September 21, 2015 email "Know the truth of all things"

Tortillas: 30
Clautzawach? Thats " how are you?" in K'ichi. We have been having fun learning the culture and getting to know the people better by having them teach us small phrases in their native language. Most people here speak Spanish, but it warms them up to us to see gringos speaking their Mayan tongue. We had a great week this week with my new companion Elder Bentley from Gilbert Arizona.

 He is a 6’3 tall white dude with blonde hair and blue eyes.  There are many times when the people just stare at us as we walk down the street.  He is straight from the CCM, and I feel it is a wonderful blessing to have someone that is ready to work very hard and see many miracles.  We were so blessed this week to be lead to those that are in the most need of our help.  It is so wonderful to see when we have blessed the lives of someone that was waiting for us.  Also, I feel so blessed that the Lord has sent me to this wonderful country of Guatemala, so rich of culture and beauty.  This week the country celebrated their independence day on the 15th.  It was a crazy day for us because it was when we had changes and I received Elder Bentley.  We were able to see some of the preparations for the parade celebrations in XELA, but mostly it was just us finding a way to get back to Cantel.  We eventually did get back, and there were not many people, but we still had an amazing day.  It has been raining alot, but I love it!

Mejor Milagro:

So, one day we had planned to go to a part of Cantel that you could call the center.  You have to climb a really big pathway because it is basically on top of the mountain.  As we were going, we reached a crossroad and in my mind I thought that it would be logical to go to another place not planned.  But after consulting with Elder Bentley we both felt to keep going up to the pueblo.  As we arrived, there were almost no people in the street.  I was beginning to regret our decision, but we kept with the plans.  As we were about to stop at the home, we saw two girls 10 and 17 years, carry a big drunk man by his arms.  We offered to help them carry him home.  As we walked and talked we came to find out that the man was so drunk because just a little bit before, he had received the news that his newborn son had died at birth.  We carried him and the girls (his sister and niece) lead us to their home.  As we arrived we tried to talk to him about what had happened, but he was so drunk (probably the drunkest that I have ever seen anyone) that it did not work.  As we were about to leave, we asked one of the older women family members there if there was anything also that they needed help with.  She told us yes.  They needed help to dig a grave.  So, by the guidance of a couple small children, we were lead to the cemetary to a grave site where the drunk mans father and brother were digging a grave.  We then got to work, even though in our missionary clothing.  

We talked with them while we worked and came to find out that the father had been receiving the missionaries 15 years ago, but they disappeared.  He even told us that he still had a Book of Mormon.  I know that the Lord lead us to be able to bless his children in their time of need.  I feel so grateful for the opportunity to be used as an instrument in his hands, in doing whatever he needs .

Testimony time:

This week I rediscovered a story in the Book of Mormon, of which we can learn alot.  The story is about Teancum, a Nephite warrior that was diligent in keeping with what he was commanded to do.  In this story we read about how in the midst of a war against a wicked king, Teancum worked diligently for the cause of liberty.

And it came to pass that Teancum stole privily into the tent of the king, and put a javelin to his heart; and he did cause the death of the king immediately that he did not awake his servants.

Though intense and gorrey, we can learn a lot from the type of man he was.  We read that Teancum, in order to do this act, “went out by night.”  All other were tired, but Teancum would not rest until the job was done.  We read about how he was a man of preparation, obedience with exactness, trust in the Lord and always completing what he was commanded to do.  He is an example to me of the type of warriors we need to be in this battle against evil.  We need to be the kind of people that the Lord can trust in and call in to get the job done.  We must act in diligence with all that we do to complete the commandments of the Lord never letting anything stray us from our ultimate goal, eternal life.  I know and feel so blessed that the Lord has given us a guide to learn how to be valiant servants, the scriptures.  If we treasure their words daily and keep our communication always open with the Lord, we will never be lead astray, but rather to know the truth of all things. (Moroni 10:5)  I love my Savior and I love his gospel.  It is my privilege to serve him.  In the name of Jesus Christ , Amen.

 Guatemalan hot dogs!

 Thank you Newcomers!

September 14, 2015 email "Singing"

My Zone

9/14/2015 email

Tortillas: 20

This week has been amazing!  With many surprises!  First of all, my companion has changes.  It makes me sad because Elder Caal is a great missionary and a great friend, and I have felt blessed to have served with him. 

 I will be receiving a new missionary right from the CCM.  That will be a new adventure!  We have seen so many miracles in our time together, but part of the mission is getting to know many people and growing. 

 This week we have started a new and kind of crazy way of missionary work where we go into a bus and ask permission from the driver if we can sing a song.  When he says yes, we go in front, explain who we are, and that we would like to bless their lives with a hymn.  When we finish singing, one of us explains the restoration in 1 or 2 minutes, then announces that if they would like to learn about our message, we will pass by and write down their telephone number.  It is a way to find their will to hear the gospel, and bless many lives at the same time!

I know that the love our Heavenly Father has for us is greater than we can even imagine.  I am so grateful to see each day that he sends me where he needs me.  I testify that his complete gospel has been restored on this earth, and today we can have his greatest blessings.  I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior with all my heart, and it is a privilege to be one of his called servants to help others come unto Christ.  I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 ZUNIL

We arrived at someones house and they were washing clothes, so we offered to wash them and they let us haha! 

The pictures with the missionaries are my district and my zone, the one with all the men is my district. Elder Caal, Elder Callisaya, Elder Castillo, Elder Workman, elder Palominos, Elder Maxfield, Elder Romero, Elder Doty, Elder Williamson.

September 7, 2015 email "No unclean thing can enter into his kingdom"

"No unclean thing can enter into his kingdom"

Tortillas: 30  ( Here they also eat Tamalitos, which are tamales but just of Mara, and I count them as tortillas)

This was a wonderful week with a lot of rain and everyone crazy about the politics! 

 On Sunday was the voting for the whole day.  We did not have very many people in church,

only the faithful members came!  But, it was still a wonderful day at church.  We had to come in at 4:30 and we spent the night as effective as possible with reading and planning.  We have also been still seeing amazing miracles and working with less actives.  Working with less active families for me is something very beautiful, to be able to be answer to their prayers.  Also, to see the joy that comes into their lives to be able to once again live the gospel.  This work is not just a work about finding people who know nothing about the gospel, but it is also about helping all that have fallen from the path and are in need of the love of the Savior.  How wonderful to be the one to bring that love.

Mejor Milagro:

One day we went to go and visit someone we are teaching about the gospel.  When we arrived, an old man who we did not know opened the door.  We began to talk to him and he soon asked if we were here for his daughter because she was not home, but we said we came to visit him.  We came in and sat down and as we talked, we had to yell, he couldn't hear very well.  We began to talk to him and he said that the missionaries had come to visit him about 10 years ago.  He told us that he had a blue book, so we asked him to go and get it.  He left and came back with a very old Book of Mormon with a pamphlet as a bookmark from 1985.  He explained that the missionaries had come and they gave him the book, but then they disappeared.  He then told us that he had read most of the book, and he really liked it.  We asked him what it was about, and he began to explain the story of what was happening here in the Americas.  As we leafed through the book, there were markings on some paper and notes.  We began to explain, as we yelled the importance of this book and that it meant that God had restored his true church on earth, and he could know for himself if he prayed.  He explained that he had been searching, and had many doubts about the church that he was visiting.  We invited him to pray, and he said that it would be a wonderful blessing for God to answer his prayers.  We asked what he would be willing to do if God answered, and he told us that right now he would not commit to anything, but if God answered he would be willing to make necessary changes to follow Jesus Christ.  Even though at first sight we may not have the thought that this man was being prepared by God, but because we followed the spirit, we can now begin the journey to help this man and his family receive the gospel.

Testimony time:

The title is found in 3 Nephi 27:19, and it says:

And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

Oh how wonderful it is to be able to feel clean before the eyes of God!  There is nothing more important than making sure that in every moment we are clean and ready to enter into his kingdom, but we all know that no one is perfect.  Because no unclean thing can enter into his presence, oh how important that we are constantly washing our sins away through repentance and the atonement, or the suffering and blood of Jesus Christ.  In General Conference last October, Elder Klebingat talked about ways to approach the throne of God with confidence, and one of those is learning to repent really fast! The part I liked the most was that he explained that the atonement is intimate.  We can use it when we want and how often we want, so why don't we!  I know that this is true!  Jesus wants to forgive!  He wants to give us the opportunity to change and become better.  There is no greater joy than the feeling of doing Gods will.  If we mess up, repent really fast and never do it again.  through this process of repentance we will become the people that God wants us to be and we will see the greatest progression. I testify of the love that our Heavenly Father has for us, and the love of our Savior Jesus Christ.  His arms are always open, but we just have to come unto him.  I testify of his redeeming and forgiving power, because I see it every day, not just in my life but also in the lives of those that he sends us to.  I love my Savior with all my heart, and testify of these things in his sacred and holy name, Amen.

 P Day!

 I love this place!  Seriously heaven on earth!!!

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August 31, 2015 email “Pray in your families unto the father”

“Pray in your families unto the father”  3 Nephi 18:21

Tortillas: 28

This week I feel very grateful for the opportunity to work with the members here in Cantel.  We have been doing a lot of activity called “plan de accion” where we come together to find out which of their friends they can share the gospel with.  It has been amazing to see how much help they are to us, and the wonderful people that we have been able to meet and that we are teaching.  This has helped the work progress down here because it is a much more effective way to find positive people to share the gospel with.  I have been able to see many miracles as we come together to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and truly every member is a missionary.  Also, I thought you might be interested to hear about what is going on with the politics down here.  It is crazy!  The tactics that they use are very different, like huge rallies, people driving around in pickups with giant speakers, signs EVERYWHERE!  On the 6th of September they will vote and we have to enter our house at 4:00.  Here in Cantel the politics are a little bit crazier because the people are poorer and the candidates know that it is easiest to get their votes.  A candidate for president even came this week.

Mejor Milagro:

So, one day my companion and I found that the appointment had fallen and we did not know what to do.  As my companion decided to call someone to see if they were home, he out of no where decided that he needed to call a name that we did not know.  When he called, a woman answered.  He explained who we were, and she remembered us, they had met a while back, and she gave the missionaries her phone number, but they never called.  So, we put an appointment for another day.  when the day came, we were in the village where she lived but could not find her house, we called, and she did answer.  As we were asking everyone if they knew her, no one did.  When we got to the point of turning back, a young woman passed by and asked us if we were looking for this woman.  She then explained to us that she was her daughter and would gladly take us to the house that we were looking for!!!  So, she takes us to her house and we met their family.  It turns out that before they were receiving the missionaries and coming to church, but they disappeared.  This was in the middle of Xela, and when they moved they lost contact with the church.  About 5 months ago she met a missionary in the bus and he took her number, but they never called until NOW!!  They are a family that is very receptive  and excited to learn.  I am so grateful that my companion Elder Caal was lead to call them and that Heavenly Father has given us the opportunity to teach this family!

Testimony time:

This week we had stake conference.  Elder Cezar A. Morales came and spoke, and it was amazing!  My favorite part was what he shared with us, there are 6 things to sanctify our families and homes to come unto Christ.  These 6 things are;

1. Family prayer daily.  Christ instructed us in 3 Nephi 18:21 that we had to pray for our families so they can be blessed.  Elder Morales said, “ look for space to complete with this sacred privilege.
2. Reading the scriptures together
3. Family home evening.  Elder Morales made the promise that if we do it, we will not lose a single member of our family to sin and temptation.
4. Paying a full tithe and fast offering.  A law that is a preporatory law for complete consecration.
5. Coming to church ready to partake of the sacrament worthily each Sunday.
6. Preparing to go to the temple as frequent as possible.  In this holy house  we learn the will of the Lord.  I know that to God, our families are the most important.  The principles to a happy family are the same, where we are in Guatemala or Japan.  I know that if we do these things, one day we can return to Gods presence together.  And oh how wonderful it will be.  I testify of this great opportunity, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.