First Companion MTC and CCM, Hermana Williams

March 31, 2010 Hellloooooo Guatemala!!!!

Subject: Hellllooooooo Guatemala!!! Helllllooooooooooo GUATEMALA!!!

Oh my gosh.....Guatemala is LOCOOOOOOOOOO!! It´s like I woke up and I’m in this strange new land where I cannot understand anything or anyone!! It seriously is nuts, but I love Love, LOVE every second of it! Guatemala no ka oi!!! Seriously!! haha. But okay, the Spanish is crazy here. Everyone here speaks Spanish and I cant understand anyone!! Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself because it’s so crazy. I’m grateful though for the opportunity to be here in the ccm because it’s a whole different language from what they were teaching us in Provo!! Real Latinos speak way different and at like 1000 mph. my favorite word has become ^que dije).....What you say?? haha. They just laugh at us. It’s fun times. At the ccm they make us go out and talk to real people. It’s so fun! I’ve been here for a week and I’ve already went out to contact twice. We don’t really teach we just talk to people. It’s a little embarrassing because you seriously don’t know what anyone is saying!! But they are very nice. Most of the people we’ve talked to have been members because we usually go out to contact at the temple which is right next door. It really is so fun though. Guatemalans are HILARIOUS!! And just laugh and love everything you say because we don’t know anything!! If you just say oh muy divertido!! They will love you. I have so much fun. It’s hilarious!

They also love when we perform for them so me and my comp sang English hymns and they love it. I’ve also done hula for my roommates and they love that too. They love everything and anything and I think that is the best thing about being here. Everyone just really enjoys life and it’s so fun!! We have a return appointment for this couple who wants to come back and talk to us before we leave the ccm to speak to us when we can actually understand!! haha. It is great. Next week, I am going on splits with the Latina missionaries and we are going to go teach and contact at the Guate city park. We have to catch the bus there and everything. It’s about 30 minutes away so it’s like were actually doing missionary work. It’s crazy but that’s how it is here. They throw you out and you just sink or swim. Its tough but I feel myself learning and growing every day. Yesterday I taught my first full lesson in Spanish at the casa cre!! It was definitely rough, but we got through it. It is like ten billion times harder to teach in Spanish, but I must say I think the spirit is stronger because we have to rely on baring sincere testimony and being bold, straight forward and absolutely to the point.

In our lesson, I shared the first vision in Spanish. I’ve practiced this a billion times at the MTC in Utah but for some reason this time when we shared it in a lesson and our Spanish was so terrible, but I felt the spirit stronger than I ever felt before. I started to cry as I was speaking and tears streamed down my eyes and we all were crying. I think it’s a sister thing! It was so powerful. I felt it and the sister we were teaching also felt the same thing as me. She said she could feel the light just burst in the room when I said that and it was as if she were there. It was the most amazing feeling and it was so powerful!!!! Of course my investigator already did believe but there’s a different spirit when you share it in a different language and when your Spanish is terrible. You really speak every word from the soul!! Teaching in Spanish is rough, but it has taught me that we have to rely on the Spirit in our teaching because our words or what we say most definitely won’t convert, but the spirit will!! Honestly this is something that is essential and I don’t think I could have learned this unless I was in the position that I’m in. it’s amazing!!!!! As a missionary, I have been able to feel the spirit testify through me. I know that this gospel is true. I KNOW without a doubt that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in the spring of 1820. Mom, I know it because yesterday I honestly felt myself there when it happened!!!

It is scary how true this gospel is and how real it becomes as we share it!! It truly is a blessing and a privilege to serve our Lord and I am so, so grateful! The feelings that you have as a missionary or as any normal person sharing the gospel is undeniable!!!!! I love this gospel-I love being the Lord’s missionary. The gospel of Jesus Christ is TRUE!!! I know that!! I’m the happiest I’ve ever been and I am so grateful for all your love and support!!! I love you all so much!! Prestos todos Prestos mi familia!!! Until next time!!!!!!!!

Hermana Garcia

Ps. please continue to pray for me and my lang abilities ok. It is much needed especially here. i am trying not to let myself get too overwhelmed.
Pss. I need PRUNES!!!!! Oh my food here is LOCO!! Beans, Beans, and then more beans. Boy, do Guatemalans love their beans. We have beans for every meal. My first meal was pancakes....with syrup??? No pancakes and beans!! I was like what the heck??? Pancakes and beans....mi favorito!! But I sucked it up because I was sitting on a table with all Latinos and they looked like that was the best food they ever had!! So I just smiled and sang prestos todos prestos and ate my plate full of beans and mushy plantanes and it was actually pretty good. That’s one thing I learned it looks sketch but actually it is quite delicious. I just get constipated and it’s no bueno. Every single North American here has gotten sick and we don’t know what it is. I have not been bad but my stomach does do some weird things!!

Pss. my theory that all brown people who sing together will sound good has been proven false!! Latinos are probably the worst singers in the whole world but that just adds to their funniness!! They sing with so much gusto but so off and I can’t help but just start laughing!!!! My comp hits me because it’s kinda rude but I cannot help it. It is so funny!! So yes...prune mui would be nice!! It’s actually a rule here that all missionaries must eat 2 prunes a day....when I saw that I was like oh no!!1 but anyways I love you all so much! Ciao until next time!!

March 24, 2010 Plane Ride to Guatemala

Sent: Wed, March 24, 2010 12:58:27 PM
Subject: GUATEMALAAAA!!!

Oh my goodness.....I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE GUATEMALA so, so, so much!!! It is just like Hawaii. It’s beautiful and the people are HILARIOUS!!!!! I feel like im at home except I can’t understand what anyone is saying....but I must say that is one of the best parts of being here. The ccm is sooooo small. There are only 80 missionaries here. My district only has 4 people (4 non speaking Spanish girls) it is very intimate and very fun. It is so relaxed and just a blast. My teacher actually was in my ward at byu so it is fun. I just love, love, love it here. I honestly couldn’t be happier. It’s funny because all the sisters in our room cannot speak English so we can’t understand anything they say so it is so much FUN. We pretty much just play charades everyday, which happens to be my favorite game in the world so it’s hilarious and I love it so much. They are very patient and understanding and it is just a blast. Seriously, I love it here. Any questions?

Ok now for the miracles.....on the phone I talked to you about how I kept getting rejected at the airport everywhere I went. It was sad but a good reality check. Well on my flight to Guatemala i had the BEST missionary experience. I got on the airplane to see that I was sitting next to this cute old man. I saw him and was like ohhh how did I get so lucky? He laughed and we just started talking. His name was Lorenzo and he’s from Guatemala but living in san fran. So were just chatting it was really light and fun and then he asked me the golden question....[what are you going to do in guat? YES!!!!! Ding ding ding! I told him I was going to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ. I asked him if he believed in Jesus and he said si si si Jesus Christ is my life and I do everything to follow him. I was like oh yeahhh? Perfecto. Have you heard of the Church of Jesus Christ LDS? He said oh yes ppl from your church tried to talk to me, but I told them I didn’t want to because I was busy. In my most dramatic voice possible, I was like huhhhhhhh!!!! You rejected a messenger of Jesus Christ? Lorenzo, Shame on you!!! He started to laugh and he told me to tell him more about our church. You can only imagine. i was doing cartwheels in my seat! I asked him, “Have you heard of the BOM?” “He said no.” I was so excited he was laughing at me he was like [Wow you’re muy excited] I said si si si!! And soon you will be too! I went in my bag to grab my BOM. I told him I was going to show him my most prized and valuable possession and that I loved this thing more than ANYTHING in the whole world....I was like TADAAAA I showed him my BOM and told him that I wanted him to have it....It was sooo funny he was like [REALLY?] You would give me this. And I said, for you, and only you Lorenzo, yes!! So then I gave him the whole dl on what the bom is and how I knew Jesus Christ himself visited his people. I committed him to read and pray to know it’s true. I told him I’d give him a chapter to read and he said “no! I want to read the whole thing!” Okaaaaaaay. What am I supposed to say to that? So the whole plane ride Lorenzo read the BOM!!! I could of died in my seat. Near the end of the flight I checked up on him and asked him, “What do you think?” “He said yes, this is a very good book. I believe it’s true. I said YES!!!! And you know what that means......THAT Christ’s church is again on the Earth and YOU need to be a part of it. He laughed and said no. no such thing. God loves everyone I can go to any church and feel God’s love. I told him this was true but that there was only one God and God only had one church. I taught him about the apostasy and why there were so many churches and although they were good, they were churches of men and none of them had the fullness. I told him about Joseph Smith and that he saw God and Jesus Christ and restored his church to the earth. Lorenzo asked me how do you know that? I was like look in your hands, Lorenzo! That’s how I know. This book is true! You said so yourself. Because it’s true I know Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. This is his church and YOU need to be a part of it. I told him if Christ truly does mean everything to you, you need to follow him by getting baptized in his church. I told him that God sent me all the way to Guat to find him and that God wanted to bless him and those blessing are only available in our church. AAHAHAHAHHHA! It was crazy! He committed to meet with the missionaries in san fran but said that first I have to learn Spanish because shame on me for being a Latino and not speaking Spanish!!! haha. It was actually really funny. I gave him the pass along card with the free dvd and i think that was his favorite thing. it was so crazy. i loved it!!!! I know without a doubt that God truly is mindful of each of His children. I could just feel God's love for Lorenzo and felt so grateful to be an instrument in the lords hand. I don’t know if Lorenzo will ever get baptized but I know without a doubt that the lord is mindful of him and all his children and waits for us to do our part so that he can bless his children.

The church is true!! I know it! And i love my mission!! I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Guatemalans!! They are hilarious and so much fun to talk to. I know this is where i need to be and im so so so grateful! Prestos todos prestos mi familia!!!!! I love you all!! Thanks for your love and prayers!!!!!

hermana garcia.......ps mom please fix my spelling and grammar I'm typing so fast because we have no time. I love you so much!!!!!! anephite2 at gmail.com president steimles email if you need anything. He is awesome. i love him and its cool because we spend a lot of time with them because its so small here!! love you!!

March 16, 2010 Guatemala Travel Plans

Sent: Tue, March 16, 2010 9:20:25 AM
Subject: holllaaaaa
Hola,

Guess what? I just got my travel plans and i leave for Guatemala on Tuesday. Aaaaaaah. Isn’t that crazy? I leave here at 5:30 in the morning and go through Dallas Texas. I’m pretty sure we're able to call you on Tuesday so I will let you know more details as they come. But time is flying. I am so excited. It’s bitter sweet though because I do love the MTC, but I am happy that I am leaving because I think if I had to stay here for nine weeks I’d be coo coo. So yeah, me, and my comp, and our roommate are all going to Guate City Central and our other roommate is going to Nicaragua. We are all leaving and couldn't be more excited to go together.

Well, the mtc like I said is amazing! There are some hard things and at times I feel like im going crazy, but it is so powerful and the good times make it worth it? I cannot deny the fact that I know this is exactly where I need to be so I just try to humble myself, suck it up and get to work? The mtc is so powerful! The spirit really is so strong here. Anytime I doubt myself, the spirit pierces me to the heart and im reminded...the church is true!!!!!!! It is undeniable. Literally, at times I can feel my whole frame start to shake and I think im going to pass out because I can feel the spirit so strong. Heavenly father blesses me with opportunities where my eyes are opened and I can know with absolute as surety that the church of Jesus Christ is true and that this is his work. A couple days ago, we all sang at a devotional, "we'll bring the world his truth." I just lost it. Looking at all these missionaries who are dedicated and willing to serve our god was something I will never forget. I truly did feel like I’m part of the army of Helaman and part of the greatest and most powerful army in the world! And I am so grateful because I am now the Lord's missionary to bring the world his truth! It hit me so hard. Everyone was staring at me sobbing my eyes out but I could not help it. I wish I could adequately explain the feelings of my heart and the things that I feel but it is hard to express in words. But I know this really is the lord's work and I know that Heavenly Father and our savior Jesus Christ truly stand at the head of this church. They lead us and protect their soldiers/missionaries. We are properly armed and protected. You don't have to worry. Im going to be ok! I love this gospel so much. I know it is true. and it is the biggest blessing to have this short time in my life to give everything to the lord and try my best to bring this message to the whole world and his children....starting in Guatemala! It’s true. I know it is! While we were singing, I just thanked heavenly father so much for you, mom and dad. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for being so strong and for choosing to go to the temple and follow the Lord. This gospel is the greatest blessing in the world and everything good in my life, everything that truly does bring me happiness and comfort comes from the gospel and it is only because of you and your strength!!! I love you. I cry every night thinking about how blessed I am to be born of goodly parents who love the lord. I love you. My life would be so different right now and I just am overwhelmed with feelings of love and gratitude. I love you!

Family, thank you so much for all your love and support and prayers! I think about you everyday. I love you and hope all is well. Thanks for your letters of love and support. You’ll never know how much that means?

Yo se que jesucristo vive. yo se que la iglesia es verdadera!!!!! Prestos todos prestos mi familia!!!!!

Love,
Herrrrrrmana......I love being called hermana. It is the funniest word in the world?

ps here’s a list of things that would be really helpful

-auntie laurels address
-please thank George and Jenny Uyema for me. They sent me a box of cupcakes but didn’t leave their address
-please make sure all my thank you letters are sent
-please send me tanned or black knee highs. i lose the spirit every time I look at my white legs.
-pray for me for humility and strength. This is the hardest thing I’ve had to do but the most rewarding!!!!! Don’t worry....I’m fine but a little extra strength will be nice
-please send everyone my love!!!!! I love you all.
-please don’t judge me on my punctuation or writing ability. These computers are stupid and don’t punctuate, and I only have a limited amount of time so I am writing muy rapido!! Love you!!

pss fact: MTC food is vitamin fortified and gives you gas. No bueno!!!!! Love you!

March 9, 2010 MTC

Sent: Tue, March 9, 2010 6:35:22 AM
Subject: HOLAAAAAAA!!!!!!

Hey Everyone, I'm so sorry I don't have a lot of time today. The computer was acting LOCO!!! But let me just say that I LOOOOOOOVE the MTC!!!! It has been SO, SO great! It has way exceeded my expectations!! This week just zipped on by!! I have an awesome companion and great roommates. My comp is Herrrrmana Williams from SOcal. She is hilarious! She’s a ditzy blonde Socal girl which just makes things so fun. Imagine us together...LOCO! She loves her flat iron and her cute clothes and doesn’t know WHY in the world she'd get sent somewhere like Guatemala! haha. Now she knows why....to be comps with me. Perfecto! haha. But we have a blast and laugh so hard everyday that it doesn't even feel like we're on a mission sometimes. Well, besides the fact that the spirit is BLAZING here! It's a crazy place and I love it SO much! I'm so grateful to be on a mission. It has only been a week but it truly is the BEST!!! (There's no return on this computer so don't judge me for not starting a new paragraph) THANK YOU everyone for your letters!! I get SO, SO excited for mail time every day that I feel so bad for not being a better writer to everyone. It makes me so happy every time I get mail! But thank you! I'm glad to know everyone is doing well!! Ok so difficulties.........I can't go to sleep at night. It’s too early!!! So that can be a little frustrating. So I do get tired in the morning but when I don't want to get out of bed I start singing.... PRESTOS TODOS PRESTOS!!!!! (Onward ever onward) and I just leap right up and start marching....seriously! haha.


I march everywhere singing that and it drives my roommate crazy. She tries to cover her face when she walks with me. But I can't help it, I feel so pumped and excited every single day. I just can’t explain it. It's MUY BIEN!! Oh and speaking Spanish is ROUGH!!!!!! It's really frustrating because there’s so much I want to say but can't. But I can honestly say that it has brought me so much closer to the Lord. I seriously am dependent on Him right now. More than I ever have been in my life. It is my greatest fear to be in a foreign land and not be able to talk....seriously it freaks me out, but I am trying so hard and praying harder than I ever have in my life. I gave my first lesson in Spanish yesterday. It was amazing how fast you learn. The people I taught didn't speak English so they thought I was fluent in Spanish. haha. Little did they know that I made up half the words I said!! I try now to say everything in a Spanish accent as if I could speak Spanish just to get used to it. It's hilarious!! But I truly do feel the Lord helping and blessing me and enlightening my mind so I can learn!!


This Sunday, was fast and testimony meeting. All our meetings are already in Spanish. It was so sad because when it was our turn to bare our testimonies no one went up. I think it’s because everyone feels uncomfortable speaking Spanish...even those who have been here for a while. It’s tough. So nobody was going up and I felt so bad because were missionaries and called to testify of our Savior! There really shouldn't be a minute go bye! So I just walked up there and said HOLA! Yo se que JesuCristo vive!!! And some other things that I threw together in my mind and stumbled!! I probably looked really dumb because that was like my third day here and didn't know how to say anything!! But I walked down from that pulpit and my heart seriously burst!! I just cried my eyes out because the spirit hit me harder than I have ever felt in my whole life. There was no way of denying that the church wasn't true. It was so powerful I can't even describe it in words but I know that my Savior lives and that this is the Lords work. I can feel Him with me and it’s the best feeling in the world. It was so powerful!!! I just want to share this message with the WORLD!!!! My branch pres congratulated me for my bravery after because he didn't expect any new missionary to go up but I just felt like I had to. After I did, many people went up because "If Hermana Garcia can do it, Anyone can!" story of my life. haha. But I love this gospel! Yo se que la iglesia verdadera! Yo se que Jose Smith fue un profeta de Dios! Yo testifco que JesusCristo es nuestros Salvador y Redentor!!!! Dios que nos ama y le conoce!! Amo a Cristo a la Iglesia de JesuCristo!!!!!!!! It's amazing!!!!!!! Prestos todos prestos mi familia!!!!!! Testify to LOVE!!!!!!! I love you!!!!!!! Herrrrrrrrmana Garcia


ps Tell Nathaniel to write to me. Tell him thank you because he gave me this quote before I left on my mish. At the large group meeting for all the new missionaries I raised my hand and made a comment and shared this quote. The president loved it so he had me stand up and repeat it so everyone could write it down!!! I'm famous!!! haha! It was so funny. Everyone comes up and likes my quote and my Zebra print cardigan!!! haha. so tell Nathaniel thank you! Love you all!! LOVE YOU!