary. We had a great day. Worked super hard, harder than I worked in a long time and I love it! I miss it! We also had a super spiritual lesson, it was about the restoration of the church and it was my turn to tell about the first vision. While I was telling about the first vision the spirit came so strong we both felt it and they felt it also and we asked them too if they could feel the spirit. Then we explained a little more about the spirit. It was an awesome experience/lesson. In Pinula they have chocolate covered bananas and they are so good! The first layer is yogurt or cream I’m not sure, that’s frozen then they put chocolate on it dip it in peanuts and then coconut! It’s so good!!! Later on in the week we helped a member decorate her house for Christmas! I love this area! Cause in what other area in Guatemala would you do that?! You wouldn't! We did divisions Friday with the zone leaders, I went with Elder McNabb. He is such a stud and we've grown to be great friends. So we taught an interesting lesson. He is from the States and inactive. He moved here a year ago cause his wife left him with his kids. So somehow he ended up here teaching English at a very private school. He has had a lot of bad things happen to him and has a lot of anger bottled up inside against God. We got permission to use our iPods so we didn’t have to carry our English scriptures around, well with him we watched a little of a CES fireside of Elder Holland called “Lessons from Liberty Jail.” It talks about 3 points…1. God has not forgotten about us 2. The Savior has been where we have been (we only talked about those 2 points). If you have time watch it cause it is amazing. We watched from 12-34 minutes then we talked a little and basically he said “wow I now know what I have to do.” The spirit was super strong and really touched his heart. Plus I loved teaching in English, but after he said “you guys aren’t used to teaching people in English are you.” Bahaha!!! It’s just the little things that we screw up in English. We also brought him Egg Nog that was 4.5 Q’s, like 50 cents for a liter…it was amazing! So Friday December 7th, I don’t know if I told you about this day last year but it is a crazy tradition called “burning of the devil.” Basically they make devil piñatas and then burn them! Some people go all out and make huge ones. But they fill them up with fireworks and firecrackers. All of Guatemala goes crazy this day. So welp we did too! Bahaha…we burned the devil just only without fireworks (cause we are good little boys :) ). So Elder McNabb’s comp is a super great missionary, just an all around great guy from Nicaragua. But they are super poor. There were times when they went without food. His Dad left them awhile back and he has never received a letter so when I found that out I promised him I would send one, but while on divisions I still hadn’t sent him the letter so I started to do it…then well it started with a candy bar and a letter and you know how I am once I start it somehow goes like 8 steps farther…so long story short I wanted to get him a little package for Christmas cause he’s not going to be getting anything. So I took some of my Christmas money and bought him a couple of things. I also got McNabb in on it. So after we put them in a box and gave them to the neighbor (who is a member) to doorbell ditch them and leave the box. I am so stoked!!! They are going to do that Christmas eve, but tomorrow (today Monday) they are going to leave some soccer shoes (cause today we are going to play soccer as a zone). So it’s going to be a huge surprise and I’m stoked! We didn’t leave our names…Bahaha…so I will let you know how that goes. We were definitely feeling the Christmas spirit!!! I love it!!! Here in this zone it actually feels like Christmas. Everyone is always out buying and it just feels different in the air! Well just to wrap up we are going to have a baptism this Saturday! Woot Woot!!! I love baptisms except that they are super stressful. Also, I got your package and I accidently opened it. I love it!!! The calendar is so cool mom. I love it! I truly love it and that article is awesome mom! Your such a stud. I love you and am so proud to have you as my mom and you dad as my dad. I love you guys so much. There are changes coming up and I am probably out of here. They are the 19th. Tuesday the 11th we have our Christmas activity. These weeks are flying by! It is crazy how fast it is going by. Before we know it I’ll be home! Crazy! Anyways just know how much I love you guys! And how much I love this gospel! It brings so many blessings into our lives. I love it! It is so true!!! Elder Call

25 Days of Christmas...Guatemalan Style!?!

Well I have to say that the boy scored a homerun!!! On Saturday December 1st we received a package from Guatemala...

anxiously we opened the large box weighing almost 9 lbs!!! Upon opening we see many small envelopes and wrapped packages and a letter on top???

It says...TASTE OF GUATEMALA...Welcome to the package entitled "Taste of Guatemala." The purpose of this package is sto give you a small taste of Guatemala through food, culture and other things. There is a designated envelope for every day leading up to Christmas. The rule is you can only open the envelope on the desginated day...o sea no puede abrir todes en las misma noche (you can't or shouldn't open all of them all at once!) ONE A DAY!!!! No cheating, also other rule is that both parents need to be present. It is for you two so hence you both need to be present...I hope you enjoy it!!! P.S. Some of the things require time. So you will both need to find a common time when you will have a moment to do the task or thing assigned. Also I included some food you can invite others to sample!!! Enjoy!!! Day 1,2,3,4,5, Um Hi Family...Well this didn't work out quite as I planned, BUT it still will work. So for your first day go and check snapfish.com and I am going to try my very hardest to have uploaded my photos on December 3rd..but if for whatever reason I don't you guys can start opening envelops the 6th of December!!! And from then on there is something for everyday leading up to Christmas! Love you!!!

Day 6

Hi...Well with this one I don't know if I should tell you before or after you try them what they really are...they are delicious. At least I like them!!! HaHa...try them!!!...They are goat milk suckers. I'm sure you've tried them or something similar before...everyone eats them here! It's crazy!!! Day 7

So what would be a taste of Guatemala without the music from here?! Here the classic Guatemalan music is the Marimba...that is the classic cultural thing here. I have grown to like it. It takes a little getting used to but it is very relaxing and Guatemalan! Lemme know if you like it! Provecho! Day 8

TorTrix...what would Guatemala be without TorTrix. These are like hot dog to America or baseball to America! They are classic Guatemala!!! They have a ton of different flavors, like 10 and they are all great! Nothing like a TorTrix and a glass bottle of Coke...Bien Fria! Well all you blog readers you will just have to wait until next week when I post the next exciting things we received with our count down of 25 days to Christmas!!! Til then...Jan

Another Week Flew By As Usual!!!

Sorry I wrote out my emails again.... it’s just that I have like no time!!! Maybe dad could be a scribe for you again....bahaha me and elder see are sitting right next to each other and both our moms shared emails from us...bahaha…ok Hi family…this week flew by but literally this week from Monday to Thursday was just one giant blur…well first off what’s fresh on my mind is the Christmas Devotional last night. It was so good! And first time this year actually made me miss home! But don’t worry it was only for like 5 minutes! And now I am back to normal! I hope you guys got to see it because it was pretty good…just a couple notes of what I liked was “we need to learn how to receive with graciousness and gratitude” from President Uchtdorf. President Eyring, I really liked hearing from him. He is so genuine and sincere, he taught that creating joy around the Christmas time requires others and President Monson is always amazing, he talked about service. He said true love is a reflection of Christ’s love. Also true happiness comes by making others happy and not by giving gifts but by service and love, “he who gives of himself gives all.” This world is getting more and more focused on giving and the technology aspect of things, but they gently reminded us to refocus ourselves on Christ and the true reason of Christmas. Try to focus more on true meaning of Christmas and not get too caught up in the temporal meaning, give more service! Especially to the older generation! They have done so much for us!!! So I love this area…we got to choose to go to the stake center to watch the devotional or watch it in our area on a brand new Large 3D flat screen TV. It was huge! And so cool. Have you guys ever tried one of these? They are pretty cool! Alright…well this week did more divisions and went with Elder Hollingsworth who is in an area called Los Lomas in Zone 16 of the Capital. They went really well. Did 3 more interviews…everyone is baptizing now which is amazing!!! It was fun, as always in divisions, learned a lot, and hopefully taught a little, but I think it is me that is doing all the learning here!!! He goes home 6 weeks after me…speaking of which this Saturday I hit 18 months!!! Say what!!! How crazy is that??? I can’t believe that, doesn’t really feel like that, in a sense that I feel new still! But I do feel like I have been away from home on an adventure living a dream for like a year, but not 18 months?! Crazy, we get to call also!!! Let me apologize in advance if I just speak Spanish the whole time, or better yet if I just listen to you guys speak! Alright…Wednesday I went back to an area called Fraijanes to do another interview and then back to my area…I have not had the best luck this week. My towel got stolen! We always put them out to dry out front (which is something you shouldn’t ever do in Guatemala) but I figured we are in a residential so it’s OK and I’ve been doing it for 6 months! But we come back and my towel is gone! But my comp was still there…they only stole mine! I think because his smelt too bad Bahaha!!! I was teasing him the whole time about that. So we are going to go to a thrift store to find a replacement. Friday we got to go to the baptism of the really wealthy but humble guy. It was such a great baptism, the spirit was so strong there, and just to see how happy and seeing him feel the spirit was so humbling it is those moments for which we live for as missionaries. We had an investigator there also; she is going to get baptized the 15th of December. She is soaking it all up and stoked!!! So my new favorite lesson to teach is the plan of salvation! I love it! I love it so much. I’m making some figures out of foam to teach it. I’m so stoked. It’s gonna take forever but it will be worth it! I don’t know why but I love it, I love having the answers to where we are going, why we are here, like what is our purpose here, and where are we and our loved ones going after this life?! It brings peace and joy to know about the plan, and I am stoked to share this knowledge with others. So I don’t know if they announced in church Sunday, but the first presidency is challenging us to read the Book of Mormon before next conference in April. I also challenge you guys to accept that challenge!!! It’s only 4 pages if you start now! President Stay has the inside so he challenged us on the 13th of November and I accepted it and I’m going to DO IT! DO IT ALSO!!! But he challenged us to look for 3 things: 1. any reference of Jesus Christ 2. Any words of Christ, 3. Promised blessings/covenants of the Lord. I am looking for those things and there are a ton. It is really strengthening my testimony that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ because it only talks about him! I am only in 2 Nephi, but I love it! So will you guys accept that challenge? It’s not from me; it’s from the Prophet of God! I sure hope so because I know you guys will be strengthened spiritually. It’s a Prophetic Promise!!! Alright, well I love you all so much! I’m listening to “The Forgotten Carols” cause today Mom is going to Vegas to see them. Enjoy them!!! I love you all so much! I hope you all have a great week where ever you are! Remember the true meaning of this Christmas Season and try to help someone out!!! I love you! Elder Call

Aren't All Week's Crazy!?!?!

Wow Hi family…what a crazy week. We have been running all over the place. It has been crazy, but good! Lemme start from the beginning…Aka Lunes. After writing you guys I gave my first district meeting lesson. It went well. Talked about how we can help our new investigators turn into progressing investigators. I thought it went well. There is a new attitude in the district and we are getting stoked to work again. We have a lot of upcoming baptisms in the district which is awesome! Also in our area we have a couple coming up in for us as well! There is one who is the cousin of a member who is now living with her. She loves the church and is soaking everything up! The other one is a man like 60 years old. He is a “dry member”. He has known the church for over 30 years but his wife never wanted to get married. But he lives as a member! He knows more than us! And his wife finally one day agreed to being married! So we are in the paper work stage right now. Also I think I told you about another guy, he’s a stud. He used to live in the states but had a stroke and brain surgery. So he is pretty down right now. He doesn’t want to do his exercises. So we are visiting him getting him stoked again. This week we talked about the faith, hope, and charity in Moroni 7 and if he has hope he will have faith (verse 42) and faith will always lead us to act. Every time we visit him he gets stoked! So this week was crazy! Did the interviews with President, only problem was that our beloved zone leaders didn’t tell us until late the night before, (the assistants never told them) but that’s beside the point. I love interviews, they are always so good, and just what I need! After the interviews we started divisions with the Elders in Fraijanes. I went with Elder Martin. He goes home in December. He became the zone leader out in Zacapa once I left and now he is training to finish out his mission. He is a great missionary. I learned a lot from him. While there I did a baptismal interview. It was great! Went well and he passed. He got baptized today (Sunday)! Well that night we didn’t have dinner and we were kinda close by PriceSmart (it’s like Sam’s Club or Costco) so we went and ate the pizza and a chicken bake with ranch. Just like in the states! It was so good!! I haven’t had ranch for 18 months! The next day we went to a district leader training meeting in the capital, saw like my whole group I swear! Our whole group are leaders; we have a solid group that entered together. Well on the way back we didn’t have lunch that day either, so we somehow ended up at TGI Friday’s, IDK how, but it was so good! That was a little Thanksgiving celebration we had for ourselves. I thought about you guys that day, but in the night time we got invited to a thanksgiving dinner. NBD! A member here invited all 24 missionaries in the zone to go eat at his house. It was so good! He hired a chef for us! I felt like I was in the states it was so nice. So don’t worry me we were in great hands that day. The next day went on more divisions but this time with Elder See in Pajon. He has about 5 months and is a great missionary. We worked so hard! We had an appointment from 10-8 every hour! That has never happened! We worked hard, he will be a great help to the mission. His mom is a part of the mothers blog because he received his micro fiber towel and a small little Christmas tree with decorations (classic missionary mom blogger, remember when you did that!!!). While we were there a less active that we were teaching thanked us, but this time you could feel his sincerity and his love for us. He said our words really truly helped him. It got me thinking about what we are doing out here. The people we are helping, the words that the spirit puts into our mouths, a lot if not all the time, I take it for granted. I don’t realize what I’m doing out here and the people I am truly helping. It has become almost second nature because we are always doing it. It mean we plan for each person and truly try to help them (teach people not lessons) but when he thanked us it put all that into perspective of all the good that we are doing. I think that mixed with doing the baptismal interviews and seeing the people changing has opened my eyes to see just how big of a difference we are doing out here. I love it! So in Pajon we did another interview with a kid who has 15 years, but he looks like he is 25. I thought he was so old but nope! He passed. So ya that’s the week in a nut shell! Oh but also did divisions with the zone leader’s (Elder McNabb pure stud) to do more interviews! I did an interview for one of the coolest people I have met here in the mission, super humble and so smart. During the interview we talked a lot like 45 minutes just about everything and I testified of the church and how happy we both feel from it! He is such a good guy and is already a great member! I love him! Did another interview after…and this week is looking just as busy with service, appointments, divisions, and interviews. Its good, I like being busy and helping / getting to know all the missionaries in the district! I love this church it is so true, so amazing! It makes me so happy. I love being out here. I don’t ever miss you guys! You were all together…without me…having fun…while I’m here…alone…in the cold…Oh well… Well I love you all and hope you guys have a great week! Elder Call

What A Crazy Week!

WOW, what a week, so a lot happened and a lot of changes....

We are seeing a lot of preparation for the new wave of missionaries that are coming; they now have split the mission into 12 zones, 4 outside and 8 inside the capital. Right now all the zones only have like 8 missionaries, but our zone wasn’t affected and we still have 24 missionaries, by far the biggest zone here! and our district of 14!!!!

Also I’m district leader... kinda interesting how that goes, as part of DL we interview all of the people before their baptisms to see what they have learned and if they are really ready to make this important covenant with God, well I get to do my first one this Wednesday! It was crazy!!! But it was fun and went well. She got baptized last Saturday. And this week will be busy with interviews and divisions with the areas here. 

I GOT MY PACKAGE!!!! LIKE 20 MINUTES AGO! Thank you so much! I still haven’t opened it yet but will do once we get home!!!!

I don’t know what happened but my comp has just lost all interest to be here, or to be a missionary. It is like pulling teeth to get him to work, but we are moving forward, and I am trying to help him, we still have a really good friendship and relationship which has helped a ton! Because if we didn’t there would have been no way he would still be here, we are both very open and just trying to help him! 

So yesterday there was another earthquake (but it didn’t do any damage) but in Nueva Concepcion which is where I thought Chase was, is he ok? Was it even there or did something even happen? That’s just what I heard.

Oh man I am so happy today, idk why. Well a couple questions... How is Sister Wilcox doing? Also when is the date to sign up for classes? I would like to do that, and study it out (at least the professors) maybe would take only like an hour, but I would have to ask President Stay. So when is the date? Also I heard that like a whole bunch of states want to break off from the United States?!? What is going on with that? And what is Obama care? Also the war in Jerusalem? Fill me in, also I never really understood, did Lance Armstrong get caught doping? Was there hard evidence? Or whatever happened? Also what was his reaction?

Ok so this week was crazy!! Really fast because there is no time!!

1. We painted a house (photos included) it took all day; it would have been a lot faster if people listen to me but nobody listens!!!

Also I paid the electric bill today 81.59 Q`s!!!! That’s like 10.45 dollars. Ya I’m thinking about coming back and living here! 

Alright family I’m sorry we are out of time!! I promise I will write better, I think it’s time for the hand written again because I can say more!! But I love you and that is all that matters. This church is true, I know it, and I love It.! I love helping people change I love Jesus Christ I love my savior. Have a good week and a great THANKSGIVING!!!!(Sigh.... otro holiday alone...) but this time we have Applebee’s  :)   we will see what happens.

Ok love you!!!
Elder Call

News Cast of Missionaries Doing Service

The following video is a portion of the news cast on a Guatemalan National News Station airing Friday evening November 9, 2012...it starts at 1840 (640 pm) and the missionaries come on doing service for the earthquake around 1844 (644 pm)...Chad is on there at around 1845 (5:45 minutes into the video, you can fast forward if you want) for about 1 second taking something off a truck...but he looks so happy!!! The missionaries are in yellow vests...See if you can see him!

I'M ALIVE!!! No Se Preocupe!

Ah family!! IM ALIVE!!!! no se preocupe! The earthquake was crazy! we were sitting in our room studying when I felt it first, it was sudden, not really strong, then my comp noticed it and it started getting stronger, when we were like wobbling from side to side, we just sat there thinking this is kinda cool, then it clicked ... oh maybe we should go outside... so we walked outside and we could see all the ripples in the street like the energy waves it was crazy! and the bushed and lamp posts were shaking so hard! but not enough to do any damage, it only made a lot of cracks in the plaster of the house, but nothing serious. as far as them becoming second nature I feel like I am always feeling an earthquake, idk if they are real or if I’m just imagining them, but they are going to do the changes one week early next changes, so they will be most likely on the 18th of December, around that time, and the changes are tomorrow!!! we still don’t know if we have changes they will tell us in like an hour, but I doubt it, not until next change when I will leave! which I’m not too happy about having to leave like a week before Christmas! I love this area where I am at!!! I am always listening to those albums on my iPod (Nashville’s Tribute Band) I love them, not so much the one about trek but the other two I am always listening to them! Mom are you kidding me about the phone upgrade?! (Samsung Galaxy S III) well do you like it? a lot of people have that phone here, it seems pretty good but huge! also I wouldn’t mind if you bought me that computer, you guys can even open it and get it ready for me or use it before I come home I wouldn’t mind. after reading the email from president I have a feeling I will open an area with so many changes that are going on! it is crazy how many new missionaries are coming. it is amazing to see the changes that this will bring. So I don’t know if you got that email from the member Wednesday night saying that we were ok, I hope so. we were eating dinner there when he offered to send it home, so he pulls out his black berry and sends it... ya sometimes I don’t feel like we are in Guatemala in this area. But that night the whole country was on red alert, because there is always a possibility of another earthquake so I had a bag packed with the things important (money, water filter, license, clothes) but my comp one upped me and slept with his clothes on! and with his pockets stuffed with the goods, that gave me a laugh. But luckily nothing happened and we worked normally the rest of the week, So Friday we went and helped give service as a zone, we went and helped loaded supplies to send via airplane to San Marcos to help out over there, I love doing that type of stuff, like really is there a job that has to do something with that? because I love it! we worked hard loading up a moving truck with water and other food items that they need over there, also we made kits that contain a blanket, rice beans oil, salt sugar and other things ready to eat. it was really fun, there were a bunch of news channels there... IM FAMOUS!!!!! a member called Saturday morning saying that she saw me on the 6 o´clock news Friday night! I was in a truck receiving all the bags to load up. I’m famous NBD (no big deal)

umm Saturday we went to EL TEMPLO!!! Teculutan and San Jorge went to go visit the temple so that means I got to see all my converts!!! There are no words to express what I feel every time I see them and see how happy they are! I actually miss san Jorge and Teculutan!! seeing all the members makes me so happy and sad at the same time!!! But they are doing amazing, those areas will always have a special place in my heart, and I will never forget the people there. So we were teaching Saturday night an investigator about the Book of Mormon, he told us he hadn’t read a lot, turns out he is in first Nephi chapter 11! he has the goal to read the whole book this week; he says his eyes have really been opened so we will see what happens with him! but after teaching him, we made fish! they just went fishing and caught a ton! of tilapia I think? I don’t know but we cleaned them then stuffed a whole bunch of seasoning in side and a whole bunch of "monte" it was interesting but super good!

also Sunday we had the primary program, it was so cool! I had never seen one of those here! alright family I’m sorry this was just an all over the place email! but just know that I love you and that we are doing amazing!!! that is all that matters. I hope everything is going well back home! because EVERYTHING IS GOING GREAT HERE!!! I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve a mission, and to help other people, and to strengthen my testimony and knowledge of the gospel! it’s amazing!!! YOUR ALL AMAZING!!!! love you so much and see you soon! Elder Call

Ready Now For Marriage!

Well this has been another interesting week, not like I thought it would be…Monday after the Doctor’s appointment that I had to stop writing for (sorry, I wanted to continue writing), but he got the staples removed, then we returned to our area! Home Sweet Home!!! The next day I was feeling anxious and pressure to start working because he was walking around the house and almost normal. But all that left when we walked to our Comedor’s house here in the same gated community. It’s not that far, and his legs were supper wobbly and weak and he was super tired. So that is when I took a step back and realized that he needs to rest (obviously, he just had surgery!). So I calmed down and we’ve had a great time this week. The missionaries from the other area came and helped us out with some errands (grocery shopping and dirty clothes) then I went with Elder Crathy (he is new only has 1 month in the mission) and worked in his area (San Jose Pinula) it felt great to get out and work. The next couple of days I did divisions with the ward members and we got out and worked a little, but it’s hard because of their schedule. So I have had a lot of studying time and we borrowed Monopoly from some members. We've played that game 5 times now with me winning every time. I’m basically a pro at that game. Also, I have had some great time for studying the scriptures. Two scriptures I really liked (right now I am in 2 Nephi) (in Spanish it is Nefi) is in 2 Nephi 1:21 when Lehi is giving some of his last words to his sons, he cared and loved his family so much which I imagine is how the majority of parents are. Just full of this love, you can really see how much it hurt him the rebellious nature of Laman and Lemuel. In this verse he is almost pleading with them on his death bed (3 chapters later he dies) saying so that he can die in peace. “That my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you.” I love this line it is what impacted me the most. “Arise from the dust my sons and be men.” I don’t know why but I really like that, it impacted me, and then in verse 23 he tells us how. “Awake my sons; put on the armor of righteousness.” And then I went to study the armor of righteousness in Ephesians 6: 11-17 and President Lee explained what each piece of armor is. I love reading the Book of Mormon, it makes me so happy! There is a spirit that comes from reading it. If you aren't reading it, read it! If you are reading it, continue reading it! It is never too late to start! Read it, I promise you feel something different as you start a real study of that book. We should read it every day. I am so grateful to Uncle Jay for getting me into the habit. It doesn't matter the cantidad (quantity), but the quality of your study. (I don’t know if that makes sense I translated that from Spanish, but you get the idea) but you just read a little, you don’t need to read the whole book each day to receive the spiritual strength needed daily. So with the new age limit change we are seeing so many differences of changes that are going to take effect. As of right now we are increasing by 60 missionaries. That’s in the long run, but short term by February we will have increased like 30 and that number will continue rising as missionaries get assigned here. In these next couple changes 24 new areas will be created. Which is unprecedented or unheard of! We are definitely seeing history take place right now. It is amazing to be a part of this all! A really cool experience we had this week was a reference we received from a member in the mission central. I went with another missionary, a good friend, Elder Hollingsworth, and they are such an awesome family. They really love the idea of family home evening. (Noche de Hogar). So we are planning one with them, with them everything is based on the families because they are so family oriented. They also have so much talent! They have some paintings and drawings that are breath taking! We gave them “The family proclamations” and told them to read it together! We are expecting great things from them. I love how family oriented this Gospel is! It’s all about families. I love my family!!! I love you guys. So Sunday my comp bore his testimony in church it was really heartfelt, and sincere. He is a good guy. He thanked me for all I’m doing for him and just a big stud!! I hadn't realized how big of an impact I had made on him. He is super homesick and has wanted to go home, basically ever since he got here. He doesn't want to work or follow the rules. So I've been trying to help him see the blessings of the mission and why we have to be obedient and that the mission can be fun while still working. Mainly just by being his friend and making him laugh, we are always laughing, he is such a giant teddy bear. I love him! We are always having a good time. I hope it is helping him. I think it is based on his testimony. Well after I got up and bore my testimony by saying that my comp is still drugged up. Based on what he is saying. Then talked about how we receive so many blessings out here, but even more our families (there are 4 future missionaries that leave in the next 2 months). Then I said what Dad told me…once how he wants me to stay out here for all the blessings he is receiving…everyone laughed! Oh so do you believe in Karma? Because what went around is now coming back around! Let me explain…So I used to always scare Dad and would die of laughter. Well now Elder Mejia is always sneaking up on me and scaring me super bad! Dad would tell me it hurts him but I still would do it. I say the exact same thing to him but he still does it!! Also he plays pranks on me like switching my drink with a different bottle (same design) but filled with water. I’M SMARTER THAN THIS!!! I don’t know what is happening but I’m going to step it up and not let him get me again. So all this down time is preparing me to be married because I cook for him every meal, wash the dishes and run whatever small errand in the house, for his water or back, just whatever he needs. One night I came home from working with the members and I was dead tired (I've gotten used to being in the house) but I still had to make him dinner so I imagined it will be like that when I am married coming home from work dead tired but there are still tons of things to be done at home (wife, kids, clean or cook)…so basically I am now ready for that!

Alright family, I love you all so much. Thank you so much for all your love, support and prayers. They are truly appreciated and felt! I am so grateful for this Gospel and for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord! I can’t believe how fast the time has flown by! Only 5 more changes! And they are flying by. (FYI changes are on the 13th) it is scarring me how fast time is going! But I’m gonna finish and focus on my mission! I still have a ton of damage to do here in the devils plan and even more with the surge of missionaries coming out! I love you all and until next time! Elder Call

A Little Different Kind Of Week!!!

Hi family... well this week was a little different than the rest of them lemme explain.... Did I tell you I spoke last week in church? they told us the night before (which is a lot of warning for missionaries) ovio I talked about the obra misional, and how they as members can step it up then I gave a couple ideas, and something we want to put into practice is family home evenings with them and they invite their neighbors and then we give a small little message and then we play and eat, so they can see that we are normal people, because there are many false ideas here about us! So I was a mom, dad and wife this week. My comp had his Gall bladder taken out Friday..... It all started Tuesday he had 3 bad pain attacks (took me back to my kidney stones and the attacks that I had, it HURT SO BAD) so he called the nurse and she put an appointment for us the next day, we went to our appointments that day and he was fine. Wednesday we went to the emergency room of one of the best hospitals here and they take out his blood then the doctor says they could take it out right then and there, but we decided it would be better Friday because Thursday we had zone conference. so we went back to our area (it’s like a hour - 2 hours depending on traffic) that night we visited Carolina, (our recent converts) oh man they are such amazing people that were truly prepared for this gospel, they will always have a place in my heart as I have grown to love them! AH! They are awesome. But Thursday was our zone conference, it was very good, they taught us a better way to contact the people, and also how to use the spirit better in our lessons. I love zone conference they are so great!

(Sorry I am flying through our week because we have a doctor’s appointment in like 15 minutes!) so we brought clothes for a couple days also for the weekend, and after the conference we went to the white house (the mission house) the assistants, elder pierce, and elder matias live there, the thing is in the back there are like 20 beds there so that is where we stayed, it was so fun being with elder pierce again he is such a stud. Well the surgery went great, he was out in like an hour, and I had to stay with him in the hospital all Friday, and then we got out Saturday! and went back to the white house, a week of a lot of sleeping, studying and basically caring for him, I’m such a good comp, I’m such a stud, I made him some mustard chicken last night that was BOMB! I don’t mean to toot my own horn but it was good, and I took great care of him. He was in great hands, AND the Lord blessed him with a speedy recovery. If everything goes well this doctor’s appointment we are going back to our house tonight, and then I can start working with the members (one goes with me, and one stays with him in the house) I am so sorry but we now have to go to the doctors!! I love you all so much this week was great, not much in the work, but it was a different kind of work giving service to my comp, I am so sorry but I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!! Elder Call

October 22, 2012 Hi family.... umm sorry no letter today... which means this will probably be a little shorter.... ooppps.... So this week nothing really great happened, except for a whole bunch of things!!!!! Lemme tell ya 1. We went to PriceMart which is Costco, but here in Guatemala, (we had to go with members because they won’t let us in without a membership!) so I don’t know why but we bought 10 pounds of pancake batter,

and a butt load of hot chocolate, so we are great in that aspect. My comp always makes me pancakes in the morning I love it. Umm I am still a little sick, I took an antibiotic and that took away all of my sinus pressure, but I am still hanging in there, just a little cough. I am almost better! Umm so we are teaching this family, the man just barely got brain surgery, and he is pretty depressed, just doesn’t want to do anything, his therapy or nothing, so we are visiting him and making him stoked to live again! we talked about Nephi and how they were traveling in the desert and his bow broke, all his family gave up and started being angry with the Lord, but Nephi accepted his trial, an then ACTED, he made another bow out of a stick and then asked the Lord where he should go. SO that night we mainly focused on ACTING, and we made a contract that he signed that said that he would do his exercise every day, (he is a little rebel) we got him pretty stoked then we wrote him each a letter giving him encouragement. We are going back this Tuesday so we will see how it went. Umm so also we watched a movie with Carolina and her family called How Rare a Possession: the book of Mormon. I LOVE THAT MOVIE; AND THAT BOOK. the movie is about a Italian priest who finds a book of Mormon without a cover or intro, and he starts teaching from him, and he gets ex communicated, but he will not deny the book, after like 20 years he discovers that it is from the Mormon church then whenever he wanted to get baptized something happened like the 2nd world war, until 40 years after he finally got baptized!! I love the book of Mormon, it is such a great book, and I love reading it and seeing how the prophets and the people react to the trials that they all receive. I always feel the spirit when I read it, it motivates me to LIVE! I love it!!! You should all read it! Alright I’m sorry this letter is a little short, and scattered and I didn’t really say anything but just know I am doing GREAT!! And loving it out here and still alive. I love you all so much! Take care Elder Call

The Plan of Salvation Is Amazing!!!

Hi Family, Well not going to lie this was probably one of the hardest weeks in the mission for me. President called Wednesday night. When ya see a missed call from president you know something is up, we thought it was for my companion because he is a little punk sometimes, but when he told me you had called I knew. But I felt at peace I didn’t feel sad. But the rest of the week probably was the longest week ever. I think what made it so hard for me was being away from you guys knowing that everyone was together and sad, and there was nothing I could do. It still hasn’t hit me I don’t think that Nana has passed away nor do I think it ever will. I was studying a little bit and in a talk given by President Eyring in May 2012, the last conference, he is talking about the sealing power and when we are sealed together he says “And that same sociality which exist among us here will exist among us there only it will be coupled with eternal glory we do not now enjoy.” (D&C 130:2) We are so lucky to be sealed together as a family and have the knowledge that we can be together again one day with Nana and Grandpa. They won, they made it through this life worthily. Now it is our turn to obey the commandments and live our lives in a way that we can return to live with them. So another thing that made this week very hard is I am still very sick, I have a cold and a cough that sounds worse than an old dog! And it just won’t go away. The members here are amazing! And have given me so much medicine. Sometimes too much! In the house I have like 7 bottles of cough syrup. Well all of them now empty and nothing seems to do the trick. Maybe this week will be the week I get better! It is very cold here now and the weather is crazy it is very cold at night, super-hot from 8-2 then it rains and then it is freezing again. So I think that is why…also my vitamins ran out like 2 weeks ago and that’s when I got sick. Maybe I was used to the vitamins and then none…who knows! But we are still working hard. Don’t worry! So with this companion, Elder Mejia we are having a blast. We are always laughing together and always having fun. I don’t think I have ever had this much fun with a companion. He is super funny. I have some sad news. Elder Ayala went home last week to Mexico. Turns out his nerves in his arm were freaking out and it started moving on its own. I am going to write him and see what’s going on. But my posterity in the mission has now died! I need to have another kid so my posterity will continue!!! Oh man so Saturday we visited a family who lives on the edge of the forest and their whole backyard is a huge valley of pure forest! It was breath taking! Well a pine tree fell so they were cutting the log and then we helped them carry the logs up a huge steep hill. It was so tiring. Well we were in our missionary clothes, but we still did it. Got filthy, but it felt great to help them! Well this is a brand new week with brand new opportunities. Let’s take these opportunities and make the best we can of them! I love you all so much and am so grateful for the plan of salvation and the knowledge that we have. It has made Nana’s passing away so much easier and peaceful. We taught the plan on a little more profound level to Carolina and Sandra her daughter and it makes me so happy! I love the plan of salvation. I love this church and I you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Elder Call

Are We In A Spiritual Drought?

Hello family! Well can you believe that last week was the first week that I didn't print off my emails? So I didn't catch that in dad’s letter, maybe if I had printed it off I would have caught it! Well Alex and Ryan will be in my prayers this week, your right mom this is something that we can’t understand why it happens, but in the long run we will see why, I hope they are doing ok. But hey maybe I’m supposed to be there! Mom your such a stud! You are my hero that is so awesome your job!!! I love telling everyone about my parents and showing them photos! I am always showing my family off to everyone, everyone is blown away at how beautiful Alex is in her wedding! And how tall Cameron is, and how drop dead gorgeous I am. But mainly you mom in Haiti and then in search and rescue and life flight!!! I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!! So I love conference!!! And even more I love being in the richest area of Guatemala! People sure do spoil us! We have price mart in our zone which is like Costco, and the members totally bought us a whole bunch of junk food for the conference, but American stuff!!! It is amazing! Chips cakes grapes (that are CLEAN!!!) and juice, it was amazing!! I love it here; the members are amazing so loving and so fun. Umm so I guess I will tell you, we had changes Monday! So I now have a new comp, same area just elder Ayala left and I received a new comp, his name is elder Mejia, another comp from Honduras, from Progresso Lloro. The same area where elder Velez was from, it is really close to San Pedro Sula where elder Lagos is from. He has 6 months in the mission, and this is his second area. It was a little surprise, we didn’t think that we would have changes, but it was an option that I mentioned last week, so it wasn't complete surprise. I hate changes because always the first couple days are a little awkward, but now things are great! I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard with another comp, we are always laughing. We talk a lot more than any of my other comps before, so we are more open which is good, he needs to change a couple things though, so that is going to be our goal for this change is to help him improve a couple things. Dad I am so proud of you that you went to priesthood! I knew you would, and I was thinking of you during that session! We moved all the couches from the church lobby into the primary room to watch it, (you have to remember that we are still 20 year olds!) we had a butt load of snacks and it was amazing! I think conference is the event most looked forward to besides Christmas; the only thing why Christmas is better is because we get to call home! I can’t believe that have changed the mission age! That is so crazy, I don’t think I would have been ready by 18, not gonna lie, I wasn't ready at 19! I just kinda went with the flow and then got ready in the field! (Don’t follow my example)

no I just didn't know what to expect. But now they will prepare the teenagers to leave at 18 instead of 19, so they will be ready. When I get home everything will be so expensive!! I am now used to spending quetzals and 8 of those is one dollar! It is going to be super weird! So I am dying, I have had a cough for like 2 weeks now, I have taken so much cough medicine but nothing seems to calm it! It is super cold here now, and it is only going to get colder from here. For Christmas just let me know how much I should take out and I will take it all out at once and spend it little by little, because it charges me every time! My iPod is now hooked up and ready to go! I put most of the mp3 music on it, it is such a pain that the computers here don’t have iTunes, I want to put the rest of my music on it that the member couldn't, but oh well, I am more than happy with it!!! Yes president stay has his hands full always trying to change the culture of the mission to make it better, and so far he has make great changes! By the end of his mission this mission will be great! FAMILY! sorry this is a little short, I think I will just write letters like I did last week, it is better because I can write whatever I can, I hope you guys could read it. I am so proud of you guys and the family that I have. I am so blessed to have a family like you guys! ALL OF YOU! And my friends also. Everyone that is reading this I love you! Guatemala is the bomb! Missions are even better. Mom I have been thinking about your lesson for RS, and I promise I will respond next week! Sorry I am such a bad son, I don’t think I will do a video, but I will give you my testimony. I love you all, apply what we learned from conference, here are a few questions to reflect on this week from conference. Are we in a spiritual drought? If so what are you going to do to get out of it? IS being busy really a sign of superior life? Is your soul worth a nickel? Or whatever other sin you are going to do? And what are we thinking during the sacrament? Think of those questions and reflect on them and also the rest from conference and how we can apply what we learned and better our lives! I love you till next week! Elder Call

A Week For Miracles!!!

Family!! Well I probably won’t have much time to writ again because they are redoing the family history center and so this thought came to me so I figured I’d give it a try, let me know how you liked it! Well this week was probably the most tiring of my mission. It has been a constant go go go nonstop. I’m a little sick from it, but it has definitely paid off. Let me explain… Starting with Monday, we went to the capitol to do a whole bunch of medical test to figure out what is the problem with my companion’s arm going numb. They did a MRI and another electrical nerve test thing. Basically all day we were in the capital running around crazy. Tuesday we did divisions! I went with Elder Arce one last time before he goes home.

We’ve had so many great memories together. I will definitely miss him. I learned so much from him and with him; he is one that I can talk about anything with him. We got talking about San Jorge and the good old’ days there and how that was a turning point for us both (well, I was just starting) but from there he changed for the better and stepped things up. I will miss him and hope to see him one day. Wednesday we went to the capital again to see the doctor with the test results, turns out he has carple tunnel (obviously it’s not spelled like that) and that is why his arm is numb. So they removed the neck brace and put a wrist brace. Got back super late, but we found such a golden family! Taught them the first lesson and it went so well! Spirit super strong. We shall see what happens with them. After they invited us to eat with them! How crazy is that, people they just barely met and they are feeding us. They are so humble and have so much love. Thursday, if I tell you what we did Thursday that will give away what we did Friday because we handed out baptismal invitations!!! Because Friday we baptized Familia Paz. All 5 of them! It was such a great night.

We spent all day trying to heat up the water because it was so cold! We were boiling water on the stove but it only made a tine difference because it was freezing!!! I had the opportunity of baptizing Carolina and her 2 older daughters. What a blessing it has been teaching them the truth. There is nothing better than a convert after their baptism comes up and thanks you for bringing them the truth. She will be a great member! She already is. She gives great comments in church and bore her great testimony at her baptism. With her the whole experience was very humbling and a pure miracle. We were in divisions; I was with a future missionary. We were about to give up. We had about 20 minutes left until we had to meet up with Elder Ayala. We were walking past a side street when I felt to go back. I fought the feeling for ½ block, then said we have to go back. So we go back, knock on the first door and nothing!!! So we skip a couple houses then we knock on another one and Carolina came out. That was about a month ago and now they are the newest members here in the Las Flores Ward. It was a pure miracle. One that I am so grateful to be a part of. I have made lifelong friends here in Guatemala. I can see a huge difference in their lives already from blessings they received. In their house it is a complete different atmosphere then it was before and the sister’s character has even changed! She is so much more calmer and more loving with her children and just more Christ like. It’s amazing!!! The children have also seen and felt changes and have their own testimonies. So if that wasn’t enough excitement, Saturday my converts from San Jorge came to do baptism’s for the dead for the first time. So we did divisions again with Elder Arce and we went to the temple together to see them. They are doing great ah such an amazing family! So stoked to see them.

When we went into the bathroom, guess who walks in? Erick! My convert from Teculutan! We talk about exploding of happiness! He and his wife came to do baptisms also!!! I can’t even begin to express how happy I was! I honestly thought they were inactive, but they have plans to be sealed in April of next year. They can be sealed 1 year after their baptism. So in April!

I was up in the clouds all day…so happy! To see the converts from San Jorge and from Teculutan. They are doing so great. I am doing so great! I love it out here. I love these people. This Gospel is amazing. It changes lives and gives us meaning to life, gives us direction, something to live for, something to die for. I am learning new things every day. Now ya can see why I had to write it all down before because there is no way I could have express all that with how short time I will have. Just know I love everything I am doing out here. It’s not all cherries and roses but hare work pays off. I can testify to that with this family. They are a tender mercy that God gave us and now we have a lot of possibilities coming up. We just need to get a couple people married and then they are set for baptism. Pray that they can get the papers figured out. I miss you guys!! A missionary came home this week in our ward and he totally had the deer in the headlights look and still does. I’m laughing because I know I will be totally worse! I won’t even know what to do with myself. All I know show to do is be a missionary! I have forgotten everything else. I love you so much!!! Elder Call