"If we follow their course, carry us... into a far better land of promise." February 23, 2015

Tortillas: 20 (They dont eat a lot here in XELA)

So, the big news, I have been transfered to Xela (Quetzaltenango). I have gone from one of the smallest and poorest parts of the mission to the biggest city and one of the richest parts. I am 5 minuetes walking from the temple, and every week for District Meeting I get to see the temple! 

My new area is called Los Altos. It is one of the biggest areas here with some of the biggest diversion. Part is what you would expect from a big city here in Guatemala, with houses connected together lining the streets. 

Also, we have two housing developments and an area with huge fields and farmers. 

The hard part is that being in the city, most people do not have time for the gospel. We were left with some good investigators by the Hermanas before us, but we have had problems just finding them. Because of that, much of this week was spent walking a ton and talking to as many people as possible. 

My companion is named Elder Carabantes and is from Guatemala City. He is a great guy and we are getting over the awkward first week with a companion phase. He and I have the same amount of time in the mission, in the CCM together but I did not know him. 

Mejor Milagro: 

So. Elder Carabantes comes from an area here in Xela called Los Jardines. There they found two investigators named Alejandro and Stephanie who are best friends and girlfriend of a member. Alejandro lives in our area and Stephanies parents wont allow her to have missionaries in their house, so the Hermanas before us were teaching them. This week on Wednesday the best friend, Brandon, left on his mission. For both Tuesday and Wednesday we were trying to get a hold of them, but could not. On Wednesday night we were leaving the part of our area where Alejandro lives when I received the impression to call him. We called him, but he did not answer. So, we kept walking and about a minuete later we get a call, and it was from Alejandro. We answered and he asked if we could come over to his house now. We were close, so we made our way over. We got to his house and met him outside. He obviously was preocupied with something when he invited us in. We came in and sat down and he immediately started bawling. At this moment he poured out his soul to us. The moment that we called him was the moment he was arriving at his house after dropping his friend off at the MTC in Guatemala City. The reason he did not answer was because he was talking to his Mom, who lives about an hour away, about how sad and lonely he felt. He is 20 years old and is studying medicine in Xela. He lives alone and for the last 3 months his only close friend was Brandon, who he just left for two years. One of the last things that his friend said to him was that when he felt bad to talk to the Elders. This being the second day of Elders in the area, God was definately looking out for him. We were able to talk to him, give him a lot of advice, and the most amazing part is that he does not want to solve his problems with doing bad but he wants to do good, and he wants to be baptized ASAP. He still has lessons to learn, so we are preparing him for the 7th of March. With Stephanie we were able to meet here a couple of days later, she feels the same, but is not as prepared. She will have her baptism the 21st of March! 

Testimony Time:

The title for the email is in Alma 37:45 and it is when Alma is giving advice to his son Helaman. Here he talks about how in the times of Nefi and Lehi their guide was the Liahona. He reminded him that the Liahona only worked based on their faith, and he then made the comparison that the scriptures are the Liahona for us. If we search the scriptures with faith and apply then in our lives, they will guide us through any troubles and safely home to our God. I am so grateful for the guide that the scriptures are to me. I would invite all of you to read this chapter, Alma 37, and look at it as if Alma is giving this advice to you! As we apply this in our lives, I know we will see changes! We will notice us being happier, having better relationships with those around us and with God. I know the Book of Mormon is true, and I invite all to read it and read it again! En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amén.

"This week we have.... Divisions with Elder Dalton,

Cutting Hermano Wayners hair and him cutting my hair,

saying goodbye to the branch,

and my new area!

The big rock is a rock that has a face carved in it that a bunch of people from the mayan religion worship. We were lucky enough to find it one day when no one was there.

Also, the pictures of the big mountain are actually a volcano, Santa Maria. We can see it from almost every aspect of the area, and what a beautiful sight it is.

Our area is actually very rocky with a ton of very big rocks that were at one point thrown from the volcano! Pretty Crazy! Love you! "

The last Monday that Elder Richardson was in Santa Ana Huista he told us he was going to be leaving.  He had no idea where he was going.  They had to catch a bus at 2:00 AM to the transfer station in Xela where he would meet up with his new companion and find out where his new home would be!  At the bus transfer station he also saw some of his buddies!

February 16, 2015 "Ya me voy"

Tortillas: 65

Hola mi pueblo! This week was a great week! On saturday we had the opportunity to have the baptism of Hermano Edilmar Monzon. He is the last in his family to be baptised, and I am excited to be with them when they go to the temple in a year! Today we were not able to have the baptism of Eleo and Ludy, and sadly it looks like I will not be hear for the baptism. We found out last night that I have changes and will be leaving Santa Ana Huista. What an amazing area to start my mission. I have learned so much from the amazing members and really the amazing people that are here. It is a little bit sad, but I know that Heavenly Father needs me somewhere else. I am so grateful for the blessings that Heavenly Father has given to me and that he has trusted me enough to work in this area. 

Mejor Milagro:

One day we were waiting for the bus to go to Buxup. As we were waiting, I started talking to man whos brother lives in San Diego. He told me about how his brother is a pastor there, and this lead into a conversation about the gospel. It just turns out that recently he has made the decision to leave his church. So, of course we set an appoinment to stop by his house and he was very open to hearing our message. So, a couple of days later we arrived at his house. We soon find out that he is VERY knowledgable in the gospel because of the training he receive in his other church. He likes to talk alot, so we did not get the chance to teach much about the restoration but we still invited him to church. It turns out that he is good friends with Hermano Jorge who has been inviting him to church for years and was very open to coming! And so, Sunday arrives, and to our suprise he came to church! He activly participated in the classes and said he really like what he had learned. It is sad that I will not get to see what will happen with him (His name is Delmar), but I know that Heavenly Father has other plans

Testimony:

As I leave my first area of the mission, I thought it would be nice to share my testimony in general. I am so grateful that I am able to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ among his children here in Santa Ana Huista. He has prepared many people especially for me to teach as I have been here and my testimony of that he loves us each individully has grown so much. He has demonstrated this in my own life but also in the life of those that I have been able to see the spirit change their hearts and souls. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. I know that the same church that Jesus Christ established while he was here on the earth is restored, and what peace it brings to my soul! It brings me so much happiness that I have the opportunity to be with my family forever, and that I can take part in helping other have this same opportunity. I have grown to love the people of Guatemala and I am excited to continue to grow as I to the Lords work in a different are. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and what blessing it has brought to my life. It has changed me for the better, and for that I wish to share it with everyone. These things I say in the sacred name of my leader, master, and ejemplar, even Jesus Christ, Amen. 

I asked Gabe about his living arrangements and said I was worried he said, " Mom you don't have to worry so much about where I eat but you do have to worry about me getting fat because they feed me so well!"

February 9, 2015 email "Have We Not Great Reason To Rejoice?"

Tortillas: 62

What a great week here in Santa Ana Huista! Sadly, we were not able to have the baptism of Edilmar. His mother is in the hospital with cancer and he did not have time to have an interview because he was in Huehue, but it is set for this week! Other big news, is that Eleo and Ludy were married! On Friday we went down to the government building and made it official. Afterwords, we have a party at Hermana Mirta and Hermano Jorges house and had grilled chicken!

Mejor Milagro:

We decided to start working in a village called Ojo de Agua because Hermano Jorge knows a lot of people there that have shown interest in the gospel. The only problem is, that it is and hour away in car. Luckily, he is one of few that has a truck and has offered to drive us up there and work with us. So, we have been going every Saturday. Right now we have an investigator that is a teacher. He has shown a lot of interest in the gospel, especially in the things that are found in the Book of Mormon. The miracle in all of this is that he has a car. What this means is that if he becomes a member of the church, he will be able to bring other people with him. As it is right now, no one can come to church from up there because it costs so much to come down. I know that Heavenly Father loves his children and wants the best for them, and through this miracle he is opening the doors for them to their salvation. The hard part is that we are only to go up there once every week, and so it is going to take some time, but I know that when this teacher reads the Book of Mormon he will know that it is true and he will be a blessing for many others!

Testimony time: 

Alma 26 is probably one of my all favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. Here we have Ammon and the whole chapter is him rejoicing in the glory of the Lord. As a missionary, I especially like verse 13, which says, " Behold, how many thousands of our bretheren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?" Although as missionaries we are not converting thousands like the amazing missionaries that are Ammon and Amulek, but we still have great reason to rejoice in the opporunity to be instruments in the hands of the Lord. I am so greatful for this amazing opportunity, and most of all I am greatful for the glory of my God! He is great! The question that is proposed is something that we often can ask ourselfs, have we not great reason to rejoice! I know that we have much reason to rejoice, and the more we rejoice the more we will notice how amazing God is. I know he loves us and I know I am here doing his work. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

February 2, 2015 email "Strength According To Our Faith"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHIKAMO!!! Love you Zach, you are awesome! 

Tortillas: 40

What an amazing week we have had! First, I must make a correction, her name is not Jury is it Ludy! That is what happens when you type fast. Ludy and her husband Eleo are all in and want to be baptised! They are an amazing young couple with an amazing desire to follow Jesus Christ! We are programing to have their baptism on the 21st of Februrary, Sams birthday! We also will have the baptism of Edilmar this saturday. This week we also went to Huehue to have interviews with President Smith. Each time I talk to him I learn so much! Sadly, Familia Castillo is not really progressing very well... Tino is having problems withe the Word of Wisdom, Alexander now has to work on Sundays so that he can go to school... We are continuing to work with them, but Satan is working hard so that they cannot find ture happiness. Other than that, Heavenly Father is blessing us every day with people that are prepared to hear the gospel. We are working hard, but it is difficult to get people to church!

Mejor Milagro:

After our day in Buxup, we were in Monajil wainting for a bus. A bolo (drunk) came up and started talking to him. We began to converse about why he was doing what he was doing, of course it was because he was sad. As we were talking, he started to open up another bottle of Machetero, the pure alchohol that is dirt cheap that all of the drunks drink, and we were trying to persuade him against doing it when a young girl walks past us and asks when we have our "Culto" (That is what the evangelics call their reunions). We tell her that that night we would be having one and invited her. To our suprise, she showed up! It turns out that she is friends with a young woman member and has had interest in the chruch. We are going to start teaching her together with her friend. 

Testimony Time:

The title is from Alma 14:26, and the whole reference is, "O Lord, give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverence." At this point in the Book of Mormon, we have two of the most amazing missionaries ever, Alma and Amulek, who are in jail receiving horrible treatment. When we read this verse, they are looking for diliverance, which eventually comes from the power of the Lord making all of the walls fall down, killing their enemies and releasing them from adversity! After reading this story, I began to ask myself, how can I have this much faith that I can make amazing miracles come to pass? I began to study, and I studies a lot in Ether 12, and have come up with a pretty good formlua to work miracles in our lives. 1. We need to be humble before God and realize he is all powerful. 2. We need to know his will and remember that miracles will come about with his will. 3. We need to pray to receive miracles 4. We need to wait and trust as the miracles come. This week I put thisformula to the test, and I saw so many miracles. The Lord wants to bless us. He wants for us to be happy and successful. I know that miracles happen, and as we trust in the Lord we can do anything. This formula is simple, and I know that as you try it you to can see miracles in your life. I will also continue to improve it, because this is just the begining. I am also grateful for personal revelation that we can receive from the scriptures, and as we look for the Lord he will show himself unto us and we will hear his voice! I know He lives and loves us! Have faith and anything can happen! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

This week we have pictures of the protest on the road to Huehue and me in typical clothing! She is from a place called Todos Santos and makes these beautiful tops for women and Jackets for men that are typical to Todos Santos. The Jacket I am wearing I bought from her for Q200, which is about 25 dollars. The collar is made of typical fabric, and just the collar took her 2 MONTHS to make. It is used, and that is why I got it for so cheap. Usually it is twice that much. Love you! 

 My awesome companion!  We are so lucky here in Guatemala to eat so much fruit and vegies!

January 26, 2015 email "Thy Faith Hath Saved Thee"

 There are a lot of crazy dogs in Guatemala, most of them are not behind a fence.....

Tortillas: 45 (What will I do when I cant eat 45 tortillas in the states?)


¡Hola familia!


I had a wonderful week this week full of miracles! The biggest miracle is that this week Heavenly Father has blessed us with so many people who are ready to hear the gospel, it is almost like they fell into our laps! On the side of bad news, we found out that Tino Castillo is still married to his wife that he was married to 30 years ago... He has been with Odelia for 20 years and they have their family, but getting divored in Guatemala is really hard... First, it costs about Q6000, which is living wage for their family for about a half a year... Also, it is a very long, strenuous process. But, we put our trust in God, and we found a lawer who is not only a member, but also family of member that are here! He will be able to get them divorced for free! We still have the problem with time, which it could take up to 2 years... So right now we are thinking about having Alexander and Obeimar baptized with waiting on Odelia and Tino. They really need the gift of the Holy Ghost in their house, and with the world that we are living in it is something necesarry for young men like Alexander and Obeimar. Edilmar, husband of Hermana Patty, is progressing very well and preparing for his baptism on the 7th of February. Other than that, we are still working hard to have investigators progress, but it is difficult.


Mejor Milagro:


On Monday we were opening the church to get ready to have family night with family of Hermana Patty when a young man approaches us. He says that he has always seen us in the streets and had an interest in who we are and wanted to talk to us. We start talking and find out his name is Eleo. We begin and ask where he lives and if we could pass by his house this week to share a message, and as he starts to explain his friends pass by, tell him they have to leave and he leaves. All we got was his name and the area he lived. It was a little bit weird, but I wrote down his info and we decided that we would go visit him one day. So we continue on with our lives. Then, on Wednesday we were having a special Noche de Hermanamiento en Monajil for the birthday of Odelia. I begin to greet the people that had arrived, and I notice a familiar face, but I could not remember who it was. We greet him, and he reminds us that he is Eleo, and he had showed up with his wife and child! He is co workers with a member and that is how he found out where we were! We were so happy, and we set an appointment to visit him on Saturday. So, we go Saturday to meet with him, but he was not home, only his wife. We start to get to know her, her name is Jury. We find out that Eleo has a drinking problem, they have been having problems in their relationship and they wanted to find a church to impove their situation! They are very young, maybe 20 and have a son who is almost 1. Heavenly Father guided them to where they really could improve their life. We explained to her the temple and eternal marriage, and it was so amazing to see the look in her eyes. I am very excited to see where we go with them!


Testimony Time:


The title of the email is from Luke 18:42 and it says, "And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee." In this story a blind man approaches Christ and ask him to heal him, and this is his response. Something I find interesting is that all of the instances that Christ works a miracle it is ALWAYS based on faith. I never realized, but faith is so so important! I also read this week about the story of Alma and Amulek when they were locked in Jail, and because of their mighty faith in Christ they were able to make the walls of the prison fall down! Wow! What I want to work on is increasing my faith, so that I have the faith to do whatever God wants me to do. I know that we can by folloing the example of these great men that we find in the scriptures. I am grateful that Heavenly Father has restored his true church and gives us the power to act in his name. I have seen miracles being here as one of his representatives, and I know without a doubt that this is his gospel and his true church on the earth. I know the power of the Book of Mormon and that the promise that accompanys it is true. Most of all, I know that Christ lives! I know he is our saviour and the only true way to happiness is to follow him. All of our questions can be answered through the scriptures, we just need to listen to the sprit speak to us. I say these things in the his sacred name, Amen.

"This weeks photos are of Famila Castillo and some other kids that live nearby.

 my crazy companion and I eating green mangos in the dark walking back home! Love you!