Forces of Heaven and Hell

What a week. This week I felt the forces of heaven and hell, and the protection and love from heaven.

Either my comp or myself have been sick all week. So, we didn't get to work all that much. But, we fought for Jacinto and Vilma. Thursday night we didn't sleep very well. Twelve missionaries have gone home in the last change and my comp and I stayed up talking about our goals, our missions, and things we have learned. That night I felt my Heavenly Father so aware of me and my comp, helping us to learn from one another.

Friday morning we went to the chapel and practiced again the musical number for the baptism that afternoon. We sat on the steps of the baptismal font listening to the rushing water and just pondered on the events that were going to come to pass later that afternoon. I thought about the importance of baptism. I though of all the prayers and work to get Jacinto and Vilma to their baptism. We put the heater on and left to prepare the last couple of things.

We finally got to their house and Jacinto wasn't there. I about flipped. But, he showed up and we went. The baptism was beautiful. Our musical number went so well. The Elders sang and played the guitar as well. They went into the water and were baptized and left the water with a huge smile. On Sunday, they were confirmed in the knic of time and then the bishop and Jacinto were talking in front of everyone. I was like, oh no! What happened. Then, I saw something that made me cry. Jacinto handed his baby girl to the bishop and she received her name and her blessing. It was beautiful. It was absolutely beautiful. The whole family received blessings.

The ward is receiving them. Everyday they have a family home evening, or a dinner, or something with some member. It was absolutely beautiful!

The Lord led us to this family. They were prepared!

Yesterday was Vilmas sixteenth birthday. We kept telling her she was getting the best gift, the gift of the Holy Ghost. We made her a small cake and a birthday crown. In midst of all their problems as a young couple, they had joy in their eyes and their smile had more depth!

This work is incredible!

And can you believe I have been here for eleven months! Crazy.

Well I love you all!

Big News This Week

What a week. Let's see. Last Monday we went to a member's home and we made pupusas that was pretty awesome. I will have to teach you all when I get back.

My comp and I are doing wonderful. She fasted and got a blessing and we have talked a lot and she is much happier... and so am I! We work really well together and it's nice. It's good to just work without having to come home and work again with your comp. We speak Spanglish. Her English is so good. It just needs practice.

So big news this week...

THE FAMILIA MATIAS HAS A FECHA and they are getting baptized this Friday at four. But, that is a lot easier to write than what needed to happen for them to get to that point.

As you know we have been working with them for so long. Baby Vilma Ngeli came and slowed down the baptism process, but I think it was a good thing. Last week we tried to set a fecha with them. Jacinto said, "No, no okay September 15th." I looked at him and was like, that's a Tuesday and why that date. He said he had just picked it. We talked more about baptism and that it's a commandment and he accepted August 6th. Vilma looked at me and said no. I said okay. We testified and such. Hermana Arana said that she didn't think that Vilma had a testimony or had felt that Spirit. I told her no. I know she had and I know she is gaining her testimony, it isn't that. There is something more. We prayed and studied and had a plan A, B, and C, for things they might say.

The next day we were almost to their house and I said Hermana, let's say a prayer. I don't know what more we can say or do. We need the Lord's help to open their hearts. We prayed and went with a new determination. We walked in and we talked a bit and then Jacinto said, "Well... she has doubt." I looked at Vilma and told her we are her friends and sisters, and that we could help give her answers. She said that she had three questions. "I am worried about the cold water and my milk," she is still nursing, "how much does the baptism cost?" And then she said, "What time are you wanting to have the baptism? My sister is getting married on the 6th." She is so cute.

So I smiled and said, "Oh Vilma! Do you want to get baptized?" She said yes. Then I said, "Okay. The water will be warm. Don't worry, we will have a blow dryer after too. The baptism is FREE all of it. And enjoy your sister's wedding. We can do it a week after or the day before." She said the day before.

So with fechas, we left sooo grateful for the literal answer to prayers. The next step... the interview. For two days we explained interviews and he had just a hard time. But I asked President Lorenzana about how to explain it and we went and they accepted and were excited about having a servant of the Lord in their home. They cleaned quickly and welcomed the interview and asked the Elders if they could baptize them. So cool. They are happy with their decision.

For Jacinto it is in secret. If he tells his family, they will beat him. And, he has the stress of being eighteen, a new father and husband, and trying to make ends meet. He is on the verge of losing 75 acres of land because he is short 1500Q. And still lacks the necessities like gas for cooking. But, he finds solace in the Book of Mormon, in hymns, and the missionaries. It's incredible.

Vilma will turn sixteen on Sunday. The same day she will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. How cool is that!

Please continue to pray for them. :)

We had a really cool lesson with a girl named Ana Patricia. We were talking about our purpose on earth and she just started crying. She said, "I have made so many mistakes in my life and I want to be better. I think this could help." So cool to know that she was feeling the Spirit. We had talked nothing of repentance. So cool.

Also found Carlos and Delmi. They're family and friends are all members, but haven't made the choice themselves to do the same. We have had some powerful lesson with them and I think that they can progress.

The Lord has blessed me with a giant and great area. With a happy comp who just wants to please the Lord. And I am doing so well. I really love the mission. Yesterday I wrote in my journal for the 61st day in a row. One of my accomplishments in the mission.

I love you all so much! Thank you for your love and support!

Desde Arizona Donde Esta Muy Caliente!

-Letter between Clem and Sonya-

Hola Sweetie.

Hope you had a good week. I spent all week at the ballpark and of course had a blast. The D-Backs are now on the road for the next 10 days, so we get a little rest.

Have you met any Elders or Hermanitas from Arizona? Do you have opportunities to work with the Elders and do the Hermanitas overall have a good relationship with the Elders? In other words, do all of you work well together? I was just wondering because I really enjoyed las Hermanas while I was out and in some way, they did a better job. So keep up the good work GIRL! And don't let them be too bossy. :)

I have little else to say. It's been nice and hot and I seem to be okay with it I guess. It's because I know it's coming and I just figure I should just embrace it.

As always I think about you everyday and I am extremely proud of you and all that you have done since you have been in Guatemala. I know it's not always fun, easy, or relaxing, but you have been able to adapt well enough each month and I have enjoyed seeing your growth over these months. So keep doing your thing and expressing yourself like I know you do and can. And... now you can do it in two languages. Scary.

Love you lots. Of course I miss you. Continue to stay safe and watch your back and always remember, no talking to strangers.

El Evangelio es Verdadero

Dad

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Thanks dad.

I needed that. I am glad that you got a rest and are doing well in the heat. I am still wearing my jacket about everyday here. This is the cold part of Central America. Haha. But I don't mind it.

I get along with the Elders. But, when President Lorenzana got here three years ago, there was a lot of problems. The Elders and Hermanas were getting along too well. So we don't really work much with them. Just call in our dates and such. You know me, I get along with Elders, so it's fine. I am taken care of always.

It's weird to think that I only have about seven months left to do this work. I won't lie. There are some days that I am just tired and ready to go home and sit on the couch and watch a movie or play some games with the family. But I know that there will be time for that and that those things will never give me the satisfaction that I get here on the mission. I love the mornings that the scriptures come alive and I learn and learn... I am grateful for this refining process called the mission. Thank you for helping me get out here on this adventure.

I love you daddy.

Questions from Dad

What I do on p-days.

I wash my clothes because the member that was washing them hates me now. Literally. I have never met someone so immature and rude. But that's okay. It's just hard because my comp is best friends with her. But it's okay. All is well, haha. But, I washed my clothes this morning. We shop for food and go home. Usually I do some quiet meditating or writing or sun bathing while my comp naps.

Oh! Tonight President Lorenzaza invited us to his house for the blessing on the house and dinner. I love that man. Ugh. I love him. He was like a taxi on Saturday for us. Taking people to the baptism and taking them back home. Good man.

Mish President, good man. Don't really know him though. He is more about numbers then us. But I am kinda forcing him to get to know me though emails. Haha. I write like I talk. And, he responds all the time. He told me I was great this week. Haha.

Food. I eat a lot of bread and eggs... and soup and Morcafe and mayo.

Haha.

Wonder of Wonder, Miracles of Miracles!

I just reread the subject. I miss Fiddler on the Roof and random times with the familia. I am listening to the song you sang. I think it's a good thing I got it. I think a part of me really wanted to hear from Sypher, but I knew I wouldn't. And you know it's true. There is someone so much better.

I am excited to eat healthy. I will be honest it is hard here to eat healthy. The terminal is part of my past. We just buy some veggies her in Esperanza, but I don't know. Yeah. Haha I am excited for home and cooking with a good kitchen and good company. And a frickin awesome Betty Blender. Ha. Love it.

I though about exercise science... I don't know yet.

Let's see. I had my first interview with President. Ten minutes and it was... just really different than President Lorenzana. I think it will take some time. He is a lot more about numbers and a lot less about the missionary. We shall see.

I made delicious coleslaw. Thank you mom.

I saw President yesterday in church. That was so wonderful. As always, he asked how I was doing and asked how all you were doing. I love that man. Ha.

Let's see.

We had two investigators in church. Hermano Matias finally came and he really loved it, and hermana Martha. She is probably getting baptized on Saturday. She couldn't get out of bed on Saturday, so we had some members come and give her a blessing and an injection of who knows what. But those two worked and she was at church all three hours. She is a sweet woman whose face says she has been through a lot. Good woman.

I gave a talk at a baptism of the son of some less actives we are working with. That was fun. It was a cool mile marker for me; that I could prepare a talk five minutes before giving it in Spanish. It was cool. :)

There isn't much to report this week. I was in conferences or interviews, or here or there all week. But, the best part was seeing investigators in church. Seeing people trying and desiring to come onto Christ. Please send up some prayers for Martha so that she can get baptized this week!

Love you!

What I Want to Share with You

Okay. Here it goes. I have so much to write and so little time...

Can you send me some info on John Tanner from church history?

I went on an adventure. Well, we went to a small pueblo about two hours from our house and it was beautiful. And, I got to cross something off my to do list, drink fresh cool water straight from the ground. It was delicious.

I had my last interview with President this last week. Wow. That man is incredible and has really helped to shape me into who I am today and who I will be later. He promised my hubby is a good man. Haha. And now I just hope that I can get to know my new President that is coming tomorrow.

Let's see... A puppy pooed all over me the other day. After I totally stepped into a hole and have a nice scrape on my leg. Haha. Oh the joys of the mission. I was telling a girl, that's 14 and from the states, and her mom about what happened. Her mom was like, this isn't helping her to want to go. I said no, it should. These are the adventures of the mission. What makes it funny is when you get to tell your kids later. And all of it is worth it.

Elections are in September and there are signs everywhere for all the parties. Well I was walking, and dad, guess what... I saw the FIST OF LOVE! One of the party's symbol is a fist and all of their signs have them with a fist of love. Just another manifestation that this is where I need to be. Nowhere else in the world would I be able to walk by the fist of love everyday! Love you dad.

Our investigator had her baby. C section. But they wanted to get baptized but can't do it soon because she can't get in the water. We've found some other really positive people just working to baptize them.

Can you send me that talk mom, about the gifts of the Spirit? When he lists gifts that aren't mentioned in the scriptures.

Okay here is what I want to share with you. More important than anything else.

We gad our last conference with President Lorenzana and he taught the plan of salvation and then... incredible... habits, attributes, and tools and instruments of Satan. For his last discourse, he taught us the habits of Satan so we can be more aware and begin to rid ourselves of them. I want to list them and then you should discuss them in your next FHE. Talk about how as a family you can begin to rid the family of them. He said, if anyone has one of these habits they can not enter the celestial kingdom because these habits do not exist there. Harsh, but true. The beauty of it, is that we can be pure and clean and rid ourselves of the habits of Satan through the atonement by using the Spirit intelligently and our self control.

They are...

1. Curiosity.
2. The easy life.
3. Unbelief.
4. Procrastination.
5. Laziness.
6. Criticism.
7. Hidden intentions.
8. Apathy.
9. Me first.
10. Being followers of men and not of God.
11. Fighting with everyone. Being angry and liking contention.
12. Envy.
13. A thirst-hunger for power.
14. Justification.
15. Lack of character.
16. To live without purpose.
17. To love the world.
18. Irreverence.
19. Self pity.
20. Foolishness.
21. To not have goodwill.
22. Imitation of righteousness.
23. Double animo. Like having two sides.
24. Hiding things. Secrets.
25. I can't (I love this. It means I don't want to).
26. Spending money on things that don't have value.
27. Not studying.
28. Can't put on the brake. Don't have the ability to stop.
29. Trash talking. Negatively talking.
30. Low self-esteem.
31. Not liking or wanting responsibility.
32. Pride. The father of all.

Well family. This week I have learned a lot. And I am grateful that I can continue to learn and become who Heavenly Father wants me to be. I have immersed myself in conference talks from April. Amazing. Go and read and have the mysteries of heaven shown unto you. Love you all.

God Had a Remote Control

Just real quick. The time flew today. 

This is my last week with President Lorenzana. Dad, Daniel, tell me how changing of presidents went. Prepare me please.

I love my comp. That's all. We have a great time together. We had an extra mattress in our room last week and I was in the door way brushing my teeth. Romero was on the bed putting lotion on her feet. I made the quickest decision I have ever made in my life. I took off in a sprint and jumped into the bed. Flew backwards with my rain boots and landed on my bum. Romero is still laughing to this day. I don't know why I did what I did but we are still lauging. We think God had a remote control and had me do that. 

Let's see.... 

I was sick this week. I think it was a combination of not sleeping much. Because my whole body itches, and the weather changes, so sinus, and my body just needed to stop. But Hermana Bunting has been sick so we did divisions. What an amazing girl. She is from Vegas. Awesome. We have a lot of the same weaknesses so we talked a lot about how to over come them. Good times. 

Update of Vilma and Herncio, the familia Matais, we visited them casi every day. She is about to pop, she is expecting anytime now, but they are incredible. They have a fecha for July 9th. Please please please put their name in the temple. Familia Matias. Thank you!

Ahh. Time. Is gone. I love you all! Sorry there isn't more! Love you, love you. And i am feeling much better.

Hugs!

A Week of Personal Growth

What a week... How are you?

I met the president on Thursday. What a good man. He gave his talk in Spanish and English. His has great energy, a green and yellow color. He is funny. His wife has wit and  has fun happy personalty. She wants to be our mom. I got three hugs from her in just that day. I am so excited to work under them. They are wonderful. Oh, two of their sons served in Spain. Bilabou and Malaga and the president in Uraguay.

This week has been a week of personal growth. Sometimes I feel bad about that. When I grow and grow without the stats or proof in numbers, but I am realizing that it's not what it is about. I got to talk to Lambert on Monday. President Lorenzana's last favor. Ha. I could see my growth in the short time we had apart. I've had a lot of time to think this week and I am realizing that I don't have to be better than anyone else to have worth. I can stand for what's right in small ways and that can bring me confidence. I have taken comfort in the words of our living prophet and apostles in the Liahona. Thank you mom for sending me more.

I completed a goal this week. I wrote every single day in June in my journal. It was cool to look back and see what I had accomplished day by day. And I think sometimes life is like that. We want to change and accomplish things fast and right away, but we can't rush time. We can't write about what happened in a day that didn't happen yet.  We can't rush time. We must live here and now and do what we can to be happy. And happiness comes from following the Savior. I have felt His love this week. I can't say it's been the perfect week, but I can say that it has been a week of growth.

Family, I know this isn't long, but I just want to say things are well. Heavenly Father is aware of me and is helping me and loving me and is showing me things I need to change and be better in. Change is never easy. But the hope of knowing we can change is incredible. We had a sita with a really Catholic family. At one point, she said something about perfection. I just felt this overwhelming feeling that perfection is possible, but only through the atonement of Jesus Christ. It's so important because without it, we can't be perfected. We can't return to our Father's presence.

Thank you for your support and your love. 

Highlights of the Week

I don't know where the time went. I still have to write president, but highlights of the week...

The first couple of weeks I was here in Jardines we went and had a visit with a super menos activo familia, the Boer family. For whatever reason, taking offence or whatever it might be, they hadn't gone to church for three years. They were sealed in the temple and a very active family before. I felt a strong connection to them, and I felt Heavenly Father's love for them so strongly. I decided to just keep going back every now and then. Brother Boer, Arturo, always had this feeling, this yearning to go back, but his wife didn't and he didn't want it to split them up. So he wouldn't come. Four weeks ago I saw him at the office and I felt strongly to tell him about Nefi. I told him he didn't always have the support he needed from his family, but that in the end he was an example. He acted in fe. Fe is accion. And so he came to church, it was amazing. He has come every week since. He came by himself the first week. The second with his son, and then last week was a miracle. His daughter in law (who two months ago said, "Don't come back here. I don't want the church. I am Evangelica. Do not come back.") was there and had her baby blessed. It was absolutely incredible. Hopefully Hermana Boer will come to church tomorrow. We've promised some cool blessings and I hope she has realized them. It's been and amazing experience for me to see the change in Arturo. There is a brightness in his eyes now. I love it.

Two weeks ago a man stopped us on the street and said he wanted to stop drinking and felt like we could help. Oh Benjamin. Ha. We got him to church on Sunday, but he was still slightly hung over. I was up on the stand playing the piano and Hermana was sitting next to a ward missionary and he tore a hymn book. And, who knows... It was so funny to watch, but very sad at the same time to see someone so completely unable to control himself.

Last Saturday, Hermana Lambert asked President about playing basketball. They used to play with the assistants awhile ago. Well we did again and it was so fun. Yesterday Lambert was having a rough time with some stuff and asked to talk to President. He responded to have a sita at 9:30. He said he'd by to pick us up. So we got to the church at ten with the president, his wife, their son and all of the ten assistants. We played for the next two hours and then he was mad that all the fast food was closed. So we went back to his house for hot chocolate and bread. And we just talked for awhile and he took us home after. He says that we all needed to relax and have some fun. We might play this afternoon again. He is amazing. I know he is one of the reasons that I am in the mission.

I hope all is going well. I am sorry the letter is so short. Know that I am loving the mission. Yes, there are hard times, but I am learning everyday. I am learning about my gifts and talents and trying to develop them. I love inviting people to listen to more of the gospel and I know it can change their lives. I am grateful for this experience. I need the refining process of the mission and the converting power of the mission. Thank you all for your support and love and examples. Love you.

PS. Lydia and Huber and Angel Torres are slowly progressing. They need the courage to come to church and recognize the answers they are receiving. Please put them in the temple and pray for them. Thanks!